Authors note: Whew. Gave up a lot of sleep writing this, but it was worth it. :) Definitely worth it! One more chapter to go, and this story will come to an end. I am feeling sad now...I'm going to miss writing for this story. And I would love to thank everyone for all of the support. I truly appreciate all of you. :) This was a very hard chapter for me to write...we learn more about Dean's past. I am so sorry :( Also, I'm thinking of writing the last chapter tomorrow...maybe. I'm sensing an Ambreigns reunion tonight on Raw! I'm hoping I'm right :) Anyway, enjoy!
Dean's eyes widened. That voice. That voice was one that he recognized. One that cuts like a knife, that was a stab in his heart. A voice that was just a memory from his past, a sad, soft lullaby singing to him.
He turned around and there she was. Standing in a red dress, auburn hair that went down to her back, and blue eyes surrounded by dark makeup. Standing in front of him was his mother.
"M-mom?" He took a small step towards her, reaching out a hand to her.
"Dean...is it really you?"
"Y-yes...its me mom...how did you know it was me? how did you find me?"
His mothers hands went up to his face, her sparkling painted nails scratching his cheeks.
"I was in the neighborhood, finished having dinner with my alpha at his place. I came outside, and I sensed your scent in the air. I thought I was losing my mind. But I followed it here, and now I have found you..." She let out a light laugh, tears pricking at her eyes. "My son...my youngest pup...I thought I would never see you again."
"Mom!" Dean's arms instantly wrapped around her. He couldn't believe it. The one last person who he thought he would never see again in life, she was finally back. A wave of sadness, shock, and happiness shook through him.
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"She doing better than she was in the past, Roman. She's got a good home, an alpha who treats her well, and she is clean too."
Roman smiled. "That's good, Dean. I'm happy that she's doing good." He was happy for Dean that he and mother were reunited, but a part of him couldn't help but feel concerned, worried.
They had went to visit her in her new home. His mom, Hannah Ambrose, was living the good life. She lived in a big house, lived with an alpha who was very rich, and they even had a young pup of their own.
Dean and Miracle were now living with Roman in his home. Roman didn't want to them to stay in the small apartment, and since they were back together, there was no point in living in separate homes.
Dean was at the moment, getting ready to go see his mom again. They had a lot of catching up to do. Today, they were going out for lunch, then he was going to take her to meet his daughter.
"I have to hurry. Mom wants me to meet her soon."
"Dean...may I talk to you for a moment before you go?"
"Sure. What is it, Roman?"
Roman took his hands in his, looking over Dean's form. He looked amazing, beautiful. Ever since seeing his mom that night, he had been wanting to please her, be good enough for her. He really didn't need to do all that. Roman could tell that his mate was very nervous, very timid around her. He wondered if Dean was doing the right thing by letting her in his life again. From what Roman could tell, she certainly seemed to not have a care in the world that her youngest pup had been missing all this time. Something wasn't right.
"Do I look alright?" Dean asked.
"You look amazing, baby. Dean, listen. There's something you should know."
"Okay, what is it?"
"When you went missing, my mom, dad...they contacted your mother the day you were kidnapped. There was no answer. So, my dad went over to your place, and she wasn't home. Few days later, he went over again, and she was there. Packing up her stuff. I guess she planned on moving out of town."
"Okay...did she know about what happened to me?"
Roman shook his head. "No. My dad had to tell her. I remembering him talking about how strange it was that she didn't cry, didn't know about it, not once didn't even panic, worry about where you might be."
"Well, remember. I did stay over at your place almost everyday, and your family planned on taking me in. Another thing, you must also remember that back then she was pretty fucked up. Didn't give a damn about anything except her next fix."
"That's no excuse, though. If I was her, I would have been doing the first thing I could do to find you. Contacted the police, a detective. My family did that. She moved out of town."
"Roman, my mother's not a bad person..."
"I'm not saying she is. Dean, I just want you to be careful. I don't want to see anything happen to you."
Dean shushed him, giving him a kiss. "Everything will be fine. I promise."
"You sure?"
"I am. You worry too much, Roman."
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"How's things going with Dean and his mother?" Seth asked. Him and the young omega were spending the day together.
"I guess they're going alright. I'm just worried about Dean."
"Why?"
"There's something that that woman is hiding. All those years that she hasn't seen Dean, and what has she been doing? Living the good life. Found herself a rich alpha, had another pup. Going to fancy dinner parties. It doesn't look like she even bothered to even search for him."
"So, you think she's hiding something from him?"
"I think so. And I'm going to find out what it is."
"I think that's a good idea. Also, I should have said something before, but I didn't want to upset Dean."
"Hmm?"
"Roman, you need to keep her away from him. You know how her arms are always covered up? She's hiding her track marks."
"What?! She's not clean?" Now Roman was definitely worried for Dean's safety. The more time he spent around her, the more time it would give her to bring him down. "Seth, how did you find this out?"
"I was unfortunate enough to stumble upon her, sitting in the bathroom. And there she was, with a needle in her arm. Roman, she can't be in Dean's life anymore. That woman, I just know she doesn't care about him, not after what you told me."
"You're right, Seth. She would have searched for him...would have gotten clean...All she cares about is her drugs and money."
"What are you guys talking about?"
Roman turned around, seeing his mate with their daughter in his arms. Miracle was fast asleep, resting against his chest. Roman looked at Dean's face. It seemed as though he been crying, because his eyes were red and puffy.
"Dean...are you okay? What happened?"
"My mother...we were supposed to go see a movie together...I had just picked Miracle up from school." He laid Miracle down on the couch, placing a blanket over her. "We driving...she said she needed to meet up with a friend. So, we go over to her friend's place, and she's giving him money...money for heroin."
"Oh no...Dean..." Roman wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close.
"I took Miracle to the car, told her mama would be soon. I go back inside and I'm screaming at my mom. Telling her that this is fucked up, that she's destroying herself with that poison." He let out a frustrated breath, his fists clenching. "I'm going to watch her slowly kill herself...she told me would get better, that she loves me. Roman, what am I going to do?"
"Dean, I hate to tell you this, but your mom...all she cares about is her drugs. I know you love her, but baby, this is only hurting you. She'll only drag you down along with her."
"But I want to help, Roman! I can't just sit here and let her die."
"And what do you think she was doing all this time while you weren't in her life?" Seth asked. "She went and had herself a grand old time. Not once did she try to find you. She didn't need to worry about being a mother to you. She was done with that role as soon as you went missing."
"S-she loves me...s-she didn't know what to do...the drugs...they were fucking her up."
"Dean, you can't keep making excuses for her behavior. Listen, I'm going to give your mother a call tonight, invite her over. We're going to talk to her. Get to down to the bottom of this. Alright?"
"A-alright...Roman...hold me..." Roman took him in his arms, running a hand down his back, and in his hair. He kissed away at the tears that threatened to fall. "I...I'm so scared...w-what if...what if I find out something I don't like?"
"Its okay, baby."
"I wouldn't be able to look at her the same way again...I don't know if I could live with knowing...knowing the truth..."
"Hey. You listen to me, alright? You got us. Me, Seth, Finn, my family, Miracle...You got all of us. You shouldn't have to worry about anyone who has ever hurt you, done you wrong. They don't matter. What matters is the love we have for you."
"O-okay...I love you, Roman. I love you, and everyone who has ever been there for me. You all are enough."
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Dean held onto Roman's hand, needing him here with him to help him through this. Today, he was finally going to learn the truth. He was finally going to face his past. There was so much that he didn't know, and the only person who had the answers was sitting right in front of him. His mother.
Hannah Ambrose was sitting across from them, talking to someone on the phone. She was all smiles and cheer, not seeming to remember, or even care how much she had hurt her son. She was all dolled up, probably going to a party tonight.
"Mom...we need to talk."
"Hold on a minute, honey."
"Mom. Now."
"Okay. I'm so sorry, Mike. My son wants to talk to me. I'll get back to you later." She hung up, then focused her attention on them. "What do you want to talk about? If this is about yesterday, I'll go to rehab."
"No. You can do whatever you want with your life. I'm done. I'm past the point of caring about you."
"Okay, did Roman put these thoughts in your head? Honey, I love you."
"Then why didn't you try to find me? Why were did you want to give me up so easily?"
The woman sighed, lighting up cigarette. "You know I didn't have the money to take care of you."
"That's because you wasted it all drugs. All you wanted was your next fix. You didn't give a shit whether I went to school, was hungry, or just needed your attention. All that went to your drugs..."
"Not just the drugs. Richard too."
"Who the fuck is he?" Roman asked.
"He was my boyfriend at the time. He was the one I was seeing before your father left. After Mark left, and took Jonny with him, he moved in. You needed a father figure in your life, so I figured Richard would be good."
Dean held clenched Roman's hand tighter. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the memories that were coming back to him. Roman noticed his mate's discomfort. He squeezed Dean's hand, letting him know he was here and that it was okay. Dean looked into his eyes. With Roman he was safe. He may have scared, but here with Roman, nothing could harm him. Not even the painful memories from his past.
He turned back to his mother. "What kind of man was Richard, if you don't mind me asking?"
"He was very nice, very sweet. He also did drugs, but he did go to work. Was able to bring some money home. He was also very strange..."
"Strange? In what way?" Roman asked.
"Oh, I don't know..." She shrugged, not looking at them, tapping her foot nervously. "He had a pretty dark sense of humor. Was affectionate with me when I was pregnant with you...to a point where it creeped me out. He always rubbed my bump, kissing at it. Richard...he had issues..."
"What kinds of issues?" Dean asked.
"Oh, honey...you don't want to know."
"Tell me mom. Tell me everything. I need to know."
"Well, if you insist. Anyway, Richard had issues...that he needed to go to therapy for. I suggested that he should, but he didn't go. He told me it was going to be okay. That he wouldn't do anything."
"What happened after he moved in?"
"He was working a lot. It caused him a lot of stress, trying to provide for us. So, some months later, we're sitting together watching TV. Its going to be Christmas time soon, he wanted to give you something special since he didn't get you anything for your birthday..."
Dean was remembering that night. He was laying in his crib, making cute little sounds. There was a Christmas tree in the house, lights hanging on the walls, Christmas music playing in the background. He remembered being picked up, laying down on the couch, and a man hovering over his tiny body. He remembered being afraid, not liking the way the man was looking at him.
His mother's voice broke through his thoughts. "Richard picks you up from your crib. He lays you down on the couch. I am confused, especially drugged out state of mind. He took off your clothes...and he...he touched you..."
"Wait...hold on a minute. You're saying that your scumbag of a boyfriend raped Dean?" Hearing Hannah say this, it made Roman angry, furious.
"Y-yes."
"Did you try to stop him?"
"He would have hit me if I tried to. Richard was very abusive. I just looked at him, asked him 'Richard, what are you doing? Stop.' And he told me to go fuck myself. After he was done, I picked Dean up, and took him to the hospital. That was when you met Roman, Dean."
"So, that's why you were there. Your mother's boyfriend hurt you." Roman said.
"I must have repressed that memory and so many others in mind. Which is why I didn't remember. But I do now..." He looked at his mother, giving her a cold look. "You stayed with him. It happened more than once, didn't it?"
"You stayed with that asshole even after he hurt your son?!"
"Look, I was in love, okay? Richard would always say he was sorry, that he wasn't going to do it again."
"Father loved you. He would have done anything for you, but you had to go and screw that asshole. You let him hurt me."
"Well, it didn't happen so much after you started staying over at Roman's place all the time."
"You were supposed to take care of me, protect me, love me. But you didn't. What the fuck else are you hiding from me?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes, mother! I would love to! What else did you let him do?"
"Okay, since you want to know bad, here it is. A month before you were kidnapped, Richard and me, we're going through problems. He was fired from his job, calling me a whore because I'm trying to make money by prostituting. But its not enough. So, he suggests that we sell you."
"What?"
"You heard me. He said that we should sell you to an omega market, says that he knows some guys that'll take a young omega pup like you. So fresh, ripe, and young. I tell him its a bad idea, we'll get caught. But he convinced me to do so, said he'll share half of we get. I figured that this will be my chance to start over. That I wouldn't have to worry about you no more."
Dean's face was very pale, his body felt very cold. He wanted to scream. He wanted break something. He now knew the truth. His own mother, the one person who he had once care about and loved so much, had shown him what she truly was. A cold, selfish person. Who cared about no one but herself. The only thing that was keeping him breaking down, was the person next to him. Roman. The one person who would make it all better, chase away all his fears, help him stay strong. He was very grateful that he didn't have to go through this alone.
"Y-you...you sold me...y-you didn't care if I got hurt, or if I died...as long as you were happy..."
"All I can is that I am sorry, Dean. Please, let me show you that I've changed. Let me back in your life." She reached out a hand towards him, but he slapped it away.
"No. Sorry can't fix what you've done. You are not my mother anymore. Roman, could you please get her out of here? I don't want to see anymore."
"Alright. Come on, Hannah." Roman stood up, taking Hannah outside. She fought a bit though, giving him a hard time.
"Dean! Honey, please! Lets talk this over!"
"Hannah, I think its best if you leave right now, before I call the cops."
"You can't keep me away from him. He's my son."
"He's my mate, too. The love of my life. And it is my duty, to protect him from people like you. You stay away from us, understand? Don't you ever try to walk back in his life and hurt him again. If you do, you'll have to deal with me. I won't let you near ever again. Now go."
After giving her a piece of his mind, he slammed the door in her face. He could hear her screaming from outside, but he ignored her. He went over to Dean, who was curled into himself on the couch. He picked him up, Dean's arms wrapping around his neck instantly, burying his face in his chest.
He carried him upstairs to their bedroom, laying down on the bed with him. His mate needed comfort, and he was going to give it to him. He needed to make him safe again.
"Dean?"
"Just hold me...please...don't let me go...please."
Roman kissed the top of his head. "I won't. I won't let you go. Its going to be okay. I'm right here."
Dean leaned up, kissing him gently. He could feel Roman caressing his cheek, could feel his other arm wrapped around his waist. He didn't want to go and hide away anymore. He wanted to stay here, safe in Roman's arms. The place that felt like home to him. Where he belonged.
"You're here."