Chapter 10: Revelations
Ted, Henry and Jax gathered all the children in Ted's living room which was the home that Carrick and Grace Grey lived in most of their marriage. Ted bought it from the estate after Grams died and remodeled it. It is now the up and coming neighborhood for old and new money. He added a wing and for the most part it still feels like the same house, but with a more updated spin on it.
Henry's boys, Steele and Ricky, Jax's three, Grey, Charlotte and Jason, and Ted's three girls, Stella, Delilah Mary and Anabelle are all sitting in a circle on the floor. If they were going to introduce Viviana to the family, they would have to explain her existence to the closely knit cousins. Ted, Henry and Phoebe had agreed that they would make this happen as soon as possible. With Phoebe still in the hospital with baby CJ, she would have to rely on Jax and her brothers to explain this to their children. But how to explain Viviana to eight children between two and eight wasn't going to be easy.
The children all sat on the floor looking up at their fathers and uncles. Little Ricky not quite three and Anabelle who was just two were holding hands, singing, getting up and down and after a sidebar conversation, Ted and Henry decided that they were not going to understand this no matter how they explained it, so they had Gen and Timmi take them out into the playroom. After the two youngest left, Jax found himself having to pick up Jason and send him out with Gen and Timmi as well, as he was jumping on Grey and Steele and wanting to wrestle. When they finally had the older kids sitting around and ready to listen, Ted sat on the floor with them. Henry and Jax soon joined him.
"So kids, we have something to tell you, and we need you to listen and help us with something okay?" Ted looked around at the kids and they just stared. "Steele, Stella, Delilah Mary you know how you have a new cousin, CJ, from Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Jax right?" They all nod. "Well…all of you even you Grey and Charlotte have another cousin that you didn't know about and she has just moved here from another country. Her name is Viviana."
"Daddy…whose baby is she?" Stella speaks first. "Where is she? How old is she? Why don't we know her? Can we meet her?"
"Stella…slow down. First of all, Viviana is four years old…like you Delilah Mary." Ted winks at Delilah Mary who scoots over to Ted's lap. "She has been living in Brazil. Do you know where that is?"
"Yes Uncle Teddy…it is in South America. Duh." Grey responds first.
"Grey…knock it off...you don't respond to Uncle Ted like that." Jax reaches over and puts his hand on Grey's shoulder. Ted doesn't say anything waiting for Jax to have his stare down with Grey to get the point across.
"Sorry Uncle Teddy. Why did she live all the way over there?"
"Well that is where she lived with her grandmother." Ted pauses and looks at Henry for help. This isn't easy.
"But Uncle Teddy…who is her mom and dad?" Steele looks intent as he tries to figure it out.
"Viviana is Uncle Caleb's daughter." Henry just blurts it out. The kids all look at each other, then at each of their respective fathers. They are totally confused.
"Daddy…he can't have a little girl. Uncle Caleb doesn't have a wife." Charlotte explains with her hands up in the air like it is a foregone conclusion. Jax looks at Henry and Ted and shrugs and Timmi steps in and watches from the back of the room as she holds Ricky who is getting sleepy. She almost laughs watching the three men struggle to tell the children how this has all come about.
"Well…he does. He has a little girl that he loves very much and she is living at Gram and Gramps now, along with Uncle Caleb. You will meet her soon." Jax comments with a hint of frustration.
"So where is her mom then?" Seven year old Steele is the methodical one. He is like his father Henry and is no nonsense. "She has to have a mom because babies come out of their mom's pajima's right Dad?" Timmi tries not to laugh at her oldest son who is so serious.
Henry blows out some air. He had just explained to Steele the whole baby coming out of mommy's private parts thing this past week. With Timmi really starting to get big, Steele was more than curious. He thought perhaps his mother burped up the baby, so Henry set him straight but apparently now his son thinks he is the resident expert. This was the part that was going to get hard to explain. "Yes, she had a mom who delivered her, but she doesn't have a mommy anymore, so that is why she is living here with Uncle Caleb now."
'What happened to her Uncle Henry?" Charlotte looks sad. "Did she die?" She whispers. Now all three men are stuck.
"If she doesn't have a mom, and Uncle Caleb isn't married this means that Uncle Caleb just had sex with some lady and made a baby right Daddy?" Stella looks at Ted for affirmation but Ted has no intention of going there. He wipes his face nervously as the other little faces in the room are either giggling over Stella's observation that Uncle Caleb had sex…even though most of them have no idea what it is, or they are more confused than ever. Figures his oldest daughter has this all sorted out. Grey and Steele are whispering to each other until Henry tells them to knock it off. He knows the little boys are still talking about 'sex" as that is fodder for little guys that age. It would appear only Charlotte and Delilah Mary are clueless. But it still doesn't explain where Vivi's mother is. Jax again only shrugs…he has nothing.
"Some attorney you are Sawyer…I thought all attorney's always had an opinion." Henry mumbled under his breath to Jax.
"Excuse me Mr. CEO…I believe you graduated with your law degree and passed the bar too." Henry smiled.
"Yea…but I don't use mine. Dang…we need help here." He turns and sees his wife and gives her a pleading look.
Finally, no longer able to watch the three grown men struggle Timmi joins the men carrying Ricky who has fallen asleep on her shoulder. Henry stands up and takes his son from his wife and smiles at her letting her know the floor is all hers. He helps her to the floor with one hand.
"Okay kiddo's the most important things you need to know is that: first…you have a beautiful little cousin named Viviana who knows all about you and is very very excited to meet each of you. And you know what?" All the kids look at her with a questioning look. "She even had all your pictures on her dresser and Uncle Caleb said she kissed them good night each night." Phoebe shared that with Timmi making them both cry it touched them so much.
"Awww that is so sweet." Stella coos. "But…how come we didn't know her or have her picture?"
"Well…Uncle Caleb has been trying for four years to be able to get her to live here with him, but because she was born in Brazil, Uncle Jax had to file a bunch of important papers to make that happen. So they finally got filed and Vivi…which is what she is called…got to finally come home to Seattle earlier today. Isn't that exciting?"
"But why did we not know about her Aunt Timmi?" Little Charlotte Sawyer was frowning and sporting the V between her eyebrows that she inherited from her grandmother.
"Well…that is a very good question Charlotte. I think Uncle Caleb missed his little girl so so so much that it made him sad to talk about her. But now that she is here…he is so so so happy and excited for you all to play with her and love her just as much as you all love each other."
The children seem placated for the moment. "What does she look like?" Steele asks still not sure she is real.
"I have a picture right here. I went with Uncle Caleb to pick her up in Brazil which is really far away." Ted takes his cell phone out and passes the picture of Viviana around.
"This isn't her, it's Delilah Mary." Grey insist.
"No I assure you that is really her. But there is one other thing you should know. She doesn't speak any English." Ted shares with the group.
Now all the little faces are really confused.
"How come? That is going to make it quite challenging to talk to her don't you think Daddy?"
"Yes Stella it will but that is why I started this out by telling you I will need all of you older kids to really step it up and help out. She will learn English but right now she only speaks Spanish. I speak Spanish as does Uncle Caleb and we will interpret for you. And Aunt Timmi speaks Spanish too right?"
"I do. So we can all teach little Vivi English together. You will just need to speak clearly, point, and let her repeat what you said and never ever tease or laugh at her if she says something wrong. You don't tease Ricky, Anabelle and Jason when they say words wrong so I better not ever catch any of you teasing your little cousin either." The kids all agree.
"Is her other grandmother here too?"
"No Grey…it is very sad, but she just died which is another reason Vivi is here now because she couldn't be alone. But she misses her grandmother very much so she might talk about her. Do you know the Spanish word for Grandmother?" The kids all silently look at each other. "It's Abuela. And Vivi sometimes cries for her…so if she does…you should hold her hand and take her to one of us okay…but be really really nice."
"Why doesn't her mommy want to be with her Uncle Teddy? You didn't tell us? Did she die?" Charlotte whispers again and looks sad. She is still fixated on what happened to Viviana's mother. All the adults look at each other.
"Yes she died." Henry tells the kids. Jax, Timmi and Ted look at him. Henry could see no reason in saying more. The children could know more when they were adults. For now…the tale of Augustine de Costa needed to stay buried. Henry could barely stand to think of the woman. He was still not convinced she should have kept her freedom, but his dad would not budge on that matter.
Henry had argued vehemently with his father about allowing Augustine to remain free. He felt she should be arrested by the mercenaries along with Peredia. While his family had flown over to Brazil, Henry, Jax,Taylor and Sawyer worked around the clock to set the wheels in motion to take Peredia out of the picture. The more Intel they gathered, the more they realized that Augustine was a danger. Taylor called Christian once they landed in Brazil and almost pleaded with him to show no mercy towards Augustine. But Christian stood firm. He would not take this woman away from her small children. While he didn't want her within spitting distanced of his granddaughter, he would not be part of any scheme to take a woman…no matter how evil she was…from her small sons. He knew it was the one part of his past he could never let go of…the sorrow of losing your mother at a young age…and he would not be part of it. He also knew that this decision could come back to bite him…but he was prepared to step in and change his mind if she became a danger to his family. For now, she was to be left alone.
Vivi and I have walked through the house and I have shown her what is to be her bedroom. She couldn't believe her eyes. Neither could I actually. In just five days the entire wing has been remodeled to suit my needs. My construction team worked fast. I will certainly have to reward them and call my Uncle Brady and Uncle Elliot who stepped in to supervise.
Vivi's bedroom looks like a real Princess's room, even with a tower that leads to her playroom. Her closet is filled with clothes that Gen and Timmi picked up for her. We brought three suitcases with us but I guess they wanted to make sure. In between her room and my room is a large living area, small kitchen and a large space for my home office and drafting area. My bedroom is on the other side of the living area. It will be strange as whenever I crash at my parents I like to go right to my old bedroom. But that isn't realistic now as it is in another wing. Down the hall at the very end Tongo will have a room and office as well. This will work for a few months. No more than six months, then I need my life back and Vivi and I can move on.
My parents went straight to the hospital to meet not so little CJ, so when we arrived home the house was fairly empty except for their long time staff. Taylor text me and asked me to let him know when we were ready to let them meet Viviana. The house is so damn big she surely will get lost on her own at first. We enter my old room and she jumps on the bed. She grabs my beat up old stuffed dog with the large floppy ears. I loved that dog when I was a little kid.
"Is this your dog Papa?"
"Yes when I was your age I took him everywhere. His name was Bojangles. Have you thought about a name for your new puppy?" We have the new puppy in a crate in the mud room right now. He is asleep and I need to get organized before letting him run around upstairs. I lost Josie two years ago when she developed a heart problem. It all but destroyed me so I have been wanting to get another dog. This will be good for her and maybe even for me.
"Can I name my doggy Bo…Bo…Bo what was it again Papa?"
"Bojangles. But why don't you just name your puppy Bo?
"Bo. I like that. Okay Bo." Well that is settled. I show her pictures of me as a little boy and some of my other prized possessions like my trophy's and artwork when I was young.
Vivi walks around the room and I send Tongo a message to have my car brought over. I feel trapped.
When we have finally set the rules for where she is allowed to go in the house, had the tour…three times, I tell her she will meet a lot of people over the next few days. But tonight, I want her to meet Gail and T. I explain to Vivi that they are like my grandparents and I love them very much. They are both huge factors in my life. I explain to her that my entire life Gail and T lived on the property and we were with them almost every day growing up. I put her coat on and we walk over to Gail and T's house with me smiling thinking this day would never arrive.
Gail loved having us over and even fed us dinner, making Vivi her favorite rice and beans and fried bananas. Viviana almost fell asleep during dinner so I carried her home just as my parents pulled in and behind them was Ted and Henry. Taylor followed me over to the house so I assume the big reveal of what happened with Mike in Brazil is about to be shared. I tell my family that I am going to put Viviana to bed and we will meet in my dad's study after I am sure she is asleep. My mom offers to put her to bed, but I don't know that she is ready for that tonight in a strange environment.
After I am sure she is sleeping soundly…which was immediately…I make my way downstairs and make sure the monitors are on in her room. I am quite sure if Vivi wakes up and comes looking for me she will get lost and that will scare the hell out of her. My mom decides that she will go sit in my living room just to be sure.
When we all gather in my dad's study, I am only mildly surprised to see Reid and Sawyer and Jax has called in via Skype. He needed to get home to put his kids to bed and give his mom a break.
"Okay fill us in. No more bullshit." I look at Tongo and he is still pissed. He is used to dealing with my issues and not sharing the stage.
"Caleb our families were put at risk not to mention you have been put through hell and back. You were dealing with how to get your daughter out of Brazil and how to tell her that her beloved grandmother was about to die. We are your family and we had to step in…nothing personal…we just had slightly clearer heads. You can be angry with us for excluding you but this mess had our children exposed and sorry little brother…we had to step in. You can put this on me if you want but I took the lead and Dad agreed as did Ted and Jax." Henry turned to Tongo pointing. "But you…yea…I don't owe you shit. You didn't share with us…so you lost the right to know anything as far as I am concerned." Man will Henry ever let this go. Tongo wisely bites his tongue. Henry will get over it in about six months…if we are lucky.
"Henry, I don't even know what you did. Can you please start there?"
For the next fifteen minutes, Henry and my dad take turns telling me the basics and how they planned what happened to Benito. They tell me Mike is on his way back and that Augustine is now running the cartel. I am glad Benito is gone, but what I don't get is why they left Augustine alone.
"I understand why you did what you did. I even think it was calculating and pretty amazing. So thank you. But why for the love of god did you let her go. She should pay for what she did and has done."
"She is a mother Caleb." My dad says quietly.
"How do you know what kind of mother she is? I feel sorry for those kids because we know she didn't give a shit about Vivi…so what makes you so sure she is a good mother to her other kids. And sorry for being so blunt dad, but would you not agree that Grammie and Poppa were the best thing that ever happened to you and for that to happen your biological mother had to die. Maybe those kids would have been better off."
My dad takes a deep breath and for a second doesn't say anything. "Maybe you're right Caleb. But I just couldn't take her away from them too. Let's see how she behaves herself, if not we can re-visit it. Sawyer why don't you tell us what we know about Benito and our inside Intel on Augustine."
Sawyer leans forward. "My buddies nephew met with Mike and your two guys Solis and Xavier…by the way Mike said they are fantastic and we should hire them here. Anyway, the payoff was made and Benito was picked up. We have heard that Benito was turned into the Columbian government and there is a chance that because of the agreement with the United States he could be extradited to the USA and held in maximum security here. Over in Colombia he has access to bribe judges and other officials."
"Why did your contact turn him into the Colombian government? Seems he would have been killed outright if he had been turned over to one of the cartels." Tongo asks and Sawyer looks a bit uncomfortable.
"Well to be honest, with Augustine still running the show the cartels didn't want to pay for him since their problem would still exist. Their enemy cartel still lives. So from what I understand the mercenaries could only sell him to governments where he was wanted for criminal activity." I look at my dad and he puts his hand up again admitting this was his unpopular decision.
"This is fine. It was my call on Augustine. Benito won't go anywhere in a maximum security prison here. His days on the outside are over right Luke?"
"More than likely. Now let's talk about Augustine. Red Dog…our mercenary contact believes he can infiltrate inside Augustine's home with an undercover housekeeper or nanny. We are working on that. We don't trust her and we don't believe she will go away. So…we will find a way to keep our eyes on her. To your dad's point…if she acts up we will deal with her accordingly."
We talk for about another hour and when we are done I sincerely thank everyone for working around the clock to make all of this happen. Clearly Tongo and I did the best we could for four years, but we were in over our head. We needed the help we received and now finally I can get my life back with my little girl by my side. I head up to my wing.
"Hey mom…did she wake up?" I walk into my living area and my mom is sitting on the couch holding the new puppy. "I see you have Bo."
"Bo? That's a cute name. Yes he was sitting in his crate and looking forlorn. He sure is cute. Not sure you and Vivi need this right now, but she sure seemed excited."
"Yes we came home and took him for a walk but I don't have anything set up for him yet so I put him in the crate. He seemed okay in it but I am going to have to go out tomorrow and pick up supplies." I lean back. "Mom…do you think I have something missing in the emotional IQ department?"
My mom tries not to laugh. "No…I think you are a bit naïve and you latch on too easy to people you like, but never would I say you are missing in the emotional IQ department. Are you trying to understand why you had Augustine…sorry I forgot you don't want to hear her name…you know who… pegged so wrong?"
"Yes…you know not just her…but when I look back, I have misread woman over and over again. Let's go back to high school. I never wanted a steady girlfriend. I ran from that whole high school sweetheart shit that other kids my age were going for. I wanted plenty of girls…not just one…and man I had my share. Then in college…I was even worse. I was with so many girls I can't even remember them all. Nice girls would come along and I would literally run the other way. Getting tied down with one scared the shit out of me. Then there was Jesslyn. She was hot and she was nice at first, but I was not interested in more with her. Then after graduation…I saw for a short period something in her and I thought maybe that was a sign I was ready to settle down a bit. But…pretty quickly I saw sides of her…maybe it was me, but I didn't see us as compatible. I sucked at coming right out and telling her, which is on me. I probably strung her along a bit. So when I was no longer interested in her and then you know the stabbing…everything happened…she got all possessive and like a stalker and so that never even had wings. So I went around the world and again…met hundreds of women. Some I was intimate with…some are still close friends but nobody that I would see as my happily ever after. When I met you know who…fine let's just say it for this conversation…August…I had feelings I have never experienced with other women. Ever. I couldn't eat. I thought about her all the time. My hands sweat when I saw her. My heart raced. She made me laugh. She made me want more. I thought that meant I was in love. And I think I was. That is why the betrayal was so hard on me. But how did I not see her for who she really was? How could I be so damn dumb…and to your point…naïve." I shake my head. "Will I ever get it right? I don't know if I trust my own judgement."
My mom turns on the couch facing me her hand resting on my arm. "Caleb…first of all if I had a dime for every time someone told me they met the man or woman of their dreams…only to find out later they weren't the person they thought they were…well I'd be richer than I am now." We both laugh. "It is very common to meet someone…think they are perfect…your talisman…the person that understands you…maybe the love of your life…then months later to find out…maybe not so much. For me I fell in love with the first man I was ever with. But look at Aunt Kate…she must have told me she was in love one-hundred times before she found Uncle Elliott. People change…lives change, circumstances change…better to bow out before you are in too deep. With Jesslyn…you were young and you realized early on…it was a forced relationship and not for you. So don't beat yourself up over that. The women you had in between…in my day we called that sowing your wild oats. And young man I think you have done enough of that." I look down slightly embarrassed.
"I know but I thought I had found someone mom. I wonder if I will get past that betrayal."
"Caleb…I hurt for you. First of all…I can't imagine any woman betraying you more than Augustine, but with that said…you are extremely handsome. You are brilliant and talented beyond belief. You are charming. But…you are wealthy on your own accord from your own success and top that off you are a billionaire from your trust fund. That makes you so vulnerable for the wrong woman to seek you out for the wrong reasons. You should be cautious and you have a right to be suspicious. But don't let it stop you from finding love. The right person will come along and all this self-doubt will go away."
"But I want love…I want a wife to share my life with. I want a good role model and mother for Viviana. I suck at the mommy role. I can't even comb my own daughter's hair."
"You will get better each day. You always excel. You're playing two roles now. That is why it is best you are here. I can help you. Just be you Caleb. Vivi adores you and children are forgiving."
"Thank god for that. She is beautiful isn't she mom?"
"More than beautiful. And she will be fine. We will all love her to pieces." She pauses. "You know you are not like Ted, and Henry. You are much sweeter than they are." She laughs when she says this. "I would tell them to their face so don't be surprised. Teddy is selfish in some ways. He can move on quickly and the people he loves and lets into his life you can count on two hands, but he loves them in his own way, and you always feel his love even though he isn't the most demonstrative. Phoebe…oh Phoebe…no nonsense. If she doesn't like you in the first few minutes…she will never like you. She trusts few people. She will tell you how it is so be ready but she is loyal, affectionate, passionate and so very wide open with her feelings. Nothing is better than a Phoebe hug right?"
"Yes. I think hiding Vivi from her made me feel the most guilt. We tell each other everything. Of course keeping it from Henry was hard too. He knows me better than anyone."
"Henry…well you know Henry. He is quiet, introspective, and cautious to a fault. He is hot headed, calculating and those he loves…he loves deeply and he is the most loyal young man I have ever met. You know that." I nod as it is true. Henry would cut his leg off for anyone in his family. But if he doesn't like you…forget it. My mom takes my hand. "You are the warmest and most loving of my children. You have always been that way. You love everyone…you trust everyone…you forgive everyone…you believe the best in everyone. You will in my opinion…make the dream husband and father. You have the biggest heart of them all my sweet sweet boy. I know that heart has been hurt over and over again. But it will heal and you just need to let it happen. But along the way…it is okay if you are cautious. You deserve to be right now." She smiles at me and then grimaces. Bo has just peed on my mom's lap and we both have a good laugh while I get her a towel.
"We should talk about a few things regarding Vivi. I have to get back to work but I don't want you tied down with her all day, that isn't fair so I need to interview for a nanny."
"Now Caleb there will not be a nanny for a while. The whole idea of you moving in here is to give her stability. We can revisit hiring a nanny in a few months. But between Gail and me we have it covered. If need be I can take her to Gen and Timmi's once she gets to know them and the kids. But no nanny right now." My mom pets Bo and plays with his long ears. "We should call Gabe and get her into see him for a physical. She will need to be current on her shots. Do you know what kind of shots she has had?"
"I don't but I will look at her records. I think she was current for Brazil but maybe Gabe will know if they are the same requirements." My cousin Gabe has a pediatric practice and works at the same hospital that my grandmother worked at. I tell my mom that I will call him and set up an appointment then I come up with my escape plan for the night. I am desperate to see my fuck buddy. Vivi is out like a light and I will be back in two hours…hell maybe one hour I am so backed up.
"I need to change and shower now thank you very much Bo Grey!" She pets the puppy and hands him to me.
"Mom…would you mind taking the monitor with you? I want to run over to my place, get some more clothes and see if I have Vivi's records over there." Actually I have them in my satchel. I brought them with me from Brazil. But I have to get out. My mom looks at me strange like she isn't quite sure I am leveling with her. "If you prefer I don't go, I can go tomorrow."
"No…no don't be too long. It's getting late. Well you're a big boy but take Tongo…I worry about everyone's safety still."
'Of course two hours max. Thanks mom." I get up and peek in Vivi's room real fast and then walk over to my bedroom. I grab my phone and text.
Hey FB…you busy?
LOL…no I thought I would hear from you soon. I heard you were back.
Yes and I would really appreciate some of your time. PLEASE
Well come over then.
Thank god. I grab my coat and tell Tongo we are heading out but that I want to drive my own car. I need some alone time.
"Uso your tired, let me drive you."
"No…I want to drive and put my anthem on full blast."
"A little Chris?" I nod. I have been playing the same song full blast off and on for the past few years. It is my anthem. Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing by Chris Isaak. I feel like that song was written for me about Augustine. When I play it I tend to drive too fast, but I play it to remind me what a fucking bitch she was.
I am about to head out the door when my dad catches up with me. "Caleb heading out a little late aren't you?"
"Really dad? Are you going to monitor my movements with me living here? Vivi is asleep I am just running back to my place real quick to get some things and I will be right back. Mom said she would check in on her." My dad looks at me for a few seconds then he grins.
"Well whoever she is…I hope she makes you feel better. Don't be out all night. Mom won't rest until you get home. I know you're a grown man but that's the way it is as long as you are living here." I start to argue but he knows I am not just going out for an errands run.
Ted Grey rushed home from his parent's house. He had been away for five days and Gen and the girls had been away to see her mother before he left. He hadn't seen his family for almost two weeks other than the brief meeting with the cousins earlier. He missed them. He drove home feeling disappointed in himself as a father and a husband. While he wouldn't admit this to his brothers or even his sister, this experience with Caleb was life changing for him. He would, however, tell his wife. He had been a bad husband and a bad father. He could justify that he took the girls on a lot of activities…but they were his activities. He rarely took Gen out just the two of them other than required social events.
Seeing Caleb and Viviana treasure their time together, suffering through long distance parenting, the happiness on Vivi's face when she saw Caleb, the strong bond they had made him realize that he took his own children for granted. He was tough on his little girls. He didn't necessarily placate to their whims but made them go along with his. He was the big kid always looking for a rush. He needed to change that. He was an absentee father and he was going to put a stop to it before it caused permanent damage with his family. For him it had been work and play and then family. Even after the affairs they both partook in, and vows to change…he still gave only 75% when he promised 100%. He hoped he wasn't too late to rectify this.
He loved Gen. She was strong willed and challenged him on everything…from parenting to how to take the garbage out. After their mutual affairs, he had a hard time forgiving Gen. In his mind she strayed first. It took him a long time to admit he pushed her away causing their marriage to spiral out of control. And now…after this past week…he saw he still had issues giving himself completely to his family.
They had a very active sex life. But when was the last time he truly made love to his wife? They needed to get away for a while. They never did have a honeymoon. Stella came along and it just never happened, then Delilah Mary came along. Anabelle was a great addition to the family and they both were glad they had her after the affairs. It did heal them a bit. But with that all said…Ted knew he had to change. Seeing what being away from your children can do to a man was something he never wanted to experience again. He knew if Gen ever left him she would pack up and move with her parents to Kansas and that would destroy him.
He walked into a quiet house and down the hall to Anabelle's room. Gen was chasing the toddler around the room trying to put a diaper on her after her bath.
"You little stinker…mommy is going to get you." Anabelle ran around laughing gloriously making Ted smile. He intercepted her and lifted her up in the air making her squeal in delight.
"Hey you…are you giving mommy a rough go at it? She grabbed his face and kissed his lips making him smile. The toddler was wound up.
"Looks like someone is excited to see Daddy." Gen commented smiling at her husband. He smiled back but he felt guilty and remorseful. He couldn't believe how selfish he had been. He never helped put the girls to bed amongst other things. He was the Saturday, Sunday dad. He loved them so much…why hadn't he acted like he did? Yes he felt great remorse for time lost and he was putting a stop to it now.
"Hey…why don't you go take a long bath…relax…let me bring you a glass of wine and let me put the girls to bed. I haven't seen them…I would like to catch up with them. Then after…maybe I can come in and join you."
"Really? What's the catch?" He smiled at her understanding her sarcasm.
"No catch…let's talk in a bit." He put Anabelle on his shoulders after getting her in her diaper and flannel sleeper and walked down the hall to Delilah's room. "Hey how's my little green apple doing?" Delilah Mary loves and eats so many green apples that Ted liked to tease her about it.
"Hi daddy. What's Anabelle doing up there? Can I get up there too?" She stood up putting her head back so she could see all the way to the top of her sister's head.
"Tell you what…pick up your toys, go brush your teeth and put your jammies on. When I put Anabelle to bed I will come in and I will give you a ride around the house and we can read one story. Okay?"
Delilah's eyes opened wide and she had the biggest grin. "Yay! Daddy…I am so excited." Again it was like a punch to the gut. Anabelle and Ted walk down the hall to Stella's room. Gen had just left and they passed in the hallway. She couldn't figure out what was going on with her husband…never having seen this side of him before.
"My bella Stella, how's it hanging?" She looked up from her homework and had tears in her eyes as she sat at her desk.
"I don't understand this homework. My teacher moved me to the fourth grade math group and its too hard daddy." He wondered why they would move her to fourth grade math. She was in second grade. Then he guiltily remembered Gen telling him one morning as he went out the door that was about to happen. For fuck sake, had he listened he would have discouraged it. Once again Ted felt the punch in his gut as he looked at his little girls tears of frustration. He reached down to wipe her tear.
"Well let me get your sisters in bed and then I will come in and look at it with you. But…maybe you shouldn't be in that class yet. Let me come back and look it over okay Stel? But don't cry…it makes me sad." She sniffled and then showed a slight smile.
"You will Daddy? Promise you won't get on the phone with Uncle Henry or someone?" He took his phone out of his pocket and ceremoniously turned it off in front of her.
"Nope…I am all yours. But while I am with your sisters why don't you get your snack, go let Spartacus out the back door to go to the bathroom and then get your PJ's on and then we will have all of that behind us." She cooperated so fast that again it made Ted realize that it was the little things that mattered most. Usually it was a fight to get the girls to take Spartacus out. The dog was getting old and deaf and didn't mind too well these days.
Ted put his youngest too bed after rocking her for a few minutes and made his way down to Delilah Mary's room. As promised he took her around the house on his shoulders stopping by to peek on Gen who was running the bath water. She smiled still in shock at Ted's behavior and kissed Delilah goodnight. Ted tucked his four year-old in and told her that she would be best friends with Viviana making the little girl giggle in excitement.
"I don't have a bestis friend Daddy. Stella and Charlie never let me plays with them cuz they say I'm too little. So I am excited." She smiled at Ted and then he bent down giving her nuggies and kisses making her belly laugh. "Oh daddy…I's likes it when you puts me to bed. Will you tomorrow too?" Ted would punch himself at this point if he could. He kissed her goodnight promising he would put her to bed the next night too.
Ted spent almost thirty minutes trying to patiently explain Stella's math to her, but in the end he picked her up off her desk chair and put her on his lap.
"Stel…it is okay to go back to a math group that you can learn from and understand. If you want to go back to your old group, I will go to your school tomorrow and talk to your teacher."
"Daddy…do you even know who my teacher is?" Ted thought about it for a few seconds.
"No…but I can find out or you could just tell me. I don't want you to be frustrated. You don't learn when you are frustrated. You're a very very smart little girl. But there is no hurry here to do more than you are ready to do." He tapped her nose and she smiled putting her arms around him tight.
"You won't be mad at me?"
"Of course not."
"Will you talk to Mommy about it? She says we can't quit once we start something." Ted felt guilty that Stella didn't feel she could come to him with this earlier. "Daddy…does Uncle Caleb love Viviana?"
"Yes very much. Why do you ask?" he picked the little girl up and carried her to her bed, sitting down next to her when he tucked her in."
"Well, he never saw her and didn't spend Christmas with her or much time with her."
"He actually would fly to see her every six weeks and he would SKYPE with her several times a day."
"But that isn't enough. I'm glad even though you are never able to do stuff with us…that you still are close by all the time." Ted fought back the urge to cry. It was so painfully obvious to him now…how much his little girls needed him. He smiled at Stella, the exact replica of his own mother and kissed her nose then her neck and tickled her until she was out of breathe. "I love you daddy. Thank you for helping me…you're the best daddy in the world." Ted smiled…and thought…he hadn't been but he would be soon.
He walked down the hallway into his bedroom, shutting off all the house lights before he did. He found his wife laying back in the tub in bliss.
"Hey…you look like your relaxing."
"Oh my god Ted…if this is some sick joke you're playing I will have your balls. But this is the best hour I have had in years. I filled the bath three times with warm water. Thank you." She reached out to stroke his fingers.
"Hey…I know you mentioned to me that Stella was being moved to a higher math group but it is making her miserable and she needs more of a foundation before jumping into that stuff. She is struggling. Do you mind if I talk to her teacher and get her put back into her old group." Gen looked at her husband in shock.
"Well no…I agree but…you're going to call her teacher? Really?"
Ted sat down on the ledge of the tub. "Gen…I know this is going to sound crazy but this whole thing with Caleb…seeing Viviana…how desperate she is for family…that sweet little girl needing her dad so much…the whole situation with Augustine…it did something to me. I can't explain this but I feel like someone has punched me in the gut. I have been a shit father and husband…well not totally…but I need to change. I want to be more involved in their lives…I get it now…I'm sorry…please forgive me. Please I owe you so many apologies for leaving this all on you."
Gen smiled and kept rubbing his fingers with her wet index finger. "I don't know if I believe you Ted…but I love you so damn much I am always willing to try."
"But this isn't just about us Gen…it's about the girls too. They are growing up…they are wonderful, sweet, well-mannered little girls who deserve a daddy that dotes on them. And that is what they are getting from now on. I saw how my little brother is with his daughter…and I thought he has been a better part time father than I am full time." Gen pointed to the towel warmer and Ted stood up holding the luxurious towel open for his wife. "Hey…if you could go anywhere…just the two of us…right after the holidays…anywhere in the world…where would you want to go?"
Gen stepped out of the tub to the watchful darkening eyes of her husband. "Oh I don't know…somewhere luxuriously warm and private I guess. Why are you seriously thinking of getting away from work…just the two of us? I would need to plan for the kids and Grey Publishing and…"
Ted leaned down and kissed his wife like he hadn't kissed her in a long time. At first it was a few soft kisses and then he slid his tongue across her lips making her sigh and then he kissed her with a passion that had been missing for a long time. He stepped back and looked at her. She was everything he ever wanted…but failed to tell her often enough. "I love you baby…I mean this…I don't know how to tell you…but I will show you." He took her hand and led her back to their bed and stripped his clothes off quickly. Gen was more than surprised. Most nights he stayed up late working out, or working in his office. Rare was the night he joined her at the same time in bed. He usually just woke her when he had his needs. She knew she rarely encouraged him to join her, eaten up with her own guilt and remorse she had been less than innocent in the state of their marriage. While things were better between them then before the affairs, they were still a work in progress. This might be the turn they needed.
Ted pulled back the covers and laid down next to his wife. He wanted every inch of her…maybe he could show her what he couldn't quite say. He started at her feet and kissed his way up to her neck causing her to moan in pleasure. He whispered his love and need for forgiveness in her ear so softly that she shivered. He ran his hands up and down her body worshipping every inch of her only skimming her breast that ached for his touch. She felt his hardness throbbing against her leg and she started to feel his sincerity as the minutes passed. This wasn't Ted Grey wanting sex…this was Ted Grey wanting to love his wife. Had it ever been so passionate? He palmed her neck and kissed her again with passion and used his other hand to just skim her wetness. He took her breast reverently and skimmed his thumb over the one that was not being worshipped by his mouth. Gen ran her hands through his hair grabbing the loose curls of her handsome husband, aching for him to enter her. He stopped and looked into her eyes and she saw in him, a changed man. For the second time in a week…and now just twice since he was a captured prisoner of war, Ted Grey shed tears. He was not a man to cry. But he was eaten with guilt and remorse and he finally understood what a lucky man he was. He entered his wife slowly making her cry out in pleasure and love. For Genevieve Grey this was also a defining moment in her marriage. For the first time, she felt truly loved and knew that finally, they would be united as a couple. She loved him back like she had never before and when it was over, rather than rolling to each of their own sides of the bed, they held each other and made love though-out the night.
I pull down the street where my friend with benefits lives…or fuck buddy if you will. We have been thrown into family gatherings for years now. Both of us the only singles at all our family events…it just happened. We do not have a relationship…and we don't want one. We are great friends as I have known her my entire life even though she is considerably older than me…well seven years. We really hit it off and since neither of us are attached…we meet on occasion and relieve the stress we both have built up. She is absolutely gorgeous and in addition to the fact that we just aren't into each other more than to fuck like maniacs…we could never be involved. In fact our fuck buddy status is our very very well kept secret. I am pretty sure if it got out…Reid and my brother-in-law Jax would have my ass. I knock on the door and Ivy Sawyer answers it, pulls me in by my jacket and takes me straight back to the bedroom.
The thing that is great about Ivy is she just wants to fuck like I do. Not a lot of dialogue. Before we even get to the bedroom I have her pushed up against the wall. She is only wearing a t-shirt and I pull it off of her. She has a killer body. She is tall and thin with long long legs and is very athletic as she was a previous professional ballet dancer. She has a dance school now and I vaguely think as I pull my pants off and throw my shirt on top of it that I should enroll Vivi in classes at her school.
"Focus Caleb." She pants and I grab her leg and pull it up around my hips. She lifts herself up with her other leg and without any foreplay I plunge into her. Neither of us have been with anyone else since we were last together so I don't wrap up. She is tight, wet and ready. We go at it pretty hard and I am mindful of the time as I know I have to go to my place and then home all in two hours. I fight my orgasm and walk her back to her bedroom. When we finally get there I toss her down on the bed and she gets on all fours and lets me take her from behind. She is a great fuck…but there is absolutely nothing emotional about our connection. I keep going at her. "Harder Caleb…come on…harder." Within a few minutes I come with a flourish but I know Ivy hasn't so I turn her over and get her off quickly. We catch our breath and both start laughing. That was fast and furious.
"Thanks." I say as I look for my clothes down the hall. I come back in her room where she is lying on her stomach with her head at the foot of the bed.
"Your welcome and thank you. So how is your little girl? Of course I know all about her. My mom and Phoebe told me about her. I can't believe we have been doing this for several years and you never told me you had a daughter Caleb. Can I tell you I am a bit hurt?"
"I understand. But even my own parents didn't know so don't take it personally. There are a lot of reasons I couldn't tell anyone. It's a long story."
"I know, Jax filled me in on the basics. I look forward to meeting her. You know handsome…you need to find someone for real. A super wonderful lady. You so deserve that. And…you and I might have to end our fuck buddy status. I met someone a couple of weeks ago. We haven't had sex yet…but I think that will happen soon and I am kind of into him."
"Really? Tell me about him." I am happy for her if this one is legit. She tends to pick real losers which I don't get because Ivy is the sweetest woman I know and she is drop dead gorgeous. She is a bit eccentric at times but nothing wrong with that as long as you are as sweet as she is.
"Well he is 38 years old. He has a little girl and a little boy. His daughter takes ballet lessons from me and he picks her up from dance every other week. He is divorced but he is really into his kids and he is super-hot." She gets up putting her bathrobe on. "Oh and he is a cop. Sexy man in a uniform. Hot hot hot!" She follows me out. "I didn't get a chance to ask you…do you want something to drink or anything."
"Just a bottle of water. Hey…sorry I was in such a hurry. I just need to get back to my parents. Christ I feel like I am sneaking out like I'm in high school again." I smile at her and she comes up and puts her arms around me resting her head on my chest.
"You okay Cal?" I nod yes. "God…you have been through so much. Hey you're cool about us stopping this part of our friendship right?" She looks up at me. I know we will remain friends no matter what. She has been there for me and I have been there for her. Sometimes we didn't fuck we would just hang out so I don't think that part of our friendship will end.
"I am okay with it Ivy. I want you happy just like you want me happy. I promised my mom and my daughter's grandmother in Brazil that I would open my heart up to finding someone for real and I want that. I want to move on you know but it will be hard to trust anyone again. I have to go but I will fill you in. Maybe we can meet for coffee somewhere soon. That way I won't be tempted to rip your clothes off and have my way with you." She laughs. "Oh and I would like to bring Vivi by maybe get her in some dance lessons. She has been so isolated but she is always twirling around so I think she will love it."
"Of course. You know Ted's daughters all take dance here. Our little niece Charlotte hates it so she dropped out. Can you believe that? My own niece quitting ballet."
"Yea well Charlie is strong willed. Like my sister. If she doesn't want to do something…she won't." I reach down and give her a soft quick kiss on the lips. "Thank you Ivy for you know not just this…but always listening. You're a great friend. But oh baby I am going to miss that pussy." I wink at her and she grabs my face.
"You promise me that you will try to let go of the pain that is etched on your face. It is all over you Caleb. Please…I want you happy." I nod and grab my coat.
I get in my car and after a quick stop at my penthouse where Tongo and I carry out a bunch of clothes for the extended stay at my parents, I leave downtown. I put on the song yet again. It makes me drive recklessly, weaving in and out of traffic and I laugh when I see Tongo get right up to my bumper flipping me off and telling me to slow down. I put my speakers up full blast as I get on I-5 driving well over the speed limit and play my anthem reminding me over and over again…why I need to move on and forget the name Augustine de Costa. But for the first time in a long time, I feel good. Really really good. Change is in the air and life can only get better now. Mrs. Caleb Grey wherever you are…show yourself soon. I tap my fingers to the music, turn the volume up even louder, shift gears and leave Tongo in the dust. I decide then and there…this is the last time I will ever listen to this song.
Baby did a bad bad thing baby did a bad bad thing.
Baby did a bad bad thing baby did a bad bad thing.
You ever love someone so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two?
I didn't think so.
You ever tried with all your heart and soul to get your lover back to you?
I want to hope so.
You ever pray with all your heart and soul just to watch her walk away?
Baby did a bad bad thing baby did a bad bad thing.
Baby did a bad bad thing, feel like crying, feel like crying.
You ever toss and turn your lying awake and thinking about the one you love?
I don't think so.
You ever close your eyes your making believe your holding the one your dreaming of?
Well if you say so.
It hurts so bad when you finally know just how low, low, low, low, low, she'll go.
Baby did a bad bad thing, baby did a bad bad thing.
Baby did a bad bad thing, feel like crying, feel like crying.
Oh. feel like crying, feel like crying.
Oh, feel like crying, feel like crying.
I'm not a big fan of songs in stories but man this one fit perfect. If you aren't familiar with it, listen to it.
So this chapter was a bit about housekeeping…Ted's revelation, Caleb having a heart to heart with his mother and having his needs met. (He is full of all sorts of secrets isn't he?)
I know some readers are frustrated that I have introduced characters…like Jesslyn or Augustine and then "demonized" then or removed them as love interest. Well that is the whole point…he is on PATH to find love. Get it? I choose to make this a path not a straight line to love. He has struggled. He is finally ready…but life isn't always a fairy tale… especially for Caleb. Patience please! But I promise next chapter you will meet some new women and maybe just maybe one of them is his HEA! But thank you again all of you who get me and love this very off the beaten path (pun intended) of FSOG characters. Oh and I know some of you will be pissed that he left his daughter with his mom to go get laid. Yea…I thought that was pretty shitty of him to do too. But…I told you early on you are going to love him, feel sorry for him, get pissed and cheer for him before this is over. That is what makes this fun right?