to build a home, marinas daughter

XIV

After she was ready she gently closed the bathroom door behind her ensuring it wouldn't slam and wake the sleeping toddler tucked into her bed, but her efforts were wasted — sat in the middle of the large bed Faith cried softly into her pillow

Evelyns heart dropped as she immediately walked over to the bed sitting beside her toddler, softly rubbing her back "fai baby, what's wrong?"

The little blonde immediately peaked up  she recognised her mommas voice, her sobs calming down a little as she instinctively climbed into Eves lap, her small hand finding the soft skin of Eveylns under her shirt

"what happened bug?" she tried again kissing the side of her head hoping to settle her down

The teen could feel her top dampening as Faith tucked herself into her chest, "can you tell momma?" she tried again rubbing small circles on the two year olds back

"bad dream" Evelyn's heart clenched at the words, she knew all too how real nightmares felt having far too many about the horrors of her life in foster care

Gently she cradled Faith closer, feeling the warmth of her body against her own, "I know it's scary baby , but it's not real"

Faith sniffled, her tiny fingers clinging to the fabric of the teens shirt "do you want to talk about it? sometimes sharing it can make it feel less scary" she comforted placing a tender kiss onto the toddlers curls

"bad man, big meanie" she began her face contorting as she spoke as she let out a few tears again, "he hurt you again an' make you go away 'orever" she cried, "no leave please"

Her words mingled with sleepiness and soft sniffles. Evelyn's heart ached as she rocked her baby back and forth in comfort. She knew exactly who she was talking about when she referred to him as 'big meanie' — Mr Atwell

Faith had only witnessed him hurting her once, when Evelyn regrettably left the toddler in their 'room' to nap while she cleaned up after her then foster parents. The toddler had woken up to shouting and walked in to find David Atwell hitting Evelyn over and over

The teen had never felt guilt like it, she should have protected her better from all of it. She didn't deserve to see that, Evelyn remembers her being absolutely terrified for days. Hell, she still is — the two year old laid in Evelyn's lap shaking

"Im here Fai, we're safe no one's  going to hurt you. Mommas not going anywhere baby" Evelyn swore, doing her best not to cry

"Promise?" She whispered, her voice small and fragile

Evelyn sighed, watching as her daughter's blue eyes searched her face for reassurance. The teen hated herself for allowing this to happen "I promise"

After a while Faiths tears subsided and her breathing evened out as she drifted back to sleep, her small form nestled against Evelyn's chest. With a sad smile the teen pressed another kiss onto her curls, hating herself for not doing better to shield her away from the horrible word and the even worse people in it , "I'm sorry"

Just as the room became silent, after twenty minutes of trying to comfort the toddler the sound of a throat clearing sounded the bedroom causing Evelyn to almost fall backwards

Her face paled as she looked towards where the noise came from finding Maya stood in the bridge of the doorway trying her best to offer the teen a gentle smile, her eyebrows furrowed in concern and her eyes glossy