My body is violently shaking and instead of there being music notes flying through the air as I sleep, there’s nothing but a vast blackness. I shake again, as the ringing in my ears is overpowered by a scratchy voice.

“Acacia, wake the fuck up,” Loretta says and my body shakes again. I open my eyes wide to see her leaning over me shaking my shoulders. “Oh, thank fuck. I didn’t think I hit you that hard,” she says and then pulls my shoulder dragging me out of the car.

I’m a little unsteady on my feet, and it takes me a second to adjust and figure out where we are. The sun is rising in its beautiful pink and aqua shades and the yellowish orange floating through the sky makes me think of angels. I smile as the little bluebird is back and flying around my head.

My head.

Fuck! My head!

I moan slightly as the pain in my body suddenly rips through me. My lips are sore, my head is pounding and my thumb is causing me excruciating pain.

“Where are we?” I ask as my body wobbles from side to side.

“The park. Your parents are on their way,” she says and I smile at the thought of seeing them.

Then my thoughts flash to Aston. He was on the floor with blood pooling from his head.

Oh God!

He better be all right, I couldn’t stand it if he’s badly hurt. Loretta pulls me and I stumble forward. I look around the dimly lit park and there’s no one else here. In the early morning dawn, it seems eerie and quite unsettling.

“Walk faster,” she tells me while dragging me along with her.

I try to walk faster, but my feet aren’t cooperating. I stumble and go to fall forward. I hope Loretta will grab me, but I continue to fall and with my hands behind my back I have nothing to stop me. I fall face first into the gravel and I moan out in pain as it scrapes along my face and legs.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake Acacia, can’t you even walk now?” she asks leaning down pulling me up by my hair. I scream when she yanks on my hair. I can’t help myself to get up, so she pulls me and my head aches that badly that I instantly have a migraine. I feel like I want to vomit and my mouth floods with saliva. I hunch over as my stomach lurches and throw up right by Loretta’s shoes.

“Oh, Jesus Christ. You really can’t handle drugs can you?” she says and pulls me to the side as I cough and splutter.

“C’mon, let’s sit you down before you fall again,” she says and I walk in a dazed state on the grass. It soothes my feet from the harshness of the gravel.

She drags me along to the park bench under the tall oak tree that looks like it has arms with long stick-like fingers all pointing down toward me like it wants to eat me or something.

I hate this tree!

She sits me down and she stands next to me as I sway on the spot, even though I’m sitting down. She pulls out a large knife from the back of her pants and my eyes open wide while I stare at it.

Shit! Maybe she isn’t joking about slicing my throat?

“They shouldn’t be long now, Acacia. You’ll be back with your family and I’ll have my million. See it wasn’t so bad was it?” she asks and the little bluebird flies down and sits on my shoulder. I smile at the bird as it chirps happily.

“Answer me!” Loretta demands and I look up at her and smile.

“Sorry, what?” I ask and she groans and goes to slap me again when I hear someone yelling out.

“Don’t you dare hurt her,” Mum calls out and I look behind Loretta to see Mum, Dad and Aston.

Oh God, Aston’s okay! I sigh a breath of relief and slump down into the seat. Loretta pulls me up and I stumble again and then she raises the knife in her hand letting them know she has it. All their eyes widen and they slow their pace to a slow walk.

“Annie, are you okay?” Aston calls out as the three walk toward us.

“I’m not sure,” I answer honestly because I’m feeling hotter than usual and I know I’m hallucinating because bluebirds don’t just come and sit on your shoulder.

“If you’ve hurt her, I swear to God!” Aston says rushing forward and Loretta pulls my hair forcing me to my knees. I squeal and they all race forward until they’re just in front of us. Loretta puts the knife up to my neck and I feel the cold, sharp metal pressing against my skin. It sends a shiver down my spine.

“Loretta, we have your money, just let her go,” Dad says while Mum looks at me and starts to cry.

“Give me the money, then I let her go,” she says and Dad throws the bag over to her.

She smiles and presses the knife harder into my throat. I squirm and Aston steps forward.

“You have your money, now let her go, or so help me God I will kill you with my bare hands!” Aston says and I look at his face and he’s fuming. His nostrils are flaring and his face is bright red. I can’t help but notice the blood stain in his hair and it makes me want to cry.

“I’d like to see you get to me before I slice her open,” Loretta replies and smirks.

Aston races forward and Loretta digs the tip of the blade into my throat cutting the skin. I scream at the pain and Aston stops in his tracks and puts his hands up in surrender.

“Okay fine, just let her go. You have your money,” he says as Dad holds onto Mum while she cries.

“Unzip the bag and show me the cash,” she says and I watch them all tense up.

Aston looks back at Dad and he nods. He steps forward and unzips it and pulls out a wad of monopoly money. I gasp and brace for the knife to slice my throat further.

She groans and pulls me up by the hair. “I think I’ll stab her so she bleeds out slowly instead,” Loretta says and pulls her hand back ready to slam the knife into my chest.

“No,” Mum screams out. I look at Aston and try to show him with my eyes that I love him.

He looks away from me and across to the bushes and just as Loretta brings her hand down with the knife I hear three loud bangs. I close my eyes scared of the noise and brace myself for the impact. Loretta’s hand lets go of my hair and I suddenly feel strong arms wrap around me tightly. The hair on my arms stand to attention and I get a tingle throughout my entire body. I open my eyes to see Aston embracing me, and I instantly start to cry. He nuzzles into me and holds me to him so tightly that I feel like I can’t breathe.

“I got you, baby. You’re okay,” he says and then I feel him move and reach behind me undoing my tied hands. He pulls the rope free and I jump into his arms wrapping them around his neck and holding onto him for dear life. “You’re okay. I got you. I’ve got you,” he says sounding more like he’s trying to reassure himself than me.

“Annie!” Mum calls out and her body slams into me and Aston, embracing us both so tightly while I cry into Aston’s shoulder. Mum takes hold of my head either side of my face and pulls me to her kissing my cheeks all over.

“Oh God, sweetheart, I thought we were going to lose you,” she says and then embraces me again.

“I’m sorry I trusted her, Mum. I’m so sorry,” I say and she holds on to me while I hold onto Aston.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now and you never have to worry about Loretta Banks again,” Mum says as Dad walks over. Mum and Aston let me go. I race forward and hug Dad tightly.

He runs his hand through my hair and holds me to him firmly. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Annie,” he says and pulls back holding me at arm’s length and looking into my eyes. “Shit, you are high,” he says and I nod.

“I think I am. There’s this little bird who won’t leave my side. He’s cute though,” I say and Dad’s eyes fill with tears.

“I’m okay, Dad. I didn’t have very much, but the bugs were terrible,” I say and he shakes his head.

“Even so, I still need to take you to the hospital,” he says and I look down at my thumb and only now I can see the exact extent of the damage. I bring it up and we all look at it sitting at a weird angle with massive bruising around it already.

“Shit, Annie!” Aston says rushing to me again and holding onto my hand as we all assess the damage.

“It’s my guitar hand, Dad,” I say and he nods.

“I know. It’s okay, we’ll get it fixed. Don’t even worry about it, okay?” Dad says and I nod as the tears start to fall again.

Aston pulls me to him and I snuggle as I hear people talking. I look around to see police everywhere. I hadn’t even noticed them after Loretta let me go. I turn around and see Loretta laying on the ground with three bullet holes in her chest. I gasp and Aston turns me around to face him.

“Don’t look, baby,” he says and I nuzzle into him as much as I can.

“C’mon, let’s get you to the hospital,” Dad says and I nod as my little bluebird sings happily.

“When did the cops get here?” I ask.

“They got here when we did. We rang them as soon as we knew she had you. Aston came running into our bedroom with blood gushing from his head and told us she had taken you. We didn’t know how long it had been because he passed out when she hit him over the head with a brick, after bribing a security guard at the gate in her usual fashion,” Mum says and I look up at Aston and caress his cheek.

“Are you in a lot of pain?” I ask and he smiles at me.

“Nothing compared to the pain I was in when she had you, Lennox. Nothing can compare to that torture.”

“Where’s Ella?” I ask as we walk toward the car.

“I asked her to stay home, I didn’t want both my girls in danger. We told Aston to stay home too, but he wouldn’t listen,” Mum says and I look up at Aston and smile. I’m so glad he came though.

“Well, thank you for bringing the cops. Is Loretta…” I pause as I don’t want to say the word.

“I don’t think she’ll survive, sweetheart,” Mum says and I burst into tears of pure happiness with absolutely no measure of sadness.

“Oh sweetheart, I’m so sorry,” Mum says and stops walking taking me in her arms.

“No Mum, I’m crying because I’m happy. She can never hurt us again.”

“Never again, Annie. Never again.”

“Lia, we need to get her to the hospital,” Dad says and she nods.

“C’mon let’s go,” Mum says and my knees feel weak. I stumble and Aston catches me and steadies me.

“Sorry, I’m okay,” I say and he shakes his head.

“No, you’re not.” He leans down and picks me up.

I want to tell him he doesn’t need to carry me, but right now, in his arms, I finally feel some semblance of normal. Aston holding me makes all the pain so much less, so I let him carry me to the car.

 

***

 

I’m all checked in at the Oxfordshire hospital and I’m lying in bed and I feel like death. The doctor had to reposition my thumb and put a cast on to hold it in place for it to heal. But it will take a long time and maybe even some physiotherapy to for it to mend completely. I cried with Mum about the band having to take a break while my thumb is repaired. I said they could play without me, but Aston wouldn’t hear of it. Ella has come down and we’re all just waiting in my private hospital room while I withdraw from the drugs. Dad said he didn’t want to take any chances, but I feel horrible. I’m so hot and my breathing is rapid and I can’t control it. I’m aware of all the heightened noises around me that are almost hurting my ears. I want to sleep, but I can’t, and when they came to give me some food I couldn’t eat it. I’m just not hungry.

Dad said, unfortunately, this is all the side effects of coming off the cocaine. He said it could make my depression come back and that I have to be careful with cravings. He said I could want more when I come down and that’s why it’s so highly addictive. But I never want to feel like this again. I’m lying in the bed shaking and all I want to do is hide under the blankets where it’s dark. But I’m so hot, I can’t stand to have the blankets on me or touching my super sensitive skin. I hate it, and watching Mum and Dad as they struggle to watch me only makes this whole detox thing worse. And I only had a small amount of cocaine, imagine what a large amount would do.

Yeah, there’s no way I’m ever touching this shit again.

Ever!

 

***

 

Dad requested that the hospital keep me in for a day and a half. I feel awful and I’m in a lot of pain, but at least it’s good to be home. Aston needed five stitches in his head and I cried as I watched them put them in, but he was so brave and stayed with me the entire time. We’ve just arrived home and I’m feeling a little down. I’m not talking much and, even though, the police came and I told them everything that happened, Mum and Dad still ask if I am okay every five minutes, which is a little annoying. But I can’t blame them, they nearly lost me.

As we walk through the front door the dogs jump up on my legs and I smile for the first time since it all went down.

“Hi guys,” I say and pat them with my good hand.

“How about I make us all some lunch, hey?” Mum says and I nod even though I’m still not overly hungry.

Aston takes my good hand and walks with me into the kitchen where I’m surprised by everyone I know.

“Surprise,” they all say at once and all of us jump when they wave their hands in the air and laugh and smile. I smile again and maybe even though I wanted to be alone. Maybe right now is the time I need my family and friends around me. It was a traumatic time and maybe I just need to remind myself of what I have, not what I’ve lost.

“Oh Annie, we’re so glad you’re okay,” Indi says. I’m a little shocked that she’s here.

“I was so worried when Dad told me what happened. He said Colt rang him and he was a mess, so we decided to throw you a welcome home party. We hope it will help cheer you up from all the shit you’ve been through,” Caleb says and I lean forward and hug him tightly.

“Thanks, Caleb. Indi is here?” I whisper and he pulls back from me and smiles brightly nodding his head. I wink at him and move over to her and take her into an embrace. “It’s so good to see you, Pixie,” I say and she giggles.

“No Annie, it’s so good to see you doing okay. I received a referral letter about your thumb and it looks like it should heal perfectly. So don’t go worrying about the band, okay? You’ll be back and playing before you know it,” she says and I smile brightly for the first time in days.

“Thanks everyone for coming. I really appreciate you all being here and supporting me.”

“You’re family, Annie,” Anna, Aston’s mum says and I smile and nod.

“Yeah, we all love you, Annie,” Sia says and I smile at her too.

“Let’s all sit down and have something to eat, yeah?” Mum says as Aston takes my hand and I notice he’s shaking slightly. I look up at him and see he’s sweating and he looks a little pale.

“Shit Ast, are you okay? Is your head hurting?” I ask rushing my good hand to his cheek to caress. He nods and then swallows hard.

“Ast, talk to me,” I say and then he clears his throat.

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please,” Aston calls out and everyone looks at him. He looks past me and straight at Dad and I wonder what the hell is wrong with him.

“Okay, so there’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since I can remember, but it’s never been the right time. But after the events of the last few days I realise there’s no point in waiting because anything can happen at any time. Life is short, and you have to do what you want before you can’t,” he says and I look up at him and wonder what he’s talking about.

“Colt, I haven’t had time to do this and I wanted to do it today, but I think doing it in front of Annie’s family and friends just seems right. So Colt, I know we’ve had some major ups and downs, but I respect you and I have always looked up to you. You have made Annie into this amazing, talented and beautiful woman who I’m totally and undeniably in love with. So in saying that, I know we have had our ups and downs, but nearly losing her to… her was the worst moment of my life. Even thinking of a world without Annie in it nearly killed me, and the only reason it didn’t was because I knew she was still alive. But to think of a world without her with me is something I do not want to comprehend. So I’m going to ask you something and my God I hope you say yes,” he says and my heart starts to race a little faster as my breathing increases.

“Colt, I know we’re young, but I’ve loved Annie my entire life. Sir, I’m asking for your permission to ask Annie to marry me,” he says.

I gasp along with the rest of the room, and I race my good hand up to my mouth to stop myself from sobbing out loud.

Dad smiles and looks over at Mum, who’s crying along with me. He looks over at Anna and Johnny who are standing there smiling so wide it makes my cheeks hurt. Then he looks at me and raises his eyebrow with a smirk.

“She’s twenty,” he says and I open my eyes wide.

“Dad!” I say, and he chuckles.

“She maybe twenty, but I knew watching you both grow up together and from what I’ve seen as you both have developed into a couple, well it reminds me of Lia and myself. The love I see between you two pours out of you when you’re together. And, to be honest, I couldn’t think of anyone else I would want as my son-in-law. So, if she will have you, then go for it son,” Dad says and I stretch up onto my toes in excitement as Dad pats Aston’s shoulder. Everyone in the room is smiling and as Aston turns to face me and it’s like I’m seeing him for the first time. The young boy I grew up with flashes into my mind, and then he merges into the man I see standing before me today. His brilliance is breathtaking and as he walks across to me and takes my good hand in his. The hairs on my arms stand up and a shiver runs through me so intensely that I’m shaking all over. The sparks shooting between us is sure to set the kitchen on fire as I stand here looking into the eyes of my one true, and only love. Aston is my forever and I know that with all of my heart.

He drops to one knee and I gasp and smile widely as he holds onto my good hand.

“Annie, I’ve known you my entire life. We’ve grown together and been there for each other through everything. We’ve had our dramas, but we always find our way back to each other in the end. Because Lennox, we are two souls who are meant to be entwined. I knew this day would come for us because I’ve known ever since I was five that I was going to marry my best friend. But you have become more than that, you’re my best friend, my lover, my confidant, my rock, and my shining light through all the dark. You make my life so much better just by being in it, and I couldn’t imagine a world without you. We’re young, but we know what we want, and what we want is each other. Nearly losing you made me realise I can’t go another day without showing you how worthy of love you are. Because Annie, I’ve never loved anyone or anything more in my entire life than the way I feel for you now. I promise to feel this way and for it to grow every single day that I’m with you, which in my eyes will be for an eternity. So, I was wondering if you would do me the greatest honour of letting me make you breakfast in bed, of letting me rub your feet after a long day, of letting me take you on a date once a week, every week, and of carrying my children. Would you do me the honour of making me beyond ecstatically happy so that not even song lyrics could capture the way I feel… Will you marry me?” he asks and pulls a ring box out of his pocket.

My heart is racing in my chest and it wants to explode and send shards of undeniable love and devotion all around the room. My breathing is accelerated and I can hardly see him through all the tears falling down my face.

He pulls out the ring and shows me. It’s massive and has a beautiful white gold band that’s encrusted with diamonds leading to the centre, where there’s a large diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. But the real thing that makes this ring beyond gorgeous is the row of purple diamonds on another band that runs along the original band, but cuts of halfway over the massive rock. Then there’s another row on the opposite bottom side of the ring with the same purple diamonds leading to the centre of the big diamond. It’s simply breathtaking, and I’m in awe of his choice. It’s perfectly elegant, but with a hint of rock chick in it, just like me.

“Annie?” Aston asks and it breaks me away from my trance of staring at the ring.

“Mmm,” I murmur and everyone laughs.

“So um… Will you marry me?” he asks again and I laugh at my lack of words.

“Oh God sorry, yes of course. A million times, yes,” I reply and everyone cheers and claps as Aston rushes to his feet and lifts me up whirling me around and holding me so tightly.

I feel like I’m bursting, everything is just as it was always meant to be. I’m in the arms of my man, my fiancé and everything is right, everything is perfect and, even though, the last few days have been traumatic, this makes up for it in every possible way.

I’m in love with Aston and now I believe he’s truly in love with me too.