Everyone's Got Problems

[wrongturntaken]

Wow thats amazing!!!

i love how u wrote it and all.. Very well done

I have to ask.. If Angelo raped her does that mean Mark isnt Aden's?

Angelo raped Belle in the fic "Can time really heal" which was set twenty years before this one. Mark's onlly fifteen and is Aden and Belle's so no need to worry there, lol.

Thank you so much for all the comments! I really didn't expect it to be that well received.

I have exams on Tuesday and Wednesday so i'm not sure if i'll be able to update before then but i might try and squeeze it in somewhere.

Thanks again!

[jenpen08]

Wowzer!! That was soo well written u really got across their emotions soo well!!

I suspect the nexzt chapter is going to be a cracker also!! Keep up the good work!!

[xknomex]

concentrate on your exams! dont worry about rushing to update exams are way more important.

It will also give me time to buy tissues for the next update

xx

[LauraPhilly!!]

that was so good, well done!!

x x x

[wrongturntaken]

Okay, so here's the next update! Thank you so much for all the comments, i didn't think that chapter would be that well received. I just want to remind you all that this is set in the future when there have been technological advancements so things exist in the fic that don't exist now.

My comp messed up a bit so the layout gets confusing and it's not acutally as long as it looks because the lines are double spaced.

Thank you so much to Louise, for reading this through for me!

Warning: Themes of violence, psychologically disturbing, sorry if any offence is caused.

Chapter 28.

As soon as Aden walked in to the room all three teenagers were on their feet. "Is Mum okay?" Tess exclaimed, concern written all over her face.

Aden sighed, "Sit down," he commanded calmly.

They reclaimed their places on the sofa slowly.

He sat on the coffee table across from them and placed his hands in his lap. "There's a lot that you don't know about me and your mum," he started and saw them narrow their eyes, him having not answered Tess's question. "…particularly about the past. We always agreed that we'd tell you when we thought you were old enough but it's hard for both of us to…"

"Dad, what are you talking about?" Mark interrupted, feeling a worried curiosity itch up inside of him.

Aden sighed again and ran a hand through his hair, "I can't tell you everything tonight because I need Belle to be here," he told them gently although his finality told them that there was to be no argument. The thought hadn't even crossed their minds as they feared for their mother upstairs.

"Is she okay?" this time Tyler spoke up and Aden was heartened at the worry in his face as he glanced at the ceiling every so often. The situation was slightly awkward; as much as they wanted Tyler to feel a part of the family, a few days together just wasn't enough for it to feel like that. But Aden couldn't shut him out just because of that, he had a right to know as much as the other two.

"Not really," Aden sighed, yet again, quietly. "Did you see someone coming out of the house?"

Tess nodded, "It was the man…" she stopped, unsure how to put it, "...he called round here when you and mum went away but I forgot to tell you," she said apologetically.

Aden widened his eyes at this information.

"Don't worry I barely opened the door, something about him seemed off," she reassured her dad.

Aden nodded slightly in relief, "His name's Angelo," he explained. "…and about twenty years ago he and your mother dated and he hurt her badly."

"What do you mean?" Tess asked nervously.

"I've said as much as I can say without Belle being here and I know that that's not much… but we will tell you more tomorrow," he said. "I just need you all to respect that right now," he told them imploringly. "And don't answer the door or the phone, okay? I know that might seem like I'm treating you like kids but I need to know that you're safe."

"How dangerous is this guy?" Tyler asked.

The older man stayed silent; unsure how to answer the question. Angelo had been imprisoned for conspiracy to murder, obstruction of justice and attempted rape but Aden was unable to tell them all that without divulging into the whole story, "Let's just say I don't want him anywhere near the house or anywhere near you," he settled on.

"Are you going to call the cops?" Mark asked.

"Yeah," Aden answered softly and realising there was nothing left he could say, changed the subject, "…after I've done that I'll get you dinner, okay?"

"No, Dad, I'll make dinner," Tess offered; seeing the tired and red bloodshot eyes of her father. She had never seen him looking so weak and she felt the innocence of her belief that he was more than human slowly seep away as she looked at him in his current state. She was so used to him being strong and in charge, not once had she considered that something could break him down. But if there was anything, she knew it was him seeing her mother in pain.

He smiled at her gratefully, "Thanks Tess."

Aden made the phone call to the police as Tess began bustling around with pots and pans, not even asking what everyone wanted before starting to cook. None of them were in any mood to speak so they stayed silent until Aden put his voice in to the room once more.

"The cops said they would park a car outside and they're gonna give us a panic button so if there's any more trouble, press it and they'll be in the house," he told them calmly.

The three teenagers smiled at him thankfully. The way Aden had briefly described this man had put them all on edge. Tess particularly, was feeling slightly scared as Aden threw her the occasional fatherly but worried glance. She was old enough and wise enough to know what the word 'hurt' had been substituted for, especially considering the way she'd seen her mother earlier. But she respected her father too much to not let her parents tell her when they were ready.

*

Aden and the kids had eaten in awkward silence before they had gone to their rooms to work… or play, they hadn't said, leaving Aden to load the dishwasher. It wasn't even eight when he climbed the stairs, intent on going to bed.

The other three had their doors closed and Aden had no intention of invading their privacy at this moment as he gently pushed open his own door.

He was surprised when Belle wasn't laid down asleep but rather sat, facing away from him on the far side of their bed, head in hands. She turned around as he entered the room, shutting the door gently behind him. He smiled at her supportively and she tried to offer him one in return but it faltered as the tear that had suddenly frozen at the noise of his entrance, finally fell slowly and quietly down her cheek. He rushed round her to her side of the bed, kneeling down immediately in front of her and entwining his fingers with hers before resting them together on her lap.

"I couldn't sleep," she muttered quietly looking into his ever baby blue eyes. He took his hand out of her grasp and wiped away the trace of tears from her under her eyes with his thumb. "Every time I closed my eyes… I'd just… hear him… what he was saying to me…" she explained; just about managing the words without crying.

Aden cupped both of his hands around the back of her neck and brought her head towards him as she rested her forehead against his and held on to his wrists.

"Why now, Aden, it's been five years?" she begged him to know the answer.

He shrugged slightly as he moved to sit on the bed beside her and reclaimed her hand in his, "I spoke to the police and they're gonna keep an eye on the house tonight. They told me that his probation period was five years so by coming to us now he won't get in as much trouble."

"He won't get in any trouble, he didn't do anything wrong!" Belle exclaimed, surprising Aden with her harsh tone.

"Yes he did," Aden told her determinedly but she shook her head forcefully at his words.

"That's not the way a court will see it and we both know it!" she told him, looking at him insistently before moving to look at a photo of them on their wedding day that they kept on the dresser.

"It was blackmail, Belle!" he urged her to believe him, standing up and following her.

"…and it's my word against his Aden," she argued back and he was unsure how it seemed they were suddenly fighting.

"…and considering he was in jail for fifteen years I think they're gonna believe you," he softened his voice; hoping to calm her down.

"It doesn't matter anyway, I'm not going to go any further with it," she told him firmly, looking at a spot on the wall instead of at her husband.

His eyes narrowed in shock, "Belle, you have to…"

"No I don't," she interrupted him. "I'm not going through that again Aden, I'm not."

"Look, Belle I understand but…"

"No you don't, standing up there and telling all those people what he did to me…" she trailed off looking at Aden whose eyes had averted to the floor and he looked like he was restraining some form of anger, fortunately she knew it wasn't directed at her but rather at the memory she had so painfully brought to his attention. "I'm sorry," she said softly, "…but would you want to do that again, to tell a court what happened to you all over again?"

He shook his head slowly and answered her quietly, "No."

"…then you know I can't Aden, especially when I know it wouldn't be worth it, he didn't exactly break the law…"

"Blackmail's a crime, Belle…"

"…but there's no evidence and even if there was I'm not putting me or the kids through that ordeal. It wouldn't just affect us this time Aden. They're a part of our lives too, and I don't want them to ever have to see a court room," she looked at him as he sighed.

"Okay," he relented eventually. "But we need to at least get a restraining order," she knew there was no arguing with this. She knew Aden so well that she knew he was feeling guilty that he hadn't been here to protect her. He viewed that as his job and in his eyes he'd let her down. He had to do something to try and find some semblance of a solution.

She gave him the smallest of smiles and nodded; glad they he had agreed.

He approached her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind as she turned her head slightly to rest it against his chest, craving the comfort only he could give her.

"You're tired, Belle," Aden whispered gently from above her.

She turned around, staying in his clasp, "No I'm not," she sighed.

Aden narrowed his eyes, "What do you want to do then?" he asked her; a very soft smile about to heighten his features as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Can we just relax and watch a film or something? We haven't done that in ages, and right now I just want to get lost in something else and be close to you," she told him and he was surprised that she looked embarrassed at the last words even though he'd heard similar ones for years. He knew he was the only one she would ever say something like that to.

"Of course we can," he said soothingly and kissed her gently.

*

"Did we have to watch the notebook?" Belle said sadly, wiping the tears that the film had caused only to be replaced by ones caused by the reality that they had been escaping for the last two hours.

"You wanted to Belle," he reminded her softly, but kissed her forehead, trying to comfort what she was really in pain about. She saw him scrub at his eyes as though he was tired, but she knew it was because of the heavy emotions they were both feeling as a result of the day's events, even though tiredness was definitely playing a part. She nestled in to him further. They were sprawled out on top of the bed. Aden sat a little upright with his legs outstretched as Belle lay with her legs tucked up but her head resting on Aden chest and a hand that had been playing with the bottom of his T-shirt for the entirety of the film.

"I know," she sighed, "I just forgot how sad it was, I don't think we've watched it in a decade."

"You haven't," Aden told her, "I hear it playing from Tess's room at least once a week."

Belle let out a small laugh at that thought before raising a herself a little with the support of placing a hand on the bed. Aden looked at her and once again wiped away the tears that he couldn't get rid of for her as much as he wanted to. "I'm really hungry," she said out of the blue. "I didn't eat dinner."

Aden smiled, "Don't worry, we saved some for you, it's in the microwave, I'll go and get it."

"No, Aden," she stopped him. "Its fine, I'll go."

"Are you sure?" he asked concernedly.

She nodded, "I'll be fine," she whispered and placed a delicate kiss on his lips before he watched her walk out of the room, leaving the door open behind her.

*

Belle had just turned the microwave on for a couple of minutes when she heard a noise from behind her by the garden doors.

"Hello, Belle," came the voice that sent chills down her spine.

She turned around slowly, "Ad…" she started but before she could finish his name a hand was a round her mouth, blocking any sound escaping.

Angelo laughed, "Not until I'm ready Belle," he whispered right in her ear.

She bit his hand but felt the sudden prick of a knife in her side making her gasp. "You wouldn't hurt me," she whispered to him but she was unable to see his face so had no idea what effect her words were having.

"I don't know about that Belle," he said twisting the knife slightly and Belle could feel he'd drawn blood as she winced in pain.

"Aden will be down here any second," she tried to convince herself as much as him. She said she'd be five minutes and so far she'd only been one. A lot could happen in four minutes but she could try and stall at least. "Why are you doing this?" she whispered.

She felt the knife twist a little harder and did her best not to gasp in pain, "Because I love you, Belle. And no matter what… I'm going to have you," he told her harshly.

"But I don't love you," Belle clenched her teeth in anger as she said the words.

"Are you sure about that Belle?" he drawled out slowly as he simultaneously dragged the knife along her side, cutting the skin at the same pace as the words. It left a long gash that she expected would need stitches. She cried out in pain as he did it but her screams were muffled as he managed to cover her mouth again at the same time. She placed a hand on her side, feeling the blood seep through the white vest top she now had on.

"Yes," she hissed as she silently prayed that Aden would sense there was something wrong and appear at the door any second.

*

Aden watched the clock; it had been three minutes since Belle had left the room. She said she'd be five minutes but something wasn't sitting right with him as he got up to close the door, hoping to stop the draft. The draft he thought to himself, why would there be a draft? He could sense someone else's presence in the house as he immediately left the room and crept quickly but quietly down the stairs.

Walking in to the kitchen his eyes widened in horror as he saw Angelo holding Belle gruffly around the waist with his left arm as his right held a knife.

"Belle!" Aden exclaimed in horror and rushed forward.

"Stay where you are!" Angelo demanded as he held the knife to Belle's throat.

"Aden," she whispered as terror shot through her features and Aden was helpless to do anything.

"Don't touch her," Aden growled as he tried to stare Angelo down; his eyes quickly averted to the red stain on the side of Belle's T-shirt instead, "Belle!" he exclaimed suddenly, forgetting what had held him back in the first place as he took a step forward.

"I'm warning you," Angelo said.

"You can't hurt her, Angelo," Aden said calmly, trying a different tactic to all the anger he felt building up inside of him.

"If I can't have her then no one can," Angelo told him firmly, evil in his eyes.

"She's not yours Angelo," Aden tried again.

"She will be in a minute," he laughed, "You can watch if you like," he added as his hand snaked to the top of her jeans, causing Belle to tense as his hand went along the top of the denim and down the inside of her thigh.

All Aden wanted to do was pounce forwards and rip Angelo's throat out but there was too much danger to Belle to even attempt it. He watched helplessly as his wife's tears spilled constantly down her face and she winced in pain every so often with a hand on her side. He glanced over to the panic button but he wasn't able to reach it from where he was stood without moving. And any movement was a danger to Belle.

Angelo smiled evilly at Aden before thrusting Belle around to face him, keeping the knife at a dangerous distance to her to prevent Aden taking the smallest opportunity. "Kiss me," he demanded Belle.

She shook her head as much as she could without causing the blade to cut her, "No," she answered scared and determined as Aden too now had tears streaming out of his eyes silently as he stood; absolutely powerless.

Angelo turned to look at Aden, "Should she kiss me, or would you rather she be dead?"

Aden shook his head, "Kiss him, Belle," he gave in, all he wanted to do was protect her but his heart broke as the words tumbled out of his mouth.

"No," she remained vigilant, only able to see Aden out of the corner of her eye now.

"Kiss him," Aden pleaded as he saw Angelo twiddling dangerously with the handle of the knife in his hands.

"Go on, Belle," Angelo taunted her, leaning in slightly as she slowly captured his lips with hers, closing her eyes in disgust at her own actions.

"Oh my God!" a younger female voice cried from behind Aden. He turned around to see his daughter stood there open mouthed in shock. She raced forward but Aden's outstretched arm stopped her.

"Go back to bed!" he demanded, the last thing he or Belle needed was for her to see this.

"What's going on?" Tess exclaimed, tears claiming her face suddenly at the sheer horror of the situation.

Angelo continued to smile wryly at Aden who was glancing between his wife and daughter. Tess was looking at her father; he knew, silently asking about the panic button as she kept looking that way. He shook his head slightly, telling her not to move past him.

"Maybe I can get two for the price of one," Angelo laughed and neither Aden nor Belle missed the misogynistic objectifying of their daughter.

Aden immediately pushed Tess further behind him, "Don't you dare," he snarled.

"Who are you?" Tess asked; sounding braver than she felt. This was so out of context with everything she'd ever known and right now she knew nothing and that scared her to death.

"I'm the one your mum was meant to be with, I would never hurt her, not like… he did," he tossed Aden a filthy look.

"You raped me!" Belle exclaimed incredulously, hate stirring up strongly inside of her at his words towards her husband; barely registering the impact the revelation would have on Tess, but feel immediate guilt spread through her that her daughter was having to see this. "I'm sorry Tess," she added quietly but was unable to move to look at her.

Angelo tugged gruffly on the older woman's hair, causing her head to tilt backwards before looking directly at Aden, "Well, at least I didn't hold her hostage and try to kill someone," he said loudly.

All that could be heard were three gasps from behind Aden; he turned around to see all three teenagers staring at him in absolute confusion. The looks grew more questioning, particularly at the fact that there had been silence for at least thirty seconds and Aden had yet to dispute the claims.

Please comment! x

[Louise_2983]

I've already told you how much I love this but it is truly amazing and I thought I should say it in here too! I love every word! I adored the bit about Tess finally seeing that maybe Aden was just human after all, it was so effective! And The Notebook in joke made me chuckle!

[Taniya_K]

You had to end it there!!!!! Why oh why?!

Angelo that SOaB! If only I could get my hands on him... I can't believe he would do that and say that. And that the kids were there and heard it all!!

I dunno what else to say. That was an absolutely brilliantly awesome chapter and update once again! I keep trying to think of new stuff to say, but it's always the same. You write so well all the time!

Loved The Notebook reference

Cannot wait for more! I hope they get to the panic button somehow or something! Poor Belle And the kids. And Aden...

xoxo

[LAURZY!]

WOW!!! Cant believe you left it there....

Angleo's a T@!T

I cant believe the kids had to hear and see all that

God i hope they can get help for her

Brilliant update, really really cant wait to read more!!

[xknomex]

I'm in shock!!! I actually dont know what to say.... just, WOW!!!!!!

*gets brain in gear*

How could Angelo do that!?!?! How could he reveal all of that in front of the kids!? how! He's such an.. @!$&£^£*"*^"*^$&"() :angry

I hope the police get there or someone can help them....

WOW..... wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow

You are AMAZING Jen!!!!

update soon

xxxxx

oh and lol to the Notebook

[jenpen08]

ooooh Drama!! You wrote it sooo well I was gasping left, right and centre!!

Ahh Liked the mention of the notebook that made me chuckle!

Awesome update!!!