A/N: I'm back. And I'm committed to focusing on this story alone until it's finished. It's actually not too much more and the story (and you awesome readers) deserve an ending…and I promise to try and not disappoint. So if you're still interested, review and let me know. Thanks for being awesome and inspiring 3
Punching the buttons on the keypad she tried to make her mind not play back the conversation she had happened upon. She hadn't even been eavesdropping this time and would have turned around until she heard her father's name.
It only infuriated her the more she thought about it, "Hurry up" she muttered at the still absent elevator.
Her cell phone vibrated in her purse and she pulled it out her eyes narrowing it when she saw who it was on the caller ID and shoving it back in her purse. Hitting the keypad again she sighed in relief when it finally dinged open.
Pressing the number she watched the doors closed and tried to stay calm even though her blood was boiling.
"What are you talking about?" Cristian asked.
She had stopped when she saw Cristian talking to her mom and even pivoted on her heel to leave…until she heard her mother, "You need a witness, right?"
"How am I supposed to get a witness when Todd didn't actually beat me up"
Her heart stopped in her chest as she listened to her mother speak again, "So who's a better witness then me?"
The elevator doors opening snapped her back into reality and she let out an audible sigh wishing she wasn't put into this situation.
OoO
She looks beautiful when she sleeps, her milk chocolate skin a stunning contrast against the champagne colored sheets. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't scared out of his mind. It's been awhile, if ever, since something as good as Evangeline Williamson had come into his life…and a part of him wants to cling to it for dear life and yet there is the part of him that aches to push it away because he knows he doesn't deserve it.
Her eyes flutter open and a slow sweet smile comes to her face, "Stop over thinking"
"I was not" he protests staring in her eyes.
Slowly she brings her hands to his face, "I know you" she starts and then finishes, "And I love you"
Before he can respond there is a couple sharp raps on the door, "Go away" he yells teasingly.
"Please" Layla starts, "Like I want to be all up in your business…but your daughter is at the door"
Furrowing his brow he sits up, "Starr"
"Yeah, she's waiting in the living room, so don't come out naked"
Getting out of bed he pulls his pajama pants on before running his hand through his hair. If he knew his daughter, her being there wasn't good news.
"You okay?" Evangeline asks pulling on her robe.
Shaking it off he nods, "I'm sure everything is fine"
OoO
Her fists are clenched tightly to the point where she's sure her nails are cutting into her palm. Todd is eerily unemotional but Starr has angry, sad tears making puddles in her eyes, "I just can't believe she'd do this"
Unfortunately she can. Nothing Blair does surprises her anymore; disgusted, yes, surprised, no. Todd's hands are clasped and when he finally looks at her she can tell he's not surprised either, "I don't want her to have to testify" he says pointing to Starr.
Before she can answer Starr is already raising her voice, "Don't think I'm going to let you go to jail for something you didn't do" she tells him before turning to Evangeline, "You tell me when to show up and I'll tell everything"
"Starr" Todd interrupts.
Both of them are locked in a staring match and before it can escalate she interrupts, "Hey, listen, I don't think it's going to get to that point. Let's just see how this plays out before we jump to do anything. And that means that what Starr heard has to stay between us for now, okay?"
She's looking at Todd when she says it because she knows that his first instinct is to protect his daughter and her and make this go away…but she's hoping he trusts her enough to do this her way.
Sighing he nods, "Okay we do it your way"
OoO
After Starr's gone they both get ready in near silence. She knows the situation is weighing heavily on his mind and how hard it is for him to give up control to her like this.
Standing in front of the mirror she pulls the earring up to her ear as she looks at him walk towards her wrapping his arms around her and burrowing his face in her neck. Her body melds in his and she knows that they don't need words to understand how each other feels.
OoO
"You sure you're up for this" he asks as they walk into The Palace.
Taking his hand she smiles, "It will be nice to have brunch with Viki"
He can feel the stares of the patrons as they walk through the lobby and into the restaurant. It only makes the grin on his face spread wider. He knows she's too good for him but even more then that he loves that she chose him despite what they all told her.
"Evangeline, how wonderful it is to see you" Viki greets warmly enveloping her in a tight hug.
His sister catches his eye and he can't hide the natural smile that comes to his face at her knowing look. The conversation flows naturally between them and he is just content to sit at the sidelines with a smirk on his face.
Everything seemed to be going well, and then Cristian walked in. She noticed him first, her hand sliding into his lap to grasp his hand tightly when the young man starts towards them.
"You two make me sick" is what he started with.
Gritting his teeth he felt his jaw tighten in annoyance, "Can you not do this here?"
"Why, Viki already knows what a disgusting pig you are"
"Cristian" Viki interrupts and by then everyone in the room is looking at them.
Then he refocuses on Evangeline, "I thought you were better than this trash…but I guess you proved your true colors"
It's when he lets go of her hand and hops out of his seat, "You leave her alone, now"
"Oh what are you going to do, beat me up again" Cristian taunts.
His fist clenches at his side and then she's in front of him her hands on his chest, "Not worth it" she says looking in his eyes.
Before he can protest Cristian starts on a tirade, and it's taking everything in him not to slam his fist so hard in the other man's face. Then he looks into her eyes, right before they roll back into her head, and she starts to wobble on shaky knees, "Vange" is the last thing he screams as she crumples into his arms.
