a/n I'm going to try to incorpate all the other characters into some chapters. Like this chapter is all Manny, next could be Craig, Sean, Ellie, whatever.

Chapter Five

Wonderful

October 15

Manny sat on her the chair infront of her vanity trying to cover the bruises around her neck. The newest souvieniers (i can't spell) from one of Craig's druken power trips. No one knew that Craig had started drinking again. He hid it well. Every few days Craig would get wasted and pick fights with Manny. Over the smallest things. This fight, was about the baby they never had.

FLASHBACK

Craig got up from the couch and walked over to Manny.

"How could you, Manny? We were going to be a family!" He hit her. Knocking her to the ground.

"Craig we're a family now! Doesn't that matter?"

"No. It doesn't! We should have that baby, too!" Craig picked Manny up by her throat and pushed her against the wall. Holding his hands there.

"Craig! gasps for breath You...hurting me!" Manny hears Elizabeth coming out of her room and hears Christopher crying in his room. Manny managed to yell out to her, "Lizzie! Go to your brothers room, now!"

"What, Manny? Afraid I'm going to hurt my own child? That's your job remember?" He let her fall to the floor. He left her there. Gasping for breathe on the floor. She could hear him leaving and starting his car.

So, here she was. The next morning, awaiting her two best friends and trying to cover up all the bruises. She didn't know why she didn't just leave him. She didn't want to be alone. She loved Craig. Even though he started drinking again.

'But I have to think of my children.' Manny thought to herself. 'We could just leave. I could pack up all the things we would need the next time he leaves and just go. He wouldn't find us. Or I could call the police. I'm walking evidence. I need to talk to Sean and Jay.'

Manny reached for her phone and dialed Emma's cell number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Em. It's Manny. Listen I have something I need to do. Could you guys watch Lizzie and Chris for me?"

"Yeah sure."

"So, I'll drop them off and then call you and Ellie when I'm done. OK?"

"Fill us in when you call?"

"Maybe. Bye." And she hung up. Then she dialed the auto shop to make sure Craig wasn't working.

"CHM Auto. Jay speaking."

"Hey, Jay. It's Manny."

"Um...Craig isn't at work today."

"Alright. I need to talk to you and Sean. Alone."

"Alright. You coming by?"

"Yeah. I'll be there in 30."

"Alright see you then. Bye."

"Bye."

Manny got the kids ready to go and put them in their carseats. She drove to Emma's. Emma and Ellie were outside waiting for her.

"Hey guys."

In unision, "Hey Manny. Hey cuties!"

"Hey Auntie El and Auntie Em."

After Lizzie and Chris were out of the car and Emma had their stuff Manny left quickly. She didn't want Emma or Ellie to see her throat. She pulled up to CHM Auto about ten minutes later. She looked around to make sure Craig's car wasn't there. When she saw it wasn't, she parked and walked in.

"Hey Sean. Is Jay around? I have to talk to the both of you."

"Yeah, I'll go get him. It's lunch time anyways, we usually close up for an hour. Everything OK?"

"Kinda. Just go get Jay and I'll tell you."

"Alright hold on." Sean walked towards the back and Manny walked towards the lunchroom. She walked over to the vending machine and got a bag of chips and a Pepsi. About five minutes later Sean and Jay walked in. They both got drinks and sat down with their lunches that their wifes packed. Manny couldn't even remember the last time she made lunch for Craig. She didn't even think she ever did that.

"So, what's this about Manny?" Jay asked after swallowing his food.

"Yeah. You have us worried. Is it the kids? Emma? Ellie? Craig?"

Manny sighed, "It's Craig. He's drinking again." She took a moist towelette out of her bag and wiped away the cover up she had on her neck and showed them the bruises.

Jay jumped up, and Sean leaned in, "Jesus. When did this happen?"

"Last night."

Jay started pacing, "I can't believe him. What is his problem! Didn't he learn! He almost killed his dauther the first time, now this!" Jay walked out of the room and slammed the door.

"Sean, where's he going?"

"I don't know but we better find out."

Manny then realized she shouldn't have told Jay. He hated men who beat their girlfriends, wifes, kids. He had gone through it when he was going up. Who knows what he's going to do now.

Manny and Sean got into Sean's car, driving around trying to find Jay. Then they saw Jay's car, parked behind Craigs. At a bar. They both got out and ran towards the bar. But stopped when they heard yelling.

"HOW COULD YOU! SHE'S YOUR WIFE CRAIG!"

"WHY THE HELL DO YOU CARE!"

"BECAUSE SHE'S LIKE A SISTER TO ME!"

They heard a loud crash and then the door opened. It was Craig.

"Hey Manny. Hey Sean. What's going on?" Craig walked up to Manny trying to kiss her. Sean stepped in the way.

"Stay away from her Craig."

The door opened again. Jay and almost everyone inside the bar stepped out.

"Come on, Manny. You know I'm sorry. I love you. I love our kids. I can't help help myself. You just get me all fired up!" Craig pushed Sean out of the way and grabbed Manny by her hair. Jay and everyone stepped foward. Craig pushed Manny to the ground and was about to kick her when some grabbed Craig from behind and pulled him away from her.

"What the fuck, man!"

"You're not going to hurt her anymore."

The guy turned Craig to face to crowd. Craig saw the Jay was looking at the guy holding him, shocked.

"Spin?"

Kind of short, I know. But I wanted to end it like this. Suprised? I know I am. All of a sudden I got that idea.