LAILAH #2
"Dad, I couldn't ask for better men in my life," I started.
"I'm in love or falling in love with all of them, we each have our own relationship and are taking things that are right for each of us.
Trust me when I say, that forcing this is the last thing that any of us want.
Yeah, the connection once it's made can't be undone, but who is ever one hundred percent certain about the person they want to marry? Everyone has doubts and issues they need to work through, we’re no different.
It just involves a few more people, but the guys have known each other for years and so do their families.
I've met them all and they're good people, who raised amazing men who I get to spend my life with. "
Mom had tears welling up in her eyes again as she got up and pulled me into a hug.
"Oh, my baby girl has grown up so much, and here you are married.
It might not be how we pictured things, or would have liked, but what's done is done and clearly there isn't much you can change about it.
We just love you so much Ladybug, we want the best for you and your future, so bear with us as we adjust to all this. "
"Believe me, Mom, I get that, I do," I sighed hugging her back, thankful that at least she was on my side. I trusted that she would work on my Dad, since he was always the one who was more stubborn about changing his mind on things.
Holding me at arm’s length she gave me a watery smile. "I think you should also tell us what happened to you."
My heart squeezed at the thought of how they would take this news after the reaction about the boys. Nodding, I gestured for her to sit back down and I did as well, taking Hudson and Brayden's hand in each of mine. Parker sat at my feet, leaning into my legs so I knew he was there supporting me.
"Since Christmas, the six of us have been in a few battles against the darkness that is trying to take over.
We won some and lost others, which enabled the creation of a serum called Day-Brite.
It messes with your brain, making you susceptible to outside influences and manipulation.
They are using it to create an army out of normal everyday people so they can infiltrate our world in a covert fashion," I began.
"Why haven't we heard of any of this?" Dad cut in.
Brayden spoke up to answer my Dad's question.
"If the world knew of this, it would cause mass hysteria and so far, we have been able to locate processing plants where the serum has been made.
The Elementi have a large private military presence and are sending teams out to deal with them.
Our labs are also working on finding an antidote, which we didn't think would be possible until Lailah had a dose forced on her.
She didn't react to it the way anyone else has, meaning that she's had almost no symptoms."
"You got injected?!" Mom cried out covering her mouth in horror, eyes wide.
"Unfortunately yes, but as Brayden stated, this has given us hope for an antidote," Hudson buffered. "On New Year’s day, we had an incident at the school that we needed to address, which got us separated and left Lailah vulnerable to be caught by the man we were hunting down."
Mom flinched at this, grabbing my Dad's hand. "Oh, this sounds so dangerous, you're all so young."
"It was really my fault Mom. If I had stayed with the group and not wandered off on my own, everything would have been different.
By taking matters into my own hands and running off after the madman who wanted to blow up the school, I put everyone at risk," I explained.
"The man we were after wanted to get me alone, once he did, he gave me the option of taking the serum or killing innocent people, and I couldn't let him do that.
When the serum didn't work how he planned, I had the opportunity to end things and save myself, along with everyone else. "
"That doesn't explain the reaction I got from hugging you," Dylan challenged.
Letting go of their hands, Hudson and Brayden helped me remove my sweater, which I was grateful for because I was getting far too warm.
The tank top I was wearing showed the red raised scars on my skin, running down the length of my arms and on my chest. Hidden from view were the ones on my stomach and down each leg.
I thanked God every day that he didn't put any marks on my face, leaving that free from any damage whatsoever.
Mom gasped and then let out a sob, burying her face into Dad's chest. Kyle looked, stricken eyes unblinking as he took it all in, poor Dylan looked sick to his stomach as he now understood my reaction.
"It wasn't that you hugged me Dylan, I have a hard time when I can't see the person who is touching me.
If I can see you and know that it's coming, I'm just fine.
My other big trigger is being held down on my back, it's how I was held when this happened to me," I said my voice soft and full of shame, even to my own ears.
Hudson wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me tight to him, so I leaned my head on his shoulder while Brayden took my hand, running his thumb along the back of it.
"What happened to the man who did this to you?" Dad asked through clenched teeth, his body vibrating with anger.
"He's dead," Micah announced, his voice making it clear that was all to be said.
"Lailah, why didn't you tell us any of this? I would have flown out to be with you had I known," Mom sobbed, taking the tissue that Kyle handed to her.
A tear rolled down my own cheek seeing how upset my family was for me.
"I didn't know how to ask for help. If I didn't have the guys and Cami around, I don't know where I'd be right now.
Right after it happened, I wasn't in a good place at all, thankfully they have a counselor and other amazing people on staff to help me process.
Jay and I work on self-defense and training every day, which has helped a lot to make me feel strong.
I've come a long way Mom, and I knew coming home for the summer was the best thing for me.
Getting out of my normal and someplace that made me feel safe. "
Mom sniffled but nodded her understanding. "Well, I'm so glad you're home, thankful that you're safe and well looked after."
"There isn't anything we wouldn't do for her," Jay declared, looking down at me from his seat on the armrest of the couch with a soft smile.
"Whelp, I think that's all the drama I can handle in one day," Cami piped up. "I declare that summer vacation starts now, and no more depressing talk is allowed!"