A Gangster's Pure Love

"Lexi baby.... I want you to take this, keep it with you always okay? Never ever let it go. Not for anything. It's a part of who you are, who we all are." Her mother hands her a locket. "Promise me Lexi!" Her mother adds when all Lexi does is look at her with confusion. The older version of herself is fully panicked. The fear in her eyes makes her unrecognizable. Lexi had never seen her mother so afraid. She turns towards her father who tries to smile back at her but it doesn't quite reach the eyes as he is busy trying to calm her younger sister down. A loud bang in the next room makes her parents jump. The sound is very familiar. She hears it every night in their town. She just never thought she would ever hear it in her own home. "Mom what is going on!" She whisper yells. It's in the middle of the night and her parents behaviour is scaring her. And she doesn't understand why those gunshots sound like they are right there in their peaceful home. "Shhhh! Baby. Don't make a sound." Her mother's hands are trembling as she keeps holding on to her. The older woman looks at her and holds both her cheeks and caresses her. "I love you baby, we love you. It's all we've ever done. If tomorrow gets hard, always remember that we love you and are watching over you." "Watching over me?" When those words sink in she almost jumps out of the tiny space her mother asked her to crawl in. Tears are flowing out of her eyes when she realises that her mother and father are saying their good byes. And not the see you tomorrow kind of goodbyes. "Mom...dad..." She can't believe it and she refuses to accept it so she fights them. If they are going she would rather go with them. She knows she can't live without them. "Lexi! Look at me." When she does look at her mother she finds her smiling. "It's okay." "No it's not mom" she replies as she keeps on crying. "Everything will be alright." "How mom? Am just a baby." She shakes her head. Her mother chuckles in sadness. "It has taken me leaving for you to finally accept that you are my baby?" "Mom.." She hugs her mother tightly not wishing to let go. "It's ok baby." Her mother rubs her on her back but that feeling breaks her. Knowing she will never feel her touch like this again, never hear her voice again." She always hated how her mother would reprimand her everytime she stayed out late or everytime she did what her mother was unhappy with. But now she would give anything to have that, even if she screamed at her for the rest of her life she didn't care. As long as she has her mother by her side, it's all that matters. Its all she wants and will ever want. "Alright now baby, that's enough." A pair of strong hands pull her away from her mother but she just moves straight away to land in his arms. "Daddy!" She now does feel just how much of a baby she is to these two. She realizes that she hasn't grown up. She is just their baby. "Lexi listen to your mother for once." But she just shakes her head, because this is the one time she really doesn't want to listen to any of them. Why don't they understand that she can't do what they are asking her to? She just wants to go where they are going because she can't do this alone. She is only 15! "I know this is hard. Probably the hardest thing you have ever done, well....apart from finally diving in the pool." That makes her chuckle. It's so like her father to make her laugh even in a situation like this. She looks up and smiles. The look of determination in his eyes gives her a bit of courage. "You just pushed me." She retorts. "It worked didn't it?" They both laugh. "You can do it. I know you are young and believe me we wouldn't want anything like this for you but you are strong kid. Maybe even stronger than me and your mother put together. I have faith in you." Her father has calmed her a little and now she can look at them clearly. The moment is calm as they all just look at each other. Her parent's looks are already cheering her on even though she can see the agony in their eyes. "I will miss you..." She hugs them both. "We will miss you too baby and remember you are a Peterson and we are strong people." "Thank you for everything mom,dad." She closes her eyes for a moment enjoying their warmth one last time. Another bang closer to where they are makes the trio jump again breaking them apart. Lexi knows this is it. The last time she will ever see her parents alive. She crouches in the small space again and gets hold of her little sister making sure to hold her mouth to keep her from screaming. She looks up at her parents one last time as they lock them in. "Where is it?" A voice she doesn't recognize growls at her parents. "I don't know what you you are talking about." Her father's fearless voice makes her proud, proud of her roots. "Bring them here!" Another voice shouts from down stairs. Lexi takes a peek as her parents are dragged away and tears fall uncontrollably but she keeps herself from screaming or making a sound. She catches a glimpse of a tattoo on the arm of the person taking them away. She makes a note to remember it. Her mind has already decided one thing. She will have her revenge one way or another. She sits back as she rocks Sasha. In this dark place her tears are falling as she anticipates what is about to happen to her parents. Next she hears a bit of arguing and two loud bangs and she knows they are gone. Her heart just rips open never to be mended again. All she can do is hold on to the only two things her parents gave her to take care of tonight, her sister and the locket. She is trembling and filled with dread. What if they come looking? She has no idea what to do tomorrow or what it will bring. But just like her father said she is a Peterson and they are strong people and that is all the faith she has right now. It's all she needs. The sound of approaching sirens helps her relax. She knows help is on the way at least for her and her little sister.