Mindful Beauty

Extra 1: Mary

A.N: So I've seen quite a few comments regarding my character Mary, previously known as Olivia. In response, I have decided to write an additional chapter. I originally wanted to highlight some of the real aspects of traumatized and abused children, but I didn't think many readers would be interested in her story, but it appears as though I've miscalculated. Now, enjoy these extras!

"What's going on?" Ella murmured from the bed, alarmed upon hearing Damien scrambling to get his clothes on in the middle of the night.

"Nothing, love. Go back to sleep," Damien's efforts to calm his wife were futile, though.

"Damien," Ella sat up, checking their clock. "It's two in the morning right now. What's going on?" She blinked away any remnants of drowsiness, pushing the covers off upon seeing Damien reach for his wallet and cell phone.

Damien paused, conflicted.

"Mary's at the station again."

Ella's muscles tensed. This wasn't the first time. It was the second time, either, so Ella's heart wasn't racing as much as it had the first time she heard those words

"Will you wait for me?" Ella stood from the warm bed. It was the middle of October, and the night was chilly. Adding Ella's nervousness, she was already cold and her teeth began to chatter anxiously.

Regardless of it not being Mary's first time in trouble with the law, and likely not her last, it still made Ella worry and panic over what had gone down this time.

"Ella," Damien rounded the bed to her side quickly, pushing her small shoulders down with his warm palms, kneeling down by her feet while tracing his hands down her arms to stop at her hands. "We can't leave Sofia alone, and Stefanie is out of the country right now."

In the last occasions that they had to leave the house in the middle of the night, Stefanie had been able to rush to their home and stay with her niece, but that wouldn't be possible right now.

Upon seeing Ella's forehead crease with worry, her hazel eyes that Damien loved so much darkening with problems, he leaned up, kissing her lips tenderly.

"It's going to be alright. I'll just pick her up, sign a few documents, and we'll be right back home before you know it." Damien was no fool. He knew Ella wouldn't go back to sleep and would likely stay up and wait for them anxiously.

He grabbed Ella's chin between his thumb and forefinger, directing her troubled gaze back to his calm, forest green eyes.

"You trust me, right?"

"This is the fifth time this month, Damien. They told her-"

"Sh, sh, shh," Damien hushed her growing fears, trying to stop her precious tears from falling from her honey eyes. "I won't let it get to that, okay? You know how determined I am. Just lie down, and wait for me. I'll be back as soon as I can, amore." Damien pushed her gently back on the bed, tucking her under the covers. "Breathe. She'll be safe. Don't worry, my love." Damien kissed her forehead, caressing her cheek with his thumb, making sure she was calming down before he could leave.

"Okay. Go." Ella sniffed, not wanting Mary to spend more time at the station. "I love you."

"I love you." Damien promised, kissing her before leaving, locking up the house securely.

Ella, meanwhile, got up from the bed. It no longer felt comfortable or warm. Instead, she wandered out of the room, finding herself walking to Sofia's room.

Rufus perked up upon hearing footsteps, but upon sniffing Ella's scent in the dark, he laid back down, his tail wagging gently while he watched as Ella moved to crawl into bed with her daughter.