Davis, P.O. V.
"Iz, what gives? You knew I was coming home." I asked her as I sat on the couch. My leg was throbbing so bad as a consequence of walking on it before it was ready.
"Yeah, and?" She crossed her arms, sitting on the arm of the couch instead of the cushion.
"What's wrong? This isn't about that kid." I pointed towards the kitchen where that bastard had gone. I still have half a mind to punch him.
"Neal," she corrected me with a roll of her eyes. "Look, I just wanted to fool around. You're doing it, so why can't I?"
And there it is. Her excuse. That's not what's really wrong.
"I'm not fooling around Izzy. I love Lisa, a hell of a lot. It's been a very long time since I felt this way about someone. Since your mother, really. Your mom was everything to me, you know that. It's part of the reason I lost myself, and you, when she died," I admitted to her, remembering the turmoil Grace's death caused.
Izzy lowered her gaze, staring at my feet now. Those green eyes were identical to Grace's, pulling me in every time. Her full, small lips frowned as her brows pinched. She was thinking of her mother, and that always caused a mixture of sadness and anger in her.
"Glad you could find some happiness," she said bitterly.
"I know you don't think I deserve any, Izzy. I've felt that way for years, but that's wrong. Your mother's death is tragic, and I will forever blame myself, but I won't stay in this darkness any longer. Neither should you. If this Neal guy is really the one for you, then I'll bite my tongue. But if he can't even face me for you, then I don't think he's really worth it."
A man should be able to face the woman he loves' father. I guess I'm one to talk. I still haven't spoken to Lisa's father myself. That's going to change this week. I'm taking a page out of my own book and facing him. He's going to know I mean business. Let him try and come for me, he won't survive.
"Yeah, okay."
She was over this conversation, rolling her eyes and looking towards the kitchen to check on Neal. When her eyes found him, she didn't smile, instead assessing him. I fought the smirk from my face as I knew my words had reached her. She was thinking about whether or not Neal was worthy of her time.
"I love you, Izzy. Always have, always will, but I won't give up Lisa because it makes you uncomfortable. I also won't force you to think of her as a step-mom or force any sort of bond between the two of you. Will you allow me this happiness?" I asked her.
For some reason, I really felt I needed her approval. She sighed, picking at her nails, and playing with the spinning ring on her finger. Her black nail polish was chipped as she liked to pick at it when she was stressed or worried. I'd seen her pick at it when she came to visit me at the hospital. I hated that I scared her so much. She flew out of there the moment she knew I was okay. She's hated hospitals since she had to see me lay on a hospital bed for a week when her mother died. I was surprised and extremely touched that she had shown up for me at all. It had to take a lot out of her for her to come.
"Yeah, okay. It's weird as hell, but if she really makes you that happy, then fine, I'll deal with it." She finally looked back up at me. Those green eyes stared at me softly for once, like the
10-year-old girl she once was.
"Thank you, Izzy."
She slid off the arm of the couch and made her way towards me. She curled up into a ball, nuzzled into my side. I wrapped my arm around her and held her for a long while, surprised
she was allowing me to do so. I felt whole again with my daughter in my arms. It's been a while since she's let me hold her.
"I was really scared I was going to lose you," she admitted, breaking my heart for causing her any pain.
"I'm sorry, Iz, I didn't mean to frighten you."
"I know, just be more careful, okay?"
"I promise, I will be."
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"Is she really okay with us?" Lisa asked, surprised when I told her Izzy had approved, at least for the most part.
"I mean, she thinks it's weird, but she's okay."
Izzy had left after we spoke for a moment, Neal followed closely behind with his head down. He was like a scared dog as he left my house with his tail tucked between his legs. The boy had no backbone, and I seriously hoped that Izzy would break up with him soon.
"She's not wrong. We have a pretty big age gap." Lisa stopped tracing random patterns on my chest to look up at me. Her beautiful blue eyes peered at me through those long dark lashes.
"That doesn't matter to me. I love you, Lisa."
"I love you, too."
She got quiet again, and I worried that she was thinking more about our age difference. I know it's different and people will talk, but I hoped it wouldn't bother her. I forget that she's still in her 20s, and as such, worries about these things more than I do. Hopefully, she won't worry about it so much that she' ll leave me because of it. I don't think I could survive losing Lisa.
"I want to talk to you about something."
"What is it?" she asked, sitting up to better look at me.
"I am going to visit your dad and talk with him."
"You' re what?!"
"Lisa, I need to talk to him. He needs to know that I am serious, and that you won't be seeing Chris ever again. Not him, not Daniel, not any of them. There won't be a contract marriage. He can come for me if he likes."
"Davis, that's not a good idea."
Lisa was scared at the mention of her father. I could see it in the way she sank into herself. Her father caused such a fear in her. She had turned him into this untouchable monster in her head, one that haunts every waking moment of her life. What she doesn't seem to realize is that he's just like any other man, just has more money than most.
"I can handle it, Lisa. Trust me."
I cupped her face, making her lift her head. She never needs to look down. She's strong, and powerful, just doesn't know it yet. I'll show her. I'll keep training her alongside Carter, and she' ll grow to be a great fighter. She just needs to believe in herself more. She' ll get there.
"I trust you, Davis. I am just scared of what he could do." Her shoulder sank as she let out a heavy breath. "Just be careful, okay?"
"I will be. You' re worth anything he throws my way."
"Thank you, Davis."
"Don't thank me, Lisa. I am doing this for selfish reasons. I want you to stay by my side without ever having to leave me for Chris' place again."
"I never want to go back there again."
I knew she was still reeling from Daniel's attack. She hadn't really cried about it yet. It just goes to prove my point, she's strong. She doesn't even realize it. She has been holding herself together for my sake, and I know it takes a lot of emotional strength to that for the sake of others.
"I'll make sure you never have to."
I'll keep you safe, Lisa, always.