"Hi" Laura greeted as the door opened and Scott stared at her.
"Hey" he replied after a while. He was still standing, holding the door.
"Can I come in?" Laura asked expectantly.
"Um... of course" he stepped aside for her to walk in. Trixie was on the dining with a book. She was probably studying. As soon as she saw Laura she rushed to hug her.
"Suze" she screamed as she hugged her. Laura lifted her up and hugged her back. She had missed her so much.
"Daddy said you were never coming back". Trixie told her as soon as she dropped her back down. Laura stared at Scott, he shrugged.
"Don't worry baby doll.... I'm not going anywhere". Laura replied as she ruffled her hair.
"Yehhh!!! I was painting some stuffs on my drawing book. Can you come help me?" Trixie asked, oblivious of the tension surrounding the whole place.
"Sure". With that Trixie half dragged her to the dining.
***
Laura had helped Trixie with her painting and after that she helped Scott prepare a meal. That was the first time she cooked for Scott so she was very pleased when he found it delicious. She had played with Trixie and her toys the whole day and by the time she put Trixie to bed she was a little exhausted. Even as she was exhausted she realized something....there was no place she'd rather be than here. After Trixie went to bed she headed for the living room to find Scott. It was time to tell him why she came. She found him watching a movie. As soon as she stepped into the living room he stood. He switched off the television and was walking away.
"Scott.." she called and he stopped, his back facing her.
"Scott please don't walk out on me" she pleaded.
He sighed. "What do you want Suzanne?" He asked, his back still facing her.
"I just...I just want to talk to you"
"Didn't you come here for Trixie? You've had your fun with her. You can leave now" he told her. She wanted to cry but she knew she couldn't. She had to be strong.
"I came here for the both of you" she replied.
"You said everything you needed to say that night" he slowly turned to face her. He looked pained and she hated the fact that she caused it.
"No I didn't. Scott...I want you to give us a chance"
"Us? There's no us Suzanne. You made that clear already. You didn't trust me enough to tell me about your past. And you know what? I don't want to know anymore. I think it's better this way". He started to walk away. Tears burned at the back of her eyes. They were threatening to fall.
"My name is not even Suzanne". She said and he stopped walking. He turned to face her again.
"What?"
"My real name is not Suzanne Burndy. It's Laura Kinney".
"I don't....I don't understand. Why did you lie about your name?"
"I ran away. I didn't want anyone to identify me by my name".
"Why did you run away Suzanne.... Laura...what do I call you?"
"Anything you want". He shook his head as if trying to clear the confusion. "I had to get away from home. I was suffering. I hated them....they made me do things I didn't want to do".
"Where's home?" He asked.
"Colorado".
"Who made you suffer?". She looked away biting her lips. He walked up to her and held her hand. "Who made you suffer Suzanne?".
"My mom's boyfriend" she answered. "Well all her boyfriends....Don just stayed longer".
"What did he do to you?". Just then the tears she had been holding started to fall.
"He did everything. He beat me at any slightest mistake. He treated me like nothing...like trash. He's a drug Lord. He made me believe God would never accept me. He nearly killed me when I went to church. Nothing I did ever pleased him. My mum's past boyfriends took advantage of me sexually. I was a mess" she wept. Scott led her to the couch. He hugged her.
"I'm sorry" he whispered against her hair.
"I had to leave. If I didn't he would have eventually killed me. I was tired. I had to work for him. Not just in the motel....."
"Did you tell Lola this?". She shook her head.
"I was scared Scott. I had to leave....had to change my name. I wanted to change my look too but I decided against it. I'm far from home, he can't get me here" she told him.
"You're safe dear. No one is going to hurt you here" he assured her and she nodded. She held him tight.
"What did he make you do?". Laura let go of him.
"Scott..."
"You can tell me"
"You won't like it"
"Trust me Suze. You can trust me. Tell me" he pleaded. Laura looked into his eye. She believed him.
"Ok....."