So this was AN actual dream I had, BUT these were not the characters in the dream. They were my actual friends. What happened to Lisa in this chapter, happened to me in the dream. Then I woke up.. WICKED scary.. Lol. Anyways, I am going to continue my other Red Eye fanfiction, but I just wanted to start this one off. I didn't want to forget what happened. Hope you all like it. :) Let me know what you think.

I was just getting on with my life. Five years ago I heard that the man who turned my life around had died, but he was always there. I saw him in my dreams, I saw him on the streets, and I saw him in my house. At first I thought I was going crazy, but then I realized that it was just him haunting me.

Cynthia had given birth to a beautiful baby girl named Mandy. She even gave me the honor of being godmother. I was surprised considering she had sisters. Cynthia and I spent almost all of our time together since Mandy was born. Now that Mandy was four, she was way more fun to play with. We got to go to the park and run around. Mandy had the misfortune of having her fathers hair. Although, on her the blonde was amazing. Every other aspect of Mandy was Cynthia. Which was a miracle. George was not the best looking man in the world.

We were at the park running around playing tag when Cynthia called me over to her. "Yes?" I asked her.

"Why don't you and Zack come over for dinner on Christmas?" She smiled at me.

I smiled back. "You know I have dinner with my father Cynthia."

She groaned. "Go there first then come over to my house with Zack. I still haven't met him yet and you know I want to. You two have been together for a year now. Why haven't you let me meet him?"

I cleared my thoat and looked at the ground. "I just want it to be real. Sometimes it feels like it isn't."

She hugged me. "Aw, sweetie. It's alright. He's not going anywhere, if he was, he would have already. Trust me."

She was right. With all the emotional baggage I came with, he should be running for the hills. With the rape, and then him, I probably should be locked in a padded cell. But no, I'm here and I'm trying to get on with my life. Zack was the first guy I trust since him. At first, I didn't know if it was a trick, just like last time, but it turned out to be genuine. So I went with it. He turned out to be a good guy.

I looked at her and smiled. "I guess you're right." I looked over at Mandy who was swinging on the swings. "Look, I'll ask my dad if I can leave his house a little early on Christmas and go to your house." Oh god, I sounded like a twelve year who had to ask for permission. I just didn't want to hurt his feelings. I always spent Christmas with him.

"I am right, and okay. You just let me know by Wednesday. Mandy's father will be there." She said with a sparkle in her eye.

I gave her a stern look. "Cynthia."

"What? We're working things out."

I sighed as I let my head fall to the right side. "He cheated on you. You don't need that in your life, or Mandy's." I tried to make it sound as convincing as I could, but the truth was, she loved him so much. I just wanted her to be happy. I knew he made her happy, even when he did cheat on her.

She sat down on the bench and looked up at me. "I love him."

I nodded. Sitting down next to her I patted her knee. "I know you do." I looked into her eyes. "Just be careful. Please?"

"Of course. You know I will be."

Again I nodded and smiled. Finally I stood up and looked at Mandy. "Mandy! Come here."

"Coming auntie Lisa!" She yelled with the biggest smile on her face. "Yes?"

I kneeled down to her level. "I have to leave now. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Aww, no!"

It was always like this with her. She hated it when I left. But I had to go home and get ready for work. I smiled and took her hands in mine. "I'll see you tomorrow." I smirked and scrunched my face up. "I might even have a surprise for you."

"Yay!" She jumped into my arms and gave me a huge hug and we both laughed.

When I finished work that night I went to my dad's house knowing he would still be awake watching comedies on tv. I knocked on the door and he answered within a minute. "Leese, what's wrong?"

I winced at the nickname. I had asked everyone to stop calling me that after the incident. "Dad, I thought I asked you to stop calling me that. Please just call me Lisa." I said as I put my hand on my head.

"Okay, I'm sorry honey. What's wrong?" He looked at me with concern in his eyes.

This was the problem with having an over-protective father. He always thought that something was wrong, or always asking me if I was okay. "Everything is fine. I promise. I just wanted to come see you."

He opened the door wider and ushered me in. The house was still as beautiful as ever. But I tried not to come here unless it was needed. The memory of what had happened was just to much. I closed my eyes as I walked past where he laid down dying on the floor. In the living room I sat down on the couch while my father sat down on his chair. "So dad, about Christmas-"

"Leese, if you wanna spend it with Zack, that's fine."

I gave him a stern look. "It's Lisa, remember? No more Leese, that nickname is dead." Just like him. I thought to myself. He nodded. "But, I do want to spend it with Zack. Just not all day. I want to come here first, then go to Cynthia's with him."

"When do I get to meet him? I am your father. I should have met him already."

I narrowed my eyes in thought. How had I had this relationship for so long without anyone meeting him? I met him at the hotel, so how had Cynthia not met him? I shook my head. "I wanted to make sure it was real first dad. I'll ask if he wants to come here soon."

We sat there watching the comedy marathon until late evening when I told him I had to leave.

When I woke up, I had a voicemail from Zack. He was telling me that he had to cancel our date tonight because he had an emergency meeting in Las Angeles. He said he would be back tomorrow. I sighed. I hadn't seen him in a week. I was beginning to miss him. I called him back.

"Hey babe."

"Hey."

"You got my voicemail?"

"Yea. I have a question for you."

I could hear him inhale sharply. "Yes?"

"Would you like to come with me to my fathers and my best friends house for Christmas? I mean, I know you probably have your own family traditions that you do, but I figured that I would ask because they want to meet you." I felt like a fool asking him.

He laughed slightly. I thought I heard someone else in the background laugh, and I thought I knew the laugh, but I shook my head. I was just hearing things. "Babe, that's fine. We can do both of those."

"You don't have to go to your family's house?" I asked confused. I guess I was secretly hoping he would say no.

"No, I haven't told you this yet, but all my family is dead or scattered all over the world. I don't want to be away from you this Christmas."

I smiled and stretched. "Okay baby. I'll see you- wait. When will I see you again?"

"I'll be home tomorrow, how about we go out tomorrow night?"

I threw the covers off of me and stood up. "Sounds good." I looked at the clock. "Baby, I gotta let you go. I promised Mandy I would see her today and bring her a surprise."

"You're bringing her a surprise when Christmas is in three days?"

I laughed. "She's my niece and god-daughter. Of course I am!" I said as I shook my head.

He laughed. "Alright baby. I love you."

That surprised me. He had never said that. I know I felt that way about him, but I didn't know he felt that way about me. "I love you too."

"Bye. See you tomorrow night."

I walked into the bathroom and stared into the mirror at my hair. It was a mess. It looked like I had tossed and turned from nightmares all night. "Yes. It's a date. Bye." I hung up before he could surprise me anymore than he already did.

Those three days went by fast. I had finished my Christmas shopping and wrapping all the gifts for everyone. Of course Mandy got more than any one else. But that was to be expected.

When we arrived at my fathers house, I parked outside and stared at the house until Zack touched my shoulder and I jumped. "You okay babe?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Yea. You ready?" I wasn't ready to tell him what had happened yet. I would eventually. It's just that right now wasn't a good time.

"Of course babe. I can't wait to meet your father." He said with a smile. I looked up at his red hair that complimented his blue eyes. I'll admit, it was a weird match, but on him it looked amazing. We got out of the car and he got out the presents for my father then took my hand in his. He stood almost a foot taller than me. I smiled up at him and he bent down and kissed me. For the first time in such a long time, I was happy.

We walked in and my father was busy cooking. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Usually we just ordered out on Christmas. He was trying to make a good impression for Zack. "Dad, this is Zack. Zack, this my father Joe."

They shook hands and instantly began talking about sports while I walked out to the living room and put the presents under the tree. Where I noticed a couple for Mandy. My father had never bought any for her before, so that was weird. "Dad?" I hollered to him.

He walked into the living room. "Hmm?"

"You got gifts for Mandy?"

He smiled. "Yea, is that okay honey?"

I scratched my head. "Yea, that's fine. I was just confused. You never have before, so it was weird."

"Will Cynthia be alright with that?"

I cracked my knuckles. "Yea. She'll be fine with it. Trust me." I looked around the living room, feeling like someone was watching me, then I looked back at my dad. "Let's go eat."

Lunch went great. My father and Zach got along great. I don't why I didn't introduce them sooner. I smiled throughout the whole lunch. When it was time to go to Cynthia's my dad took me to the living room. "Are you happy?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

He picked up the presents for Mandy and then one for Cynthia and handed them to me. "I don't know honey. I just wanted to make sure. You know I worry about you."

I lolled my head to the side and sighed as I rolled my eyes. "Dad, you really have to stop worrying about me. I'm fine. I'm happy for once. Can you just believe me?"

"Of course Lees- I mean, Lisa."

I hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. We both walked out to Zack who was sitting at the kitchen table on the phone. "Yea, still on for tonight. Don't worry. I got this." He saw me then smiled. "I gotta go. My girlfriend just walked in. Yes, I'll talk to you later."

"Um, what's on for tonight? I thought we were going to Cynthia's."

He stood up and walked over to me rubbing both my arms with his hands. "We are honey. I just have to go out after that. I promised a friend I would help him with something tonight." I frowned. "What's wrong babe?"

"I kind of wanted to spend the night with you. It is Christmas after all."

He smiled. "As soon as I'm done with him, I'll come right back. I promise." I smiled.

When we got to Cynthia's house, we needed help carrying all of the presents in the house. Mandy came running out of the house and she jumped at me. "Woah! Hold on sweetie. I gotta bring these inside first." I laughed.

She ran back inside with the biggest smile on her face. I walked inside and saw George standing by the tree. Instead of being rude, I smiled a tight smile and nodded. "Hello George."

"Hey there Leese." He said with malice.

"It's just Lisa now. No one calls me Leese anymore." I said with a monotone voice.

Zack came up behind me. "Leese? Why did people stop calling you Leese?"

I looked at him. "That's a story for another day baby. It's not really appropriate for Christmas day talk."

"But baby, if you need to talk about it-"

"Not now. Please?" I pleaded with him. I just didn't want to talk about it. Not now, and probably not ever.

He nodded. "Sure baby. Whenever you're ready."

We walked out to the kitchen after dropping off the presents in the living room. When I got into the kitchen, I saw Cynthia's brother Ben sitting down at the table. "Oh my god. Are my eyes deceiving me or are you really here Ben?" Ben looked up from his plate of cookies and his eyes lit up. Ben was taller than Cynthia, had brown hair and blue eyes.

"Lisa? Lisa Reisert? I haven't seen you in ages! Where the hell have you been?"

I smiled. "I've been here since you left for college."

Zack came up behind me and hugged me tightly. I rested my head against his chest. "Who's this Lisa?" I looked up at Zack. He sounded a little jealouse and it was kind of cute. He never got that way. I smiled as I looked back at Ben.

"This is Cynthia's little brother Ben. Ben this is my boyfriend Zack."

Ben looked at me with a look of confusion. "Um, Leese, after what happened, I thought you would never have a boyfriend."

I closed my eyes. I didn't need the reminders. They were everywhere. But I didn't need people to keep reminding me. I bit the inside of my cheek then sighed. "Lisa. Just call me Lisa. I don't like being called Leese anymore. And, things change."

I opened my eyes to see him nodding and to see Cynthia come up behind him and smack him in the head. "What was that for?"

"That is not something we should be discussing today of all days. Besides, your niece wants you to push her on the swing." When he just sat there looking at her, she swatted her hand at him. "Go. She's waiting for you." He reluctantly got up and walked out to the backyard.

"I'm so sorry Lisa. I should have told him."

I put a hand up to stop her. "It's fine Cynthia. No big deal."

"I think it's a big deal, because I'm missing something here." Zack said.

I turned around to face him. "I'll tell you when I'm ready. I'm just not ready yet."

He nodded. "Okay. So this is the infamous Cynthia that I hear so much about?"

We sat down and had a glass of wine together while they talked and got to know each. I looked around and couldn't find George anywhere. My lips pursed. I looked at Cynthia and smiled. "Excuse me for a minute."

I walked back out to the living room where I found him sitting on the couch by himself watching tv. "Why are you not out there with us talking?"

He lifted his head in my direction and scoffed. "As if you really care. You hate me." I shook my to get rid of the thought of it. I did hate him, but I didn't want him excluded. Besides, I wanted Cynthia and Mandy to be happy.

I walked over to the couch and sat down next to him. "I do hate you. Only because you cheated on her. But, I want her to be happy. Apparently you make her happy." I looked at his face which was filled with guilt, or at least that's what it seemed. "So why don't you come out there and have a drink with us? You shouldn't be alone. This isn't about me. This is about you and Cynthia. If you make her happy, then I'm all for it."

I hated saying the words, but I had to. She was my best friend. I only wanted the best for her and Mandy. I just didn't think he was it. I was sure he was going to cheat on her again.

He sighed. "Fine. But, this doesn't mean we're friends."

My eyes opened wide. "No, of course not." Then we both laughed.

After dinner, I was sitting in the kitchen while everyone else was out in the living room opening gifts. I just wanted to sit by myself for a couple of minutes. I sat there drinking my wine with my eyes closed until I felt Mandy pull on my arm. "Auntie Lisa, let's play hide and seek!"

I smiled down at her. "Fine, but your it."

She shook her head. "No way, you're it. I wanna hide with uncle Zack and uncle Ben." Did she really just call Zack uncle Zack? I asked myself. Could I see myself getting married to him. Oh my god, is he going to propose to me? I asked myself. I steeled myself that, just incase it happened. I wasn't ready for that, and I didn't know how he would handle the rejection.

"Let's go see if everyone else wants to play first."

We walked out to the living room and they were all laughing and getting along so well, except Zack looked a little off. He was shaking a little. "Are you okay baby?"

He looked at me. "Yea, why?"

"You're shaking."

He shrugged. "Must be the wine."

I nodded. Then Mandy screamed out, "Let's play hide and seek!" I laughed as the rest of the adults agreed to play. "I wanna hide with uncle Zack first. Auntie Lisa is it."

I shrugged and shooed them all out of the room and started counting. I counted to a hundred then walked out to the kitchen looking around when Zack walked out with Mandy in his arms. I laughed. "What are you doing? I'm supposed to be looking for you. Not the other way around."

He shrugged. "Look under the table." So I did. I got down on my hands and knees and got under the table. He met me under the table with Mandy in his arms.

"What are you doing?" I asked him again.

"If you don't leave with me right now, I will kill her." He said in a low voice so that Mandy couldn't hear him.

I shook my head. I couldn't have possibly heard him right. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

I looked at Mandy and kissed her cheek. "Go hide with uncle Ben. I'll come find you in a couple of minutes." Tears were threatening to spill over, but I didn't want her to see that, so I sent her away. She ran off laughing. I looked at Zack. "You know we're leaving in about an hour, why would you say that?"

Before I knew what was happening, he grabbed my head and smashed it off the leg of the table.