There was a knock on the door the next morning, Johnny rose to answer it as Lulu was still asleep.
"Hey mate, what happened last night? I heard a lot of screaming." Ethan Lovett stood in the doorway, Ethan was Lulu's newfound brother and good friend to Johnny. Ethan lived just across the hall from Johnny and Lulu, Ethan had been concerned at the noises last night.
"Claudia attacked Lulu at four in the morning, I threw my sister out. I don't play about Lulu, with ANYONE. My sister doesn't respect my girlfriend, and sure as hell doesn't respect me. Ethan I'm telling you, I want nothing to do with my family." Johnny was irritated, and about to the point of no return regarding his family. Johnny had already told Anthony to shove it, he loved his sister but he wasn't dealing with the disrespect.
"Wow...I had no idea Claudia would stoop this low. Is my sister okay? I don't blame you, this is out of control." Ethan was shocked.
"Come inside man, you know your always welcome. Lulu is still sleeping but, Claudia slammed her head into the counter, Lulu had blood dripping down the side of her face...I thought about taking her to the hospital, but then she started to sound like herself again. I bandaged her up, we went to bed. I don't know where Claudia went and I don't really care, but she can't stay here anymore."Johnny was final with his decision, and Ethan nodded.
"I don't blame you, have you found a job yet? I know it can be tough around here. I hope sis will be alright, literally a month ago she got out of Shadybrooke. Lulu can't catch a break." Ethan shakes his head.
"Actually, Coleman offered me a job yesterday...I'm going in tonight. If you could, maybe check in on Lu. I know, we spent so much time apart that I just want to make up for lost time. It was hell without her, I never want to go through that again." Johnny shudders at the thought of all they'd been through, it made him want to clutch Lulu tighter.
"That's good, of course she's my sister. I'll come over when you leave, just text me. You two are honestly great together, I couldn't ask for a better mate to look after my sis. Lulu can be a lot to handle at times but, you somehow always seem to reign her in." Ethan hadn't known Lulu long but, enough to get a feel of what she was like. Johnny really could handle all of her mood swings, he always knew what to do to make her happy.
"Thanks Lovett. Lulu can be but, so can I. In all honesty, Lulu isn't hard to love because I fell in love the night we met. I'm always gonna take care of her, because she takes care of me." Johnny spoke the truth, it was genuinely how he felt.
"I've got a few things to do but, I'll be around tonight. Take care, Zacchara." Ethan nods, walking back to his apartment and Johnny shut the door. Johnny hadn't known Ethan long but, Ethan cared about his sister. Ethan cared about having a good relationship with Johnny, and was a man of his word.
"Johnny..." He heard being called from his bedroom.
"I'm coming." Johnny calls back, walking towards the bedroom.
"Let's save that for when you get home from work, shall we?" Lulu smirked, despite the pounding in her head.
"I see somebody is feeling better." Johnny chuckled, sitting beside her on the bed.
"Wait...how did you know I got a job?* Johnny was surprised.
"Coleman told me! You know, I'm one of his favorite customers. I can't wait for you to start! I know it's going to be a big change for you, but I believe in you. Just remember that I love you." Lulu patted his shoulder.
"I know, I'm doing this for you. For us. I want to give you the world, I can't do that with my family looming over me. I'm sorry I didn't believe you about Claudia, you were right. I know that it won't be easy but, I get to come home to you every night. It's worth it.' Johnny really did love her, he would do anything for her.
"You're doing good baby, I'm proud of you. I know that I've put you through a lot, I'm surprised you still want to be with me. I'm serious. Hey, I'm always right. What do you mean?" Lulu smirked, kissing his cheek.
"Lulu we've been over this, any sensible man would have done what I did. I told everyone that I killed Logan because you shouldn't go to prison for protecting yourself. Prison is rough, I was only in there a month but that's no place for an angel like you. So what? I've put you through a lot, the important things is that we love each other. You make me happy, talking about Hayes isn't going to make you feel good, I don't want you to feel bad about yourself anymore. You're proud of me? I'm proud of YOU, you were fighting for your mind every single day some people never come back from that. That should be celebrated, baby. I love you."Johnny was truly proud of everything Lulu had overcome mere months ago, she'd put herself back together like it was nothing.
"Johnny, I love you." Lulu was touched by his words, bringing tears to her eyes.
"I love you, you'll never know the ways you saved me. That's why it pissed me off so bad when Claudia hurt you, you mean more to me than anyone else ever has." Johnny pulls Lulu into his arms, snuggling with her.
"You saved me too, but I know. Your family will truly do anything to tear us apart but, they've never been able to." Lulu leaned into his chest, intertwined their fingers.
"I know that you're the one, after everything we've been through together. Lovett is going to come over when I leave, I just don't want Claudia to do something fucked up, because she would."