Hello!! We're back after a very emotional moment. And promise there will be more, but I wanted to get a moment of redemption for everyone.
Please enjoy.
24 years ago...
Service had begun and 5 year old Leah sat quietly in the third section of the bleachers, waiting for everyone else to walk in. It was a usual Sunday morning for her town, or at least she thought it was. Leah looked up at her mother, greeting the other parents in the building, a smile that Leah has never seen on her face before. She never smiled when they were home. She was always tired and angry with whatever Leah did. Even today, Leah accidentally dropped her breakfast this morning and she yelled at her. Leah had cried all through breakfast before her mother told her to be quiet. She tried her best, knowing of the consequences if she didn't. Sometimes she could hold in but when she couldn't-- she never really liked talking about it.
Soon her thoughts were distracted by the bells chiming. Everyone quickly walked to their seats before Pastor Mitchell stepped up to the podium.
"Good morning church, let God's people say amen..", he spoke, making the crowd shout "amen". "I've learned about these abominations that have entered our livelihood. They speak of these homosexuals praising our God, because they can. They are no follower of God.", he started, the church nodding and verbally agreeing with his dark words. "They will wake up and realize that their sins has steered them and they will die by the great fires of hell!", he shouted, creating an uproar in the crowd. It had frightened Leah, she even watched as her mother was clapping loudly, looking down at her daughter, she kneeled forward.
"You are never to be like those people, you understand?", she gritted towards Leah. Leah shook her head timidly, still looking at her mother. Her mother sat up, listening to Pastor Mitchell preach on, the crowd becoming louder and louder.
Leah was now shaking, involuntarily she looked around noticing a table with pamphlets, covered by a cloth that could touch the ground. Leah looked back at her mom, distracted with everything going on, she ran from her seat under the table. The voices were muffled a bit but they were still loud and frightening. Leah covered her ears and began to whimper. She didn't like too much noise. All the screaming and confusion left her trembling in fear. She closed her eyes, hoping that the noise would stop.
"Hey..", Leah's eyes opened to see a kid, much older than her staring at her with concerned eyes. She sniffled, her tears still continuing to fall. "You okay?", he asked.
Leah shook her head, her lips quivering again, the boy sat closer to her looking into her eyes. Leah remembered how brown they were and his hair gelled down a bit from mousse. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in, she immediately dug her face into his chest, crying even more. "Everything is going to be okay.. I promise..", he said, rubbing her back as he rocked her slowly.
Leah would never forget that day. From then on, she watched the boy from the corner of the room. The years went on and they grew older. She hoped that his words ran true, and that someday she would get to run away from this life she was living. She would finally have her day of peace.
Leah soon felt her eyes open. Her head was finally calm and the room was at peace. She sat up a bit, looking around to see a dark living room, a blanket covering her body. She looked around, noticing her spouse was sound asleep on the love chair next to her. She blinked a few times, making sure her vision was clear. She looked back into the kitchen, it was empty and the lights were off. She caught a glimpse of the clock that sat at 2:56 am. She was confused on why she was up so early, and then she remembered everything that happened before she knocked out again. She looked at the back patio, the see through glass showing someone standing by the pool, smoke blowing through the air. She got up quietly as to not wake Willow up from their sleep.
She walked around the living room towards the backyard door, opening it. The figure turned around, revealing it was Kendall, holding a cigarette in his hand. He stood straight looking back at her.
"You're awake..", Leah muttered.
"I couldn't sleep..", he said. There was an awkward silence between the both of them just staring at one another. "Leah--"
Leah put her hand up, signifying that she didn't want him to speak.
"I get it.", Leah said. Kendall sighed, hitting his cigarette again. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I was just so angry that I couldn't hold it in anymore. But you still deserve an explanation..", she muttered, walking closer to him.
"No...I deserved it.", Kendall said. "I--", he took in a breath. "I should've trusted you. I was so sure that you were the reason Logan could've been killed and I didn't give you a chance to explain yourself--"
"I was the reason Kendall. I should've known better and I should've told you everything. But you--", Leah getting frustrated stopped, took a deep breath. "You were being so cruel..", she muttered, making Kendall's heart drop. "It was like you were saying that I deserved to be killed by Steven. I know Logan is your top priority but he was mine too...", Leah stated, Kendall wiped his face, letting the cigarette in his other hand hang. "I would never want to put Logan in danger like that, none of you. I thought-- I knew that what I was doing was right..", she said.
"You're right..", he said, dumbfounding Leah. "I was wrong to doubt you and I was wrong for saying that to you. I didn't know any better.", he said.
Leah looked at him in shock. Leah had never heard Kendall say those words before. He was finally owning up to himself. And for some reason that made her happy. She knew that this man wasn't just a big bad boss who ruled an empire, he was a genuine guy that could admit to his faults.
"Hmh-- the Kendall Knight, wrong about something?", Leah said sarcastically with a smile.
His lips tugged, pulling to do the same. "Yeah, yeah don't push it.", he chuckled, the tension finally leaving the air. He dropped his cigarette on the ground, stepping on it then walked closer to her. "I owe you my life Leah.", he said, soon they were both face to face. "You've done more for me than I could ever understand. I'm sorry.", he whispered.
Leah watched as his sincerity poured through, tears now falling from both of their eyes. Leah finally stepped in, wrapping her arms around Kendall's waist. Kendall wrapping his around her shoulders.
"I love you too dude..", she muttered. Their hug sealed each other's pact once again. Like a signature of them forming their bond. "Does this mean I can have my job back?", she asked, they both pulled off, still holding one another.
"As long as you tell us everything, especially when it comes to your safety.", he smiled. Leah smiled, nodding and leaning in once again to hug her boss tightly.
Finally pulling away, Leah groaned a bit, feeling the pains of her wounds cave in again.
"How are you feeling?", Kendall asked.
"Everything's bearable now. My back is still kind of sore.", she muttered.
"Best remedy I used back in the day was an ice bath. Helps with everything.", he smirked.
Leah nodded. "How is everyone?", she asked.
"Worried about you.", Kendall muttered, Leah sighed, looking back at the house. "Carlos couldn't stop crying, Logan either and James and I have been trying our best to calm them down.."
"And Willow?", she asked.
"They were quiet, but they never left your side. We've never seen them cry before so it was a bit strange for everyone to see.", Kendall said.
Leah softly smirked, maybe everything was falling back into place. Her nightmare soon fading as the walls of her life began to build up again.
"You think we should wait for everyone to wake up before I say anything?", Leah asked.
Kendall nodded, walking towards the back door as Leah did the same. They were quiet, opening the door and closing it back. Soon they both heard a small groan, looking over to see Willow moving, probably waking up from their nap. Leah walked over, squatting in front of her spouse until they finally opened their eyes.
"Leah..", they whispered.
"Hey baby..", Leah said. Willow slowly sat up, then leaning in to kiss her. A sweet kiss was exchanged making both of them melt into each other, Kendall felt he shouldn't be seeing this beautiful moment so he quickly passed them, going towards the stairs.
Finally pulling away, Leah was left breathing heavy after. She looked up at Willow who was looking at her with a sad but adoring stare. "Baby-- I'm so sorry. I didn't know. Why didn't you tell me about this church before, why didn't you just talk to me?", Willow asked.
"It-- it was just so connected with everything, I feared you would've caught on. I didn't want you to know, I wasn't ready to tell you about my past. I was afraid you were going to leave me if you knew..", Leah whimpered.
"Baby I wouldn't leave you, I couldn't even if I tried. I was just scared. I was scared that with what we knew before, that there could be a chance that we weren't actually real. That-that you didn't really love me like how I love you..", Willow started to cry.
"What?", Leah asked dumbfounded. "No, no I could never do that to you. I fell in love with you Willow, that was the realest thing in my entire life and if I didn't have you I wouldn't know what to do with myself.", Leah started. "I did feel wrong about being who I am, and loving you the way I do, but that was before I even met you for the first time. But you gave me a reason to be free, so I can finally be happy.", Leah said, a tear pouring down her face.
Willow looked into her eyes, they finally saw the woman they married, the woman that first caught their eye when they were going to their first interview with The Knights. They had just fallen in love with her all over again. Willow placed their forehead on hers, closing their eyes a smile growing on their face, Leah's doing the same. "I love you so much Leah.", Willow said.
"I love you too baby.", Leah said sweetly.
Soon their moment was interrupted by the sound of feet walking down the stairs. All, Kendall, Logan, James and Carlos reached the last stair and walked over.
"Leah, you're okay..", Carlos said, walking up to her and hugging her softly, Leah leaning in deep.
"Yeah, just sore. Look, I'm really sorry about not telling you guys what was going on. There's so much to go over..", Leah said.
"Don't apologize. We should've known something like this was happening.", James said.
Leah smiled but shook her head. "You couldn't have, please don't blame yourself.", she sighed. "Okay, now that Steven is in the area, it's not going be safe for anyone here.", she muttered.
"What do you mean?", Kendall said.
"Steven isn't just a church pastor, he's created a military position for himself. He had people working with him to keep the community in check. I assumed Logan got out right before that and went to college here.", She said.
"Wow, you remember me telling you that? That was like the first time we ever hung out..", Logan said, impressed.
"I kept notes to make sure I didn't sound off to your father. Any mention of something big happening with the company, I've told him that you've been running a technology parts office and for Kendall, I had to name him Katie.", she explained.
"You used my little sister's name for this?", Kendall asked bewildered.
"It was the first name that came to me okay? Promise your existence was not a thought in his mind until now.", Leah sassed.
"And you did this for six years?", James asked.
Leah sighed again. "Yep, it's really hard thinking of things straight people like to do.", Leah chuckled.
Logan looked at Leah with so much astonishment. After all these years, she really deceived the most terrifying man he knew. It took guts, guts that he doesn't have. He admired her for it.
"So, the day that Jorge came into the office, he found out when he caught you guys kissing. He immediately told Steven and I was left in the dark with what he was going to do next. I expected him to know where you live and find out about everything l, but I didn't know when he was going to do it and that risked everyone's safety. I couldn't live with myself if one of you died in the hands of my own fear.", she said, looking at everyone.
"This isn't the first time we've had to kick some ass, we could've taken him.", Kendall said.
"No-- this is bigger than David's people. They were hired. Steven's men believe every word he says and all have one thing in common, they hate people like us.", Leah explained.
"Okay so what do we do? Us 6 compared to whatever army he's got?", Carlos said.
Kendall had a thought, a lightbulb going off in his head. He immediately pulled out his phone, tapping quickly. "I have to call a few people.", he muttered.
Logan's stomach flipped, knowing what the phone call meant. They watch as he pressed his last button and put the phone to his ear.
"Who else would be up at this hour?", Leah asked.
Kendall stayed quiet until he shot up. "Lucy? Hey what's up? Yeah I knew you would be, look remember that favor you owe me? Yeah, now's the time to make up for it.", he said.
James and Carlos' smiles grew big, getting excited, Willow and Leah looked confused at one another.
"What is going on?", Leah asked.
"Yeah. It's Logan, I'll explain everything when you guys get here.", he was quiet, then looking towards Leah. "Bring everyone.", he smiled.
Leah and Willow weren't exactly sure they knew what was going on, James and Carlos looked at each other was a grin then back to Kendall and Logan's face sat with concern, but he knew it was going to be the right call. They all knew that this was going to get a lot more serious than before.
After the phone call, everyone had went back to bed, preparing to plan get rid of Steven for good. Around 10 am, everyone had woken up again, preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Everyone eating peacefully while Carlos and James were finishing up their plate to eat. Willow and Leah were having a conversation with one another, not moving their stare, James and Carlos playfully leaning into each other as they were eating, giggling with one another leaving Logan and Kendall to themselves.
"I assumed you guys talked it out?", Logan asked.
Kendall nodded, biting his pancake. "I know I was wrong this time, I fully admitted it to her. But I was just afraid of losing her after what she told me last night. I feel like such a dick..", he grumbled.
Logan smirked, rubbing his husband's back. "She forgives you babe, I know she does.", he smiled.
Kendall looked over at Leah, smiling brightly at her partner before catching a glimpse of him, smirking at him before looking back over to Willow. Kendall looked down with a sigh. "Yeah, still feel like shit..", Kendall muttered making Logan chuckle. "I just know when I get your dad out of the way, we can finally have some peace..", Kendall muttered, taking another bite of his food. Kendall watched Logan put his head down, picking at his food. "You're scared aren't you?", he asked Logan.
"I can't help it babe, I feel like this is all my fault. Again, my father is back in my life and not only threatened to kill me but almost killed Leah. If he wasn't the man he is, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe if I never came into your lives, none of this would've happened.", Logan said sadly.
"Logan.", Kendall touched his hand, making Logan look up at him. "I made a vow to you to never leave, to protect you from anything that threatens or haunts you. Till death, do we part. That's what I promised to you and no matter if you hadn't had a father like yours, I would always be here with you. I am going to protect you with my life..", Kendall said.
"And who's gonna to protect you?", Logan asked. "I know my dad. He's cruel and he never holds back, what happens if he gets too close and I lose you?", he asked, the thought made Logan's stomach churn.
Kendall shook his head. "That's not gonna happen baby. I promise I'll do everything in my power to make sure he doesn't hurt you or anyone else. We just need a really good plan.", Kendall assured.
"Then why did you call Lucy?", Logan asked, Kendall sighed. "You only call her if that means that someone could die.", Logan mentioned.
"I called her for backup. It'll make everything go smoother and help keep from creating unnecessary casualties. Trust me..", Kendall said.
"I do trust you Kendall, I just don't trust my father..", Logan muttered, looking back down on his plate.
Kendall looked at Logan with another sigh, not knowing what else to say he looked back at his food.
"Anyone want more pancakes? I made a little too much.", Carlos chuckled, holding a plate of a small stack of big pancakes.
"I'm full.", Leah said.
"So am I..", Logan said.
Carlos made a small frown, queuing Kendall, Willow and James to grab a pancake, completing the plate.
"So how is this plan gonna work out?", Willow asked.
"And who did you call last night?", Leah asked.
"A friend of mine that's gonna help us out. They used to work the same business as us but decided to stay in the underground..", Kendall said.
"And you trust that they'll come through?", Willow asked.
"We trust them with our lives..", Carlos said, putting the empty late in the sink.
"So all of you know them?", Leah asked.
"I grew up with them along with Kendall. Carlos and Logan met them through us.", James explained.
"So when are they supposed to come in?", Leah asked.
"Tomorrow night the latest, Lucy said she'll call me when they're on the way..", Kendall muttered, looking at his phone again. "I'm gonna go upstairs, I have to make another call..", he said, standing up giving Logan a kiss before walking upstairs, Carlos and James following behind him.
Logan looked back at Willow helping Leah out of the chair. "Leah?", Logan said, making them both lift their heads up towards him. "Can I talk to you for a second?", Logan asked.
Leah nodded, looking at Willow, she kissed them softly. Willow smiled at Leah and Logan before heading upstairs with the others.
"I just wanted to say thank you for doing all of this for me. You have more guts than I thought knowing that you lied to my father like this..", Logan said.
"Well, I'd do anything for you...", Leah shrugged.
"You nearly died for me, Leah. What makes me so special?", Logan asked.
Leah stared deeply into his eyes, his familiar eyes made her mind fall back into her earliest memory, she remembered that day he found her and couldn't forget him since. "It was the day you held me under the table and told me everything was going to be okay. I truly believed that I could finally believe in something at that church and from then on, I've always looked to you for, guidance or inspiration. That feeling has never changed.", she explained.
"I should say the same thing..", Logan smirked, Leah giving him a confused stare. "That day, all I could remember was my mom telling me that same thing when I found you. She helped me believe, but you made me make that promise to myself to make it a reality. I should be thanking you for giving me that courage and taking that step I never thought would get me here.", he explained.
"It's like a weird full circle moment right now.", Leah chuckled.
"It's strange we ended up finding each other again. I never thought I could find someone with the same life as mine.", he mumbled.
"I watched and heard things about what Steven did to you and your mom. I hated to know that he was getting away with all this shit and I knew that if I had an opportunity to protect you like how you protected me that day, then I would be okay..", Leah said.
"And what about you?", Logan asked, Leah looked down at her feet. "What was yours like? If you don't mind me asking..", he said.
Leah let out a soft sigh, walking over to the couch, Logan following close behind her, both sitting on the couch.
"My mom was raising me by herself since my dad passed just a bit after I was born. She was mainly verbally abuse then as I got a little older, it became physically. I walked around my house afraid of my own mother, but something told me that she wasn't really angry with me or beat me senseless because she wanted to, she was broken and she hid it well, especially out in the community.", Leah said.
"Was she the one that always wore black gloves to church?", he asked.
"Yeah, because of the passing of my dad, you remember that?", Leah asked.
"Yeah, Ms. Delilah, I didn't know she was your mom. She always seemed so happy and cheery.", Logan mentioned.
"I guess I know where I got it from..", Leah said with a sad tone, Logan began to frown, touching her hand.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that Leah..", Logan muttered.
Leah shrugged. "It's okay, I ended up outliving her by the time I turned 19, I was already finding a plan to get out..", Leah explained. "Compared to you, I think I had it easy. Do you think no one could see the bruises?", she asked, Logan caught his breath. "Every time I saw it, I thought you were the strongest person I knew, when you stopped showing up to church, I thought something might of happened but your dad mentioned that you left for college. I finally thought I had a chance but, things got too complicated. After my mom died, Jorge decided to take me in. He said Mitchell told him to make sure that I was constantly on check... he took advantage of it, unfortunately..", she whispered, rubbing her hands together.
"Did--did he touch you?", Logan asked.
Leah sat in silence, looking at her friend. "At least I found out I really don't like men..", she chuckled flatly.
"Leah--"
"I know, I know I'm sorry. I'm still not used to talking about stuff like that without making a joke.", she apologized.
"So how does all of this bring you here?", Logan asked.
"By the time I turned 23, Steven felt he could trust me. He introduced you to me and told me to keep an eye on you. He sent me to make sure you were in "check".", she said. "I knew it was wrong, and I knew how dangerous it could be for you. I didn't expect you to be married to Kendall or have the business you do when I first met you again, I was just so amazed at how much you've grown... you were still the boy that held me that day.", Leah explained.
A smile grew on Logan's face. "I wish I would've remembered you. Maybe I would've taken you with me or, helped you get out some how..", Logan said.
"It's okay. You did more than you think Logan, and either way the universe still helped us find each other again.", Leah shrugged.
"What was my dad like-- after I left?", Logan muttered.
Leah sat for a moment in thought, her body language now ridged and tense. "Even with his army pack, he realized that he was alone. Your mom was gone and you had left and with no trace, so he took it out on everything else. He continued his propaganda and even convinced some of our generation that what he speaks is truth. He's gotten away with so much. Rioting other small towns in the area, he's killed a few, and tortured many. He was ruthless, and he'll be the same towards us when he gets the chance..", Leah explained.
"Why is it taking him so long to do anything now?", Logan asked.
Leah shrugged. "I don't know, he could be calling in his coup, it's a 6 hour flight from here..", she reminded.
"So we're left blind..", Logan understood, getting frustrated with himself.
"Unless we were to strike first, I doubt he won't have less than 15 people on his side. That was the usual number he stuck to. And they're trained, almost military grade cause of him..", Leah said, standing up. "Willow was thinking of having a day where the guys and I can work on defense..", she muttered.
Logan sat for a moment. He remembered when he was stuck two years ago, having to be saved by everyone else, but he promised himself he wouldn't have to do that anymore, especially not as serious as this. Not with his father as the target.
"I wanna train too..", he muttered.
Leah looked back at him with slight concern. "Are you sure about this Logan? This is the man that's scarred your entire childhood.."
"And that's the reason I wanna do this. I don't like death. I don't handle it well, but I'm not gonna be helpless. If he's gonna see anyone before his last breath, I want it to be me..", Logan explained.
Leah sighed but with a smile turned towards him. "Willow is the best trainer I know. Ask them and we'll start whenever you're ready..", she spoke, walking up to him, she placed her hand on his cheek. "I'm so proud of you Logan...", she whispered.
Logan didn't understand why what she said meant so much to him. The voice that he heard wasn't Leah, but almost a mix of hers and his mother's. He missed the sound of her voice. He immediately engulfed himself into Leah, hugging her tightly as she hugged back.
"Thank you Leah, for everything..", he muttered into her shoulder.
"Of course..", she whispered back, holding back her tears.
Leah finally had felt forgiven by her friend. Next to Willow, Logan's faith in her was important to her and after losing it, she couldn't bare him thinking that she would ever want to hurt him. She could never hurt one of her best friends.
"Alright-- if I cry anymore, I'm gonna get dehydrated.", Leah chuckled, pulling away from Logan, wiping her tears once again.
Logan chuckled. Their conversation was interrupted by Kendall walking downstairs. "Lucy's on the way and John said he sound be heading out in a few. They'll all be here by tomorrow morning.", he said.
Logan looked back at Leah who was doing the same to him. This was the moment Logan realized that everything wasn't a dream but yet a lingering nightmare he's had for some time, he was finally going to face his past.
WOW.. this was super long I appreciate that you got all the way down to this message lol.
But I hoped you enjoyed and if you can leave a comment and a review and tell me what you think!
Thank you again for reading.
- Nai