John's POV

It crushed me seeing her in this state. She hadn't stopped crying since Christian and Ana dropped her off. She loved them… she wanted them… but she felt left out in anything they did… We hadn't told her about everything we found. I didn't want her to deal with that for now. I was still trying to get her talking to me. She was opening up slowly… but I couldn't help thinking that this would set her back few paces. The only good thing is that both Walter and Derek weren't home. They would not have taken Sera's state good. After she showered and was ready for bed I decided that she should have her second bag.

I sat beside her, and while I've administered the second bag for the day, I decided to change the dressing on her wound. Grace called me to give the news. Carrick expressed his feelings. We decided that for a few days she should stay with them. Medically it will help her… but… I had to admit it to myself… I don't want her to go. We all are attached to her, so we decided that she should stay with us for now. It pained me seeing all that over her body. Scars over scars…

Flashback – Few hours earlier

'Do you think it was a good idea that we've let her stay for a whole day John?' Rhian asked as she hugged me from behind.

'I don't know Rhi… I really don't…' I replied back as I held my cheek forward for her to drop a kiss. 'I can't keep them away from her… They are her parents.'

'…and we have Sera's custody. We are more of parents to her than Christian and Ana ever were…'

'I know…' I admitted. 'You know Rhian…' I started as I guided her to sit on my lap. 'She was the least person I ever thought would end up this way… I've seen other girls with eating disorders…'

'John… you know as much as I do… It's always the least person you expect it from…'

'…but she was happy… she was healthy… she used to bright up my day when I visited her when she was younger… Do you remember how much fun we three used to have? And even after Derek was born… She still used to make us both smile with everything…'

'I remember John… and I miss those times… I sometimes look at her and don't recognise her… Do you remember when we got married?'

'She cried… she thought I won't have any more time for her…'

'I promised her that if you don't make time for her I'll kick you in the butt…' She replied smiling. 'I remember she jumped on me hugging me so hard! The kid loves you John…'

'…and she loves you Rhian! She communicates with you more than she communicates with Ana…'

'We made more time for her than her parents did… She's only related to them by blood…'

'Don't let her hear you saying that Rhian… She loves them with all her heart… She wants a family so bad…'

'We can give it to her John… I… I'd like to adopt her… If you agree?' she asked slowly.

'…Christian and Ana won't accept… I… thought about it too… and it does sound appealing…'

'Walter and Derek are suspecting things as well. Walter asked me why Sera's parents never visit her or call her… and Derek isn't stupid… He is innocent but not stupid… He knows there is something wrong…'

'Funny… Walter and Derek asked me if Sera is going to be their sister…' I replied.

'John you know that if Sera becomes 18 she can practically refuse treatment…'

'We're racing with time…' I replied. 'However she won't be able to refuse treatment… I'll take her to court if anything… I'll fight for her medical decisions and custody.'

'What do you mean John? Are you saying she is incompetent?'

'In her medical aspect? In her health? Yeah… she practically is… She doesn't realise all the damage she's doing to herself...'

'…but incompetence? Don't you think it is too far John?' She reasoned.

'Rhian you know as much as I do… If we'll leave it up to her she will keep starving until her body gives out and dies…' I replied again. 'I'm not letting her die on me… on us…'

'You're right… but let's not think about it… we do the hurdle when we come to it…' She replied. 'Listen in an hour or so, I'm taking the kids to my mother, and they asked me to spend the night… do you mind if you'll be alone with Sera for today?'

'Well… I will be missing my wife and kids… but I don't see a problem… Just make sure to drive safely back…' I smiled. '…and I raised two beautiful kids with you Rhian… Do you really think that taking care of Sera would be a difficulty?'

'No… of course I don't…' she smiled back. 'I just wanted to know if you needed anything…' She continued while she kissed me. 'Call me anytime if you need anything…'

End of Flashback

I held her close to me and kissed her forehead while rubbing her back soothingly. I wished I could take all that pain away from her… fixing all the hurt she has in her… taking away all the anger she has in herself… anything that would finally make her.

'Sera… don't worry… you're safe now…'

'Why do they keep arguing Flynn?' She asked me gently.

'I don't know… but I think they have some conflicts… which you shouldn't worry about… it's their problems not yours…' I tried.

'How can I not? They're my parents John… I…'

'No Sera! They are adults… you are their kid… if anything they should be the ones worrying not you!'

'John…' She grumbled annoyed.

'No… I'm serious Sera… Do you think that I don't know that you still don't sleep at night? Do you think that I don't know how much you cry at night? Rhian and I both lay awake at night listening to you at times… just to make sure you're ok…'

'I'm sorry…' She replied in shame as she hid her face in my chest.

'For what Sera? There is nothing to be sorry about! You have to realize this… there is nothing more important to parent's than their child's welfare…'

'…but I am not your child John…'

'To me you are… to us you are Sera! We love you as if you are one of us… as if you are a Flynn…'

'Is that why you let Walter's headmaster refer to me as your daughter?'

'Yes…' I admitted. '…and we're not ashamed of it… Sera, why do you think that I've taken your custody?'

'I don't know…' She replied back slowly.

'…it's because I'm tired of seeing you waiting in the corner… you need love… you need a family… and we can give that to you… love isn't bought and it's very cheap, but when one obtains it, he'll be the richest person on the face of the earth and the whole universe. Sera money and wealth doesn't make a person happy if they don't have the basic fundamental aspect of life…' I explained. 'Sera, you are a person whether you believe it or not… and you are mature for your age… you need to slow down and let people in… let me in…'

'I can't John…'

'Why can't you little one?' I asked as I caught her tears.

'…because you'll all leave in the end John… and I'll be alone again… talking doesn't solve anything… and you know it… my parents promised me they'll never leave me… and I believed them… I let them in… and look where we are… we are stuck in this place… dad promised me that he'll be there… but I don't quite believe him… he already did and never fulfilled his promises… my mother… she's another story… she's annoyed with everything… and I don't know what to do to make it all better.' She replied. '…it is all an illusion John.'

'Listen to me Sera… if your parents gave up on you it's their problem. They don't realise what they have… it is their loss… not with me… I'm not making futile promises… I'm not going to leave you alone… not now… not ever! I don't consider myself your uncle… I love you as my own daughter… my own flesh and blood daughter…' I insisted as I lifted her off and held her on my lap. 'Sera I'm never giving up on you… and neither Rhian is… not to mention… Walter and Derek adore you and love you… if they can, they would spend every single second with you…'

'I love them…' She smiled.

'I know you do… you become yourself again… the Sera I used to know with them…'

'Kids do bring the best of us don't they?' She laughed a little.

'Yeah…' I smiled back. 'They do…'

'John…'

'Yeah?'

'Do you regret having me here?'

'Never Sera… not in a million years…'

'…but… don't you feel occupied? You know… what about your private time with Rhian?'

'Sera… I do have private time with Rhian…' I replied back smiling. 'We have Walter and Derek and they're still young… you are no difference. Instead of having two kids to take care of we have three…'

'You talk about kids as if they are easy to raise!'

'They are… if you do it the right way… there is no book instructing us how to be good parents. We just go with instinct and how we think we should help you three in doing the right thing.' I explained. 'Yes… we have to do sacrifices, but the rewards are far greater than we bargained for. We have your love, and that is already a lot. Walter always manages to take my mind of things… Derek is great at listening and making us smile… You can be a voice of reason at times… not to mention… I've found someone who can actually challenge me!'

'Who me?'

'Yeah… don't you remember New Year's Eve? You are not weak-minded Sera… and I wish you can see that! You should give yourself more credit…'

'I wish my parents can see me that way…'

'They will… in due time…' I answered back. 'Sera… you've never told me… What happened that night?' I decided to push it further. She was finally talking to me… I had to do this step while I could.

'John…'

'No Sera… you need to let this out…' I insisted again while I held her protectively.

'I've been thinking...' she started. '...remember when Natalie said... She ... She made the deed?'

'Yes' I smiled 'I recall you called me to be the psycho guy... What about it?'

'How...how is love making?...' She shyly asked me.

'Sex?'

'Yes...'

'Didn't your parents have the talk with you?' I asked gently wanting to know how far she knows.

'Dad told me everything... Mum was quite shy discussing certain things... It was a bit uncomfortable with my father...'

'What did he tell you?'

'Just the act...' She continued as she looked towards her fingers. '...but... How is it? How am I supposed to feel about it?'

'First and foremost... Sex has to always be between two consenting adults... If one of the partners doesn't want to go through with it and the other person forces himself on the other one, it is considered as rape.' I started while she squirmed on my lap. 'I know it's a sore subject for you... But you have to talk about what happened...'

'Not today... Please not today!' she begged

'Sera you have to talk about what's eating you...'

'I can't... I'm scared...' she confessed.

'Of what? I'm not going to judge you for sure... And it's not your fault either!'

'... I'm scared that if I talk about it... It would make it seem real...' She finally admitted in a low voice. '... Like this... It seems as if it is only a nightmare... And it never happened...'

'You're still having nightmares... What happened is real...'

Sera's POV

'Please John!... Please...' I begged.

'Tell, me this... How do you feel about being abused?' He asked again.

I remained quiet... I never quite thought about it... My parents always told me to save myself, for the right one... But how was I to know who the right one is? ... My mother always told me that men don't want someone who sleeps around... They want someone to be theirs... Only theirs... Like my parents...

John's POV

'Sera?'... I asked again taking her out of her deep trance

'I... Mum... Mum always said ... That... That men don't want used girls... No...nobody would want me...' I said while tears ran through my cheek... He held me closer and dried my tears.

'You feel used?'

'... I hate myself... I hate how I look... I hate how I feel... I hate everything about myself... He... He forced himself... Mum told me that the first time is always painful but it would be good and nice... But... It was more painful...then enjoyable...'

'It is a rape... You didn't want to do it... As you said... He forced himself...you tried restraining...' I continued before she cut me out.

'Please please stop!' She cried while I rubbed her back.

'No…' I simply replied. 'You need to hear this… What he did to you isn't acceptable, and was beyond cruel… he had his time and you're suffering… Sera it wasn't your fault… you did nothing wrong…' I explained. 'Sera, how do you feel about what happened?'

'I… I don't know what I'm supposed to feel…' She admitted. 'I have these conflicts in me… these feelings… sometimes I think I deserved it because I went against dad's rules and lied to him… sometimes I think that I may have led him on… sometimes… I don't know…'

'…and how you describe yourself in one word?'

'Worthless John… that's what I am… worthless…' She replied again. 'I'm this useless waste of space…'

'Ladybug you are not worthless…'

'Of course I am John! Look at me…'

'I look at you… and all I see is a young mature woman with a great heart… you keep loving and giving and make sure that everyone around you is happy… you don't care if your feelings get hurt for as long as you help the ones around you. You try to help out everyone even if they hurt you… and you keep loving and wanting your parent even though they hurt you and pushed you away…' I replied. 'That is what I see in you Sera… I don't see a worthless person… I see a person that had been strong a lot of times… and when she needed someone, nobody turned to her… but I am… Rhian and I are… your grandparents are! They love you with all their heart! Elliot and Mia love you as well! And even Kate!'

'What about my parents John?'

'They love you too! They have a rough patch right now. Christian is trying to understand you… and I heard you two are finally talking…'

'…but I don't really trust him John… he said I lost my title as his daughter… than what am I? This is the second time he said it… the first time in different words…'

'What do you mean?'

'He had to win some contract and the company's people asked him if I was in the way as he may have needed to go abroad and stuff… he said that I don't mean anything to him…'

'I'm sure he didn't mean it!'

'How do you know? You are his therapist… you are his brother… but you are not in his mind…'

'…and neither are you Sera! He may change… even Ana… they just need some time… but you can't give up… you have other people that love you Sera… I know your parents mean everything to you… but that doesn't mean you shouldn't turn to us whenever you need anything… my door has always been open for you and will always be!' I explained. 'Let me tell you what… what do you say if next week we'll have a family session? I have to make this clear… you are not going back home with them… the least stress they put on you will push you over the limit… we'll just talk… what do you think?' I suggested.

'I… I don't know…' She replied. '…but I trust you…' She continued as she curled up and let me comfort her.

'Sera… what happened that night?' I asked her again. 'I know it's going to be hard…'

'Can you ask the questions and I'll answer them?'

'No… you need to tell me everything at your own pace Sera… and on your own… it is the only way you can get rid of this…' I insisted again as I held the palm of her hand and ran smooth circles over it. 'I'm here for you…' I encouraged as I squeezed her hand gently. 'Sera… what happened?'

Sera's POV

'I… We… Nat, Mark and I went to Estillo. It was fun at first… we danced the night off… It was actually fun… it felt good breaking the rules… you know… finally some space…' I started slowly. 'I had my first share of alcohol that night… I couldn't understand how Natalie managed to remain fully functional after 3 or so…' I continued. 'Then… then while we were drinking and talking at the table… a waiter brought me a drink… he said it was from Josh. He was cute… I kind of liked him. Natalie encouraged me to accept it and he came to talk to me… I faked my name… I said I'm Melissa… He was sweet… he's a pharmacy student… so we had what to talk about… I kept getting thirsty and literally drunk it in one breath… I started feeling woozy… and all clammy… my heart was racing… and my vision was getting blurry… I felt my arms heavy… and so were my legs… he brought me the second one and I accepted it…' I continued while I stopped.

'What happened then?' He asked me again.

'I don't exactly remember everything… there are some bits missing…'

'Don't worry… just tell me what you remember…'

'After I drank he second one…

Flashback

'IT's no use fighting me Melissa. I have you now, and nobody will hear you if you scream. There's too much noise for someone to care.'

'Please Josh… please… stop it…'

'No…' He said again as he started kissing me again and pushed his tongue in my mouth.

I tried squirming underneath him, but it was to no avail. He pinned me harder and threw me hard on the floor as if I was a piece of rug. I tried escaping from there, but I felt too tired. He came on top of me and started squeezing my breasts with one hand while pinning me down.

He quickly slid down between my legs and parted them away. He found my panty, and slid his finger harshly inside me. It hurt… I cried… I begged him to stop… I tried fighting him, but it was to no success. He simply increased his strength and slapped me again and went back to his doing.

'Damn… you're so tight… you're a virgin… all the better…' He smiled wickedly.

He continued pushing in his finger, not caring that I was hurting. I tried resisting him, but the more I did, the harder he fingered. It wasn't long till I heard his zipper being undone, and his boxers to his foot.

I felt his erection to my thigh.

'Please… don't… I have money… I'll give you money…' I begged… 'PLEAASSSEEEEE' I SCREAMED AS HE PUSHED HIS THROBBING ERECTION INSIDE OF ME.

I felt a sharp pain hitting me down there, and although I resisted, he still pushed past it, and kept moving. I closed my eyes, hoping that it will all end all fast… but that wasn't the plan… he stopped… feeling my breasts. He squeezed my nipples hard, and bit me in every place he could find available. Until he entered me again.

'Damn… you're so tight! So good!' He said while moaning.

'please… stoppp.' I begged. 'Please Josh…'

'Yes… Yes… say my name while I cum…'

I felt myself losing consciousness… I was tired of fighting… tired of holding on. Tired of everything.

'Yes…. Yess… that's it…' He said as he pushed harder. I felt something warm coming inside me. Was that a man coming? Please…I hope not.

End of Flashback

John's POV

She was crying hysterically as she finished. I held her tighter. I tried comforting her as possible. I didn't want her to have a panic attack… that's the least thing she needed.

'Make it stop… please make it stop! Let me die!' She begged while I held her stronger as she hit my chest. She could hurt herself more than she could hurt me. 'Just let me die! Kill me now! Please!' She cried.

'Sera! Sera listen to me!' I started as I held her tighter to me. 'I know how it feels… it is hard now… but I promise it will all get better… Please Sera! Stop fighting me… Let me comfort you!' I said while I felt her fight subsiding. 'Shh ladybug… it will all be better…'

'It hurts Uncle… It hurts…' She admitted. 'I want to end it uncle… I really do…' She said again in a soft voice. I just realized she called me uncle… /'uncle… she was letting me in…'/ I thought to myself… she was letting me in…

'Shh ladybug!' I said again. 'I'll always be here for you… I'm never leaving you alone…'

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