Chapter Text
Beth felt the pain in her back, she struggled to breathe, to take a big breath that would fill her lungs. She opened her eyes, closing them as fast as she could when the bright light caused even more pain. Beth did that again, not knowing where she was, she thought she was still laying on the ground not being able to move when she looked around. White walls, a chair, and a little sofa let her know she wasn't at the place Rosie left her to find help. At once her gaze rested on two figures on the sofa. Beth struggled to recognize them, blinking to correct her vision. At once one of the figures approached her bed, Beth smiled at the view of Rip. He was caressing her hair before placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Is Rosie okay?" Beth asked quickly, her voice husky.
"Yes sweetie," Rip assured her, "she found us, she was very brave,"
"She is," Beth closed her eyes when one of the tears rolled down her cheek.
"Hey," Rip whipped it, "you're okay, she is too, you have a bruised back, concussion, and broken ribs, but a few days at home and rest will fix it in no time," he smiled.
"I thought it will be like with my mom," Beth whisperer, "when I was laying there…I know how my mom felt and I don't blame her for not being able to love me or forgive what I did…"
"Look at me," Rip gently cupped her face, "you're nothing like your mother, just like I'm not like my father. Rosie loves you, she was scared to lose you and so was I. We love you Beth and nothing will change it," he kissed her forehead.
"You're the best thing that happened to me Rip," she smiled.
"Mommy!" they both heard Rosie's voice when she was running towards Beth's bed.
"Hey, baby," Beth said, kissing the girl's hair when she hugged her tight.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Rosie sobbed, holding Beth in the middle, "I should listen to you,"
"You did," Beth smiled, lifting the girl's chin, "you found dad and saved me, you're braver than me," she tucked Rosie's hair behind her ear.
"I love you, mommy," the girl whispered, when the door opened, letting John in.
"Beth," his voice cracked.
Rip's look went from John to Beth when he felt the tension. He knew John loved his daughter, he was scared as much as he was when they were riding as fast as they could to save her, and Rip couldn't help but hope for them to call a truce. At once he kissed Beth's forehead before his voice filled the space.
"Rosie," Rip started, "what would you say for hot chocolate?"
"I don't want to leave mommy," she pouted.
"I'll be okay baby, go with dad and tell him to buy the biggest hot chocolate for you," Beth smiled.
"Okay, but I'll bring you some too," the girl jumped from the bed, taking Rip's hand in hers.
"Can't wait," Beth smiled.
John was waiting for Rosie and Rip to leave the room before he walked towards the bed. He was trying to gather his thoughts, but all he could think about was the fact he could lose Beth, lose her without apologizing for his behavior. Beth looked up at him, her rib still sore and every breath caused a little pain when she looked at her father. He was pale, and dark circles around his eyes made Beth worried but she couldn't shake off the things he told her.
"Beth…" he started, "I thought…"
"That I'll die?" she said, "me too…"
"If Rosie wouldn't come to us on time…" John took a deeper breath.
"I'd die, dad, just like my mother," she looked at him, "but I didn't tell Rosie it was her fault. She would get over it and won't end up wanting to kill herself because of a guild," he eyes glassy from tears.
"Beth, honey," John sat at the edge of her bed, "I love you, no matter what happens what you did or not, I love you, you're my daughter and I want to be present in yours and your family life,"
"You hurt me, dad, we're fucked up family but I would never think you will be like that," she whispered, hands fixed on the blanket, "we can try again if you want to, but that's one and last time…I can't put Rosie on a stake, she's my daughter, she has to feel safe at our house, at your house,"
"One last chance, honey," John's voice cracked, "that's all I need," he smiled, covering her hand with his.
At once the door opened, letting Rosie storm the room with the mug in her hand. Her smile faded away, seeing John so close to Beth and for a split second, she wanted to throw the mug at her grandpa. Beth knew Rosie better than anyone and before her daughter could harm anyone Beth's voice filled the room.
"I see you have the biggest chocolate," she said when Rosie carefully climbed on the bed next to her.
"I left some for you, mommy," she smiled, "are you okay?" she added, looking at John.
"I am sweetheart," Beth kissed her forehead, "how is Onyx?" Beth asked, Rosie's head resting on Beth's chest.
"I don't know…" the girl murdered, "I'll never ride again,"
"What?" Beth almost shouted, the pain filled her ribcage when she tried to make Rosie look at her.
"I know you were scared," Beth made her look at her, "but that doesn't mean you have to leave Onyx,"
"I could kill you…" Rosie hid her face in the crook of Beth's neck.
"No," Beth said firmly, "you saved me," she said smiling, "and when I'll be able to, we will go for another ride, we will take dad too," Beth looked at Rip.
Rip walked towards them, sitting at the edge of the bed when he kissed Beth's temple, wrapping his arm around both of them. He let out a breath he was holding, the events of the day made him realize how fragile his happiness was, and he was ready to do everything to keep his girls safe.
*******
A few weeks later…
Rip was trying to take his shower as fast as he could, since Beth got home from the hospital he was doing everything he could to take care of her, but it was never easy to try it, Beth Dutton. He quickly put on his clothes to find Rosie and Beth on the sofa, the girl was very clingy if it took to Beth, and finding them like that made Rip's heart swell in his chest. At once he saw Beth standing up, preparing herself to carry Rosie to her room when Rip almost jumped towards her.
"Bethany Dutton," he whispered, trying not to wake Rosie up.
"Full name…am I in trouble?" Beth joked.
"Yes, if you'll try and carry her," he murmured, taking the girl in his arms, "wait here, I'll carry you too," he said seriously.
Beth shook her head, watching him carry their daughter to her bedroom. Since the accident Rip was always around, ready to help and take care of her like no one ever before. She took the blanket they were wrapped around and folded it, smiling at the soft noises coming from Rosie's room. She loved Rip more than anyone and seeing them together made Beth happy. At once Rip slowly left the girl's room, closing the door as silently as he could before he joined Beth.
"She wanted to sleep with you tonight," Rip said, kissing her neck, his hands wrapped around her middle.
"She's still a bit…" Beth started.
"Clingy?" Rip said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Yes," she smiled, "so, are we going to bed now?" she asked, brushing her lips over his.
"We're, you have to rest," he said, taking her hand in his.
"Rip…" she pulled his hand, causing him to look at her, "I want to do different things than resting…way different," she smirked.
"I won't touch you," he shook his head.
"That's the moment with you being a bored husband that won't fuck his wife because you have another girl on the side?" Beth said seriously.
"What? No, of course not," Rip struggled to explain before he noticed Beth's smile.
"I was joking baby," she laughed, pulling him closer, "what's wrong?" she tilted her head.
"I won't touch you until you will be a hundred percent okay,"
"I'm okay, Rip," she looked at him.
"I…" he tried to say something when his voice stuck in his throat.
"I know you were scared," she made him look at her, "I was too, but I'm okay now. We have an amazing daughter and life is good," she pulled him by his shirt, "now, you'll carry me to bed and make my legs wobble, in a silent way since Rosie," she smiled.
"You'll be the death of me," Rip smiled, lifting her, and carrying her to bed.
Beth kissed him softly, her hands wrapped around his neck when he put her gently on the bed, she unbuttoned a few of the buttons of his shirt when he looked at her, the love she saw in his eyes made her body shiver. She kissed him again and again before he crushed her with his weight. She felt the love, and the emotions they both carried with them after the accident. Beth knew that no matter what happened, she was and won't be like her mother. Rosie and Rip were everything to her, they were her family, something she would never think she will have. Beth finally felt that the love she had never had from her mother was enough. Her guilt was finally gone.