27 You’re A Fighter

Lisa's POV

I kept trying to decide what it was that I wanted to do. Short of having a fallopian tube transplant, which I don't think is a thing, I couldn't carry my own child without endangering the two of us. I was leaning towards surrogacy because I'd still like to see a little Davis running around. I want Izzy to have a sibling that was blood related to her. Not that an adoption would make them any less our family.

Today, however, my mind was not on how I would have a child. No, today my only thoughts were about how satisfying it would be to see Dad hauled off to jail. This was the day Davis would help me trap him in his office and talk to him one-on-one. Well, two-on-one, as Davis wouldn't be leaving my side.

The man had been even more insatiable since he proposed, and I said yes. It was like it opened up this whole other side of him, one I couldn't get enough of either. I loved every second of it. He had also gotten more protective, and I find it quite endearing.

"Alright, my warrior. Are you ready?" he asked me as I stared at the tall building my father had built.

I know it was no small feat for him to build this company. It took years, many years, of hard work and dedication for him to get this business to be so successful, yet I brought it down in a week. Airing Dad's illegal activities, along with his dirty laundry, had this business in the gutter. I knew he was taking losses right now, but I didn't feel bad for him, not in the least. His loss was bringing me such joy, amplified by the fact that I caused it.

I did this to him.

"More than ready," I said, because for once there was not a shred of fear in me knowing I was going to his office.

"Let's go speak your truth, then." He winked at me, giving my hand a squeeze before getting out of the car.

I felt taller than before as I strolled up to the building with Davis. For once, I did not bow my head as I made my way to the elevator. We earned glances from everyone in the lobby, but I didn't let it affect me. There was no way their opinions mattered to me anymore. I knew they were probably wondering what was going on? Why was I visiting the devil himself?

The ding of the elevator doors had my heart pounding. I wasn't scared, but I was nervous. My mind was trying hard to plan the right words to speak. I wanted to make sure that Dad knew he had fucked up. He fucked up long-ago, many times over, but today I wanted to tell him so myself.

I marched with deep determination towards his office. His front desk was empty since Mandy quit, and not a soul wanted to take her place. Dad was left to do the work of his own secretary. The situation was quite comical to me, as Dad hated doing grunt work now that he was CEO.

I pushed his door open so hard that it slammed against the wall. For the first time, I saw Dad physically jump out of his chair. He was scared, but it wasn't of me. I think he knew what was coming. The smile on my face only let him know how amusing I found the whole thing.

"What are you doing here, Lisa? You've caused enough problems with the Darnell contract. We're lucky that video got out, or they would have taken half the company." Dad narrowed his eyes at me, obviously aware I leaked the video. "You need to leave. Your presence is no longer welcomed here."

For once, his words did not hurt me. Whatever need for his approval I once sought was long gone.

"I have something to say and you're going to sit there and you're going to listen," I said, using the most commanding tone I had.

"I stand before you today as a woman who has been broken and beaten down by your abuse for far too long. For years, I have lived in fear of your anger and your fists, never knowing when or how you would hurt me or Lucas. But today, I am here to tell you I will no longer be your victim. I will no longer allow you to control me with your violence and your manipulations. You may have thought that you could break me, that you could make me cower in fear and submit. But you were wrong. I am stronger than you ever gave me credit for. I have survived your abuse, and I have come out the other side with a fire in my heart and a determination to let no one treat me that way again."

Oddly enough, Dad was sitting quietly as he looked at me with a stoic face. Not a single emotion crossed his features as I spoke.

"I want you to know that your abuse has not just hurt me, but it has hurt our entire family. You have torn us apart with your anger and your violence, and it is time for that to stop. It is time for you to take responsibility for your actions, for all the terrible shit you've done. I want you to know that I am done with you, your abuse, your manipulation, and your cruelty. I am a strong, capable woman, and I will not let you or anyone else bring me down. I am taking back my power, and I am standing up for myself. So, Dad, I hope you hear me loud and clear. I am done with you. It's time for me to move on and to live my life on my own terms. And I hope that someday, you will realize how badly you fucked up, and it eats away at you. None of us will forgive you, nor will we help you. You're alone, Dad. Completely and utterly alone."

I felt satisfied as I let the last words slip from my lips. Dad seemed unaffected, but I hoped it was just a mask he had placed. Maybe under that exterior I had hurt him in a way. That was too presumptuous of a thought as Dad got up slowly, indifference written on his face. He strode his way towards us without a care, like I hadn't just delivered the speech of my life. There was no emotion, no intimidations, nothing, just a man that caused me years of misery headed my way. Perhaps he was testing my resolve, thinking he could intimidate me with his slow walk. I kept my head high, showing him I did not fear him any longer.

"I am pretty sure I told you to leave," he said, holding his office door open for me to leave.

It was like a slap in the face. It was a reaction I wasn't expecting when I said what I needed to. Maybe I wanted him to cry, or perhaps even be mad. Somehow, his indifference hurt more than anything.

No, fuck him.

I was furious, making my way right towards him, snatching the door from his grip and slamming it shut.

"Sit down! I'm not done with you!" I yelled in his face, surprising even myself.

I was going to make him react if it was the last thing I did. He needed to show me something…remorse, regret, hate.

Give me something. I am worth that much.

"What do you want from me, Lisa?" he asked, sounding so exhausted it deflated me instantly. "Do you want an apology? Well then, I'm sorry. I am sorry I am a shit dad that let money get in the way. The way I was raised made me want for everything. I had nothing growing up, going hungry almost every day. I wanted to make sure that my children never suffered that fate. Things escalated quickly once the business started doing well. To put it in simple terms, I got greedy. I let all of this cloud my judgment, and now I see it was for nothing. There's nothing left for me. You don't think I know what a terrible father I am?"

I took a step back as if his words had physically pushed me. There was no way I was hearing this right. Was he actually admitting his mistakes?

"I lost myself, then your mother, later Lucas, and now you. I'm losing the business. It is going down fast, and it's what I deserve. You need to leave, Lisa, before you're caught up in any of this."

Was he being serious? Was he actually concerned? I stared at him, hoping by some miracle that I could read his true intentions. The only thing keeping me steady was Davis' hand on my own. I couldn't tell if the words he spoke were true, but God, did I want them to be. I wished and hoped that his feelings were genuine.

"She won't be. They know she had nothing to do with your idiocies. I made sure of it," Davis interjected, because I had suddenly lost my voice again.

I wasn't sure what to say now, what to do. Whatever anger I had about his indifference was washed away with the need for his apology to be true. It took me a few seconds, but I composed myself, shaking the shock off. I took a step towards him again.

"Are you actually sorry? Or do you think that's just what I want to hear? Are you even capable of feeling remorse in that bitter heart of yours?"

"I deserve that and more. I know that, Lisa. There's no changing what I've done, and there's no changing the way you see me. I can tell you it's the truth, but you will always doubt it. Hopefully, my actions will speak louder than my words."

Before I could ask him what he meant by that, there was a heavy pounding on the door. Derek opened it, without being told to come in, two cops behind him. His eyes landed on me, and then on Davis, who gave him a small nod. Derek made his way to my dad, telling him what he was under arrest for and reading him his rights. Dad didn't say a word, not arguing or putting up a fight. I couldn't understand what was happening anymore. This whole one-eighty had me spun on my axis and I couldn't seem to get straight again.

I need to talk to Lucas.

"How many days has she been throwing up now?" I asked Lucas now that Liv had gone to work. She had already missed a week, but she refused to miss anymore, even though she was clearly still sick. "Has she told you about the cancer yet?"

"No, I keep hinting at it, asking her if she needs to go back to the doctor, but she keeps telling me no, that she's fine. I don't understand it. I thought we didn't keep secrets. This news was hard to swallow, but she should have told me. I could help her through it. Should I just tell her I know?" Lucas looked so lost as he spoke with his hands holding the sides of his head, like he couldn't contain his thoughts any longer.

"Let me talk to her. Maybe I can make her slip or something. I have some medical news of my own I could share to start the conversation."

I still hadn't told Lucas about my stupid tubes, but I guess now was as good a time as any. I still needed to tell him about dad as well. His arrest was all over the news with questions such as ‘who will take over?' and ‘what happens next?'

"Medical news?" He sat straight up. "I swear if you tell me you have cancer, I'm going to lose it."

"Nothing like that," I calmed him, placing my hand on his shoulder. "I can't carry my child the way I should. My tubes are shit, and don't work the way they should anymore."

"You're still going to be a mom," he said so quickly that it caught me off guard. He said it as if it was a fact, no doubt about it. I would be a mother. "I'm sorry you can't carry it, though. You would have really enjoyed that part, I am sure." He was watching Abi as he spoke. She was now crawling around the floor like an expert, playing with her toys. I think she knew we were watching because she suddenly turned up the charm, giggling prettily. I want one.

"There's something I need to tell you." I bit at my cheek as I stared at the ground, knowing that this would be as good a time as any to confess finally. "I had an ectopic pregnancy shortly after John and Ivy died. It's the reason my tubes are the way they are."

"Lisa, why didn't you tell me? I could have been there for you."

"No, you couldn't. You were just as broken. Don't you remember? I couldn't get you to get off the floor, let alone tell you I had lost John's baby." I stared into his eyes, seeing if he caught that part. He did, squinting his eyes at me for a brief second.

"John's baby?"

"I didn't want to tell you, Lucas. I know he was your best friend, and I didn't want to come between you two. I broke it off with him not long before he died. I am so sorry." My hands clasped together, squeezing tight as I waited for his reaction. I thought he would blow a gasket. Instead, he pulled me into a tight hug.

"I knew, Lisa. He had told me about you guys the day after you kissed for the first time. I was pretty pissed, but John convinced me what he felt for you was real. He was going to ask you to marry him when you broke up with him." My chest caved as a tear slid down my cheek. I had no idea this entire time he had known, but it was that last sentence that tore me apart.

"Why would you tell me that?" I choked, clutching at his shirt.

"You should know how much he loved you. You should know how serious he was about you. He had my blessing, and he was going to tell you that, too. You two would have made such wonderful parents. I know in my heart that you are going to be a wonderful mother, Lisa. I promise you that." He squeezed me tight before pushing me back. "I am sorry you went through that alone."

"Thanks," I whispered, watching Abi, too. "I need to tell you something about dad now." Lucas' sigh was so heavy it was like I suddenly placed the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Do I need to know? I am so over his shit."

"I know you are. I went that day, the day he got arrested, and saw him in his office." Lucas' eyes were now on me, staring at the side of my head. I refused to look away from Abi as I continued. "I told him everything I needed to say, telling him to go to hell for all he's done, and that I was done with him."

"Good, it's about time you stood up to him. I am proud of you, Lisa."

"He apologized," I said, like it was some secret shame.

"Don't tell me you believed it?" Lucas sounded upset as he asked.

"I mean, no, but then he said something and now I am not so sure. You should have seen him. He looked so broken, so…alone."

"Good, he should be." Lucas hates our dad the most, and in all honesty, he should. Dad was the harshest with him, and his manipulations continued even after he moved out.

"He said he knew I wouldn't believe his apology and that he hoped his actions would speak louder than his words. What do you think he meant by that?" I was hoping he could shed some light on the man he detested.

"Who knows? He was probably just trying to manipulate you into forgiving him. Maybe he hopes you'll help him out of jail or something. I wouldn't put much merit into that apology. You know that."

"I know." I sighed, feeling a bit disappointed. There was still this nagging feeling inside of me that made me think I was missing something. I guess time would only tell.

"Good, don't fall for his crap," he reminded me.

"I am not going to." I rolled my eyes, feeling a bit annoyed now. "It's just.. I don't know. He seemed so genuine for a minute that I almost believed him."

"Don't."

"I know! God!" I snapped, feeling irritated that he felt the need to remind me continuously. I don't know why I thought I could talk to him about this. Davis was the same way.

"Alright, chill," he said, putting his hands up in surrender. I just rolled my eyes again, but said nothing.

Abi and I played for a while as Lucas worked. He was getting jobs for some employees from Dad's business who wanted to abandon ship. I wondered who would take over. Who would be crazy enough to take over and try to fix the company image? They would have to have balls the size of Texas and brains the size of the continent. I laughed at the thought, making Abi giggle. At least she never looked at me like I was crazy.

"Where's my baby girl?" I heard Liv call from the front door. She was taking her shoes off when we rounded the corner.

"Welcome home," I greeted her, handing her the most precious baby girl.

"I didn't know you were still here. I am glad you stayed. We need to talk." She surprised me by the way she greeted me.

"That's funny. I was going to say the same thing."

Liv arched her brow at me, tearing her eyes away from Abi for just a moment to give me a look. She looked so beautiful with her daughter in her arms. I really hoped for their sake that her cancer was being treated already.

"Come on, we'll go to the back porch."

She led the way, not even bothering to greet Lucas. I was worrying about their relationship, feeling the strain from here. They seemed to grow distant, and I couldn't have this happening. They were my happy place, the happily ever after you saw in fairy tales. I refused to believe they had problems. They were not allowed to.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked her, wondering why she would take me out here and why she would want to talk to me so seriously.

Abi hung on her hip as she looked up at the late afternoon clouds. She seemed so conflicted, like she'd been thinking about this for a while. I got the feeling that maybe this was about what I wanted to talk to her about. Was she going to tell me what she had yet to tell Lucas?

"If anything were ever to happen to me, I need you to promise that you'll take care of Abi and Lucas. You already do, but I need you to promise you'll be here even if he pushes you away."

"Liv, what are you talking about? You're fine."

"No, I am not. I haven't told Lucas yet, but they found a mass and it's cancerous. I found out I was pregnant not long before they told me I had cancer. I've been dying inside trying to decide what to do. How can I tell him this? After what happened with Ivy, will he be okay? I don't want him to go back to being the way he was when we first met. I can't stand the thought of him being that way again. Especially not with Abi around."

Her words killed me, tore me right in half. She was worried about how Lucas would react to the news. Worried about him going back to his womanizing ways if she was to die. Although, why she was killing herself off like that was beyond me. I was furious, my body reacting on its own and slapping her on her free arm, shocking us both.

"You tell him now! He needs to know it all. Don't use Ivy as an excuse to keep this quiet. Don't start making plans for your death as if it is a guarantee. You are a fighter, Liv, or have you forgotten?!" Davis wasn't kidding about this inner warrior–she was ferocious.

"I-" she couldn't seem to get her words out. She cried silently before me as she nodded her head. "I'm a fighter."

"That's right, you are, so act like it! You'll survive. You'll have this baby and be there to raise it. Don't kill yourself off, Liv. You're the strongest person I know. Besides, I am sure they've caught it early enough, right?" She nodded her head, still letting tears stream down her face. "Good, so go tell Lucas the good and bad news. He's ready for it."

She wiped at her tears with her free hands, nuzzling into Abi for comfort. She headed inside, stopping at the doorway and turning to me with Abi still on her hip.

"Thank you, Lisa," she whispered before closing the door behind her and leaving me outside with her news.

She was pregnant.

I want to be pregnant.