One week later
Addie:
Today's Saturday and Jj and I are leaving for the diner I work at. Its about 11:30 and Emmett picks him up around 3:30 but I get off about 5.
"Got your toys?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied.
We climbed into my car and took off. At work it was slow until about 12:30, when lunch rush starts.
I finished high school here, with the help of a neighbor, and should go to college for a better job, I know I can do better, but I don't have the time. Emmett has offered to help, I go to school during day and he goes in the night, but I don't want to do that to him. We're both barely 20 and we are a good match but I don't want to put fatherhood on a kid that's not mine or his.
After lunch rush it slowed down a lot and I could pay more attention to Jj. Around 3:30 Emmett came and took Jj home. I was just finishing up with cleaning my last table when my parents strolled in.
"Addie," my mom said. I ignored them, real mature right?
"Addie, please listen," my dad pleaded.
"My shift ends in five, sit down," I said simply.
I walked back behind the counter. "I'll finish for you Addie, go talk to them," my friend, Diana said.
"I'm good."
"Addie, go." She must have figured they're my parents. She knows my story, most of it.
"Fine." I hung my apron up and walked to my parents.
"Sit, please," Tyler said.I did.
"Addie, we want to know why you left," Annie said.
"Where should I begin?" I asked.
"The beginning?" Tyler suggested.
I laughed and thought for a while.
"When did you leave?" Annie asked.
"The day gran died."
"Why?" Tyler asked.
"You all thought it was my fault. You didn't even look at me or talk to me, ask me how I was or anything."
"Why would we think it was your fault?"
"I was there with her. Are you that stupid? You didn't ask who found her or where?"
"We just assumed it was Aaron," Annie answered.
"Assuming, what did you always tell me about that Father?"
"Assume, it makes an ass out of you and me."
"I guess that makes you and me asses," I said.
"Addie, why did you leave?" Tyler asked.
"I felt so unloved and hated by your family, I couldn't take it. I didn't feel safe in my own home."
"Our family," Annie stated.
"Your family. I have a family now, I didn't two years ago."
"We want it to be our family, We love you," Tyler said.
"No. I don't want to. I'm happy now."
"Why couldn't you have been happy at home? Why did you have to be selfish and leave?" Annie said.
"I'm selfish? Who's the whore that had 11 kids? You couldn't even take care of them!" I felt my anger rising and took a deep breath through my nose.
Annie looked away. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not coming back," I said.
"Okay," Tyler said, "Can we see Jack?"
"Yes. Follow me back to the house." I got in my car and calles Emmett.
"Hey babe," I said.
"Where are you?"
"I'm driving home. I'm sorry, my parents showed up and we were talking."
"Really?"
"Yeah, you're home right? They want to see Jj."
"Yeah, I was making dinner."
"Yay! I'll see you in five. Love you."
"Love you too, bye." I hung up.
I pulled up into the apartment building and waited for them to follow.
"This is a nice place," Tyler said. We walked in and I opened the front door.
"Very nice," Annie said.
I motioned for them to sit on the couch while I looked for Jj and Emmett.
I found them in the kitchen. "Hey buddy," I ruffled Jjs hair. "Hey babe," I kissed Emmetts cheek.
"Hi baby," Emmett said.
"Jj, I have some people who would like to meet you," I said softly.
"Friends?"
"Kind of," Emmett said.
We walked into the living room. "Jack, this is your mom and dad," I said.
"Hey buddy," Tyler said.
"Dad?" he asked.
"That's me, and that's your mommy." He hugged them both and Tyler teared up a bit.
"Addie, we have a proposition," Tyler said.
"Jj, why don't you take your mother and show her your room," I suggested.
He took her hand and led her to his room.
"Continue," I said.
"First of all, I'm Tyler Bryce, Addies dad," he stood up and shook Emmetts hand.
"Emmett Masters."
"Nice to meet you."
"Tyler, continue," I said.
"We want you to come back home,"he paused. As I opened my mouth to interrupt he kept talking, "Before you say no, listen. You come home and we can take care of Jack. If we have Jack you can go to college. We don't want you to ruin your life for our mistakes."
"I can't just pick up my life and leave. No."
"I understand. If you change your mind, you know where to find us. We're going home tonight." Annie walked out of the room with Jj behind her.
"Say goodbye JJ," I said.
"Bye mom, bye dad."
"Think about it, its not fair to keep him from us," Annie said. Then they left.
"Hungry?" I asked Jj. He shook his head yes and Emmett went to finish cooking.
After we ate dinner Jj went to watch t.v. in his room before bed.
Emmett and I sat on the couch, "What are you thinking about?" Emmett asked.
"Nothing."
"I know you're thinking about the deal."
"I'm not. I wouldn't leave you," I said.
"Its a good deal though," he said.
"I love you, I'm not leaving you."
"We should go."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"All three of us go. I'll transfer to North Carolina and you can go to."
"I can't ask you to leave your life."
"You keep making excuses for me. What about you? what do you want?"
"I don't want you to leave your life behind for me."
"Baby, you are my life."
"Emmett-"
"I mean it. We can stay with your parents or get our own place. As long as we're together."
"That's why I love you."
"I know." I laughed at him.
"Alright, I'm going to check on Jj," I said.
I walked to Jjs room and saw he fell asleep. I turned off his t.v. and pulled the blanket up before walking to my room. I changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed.
"We pack tomorrow then?" Emmett asked.
"yes," I layed my head down on his chest.
"I know you don't want to go. But its best for our future."
"I know," I sat up.
"What's wrong?"
" I haven't told you the whole truth on why I left," I said.
He sat up and looked at me, "What do you mean?"
"I told you I was bullied, by my brother and his best friend, Shane."
"Yes."
"Well, a few months before I left Shane did something."
"Like what?"
"He cornered me in my room and Harry blocked the door," I wiped my eyes, "Shane raped me and Harry didn't stop him." He handed me some tissue and held me while I cried. "I've never told anyone that before," I said when I wasn't crying as much.
"Its okay baby, I still love you," he kissed my forehead, "and you're beautiful," he kissed my scars, "and when I see him, I may kill him."
"Thanks," I said.
"Anytime. Now go to bed, I love you."
"Love you too."
I layed down and thought about home. I can't wait for everyone to see me. I've lost a little weight and I don't wear baggy clothing anymore. I actually weigh about 110. During the months before Emmett and I moved in together I starved myself. If Jj noticed I'd eat but later throw it up. Emmett makes me eat large amounts because he's worried for my health but I don't want to be fat again so I try to exercise a lot.
I'm happy to see my friends again. They called a lot but I never answered. I couldn't face that. I hope they still love me, but even if they don't, I've got Emmett.
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A/N
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--Alexx