Beth's POV  Watching Shawn hold it together for Annie was painful to watch. I know Annie is having a hard time dealing with their parents absence and Shawn wants to be there for her, but if she keeps holding in her feelings, she's going to break. She knows that once we're alone again I'm going to make her let some of it go. Ashlee finds us and was able to get Annie to go with her, knowing what I was trying to do for Shawn. She told Annie that my Aunt Charlotte wanted to talk with her. I close the door behind them and turn to Shawn.  As soon as our eyes met, she broke into uncontrolled sobs and sunk to the floor. I run my hand through her hair and she moves to the couch behind her. I place a pillow against my leg and she lays down, letting me play with her short hair. Her shoulders shook with heavy sobs and I felt bad for making her cry it out. It's something she needs and we both know it. It wasn't until after she fell asleep two hours later

****This chapter takes place between Shawn and Beth's POV when they were teenagers in high school. I thought it would be nice for readers to see how they saw each other back then.**** Shawn's POV  Another beating from hell today. I have bruises on my face and ribs from the last beating. Old cuts have reopened as I try to get up off the floor. Trey, the asshole who beats me, is the principal's son and he gets away with everything. He's the biggest bully in the school. He started beating me after he caught me with an erection during cheer practice. I came to secretly watch Beth cheer and never had the guts to tell her how I feel. She'd added some erotic moves to the routine and you can guess the rest. "Oh my God," Annie chokes when she finds me in the empty hallway after school. "Trey again?" "Trey and some of his football friends," I groan as she helps me to my feet. "You should stay home tomorrow. Mandy told me the guys had someth

Abbigail's POV  I was in the closet a few days later, feeling around for an old box when the smell of orchids fills my nose. A smile forms on my lips and turn to give her a kiss. "Will you help me find a box? It's old and the top is starting tear at the edges. When you find it, open it," I say softly and wished at this moment I could see her reaction as she sees what's inside the box. I sit on the bed and wait for her to find the box that contains items from the night we met. I had a dream about our night the other day and made me remember I still had the soldier bear, bracelet and left over tickets. I even had Beth print out some pictures I took on my camera that night and had them in the box as well. I feel her sit next to me and hear her gasp in surprise at what was in the box. "The look on the guys face when I shot all the targets was priceless," she chokes with a laugh. "I can't believe you kept all this." "I used to close my eyes and think

Shawn's POV I was making breakfast while the others were still sleeping. It's been a few weeks since Abbigail lost her sight to a cancerous tumor on her optic nerve. The kids have gotten used to her not being able to see them and do their best to help her. She's even starting to get used to being blind again and recognizing the kids as they approach her. As I was placing food on the table everyone was slowly emerging in and taking what they wanted. I watch as Alex fixed a plate of Abbigail's favorites and places it in front of where she sits. I stood by and watched as she poured a glass of orange juice and places it next to the plate of food she fixed. Beth and Melanie walk in and notice Abbigail's breakfast was waiting for her, but didn't see her in the kitchen. Alex leaves the kitchen and I tell them what Alex has been doing this morning. She's never done this before and I'm curious to what she's going to do next.Moments later she walks in, guiding Abbigail. Abbigail stumbles a

AbbigailIt's been two months since I regained my sight and watched my granddaughter born. I still haven't told the kids or my parents and those who knew respected that. Thankfully since my sight restored I haven't had a headache and I know the others were relieved. I just got off the phone with Doctor Byrne and he said he wanted to see me as soon as possible.I was on my way with Shawn and I was nervous about why he wanted to see me. He did a blood test a few days ago and haven't heard from him until now. Shawn could sense I was freaking out and takes my hand. I let out a calming breath as we pull in his office building. We make our way to his office and he had a neutral look on his face. It didn't ease my nerves as I crush Shawn's hand. She winces and I let go.Doctor Byrne motions for us to sit, but I was too anxious. He takes notice of this and smiles. "I called you here, because I thought it was better said in person," he says with a genuine smile and I let out the breath I'd bee