#phycracker93

[dandylion240]

“If it’s bothering you I’d like a chance to help.” He waited watching her, hoping he wasn’t putting too much pressure on her.

“Well um” biting her bottom lip she hesitated. Drawing in a breath she continued “what do you do if you think a friend likes you?”

“Likes you as a girlfriend” he asked.

“Yeah I guess” she squirmed beneath his scrutiny.

“Do you like them back?”

“I don’t know” she slumped forward resting her elbows on her knees. “I never considered it before. They were just my friend. I knew she was into girls but I thought she liked someone else.”

[dandylion240]

Phoenix patted her hands “why baby? Why did you?”

“I don’t know” she mumbled shaking her head as tears threatened to break down the damn she had around her feelings.

“Don’t lie” Phoenix gazed intently back at her.

Teasha sat on the edge of the bed, shoulders shaking as her anger dissipated. “I’m sorry for yelling baby. I was so scared. The thought of losing you.” Lifting her face, tears glistened on her cheek “you’re my baby. I love you.”

“I know mom” she sniffed “I just wanted to be accepted.”

“Accepted by whom” Phoenix asked “none of your friends were at this party.”

[dandylion240]

Teasha held the door open for Phoenix to enter before her. There was no way she would ever be prepared to see her little girl in a hospital bed. Her eyes misted as her stomach churned as she took in the dark charcoal smudges around her mouth, bloodshot eyes and swollen lids.

“I’m sorry daddy” London sobbed holding her hands out to him.

Phoenix took them in his but it was Teasha who spoke first. “How long” fear making her voice gruff as anger gnawed at her insides.

Biting her bottom lip she stared at her feet sticking up from the thin hospital blanket. “I don’t know” she mumbled.

“You don’t know” Teasha repeated wanting nothing more than to take her daughter by the shoulders and shake her until her answers made sense. “That’s not good enough” her voice rose in the small room.

London inhaled sharply eyes darting to her father. “I never took anything before. I really wish I hadn't today either.”

[dandylion240]

“I think it’s worth looking into” Teasha agreed “we already have a houseboat on the island so moving there wouldn’t be too bad. Plus London knows a few people there already so it wouldn’t be like starting over.”

“Thanks Mom” London sighed with relief “I’d go anywhere if it meant helping Daddy but if it could be somewhere we already know than all the better right?”

“We’ll check into it” Teasha assured her. She moved to her daughter drawing her into a hug “I love you sweetie.”

“I love you too Mommy” she squeezed  her arms around her mother’s neck. Next she approached her dad “Daddy I love you too” she leaned in close kissing his cheek “I hope you know that.”

“I do” he nodded thankful that she had come to them with the suggestion they hadn’t considered. He hoped the doctor would think it was a good alternative.

[dandylion240]

"Oh no" Isaiah felt like he had been punched as he scrambled for a chair. "She said next time it could be me or the baby" Beau looked up eyes brilliant with tears "I've already lost so much. I can't just ignore her threats." "What did she want you to do?" Isaiah asked. His anger draining away. He couldn't blame Bea for wanting to protect his daughter. It was only natural. "She wanted me to tell Juni to leave." Beau glanced towards the staires. "You don't think Juni would have left do you? I never told her to leave. I was just so torn up inside." "I don't know" Isaiah got up leading the way towards the stairs. "If she thought she was protecting you and and Raven I think she would." He knocked on Juni's door. No response. He pressed his ear to the door. Nothing. "Juni I'm coming in" he called as he turned the knob. The room was empty

[dandylion240]

"I'll help you" Beau offered.

"No you have other responsibilities" Isaiah shook his head. "Raise my niece. Make sure she has at least one parent." He could see the war going on inside Beau's head. "Please this is what needs to be done. Take care of Raven. Make sure she grows up."

"Alright" he mumbled clearly displeased with his role "be careful."

"Always" Isaiah said with a smile as he headed for the door.

[dandylion240]

"Saved by the bell" she called after him. Amusement colored her voice this time as she watched him retreat towards the nursery.

Seeing how happy he was, she was glad she had let him convince her to have a baby. It had taken him four years to do it though. Four years of happiness and peace. Four years without Cinnamon showing her ugly head. They knew she was still watching Beau. He'd call to keep them informed of her dealings. Occasionally she'd visit him under the guise of a concerned friend. When would Cinnamon realize that didn't work anymore?

For that reason Beau elected not to move to Riverview with them. He was afraid Cinnamon would follow him putting everyone in danger. He was reasonably sure he wasn't a target once Cinnamon was assured he was playing ball with her. He would send pictures of Raven through burner phones afraid that Cinnamon had put a tracer on his own phone.

Juniper didn't like it. She worried each time Beau reported Cinnamon showing up at his house asking questions. That worry also prompted Isaiah to keep his apartment in Bridgeport where he would spend occasional weekends alone to give the impression he still lived there. He would also visit Beau and Raven from time to time. Each time he left Juniper was sure she'd never see him again.

[dandylion240]

"I'll come with you" he followed her.

"You don't have to" she mumbled waiting for the elevator to arrive.

"This must be hard for you" he gave her a sincere grin "Tori mentioned that you had kids..."

Juniper entered the elevator as soon as the door opened. She wanted to scream at the blonde. He had no right to mention her kids. He had no right to even her life story. Why did Tori take it upon herself to tell him? Who else had she told? Was she the center of their conversations? That poor girl! Such a terrible tragedy! She didn't want their pity.

She hurried from the elevator, head down, arms crossed tightly around her mid section. By the footsteps that followed, her companion was undeterred. "Go away" she grumbled coming to a stop just outside the hospital door.

"No can do" the blonde shrugged "I promised Tori I'd make sure you were ok."