Chapter 31
When Dawn wakes up, she feels her body aching and her throat is parched. She must not be dead if she's experiencing these dreadful emotions. Forcing her eyes open, Dawn realizes she's in a bed, but she doesn't recognize this room. She tries to think back to the events before she passed out.
The Hayden Corporation building was on fire. Lucas the assassin tried to kill her. Leaf saved her...Dawn closes her eyes as a few tears slip out. Leaf had saved her, and Dawn was so mean to Leaf before. Dawn allowed her jealousy of the flirtatious assassin to cloud her judgment because Leaf actually never had feelings for Paul. He was right when he said Leaf is just a big flirt. And now Leaf is gone after saving her…
Sniffling, Dawn continues to think. Junior had shot at her, so she ran away before being able to check on Leaf. The fire was spreading fast and things started falling. She then heard someone calling for help behind her, and realized it was Junior. So she went to help him where she saw his lower body was trapped under debris while the gun was across the hall.
As much as Dawn doesn't like Junior, she couldn't just let him die when he was asking for help. She isn't like him or the other members of Hayden Family, which prompted her to try to lift the heavy debris. However, the flames had engulfed the area around her, making escape impossible now if she did manage to free Junior. Eventually, Dawn passed out from the smoke after Junior told her to leave him. She's surprised by his admirable words at the end rather than him crying for her to stay with him.
Opening her eyes again, Dawn slowly turns her head to look around the room. This is definitely not Hayden Corporation, so then where is she? How did she get out? Did the firefighters come? Is Junior still out there then? Where's Kenny? But this isn't a hospital. It's a bedroom. When Dawn's eyes finally land on the two dozing figures by the door, she exclaims, "Ash! Misty!"
The two jolt awake where they alertly sit up, even though they know the Hayden Family is completely done for now. Misty relaxes when she sees the bluenette's eyes, so she gives her a smile. "Dawn!"
Ash soon turns to Dawn where he also grins. "You're awake!" Hobbling up, Ash opens the door to shout, "Dawn's awake!"
Soon, footsteps are heard rushing through the place and into the room, and Dawn sees Drew and May enter. To her dismay, they're the only ones in the room. Where is Paul? Shouldn't he be with them? "Where's Paul?" She worriedly asks, which makes everyone shift uncomfortably.
Sighing, May eventually speaks. "He's alive, Dawn."
She sits up, even though Misty tries to get her to remain laying down. Dawn doesn't have many injuries, so she doesn't care for the aches in her body because she needs Paul. She needs to see the man she loves. "Where is he?" When everyone frowns, Dawn fears the worst again. Is he in critical condition? Is he dying? Why isn't anyone speaking?
"He left." Drew closes his eyes in frustration, but he knows he needs to be the one telling Dawn all of this. Paul did leave her in his care, and he owes Paul a lot. Whispering it once more, Drew tells Dawn, "He left, Dawn. I'm sorry."
She tries to get off the bed, so Misty holds her down. "You need to rest, Dawn!"
"No!" Cries the bluenette because she can't believe what they're saying. Paul wouldn't leave her! He said he wouldn't! He said he would protect her, and he can't do that if he left her! "He wouldn't leave me!"
"He said he had to." With every word he speaks, Drew is hurting for Dawn. Why is it that this happy moment of taking down his damn family is so sad? Not only did they lose Leaf, but Gary and Paul have left. And now Dawn is heartbroken along with everyone else. Despite their team only having been formed for a little over a week, they have gone through so much already that it pains Drew when any one of them is hurting.
Ash feels incredibly guilty for starting all of this. If he hadn't tried to go against the family. If he hadn't gotten caught or called Paul, none of this would've happened. Now he's responsible for Leaf's death as well as Dawn's heartbreak. Was taking down the Family really worth all of these sacrifices of these good people?
Shaking her head, Dawn exclaims through her tears, "I don't believe it!"
"He's not dead, Dawn." May replies to the hysterical woman. "He's alive and well, but he said he had to leave."
"Why?" shouts Dawn. She won't believe it until she hears it from that asshole's mouth.
"I don't know." Drew mutters. "He wouldn't say, but all he said was that he had to leave." The green haired man closes his eyes again as he thinks about the pained look on Paul's face when leaving Dawn in Drew's care. "He was hurting when he left you."
"Why?" Dawn angrily cries out again. "He doesn't deserve to be hurting when he's the one who left me!"
"Dawn-" May starts to console the woman, but Dawn won't let her.
"No! He abandoned me now that he's free from this city!" She really thought he was different. Different from the men in her life, like her father and exes, but Paul has proved to be exactly like them. Dawn is mentally cursing herself for allowing herself to fall for him after only knowing him for 3 months. For believing that he's different when he's not. Maybe she should just date Kenny now?
"I don't think he meant to hurt you." Misty says, but Dawn won't hear any of it.
Shaking her head, the bluenette replies, "I'm leaving too." This city is too painful for her now. After everything she's gone through from her poor performance at work, her conflict with the Hayden Family, and now with her heart breaking one last time from Paul, Dawn will leave. There's nothing here for her anymore. She really should have just stayed at her mother's bakery in the safety of Twinleaf Town.
Hayden Corporation
With his former police officer outfit and badge, an auburn haired man walks through the debris of Hayden Corporation. After chasing down Paul last night, Gary had asked about the assassin, and Paul painfully responded that she didn't make it. However, Gary won't believe it until he sees her dead body himself.
He had already checked with the coroners about a slim brunette woman, but they said no one like that has turned up. Currently, Gary is helping to dig through the mess of the burned down building where he hasn't seen her yet. There are many burned bodies and bones of people, so he can't tell if anyone is actually Leaf. Apparently Junior's body was found earlier this morning.
"C'mon, Leaf." Gary mutters to himself hopefully. That woman has given him hope in life, and she's made him feel the most alive in years. He needs her, even if she doesn't want anything to do with him anymore, but he needs to know she's okay. Gary can't have anymore people dying on him, especially after losing his whole family.
Despite Leaf killing his last family member, Gary forgives her. He needs to let her know that too. Gosh, he really needs Leaf. She's nothing like anyone he's ever met before, and after saving him countless times, Gary has learned how important she is to him. It's not because she protects him from others since she protects him from himself. From his self pity and pain.
Moreover, he wants to protect her. Yes, she's the best fighter he's ever met, but he knows she also needs protecting from herself. Leaf's guilt is eating at her, and with every killing, it gets worse, so Gary needs to protect her. They protect each other, which is the best relationship Gary has ever had.
He mentally curses himself for being so mean to her and for trying to kill her because now he wants nothing more than to know she's alive. It's ironic how life works, though, that's not Gary's concern right now. Even he isn't sure how he can have such an attraction to Leaf after less than a month together, but he does.
When they were on the run from the Hayden Family, Gary wasn't too upset since he was with her. She made it all worth the fear, and he found himself enjoying his time with her. That's when he felt like he wasn't lonely anymore. Ever since their separation at Hayden Mansion, Gary has felt very lonely, so he needs her to be alive. He won't rest until he sees her dead body for himself or until he dies because she has his undivided attention.
Two Weeks Later
"You don't have to come with me, Kenny." Dawn smiles at her childhood friend.
Shrugging, Kenny loads up another one of her boxes into the rented moving van. "We're best friends, Dee Dee." He blushes slightly while remembering his confession to her last week.
"But you didn't have to quit working for Zoey too." Dawn knowingly tells him as she helps him.
"I miss Twinleaf Town too." he grins at her. After the whole Hayden Family fiasco, there's not much work in Veilstone City since it's economy has crashed. Even Zoey is thinking of moving her business elsewhere, especially with the poor memories in this city.
Giving him a grateful smile, Dawn replies, "Okay. I'm sure my mom would love to see you too."
When Dawn had been told of Paul's absence, she mustered up enough strength to leave the house she was in. Apparently it was Drew's childhood home, which has enough rooms for everyone to hide in while the police investigated the Hayden incidents. Fortunately, it seems like the Hayden Family is completely abolished, freeing Veilstone City from its control.
Anyway, Dawn had left the group she only knew for a few short weeks due to the pain of who they reminded her of. Besides, she doesn't need to interact with them anymore, and she's glad that none of them have reached out to her. Everyone has their own lives now, free form Hayden Family, so they should live it. They have no reason to be bound together anymore.
After calling her mother to let her know they're safe, Dawn fulfilled her promise to come home. Dawn also has nothing left for her in Veilstone City anyway while she also misses the comfort and safety of home. Twinleaf Town is such a small town that there aren't any gangs running it. Plus, she's missed her mother since the fear of their lives has made her realize how much she needs to show her mother she loves her.
"My parents can't wait to see you too!" Kenny eagerly tells the bluenette. With Paul out of the picture now, Kenny hopes to grab Dawn's heart this time. Kenny's and Dawn's parents like each other and them, so maybe this is a sign. After the dangerous situation they were just put in, this could be the universe bringing them together as more than friends. Soon, everything is loaded, and the friends make the long drive to their hometown while the painful memories of this city are forgotten.
Cerulean City
Once Misty and Ash had given their evidence to the correct people at the police station, the captain guaranteed them that they and their team would be safe from charges. He claimed that the Hayden Family's corruption couldn't have been brought down without the help of Ash and the rest of the group. Even in these short two weeks, they have noticed the city significantly improving from it's previous life of being ruled by a terrifying gang.
After Ash and Misty had informed Drew and May about their freedom, everyone went their separate ways. Misty is disappointed to not have seen Gary since he ran off after Paul; however, she heard that he was seen peeking around the Hayden Corporation building the days after it burned down. At least that's hope enough that he's alive, despite her not knowing his whereabouts.
She does feel bad for Gary though because she knows he's searching for Leaf. After Ash's disappearance, Misty was in turmoil searching for him, so she can understand how upset Gary is. She only wishes she could help him like how he helped her, but Dawn had seen Leaf die. The bluenette wouldn't say that unless she was certain. However, Misty will keep a lookout just in case.
When Ash and Misty finished with the police at Veilstone City, and after Ash had healed up enough, he suggested that they go back to Kanto. Misty figured Ash must;ve hid his mother back in Pallet Town, but once they docked in Vermillion City, he bought them train tickets to Cerulean City. As much as Misty misses her family, she figured Ash would want to check on his mother first.
"What are we doing here?" Misty nervously asks as the taxi stops in front of her family's pool. Since Misty hasn't spoken to her family in years due to her leaving to Sinnoh, she isn't sure how to see them again. Are they mad at her? Disappointed? Upset? She's too scared to face them.
Grinning at her, Ash replies, "We're checking on our family, Mist."
"Shouldn't we check on your mother first?" insists the woman whose orange roots are starting to show while her hair is still black.
"We're doing both." he replies and exits the taxi where he extends a hand to Misty. "C'mon, Mist. I'm sure they've missed us too." That damn sincere smile of his always gets Misty to follow him everywhere. She reaches out to grab his hand as a blush tints her cheeks. Since the two don't have much, Misty is pulling their only suitcase and Ash is on his crutches.
Next to the city pool is a house where Misty's sisters Lily and Violet are living. When Misty hesitates walking up the steps, Ash looks over at her. "It'll be okay." He reassures her, so she gives him a grateful smile.
Taking a deep breath, Misty walks up the steps and rings the doorbell while trying to remain confident. She still isn't sure what she's going to say to her family. Do they even want to see her? It's been almost 10 years since she was last here. However, when the door swings open, Misty's fearful thoughts are broken as she's now confused. Not seeing anyone, Misty turns her head to look at Ash who is gazing down.
Following his eyes, Misty lowers her gaze to see a little girl with black hair and green eyes looking at her. "Who are you?" the girl inquires.
Blinking away her confusion, Misty manages to reply, "Uh. I'm sorry. I think we're at the wrong house."
"No, we're not!" Ash pipes up and moves a little closer to the door while Misty raises an eyebrow at him. "Are your parents or aunts home? Or grandma?"
The 7 year old girl suspiciously looks at the two before shouting, "Daddy! There are weird people here!"
"Weird?" exclaims Misty, but Ash squeezes her hand to calm her down. Right now is not the time to be arguing with a little girl.
Soon, a man with long black hair rushes into the room for fear of his daughter getting kidnapped, especially after the danger he's been warned of lately. When his dark brown eyes meet the two adults outside his front door, tears spring to his eyes as a grin breaks out on his face. "Ash! Misty!" he shouts.
"Tracey!" Ash yells back and hugs the man as best he can with his crutches under his arm. Misty is in shock though while hugging her brother-in-law. Did this little girl just call him daddy? What? Since when? Once Tracey pulls away, he ushers the two inside where they sit on the couch.
By the time Ash and Misty sit down, the room is full of more people. After hugs from her sisters, Misty notices the last woman who won't let go of Ash. This woman has graying-brown hair and she's weeping into his shoulder. Misty instantly recognizes her, causing the young woman to choke out, "Delia…"
Hearing her name, Delia releases her son and quickly envelopes Misty in a tight hug. "I was so worried, honey!" After Ash had moved her from Sinnoh to Kanto, he had informed Delia about how Misty was helping him get out of the gang. This caused Delia to fear for both her son and the woman she views as a daughter. Despite seeing how battered the two are, Delia is relieved that they are okay, especially after Ash kept whispering that they're safe now.
Once Misty pulls away, she wipes the tears flowing down her face. She was so scared of her family's resentment, but here they are welcoming her back with open arms. Seeing her cry, Ash, teary eyed himself, reaches an arm over to wrap around her shoulders, causing her to ask, "How?"
Smiling at her, he replies, "I knew your family would take care of my mom." Ash then nods at Lily. "Especially with Lily being married to the son of the Rocket Gang."
Looking over at the pinkette, Misty's mouth falls open. The carefree Lily she remembers was never tied down to anyone for longer than a month. "You're married?"
Lily flashes her left hand proudly at her sister. "Yes, little sis! And we're expecting!"
Blinking around in confusion, Misty's gaze falls onto Tracey where the 7 year old girl from earlier is cuddled up next to him on the couch. "Who is she?" Even though Misty has an idea she knows who this child is, but she just needs to ask.
Grinning, Daisy replies, "My daughter, Kelsey!"
"Mine too!" Tracey chimes in. He then smiles at Misty. "And you're niece, Misty!"
"She's Aunt Misty?" Kelsey eagerly asks with her eyes widely staring at the black haired woman. All of the photos she's seen of her aunt Misty show her aunt having orange hair. Although no one has seen her aunt in almost a decade, they still talk about her and show Kelsey pictures.
"I'm an aunt…" Misty whispers in shock, which makes Ash chuckle.
He pulls the woman closer to him where he softly speaks in her ear, "Can I be an uncle?"
Now her attention turns back to him as he passes his crutches to his mother. Being careful of his casted ankle, Ash uses the furniture to help lower him to the ground where he's on one knee. Smiling nervously at the raven haired woman, Ash grabs her left hand, causing her to gasp. "What are you doing, Ash Ketchum?" Tears threaten to fall again while her family and Delia watch on happily.
"I already asked everyone here, but you." The man's warm chocolate brown eyes meet her glossy cerulean ones. "I told myself that if I ever made it out of that basement alive, then I would never leave you again."
"I know, so stand up before you hurt yourself!" she exclaims, which makes him nervously chuckle again.
Shaking his head, Ash continues, "You've been by my side since we met, and you've never left me, Mist." That hopeful gaze of his is making Misty's heart beat faster, especially since she knows what he's about to say next. "Will you marry me, Misty Kasumi Waterflower?"
With her other hand covering her mouth, Misty cries out, "Yes! Yes, you idiot!" Since Ash can't get up, Misty lowers herself to kiss him passionately as she forgets about everyone else in the room. After her heartache of Ash's disappearance for months, Misty feared for her friend. Her feelings for him have never disappeared, and she is glad that he shares the same ones as her. All of this time apart and the issues they've encountered, she'd go through them again just for this moment. Gosh, she's missed him so much. "I love you, Ash."
Grinning as they pull away from the kiss, Ash gazes into those cerulean blue eyes of hers. While he hasn't had a chance to buy her a ring yet, he knows he wants to marry her as soon as possible. After asking his mom and Misty's family, he got approval to be with this woman who he promised himself he would confess to after taking down the Hayden Family. Ash never accounted for getting caught, but it's fine now because he's finally with Misty. "I love you too, Mist."
Petalburg City
"Are you sure I look okay?" Drew worriedly asks his girlfriend who rolls her eyes at him. Once Misty and Ash had told them they were safe, May decided to go back home to check on her family. She had informed them that they're safe too, and Max had told her that their father is fine.
Drew came with May because he doesn't ever want to be separated from her. They are the only fortunate couple to have never been separated. Ash was kidnapped for over 2 months, so he and Misty weren't together. Now, Paul left Dawn, so they're not together. And Leaf...well, Gary is alone now too. However, Drew and May have been fortunate to have never been separated, so Drew won't allow her out of his sight. Besides, there's nothing left for him in Sinnoh anymore. Everything he cares about is beside him in May Maple.
"You're fine, Drew." May replies on her crutches from the bullet wound on her thigh. She's still surprised that Drew managed to pull it out, but then again, she was passed out drunk. The hospital had said that the wound is healing nicely, allowing her and Drew to catch a plane to Hoenn.
Shifting nervously, Drew envelops May in a tight embrace once they stop in front of her house. "I'm scared." He mutters hoping her touch will calm him down like it usually does.
May can only giggle at the usually playful Drew holding onto her. She can feel he's hot and sweaty despite it being a cool day. He really must be scared. "You took down a whole gang. My family is nothing." She reassures him while hugging him back.
Shaking his head, Drew mutters, "I wasn't scared of the Hayden Family." He tightens his hold on her. "I'm more scared of this though."
May can only laugh at how cute he is, although it does show how much he likes her if he's terrified of meeting her harmless family over fighting a ruthless gang. Pulling away, much to his dismay, May smiles warmly at him while gazing into his emerald orbs. "I'll protect you this time."
He nods weakly as he rests his forehead on hers. "Please do, May."
Though she wants to roll her eyes at his nervousness, May finds it adorable. Plus, his eyes are always so enticing, so she slowly inches her chin towards him. "You know I love you, right?"
"Mhmm." Drew is relieved to feel his muscles relax; however, May has this effect on him. It's the reason why he was able to face his family without fear. It's the reason he has hope again. May always manages to reach Drew's heart, and he's fine with that. "I love you too, May."
She's happy to see that small smile on his lips since it tells her that he's calming down. Before May can close the space between their lips, the couple hears the sound of a shotgun load, causing Drew to quickly release May and protectively guard her from the direction of the noise, which happens to be the front of the house. There, he spots an older man pointing a shotgun at them. So maybe they're not fully safe after all?
Before Drew can think about how satisfied he's been with the last moments of his life, May shouts, "Dad!"
This causes the young man to narrow his eyes in confusion, though his gaze doesn't falter from the man at the front door. "Leave this family alone!" Drew shouts.
"He's my dad, Drew!" May exclaims from behind him and crutches her way past Drew. Seeing the man lower his gun causes Drew to relax as he follows May who soon tackles her father in a hug.
"I told you it was May." comes a voice from behind the father, which makes May look over and now hug this new young man with glasses.
"Max!" she cries, leaving Drew to nervously stand at the front steps as the father glares down at him. May then hugs her mother who is, fortunately, nicer to Drew and ushers the new arrivals inside. May's father's glare never wavers from Drew, and a part of Drew contemplates that he should've just died weeks ago if it means he can escape this uncomfortableness.
Seeing the tense Drew makes May giggle at him, so she squeezes his hand, much to her father's annoyance. "No one's gonna bite you here."
"Ralts will." Max crosses his arms in annoyance at this man he knows is Drew Hayden. After the phone call with May weeks ago where Max heard Drew's name, she looked him up. The famous Hayden Family is now in the news for their criminal activity, which makes Max skeptical of this one in their home.
"Who's Ralts?" Drew worriedly whispers to May.
"She's a little terrier. You're fine." rolls the woman's eyes as she crutches off to the couch with Drew closely following. Once everyone is seated, May introduces her family to Drew. "And this is Drew." She points to the nervous man beside her who shyly waves.
Max narrows his eyes at him. "Drew Hayden?"
Gulping, Drew nods. His palms are very sweaty, which is why he's been keeping them on his knees as he tries to wipe them on his jeans. C'mon! This isn't how Drew Hayden behaves! He mentally curses himself for being so scared. "Yes, but I'm not with my family anymore."
"Because they're in jail." Norman, May's father, angrily states. He's not a fan of his daughter dating, nor is he a fan of this former gangster whose gang threatened his family.
"Guys!" May comes to Drew's rescue, and he's grateful to her. "He's nothing like the Hayden Family! They outcasted him years ago!"
"That could just be what he told you." Norman seethes since he's also upset that the Hayden Family shot him.
Before May can speak, though, Drew does. "Excuse me." He's surprised at how confident his voice is, but it could be due to having May's support. "The Hayden Family killed my parents and outcasted me." His emerald eyes gaze around at May's family, and he sighs. Reaching over a hand to grab May's, Drew continues, "I know I don't deserve to be here."He squeezes the hand and smiles when she squeezes back. "And I don't deserve May, but I love her, and I want to be with her."
"Absolutely not." Normal quickly says, causing Caroline, May's mother, to put a hand on his shoulder.
"May told us about how you've helped keep her safe this whole time." Caroline smiles at the blushing Drew.
He nods as May eagerly replies, "Yeah he has! He's the reason we're all safe!"
"And the reason we were all in trouble." Max quips, causing May to glare at her brother.
"Actually, Matthew Hayden is the reason we were all in trouble. But if you don't want to blame him, then you can blame me for taking the job at Hayden Co." She tells her family. "Drew has never brought harm to me. If anything, he's protected me."
Before the Maple men can speak, Caroline does. "You can stay as long as you want, Drew. Anyone who my daughter trusts, then I trust." When Norman opens his mouth to retort, Caroline squeezes his shoulder. "Right, honey?"
Grumbling some choice words under his breath, Norman eventually says, "Separate rooms. You can only be together in public rooms."
"Whatever." Max mutters in annoyance. He doesn't care if his sister and mother trust Drew because Max doesn't. "I'll be at my apartment then."
"Max!" Caroline snaps at her son.
"They say we're safe now, so I can go back." Max then looks at May and Drew. "Right?"
Nodding, May smiles at her brother. "Yes! We're completely safe now!"
"Then it's settled!" Caroline happily claps her hands together before getting up to finish dinner in the kitchen.
After Drew and Max help bring Drew's and May's luggage into their respective rooms, Drew makes his way downstairs. He'll let May rest as well as spend time with her brother. Once downstairs, Drew spots the person he wants to speak with in the living room alone. Norman looks up at the new arrival and scowls, especially as Drew sits down beside him.
Clearing his throat, Drew says, "I'm sorry your family got hurt, sir."
"What happened to May's leg?" Due to the way the conversation was going earlier, Norman didn't get to ask about his daughter on crutches.
Sighing, Drew looks down at his hands painfully. He still blames himself for May's injury, and he's grateful that she's alive. "I wasn't protecting her."
"So what makes you think you can protect her now?" Norman angrily inquires.
"Because I won't leave her again." Drew looks up to meet Norman's navy eyes. "I love May, sir. And I will spend however long it takes to show you my sincerity."
The older man averts his gaze and returns it to the TV where the news on the Hayden Family is still playing despite it being weeks since the incidents. Norman thinks about how much May trusts Drew, especially after everything that she's gone through. Moreover, the look on Drew's face shows he's disappointed in himself for allowing May to get hurt. Norman mentally curses himself because he knows his wife will be upset if he drives Drew away, as much as Norman wants to do it. Inwardly sighing, he knows he needs to give this former gangster a chance since May somehow likes him. After a couple of silent minutes between the two men, Norman speaks, "If you hurt her, I will kill you myself."
Twinleaf Town - Weeks Later
"Don't tell me it's that Paul guy's." Johanna narrows her eyes at her daughter whose head is laying on the kitchen counter.
Dawn is sitting on a stool wallowing in her own thoughts while the little white sticks are scattered in front of her head. "You're gonna be mad no matter whose it is." She groans to her mother.
Sighing, Johanna pulls up a stool to sit across from Dawn. When Dawn had arrived home a month ago, Johanna was ecstatic to see her daughter safely again. Dawn has been helping out at the bakery while doing some interior design work around the small town. With Johanna's connections due to running the bakery for years, many people know about Dawn's ability as an interior designer.
Moreover, Kenny is back too where he's helping out at his parents' hair salon/barbershop. He visits often, making Johanna glad to see him again. Out of all the men in Dawn;s life, Johanna has liked Kenny the most because he's been the most loyal to Dawn. Kenny has always been there for Dawn and throughout each of her terrible relationships while also helping her escape them. Johanna has always hoped for her daughter to date Kenny.
The mother is relieved to have seen Dawn and Kenny arrive to Twinleaf Town alone. She had expected that Paul gangster would be tagging along too, but she hasn't seen anyone new around Dawn. Therefore, Johanna assumes Paul must just be someone in the past or he might've died during the whole Hayden Family fiasco that is still on the news. Whatever the case is, she hasn't questioned Dawn for fear of painful memories or hearing something she doesn't want to hear.
However, here they are as Dawn finds out she's pregnant, and Johanna highly doubts the child can be Kenny's since Dawn isn't dating him. Plus, Dawn was single for over a year before she started talking about Paul, so this Paul guy must be the father, right?
Sighing, Johanna reaches a hand over to her daughter's. As upset as Johanna wants to be about this situation, she knows she can't be because she went through the same thing with Dawn years ago. How can she be ashamed of her daughter when she too got pregnant with an uninvolved partner? If anything, Johanna can only be ashamed of herself for not protecting Dawn well enough to avoid going through this same heartache.
"I'm not mad, sweetie." Johanna's sweet voice makes Dawn look up at her mother.
Surprisingly, Dawn isn't crying, but that's mostly because she's cried enough over that prunehead. "Really?"
Nodding, Johanna smiles at her. "I love you, Dawn, so I'll help you and the baby." When a smile breaks out on Dawn's nervous face, Johanna can't help but feel relieved. They'll be okay. They've always been okay as long as they have each other.
"Thanks, mom!" As much as Dawn is upset that she will constantly be reminded of Paul for the rest of her life, she can't bring herself to get rid of this child. After everything with the Hayden Family, Dawn can't kill someone, especially an unborn being. Even if Paul did leave her in the end, she still has only good memories of him. Bringing her hands down to her abdomen, Dawn smiles weakly.
I thought about not getting Dawn pregnant, but I love babies too much, so here we are. Only a few more chapters left!~