A Safe Haven
Chapter One: Alive
I heard voices and a monitor. "She's waking up, Mr. Tatterton," I heard someone say. I tried to open my eyes, but they felt so heavy. Finally, I looked around to see Tony and a nurse hovering over me. Where was I? What was I doing here? Where were Logan and Annie?
Some of those questions I could answer myself. I was in a hospital, but where? Knowing Tony he had moved me back to Boston. Where were Logan and Annie? I tried to speak but no words came out.
"Relax, Heaven," Tony was saying, "You've been through a traumatic experience." I frowned, unable to say anything. Knowing him had been a traumatic experience. I just wanted to see my daughter. My Annie, my sweet Annie, was she alright?
"Where's Annie?" I asked.
"Annie," Tony smiled, "Why she's with me Heaven, with her family." I frowned. That wasn't what had been left in my will. If anything happened to Logan or I then Drake was supposed to take care of Annie, then Fanny, I wouldn't have left Tony in charge not after what had happened before.
"No…" I whispered, my voice still coming out short.
"You've been in a coma for a month. This time I'm going to make everything right, Heaven, and be the father you deserve, the father you need. I'm going to make it up to you.
"Where's my husband?" I asked.
"Heaven," he said taking my hands in one of his, "I'm sorry to tell you, but Logan is already dead and buried. He died in that car crash." No! I thought, not Logan, not my husband. At least Annie was safe. I thought of Troy, and wondered where he was, and if I dared to set foot on the grounds of Farthy once more. No matter what kind of love I held for Troy I wouldn't for the world put myself and my daughter under Tony's thumb. I drifted in and out of sleep, memories of Troy coming back to me. I thought of Annie, our Annie. That was a secret not even Tony knew.
When I next awoke, a doctor was explaining my condition and that it would be a while before I would be able to walk, that I would have to rely on a wheelchair. "Don't count on it," I told him. "I may be in this chair, but I won't stay," the doctor agreed with me, but explained the process. Of course, Tony was right there listening and plotting.
"Doctor, I would prefer having this conversation in private," I said before the conversation went on too long, "Mr. Tatterton can wait outside." The doctor looked from me to him and finally he relented and left, waiting for me. "I don't want Mr. Tatterton to be informed of my health. You should inform me directly."
"But Mrs. Stonewall, he is your father."
"I am legally an adult and I will pay for my own treatment, all concerns should be addressed to me directly," I said, and though I wasn't as formidable as I would have been standing on my own two feet, the doctor seemed to agree with me. Tony entered and had picked me up some clothes. "Where are my things Tony?" I couldn't help but ask.
"We can send someone around to get your things but I brought this especially for you, and there are still things at home of yours."
"My home is not Farthy," I told him, but it was like he didn't hear me. I was carried behind him to the limo, and despite myself I smiled at the familiar face. "Hello, Miles."
"Hello, Miss Heaven."
"It's good to see you again," I said, genuinely meaning it. The servants of Farthy were dear to my heart, especially Rye Whiskey. As soon as I got an opportunity I was going to see if Troy was in the cottage, and find a way to my daughter. There was no force that would keep me here, like my mother, I would find a way to leave Farthy forever. Every time I thought I was free, something happened to ensnare me in Farthy and Tony's world once again. This time it was my daughter, I could not leave my daughter under Tony's lecherous eyes.