Chapter 8: Special Gifts
A/N Thanks to all my reviewers I'm glad that you're all enjoying the story.
Shane led Mitchie upstairs into her room, and smiled as he gave her a small gift. Mitchie smiled as she passed him his gift as well.
He opened his first and smiled as she had gotten him a chain with a guitar on it and their initials in it.
"Do you like it?" Mitchie asked.
"Mitchie I love it, this is amazing," Shane said putting in around his neck.
Mitchie went next, Shane watched as she opened the box in anticipation and she squealed.
"It's a promise ring, my promise to you of being faithful and loving you until the day we die. And hopefully one day replacing that ring with an engagement ring," Shane said and Mitchie smiled.
"I love you Shane," Mitchie said as she kissed him passionately sliding the ring onto her ring finger.
"I love you too Mitchie," Shane said.
Meanwhile Nate brought Caitlyn outside to receive her present. When they walked outside she found a wrapped object sitting in the driveway, Nate nodded to her and she ran to unwrap it. When she tore the wrapping off she found a beautiful dark blue camaro underneath.
"This is for me?" Caitlyn said and Nate nodded.
"The insurance and car was paid for by the label just like Mitchie's car as you are going to be mixing for her," Nate said and Caitlyn wrapped her self into his arms and kissed him passionately.
Caitlyn handed Nate his gift which was smaller but just as special she thought. When he opened her gift he found a gold piano on a chain with their initials on the back.
'This is great Caity," Nate said kissing her soundly before walking back into the house.
That night everyone went to sleep with smiles on their faces, Mitchie and Shane told no one of their gifts to each other because they were special to the two of them. They would eventually tell Connie and Steve but Steve kind of already knew because Shane had asked him if he could give her the ring.
The next morning Mitchie woke up early and not wanting to upset Shane or wake him she went downstairs where she found her mother making breakfast so she set to work helping her mother.
Connie noticed a very happy glow in her daughter, before she noticed the ring sparkling on her little girls hand and decided to ask.
"Hunny what did Shane get you for Christmas?" Connie asked.
"Oh so you noticed did you?" Mitchie asked with a wide smile.
"Yes and I'm so happy for you," Connie said.
"It's just a promise ring but it means the world to me," Mitchie said.
"I'm glad," Shane said coming into the room wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Good morning Shane," Connie said with a smile.
"Good morning Connie," Shane replied, "I was thinking I really don't want to go to my parents they're always fighting and nothing we say will matter to them so why don't we just stay here?" he asked hoping no one would mind.
"We promised your little brother we'd go spend some time there he misses his big brothers." Mitchie said twisting around in his arms to look at him.
"I don't know," Shane said.
"You're worried what they're going to think of me? Babe I can handle their criticism especially after camp this summer," Mitchie said trying to make Shane understand.
"Mitchie why don't you go wake the others for breakfast?" Connie said and she smiled as her daughter slipped out of Shane's arms and ran back upstairs.
"Shane you have to understand Mitchie doesn't need anyone's approval not since camp, she only wanted to be included all that matters to her is that you love her for her," Connie said as she and Shane set the table.
Mikayla came bursting into the room, "Uncle Shane, Uncle Shane," she yelled which shocked Shane to no end but he laughed and picked her up swinging her around until he set her in her seat and helped her dish food up which he then placed in front of her.
Mike and Steve came down shortly after Mikayla and sat down.
Mitchie came back down followed by Sierra, Caitlyn and Nate. Jason came down awhile later after putting Jack back in his cage.
"So girls what did the boys get you for Christmas?" Steve asked and everyone laughed at him.
"Well Nate along with the label bought me a camaro," Caitlyn said grinning as she grasped his hand into her own.
"Jason got me those books I have been longing to read something to read while on tour," Sierra said happily.
Mitchie just continued on eating she didn't want to brag and didn't know what to expect from her father.
"Well Mitchie what about you kiddo?" Mike asked from beside his daughter.
"Well actually Shane gave me a ring," Mitchie said showing them all the diamond ring on her left hand.
"WHAT?" Mike yelled.
"Relax Mike it's a promise ring," Shane said, "It's my promise to Mitchie to stay true to her and love her always," he said which made Mike calm down.
"You hurt her you're dead meat," Mike said.
"Anyways boys I hear you're going to you're parents tonight?" Connie asked.
"Yeah we are and the girls are coming with us," Nate said.
Shane looked a little put out but he didn't say anything because he knew Mitchie was right about needing to go see his little brother Kenny.
"Well Mom why don't you let me and dad clear," Mike said letting Mikayla down from her seat and grabbing as many things as he could.
"I'm going to go get everything ready we should probably be at mum's by noon," Nate said standing up to help.
"Oh Nate sweety you don't have to help do this you all run along and get ready to spend the day at you're home," Connie said with a smile as she also stood to begin to clean up however her husband made her sit back down.
Mitchie ran upstairs with Shane right behind her, while the others went through the passage to the guest house to get ready there.
Shane laid down on the bed while Mitchie tossed things around in their closet looking for something spectacular to wear. He laughed as she found something then rushed into the bathroom to get ready.
"I'm going down to see the guys and get ready down there," Shane yelled through the door with a smile. "Don't forget we only have two hours to get ready because Nate wants to be there by 12 and it's already half past nine," Shane reminded her and she laughed.
"I know," Mitchie yelled back to him while turning on the water and jumping into the shower.
Mitchie took a twenty minute shower before she wrapped a towel around her body and turned on her dryer to dry her hair. An hour later she emerged dressed in a long black skirt and a red sequin tank top. Her hair laid loosely in curls down her back and she wore makeup.
She had five minutes so she gathered her gifts from Shane for his family as well as her own. She loaded them into a large bin and placed it at the top of the stairs. When Shane saw her he gasped softly at her beauty.
"Can I help you with anything?" Shane asked startling her from putting the last things in the bin.
"Could you bring this out side and put it in my car please?" Mitchie asked him.
"Of course baby," Shane replied kissing her cheek.
Mitchie smiled as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen to grab the cake she made for dinner that night at Shane's. Shane had just come back in, he was wearing black dress pants and a button down dress shirt, he swiped his brow when he came back into the house because it was so hot.
"Well have you seen the guys and girls yet?" Mitchie asked, "It's your brother that wants to get there so early," she said as Shane came into the kitchen.
"Yep they're outside just waiting for us to come out," Shane said as she smiled.
Mitchie grabbed the cake and brought it with her out to the car. She waved at Nate, Jason, Sierra and Caitlyn as they got into the Camaro. She opened the door to her car before handing the cake to Shane for him to hold and then she turned the car on and they were off.
It was little over an hour later when they reached the Gray home. Mitchie was beginning to feel a little nervous not sure what to think about what Shane had told her about his family.
Shane grabbed the things from the trunk while Mitchie held the cake she made in her hands. Nate grabbed the door or the others, while the others unloaded the Camaro. Shane grinned at the thought of being home but he hoped to god that his parents would like Mitchie.
When they went inside it was pretty quiet, Rob and Mia had been given the holidays off because the boys planned on spending it at Mitchie's home. Shane immediately set the bin down with the presents and stepped in front of the others.
"MOM, DAD WE'RE HOME," Shane yelled.
They waited merely a minute before Shane felt himself being pulled into a hug by his mother and he smiled.
"It's so good to have my sons home for once," Michelle said.
"Mom I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Mitchie my mom Michelle, mom Mitchie," Shane said introducing Mitchie to his mother. He watched as a blush crept into Mitchie's face and smiled.
"Hello pleasure to meet you. I made a cake for desert tonight I hope you don't mind," Mitchie said with a wide smile.
"Oh it looks delicious, thank you dear now why don't you tell me everything about you," Michelle said with a wide smile glad Shane had found someone that was for him and not his money.
"Sounds great," Mitchie said smiling.
"Now Nathan Gray tell me who this lovely lady beside you is?" Michelle asked giving her eldest son a hug.
"This is Caitlyn Gellar, my girlfriend," Nate said with a smile.
"Pleasure to meet you," Caitlyn said.
"And Jason," Michelle asked giving her middle son a hug.
"This is Sierra my girlfriend," Jason said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you three, my brother speaks of nothing but respect for you Mitchie and Caitlyn," Michelle said.
"Well it's about time you boys found such nice looking company," a strong voice said coming into the room.
"Girls, this is my husband Ryan," Michelle said.
"Why don't you girls go through this door here and place the gifts under the tree. We'd like to talk to the guys for a minute," Ryan said.
Sensing the awkward tension in the room between the parents Mitchie smiled, "Come on girls let's go," she said pointedly.
When they reached the living room they found Kenny sitting with Brown.
"Hey Brown," Mitchie said running to him and giving him a hug.
"Hello poppet. Girls this is Kenny Gray, Kenny this is Caitlyn Gellar, Mitchie Torres and," Brown said not knowing who the third girl was.
"Sierra," Caitlyn piped in.
"Brown do you know where the kitchen is?" Mitchie asked still holding the cake in her hands.
"Yeah but let me take that while you guys get to now Kenny, Shane told him all about you," Brown said with a smile.
"Ok thanks," Mitchie said as she pulled the bin forward and started putting their gifts under the tree.
"Mitchie are you really dating my brother Shane?" Kenny asked.
"Yes I am you have an amazing big brother Kenny," Mitchie said and Kenny smiled.
"He talks about you all the time," Kenny said with a smile, "He even says you have an amazing voice would you sing something for me. Please?" he asked.
"Alright," Mitchie said, "Cait want to pull out the mixer from the car," she asked her best friend.
"Sure, Sierra want to come help me?" Caitlyn asked.
"Sure," Sierra said.
Meanwhile in the kitchen the three boys were sitting there very anxious about what was going on. Their parents were sitting across from them but no sound could be heard until Brown came in with the cake.
"Oh silly me I almost forgot Mitchie said she brought that. What a sweet girl," Michelle said with a smile which made Shane grin.
"I'll just take that from you," Michelle said as she moved to grab the cake.
"No you all have shit to work out, now do it before those three amazing girls start to worry," Brown said as he placed the cake in the fridge.
Michelle knew her brother was right but she didn't quite know how to tell the boys what had been going on without ruining Christmas. She started to cry and Ryan rolled his eyes at her. Brown slipped quickly out of the kitchen and went back to the living room.
Back in the living room Mitchie and Caitlyn had just finished setting up her mixer and they decided to play this is me for Kenny.
I've always been the kind of girl
That hid my face
So afraid to tell the world
What I've got to say
But I've had this dream
Bright inside of me
I'm gunna let it show its time
To let you know
To let you know
This is real this is me
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be now
Gunna let the light shine on me
Now
I've found Do you know what it's like to feel so in the dark This is the real, this is me
Who I am
There's
no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is
me
To
dream about a life where you're the shining star
Even though it
seems
Like it's to far away
I have to believe in myself
It's
the only way
I'm exactly where
I'm supposed to be now
Gonna let the light
Shine on me
Now
I've found
Who I am
There's no way to hold it in
No more
hiding who I want to be
This is me
"Wow Mitchie that was awesome," said ten year Kenny Gray.
"Thanks," Mitchie said.
"You got it poppet," Brown said coming back into the room.
Back in the kitchen Shane was getting angry his mother was crying and he wanted to know why.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE NOW DAD?" Shane asked yelling at his father.
"Shane please calm down we don't want those pretty ladies to worry," Ryan snapped back.
Shane stared angrily at his father, the bastard had probably been caught sleeping around again but this time by his wife instead of his sons.
"Mom what's wrong? What has this bastard done now?" Shane asked his mother.
"Don't you dare call me that boy," Ryan said as he slapped Shane across the face but this time it was Mitchie to interrupt.
"Oh Sorry I'll just grab the icing for the cake and do that in the living room," Mitchie said shocked beyond belief of what she just saw. Shane had broken then and started crying.
"Mitchie maybe you could have waited until after to put the icing on the cake," Ryan snapped at the girl.
"Oh um ok," Mitchie said but she noticed how mad Shane looked. "Are you going to be ok Shane?" she asked him squeezing his should for support.
"I'll be alright baby," Shane said forcing a smile.
Mitchie ran out of the kitchen and back into the living room she had tears in her eyes for what she saw.
"Nosy girl," Ryan snapped.
"SHUT UP DAD, SHE WAS COMING IN HERE TO MAKE SURE THE ICING WAS DONE FOR THE CAKE SHE MADE YOU FOR DESERT AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO SNAP AT HER. SHE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG BUT I SURE AS HELL KNOW YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO HURT MOM, MORE THEN ONCE I MIGHT ADD," Shane yelled, "I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, SHE CAUGHT YOU THIS TIME WITH YOUR WHORE," Shane snapped.
"Guys why are we doing this here and now? It's Christmas and it's a time for family," Jason asked.
"Because I'm not staying here Jason," Ryan snapped at his son.
"That's right I kicked your ass out because you're a cheating bastard," Michelle said coldly.
"Does that mean I can finally renounce him as being my father?" Shane asked and Michelle nodded.
"GOOD THEN I'LL TELL YOU ONCE, GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE AND STAY OUT YOU'VE CAUSED ENOUGH TROUBLE FOR THIS FAMILY," Shane yelled grabbing his father by his shirt and tossed him out the back door before running upstairs to his room.
Michelle sighed she hadn't wanted to tell the boys this way that their father was no longer welcome in their home but Shane knew that already and had always hated his dad. Michelle got up to begin preparing dinner. Nate and Jason went into the living room with solemn looks on their face.
"Poppet what's wrong?" Brown asked as he noticed the tears welling in her eyes.
"I went to check on the icing for the cake and actually you know what it's not something I should be talking about, it's not my problem to talk about," Mitchie said with a sad smile.
"She's right it's not," Nate and Jason said coming into the room.
"Nate where is Shane?" Mitchie asked full of concern.
"He needs some time to himself," Jason said.
"DAMNIT TELL ME WHERE SHANE IS," Mitchie yelled shocking people in the room because she never raised her voice even when she was mad.
"Upstairs in his room, third door on the left," Nate said with a sigh.
Mitchie ran up the stairs quickly and walked into Shane's room where she found him crying.
"Shane," Mitchie said quietly wrapping her arms around him. He simply turned and cried on her shoulder.
"I'm ok really," Shane said.
"It's your dad isn't it?" Mitchie asked and Shane nodded.
He told her all about Ryan and his little whores, but explained he had never once hit any of them and what she saw in the kitchen was nothing.
"It isn't nothing Shane. Is this why you were so nervous to come home?" Mitchie asked him and he nodded.
"How's your mom taking it?" she asked.
"Alright I guess," Shane said.
"Come on you're little brother deserves a happy brother for Christmas. I know you're upset, but Kenny needs his brothers too he's too young to understand why his dad isn't around for Christmas," Mitchie said with a small smile.
"I know I just, he makes me so mad," Shane said.
"I know sweetie but he isn't here and I know you're mom is looking forward to seeing her boys," Mitchie said.
"Why is it you always know how to comfort me?" Shane asked her.
"Because I know you, now come on rock star," Mitchie said and Shane laughed.
They came back down stairs to find Nate and Jason being tackled by Kenny who had yet to see Shane.
"SHANE," Kenny yelled running to his big brother and jumping into him.
"Hi Kenny," Shane said laughing.
Mitchie excused herself to go into the kitchen where she found Michelle busy preparing food.
"Anything I can help with Michelle?" Mitchie asked.
"Sure," Michelle said and Mitchie smiled starting to prepare the salad. She then moved on to fixing the icing on the cake she had made for their desert.
"Mitchie is your name actually Mitchie or is it a nickname?" Michelle asked.
"It's short for Michelle actually but I like Mitchie better," Mitchie said and Michelle laughed understanding.
They sat there talking and laughing as Shane came into the room and he smiled Mitchie had cheered his mom up and that made him happy. He stepped in and there was a squeal come from his mother.
"Shane Gray you're engaged?" Michelle asked almost hyperventilating.
"Calm down Mom, it's a promise ring it's my promise to love her and cherish her," Shane said and watched as his mom smiled.
"You're such a sweet boy," Michelle said hugging both Mitchie and Shane.
"Are you alright mom?" Shane asked.
"Yeah I'll be fine now, I want you to take this amazing young lady and go have fun with your little brother he missed you all terribly as did I," Michelle said.
"Ok but maybe we should post pone the tour," Shane said.
"NO Shane music means everything to you all, please I'll be fine and Brown said I could come with you," Michelle said with a smile.
"What about Kenny?" Shane asked his mother.
"He's coming too of course," Michelle said, "Now you too run along supper will be ready in a few hours."
"Are you sure you don't need any more help Michelle?" Mitchie asked her.
"No now run along will you," Michelle said with a smile on her face.
Shane took Mitchie's hand and led her back into the living room where Kenny, Nate and Jason were partnered up playing charades against the girls. Shane simply took Mitchie and sat down to watch them play, in the end they were laughing hysterically at their friends and family.
Moments later there was a knock at the door and Shane went to answer the door and what he found was a pregnant woman standing on his doorstep.
"Is Ryan Gray here?" the woman asked which made Shane mad and Mitchie tried to calm him down.
"Come in, I'll show you to the kitchen," Mitchie said and she pushed Shane into the living room to get his brothers and uncle. Shane told the girls to stay with Kenny for a bit then they would all sit down to a wonderful dinner.
"Now let me introduce myself, I am Mitchie Torres. Mr. Gray no longer lives here so who are you and what do you want?" Mitchie asked calmly.
"Mitchie who is this?" Michelle and Brown asked them.
"That's what we're going to find out," Mitchie said.
"My name is Rebecca and I was told by my friend that Ryan Gray lives here or did anyways. I'm sorry to disturb you on your Christmas dinner Mrs. Gray," Rebecca said to them all.
"May I ask why you were looking for my husband?" Michelle asked.
"His friends ganged up on me a few months back, they beat me in an alley and then raped me," Rebecca said sadly.
"WHAT?" Shane yelled.
"Calm down Shane," Nate said trying to calm his brother down.
"Look I really didn't want to ruin your family but I thought you deserved to know the truth. I'm pressing charges with the police," Rebecca said.
"You're not ruining anything Rebecca. Actually Ryan no longer is a part of this family he cheated on me, and Shane my oldest threw him out of the house," Michelle said.
"That's horrible, I'm sorry I guess me bringing more bad news on Christmas doesn't help. I should be going now," Rebecca said standing.
Shane was shocked that his father could be such a cruel man so he did the next best thing which shocked everyone in the room.
"Stay for dinner," Shane said and Mitchie smiled at him for being so nice even though the woman was trying her best to not cry.
"I can't stay, I told my friend I'd be only a few minutes, I was just supposed to come and tell him that he got me pregnant then leave because the police thought it best. I really must be going but thank you for the offer," Rebecca said standing.
Mitchie walked her out so the others could talk privately for a while.
"Shane are you alright?" Michelle asked him.
"I'm fine mom I just never thought I'd see the day where I could tell you that dad is a jerk and get away with it. I know I was always staying away and very distant with you but I just couldn't stand knowing what I did," Shane said hugging his mother to him.
"Oh hunny I understand really," Michelle said hugging him to her tight.
Nate and Jason smiled and they joined in by hugging them both. They helped their mother clean up the small glasses before going to the living room to spend some quality time with their family.
The afternoon wore on and it was an hour before dinner when Kenny sat up a microphone and speakers.
"Mitchie will you sing for us please?" Kenny asked his new best friend.
"Sure what should I sing?" Mitchie asked the small boy in front of her.
"Sing the other song you were talking about the one you wrote for your sister. PLEASE?" Kenny begged and Shane sighed he was about to get up to explain why Mitchie never sings that song.
"Alright I guess I could do that," Mitchie said removing herself from Shane's arms.
I found myself today
Oh I found myself and ran away
But something pulled me back
The voice of reason I forgot I had
All I know is you're not here to say
What you always used to say
But it's written in the sky tonight
So I won't give up, no I won't break down
Sooner then it seems life turns around
And I will be strong even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me
I've seen that ray of light
And it's shining on my destiny
Shining all the time, and I won't be afraid
To follow everywhere it's taking me
All I know is yesterday is gone
And right now I belong
To this moment, to my dreams
So I won't give up, no I won't break down
Sooner then it seems life turns around
And I will be strong even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me
It doesn't matter what people say
And it doesn't matter how long it takes
Believe in yourself and you'll find
And it only matters how true you are
Be true to yourself and follow your heart
So I won't give up, no I won't break down
Sooner then it seems life turns around
And I will be strong even though it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
So I won't give up, no I won't break down
Sooner then it seems life turns around
And I will be strong even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me
Someone's watching over
Someone's watching over me
Yeah, oh, oh someone's watching over me
"That was beautiful Mitchie I'm glad you shared that with us," Michelle said with a smile.
"Thanks," Mitchie said as the tears began to fall down her face.
"Mitchie are you alright?" Kenny asked not wanting her to be upset.
"I'm o.k. buddy really," Mitchie said with a smile.
"Shane's turn," Kenny said pulling Shane out of the chair and over to the microphone.
"Alright how about the one I just finished last night?" Shane asked his little brother and he nodded.
Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine
I'm
leaving my life in your hands
People say I'm crazy and that I am
blind
Risking it all in a glance
How you got me blind is
still a mystery
I can't get you out of my head
Don't care
what is written in you history
As long as you're here with me
I don't care who you are
Where you're from
What you did
As long as you love me
Who you are
Where you're from
Don't care what you did
As long as you love me
Every little thing
That you have said and done
Feels like
it's deep within me
Doesn't really matter
If you're on the
run
It seems like we're meant to be
I've tried to hide it so that no one knows
But I guess it
shows
When you look in to my eyes
What you did and where
you're comin from
I don't care, as long as you love me, baby.
"That was beautiful Shane," Mitchie said smiling widely.
"Thanks but I think that's one I will keep out of the labels hands because it's not something they would care about to put in our albums. I know we have done love songs in the past but this is personal for me," Shane said wrapping his arms around Mitchie.
"But it is so beautiful Shane," Michelle said to her son.
"I know mom and thanks but I think this is one that needs to be just for me and Mitchie not the entire world," Shane said and everyone agreed.
"You know Shane your nothing like your father, he was mean and a drunk but you are so much more," Michelle said hugging him to her.
Kenny looked confused for a moment but decided not to question them at all.
"Now why don't we go and have a wonderful dinner and then presents?" Michelle asked them all and Kenny jumped up to race his older brothers to the kitchen for dinner.
Dinner was a quiet affair until Kenny noticed that there was someone missing from the table.
"Mommy where is daddy?" Kenny asked and the room fell even quieter as you could hear a pin drop.
"Kenny eat your dinner your father had important business to attend to and had to go to the police station," Michelle said and Kenny nodded continuing to eat his dinner.
"Mitchie how long have you been writing your own music?" Michelle asked.
"Well actually that's a long story, I started writing about three years ago actually," Mitchie said with a smile.
"That's amazing," Michelle said as they began to clean up after dinner.
"Thanks but I am much happier now then I had ever been while writing thanks to Shane," Mitchie said.
The boys had excused themselves with Kenny so they could explain things about their dad to him instead of having their mom have to go through it all again.
"You really love my son don't you?" Michelle said with a wide smile.
"Yes I do, he is an amazing man," Mitchie said.
"Well shall we go out and open presents I know you all have to be back at your home soon," Michelle said bringing the cake into the living room the girls following her with the plates and utensils.
Later on that night Mitchie lay awake in her bed waiting for Shane to come in but she sat there thinking about the day they had just had with his family. Mitchie knew she had wonderful parents but she also knew that she had a good family life. She had no idea that Shane had such a difficult secret to live with and then for it to come out on Christmas for the rest of his family must have been hard for him, especially to have to tell his younger ten year old brother.
"Shane are you alright?" Mitchie asked as he came into the room.
"I'll be alright, I think Kenny took it the hardest he never understood why I hated my father but when we told him it looked like he kind of had the feeling there was more to my hate then I would say," Shane said.
"I know baby but it's better that he know the truth than to find out later and hate you later. I just can't believe he hit you, his own son," Mitchie said.
"I know that's why we told him," Shane said, "I love you so much angel. We have a big day tomorrow you officially along with the other girls meet the label," he said as he kissed Mitchie passionately before pulling her into his arms and falling into a deep sleep.
