Abi realised that a single tear was rolling down her cheek, she wiped it away hurriedly. Trying not to think about how she used to have to mop her mum up, ring an ambulance when she'd never reply. It was those relationships that made her who she was, it made her strong but also made her vulnerable.
Abi quietly walked down the stairs, she started fearing the worse. She couldn't make out any noises at all. She walked over to the kitchen door and opened it. She was relieved to find that both Sam and Hugh were in the kitchen look happy. No signs of a battered woman. Hugh was inspecting a long white stick, Abi thought it was a pen.
"Hey Abi." Her mum smiled.
"Hiya mum, how was work?" Abi asked.
"Fine, I went on patrol with Gina. You been doing anything?"
"Not really, mainly watching television." Abi grinned. Laziness was the best. Abi didn't realise until that moment how much the memories had suddenly affected her. "Mum can I have a hug?"
Sam was a little confused as she opened her arms and her daughter fell into them. Abi held on to her. "I love you mum."
"I love you too sweetheart, but what's brought all this on?" Sam asked.
"Nothing." Abi lied. "Well I guess being abducted. I just don't want to lose you."
"You aren't going to lose me darling but there is something I need to tell you." Sam said.
Hugh walked over behind Sam, he crouched down so he was at Sam's level.
"What?" Abi asked, looking between the pair.
"You tell her." Sam said, thinking she'd appreciate it more if it came from Hugh.
"You're going to have a little brother or sister." Hugh said with a small grin.
"What?" Abi repeated, this time not believing it was true.
"Well I realised that I was late so took a test." Sam said. "I thought you'd be happy."
Abi thought she would have been before two but something wasn't right about this. One minute Sam wouldn't love Hugh, then she decided to move in with him which Abi accepted and liked but them having a child; it was too soon. Hugh had said before that they wouldn't be together right now, he was going to leave it for a while before showing that he loved her.
"Don't take it to heart Sammy, I think Abi's just jealous." Hugh said.
"What?!" Abi snapped. "I'm not jealous of that thing growing in her."
Sam stood up, Hugh did two. He stood behind her in a uniting way. "What's your problem? You're going to hate this child just because they're actually going to have a dad who cares? Because this child isn't a mistake?" Sam said nastily.
Abi looked at her in disgust. "You're a cold bitch, you know what I hate you." She said through gritted teeth before screaming: "I'm like I am because of you! Because of everything you've made me!"
Sam took it all in. "You can blame me all you like, but you can never stop being my daughter. So if I'm your worst enemy then you can hate yourself too because there will always be me in you."
"Really?" Abi asked. "Because I'd rather be the murderer's daughter than the copper's daughter. Because don't forget mum, I'm the result to you getting knocked up by a murderer."
Slap! She didn't mean to do it, really she didn't want to. But the hurtful things Abi had said made her snap and before she could realise what she was doing the palm of her hand had already collided with Abi's cheek.
Sam quivered as she looked at her daughter, she was so angry at her and so scared that she would lose her. Abi held her burning cheek, tears filled her eyes and she left. Slamming the front door behind her. Sam went to go after her but Hugh held her back.
"Sam she made her bed, she can sleep in it. Look I know she's your daughter but right now I'm worried about her, I'm worried about you. Getting stressed like this isn't good for your health or our child's. Abi can come back when she's cooled down, if not then she's meant all those things she's said to you and doesn't regret any of them.
Sam started crying. "you're right." She quickly wiped her eyes and Hugh held on to her.
Abi had been to the home her and her mother had once shared. She walked through the empty house looking at the pictures from when she was younger. She took the picture in her hands and began to cry softly. She wanted her mum to be the same person she had been before. For her sixth birthday she didn't have a birthday party, she didn't want one. She just wanted to spend the day with her mum. She could remember so well.
"So, why didn't you want a party?" Sam asked as they walked out of the swimming pool hand in hand.
"Because I get to see my friends everyday at school but I hardly ever spend time with you." Abi replied.
"Ah, I'm sorry darling about not being able to be there much." Sam said. "What d'you say about us going and getting an ice cream?"
"Cool!" Abi said excitedly.
Abi wiped her eyes for the third time that night, she had to expose Hugh for the abductor he was. And possibly even the rapist he was is her mother was pregnant. There was only one person who would be able to help her though.
Thanks go to Emma who read part of this for me, cheers ma dears.