This update was written by Sharon.
Chapter Twelve
"Do you want to leave," Cristian asked Jessica as they pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex. Her hands were shaking from the text message she received from her mother about her father's death.
"What would be the point Cris? There is nothing I can do to help my family any more than I could ever help her."
"What are you saying," he asked her.
"I hate the fact that I can even think this but…my father got exactly what he deserved. He turned Nora's life into a real life horror show. I tried to get her out of there Cris…the man that I saw smashing her head into a headboard was not my father…in that moment, the father that I thought I had… ceased to exist. How can a man who says that he loves a woman treat her like a damn animal? She tried so hard to get away from him but every time she did…Hefound her. She was sick to death over what he would do to his brother or to her children…"
"So she killed him ?"
"More likely she defended herself. I know what it is like to be in a situation where you cannot escape… people always say that they would never stay…that they would be stronger…except when a man has you pinned down and is using you for target practice…how do you escape Cristian…how do you even know where to start?"
"You really love her don't you?"
"She's always been there for me Cris. She has been a second mother to me for so long that I have lost count. Even after she and my uncle went their separate ways, she stillshowed up when I needed her. Every damn time. Even if it killed her. I wish I had been able to return the favor."
"Are you kidding me? Jess, this is not your fault. There is only so much you can do for someone in that situation."
"There were signs Cristian…so many damn signs. We all suspected that something was going on but nobody could even fathom that a man like Clint Buchanan could actually be just another wife beater…And who would believe her anyways right? He had all the money and the power. So instead of paying attention to all the times she was crying out for help, we all chose to bury our head in the sand…we ignored all the times she came home with a black eye or a broken bone…we protected the abuser…not his victim. Do you have any idea how much I wish I could turn back the clock…If only I had tried harder to get her out of there…maybe my father would still be alive."
Cristian pulled her tighter against him as she cried. Domestic Violence is a situation that effects everyone. You just never think it will show up in your own backyard.
"What if she has to go to prison Cristian…what if he steals just as much from her in death…It's not fair. None of this is fair."
Cristian kisses her brow lightly as he lifts her chin so she is facing him. "I need you to try to relax sweetie. It is not good for you or the baby. Do you still want to do this tonight?"
"I have to Cris…I have to tell Brody that I am not going to marry him before things get any worse. Hasn't our family been through enough?"
His fingers lace through hers as he looks at her tenderly. He would give anything to take her pain away.
"I love you Jessica Buchanan…you hold on to that. I know life is as bad as it can get right now but thereis a silver lining…"
"You and me," she finishes.
"I know you are worried about your step mom but it is going to be okay. We will help her get through this. Everyone will."
She kisses him hard and deep as he brushes his fingers through her hair. He had to be right. Things would get better after they were free to love each other openly. They had to.
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Langston walks into the little studio apartment she shares with her husband Markko and their little girl Collette Starr Rivera. They named her after their two best friends. Her heart swells at seeing Markko singing a lullaby to her as he feeds her. She just turned one years old today.
"Any luck with Starr," he asks her?
A lone tear rolls down her cheek as she walks towards him. She kisses him and then her daughter and accepts Markko's comforting embrace.
"I'm so worried about her. She seems to have given up on everything. How do we help her Markko?"
"We love her…and we keep showing up even when she tries to push us away. She is hurting so bad right now. I cannot really blame her for not wanting to see us."
"I don't either. I just miss my best friend…especially with Cole and Hope gone."
"Me too."
Markko carries his daughter to her room with Langston close behind. They say goodnight to their little angel and turn on the baby monitor. They then go to their own room and shut the door.
"Are you okay," Langston asks her husband. "You seem down."
"I just really miss Cole…It would have been his birthday today too."
"Oh God…I can't believe I forgot. No wonder Starr was so upset. I am sorry Markko. I'm so sorry."
He takes her in his arms and holds her close. Anniversaries were always so hard. This year though, somehow seemed worse.
"Come on Lang…lets go to bed."
He turns out the light and she climbs in next to him. He reaches for her in the dark and their lips find each other's. Even in the midst of their grief, they find solace in each other.
++++
By the time the cops swarmed the cabin, Bo and Nora were already out the window and halfway down the road. He did not like sacrificing his morals like this but he could not take the chance that the law would fail her one more time. He would gladly go to prison for her if she would only let him.
"Where are we going to go cowboy? We can't stay gone forever."
He takes her hand and pulls her into an empty phone booth as police cars speed by them. He wraps his jacket around her shoulders as he embraces her. "We won't be gone forever Red…just long enough for them to figure out it was self-defense. "
"And how are we going to do that?"
"We get the hell out of dodge."
"I don't like this at all. You are risking your life and your career for me…do you think I want that?"
"I don't have a choice Red. We both know the system that we work for has already let you down numerous times. I am not going to let them railroad them."
"You are forgetting the fact that I am guilty."
"You also have a record. You are not responsible for Clint's death any more than you were ever responsible for Colin's death…But do not think the prosecution will not use that against you. I cannot let them railroad you Red. It would kill me if anything else happened to you…It is bad enough that I was too busy denying how I felt about you to see how much trouble you were in. I should have been able to protect you from my own brother…"
"Hey," she says, touching his cheek…"This is not your fault. I never should have married him when I was still in love with you. I am sorry Bo. I was trying to move on with my life without you but did not do a very good job."
"Oh Red…This is not your fault either. I was the one who should have fought harder for you. I am trying to make it up to you now. Please do not fight me on this. Let me get you out of the country and safe."
"I better not regret this Bo…I am too weak to have to dodge police bullets you know?"
"I will keep you safe Red…you trust me don't you?"
"Always."
"Okay then tell me where you sent Matthew…I know that you had him and Rachel sent underground…you must have. We have to find them first."
She smiles slightly as she reaches for the burner phone in her pocket. "Call Robert Scorpio from the WSB."
"Robert? How the hell do you know my old war buddy?"
"I don't. I know his once and future wife Anna Devane. We were best friends in college. When I was desperate to get my children to safety, I called her. She even offered to help get me away from him and into some kind of safe house but I was stupid for thinking I could handle it myself."
"Hey…that's the woman I love you are insulting."
"The point is that she gave me this phone and told me to call Robert if I needed any 's a good woman Bo. She helped me without question. Put her life on hold to keep my children safe.Now would be the time to call in reinforcements. We cannot stay here Bo. We need to get moving."
"I'll send a 9—1-1 alert to Robert and call him as soon as we are someplace safer than this phone booth. We learned how to communicate like this back in the war. He'll know what this means."
"Your connections and mine just might have saved all of our lives…let's get out of here."
He took her hand and waited a few seconds until the code goes through and then he pulls her down the road as they run for their lives. Starting now, they are fugitives on the run…they can only hope their old friends can help solve the crime so they can go home again someday.