A/N – Thank you for the comments! Very glad you guys are enjoying this one. It's one of my favs too!

Chapter 14–Help Arrives

Lisa grabbed her phone when she saw it was Eva. "Cookie?"

"No, it's Jason."

A sick feeling bubbled in her stomach, so she quickly sat. There was something in the tone of his voice that didn't sound right. "What happened?"

"He got to her at the club. He killed one guard and injured another."

Evangeline gasped and Jason gently held her hand.

"Oh God—just tell me." Lisa is on the verge of tears.

"He beat her. Blair showed up and got to her before he could rape her."

Lisa stood. "Where is my baby?"

"She's with me, at the house."

"I'll be there in an hour."

"Okay," Jason said.

"And I'm staying."

"You can have the guest room."

He put the phone down. "She's on her way."

Eva is crying again. "Who is dead?"

"Paulie."

"Did he suffer?"

"I don't think so."

He hugged her as gently as he could.

"Micah is in the hospital. He did well in surgery. We'll know more by tomorrow."

"This is horrible."

"I know, but I think Micah will pull through."

He laid her down, knowing it had to be painful to be in her current position.

"Does Paulie have family?"

Jason nodded. "Yes. I've already spoken to them. His brother is going to make arrangements for the funeral."

"I want to go."

"Evangeline…"

"I have to pay my respects. He died because of me."

It is something that Elizabeth would have done. "No, he died because of Lucky. Please calm down. You're going to hurt yourself."

He got a washcloth and lovingly wiped her face. The skin around her right eye is almost completely black with some red here and there. Both sides of her jaw are bruised and swollen.

She finally fell asleep and Jason went downstairs. Emotionally and physically, he is exhausted.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The door flew open and Lisa rushed inside with Johnny, who is carrying her luggage. "Where is she?" Her eyes took in Jason's tired appearance.

"Upstairs. She just fell asleep. I told her about her guards and she was upset."

Lisa sighed. "You look like you didn't get any sleep last night."

"I didn't. I spent the night sitting in the hallway at the hospital, making sure he couldn't get to her."

Lisa stood in front of him and touched his face. "This is not your fault. You had two guards on her. I don't blame you and neither does she."

"I know, but it's hard watching her struggle. Her face—he beat her and it's hard to take."

Lisa took a deep breath. "Thank you for trying to prepare me."

"Come on."

He led her up the stairs and they went into the room and Lisa saw her daughter and her hand clapped over her mouth and she went back out into the hallway. Jason followed and watched her cry. "I'm so sorry." He hugged her as she clung to him and wept for her daughter. Finally, she pulled back and wiped her face. "What are her other injuries?"

Jason ran his hand through his hair as he told her. Lisa is silent for a minute and then looked him dead in the eyes. "I know who you were and what you were capable of. I want that bastard to suffer. Don't go soft on him, Jason. He hurt my baby and he deserves whatever you throw at him."

Jason nodded. "You let me worry about that. He will pay."

"Thank you."

She went back into the room and laid on the bed next to her daughter, careful not to touch her. When Evangeline finally woke up, she gasped. "Momma."

Lisa's eyes filled with tears. "I'm here baby, for as long as you need me. I'm so sorry that he hurt you."

Tears sprang in Eva's eyes. "Thank you."

"I'd like to stay in here with you if that's okay."

"That's fine."

The boys rushed into the room and froze when they saw Lisa.

"Eva's mom is here," Jake said softly.

"Hi, boys."

"Hi," they said at the same time.

"Are you sleeping here?" Cam asked.

"Yes."

"So are we. We have sleeping bags so we scare the bad dreams away."

Lisa smiled. "That is very nice of you."

"Dad is too."

Lisa's eyebrows went up. "Really?"

Jake and Cam nodded. "Would you like something to drink?" Cam asked.

"Water would be nice."

They took off and Lisa focused on her daughter. "Where exactly was Jason planning to sleep?"

Eva slightly smiled. "On the floor."

Lisa sat up more and counted three sleeping bags. "Now I know he's in love with you if he's willing to sleep on that floor when he didn't go to bed last night."

Eva suddenly realizes that Jason is probably running on empty.

"Don't worry about it. I can take care of you both. I'll see what he has in the fridge and cook up something good for dinner. Can you chew?"

"Probably, but it would hurt."

"Then I'll have Johnny go get you a chocolate milkshake. I'll make something with mashed potatoes so it won't be hard on you."

"Thank you, momma."

"I didn't call your sister. I figured I'll do it tomorrow."

"Okay." Layla is going to be really upset, so Lisa just wants to give Eva some time to adjust.

Blair entered the room just as Lisa was rounding the bed. "Hello. I see you're in good hands."

Lisa smiled. "I am going to make some dinner. Are you staying?"

"That would be nice, but Jack is at school, so I won't be able to too."

Lisa went into the hallway.

"Thank you for being there for me."

Blair held her hand. "It was rough, but I'm so glad that you're alright."

"I'm scared. I hate feeling like I have no control."

"You're safe here."

"But what happens when I leave? I can't stay here forever."

"Sweetie, you really are going to have to talk to someone."

Eva closed her eyes for a few seconds. "I know."

"Are you comfortable with Marty?"

"It's just—that's who Jason is talking too."

"Do you think he'll feel uncomfortable?" Blair asked.

"I don't know."

"You won't know unless you ask."

"You're right."

Blair's phone rang. "Jack, slow down."

She listened for a moment. "Alright, I'll come get you. Do not move."

"Does he need a lawyer?'

Blair rolled her eyes. "No, but I might need one."

Eva slightly smiled. "Have fun with that."

"I can't wait to have this conversation when it's flipped."

"My kids are going to be perfect."

Blair laughed. "I wish I was taping this. Get some rest. If you need anything, send word."

"I will."

Jake entered the room and climbed onto the bed.

"What's going on?" Eva asked.

"I'm worried about daddy Lucky—that he will try to take Cam."

Eva held Jake's hand. "You trust your dad right?"

Jake nodded.

"He won't let that happen."

"But you got hurt."

"I know, but this house is like a fortress. Johnny and your dad will protect you and Cam."

"Hope so. I will protect you too."

Eva squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Jake."

Lisa watched from the doorway. The kids had been through a lot and seeing Evangeline hurt brought out their insecurities.

Eva closed her eyes and Jake's eyes are glued to her. He grabbed the blanket and pulled it up higher and then noticed Lisa at smiled.

She returned it and crooked her finger. Jake carefully got down and followed her into the hallway. "Your dad wants you to wash your hands so you can help him in the kitchen."

Jake loves to help. "Okay."

Lisa followed him to the bathroom and observed as he stood on the stool and washed them. "You care a lot about Eva don't you?"

"Yes. She's very nice and pretty."

"She cares a lot about you too."

"Me and Cam want her to live with us."

"You do?"

"Uh-huh." He dried off his hands. "We can keep her safe and she makes daddy smile more. Want to see my mom?"

Lisa nodded. Jake ran over to his nightstand and picked up the picture frame. Liz was holding Jake and they both were smiling.

"She's very pretty."

Jake nodded.

"I bet you miss her. I miss my mom too."

Jake looked surprised. "Is your mom in heaven?"

"Yes, but I know that she is always watching over me."

"My mom is a beautiful angel."

"I'm sure that she is."

"I bet yours is too. Mom used to read to me. Will you read me a story later?"

Lisa smiled. "Yes, Jake. I would really like that."

He jumped up. "I'm going to go tell Cam."

He ran off and Lisa put the picture back. She can see why her daughter fell in love with the Morgan family. Cam and Jake have different personalities, but are both so sweet. Jason appeared to be hard at times, but watching him with the boys is a beautiful thing. It is complicated, for sure, but at the same time they are worth the time and effort. She just hopes that Lucky won't hurt them more then he already has.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason carried the tray into Evangeline's room. "Are you hungry?"

"A little bit."

He sat it down and then helped her sit up more, making sure that she is comfortable. "Your mother is a great cook."

"Watch it. She'll try to fatten you up."

"She can try," Jason quipped. He put some mashed potatoes on a fork and held it up.

"I can feed myself."

"Humor me please."

He put some in her mouth and Evangeline savored it before swallowing.

"Tastes good."

He gave her a few more bites before getting her to take a drink.

"You're going to spoil me aren't you?"

He smiled. "Of course."

After a few more bites, her jaw began to ache. "No more."

"Will you try to finish the milkshake?" She needed to get some calories in her.

"Okay."

He put the tray aside and then gently wiped her mouth as she studied his face.

"Is it getting any better?"

"No."

She slightly smiled. "You don't pull any punches do you?"

"I'm not going to lie to you."

"Thanks. I think."

He leaned over and gently kissed her on the forehead. "I'll be back. I need to make sure that Johnny doesn't steal my food."

"You haven't eaten yet?"

"No. You come first."

He winked and walked away and she closed her eyes. He is definitely a keeper.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason sat at the table and Lisa put his plate down.

"It doesn't look like she ate much."

"She did better than I thought she would. I got her to promise to finish the milkshake."

"If she doesn't, I will," Cam said.

Jake giggled. "You can't steal Eva's milkshake."

Johnny grinned. "I can."

Cam laughed. "Johnny, you are bad."

"I can't help it. Your dad made me that way."

There was a knock on the door and Johnny jumped up to get it.

"Oh. What are you doing here?"

Todd rolled his eyes. "I'm here to see Evangeline."

"Why?"

"Because she's my friend and I just found out that she was hurt."

Jason called out, "Who is it?"

"Todd Manning."

Lisa groaned as Jason put down his napkin and made his way towards them. "Todd."

"I want to see her now."

Jason nodded to Johnny and then let Todd come inside while Johnny ran upstairs.

"How bad is it?"

"Pretty bad. Her face is bruised and swollen. Try not to make too big of a deal about it," Jason said.

"What the hell? This is all your fault," Todd said loudly.

"My two boys are in the other room and they can hear you. If you upset them, I will rip you to shreds."

"You think I'm scared of you?"

Jason glared at him. "You should be."

Johnny cleared his throat. "She says let him up because he won't go away if you don't."

"Don't stay long and don't upset her," Jason said.

Todd brushed by him and Lisa stepped in front of him.

"I don't like you and I swear that if you upset my daughter, Jason will be the least of your worries."

Todd held up his hands. "Alright, alright," he said before running up the stairs.

Eva's eyes tracked him as he approached her.

"Jesus."

"He doesn't want to talk to you."

He shook his head. "Very funny. Does it hurt?"

"I'm on pain pills. Please tell me that you didn't upset anyone downstairs."

"They act like you're a prisoner. Why are you here? You should have stayed with me."

"Really?"

"What? You're my friend and it kills me that you're hurting." She and Todd have a very unconventional relationship. No one in the town understood it. He did despicable things, but she couldn't turn her back on him. Somewhere in her mind, she had convinced herself that if she was there for him, that Todd would try to be a better man—that he just needed someone to believe in him.

"I know, but this is the best place for me."

"Please don't tell me that you have fallen for that hunk of stone downstairs."

"And what if I have?"

Todd groaned and plopped into a chair. "Why?"

"He and the boys make me feel better than I have in a really long time. They mean everything to me."

He tentatively reached out his hand and she opened hers for him. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

"He would never hurt me on purpose."

"I don't think he likes me."

She slightly smiled. "Why does that surprise you? Sometimes you're such a goober." She is starting to feel a little weird.

"A goober?"

"Yup."

Jake ran inside and skidded to a halt. He gave Todd his stone cold stare.

"Is this kid for real?"

"Be nice."

"Does my dad know you're here?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, he gave me the same the look."

That meant dad didn't like him either. Crossing his arms, he walked around the bed and then climbed onto it.

Todd grinned. "He's definitely Jason's child."

Jake held her hand. "You can leave. I'll take care of her."

"Jake, it's okay. Todd is my friend."

He considered that for a second and clearly didn't like it. "Why?"

Eva bit her lip so she wouldn't grin.

"Because, she's a good person and she liked me when no one else did."

"Why did people not like you?"

Todd groaned. He couldn't believe he was having this conversation with the squirt. "Sometimes, I do stupid things and get caught."

"Well, you should stop it. It's not nice to do bad things."

"What are you the police?"

"No, I'm a superhero."

Eva smiled and instantly regretted it.

"You okay?" Todd asked.

"Yeah. Sometimes, I forget. Jake, Todd is Jack's dad."

Jake is surprised. Todd figures if she could forget for a moment what that cowardly asshole did, then maybe it was good that she is staying with them. "I don't want to tire you out. If you need anything, you know I'll do it, right?"

"I know. Thank you."

He kissed her hand and Jake yelled, "Ewwwww."

Todd chuckled as he left and Jake ran into the bathroom. A few seconds later, she heard water and then he came back. Gingerly, he washed her hand off. He is killing her. She wants to laugh so badly. "No more germs." Instead, she settled for a slight smile. "Thank you, Jake."