Delaney

I heard voices discussing something from the kitchen when I walked through the front door of the Thomas household.

Figuring it was a family matter, I made my way up stairs. I was almost to the top when a voice stopped me.

"Delaney can you come here for a moment please?" Maya asked from behind me.

I reluctantly nodded and walked back down the stairs.

The whole family, except for Benji and Dakota, was sitting in the living room. When I got there, all eyes turned to me.

"Umm..hey?" I greeted nervously. Why did they need me?

They're probably tired of you already. Get ready to move again.

"Where have you been?" Scott asked me.

"At Xavier's. Is that a probably? Sorry if it is." I responded nervously.

"Not a problem as long as you're safe. How long have you been friends with him?" Maya asked.

"Oh we became friends 4 years ago and we've been dating for over 2." I stated proudly.

Maya awed. "That's so sweet. Can I meet him?" She asked nicely.

"Sure I'll invite him over soon." I gave her a small smile.

"Anyways... we wanted to talk about some other stuff." Scott said. I looked over at Nathan nervously. He was the one asking about my night terrors yesterday.

"Listen, we heard you screaming the other night. Nathan said you were having a panic attack. Are you okay?" Scott continued.

"I'm fine. Sorry if I woke you guys up. I get them some times." I apologized.

"I told you it was alright. We're just worried about you." Nathan butted in.

"You're family now. We take care of each other." Luke said. The other boys nodded in agreement.

Family?

"You haven't even known me a week." I rebutted.

"Doesn't matter."

"I'm just a foster kid. I'll be in another one after this one. And probably another after that. I'm my own family." I said, sad about the fact.

Scott got up from his seat and came to stand in front of me. He raised his hand up, and on instinct, thinking he was going to hit me, I flinched away.

Everyone stopped moving. Scott's hand stayed frozen in the air.

It was then I realized he was probably going to wipe the tears off my face that I didn't even realize were there.

"Sorry." I muttered sheepishly.

That seemed to snap Scott back to reality. He brought his hand down to my face and gently wiped my tears.

Holding my face in his hands gently, he talked to me.

"This is your family now. You might not see it today or tomorrow, but someday you will. We're not going to get rid of you. This is your home until you turn 18 or longer. We may not have known you long, but it only took us a day to see your kind heart." Scott gave me a gentle smile.

Fresh tears came to my eyes from his speech. I'd only been here a few days.

This was so different than what I was used to.

I knew how to cope in houses where I got starved or hit. Having a whole family say I was one of them was new territory.

How does someone learn to accept kindness they haven't received from anyone but their boyfriend in years?

I didn't say anything, just smiled at them.

What was I suppose to say?

...

After that talk, we all went to bed.

I got a shower and put on a huge shirt I stole from Xavier and some panties.

Getting into bed, I sighed in content.

...

Hands held my arms in a bruising grip. I tried to get free but they were stronger than me.

Another set of hands wandered up my waist. I struggled even more, but it was no use.

"Don't worry, you'll enjoy this princess."

A voice taunted in my head over and over.

Screams ripped through me.

"Let me go!"

"Get off of me"

I could vaguely hear other voices calling my name, but couldn't differentiate between reality.

I shot up screaming and dripping in tears and sweat.

My eyes frantically shot around the room. I saw Scott and Nathan beside me, making me panic even more.

I scurried off the bed and got into the corner. I wrapped my arms around my legs and tried to catch my breath.

Nathan tried coming towards me but I moved even farther into the corner. Scott stopped him from coming closer.

I couldn't catch my breath and I knew if I didn't soon, I would pass out and wake up in the hospital.

"Xa-Xavier" I stuttered through gasps.

I heard Scott tell Carter to call him.

Time seemed to go on forever.

I just want Xavier. He makes everything better.

After what felt like an hour of everyone watching me from the other side of the room, I heard another voice enter.

Xavier.

He took one look at me and ran past everyone.

Scott and Nathan tried to stop him from getting close, thinking it would set me off again, but he didn't listen.

Xavier was never one to listen to anyone, except for me of course.

"Oh sweetheart." He whispered while scooping me into his strong arms.

I wrapped myself around him tightly.

Breathing in his comforting scent, I was able to calm down enough to catch my breath.

Tears appeared in my eyes. And before I could stop it, sobs erupted from me.

I cried into his shoulder while he held me. Whispering sweet nothings into my ear while rubbing my back.

"Shhh sweetheart. I got you. You're okay. Shhhh. Let it out baby." He cooed quietly, bouncing me in his arms slightly.

I knew I looked ridicules, but I couldn't care less. I needed this.

Scott ushered the family out, giving us privacy. I'd have to thank him later for that.

Nathan looked hesitant to leave me, but ended up following them out.

Xavier held my face in his shoulder, his fingers massaged my head.

My cries quieted to small, almost inaudible whines. I clung to his shirt, not wanting him to leave.

He walked over to my bed and laid me down. He tried to pull away from me but I wouldn't let him.

I needed him.

"Shh baby, I'm not leaving. I just need to take off my shirt. It's all wet." He assured me quietly while rubbing my back.

I let him go and watched him take off his shirt. When he did, I continued to ogle his mesmerizing eight pack.

Damn.

I shot my head up to his when I heard him chuckle. He was giving me a gentle smirk.

"Like what you see babygirl?" He asked smugly.

"Hmmm. Nope." I smirked back slightly.

He chuckled, then climbed into bed beside me.

I turned to him and climbed onto his chest, putting my head my his heart. I wrapped my arm around him and tangled my legs with his own.

He cocooned me into his arms, making me feel warm and safe.

"Go to sleep sweetie." He whispered into my head before giving me a gentle kiss on the top of my head.

So I closed my eyes and tried to clear my head of everything except Xavier.

I eventually went to sleep, feeling safe and comfortable for the first night in what felt like forever.