Pa'far chp02
Seattle:
G-pov
Christian has runaway, stole our car and disappeared. I am frantic till a Doctor friend sedates me. Now I'm numb to the world: As week three passes by. The weekend was a mess of Mia and Elliot. Mom is down from the farm, Dad had to go back Friday. I sit and stare out the window at Lake Washington as Monday fades away.
The phone rings, Mom's cellphone with Dad's ringtone. I ignore it, till mom hugs me. "Christian turned up at the Farm. He's ok." I cry for hours and hours. Only vaguely aware of Cary and dad arguing over the phone.
Waking to dawn, I feel better, more myself. Cary looks worried. "Christian is staying at the farm for a few more days. We're invited up Thursday. To discuss our options. To reconcile the family if we can. If we can't Christian will stay at the farm and finish high school there."
I stare at my husband. Thunder struck. I try to say, think the words thru. But I can't. What the fuck is going on. My son has some explaining to do, as does my father.
The drive-up Thursday morning is tension overload; the closer I get to the farm, the more I worry about the unknowns. Mother when home yesterday. She didn't answer my calls last night.
We turn down the apple tree lined lane. It's a scene right out of a Rockwell painting. Dad's heirloom apples are prized all over the world. He's been planning a distillery with a couple of other farms in the valley. I must have happy thoughts, not let the worry lead me astray.
Two other cars are parked in front of the house. A limo with a bored looking chauffer leaning on the fender. And blue BMW town car with a hulking giant, who screams security and ex-military. I wonder what is going on, why security?
We park, start to head inside. I turn to look at my refuge from the world here on our family farm. My wrap around octagon bench, Dad built for me my freshman year of high school. Surrounding the ancient old maid in winter apple tree (Knobbed Russet). Seated under the foliage and sweet lumpy skinned fruit is Christian with a girl on his lap, her head buried in his shoulder. Her hand on his chest.
I stare at a sight! I never thought I would never see! Christian and a girl!
A girl who can touch his chest! Carrick stares then drags me towards the door. I want to go to my son, beg his forgiveness. But Cary is unbending, we enter my parents' house. Dad is holding court in the dining room. Another couple is here. I suspect there the girl's parents.
"Ray? what are you doing here" Carrick ask
"My daughter, Anna is dating your son!" the older heavily muscled man states with a bitter taste on his tongue. I look at Cary for explanation.
"I did Ray's incorporation two year ago, plus we handle his companies' patent's" Cary states to me. He seems very unsure, intimidated even. Ray is big and muscled, with an aura of pending violence.
"Alright everyone, sit!" Dad say grimly.
The older woman across from me is expensively dressed and groomed. New money screams from her pretentious style. She looks worried and angry. I watch as mom takes a seat next to me, separating the two couples.
"Alright, Christian is going home to Grey Manor and restarting school at Seattle Prep. Anna is going to stay at a friend house in Bellevue and start as a sophomore at Seattle Prep as well. That is your only option." Dad says with a hint of pain.
"No, I've arranged for Anastasia to go to a Proper School in Indiana." The other woman whines
"Carla! I said no! She is not going out of state. I have joint custody." Ray demands. Glaring at her.
"The Option. I gave you is the only one." Dad hands each party a paper. I look over Carrick arm. It a frigging guardship for Christian and Anastasia to my father. I stare dumb founded.
"You can't do this, I have lawyers. She's my daughter!" Carla screams, leaping to her feet.
Ray stands glaring down at her, staring her back into her seat. He turns to dad. The violence emanates like waves crash off a nuclear reactor on overload. "Only option?"
"Yes, the only option. Don't make them Romeo and Juliet. Your houses aren't at war. Don't make them chose. Ah, you need to realize that this is the best option, the only option." Dad says so pained, I long to comfort him. Then the words strike my brain.
Don't make the Romeo and Juliet. Slams into my brain. The ending of the play smack me in the face. Could they be at that point. I know he was so emotional when he ran away that night. Mom touches my hand. I look into her eyes; seeing the pain and truth of the moment.
"Yes, I think this is the best for both of them." I say without thinking. Looking at Cary face. He sees what Dad said. He nods. Ray sit down, looking concerned and resolved. Carla is still not getting it.
"She's my daughter Ray. She is not going back to Tacoma or the sticks."
"I have a house down the street from yours, Carla's. not as big or grand. But solid with some good bones." Ray stares at Dad.
"You, all must take and pass a parenting course. I've enrolled you all in. Then we will review Anna living options. That is not up for discussion. The kids are grounded for a month, with access to email and telephone. Arranged, supervised meeting and diner will be allowed. I suggest you forget everything before today. All their sins and faults. Today is day one." Dad states cold and merciless. I shake the fear from my hands.
"You'll be hearing from my lawyer: The police will recover my daughter and you all are getting sued." Carla storms out.
"She'll try, but fail. Adams doesn't have the guts to try me or Carrick. What do we do now?" Ray asks.
"Lunch, the day is so nice. I arrange it on the side Patio" Mom says. We walk outside sitting on the small rose covered hidden patio. I watch the kids walking up to us; Hand in hand.
"Mom, Dad. This is Anna Steele" Christian says
Dad, this is Christian Grey. Chris my father Raymond Steele" Anna says
"Everyone sit, the smoker should be ready". Dad says cheerfully. My parents feed us ribs, roasted corn and squash with heirloom carrots. The ice tea flows as the conversation slowly begins. The kids refuse to say where they've been, or even how they met. The keep touching each other and whisper between them. I see Christian is barely holding it together, his temper is boiling up.
Dad changes the topic: "Your cars wrecked Carrick, it's in the wrecker yard outside Bellevue. A check for the car is waiting at your law firm." Dad says
"The money?" Cary asks. I wonder where the money came from?
"I paid from my trust fund." Anna says quietly. Christian leans over and turns her face and kisses her lips. Their love is so thick you can cut it with the knife. I can't believe the tender Christian rise up replacing the angry Christian. I haven't seen it since Mia turned five. They are perfect, she just holds his eyes, making him relax.
"Anna?" Ray asks.
"It's my money dad, I don't want the car; The debt being held over Chris. Besides I need to take care of my man." Anna beams and challenges us.
"How far have you two gone?" words escape my mouth in horror. I watch as she turns beet red.
"We are a couple. Our sex life is none of your business." Christian says.
Rays chair bounces off the house. He walks menacing around the table. Carrick rises intercepting him before Christian is beaten to death. Anna stands on her seat. "Dad, Stop! It was my choice. I am a woman. Deal with it!" she looks changed, from the quiet meek girl, I thought she was. A fierce temper is hidden in her demur manners.
"Ray, if you what to beat me up, I can't stop you, but you'll lose Anna forever. She is my soulmate; my wife as soon as were legal. I am never letting her go!" Christian stands and squares his shoulders, the condemned man awaiting his execution.
Ray looks into Anna eyes, then recovers his seat. Looking mad, he grumbles a second. "Anna, I expect, no demand you be responsible. The money, the sex, everything is on your two heads. You have the means to live a good life. To achieve your dreams of college and future. I won't kill him, but I'll damage him for a year or more if he gets out of line."
Anna nods, then moves around the table, hugging her father. "Dad? when have I ever been anything else. Besides you'll like him. In time, maybe even come to admire us. For now, the food is getting cold." She dances back to Christian.
"We are forever grateful for your love, but right now we need your respect. That we know what we are doing." Christian says happily
"What exactly are your two doing?" I ask
"We are going to school, get degrees, marry and have a family. I hope you guys can come with us." Christian states so Damm sure of himself and the girl.
"If it doesn't work out?
"Then what's the point of living. Existence without the possibility of redemption and love is hell." They say in unison. I stare, sure dad's comment about the star-crossed lover's outcome is reality to these two children. I must make every effort to heal my son, and Anna: my future daughter-in-law.
"When does this move take place?"
"Tonight, your taking Christian after lunch, while Ray and I will take Anna to my friend's house." Dad states calm and very serene.
"Do we know them?" Carrick asks
"Yes, The Jones down the road near the Bellevue Mall. Gail and Tom. She runs the housekeeping for the Hilton, Tom is a civil engineer for City. They were out here for the harvest festival last year, you raved about her side dishes. They've agreed to do this." Mom says
"The blonde with the soulful eyes, I remember. She was one of the caterer at the Coping Together Gala this year." I say
Soon the meal is done, the kids kiss goodbye. We head home, Christian leans into me and hugs me. I melt into his embrace. Letting my unconditional love surround and encase us. He hugged me. let's me hold him. The ride is too short. My motherly need to comfort and hold him after all these years is madding cut short by light traffic.
He hugs Cary, Elliot and Mia. Before heading up to shower and change. Coming down, we talk about school, the arrangements and listen with rapture about Anna Steele. The girl is everything a mother-in-law could hope for and then some. Time will heal them, moving them away from self-destruction.
School Monday will be a test. Christian has explained about the other students taunting him, touching him. That the fights could have been prevented; the School psychologist and vice principle know about his touch issues. Why have they not done anything about this bullying.
The coming weeks will test everyone; especial with parenting class three nights a week. I let Cary sex me into blissful slumber. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is a new day. Repeats in my head.
xxxxxxxxx
R-pov
I settle Annie at the Jones. Have a detailed talk with Tom and Carrick's father-in-law, who prefers to be called just T. Annie in the car explained in detail about the bored, girls school. Shit, Carla you blew it again. Annie always tested out higher, jumping grades. If Morton hadn't destroyed those two years she'd be a junior, not a freshman. Correction a Sophomore, Monday morning.
I ponder the thoughts driving away. Sumter is quiet, too quiet. "What?"
"Ray, I've know you since you were a shave-tail 2nd leu'e. You're making a mistake not taking Annie and Christian serious and literally. If your push they will leave, probably at this point joint suicide. So, take a soft shoe approach, handle Carla. And for God sake see this as a good thing." Sumter speaks more words than in the past two years.
"A Good thing? Ah?" I stutter
"Yes, Annie is going to be challenged academically, relationship and socially. You did notice that the Grey's are pillars of society here. Annie will shine, not be bored, grumpy, or alone anymore. Christian is more, deeper than a beautiful face. They are going to be couple forever." Sumter turns into the drive of my new house.
The old three-story depression era boarding house with its pseudo Victorian gingerbread trim is weary but the bones are good. Just needs some TLC. I wish I could be more open with Annie, like I am with carpentry and building.
Walking inside. The place is gutted, just a camp stove, camp lantern, camp table, camp chairs and two surplus army cots. Tomorrow, builder with arrive to install the electrical, plumbing, and AC and Heaters. I already had the Chimney Sweep's inspect and detail which fireplace to remove and which to keep.
I planned on making the third floor and attic all Annie's. Now I have to factor in Christian, Do I facilitate their sex life, couple living together, or try to separate them. I will sleep on it.
Dawn arrives with a knock on the door. I open to my daughter with a basket of muffins and a big shiny Smile. Tom waves from the car. "He'll pick me up at ten-thirty, I have a doctor's appointment" I must show my dread at her sex life in my face.
"Headshrinker, not female doctor. Get a grip Ray. I've been on the pill since I started my period. Remember the cramps?" Annie's chides me. I flush with embarrassment.
She hands me a blackberry muffin, my favorite. She walks over and exams the plans stapled to the skeleton wall of two by four's. Munching on muffins, she points to her private bathroom. "It needs to be bigger, I'd like a steam room, a bidet, and jacuzzi tub big enough for two."
"Annie I'm not sure about letting you have Christian in your room." I state
"Dad, we can do it here, at his house, or on the street. Chose? Besides the steam room is for me, and I've become addicted to jacuzzi bubble baths at Carla's. A dry Sauna would be good too, if we could fit it in." Annie smirks at me with a spot of buckhorn berry on her nose. God, I love her.
"Ok, Ok, but give your old man a break, I didn't expect this till you were thirty." Kissing, licking the spot. She giggles hugging me. I feel relieved, she moving away from darkness, now if she would outgrow the boy.