Two Degrees of Separation Chapter 15 FINALE!

'LET GO OF ME!' I continue to yell at Joe who is now tightening his grip around my arm, dragging me towards the bed 'JOE! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?'

He says nothing as he tries to undo my jeans, but suddenly I get this rush of adrenaline, this overwhelming power which allows me to kick him in the balls making him fall in unbearable pain and he drops my hand to clasp himself as I make a run for it.

'NO ONE MESSES WITH ME JOE.' I run out of the bedroom and prop a chair up against the door, he won't be able to escape so I can make a run for it.

'GISELLE!' I hear him scream and it makes my skin crawl hearing his voice. I don't respond but run. When I eventually get out of the flat where, let's face it, I was nearly raped, I realize that I am totally lost. I have never seen this road before. I run to the end of the street and I do not trust anyone to tell me where I am. Its pitch black, but I see a light from the street corner illuminating a bus stop. Thank goodness. Oh crap I have never seen these places before! I skim the names when I know one. Greenwich. Ahah! Greenwich! Well I have no other sign of help so this seems my safest option. I can't go home because I'm not welcome there, nor am I welcome at Isla's. I'm a homeless, loveless wreck. Do you know what I need right now? Zac. I want Zac so much it's killing me. Has he really left me? If so, I may as well got raped and assaulted back there because I swear, living without the thing you love is the most painful thing in the world and I can't bear it.

I manage to scramble some bus fare and make my way up to Greenwich in the pitch black night fall except for the bright moon showing leading me towards safety. I arrive at the park and there are street lights, thank goodness. As I walk across the grass, my heels snap and this must tops it off. I feel like crying now. And I never cry. Please someone. I need help.

ZAC'S P.O.V

'She's not here, Zac.' Connor yells at me.

'I noticed.' Oh come on Giselle. I'm here. Come here. Come to me Giselle. I'm here for you. I'm waiting. I scan the park and she's not here, I look at Connor who has broken down crying next to their tree. 'Oh Con.' I go over and sit next to him. I don't even care when I pull him into a firm hug.

'Come on. We'll find her.' I help Connor stand up and we walk slowly on the path back from the tree when I see her.

GISELLE'S P.O.V

I kick my heels off and scream as I head off to the tree in anger. There are two figures standing there and I instantly break down when I see who they are. The two most important men in the world to me. Zac spots me and then runs across the park towards me, picking me up in his arms and pulling me closely against his body with his arms enveloping me in his love.

'Oh God I love you, Giselle.' He says to me in weepy tears. I move my head from his shoulder to look at him and give him a long, slow kiss. He then wipes my tears of joy away and kisses me one more time before letting me step down to see Connor standing by our tree.

I slowly walk over to him and my big brother takes me into his arms and hugs me tightly. 'I am so sorry, Gigi.'

I nod and say 'I love you, Con.'

'I love you too, Gigi. Where did you go? What happened?'

I bow my head and say quietly 'Well, I was, um, well...' I trail off unable to explain then I blurt out 'Joe abducted me.'

'WHAT?'

I nod. 'He, um, nearly, um, raped me.' Connor looks at me and hugs me again 'Oh Gigi. Where is he now?'

'Still at the place, but I locked him in. I came here because, well, it's the only place I felt I was wanted, and it brings back good memories, not like the past few weeks.' Connor catches his breath and looks like he hates himself 'Oh Gigi, I am so sorry.'

I nod because he genuinely is.

'Go and see Zac.' He says letting go of me. 'I'll sort this out.'

'Don't do anything stupid.' I add hastily

'I'm calling the police, Gigi.' He nods towards Zac then nods as if to say I'm happy for you being with Zac.

I smile and then turn to see Zac and I jump into his arms and say 'Don't ever leave me again, Zac.'

'Never ever, Giselle.' He winks and kisses me again and whispers 'I love you so much, sweetie.'

'You don't know how much I've wanted to hear you say that, Zac.'

'Not as much as me wanting to have you in my arms again.' Oh I love him.

I smile and Zac gently looks over my bashed head and bruises as Connor suggests we go back home.

EPILOGUE FIVE MONTHS ON

It's December and today is baby Ruby's christening. Isla gave birth to Ruby three months ago and today we're all going to her christening. I'm going to be her God-Mother. How cool is that!

'Giselle, will you get up?' My mom calls from downstairs. But it is so much cozier in bed. Especially as I'm snuggled up in Zac's arms. It's too warm to get out. Zac and Connor came back from Uni in early December, but Zac's been back with his parents(he is so proud of them as they have been clean ever since his last visit) so I only saw him yesterday-I hate him being away but I'm so happy when he's back with me. I know. I'm a hopeless romantic-tragic I'm sure!

Zac kisses the back of my neck and says 'Come on, we need to get ready.'

I smile 'Oh but Zac!'

He giggles and blows small raspberries on my neck making me jolt up. 'Now come on. Get your pretty dress on and get ready.'

'What about you?' I ask seeing my gorgeous tousled haired babe lying cozily in my bed.

He smiles 'It won't take me a minute.' I nod as I go and get ready only to be impressed that by the time I come back he's already dressed. 'Told ya.'

I smile as he kisses my cheek before going downstairs. 'Good morning lovebirds.' Connor says. We smile and Zac goes off with Connor as they talk about goodness knows. Then I hear a gaggle of baby voices coming from the living room. I guess Ruby is here. I go in and sure enough my adorable little soon to be god daughter is sat merrily on Isla's lap laughing.

She has already got a little personality, she is always smiling. It's amazing. She reminds me of Zac so much just because they always smile. It's sickening sometimes! I'm joking. It's very cute. Kieran watches over his precious little bundle of joy and his fiancé admiringly just as Zac does when I catch him watching me. As I watch Isla, Kieran and Ruby together, I strangely see myself like that in less than ten years time. Loved up with a child. I won't tell my mom that. She'd go mental knowing I'm even thinking about children, but don't worry, Zac is so traditional he'd want us to be married before even contemplating children.

'Hello lovely.' Kieran says noticing me standing at the door.

Isla looks up and she is so motherly towards Ruby it brings a tear to my eye. 'Hello honey, Ruby look, it's Giselle.' Isla moves one of Ruby's deep chocolaty brown waves away from her face. I never knew babies had that much hair, but Ruby does. I think she's going to be a supermodel when she's older with her parent's good looks. As I smile at Ruby I feel Zac's hand land upon the back of my waist and he kisses my forehead which makes me melt inside.

'Come on. We don't want to be late. Now let's get the service over s we can get to the party later on.' My mom says. 'There are many reasons to celebrate today.'

And there are. One the most important of all Ruby's christening, but also that Joe is now officially out of my life. He's doing time for his crime and apologized but I didn't realize how hard it would be to get over that experience. A lot longer than I thought. But I had counseling and a lot of very supportive people around me to get through it. But just like Ruby, I'm having a new start and a new beginning-one which looks very promising indeed! And the final celebration is for Connor too. He got a really good grade in his course and we're all very proud of him. I am immensely proud of everything he does and I know the feeling is mutual. We have become even closer since that incident and I am kind of glad all of that happened because now I talk to Connor about everything (within reason!) and he supports me 100% all the way.

'Are you coming?' Isla asks me.

I nod. 'You won't be able to stop me.'

'Thanks for being Ruby's god mother, it means a lot to me and Kieran. We wouldn't want anyone else.'

Tears well up in my eyes as I hug Isla around Ruby who is gurgling happily. 'Thanks Is.'

'Thank you. Quickly hold her so I can have a pic.' Isla hands Ruby over to me and says 'Get in too, Zac.' Isla loves Zac too because she can see how much he loves me and I think she sees qualities of her and Kieran in me and Zac. Ahh! I'm touched!

'This could be us in ten years time.' He comments.

'Not could, sweetheart, will be.' I say teasing him, seeing if he's in shock by my scary proposition.

He laughs 'You need a ring on that finger first and that's not happening till way after uni.'

I laugh 'Oh ok. But only if you promise.'

'I promise.' He leans down and kisses me as Isla takes the picture. Picture perfect I would say!

THE END!

BTW the pic is of Giselle and Ruby-absolutely adorable I think!