To Call My Own

Chapter Twenty Six

"I never want to hear you talk to Mila or Bea that way again!" West shouted at dad in the parking lot.

I could see how angry West was, he was practically fuming. The smirk on dad's face was only egging him on to make a move. I was terrified to see what was going to happen between the two of them. I knew that when West was mad, there was no stopping him. The one time I ever saw him in a fight at his game, he dominated and put all his passion into it.

"You can't come and try to act like you know your daughters and what's best for them." He again yelled. This time his words were met by action.

Dad swung his arm back and his fist connected with West's jaw. At first, West stood there looking stunned. But his reflexes kicked in and he threw a punch that would surely leave dad with a black eye.

It was difficult to watch as they battled one another. Each fighting for their own reasons. West completely tore loose on dad, but dad was heavier so it made the force harder. Eventually, I was pulled back into the moment and brought to me senses.

"Knock it off! Both of you!" I screamed out. West's bloody face turned to look at me, pain written all over his face.

I rushed over to where the scene had played out. I grabbed West's arm and physically pulled him away, putting all my strength into it. I sent one last dirty look in dad's direction before calling Bea to come get into the car.

"Have a good life." I called out bitterly as we walked to the car. I felt hot tears running down my face as we walked. This was a nightmare. "Give me your keys." I instructed West. He reached the less bloody hand into his pocket to pull out his keys. "I'm not letting you drive in this condition."

Part of me was completely furious with West, why did he let his emotions have so much rein over him? But at the same time, he only did it because he cared about us. If my fathers words were enough to make West lose his temper as he did, it must have really hurt him.

I slid into the drivers seat and just took a breath in. Bea sat anxiously in the bacl while West cowered in the passenger seat. I took a glance at him, he wore a weary and remorseful look on his beaten face.

"I'm sorry Mila, it was wrong but I just couldn't control myself." He explained, trying to get his apology out. I turned to him and nodded, wiping the tears that were staining my cheeks.

At the moment, I didn't have the head space to drive and talk to West. I pulled out of where he had parked his car and headed for the highway. The sun was setting and soon we were engulfed in darkness.

No one said anything for a long time. I took a peek in my rear view mirror to find Bea fast asleep in her seat. West's eyes were straightforward, deep in thought. I didn't know how long I could stay mad at him for. He only did it because he loved me, and couldn't stand to see me treated like that. But that didn't make it right.

"When your father said those things about you, it was like he punched me in the gut." West said, trying to get me to open up and talk out what I was feeling. "I guess I just saw red and went for it. I understand that I embarrassed you, Mila. And I'm very sorry." He continued on.

"I just had no idea someones words could sting that much." I expressed. "Not even Piper made me feel so low." I sighed. I temporarily turned my gaze to meet his. His eyes looked broken and hurt. "I forgive you, West." I said, keeping my eyes forward.

"The only reason it happened is because I love you and Bea is like a little sister to me. Mila, you mean everything to me, and no one talks to my girl like that." He said, shaking his head.

It was becoming harder and harder to keep my composure as I drove. Between the memories from the day, the words that were said and the words that West had said; I was nearly going to fall apart.

I really did forgive West, he deserved my forgiveness. I only wished I could go back in time and convince myself not to go meet up with my father. It only ended up with crushed hopes. But deep down I almost knew it would. It seemed liked nothing good could come of opening the past, I've learned that time and time again over these past few months.

Between my dad and Jada, I've learned to let things go. Sometimes you have to live in the moment and let everything behind you, stay behind you. If I've learned anything, its that letting things go is not easy, but it's always worth it.

The rest of the ride home was silent, but when I parked outside of our house I knew there would be a lot of explaining to do. I braced myself to face my mom and have to tell her every single detail of our afternoon. Not to mention explain why West looked so rough.

"Mom, we're home." I called, leading everyone inside. I had insisted that West come inside and have me take care of his wounds before returning home. Mom emerged with a smile that rapidly dropped when she saw us.

"What on earth happened to you?" She questioned, rushing over to where the three of us stood. I gave her a look that she was able to read; my father. "I take it things didn't go well." She said, reaching out to grab Bea's hand.

"Understatement of the century." Bea mumbled, shaking her head. Mom just gave her a sympathetic smile.

"I'm going to go take West to get cleaned up." I said, motioning for West to follow me up to our washroom.

From downstairs, I could hear mom and Bea chattering, no doubt Bea was filling her in the events of the day. I motioned for West to sit on the counter so I could more easily clean his face and hands.

I scooped up his right hand, it was obvious this was his dominant hand. The wounds inflicted on his knuckles were mostly found on his right hand. I took the peroxide and poured it over, he winced a little but was soon immune to the pain. I wrapped his knuckles in white wrapping and set it back down gently.

When I looked up to his face, I was able to see up close the damage done. He had another shiner covering his left eye, a cut along his cheek bone, a bloody lip and a bruised jaw. Just looking at his face made me hurt all over, he looked to be so calm yet in so much pain.

"You're in rough shape." I sighed, dabbing at the cut on his cheek bone. He let out a soft chuckle.

"Can't wait to see what my mom's going to say." He answered sarcastically. I shook my head, West was a mama's boy and he knew it. I could tell he didn't ever want to make his mom upset.

"West, thank you for being there for me. I don't think I could have faced him alone." I said, grabbing his left hand in mine. His soft brown eyes peered into mine, holding all the words he wanted to say.

"I'm never going to leave you, ever. No matter what happens, you can always count on me." He replied lovingly. He reached his arms out to gather me into a hug.

I buried my face in his chest, finally feeling comfortable enough to let out all the emotions I held inside. Tears began to stream down my face and a loud sob escaped my lips. West pulled me closer and rubbed circles in my back, attempting to comfort me.

"I just thought maybe." I cried. He continued to hold me close.

"I know, I know." He soothed. "But at least you know now and you don't have to spend sleepless nights wondering about the what if's." He added, I just nodded my head.

Finally, after what felt like an hour I pulled myself away from his embrace. He wiped a tear from my face and planted a kiss on my forehead. I nodded and took one last deep breath before shutting off the light and heading back downstairs.

Mom and Bea were both placed at the kitchen table. Tears stained Bea's cheeks as she latched onto a mug full of warm coffee. West sat next to Bea and placed his arm over the back of her chair in an act of suport.

"Bea told me everything that happened." Mom stated, coming over to give me a hug. I pulled her in. "Don't think you're off the hook young man." She chuckled turning to West. He just smiled and leaned back in his chair.