Hey. First of all, sorry it has taken so long to update! I would like to say that this is an extra long chapter to make up for it, but...I'd be lying.

Anyways, thank you xBadxRomancesx for reviewing and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter Thirty Eight

Amy stayed in her room all day.

I knew, because I sat outside her room. All day.

The moment I woke up, I knew she wasn't there. I had shot up, rushing through the house in desperation. What if something had happened to her? I couldn't live with myself if it had.

Not again.

I finally calmed down when I found the note on the kitchen table. After reading it, I had wandered upstairs and changed, glad Ben and Nellie were still fast asleep. After pulling on a shirt and a pair of jeans, I slipped on my shoes and strolled back downstairs.

I made myself a cup of tea before sitting down in the kitchen, listening to the tick-tock tick-tock of the clock on the wall. I had to admit, it annoyed me quite a bit.

Sighing, I finished my tea and moved to the living room, turning the TV on and flicking through the channels, but none of them provided me any entertainment. I finally stopped at the Jeremy Kyle show, mildly curious.

I then saw what the issue was.

MY BOYFRIEND HAS BEEN RAPING MY DAUGHTER.

Snatching the remote up, I turned the TV off and threw the remote away from me.

Sighing, I stood up and, pulling my shoes on, opened the front door.

And that's when Amy came hurtling in, tears running down her cheeks.

I had to admit, I was shocked.

Why would my fourteen year old daughter run home, tears streaking down her cheeks?

"Amy?"

Amy ignored me as she flew past me, her arms and legs flying out.

"Amy, what's wrong?" I demanded.

But Amy continued ignoring me. I watched helplessly as she ran up the stairs and around the corner. I could hear her slam the bedroom door shut.

"Mum?"

I looked up to see Ben and Nellie stood at the top of the stairs, staring down at me in confusion.

"Mum, what's up?"

I could only stare up at them, unable to say anything.

What had just happened?

"Ben, Nellie...come downstairs...have some breakfast..." I murmured.

"But, Mum - "

"Just do it, ok!" I snapped.

Ben and Nellie stared at me, Ben with confusion and Nellie with defiance, but they listened to me and came downstairs. I could hear Nellie grumbling as they stomped into the kitchen.

Running a hand through my hair, I walked upstairs.

I paused outside Amy's room, pressing my ear against the door. I could hear her crying.

"Amy?"

I tried to open the door, but not only was it locked, she had pushed something against it. Probably her chest of drawers. Ben used to do it, Nellie used to do it and, I'll admit it, I used to do it.

"Amy, come on," I said, knocking on the door. "Open the door."

She ignored me.

I sighed as my head fell against the door.

"Amy, I can't help you if you don't talk to me."

"GO AWAY!"

Something soft (probably a cushion) went slamming against the door. I couldn't help but laugh softly to myself.

"I'll stay out here all day if I have to, Amy."

She just ignored me.

I rolled my eyes and turned to press my back against the door.

"You know what, I always thought it was Nellie who was a pain in the but when it comes to strops but you are giving her a run for money, Amz."

Silence.

"I always had you down as too sensible to strop, but I guess I was wrong."

Still...silence.

Closing my eyes, I slid onto the floor, curling my legs up to my chest like I was a teenager again.

Looked like I was going to be there a long time.

I shut my eyes for a moment, my head automatically falling back against the door.

"Ow."

I sat in silence, not opening my eyes for ages. I only did so when I heard someone sit next to me.

Opening my eyes lazily, I looked to my side.

"Not you again."

Sweeney merely glared at me.

I sighed. "Do you have any idea what's wrong with kiddo in there?"

"She asked me to stay."

I nodded slowly. "And you told her you couldn't?"

Sweeney didn't answer.

"So that's why she's in there crying her eyes out..." I said thoughtfully.

After a moment of thinking, I punched Sweeney as hard as I could.

Sweeney glared at me, his eyes filled with hatred and anger.

"Why did you - "

"That's for making my daughter cry," I said with a scowl, but then smiled as I leaned up and kissed his cheek. "But that's for coming back."

Sweeney's brow furrowed, but he didn't answer. I smiled and leaned my head against his shoulder.

"Amy gets attached to people really easily," I said softly. "She hates it when people leave her."

Sweeney looked down at me, frowning. "Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

We sat in silence for a moment. Without thinking, I closed my eyes, my head still leaning against Sweeney's shoulder.

"Are you gonna leave again soon?" I asked quietly.

"I have to."

I frowned. "You have totally turned my world around, you know that?"

"I could say the same about you." Sweeney said dryly.