Disclaimer: This is a fictional story based on the style of VC Andrews. The basic idea is mine.

Summary: Who is it that rescued Spring? And what sort of fate will befall her adoptive father?

A/N: Yay it's done! On to Summer! *grins stupidly* ^____^

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN: MY HERO

When I opened my eyes, the sharp sunlight stabbed into my eyes, causing me to wince.

I saw the form slouched over in a chair, and I shot up in bed. "Daddy, no!" I cried.

The figure stepped forward, into the light. "Spring?" he asked, tentatively.

"Uncle Owen?" I asked, and he moved his chair closer to the bed. "You saved my life."

"I'm only sorry I couldn't have gotten there sooner," he said, softly, taking my hand into his. "That bastard hurt you pretty good... Two broken ribs, bruises..." He shook his head in regret.

"What's going to happen to him, and little Brandon?" I asked weakly, settling back into the hospital bed.

"He's going to go to jail for a long time," Uncle Owen announced, firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "He's going to go to jail for a very long time, Spring. Where he can't ever hurt you again."

"God, it was so horrible," I whispered, closing my eyes, unable to get the horrible look in his eyes out of my mind.

Uncle Owen held my hand in his. "Your friend Brad is on his way here," he said, smiling at me. "And we're going to take you back home, Spring. You'll be coming back with me once you're well enough."

"Heck, I'm well enough right now!" I exclaimed, sarcastically. "Let's go then!"

He laughed. "Not quite yet," he said, with a smirk. "The doctor wants to keep you at least over night. Perhaps two days. They want to make sure there's no internal damage."

"At least he's going to get what he deserves," I sighed, closing my eyes and pulling my blanket up to my chin. "At least he'll get what's coming to him."

Uncle Owen murmured in agreement. "May he rot in hell, where he belongs."

Just then, the door opened, and my nurse poked her head in.

"Mr. O'Reilly, a Mr. Anderson is here to see Miss Danielson? May I let him up?" she asked, timidly.

"Of course, Nurse Patterson," Uncle Owen said, gregariously, jumping up to give the surprised nurse a quick hug. "The more the merrier!"

I fought back a giggle as he waltzed Nurse Patterson around the hospital room before allowing her to let Brad in.

Brad entered the hospital room, bearing a vase of flowers and a stuffed animal. "When I heard what happened to you, Spring... I just lost it," he said, softly, setting the flowers on the night stand by my bed.

Uncle Owen walked over to the door. "I'll leave you kids to your devices," he teased, shutting the door behind him.

I looked up at Brad and smiled, taking his hand in mine. "You don't know how happy I am to see you, Brad."

"I was so scared when my mom told me what he'd done... I thought maybe he'd killed you or something... We always thought your father had something to do with your mother's death... Mom was like, 'He did it to Priscilla, and now he's gone and done it to her daughter'." Brad leaned in and brushed my hair out of my face, tenderly. "I'm so glad you're ok, Spring... For the most part."

"I'm fine," I said, offering him a brave face. "As fine as I can be after what happened."

"He's going to jail," Brad said, visibly relieved. "There's no way he'll get away with this, Spring. No way."

"I'm glad." I pressed my lips against his knuckles. "I'm so grateful to have a friend like you, Brad."

"And I'm so lucky to have you." He leaned forward once more and pressed his lips against mine, giving me a gentle kiss.

It was not at all like the way my adoptive father kissed me the night previous, forcing my mouth open with his tongue, so much so that my jaw still ached. With Brad, it was all right.

I wrapped my arm around his neck, pulling him in closer, deepening our embrace. When we finally separated for air, I gazed up at him and smiled.

"I love you, Spring." Brad pulled away from me, digging for something in his pocket. He pulled out a small velvet box and produced a diamond ring. "This is for you... It's sort of a going-steady gift... I'd like for you to be my girlfriend." He blushed from his neck to the tips of his ears as he held out the little diamond ring to me, his hand shaking.

I accepted it from him and slid it onto my ring finger, showing it off proudly. "Of course, Brad," I gushed, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

He sat back in his seat and took my hand in his. "Nor would I, Spring. Nor would I." He kissed the back of my hand and gave me a pat. "I have a feeling that we'll be ok."

"Me too. Me too." I closed my eyes once more, letting the darkness claim me.

This time, there was no uncertainty in the dark. In the dark was my future, my life as a woman, my life out from under the shadow of Jeremy Danielson. My life as Spring Priscilla O'Reilly.

And my new, wonderful life with Brad Anderson.

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the end.

Alex