"Ashley!" Was the first thing I heard as I opened the front door of our apartment. My sister excitedly shouted my name and I chuckled to myself at how cute she was. Jade must have heard my key in the lock. I barely had time to shut the door before I was bombarded by a tiny mass crashing into me. "You're back!" She squealed wrapping her tiny arms around my waist. Jade beamed up at me with wide and joyful eyes and I grinned down at her and ruffled her hair. She pouted and tried to swat my hand away put I just pulled her in closer.

“Ashley!” she whined “Stop it!”

“Not until you tell me what’s got you so excited.” I teased kicking the door closed behind me with my foot.

“I made a cake!” she announced proudly.

“Did you now?”

“Yep! From scratch.”

“Really? What flavor is it?”

"It's a vanilla, raspberry cream filled cake."

"Oh wow and you made that all by yourself?"

"Mama helped." Jade shrugged and I could hear Mary Ann's amused filled laugh from the other room. Moments later she came waltzing out of the kitchen in a ruffled pastel pink apron and a pair of oven mitts in her hand.

"It's good to have you back." She said bringing me into a tight hug and taking Jade with her. "We missed you."

I sighed feeling the weight of the world lift from my shoulders. "I missed you too"

“Ashley come on!” my sister whined wiggling out of the hug and trying to tug me into the kitchen. “I want you to try it while it’s still warm!”

Mary Ann and I laughed at her eagerness but I pulled her closer instead and she huffed.

“Woah, slow down little lady, didn’t you say you wanted to show your brother the other thing you made for him while he was away?” Mary Ann inquired and Jade’s eyes went wide.

“Oh yeah! I’ll be right back.” she rushed out the without another word and I watched her leave with a wide smile on my face. For once I felt that I was living up to my promises.

“How did it go?” Mary Ann asked as I sunk into her embrace. I felt my body shudder with relief part of our nightmare was finally over.

“It’s over. With all the multiple charges against them, some of those men are looking at over fifty years without parole. That bitch’s charges added up to almost a hundred. She’s never getting out of prison alive” I sighed feeling like for the first time in two years I could breath easy.

Mary Ann hugged me tighter “Good” she patted my back as she spoke “That’s really good.”

It had been two years since Mary Ann had taken us in and Jade had progressed so much. She finally felt safe and not afraid to speak. My sister had adjusted to our new lives gradually over time and now felt confident enough to sleep in her own room instead of with me. She no longer had to cling to me 24/7, which I won’t lie I missed her shadowing me while I worked. I was so proud of her progress and everyday Jade, proved she’d be alright. She still had trouble being around strangers which resulted in her being home schooled but Mary Ann was more than willing to do it. Honestly life with this woman here to take care of us was a blessing.

Mary Ann was relentless in helping, to make sure that my sister got the justice she deserved. She helped me through pressing charges. It had been a long, sickening and heartbreaking process but through a thorough investigation her mother had been arrested as well as multiple men. The realization of just how vile my sister’s situation had been a sickening experience for me that I can’t describe. But the feeling was so intense that I’d wanted to commit murder right there in that courtroom.

Jade was unaware of everything that was going on and I had planned on keeping it that way for the time being. She was still in such a fragile state and didn’t need to relive such painful events when she was just getting back on her feet. There was no telling what this would do to her mental state. I felt horrible for lying to her about my two week ‘business trip’ but I didn’t want her to worry or be upset. I refused to let her testify because I wanted her nowhere near the people that warmed her. The trial had been a long and agonizing two weeks but it was worth it in the end to know that those who had hurt Jade would probably never step foot out of prison again.

“This is just another process in moving on and healing.” Mary Ann told me, hugging me tightly as she spoke. “You should be proud of yourself Ashely. Look at all that you’ve done for her. I know you still feel that you’ve let her down in some way but that’s not the case. The person that matters most in this situation looks at you like you created the universe. Jade adores you Ashley. You’re her hero, the father figure she’s always needed and if you keep that thought always at the forefront of your mind you’ll never think of yourself as a failure again.”

I could feel myself tearing up from her words as they touched me to my core. Knowing that she believed in me and genuinely meant what she said let me know that all my efforts weren’t in vain. In such a short time Mary Ann had become a core person in our lives, I couldn’t possibly imagine where we’d be without her but I’m so grateful for the kindness she’s shown us and continues to.

“Thank you.” I whispered, body shuddering.

“Ashley!” my sister called out to me before she could respond. “Look at this?” she exclaimed as she ran back into the living room. She was panting a bit as she held out a card made out of red construction paper for me to take. “I tried really hard to make it look pretty, so I hope you like it” She mumbled shyly, staring down at her feet. Jade’s confidence was another issue I’d been working on. Her mother may have beaten it out of her but I would build it back up.

I beamed at the glittery gold words that read out I love you Ashley! “Oh Baby Girl this is lovely.” I cooed but for some reason she was avoiding my eyes. There must have been something inside the card that was making her anxious. I opened it and instantly held my hand over my mouth to stop myself from letting out a sob. Inside with the same glittering letters she wrote Thank you for loving me! Happy Father’s day! I know you’re not my dad but you kind of are.

She had signed the end with a big heart and her name. The holiday had been two days prior and I hadn’t given it a second thought. Tears spilled down my cheeks at the realization that I meant more to Jade than I thought I ever could.

“Thank you so much Jade.” I choked out. I pulled her in and held her as close as possible. I planted a few kisses to the top of her head and squeezed. “I love you so much, Baby Girl.”

“Love you too, Ash. Thank you.”

“I’d do anything to protect you and keep you safe.” Jade melted into me hugging my middle tightly. Out of nowhere she let out a gasp and pushed away from me.

"Ash the cake!" She whined suddenly remembering. "It's a gift for you! You gotta eat it now!"

"Okay, lead the way chef." I joked and Jade rolled her eyes playfully before dragging me and Mary Ann into the kitchen.

-x-

I was jolted awake by frantic and shaky hands. I sleepily opened me eyes to see my sister standing above my bed with wide and frightened eyes. I instantly sat up and opened my arms for her. Jade instantly plopped down into my lap and buried her face in my shoulder.

“You have a nightmare Baby Girl?” I asked even though I already knew the answer. She nodded and I rubbed my hands in a circling motion on her back. Nowadays this was a rare occurrence that her night terrors come back. She was fifteen now and old enough to be on mild sleeping medication. It helped the majority of the time but there were still the rare nights like these when her medicine wasn’t effective.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked and she mumbled a soft no. I decided not to pressure her into talking; what she needed the most right now was sleep. “Okay, let’s get some sleep.” I kissed the top of her head before adjusting us so we were cuddled up in my bed. My sister curled up into me as close as possible and I cradled her to me.

"Jade, you remember what I always tell you right?"

She sighed heavily but mumbled it off anyway "I'm stronger than I think. And they can't hurt me anymore."

"And I'll always be here to keep you safe." I reassured squeezing her to me. I knew that she still felt that having night terrors made her weak but I was always there to remind her that it wasn't true.

I started humming a nameless tune and it slowly but surely lulled my sister to sleep. Jade's head rested on my chest and I ran my fingers through her hair knowing it was an effective method of keeping her calm. I watched her as she slept and couldn't help but to smile. She'd come such a long way from where she'd been. As her brother and father figure I felt proud.

I knew that even though I was basically winging it that I was raising her the best that I could. She was taken care of and treated right and that's all I wanted for her. It broke my heart to know that since she was born I was the only one that wanted her and loved her. Jade was just so special and knowing she didn't see that was gut wrenching. My sister was worth more than the world had to offer and was determined to make her see it.

-x-

“Mama! Where is Ashley? He said he had a surprise from me.” I could hear my sister whine and I couldn’t help but to chuckle to myself as I continued to prepare her surprise in the backyard. It had taken about two months to get to have everything settled and ready but things were finally set and in perfect timing for her birthday.

“He’s in the backyard waiting for us” Mary Ann said with laughter in her tone. I could here them coming towards the back gate and the two little pomeranian puppies, I had named Killer and Tokyo, I’d gotten specifically for Jade nipped eagerly at my heels. I was excited to see my sister’s reaction to the two of them. Our therapist had suggested getting a pet and I thought it was a brilliant idea. Mary Ann had helped me find places that catered specifically to service dogs and after waiting two months we’d finally found two puppies that specialized in coping with trauma. They were small adorable and the most non-threatening looking puppies we could find. Also they were downright adorable. I knew Jade was going to love them.

“You and Ashley didn’t make a cake right? I told you I wanted to do it myself.” I didn’t even have to see my sister to know she was pouting.

“Of course we didn’t chef.” Mary Ann teased.

"Good, because I really wanted to make my own cake." Jade stated getting closer. I could hear the gate door unlock and the two puppies perked up at the sound and started to bark. "Is that?" Jade gasped in excitement right before the back gate opened.

The two of them walked through and instantly the Pomeranians rushed towards my sister. "Oh my god, you got me puppies?!" She squealed in excitement dropping the bags in her hands. She kneeled down in the grass just in time for the two of them to pounce on her. The puppies knocked her off balance and she fell flat on her back which gave them the space to hop onto her stomach and lick at her cheeks. I picked up my camera from the bench and started taking photos. She looked so blissful in the moment and I knew I'd made the right choice in getting them.

"Happy sixteenth birthday!" I called out to her as she continued to giggle helplessly as she played with our new additions to the family.

"I love them already, thank you so much Ashley!"

"You're welcome Baby Girl."

Mary Ann walked up to me and patted my back in a proud manner. "Why don't you go over there and play with them while I fire up the grill?" She suggested and I nodded, kissing her cheek before making my way towards them. Killer and Tokyo appeared to be having the time of their lives with the new person they’d just met. I was glad they were so friendly with her. They already seemed to love her, which I was eternally grateful for.

“They’re so cute!” she cooed snuggling them both to each of her sides, while they panted happily. “What are their names?” she asked me cocking her head in curiousity.

“Killer and Tokyo” I told her pointing to let her know which was which.

“Aw, you don’t look like a killer at all, I bet you’re a big softy” she cooed rubbing her nose against the puppy’s fur. I sat down next to them and continued to take pictures of the three of them.

“We can go out and get them toys, later on today if you want.”

“Can they sleep in my room?” my sister asked eyes full of hope and I couldn’t help the wide smile that graced my face as I nodded yes. “Awesome!” she cheered squeezing the puppies joyfully. “You hear that? You get to sleep with mommy.” murmured kissing their faces.

“I can already tell you’re going to spoil them silly” I teased, slinging my arm around her shoulder and she just shrugged not even bothering to deny it. I squeezed her for a moment before kissing her forehead. “You can stay here and play with them while I help out Mary Ann.”

“Okay” she nodded in agreement before she placed Killer and Tokyo back on the ground. Jade stood up patting down her oversized t-shirt that just so happened to be mine and baggy jeans. Without another thought she took off running; the two tiny pomeranians barked merrily as they chased after her. These moments were what I lived for; just seeing her smile made everything worthwhile. As I watched her play around the yard and Mary Ann at the grill cooking, I couldn’t help but to think that this was the family that the three of us deserved.

-x-

“And that was what our life was like up until around a year before we met you all.” I grumbled staring down at the floor as I wiped the stray tears from my cheeks. I wasn’t ashamed of our past I was just trying to protect her by keeping it hidden. I didn’t want her to relive those moments again by having to talk about it. Turns out it happened anyway. “I’m sorry that we kept this from you but I didn’t want anyone to pity her. Jade’s been through enough and I just wanted her to have a life as normal as possible, without anyone pitying her. I just wanted Jade to be happy” I whispered and felt myself be engulfed by multiple hugs.

Jake and Jinxx were cuddled around me, the hug was tight and full of comfort and I sniffled, feeling overwhelmed by how warm and comforted I felt. From the corner of my eye I could see CC holding Andy’s head to his chest. Jade and Andy were best friends, over everybody else in our makeshift family the two of them were the closest. I couldn’t even imagine how this was affecting him. Knowing Andy, he was probably blaming himself even though there was no possible way he could have prevented any of this from happening.

“Just know that you don’t have to go at this alone anymore. You’ve been carrying around burden of staying strong by yourself” Jake spoke tone sympathetic “You have us now, we’re a family, which means we’re here for all of you. Don’t feel like you have to protect her all on your own anymore.”

“Yeah Ash, what you did for your sister is incredible and admirable, You didn’t have to take on such a large responsibility at only eighteen but you did and you should give yourself credit for it. But now you have people to take care of you and take the burden onto their shoulders as well. Just let us in” Jinxx assured me. I sniffled a bit overwhelmed by the support I felt through all my friends.My family.

“Can I see her?” Andy asked, voice soft spoken with pleading eyes. “I-I have to go see her.” he stood up without waiting for a response. I was going to refuse him at first, tell him that Jade needed her rest, but I stopped myself. There was something in the glint in Andy’s eyes, that spoke volumes. He needed to be by my sister’s side. There was no possible way I could refuse him in the moment. I just nodded my head yes and before anyone else could say anything, Andy was sprinting out of the room. I noticed CC stared after him with a expression I couldn’t place. I figured that I would question it later instead of prying.

“Thanks for being there for us guys. I really need you right now” I confessed and was given a large amount of hugs in return.

“It’s what we’re here for, man” CC stated patting me on the back and I glanced around the room to see all of my friends giving me the same reassuring smiles. I just nodded still too stunned to form a coherent sentence.

I felt a bit dumb for never telling them the truth about our past. I should have known from the moment we all met that they’d have my back through everything. My friends cared deeply about my sister and I. There wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do for us and I should have let them. But from now on I was going to make sure I relied on my friends when I truly needed them.

Notes

I finally fixed at the chapters (still going back through from grammar and spelling errors) but every chapter so far is in order and correctly posted. Thank you for reading this and I hope you enjoy it <3