CH 30

Nikolas sat across from Taggert and for the first time in a long time, felt that there was hope for Gia and Jacob. Taggert hung up the phone that he was speaking into and looked over at Nikolas. “OK here’s what’s going on. Gia’s at General Hospital, she’s fine aside from suffering a miner concussion, deep bruising to her ribs and a fractured wrist. She’s got a friend with her apparently, a guy with dark hair. Her neighbor spotted Phil leaving his home and gave the police a good description of what he was wearing and what he looks like, as well as his license plate number.” Taggert explained. “OK well what about Jacob?” Nik asked. “Who is that?” Taggert asked curiously. “Gia’s stepbrother. He’s two and I need to make sure that he’s safe. Gia loves him so much. He’s her whole world.” Nik said. “Yes they did say something about a little boy. Child services came and got him.” He said. Nikolas nodded his head. “I think that’s the safest place for him to be right now, and Gia too, although she’ll hate it.” Nik said. “Yeah, I think it’s best.” Taggert replied. “OK so what now?” Nik asked. Taggert rubbed the back of his head to relieve some tension. “I want to be with my sister, I want to protect her and try and build a relationship with her. I want her to come and stay with me.” He said. Nikolas smiled. “Can you do that?” He asked with a new excitement. “I’m not sure. I’ll have to find a good lawyer.” Taggert said honestly. “I know one.” Nik said. “Who?” He asked. “My aunt, Alexis Davis.” Nik said. Taggert’s eyes widened, in shock. “Alexis Davis is your aunt? Do you think she’ll help me?” Taggert asked. “I know she will.” Nik replied. “Well that would be great, god I can’t even believe all this.” Taggert said as he shook his head slowly. “Well I’m going to call Alexis and fill her in on what’s going on, and then I want to go see Gia.” Nik said. “I wish I could come with you but I want to make sure that this jerk is caught. I’m going over to her house to investigate. Please don’t tell her about me until I have a chance to come and see her.” Taggert said. Nikolas bit his lower lip lightly; he thought that this might be difficult. “I won’t tell her.” He finally nodded.

Gia sat up and immediately became defensive towards the woman who approached her hospital bed. “Gia, my name is Judy Sims, I work for the department of child protective services. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?” She asked. Gia crossed her arms over her chest. “Only if you answer one for me first. Where is my brother?” Gia asked raising one of her finely shaped eyebrows.  “Your brother is safe. He will stay in our facility’s until he can be placed in a temporary home.” Judy explained. Gia’s breathing became labored as she looked at the woman. “Temporary home?” Gia breathed. Judy nodded her head. Tears threatened to pour as Gia looked away from the woman. “I need to see him, please. He needs me.” Gia said softly. “I’m sorry but that is not an option. Gia I need you to tell me about the abuse that your stepfather has afflicted onto you. From there, we can decide where is the best place for you and your brother to be.” Judy said. “My stepdad does not abuse me.” Gia said quickly, turning to naively try and hide her bruised cheek. Judy chuckled incredulously. “Don’t lie to me Gia, it won’t help you. Now tell me, how long has this been going on?” She asked. Gia looked away briefly, before looking back at her sharply. “A few months OK?” She said defensively. “Has he ever hit Jacob?” Judy asked. Gia opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to decide what to say. “Only once that I know of.” She said softly. “Has he ever hit you in front of Jacob?” Judy asked next. Gia looked down. “Yes.” She whispered. Judy shook her head sadly. “Is this the worst he’s hit you?” She then asked. Gia’s no was barely audible. “That’s all the questions for now.” Judy stood up from the chair next to Gia’s bed. Gia panicked and reached up and grabbed her arm to stop her. “That’s it? What’s happening? I want to see my brother right now.” Gia said. “I’m sorry but Jacob Donavan is staying where he is, away from his father.” Judy said. “No.” Gia cried as she shook her head. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that you and Jacob never go back to that house.” Judy said before walking away, leaving Gia petrified and sobbing.

Zander straightened up from his slouched position when he spotted Nikolas walking down the hall of the hospital towards him. “How is she?” Nik immediately asked. “She’s scared Nikolas. The Dr. said that she needs to rest so I wasn’t in there very long, she must be even more scared now that she talked to that lady. Nikolas what’s going on? They came and got Jacob. I never wanted that, you can’t take Jake away from his sister.” Zander said anxiously. “Calm down Zander. Listen, I’m getting us help but I can’t tell you everything, you just need to trust me OK?” Nik said. Zander softened. “I trust you.” He nodded. “OK promise me that no matter what happens, that you’ll stay with Gia and never let her out of your sight.” Nik said. “I promise.” Zander answered. Nikolas nodded his head and smiled at him. “It will all be over soon, I can feel it.” He said. Zander smiled back at him in relief.

Gia was at the side of her bed; she had painfully gotten up and located her clothes that were in the room. She had put on her plaid skirt and slipped her white uniform shirt over her shoulders. With shaky hands, she went to work buttoning the buttons of her shirt. Just as she buttoned the last one, the door opened and she looked over. His hair was a mess and he looked like he needed sleep, but to Gia, the sight of Nikolas was like heaven. She went to him as fast as she could, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly. Nikolas held her gently, not wanting to hurt her. He drew his face closer hers and kissed her cheek, and then her neck. Gia began to sob; her body shook against his as he held her. Nikolas pulled back and looked down at her, gently wiping her tears away with his thumbs as he gazed into her eyes. “I’m so scared Nikolas.” Gia cried. “I know Gia, it’s going to be OK.” Nik said as he pulled her to him again. Gia wrapped her arms high on his neck; her fingers plunged into his hair. Injured wrist and all, she gripped his head and pulled his mouth down to hers, kissing his lips passionately. Nikolas moaned as she plunged her tongue into his mouth, immediately responding by matching the urgency of her searching tongue. The kiss was frantic, desperate and smothering as their bodies drew closer, closing the slight gap between them and pressing together. Nikolas was lost, a burning from within arose and he felt himself losing control, wanting desperately to walk her over to the bed, and make love to her. Gia suddenly pulled away, and Nikolas felt dizzy and in a daze, numb by the effects of his desire for Gia. Gia was panting as she placed her hand on her rapidly beating heart. “I’m sorry I, I shouldn’t have done that. I’m just so scared right now.” She said softly. “It’s OK Gia, I know you’re scared.” Nik said, touching her face. Gia stepped away and shook her head, running her fingers through her braids, trying to calm her nerves. “No you don’t understand. They took Jacob away Nikolas. They have him.” She said in a panicky tone. “I know.” Nik said. Something about the way he said it, made Gia look up at him, her eyes rapidly scanning over his face. She began to reach an uncovering and her heart began to pound. “How do you know?” she asked softly. Nikolas looked away and Gia gasped. “You did this?” She breathed. “It’s not as bad at you think Gia. He’s going to be OK, I promise you.” Nik said. Gia’s chin began to tremble as she looked at him and she slowly shook her head. “Not as bad as I think.” She repeated his words. “They’re going to make sure that he’s safe Gia. They’ll protect him.” He said. “How could you do this to me?” Gia shouted. Nikolas looked up at the ceiling briefly, making a silent plea for help. “You want Jacob to be safe, he’s not when he’s at home. This way he will never have to see you get hit again.” Nik said. “He may never see me again period Nikolas! I can’t believe you did this to me. You of all people know how much I love that little boy. How could you help take him away from the one person who loves him unconditionally? I begged you to stay out of this and you couldn’t, and now I may never see my brother again.” Gia cried. Nikolas moved closer to her, attempting to comfort her, but she moved away from him. “Don’t touch me Nikolas. You stay away from me. I hate you!” Gia yelled. Nikolas let out a quick sob. “Don’t say that.” He breathed. “I mean it Nikolas, don’t ever talk to me again. I HATE you!” Gia roared. Nikolas shook his head as tears slipped down his face. “It’s not as bad as you think.” He said desperately. Gia slapped him, crying out angrily as his head whipped to the side. “Not as bad as I think.” Gia let out in a breath. Tears were pouring down her cheeks now. She began to walk towards the door, forgetting her shoes, her bare feet smacking along the white tile floor as she moved to get out. She stopped her movement when the door opened, and she stood, glued to her spot. Her heart was pounding as her eyes drank him in. She thought that this must be a dream. But her eyes connected with his and after a brief consideration, it sunk in. “Marcus.” She breathed.