Dear Anna – Expansion

Chapter 3

Greg was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands folded in front of his face, it was a way to protect himself, to keep him safe Mycroft was sitting next to him, he just told him the entire story of his mom.

"She wants to see me?" Greg asked again, his voice wavering. Mycroft's heart broke for him.

"She's willing to talk, to make amends." Mycroft stated, he told Greg everything; he waited till after dinner when the children were asleep and his parents went to their room, he needed no interruptions or anything that can keep him from telling Greg everything. It was a heavy conversation, loaded with unbelief and Greg had this stricken look, the best part was that he wasn't angry, not once, the shock and disbelief still too strong for him to realise what Mycroft is actually saying.

"You told her who you were?"

"Yes, I wrote to her, telling her exactly who I was, that we got married on a beautiful day, and that recently we became parents and what an amazing husband and father you are, I told her that if she is willing she can gain a family and grandchildren instead of being alone. I put down my number saying if she doesn't call, or respond I will never contact her again, if she does…"

"She can be part of our family." Greg finished for him. Mycroft nodded.

"With a few rules…" Mycroft added as an afterthought. Greg looked up at him.

"Rules?"

"When she called I made it clear that if she wants to get back in your – our lives there has to be a few rules, she has to accept you, accept me and respect our marriage and our family. I know she is your mother Gregory but you're my husband and the children is ours, my family comes first I will protect you from any potential harm."

Greg smiled at that and pulled Mycroft closer into a hug.

"I know, I appreciate it. Thank you." Mycroft held him close as Greg process the whole ordeal, this was a huge thing and he wanted to make sure his husband have all the support he could ever want.

When Greg finally pulled back he looked relaxed, as if he made a decision and Mycroft knew he did the right thing.

"It's up to me to make the first call?"

"I can make, I told her if you agree to seeing her I would let her know."

"I'm a bit scared…I want to…but what do I say?"

"Nothing, she should do the talking."

"I love you, I really do."

"I love you too."

That night Mycroft held Greg close, thankful that everything turned out the way it did, he tried to do something for his husband, and Greg appreciated it and better yet understood, and was willing to make it work. He could've gotten angry and fought with him about going behind his back, instead he was okay with it, and he accepted it. They arranged that Mycroft would call her tomorrow and then they would decide from there on.

The next morning Greg was nervous and stressed about the call, no one could blame him, it was a big step.

"How long since you've spoken to her?" Mummy asked him softly while they were having breakfast.

"Five years. I started dating Mycroft and she saw how happy I was since the divorce I told her I started seeing someone, she asked if it was serious and I said 'God I hope so' and she smiled. She took my hand and asked me if I could meet the woman who put the smile back on my face…" As Greg talked Mummy would steal glances at Mycroft who was listening as well, he knew the story, but not the details. Just they had a fight, he didn't know about this. Oblivious Greg went on.

"I told her I have never been this happy and if my dream would come true I would get married again and then….I said 'I'll marry him in a heartbeat.' And I think her heart skipped a beat. The smile froze on her face and she let go of my hand as if it was a hot plate…I knew…I knew in that moment our relationship was over."

Mycroft swallowed the food, he kind of lost his appetite after that, he never knew the specifics, he knew it was bad but not like this. How can she be disgusted was the only word that came to mind when Greg said she pulled her hand away. Was she afraid she would catch something?

"Oh my dear boy." Mummy held Greg's hand and gave it a tight squeeze. Greg returned the gesture.

"Needless to say, we started arguing and she said if I leave…I must stay gone unless I find a nice girl….so I stayed gone." The happy and comfortable atmosphere was gone after that talk, but they managed to change the topic to better things. Mummy and father declared they would look after the children and Mycroft and Greg can make the call in the study, without interruptions.

Mycroft sat opposite Greg in the study, the phone in his hand.

"You sure about this, you do have time."

"We wasted enough time….I'm sure." Mycroft nodded and then dialled, the phone rang a few times before it was answered.

"Mycroft?" Anna asked immediately, her voice filled with hope.

"Mrs. Lestrade."

"Did you talk to him?

"I did." Mycroft kept eye contact with Greg the whole time, he saw the storms in his brown eyes, the worry lines around his eyes, the tightness of his muscles the way he fidget with his hands. Greg gave him a nod and held out his hand.

"I have someone who wants to talk to you." Mycroft handed the phone to Greg who took it with one hand while his other was reaching for Mycroft's. Mycroft grabbed his hand, covering Greg's with both of his. Greg lifted the phone to his ear.

"Mom?"