I Know Where She Is

KAYSEN*

Once the police showed up, Tanner called Jace. It wasn't long before Jace and Blaze showed up. We don't know when my mom took Cora. It could be possible that my mom had taken her when Tanner was helping me out of the truck and waited until we had gotten into the house before opening the garage and leaving. Or she left sometime when Tanner and I were talking to my dad. Either way, it has been two hours, and my mother could be anywhere.

The police sent out an Amber alert and advised Tanner and me to stay there at my parent's house if my mom or dad showed up with Cora. Tanner gave Blaze and Jace the information to my mom and dad's cars, and they took off to join in the search for Cora. I messaged my mother to let her know an Amber Alert had been issued, and if she were smart, she would either tell me where she and Cora were or she needed to bring Cora back. After twenty minutes, there was still no answer from my mom.

Tanner and I sat on the couch in the living room, and Tanner wrapped his arms tightly around me. As if afraid I may disappear as well.

"I'm so sorry, Kaysen. I've failed at my job of protecting you and Cora. This is all my fault. Maybe I should have left you alone, and none of this ever would have happened. Everything was just fine until I came into the picture. I'm so very sorry," Tanner said, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Don't you ever say anything like that again do you hear me. Cora is fine; my mother would never do anything to hurt her. I love you, Tanner; you have awakened my soul in a way I never knew was possible. I need you, ok, just like you need me. This is not your fault. My mother needs help; I can see that now. She won't be able to see Cora again for a very long time until she gets that help," I said as I cried along with Tanner.

We wiped each other's tears, and then a thought occurred to me. My mom might have very well taken Cora to my grandparent's. However, they live two hours away, but it was worth a shot. I grabbed my phone and called the detective that had given me his card.

The detective said he would call and have someone go out to my grandparent's house to see if my mom and Cora were there. Through the Amber Alert, there was already highway patrol out if my mom was still on the road somewhere.

After another twenty minutes or so, the detective that I had spoken with before called me and said that they had found my mother and Cora. My mom had taken Cora to my grandparents, who live two hours away, and that my dad was there with them. So both my mom and dad had orchestrated this whole thing from the beginning. I could see my mom doing this, I guess but not my dad.

It was said that the police would stay there with them until we could arrive to get Cora. Tanner called Jace and Blaze to let them know that Cora had been found, and then Tanner and I got into his truck and took off towards my grandparent's house.

TWO HOURS LATER*

Tanner and I had arrived at my grandparent's; my grandmother answered the door. She said that my mom and dad had only been there about thirty minutes or so before the police had arrived. It was nice to have gotten a surprise visit from my mom and dad. My grandmother didn't know that my parents had taken Cora without my knowledge until the police had shown up. She apologized and then guided Tanner and me into the living room. Cora was playing on the floor with my mom and dad, and two policemen were standing guard at the entrance.

"Do you want to press charges ma'am," one of the policemen asked me as Tanner and I entered the living room.

"Granny, would you mind taking Cora to the bathroom for me, please, so that I can talk to mom and the policeman. I don't think that Cora needs to be in here right now?" I asked my grandmother.

"Sure, honey, I understand. Cora, baby, you are about to go for a long ride; let's go to the bathroom real quick, ok dear," My grandmother said as she picked Cora up and took her towards the bathroom.

"Mother come here," I commanded, and Tanner stood there with his arms crossed and glared at my mother.

"I'm not going to press charges; I think what I'm about to do is going to hurt you more than being stuck in a jail cell. You are not allowed anywhere near Cora again. In fact, I am going to file a restraining order against you. You need help. I don't know what's going on in that head of yours that you thought you could kidnap your granddaughter. But here we are. If you get some help and stop treating me like an invalid and we will see about having the restraining order dropped. Until then, you stay away from Cora and me. Do you understand?" I said.

"I'm going to get a lawyer, Kaysen. You can't take Cora from me; I have raised her until now," my mom said, and Tanner narrowed his eyes at her.

"By all means, woman get a lawyer. Perhaps you haven't heard of the Cunningham Law Firm. It's the most prestigious law firm in the city. My dad and two uncles run that law firm, and you will be hard-pressed to find a lawyer who would want to go up against them. Get a lawyer; you will not win this fight if you choose to fight, that is," Tanner said.

"Why are you doing this? This is all your fault; everything worked out fine until you came along. Now I'm going to lose my daughter and my granddaughter all because of you," my mom screamed at Tanner.

"Mother, you lost me a long time ago; this has nothing to do with Tanner. I will not allow you to speak to him that way. I have said my peace. Now Tanner and I will get Cora, and we are leaving. Tanner's dad will draw up the restraining order for us; just know it is effective immediately. I will allow you to say goodbye to Cora, and that's it. Do you understand me?" I asked my mother.

"This is crap, and you know it, Kaysen. You'll see, you will come crying to me soon," My mom screamed.

"Get some help, mother," I said, and at that time, my grandmother walked back in with Cora in town.

"Cora give everyone hugs; it's time to go home now, ok, baby," I said, and Cora went around giving hugs and kisses and telling everyone goodbye.

My mom didn't say anything more but told Cora how much she loved her. The policemen left, Tanner picked Cora up, and we left as well. When we were backing out of the driveway, my mom ran out of the house crying and waving goodbye. My heart ached, but I knew that this was the best action to take. I couldn't believe that my dad had just stood there with his mouth shut as he had always done before. Not one word had flown from his mouth, not a grunt or anything.

Tanner stood up for me, though, as I know he always would. By his actions, I know now more than ever that Tanner truly loves me and that he would do anything for Cora and me. How did I get so lucky to have found him? I am truly blessed.