Stolen (Joe Sugg AU)

Chapter Twenty-Two: Innocent Hearts

It has been weeks since I sold the house. It was sold quickly since it was really nice and in a pretty good location. But all the money I made from it I gave to Mary to help her in her retirement.

                The holidays have past but celebration was far from over. In a few days I would be officially opening my foundation for the victims of kidnap and human trafficking, Innocent Hearts. Zoe has helped me tremendously in making this happen and she said she’d gladly work alongside me in this project.

                Caspar arrived yesterday, and he was surprised to see that I’ve moved in with him and Joe, but understood the situation and didn’t mind at all. He was very pleasant company and didn’t ask about what happened to me but instead treated me like a friend.

                “I didn’t realize that I’ve been gone for so long,” he said at the dinner table. “I left with Joe barely at home to him bringing home his girlfriend.” He laughed.

                “Thanks for understanding Caspar. I promise I’ll be out of here as soon as I recover properly,” I said.

                “Nooo,” Joe complained. “Just stay with us.”

                “Yeah Alex. I don’t mind at all. You seem really great and as long as you don’t mind me doing whatever it is I do, you can stay here as long as you’d like.”

                “Thanks guys, but someday I’m going to have to get my own place.”

                “Hopefully when that day comes our next door neighbor moves away or something,” Joe muttered. Caspar and I laughed and we continued to eat our food.

~

                Later that night Dexter picked me up and we went out to dinner. For us, that always meant ice cream, even if it was freezing outside.

                As usual, I got rocky road ice cream and he got pistachio. I always used to make fun of him when I was kid because it was a funny name.

                We sat down at one of the tables inside the ice cream parlor. We’ve both prepared and wore layers of clothes to keep ourselves warm after eating the ice cold treat.

                “Are you excited for Saturday?” he asked me.

                “Of course I am! I’ve been waiting for this day since I found out it would be an actual thing. I just can’t wait,” I said.

                “I’m so proud of you Alexandra. You’re such a kind hearted person.”

                “Thanks. If only my dad was like that,” I shrugged. It still hurt to think about him. It would take longer than a few weeks to numb out the pain.

                “We can’t change that anymore.”

                “I know.”

                We continued to eat our ice creams in silence. And every so often I would glance at Dexter, and I could see that he wanted to say something. And I think I knew what it was.

                “Dexter, after Saturday, I want you to go back to your family. I’m going to be fine here,” I told him.

                “But who is going to drive you around? And who will go shopping with you?”