So this is my new story to "replace" Empire State of Mind."
Summary: Rachel and Finn have been married since High School but one day she comes home to find him going at it with a girl. it ends in a fight...few days later later Finn leaves Rachel and LA kidnapping their daughter. how will Rachel get her daughter back? And how will she deal with the allegations or being violent and abusive? Angst, M for smut and language and lots of Puckleberry.
All the usual; I own nothing but my imagination.
"Stolen."
Prologue
The house was quiet apart from Gracie playing on the floor. Happy again. Last time he'd seen her, her mother had stood in front of her posing a very real threat to her life. Now she'd be safe. He'd take her to the end of the world away from her mother and his wife. He looked at the pile in his hand. The divorce papers. He'd signed them and he'd leave them behind for her. One final strike against her to set him free.
He'd been caught in this life for too long and he needed to break free. Run wild. But he needed to take his daughter with him. He had to make sure she was out of harm's way. He was sure she wouldn't be here with her mother.
"Gracie." She looked up at him her big brown eyes filled with trust. She looked every bit like her mother. The expressive eyes and brow, her soft olive skin and slightly wide mouth. Four years old he felt he missed too much of her life already but he refused to overlook this; her mother's abuse. "We have to go." Gracie looked around at her toys.
"Can I bring my toys?" he felt tempted to say no but felt unsure of her reaction. He didn't have much time. Her mother would be home soon and he was sure she'd kill him if she knew he was taking their daughter. But he had to! He couldn't leave Gracie to be raised by this insane person her mother had turned out to be. The girl had already suffered enough. He felt guilty. Anna and he would provide for her now. Anna would be a great mother he was sure. She was a bit young but she'd pick it up.
They would be happy. He knew it. They'd build a home with real love and not this fake one he had shared for the last 11 years. He'd look at the pictured around him and feel hollow. They weren't real. Nothing here was.
"Sure, baby. But we gotta hurry."
"Why? Aren't we waiting for mummy?" He shook his head forging a master plan.
"We're gonna go surprise her at work. Wouldn't you like that?" Gracie's face lit up in a bright smile.
"Yes!" He felt a jab of pain. If he had his way, she'd never see her mother again. Like any other child she loved her mother endlessly. But children didn't know what was good for them, Anna had said. He was the parent sane enough to do something about this. He needed to take action.
"Hurry up then," he encouraged her forlornly. She picked a few toys and handed them to him.
"This one." It was a raggy doll with dark hair. "Is my favorite." She'd had it since birth. He remembered when he and her mother had made it together sitting on the terrace while pregnant. He took the doll with him to Gracie's room and packed a few things as well as the doll. Rushing through the kitchen he placed the divorce papers on the kitchen table as he yelled to Gracie.
"Put your shoes one, baby." Gracie did as told and stood by the door ready to go. He glanced at the clock. They had 10 minutes then she'd be here. He took Gracie's hand. "Ready to go?"
"Yes, daddy." Opening the door, he led Gracie out into the sunny late afternood. It felt sad and good at the same time. He was nervous. This was serious. He was taking their child and beginning a long fight for justice. He quickly stuffed her in the car buckling her into the child's seat. Anna was in the car already waiting.
"Hey sweetie." Gracie regarded the young woman with reservation. Could she remember?
"Hi."
He rushed to the driver's seat. He fumbled with the key in the ignition and couldn't get it in. Anna placed a hand on his.
"Finn," he looked up into her eyes. Smoky blue. He loved her eyes. "You're doing the right thing." He nodded and the key slid into place.
"I know. I'm doing this for Gracie."