Daughter of the Deadman
Chapter 10: Family History?
The next morning, Angel woke up at about six am. Nightmares of Jason and Kristal taking Lea away had haunted her sleep all night. She finally couldn't take it anymore. She got up and threw a hoodie on over her pyjama top. Then she slipped her shoes on and picked up Lea, who was still asleep. She tip toed into the little living room and laid Lea down in her playpen. Then she ripped a piece of paper from her sketchbook and wrote a note to her Dad.
Daddy,
Gone to Cemetery again. I couldn't sleep. I'll be back before we have to go. Promise.
Love Angel.
Angel left the note on the table next to the couch, where her Dad was asleep. Then she left, closing the door quietly behind her. She left the hotel and headed to the cemetery. Angel hadn't even bothered to put her hair in a pony tail. It was blowing all over the place in the wind. Not to mention it was pouring rain out. She just kept walking, determined to go see her Mom once more before she had to leave the area.
Angel got the Cemetery and walked to her Mom's grave. However, someone else was already there. Angel stopped dead in her tracks. Then her shock turned to anger. Whoever this was, he was using a marker to write on her Mom's gravestone. Angel walked over quietly until she was standing behind the man. She placed a hand on his shoulder. The man jumped and turned around. He gasped and backed right away from Angel. However, Angel was faster. She grabbed the man by the shirt and readied her fist.
"Who the hell are you and what are you doing drawing with marker on my mother's grave?" Angel asked him.
"Your...mother?" the man asked.
"Yes. Bethany Calaway was my mother. So, I'm going to ask you once more, what are you doing, drawing on her grave?" Angel asked.
"Please...I'm her brother. My name is Liam. I...just...I come here once a week and write messages to her. I didn't expect...anyone else to be here at this time of day." the man said.
Angel let go of the man and lowered her fist. She noticed he had brown hair and green eyes that she knew all too well. They were her Mother's eyes. He was dressed in a black coat, jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers and a baseball cap. Angel sighed and decided to show a little bit of mercy. Then, she suddenly remembered her dream of two nights ago and changed her mind. She punched her "Uncle" in the stomach. He doubled over.
"What...was...that for?" he asked.
"You left her all alone! You and your father left my Mother alone in Kristal's hands!" Angel snapped.
"No...you...don't know the whole story. Please...Angel, just listen to me. Let me explain..." Liam said.
"You...you know me?" Angel asked, relaxing a bit.
"Of course I do. So does your Grandfather. Who do you think was helping Mark search all this time?" Liam asked.
"Oh, so you helped my Daddy when he needed you, but you didn't bother to save your little sister from the grasp of a monster?" Angel growled.
"Angel...please...we tried. We really tried. Then one day we got a call from Bethy. It wasn't long after Mom and Dad split. She told us she didn't want to see us anymore. She said it wasn't safe." Liam said.
"What about when she was eighteen? How did you manage to see her then?" Angel asked.
"Dad and I...we went backstage at the graduation and saw her there. She was so grown up. I was so proud of her and so was Dad. But I knew something was bothering her. She told me that the phone call we had gotten was...it was a lie and that Mom had threatened to beat her if she didn't do it. Then...Mom showed up. I hugged Bethy and said congrats. Then I left. She called me later that night...sobbing her heart out, saying Mom and Dad had gotten into a huge fight and that if Dad and I ever came near them again, Mom would have us arrested and kill her." Liam said.
"Mom..." Angel whispered.
"We didn't want to endanger Beth's life, so we stayed away. We never saw her alive again." Liam whispered.
"And you never bothered to talk to her?" Angel asked.
"No. That's not true. We still talked. In fact, the last time I spoke with her...was two nights before she died. When she was still living under Mom's roof, she'd wait until late at night to call. Mom never knew." Liam said.
"What about when she met Daddy?" Angel asked.
"Well, the night after they met, she called. She hadn't sounded that happy since before the divorce. She told us everything. She had met this guy and they had talked and he was nice. Then she said there was something about him. She trusted him for some reason. She said she didn't know why, but she did. She trusted your father and felt safe with him." Liam said.
"And then...?" Angel asked.
"Then...she called and told us what had happened with Mom over her being pregnant. I tried to tell her that your father wouldn't be mad and that he'd probably be overjoyed to be your Daddy, but it didn't work. She never said a word. Then...two nights before she died, she called again. She was sobbing, broken hearted. She wanted you back so badly. I told her that Mark was due back in two days and if she really wanted you back, she'd have to bite the bullet and confess what had happened. She told me she'd try..." Liam said.
"You mean...I...could have...had...a real life...a home...love...all of it? Everything...was within reach...and..." Angel whispered.'
"The next call I got was two nights later. It was from Mom. She told me Beth had died. Her exact words were "Your sister's miserable life is over now". It ripped my heart out. As soon as she said it that way, I thought she had done something." Liam said.
Angel couldn't take it anymore. She hit her knees and sobbed. She felt confusion, anger, hatred and sadness all at once. Not to mention her heart was broken. Liam picked her up and wrapped her in a hug. Angel just continued to sob. She was shaking. She knew right then that her Mother had loved her with all her heart and soul and it really had hurt her to let her go.
"She...loved me...she cared...about me. She did...what she thought was right...for me..." Angel said in between sobs.
"Angel...the last two weeks of her life...when we would talk...all she could talk about was how much happiness she had felt for those three days in the hospital when she was the one caring for you. She talked about how beautiful you had been and how someday you'd make her proud and that she'd hold you in her arms again someday." Liam said.
"Did...you hear...your Mother...at Mom's funeral?" Angel asked.
"Yes. We did. Then your father...said he'd overheard it too. Dad...was so angry. He probably could have killed Mom with his bare hands." Liam said.
Angel nodded. She looked around. The sun had fully risen now and it had stopped raining. Angel was freezing cold. Liam sighed and pulled off his coat. He wrapped it around her and asked her if there was somewhere she needed to go. Angel said she needed to get back to the hotel. Liam nodded. He picked her up and carried her back to his car. By the time they arrived back at the hotel, Angel was asleep and still freezing. Liam carried her into the lobby. Taker was pacing back and forth. It was almost eight and he was feeling worried.
"Mark?" Liam asked.
"Liam...what are you doing here?" Taker asked shocked.
"I was at Bethy's grave when Angel showed up. We talked for awhile. She...might be sick now. She's awfully cold." Liam said.
Taker nodded and took Angel from him. He felt fear well up inside him. It was then that he realized just what Angel really meant to him. He unwrapped her from Liam's coat and handed it back to him. Liam hugged him with one arm and then kissed his niece on the forehead. Angel stirred.
"Uncle Liam...thank you...so much." she whispered.
"You're welcome, Angel Baby." Liam said.
"Liam...thanks." Taker said.
"No problem, Mark. Make sure you take good care of her. Otherwise, I'll make sure you really do wind up a Deadman." Liam said.
Taker laughed, but he agreed. Liam left. Angel glanced up at her Daddy, tears rolling down her face. She felt bad for making him worry like that. He pushed Angel's hair away from her face. He was smiling. Angel started to speak, trying to apologize, but Taker stopped her.
"Shush, sweetheart. It's OK. I knew where you were. Don't apologize. Just rest. I'm going to take you upstairs and get you warmed up." Taker said.
"Daddy...she loved me. Mom loved me...with all her heart and soul." Angel whispered.
"I know that. I know she did. And you know something, Baby Girl?" Taker said.
"What, Daddy?" Angel asked.
"I love you with all my heart and soul too and the happiest moment of my life was when Kiera and her family walked into my locker room with you." Taker said.
"Daddy..." Angel whispered.
"I mean it, sweetheart." Taker said.
"I love you too." Angel whispered.
She drifted off, still staring up at Taker. He kissed her forehead and walked upstairs with her. As soon as he walked into the room, Kristy let out a scream. Angel stirred a little, but didn't wake up.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Kristy yelled.
"Kristy, be quiet! You'll wake her up!" Owen said.
"YOU HURT HER, DIDN'T YOU?!" Kristy yelled.
"That's enough, young lady!" Davey said.
"Kristy, I didn't do anything. She went to Beth's grave on her own this morning. Liam, Beth's brother, brought her back." Taker said.
"You really need to control your temper, Kristy." Bret said.
"Says the man who can't keep his." Owen said.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Taker. I...just...I shouldn't have yelled at you like that." Kristy said.
"It's alright, Krissy. You've always been the one to protect Angel, so I understand." Taker said.
Kristy sighed in relief. Taker carried Angel to bed and woke her up. Then he got Kristy to help her put clean and dry clothes on. Then both of them forced her to get into bed. Angel hated it. She thought she was fine.
"I'm fine you two..." she said.
"Angel, you're not fine. You're freezing cold. Why did you go to the Cemetery in just your pyjamas and a hoodie...in the rain no less?" Kristy asked.
"Nightmares again." was all Angel said.
"So that's what you meant when you said you couldn't sleep." Taker said.
"Yeah." Angel whispered.
"Remind me to kill Kristal if we ever run into her." Kristy said.
"It's not just Kristal now. It's Jason too. I...keep dreaming about Lea being taken away..." Angel said.
"Again?" Kristy asked.
"Look, I know it's stupid." Angel said.
"Not really." Kristy said.
"Angel, it's not stupid. You've been scared Jason's going to take Lea away a bunch of times. Remember?" Bret asked.
"We didn't say you were stupid, baby girl. It's them. They know you love Lea and they're using it against you. That's all. That's what evil people do. They find a weakness and they use it to their advantage." Taker said.
"Yeah. Just look at my Mother." Kristy said.
"And look at your Dad. How many times has he done it?" Bret asked.
"Bret!" Taker said.
"He's right, Daddy. It's just the way you are. You step in that ring and it's like someone flips your switch to evil." Angel said with a laugh.
"It's true, Uncle Taker. I've seen you go from good to evil in a millisecond. Not to mention, Uncle Bret can be evil when he wants." Kristy said with a giggle.
"True." Taker said.
Angel nodded. She yawned. She felt exhausted. Taker got her to lay down. Bret and Kristy gave her a hug and left. Taker sat down next to the bed. Angel sighed.
"Daddy, you don't have to sit here. I'm alright." Angel said.
"I'm sitting here just in case." Taker said.
"Alright." Angel said.
"Angel, you're preoccupied. Come on, what's happening?" Taker said.
"Just...thinking about what Uncle Liam told me." Angel said.
"Oh, OK. What did he tell you?" Taker asked.
"It wasn't their fault they didn't see Mom. Kristal made Mom call and say she didn't want to see them anymore because it wasn't safe. Then when she was eighteen, Grandpa and Kristal had a huge fight. Kristal said if they came around, she'd have them arrested...and she'd kill Mom too. But...Mom still talked to them though. Daddy...she was going to tell you...she wanted me back. Uncle Liam told her if she really wanted me back she had to tell you. She said she was going to try...but then..." Angel said.
"Angel, when did she tell him that?" Taker asked.
"Two days before..." Angel said.
"Huh..." Taker said.
"He said...you were supposed to come back...two days later..." Angel said.
"Yeah. I was due home the day your Mother died...but...it stormed and my flight got delayed. I got home a day late." Taker said.
"Oh..." Angel said.
"What else did Liam say?" Taker asked.
"Kristal called and told him. Apparently, she told him that his "sister's miserable life was over now". He said it made him wonder if Kristal had done something." Angel said.
"She said what?!" Taker asked.
"She said that, Daddy." Angel said.
"Oh, good lord." Taker said.
"Daddy...how...how did you find out...that Mom was gone? And what happened when you found out about me?" Angel said.
"It's a long story." Taker said.
"That's OK, Daddy. I want to know. Please?" Angel said.
"Are you sure?" Taker asked.
"Yes, Daddy. I'm sure." Angel told him.
"Alright. Get comfy, baby girl. This is going to take awhile." Taker said.
Angel nodded. She sat up to make sure that she wouldn't fall asleep. Then she looked at her Dad, waiting for him to start talking. He took a deep breath.
"I got home and your Mother wasn't there. Her stuff wasn't there either. I got worried. I figured Kristal would know what happened so I called her." Taker said.
"Oh, dear god. Something tells me that didn't go over well." Angel said.
"It didn't." Taker said.
"OK...what did she say, Daddy?" Angel asked.
"I asked her where your Mother's stuff went and where she was. She said "Beth's gone. She's dead. It happened yesterday". She sounded upset...but now that I think about it, she was probably faking it." Taker said.
"Probably." Angel said.
"I...don't remember a lot after that. I was in complete and total shock. I basically shut everyone and everything out. I swore I'd never show my emotions to anyone, ever again. Then came the day of your Mother's funeral two weeks later. I don't remember what lead up to it, but I was standing where your Mother's body was and Kristal's laughing caught my attention. I thought it was odd." Taker said.
"Only Kristal would laugh at her daughter's funeral. What exactly did she say, Daddy?" Angel asked.
"To tell the truth, I don't remember all of it. What I do remember is this. "Bethany got all she wanted in life. All she ever wanted was to have a little girl and name her Angel. Two weeks ago, she got it. Angel Marie Calaway was born. And thanks to me, that man she married had no idea my Bethy was even pregnant". And then she laughed. My first reaction was that she was lying, but even Kristal wouldn't lie about something like that. Before I left the Cemetery that day, I promised your Mother...that I'd find you no matter how long I had to look." Taker said.
Angel looked up at her Dad and was startled. Tears were rolling down his face. She got up and walked over to him. Angel wrapped her arms around her father. That was when she realized that he had meant it when he said he loved her with all his heart and soul. If he didn't, he never would have promised Mom...and he never would have spent sixteen years searching for me. Angel thought.
"Daddy...thank you." Angel said.
"For what?" Taker asked.
"For loving me enough to search for me...and for telling me all this..." Angel said.
"You're welcome, Angel Baby. Now, how about you try and rest a little?" Taker said.
"OK. Daddy...I know I'm sixteen...but can you lay with me? I...don't want to have nightmares again." Angel whispered.
"Sure." Taker said.
He helped Angel get into bed and then laid down with her. A few minutes later, Angel was sound asleep, hugging him. Taker dozed off too and when he woke up again, Lea was curled up between him and Angel. She was awake. She looked up at her Daddy and blinked.
"An?" Lea asked.
"Angel's OK, Lea. She's just cold. How about we stay with her? Maybe she'll feel better." Taker said.
"An, Da." Lea said.
Taker took that for a yes and laid back down. He watched Lea fall asleep. Taker just laid there. He was thinking. After Beth had died, he had sworn he'd never show his emotions again, however, Angel was slowly cracking through the walls he'd built around himself. Taker sighed. He hoped Angel wouldn't succeed in completely breaking the walls around his heart. He knew what would happen if she did.
"Mark, Angel's going to succeed." Beth's voice said.
"Bethy? Where are you?" Taker asked, looking around.
"Right here." Beth said.
Taker looked around. Beth was on the bed, next to Angel, stroking her hair. Angel had a smile on her face. It made him smile. Beth was still around in a sense. He looked away from Beth. He was ashamed to admit what he was feeling at the moment.
"I don't want her to break the walls around my heart because as soon as it happens, she'll be snatched away...just like you were. Just like my Mother was." Taker said.
"What do you mean, Mark?" Beth asked.
"As soon as I open up to Angel, she'll be taken away from me. It's what happens every single time." Taker said.
"Mark, she's your daughter. If she's anything like you, which she is judging by what I saw in that ring last night, she's not going to let herself be taken out. She's smarter then that." Beth said.
"You're probably right, Bethy. I guess I just-" Taker started.
Just then, he heard a commotion the room. He sighed and got up. When he opened the door, he was shocked. Jason had found out where they were and he wasn't by himself. Kristal was there too. Taker sighed. He was hoping he had been wrong when he had guessed that she and Jason had met. Everyone but Kristy was bound in some way. However, she was standing there, not looking afraid.
"I know why you're here and it's not going to happen!" she snapped.
"Look around you, little girl. There's no one here to protect you." Jason said.
"So? There's still someone protecting Lea and Angel and even if you somehow make it past me, you'll have to go through him!" Kristy snapped.
"The Deadman will be very easy to get by. All I have to do is threaten poor, defenceless Angel and he'll hand Lea over no problem." Kristal said.
"There's no way Uncle Taker would trade the safety of one of his daughters for the other! You're a fool, Kristal!" Kristy said.
"Lea is not his daughter. She belongs to me." Jason said.
"Not according to Amber. She left Lea in Angel's care and as far as Lea knows, Uncle Taker is her father. He's certainly a better father to Lea then you were." Kristy said.
"Now, now Kiera. Don't make me use my powers on you." Kristal said.
"Your powers? Last I checked, you stole them from someone. Oh, that's right. You stole them from your Granddaughter!" Kristy said.
"She's unfit to wield any sort of power." Kristal snapped.
"Look, little girl. Just go get Lea and give her to us. That way no one has to get hurt." Jason said.
"And if I hand her over what do you plan to do with her?" Kristy asked.
"Remove the binding that he placed on her powers...and show her love." Kristal said.
"You? Show her love? Don't you have to know how to love before you can show it to other people?" Kristy asked.
"You mouthy little brat! Give us Lea! Now!" Jason snapped.
"Go to hell." Kristy snapped.
Kristal snapped then. She used her powers to bind Kristy to the wall. She struggled for a minute. Then she yelled back to Taker, who was still standing in the doorway, looking shocked. Kristy tried to fend them off.
"UNCLE TAKER! YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE THEM! HURRY!" she shouted.
Taker didn't think twice. He slammed the door shut and locked it. Then he walked over to the bed and shook Angel. Angel stirred and opened her eyes. She knew something was wrong.
"Angel, pick Lea up." Taker said.
"O-OK, Daddy." Angel said.
She picked up Lea, who was still asleep. Taker looked around for a place to hide them. The only place was the bathroom that was attached to the room. He ran into the room.
"Daddy, what...what happened? What's wrong?" Angel asked.
"Look, just stay here. No matter what you hear, stay here. Do you understand me?" Taker asked.
"D-Daddy?" Angel asked.
"Promise me, Angel. You'll stay here. No matter what." Taker said.
"I...don't...Daddy...I...I'll stay here." Angel whispered.
"Good girl." Taker said.
He hugged and kissed both her and Lea and told Angel he loved her. Angel nodded and told him she loved him too. She was scared. She had no idea what was going on. She had a bad feeling about this. Taker, meanwhile, stepped out of the bedroom of the hotel room. He glared at his daughter's tormentors.
"Well, well, look at this. It looks like the girl was right. You won't trade Lea to keep Angel safe." Kristal said.
"Of course I'm right! You think I'm a liar, you mother fucking bitch?!" Kristy snapped.
"Of course I wouldn't trade Lea just to keep Angel safe! I love them both!" Taker snapped.
"Well, you've got a heart." Kristal said.
"Surprised?" Taker asked.
"Don't talk to her, Uncle Taker. She's a bitch." Kristy said.
"Keep your nose out of this, little girl." Kristal snapped, clenching her fists.
Kristy screamed. The ropes binding her were getting tighter. Taker's looked from Jason to Kristal to Kristy. Then he looked around the room. He was the only one left who could do anything.
"STOP IT!" Taker shouted.
"Well, well, Angel isn't the only one who's managed to get at your heart it seems." Kristal said.
"Stop hurting Kiera! This doesn't involve her. It's between you and me. You hate me! I get it! But you're really going to make Angel suffer for it?" Taker growled.
"She should suffer. She's just like her mother. Weak." Kristal said.
"BETH WAS NOT WEAK, YOU BITCH! SHE WAS A HELL OF A LOT STRONGER THEN YOU'LL EVER BE!" Kristy screamed.
"You...you have no right. You didn't know Beth. You thought you did, but you didn't and you sure as hell don't know Angel! Just because they both have hearts and emotions and compassion doesn't make them weak." Taker growled.
"You bitch! Now look what you've done!" Kristy said.
"Stay out of this you little whore, otherwise I'll put you in the hospital for a very long time." Jason threatened.
"I'd love to see you try." Kristy snapped.
Just give us who we came for and everything will be fine." Kristal said.
"Maybe you didn't catch it when Kiera said it, so I'll say it again. Go...to...hell..." Taker growled.
"And he means it. And if that didn't work, allow me to say it once more. GO TO HELL BOTH OF YOU!" Kristy said.
Kristal growled and snapped her fingers. Black cords appeared out of nowhere and started wrapping around Taker. Then they tightened as tight as they could go. Taker growled. He refused to scream out loud. Kristy gasped. They were in trouble. Jason headed back to the bedroom of the hotel room and kicked the door. He walked to the bathroom and opened it. Lea was awake and laying on Angel still. Angel was asleep. Lea started to cry when she saw a strange man in the doorway.
"I...can't get out..." Taker growled.
"LET HIM GO! YOU CAN HAVE ME!" Kristy yelled.
"Not a chance, little girl. I'll let you go, but I have a little unfinished business with him." Kristal said, nodding at Taker.
Kristal snapped her fingers and Kristy fell. She got up and ran to the washroom. Lea was clinging to Angel and crying. Jason was trying to pry her away from Angel. Kiera just stood there.
"Stop it. She doesn't know you." Kristy snapped.
"Why don't you leave me alone, you little whore? You're just like your Mother!" Jason snapped.
Kristy snapped. She tackled Jason to the floor and then held him up by the shirt. He was scared. The comment about her being like her mother had angered her beyond belief. She punched Jason in the face and then the gut. Then she walked over and picked Lea up. She looked at Angel. She was shivering and her lips were blue. She was still freezing. Kristy shook Angel.
"Angel...Angel...hey...wake up. Wake up, girl. Your Dad's in trouble! Kristal has him!" Kristy said.
Angel didn't stir. Kristy began to panic. She wasn't sure what to do. Then she got an idea. She ran back out to the living room. The cords binding Taker had grown so tight that he was about to pass out.
"Taker, is there any way to contact your brother? Angel's sick. She's really sick. We need to get out of here and get her help." Kristy said.
"Can't..." Taker whispered.
"Ah, little girl. Give me Lea and just maybe, I'll let him go." Kristal said.
"NEVER! YOU'LL HAVE TO KILL ME FIRST! AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT IF YOU'RE GOING TO KILL HIM!" Kristy yelled.
"Hm. You're protective aren't you?" Kristal asked.
"Of course I am! Angel and Lea had to have someone look out for them while Taker wasn't around!" Kristy said.
"You'd give up your life for that weakling?" Kristal asked.
"If it came to that, yes, I would." Kristy said.
"Kristy...don't..." Taker said.
"There's no other way, Uncle Taker. We can't get to Kane, Angel's sick, you're getting weaker because you keep struggling, and Lea's powers are bound." Kristy said.
"So, you little whore, you'd give up your life for them? Well, I'll take that chance." Kristal said.
"KIERA LESLEY HART-SMITH, DON'T YOU DARE!" Davey shouted.
"Ris, no no!" Lea said.
"Taker, is there another way?" Owen asked.
"I don't...think so..." Taker said.
"She can have me if she lets Uncle Taker go." Kristy said.
"Kiera...you are not...giving up your life. Not for me." Taker said.
"Yes, I am. You're like family and you give up your life for family." Kristy said.
"No! You're not doing it!" Bret and Davey said in unison.
"Yes, I am." Kristy said.
"You don't need to." a voice said.
Everyone turned and looked. They were shocked. Angel had woken up. Only, she was different. Her eyes were rolled back and she was surrounded by gold light. She snapped her fingers and Bret, Owen, and Davey were freed in an instant. They stared at Angel. No one could figure out where all this power had suddenly come from.
"Taker...what is this? What's going on with her?" Kristy asked.
"It's...her Dead Girl side...more or less." Taker said.
"Kristal...you've done nothing but abuse powers that weren't yours to have in the first place..." Angel said.
"And just what are you going to do about it?" Kristal asked.
"Simple." Angel said.
She snapped her fingers and Kristal was surrounded by light. Everyone watched in shock as Angel took the powers that had been taken from her by her Grandmother away from her Grandmother. It took awhile, but eventually it was done. As soon as Angel was finished, Taker hit the floor. Everyone sighed in relief. Lea reached for Taker and he took her. Then the light around Angel disappeared and she collapsed. Bret caught her.
"Angel, hey! Wake up, kiddo." Bret said.
"It's alright, Bret. Her Dead Girl side took over long enough for her to free me." Taker said.
"So...now she's sick again?" Bret asked.
"Yes. We might have to take her to a hospital." Taker said.
"What do we do about her? I mean...I think Angel killed her...and we don't even know what happened to Jason." Kristy said, glancing at Kristal.
"You kicked his butt pretty good from what I saw young lady. We might have to have a talk about how far you're allowed to go with that temper of yours." Davey said.
"OK, but what about Kristal?" Kristy said.
"We call the police on her. And him too." Owen said.
"And we tell them...?" Bret asked.
"That they tried to attack us and kidnap Lea. Lea is legally supposed to go where ever Angel goes. That's what Amber wanted." Kristy said.
"Kiera is right." Davey said.
"Right. I think Angel needs to go to the hospital too. She's freezing. She might have hypothermia." Taker said.
"She'd be fine if they hadn't shown up!" Kristy said.
"Easy Kristy." Bret said.
"Why don't we get her in a warm bath? That might help. I'll get extra blankets too." Nattie said.
Taker nodded. Everyone jumped into action. Kristy grabbed Jason and put him next to Kristal so that when the police got there, they could take them both away. Taker ran a hot bubble bath for Angel and then woke her up. She got undressed and climbed in. It was a few minutes later when the police showed up. Taker went to go and talk to them and by the time he was done, Angel was out of the tub and dressed. Nattie and Kristy had put her in bed. Taker sat down on the side of the bed.
"Sweetheart, Kristal and Jason are going to jail. They're never going to be able to hurt you again." he told Angel.
Angel sat up and hugged her Daddy. She was so relieved she was crying. She really was safe now. Taker just hugged his daughter until she eventually fell asleep. Taker laid her back in bed and draped the blankets over her. He kissed her forehead and left the room. He left the door open a crack in case Angel woke up in the middle of the night. He sighed as he laid down. Lea was in her playpen, asleep. Taker's last thought before he fell asleep was that Angel and Lea would be safe as long as there was a breath in his body.