Author note: hey guys, sorry this is so short...next chapter will be waaaay longer...oh, and in case anyone hasnt figured it out, when its 'Like this'its a thought...just though I might clear thatup...so Iwas really bored the other day, and this was also sparked by a convo with Color Esperanza about themeaning over her name, so I looked up all the names of themain characters in my fic...you'd be surprised at what some of them mean...so i figured what the heck, I'lldo a fastfact kinda thing...Raywise protector (that suits him), Madisonson of a mighty warrior, Abigailjoy of the father (can you sayironic? haha), Chrisbearer of Christ (more like Spawn of Satan)Jonathon Tristan(JT)gift of God, bold, melancholy...so yeah, a bit of randomness for ya'all...I'll let you get on with the story...enjoy!

Thanks to all those who reviewed, especially Simple Plan Rulz and CocaCola1052 (this is for you! w/o you, this chapter never would have happened, thanks for the postal blowout idea!)

Chapter 22: Confessions

Abby's P.O.V

After Madi was discharged, the six of us went out to dinner, before going and getting her settled at Nick's.

Back at the hotel Ray and I were lounging around, the television turned to some cheesy made for TV movie. My head was resting on his arm, and he was playing with my hair, something he always seemed to be doing…can someone say fetish? When I finally confessed what had been bothering me.

"Ray?"

"Yeah babe?"

"If I tell you something will you promise not to get angry?" I asked.

"I can't promise I won't get angry, but I can promise to try not to get angry."

'Good enough.'

"I saw…" I started.

"What'd you see Abby?" he asked, rolling over so he look at me.

"I saw…Richard's brother…Greg…at the diner…this morning…" I answered, hating my voice for cracking.

"WHAT!" he snapped, eyes flashing.

I flinched, and he pulled back, eyes wide, noticing the fear that showed in my eyes, realizing he was partly to blame.

"Hey, hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you." He said, rubbing my arm softly.

"It's okay." I whispered, not trusting my voice.

"Why didn't you tell me when we where at the diner? I woulda beat the shit out of him for you." He said, only half joking.

"You were busy with Chris." I replied simply.

His eyes hardened for a moment.

"Don't you know you're more important to me than he will ever be?" he said, spitting he out like it was poison.

"Really?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, I would give you the world if I could."

"Well, I guess it's a good thing I don't want the world than, huh?" I asked, smiling up at him.

He grinned, "Yeah, I guess so."

"I have another question, but you don't have to answer it if you don't want to."

"Shoot."

"What exactly started the feud between you and your father?"

His mouth became a thin, hard line, and his eyes filled with so much hate, I was scared of what he might do. I never realized it was possible for so much hate to be locked inside of one person.

He thought for a moment,

"I think…I think it was because he hurt my mom, who was the only person who loved me, well, other than Madi, and I couldn't do anything to help. Every time I would even attempt to intervene, not only would he hurt me, but he would hurt mom even worse. I constantly felt helpless, like nothing I could ever do would keep him away from her. Or from me."

"I know what that's like."

"You don't know what the hell it's like!" he exploded suddenly.

"The hell I don't, I had to protect my brother, my mother and myself from every drunk ass loser that walked through the door! Let alone the father that liked to "play games" with his little girl! Don't fucking tell me I don't fucking know what you are fucking going through!" I screamed right back.

He just sat there completely silent, and even after I closed my eyes against the hot, angry tears that were threatening to spill over, I could still see the stunned expression on his face. I didn't understand why he was so surprised. Suddenly, the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

'Shit…I never told him…he doesn't know…now I'm gonna hafta explain…and go through all the memories again…' ran through my head, 'maybe he won't ask.' I thought, knowing there was no way I was gonna get away with not telling him.

I know you guys probably hate me right now, and you'll hate me even more when I say what I'm gonna say next

whether or not you get the next chapter depends on the amount of reviews...and I can tell how many people are looking, when I check my stats page, so I'll know whether people are looking or not...so review, it only takes 3 seconds of your time...

Love ya!

Katy