Modern au, mentions of ab*se Also, some swearing.

I walked quietly into my house, holding the gift I'd gotten my little sister, Rosalie, for her birthday. I prayed my father was either asleep, or hadn't noticed I was gone.

My heart sank when I heard his heavy footsteps walking toward me. I tried to hide, but he grabbed me by the front of my shirt. "Where were you?" he growled, the smell of alcohol strong on his breath.

"N-nowhere, I've been here," I lied, earing a slap across the face. "Don't lie to me, you little whore!" my father yelled, making me flinch.

"I'm not lying, I've been here the whole--" I began, getting cut off by Anne's voice in the hall.

"Addi, are you back? Rosie might..." She came into view, and her face went pale. Our father looked to her, then to me. We both knew we were in for it...

The next day, I went to school as usual. The unusual part was my black eye. I covered it with my hair as best I could, as my father didn't allow makeup of any kind at our house.

I was at my locker, getting my books, when Gilbert came up behind me and hugged me. I gasped, surprised, but smiled when I saw who it was. "Hey Gil.." I whispered, leaning into him.

"He Adds," he said, ruffling my hair. Then he saw the bruise. "What happened?" he asked.

"I fell down the stairs again. Clumsy me!" I lied cheerfully, but Gilbert gave me a look that let me know he knew I wasn't telling the truth.

"Marie Adrienne François de Noailles, what happened?" he growled close to my ear.

I clung to him, saying only one word. He knew what I meant, and turned away. "You can't let him keep doing this," he said.

I held tight. "What can I do about it? Call Adrien? Tell him to get the kids? Move in with you?"

He nodded. "Yes, exactly that! Look, Adrienne, you need to stay somewhere safe. Move in with me, and I'll keep you safe. Adrien can take care of the rest of your siblings. Your dad will go to jail, where he belongs."

I stepped back. "Gil, I--"

He ignored me and called my brother, who he had on speed dial. The two talked, then Gilbert grabbed my hand.

"We're rounding up your siblings," he said.

"Why?"

"Your dad is getting arrested for child abuse."

"H-how?"

"Louise spoke up."

I followed my boyfriend, shocked. What did this mean for us? Could I really move in with him? My mind raced with these questions as I walked, him soon picking me up and carrying me, because I'm so small.

We made it to my home, where my dad was in cuffs, my little brother and sisters crying, my older brother and sister pale. They told me what happened, and that Adrien was going to get custody of the kids. Louise said she was going to help Adrien raise them, and that I could go live with Gilbert. I embraced all of them, tears stinging my eyes. "Merci," was all I could say, my voice no more than a croak.

I went inside to help everyone pack up their things. I slipped the gift I'd gotten Rosie into her things, when she wasn't looking. Her birthday was the next day, and I wanted her to have that one gift from me, at least.

I packed my own things after I helped the little ones. Then I walked them outside, helped them into Adrien's van, and bid them farewell. Then Gilbert put my bag in his car, opened the door for me, and drove to his apartment nearby.

He helped me unpack in the spare bedroom, where I would be staying.

That night, I had nightmares. So I went into Gilbert's room and lay beside him. He opened his eyes and wrapped his arms around me.

"Trouble sleeping?" he asked, rubbing my back. I nodded, nuzzling his neck. He smiled, hugging me close. "Want me to sing you a lullaby?" he then asked. After I nodded again, he sang softly to me.

"

Deep in the meadow, under the willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes

And when again they open, the sun will rise.

Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away

A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray

Forget your woes and let your troubles lay

And when it's morning they'll wash away

Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

..."