Last chapter. (sniffs) It seems like only yesterday I started this story. But the sequel will be up soon! YAY!
I own nothing The Almighty Larson owns it all, except the title and Matt. Those two things belong to i'llbeyourcoat and Gema227.
Collins unwrapped Susie's arms from around him and noticed that behind her were her backpack and her bear.
"Tell me you didn't run away," Collins said.
"Okay . . . I didn't run away," Susie replied.
"Don't lie to me."
"But you just told me to tell you that I didn't run away. What's the point of not lying if I'm not doing what you asked me to do?"
"Susie, sweetheart, he already knows you ran away," Angel said. "He's basically asking why."
"Well-" Susie started.
"I don't need to ask why," Collins interrupted. "You shouldn't have done it in the first place. Do you know how worried your parents will be when they find out their eight-year-old daughter isn't in bed at . . . almost midnight?"
"I don't care," Susie murmured.
"What was that?" Susie looked up at Collins' somewhat angry expression and fixed hers to match.
"I don't care!" she shouted. "I don't wanna be a Benson!" Collins scowled at her.
"You don't wanna be a Benson?" he asked. "The Bensons took you into their home as their daughter and all of sudden you don't care that you'll give them both a heart attack when they find you missing!?"
"I don't care what happens to them! They can go jump off a cliff!"
"I'm takin' you back home." Collins grabbed Susie's arm and she pulled away.
"No, you're not! I'm not going back and you can't make me!"
"Oh yes I can." Collins picked Susie up and put her over his shoulder.
"Put me down, Collins!" Susie demanded.
"Honey, I don't think this is the best way to handle this," Angel said.
"If she doesn't go voluntarily, then she's goin' by force," Collins replied.
"Collins, I don't wanna go back!" Susie cried. Tears started falling from her eyes.
"Honey, she's crying," Angel told Collins, who sighed and put her back on the floor. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"I don't wanna go back. Please don't send me back, Collins."
"Susie, if I keep you here, I could be arrested for kidnapping," Collins explained.
"You can't send me back there! He'll hit me again! I know he will!" Collins' eyes widened.
"Who'll hit you again?" he asked.
"My so-called dad," Susie replied quietly. She turned her back to Collins and lifted her shirt slightly to show him the bruises.
"How could he . . . why would he . . .?" Though his question was intended to be rhetorical, he didn't finish it. Susie then turned back around to face him.
"Please can I stay here?" she asked. "Please? It's just for a couple nights." Collins nodded and Susie picked up her things and followed him to the spare room as Angel went back to their bedroom. Since she was already in her pajamas, Susie put her backpack on the floor and climbed into the small bed with her bear.
"Comfortable?" Collins asked. Susie nodded and Collins started to leave the room.
"Wait!" Susie called after him. "Can you tuck me in?" Collins smiled and did so before kissing Susie's forehead. "You know Collins, sometimes I wish you were my dad."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Do you sometimes wish you were my dad too?" Collins hesitated before answering.
"Yeah," he finally said. "Sometimes." Susie smiled and held her arms up for a hug. Collins chuckled and gave her the hug she desired.
"Goodnight, Collins," Susie said. "I love you."
"I love you too, Susie," Collins replied. Their hug was soon broken and Collins went back to his and Angel's room with an idea in his head, smiling.
"You seem happy," Angel said, noticing his smile.
"I am happy," Collins replied. He and Angel lied down. "Hey Angel?"
"Yes honey?"
"What do you think about adopting an abused child?"
"Well, it's official," Linda said. "She's yours once you sign your names." Collins signed his name on the line of the adoption form first. Susie watched him, smiling and bouncing in a chair. "How could they have her for six months and just . . . hit her like that?"
"They said it was discipline," Susie explained, still bouncing.
"They must have a twisted way of disciplining children," Collins replied, giving Angel the pen.
"What's discipline?"
"Making someone follow rules."
"Oh. They never actually told me what it was."
"Susie, will you stop bouncing in that chair?" Linda asked.
"I can't help it," Susie replied. "I'm excited!"
"All done, honey," Angel said, smiling.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAY!" Susie exclaimed.
"Calm yourself down," Linda told her.
"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay." Susie's voice was a mock whisper. Collins laughed and picked up his newly adopted daughter. "I have the best dad in the world!"
"Aw," Collins said, receiving a kiss on the cheek from Susie.
"And the best mom too!" Susie gave Angel a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks sweetie," Angel said, smiling.
"Can I get down for a minute?" Collins put Susie down and she gave Linda a hug. "I'll miss you, Miss Linda."
"I'll miss you too, Susie," Linda replied. "Make sure you treat her right."
"We will," Angel said.
"Can I have a piggyback ride?" Susie asked Collins.
"I don't know about that," Collins replied. Susie pouted and batted her eyelashes. "Oh fine." Collins picked Susie up and slung her on his back. She giggled as they headed back to the apartment to start their new life.
YAY! IT'S DONE! (party) Keep your eyes open for the sequel.
Review please.