A few months later, the siblings were at home and they could hear Casey and Austin's voices through the house. Gabriella held the twins tightly to her, wanting to reassure them, knowing that they were scared of Austin and she was relieved that they hadn't actually had to see him yet. She kissed the top of their heads, whispering. "Just stay quiet girls, we don't know if she's gonna call us out and if she does, we can use the excuse that you're asleep or something, ok? Just stay really quiet." They nodded in response and cuddled into her more. She looked over to Chad and Lachlan, mouthing. "They're terrified. We have to do something soon."

Chad sighed inaudibly, mouthing back. "I know Gabs, we'll figure something out."

Their moment was interrupted by Casey's drunken voice. "All you brats get out here, make sure you bring the ones that weren't out here last time."

Gabriella whispered to them. "Stay in here girls, we'll try to make sure you don't have to come out." Chad, Gabriella and Lachlan walked out of the room and into the living room where Casey and Austin are.

"Where are the other brats."

Chad responded. "They're asleep, they had an early morning today."

Austin interrupted. "It's 6:30, they shouldn't be asleep." They saw him about to walk towards the room.

"Do you want us to wake them up?" Gabriella said quickly, not wanting him anywhere near her little sisters. Austin smirked at her and nodded his head towards their room. Gabriella sighed and walked into the room making sure she closed the door. Her heart broke as she saw them gripping each other in the furthest corner of the room. She ran to them and pulled them both into her arms. "It's alright, it's ok, don't be scared. Locky, Chad and I are going to protect you." She pulled back and placed a hand on both their cheeks. "You have to come out now, but I want you to stand next to Locky, behind Chad and I. If anything happens, I want you girls and Locky to run in here and lock the door ok? Don't worry about us, we can handle it but promise me that you'll come in here and lock the door to get away from them."

They both nodded but Imogen spoke. "But I don't want you to get hurt Ella."

"I know you don't Baby Girl, I know you both don't want to see any of us get hurt but it's mine and Chad's job to protect you so please promise you'll do what I said."

They both nodded. "Promise Ella."

She hugged them again. "I promise you girls, it's going to be ok. I love you both so much." She sighed and took both their hands. "Come on, let's get this over with." She walked them out and kept them both behind her and Chad. "Here they are, is there anything else you'd like?"

Casey narrowed her eyes. "Watch your tone b**ch." Casey went towards Gabriella as Austin grabbed Imogen's arm. The youngest twin screamed and ripped her arm out of his grip before the twins ran back to the room.

"Locky go." Gabriella yelled and he ran in after the girls. When she saw Austin going after them, her and Chad went into the room, followed by Casey. She inwardly sighed when she saw that they were in the bathroom and had the door locked. Before they knew what happened, Austin turned on them and punched Gabriella, his fist colliding with her left eye. She stumbled back and Austin tried to grab her but Chad pulled her behind him.

"Don't you dare touch my sister again and get the hell out of our room." His voice was dark, making everyone in the room inwardly cringe.

"Casey warned her if she didn't do as I said, there'd be consequences. If she does it again, she's gonna get more than a black eye." Austin threatened before he dragged Casey out of the room.

"Gabs -"

"Chad go lock the door." He could hear the emotion in her voice and knew she was close to exploding but he did as she asked. He watched as she knocked quietly on the door. "They're gone now guys, you can unlock the door." She heard the door unlock and open, the two girls flew into her arms and hugged her, she hugged them back tightly. "It's ok now girls, everything's ok." Gabriella turned to Jasmine. "Jas, can you go to Chad for a minute while I make sure Imi is ok from the mean man?" Jasmine nodded and ran straight into Chad's arms, hugging her brother tightly.

Gabriella sat down cross-legged and pulled Imogen into her lap, looking at the little girl's wrist. Her little sister hand a pink hand mark on her arm which made Gabriella sigh and hug her. "I'm so sorry Baby Girl, are you ok? Does it hurt?"

"I'm ok Ella." Imogen looked up and reached her had up gently touch Gabriella's cheek, underneath her black eye. "He hurt you."

"I'm ok Im, don't worry about me. I'm just sorry you got hurt Baby, you were never supposed to deal with him and he was never supposed to touch you."

Lachlan knelt down and placed his hands on Gabriella's shoulders before turning his attention to Imogen. "Imi, do you want to go to Chad, I just want to talk to Ella for a second ok?" Imogen nodded and went over to Chad and Jasmine. Lachlan turned Gabriella around and hugged her to his chest. "You don't have to be strong Gabi, you're allowed to cry." His words were the key and she started crying, wrapping her arms around his waist as she collapsed.

After a few minutes, she stopped crying and wiped her tears. "I'm sorry Bud, I didn't mean to do that and I'm sorry I yelled at you before."

Lachlan smiled gently at her. "It's ok G, you were scared, I don't care that you yelled, I probably would've done the same thing. I have one question though, are you upset because you got hurt or are you upset because he got to Imi?"

Gabriella looked down guiltily. "He wasn't supposed to get near her. I was supposed to protect her, she wasn't meant to get hurt. No one was meant to touch her."

Lachlan sighed. "Gabi, you did protect her, you protected all of us, just as you always do. Imi only got a little hand mark on her hand, you got a black eye and it kills me that you did. You prepared the girls, told them what to do and it worked, they were safe from him. You did the right thing G, you protected them and no one blames you for anything." Seeing she still wasn't believing his words, he called Imogen over. "Imi, tell Ella that you're not mad at her. Did Austin hurt you?"

Imogen hugged Gabriella. "It doesn't hurt Ella. I love you and I want to stay with you."

Lachlan smiled. "And do you want to tell her that you don't blame her because Ella's upset that you got hurt."

Imogen kissed Gabriella's cheek. "It's not your fault Ella, he didn't hurt me and you protected us like you said you would. I love you Ella."

Gabriella smiled softly and hugged the girl tighter, kissing her head. "I love you too Baby Girl, more than you know." She turned to Lachlan and pulled him into her side, hugging him. "Thanks Bud, you've grown up so much and you've become a really great guy. I'm so proud of you and I love you so much."

"I love you too Gabi, you're the best big sister ever, please remember that." He assured as he hugged her back.

Gabriella looked over to Chad and Jasmine, nodding for them to come over. When Chad and Jasmine hugged them, Gabriella sighed. "It's been a long night guys, we'll figure something out and I promise I'll do everything to make sure that he doesn't come near you again. I love you all."

"We love you too Ella." They all replied.