Author Note: Thanks goes to Imagineer1392, Y2JJerichoHolic4Life, wwemicky, and Zombie450AriesBournePrincess for the reviews. Thanks also goes to ChaingangDiva, SethRollinsGirl, xTheCountryGirl, AmbreignsOrton for becoming followers of this story. I'm sorry for the short chapter; but it a crucial insert for Adalynn's character. I hope you all enjoy it.
Chapter 12: Fork in the Road
Dean sat down in the seat next to the window. It wasn't long before more people entered the first class section of the airplane. Seth's voice could be heard from behind him. He waved and continued his conversation with Wade Barrett. There was just so much going through his mind that he was kind of glad that Seth didn't decide to seat next to him.
A sudden text message snapped him out of his trance. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he retrieved the device. The word 'mom' appeared on his screen. His fingertip slid across the smooth screen, accessing the message. "How does it feel to see her again after so long?"
A smile curved his lips. He wondered when she would ask about Adalynn being on TV with him. Of course, he gave his mother the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she didn't recognize her right away and had to be told who it was. "It's been a long process; but it's been amazing having her around. It's starting to feel like she never left." He replied.
"I'm glad. She needs you, don't forget that. I seriously doubt that everything that happened to her in the past has left her mind."
He already knew that it hadn't. He also knew that he had been a contributing factor in all it; but he could see the change in her. She was slowly letting him in and it was something to be happy about. Looking out the window, he thought back on the kisses he placed on her lips. The feel of them upon his was surreal and the way she responded was breathtaking.
"So why didn't you tell me that you saved her?" He messaged back.
"She asked me not to. She didn't want to ruin any of your success in becoming something better."
It was so like her to be all selfless when it came to him. That was just how she had always been. "What happened to her mother?" He asked wanting to know the answer without having to ask Adalynn for the information.
"Last I heard she was in jail. I think you should know that her dad became a cop and is living in Orlando."
His eyes widened in surprise. That was exactly where she would be heading soon enough. As if thinking about her sanity when it came to her mother was bad enough, now he was worried what she'd do if she saw her father again. He had abandoned her right when she needed him most. Using his fingertip to swipe through all of his contacts, he pressed on her name.
He held his phone to his ear, listening to the sound of ringing. It rang twice before going straight to voicemail. Cursing to himself, he left a quick message to call him back before hanging up. The helpless feeling returned; but he also knew that there was nothing he could do while stuck on the plane.
"Hey Dean, are you okay? You haven't said much lately." Seth asked interrupting his frantic thoughts.
"I'm fine. Just got a lot on my mind."
"Adalynn? Or Renee?"
He turned to see Seth sit down in the empty seat next to him. The look on his face was inquisitive. He definitely wanted answers. Dean figured he owed him as much considering how distant he had been over the last couple weeks. He needed to find a way to stop thinking about all the possibilities of Adalynn to see her father against after so long.
"Adalynn..." He answered in a whisper.
"I guess I should have known; so are you going to explain or am I just going to guess?"
"You always wanted to know if I had a weakness, because I've never shown anyone one. The fact is...Adalynn is that one real weakness...always has been. I guess it took me a long time to figure that out."
"I thought you said that you didn't date before."
Dean let out a small laugh realizing where the conversation was heading. Seth turned to his friend with a puzzled look upon his face. "We didn't; but she was pretty much the only woman I ever really gave a damn about besides my mom. I tried to date girls; but it just never worked out and I could never understand why until now."
"I seriously hope this time it works out for you. I know how the alone thing feels all too well."
Orlando Police Department
Adalynn walked into the precinct wondering where exactly she was supposed to go. She just wanted to give the statement and get on the flight to the next city. Turning this corner, the woman she had saved was sitting in a chair next to an officer's desk. Obviously hearing the heels on her sandals, the woman looked up to see her savior in the eyes.
"I didn't get a chance to thank you." She stated.
"There is no need to thank me. I know what it's like."
"I'm Hayley Marshal."
Adalynn saw the woman before her extend her hand as a gesture of greeting. Studying her features a little, right down to the small brown beauty mark on her face just slightly on the right of her nose. The forming bruise across her cheek was the biggest blemish to her flawless looks. It was something that should never have happened in the first place.
She reached out to take hold of her hand, accepting the greeting with a smile. "Adalynn Michaels."
"Beautiful name and again...thank you for talking some sense into me. I pressed full charges against my ex."
"That's great. I'm glad to hear it. Where do I go to make my statement, I really have a plane to catch."
"Right here." A stern male voice interrupted.
Both women turned to see the owner of the voice. Adalynn froze stiff the second she laid her eyes on him. The familiar green eyes stared right back at her along with his short dark hair with graying sides. She continued to blink her eyes over and over trying to erase the image, knowing that it had to be a figment of her imagination. He really couldn't be there, could he?
"Addy...It's really...good to see you." He stated stumbling over his words.
"You know him?" Hayley asked out of curiosity.
"Yeah, I know him...he's my father."
