Love was the first thing I felt as I leaned down to feel that hard gravestone, thought it wasn't there. I lightly opened my eyes to see sitting next to me soaked was Nolan. He was bundled up next to me at that moment I didn't feel violated, I felt safe and protected as his large hands draped over me. I was upset that he didn't answer my questions, I was upset at his crude behavior, but I knew I needed someone.

He felt me move as he peeked at my head and I pretended I was fast asleep, he stared for a bit and then continued doing whatever he was doing. I squinted my eyes and I finally saw him signing files on his computer, he was working and taking care of me in a graveyard.

I moved my finger a bit as he sensed I was awake as I got up and glanced at the cemetery, my cake was destroyed from the pattering rain coming down like cats and dogs.

"Thank you", I looked sincerely at him as he matched my eyes and we connected for seconds at a time. He averted his eyes back to the cemetery, he probably had so many questions.

"Any decent person would do that", he said just not accepting my 'thank you' and making it seem like what he did wasn't all that.

"Your more than decent", I said as I glanced at the time, to see it was 5 in the morning how did he find me this late.

"Let's get you home we have lunch at my parents house", he added as I cheered. I had wanted to see Avery and Mrs. Clementé since the last time I saw them. It would be a good time to spend time with friends, especially on my birthday.

"Alright", I nodded as I quickly fell back into a light slumber.

Was she grateful that I had been there for her I hope so. I hope she knew what I was trying to say, what I was trying to express I mean it was obvious, wasn't it?

I had sent the grave to Tyler, as he was my best friend and had magnificent skills of a private investigator. I sent it to him hoping he could figure who that women was. I looked at the stretched out version of my little lady next to me as she sniffled just a bit and I immediately wanted to take her pain away from her. But I couldn't do that, not unless she would let me in. I needed to let her in, first.

Her lips let out an exhausted yawn, and at first I found myself saying the word 'cute'. Something I didn't really think about or find in anyone. But that yawn made me want to just pick her up and just give her a big bear hug. She looked adorable, and I was here for it.

As we started getting near to the house, I got ready and told myself I would let her in. The car came to a sudden stop as I opened the door and hurried to the other side, opening the door to my sleeping princess. Cara Mia, she was beautiful, I scooped her up like an ice cream scooper and carried her to the house. I opened the door trying to be as quiet as I could be, it wasn't easy with her in my shoulders, every moment she just made me want to check if she had woken up or if she had even blinked. I came to two doorways, as I knew if I wanted more of her, I needed to give her more of me.

I gently set her on my bed, as I drew a bath for her. We had a couple hours until we had to leave, and I would let her sleep and relax. I knew it was going to be a tough day for her. I just wanted to know why? Why did she run away? Have I not been the best? I mean I know I haven't been the best but I'm working on it. Is she afraid of me?

The last question made me horrified of my actions, made me regret, the things I had done to her. Was I really all that bad?

"Nat", I spoke as I brushed her hair back and she quickly sprung up, as if she was going to fight. She looked around the room as she spotted me, and put her self at ease, just a bit and the question arose from the back of my mind.

My mother was dancing in a silk satin dress, as she floated above the clouds, she was beautiful. I felt a tap on my shoulder as I shut my eyes tighter hoping to go back to my safe haven, my mother.

A voice calling my name, and it reminded me of Daniel, my father he used to wake me up with a surprise beating. He said he thanked me for I was his punching bag. I slowly got prepared for the blow that was aimed for my stomach as I opened my eyes and prepared to defend myself I put my hands near my head. I gradually rose up and saw a grey bedroom, where was I? It was familiar, but nothing like my rugged down wallpaper, torn up mattress, and picture of mom torn in pieces.

I turned my head just a bit to see a giddy Nolan, who peered at me like I was some sort of treasure. He was being fragile, as I looked around at the simplicity look, I remembered it was his bedroom.

"I started a bath for you, and we're leaving at 12 for my parents house, I do believe you'll be able to see your mom and dad there", he said as if those words were supposed to make me smile. She was not my mom, just a gold digger after Daniel's money. My mom was elegant, but graceful, funny, but calm, she was everything but to father she was simply nothing. She was everything that women would never be and never have. Maybe someday, someone would discover the way they treated me, but until then I remain at the brink of silence.

"Thank you", I tried smiling genuinely as I didn't want to spend my birthday with the people who took away my childhood and who beat me senseless.

He stepped out of the room leaving me in the comfiest bed I've felt graze my back. The coldness kicked in as I pulled the soft, velvet grey, comforter over my head. As I went over seeing my 'family' again, I couldn't bare the feeling of gunk all over. I felt gross, completely disgusted, I quickly peeled off the comforter to reveal my scars and as I traced them I knew I just needed to scrub my scars to get them to finally come off. But deep down I knew I couldn't take them off, they were forever apart of me.

I hoped Nolan hadn't seen me, run to the bathroom like a half naked fool. I slipped out of my clothes, and placed them in the closet. I would keep them safe to remember that I could always go back to my mom.

After my bath I slipped into my sundress for the day, it was a yellow floral dress with sleeves, it covered up the red marks that covered my arms. The dress made me want to twirl and forget my troubles. I brushed out my lengthy hair and put in gold hoops, and then selected my moms necklace. A pendant inside reminded me of her warm presence was in my heart, right next to that necklace.

I saw myself in the mirror, and saw a girl who had the potential to be something she wanted to be. I had always wanted to work, to show men that a women could provide and that she could have a successful job, with no ones help. My dreams were slowly crushed after I had been shipped off with a husband.

I smoothed my hair down as I felt a rush of anxiety flood my mind. The people who treated me like total trash, weren't my parents just toxic people I was supposed to love with all my heart. I slipped my hand onto my locket as I held on to it tightly, too afraid to let go.

"You ready?", a voice peeked from the door as I swung around to see Nolan, in a yellow polo shirt matching my floral yellow dress perfectly. He slowly made his way over as I couldn't help but stare at his engorged biceps, or the way his hair was pulled to the side and all I wanted to do was run my fingers through it.

"Cara Mia, you look beautiful", he spoke as his fingers ran up my bare shoulders, feeling his warm touch made me feel more comfortable than I've ever felt.

"Thank you", I said shyly as I brushed my hair behind my ear and stared down to my bare feet. I saw him peer at my bare feet, I felt embarrassed, I felt myself getting flushed as he slipped into the closet and pulled out a pair of white pumps and he gently pulled me to the bed as I sat at the edge. He took my feet as he looked up at me. He picked up my heel and slid it on as he leaned down and placed a kiss on the open part of my skin.

"A perfect fit, just like my perfect princess".