Protecting Her Lost Soul

Chapter 11

I take off my coat and shoes when I hear Miley whimper. I walk out my room with Flynn close behind me. I push open Flynn's door and she's awake in bed rubbing her eyes. "Mommy?"
   "I'm here honey. Are you hungry?"
   "I could eat," I sit next to her and she clings to me. I lift her up and gasp.
   "Can I carry you, Smiley?" Flynn holds his arms out and she clings to me.
   "No, I hate you," she shouts and I hush her.
   "Why?" he says shocked.
   "You promised you would protect our Angel! You lied!" she slides my glasses off again revealing my red eyes. She slides them back on and reaches down and pulls my top up and Flynn screws his face up in pain.
    "I know, Smiley, I'm sorry. I will make it up to you both. He won't hurt her, ever again. I will keep my promise this time." I walk out the bedroom and Flynn scowls that I am carrying Miley. I carried her all the way here and with heavy bags.
   I carry her downstairs and into the dining room where everyone is sat. Miley jumps out of my arms and I gasp setting her on her feet. "Nana!" she squeals and runs into her arms.
   "Hey, pumpkin. I've missed you," I sit in my usual seat and Flynn sits next to me.
   "I missed you too Nana," she says and slides off her lap and runs back to me. I pull her on my lap and she taps Tyler's arm. "Uncle Tyler," she says. He recoils from her in disgust. "Merry Christmas."
   "It's not Christmas yet, kid," he rolls his eyes.
   "No in two days. It's Christmas eve tomorrow. What are you buying me?" I laugh as Tyler's eyes widen.
   "Er, what do you want, kid?"
   "Erm, well. I already got my main wish and my second wish. Maybe. . . a dog!" she claps her hands and he rolls his eyes again.
    "Honey, what were your wishes that you wanted?" Mom asks. Miley looks at her excitedly.
    "Well, the first one was for Angel to save me and live with her and the second one is a secret. They say not to tell anyone your wish or it won't come true."
    "They do Honey, so how do you know it's true?" Mom asks curiously.
    "I just know Nana. You'll all see," she beams.
    "Okay, help yourselves." Mom says. I look at the food on the table. She's done a huge selection, salad, pizza, sandwiches, quiche and strawberries. I help Miley with her food and I watch them all eat. "Oh, honey. I have soup in the kitchen, I'll go get it."
    I frown, my throat is so sore. She gets up and I watch Miley stuffing her face. Tyler keeps looking at Miley as if she's the devil child. He's perched as far away from her as he can. Mom places a bowl of soup in front of me and she returns to her seat.
   I look at it but make no attempt to eat it. "Ri," Flynn warns. I look at him and he's glaring at me. "Eat, please."
     "It hurts," I croak.
     "I know, baby. Just please, you need to eat." I shake my head again and he sighs, "Smiley, can you help me to get Angel to eat please?" he says in her ear and she looks at him and then to me.
     I glare at him for using her against me, "Angel, you always told me to eat. You need to stay healthy, don't make me break my promise." I hate Flynn for using her against me. I stroke her hair and she goes back to eating. I pick up the spoon and move slightly so I can eat around her.
   I stir the spoon and scoop up some soup. I gag but swallow it down. I cringe but keep eating. "So, Christmas Fair tomorrow evening. What do you want to do tonight?" Mom asks.
    "I need to. . . go Christmas shopping. . . I have. . . nothing," I admit.
    "I can take you shopping Honey. We can have girls shopping evening, guys can go drinking or something."
    "I'll come too," Flynn quickly says.
    "Flynn, she will be fine with me. Besides, you'll get bored, shopping, girl talk, trying on clothes."
     He looks at me and whispers in my ear, "Sounds appealing to be honest, you modelling for me." I squirm and continue to eat.
    "What was that Flynn?" Mom asks.
    "Fine, except Tyler is going to be no fun. He's now got a girlfriend and I'm young free and single." I frown.
     "Watch it," Tyler warns. "I can still have fun. I don't let my girl control my life. We can still have a guys night out." Does Flynn really see himself as single? I don't really see myself that way. I will always belong to Flynn. I guess I'm still with James but part of me will always belong to him too. They moulded me into the person I am.
    I put my spoon into my bowl. I can't eat anymore. Flynn grabs the strawberries and places one in my mouth and I chew on it and swallow. He offers one to Miley and she giggles and he drops it in her mouth. He then pops one in his mouth. My eyes are drawn to his lips and I'm mesmerized.
   "That settles it then," Mom says snapping me away from Flynn. "We will go around 5 pm. We can eat out."
    "Sure, sounds nice, Mom," she beams at me.
    "Your Dad had to go into work, what with Christmas coming up but he has a week off from tomorrow." I nod. Miley is still stuffing her face which I am glad about. Flynn slides another strawberry in my mouth.
    Miley taps Tyler again, "Uncle Tyler," she says.
    "Ugh, what kid?" I really do hope he will warm to her. Although she doesn't seem to care, in fact, I think she tries harder with Tyler to get him to talk to her.
    "I'd like to meet your girlfriend," she says and he smiles. Is this the way to his heart? "What's her name?"
    "Ruby and I'm sure you'll meet her if you're living with my sister now."
    "Will she like me?" she asks hopefully.
    "Sure, I guess. Ruby likes everyone so I'm sure she will love you." Miley nods.
    "What are you getting her for Christmas?"
    "Er, I don't know," he says awkwardly.
    "Well, you need to think big Uncle Tyler or she will dump you." I laugh and Tyler glares at me.
    "Do I?" he says awkwardly.
    "Well if Ruby is anything like me then it's not go big or go home it's the little gestures. Don't spend loads of money but you need to put thought behind it. However, if she's anything like Britney then you need to spend lots of money." I roll my eyes.
     "Bro, what's the best gift you've given a girl," Flynn shrugs and grabs my wrist and holds it up. He pulls back the sleeve to reveal my bracelet.
     "Probably this one," he says frowning at me. Tyler rolls his eyes.
     "And I bet that's your favourite received gift from a guy," Tyler sighs.
     "Well, actually yes. The thought behind it is worth more than what money can buy." Tyler nods and Miley looks at me.
     "Can I watch the next Harry Potter?" I nod and she gets off my lap. I stand up and take her hand and lead her into the living room. I lower myself onto the couch and I groan holding my ribs. "Are you okay, Angel?"
    "Sure, honey of course," I reassure her and she climbs on the sofa next to me. I reach for the remote and play her film. They all join us and Flynn sits the other side of me and Tyler sits with Mom on the other sofa.
    Flynn tries to slide some pills in my mouth but I clamp my mouth shut. "Ri, you're in pain, please." I sigh and open my mouth and he slides the pills in my mouth and he passes me a glass of water. I swallow and cringe. I guess it's getting a bit easier.
    Flynn sits with his back against the armrest and pulls me towards him. I keep my hand covering my ribs and he places his burning hand over mine. He removes his hand and slowly slides his hand up my top and I gasp. His fingertips graze my stomach and then his hand pushes mine out the way and he gently rests his burning hand on my ribs.
    I groan, "Does that hurt?" he whispers in my ear.
    "No, the opposite. Your burning is soothing," he smirks against my ear and Miley looks at us. She frowns and then crawls between my legs. She leans on me and Flynn puts his free arm around the both of us.
    We watch the whole film and it's time to go shopping. I make sure I have my phone on me and Flynn transfers Miley's seat to Mom's car for me. I've strapped Miley in and I'm sat in the front of Mom's car. It's dark and snowflakes are falling and I shiver.
    I buckle myself in and Mom starts the car. I watch her as she puts the car in drive. It looks like it's been specially adapted to her. The automatic gear shift is on her good hand side and there's a button handbrake. She places her good hand on the Knob spinner to steer the wheel instead of needing both hands. "It's okay honey, I've got this."
   "But. . ." I don't even know what to say. She pulls out the drive and I hold the handle of the car. I guess I haven't been in a car that Mom's driven since the accident. "When?"
    "Since I had the prosthetic. Although I could have driven before. Dad had the car adapted shortly after the accident but I guess I wasn't ready to drive."
    "Mommy?" Miley asks. "What happened in the accident?"
    "It doesn't matter, baby."
    "It does to me, I want to know."
    "My boyfriend hurt me so. . . I jumped in Nana's car. I was only learning. . . to drive then, I was upset. My boyfriend was shouting at me, Nana was pleading . . . with me to stop. The car skidded on some water. . . and the windscreen shattered and a. . . piece of glass sliced into my stomach which. . . is why I can't have kids. Nana damaged her hand. . . and they had to remove it."
   "And your boyfriend?" she asks.
   "He wasn't wearing a seatbelt. . . and he was in a coma."
   "What's a coma?"
   "When you sleep for a while. . . and you can't wake up, not until your body is ready. He was declared brain dead which means his body was alive but he'd already gone to heaven."
    "Oh did you love him?" she asks curiously.
    "Yes, baby."
    "But you love Flynn."
    "Yes, you can love more than one person honey. I didn't even know Flynn then, besides, I love Flynn more. And it's a different kind of love."
    "What do you mean?"
    "It's hard to explain. There are different kinds of love. I love you so much, more than anything on this planet. The way you love family. I love Nana and Pop's and Tyler. . . because they are family. Then there's Flynn, instead of the planet, the oxygen helping me. . . breathe it's him. He's a magnet. . .  to this world, he keeps me grounded. He can challenge me, tell me when I'm being. . . bad." I smile, "He makes my heart bigger, he makes me warm when. . . everything else makes me cold."
    "I wish I loved someone like you love my brother," she frowns.
    "You will when you . . . are older honey. They creep up on you. . . when you aren't looking for them. They will find you. . . when you need them most."
    Mom places her hand on my leg and I look at her and she smiles, "I thank the Lord every day for putting Flynn in your path." I smile back at her and she focuses back on the road. There was a small part of me that resented Flynn but without him, I wouldn't be here right now. I would never have met Miley and I wouldn't be alive most likely.
    My phone vibrates and I get the phone out.
FLYNN- Please text me regularly so I know you are okay. X
    ME- You worry too much. X
    FLYNN- Only where you're concerned. I love the X at the end of your text. X
   I smile and put the phone away. "Is that Flynn already?" Mom asks.
   "Yeah, he wants regular updates. I think he's worried about James." I shrug and she pulls into the car park.
    "I guess I'm just glad he let you out of his sight. I love the boy but we need girls time," I giggle and she parks the car and cuts the engine. I get out of the car and help Miley out. She takes my hand and her hand is cold. I'm going to need to get her hat and gloves. She holds her hand out to me to lift her up and I lift her up.
   She laughs as she tries to catch the snowflakes. I carry her into the mall. "Where do you need to go Honey?"
   "I need to go into a photo print store first." Mom nods and leads the way. When we walk in I head to the printing machine. I print Miley's pictures  10 x 8.
    "Honey, do you want to help me?" Mom says to Miley and she nods and I set her on her feet. She runs to her side and they walk off towards the other machine. I head to the counter once I finish printing and I'm greeted by a guy about my age.
    "Hey, how can I help you?" he asks and I smile. His smile is actually dazzling. Brown hair, icy blue eyes and slim build. He's wearing a Santa hat and I giggle.
    "Enjoying the Christmas spirit?" I ask and he touches his hat and grins.
    "Absolutely, the best time of year, don't you agree?" I shrug.
    "It's not the worst. . . " I counter and he laughs.
    "You aren't a grinch are you?"
    "Nah, I'm more like. . . the Christmas Ghost. . . yet to come." I grin and his eyes widen.
    "Hmm, not sure about that one. So what can I do for you?"
    "I'd like the clock. . . with some of my pictures. A pillow with my picture . . . and a cup with my picture with text. And a bracelet. . . with names on it."
     "Okay, I can get that done in a couple of hours. So swing by later?" I nod. We sort out the pictures and gifts and tells me to pop in later. I find Mom and Miley by the door chatting away. Mom has a small bag of her own.
    "Where now?"
    "Are you hungry Moo?" I ask Miley and she nods.
    "I could eat," Please please, get out of saying that.
    "What would you like to eat?"
    "Pizza?" she asks and I nod. We walk to a Pizza place in the middle of the mall. Mom goes and orders dinner whilst we sit outside in the mall. Miley is mesmerized by all the lights and the huge Christmas tree.
    "Do we have a tree?" she asks.
    "Nana has a tree. We always put it up together on Christmas eve. You can help us tomorrow." Miley claps her hands and bounces up and down in her seat.
   Mom returns to us and a waitress carries the tray for her. "Oh, by the way, I've already bought gifts for Nanny and Pop's from you and Tyler when they come over Christmas day."
    "Mom!" I whine.
    "They come every year Honey. They miss you, they haven't seen you for ages. Please just be nice, okay?"
    "Fine," I mutter. Mom passes me some chocolate milkshake and I smile at her. She passes Miley her juice and she has a Tea. I take a mouthful and it's so good. I can't wait until my throat is back to normal. I can handle the ribs.
    Our food arrives and I struggle eating it. I only manage one slice but at least I tried. I enjoy watching Miley stuff her face. "Riley!" I groan when I hear Ezra. I turn my head and see him and his sister walking towards us. Oh, christ and Evelyn, is with them. I didn't even know they are friends.
   I climb to my feet and Ezra hugs me. "Hey, Riley. Who's that?" Bella asks as Ezra releases me.
   "She's my Mommy!" Miley says like she's proud. 
   "Mom?!" Evelyn exclaims. "Why are you wearing sunglasses?"
   "Can you watch her a second, Mom?" she nods. "I'll just be over there, baby, okay?" she frowns and then nods. I walk to the other side of the mall but keeping Miley in my sight. "She's Flynn's sister. I adopted her." I sigh. "I'm wearing glass because I was. . . attacked."
    They all gasp, "By who?" Evelyn demands.
    "James," I whisper. I remove my glasses and perch them on my head and I pull the neck down and they cringe. I lift the top up to reveal my ribs.
    "He's dead. . ." Ezra whispers. I let my top fall.
    "So you haven't seen. . . him yet? He's alive. . . he faked his death." I inform. Evelyn shakes her head.
    "You said he wasn't a nice person and I didn't believe you but how do we know you're telling the truth?" she says softly.
     "I guess you don't." I croak, "I have no proof. Except Tyler witnessed an attack. He's always watching me. . . I don't know if he knows. . . I'm home yet but he will. He's more volatile now. . . he's riskier. If you see him. . . can you call the police?"
     "Riley," Ezra whispers. "I can't believe he would do that."
     "I know, Ez, no one can. Well, my family do because. . . they've seen it."
     "What's wrong with your voice?" Bella asks.
     "He strangled me. . . I'm supposed to rest my. . . voice but do you know. . . how much you rely on. . . your speech for everything?"
     "Christ Riley, should you be out and about?" Ezra asks.
     "I don't think he would risk. . . hurting me in public around. . .  my family. Besides, I'm not scared."
     "Why?" Evelyn asks.
     "Because he loves me. . . I love him. He may hurt me. . . but it's nothing. . . he hasn't done before." I hear Miley cry and my head flashes to her. I slide my glasses back over my eyes and she's running towards me.
     "Angel!" she cries. I pick her up when she reaches me and I screw my face up in pain. She clings to my neck and I rock her.
     "What's wrong, baby?"
     "You left me too long and I can't protect you. I'm tired," she whimpers. I hush her and continue to rock her.
      "It's not your job to protect me. I protect you, always baby. I save you!" I promise her and her tears dry up.
      "You saved me, Angel," she says. "I love you, Mommy," she says sleepily.
      "I'll see you guys tomorrow at the fair?" I ask. "I'd better finish shopping and get her to bed." I smile.
      "Sure, see you tomorrow," Ezra says and I walk towards Mom.
      "Where to now?" she asks.
      "Clothes store," I say and she nods. She leads the way into a clothes store. "Can you get a basket please?" she nods and grabs one on the way in. I hold my hand out but she only glares at me. Christ, what is it with my family and them glaring at me. I find Miley a hat and some gloves. I buy her some Christmas PJ's and some Christmas clothes to wear on the day.
     I buy Flynn a checkered long sleeve blue shirt with a hood. Some jeans for Tyler. I head to the lingerie section and I scan them. I find a red lace lingerie set. It's a Santa theme with bra and panties with a garter belt with red stockings. I place it in the basket and Mom raises her eyebrow at me. "What?" I blush.
    "I hope you know what you're doing, honey."
    "Course I do," I smile and she shakes her head. I grab something for Dad, a jumper with the help of Mom and I head to the tills. I pay for it and Mom carries the bags. "I need to get a camera," I say and she nods and leads me to an electronics store.
    I buy a pink camera for Miley so she can take all the pictures she wants as a keepsake. I grab a photo album in the supermarket and some frames. I get some wrapping paper, tape and some tags. I'm so glad I don't have many people to buy for. We walk back towards the printing shop and I look in the window of a jewellery store.
    I walk in and head to the counter, "Hi, there. Merry Christmas."
    "Hey, I'd like to get some rings you have in the window."
    "Sure, which ones?" the woman asks.
    "The black men ones. One that says, forever and always and the other. You're my person." She nods. I give her the rough sizes that I need and she brings me them in a little box.
    I pay and leave the store. I continue the walk to the printer's store. I head to the counter and the guy isn't there. "Can I help you?" a woman asks.
    "I was in here earlier and I placed an order with the guy that works here. He said my order would be ready." I see someone running to the till.
    "It's okay Bex, I have this." The guy from before says to me and I smile. "Is this your daughter?" I look down at Miley and she's asleep. Bex moves away to the next till giving us some room.
    "Yeah," I guess she is.
    "She's cute, you don't look old enough to be her Mom," he says in a nice way. Truth is I'm not. I'd have given birth to her when I was eleven if that was the case. "I'm Tate by the way."
    "Hey, I'm Riley. This is my Mom, and this is Miley."
    "I know where you get your good looks from," he grins and Mom blushes. "I have your order ready. Do you want to check it before you leave?"
     "Nah, I'm good. I trust you," he blushes.
     "I'll go get your order from out back." I smile and he leaves us at the desk.
     "Well, he's charming." I look at her and she's grinning. "He likes you and you are flirting." I frown.
     "No, I'm not. I'm being friendly."
     "Friendly? Well, it's his lucky day that you are being friendly then. Not sure Flynn would be happy with your friendliness."
    "Gah, we aren't even together so he has no right to be mad. Besides, Tate means nothing, I'm being friendly." I roll my eyes. Tate returns to us and hands me over the heavy bag.
    "Let me carry it, honey." I roll my eyes and keep it in my hand.
    "You've got enough to carry, Mom."
    "Why don't I escort you, ladies, to your car?" he leaps over the counter and takes the bag off me and takes all Mom's bags too. "I'll be back in a minute Bex," she rolls her eyes. "Lead the way," he gestures and I start walking out the store. "So are you going to the fair tomorrow?" he asks.
    "Course, we go every year."
    "That's cool, my sister Bex and I haven't moved here long. The town says it's the place to be."
    "Eh, like I said. Ghost of Christmas. . . yet to come." I smile and he scoffs.
    "Perhaps I can change your mind tomorrow."
    "Sure," I shrug and we leave the mall and it's bitterly cold and there's snow starting to lay on the ground. Mom unlocks the car and Tate opens Miley's door and I slide her in. She mumbles in her sleep but she doesn't wake. I strap her in and shut the door.
     Mom opens the boot and Tate places the bags in and he shuts the boot. He turns to face me as Mom gets in the car. "So, tomorrow?" he asks.
     "Sure, I'll be there," he smiles and kisses my cheek and walks back into the mall. I smile and get in the car. Mom starts the car and I belt up. She looks at me and smiles.
     "He likes you," she says playfully and I roll my eyes. I'm just being nice they all say I'm not being nice most of the time when I am they penalise me for it. I think I need a manual for how to behave around humans.