The sun blinded me as I was wheeled out of the hospital. My head remained down, since I still looked like hell. The bruises were all sorts of colors upon my face. My right eye still somewhat swollen, but I could see a little out of it.

Andy wheeled me close to a silver Chrysler and remembrance filled me. The last time I rode in this car was the last night I had been with Ash. He had dropped me off at the end of the street and silently praying not to get caught, I snuck quietly into the home Declan and I shared and headed straight for the shower.

Hoping to wash away the remnants of my night but to no avail. An entire mess erupted that night and things were never the same between Declan and I.

Andy easily set me into the plush leather seat, buckling my seatbelt over my waist. Niki buckled Hunter into the back in a car seat that must have just been purchased. Tears burned my eyes.

These people had pulled together for me and my little boy in such a short period of time. I felt horrible for the fact I could never truly repay them for their generosity.

I watched as Andy gave a Niki a hug and Matty a quick handshake. He then disappeared out of my sight to slide behind the wheel. I gave a half-grin and a wave to the both of them and the two of us were off.

“Things are gonna be okay, Autumn. I promise!” Andy reached over and took my hand within his.

I gazed at him, not believing a word.

“I won’t let him get to you or Punk again! The guys will be thrilled to see you again.”

“Not now! Please?”

“Well Jake and CC are already at my place. Jinxx will be along shortly.”

I remained silent, waiting to hear if Ashley was going to be there, but Andy never mentioned a word the entire drive there.

Forty minutes later, we arrived in the parking lot of where Andy called home.

“I’ll grab Punk. Do you think you can manage to slide out a little bit?”

I nodded yes and unbuckled myself. Groaning in stiffness and a bit of pain, I opened the door and managed to slide myself around in the seat.

While Andy was fighting with the seat buckle in the back, I went ahead and stood up. A little too quickly and almost went face first into the pavement.

“Whoa, hold up! Give me a minute.”

Andy reached quickly over to stabilize me. He then grabbed his cell and punched some buttons.

“Hey, can you come outside to help?”

Moments later, the tall lanky builds of Jake and CC appeared. I merely smiled as Jake’s strong arms lifted me up off the ground.

“Jake…”

“You okay?” he asked searching my face for signs of pain.

I briefly nodded.

CC grabbed all the bags and led the way.

Once inside, Jake laid me on the couch. Andy placed Hunter on the floor next to me. I reached out and brushed my fingers along the softness of my son’s face. He stirred but never woke up from his slumber.

Everyone sat down around me - Andy directly at my feet, CC and Jake in nearby chairs, and Jinxx, who arrived just minutes before, occupied the loveseat. They all sat in silence as they looked at me. I still must look like a wreck, multi-colored bruises filling my face. Not to mention the cast encasing my wrist and bandage on my left leg.

“Why?” Jinxx questioned, the only one having courage enough to break the silence and speak to me.

I closed my eyes while pain and agony filled my entire body.

“It had to be me!” I paused. “I fucked up and had to protect Punk..Declan despises that child with a passion!"

I felt Andy grimace at my last statement. Him and Matty were the only ones who knew the real truth!

An accidental meeting at Niki's one afternoon. I had been just shy of 6 months and they promised to keep it hidden for the rest of the pregnancy and up until now from everyone. Ashley didn’t even know what transpired that night and I really wasn’t sure I had the courage to tell him.

Without a doubt, I believed it would crush his entire future.

“Why? What's the real reason?” CC inquired.

“It’s complicated C, something I’m not getting into right now.”

“Why not?” A familiar voice resonated from the doorway.

Notes