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Ch 13. Safety In Your Arms
(Owen)
"I'm glad you're here," I comment to Fitz while a few of us grab some more food.
"After everything, so am I, it's nice to see everyone again. In a strange way, you and Clare being together has brought a bunch of us together almost like a family reunion with a few extras too," he comments and I laugh.
After we've grabbed out food we start to head outside but I stop at the living room. I see Tris, Maya, Manny, and Imogen playing with Jack, and Omar sitting and speaking with Lucas, Jay, Emma and Spinner, along with my parents, Emma's parents and Audra speaking on what had been happening and not noticing Helen's attitudes, although given she liked to portray the perfect family bit, it makes sense they wouldn't have noticed.
Fitz stands with me a moment while I watch as some of the others who were getting food catch up with us. But I'm knocked out of my trance when we all hear "Owen, Mark HELP!" screamed from what sounds like outside. I'm so shocked I drop the whole paper plate and food and run out the door to find out what happened and hear a thunder of footsteps and noise following me out.
I come outside to see Gaea laying on the ground and Clare's mom pulling her towards a car and Glen's hand on my wife's neck while Clare struggles to get free. "Get your hands off my wife!" I scream running up to them reaching out about to pull Glen away, but realize that I don't want Clare to get hurt, so instead I kick Glen in the back of one knee, and then when he falters I karate chop the arm that is pinching the back of Clare's neck so he will let go of her, and as soon as he's done that I grab the front of his shirt and give him a right hook square to the jaw, but continue to hold his shirt giving him a second punch to his nose, which begins bleeding. "Don't you ever touch my wife," I tell him as his hands reach up feeling the blood begin gushing from his nose.
"Owen let him go," Bianca tells me grabbing my arm, with Drew by her side, before adding, "Clare needs you there for her. Don't worry we've got him," and she gives me a smirk. I shove Glen away from me letting go, and then I see Audra walk past me with her arms crossed, and probably the scariest look I've ever seen, and I've seen her pretty angry sometimes but never like this. And then Spike walks up beside her.
"Helen Martin, don't you ever touch that girl again! You have no more right to her, and you have witnesses that you are trying to take her daughter from her home against her will, and are disturbing a beautiful family celebration," Audra starts, and Clare is able to turn around slightly.
Helen then turns around glaring at Audra, and Spike and now my mom also, but now I can see Clare's face and see she looks scared, and I no longer hear the sounds and voices of those around me.
Clare appears to be looking beyond me, but I don't look back as she's what's most important to me right now. I continue watching and then our eyes lock, and they stay locked for a moment before she turns away from me so she's facing her mom again, who up until this point hasn't let go of her wrist, although she has stopped pulling Clare. But then Clare surprises many of us by stepping toward her mom and then yanking her arm away forcing Helen to let go.
Now free, Clare runs into my arms wrapping her arms around me and laying her head on my chest. I wrap my arms around her, because I'm happy she is away from her mom, and she has told me how she feels safe being in my arms, and then wrap them just a little tighter. Because of the force Clare used, Helen was knocked backwards into the side of her car. But now that Clare is free I see the women take no time in getting in Helen's face. I don't hear what she says, but all of a sudden my mom slaps Helen which shocks me as she is not the violent type.
A moment later I begin hearing sirens, as they are louder than the voices I had drowned out. Helen tries to run but Audra and Spike grab her. Clare lifts her head from my chest, "I love you Owen," she whispers.
I look down at her smiling and kiss her forehead. "I love you too Clare," I tell her and then she notices something and pulls away from me, and I turn around. Not only are Jay and Lucas now holding Glen, but Gaea is still lying on the ground, with her head in Fitz's lap holding one hand and Emma holding her other hand kneeling beside them. "What happened?" I ask as Clare and I both kneel down on her other side still holding hands, and now I see Gaea's eyes open.
"I tried to reach out to help Clare just after I called for you, but he turned back and pushed me," she says looking towards Glen. "I tripped over something and fell backwards. My foot hurts but so does my head," she comments and I can see the worry in Fitz's face. He appears to be more like me then I ever realized. When it comes to the right and unexpected girl for us we fall fast and hard. Or in this case Gaea did and he's very worried.
A moment later the sirens are much louder and two police cars stop and an ambulance pulls up in front of our house. I'm still not sure who called, but I'm glad they did. As soon as the police are out of their vehicles and before they can even begin speaking Helen decides to take over. "I want these people arrested for kidnapping my daughter, and blackmailing her because something had to have been done to her to make her marry some street thug," she rants in the female officer's face. This officer and the others just nod for a moment taking in the situation and the number of people as Helen keeps ranting about her rights while Audra and Spike still have a hold on her, and I squeeze Clare's hand as we continue to kneel next to Gaea.
"Alright can someone tell me whose house this is please?" a male officer asks.
Helen looks right at him and exclaims, "Stop asking questions and do your damn job. Get me my daughter back!"
The officer stays calm and without even blinking replies, "Ma'am if you don't calm down and let me do my job I'll have you arrested for obstructing justice," the officer replies and I can't help but attempt to stifle my laugh at seeing Helen's face as she goes silent for the moment. "Now can someone please tell me whose house this is?" the officer asks again.
"It belongs to my wife and I officer," my dad speaks up as two of the EMTs rush through the crowd toward Fitz and Gaea. They ask some questions quietly while the officer continues to speak.
"Can you tell me your name, who all lives in this house, as I'm guessing it isn't all of you and the reason there are so many people," the officer comments and walks toward my dad a little still looking around at everyone while a third EMT checks out Glen's nose.
"My name is Noah Milligan, and I live here with my wife Danielle, our sons Owen and Tristan, and Owen's wife Clare. Tristan's best friend Maya is also staying with us at the moment, but she doesn't live here. And we were having a BBQ reception for Owen and Clare with some friends and family who they wanted to celebrate with," dad comments and it surprises me how calm he is staying given the whole situation. While this officer is questioning dad and the EMT's do their jobs, I notice the female officer and another male officer have taken to holding Helen now for Audra and Spike who walk over and stand by their husbands, and the fourth officer walks around and appears to be asking each person their name.
The EMT's have now gotten Gaea onto a stretcher and we all stand beside her. "We need to get her to Toronto Western hospital, it appears she has a sprained ankle and may have a concussion," one of them notes to the police officer.
"Can you tell me your name miss?" the officer asks.
"Gaea," she replies weakly.
"Alright we'll need a statement from her but we'll come to Toronto Western to get it. One of you may go with her, but we'll need to speak with you as well," the officer whose name tag I now notice says Peters, tells us.
We all look at Fitz and Clare tells him to go, so once the EMT's have the stretcher in the ambulance and the third EMT has finished checking out Glen, Fitz gets in the back and the ambulance speeds off.
"Alright, Mr. Milligan so can you please tell me what happened tonight?" asks officer Peters and now that Fitz, Gaea and the EMTs are gone Clare and I move to standing next to my parents.
"We were having this BBQ celebration, and most people were in the house for different reasons, my wife and I included. Clare was outside with Gaea talking and then I believe Helen showed up," dad explains. "None of us except them know what happened because we didn't see or hear anything until Gaea screamed for Owen and Fitz. Well actually she yelled Owen and Mark but they went running out and we all followed," dad continues.
"Alright Clare, can you tell me your full name and what happened here?" Officer Peters questions.
"I'm Mrs. Clare Diana Milligan," she answers and I smile at the sound of that. "My maiden name is Edwards, but I've already sent in the paperwork to have it legally changed to Milligan since I got married. And we were having a wonderful BBQ with our friends tonight. Many of us were out here eating dinner, but for different reasons people headed into the house, including Owen and Mark, so Gaea and I were talking outside when my mother and her husband pulled up. She was screaming at me to get in the car. She grabbed my wrist and began pulling me, and when I resisted she commanded Glen's help and he put his hand at the back of my neck squeezing so that I was forced along. I heard Gaea scream for Owen and Mark, and then I heard a loud thud before a thunder of footsteps. All of a sudden Glen had let go and Audra told off my mom who turned around. I saw the faces of people I consider to be brothers and sisters and then locked eyes with Owen. I remembered what I learned years ago and leveraged against my mom so she lost her grip and I could pull away and ran into Owen's arms," Clare explains.
"Alright Clare, now can you tell me how old you are please? You both look quite young to be married," Officer Peters comments.
"She is far too young and naïve to be married. I am telling you she must have been blackmailed or tricked into this. All these people have some sort of power," Helen rants again trying to resist the officers holding her, which results in her elbowing the female officer in the face. In shock the female officer let's go without intending to, and Helen attempts to get to Clare who I feel shrink into me slightly. I tighten my grip around her shoulders and I see dad take a step forward to protect not only Clare but mom, Tris, Maya and I as well. The others, except Jay and Lucas still holding Glen, step toward us in a form of protection also.
The officer who was previously taking names moves toward Helen as the male officer holding her announces that she is under arrest, and both officers struggle to get cuffs on her. "We're taking her to the station for processing," the taller officer holding her says. "Helen Martin, you are under arrest for assaulting an officer of the law, for resisting arrest, for causing a disturbance, and possibly more charges, you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law," the shorter officer tells her then they both walk her to the police car. Once she's seated in the back with the door shut still glaring at me, Officer Peters tells them both to take her, and he and Officer Wilson will continue on here and then go to the hospital.
"Now Clare, can you please tell us how old you are?" Officer Wilson asks once the first police car is gone and I step out of her way just slightly but keep my arm around her tightly still.
"I'm 18," she remarks.
"And you Owen?" Officer Peters asks.
"19 sir," I answer.
"You were 18 when you got married Clare?" Officer Wilson asks.
"Yes ma'am," Clare responds.
"Can you tell us if your mother has ever threatened or struck or grabbed you before?" Officer Peters asks. And the interview continues like this while we worry about Gaea.
(Fitz)
We arrived at the hospital and Gaea was checked in. Tests were done and her foot was wrapped as it was just a sprain. While the tests were being waited on, I was allowed to sit in her room with her. Since she yelled for Owen and I, I've been extremely worried about this girl I've only known a few days. Could I like her? I wonder, and then a nurse comes in.
"Has her family been contacted?" the nurse asks. They were all too worried about her head when we first arrived to ask anything beyond her name.
"Not yet, we were out on a date and then were at a friend's place for a BBQ. I haven't actually met her family yet," I comment and the nurse nods.
"We'll try contacting them and bring in her head scan results soon," she offers. I nod and she leaves quickly. I know the police are probably still at Owen's house but I decide to text him just to check in, and see how Clare's doing after everything. After texting him I sit next to Gaea and take her hand again. She opens her eyes and smiles at me, and I return the smile.
"How's your head doing?" I ask quietly.
"The back of my head still hurts some, but it's not as bad as earlier," she comments.
"The nurse should be back soon with your test results," I comment and she smiles in response but doesn't nod. We sit in silence for a few minutes and then something comes to mind from what happened earlier. "Gaea when you tried to help Clare by yelling for help you screamed Owen and Mark. You've never called me that and I'm just curious what made you call that?" I comment.
"Sorry, it was a quick thing done on instinct. I didn't know what was happening but knew Clare needed help. You and Owen were who mattered most to get back outside, and although Fitz has the same amount of letters, Mark is easier to say, and besides, I like your name," she responds, and I can't help but smile and think of Clare saying the same type of thing.
"I've never really been fond of my name, but you and Clare are," I remark and we sit in silence for a moment. "I know we've only been on one date, and only known each other for a few days, but I was extremely worried when I ran outside and saw you on the ground. I was wondering if you would be my girlfriend Gaea?" I ask with a nervousness I don't remember ever feeling before.
Gaea smiles from her hospital bed and my nervousness begins to diminish. "I would love to be your girlfriend … Fitz," she smiles through answering but when she says Fitz it's like she struggles to say it, and I'm silent for a moment.
"You can call me Mark too, I can see how much you prefer it, but I still don't want anyone but you and Clare too call me that," I comment, and she smiles, and then leans forward wrapping her arms around me. I wrap her in my arms carefully avoiding all of the wires and tubes.
"Thank you Mark, and you know I feel safe in your arms. Safer than I've felt in a long time," she comments and kisses my cheek as she pulls away lying back against the pillows again. I'm glad she feels safe with me but her remark about not always feeling safe worries me slightly, but I don't get a chance to ask her about it when the nurse and a doctor walk back in.
"Hello Gaea, I'm Dr. Williams, and you are?" he asks me reaching out his hand.
"I go by Fitz, I'm Gaea's boyfriend," I introduce myself and shake his hand. It feels nice to say that; boyfriend. I've never been that before, but I like it already.
"Nice to meet you," Dr. Williams remarks, and then looks back at Gaea. "We have looked at your test results Gaea, and it appears you have a mild concussion due to the impact your head took. We'd like to keep you here another hour, and then you can be released as long as you don't drive at all in the next 48 hours, and you have someone that can wake you every two hours through the night," he explains. "We just want to keep you here for a short time to keep an eye on you before we feel comfortable releasing you. Do you have any questions?" he asks and we both shake our heads. "Now I'll leave you be," he comments, before walking out.
"We tried contacting your parents but we couldn't reach them. Is there anyone else we can call?" the nurse asks.
Gaea shakes her head and then puts her hand to it appearing to be in pain. "No my family only moved here a few months ago. I don't have any other family here, so really Mark is the only other person," Gaea comments pointing to me and I smile at the nurse.
"I can take her home when she's released," I remark.
The nurse nods. "I'm going to give you a pain reliever now, and then send you home with one when you go also. It is only to be taken on an as needed basis and not increasing more than 2 pills every 8 hours," she comments, and then hands Gaea a pill and pours a cup of water from the bed side table and hands it to her. "You have some visitors, so I'll leave you to talk," the nurse comments walking to the door. "Don't talk long she needs to rest," she remarks to whomever is at the door as she leaves, who I then notice are two of the police officers from earlier followed by Owen and Clare holding hands.
"Hello Gaea, Fitz," the male officer comments and I see his nametag says Peters. Owen and Clare walk in smiling at Gaea. Owen and I fist bump and Clare leans down giving me a quick hug.
"How are you Clare?" I ask.
"My arm is still throbbing and although even I agree she deserved it, I feel sorry that my mom has been arrested," she tells us, and I'm a little surprised by this. "But I'm happy to have so much support and love even if it's not from my parents," she adds and I smile knowing she will always have my love and support. Owen and Clare sit down and then the officer begins talking again.
"So we spoke with everyone else, but now we'd like to talk to the both of you about what happened," Officer Peters explains and I nod. "You were inside when Mr. & Mrs. Martin arrived Fitz?" he asks.
"Yes sir, I had gone inside with Owen and a few of the older guys to get some more food," I answer.
"And you didn't come out until you heard Gaea yell? Is that right?" he asks while the female officer is taking notes.
"That's right, she yelled for Owen and I and we dropped our plates and raced outside. I didn't even realize really what was going on. I saw something happening by the car and Owen racing for it, but when I got to Gaea on the ground with her eyes closed I knelt down and lifted her head into my lap and grabbed one of her hands. I could hear a commotion, and then Emma knelt beside me. I heard a male voice speaking to what sounded like 911 and requesting an ambulance which I prayed would arrive soon, and just sat in worry looking between Gaea's face and the sky," I explain and thinking back I was silently communicating with God for help. "I'm sorry I didn't know you were in trouble Clare," I sigh.
"It's ok Mark, you were worried about Gaea," Clare remarks, and I remember her positiveity.
"Alright, now Gaea can you tell us what happened as you were the only one with Clare when her mother and step-father showed up," Officer Peters remarks.
"Clare and I were talking and finishing up our food outside and I wanted to talk to her about something, but then her mom and step-dad pulled up. She quickly told me who they were as her mom started commenting angrily on how Clare hadn't come home and other things I don't remember about what's been going on. She walked up to us quickly while she spoke and then grabbed Clare's arm and started pulling her. I could see Clare was worried and was struggling against her mom when she told her husband to help. He grabbed Clare's neck from the back and it appeared quite tight as he attempted to push her toward the car making Clare's struggling that much harder. I yelled for Owen and Mark and then reached out trying to pull Mr. Martin away but he turned back at me shoving me back. I tripped over something and hit my head. That's all I really remember until I opened my eyes and was looking up at the sky for a moment and my head was cushioned by something kind of soft. I'm guessing now that was when my head was lying in Mark's lap," Gaea explains and I can't help but smile. "The doctor says I have a minor concussion and a sprained ankle," she informs the officers.
"Ok, given everything we've heard, I think we have more than sufficient evidence to hold your mother and step-father Clare," Officer Wilson comments. "Gaea would you like to press charges against Mr. Martin?" she asks.
"I'd like him to stay away from me, but no I don't think I'd feel right charging him, he was just doing what he thought was right," she answers and I'm slightly stunned.
"Well you have some time if you change your mind, and we spoke with Omar Torres who was putting together the papers for Clare, Owen and Emma to get orders of protection against Helen Martin, so I believe it can be arranged that Glen Martin be added to those orders and you be added to those being protected," Officer Wilson explains.
"Mark too?" Gaea asks and she's just so sweet about it.
"As your boyfriend, it may be able to extend to him also, but that will be up to the papers Mr. Torres writes up and the judge approving them," she explains to us all and we all nod while Gaea just smiles in response. "Thank you for being patient, and answering our questions, if you think of anything else, or you decide to press charges Gaea please give us a call," Officer Wilson adds. They both shake our hands and then leave the hospital.
"So how did everything go down with your mom after we left?" I ask Clare curiously. "I thought she calmed down after they warned her she could be arrested," I add.
"She did, for a while, and then Officer Peters asked how old I was commenting that Owen and I looked young to be married. But that's what set her off, she started ranting about how I was young and naïve and must have been blackmailed or tricked, and started fighting the officers that were holding her, enough that she elbowed one in the face and started trying to come after me," Clare tells us and Gaea gasps slightly. "Everyone became even more protective and the officers told my mom she was under arrest and she started fighting it even more, even once the hand cuffs were on, so the other two male officers took her to the station for booking," Clare explains and I can't help but laugh a little.
"I'm sorry Clare, I know she's your mom, but I just don't get where her mind is when it comes to not seeing that you're happy with Owen, especially today," I comment and she smiles at me.
"I know what you mean, it's like a switch was turned off when everything happened with Darcy and my dad and its taking her even further away from who she once was. Even I barely recognize her anymore," she comments, and I don't know what to say.
"Speaking of being happy, you two sure look it," Owen remarks from the chairs he's sitting in with Clare on his lap.
Gaea looks at me and smiles, and I can't help but love her smile. "We are, Mark and I are happy," she responds.
"Mark? Does that mean you two are together, cause besides me no one is allowed to call you that," Clare comments.
"Yep, I asked Gaea to be my girlfriend, she said yes, and I told her that you and she could call me Mark but I still don't want anyone else to call me that," I comment, and Owen makes a face. "What?" I question.
"I understand it for your girlfriend I guess, but what made you ever agree that my wife could use your name too?" he questions, and seriously even I don't have a real response to that.
"There's just something about Clare. And dude you are a VERY lucky man, don't ever let her go," I comment and they all smile at me.
"Never gonna happen," Owen remarks with a huge grin as he wraps his arms around Clare and she places her hands on top of his. It's now I actually can see that their rings match.
"So you two actually went out separately and yet you got matching rings?" I ask.
"I guess we really do match up. Cause I went out with Bianca on Friday to look for a ring to surprise Clare with," Owen begins.
"And I was out Saturday with Emma and Maya for a girl's day and we found this ring and I knew it was the right one," Clare finishes with a smile.
The nurse and doctor both come back in a moment later. "Alright Gaea, we feel that you can go home now, but remember what I said about no driving, and needing someone to wake you up every two hours. Now it is a mild concussion so the symptoms should be gone in a few days but if they linger into a week or more, or the pain gets worse then come back in and see us," the doctor comments. "Now I believe the nurse mentioned sending you home with some pain meds, so she will give you the instructions for those and be in shortly with your discharge papers," he mentions. "Any questions?" he asks.
"When can she begin driving again?" I ask just to be sure.
"I'd say give it 3-4 days, but if you get dizzy, nauseous or it bothers your eyes then I want you to stop right away," he comments. "Sometimes it's hard to know how much even a mild concussion can affect eye sight." We all nod, and he smiles and leaves the room. The nurse removes all the wires, and says she'll be back with the paperwork. Gaea sits up attempting to not get dizzy and holds my hand.
"Are you guys ready to go? We'll drive you back to my house so Fitz can get his car," Owen comments.
"Thanks Owen," I remark. "But if the two of you are here, what happened at your house?" I ask, and really hope they didn't end it just to come get us at the hospital.
"Once the police were all done with their questions and had driven Glen to the police station it was decided that it seemed best if everyone just headed home, and they knew how much we were worried and wanting to see you guys so Officer Peters came back and we followed them here," Clare comments and I can't help but smile slightly. "Omar wants to talk to you both about what happened so he can file the paperwork, but it can wait," she adds. I never did really like lawyers but I'm willing to do it if it protects Clare, Gaea, Owen and I.
After she seems to be doing alright with sitting up, I help Gaea to stand up and she asks Clare to help her get changed in the washroom. In a way I understand her asking Clare, as we've only known each other a few days, but I am slightly disappointed she didn't ask me. When they come back out the nurse has returned and hands me a bottle of pain pills, and then Gaea and I both have to sign the forms so she can be discharged as I am the one she's leaving with and am stating she will have someone to wake her up through the night.
I ask the orderly if I can push her wheelchair out and then Owen gets his car and we all head back to his place. "You're welcome to come inside," Owen offers when we get back and I look at Gaea.
"Although I'd still like to talk to Clare like I had started to when her mom showed up, my head is bothering me so I think I'd just like to go home and lie down, but thank you," Gaea tells us, and I smile.
"Of course we can talk Gaea, any time," Clare responds and then gives her a hug. The rest of us hug, except Owen and I who fist bump. We congratulate Clare and Owen again, and then I start driving Gaea home.