Chapter Nine

I disclaim

Dave decided to do some research when they returned to the states. Something compelled him to do more digging, he had a feeling there was more to the story. He couldn't imagine more, he just felt there was something missing. He had to fly to Stamford to speak with Vince about his return and when it would be so he decided he would go to the newspapers and have them pull up all the old prints.

Back in Tampa things were moving along nicely for Leila and Dave's new house. Everything had been installed and the furniture would be delivered while he was in Connecticut. The girl's rooms were amazing and she knew the three of them would be so happy. Stephanie called and said the furniture and linens for the baby's room would be delivered in two days. Leila said she'd fly up to finish as soon as Dave's stuff was in his house.

"Why isn't there anything in the newspapers about Leila's ordeal?" Dave called Steph. She took a deep breath. This was what she didn't share with Paul.

"Good morning David, you're up early. Leila isn't her real name. When she was 16 she changed it." She replied quietly.

"What's her real name?" Dave was getting upset.

"Lauren Meloni. Her stepfather was Senator Peterson." Steph kept looking around in case someone was listening. She wasn't sure who would be but you never know.

"A Senator? A fucking Senator?" Dave was stunned. He quickly searched for those names and the machine brought up a ridiculous amount of articles. He read a few headlines and looked at the pictures on the front pages. He felt like he would throw up. "I think I'm going to be sick." He said still on the phone.

"It haunts me to this day. Why don't you come by the house and we'll talk." She whispered. Dave agreed and read everything he could handle. He left heading for Steph's house and called Leila.

"I miss you, baby girl." He did everything he could to sound like everything was fine, the horrors of her childhood emblazoned on his brain.

"Mmm, me too. Guess what. I'm flying up there in a few days to finish the nursery, will you still be there?" Leila couldn't help but smile at the sound of his voice.

"I'll wait for you." Dave and Leila chatted for a few minutes before they hung up. She wanted to surprise him with a finished house when they got back and Dave didn't want to tell her he was going to Stephanie's. He sat in her driveway for a few minutes trying to process everything he had been told over the past three days. He wanted to do something but there was nothing to do. He thought of seeing her Mother but didn't want to upset Leila if she found out.

He sat in Stephanie and Paul's living room for the next several hours listening, processing and asking questions. It sounded something straight out of a Hollywood made for tv movie, only this was very real. The way the press treated her, exploited her, no wonder she changed her name. "She's been Leila for 17 years. 'Lauren' doesn't exist to her. The only things she keeps from her past are pictures of her brother. She visits her Mother at Christmas and that's it. She still has it in the back of her head she's being followed or watched."

"I can't get the picture out of my head of her on the front page. How did a reporter get that close at a crime scene? Why is it in color?" Dave rubbed his eyes as if that would help. " She was carried out of that house covered in blood and obviously beaten. How could another human being do that to a child?"

"My parents sued the newspapers and threatened to sue the city for not protecting her those first few days. They never told me what the settlement was with the papers and I never asked." Steph took Dave's hands in hers. "If you can't deal with this and respect her wishes and how she's chosen to live her life then get out now. Get the hell away from her and never look back."

"I'm not going anywhere." Dave said and his phone rang. "I was just talking about you." He said with a smile into the phone.

"You were? Good I hope! I was going to surprise you but I can't stand it. You're house looks incredible." Leila was so excited and he could hear it in her voice.

"It's finished?" He looked at Steph with a lot of emotion.

"It is ready for you and the girls to move in!" Leila had no clue Dave's heart was breaking on the other end.

"That's great. I can't wait to see it. When are you coming here?" Steph could tell he still wanted to be near Leila.

"I just changed my flight and I'm on my way to the airport now. Hey call Steph and Paul and let's just bunk at their house if that's okay with you." Leila almost sounded as if she were asking and afraid of his response.

"I happen to be standing in her family room right now so I'll go bring my bags in and she'll just have to deal with our presence." Steph clapped her hands and was excited to see Leila and finish her baby's room.

"Do I need to be jealous? Are you going after pregnant women now?" Leila teased him. He laughed and said he'd meet her at the airport in a few hours. He hung up with her and said goodbye to Steph. He went to meet with Vince and Shane at a restaurant for lunch and felt a little better having talked with Steph. He was excited to be heading back to work and excited to see Leila.

She spotted him instantly through the crowd. Leila wanted to run to him but there were too many fans around so she waited patiently for him to finish. He could feel her presence but didn't want to look up, he was too fearful his emotions would be written all over his face. His phone rang and he laughed at the caller id.

"I'll be at the baggage area impatiently waiting. Just nod your head if that's ok. Oh and I missed you." Leila couldn't get enough of this man. Dave wiggled his pinky finger as he scratched his head, which was a secret code between them for I love you. "I love you back." Leila hung up and walked slowly thinking about the last few months.

"Can't you move to another city? I hate being here." For some reason Leila's brain was on overdrive thinking of her childhood.

"He knows everything. Paul told him and I told him the rest." Stephanie confessed. Leila let her head fall to the kitchen counter.

"Thank goodness I don't have to tell him. How much is everything?" Hoping Stephanie told him all the details. It was too painful for her to think about much less say it out loud.

"Everything I know. He saw the newspaper articles too." Leila wanted to cry. That was what she wanted to avoid.

"Does he know he's the only man I've ever been with?" Leila's voice broke and Steph held her hands.

"At the rate you two were going at it he probably wouldn't believe me!" She teased. "That's between you two, it's something you have to tell him. Or do you not want him to know?" Leila started to cry.

"Let it all out Lei." Steph held her friend and rocked her.

"Why? Why me? I'm so angry." Leila broke the hug. "How can you do that to a child? I was only 11 Stephie. Who does that? How do you rape a child? How do you beat up a child? I hate him. He killed my brother, my mom's not even here. What I wouldn't give to not remember anything." Paul and Dave stood around the corner listening and had tears in their eyes. Listening to the agony in Leila's voice was crushing. "I hate him…I hate him." Leila sat on the floor crying Steph held her again crying herself. Dave collected himself and walked in. He picked up Leila and walked her outside. He carried her to the bench Paul had built by the lake.

"I've never been more in love with you than I am right now." Dave held her and played with her hair. Just when Leila thought she had a grip on her emotions she'd break again.

"I'm sorry." Leila said and kissed him. Everyday was a struggle for her but she felt like there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Hell, she was happy there was an end to this dark tunnel. "I just want a normal life like everyone else."

"I'll get you as close as I can, Pretty Princess." Dave knew there was nowhere he'd rather be than with her. So genuine, so caring, so pure of heart. How did she turn out ok without a complete mental meltdown? Seeing the pictures were enough to make him sick to his stomach he couldn't imagine living it. He would kill someone before anybody touched his girls in a disgusting manner. "God, I love you."

Dave and Leila sat by the lake until sunset when Stephanie and Paul walked up. They all sat together until they all heard Steph's tummy growl. "Can we eat please? She begged. They all laughed at Stephanie and went inside. Dave made sure the rest of the trip was lighthearted and kept Leila from thinking of her past.

"This looks great!" Dave said as he walked around his new house. "There are a few things missing I'd like to see though." Leila tried to figure out if she forgot anything. "Your stuff." He whispered in her ear.

"Not funny." Leila kept walking through the house.

"Not joking." He stopped her and made her look at him. "Just think about it and when you decide let me know so I can help you pack." He kissed her firmly just to make his point clear.

His stuff was still at Leila's so they went back to her house to get him packed. "Are you packing with me or do you have your own suitcase?" He smirked at her. She looked at him wide-eyed. "You have to at least spend the first night there and since it's the weekend you may as well stay longer. We can test the new kitchen." As if that would help her make up her mind. Leila stood there looking at him for a few seconds and left the room. Dave thought he pushed too far and followed her to her bedroom.

He stood in the doorway watching her. "What. I have to pack something unless you plan on spending the entire weekend naked." She smiled to him. He crossed the room faster than she could react and he threw her on the bed.

"Naked sounds good but there's no food so I think we'd need clothes for the store. But as soon as we get back it's naked time." He stuck his hand out and she shook it.

"Deal. Now get out and let me get some things together." She smacked his ass as he went to finish his clothes.