Chapter 23 (Andrew's POV)
I have no clue what just happened in my house.
One minute I was in the city looking for some parts for my bmw at the local dump, and the next Knox was calling and yelling at me.
I dropped everything the second I heard Vicky's name, but I was still too late and came after all was resolved.
Now I just had to hope Vicky was OK and that she didn't hate me.
I walked inside my house prepared for some chaos waiting on the other side, but there was not much damage done.
The glass on my table was broken, but that was it.
Hopefully Vicky didn't cut herself on that damn glass.
I knew I should buy a boring wooden table, not this monster piece the sales lady was insisting I needed to buy.
I stood still for a second, just listening, so I could hear where my girls were.
First thing that I heard was Amy's giggles and a huge stone was lifted off my chest upon the realization that my little monster was fine.
I went up to her room and was shocked to find Vicky holding my baby girl, speaking softly with her. If it wasn't so quiet, I wouldn't even hear her words.
"It's OK baby girl. You are safe, I promise. That woman won't lay a finger on this beautiful princess ever again. You are special. And someone needs to look after your daddy once auntie Vicky is gone, you know. He needs happiness in his life, and at the moment, you are the person to bring him that."
She had no idea how much her words meant to me.
She stood up for my baby girl without a second thought.
She protected her from Shawna, which I know should be my duty, but honestly, she never acted in that way around me.
I guess she was still playing nice around me so she would get what she wanted from me. A relationship.
I can't believe I didn't catch on sooner.
Or I guess my heart was still too soft and was trying to find good in her.
But what Vicky said also wasn't entirely true. Surely Amy brought me happiness, but so did Vicky.
There were many nights when I just couldn't wait to hear her voice, especially when I had a bad day. She always knew what to say to make me feel better, but most of the time just seeing her face did the trick.
I slowly opened the door and stepped behind my girls.
The first one to spot me was Amy, but I showed her to be quiet.
And to my surprise, she did just that.
Instead of ruining my sneaky approach, she just snuggled closer to Vicky.
When I was directly behind them, I wrapped my arms around Vicky and, in the process, around Amy as well.
She first became tense but when she realized it was me, she relaxed into my embrace.
"Don't sneak up on me you goof. I'm still high on adrenalin, you know. You are lucky that I'm so used to your smell by now."
I laughed softly in her hair.
"Sorry love. For everything. I promise we will go into town tomorrow and we'll change the locks on every door so what happened tonight won't get repeated."
She turned around in my arms, still holding Amy, so now she was enveloped in an embrace between us.
"You have no idea how scared I was. I know I can defend myself. I was forced to learn. But that woman is bat shit crazy I'll tell you. I'm not sure she would stop even if Amy was in my arms."
I wanted to argue with her, but I had to admit she was right. Shawna was out of control and it was time I put an end to it. Once and for all.
"Tell me, did she hurt you anywhere else except your lip, which I can see is broken?"
She was quiet for a second, I guess she was trying to feel for any more injuries.
"No, not really. My knuckles hurt and my ribs feel a bit tight, but other than that, I guess I am in one piece. Don't worry. And your mom took Amy to her room when it all escalated so she didn't hear or see anything."
Even though her injuries were small, I was pissed.
This amazing woman got hurt once more.
And this time she got hurt because of me.
"Wait here. I'll go get some ice and ointment for your knuckles and we will check your ribs, OK?"
She smiled at me and gave me a nod.
I kissed her forehead and went in search of everything I needed.
She got hurt because of my stupid ass, and now it was time for me to make it better.