For you, I hope the grass is greener

Chapter 26 Aftermath

Daphne's POV

I turn away from my husband, even though he looks sad because of my last comment but he knows me and he knows that I'm always going to be honest with him even if he doesn't like what I'm being honest about.. because sometimes the truth hurts. I direct my daughter to walk with me, so we walk towards Nick and Andrew.

They are still talking, looking as if the conversation is light as they both glance over at us and then stare for a moment. I feel Marley's arm wrap around mine as her grip on my arm tightens. I can hear her let out a deep breath before leaning her head on my shoulder as we walk. It seems like she just wants to be close to me, and her hold is easing the fear within my heart, so I won't object one bit.

Once we get beside the guys, I find my eyes clinging to Nick's. It's hard to pry them away, but as I hear Daniel walking up beside us, I know I probably should pry them away. I feel bad.. I don't know why, but I do. Believe me, I know my husband wants someone else, and it's ok that I find someone else attractive as well, but for some reason, it feels like I'm a horrible person for thinking such a thing.

I feel like I am cheating, even though I know I am not.. I guess that's just because for so many years I have been taken, so my mind doesn't know what to do now that I am not taken anymore. I have to keep repeating to myself that I am a single mom now even though the papers aren't signed just yet.

My eyes keep wandering over to Nick, and every time I look at him, his eyes are already locked on me. I feel as if I'm a kid caught stealing a cookie, I can feel my face heating up from his gaze.. I feel like I should be in trouble for being interested, but I can't help it.

Nick has helped me out so much, which has been building a type of bond between us, that only trauma and attraction can create when combined.. like the best kind of concoction for someone who is feeling alone. I know I am not, but the feeling inside of me is strong.. when Scott attacked me, I never felt more by myself and on my own than in that moment. It's hard to get out of that feeling.

I glance over at Danny for a short moment until I notice that he reaches over and extends his hand towards Nick. I'm hesitant about that and slightly confused on why he is doing this because he looks mad.. and by the look on Nick's face, I can tell he is confused as well since he looks hesitant but still reaches out to shake Daniel's hand like the brave and polite individual he seems to be. "Thanks for helping her out when she needed it." Daniel declares to Nick as he nods, then looks from me, then back to Daniel.

"Yeah, of course. I'm always here to help.. Anytime they need me, I will be there." He declares looking from Andrew to Marley and then ends by staring at me once again. I think that's sweet it's like he is making sure my kids know that he is there if they ever need anything as well, not just me.

After that nice comment, I don't break my gaze with Nick's until Daniel states in an angry tone. "Yeah, she is so lucky that you have been home every time something has happened just to help her in time.. how convenient for you." The spite is widdled between every single word creating a tension I never expected.

"Well, someone had to be here to help since you decided to run off with someone else and leave them to fend for themselves." Nick's snaps back, shocking me completely at his reaction to Daniel's comment. Even with him commenting on something that he has nothing to do with him, but in my defense, it's still somehow sexy.. I find my eyes locked on Nick just enjoying this reaction and wishing for more.

This stare down goes on building the tension between the men for an endless amount of time. I know it's not actually endless, but this is one of those moments that feels like time has stopped during it. I look from the glaring men and to the kids. My kids looked shocked as if they didn't know what to say, just like the rest of us, and I bet they could feel the tension just as easily as I could right now.

This thick silence goes on until we hear the police coming out of my house with Scott.. he is now awake with his face still covered in blood. But don't think for one second that this situation has dimmed the fight within him.. he is struggling in their hold as he cusses up a storm at them. He whips his shoulders, hitting the police officers with them as they just shove him back in response.

He keeps fighting until he kicks the police officer to his right, so the one on his left punches him in the stomach taking him down to the ground, until he is hunched over with his hands behind his back since they are handcuffed. They stand him back up while pushing him forward as he looks over at me. Our eyes locked automatically, creating a malicious smirk on his features that said to me that he didn't regret a thing.

"See you soon, baby." He declares puckering his lips out and towards me, as Nick stands up and starts pushing me behind him protectively while he yells over the top of me. "You come here ever again, then mark my words. I won't stop my punishment the second time around." He says this with his hand over my arm, still pushing me back, making me feel safe. I know he doesn't live with me, but knowing he is next door does make me feel better. Scott just glares up at him but doesn't say anything to him.

"Man, Danny, it looks like your lady already traded up.. I mean, I'm the best choice, but either way, at least she is done with you." He spats at his brother, showing the jealousy and hatred in his heart. "You're not the best option.. You're probably the worst on this planet." Danny declares, causing Scott to loudly laugh as he retorts, "Awe, don't be jealous that she liked me so much more than you, Danny."

I think he is just trying to say anything to make the people around me mad... he is instigating a fight to emerge, but at least the police have him held back, so hopefully, it won't turn into a huge brawl. "I never had to force myself on her just to get attention!" Daniel spats back beside me as his brother replies, "She deserves so much better than you.. that's why I volunteered myself for the task."

Daniel jumps at Scott, giving into his anger, but Nicholas is there to stop him as he steps forward and holds him back. "Man stop he wants you to get in trouble too.. don't do this." He tries to calm him down, but he just continues to shake his head as he yells over his shoulder. "She does deserve better.. and always has.. but that still doesn't give you the right to do any of this." He snaps back before stepping away from Nicolas.

He moves back beside me before wrapping his arm over my shoulders. I think trying to be protective over me, but I don't want him touching me after everything he had done to hurt me lately. I shrug off his arm as I step back further behind Nick. Daniel notices this as he glances from me to Scott, still holding his hardened look on his face.

We watch as they take Scott to the police vehicle, throwing him into the back before driving him away. The house is left looking like a mess, and I don't have the energy to clean it, but I won't let my kids do it either. So I will muster up the energy to do so. We watch the police leave since they have everything that they need for this case.

I have it set up to press charges, and they have everything they need to do that, so they are out leaving the mess for me to clean. I watch the cars leave, and I let out a deep breath, telling my kids. "Say goodbye to your father, then please get yourselves cleaned up and off to bed.. you guys have had enough drama for the night, and you have school in the morning." I declare as they just wave at their father and not much else.

He stares at me as I say. "Thanks for checking up on me, but you can go back to your girlfriend. I'm sure she is worried." He stares at me then behind me as he says softly. "Let me help get this place cleaned up.. it's the least I could do since I wasn't here to help." He asks this, but I just shake my head.

"I can take care of it myself.. This place and myself are not your responsibility anymore.. So don't strrss yourself with it." I put my foot down, not wanting to spend anymore of that time with him.. it hurts too much to do that. He looks sad about my reply as he leans in to give me a hug, but I just step back. I'm happy for him that he has found someone who makes him happy, but he has to realize that him finding his happeniness has scarred me for life and that open wound may never heal.

I'm more than willing to be a respectful co-parent, but that doesn't mean that we have to be love dovey too. I respect him, but with a distance between us.. It won't ever be the same between us, and I hope he doesn't expect that.. Daniel looks hurt by my actions, but he has to understand why this is happening. I watch as he still nods and walks away from the place just to get into his car and leave us here.

I turn to the doorway to see so much blood. I step over it as I grab some wash clothes and a bucket of hot water and bleach to clean this area. But as I turn around, Nick is there beside me. He is reaching for the items in my hands as I shake my head. trying to step around him, but he just steps to the side, blocking my way. I look up at him for some type of explanation.

"Please let me help.. I'm the one that made this mess so technically by most house rules.. I made the mess, so I have to clean it up." My mouth opens, then shuts as I nod my head, seeing all the broken glass that needs to be cleaned up as well. So it's not like I won't be doing anything.

"Ok, thank you, Nick.. you don't have to, but I appreciate you wanting to help." I sincerely say to him, causing a small smile to emerge. "Anything to help you out.. especially since I don't think the kids should be doing this and your obvious discomfort with your ex at the moment.. So I don't want you to be more uncomfortable about all of this than you have to be." He says to me as I nod, liking how sweet he is towards me.. he is so understanding.

I let out a deep breath as he gets a look of concern for me, as if he has done something wrong, but I want to make sure he knows he hasn't, so I spat out in frustration. "Yeah, I don't want to be uncomfortable either, and I wanted help. I did.. just not any help from him.. does that make me a bad person?" his head shakes automatically, making me feel better.