“Get the fuck out of here and if I ever see you anywhere near her again I’ll kill you.”
“Over a piece of ass, what the hell has gotten into you? I am your father.” I made a move toward him and he stepped back in fear.
“She’s not a piece of ass, she’s mine. Now for the last time get out.” I turned back to her. “Come here sweetheart, did he hurt you?” Her body was shaking like a leaf and I wished I’d done more than punch the fucker. Father or not he’d crossed the line for the last time.
“Let me see, did he touch you?” If I was too late I will kill him. The thought of anyone else taking her sent my rage up a few notches. “No, he…he…” my strong brave girl broke down in tears and held onto me in fear. My gut hurt as I wrapped my arms around her.
“It’s okay now sweetheart I’m here. I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever.” I kissed her hair and sat on the bed with her on my lap. She clung to me as her tears soaked my chest and shoulder and I was reminded once more of how tiny and delicate my little flower is. That mouth of hers makes it easy to forget.
I waited for her tears to dry up and tapped her hip. “Come on let’s go.” She held me even tighter and there was a new fear in her eyes. “ No you can’t take me back I won’t let you.” She threw her arms around my neck and held on for dear life.
What was she talking about? Take her back where? And then it hit me and something in my chest unfurled. “Baby?” I lifted her chin so that I could see into her eyes. Was she afraid that I was going to take her back to her dad’s? And if so, isn’t that what she wanted?
“I’m not taking you anywhere. Well actually I am but…you’ll see.” I got to my feet and pulled the torn dress off over her head and threw it to the floor. I dressed her in another one of the summer dresses I’d bought because they reminded me of her eyes and put her shoes on myself.
I held her hand all the way to the stairs before picking her up because she was still shaking. The servants were hovering around at the bottom looking up in trepidation. I guess they’d heard the commotion. “Mister Brax?”
“It’s okay Lucille, I’m taking her home with me.” Alyssa picked her head up off my shoulder questioningly. “I’ll explain later.”
I should’ve left a long time ago. My house had been ready for months, but I never saw the hurry since I knew my old man would self- destruct if I left him on his own. But after this, I never wanted to see his ass again.
“Should I pack up the rest of your stuff Mister Brax?” I turned to look at the woman who’d been more of a mother to me my whole life than my own. “Yours too. We’re leaving here today.” Her hands went in the air and she had a word with her maker before hurrying off.
“Uh, Mister Brax, we’re coming too.” I looked towards the servants who all nodded their heads. Before I would’ve made them stay to keep an eye on him, now I couldn’t say that I cared one way or the other.
If I could hate him, I would for this. But it wasn’t in me to hate the man who’d given me life. It was the first time I realized I wasn’t like him and that fear that I’d carried for a lifetime evaporated. I was free, really and truly free.
I looked down at my woman and smiled. She looked at me suspiciously, making me laugh. “You can all come if you wish. My wife and I would appreciate it.” I felt her stiffen in my arms and held her closer. “Do you think they make wedding rings small enough for your tiny fingers little girl?”
I saw the second she got it. Her eyes flew open wide and for the first time since I brought her here I saw real tears of joy in her eyes. She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me all over my face and wherever she could reach, while the servants chuckled and went to pack their stuff.
Epilogue
Master Brax
* * *
“Liza, come away from there.” I hitched my son higher on my chest and went after his hardheaded sister. Like mother like daughter; daring, headstrong and opinionated as shit. The little minx looked back at me as her spindly legs took her closer to the water’s edge.
I’d brought them to see their grandfather, their mother’s dad. Their mother was inside with my other son, the twin to the one in my arms, catering to him. That one was going to be trouble; he loves to hog my wife’s attention. Three months old and already he’s too much like me.