Chloe POV

'Are you sure you want to do this Chloe?' Aaron asked me looking concerned.

'I've never been more sure in my life. There is no way I'm letting Hendrix go into the foster care system.' I said looking at my older brothers with a determined look on my face.

'Taking on a teenager is a big responsibility. Especially a teenage boy as a single mother.' Said Mark.

'I have known Hendrix for 2 years now. He is only 14. I am not abandoning him. Not after everything we've both been through. What he has been through his whole life with Pierce as his father.' I sighed, thinking of the innocent boy currently lying in a hospital bed badly bruised and beaten.

'We don't want you to feel you need to look after Hendrix because you feel guilty about what his father did to him. That is not your fault.' Mark said.

'No! Stop it! I love Hendrix like he is my own son. He is my son in all ways besides blood related. I promised him I would protect him and love him for the rest of his life and I plan on keeping that promise. Nothing you two will say, will convince me to let him go. Now all I want to know is, if I have both your support in raising Hendrix and getting custody of him.' I said.

I couldn't lose him. Not after everything that has happened. It would break me if we were separated. I gave a pleading look to my brothers, willing them to support me on my decision.

I'm not stupid. I know it's going to be hard to raise a teenager on my own, but Hendrix was worth it.

Aaron sighed. 'Okay Chloe. If you are sure then I fully support you in your decision. I've always wanted children anyway and becoming an uncle will give me some practice.'

I teared up at those words. Before I could say anything Mark spoke.

'I also fully support you as well. It's not going to be an easy road for the both of you. Especially considering the trauma you've both been through with Pierce, but Aaron and I will both be supporting and helping you two as much as possible. I am looking forward to having Hendrix around.'

'Thank you..both of you so so much. It means the world you two are on board with this. I love Hendrix so much and he deserves a childhood full of joy and happiness. Not the pain his been through so far. I know I can provide that to him especially with your support. You two are going to be the best uncles ever.' I said overcome with emotion.

'We are going to be with you right through the application for guardianship okay. We'll get Toadie to help you with the paper work. It's not going to be easy to get custody, but considering his your step-son already it might help you a bit.' Mark said starting to get down to business.

I nodded my head thinking about what was ahead of me but knowing I would do anything to make sure Hendrix stayed with me.

'Speaking of Hendrix, I am going to go back to the hospital to see him. He should hopefully be getting discharged tomorrow and I don't want him to be alone there.' I said getting up from the kitchen table and gathering my bag.

'Okay we'll get the spare bedroom ready across the hall from your room.' Aaron said getting up from his seat and heading to the linen cupboard.

'Thank you guys. That will be great.' I said heading towards the door.

—

I stood outside Hendrix's hospital room looking through the window into his room trying to gather my thoughts before I went in to see him. He had a black eye on his right eye and a bruises all on his left side of his face.

He looked so young and innocent lying asleep. His only 14 for gods sake and he'd already been through too much trauma in his young life.

'I promise you baby, I will try and not let anyone hurt you ever again. Not if I can help it.'

I can't believe it had been 4 days already since Pierce went to jail. God that was the worst day of my life. Hendrix was so badly hurt I thought he was dead at one point.

Flashback to 4 days ago

I walked into the house after finishing my shift at Lassiters. The house was eerily quiet and I felt my stomach becoming unsettled. Something was wrong. Walking into the kitchen I noticed Pierce sitting at the kitchen table with some paper work in front of him.

'Pierce hi. Where is Hendrix?' I asked putting my bag down.

'Sit down Chloe. We need to talk.' Pierce said glaring at me.

I slowly sat down in front of him.

'I just found these papers Chloe. When were you going to tell me you wanted a divorce.' Pierce yelled throwing that papers at me.

He wasn't supposed to find those. Not yet. I wanted to get me and Hendrix away from him before giving him the paperwork.

'Pierce I am sorry. I was going to tell you. You must know that things between us are not working out. You're always away on business trips and ignoring Hendrix. I've tried to fix the relationship between you two, because quite frankly Hendrix deserves parents who love him. Where is Hendrix anyway.' I said.

'Chloe don't leave me. I love you. I've had some time to think ever since I saw these papers this morning and I know what went wrong between us. Hendrix was the problem. I promise you, you don't have to be burdened by him anymore. We can start a family together, just the two of us.' With each word coming out of Pierce's mouth I started to panic.

I quickly stood up from my seat.

'Pierce where is Hendrix!?' I frantically asked.

'Babe don't worry, you don't need to care about him. I've dealt with him already.' Pierce said smiling up at me from where he was still sitting.

'What did you do to him. Please Pierce. You didn't hurt him did you.' I cried out. 'Hendrix! Hendrix where are you.'

Quicker than I could think Pierce came over to my side and gripped my wrist.

'Stop it! Don't worry about him okay.' He yelled over at me.

'We are going to be together okay. Our own family.' He said with a crazy look in his eyes.

I knew right then I had to play along if I was to ever find out where Hendrix was.

Putting on the my most charming smile I kissed his lips.

'You're right babe. We don't need him around anymore.' I said, trying not to gag with each word I said.

'There that's better. Now you're talking. What do you want for dinner. We can go out if you want and celebrate our new life together.' Pierce said smiling at me.

'I would rather we stay in and celebrate. How about we order take away. I can order for us.' I said quickly thinking how I could get Mark on the phone to call the police. I needed to find Hendrix as soon as possible.

Pierce looked at me trying to figure out if he could trust me or not. I walked over to him and kissed him again.

'I promise I'll order your favourite.' I said to him.

'Okay yeah sure.' He said nodding his head.

I quickly grabbed my phone and dialled Marks number.

'Hey Chloe what's going on.' Mark answered me happily.

'Oh hi this is Chloe Greyson. I would like to order some take away.' I said smiling over at Pierce.

'Uh Chloe, what's going on. It's me Mark. Think you called the wrong number.' Mark said to me sounding confused.

'Yes can I get 2 servings of your garlic prawn pasta. Some breadsticks and chocolate mousse. Oh and I almost forgot.' I said dropping my voice down to a whisper.

'Some "Marion lake". I said quickly.

Marion lake was a code word Mark, Aaron and I had come up with to signal if we were ever in trouble. At the time I thought it was a silly idea when Mark mentioned it a few years ago, but now I could not be more grateful for it. Marion lake, was the lake we would visit as children. We tried to think of somewhere that made us all happy, to use for our code word.

'Chloe I'm calling the cops and I'm on my way. Don't do anything stupid.' Mark said before hanging up the phone.

'Done in 20 minutes. Thanks so much' I said before hanging up.

'Food is all ordered and will be here in 20 minutes.' I said to Pierce who was sitting looking at his laptop. Typical, I thought rolling my eyes.

God I hope Hendrix would be okay for another 20 minutes.

I sat on the couch flicking the tv on trying to calm my nerves. I could not afford for my plan to screw up.

20 minutes later a knock was heard.

I jumped up quickly.

'I'll get it.' I said rushing towards the door.

I cracked it open to see Mark at the door. Tears of relief flooded into my eyes.

Mark met my gaze and hold his hand up to keep me quiet.

'Play along okay. There are police around the back of the house covering the back entrance okay.' Mark said whispering to me.

I nodded my head.

'Thank you so much for the food. Here come in and wait while I grab my purse.' I said loudly enough for Pierce to hear me. Mark followed me back into the house staying out of sight.

Pierce looked up from his laptop when I walked back into the room.

'Hey where's the food.' Pierce asked me confused when he didn't spot any food in my hands.

Suddenly Mark rounded the corner.

'Piece Greyson you are under arrest. What have you done to Hendrix.' Mark said going over to Pierce.

'You bitch! I knew I couldn't trust you.' Pierce yelled furiously at me before turning and trying to run out the back door. Suddenly police stormed in the back door and tackled him to the ground.

'He's gone.' Pierce laughed manically from the ground.

I turned away from him and quickly ran to Hendrix's room. It was locked.

'Hendrix! Hendrix please are you in there!' I yelled out.

'Mark come here. I need to get into Hendrix's room. It's locked.' I yelled. Mark came over and broke the door down. I ran in but Hendrix wasn't there. I quickly ran to his wardrobe and opened it up.

'Hendrix!' I gasped out looking at the floor of the wardrobe where Hendrix's badly beaten body was lying.

I bent down next to him and started to shake him and check his pulse.

'Hendrix! Hendrix baby. Wake up. Please.' I said crying out with tears streaming down my face.

In the background I could hear Mark calling an ambulance.

'Chloe does he have a pulse?' Mark asked me kneeling down next to me and Hendrix.

'I can't find one.' I wailed out.

'Here let me check okay.' Mark said gently bringing his hand up to Hendrix's neck.

'I've got one. It's very faint. Hendrix buddy. Help is on the way hang in there okay.' Mark said.

I cried with relief. Stay with me baby I chanted in my head. As soon as the ambulance came I rode in the back with Hendrix on the way to the hospital.

—-

Shaking myself out of my thoughts I walked into Hendrix's room and sat in a chair beside his bed.

He stirred awake beside me.

'…Ch..Chloe.' He whispered looking over at me.

'Hey baby, just hold on a second. I'm going to page a nurse.'

I got up and pressed the button before pouring Hendrix a cup of water. Helping him to sit up I bought the cup to his mouth.

'Small sips sweetie.' I said.

A nurse walked into the room as I put the cup down.

'Ah Mr. Greyson, you're awake again. You've been in and out of consciousness the last 3 days.' I noticed Hendrix flinching at the word Greyson as did I. I never wanted to be associated with that name again.

'As your vitals are looking all good you will be able to be discharged from hospital tomorrow.' The nurse said before leaving the room again.

I took Hendrix's hand in mine running gentle circles across it to soothe him. I could tell he had something on his mind.

'You okay?' I said looking at him. He turned to look at me.

'What's going to happen to me? Where am I going to go. I don't have any family.' He whispered looking scared and so much younger than his 14 years.

'You're coming home with me of course. We're going to stay with my brothers if that is okay with you.' I reassured him.

He looked away from me. I was starting to get worried about his reaction.

'Do you not want to stay with me?' I asked him trying to not feel too hurt.

Hendrix quickly turned his head back to look at me.

'What..no..I mean..yes..wait. Sorry. I don't want to burden you. It's my fault your hurt as well and I don't want you to have to look after me after what my father did.' Hendrix stuttered out turning away from me again.

'Hendrix baby look at me.' I said waiting for him to turn his head towards me before I continued on.

'Your father did not deserve to be your father. What he did was not your fault. Do you understand me.' I said firmly. He nodded his head but still looked uncertain.

'It was not your fault what he did to me or to you. He only bruised my wrist. Nothing like what he did to you, and you didn't deserve any of that.' I said trying to convince him he wasn't to blame for any of his fathers abusive behaviour.

'But..if I hadn't gotten in the way..' Hendrix replied weakly with tears is his eyes.

'No stop right there sweetie! You did not get in the way of anything. You never were in the way. Your Dad tried to blame you for his behaviour but it was not your fault okay. Please understand baby you did nothing wrong.' I said pleadingly with tears in my eyes. Hendrix looked torn and lost, a few tears escaping his eyes. I leant over him and gently wiped the tears from his eyes.

'I love you so much Hendrix. Over the last 2 years I've know you, you have managed to worm your way into my heart and I think of you like my son. I would love it if you would come and live with me and we can be a family together. If you don't want that I understand. I promise I will still love you no matter your decision okay.' I said gently hugging him. Hendrix sobbed clinging onto me.

'Do you mean it. You really love me? Dad said I was a mistake and unloveable.' Hendrix whispered brokenly. My heart broke when he said that.

'Your dad was wrong. You are the most loveable boy ever and I don't know what I'd do without you if you weren't in my life.' I said gently running my hand through his hair.

'I..um…I want to stay with you if that's okay then.' He replied looking at me.

'Of course it is. I love you Hendrix and I will spend everyday of the rest of my life telling you how much I love you and how loved you are by a lot of people.'

He nodded his head yawning slightly.

'Rest baby. I'll be here when you wake up. Aaron and Mark are getting your room ready for when you get out tomorrow.' I said to him.

He fell asleep quickly after that. I waited for a bit to make sure he was asleep before heading out of his room to make a call.

'Hi Toadie it's Chloe.' I said after Toadie had picked up the phone.

'Chloe I heard what happened! How are you and Hendrix?' Toadie asked.

'I'm okay. We both are. Listen Toadie I was hoping to organise a meeting with you about Hendrix and getting custody of him. His only 14 and there is no way I'm letting him go into the foster care system. I signed the divorce papers from Pierce a week ago. I know he hadn't signed them yet but I'm hoping that with him going to jail that it will go through without his signature.' I said.

'You will have no problem with legal proceedings to divorce Pierce so you don't need to worry about that. The thing with Hendrix may be a bit harder to get custody of him. I know he is or was your step-son and that will count for something, however, trying to apply as a single mother of teenage boy when you are only 31 yourself is going to be difficult. The social workers will want Hendrix to go to a family that has stability for him.' Explained Toadie. I felt my heart clench at the thought of losing Hendrix.

'Please Toadie, I can't lose him. I know I'm young and I'll be applying for custody by myself but I have my brothers for support and all my neighbours to lend a hand. Hendrix is so vulnerable at the moment and he only trusts me. I love him so much. Please I'm willing to do anything to keep him with me.' I said knowing I sounded like I was begging but I didn't care.

'Chloe I know you love him and I know how much Hendrix loves you. I'm going to do everything I can to help you and Hendrix become a family. We'll set up a meeting to discuss some things. In the meantime I will apply for you to get temporary custody of Hendrix until we can start the process of permanent guardianship.' Said Toadie.

'Toadie I can't thank you enough. I am forever in your debt okay. Let me know when you want to meet and I'll come around.' I said.

'No worries Chloe. I'll get some paperwork organised and call you when it's done.'

'Thanks so much Toadie. I'll talk to you soon.' Hanging up my phone I walked back into Hendrix's room to sit beside him.

—

The following day I walked back into the hospital with Aaron beside me to pick up Hendrix.

Walking into the room I heard him arguing with a nurse.

'What's going on?' I asked, walking over to Hendrix.

'I was just telling Mr. Greyson here that it is hospital protocol that all discharged patients who have stayed overnight at the hospital need to leave in a wheelchair to get to the car.'

'It's Hendrix, not Mr. Greyson and I'm perfectly fine walking. Tell her Chloe.' Hendrix said looking over at me.

'Hendrix it's only a short distance to the car. The sooner you get into the wheel chair the quicker we can leave and get home.' I said to him.

He sighed looking at me with betrayal before sitting down in the wheelchair.

'Right, the discharge papers Ms. Brennan are just at the desk if you can come with me to sign them.' The nurse said before walking out the room.

I looked over to Hendrix and Aaron. 'Okay Aaron can you get Hendrix's bag and then start wheeling him towards the car. I'll meet you two there.' I said before turning and following the nurse.

Hendrix POV

I watched Chloe turn and follow the nurse out of the room before looking over to Aaron suddenly feeling very nervous.

The rational side of me knew that Aaron wouldn't hurt me but the irrational side was fighting in my mind yelling at me to get away from the man.

Suddenly I felt my heart beating faster and trying to lean away and as far from Aaron as I could.

'Hey man you're okay.' Aaron said to me gently.

'I'm not going to hurt you I promise. I know you don't believe me or trust me at the moment and that's okay. I want to be able to earn your trust. I'm just going to grab your bag here.' Aaron said walking towards the bed where my bag sat and picked it up off the bed.

'Now I'm just going to place the bag in your lap to hold while I wheel you out to the car. Does that sound okay to you? I promise I won't touch you. Just going to place my hands on the chair here to wheel you out.' Aaron said patiently to me.

I took some deep calming breathes.

Stop being an idiot. You know his not going to hurt you!

I slowly nodded my head towards Aaron to let him know it was okay to go ahead.

Aaron approached me slowly placing the bag in my lap before going behind me to start wheeling the chair out.

I felt myself shaking a bit and gripped my hands on the sides of the chair.

'It's okay mate, I'll go slow yeah. Not going to hurt you. Chloe will be with you soon okay.' Aaron said slowly pushing me out of the room towards the car.

I felt myself trying to take breathes to calm myself down while we moved towards the exit.

'Hey look its Chloe at the car waiting for us.' Aaron said suddenly taking me out of my thoughts. I looked up quickly to see Chloe waiting by the car. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw her and started to calm down considerably.

She smiled at us when we got to the car.

'Hey sweetie, ready to get out of here.' She said helping me stand up. I just nodded at her clinging onto her in a hug. I felt her pull me into her arms and run her hand up and down my back.

'Shhh it's okay. You're safe now.' She whispered soothingly to me.

I got into the back seat with Chloe climbing in beside me which I was grateful for. She held my hand the whole ride home while Aaron drove us back to their place.

Chloe helped me get out of the car before we walked into the house together with Aaron trailing behind us with my bag. We walked over to the couch and sat down.

'Are you hungry Hendrix? It's past lunch time and you haven't eaten anything yet. Want me to make a sandwich for you?' Chloe asked me.

Right at that moment my stomach grumbled.

'I'll take that as a yes!' Laughed Chloe getting up from the couch to walk to the fridge.

Aaron walked back into the lounge room then.

'Hey Hendrix I just put your bag in your room okay. After lunch Chloe can show you where your room is.' Aaron said sitting down at the island bench in the kitchen. I appreciated that he was giving me some space.

'Thanks Aaron.' I said smiling softly at him. He just grinned back at me.

'Okay lunch is served.' Chloe said coming over to me with a sandwich and some tablets.

'Take these tablets now just before you have your sandwich. There for your pain okay.' She said passing me the tablets and a glass of water. I took the tablets from her hand and chucked them in my mouth swallowing them down with the water she gave me.

'Thanks.' I said to her.

We ate lunch in silence before Chloe got up to do the dishes.

'Is it okay if I go lie down for a bit?' I asked. I was tired and I didn't know which room I was staying in.

'Of course sweetie. Here let me show you where you will be staying and later on I'll give you a tour of the house okay.' Chloe said helping me up from the couch.

I followed her down the hall to two rooms at the end across from one another.

'This is my room here on the left and this is your room just across from mine okay.' She said nodding to the bedroom door. I internally sighed with relief knowing she wasn't too far away from me.

Stop being such a wuss I thought to myself.

Chloe opened the door to the room I'm staying in. It was pretty simple with a double bed and desk and built in wardrobe. A window overlooking the backyard as well.

As if reading my thoughts Chloe started speaking. 'It's not much at the moment but in the next week or so we can start decorating it and getting stuff to make it more personalised to you.'

'Let's get you lying down for a bit.' She said walking over to the bed and pulling back the sheets. I took my shoes off and walked over to the bed and lay down. She tucked the sheets up to my neck.

'I'll be in the kitchen if you need me. I'll leave the door open a crack if you call out to me okay.' Chloe said. I nodded my head at her before she retreated to the door. True to her word she left the door half open. I had a look around the room before I felt my eyes closing and falling asleep.

Chloe POV

After leaving Hendrix in his room for an afternoon rest I walked back into the kitchen to finish cleaning up.

Aaron was sitting at the island bench.

'Hey how is he?' He asked me looking up when I reentered the room.

'His okay, a bit tired and sore still. He'll be on pain medication for awhile.' I sighed looking over at him.

'Hey I wanted to talk about something with you. Hendrix understandably is very nervous when he is around me and probably others when you are not around. I know it's because of what that bastard Pierce did to him. Just make sure you don't leave him alone with one of us for too long for the first few weeks he is here. Until he gets used to me and Mark and can begin to trust us.' Aaron said to me.

'Yeah I figured that would be the case. After I left to sign the papers earlier and waited at the car for you two, I saw the relief in his eyes when he saw me. I know I'm the only one he feels safe with at the moment. It's going to be a lot of work to try and get him to feel comfortable around other people again. God I hate Pierce so much for putting him through all this.' I seethed starting to get angry.

'I am too, but what's done is done. We can't do anything about the past but be there for Hendrix now and into the future. Hopefully Pierce rots in hell in that jail cell. I think you should look into some counselling for Hendrix and I think you would benefit from it to Chloe.' Aaron said.

I nodded my head and opened my mouth to respond when I heard a scream come from Hendrix's room. I turned around and bolted towards his room. I could feel Aaron following closely behind me.

I rushed in to see Hendrix in the middle of a nightmare.

'Nooo….Dad….don't hurt her….Mum…don't leave me…mummy.' Hendrix whimpered in his sleep. I rushed over to his side and gently began to shake him awake.

'Hendrix baby wake up. You're safe now. Baby wake up.' I shook him a bit harder. Hendrix woke up gasping looking straight at me with unfocused eyes.

'Mum…' He said looking at me confused.

I silently gasped. I know he didn't mean to call me Mum. Maybe his mum was in his dream.

'Hey Hendrix sweetie it's me Chloe. You're okay now, you're safe.' I said pulling him into a hug.

He clung onto me tightly sobbing.

'Ch…Chloe. He was hurting you. I tried to stop him!' Hendrix cried hysterically,

'Ssshhh, I'm right here and I'm safe. He can't get to me or you anymore. You're safe now okay.' I said gently rocking him in my arms. I looked over to the doorway to see Aaron looking at both of us sadly. He nodded his head at both of us before walking away to give us some privacy.

'Don't leave me..please Chloe.' Hendrix sobbed out.

'Hey hey, I love you. I am never leaving you okay. Not ever. You are stuck with me forever babe.' I said running my hand up and down his back to soothe him. I felt him slowly calm down in my arms but he still clung to me like a small child.

'Do you want me to lie down with you for a bit.' I whispered to him. Hendrix nodded his head slowly. I gently climbed into the other side of the bed while Hendrix clung to me.

'Sssh it's okay. I'm right here. Close your eyes now. If you have a nightmare I'll be right here to wake you up okay.' I whispered to him.

'Okay… thank you.' He whispered.