Shout outs-

-ladybugsmomma-first of all, thank you for reviewing all this time. It really means a lot to know that you are enjoying this story :) Yes, they will definitely have PTSD and I made sure to add some into this chapter. Thanks again :)

-xoxo-EOforever-xoxo-Thanks so much! It's one of my favorite paragraphs that I have ever written, lol.

-melliz1nz-Thanks :)

-Cliffhanger21-Thank you so much! I really try my best to make all of this very character chemistry-based but also realistic. You are one of the few(along with ladybugsmomma) that I always know will give more than one sentence in a review and I truly appreciate it!

-victoria-thanks so much for reviewing! I'm glad you like the story :)

Thanks to those who reviewed!

A coma. My son is in a fucking coma, practically dead. Responding to nothing, no senses, no sounds. My wife was leaning against me and I was embracing her, realizing just how precious life was. Tears were streaming steadily down her face and I was doing my best to keep them in, accidentally letting one slip out every once in a while. The machine by the bed beeped at a steady pace as mountain-shaped lines filled the screen. My thumb gently rubbed his temple and I saw into him, this innocent life possibly coming to an end. All because of the bastard that attacked my goddaughter half a decade ago.

Then it occurred to me; if one out of three of Melaina's rapists was out of prison, there might be more after her right now. I had to get them someplace safe. I stood up and got my keys, "I have to go get Liv and Melaina, I'll be back in a little bit." I said, kissing Kathy's forehead tenderly then rushing out of the room before she could respond. The last thing I saw from her was a confused and scared face. I knew I should explain what I was doing but that wasn't my priority right now.

I drove into the traffic and anger was building inside of me. What if he already got to them? What if they are locked in Olivia's closet right now, scared out of their minds, just as they were five years ago? What if? That's all I could ask.

People would drive past me and make eye contact briefly, what are they thinking about? Are they going to save their best friend and her daughter from a potential rapist. No? Then get the Hell out of my way.

I pulled into Olivia's building's parking lot and got out without bothering to call first, I knew they were home. With every step I took, the worry in me built a little more. By the time I was at Olivia's door, I was in a panic. To my relief, there were no signs of forced entry. How stupid am I to think that Olivia could possibly be in a bad situation without me knowing about it?

I knocked on the door lightly and waited with anticipation for her to answer. I looked around the hallway and noticed the dullness of it; half the lights were burnt out and the carpet was old and dirty. How does Olivia live here when she could have so much more? She deserves so much more. I was snapped out of my thoughts when the door opened. There stood Olivia; she had tear-stains running down her cheeks and was trying to wipe them away. Her face looked older than usual, not that she was any less beautiful.

It was a rare occasion that Olivia and I would do anything more than talk in a traumatic situation but this particular situation deserved more than words. I looked deep into her eyes and I knew she needed some sort of relief from this mess, she just didn't want to ask for it. We walked towards each other simultaneously and in an instant, our arms were around eachother. She was clinging to me desperately and, in any other situation, this would be unusual. But she needs this right now. She needs someone to care for her, something she rarely receives. Ever since Blake left, she has been single, never quite ready to date again.

"How is she?" I asked against her hair. I could tell she was considering pulling away but I wasn't ready yet.

"Petrified," She responded.

"And you?" I asked, pulling away. I needed to see her facial expression because I knew she wouldn't come completely clean.

"I've been better," She admitted. Then, for a few long seconds, we stood in silence.

"Can I see her?" I asked, nervously.

"O-Of course. She is in my bedroom." She lead me down the hall and past the wooden door, revealing Melaina's sleeping form. Olivia walked ahead of me and sat down next to her and began running her fingers through the small ten year old's hair.

Seeing them next to each other, it is incredible. The genuine love and care I see between the two of them is indescribable. The amount of care and protection I feel I need to give to them is indescribable.

I walked over to the bed, watching Olivia's body to make sure she was okay with me so far into her personal space. When I saw no change in her expression, I sat down on the edge of the bed next to her.

"What are we gonna do?" She asked, not taking her eyes off Melaina.

"We will love them. They will need each other to overcome this. We will need each other. I know it will take a Hell of a lot more than our love and care to get them through this but it's all we have to start with. We both know they will be shut down on us." I explained. Olivia looked up at me and nodded her head, the tears falling freshly down her face again. Small sobs began making themselves known and they were soon overtaking her body.

"Oh Liv," I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and pulling her tight. I lowered my chin to the curve of her head and my nose rested on her hair. Her arms came up and held my hand. It was obvious that, after five long years of being alone with nobody to hold her, she was longing for the comfort of someone that loves her.

We stayed in this position for a while, long enough to realize that there was still an injured little boy in the hospital right now. Right at that time, Melaina began to wake up crying. Olivia pulled away from me and, as the remembrance of the past events flooded Melaina's mind, tried to soothe her daughter.

"It's okay, baby, i'm right here." She said, pulling Melaina into her lap. Melaina clung to Olivia and cried freely into her chest.

"Eli..." She sniffed as she calmed down.

"You want to go see him?" Olivia asked. Melaina nodded her head but didn't let go of her mother. I could tell that Olivia didn't mind. She actually preferred having Melaina this close to her. Olivia hooked her one arm under the crook of Melaina's legs and the other under her neck and stood up, keeping her daughter as close as possible. I grabbed their coats and led them out to my car. Olivia sat in the back seat with Melaina still in her lap and we drove with only the sound of the city buses to fill the air.

Melaina chose to walk once we got to the hospital but refused to let go of Olivia's hand and made sure that she I was on one side of her and her mom was on the other. We made our way to the correct room and braced ourselves for her reaction.

I slowly opened the door to make sure not to startle Kathy and led Melaina and Olivia into the room. Melaina caught a glipse of her best friend with a tube down his throat and wires everywhere and fell to her knees. Neither Olivia nor I expected this reaction from her. That is, not until she said the first words we had heard since her apartment.

"He's dead"

Poor Melly thinks that Eli is dead :( I'm sorry it has been so long since ive updated! School has been kicking my ass and, between school and fanfiction, school sadly comes first, lol. Sorry again! Next chapter shouldn't take too long to write :)