Stay

Chloe's POV

While my head was telling me to stay my body just relaxed into Lucas's body. He smelled sweet yet earthy and it was intoxicating. I tried to stop crying and eventually felt myself drifting back off to sleep while wrapped in his arms.

I awoke, in what seemed like hours later as it was now dark in the room and the light was off. Still feeling him around me I looked up to him as he was sleeping in the bed with me holding onto me so tight it kept me feeling at peace. I tried to sit up but he pulled me even closer to his chest and then he whispered to me "Don't go, I want to keep you with me" I looked up at him and he opened his eyes, those piercing blue eyes and I felt my whole body tremble at his words. "I don't have anywhere to go, they were all I had left in my life" the tears building again "I will stay with you, if you are positive about me staying, I don't want to be an inconvenience or make anyone feel out of place" he looked down to me and gently touch my face rubbing his thumb ever so slightly against my cheek, "You could never be an inconvenience, I want you to stay, so does everyone else, we are happy to have you here with us".

He sat up, kissed my forhead and let me know that I could come home with him in the morning. "Anabel will be releasing you in the morning and I already had your things brought to the house, besides some clothes and your phone in that bag over on the couch. You should get back to sleep and rest some more while you can. I can stay or go, whatever you are more comfortable with". He looked at me so reassuring, making me feel safe. " I'm only 16, my birthday is in a few days and I was supposed to be having. a birthday party in town, OH MY GOSH, my phone, you said you had my phone? Jessy must be so worried, she's my best friend and we had an argument the last time we saw each other. Can I have my phone please?" He stood up and went to the bag and grabbed my phone for me, he had charged it too, I had over 100 missed calls and messages. Everyone wondering where I was, what had happened, and Jessy, apologizing over and over about what happened and begging me to call her. "People think I was kidnapped or dragged off into the woods by whatever got my parents" I said staring at my phone and all the messages. "Don't the police know that I am safe, you said you saw them right?" He looked at me, "They know now, when you first came to me I didn't know your name or where you came from so I had no idea how to find out anything. Once we learned your name I was able to figure out where you were from and find your home and talk to the police. I have no idea who they have contacted and let know that you were safe and in good hands" he looked at me and I could see the honesty in his eyes, I nodded and laid back down. He sat next to me and I started to drift back off to sleep when I felt him stand up to leave. I reached out and grabbed his hand, opening my eyes and looking up at him "Please, I'm not ready to be alone yet, can you stay with me?" He smiled at me and sat back down before laying next to me and pulling me into his chest, I swear he sniffed my hair before I fell back to sleep to the sound of his heart beating against me.

I woke suddenly, sweating, breathing hard and looked over to Lucas sitting up staring at me wide eyed, concern across his face. 'It's okay Chloe, you're safe, you aren't back at the house, he isn't there, try and calm your breathing'. I look back to Lucas "I'm so sorry, did I hurt you? I had a nightmare, I was back at the house and it was standing over me, ready to claw me apart, oh my God I am so sorry, you should leave" I bowed down my head embarrassed and horrified by my dream and the thought of doing anything to hurt him. He lifted my chin, his eyes so soft and caring "You didn't hurt me, I just couldn't get you to wake, I was worried for you, you screamed, so loudly, I knew whatever was happening was horrible and I tried to wake you, I don't want to leave you, I'm not leaving you" he grabbed me and pulled me closer to him, I buried my face in his chest and I could feel my tension calming and my body relaxing into him. I can't explain it but he truly makes me feel safe.

The sun was coming up, the room looked pink and orange and was beautiful. I was laying on Lucas's chest listening to his heart beating in my ear when I felt it skip a beat as his gently touched my face. He is so perfect, caring and kind to someone he barely knows, making me feel safe and warm and cared for 'He is someone we need in our life Chloe, don't let him go, he's important to us, I can feel it in my bones' 'I agree, wait, I feel like you should have a name, I mean if I'm crazy, my crazy should have a name right?' 'You aren't crazy Chloe, we aren't crazy, we belong together, you will see in a week on your birthday how we are one, I'm Callie, I have always been with you and will always be with you' 'Okay Callie, if you say so, I'm happy you are here with me, whether crazy or not, I'm thankful I'm not alone.'

"Anabel will be in soon to discharge you into my care, then you can come home with me" He looks at me and smiles so sweetly. "Are you sure about this?" 'Stop questioning him, he wants us with him, I can feel it'

"I'm more than sure that I want you with me" he says to me with so much emotion. Anabel walked into the room. with papers in her hands, "Alp... Lucas, I need you to sign her out and into your custody considering she is only 16 still, you will be in charge of her recovery and keeping her wounds dressed until she no longer requires them" she looks to me with a smile and then back to Lucas. He signs the papers after I nod reassuring him that I'm okay with him taking care of me. Then we left the hospital.