" It's officially 2 am. " Alec pulled out his Rolex watch. They'd been walking for a while now and he was worried that Gwen was just trying to bury the emotions she was feeling instead of letting them out. Not once did she bring up what had just happened.
They'd sat on a bench and watched the stars , bought street food , they even had time to get a drink at a small pub which they still were in.
" Are you tired ? I'm sorry for bringing you into this. " Gwen gulped the scotch infront of her and it burned down her throat. She hissed and puffed her cheeks. " I'm probably irritating you."
" Yes you are." He sipped the rose he'd ordered.
" Pardon me? " Gwen was shocked by his response. She raised her brows.
" I won't repeat myself. " He turned to her and caressed her cold cheek. " You're sweeping your feelings under the rug. I've been waiting for you open up all night. "
Gwen swallowed. He was right. She'd been avoiding the issue all together. She looked away from his piercing gaze but he made her face him with a gentle pull of her chin.
" Look at me. I want you to keep one thing in mind. When you're with me , you don't have to put up any walls...just let yourself fall into my arms. If you want to cry or scream or punch something , I'll be here. "
" I just don't understand why...why they choose to judge me instead of...instead of understanding my situation. " She closed her eyes to stop the burning from within. " I didn't expect appreciation or...or a thank you gift card...I did expect them to get angry or yell at me ...I just didn't expect it would hurt this much."
Alec brought her into his arms and she let herself cry. She was warm in his arms and she shut her eyes tight.
" What do you mean by revenge , Richard?" Ruth rubbed her eyes to shake the sleep off. " It's late and I don't have the strength to listen to your riddles."
Derek was listening but he preferred to keep his eyes shut. He didn't know where Richard was headed but he was getting interested.
" I'm talking about vengeance on the family that ruined ours. " His voice was firm and his eyes were dark.
" What the fuck Richard ! " Ruth glared at him.
" It seems Alec has been blinded by lust so I will have to do what he can't. " He filled his glass again.
" You know...each day , I wonder more and more just how you are related to Alec. " Derek got up and headed for the door. Ruth stopped him.
" It's 3 am. You should stay here. It's not safe at this hour. " She tried to persuade him but his mind was made up.
" It's okay. I'd rather take my chances out there than stay a minute longer in this place. " He glared at Richard as he spoke. " Alec is actually in love...and if you cared about him at all , you'd leave the past in the past. "
Ruth watched him slam the door. Richard didn't react. He just shrugged his shoulders and took a seat.
" Don't expect me to help you with whatever you have cooking up in that mind of yours. " Ruth took the glass from him. He just sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
" I don't expect you to be that interested in this. You were just 14 when it happened. "
Ruth scoffed. " Alison was my little sister too. I loved her. "
" There's a difference. " He frowned. " You didn't hear that gun shot. You didn't watch her bleed. You didn't watch that man take her body. " The room was silent. " After all Alec and I witnessed that night...I wonder just how he can bear the touch of that man's offspring. "
Ruth swallowed. She knew that was a painful past for the family but she also knew that they couldn't blame his kids for his sins.
Gwen dried her hair as she watched Alec sleep. She didn't remember how they got back home but she was happy he was with her...in her bed. The sun was bright and the light hit his face. She saw him frown in his sleep so she blocked the rays with her body. His features softened and he turned to the other side. She sat next to him and smelt his hair. She loved how he smelt.
" Fuck... it'll look weird if he wakes up and finds me sniffing his hair. " She sniffed it one more time before there was a knock on the door.
" Mom..." The mood was still weird so she didn't know what to say.
" Are...uhm...Come down for breakfast. " Marylynne gave a brief smile.
" Okay. " Gwen reflected the brief smile but before she could shut the door , Marylynne held her hand.
" I...I'm sorry I...I wasn't there when you needed me most. " Tears were already falling. " I'm a bad mother. "
Gwen didn't know if that's what she wanted to hear. Yes she wasn't there when she needed her most. Was she a bad mother? But still , she didn't like to see tears.
. " You're not a bad mother." Gwen held her hand and smiled.
" Can...can I hug you?"
" You don't have to ask..." She wrapped her arms around Marylynne and they hugged.
" Get down soon. " She smiled as Gwen shut the door. Gwen smiled at the door for a while and wiped the tears from her eyes.
" Awwww...that was sweet. " Alec pouted his lips.
" Shut the fuck up." Gwen laughed as she wiped her tears. " Take a shower and get dressed. Let's go have breakfast."
" I'm exhausted from taking care of you last night. I carried you back." He stretched his arms and hissed. " You're quite heavy. So...I think I'll need your help in the shower. "
" Nice try but I'll have to decline. I'll go get you something to wear. " She left.
" Here he comes. " Gwen told her mom when she saw Alec come down the stairs.
She'd got him some of her dad's clothes. Luckily they fit. They even made him look more attractive. ' Stop it!' She pinched herself. He was in a black turtle neck and navy blue trousers. The closer he got , the harder she fought to keep her thoughts in check.
" Stop drooling." He whispered to her jokingly. Gwen coughed awkwardly and they took their seats. Louis wasn't around. He'd already left for school.
" Why is everyone so quiet? Marylynne , I love listening to your stories. Don't you have any for me today?"
" Well..." Marylynne stopped when the door bell rang.
" I'll get it." Gwen got up.
" Well...as I was saying , I invited someone who never shuts up. She's a literal chatterbox. " Marylynne turned when Gwen came with a young woman. " There she is. "
Alec froze when he saw her. Her long blonde hair , her blue eyes...that smile.
" Alec , let me introduce you to Alison."