I can understand how James's attachment to Sofia's hair can be seen as annoying or come off as too dominant, and I truly appreciate you bringing up the subject.

In the beginning, when he was messing with her hoodie, and she threatened to cut her hair, he said no, but only because he thought she was upset with him. If Sofia were to say, "I want to cut my hair because I think it would look better short," you can bet James would either cut it or drive her to the salon himself; he would be happy that she was happy, even if he genuinely does love her hair. He loves her more.

Still, every time she brings it up, it's always, "It's too long and not worth the effort of brushing and styling; I should just cut it," and he wants to prove that every part of her is worth all the effort, so he takes care of it for her as another way of letting her know how much he loves every aspect of her. Plus, he knows how important it is to her.

Sofia has a love/hate relationship with her hair. She hasn't cut it since Miranda shaved it eight years ago because, for one, I don't think she could stand scissors that close to her head unless, of course, she did it herself or James or Anne were to cut it. But it's one of the only things she's ever had absolute control over (besides the cutting and her grades), and even though Sofia sees Patrick when she looks in the mirror, she wants so badly not to let her past control her. Like Sofia said in chapter 14, she could have changed her hair years ago, but she never did, and she doesn't really want to.

I hope I explained that well because while James is possessive of his girl (and surprisingly dominant), his goal is to make her happy and boost her self-esteem as much as he can.

I seriously appreciate the constructive criticism, and if there are any other problems/questions you have, I am more than happy to fix/answer them!

Remember, while this is a recollection of my past, I'm writing it for you.

-Goes back to writing- ^^

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Chapter 34

James

Sofia texted me that she was going into her meeting with Mrs. White, so I decided to get some extra time in at the gym before running home.

I was glad she could stay at school all day, if only to talk to her therapist.

Hopefully, Mrs. White could help her open up to me more.

I was so worried about her.

I grabbed my bag and took off toward the house after Sofia's meeting was over but stopped short of the driveway when I saw an unfamiliar car parked in it.

I crept around the side of the house and peeked around the corner, finding a man sitting on our porch steps.

Damn it. What the fuck now?

I pulled out my phone and called the Sherriff before running back to the sidewalk.

I flagged Sofia down and motioned for her to park on the side of the road, jumping in next to her.

"What's going on?" she asked worriedly.

"Someone's here," I grabbed her hand and kissed it, "The Sheriff is on his way,"

I saw the police cruiser in the mirror and watched as he pulled in behind the car and waved at us.

"Thank you for calling him," Sofia squeezed my hand.

"I wasn't going to have you put in the middle of something," I sighed, opening my door, "Stay here, baby, mom, and dad will be home soon,"

"Hell no," she shook her head, jumping out.

"Sofia, what if he's here for you," I set my jaw, pointing back to the truck.

"Then you'll tackle him, and, plus, the Sheriff's here," she shrugged, walking to the house.

I ran my hand over my face and ran ahead, keeping her behind me.

We turned up the driveway, and Sofia gasped.

"Uncle Scott?" her voice hitched.

"Sofie!" the man smiled, "Long time no see, kiddo," he tried to get around me, but I pushed him back.

"Fuck no," I shook my head.

"Sofia, do you know him?" the Sheriff asked, holding his notepad.

"Yeah," she nodded slowly, taking a step further behind my arm, "But why are you here, Scott?"

"We need to talk," he pursed his lips together seriously.

"As I said before, you're going to have to wait until their parents get home," the Sheriff warned him.

"They should be here soon," I glared at the man.

I turned around and looked down at Sofia, whose eyes were glued to him.

"Was he one of the men that hurt you?" I whispered, taking her hand in mine.

"No," she shook her head, keeping her focus on him, "But Something is wrong; he never leaves the farm,"

Mom and dad parked on the street and ran to join us.

"What's going on?" dad growled, standing in front of Sofia and me protectively.

"I'm Sofia's uncle, Scott Daniels," the man introduced himself, moving to shake dad's hand, but dad just stared him down.

"What's your business?" Dad demanded.

"Sofia's in danger; I came to help," he insisted, holding his hands up in front of him defensively.

"What kind of danger?" mom asked, pulling Sofia to her side.

"Miranda and Sam are being released in a month, and they are coming for her," he frowned, "They have everyone back home convinced that you all are kidnappers,"

"That's bullshit!" I spat, "They're going to prison,"

Scott shook his head, "I wish that were the case; I can't stand either of them, but unfortunately, they are both going to be out on bail on October 27th, and their trials are set for January,"

"Sherriff?" Sofia squeaked, "Is that true?"

"I'm not aware of it if it is," he turned to his car and started talking on his radio.

"It is. Miranda has been calling grandma every day," Scott looked at Sofia, "According to her, the Talberts forced her into signing the papers to take her money,"

"That money is Sofia's, and we've been saving it in her bank account for college, for fucks sake!" dad growled, "Miranda was using it to buy drugs with whats-his-name in Colorado!"

"All I know is what Miranda has been telling our mom," Scott sighed, "And Sofia, you told mom that Tyler was okay with it, but he's been pissed since you left. You're lucky I'm here and not him, especially after what happened in Wyoming,"

"Tyler?" Sofia's voice was laced with confusion, and she cocked her head to the side, "Tyler doesn't exist, Uncle Scott and the only way I would be lucky is if everyone left me the fuck alone!"

"What do you mean?" Scott asked, "I just saw him yesterday,"

I watched the expressions on Sofia's face change from confusion to anger.

"What the hell are you talking about? Miranda made up a dude named Tyler when she left. He was a lie, and she left me on my own! You would have known that if you cared enough to check on me!" she fumed, "You drove by the house taking Aubrey to school every day!"

"Sofia, I was told by Miranda, Sam, and Tyler to stay away from you, or else I would have taken you in myself. I tried to get custody of you after your dad and Seth died, but the judge ruled in favor of your mom, even after telling him that I was worried they were abusing you. I planned to move you into our house when you turned eighteen," Scott sighed, rubbing his head.

"You did?" she asked, unconvinced.

"Yeah, Miranda and Sam kept you hidden after Patrick and Seth died, and I couldn't shake the feeling something terrible was happening. I asked Aubrey about you all the time since she saw you at school, but she never really paid attention, so I started talking to David and Eliza. They were pieces of shit, but they filled me in on some of it, and I figured I knew how Miranda and Sam were making all of their money, but after what happened to David, Eliza, and their kids...I dropped my case," he stared at the ground, and Sofia did the same, "I didn't want to get you hurt any more than you already were,"

"I watched him kill Ryder and Natalie," she sniffled, wiping her eyes, "It was a warning for me to keep my mouth shut,"

"I'm so sorry, Sofie, but I don't get why you're telling everyone Tyler doesn't exist," his confusion mirrored Sofia's, "He was on the bus with you, that's why they are being released; the judge isn't convinced that it was a kidnapping since you were with the man who had power of attorney over you,"

Sofia's face lost its color, and she looked nauseous.

"What does he look like?" she trembled, holding my arm tightly.

"He's in his thirties, thin-"

"With short brown hair?" she whispered.

"Yeah," Scott nodded.

"Bus guy," Sofia frowned, "That was Tyler?!"

"Bus guy?" I asked, "Who are you talking about, baby?"

"He sat next to me on the bus and kept trying to make small talk, he let me play his Switch since I didn't have my phone, and he wanted me to eat some snacks," She sighed, "And he was sitting next to me when Alex pulled me in the car,"

I thought back to when she was taken and remembered seeing the man sitting next to her.

"Yeah, we saw him too," I looked at mom and dad, "But what does he gain by pretending to be Sofia's guardian?"

"I'm sure my sister pays him well for his services; he's testifying at their trial, and he's going to say that he escorted his minor ward to Sam because she was running away from you guys," he balled his fists, "You really didn't know he existed, Sofie?"

"I swear I didn't!" Sofia cried, and I pulled her into my arms.

"We had every police officer from here to Casper looking out for her, and we were there when the S.W.A.T. team rescued her. Why the hell would she run away from us to that abusive serial killer?!" Mom yelled, "And how the fuck is he walking away clean after he killed that Alex guy in front of Sofia?!"

"Sofia got hit in the process of her kidnapping, too; how is that not proof that it wasn't voluntary!?" I clenched my teeth, rubbing Sofia's back as she cried.

"Sam is using the excuse that her injury was accidental and that one of the other men killed Alex before S.W.A.T. went in," Scott sighed.

"He's telling the truth, and I'm sorry I didn't catch this sooner," the Sherriff grimaced, "From what Mr. Daniels has said, Sofia is going to need to testify against them both in January, or else they'll walk, and Miranda will get custody of her again,"

"This Tyler never came up in the guardianship," Mom pointed out, keeping her hand on Sofia's arm.

"He had power of attorney, not guardianship, even though Miranda told everyone they had split custody. You all threw a wrench in everything when you took Sofia, and a lot of evil people want her head," Scott took a step toward us, but I shook my head and motioned for him to back up, "Right now, the consensus is if Sofia comes home and agrees not to testify, your family is safe, but the longer you hold onto her, the more you become targets,"

"She has to testify against them! And targets of who?" Dad asked, folding his arms.

"If Sofia testifies against Sam and Miranda, it will incriminate a bunch of influential people back in Missouri. People who, I'm sure, hurt her. And they will kill her to keep her quiet. You all can walk away, forget you ever met her, forget everything she told you, and stay away from that trial, or else they're going to kill you too,"

"I'm afraid you wasted a trip. Sheriff, get this asshole off our property," dad straightened his back, and I stood next to him.

"I am just trying to keep you all safe; my niece needs to be with her family. It's the only way to keep her alive!" He roared, pulling away from the Sherriff.

"You need to calm down, Mr. Daniels or I'm going to have to place you under arrest for death threatening a minor," the Sherriff warned.

"I'm not going to kill her; I'm trying to keep her from getting killed!" Scott tried to get past us, but dad and I pushed him back again.

"Get the fuck back in your car; she isn't going anywhere," I crossed my arms and glared at him.

"She has a family, and we aren't going to let anything happen to her," Mom joined us in front of Sofia.

"Are you seriously asking me to leave the only people who ever cared about me so I can what? Go back to being Miranda and Sam's fuck toy? or work on the farm forever?" Sofia walked around us and stood in front of Scott, "James knew me for six and a half hours before he and his parents took me in because they knew how fucked up my situation was. But even after seventeen years of you assholes knowing I was being abused and neglected, the best offer you have is for me to let Miranda and Sam walk free and hide forever? FUCK YOU!" she punched him in the face, knocking him sideways, and he moved to hit her back.

I pushed her out of the way and grabbed his fist, pulling his arm behind his back and forcing him down.

"Don't you fucking touch her!" I clenched my teeth and stood up.

"It's your fucking funeral; I tried to help you, stupid bitch," Scott winced as the Sherriff escorted him back to his car, "You were never supposed to leave Missouri!"

"Are you okay?" I asked, unable to wipe the proud smile off my face as I inspected her hand.

"I'm fine," she sighed, "But we need to figure out what to do,"

"They just won't give you a break," dad frowned, squeezing Sofia's shoulder.

"Let me see your hand," Mom demanded, snatching it from me, "We need to get some ice on it. Roland tell the Sherriff to come inside. I'll make coffee,"

I followed mom and Sofia into the house, looking back to make sure Scott was gone before ducking inside.

Sofia quietly let mom doctor her hand, and I sat next to her at the island.

"Don't worry, sweetie, nothing is going to happen to you," mom smiled, patting Sofia on the arm.

Sofia sighed and rested her head on my shoulder.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her chair closer to mine, "Damn right, you're safe, baby,"

"I want to apologize again for not being aware of Miranda and Sam's release," the Sherriff's voice boomed through the kitchen, "I never imagined this would happen,"

"Why is it happening, Sherriff?" mom asked, pouring him a cup of coffee.

"Mr. Daniels was right; they aren't considering the mess you went through last weekend a kidnapping, and, somehow, Miranda's drug charges have been dropped," he took the cup and sat at the table, "The trial for her is over child neglect and second-degree child molestation, and Sam's is for second-degree child molestation, Statutory Rape, and multiple murder charges. They are both looking at life sentences,"

"But yet they can get out on bail?" dad frowned, looking at Sofia, "If they come after Sofia, they're going to kill her this time, or worse. None of them want her to testify,"

"Miss Benton needs to testify; she's the only one who can explain what they've done. I'm going to look into this Tyler guy, but if he testifies that she was under his care while Miranda was gone, and no one testifies that Sofia was abused, they will walk, and Sofia will go back to Miranda,"

"She can testify, but what if they still walk?" mom asked, "What if she got emancipated?"

"Emancipation takes four to eight months to process; she'll turn eighteen before it goes through," the Sherriff shook his head.

"What if we got married?" I asked, and everyone went quiet, "What? We're already engaged, and if we got married this weekend, then we don't have to worry about Miranda getting my girl back,"

I looked at Sofia, and she threw her arms around my neck before I had a chance to ask her what she thought.

"I guess it's settled then," mom said, and everyone laughed.

"That will be the safest and quickest solution if you two are sure," the Sherriff chuckled.

"We are!" Sofia and I exclaimed at the same time.

"But what about the trial and afterward?" Sofia asked, "We're still going to be in danger,"

"I'll keep your name off of the witness list until the morning of the trial, and as far as after goes, we will hopefully be able to catch everyone involved," the Sherriff assured her, "I will have my officers conduct drivebys every half hour until Sam and Miranda get released, and then I'll have a car parked outside at all times until the trial. I will also personally drive you to Missouri for the trial,"

"Thank you, Sherriff," dad shook his hand and walked him to the door.

"So, Saturday or Sunday?" Mom asked, getting her phone out and looking at us, "I'll need to make some calls,"

"Saturday at sunset," Sofia smiled, "Are we going to have to go to city hall?"

"No way," mom scrunched her nose, "That's so boring; I'm thinking the park pavilion, next to the river, if that sounds good to you guys,"

James and I nodded happily.

"I've always wanted to get married outside," Sofia squeezed my arm excitedly, "I can't believe we're getting married on Saturday!"

"Yeah, well, I can't believe you aren't already married," dad shrugged, leaning on the island, "We've been waiting for one of you to ask us to sign the papers for weeks, but hey, if it takes a crazy man in our yard rambling about death threats to light the fire, so be it,"

"Well, it's happening, and I finally get to use my wedding apps," Mom danced, happily tapping her screen, "How many people are you inviting?"

"The girls from the cheer squad, I have to pick four to be bridesmaids," Sofia pulled out her phone and started texting.

"The guys from the team, the coach, and his wife, I'll pick four to be groomsmen," I added, pulling my phone out as well.

"I need to call your grandparents, my brothers, and your aunt," Mom grabbed a piece of paper and started scribbling notes, "We need to order decorations tonight, so they'll be here in time, I'll find a caterer, and Sofia needs a dress. We will go to the bridal place tomorrow after I get home from work. James, you and dad can get your tux on Wednesday,"

"Okay, what about music?" I asked, looking up from my phone.

"Make a playlist; I can press play," dad chuckled.

"Actually, hold on!" Sofia jumped up and ran upstairs.

We all stared at the stairs, waiting for her to come back.

"DAD! WHAT'S YOUR MIDDLE NAME?" She called excitedly.

"NATHANIEL!" he called back, giving me a quizzical look, and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I have no idea what's happening," I laughed.

We waited for a few more minutes until she appeared, holding an origami heart box.

"Roland Nathaniel Talbert," she giggled, getting down on one knee and holding the box up, "You are the only good father figure I've ever had, and I am very much looking forward to calling you dad for the rest of our time together. I love you and would be honored if you would walk me down the aisle at James and I's wedding. Will you be my dad?"

Mom had her camera pointed at the two of them with tears in her eyes, and I had my hand over my mouth, trying not to cry, as I watched my future wife propose to my dad.

Sofia handed him the box, and he took it, opening it shakily.

"Of course, I will, silly girl," he kneeled in front of her and engulfed her in his arms, "I love you too, Sofia," he sniffled, pulling back and kissing her forehead before standing up, "Looks like I can't be in charge of the music after all,"

Sofia looked at me with a huge grin across her face, and I rushed over, taking her in my arms.

"That was so sweet, baby. God, I love you," I whispered, kissing her cheek.

"I love you too," she giggled, "I love all of you,"

Sofia looked over at my parents, and I put my arm back around her shoulders.

"We love you too, sweetie," Mom smiled, "We are so glad to have you as a part of the family,"

"We definitely couldn't ask for a better daughter," dad agreed, taking his glasses off and wiping his eyes, "Now get back to wedding planning before I start crying again," he cleared his throat, clutching the heart box lovingly.

"What kind of flowers?" mom asked, looking at us happily.

"I'm not really a fan of flowers, so I'll leave that to James," Sofia pointed at me.

"Blue and green Dahlias," I nodded, pulling up pictures on my phone to show mom.

"Okay, those are pretty," she smiled, "Send me that page,"

We got the decorations ordered, and after three hours of planning and calling people, Sofia, and I trudged upstairs.

"What a day," Sofia sighed, falling back on the bed, and I collapsed next to her.

"Where to even start," I propped myself up on my elbow, looking at the exhausted girl, "You punched your uncle in the face, proposed to my dad, which I'm super jealous of, and we're getting married Saturday," I laughed, "I'm really proud of how you stood up for yourself, by the way,"

"He fucking deserved it," she inspected her bandaged hand, "I can't believe that after everything we've been through, those people expected me to go back and pretend we never even met. I am so sick of them trying to tear us apart, and I can't believe Tyler is a real person. Where the fuck has he been?"

"I can't believe that they actually expected me to let you go, and yeah, that Tyler shit is fucked up," I frowned, "Are you scared?" I asked, pulling her face toward me.

"What do I have to be afraid of, baby? Even if someone shows up, I know my knight will save me," she smiled, "Once we're married, Miranda can't touch me, and they will all learn to leave us alone eventually,"

I pulled Sofia to my chest and buried my face in her hair, "I am so happy to hear you say that," I whispered, kissing the top of her head, "I promise I'll take care of you forever,"

"We'll take care of each other forever," she giggled, looking up at me, "I'm so excited to be your wife,"

"And I'm excited to be your husband," I smiled down at her, "How did your meeting with Mrs. White go today?"

"Oh, yeah, I went to my therapist today," she rolled her eyes, "We talked about how I'm more afraid of my memories than the people that caused them, which I've already proved, and we discussed what happened Thursday and that if I don't openly communicate my feelings about our sexual relationship, I'll end up pushing you away because my fucked up brain is apparently confusing you with the men that raped me, and if I continue to imagine my experiences with them while I'm with you, then I'll be too afraid to let you touch me,"

"Do we need to stop having sex? I don't like the sound of any of that, baby," I stared at her, horrified.

"No," she shook her head, "We need to identify my triggers as they happen so I can get past them; if we stopped completely, then it will just be a problem later on. Just promise me we won't do bondage stuff because I can already tell you that's going to cause a panic attack,"

"I swear," I nodded, "Do you know what triggered you Thursday?"

"Like I said, I've never actually seen a penis before yours, and It sparked painful memories. I told Mrs. White that I had seen it before the incident, but she thinks my perception of it changed after we had sex," she closed her eyes, "I need like one week of no traumatic experiences to see if my medication is actually helping because this shit is pissing me off,"

"We will take it slow, love," I assured her, kissing her forehead, "You don't seem bothered by me playing,"

"I am definitely not," she smirked, keeping her eyes closed.

"Let's go take a shower, baby," I laughed and pulled her up.