Disclaimer: I do not own anything!
A/N: I will continue to write THWL but after the finale tonight, I need a break. I have an original character and this chapter will be in her POV. No plane crash.
Chapter 1: The Last Time
The reflection in the mirror cannot be me. I am not this person; a person whose eye is swollen shut or has a busted lip. My vision continues downward where I am met with the purple bruises on my ribs. I know they're broken. I mean I am a doctor for goodness' sakes. I see injuries like this all of the time. Blood has dried on my chin. On my left cheekbone, a gash marks my skin with a reminder of what a ring can do.
Cleaning the blood off of my face brought tears to my eyes, and once they came they stayed. They poured out of my eyes until I was sure I was almost dehydrated. And then almost as if a voice clicked inside my head, I knew I had to run. This was the last time this would happen to me.
I rush around my apartment putting my few belongings into a suitcase. After I have my things, I walk into my one year old daughter Elena's nursery. I put some clothes, her baby book and her favorite bear and blankie into a bag and pick her up out of her crib. Her expressive brown eyes open for a moment and then close as she drifts back to sleep as I settle her in my arms.
"It's okay, niña; we're going on a little trip okay. Momma's right here. I love you baby girl. It's all going to be okay." As I whisper to my sweet angel, I have to wonder how things got to this point. Just two years ago, thigns were so very different
I jump into my car and after strapping Elena into her car seat I drive straight to the bus station. A nice looking woman is behind the ticket counter. When she gives me a sympathetic look, I realize I forgot to cover up the bruises that are all over my face. I see her line of vision go down to my arms that are riddled with handprints. When she meets my eyes again, both of our eyes are filled with tears.
Once I finally find my voice again, I ask for a ticket to Seattle, Washington. She tells me that there is a bus leaving in twenty minutes for Seattle. As I try to hand over the money for my ticket, she pushes my hand away.
"Honey, I know what someone who is runnin' looks like. Don't you worry about the money, I'll pay." She hands me a sweatshirt.
"Put this on, people won't stare as much. And here put this on your face, I think it will match your color." She says as she hands me a compact and make up. Tears burn behind my eyes because this is the nicest anyone has been to me in almost two years.
"Thank you ma'am, you have no idea how much this means to me." I say, taking the make-up from her.
"No thanks needed. Now listen here girl, you take that baby and you run. If he comes after you, kill him. Don't let him get near that precious baby you're holding." She caresses Elena's face and I can't help but reach over the counter and hug her. With once final thank you, I walk towards the bus.
After a very uneventful trip, I finally arrive in Seattle. Now that Elena is awake, she keep babbling and looking around taking in her surroundings. We walk into Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital and an astounding feeling of nostalgia over takes me.
"Okay, baby girl, we're safe now. Don't you worry; momma's never going to let anything bad happen to you again." I tell my precious baby girl as we ride on the elevator to the surgical floor. I barely have time to exit the elevator before I hear someone calling my name behind me.
"CeCe?" It's Alex, an person who I never thought would see me like this. At the sight of him, I burst into tears.
"What's wrong sweetie?" He asks while rubbing my back. He catches a glimpse of Elena and smiles at her. She eyes him curiously but still returns his smile with a small grin of her own.
"Alex, where is everyone?" By now Elena has caught on to my mood and has snuggled into my neck. I rub her back and try to make her feel better. She shouldn't have to suffer. Nothing about this situation is her fault.
"They're probably at lunch, come on I'll go with you. So who is this cutie?" He asks me, tickling Elena in the process earning a giggle from my sweet baby. Her giggles are worth everything I've had to go through.
"Alex Karev, meet Elena Grace. She's my daughter. Elena say hi to Alex." Alex looks a little shocked at the word daughter, even though he should've realized. She's my mini-me, in every sense really. When we reach the cafeteria, I glance around until I find the table that holds the closest thing I have to family. Alex leads the way and I hide behind him. I really don't want them to see me like this.
"Hey, Torres, look who I found upstairs."
I take a deep breath and come out from behind Alex. When everyone sees me, they gasp. I'm sure the bruises on my face are pretty visible by now.
"Hey Auntie Callie." I say while trying to smile. Elena is on my hip and she gives a small wave. Everyone glances at her and then back at me.
"Ay Dios Mio, Celia, niña , what happened to you?" She puts her arms around me, and for the first time in almost two years, I feel safe.