Sam pulled up to his sister's house. The lights were on and the car was in the driveway. That had to be a good thing.
He opened the door to find his beaten and bruised sister passed out on the couch surrounded by empty bottles of wine, beer and vodka.
He walked over but could see her breathing and she didn't seem to be in any pain so he crept upstairs to find Ariel wide awake in her crib.
His heart melted every time he saw his baby niece. Beneath Sam's tough exterior was secretly a soft teddy bear and whilst he would never admit it, Jules knew. He picked her up gently, almost as if she was a delicate flower and could break at any moment. He held her close allowing her hands to wrap around his pinkie. For a brief second, every single problem in Sam's life seemed to slip away and he was able for what seemed like the first time in months, relax. The moment was short lived however after Sam was struck in the back of the head with what felt like a machete but was in fact a lamp. He clung onto Ariel in a desperate attempt to protect her. He turned around to see the lamp coming after him for a second time before he was able to grab onto it and push the intruder up against the wall.
They each paused.
"Maya?"
"Sam?"
Sam rubbed at his head which was clearly bleeding and then proceeded to put Ariel back in her crib.
"What the hell was that for?" Sam tried as quietly as he could to yell at his sister.
Maya flicked on the light.
"What the hell are you doing sneaking around my house at 3am in the morning?"
"You passed out from drinking, didn't cook your children any dinner and now Casey has walked to my house by herself asking for food"
"Well in case you haven't noticed my life isn't going so well right now. How dare you come in here and criticize my parenting skills" Maya walked out of the room and headed for the kitchen.
Sam followed closely behind still looking at the bruises and scars covering her body. He would be lying if he didn't say that he blamed himself for what her husband did to her. He should've seen it.
"Maya look I'm sorry I just worry about you and the kids. They're my family too you know"
"You weren't there Sam! You weren't there all those nights where he would punch me like a rag doll, you weren't there the nights I had to…" She couldn't get the words out. Nor did she want to.
She turned around to hide the tears sliding down her face. She was used to crying in front of Sam seeming as she couldn't cry in front of her parents. They were the strict type and crying only made things worse.
She leaned down at the sink before looking out at the street lights.
"I will never forgive myself…" She was angry, that part was clear; Sam could practically see the rage jumping out of her skin.
"Maya you can't blame yourself…"
"No! Hitting me that was one thing and your right that was never my fault but when he started hitting Casey…that I should've prevented. All those times I just let him hit me in the hopes that he wouldn't touch the kids. And I failed"
She reminded him so much of Jules. Strong-willed, determined and once her mind was made up there was no convincing her otherwise.
He too tilted his head down. She really shouldn't blame herself for him hitting Casey but he wasn't going to argue with her. He knew it would be like arguing with a wall.
"Maya, I need to know if you can handle looking after the kids right now. I mean you did leave the hospital quite early, you're drinking and tired. Please just let me help you"
"I need them Sam; they're the only thing keeping me sane right now. I can't be here on my own"
"Well, Casey seems pretty settled at my house. How about she stays with me for tonight and we'll work the rest out later. You look exhausted, you should get some rest"
He hugged his sister before turning to head out the door.
"Sam?" Maya spoke so quietly almost as if she was whispering
He swung back around to look at her still in the same spot.
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't be, bad things happen and sometimes just a little bit of good comes out of it…which reminds me. I proposed to Jules today"
"What?! You're telling me this now!" She sounded annoyed but honestly it was the best news she had heard in a while. It would help take her minds off things knowing that she would soon have a sister in law. James had practically isolated Maya, forcing her to push away all her friends; it was satisfying to know that she would now have somebody else to turn to in times of need.
She hugged her brother tightly and for a brief second, he could've sworn her saw a smile.
"Look after Casey and please keep her away from that junk you call food"
"I promise to look after her but keep her away from that food you call junk, now that's gonna be hard"
He kissed her forehead before she could return any more smart ass remarks and headed out the door.
*****
Sam quietly opened his front door to see Casey fast asleep on the couch in Jules lap. She was softly playing with Casey's hair and just staring down at the beautiful figure in her lap. The house had heated up and Jules felt it best to take off Casey's coat. The bruises and scars covered her arms and sent shivers down Jules' spine.
She softly ran her fingers down her arm taking in every bump and bruise there was.
Sam gently shut the door to make his presence known but Jules kept her head down at Casey.
He walked over to stand in front of her. She lifted her head slightly making it obvious that she was and had been for a while, crying.
Jules? Crying? That just doesn't happen…ever. In all the time I've known her, all the stories we've shared, all the times spent in her locker room after a tough call, she never once cried.
"Jules…what's wrong?"
She wiped away her tears before placing a smile on her face.
"Nothing Sam…nothing. How'd it go with your sister?"
"Fine. Really Jules, why are you crying?"
"Honestly Sam, don't worry about it. So the others, are they all ok?"
"Damn it Jules stop changing the subject. In case you forgot we are getting married now. Tell me what's wrong."
She looked back down at the beaten child in her hands before looking back up at her fiancés concerned stare.
"Just, hit's close to home is all"
I hope you don't mind, i know the storyline is quite similar to others but Casey needs someone to help her through this!!