Micheal's POV

"But you can't I home. It's not safe" LaToya shakes her head. "Of course it's safe and we we're only gonna be staying here for the night and it's been two days. You can't expect us to stay here forever"

"It's safe now because you have a house full of people, but the second you get home who knows what will happen. She could sneak up on you while your in the shower or when your sleeping or..."

"Oh my god! You seriously need to stop watching TV" I roll my eyes at her. "Maybe you should stay awhile longer" Joesph cuts in. "Your not serious?" I frown turning to him. "It's not that I don't trust that you'll be ok, but maybe you two staying here a little might make things little less stressfull"

"I'm fine"

"No your not and neither is Leanne" he shakes his head and I sigh heavily. "All I wanna do is just go home and concentrate on being a family. Is that really asking too much?"

"Of course it's not and nobody's saying you shouldn't be concentrating on that, but with everything that's happened. It might be more helpful for you both of you stay here for a few more days. You can take some time off work and the two of you can spend time together here just the two of you" he says softly and I don't say anything.

"I understand you getting irritated, but the two of you have been through alot and need some time and with you going to the nursing home today it's gonna be hard"

"She doesn't not about that and..." I pause when I notice Leanne at the kitchen door.

"Your going to the nursing home?" She looks at me and I nod. "They called last night and asked if I'd go down there to sort some thing's is all"

"Like what? I thought they said they would be arranging the funeral and stuff"

"They are. They just need me go and pick her stuff up is all"

"Why couldn't they send it?"

"Because there's some paperwork and stuff that needs to be signed before they can hand anything over"

"Oh, ok" she nods. "I'll just go get ready"

"Actually I don't..."

"I'll be real quick" she smiles slightly and leaves the room before I can finish my sentance.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to take her there?" Joesph asks once she's upstairs.

"Of course not. I have no intention of taking her" I shake my head and go upstairs after her.

****
Leanne's POV

I'm upstairs getting ready and Micheal comes in the room. "You could have told me sooner. I could have gone home and got some clean clothes and..."

"I didn't tell you because I don't want you to come" he cuts me off and I look at him confused. "You've already been through alot the last few days and I think it's best you stay here and I go and pick up her stuff" he says and sits at the edge of the bed.

"I'm fine leaving the house. I'm not a little kid" I frown and he takes my hand, gently pulling me onto his lap. "I know your not. And I'm sorry if I'm making you feel that way, but you've been through alot, especially the last few days and I think it'll  better for you to stay home and relax" he says softly. "And what about her funeral? Are you gonna say you don't want me there either?" I mumble and he shakes his head. "Of course not. I'd never stop you from going" he says softly and wraps his arms tighter around me.

"I just feel bad that I haven't done anything. I should be the one making all the arrangements, not leaving it to them"

"It's fine. They understand we're going through alot. With your grandma passing, the trial, the baby and everything else. They understand our situation and that's why they offered" he says softly "so you stay here and relax and watch a movie or something while I go over there ok?"

"I don't wanna be here without you?" I mumble "is something scaring you about being here?" He asks softly. "I've heard all the stuff LaToya's been saying about me and it's obvious the way she looks at me, she doesn't want me here"

"Don't worry about LaToya. Just ignore her and Janet will be here too so you'll have somebody to talk to and i'll be as fast as I can" he smiles slightly and peck my lips and I nod and smile back the same way.

I understand why LaToya doesn't like me and I know what I did to Mary was wrong, but LaToya doesn't seem to understand that I didn't do it because I wanted to or I got a kick out of it because I didn't. She has no idea what Mary put me through and what happened to me in that place. None of them do.

They know most of the stuff that happened just like Micheal does, but there's still many things I never told him and never will because even though Mary is gone and the brothel is burned down it doesn't make those memories go and away. It still terrifies me and keeps me awake at night thinking about everything that happened there and the reason I haven't told Micheal everything that happened in that place is because I'm trying so hard to forget about it and when it's in my head I can try and block it out and pretend it never happened, but if I tell him and say it out loud then it'll become real again.

****
Michael's POV

"Is there anything specific you or Leanne would like us to do?" The nurse asks and I shake my head. "I think you guys have done a great job" I smile looking over the details for the funeral. "We really do apperate you doing this for us"

"It's fine really. I understand this is a very difficult time for you both" she smiles slightly "how is Leanne doing?" She asks softly and I shrug "she's ok right now, but she has her good days and bad"

"Grief effects everybody differently, but it gets easier over time. Plus having a little one on the way can be stressful too" she smiles slightly. "I think her focusing on the baby is what's keeping her together right now to be honest"

"And that's a good thing. Children are a blessing and I'm sure the two of you are gonna be wonderful parents" she smiles. "Thank you" I smile back.

We continue talking for a moment then start going through some paper work they need to do before they can hand over Maria's thing's then she hands me a large bag off her stuff.

"It's mainly clothes and photos" she smiles then hands me a letter. "Um.. Maria asked me to give this to Leanne after she um.. you know?"

"What is it?" I frown confused. "I haven't opened it. She just said to give this to her when she passed. It's quite common for people here to leave letters for their loved ones so they can say goodbye, but we never open them with it be such a personal thing"

"I'll make sure she gets it I smile, taking it from her.

After leaving I put the bag in the front seat and am about to drive off, but I can stop staring at Maria's letter. I know it's personal and for Leanne only, but I can't help but stare at it curiously.

I sigh taking a deep breath and decide to open it, but as I'm about to there a light tap on my window.

"Hey! I didn't know you'd be here" Lisa smiles and I look at her confused."what are you doing here?" I ask getting out of the car.

"I came to visit my mother. She was put in this place a month ago. Are you visiting someone?"

"No, Leanne granma died and I came to pick up some stuff"

"That's sweet you still came to visit her after what Leanne... you know? In court"

"She died before that"

"I still can't believe Leanne did that to you" she sighs "after everything you did for that girl an she turned around and sided with Mary! How are you coping have you seen her since..."

"I'm fine" I cut her off "I'm actually in a hurry though" I say getting back in my car, not wanting to discuss it.

"Well I'm here for you if you need anything. Or even just someone to talk to" she smiles at me through purse lips and I smile back the same way then close the door and drive off.

I'm on my way back and I still can't stop thinking about this letter. I know I'm probably being paranoid and I should just give it to Leanne and let her read it herself in private, but after everthing that's happened I really don't want to take that chance so I decide to pull over and open it.

****
Leanne's POV

I'm in the kitchen helping Janet cook lunch and we're discussing the baby.

"Do you know the sex yet?"

"Not yet. We'll find out at the next scan though" I smile "What about names?"

"We have a few idea's, but we want to wait until we know the sex" I mutter looking over at the clock.

"He'll be back soon" she smiles and I look at her confused. "Micheal. I'm sure he won't be much longer. You don't have to worry" she smiles. "Do you think I'm too clingly with Micheal?" I Ask and she shakes her head "no why?"

"It's just something I over heard LaToya say" I shrug "that's her problem not yours" she smiles "I actually think it's really cute that you and Micheal are clingy with one another and worry when the others not around. It's shows you both care alot about each other"

"Micheal means everything to me"

"You don't have to convince me. I can see just by the way you look at him how you feel about him"

"How do you mean?"

"When Micheal's around or you talk about him you have this look in your eyes. The same look Micheal has in his eyes when he looks at you. It's clear you both love each other" she smiles and I smile back.

"Hey, I just came in to help with the lunch" LaToya says coming into the room. "That's fine. We're almost done" I smile slightly  "I'm just checking is all" she shrugs innocently and glances over at what I'm doing.

"We're fine really" Janet frowns seeing the way LaToya is watching over me.

"Did you just put garlic in the chilli?" She asks and I nod. "Yeah, why?"

"Micheal doesn't like garlic. Don't worry. I'll make some more" she says coming closer. "It's fine" I say trying not to sound annoyed. "But Micheal wont eat that because he doesn't like it and..."

"There's nothing wrong with the food Toy" Janet cuts in. "I'm just saying. Micheal doesn't like garlic and.. "

"no offence, but I think you'll find I know exactly what my man likes and how likes it" I cut her off. "You sure do girl!" Janet smiles at me and LaToya is about to speak when the front door opens.

"I'm back" we hear Micheal and he comes into the kitchen. "Hi" I smile slightly and wrap my arms around him. "How did it go?"

"It was fine" he smiles through pursed lips. "Are you sure?" I ask sensing somethings wrong. "Mhm" he nods and pecks my lips.

"Ugh... get a room already" Janet rolls her eyes playfully, making us giggle. "Something smells good" Micheal says turning his attention to the stove. "We were making chilli but.."

"You wanna try some?" I cut LaToya off and put some on a spoon for Michael to taste. "Mmm... that tastes good" he smiles taking some more from me and I smirk slightly at LaToya and she doesn't say anything and storms out.

"What's the matter with her?" Micheal turns confused. "She's just having a LaToya day" Janet shrugs. "Well, I'm gonna wash up for lunch" he smiles and pecks my lips then goes upstairs, leaving Janet and I to finish cooking.

****
Michael's POV

I go up to the bathroom and make sure the door I locked before taking the letter out of my pocket and sit on the edge of the bath reading it again, still trying wrap my head around it.

To: Leanne
If your reading this then I'm obviously dead and I'm sorry we didn't get to say goodbye.

I know I was hesitant about you seeing me in the the state I  was in while in the nursing home, but I'm glad you found me and I was able to see you again and leave this world knowing that I had someone in my life that loved me, but it as happy as I was to spend my last days with you, it also broke my heart because I had to look you in the eyes and lie to you just like I always have. I didn't lie to hurt you, but to protect you from being hurt, but it's not fair on you to keep this from you. you deserved know the truth and you deserve to know who you really are.

Your real name is Sofia Jones and you were born in Indiana by a woman named Carley Jones. You were taken from the hostpital the night you were born. What they did, they didn't do because they were evil or cold hearted, but out of grief and desperation. Ryan and Anna had been trying for years to have a family and after many treatments it finally happend, but sadly Anna miscarried and was told she could never concieve again because of complications. Ryan was working at the hostpital at the time and when you were born the woman that had you was just 17 and all alone and was finding it hard to care for you. Ryan never set out to hurt anybody. He went over to help her because you were crying and she couldn't console you, but the second he held you in his arms he fell in love with you and that night he took you from hostpial while your mother was sleeping and him and Anna moved to California and told everybody you were born at home.

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but I couldn't leave this world with you thinking you had no family. I don't know where your real mother is now but hopefully her name will help you find her. I don't want you to hate them or think badly of them because Ryan and Anna truly were good people and they didn't take you to hurt anybody. They loved you and cared for you like you were their own and you were their world and I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but you deserve to know who you really are.

As I'm sat reading the letter over and over again, there's a knock at the door and I quickly put the letter back in my pocket.

"Hey, lunch is ready" Leanne smiles then looks at me confused. "Has something happened?" She asks and I shake my head. "I'm just a little tied today" I lie. "Maybe your coming down with something" she says feeling my forehead. "You look a little pale"

"I'll be fine" I smile and peck her lips. "Ok, well I just came up to let you know lunch is ready"

"I'll be right down" I smile and she smiles back and heads downstairs and I quickly go into the guestroom we've been sleeping in and hide the letter behind the dresser so nobody can find it then go downstairs to join the others.

I didn't tell Leanne about the letter when I got back because I'm still trying to wrap my own head around it and I have no idea how or if I should tell her.