chapter fifty-one

Sam's POV

Today was probably the worst Christmas ever.

The beginning was amazing with the gifts, family gathering, the laughs, my parents and Freddie's mom approving of our relationship with my dad agreeing the most. Not to mention Melanie and I getting along again after the misunderstanding of her going away to boarding school. It's great to have my sister again.

However, the worst that brought us today was the unexpected visit of Freddie's father.

The first time I saw him again was when I opened the door expecting to be Carly, but I saw him instead. I didn't recognize him after all these years because I barely saw him when I was little since he was never around. But once he said he was Freddie's father, I immediately noticed the resemblance between him and his son. They both have the same brown eyes, nose, and even the same bone structure. The difference between them is Freddie is the Angel and his father is the Devil. Now that I saw Mr. Benson today, I was feeling angry that this was the man who helped his son come into this world and has the nerve to leave him and his family when they needed him the most.

I didn't know what to do when he came into the house and greeted everyone normally like nothing happened. I sensed that Freddie was uncomfortable looking at his offspring and I couldn't blame him for that. He hasn't seen the man in fourteen years, he had every right to feel uneasy.

Afterward, the fight broke in when Mr. Benson told his ex-wife about giving him money and threatening her that something would get ugly, and I was scared that he was going to do something to her in front of everyone. Although, Freddie yelled at him trying not to explode like I felt his body tensed when I was holding onto him.

The worst part of all that happened was when he told his son the truth about what he thought of him after he was born and called him worthless and a piece of shit in front of us. I was in complete shock, not being able to move at his vivid response. I couldn't imagine how Freddie felt after hearing those words from his father. What child wanted to hear something so prudent from a parent?

I was disgusted.

Then out of nowhere, Freddie punched his father in the jaw and tried to hurt him again until my dad came to stop him. Freddie was like a whole different person at that moment, he never punched anyone before; except for the time he kicked a little boy's crotch in elementary school for helping me. But this time it wasn't about me, he punched him for everything he's done to his mother and himself.

Freddie had a breakdown when he rushed to his room and left us alone with the devil father. Mr. Benson was out like a light when my dad took over and punched him in the nose and kicked him out permanently, told him to never come back or else he would call the cops.

All I could think about was Freddie and how he was doing by himself. I was worried until I went to his room and saw him crying his eyes out, clutching his hands in his hair.

The scene made me breakdown seeing him so upset. I tried my best to comfort him, telling him that his father was a bastard for hurting him the way he looked at that moment. I hated seeing Freddie look so broken like he doesn't deserve to live anymore. I need him to live so we could go through this tragic situation together; he couldn't be alone, he couldn't do this alone. He needed me, and I was there for him as he cried and cried trying to calm him down from hyperventilating.

Then after Freddie had his fit, he punched his wall with the same hand he used on his father causing the wall to have a dent and his hand filled with blood. That moment definitely scared me because I thought he broke his hand the moment his knuckles touched the wall.

When I tried to help him, it felt like he was in another world because he wasn't paying attention to what I was saying and then I finally snapped him out of where he was, making him look at me. When I saw his eyes, they were filled with regret as if he was thinking badly about himself. He looked completely broken I couldn't believe my eyes.

I fought him with words to let him understand that his father will never get to him and that he has people being there for him no matter what happens. He calmed down eventually as I got him to relax and he was breathing normally after a while of breathing rapidly. I was happy that I got him to take it easy from the situation he was in because I know someone who had to relive this wouldn't be as lucky as him to relax this quickly.

I offered him to relax, and he obeyed laying on his bed without changing into different clothes, which I didn't mind at all. I left him alone in his room as I went outside in the living room and told everyone that Freddie is okay and that he's resting.

I also told them that he was sorry about the action he did on his father in front of everyone, and they understood saying that his father deserved it. I couldn't agree more.

Sadly, everyone had to leave because we couldn't make Christmas any better as it died when his father came to the door. My mom, dad, and Melanie said their goodbyes to me as they drove back home saying they would talk to me later. Then Mrs. Benson came to me saying how she was worried about her son and begged me to watch over him. I replied saying I would do anything I can to cheer him up.

She approved and left the apartment saying good night, even though this night will be tough to make it right again.

Now it's evening, everyone left hours ago to go back home after everything has happened and I'm here, at the apartment, going to make Freddie better no matter what it takes.

I walked to Freddie's room with a bag of supplies in my hand going to fix his hand that he injured hours ago. I opened the door slowly, peeking my head in the room seeing Freddie is still awake laying on his back, looking at the ceiling.

I entered the room without closing the door and walked to his bed slowly trying not to scare him. From the angle I'm seeing, his eyes are still red and puffy from crying, bags under his eyes and his body looking stiff. He is still down about his father, and it kills me to see him like this.

But that's going to change.

"Hey, Freddie," I said softly.

"Hey." He replied without giving me a glance.

I rest the supplies on the nightstand near his bed then sit on the edge of his bed, looking down at him. "I got stuff to fix your hand."

He moved his head, facing me, and nodded his head. He sits up on the bed leaning his back on the headboard with his eyes not looking at me.
I scoot closer to him in bed, grabbing napkins and ointment from the nightstand ready to start on his hand. I untwisted the cap and grabbed his hand, caressing it gently not wanting to hurt him. I bring his knuckles upwards seeing the dry blood and open wounds on his hand.

I squirt a penny sized cream on his hand putting the tube aside. I rub the white substance on his hand causing him to wince slightly. I remembered when Freddie helped cure my bruise the time I got hurt from that man at Mal-Mart and helped put ointment on me. Now it's my turn to make him feel better.

I looked up at his face and saw his eyes still lingering with sorrow.

He's still hurting.

As I wiped his hand with a napkin slowly, I tried to find a way to make him better. I pulled the napkin away and replaced it with a thirty-four-ounce bag of ice I put in a Ziploc bag, resting it on top of his hand for it to feel numb for a bit.

Before I said anything, Freddie was the one to break the silence. "Thank you for helping me..."

I gave him a small smile while pulling the ice bag away from his hand after a while. "You're welcome." Finally, I grabbed the pack of gauze and started to unroll the stiff tan fabric. I start off by resting the beginning of the roll on his knuckles and wrapped it around until it's thick enough to hold.

After three minutes, I stopped and tore the end of the roll, wrapping it tightly to get the sticky side stuck to his hand. "Okay, you're finished," I said putting all the supplies I used on his nightstand then sitting on the bed with my legs crossed.

Freddie looked at his hand and turned it around, studying the tan bandage. "Do I get a lollipop?" He asked jokingly with a grin on his face.

I chuckled while shaking my head. At least his humor is starting to come back. "No, you don't." I grabbed his bandaged hand and brought it close to my lips, kissing his knuckles softly, lingering there for him to feel the warmth. I pulled away from kissing his hand and gave him a real smile. "That's what you get." I whispered.

Freddie stared at me without moving an inch while he has tenderness in his eyes. We didn't lose contact with each other as I started to get closer, leaning my lips brushing against his. However, we didn't kiss. We just stayed in proximity enjoying each other's company.

Freddie sighed and opened his mouth but closed it immediately, shaking his head.

"Freddie? What is it?" I asked gently.

Freddie looked at me for a second before looking back down to his lap. "It's just... why would he come here like that after everything was going so well?" He whispered looking timid.

I knew he was hurt about his dad still. It's like a bitter taste in your mouth you can't get rid of so quickly. I caressed his cheek with my hand and softly stroked it with my thumb. "I know... I hate that he ruined your Christmas and made you upset. You know you can't listen to him, right? Everything he said was a bunch of bullshit; what he said was not true, and he's one person saying this," Freddie looks back to my eyes giving me his attention. "He is a selfish man who only cares about himself. You need a family who cares about you regardless... and you have that."

He continues to stare at me as he caresses his hand on my cheek feeling the static shock and warmth that I love. His chocolate eyes staring at me intensely as if he's looking through my soul telling me how he feels inside. The feeling of his warm eyes looking into mine feels amazing that I never want it to stop; his eyes will always be special to me as they show the infamous sparkle.

"...you're amazing you know that?" Freddie whispered, his minty breath tickling through my nostrils.

"I try..." I chuckled shyly.

"I'm serious... If you haven't shown up I... I probably would've been in a dark place just thinking everything wrong with me. But I'm glad now that you've convinced me otherwise." He strokes my cheek, making us do the same thing with each other. "That's why I love you."

No matter how many times he said it, I still get this bubbly feeling in my chest, causing my body to get goosebumps. The way he says he loves me from time to time means the world and I feel the same way about him. When I was with Jonah, I didn't know how to express my feelings since I was having a rough time believing if I was in love with him. But this time... all I could do is express how I feel about my best friend and my everything, Freddie Benson.

"I love you too... so much." I whispered. I leaned forward and brushed our lips together feeling his soft and moist lips. He kisses back cupping his good hand on my waist, gripping it gently and I wrap my arms around his shoulders. This kiss is gentle—not rough, making my heart swell. Being able to feel his lips against mine is the most beautiful feeling in the world, and I'm happy I can cherish them.

We pulled away after a while, and both found ourselves opening our eyes and meeting eye contact together.

Maybe Christmas turned out well at the end finding Freddie happy again. That's all I want to see is Freddie happy... forever.

Okay guys, sadly this book is going to have a few chapters left before the story ends. I just want to say that it's been amazing writing these chapters and sharing them with you, getting feedback. I cannot thank you enough!

The book may be ending soon, but it's not over yet. :)