Alex got to Diggs' Diner in a matter of minutes. Eliza didn't sound good over the phone, and it really scared him. He walked towards the alleyway, and then he saw her.

"ELIZA!" he yelled, and ran towards her, only to see something he didn't want to see.

Eliza was passed out in a ball, her hair a tangled mess, her body covered in cuts and bruises, and dried blood everywhere. 

Alex gingerly picked her up and carried her to his car. He managed to get to her apartment fast. She gave him a key, so he brought her right inside. He lied her down on her mattress, and put the covers on her. He would clean her cuts and bruises when she woke up. He sat on her couch, trying to think of what else he could do. Then he heard a noise, and realized it was Eliza's phone.

Mari <3

Who was Mari? He answered it

"Hello?" he asked

"Um, why do you have my friend's phone? Who are you?" the voice on the other end asked

"Oh, I'm her friend, Alexander. I'm here with her now" he answered

"Can I speak to her?" Maria asked

"Oh, um... she's kind of passed out..."

"WHAT! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER?!"

"I did nothing! She called me to come to the diner she works at and I found her passed out in the alleyway! I took her home, and that's where we are now" Alex explained

"Shit... ok. When she wakes up, call me again. Bye... Alexander?" she said, unsure.

"Yep. Bye, Mari? That's what the phone says" 

"Maria. Bye" she corrected, and hung up.

Time passed, and soon Alex heard muffled cries from Eliza's room. He walked in to see her in a ball, crying and shaking.

"Eliza?"

"Alex? Alex! Thank god!" she exclaimed, and jumped into his arms as he got closer.

"Eliza what happened to you?" he asked calmly

Eliza started to cry. "My boss, he got mad at me for leaving yesterday, and..." she trailed off, wailing in Alex's arms

"I'm sorry, Eliza. Shhhh, it's ok. I got you. Shhhh your ok" he consulted

"Alex... he fired me... what am I going to do?! Oh Phillipa!" she exclaimed, still crying and panicking

"Shhhh. Eliza, she's my daughter too. I'm going to help you through this. Through everything else in this life" Alex said, rubbing her back.

"Alex... I have a secret. I never told my friend Maria or you. I... I never... never finished... college. I can't get a good job! I'll never be able to provide for my daughter! Even with your help! She's gonna get older and need more stuff... what was I thinking?!" she yelled, beating on Alex's chest, trying to get her anger out. 

"Eliza... its ok. We'll make it work. I promise. I promise I'll never leave you or Phillipa again. I'll always be here. I... I love you, Elizabeth" Alex said, sincerely.

"I love you too, Alexander. Thank you. For everything" she whispered.

And with that, she fell asleep on Alex's lap, smiling, knowing his strong, comforting arms will never leave her again