That could have actually been worse, all things considered.
Logan: I know what a one month should mean. I mean, I had Lilly Kane as a girlfriend for years. Girls just had certain expectations for things in a relationship, though I never though Meg had ever been like most girls or even like any of the girls I'd dated before. Let's see, we continue to survive the school hallways every day and even enjoy each other on dates. Actual dates, not I'll come by your house for that itch I can't manage to scratch. So, maybe I'm taking the whole one month thing seriously, but it's been a while since I've felt this happy let alone with someone else. I know it's just different with her.
That's probably why I stopped by her house after school. I knew she had something or another, but I didn't expect it to take nearly this long. Maybe that's why I decided to head inside after ringing the doorbell a few times. No one was home. Of course, my curiosity overtakes me. As it always does. I start upstairs just to take a glance into Meg's room when I hear something from Gracie's room nearby. Like a cry or something.
"Gracie?" I call softly, gently knocking at the door a moment before going in. There's a shuffle, some sniffling that's unmistakable little girl crying sounds. "Gracie?" I ask again, but I just don't see her. So, I follow the noise. I open up the closet door and still there's no Gracie. There's just this huge lump in my throat that I can't push away. I push at the clothing and there's definitely this other room connecting to the closet and I push at that too. And there's Gracie on a chair, looking terrified with tears streaking down her face. It's not a game it's not like she was hiding, this is definitely because someone put her there. "Gracie, come on... come on out of there," I say with a calmness I didn't know I possessed in this sort of situation.
And terrified is an understatement at her next words. "I don't wanna be tested, Daddy said I'm not ready!"
"No, no. We have to go. Trust me, okay?" And all I can feel is myself growing more anxious as I take her hand to pull her out of the closet.
Meg: I wasn't sure why Logan was here when I got home from school, but there was no mistaking the fact that he was. The bright yellow Xterra kinda gave that away, but he wasn't waiting outside...
I knew enough to know that Lizzie wasn't here. Mom and Dad were both out, so she was taking advantage of them not noticing she was missing. Which means Logan's let himself in the house.
I pretty much ran up the stairs and saw Grace's bedroom door open, and I couldn't help the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. He knows.
"Logan?" I ask hesitantly approaching the doorway and saw that he was trying to get Grace out of the closet.
Logan: I'm not sure what to say when Meg's in the door way saying my name, because obviously she knew. She knew all about this because she lived through this and then watched her sisters live through this. And who knew if she actually still lived through this or if it was a daily thing or just a thing that her father did whenever he needed to feel some power surge over his daughters and wife.
Jesus. Fuck. I just don't know what to make of it.
I can feel my throat closing in and I finally look up to her from Grace's stubborn crying. She was terrified that she'd be found out. She'd be terrified of whatever punishment came next. Whatever that entailed for Mr. Manning.
"Did they do it to you too?" I asked, thickly.
Meg: I nodded slightly, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment at Logan's question. I didn't actually say the words, but let's face it, that's the first time I'd even admitted that to someone that wasn't Lizzie or Gracie. I opened my eyes again and crossed over to the closet. I had to get Grace calmed down. "Shh, Gracie... relax, okay? Logan was just trying to help... he didn't know." I whispered softly to her before turning my attention back to Logan. "The door's rigged with a sensor... he's gonna know it was opened." I explained quickly. I felt like I couldn't breathe, and I had no idea what was going to happen next.
Logan: "Oh, fuck." I can help but exhale, the tightness in my chest growing as Meg spoke. A sensor? A freaking sensor on your on child? It was psychotic. I didn't even need to ask if Lizzie went through it. I just put my head in my hands for a moment, not really sure what to say, what to do next.
"Daddy's not going to believe me," Grace cried towards her sister, obviously still anxious. "They're going to know."
"Just take her, Meg. We'll go." I say, the words rushing desperately out of my mouth. The only thing that really matter was that they weren't here right now, wasn't it. That was the only thing that mattered.
Meg: "And where am I supposed to go, Logan?" I asked, sighing heavily, "Don't you think I've thought about that already? There's no away the courts are going to let me have custody of my baby sister. I'm not 18 yet. And what about Lizzie?" Just disappearing as going to do nothing but make the whole situation worse. "Nobody'd believe me if I told them how bad things were..." I added softly as I crouched down and reached for my sister's hand, "It'll be okay, Gracie... we'll just tell him I opened it to check on you when I got home." It wasn't perfect, but it would diffuse some of the anger. Hopefully.
Logan: "I don't know, you could come back to my place or something, but it better than staying right here and shutting that door and letting them get away with that shit." Of course I got it. I got it more than she ever thought I could. The first time I had told Trina I had been twelve and it had been years and she laughed at me. I had long since hated my father for it, but I could never distinguish the first time from the last. "I don't know. Just bring you, and bring Grace and bring Lizzie, but for the love of God don't think about staying here." I put my hand on Meg's shoulder as she kept her focus on her sister. "Okay, I believe you, and maybe my option isn't worth anything, but I see it. So, please, let's just go."
Meg: "And what happens when they call the sheriff and he hauls us back here?" I asked, the panic evident in my voice. We'd be even worse off than we are now if Sheriff Lamb made us come back here. I knew that without a doubt.
Logan: "Show him the room! Tell him the truth! I mean, you have three testimonies right here, Meg. Just tell him, because I can guarantee that it won't ever get better just staying here and shutting your mouth about it."
Meg: "When did I say it was going to get better?" I questioned, fighting the urge to cry at the entire situation. I got why Logan was upset, I really did, but just taking off wasn't going to fix this. Running away to Aunt Chris's wasn't going to...we were stuck. "Even if he does by some miracle believe me? What happens to us then? One crappy foster home after another if we're lucky enough not to get split up?"
Logan: "Come on, it's better than staying here and taking it like you deserve it," I tell her, an edge to my voice. "If you stay here you're letting all those fears they put into you become reality. The only closet here is the one you make yourself."
Meg: "We know we don't deserve it." I state evenly, "But us sticking together is what always got us through this insanity." I reached down and handed him one of the hundreds of notebooks Dad had Gracie fill, "Lizzie and I are old enough that we can probably petition the courts for emancipation... but if Lamb doesn't listen to us, and we get sent back here, what happens to Gracie?" I questioned, searching Logan's eyes desperately. "Besides, like you really want us all living with you, even temporarily?" If I thought it could work, I'd have packed Gracie and moved on to Lizzie's room by now... but there was this nagging feeling of us being even more screwed than we already were if we even tried. This was exactly what I'd been looking for... an out. But it was one I was terrified to take because it wasn't even close to being a legal one.
Logan: I flip through some of the book briefly. One phrase the whole way through about God and redemption and all that crap that Gracie just does not need to think about even once. I swallow hard. "I don't care. I just don't want you here. And I don't want your sisters here. And I really don't care if Lizzie hates me or not, but it's better. Come on, Meg. Please." I said quietly. "It'll work."
Meg: I wanted so badly to believe that everything would just be okay. If I listened to him. Went back to his house, everything would be okay, and Grace could escape this hell. We all could. "I'm scared." I whispered softly. It was one of those 'way to state the obvious' moments. He could see that I was. This whole thing could blow up in our faces so easily. "Not for me... for Grace and Lizzie. I can deal with this if I have to. I'm the 'good' daughter. They never stay mad at me for very long." I took a breath and blinked back some tears, "Why is this so important to you? Why do you even want to get yourself mixed up in all of this?" I knew he cared about me, but we hadn't exactly been dating very long. This was above and beyond.
Logan: I wanted to blink away as she asked me why it was so important to me to get myself mixed up within this. What was I supposed to say? Aaron Echolls had a pastime of beating his son with his collection of belts which still hang in the close at home. I was prepare to shut my mouth, give her any other excuse but the real one that was boiling inside. But then I was hiding too. "Is it so hard to imagine that a father who slept with his son's girlfriend wouldn't care if he hurt his son in other ways?" It was the first time I had admitted it to anyone else. Veronica had seen his actions on Trina's boyfriend. She'd heard about it like it was a lie, but I couldn't say it again. I just couldn't. "Please, Meg." I say, exhaling softly. "Take Grace and come with me."
Meg: "I didn't..." I paused and shook my head slightly. I hadn't meant to bring up his dad. I really hadn't. It actually was more wondering why keeping me and my sisters away from my dad seemed so important to him. Especially Lizzie and Grace. I mean, why should he care what happens to us? "I'm sorry, I - never mind." I apologised, giving him a little weak smile before turning my attention to Grace, who was still shaking in the closet after all this time, "You wanna come stay at Logan's for a while, Gracie?" I asked her softly, "Logan's much nicer to us than Daddy is, isn't he?"
Logan: Of course, Meg didn't know or probably didn't consider it. I hadn't expected her to even once. It was easy to slip into a role I'd done so many times. The first time I had gone to school with any visible bruise, my mother had kissed my forehead and offered me a new bike if I kept my mouth shut - which I did. And I did it for her. And maybe I still am. I ignore the apologies slipping out of Meg's mouth. She sounds flustered at the thought.
Grace shakes her head. "No, no. Daddy's going to know. He's going to know and he's going to blame me." I winced and walked out of the room and down the stairs. It would be too much to hope for to have Meg bring Grace anyway. She was too terrified. They both were.
Meg: "No he wouldn't Gracie, he'd blame me." I insisted gently as Logan headed from the room, "I'll be right back, okay?" I said, as I got up and quickly followed him down the stairs. I didn't exactly want to leave her right now, but I could just let Logan walk away either.
"Logan..." I sighed softly, "I know this whole situation sucks beyond the telling of it, but she's just a little girl..." I took a deep breath, "We'll be okay. I promise. We always are. Lizzie and I know how to stay off the radar by now."
Logan: "Like that really helps? Staying off the radar?" I asked, looking up for even a moment. "I know she's a little kid, but so were you. So was Lizzie." I was one too. "You can't just stay here, Meg. She can't stay here. "Like... when you were her age and going through that... I bet all you thought about was wishing you could get out. And it's scary, I know, but don't you want to know what could happen if you actually did?" I stepped in closer to her, brushing her hair out of her face and cupping both sides of her cheeks. "If you got out. If somehow this all could just stop?"
Meg: "Why are you acting like you have some sort of personal stake in this?" I asked, my voice practically a whisper as he held my face in his hands, "It can't just be because of what you went through... it's more, isn't it?" I couldn't argue with him that this wasn't good for any of us, and that I'd been looking for a way out as soon as I figured out that was an option. I was. But we should go about it through the proper channels, shouldn't we? I still wasn't even sure why he was here. He knew I had a million things to do after school today, so why was he even here to find Grace in the closet?
Logan: I dropped my hands from her face after a moment, exhaling. "Why can't I just care about you, Meg? Does it have to be anything else? I care about you and maybe I went through something that I think you can relate to. Maybe that's personal enough. But maybe it can also be one less bastard getting off on some power trip. I don't know." I shook my head. "I don't know why it's more, but it is."
Meg: "Do you have any idea the kind of trouble you're bringing on yourself with this plan? My dad could have you charged with kidnapping... you know, assuming he decides to let the law deal with you..." I pointed out quietly, "And I never said you couldn't just care about me... but Logan, this is huge. Like, unbelievably." I insisted, "I get that you want to help... I do. I just don't want to see you getting hurt because of it...you've been through enough as it is."
Logan: "If you don't remember, I kinda have a criminal record. Kidnapping would probably be about ten steps up of anything else I've been accused of. And so I'll deal with him, whatever. Just don't give me this thing about going through enough because knowing you're still here is far worse than just thinking it's going to get better some day. Or waiting the time until you're eighteen because your plan kinda falls short then. I'm pretty sure that you'd be the first eighteen year old on earth to get custody of your siblings. What do months really matter anyway if you don't think you can get away now?" I shook my head. "What you're doing now it's just because you're scared and that's all it is. That's why Grace is still hiding. That's why you or Lizzie don't talk about it. And that's why I never did either. You think that people don't believe you, Meg. Well, I believe you. All it is is comfortable here. Because you don't know what would happen any way else and you're not trying."
Meg: "Of course I'm scared!" I snapped. He was acting so high and mighty, as if he'd had the nerve to strike out on his own. It was by fluke of circumstance that he got away from his father, nothing else. There was no great moment of him conquering his fear and leaving a horrible situation. Not like he was asking me to force my sisters to do with me... "And why would we talk about it? They never hit us... there's never anything we can point to as proof and say 'see, our parents are slowly destroying us!' There's nothing but those damn notebooks. Hundreds of notebooks." I took a breath and jammed my fingers through my hair, "You've known me - really known me - and been dating me a month? And you're basically demanding me and my sisters move in with you. Do you know how crazy that sounds?"
Logan: "Like hitting a child gives any more reason to speak up? If you look for proof you're never going to find enough of it to describe exactly what you went through. Not ever. Believe me, I tried and my dad left enough physical marks to know!" This wasn't meant to turn into a fight and I don't even know where my own words are coming from anymore. I'm just trying to breathe. "And, you know what? I don't care that I sound crazy. I'd fucking buy some other place if it made you feel comfortable! How should I be acting? Do you want me to ignore it? Do you want me just to pretend? Because I am so sick of pretending."
Meg: "That isn't what I meant! It's just a lot easier to prove and a lot easier to get Child Services to listen to you if there's evidence enough to make them think we aren't safe here." I tried desperately to clarify. "Not like they listen anyway. They're getting paid to sit around and ignore cries for help because they don't fit their precious protocols as far as I can tell." I let out a breath as he offered to buy us somewhere else to live if I was more comfortable with that. Not really, but that wasn't really the point. "I'm sorry, okay?" I closed my eyes, "I didn't - this entire thing, you knowing? Caught me completely off guard. And instead of bailing, you're bending over backwards to help not just me, but all of us. I - I don't want you to pretend like everything's fine, but I don't even know how to process this right now..."
Logan: I wasn't going to convince her. I knew that. I knew that and I kept trying because for all I knew there was even more than I saw just coming into here. Scratch that, there had to be more than I saw. Swallowing, I rubbed my forehead hard in discontent. "I'm sorry, Meg." I exhaled softly, my heart in my throat. I didn't know what I was apologizing for, but I felt like I needed to. Slipping the wrapped box out of a jeans pocket, I placed it in her hand and kissed her forehead softly before kissing her lips too. "Happy one month. You know where to find me," I told her before making my way out the door.
Meg: He places the gift box in my hand and kisses my forehead, and then my lips and it takes me a second to react when he goes to leave. I grab his arm lightly as he steps onto the front porch, "Logan, wait a sec..." I plead softly, "Thank you... for wanting to help." I tell him, locking my eyes with his, "It means more than I can ever possibly say." And it was definitely true. I didn't have the words to tell him just how major it was. If it was Cole? He would have been out the door as soon as he had an inkling of what was going on. Even Duncan wouldn't really know how to deal with it... then there's Logan and his 'we're leaving now' approach. "Maybe I can get Lizzie to help me convince Grace... I don't know. But I can't force them to leave, and I can't leave them here..." I said softly, hoping he would understand. "If it was just me? I'd be packed." If it was just me odds are I would have ran away a long time ago, actually.
Logan: I nod slightly at her thank you. I didn't know what to say otherwise because You're welcome doesn't exactly cut it. I couldn't take her away from it. I couldn't take myself away from my own crap at the same time. "I know," I told her softly, reassuringly. I nod and maybe it's more toward myself, but I do get it. And I wish I didn't maybe. "I do."
Meg: "You're amazing." I smile softly to him, pressing a kiss to his lips. "And I think we're all pretty lucky to have you in our corner." I added softly, "I'll talk to you later?" Despite the fact that he was asking us all to move in, I apparently needed confirmation that we were okay right now. Paranoid much?
Logan: I didn't feel amazing despite Meg telling me that I was, but I returned the kiss softly. "We'll talk," I agreed, letting out a breath. "Take care, okay?"
Meg: "We will." I promised, "Try not to worry too much, okay?" As much as I thought I could trust him with all this stuff, he was handling it much better than I'd expected given the way he found out.
Logan: I nodded and leaned in to kiss her softly again. "We'll celebrate this some other time, okay?" I said, tapping briefly on the box she held in her hand. We'd do something for a one month or whatever. Just now was definitely not the time.
Meg: "You want to take it back until then? 'Cause I might be tempted to open it otherwise..." I pointed out, smiling against his lips briefly as I returned the kiss.
Logan: "It's still for you and I'm pretty sure you can open it at any time you want to. Besides, you should today." I nodded reassuringly. "We'll just celebrate us another day."
Meg: "Who am I to argue when my boyfriend wants to give me presents?" I shrugged slightly, before I slid the ribbon off the box. I figured he'd want to see my reaction when I opened it, and now seemed as good a time as any, "Logan!" I gasped softly as I lifted the lid and spotted the beautiful silver bracelet with a little blue heart charm on it. "It's beautiful. And far too fancy for a one-month anniversary." I said, but even as I did, I couldn't stop the smile spreading on my face. "Thank you." I added, kissing him again quickly.
Logan: She smiles and for a moment it makes everything a little better. Okay, so the kiss didn't hurt either and it definitely brought some lasting smile to my face for at least the moment as I returned the kiss softly. "I'm glad you like it."
Meg: "Of course I like it." I rolled my eyes playfully. Why wouldn't I? It was beyond gorgeous, and the heart was the sweetest thing ever. "So, we'll talk later." I smiled warmly, kissing him again, "Not to seem like I'm kicking you out or anything, but you should probably go...I've gotta get Grace calmed down before Lizzie gets home." I said reluctantly.
Logan: I nodded and kissed her again before stepping off her front porch. "I'll see you, Meg," I told her, waving to her as I headed back towards my car.
Meg: "Definitely. Drive save, Logan." I replied, before heading back in the house and up to Gracie.
Well, I don't think saying I wasn't expecting any of what happened when I got home today is even close to being an understatement. But now I have to figure out how to deal with Gracie, tell Lizzie about it all... this is far from over.
That's probably why I stopped by her house after school. I knew she had something or another, but I didn't expect it to take nearly this long. Maybe that's why I decided to head inside after ringing the doorbell a few times. No one was home. Of course, my curiosity overtakes me. As it always does. I start upstairs just to take a glance into Meg's room when I hear something from Gracie's room nearby. Like a cry or something.
"Gracie?" I call softly, gently knocking at the door a moment before going in. There's a shuffle, some sniffling that's unmistakable little girl crying sounds. "Gracie?" I ask again, but I just don't see her. So, I follow the noise. I open up the closet door and still there's no Gracie. There's just this huge lump in my throat that I can't push away. I push at the clothing and there's definitely this other room connecting to the closet and I push at that too. And there's Gracie on a chair, looking terrified with tears streaking down her face. It's not a game it's not like she was hiding, this is definitely because someone put her there. "Gracie, come on... come on out of there," I say with a calmness I didn't know I possessed in this sort of situation.
And terrified is an understatement at her next words. "I don't wanna be tested, Daddy said I'm not ready!"
"No, no. We have to go. Trust me, okay?" And all I can feel is myself growing more anxious as I take her hand to pull her out of the closet.
Meg: I wasn't sure why Logan was here when I got home from school, but there was no mistaking the fact that he was. The bright yellow Xterra kinda gave that away, but he wasn't waiting outside...
I knew enough to know that Lizzie wasn't here. Mom and Dad were both out, so she was taking advantage of them not noticing she was missing. Which means Logan's let himself in the house.
I pretty much ran up the stairs and saw Grace's bedroom door open, and I couldn't help the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. He knows.
"Logan?" I ask hesitantly approaching the doorway and saw that he was trying to get Grace out of the closet.
Logan: I'm not sure what to say when Meg's in the door way saying my name, because obviously she knew. She knew all about this because she lived through this and then watched her sisters live through this. And who knew if she actually still lived through this or if it was a daily thing or just a thing that her father did whenever he needed to feel some power surge over his daughters and wife.
Jesus. Fuck. I just don't know what to make of it.
I can feel my throat closing in and I finally look up to her from Grace's stubborn crying. She was terrified that she'd be found out. She'd be terrified of whatever punishment came next. Whatever that entailed for Mr. Manning.
"Did they do it to you too?" I asked, thickly.
Meg: I nodded slightly, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment at Logan's question. I didn't actually say the words, but let's face it, that's the first time I'd even admitted that to someone that wasn't Lizzie or Gracie. I opened my eyes again and crossed over to the closet. I had to get Grace calmed down. "Shh, Gracie... relax, okay? Logan was just trying to help... he didn't know." I whispered softly to her before turning my attention back to Logan. "The door's rigged with a sensor... he's gonna know it was opened." I explained quickly. I felt like I couldn't breathe, and I had no idea what was going to happen next.
Logan: "Oh, fuck." I can help but exhale, the tightness in my chest growing as Meg spoke. A sensor? A freaking sensor on your on child? It was psychotic. I didn't even need to ask if Lizzie went through it. I just put my head in my hands for a moment, not really sure what to say, what to do next.
"Daddy's not going to believe me," Grace cried towards her sister, obviously still anxious. "They're going to know."
"Just take her, Meg. We'll go." I say, the words rushing desperately out of my mouth. The only thing that really matter was that they weren't here right now, wasn't it. That was the only thing that mattered.
Meg: "And where am I supposed to go, Logan?" I asked, sighing heavily, "Don't you think I've thought about that already? There's no away the courts are going to let me have custody of my baby sister. I'm not 18 yet. And what about Lizzie?" Just disappearing as going to do nothing but make the whole situation worse. "Nobody'd believe me if I told them how bad things were..." I added softly as I crouched down and reached for my sister's hand, "It'll be okay, Gracie... we'll just tell him I opened it to check on you when I got home." It wasn't perfect, but it would diffuse some of the anger. Hopefully.
Logan: "I don't know, you could come back to my place or something, but it better than staying right here and shutting that door and letting them get away with that shit." Of course I got it. I got it more than she ever thought I could. The first time I had told Trina I had been twelve and it had been years and she laughed at me. I had long since hated my father for it, but I could never distinguish the first time from the last. "I don't know. Just bring you, and bring Grace and bring Lizzie, but for the love of God don't think about staying here." I put my hand on Meg's shoulder as she kept her focus on her sister. "Okay, I believe you, and maybe my option isn't worth anything, but I see it. So, please, let's just go."
Meg: "And what happens when they call the sheriff and he hauls us back here?" I asked, the panic evident in my voice. We'd be even worse off than we are now if Sheriff Lamb made us come back here. I knew that without a doubt.
Logan: "Show him the room! Tell him the truth! I mean, you have three testimonies right here, Meg. Just tell him, because I can guarantee that it won't ever get better just staying here and shutting your mouth about it."
Meg: "When did I say it was going to get better?" I questioned, fighting the urge to cry at the entire situation. I got why Logan was upset, I really did, but just taking off wasn't going to fix this. Running away to Aunt Chris's wasn't going to...we were stuck. "Even if he does by some miracle believe me? What happens to us then? One crappy foster home after another if we're lucky enough not to get split up?"
Logan: "Come on, it's better than staying here and taking it like you deserve it," I tell her, an edge to my voice. "If you stay here you're letting all those fears they put into you become reality. The only closet here is the one you make yourself."
Meg: "We know we don't deserve it." I state evenly, "But us sticking together is what always got us through this insanity." I reached down and handed him one of the hundreds of notebooks Dad had Gracie fill, "Lizzie and I are old enough that we can probably petition the courts for emancipation... but if Lamb doesn't listen to us, and we get sent back here, what happens to Gracie?" I questioned, searching Logan's eyes desperately. "Besides, like you really want us all living with you, even temporarily?" If I thought it could work, I'd have packed Gracie and moved on to Lizzie's room by now... but there was this nagging feeling of us being even more screwed than we already were if we even tried. This was exactly what I'd been looking for... an out. But it was one I was terrified to take because it wasn't even close to being a legal one.
Logan: I flip through some of the book briefly. One phrase the whole way through about God and redemption and all that crap that Gracie just does not need to think about even once. I swallow hard. "I don't care. I just don't want you here. And I don't want your sisters here. And I really don't care if Lizzie hates me or not, but it's better. Come on, Meg. Please." I said quietly. "It'll work."
Meg: I wanted so badly to believe that everything would just be okay. If I listened to him. Went back to his house, everything would be okay, and Grace could escape this hell. We all could. "I'm scared." I whispered softly. It was one of those 'way to state the obvious' moments. He could see that I was. This whole thing could blow up in our faces so easily. "Not for me... for Grace and Lizzie. I can deal with this if I have to. I'm the 'good' daughter. They never stay mad at me for very long." I took a breath and blinked back some tears, "Why is this so important to you? Why do you even want to get yourself mixed up in all of this?" I knew he cared about me, but we hadn't exactly been dating very long. This was above and beyond.
Logan: I wanted to blink away as she asked me why it was so important to me to get myself mixed up within this. What was I supposed to say? Aaron Echolls had a pastime of beating his son with his collection of belts which still hang in the close at home. I was prepare to shut my mouth, give her any other excuse but the real one that was boiling inside. But then I was hiding too. "Is it so hard to imagine that a father who slept with his son's girlfriend wouldn't care if he hurt his son in other ways?" It was the first time I had admitted it to anyone else. Veronica had seen his actions on Trina's boyfriend. She'd heard about it like it was a lie, but I couldn't say it again. I just couldn't. "Please, Meg." I say, exhaling softly. "Take Grace and come with me."
Meg: "I didn't..." I paused and shook my head slightly. I hadn't meant to bring up his dad. I really hadn't. It actually was more wondering why keeping me and my sisters away from my dad seemed so important to him. Especially Lizzie and Grace. I mean, why should he care what happens to us? "I'm sorry, I - never mind." I apologised, giving him a little weak smile before turning my attention to Grace, who was still shaking in the closet after all this time, "You wanna come stay at Logan's for a while, Gracie?" I asked her softly, "Logan's much nicer to us than Daddy is, isn't he?"
Logan: Of course, Meg didn't know or probably didn't consider it. I hadn't expected her to even once. It was easy to slip into a role I'd done so many times. The first time I had gone to school with any visible bruise, my mother had kissed my forehead and offered me a new bike if I kept my mouth shut - which I did. And I did it for her. And maybe I still am. I ignore the apologies slipping out of Meg's mouth. She sounds flustered at the thought.
Grace shakes her head. "No, no. Daddy's going to know. He's going to know and he's going to blame me." I winced and walked out of the room and down the stairs. It would be too much to hope for to have Meg bring Grace anyway. She was too terrified. They both were.
Meg: "No he wouldn't Gracie, he'd blame me." I insisted gently as Logan headed from the room, "I'll be right back, okay?" I said, as I got up and quickly followed him down the stairs. I didn't exactly want to leave her right now, but I could just let Logan walk away either.
"Logan..." I sighed softly, "I know this whole situation sucks beyond the telling of it, but she's just a little girl..." I took a deep breath, "We'll be okay. I promise. We always are. Lizzie and I know how to stay off the radar by now."
Logan: "Like that really helps? Staying off the radar?" I asked, looking up for even a moment. "I know she's a little kid, but so were you. So was Lizzie." I was one too. "You can't just stay here, Meg. She can't stay here. "Like... when you were her age and going through that... I bet all you thought about was wishing you could get out. And it's scary, I know, but don't you want to know what could happen if you actually did?" I stepped in closer to her, brushing her hair out of her face and cupping both sides of her cheeks. "If you got out. If somehow this all could just stop?"
Meg: "Why are you acting like you have some sort of personal stake in this?" I asked, my voice practically a whisper as he held my face in his hands, "It can't just be because of what you went through... it's more, isn't it?" I couldn't argue with him that this wasn't good for any of us, and that I'd been looking for a way out as soon as I figured out that was an option. I was. But we should go about it through the proper channels, shouldn't we? I still wasn't even sure why he was here. He knew I had a million things to do after school today, so why was he even here to find Grace in the closet?
Logan: I dropped my hands from her face after a moment, exhaling. "Why can't I just care about you, Meg? Does it have to be anything else? I care about you and maybe I went through something that I think you can relate to. Maybe that's personal enough. But maybe it can also be one less bastard getting off on some power trip. I don't know." I shook my head. "I don't know why it's more, but it is."
Meg: "Do you have any idea the kind of trouble you're bringing on yourself with this plan? My dad could have you charged with kidnapping... you know, assuming he decides to let the law deal with you..." I pointed out quietly, "And I never said you couldn't just care about me... but Logan, this is huge. Like, unbelievably." I insisted, "I get that you want to help... I do. I just don't want to see you getting hurt because of it...you've been through enough as it is."
Logan: "If you don't remember, I kinda have a criminal record. Kidnapping would probably be about ten steps up of anything else I've been accused of. And so I'll deal with him, whatever. Just don't give me this thing about going through enough because knowing you're still here is far worse than just thinking it's going to get better some day. Or waiting the time until you're eighteen because your plan kinda falls short then. I'm pretty sure that you'd be the first eighteen year old on earth to get custody of your siblings. What do months really matter anyway if you don't think you can get away now?" I shook my head. "What you're doing now it's just because you're scared and that's all it is. That's why Grace is still hiding. That's why you or Lizzie don't talk about it. And that's why I never did either. You think that people don't believe you, Meg. Well, I believe you. All it is is comfortable here. Because you don't know what would happen any way else and you're not trying."
Meg: "Of course I'm scared!" I snapped. He was acting so high and mighty, as if he'd had the nerve to strike out on his own. It was by fluke of circumstance that he got away from his father, nothing else. There was no great moment of him conquering his fear and leaving a horrible situation. Not like he was asking me to force my sisters to do with me... "And why would we talk about it? They never hit us... there's never anything we can point to as proof and say 'see, our parents are slowly destroying us!' There's nothing but those damn notebooks. Hundreds of notebooks." I took a breath and jammed my fingers through my hair, "You've known me - really known me - and been dating me a month? And you're basically demanding me and my sisters move in with you. Do you know how crazy that sounds?"
Logan: "Like hitting a child gives any more reason to speak up? If you look for proof you're never going to find enough of it to describe exactly what you went through. Not ever. Believe me, I tried and my dad left enough physical marks to know!" This wasn't meant to turn into a fight and I don't even know where my own words are coming from anymore. I'm just trying to breathe. "And, you know what? I don't care that I sound crazy. I'd fucking buy some other place if it made you feel comfortable! How should I be acting? Do you want me to ignore it? Do you want me just to pretend? Because I am so sick of pretending."
Meg: "That isn't what I meant! It's just a lot easier to prove and a lot easier to get Child Services to listen to you if there's evidence enough to make them think we aren't safe here." I tried desperately to clarify. "Not like they listen anyway. They're getting paid to sit around and ignore cries for help because they don't fit their precious protocols as far as I can tell." I let out a breath as he offered to buy us somewhere else to live if I was more comfortable with that. Not really, but that wasn't really the point. "I'm sorry, okay?" I closed my eyes, "I didn't - this entire thing, you knowing? Caught me completely off guard. And instead of bailing, you're bending over backwards to help not just me, but all of us. I - I don't want you to pretend like everything's fine, but I don't even know how to process this right now..."
Logan: I wasn't going to convince her. I knew that. I knew that and I kept trying because for all I knew there was even more than I saw just coming into here. Scratch that, there had to be more than I saw. Swallowing, I rubbed my forehead hard in discontent. "I'm sorry, Meg." I exhaled softly, my heart in my throat. I didn't know what I was apologizing for, but I felt like I needed to. Slipping the wrapped box out of a jeans pocket, I placed it in her hand and kissed her forehead softly before kissing her lips too. "Happy one month. You know where to find me," I told her before making my way out the door.
Meg: He places the gift box in my hand and kisses my forehead, and then my lips and it takes me a second to react when he goes to leave. I grab his arm lightly as he steps onto the front porch, "Logan, wait a sec..." I plead softly, "Thank you... for wanting to help." I tell him, locking my eyes with his, "It means more than I can ever possibly say." And it was definitely true. I didn't have the words to tell him just how major it was. If it was Cole? He would have been out the door as soon as he had an inkling of what was going on. Even Duncan wouldn't really know how to deal with it... then there's Logan and his 'we're leaving now' approach. "Maybe I can get Lizzie to help me convince Grace... I don't know. But I can't force them to leave, and I can't leave them here..." I said softly, hoping he would understand. "If it was just me? I'd be packed." If it was just me odds are I would have ran away a long time ago, actually.
Logan: I nod slightly at her thank you. I didn't know what to say otherwise because You're welcome doesn't exactly cut it. I couldn't take her away from it. I couldn't take myself away from my own crap at the same time. "I know," I told her softly, reassuringly. I nod and maybe it's more toward myself, but I do get it. And I wish I didn't maybe. "I do."
Meg: "You're amazing." I smile softly to him, pressing a kiss to his lips. "And I think we're all pretty lucky to have you in our corner." I added softly, "I'll talk to you later?" Despite the fact that he was asking us all to move in, I apparently needed confirmation that we were okay right now. Paranoid much?
Logan: I didn't feel amazing despite Meg telling me that I was, but I returned the kiss softly. "We'll talk," I agreed, letting out a breath. "Take care, okay?"
Meg: "We will." I promised, "Try not to worry too much, okay?" As much as I thought I could trust him with all this stuff, he was handling it much better than I'd expected given the way he found out.
Logan: I nodded and leaned in to kiss her softly again. "We'll celebrate this some other time, okay?" I said, tapping briefly on the box she held in her hand. We'd do something for a one month or whatever. Just now was definitely not the time.
Meg: "You want to take it back until then? 'Cause I might be tempted to open it otherwise..." I pointed out, smiling against his lips briefly as I returned the kiss.
Logan: "It's still for you and I'm pretty sure you can open it at any time you want to. Besides, you should today." I nodded reassuringly. "We'll just celebrate us another day."
Meg: "Who am I to argue when my boyfriend wants to give me presents?" I shrugged slightly, before I slid the ribbon off the box. I figured he'd want to see my reaction when I opened it, and now seemed as good a time as any, "Logan!" I gasped softly as I lifted the lid and spotted the beautiful silver bracelet with a little blue heart charm on it. "It's beautiful. And far too fancy for a one-month anniversary." I said, but even as I did, I couldn't stop the smile spreading on my face. "Thank you." I added, kissing him again quickly.
Logan: She smiles and for a moment it makes everything a little better. Okay, so the kiss didn't hurt either and it definitely brought some lasting smile to my face for at least the moment as I returned the kiss softly. "I'm glad you like it."
Meg: "Of course I like it." I rolled my eyes playfully. Why wouldn't I? It was beyond gorgeous, and the heart was the sweetest thing ever. "So, we'll talk later." I smiled warmly, kissing him again, "Not to seem like I'm kicking you out or anything, but you should probably go...I've gotta get Grace calmed down before Lizzie gets home." I said reluctantly.
Logan: I nodded and kissed her again before stepping off her front porch. "I'll see you, Meg," I told her, waving to her as I headed back towards my car.
Meg: "Definitely. Drive save, Logan." I replied, before heading back in the house and up to Gracie.
Well, I don't think saying I wasn't expecting any of what happened when I got home today is even close to being an understatement. But now I have to figure out how to deal with Gracie, tell Lizzie about it all... this is far from over.