Behind This Facade

by The billion dollar bitch

The emotional bond they shared was once sacred, but over 35 years later they both find themselves trapped in a desperately unhappy marriage. Both need to break free of each other but will they find the strength and courage to severe the ties that bind?

20. Chapter 20

TITLE: Behind This Façade – Chapter 20
AUTHOR: Kerry
RATING: PG-17
CONTENT: Attempted rape in later chapters
CATEGORY: Angst/Adult
SPOILERS: None
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, no one.
DISTRIBUTION: yahoo groups. Please ask

CHARACTERS: Vince, Linda, Shane, Stephanie, Paul, Marissa, Declan. David is my own creation.

Chapter 20

Shane drove all the way to Linda's apartment with Vince sitting in the passenger seat, the ride was pretty quiet, and both men were deep in thought, thinking about the events that had taken place that night. They were worried about Linda, how this would affect her and the impact it would have upon her.

Vince made a vow to himself that from that moment on, he would love and care for her as he had never done before. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was David on top of Linda and the look of pure terror in Linda's face. Never before had he seen Linda as scared as she was that night. It tore him apart to think of the agony that she was going through right at that second and what would have happened to her if he hadn't of shown up. He also blamed himself, none of this would have happened if he hadn't of been such an idiot. He should have just showed her his true feelings and shared with her what he was going through, and then none of this would have happened in the first place, Linda wouldn't have left him, she wouldn't have moved out and she would never have met David Middlehurst. He just wanted to look after her now and make sure that no one ever hurt her again but he knew he couldn't do that as her husband at the moment, he didn't want to rush her and make her more confused than she already was, so at the present moment Vince would just have to settle and be the best friend that Linda had ever had in her life.

Meanwhile…

Linda was sitting on a chair in the kitchen just staring at the table, Stephanie was watching her whilst making a cup of tea for her mom. She was so worried about her, Stephanie had always thought that her mother was the strongest woman in the world but after what she had been through tonight, and the way she was now, Stephanie really wasn't sure anymore. Linda hadn't said a word to her, it was just nods or shakes of the head at the moment.

Stephanie poured the tea and gently put the mug down in front of her mother, Linda didn't even blink.

"Mom?"Stephanie said softly, getting no reply or sign that Linda had heard what she said. "Mom."Stephanie said just a bit louder, this time Linda turned her head towards her.

"Your tea's in front of you."

Linda looked down at the mug in front of her and nodded but made no motion to pick the mug up.

"Do you want to go into the living room?" Stephanie asked, "It's warmer in there and more comfy."

Linda nodded and picked up her mug and got up out of her chair and walked toward the living room. Stephanie followed her down the hall and into the living room, Linda sat down on the couch and Stephanie sat down beside her.

"Where is he?" Linda quietly asked, it was barely more than a whisper.

Stephanie wasn't sure what she meant by "he". "You mean Shane or Dad?" Stephanie replied.

Linda shook her head, "David." She whispered.

Stephanie put her arm around her mother and could feel she was shaking; Steph gently pried the mug out of her hands and set it down on the coffee table. "He's in jail now mom, the police have charged him, he's been refused bail and I'm sure that he'll be locked up for a long time."

Linda nodded and sighed, she tried to hold back the tears but failed to manage it, before she knew it, Stephanie was holding her in her arms and rocking her back and forth just as Linda had done with Stephanie when she was ever upset about anything.

"Sshh mom, it's okay now. You're safe; he's not going to hurt you anymore." Stephanie continued rocking her, and silent tears fell down Steph's cheeks, she couldn't believe what was happening to her family.

Linda sobbed in Stephanie's arms, comforted by her words but feeling as though she would never be safe again. "It hurts Steph, everything hurts. Why did he do it? I don't understand, what did I do wrong?" She sobbed, she was so tired and she ached so much but she knew she would never sleep.

"No Mom!" Stephanie said forcefully, "This isn't your fault; you didn't do anything wrong, nothing at all. David is the one who did something wrong, he shouldn't have done that to you, he deserves to be locked up for the rest of his life. This isn't your fault."

Stephanie continued rocking her when she heard the front door close, so did Linda who jumped in Stephanie's arms.

"It's okay mom, it'll just be Shane and Dad. Sshh."

Vince walked into the living room, followed by Shane; he stopped when he saw Linda in Stephanie's arms. They both stood there and Stephanie looked at them with desperation in her eyes, she didn't know how to help Linda, she didn't know what to say.Vince looked at Linda, she was a complete wreck, he slowly walked over to Steph and Linda, knelt down in front of Linda and motioned for Stephanie to let her go. Stephanie gently loosened her grip on her mother and whispered.

"Dad's here now,"

Vince gently began to put his arms around Linda as Stephanie let her go and Linda slowly put her arms around Vince and rested her head on his shoulder, she was sobbing uncontrollably and Vince rocked her back and forth in his embrace. Stephanie slowly got up and went over to Shane, who embraced his sister, they walked out of the room and left Vince and Linda alone, if Linda was going to open up to anyone, it would be Vince.