Bradley
Waking up to Hannah in my arms was something I never knew I needed, but something I really enjoyed.
In the night, she’d snuggled into my side and I was currently enjoying watching her sleep. She looked so at ease. So peaceful.
Suddenly, my phone started ringing and I juggled to grab it and turn it off as quickly as possible. It was my cousin. Once the sound was off and I saw that Hannah was still asleep, I sighed and got out of bed.
I went down to the living room and immediately called my cousin back.
“Sorry, Hannah was asleep and I didn’t want to wake her up,” I explained.
I could practically hear Damien smirk through the phone. “I see things are going well with the two of you.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Sure. Whatever you say,” Damien said. “Anyways, I talked to my boss and we are coming to investigate the police station for misconduct. Normally this wouldn’t come all the way up to us, but since it’s you, I convinced my boss to let me and some of my team come.”
“Thank you. I want those fuckers put in jail. Hannah’s dad too. When are you coming?”
“Today. We will be there this evening.”
“Great. Thanks man.”
“I’ll see you later.”
Damien hung up to start packing. I was relieved that they were coming so soon. I was confident in my ability to protect Hannah, but I knew she was stressed having her dad right next door. If there was anywhere else we could stay, I would take her, but there isn’t.
I went into the kitchen and started making breakfast. I made waffles, pancakes, bacon, eggs, biscuits, and fruit salad. I didn’t know what she liked to eat for breakfast so I decided making everything would be safest.
Soon, I heard footsteps on the stairs and saw Hannah. She saw me in the kitchen and came right over.
“Good morning,” I said to her.
“Good morning. Did you make all this?”
“I did.”
Hannah smiled and sat down at the counter. I sat next to her and slid her a plate.
She immediately dug in and it made me so happy to see. Even last night, she was so cautious when it came to eating, scared she would get in trouble. Today, she didn’t hesitate.
“This is so good,” Hannah moaned in between bites.
I chuckled. “I’m glad you like it.”
“So, I talked to my cousin,” I told Hannah. “He works for the FBI and they are going to come investigate the station.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sorry for telling someone without asking your permission, but you were asleep and I knew he could help.”
“That’s ok. Thank you,” she said. “When are they coming?”
“Tonight.”
There was silence and Hannah went back to her breakfast. I waited for her to say something, but she was lost in her thoughts.
“Hannah?” She looked up, but didn’t say anything. “Are you ok?”
Hannah blinked twice. “Yeah, sorry.”
I tilted my head to the side. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.”
I put my hand on top of Hannah’s and gave it a squeeze. “Talk to me.”
“I’m scared,” she whispered, avoiding eye contact with me.
Gently, I gripped her chin and turned her head to face me. “Of what?”
“What if no one believes me?” She asked. “What if they side with him?”
“They won’t,” I told her. “Besides, we have evidence in your records from the hospital and I’m an eye witness.”
“What if that’s not enough?”
A tear slid down Hannah’s cheek and I swiped it away. It hurt me to see how much she was hurting.
“It will be. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Hannah’s lip quivered and soon, a sob escaped. She slapped a hand over her mouth and shook her head.
“I’m sorry,” she whimpered.
I sighed and wrapped my arms around her. She broke down in my arms and wrapped her own around my neck.
“It’s ok,” I told her, rubbing her back. “It’s all going to be ok. I promise.”
Hannah cried and cried until she had no more tears left. Her sobs soon turned to hiccups and shortly after, I heard her breathing even out. She was asleep.
I picked Hannah up in my arms and carried her upstairs. I laid her down on the bed and climbed in next to her.
Pulling her into my chest, I buried my nose in her hair and took a deep breath. She smelled like strawberries and flowers.
Hannah snuggled further into me and curled my shirt into her fists. I looked down at her and smiled.
In that moment, I knew that everything really would be ok.
I’d burn down the world if that’s what it took.
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