Mahalo (Thank You)

Steve had let everyone know the night before what they were planning on doing and everyone had been happy enough with the idea. They were family, maybe not through blood, but they looked out for one another and they wanted Jess out just as much as she did.

Jess woke up to her phone vibrating letting her know that she had a text. She blinked a few times and rubbed her jaw which was sore after being hit last night and her lip was still throbbing. She opened up her phone and started to smile but soon realised that smiling caused her pain due to her lip being cut. But she just couldn't help it.

"Today's the day :) " was all it said and that's all she needed to see. Suddenly all memories of last night were erased and she concentrated on the day at hand. But then she cursed herself. How stupid could she be! She had opened up her phone and smiled herself stupid to a text without thinking that Ryan may have been at her side however when she turned around she found the bed to be empty. Only other possible explanation was that he had passed out downstairs and not made it up which did make it easier for her to get ready and get a bag together. She looked at the time, it was 8:30am so she text Steve back to let him know that she wasn't backing out and that she did genuinely want out of this horrible situation she was in.

":) pick me up at 9:30?" and instantly she felt like a teenager, eagerly waiting for his response. You wouldn't think she had known him practically all her life yet now at the age of 29 as soon as she got a reply she found herself flipping open the phone all giddy like a child at Christmas "will do x". With that she shut her phone, placed it back on the bedside table and went to get a shower whilst remaining quiet so as to not wake him downstairs. Her lip was red with a small cut but she just went straight past the mirror into the hot spray of the water eager to get ready and get out of here. After finishing in the shower she went through her usual routine of drying her hair, putting it up into a messy bun, did her make up and put on her clothes. Walking back into the bedroom she looked at her phone. She had spent more time in the shower and getting ready than she thought. It was now 9:10am and she had twenty minutes to get a bag together and leave. Everything was looking up for her. She grabbed the big holdall from underneath the bed and began to put her clothes into it, her shoes, work clothes and any essentials she needed. Any other small material things she could replace, she just wanted out. 9:25am the clock now read and she made her way downstairs and placed her bag by the door. Picking up her handbag that had been left near the door from the previous night she checked her car keys were there and her purse and waited. She knew she'd have to come back for the car but right now the most important thing for her to do was leave both Ryan and this house.

Suddenly she heard movement in the front room and her heart beat a little faster. Ryan appeared at the door and gazed at her. "Where do you think your goin?" he asked with a confused look on his face. She took a deep breath, knowing that Steve would be here soon so she could tell Ryan the truth. "I'm going. Leaving. I've had enough, you treat me like shit and I'm through with it, pomaika'i finding someone who'll put up with all of this" and as she finished talking she heard the familiar roar of the Camaro pull up. She opened up the door before Ryan even had chance to think and take in what she had said, grabbed her bags and proceeded outside.

*Steve's POV*

Steve had every intention of waiting in the car, letting Jess put her stuff in the back and getting in but as soon as he pulled up and saw Jess leaving with that piece of shit following her he got out and rested his arms on the top of his car on the driver's side and watched.

"Aaaah it all makes sense now" he heard Ryan shout after her. Jess looked at Steve and walked straight past him in silence to put her things in the boot. This was when he clocked the new cut on her lip. "Once a whore, always a whore right Jess?" and he watched Ryan walk up to her and grab her by the wrist. She struggled to get him to let go. Steve slowly made his way round the car to where both Jess and Ryan were stood.

"Does it make you feel big and macho?" Steve asked which got Ryan's attention. Ryan glared at him struggling to think who would even dare question him when it came to him and his girlfriend. "Does what make me feel big and macho huh? Come on big guy, ask me again" as he squared up to Steve knowing fully well that there was a pretty big size difference between them both with Steve having the advantage. Steve chuckled to himself as he answered him "does it make you feel big hitting women?". Jess watched as she could see Ryan reach the point of anger where he'd usually lash out at her. "What I do in MY house is of no concern to you" which again made Steve laugh which only seemed to anger Ryan more. Steve finished laughing and answered "it's not your house though is it? She pays for everything" he told him as he pointed at Jess. "She does everything for you and that's how you repay her. Your nothing man" and that's all it took for Ryan to swing at Steve catching his face. Jess gasped at what was unfolding and started to panic. Steve had remained calm throughout the whole episode yet suddenly found himself flying towards Ryan in a rage. All his pent up anger as to what this weak little man had put the woman Steve truly loved through seemed to unfold onto Ryan's face. Steve was in such a trance he didnt even hear the sirens that were gradually getting louder and louder as they neared the scene. He could have stayed there hitting him all day and night only one voice made him stop "Steve". Whilst Ryan lay there coughing up blood that had made its way to his mouth from his possibly broken nose, Steve turned to look at her. She stood there looking at him and he knew right then and there that this woman was his. He could protect her, love her and do everything she needed. He took one last look at Ryan before standing up and making his way over to Jess.

"Don't even think about contacting her. You do and I will personally come back and kill you" and as he finished his sentence the local police department pulled up sirens blaring. Sergeant Duke Lukela and another couple of officers raced towards Ryan to place him in handcuffs and led him towards the police cars.

"How did they know to get here?" Jess asked still facing the police cars and watching Ryan being led to the back door. "I told them I was coming, I knew he wasn't going to just let you go so I asked for back up but to give me enough time to see how it was all going to go down" he looked at Jess and turned her face towards his "hey, it's done. He's gone. He won't touch you again I promise. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere" and a single tear ran down her face as she smiled at him. There it was again. That feeling of safety he brought everytime he was near. "Come on, let's go home yeah?" he asked as he shut the boot and with that they both walked towards his car and got in.

*Jess's POV*

They pulled up at Steve's house and as she got out of the car she was greeted with many memories flooding back to her. Nights they had spent sitting on the beach at the back of the house drinking, swimming, and chatting. All the time wishing they were something more than just best friends. She was just stood staring at the house with a small smile on her face as Steve shut the boot making her snap out of the trance she was in and look towards him. "I'm guessing by the smile on your face that you're gonna be alright here?" he asked whilst grinning and she nodded enthusiastically as they both chuckled and walked towards the front door.

She was stood at the bottom of the stairs looking around as she heard him come down the stair s talking to her. "So you know where everything is, I've made the guest room up for you. You want me to make you something to eat?" Steve asked her once he'd set her bags in her room. She smiled softly at him as he reached the bottom step. "Thankyou" she said quietly "thank you for everything Steve" and he returned her smile. "You don't have to thank me, I'll always be here Jess, whether you like it or not" and she chuckled as he brought her in his arms giving her a hug and kissing her on the top of her head. She brought herself out of the hug and told him "I'm gonna go for a shower, I need one after today, I'll be down soon" and he nodded as he watched her disappear up the stairs.

She just stood under the hot water thinking about the day's events. Yeah they could have gone better, she knew that, but what mattered was that she was here, safe. She finished in the shower, tied up her damp hair and put on her pyjamas. Her makeup had gone leaving the fading bruise under her eye on show and the cut on her lip seemed to have become a lot brighter and a lot more angry looking. She sighed and made her way downstairs finding herself walking into the kitchen where she found Steve at the back sliding doors that led on to the beach holding two beers up. "Just like old times?" he asked her and she nodded and grinned at him whilst following him outside.

pomaika'i – good luck