Keeping promises

Chapter 4:Homeward bound

(I’ll do whatever it takes to turn this around, I know what’s at stake..)

(Whatever it takes-lifehouse)

………Finn POV……..

2 months later.

I felt the tears spill over my cheeks as I saw them briskly walking toward the building. My heart hammered in my chest as I took in how different they all looked. He was holding a wrapped package. At that moment I remembered I had missed my own birthday.

I waited anxiously for my family to come into the room, I couldn’t stop myself from pacing. I wrapped my arms around myself as I remembered what I had done that night. I hit my father more than once, even going so far as to make him bleed. I looked down at my feet, adorned in cheap black boat shoes, something without laces.

“Finn!” I looked up and saw Tanner rushing toward me, I felt hot tears roll down my face and for the first time in a while I felt happy. I smiled as I ran to her and pulled her into a tight hug. We sobbed on each other's shoulders for a while before I pulled away and looked her up and down. I cupped her face and looked into her eyes, so much like our mothers.

“I miss you Tan.” I told her as I sniffled, she nodded and sobbed a little more. I looked at my parents who were both standing behind Tanner, holding hands and crying happily.

“I missed you too.” I told them while stepping into their waiting arms.

“I’m so sorry sweetheart.” My dad sobbed into my shoulder as he held me. “I couldn’t help you.”

I pulled away and looked into his eyes, the ones that looked like mine and I smiled. “You did dad.” He sniffled and pressed his lips to my forehead. “You brought me here, where I could heal. I know it wasn’t an easy decision for you to make.”

He nodded and I looked at my mom, the woman I got my honey blond hair from. “Thank you Momma.” She began sobbing again as she pulled me into another tight hug.

“You’ve grown.” I heard her say before she pulled away and looked at me, her hands still holding my biceps. “You look healthy baby girl.”

“Miss Dalton has made incredible progress these last few months.” Doctor Danvers said as she walked up with my aunt. "The beginning was rough, it always is, but Finn has done well in learning to set firm boundaries and enforce them if needed."

“Thank you auntie.” I said as I pulled her into a hug too. I heard her sniffle lightly as she returned my embrace. “I know you had to push dad, so thank you.”

“I’d do anything for you girls.” Paige responded as she looked over me. “How do you feel?”

“I’m doing better, I’m not ready to come home yet, but I really missed you.” My parents smiled sadly, but I could see they understood. Tanner sniffled and looked down. Doctor Danvers gave me an encouraging smile.

“Why don’t you take your parents to the courtyard? It’s beautiful out there today.” I nodded and grabbed Tanner’s hand, she looked at me and squeezed my hand. Her eyes met mine and she gave me a small smile as I began to lead her outside.

My parents and aunt Paige followed us out. We all sat down on the benches overlooking the small pond.

“What type of therapy did you choose?” Tanner asked as she leaned her head on my shoulder.

“I chose music and combat therapy.”

“I didn’t realize combat was an option,” My mom said from her seat across from Tanner and I.

“It’s newer, within the last two months. A lot of us felt the self defense classes didn’t really give us enough skills, so we asked if there was any way we could have a real combat instructor teach us more useful techniques.” I explained. I pushed some hair behind my ear as the wind whisped it into my face. I looked at my dad, his amber eyes watching me closely.

“I’m so proud of you.” He told me when my eyes met his. “You’ve grown so much in just a few months.” His eyes started gleaming as he held out the small gift box, I forgot he had been carrying. “I know it’s late, but Happy Birthday.” I felt tears prick my eyes as I took the box and set it on my lap. I looked at all of them and sucked in a deep breath.

“I honestly forgot about my birthday, in the mess of everything it passed without my knowledge.” My mom’s eyes began to water as did my aunts. “I heard my wolf spirit call to me once, however I have not heard from her since, nor have I been able to shift.”

“When did you hear her?” Tanner asked cautiously.

“Right before dad found me in the woods. She was begging me to live.” I said, giving her a sad smile and taking her hand. “Thank you Dad, you saved us, myself and her, just in time.” He took a shaky breath and reached his hand over to take mine.

“I’ll save you anytime baby girl.” He said lightly. “Now open your gift.” I gave him a smile and unwrapped the present carefully. Inside was a small box, I took off the lid and smiled at the necklace. It wasn’t anything big or gaudy, a simple chain with a stainless steel paw print charm attached to the front. I flipped over the paw and looked at the engraving on the back.

(We love you Finn) is what it said. I put the lid back on the box and placed it back in my lap carefully.

“Thank you, I’ll be able to wear it once I come home. Do you mind keeping it safe until then?” My mother nodded and gingerly took the box and placed it in her jacket pocket.

“Finn!” We all looked up at Rose who came dancing around the corner. When she saw my family she blushed and waved at them.

“Everyone this is Rose, she’s my friend.” I said looking at my family. “Rose this is my sister, Tanner,” I said pointing. “My mom, Donna, my dad, Fay, and my aunt Paige.”

“Hello, sorry to interrupt.” Rose said warmly. “I forgot you said your family was coming today.”

“That’s alright dear, why don’t you come and sit with us.” My mom said motioning for her to join.

“Thank you for offering, but I’m still not comfortable in groups with so many strangers.” My dad nodded.

“That’s fine, I’m sure we’ll see you again Rose. Good luck healing.” Rose beamed at my parents before waving to me again and bounding off.

“I love how clear she was with her boundary.” Paige said, looking after her.

“She’s had to work extra hard on it, she can be a pushover sometimes,” I said as my aunt turned back toward me.

We sat there for another two hours just talking about small things, the repairs dad needed to do on the house, the mess Tanner made while trying to learn how to bake. I told them about Rose and the few other friends I had made. By the time they had to go we were all crying again. I promised to call them soon for another visit.

After they were gone I walked to the bedroom I now shared with Rose. After doing sleepovers once a week and getting comfortable having another person in the room, a roommate was given to keep the process going. Once I got in Rose gave me a tight hug, something we had both been working on, and sat next to me on her bed.

“How did it go?” I told her everything, how happy I was to see them and how much I missed home. She gave me encouraging nods and happy uh-huhs throughout our conversation.

“Your family sounds great.” She said happily, though I could see the wistfulness in her eyes.

Rose was what was called a packless wolf. She decided to leave her pack behind when she came to Ocean Blues. She was constantly abused not only by her pack, but by her own parents. Her pack's beta male r***d her and she fled after finding this place as she ran. Her plan was to stay at Ocean Blues until she turned 18 and could legally be without a guardian.

“Where are you going to go once you turn 18?” I asked her, it was the first time we really talked about life after we got out.

“I don’t know yet.” She said with a sad smile. “I have time to figure it out though.” I nodded in response.

“What are you gonna do when you leave? Isn’t your abuser still out there.” I took a shaky breath and nodded.

“He is, even if he were identified, there isn’t any way he would be made to face any consequences,” I said sadly. “But it’s not like I can avoid him forever. I’m worried about Tanner. She sees that monster every day and she doesn’t even know it. I have to go back and protect her, even if I can’t out him.” She nodded, her copper curls bouncing with her head.

That night was the first night in a month I relived the r**e, I woke up crying as Rose shook me awake. I curled in on myself as I wiped my face frantically, trying to remove the feel of his d**k wiping away my tears.

………….2 months later……

“How do you feel?” Doctor Danvers asked as we stood by the door.

“Ready.” I smiled at her, she smiled back and handed me a piece of paper.

“This is a certificate of accomplishment,” She explained when I gave her a questioning look. “You have gone through hell and walked out the other side. You may have scars, but that is to be expected. This is proof that those scars have made you stronger.” I thanked her with teary eyes and gave her a hug.

“Congratulations Finn!” I smiled at Megan who came around the corner with Rose who was wearing red scrubs.

“Thank you.” I told them, giving each one a hug. “I know it’s a lot to think about.” I said to Rose as I held her. “I would love for you to accept.” I felt her nod against my shoulder and I noticed the red tinge in her eyes when she stepped back.

“I appreciate it, and I’ll take your offer into consideration.” I nodded and squeezed her hand. I heard the sound of an engine so I turned around and headed for the door. I walked outside and smiled at my aunt Paige who was my ride home. She handed me the store-bought red bow as I got in the passenger seat. I laughed and waved at everyone as my aunt pulled away from Ocean Blues.

“How do you feel, Finn?” She asked as we pulled off of the hospital grounds.

“I think I’m okay. I know the first few days will be rough, but I know how to handle the hard days now.” She nodded. “I’m honestly happy I was able to keep up with school at the facility, or else going back would be even worse than it’s going to be.”

“Can you tell me who did it?” She asked carefully.

“I can’t risk Tanner’s safety.” I said, giving her a smile. “The person who did it can get to her easily.”

“She’s not stupid,” Paige said, shooting me a side glance.

“She’s not, but she’s going up against a master manipulator, someone who can talk himself out of anything.” Paige sucked in a deep breath and thankfully changed the subject.

“Why didn’t you ask your parents to come and get you?”

“They would have let it slip to Tanner, and I wanted to surprise her. I mean it’s not every day a girl turns 13.”

“I can’t disagree, your parents are terrible at keeping secrets.” I nodded.

“They can’t tell if they don’t know.” She chuckled at my reasoning. “Can you call them and get them to come home early? I want them to see me before Tanner so her birthday isn’t ruined by my coming home.”

“I gotcha girly, lets hit the grocery store quick too so we can get her a cake.”

“Okay.” I beamed.

After another 2 hours we finally pulled into the driveway. The house looked mostly the same, except the flower beds were overgrown and the pristine bush my dad clipped once a month was unmaintained. Paige and I went into the house and began setting up the surprise for Tanner. I went upstairs and took a warm shower then walked into my bedroom to discover it was mostly how I left it. The bed was made, but the desk was still messy and the same dirty clothes were in my hamper. I shook my head with a sad laugh and went down to the kitchen to grab a garbage bag. I was in my room for twenty minutes when I heard a car pull up to the house.

I walked to the downstairs living room just as my mom walked in, she was asking aunt Paige what she was doing and why she asked her to come home.

Her face turned toward me when her peripheral caught me moving. Her face lit up and she rushed over and pulled me into her arms with a happy sob. “Finn!”

“Hi mom.” I said with a giggle.

“What are you doing here honey?” She asked as she pulled back just enough to look at me.

“I wanted to surprise Tanner on her birthday.” She giggled and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead before looking back at Paige.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You can’t keep a secret.” Paige and I said at the same time. We all laughed and my mom gave me a light tap on the head.

“Can we take the day off tomorrow and go shopping?” I asked my mom as she began to unwind.

“Of course honey, what do you need?”

“Clothes, all of mine are a bit tight.” She nodded and let out a deep breath.

“Thats fine, we’ll take Tanner too.” I nodded and looked at aunt Paige. “Do you want to join us Paige?” Mom asked, as if she could sense my question.

“I’m booked all day tomorrow.” She said with a smile as she walked into the living room. “However, I appreciate your offer.”

As she finished speaking, we heard my dad’s car pull up outside. He strode in looking around. I swear the room lit up when he saw me. I once again started crying with joy when we embraced. Paige and I had to explain why my parents weren’t involved once again when my dad decided he needed to know why he was left out.

“I’ll take tomorrow off too.” My dad said when he heard about the shopping trip. We all sat around catching up when we heard the bus coming down the road. I felt my entire body buzz with excitement at the thought of seeing Tanner. Paige put the bow in my hair as we waited, the bus stopped, the brakes squeaking slightly. The engine hissed as the creaky stop signs flew out like wings. I could feel the excitement coming off of my parents as we heard Tanner’s feet climbing up the front steps. I slightly hid behind our father, just enough to where she couldn’t see me when she walked in.