Belle stared with wide eyes as her two fathers stood near the doorway with their coats on. She had seen each of them leave in turn but she had never been apart from them at the same time.

Unless you count the therapy session she had that week. Even then, Kurt was in the waiting room.

"If you only want to stay one night, we can be here first thing in the morning to pick you up," Kurt said, kneeling down in front of her.

"Okay," Belle said quietly.

"Call us if you need anything," Kurt tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "I love you so much, sweetie." He kissed her forehead.

"I love you too," Belle said, as tears formed in her eyes. She hugged him tightly.

When Kurt pulled away, he said, "Youll be safe. I promise. Sam and Rachel will take care of you."

"Love you, Belle," Blaine bent down to give her a hug and a kiss. "Have a good night."

"Okay," she said. "Love you too." She felt her body start to tremble and ran to Sam for comfort. She wrapped her arms around her waist and watched Kurt and Blaine leave. The moment the door shut, Belle started crying. The last time she had been away from her dads, she didnt see them for months.

Sam bent down to get level with her. He smiled gently and said, "its going to be okay, Belle. Your mom and I will take care of you. We always have before."

"Thats right," Rachel chimed in.

"Yeah," Belle said quietly.

Sam wiped a tear off her cheek and asked, "is there anything you want to do? We could watch a movie or play a game. You and your mom could do each others hair.

Belle sighed, not wanting to do much of anything. "I think I just want to color." At least she could get lost in her pictures. She didnt have to think about anything.

"Ill get your books from your room," Sam went into Belles room and came back a moment later with three coloring books and a box of colored pencils.

"Thanks," Belle took them and set them on the coffee table. She sat on the floor between the table and couch and tried taking her mind off of her dads.

Belle already missed her dads so much. After being away from them for so long, she longed to be with them when one of them was away. Having both of them gone, her heart ached with a sadness that she couldnt understand. As she colored, she couldnt keep her mind off of them.

Rachels gentle hands began striking her hair. Belle didnt mind, because she liked the comfort. "What are you thinking about, honey?"

"I miss my dads," Belle admitted.

"They miss you too," Rachel told her.

"How do you now?" Belle asked.

"Come here," Rachel patted her lap. Belle hesitated but listened. She climbed on Rachels lap, careful not to bump her belly. Rachel tucked her hair behind her ear. "I know this is hard for you bug its hard for your dads too."

"How do you know?" Belle raised an eyebrow.

"Because this is the first time theyve been away from you," Rachel shrugged. "They missed you every day. They were scared for you every day. They did everything they could to get you back. They have left you for an hour or two but this is he longest theyve gone without you since theyve been home. Im sure its hard for them."

"I guess i didnt think about that," Belle said.

"No one expects you too," Sam said, sitting on the arm of the couch next to Rachel. "Youre already afraid. Your mom and I were afraid when you were gone too."

"You were?" Belle asked.

"Sure," Rachel stroked her hair. "You are so important to all us, Belle. We just wanted you to be safe. We wished you were home every single day."

"I missed you guys too," Belle said.

"Were going to be here for you every step of your recovery," Sam said. "Were a family. Me, your mom, you, and your dads. We all need to be here for each other. Your mom and I are going to protect you. Were going to help your dads get through this."

"You promise?" Belle asked.

"Absolutely," Sam smiled. "But right now, I think its time for you to head to bed."

"Can I sleep with you?" Belle asked.

Sam and Rachel exchanged nervous glances. "Originally I thought itd be good for you to sleep in your own bed but maybe itd be better for your dads to test that with you," Sam said.

"Are you sure?" Rachel asked.

"Shes been through enough tonight just having Kurt and Blaine leave," Sam said. "I think she needs to take things one step at a

Time."

"Yeah, youre right. Lets head off to bed, little lady," Rachel smiled at her. "Maybe I can read you a story. Im getting tired anyway. It wouldnt hurt to have an early bed time."

Rachel and Belle made their way into Rachel and Sams bedroom. Belle changed into her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and climbed into bed. She waited, as Rachel got ready for bed herself. Once Rachel was settled in bed, Belle cuddled up next to her and closed her eyes.

She felt Rachels gentle touch stroking her forehead. "I missed you, my Belle," she whispered softly into her daughters ear.

"I missed you too, mommy," Belle said quietly.

"Can I ask you a serious question?" Rachel asked.

Belles eyelids fluttered open and she stared at her mother with curiosity. "Yes," she replied.

"Are you upset about the baby?" Rachel asked.

Feeling uncomfortable, Belle slid away from Rachel slightly. "I dont want them to have a baby. I like things just how they are," she replied.

"Would you have felt differently if you hadnt spent so much time away from your dads?" Rachel asked her.

Belle shrugged, tears forming in her eyes. She didnt know. That probably was part of the reason but she wasnt sure that was all of it. "I just dont want a baby," she choked out.

"You might feel differently when hes here. You get to be a big sister, Belle. Thats a huge deal. Sometimes I wished I had a baby brother or sister to hang out with."

"Why?" Belle asked.

"Because your brother could end up being your best friend. Siblings are fun to play with and hell look up to you, You get to make decisions in how you two play because youre older," she winked.

"You sound like hes already here. My dads do too. All they will talk about is when the baby is here and then theyll forget about me," Belle said, no longer able to hold back her tears.

"Preparing for a baby is a lot of work. Babies are a lot of work but your dads wont forget you," Rachel said soothingly. "In a way, your brother is here and that hasnt stopped your dads from thinking about you."

"No, hes n-not," Belle hiccuped.

"Let me see your hand," Rachel grasped Belles small hand and placed it over her belly. "I know its hard to tell but hes there. He loves you, Belle. He cant wait to see you."

"How do you know?" Belle pouted, tempted to pull her hand away.

"Because the moment I climbed into bed with you, he started moving around. He likes to play when I try to sleep," Rachel chuckled. "He can hear you. Say hello."

"I dont want to," Belle made a face.

"I know this is hard for you," Belle," Rachel frowned. "Its going to take time to get used to."

A slight pressure under Belles hand caused her to jump. "What was that?" she pulled away, staring at Rachels belly with wide eyes.

Rachel laughed, "He kicked your hand. Thats his way of saying hello to you."

"Really?" Belle glanced at Rachel.

Rachel smiled, "yes."

Belle pulled her hand away and said, "Do you really think Ill want him around one day?"

"I know you will," Rachel brushed a piece of hair behind her ear. "Annabelle, I know youre hurting, and I can see why youre feeling this way. Itll take time to get used to and thats okay. I believe that everything will work out in the end."

"How do you know?" Belle asked.

Pulling her closer, Rachel kissed her forehead and said, "because this family loves you very much and we will help you through everything in life."

The first night away from her dads has been the hardest night Belle had spent since she returned home. Her nightmares woke her more than once, and without Kurt or Blaine there to comfort her, she became frightened. Sam moved her into her own bedroom to avoid waking Rachel. He stayed with her through the night but his comfort wasnt enough.

Belle climbed out of bed after it was light outside. Sam was still asleep but she couldnt take her nightmares anymore. She walked into the kitchen where she found Rachel placing a stack of pancakes on a plate. "Hi," Belle mumbled.

"Hey," Rachel smiled. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Couldnt sleep. Why are you making pancakes?" Belle asked.

"I was starving and craving pancakes. The baby decided it was time to eat," she placed her hand on her belly. "Would you like some?"

Feeling slightly uncomfortable at the mention of the baby, Belle shook her head. "Im not hungry."

"Honey, your dads told me youve been putting up a fight to eat but you really need to. You havent had much the last few months. Youre so thin," Rachel pulled out the butter from the fridge.

"Fine," she sat down at the table.

"Did you sleep okay last night?" Rachel asked, grabbing the syrup out of a cupboard. "I woke up around three and realIzed you werent there."

"I had some bad dreams," she admitted. "And I miss my dads."

Rachel frowned, taking the seat next to her. "I know, honey. Im sorry. Ill text them and let them know youre awake. If theyre up early enough, they can come get you."

"Okay," Belle nodded. She began to eat her pancakes but couldnt quite finish them. She just wasnt feeling well enough to eat much. She missed her dads so much. She loved her mom and was happy to see her but if wasnt the same. She wanted to be with Kurt and Blaine as much as possible.

Blaine showed up shortly after Belle finished eating. He told Rachel that he hadnt gotten much sleep that night anyway so he didnt mind coming to get her.

"Id think you would have slept better than you had in months," Rachel said.

"I worried about Belle all night. I missed her. I wanted her there with me," Blaine said.

Belle completely understood.

"Ready to go, kid?" Blaine asked.

"Yes," Belle grabbed his hand and he led her out the door. They caught the subway back home. It was a silent walk. Belle wanted to talk to him, but she didnt know what to say. Instead she stared at her familiar surroundings, grateful to be heading home.

Kurt greeted Belle the moment she walked through the door. He gave her a long, tight hug that she never wanted to break away from. "We have something for you, sweetheart," Kurt eventually pulled back and wiped a tear off her cheek.

"What?" Belle asked.

Kurt smiled. He moved behind the couch and came back rolling out a purple and pink bicycle. A pink basket sat on the front with a purple flower on the front.

"Wow!"Belle ran toward it and jumped on top of it. "This is great! Thanks!" She ran her hands along the handlebars and frowned. Glancing up at her dads, she said, "but I dont know how to ride a bike. Whats it for?"

Kurt and Blaine exchanged glances. Kurt knelt down next to her and said, "Belle, we missed your eighth birthday. We didnt get to celebrate with you."

"Oh," she stared at the basket. Belle had no idea how long she had been gone. Every passing day felt like an eternity. She didnt know when her birthday was.

"We want to spend as much time with you as we can," Kurt said. "Weve missed so much in the time you were gone, and once the baby gets here, we are going to be more busy than usual."

"Teaching you to ride a bike or finding another activity are great chances to hang out with you," Blaine finished.

Hopping off the bike, Belle hugged Kurt and then gave Blaine one. "Thank you," she said happily.

"Wed like to have a birthday dinner for you as well," Kurt told her. "If we had known, I would have thrown you a party with all of your friends."

"You dont need to," she shook her head. Belle was too afraid to face her friends yet. She didnt know how they would react to her.

"Youre okay with dinner?" Blaine asked.

"Sure," Belle shrugged.

"Rachel offered to make you dinner. Your dad and I decided it would be best to leave you with Rachel while we worked," Kurt explained. "Shes not working right now and she can take you to your therapy sessions. Itll be good for you."

"Yeah, we can stop by after work and have dinner with Sam and Rachel. Ill pick up a cake on my way from the hospital."

"Sounds great. Ill call Rachel right now and let her know," Kurt clapped his hands together and rushed into the kitchen to retrieve his phone.

Belle bowed her head and stared at the floor, feeling slightly defeated.

"Whats wrong?" Blaine asked. "Dont you like the bike? We went to the store yesterday and picked it up while you were gone."

"I like it," Belle told him.

"Then why do you look so sad?" Blaine asked.

She shrugged, "Im tired." It was a lie but she didnt know what else to tell him. Belle was disappointed that she missed her birthday. She was sad that she was too afraid to face her friends. She didnt want to spend every day with her mom. She loved Rachel but Belle wanted to be with her dads all day. She didnt like being around Rachel because her round stomach reminded Belle of the baby and everything she didnt want. It was so unfair, she wanted to cry. But after Sam and Rachel mentioned that her dads were hurting too, Belle didnt want to worry them anymore.

"Birthday dinner is a go," Kurt announced. "Sam and Rachel are excited."

Smiling at him, Belle said, "Thanks dad." She bit her lip nervously and said, "I-Im gonna go color now." She tore off into her bedroom and shut the door. Tears began rolling down her cheeks. Belle climbed on to her bed and buried her face in her pillow.

It was so unfair. Missing her birthday, missing most of second grade, missing ballet, and now spending every day without her dads as a constant reminder that they were having a baby she didnt want in her life. Belle couldnt hold back her emotions anymore. She cried for every unfair thing that happened.

The police station was crowded with people roaming the lobby. Belle watched people come and go for what felt like forever. Her mind was far away from her present self. All she could think about was her experience with Tim. How unkind and unfair he had been. How much she missed her dads. She didnt want to talk about it but she knew she had no choice.

"Annabelle Hummel," a woman entered from a door. Searching the room, she met Belles eyes and smiled slightly. "Can you come with me please?"

Taking a deep breath, she hugged each of her dads before following the woman down the hall and into a small office. The woman motioned for Belle to take a seat and she did so.

Sitting next to her, the woman gave her a smile and said, "Annabelle, Im Detective Slate. I have taken over your case and I have a few questions for you. Is that okay?"

"I guess," Belle shrugged, staring at her shoes.

"Your fathers uncle Timothy kidnapped you, is that right?" Detective Slate asked.

"Yes," Belle said quietly.

"Do you remember what happened?" Detective Slate asked.

"Yeah..." Belle hesitated. "We were at my grandpas house because he died. My dad, uh, Blaine, was with me because Kurt, my other dad, had left for a while. We had a picnic on the front porch and then he went inside to sort through my grandpas belongings. I stayed to play out in the back yard. I was climbing a tree when he came around the back of the house. I was just getting out of the tree. He came forward and told me not to scream or bad things would happen. He grabbed my arm with one hand and covered my mouth with the other. He dragged me back to the street and shoved me in his van."

"Do you remember what happened from there?" Detective Slate asked.

"We drove for a long time. I cried and cried until I was so tired, I fell asleep. When I woke up, we were at a house. He locked me in the basement and told me wed be leaving the next day."

"Did he take you to the house you were found at?" Detective Slate asked.

"Yes. We drove for a long time the next day until we got there. I stayed in that basement too. He only fed me scraps of food when he had extra."

"Did he hurt you?" Detective Slate asked.

This caused Belle to pause. This was the thing that had mentally harmed her the most, outside of missing home and having Tim tell her no one at home wanted her. "They wouldve had been here to get you by now if they wanted you."

Shaking her head to clear the memory, Belle said, "Yes, sometimes." Tears formed in her eyes. "He was a mean man. He always seemed so angry."

"What happened when your dads found you?" Detective Slate asked. "Do you remember?"

This was the part Belle remembered the most. The moment hope had returned to her frightened mind. The moment she was reunited with her dads. And the moment things got bad. Seeing Blaine get shot. Seeing him get hauled away on a stretcher, before a second ambulance took her to the hospital. Although Sam was by her side, she was terrified that she would never see Blaibe again.

Tears began to flow more freely now. "I heard them calling for me. There was a lot of yelling and then they same downstairs, my dad and Sam. And Jill came down and- and shot my dad." She began sobbing at the memory. It was so painful every time she thought about it. "I-I was so scared."

"All right. Okay. You dont have to continue, Annabelle. I know Irma hard for you," Detective Slate said. "I think I have all the information I need. Would you like to go back out to your dads."

"Yeah," Belle wiped her eyes. She had a longing to see Blaine, to know that he was okay. She felt this almost every time she wasnt near him. But after talking about the memory, it was more painful than usual.

Detective Slate led her back into the lobby and said, "Thank you for your time. Well be in touch."

"Thank you," Kurt shook her hand.

At the sight of Blaine, Belle rushed over and threw herself into his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder and cried. Blaine gently rubber her back and whispered, "Its okay, Belle."

"Is everything okay?" Kurt asked. "Did something happen?"

"Shes just emotional," Detective Slate informed him. "Do you have her in therapy. I would recommend it if shes not."

"Y-yeah, of course," Kurt said. "Is there anything else you need from us?"

"Id like to talk to each of you separately but you can come back another day if youd like," Detective Slate said.

"Could we?" Blaine asked.

Detective Slate smiles, "Sure. Sometime in the next couple days, okay?"

"Thank you," Kurt said. He took Belle from Blaine and carried her out the door, and Blaine followed. Feeling tired, Belle rested her head on his shoulders and stared at Blaine with sad eyes.

"Everythings okay, Belle," Blaine said, touching the bake of his hand to her cheek. "Well always be right here."

His words were comforting but not enough to heal the pain she felt in her heart.