Jade's POV.
It was dark and cold and I really needed to go to the bathroom but daddy kept saying no. I was trying my hardest not to cry. It didn't work. When daddy finally came back from wherever he was, he had a lady with him. I looked up at her and she smiled. It wasn't a warm, motherly, sweet smile like Andrea's. It was unfamiliar and cold. She didn't want to be here, not really.
She picked me up and I kicked and screamed but daddy smacked me across the back of my legs, marking the white skin. That made me howl even more and I scrambled to my feet. The blonde lady grabbed my hand, holding it just a bit too tightly for it to be casual.
"Stay here, darling," the lady said, stooping to my height. "I'm sorry, I know it's scary." She seemed genuinely sorry – but who knows.
"I want mommy," I said, referring to Andrea. I didn't mean to say mommy…it slipped out. The lady shook her head and sighed, picking me up once more. I didn't try to struggle. I didn't have the energy.
"Sweetie, it's all going to be okay. I promise." I looked up at her once more, tears spilling over in my eyes once again. "Oh, baby…Don't cry." She pulled out a tissue and dabbed at my eyes. Daddy was on the phone so she leaned forward and whispered in my ear. "My name is Rosalie. I promise I won't leave you alone, honey. What's your name?"
I think for a moment. Do I want to tell her my name? I falter and tell her my name in a whisper. "Jade," I say, with my thumb in my mouth. Even to myself I sound like Cat.
"Well, Jade, how are you?" I feel like kicking off again, and screaming at her "How do I look!" but I simply reply, "I'm okay."
"Good girl. I'm going to take you home because your daddy wants me to look after you until you're big enough to look after yourself. Is that okay?" I nod, rubbing the backs of my leg.
"My legs hurt," I say, clinging onto Rosalie. She frowns sympathetically, rubbing my arm.
"They'll feel better soon. We'll go home soon, and you can do whatever you want, alright?" I nod again. She puts me on the floor and grips my hand tightly. "Jacob, we're leaving."
Daddy nods, finally coming off of his phone. He walks over to me, and kisses my head. It leaves me thoroughly confused. I thought he didn't love me anymore?
"Daddy, are you going to visit me?" I ask, hoping desperately that he'll say no. He shakes his head, picking up his black briefcase.
"No, darling, I'm not. I won't even know where you're going. That's your new mommy now."
I blink, looking at him dumbfounded. "What do you mean?" I ask.
"I mean what I said, Jade." I start to cry. "Don't cry, honey. I'm sure you won't miss me."
"No, you're right. I'll never miss you, you wicked, horrible man! I'll miss my Beck and cat and Andrea and Beck's daddy because I love them!" I take a breath. "Thanks to you I'll never ever see them again!" Daddy takes a deep breath too. He steps closer to me and Rosalie shields me as his fists pound down on her body.
"Stop, stop, daddy, please, stop!" I cry, praying he'll give up. She's still shielding me, protecting me. When he's finally done, Rosalie stands. She breathes out as she watches him walk away.
"Wait!" She cries, still holding me on her hip. Daddy turns around, his face red and eyes bulging. "Thank you," She breathes, smiling. Daddy nods, then we both stare as he drives away, leaving us both in the dust. I don't quite know why she thanked him, but I needed to thank her.
"Thank you for protecting me." I say, while she tends to her wounds. She shakes her head.
"No, it was nothing," She waves it off. I realize, after five minutes of walking that I don't know where we're going, how far away it is, or how we're getting there. I ask, but Rosalie simply shakes her head. There's been a lot of headshaking today.
"There's quite a walk left," Rosalie says, though she's the one wearing high heels. "Would you like me to carry you?"
"No," I reply. "Thank you. No thank you." I say, because even though my feet ache and my back really hurts, and my legs still sting, Rosalie took a lot more from daddy than a slap on the legs.
"Are you sure? It's fine if you do. It's late now. Come on, I'll carry you darling." She picked me up and it did feel like a weight had been lifted. Well, I guess one had. Me on my feet. It took another twenty minutes to get there, and when we got there she had a fish her keys out of her bag and try to open the door with me in her arms because she didn't want to put me down because the ground was all dirty and I'd come out with no shoes. When we finally got inside, I was too tired to ask questions. I climbed into my bed, and closed my eyes, thinking of Beck and Cat and Andrea and everyone else at home.
A/N:
I have a surprise…two more chapters, or so, and this story is done. Okay? :P
Caitlin :)
