Noah Cabot-Benson is your best friend and when you ask him some weird questions he mentions them to his moms Olivia and Alex who then save you from your living hell.
You wake up in the morning at the sound of yelling coming from the kitchen. You are more sore than normal but force yourself out of bed to get ready for school. The bruises on your legs are darker than normal but they are easily covered by your jeans. You and Noah had planned on matching today for twin day but the new bruises on your arms meant you would have to add long sleeves under your t-shirt. After washing your face and pulling your head back in a ponytail you quietly follow the yelling hoping there is something for breakfast. Your parents stopped yelling just as you entered the kitchen.
"Mommy what's for breakfast," you ask quietly looking down at the floor.
"Ask your father, you little whore, I don't want to deal with you. God I wish you had never been born then I wouldn't be stuck here," she grunted, grabbing a bottle of tequila from the counter.
"Daddy what's for breakfast," you ask in a whisper, finding the floor even more interesting.
"Your 7 figure it out your fucking self," he yelled slamming the door shut behind him.
You scour the kitchen looking for anything that you could eat but the fridge and cupboards were empty. You look at the clock and determine that if you run fast enough you might be able to get something at school. You run as fast as you could but by the time you got to school breakfast was over and the bell to go to class had started ringing. Your stomach clenches at the thought of having to wait until lunch especially since you hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday. You hang your head and walk slowly towards class.
"Y/N," Noah calls excitedly, wrapping you in a tight hug. You gasp in pain as he pushes a little too hard on your bruise covered arms.
"Hey Noah," you smile and hug him back.
"Are you still coming over after school for our project?"
"Yeah my parents won't even notice I'm gone," you reply, grabbing his hand and walking into class.
"My mommy has court this morning but she said she was going to pick us up."
It had been a long morning; Noah kept looking at you funny, your stomach hurt and kept growling, your teacher made you stay in during recess for forgetting your homework and sitting was becoming uncomfortable with all your bruises, but it was finally lunch time and you and Noah could talk. You had been working up the courage to ask him about his moms. Every time you went to Noah's house his moms were always so nice and you wondered if they were always so nice and you were curious about other things too. You and Noah found a quiet place on the playground after lunch to play chess.
"Noah, can I ask you something about your moms?"
"Yeah I guess," he sighed moving his piece.
"Since you have two moms do they both come in your bed at night or does just one come in?"
"Well sometimes my mama has to work late so mommy will read to me and tuck me in but it mama is home they both do," he replied looking at you in confusion
"No, at night when everyone is asleep, who comes in your bed?"
"No one I sleep by myself and my mama and mommy sleep in their room. Why would they sleep in my bed," he asked you even more confused
"Nevermind," you say, moving your own piece.
You play quietly for a few more moves before you have the courage to ask another question.
"Noah, are your moms always so nice to you?"
"Of course they are. We play games, and go to the park. They make yummy food, especially mommy and she lets me help her cook. We watch movies and read stories and they always tuck me in and kiss me goodnight."
"Y/N aren't your mom and dad nice to you," Noah asked looking you in the eyes
You were about to reply when the bell rang. You and Noah pick up your game and walked back to class. You were glad that the bell had rung and you didn't have to think of a lie to tell Noah. The rest of the day flew by and when the last bell rang you walk out to the parent pick up line with Noah.
"There's my mommy," Noah said pointing towards a large black SUV where the pretty blonde was waving out the window.
"Hi mommy." "Hi Mrs. Cabot-Benson." You and Noah say as you climb in the backseat.
"Hey baby how was your day," Alex asked, turning in the seat to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"It was good."
"How about you Y/N how was your day."
"It was okay ma'am."
"Well buckle up and we will head home."
When you got to their house you and Noah sit at the counter to work on your project and Alex makes you a snack. She set down a plate with crackers, apple slices, cheese and peanut butter on the counter.
"I am going to work in the office, let me know if you need anything," Alex said ruffling Noah's hair and placing a kiss on his temple before walking down the hall.
"Does your mommy always kiss you this much," you asked Noah, opening your notebook to start working.
"Yeah it gets annoying sometimes, especially when they do it in front of my friends."
You and Noah worked quietly until your project was done and then decided to play a game on his nintendo. Your laughing was interrupted by a loud thump followed by someone yelling out in pain.
"Noah Porter Cabot-Benson what have I told you about leaving your shoes and backpack in front of the door," Olivia called out from the door.
"I'm sorry -Benson, those are mine not Noah's," you apologize, meeting her at the door and starting to put on the offending items that she had just tripped over, trying to keep the tears in your eyes from falling.
"It's okay kiddo no harm done," she said, hanging up her jacket and giving Noah a hug and kiss.
You try to squeeze by her towards the door. You didn't realize it was so late and you had to find something to eat on the way home before it got too dark for you to see. A hand fell on your shoulder making you jump.
"Y/N, where are you going sweetie," Olivia asked, turning you to face her.
"Home ma'am, I don't want to cause more trouble," you mumble looking at the floor.
"You haven't caused any trouble honey. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
" Yes please ma'am," you excitedly answer.
"Alright then," she chuckles at your excitement "put your stuff down and both of you go wash up."
While you and Noah washed up in the bathroom you took the opportunity to apologize to him.
"I'm really sorry I got you in trouble Noah. I hope you don't get too many bruises because of me."
"Why would I get bruises," Noah asked, looking at you in confusion for the third time today.
You shrug your shoulders and follow him back towards the kitchen for dinner. You clean your plate and Olivia piles it high again with more. When everyone was done and everything was cleaned up you once again tried to sneak out the door.
" Y/N where are you going honey," Alex asked, stopping you at the door.
"I was going to walk home ma'am."
"Sweetie it is 7 o'clock at night you are way too young to be walking anywhere," Olivia chimed in meeting you at the door.
"But I'm supposed to walk home," you reply, hanging your head to avoid their eyes.
"How about we all go get some ice cream and then we will take you home," Olivia offered, grabbing her keys.
"Yeah," you and Noah yell in unison.
Later that night after you were back home and Noah was getting ready for bed his growing confusion at your questions bubbled over. He was laying in bed waiting for Alex and Olivia to come tuck him in as his concern grew.
"Hey buddy you ready for bed," Alex asked as she and Olivia appeared in the doorway.
"Yeah, but can we talk first?"
"Sure buddy," Olivia replied, sitting on the edge of the bed while Alex walked around to sit on the other side.
" Why would someone ask if you are always nice and always kiss me or ask if I get bruises when I get in trouble or if one of you comes into bed with me when we are sleeping," he asked at lighting speed hoping to get it all out before being interrupted.
"Wow bud slow down what are you talking about," Olivia questions concern etched on her face.
"Y/N asked me some weird questions today," he sighed, focusing on his hands in his lap.
"Okay Noah this sounds pretty serious. I need you to tell me what happened buddy. All of it," Olivia pressed while Alex moved up the bed to sit next to Noah and pull him into her side.
" Well today at recess Y/N asked me if since I have two moms if you both come into my bed at night or just one of you. I said you both tuck me in unless mamas at work but then she said no after everyone is asleep who comes into my bed. When I asked her why you would come in my bed she got all quiet. Then she asked me if you guys were always so nice to me and I told her you were but when I asked if her parents were nice to her she didn't answer me. Then when Mommy came to pick us up and we got in the car her shirt lifted up and she had a big bruise on her back. I don't think she knows I saw but it was big Mama. Then she asked if I got kisses all the time too. And then when we went to wash up for dinner she said she was sorry for getting me in trouble and hoped that I didn't get too many bruises. I asked her why I would get lots of bruises and she just shrugged her shoulders. I am worried about her Mama. I think her mommy and daddy hurt her. She has bruises all the time and sometimes she says it hurts to sit," Noah said cuddling into Alex tears brimming in his eyes.
"Its okay buddy," Alex said, pulling Noah closer to her, "We will make sure she is okay."
"But what if they are hurting Y/N right now," Noah sobbed.
"I am really proud of you for coming to us, Noah. That was very brave. I am going to see if Aunt Casey can come over to stay with you and Mommy and I will go check on Y/N okay," Olivia replies, pulling Alex and Noah into a hug.
You knew you would be in trouble when you walked in the door. Not only were you late for your punishment from last night but the evidence of ice cream was all over your shirt. At least this time you had a full stomach. You quietly open the door and tip toe towards your room hoping to avoid your mom and dad. You had almost made it to your room when the yelling started and a hand grabs your hair.
"Where the hell have you been, you little whore," your mom yelled, throwing you into the wall.
"I went to Noah's house to do our project," you reply, covering your head and curling into a ball.
"Did you tell that fucking cop anything," adding a sharp kick to your stomach.
" No ma'am," you cry out in pain.
"You better not you worthless little piece of shit," she screams, punctuating the last five words with more kicks to your stomach the last of which caught the bottom of your ribs.
"I'm sorry," you cry, gasping for air.
"Go get the belt so I can finish this before your father gets home," she growls, pulling you off the floor and throwing you down the hallway.
Olivia and Alex could hear the screaming as soon as they stepped off the elevator. They look at each other with knowing looks and Olivia pulls her gun while Alex pulls out her phone to make the phone calls needed. Olivia knocks on the door yelling that it was the police and they needed to open the door. After her second attempt at knocking was ignored Olivia kicks the door open herself and begins her sweep of the apartment following the sounds of your screams. She turns into the bedroom where you have been tied face down on the bed as your mom continues to whip you with the belt in her hands.
"NYPD drop it now," Olivia yells, catching your mom in mid swing.
"What the hell," your mom yells, turning to face Olivia and dropping the belt at the sight of the gun.
"Get on the ground now hands behind your back," Olivia orders, pulling out her handcuffs as Alex appears in the door behind her taking in the scene.
Olivia handcuffs your mom pulling her up and walking her out the door as Alex slowly approaches the edge of the bed. You flinch away from her struggling more in your bindings expecting more pain. She places a gentle hand on your head brushing your hair out of your face.
"Shhhh sweetie, it's okay. You're safe now honey. Shhhh," Alex soothes, reaching up to untie your hands. The second your hands were free you throw yourself into Alex's arms curling up into a ball in her lap and burying your face into her chest sobbing. She pulls a blanket from the bed wrapping you up and wrapping her arms around you pulling you in close. She places a gentle kiss on your head and starts rocking you back and forth.
"Shhhh, it's all over now sweetie. Shhhhh."
" Hey Alex the paramedics are here," Olivia said, appearing in the doorway with two paramedics who slowly approached you and Alex.
"Noooo," you scream, clinging tighter to Alex.
"Shhhh. I will stay with you honey but we have to go to the hospital. Okay?"
You sob harder into her chest but slowly nod your head. She shifts your body so that you can wrap your legs around her waist. You tighten your arms around her neck and bury your face in her hair, your body shaking with sobs. She stands and carries you out of the apartment and out to the waiting ambulance. She holds you close the whole way to the hospital comforting you with gentle kisses, kind words and rubbing circles on your back. At some point you fall asleep only to be woken up when the doctors come in and begin their examination. Alex sits you down on the table but holds your hand through the entire exam and places gentle kisses on your temple when the rape kit is performed.
"You're doing such a great job Y/N. You are being so brave sweetie. They are almost done," Alex whispers, brushing the hair out of your face and kissing your forehead. When the exam is finally finished you pull Alex to join you on the bed and curl yourself into her lap once again crying yourself to sleep.
"Hey honey, how is she doing," Olivia asks entering the hospital room.
"It has been rough but I think she has finally cried herself to sleep," Alex replies, brushing a strand of hair from your face trying to see your eyes.
"Mom and dad are both locked up with charges for abuse and neglect."
"We will need to add sexual abuse to those," Alex informs Olivia letting out a deep breath.
"Oh god, poor baby. I wish we had known sooner."
"She is safe now and that's all that matters."
"CPS will come get her in the morning and take her to a foster home," Olivia tells Alex sitting in the chair next to the hospital bed.
"No they aren't," Alex stated reaching for Olivia's hand.
"What do you mean?"
"One of the calls I made was to the case manager on call. All of our paperwork and licenses are still valid from when we fostered Noah. She is able to be placed with us and if things work out we could move for adoption," Alex told Olivia, grabbing her hand and smiling at her.
"Alex, are you sure?"
"Honey, we have been talking about adding to our family for almost a year. We already have a bedroom set up and ready to go and she will be in a safe and loving home. There is only one thing we have to do first."
"Ask Noah," Olivia and Alex say in unison.
"And we should probably ask Y/N too," Olivia chuckled quietly.
"Yeah that too."
"I can go home and talk with Noah while you stay with her and then we can work out a plan. How does that sound?"
"That will be great. We still have to wait for the x-rays and some medication but I think the doctor mentioned keeping her until morning," Alex replies, pulling Olivia in for a kiss.
Olivia gently woke a sleeping Noah when she got home. She wanted nothing more than to spare him from this horror but it was important to her and Alex that he had a say in if he got a sister or not.
"Hi Mama," Noah moans
"Hey baby, I have something important to ask you, okay?"
"Okay. Is Y/N okay?"
"Well honey she is okay now thanks to you. She is with mommy at the hospital but she is safe now."
"I'm glad she is safe and mommy will help her feel better. What is going to happen now?"
"That depends on a few things. But that was what I wanted to talk to you about. You know how a few years ago you kept asking for a brother or sister and mommy and I said we would think about it," Olivia asks, pulling Noah into her lap.
"Yeah I always wanted someone to play with."
"Well honey how would you feel about Y/N coming to stay with us and being your sister?"
"That would be awesome. She is already my best friend and I am older by 5 months so I would get to be a big brother. Is she going to come live with us now Mama?"
"There may be a few things we have to do first but it is a possibility."
"I'm so excited Mama," Noah replies, giving Olivia a giant hug.
When she finally got Noah back to bed she called Alex with an update. Alex told her what the doctors had said about all the old injuries your x-rays showed and that you would be released in the morning. Olivia and Alex made a list of everything you would need and planned a shopping trip after Olivia picked you both up from the hospital. Four months later your parents were sentenced to prison time and you were adopted by Olivia and Alex. Although you and Noah would get in trouble from time to time there were no more beatings. They showed you more love than you had even known and life was happy.
