Reckless Surrender :: Chapter Thirty Seven

Hope sat still shaken, but tear free at a table in the Horton Town Square. She had forgotten she promised Ciara ice cream for acing another spelling test. She had gotten three perfect scores in a row, and Hope couldn't be more proud. She was still proud, she was just distracted.

She tried to focus on her daughter who sat in the middle of the square with Theo and his nanny as they watched a magician, but she couldn't stop thinking about what had happened with Bo at the station. She knew she should call him. She couldn't decide if they were fighting or not. Guilt consumed her. Her mind raced. She wondered where he ran off to as she stared at the untouched herbal tea in front of her.

"Hope," Aiden greeted with a smile.

Hope's throat tightened at the sight of him. She hated that it happened every time she saw him, but her body had developed an instinctual response to his presence. Seeing him was the last thing she needed right now. She reminded herself that she was in a very public place. Her daughter was twenty feet away. She took a calming breath and cleared her throat, "Aiden."

"Everything okay?" Aiden questioned, "You look upset."

"I'm fine," Hope snapped. Her muscles tensed as she stared up at him from her chair.

"Okay," Aiden shrugged, "I was just checking. You look like you could use a friend."

"Are you kidding me?" Hope almost laughed. His charm and arrogance made her sick. She stood from her chair, "Even if I needed a friend right now, you aren't one of them. We are not friends Aiden. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Aiden looked around as pairs of eyes started to land on them, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make whatever it is worse."

"Whatever it is…" Hope mumbled sarcastically. As if he didn't know 'whatever it was'. Anger erupted inside of her. Bo's words about her being a strong and confident woman echoed in her mind. She'd worked so hard to keep what happened between her and Aiden a secret, but she didn't care anymore, "Quit patronizing me."

"Hope," Aiden struggled for words and looked at her with confusion, "I'm not patronizing you. I thought we were making peace. I want us to move forward."

"You are so fake," Hope replied, "And such a liar."

Aiden's facial expression turned into one of accusation, "And you're one to talk? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black."

Ciara turned from the magic tricks Theo had been so excited to make her watch when she heard Aiden's raised voice. She turned just in time to see Hope's hand make contact with Aiden's face. She didn't slap him. She punched him with her fist.

"What the hell Hope?!" Aiden screamed as his hands found his cheek.

"I never claimed to be perfect," Hope replied calmly.

"Neither did I," Aiden whispered forcefully.

Hope stepped close to him. A part of her wanted to back away, but she banished thoughts of fear. She was so close to him, she could feel his breath on her skin, "You're not going to hit me back? Rip at my clothes? Call me names? Make me beg for forgiveness on my knees?"

Aiden spat blood onto the pavement, but he didn't back away. He stared square into her eyes, "Of course I'm not."

Hope glared at him and whispered, "Why would you? I could defend myself this time."

Aiden stared into her eyes. His cheeks were flushed with embarrassment as people whispered around them. She shoved his chest away from her personal space with both hands, "You're a coward."

Aiden stumbled backwards, but he didn't say anything in response.

"Mommy," Ciara called nervously.

Hope went to her and picked her up protectively. She turned back to Aiden, "Get away from us."

Aiden raised his hands up in surrender, "I'm sorry."

"It's not enough," Hope replied. She hugged Ciara close to her body. She was almost too big for her to hold. Her adrenaline pumped vigorously through her veins.

Ciara watched Aiden walk away. She could feel her mother's hand shake as Hope stroked Ciara's hair in an effort to comfort her.

"Are you okay, Mommy?" Ciara asked innocently.

Hope looked into her eyes. Ciara's big brown eyes stared back at her filled with concern, and in that moment, Ciara was all Hope could see. People started slowly dispersing from the scene. Whispers could be heard as they tried to figure out what had just happened. Hope knew the gossip would travel fast, but she didn't care. She stared at her daughter, "I'm okay."

"Why did you hit Aiden?" Ciara questioned.

Hope kissed Ciara's forehead, "Because he did something very bad."

"He gave you all those bruises you used to have?" Ciara asked knowingly.

Hope closed her eyes. She couldn't lie to her, "Yes baby. Yes, he did."

Ciara smiled, "You're brave. And strong. Like a superhero."

Hope laughed as tears filled her eyes, "I probably shouldn't have done that. Two wrongs don't make it right."

Ciara shrugged, "Maybe this time it does."

Hope kissed Ciara's cheek and set her on her feet. Courage flooded through her, "I love you."

"I love you too," Ciara smiled and grabbed Hope's hand, "Can we go home now? I can't wait to tell Daddy what a bad ass you are."

Hope's jaw dropped, "Ciara Alice. What did you just say?"

Ciara blushed, but repeated herself confidently, "Bad ass."

"I believe you should watch your mouth young lady," Hope scolded. It was hard to be mad, "That is not a word a girl your age should be saying. Plus, it's not lady like."

"You just punched a man in public," Ciara argued, "That's not lady like either."

Hope almost laughed out loud, "No… It's not is it?"

"No, but it's bad ass," Ciara smiled.

Hope playfully rolled her eyes. She wouldn't win this battle. A part of her didn't want to. She let Ciara lead her to the car. For the first time since Aiden attacked her, she felt completely empowered. She would never say that violence was the answer, but it sure felt good to defend herself, even if it was a couple months too late.