Chapter 25

I stood by the stove and stirred the pasta sauce, splashing alittle on my sleeve. Puck looked at me and laughed softly and came behind me, pulling my sleeve up, out of the way. He wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder.

"you're a good cook" He said softly, kissing my cheek

I smiled at him and kissed his cheek back, then looked back at the saucepan.

"this is nice you know, you, me, cooking" He whispered.

I looked at my arm and noticed small bruise that still remained. I pulled at my sleeve slightly, pulling it down to cover the bruise, not wanting to see it, not wanting to ruin how great I was feeling today. Puck looked down at my hand pulling down the sleeve. He kissed my cheek. Removed the wooden spoon from my hand and lifted my arm. He pulled the sleeve back up and pressed his lips tenderly to the bruise.

"don't be ashamed of them, it shows you're a fighter" He said softly.

"i'm not a fighter" I said softly

"if it wasn't for you coming into the bathroom when you did, I dread to think what would of happened" I said

Puck turned me around and kissed the top of my head

"Addy, you're a fighter, you're pulling through" He said sincerely

"these bruises may be a reminder of that night, but you know what else they'll be a reminder of?" He asked

I looked up at Puck confused

"that you're strong" He said softly

"ok, you may not feel it now, but you are, you're overcoming it, and every day I see how you're becoming stronger" He said

I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest

"only because I have you" I said

"only because you've been here for me, you've protected me" I added.

Puck lifted my head and kissed me gently, letting his lips press to mine and stay for a few seconds

"and i'm here because I love you, and I know you'll get through this, even with out me" He mumbled against my lips.

"so don't hide those bruises, not from me, I know what they are from, and I still love you, because you are strong" He mumbled against my lips again

"Oh sorry" I heard my mum say.

I smiled against Pucks lips, realising we had been caught, and lent back

"sorry mom" I said

She waved an arm as she headed out the kitchen to the living room, leaving Puck and I alone again.

"i love you too" I whispered to him

"and i'm glad I have you, you may think of me as strong, but i'm not sure I would of coped so well without you" I said softly, kissing him again.

"Right sweetheart, Bed" Mom said to Tommy, as we all sat in the living room.

"awww... but Mom?" Tommy started

"no buts Mister, Bed time" She smiled.

Tommy stood up and walked over to my Mom and kissed her cheek, then came over to me and hugged me. He high-fived Puck

"night" He said and headed to the hall and began heading up the stairs

"i should get going" Puck said.

He stroked his thumb over the back of my hand and kissed my head. I looked up at him and stood up, pulling him with me

"Night Mrs Scott" Puck said

"Puck, i've told you, you can call me by my first name" My Mom laughed

"but night" She said

I led Puck out of the living room and over to the door. I wrapped my arms over his shoulders and pressed my lips to his

"thank you for everything you've done today" I said softly

"the song, the making me strong, the incredible kisses" I smiled.

Puck laughed slightly and wrapped his arms around my waist

"you're worth it" he whispered.

"see now how am I supposed to thank you, and hope we're even, when you say things like that" I laughed softly, then kissed him again, smiling against his lips.

"Puck and Addy sitting in a tree" Tommy giggled from the top step

"Bed" I laughed, my lips still on Pucks

"or the tickle monster gets you" I told him.

Mom walked past, pretending to cover her eyes,

"not looking, just trying to get to the younger child" She said lightly.

Puck laughed with me and pulled back slightly

"i love coming here" He said

"your family are amazing, just like you" He said.

I smiled and kissed him again

"stop trying to butter me up, you have me already" I smiled.

Puck laughed and squeezed me in his arms, lifting me slightly

"i'll see you tomorrow?" He asked

"you better" I smiled

"you think you up to going out with me?" He then asked

"with you, i'll go anywhere" I said

I sat on the floor by my Moms feet as she brushed through my hair and then braided it. I loved how my Moms fingers brushed through my hair, it was so relaxing. I sighed softly as Mom finished with my hair. She lent forwards and kissed the top of my head.

"there you go sweetie" She smiled

I looked up at her and smiled

"thanks Mom" I said, resting back against her. She wrapped her arms over my shoulders

"so what do you and Puck have planned for tomorrow?" She asked

"not sure, he said about going out, I think he won't go anywhere too crowded or loud" I said

"he's still looking after me, he knows certain things make me alittle jumpy still, but I don't think he realises how much he calms me down" I said.

My Mom smiled and kissed my head again.

"you do seem it" She replied "and you shine when he's around, just... be careful" She said

I turned and looked at my Mom.

"If... If this gets serious, use pro..." She started

I quickly covered my ears

"Mom, No. I love him, but i'm not ready for that, and if I was, I know all about that, you do not need that talk with me" I laughed

"But... i'm not ready for that, not after..." I stopped, unable to complete the sentence "and i'm sure Puck understands that" I said softly.

My Mom was quiet for a while "i'm sure he does, he loves you Sweetie, and i'm not just saying that because Tommy told me that Puck told you that, but because of the way he looks at you" My Mom said

I smiled and rested my head on her knee, looking up at him

"i love him too" I said

"he makes me feel so alive, so comfortable, and safe" I told my Mom.

She gently stroked my head and down to my cheek where she cupped it

"want to know a secret, thats how your dad used to make me feel" She whispered "he still does" She added, beaming

"I can't wait till he comes home" I said, turning my head, so my cheek was resting on her knee

"And he can't wait to be home, to see his 2 most precious gems" She smiled "and me" She added.

I laughed softly.

"He's looking forward to meeting the man who protected his little girl" She smiled

My face dropped

"Dad knows?" I asked

"sweetie, of course, would you really want me to keep something like that from him, to try and come up with an excuse as to you missing school, and risk Tommy saying something to him?" Mum said

"I guess not" I said softly "I just... I didn't want Daddy to know" I said weakly. How I wished I had Puck with me right now, comforting me, holding me tight in his arms, so I felt safe.