It's been nearly a month since my birthday and I've been non stop with work since. I love it don't get me wrong but I would also love a minute to myself. Between my presentation and the Nike Launch I've barely had time to fit in everything. Bennett told me it was lucky we worked in the same building or he'd never see me. I felt bad because by the time I was finished with work I just wanted to go home and sleep. I had early morning starts and late night finishes, some nights I thought I was better off bringing a sleeping bag to work with me. Not that I did, I'd get in enormous trouble with a lot of people.
It was now Friday and I was ready for my weekend. I had nothing planned and that made me really excited. I was looking forward to sleeping in and doing nothing. I looked at the time on my computer screen. Five forty eight, I'd been here since seven thirty. Mum had invited the Pembroke's as well as Aunt Kate and Uncle Elliott over for dinner, Bennett said he was coming with Theo and Kat. Next thing I know the elevator dings and out walks Bennett. Well he more struts than walks.
"Hey baby, you ready to get going." He purrs to me, sitting on the edge of my desk. I lean forward and give him a kiss, meaning for just a peck but Bennett has other ideas. He pulls me to him and my wheely chair cooperates for him. I finish up in between his legs and he deepens the kiss, I pull away a few minutes later breathless.
"I'm more than ready." I switch off my computer and grab my hand bag, meeting Bennett at the elevator. The ride down to the staff parking is fairly quick, but I manage to make my way into his arms anyway. I really needed a cuddle. "Wait, I told Sawyer that I'd need a ride. You said you were coming with Theo." I say to him fishing my phone out of my bag.
"Relax Madz, I told Sawyer already." He says stroking my hair and pulling me tighter to him. The elevator dings and we exit heading to his car. We get in and Bennett starts the engine pulling out of the garage onto the street. "So you know how you hate surprises." Oh no this is going to be bad, what's he done. I nod not being able to form a sentence. "Well I've made plans for us."
"Plans to do what Bennett?" It's not that I'm angry, I was just really looking forward to having a weekend of relaxation.
"It's a surprise, I promise you'll like it though. I know you've been really stressed lately and I wanted to do something to help you relax." As sweet as this is the only part of his statement I can concentrate on is the surprise part.
"So you won't even tell me where we're going or what we're doing?" He shakes his head, I turn away and look out the window.
We arrive at Escala and Bennett parks in the underground park. We get out and head to the elevator, I can already see Uncle Elliott and Theo's car and I'm assuming Bennett's parents are here as well. We arrive at my floor and exit into the foyer, as I thought everyone's already here. I say a quick hello and head upstairs to get changed, Harper and Ava follow me up.
"Hey Madi, you alright?" This comes from Ava, the two of them have followed me into my room, Harper is lounging on my bed, Ava sits herself down on my dressing table stool. I head into my closet and undress throwing my clothes from the day into my wash basket. I grab out a pair of black leggings and a beige over sized knitted jumper. I walk out the closet and lay the clothes on my bed walking towards my vanity. I remove my watch, bracelet, earrings and necklace before turning to the both of them.
"I'm fine, just tired and stressed from work. Bennett's pulling a surprise as well just to add to the stress." I say before walking towards Ava and grabbing my hair brush. She takes it from me and stands ushering me to sit.
"You'll be fine, Bennett wouldn't plan anything you wouldn't like, he knows you to well. Knowing him it's probably a weekend away to relax." Ava says as she removes the pins from my hair and lets it fall down my back. She then starts gently brushing out some tangles.
"Madi don't hate me but Bennett told me where you were going and you'll love it I promise." Harper says not attempting to make any eye contact with me. I glare at her reflection in the dressing table mirror. When Ava's done brushing she pulls my hair into a high pony tail and taps me on the head. I stand up and pull on my leggings and jumper. We head back downstairs and find everyone seated at the table with a couple of different bottles of wine. I sit in an empty seat next to Bennett and mum. Bennett pours me a glass of wine, and I sip it. The conversation goes on about work, business and social things between the parents. Grandma's annual Coping Together Gala is coming up in a week or two. Mum gets up to head into the kitchen and I decide to follow her. She gets a roast pork out of the oven as well as roast vegetables.
"Can you get the apple sauce out of the fridge sweetheart?" She asks. I retrieve the apple sauce and split it in two small bowls, one for each end of the table. Dad comes in to carve the roast and I help mum lay out the vegetables onto platters.
"You alright darling?" I know that my unusual quietness hasn't gone unnoticed by anyone, most are to polite to ask but dad who is always worrying is the complete opposite. I walk over to the breakfast bar where dad is and sit on one of the stools.
"Bennett's got something planned and he won't tell me what it is." I say quietly. Dad turns to mum before smiling at me.
"I promise you'll like it Madison." He can't hide the smirk on his face, neither of them can.
"What? You both know. That is not fair!" I try to keep my voice down but it's hard, I can't believe they both know.
"You'll find out later tonight don't worry. I had to know, Bennett needed some things from me for it." I wrack my brain trying to think of what my dad would have that Bennett needed access to. Dad puts the slices of pork onto a platter and the three of us carry them to the dinning table. Dinner goes on with the men talking about the Mariners game, the women talking about the latest thing to go down the runway and me being unusually quiet. Bennett knows that it's because of the surprise and he doesn't push me to make conversation. We finish up and move to the great room seating ourselves on the U couch. I sit in between Bennett's legs on the floor resting against the lounge. He starts to play with my pony tail twisting it around his fingers whilst he talks to Theo and Connor. I'm attempting to listen to Harper tell Ava about her new job at Seattle Times but my hearts just not there. Around nine o'clock Bennett clears his throat and everyone quietens down.
"So this is mainly for Madison's benefit but you're all here so you'll be hearing it too." I turn around to look at him and he looks at me. "You've been more than stressed and busy lately so you've earned yourself a week away. I've already cleared it with everyone so there are no but's, our flight is ready to leave whenever you are. I believe Mrs. Jones has already packed for you." He's still yet to tell me where we're going. I look at him expectantly. "We're going to Aspen." I sigh out of relief. I love Aspen, our house up there is amazing and exactly what I need. I get up and hug Bennett.
"So that's what you needed dad for. Thank you." I whisper to him. We sit in our own little world for a few minutes before dad speaks up.
"I'd suggest you'd be leaving soon you two." I look to Bennett and he nods. I get up and head upstairs to put on some shoes and grab a jacket, even though it's summer it's still quite chilly. We say our good byes and head to the elevator getting in. We get to the garage and find Taylor waiting to take us to the airport. The trip to the airport takes about half an hour, when we get there the Steele Publishing's jet is waiting for us. We board and are in the air by ten o'clock. We spend most of the flight in the bedroom, sleeping and relieving stress. I love having sex with Bennett. He always makes sure I'm well taken care of and he's never pushy about anything, it's what I wanted it to be like. We land around three in the morning and there's a driver waiting to take us to the house. We get there and Bennett pulls the keys from his pocket. We're both half asleep and it takes him nearly five minutes to open the door, finally he gets it and we head inside. I lead the way up to my room and we fall into bed, a tangle of limbs and sheets.
Our week in Aspen goes by far to quickly. We spent the first day lounging around the house, well mainly in the bedroom. It had been a while since we'd properly been together and we were taking our time to enjoy each other. The next day we headed into town, Bennett had only been to Aspen a couple of times when we went away with our families. We walked around town and spent the day enjoying the light sunshine. Our third day Bennett wanted to go hiking, I wasn't opposed so we went up and around the mountains. It was amazing, the views were wonderful and it was nice to spend some time with Bennett without technology or anything else distracting us. Our fourth day was spent being sore and watching movies. Both of us had used muscles we didn't even know we had on our hike. Dad had gotten a hot tub put in and that was used to it's full potential. The fifth day we went quad bike riding, it had taken me those five days to talk Bennett into it. He was scared for my safety and refused to even come and look at the bikes. With some persuasion he was talked into coming to just look at them and after showing him all the protective gear I had he agreed. Dad wouldn't let me anywhere near them without all types of padding on so I don't get what he was worried about. We'd just gotten back from our day out biking and I was headed for the shower when my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Theo, my breath hitched in my throat.
"Hey Theo, everything alright?" He never really called unless there was something wrong so I was concerned, my tone showed it too.
"Madison you need to fly back home now. Grandpa's been admitted to hospital. Dad wants you home, we don't know what's wrong." He sounded worried, I felt the color leave my face just as Bennett walked into the bedroom.
"Madz? Baby what's wrong?" He looked at the phone in my hand and took it looking at the ID before speaking to Theo. I couldn't move, I was in shock. I managed to get myself seated on the bed and started to listen to Bennett's conversation with my brother.
"Theo, what's going on. Madz looks like she's seen a ghost. Don't worry man, I'll get her there. We'll leave for the airport right away. Okay good. I'll text you when we're leaving." He had hung up now and had come over to me. "Baby I need you to get changed for me, don't worry about packing right now you're dads going to get everything brought back later. We just need to get you to the airport okay. The jet should be ready by the time we get to there." He was stroking my cheek and I barely heard a word he said.
"Grandpa's in hospital." It came out as a whisper. He didn't say anything but nodded his head. He started to undress me out of the dirty clothes from that day. He fished out a pair of black jeans and a burgundy top from my bag. He slipped the top over my head.
"Baby can you put these on whilst I get changed." I didn't move, I couldn't. "Come on Madz, you need to cooperate with me a little." He was talking calmly to me but I just couldn't get my limbs to move. I slowly pulled my right leg through and then my left. I pulled on a pair of boots and grabbed a jacket, it would be night time when we landed in Seattle. I grabbed my purse and phone and followed a now changed Bennett downstairs and out the front door, a car was already waiting for us. We got to the airport and the Steele Publishing's Jet was waiting ready. We board and get settled before take off. We're now in the air and Bennett is trying to talk me into going to sleep, sleep however is the last thing on my mind.
"Baby go lay down." He coos to me. I shake my head at him.
"No Bennett I'm fine, I'm not tired."
"Madison you've had a full day of action, you're body is worn out. Please go and get some sleep, you don't know the next time you will get a chance too." I now he's right but I just don't want to sleep, especially all alone in that massive bed.
"What do you not understand about I'm not tired." I can't help the attitude in my voice, he's almost as pushy as my dad.
"Madison don't take that tone with me. You're tired, I can see it in your eyes. Now go and lay down." He's getting angry with me now. Why can't he just drop it. I don't reply and instead turn to look out the window. Next thing I know Bennett's picking me up cradling me in his arms and carrying me down the hall into the bedroom.
"You won't be any help to anyone back home tired and grumpy, now I'm not arguing with you, get some sleep." He lays me on the bed and walks out gently closing the door behind him. I lay there shocked for a minute. He man-handled me, Bennett just man handled me. I'm not taking this, I'm not a damn three year old, he can't tell me what to do. I exit the bedroom and head down the hall sitting myself away from Bennett on the love seat. Bennett's sat with his laptop typing, he puts it on the chair I had occupied not a minute earlier and comes over to me. This time he throws me over his shoulder.
"I'm not dealing with this attitude Madison. You're acting like a spoiled little brat now. If you get back up again you will be in big trouble." Again the trouble threat, what's he going to do spank me? He dumps me on the bed and walks out slamming the door behind him. I don't take his threat to heart, I'm not tired at all now and I'm also curious to see how much trouble I'll actually get into. Grabbing the quilt and a pillow off the bed I stalk out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind me and march myself back to the love seat. I curl up throwing the quilt over me and close my eyes, calling his bluff. Once I'm layed down I really do start to feel tired, I know he's right my body is exhausted but I just can't bear the thought of going to sleep without his arms around me. I lay there pretending to sleep whilst Bennett taps away on his laptop. He lets me lay there for about five minutes before I hear him sigh and get up coming over to me. He scoops me up into his arms and carries me back to the bedroom.
"Bennett please, I don't want to sleep in here alone. I'll stay in here but only if you stay too." He lays me on the bed and pulls the sheets over me.
"Baby I've got work I need to do and you need to sleep." He whispers to me stroking my hair trying to get me to give up the act.
"You didn't have work to do in Aspen. Please Bennett!" I know I'm whinging like a three year old now but I really just want his arms around me. Bennett sighs and climbs in behind me pulling me to him. I roll over in his arms and cuddle into his chest, finally letting sleep take over.
I awake a couple of hours later being carried to the SUV. I'm in Bennett's arms, I feel him sit me down in the car and put my seat belt on. I don't bother fighting sleep and drift off again. I awake again to find I'm laid across the back seat of the SUV, we must be at the hospital. I scrounge around trying to find my phone. I locate it in my handbag on the floor, checking the time I see it's nine o'clock. We've been in Seattle nearly two hours and I was left to sleep in the car, Bennett must have told dad about my tantrum. I get out the car to find Sawyer waiting for me.
"Hello Miss Grey. Everyone's inside, shall we?" He motions towards to entrance to the hospital and I head towards the doors. Once inside Sawyer leads the way. We head down numerous corridors into an elevator and then down more corridors until we get to a waiting room, Sawyer stops outside and I head in. Grandma Grace, Dad, Mum, Theo, Uncle Elliot, Aunt Kate, Ava, Aunt Mia and Uncle Ethan are all there. I walk in and head straight to mum. She takes me in her arms and then I feel dad behind me as well stroking my hair. We stand silent for a few minutes before dad speaks.
"If you're still tired baby I can get Sawyer to take you home. We won't know anything for a while." I shake my head a turn to look at him.
"What happened?" I was rushed halfway across the country with no explanation at all, I'm not going anywhere until I find out what happened.
"We don't know much, his heart failed. He's currently in surgery." I nod at this, surgeries good at least that means he's still somewhat alive, I turn back to mum.
"Where's Bennett?" I need to apologize for my tantrum.
"He went home after you arrived. He said to call though if you wanted him here." I nod to this and head out into the corridor. I hit speed dial and he picks up on the first ring.
"Hey baby." I relax at the sound of his voice.
"Hi, I'm ringing to apologize for acting like a spoiled brat and throwing a tantrum. I'm sorry you had to deal with me."
"It's okay Madz, I know you were upset. But you need to listen to me when I tell you to do something in the future."
"I know and I will. It's just hard sometimes, I don't like not being in control."
"I know baby." We stay silent for a minute or two before he asks. "Are you alright? Do you want me there?"
"No it's fine, I was just ringing to apologize. We don't know anything and I think I just need to be here with my family right now. I'll ring you through if we find out anything." We say our goodbyes and hang up. I decide to check my emails before I go back into the waiting room. There's a few from work and a couple for special offers and spam. I'm in the middle of replying to a work email when Uncle Elliott and Ava walk out.
"Hey Madi, we're going to Starbucks to get everyone some decent coffee. You want anything?" Uncle Elliott asks me.
"Umm, I'm not sure. Mind if I come with you?" I decide I need to get out of this hospital.
"Not at all." We head towards the elevator and towards Starbucks. It's only about a five minute walk from the hospital and once we get in Uncle Elliott hands a piece of paper to the girl, it must have everyone's orders on it.
"Anything else you'd like?" She asks sweetly to Uncle Elliott. I roll my eyes, she's flirting with him and he's old enough to be her dad.
"Can I get a double shot latte with half a shot of vanilla as well thanks." I say before Uncle Elliott can respond. She nods to me and he hands over a credit card. I notice that it's a steel grey color, typical dad shouting everyone coffee, then again it's probably all he can do to feel somewhat in control. "Did dad seriously give you his credit card?" I say to Uncle Elliott. He just nods to me with a smirk on his face. We wait for the orders, there's ten but the barista gets them to us quite quickly. On our way back to the hospital my phone rings, I check the caller ID before I answer. It's dad. "Hello?" I say not quite sure why he's ringing, could something be wrong with grandpa?
"Madison are you on your way back?" This isn't the voice of family Christian it's CEO Christian, he's gone into controlling mode.
"Yes we're headed into the hospital now." I say, he still hasn't said why he's ringing.
"We'll see you soon." He hangs up, I love my dad but he can be really weird sometimes. We head into the elevator and get to the floor grandpa's on and walk into the waiting room. Uncle Elliott hands out the orders and we sit drinking in silence. "Did you get a coffee?" My dad's voice pulls my from my thoughts.
"Yes, is that alright with you?" I'm not in the mood to deal with him right now, I'm tired and I'm worried and I want to know what's wrong with my grandpa.
"No it's not. Madison if you're tired you should be going home and sleeping. You shouldn't be having caffeine this late at night." I sigh and look towards mum praying she'll calm him down.
"Christian she'll be fine, she just wants to be here with us." Mum says running her hand down his arm. He looks to her and back towards me knowing that he won't win this.
"Dad I don't want to go home, I want to stay here and find out what's wrong with grandpa. As soon as we know I'll go home but I'm not leaving until then so just leave me alone." I try really hard not to give him attitude, it'll just make everything worse. He sighs and nods, knowing that I do need to be here. About half an hour later a nurse walks into the waiting room. She tells us that grandpa is out of surgery and stable, however he's resting and we can only see him two at a time. They've also moved him into a private room in the Intensive Care Unit until he's more stable and they're sure everything is okay. We all head out the waiting room and down the hall towards the ICU. Grandma goes in first, alone. We then head in, two by two after her to sit with grandpa. He's asleep, and all you can hear is the beeping of the machines that he's hooked up too. I only last about five minutes in there with Ava before I walk out and over to mum.
"Can we go now?" I say to her looking towards dad.
"Yes I think we shall." She replies to me wrapping an arm around my shoulder and leading me over to the door. Dad follows us and we head out to the waiting SVU.
I climb into the back of the SVU, with me in the middle and mum and dad on either side. Once we've started onto the road I left myself drift off to sleep. I can faintly hear mum and dad talking but don't really bother to listen. Grandpa's alive and he'll recover, even if it will be slowly. I lean over and rest my head on dad's shoulder, he wraps an arm around my shoulder pulling me tighter to him. I take in a deep breath, breathing in his cologne. He smells safe, like home. I know that his first instinct is to protect me, that's why he was so stressed about the coffee. He knows I'm exhausted from travelling and worried and stressed for grandpa. I drift off in his arms, to be slightly woken up about thirty minutes later. We're in the garage and dad's pulling me into his arms carrying me to the elevator. I drift back off and am woken again, this time in my room. Dad's laid me on the bed and is gently taking off my boots. Mum's moving the pillows off my bed and pulling the sheets down. I feel dad move me and slide me into a laying position pulling the covers over me. I roll over and fall into a deep sleep.