Did the Boltons adopt a little girl?
Gabriella and Troy Bolton have been spotted at a Christmas tree farm a week ago with their adorable daughter. Next to their beloved daughter Adaline was a blonde hair girl who helped them picking out a tree. Witnesses told us exclusively that the little girl referred to Gabriella and Troy as Mommy and Daddy. Did they really adopt? Sources tell us that they have been looking for someone for quite a while and seemed to have finally found someone. So far, no name of the girl has dropped but we'll keep our eyes and ears open for the now four headed Bolton family!
My eyes flutter open as I once again wake up in an empty bed. Troy's alarm clock woke me up as well but I quickly drifted back to sleep while he got up and went for a run in the cold. I admire him for his consistency with running. Especially outside. I run on the treadmill but not as long as he does. A half marathon every day would make my legs too sore to carry me through the rest of the day, so I opt for about 15 kilometres every day. Enough to keep my heart rate up and my legs toned.
I hear a knock on the door and I know it can only belong to one person: Ana. "Come in."
Slowly she opens the door, revealing herself in blush pink silk pyjamas. It's six thirty in the morning and usually she should still be asleep. Just like Della still is. We wake them up at around seven thirty. She must have slept not so well.
"Good morning. How did you sleep?" I ask her smiling as she slowly walks over to our bed.
"Alright." She says before climbing into the bed.
I raise myself and pick up Troy's pillow to place it behind her back. "Are you worried because of today?"
She doesn't respond with words, but as she places her head on my shoulder and wraps her tiny arms around my chest, I have my answer.
"There's nothing to worry about. Dr. Cooper is excellent. He is really nice." I try to comfort her.
She lifts her head and I look into the forest in her eyes. "I've never been to a doctor."
"I see..." I try to put on a smile to hide my amazement. At seven she has never been to a doctor. She has never gotten a vaccine or a blood test done or just a simple check up. She has never had her teeth checked either. I'm sure she was sick before, but never got treated by a doctor then. "Well, as I said there is nothing to worry about. It won't hurt or be scary at all."
"Will you stay with me?"
"All the time." I ensure her with a smile on my lips.
"Okay."
"Okay." I agree with her before the door opens again. Another sleepy little human walks in, wearing white silk pyjamas. Della's waves are all over the place and sleep is written across her face as she rubs her eyes. Did she slept bad as well?
"Morning, sunshine." I greet her as she stumbles over to the bed.
She doesn't respond to my words, instead she climbs up the bed and lays down next to me on the other side. Della has always been a little grumpy in the morning.
We say nothing for minutes, enjoying each other's embraces. Me and my two girls. I love these kind of mornings the most.
"Della?" Ana asks in a whisper as her sister's eyes are shut again.
"Hm?"
"Dr. Cooper is cool, right?"
"He is very well educated and therefore a really good doctor. He went to Harvard Med School before starting his residency at John Hopkins hospital. He moved to London about ten years ago." She responds, growling a little bit.
Ana is silent for a moment. I am not sure if that's the answer she wanted to hear. "But he's cool?"
"Yes, Ana, he is cool." Della responds again before snuggling deeper into me.
I can't help but smirk at their conversation. The door opens and my head swing over to it. There's only one more person left that's walking through the house. I can see Troy walking in, wearing his thick workout clothes that kept him warm in these icy temperatures. Sweat is dripping down his face. The run must have been good then. He stops in his movements as he sees us all in the bed, "What's this all about?"
"Morning cuddles with Mommy." I explain with a shrug and smile on my lips.
I look next to me, my eyes resting on my blonde daughter next to me. Anastasia is looking through the waiting room of Dr. Cooper's praxis, seeing other parents with their children. Most kids play with toys, only the older ones sit next to their mothers or fathers while their hands are holding an iPhone or iPad - Anastasia is the only one that just waits beside me. She hasn't left my side ever since we landed in London.
"Anastasia?" Rebecca, the nurse asks.
The blonde girl jumps from the chair and follows me through the narrow hallway. Dr. Cooper's praxis is held in a creme color with lots of colourful paintings and has a lot of glass doors to make it look more friendly. The pediatric is one of the best in whole U.K. and also Adaline's doctor. A glass door opens and Dr. Cooper steps out.
The man knees down across Anastasia, "Hello Anastasia, I am Dr. Cooper, but you can call me Coop."
My daughter shakes his hand and smiles at him before she follows him inside. She climbs up the examination chair. She must have done this a zillion times. I gulp down the golf ball in my throat. Except that she didn't. She has never seen a doctor. She could be sick and no one knew about it! What if she really is deadly sick? I dismiss the thought quickly. I won't cry in front of Dr. Cooper. Although I have every reason to.
"How are you doing?" The blue eyed doctor asks her.
"Good." She says as he starts checking her lymph nodes.
"Do you like living with the Boltons?"
"Yes!" Her face is beaming.
I smile at them, it's nice to hear that she likes us as much as we do.
"What do you like most about living with them?"
She thinks for a moment, "We're a family." She shrugs and I gulp once again reminded that she never had that: a family.
"Are you getting along with Adaline? She's one of my patients too."
"Yes, Adaline's cool. She understands me."
"What do you guys like doing?"
"We talk a lot and laugh... her jokes are very good! We read and watch the stars... and like to play chess." She answers as Cooper starts listening to her lungs via a stethoscope. Ana starts glowing from within. It gives me a whole new kind of thrill.
"Who wins?"
"It depends. Sometimes her, sometimes me."
He places the stethoscope on her back, "Do you know what you want to be when you're older?"
She nods as he listens to her lungs.
"Who do you want to be?"
"I want to be like you."
"A doctor?" He asks as he starts testing her reflexes.
"Yes."
"What kind of doctor?"
"I want to cut people open. I want to fix them. Do you know that the Boltons own a hospital?"
"Yes I do and it's a really good one. So, you want to be a surgeon? What kind of?"
Anastasia points to her brain as Dr. Cooper starts taking her blood.
"A neurosurgeon?"
She nods, "Yes. I want to help people use their full capability. I want to fix what's broken."
"That sounds like a really good plan." He says, before putting a bandaid on the place where the needle used to be. "Okay, how about you go back to her waiting room and grab yourself a lolly pop when you pass the reception? I want to talk to you mother for a few minutes."
"Okay." she hops of the examination chair. "But I won't put something in my mouth that brings me canvas." And with that she walks out of the room.
Dr. Cooper chuckles before he closes the door, "She seems very bright. Have you considered testing her IQ?"
"We have an appointment with Dr. Wyatt tomorrow. She did the IQ test with Adaline and I think Anastasia is going to trust her."
He nods, "Good. We're going to make a full blood test to see if there's anything to worry about. But she seems perfectly healthy. We'll do all the vacancies when the results have come back."
"Good."
"Are there any genetic diseases from her parents I should know about?"
"Her parents were drug addicts. Died from an overdose when she was two. Ever since then she started living between orphanages and foster parents. She has never been to a doctor. There are no medical records of her parents so we have no idea." She could have inherited a deadly disease and we wouldn't know about it... just the thought freaks me out already.
"Any worries on your mind?"
"She doesn't eat properly." I mumble before looking at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe I haven't figured out what her favourite foods are, but she always leaves the plate at least half full. She's not great with vegetables either, but that doesn't wonder me too much. Still... I am just worried she's too thin."
"While she seems to be more on the slimmer side, I don't think you have something to worry about. I am going to check her blood on any vitamin deficiency, but it's probably a psychological issue. Maybe it was just too much of a change in the last two weeks. She needs to adjust. Giver her time."
I nod, he is probably right. "Okay."
Dr. Cooper nods, "Well, I'll give you a call if anything comes up."
"That's Buckingham Palace?" She asks me with wide eyes. Her green orbs have a sparkle in them that's filling my heart with so much love.
I nod although her eyes are focused on the Palace behind the iron gates. "We can go on a private tour if you want." I suggest as I know most of the regular tours are going to be sold out. "Maybe even today if they have anything free."
She looks at me for a second with a smile on her lips, "With Daddy and Della?"
I bite my lip, knowing Troy is probably drowning in work at home - and Della already did the private tour with this seasonal exhibition. "I'm not sure but we'll ask them."
She nods before looking at the palace again. "And the queen is really not home?"
"Yes. Do you see the flag there?" I point at the waving flag of Great Britain. "Whenever this one is waving, she's not home."
"That's so cool!" Her smile means everything to me. She should smile for the rest of her life. "What about Kensington Palace? Where's that?"
"Not very far from here. We can walk if you want."
She nods, "And after that we're going to pick up Della from school."
"That's the plan." She grabs my hand before we walk away from Buckingham Palace. There are lots of people taking a picture of the snow coated building but Ana didn't want one taken of her in front of it. At least not in the winter. She wants one taken in the summer. I like her way of seeing the same future with us as we are with her.
"I think Buckingham is much cooler than Kensington Palace." Ana says as I park the Tesla 3 in a free parking space in front of the side entrance of Falkner House. Adaline is not here yet. But we're a bit early anyway and Della is usually a bit late.
"Is that so?" I ask, turning the car off with my iPhone.
"Yes. It's much more historic and the guards look so cool as well!" Ana opens her seatbelt before getting out of the car. I follow her and lock the car with my fingerprint before walking over to Ana, who is staring at the red bricked building. "What do you think?"
"Della's school looks a bit like Kensington Palace." She tilts her head back to see the whole building.
I chuckle at her words, I never saw a connection between those buildings. "I think you're right. Do you want to head inside?"
She looks at me before grabbing my hand, "Yes."
Hand in hand we walk into the building. She lets go of my hand as we walk down the hallway. As with everything she sees nowadays, she is overwhelmed. I pray we're not moving too fast with her. I really hope all of this is not too much. "Della's school is so cool!" The hallway is completely empty as most pupils have already gone home. "I definitely want to go here."
I smile at her words, "Good thing we have an appointment with the headmaster in three days then."
Ana nods as her forest green eyes find mine, "I really like it here. In which room is Della?"
"108." I say as we walk pass room number 102. I watch her stopping at room 108 before knocking against the door. A few seconds later she opens the door. I can hear Adaline talking to Prof. Bell before seeing her sister. As I reach the room I can already see Della embracing Ana like those two haven't seen each other in weeks. I smile at them before looking at Prof. Bell, "I hope we didn't interrupt anything important."
Prof. Bell shakes his head, "No, we were just cleaning up."
"Mom!" Della says before hugging me as well.
"Hi, Sweetie. What did you guys do today?"
"I learned a lot about lungs today." she says smiling, "Are you guys here because you have an appointment with Mrs. Griggs?" she asks us. Troy is usually the one who picks her up from school.
"We have that in three days. We wanted to surprise you."
"Well you definitely did." she looks back at Ana. "Ana, that's Prof. Bell. Prof. Bell, this is my sister, Anastasia." she introduces her sister to her teacher. "Can she join us when she starts attending Falkner House?"
"Della, I'm not sure she's going to get accepted." I whisper to her, but she seems to ignore me.
Prof. Bell looks at Ana smiling before back at Adaline. "We'll see."
Della frowns at him, not liking this answer.
"Come on, we have to go home." I urge Della before she can say anything further to Professor Bell.
"See you next week!" Della says to Prof. Bell.
He smiles at her, "See you next week, Adaline."
Ana walks over to us and grabs Della's hand, "Tell me everything you guys did!" she demands as they walk out of the room.
"Della?" Ana asks as the two of them lay on the couch in the living room. The fireplace is lit and we listen to the crackling noises it's making. The Christmas tree is lit as well, shining in a glorious light. Troy is in his office, stuck in another business meeting. We decided to work from home as much as possible until Christmas was over and Ana has settled in a bit more. We have an appointment at Falkner in three days to see if they could accept her in the middle of the school year anyway. But first we need to make a test to see how high her IQ is, as Falkner is very keen on highly gifted people. She's already highly talented I know that for sure.
I spy on them from the dinning table as I go through some paperwork myself. The annual Christmas Party of Unfaithful Records with Bolton's Enterprises is coming up soon and I have to make some last check-ups.
"Hm?" her older sister asks, eating a spoonful of her banana ice cream. Ana has finished her portion already, well half of it anyway.
"Dr. Wyatt... Is she-"
"You survived Dr. Cooper today. Dr. Wyatt is nothing compared to getting your blood test done." Della interrupts her, already knowing her concern.
"You sure? I mean what kind of questions is she going to ask me?"
Della places her empty glass and spoon on the coffee table. "You're so worried. There's nothing to be worried about."
"I just... I want to go to the same school as you do."
"Ana, you will. Mommy and Daddy will make sure of it. Trust me, there's nothing and no wish they wouldn't make true. They are like superman and wonder woman."
I chuckle at her words.
Superman and wonder woman.
I hold the door open for Ana. Today is the first day in 10 days that I take a step into Unfaithful Records, my firm. "We'll be quick." I promise her. After all I am just here to pick up a few documents. Simple plain work. Something I can get done at home.
Loud voices of chatting people and people on phones start filling my ears, greeting me with the warmest welcome I could wish for. My firm is doing just fine with me working from home.
"This is where you work?" Ana asks me as we walk brought the foyer of my firm. The ladies behind the reception desk greet me with a smile as they are both on the phone.
"Yes."
Ana has her head tilted back to see as much of my firm as possible. "You own this? All of this?"
I smile. She hasn't seen Troy's firm yet. "Yes. This is the reception. The open offices are over there." I point to the left at a group of desks and people sitting at them. "Down that hall are our studios. We have seven recording studios and two that are on another level. These can be rented by free working artists or producers."
"Wow... so you listen to music all the time?"
I chuckle, "I wish. But I have to make sure the employees get paid, contracts get renewed if necessary, have meetings with agents and conference with the recording studios in Norway and France..." I trail off.
"But you do listen to music sometimes?"
I nod, "Sometimes. I write and produce songs in my free time. Sometimes I am asked to listen to tracks that are nearly finished and polish them a bit."
"That's so cool! Where's your office?"
"I'll show you." I grab her hand and walk with her down the other hallway. My office is located at the end of it. We pass a few of my employees who greet us and gush about Ana's cuteness. My heart jumps up every single time. I love showing her off! "Here are the restrooms and the kitchen." I explain as we pass a few doors, "Three conference rooms are here and Kelsi's office is right there." We stop in front of a closed dark wooden door.
She looks at me, "Can we visit her?"
I nod, "Go ahead."
She knocks on the door three times before opening it slowly. "Kelsi?"
I push the door open even further and see my best friend's blue eyes focused on the iMac in front of her. "Yes?" She asks as she still types.
"We are here to visit." I say smiling, causing her head to look at us.
"Oh, hi guys!" She grins at us before Ana walks over to her. Kelsi wraps her arms around my blonde daughter. "How are you?"
"Great. We came by to pick up some work for Mom." Ana smiles at her before her forest green eyes see the iMac. "What are you working on?"
"Oh you know, boring stuff."
"What's your job?"
"I work with numbers. I am in charge for the finances at Unfaithful Records."
"Can you show me?"
"Sure. Sit down."
"Mrs. Bolton," I wince as I hear my assistant's voice calling me. I look over my shoulder and see Andrea standing behind me with guilty eyes.
"Officially I am not even here." I tell her. We planned to get in and out in five minutes. But turns out we're going to be here much longer.
"I know, but Daniel is working on the new Swift album. He could use your expertise. He needs someone to look over it. As a finishing touch."
I sigh and look back at Ana. She is listening closely to Kelsi's words. "Ana, I have to go into the studio."
"Oh, we'll be fine." Kelsi ensures me.
"I'll be quick." I promise Ana who nods back at me.
I look back at Andrea, "Alright, where is he?"
"Studio four. And I need a few signatures from you when you're done." She adds quickly.
"Leave them on my desk. I'll get to it afterwards."
I can feel the flames on my skin
Crimson red paint on my lips
If a man talks shit, then I owe him nothing
I don't regret it one bit, 'cause he had it coming
I lean back in my chair and listen to the song closely with closed eyes. "Okay, I want echos at the end of each verse."
They say I did something bad, ah
Then why's it feel so good?
They say I did something bad, ah
But why's it feel so good?
Most fun I ever had, ah
And I'd do it over and over and over again if I could
It just felt so good, good
"And we'll add gunshots at so good, there." I say, opening my eyes. "And I want some kind of na na na na na at the end of the chorus. Something deep... something like this." I push a button and a deep voice sings a na na na. "Nice. Exactly like that."
Daniel nods at me, typing something into the computer. "Great, I like that. It brings the song to a whole new level."
"I agree." Taylor says smiling at me, "It's darker... mysterious... twisted. I love it!"
Suddenly, the door opens and I watch Anastasia walking in. "Kelsi has a meeting and send me here."
"Hi sweetie, what's your name?" Taylor smiles at her.
Ana turns around and closes the door before walking closer to us, "My name's Anastasia."
"Such a beautiful name! I am Taylor."
"I know." Ana answers with a shrug, "I've seen your records hanging in the hallway."
"Ah, well your Mom was the one who made it possible."
Ana looks at me, "She's doing an incredible job here."
"She is." Taylor agrees before Ana sits down on my lap.
"Do you want to head home?" After all, we've been at Unfaithful Records for two hours, when I only wanted to spent 5 minutes here.
My blonde daughter shakes her head, "No. I want to stay until we have to leave for our appointment with Dr. Wyatt."
"Okay..." I brush through her blonde hair. She's been taking these changes really well.
"What are you guys doing?"
"We're finishing off Taylor's new album." Daniel explains, "I'm Daniel by the way."
Ana looks at me, "So, you do listen to songs."
I smirk at her comment, "Today, I am listening to songs with you." She smiles back at me, "Okay, next track."
"I am Dr. Wyatt." She holds out her hand.
Ana shakes it, "Della told me about you."
"Do you like Adaline?"
"Yeah," Ana sits down on the couch, "she's cool. I've beaten her twice at chess. She says that has never happened before."
The psychologist smiles. "That's amazing."
"What kind of questions will you ask me?" Ana sounds nervous.
Dr. Wyatt looks at me.
I rise from the couch without a word from her. I know she wants a private talk with her. But Ana grabs my wrist to stop me.
I look at Dr. Wyatt whose eyes are resting on my wrist, "Do you want your Mom to stay with you?"
"Yes."
I look at her, "She's not going to hurt you."
"I still want you to stay."
I sit down back on the couch. Right next to her. "Okay." I put on a smile before looking at Dr. Wyatt.
"What's been bothering you?" She asks.
"Nothing." Ana asks back.
"No, I mean your Mom."
I frown. I forgot how good she can read me. "I am worried about..." I look at Ana, "why do you always leave the plate half full?" I finally asked her. After two weeks of being together she still does it. And I have lost faith in Troy's and mine cooking skills. But even at a restaurant she does it. Maybe she's not that hungry... But this has to be something else. There has to be a reason for it.
I watch her lips form a thin line before she shakes her head. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"I..." she looks up at me. "I feel so guilty to eat so much when there are so many people who have it worse than me. Even at the orphanage, I did it. Because even then I thought of all these homeless people that have to fight for any food."
I feel my heart dropping to the floor - and I thought she didn't like my cooking. "I thought you didn't like my cooking."
"But you must feel hungry then." Dr. Wyatt voices my thoughts.
She looks at her and shrugs, "I felt hungry once. But what I feel when I finish eating is nothing compared to this."
"What do you mean?" I frown at her words. Yet I am fearing another horror story.
"I was locked in a closet. Once. Because I didn't listen."
She has been punished! Oh my god! They fucking let her starve! I want to kill them! Every single person who has dared to touch my daughter! Every fucking one of them! I feel rage firing inside of me as my mind starts imagining a seven year old stuck in a closet. Alone. In the dark. Without food or water.
I feel sick.
"How long didn't you eat?" Dr. Wyatt has the courage I don't seem to find.
"Eight days, six hours and thirty five minutes." She breathes out.
My heart stops beating for a moment. My lungs stop needing air. My ears pray that I misheard her. Eight days. Six hours. Thirty five minutes!
She didn't eat! They almost killed her! No child can survive that long! No one can! Maybe this is why she started counting the time she has spent with me. "Ana..." my mouth can't make up any logical sentence. I am too shocked. Too hurt. Too angry.
The rage starts overwhelming me as my whole body tenses and my hands form fists. This is too much...
Her forest green eyes look at me, "I know you won't do that. You never would. I can see that. I saw that the moment Daddy sat across me to play chess. But there are people who did it." Probably are still doing it.
"Have you told that the social worker?" Dr. Wyatt is the only one able to stay calm. Probably because she's used to hearing so many horror stories.
I bite my lip as I feel tears building in my eyes. Those bastards! How dare they! She is a fucking child!
"Yes. But she wouldn't listen to me. She said that those people were a very loving couple."
They must have paid the social worker off! What the fuck is wrong with this world?! How screwed up and badly in need of money do you have to be to do such things?!
But then again we did the same. We bought her out of the orphanage.
"What did you do?"
Ana bites her lip before looking through the window that faces the backyard of the house. "I hit myself. Black and blue. Every night."
She did what?! Did she really just- my eyes stare down at her blonde head. She won't even look at me. She's serious. How the hell could she have done that?!
"Why?"
"I knew I would only get out if I had some kind of proof the next time the social worker came. So, I created proof. Proof that she couldn't deny." Or get paid off for ignoring it once more. "In addition I got into trouble with their other child. Sasha. I also got some trouble in school for disturbing the class."
She's a genius! My daughter is a genius! But I still can't believe she did that to herself.
"Did it work?"
"Yes. I got out of there and was put back into a different orphanage. I'd rather be there and rotten than at that place."
I can't believe what I am hearing. I'd rather be there and rotten than at that place. I expected there to be emotional damage but never in the world would I have expected it to be so sever!
"What happened then?"
She shrugs, "I waited." Her eyes still look through the window. "I waited for my parents to come and get me."
"Ana..." I am still lost at words. I feel like crying. Crying for her pain... But I won't. Not in front of her.
Her blonde hair swings as she looks at me. Her forest green eyes are full of insecurity. She's scared. But she has nothing to be afraid of. Not anymore.
"You are a part of our family now. No one will touch you, starve you or do anything you don't want. No one will bring you back. Your place is here. Right here. Do you understand?"
She nods as I squeeze her hand. "Yes."
I force myself to smile and ignore the tears building in my eyes. "Good."
"Ana, how about you give your Mom and me a little time for ourselves?" Dr. Wyatt asks Ana, "There are pencils and paper on the table." she points to the round table in front of the windows at the end of the room. "I heard your drawing is really good."
"Okay." Ana nods before hopping off the couch and walking over to the table. I watch her taking a seat before grabbing a pencil. It doesn't take her long to know what she wants to draw. She starts immediately.
"How are you?" Dr. Wyatt asks me. I know she doesn't mean the wrecking ball that just hit me.
My head swings around as I focus on the person sitting across me instead of Ana. "I'm good."
"Really?" She lays the notepad and pencil on the couch table between us.
"Yeah, I mean that last weeks have been a little stressful. We are still settling in, adjusting to the situation."
"How are you dealing with everything?"
"Good."
"Gabriella," she starts.
"I didn't expect to love her so much so soon." I breathe out my emotional state. "So every time she says something like she's never been to a doctor or never had her own bed, it shocks me on a whole new level. Every single time." I say and gulp.
"Like this right here."
"Yes."
"Where's Troy? Are you talking to him about this?"
"He's at work for a quick check up. But we agreed to work from home for the next week as well, so everyone could adjust a little better."
"Are you guys talking?"
I nod, "That's just one thing we learned from visiting you."
"What's his thoughts on this?"
"He's worried." I say with a shrug, "But he's more worried about me than about himself. I think he thinks we may have rushed into this."
Dr. Wyatt frowns at me before folding her hands, "What do you mean? How long have you been planning this?"
"Roughly a year. It took us over six months to find her. We talked to Adaline before doing anything that leads to adoption. She's a very lonely child, which I can totally understand. She's brighter than anyone around her - us included. What's totally normal to her, still shocks both of us. She's reading books about astronomy or human cells or some mathematic problems just for fun. She loves knowledge and sucks up every single bit of each book she ever gets into her little hands. Her knowledge, her brightness frightens me." I stop and bite my lip.
"What is it?"
I shrug and wave with my hands, "What if we're making mistakes while raising her? I mean, raising a child is a huge task any way and we're raising a genius already! Most likely two geniuses now!" I shake my head, "I don't want to fuck them up."
"Why did you want to adopt?"
"Because I wanted Adaline to have at least one person whom she can relate to. Someone she's intellectually on one level." I shake my head, "I don't want her to be lonely. And then when we saw Ana's picture..." I smile and shrug, "I didn't need to know about her background, I didn't need to know about her grades or where she's currently living. I knew she was my daughter. I knew she was a part of our family - and that Della would finally, finally find someone on her level."
"Did Della agree to this without any concern?"
I brush through my hair, "Yes. She's been asking for a sibling for five years now. Because she knew from the age of two onwards that she would most likely never find someone as intelligent as her in her age. She knows she's different. She always did. So, when we showed her Ana's photo she was... she was just over the moon." I smile.
"So was it the right decision?"
"Of course it was. That's out of the question." I argue back, "It's just... Perhaps we should have stayed in Russia for a week or so. Maybe we shouldn't have brought her to England only two days after we met for the first time."
"Has she shown any signs of fear or trauma?"
"Apart from the eating-thing, no..." I think for a moment, "Wait, there is one more thing. She's not used to affection."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, she... I don't think she has ever seen parents loving each other."
Dr. Wyatt smirks, "Well, love has never been a problem of your's."
I nod, "True."
"How did she react to seeing you guys together?"
"She seemed a bit confused." I breathe out, remembering her look when she saw us touching for the first time. "Maybe even shocked. I don't think she really knows how love looks like. Frankly, I doubt that anyone has ever loved her. Ever showed any sort of affection in front of her..."
"So, how did you decide to handle this?"
"Ease her into this." I shrug, "I don't push her into anything. Troy and I try to keep our hands to ourselves in the first few weeks and then slowly, very slowly, guide her into this..."
Dr. Wyatt smirks again, "I assume he didn't like that idea."
I return her smirk, "You assume correct."
"Does Della think you're acting weird? Because you're so reserved in front of Anastasia."
I shrug, "If she does, she hasn't mentioned anything. She's just happy to have someone like her. They read a book about astronomy when they first met. A kind of book that students read for the lecture - they read it for fun."
Dr. Wyatt nods, "Good. I think we should get started with the test then."
I look to my right and see Ana sitting st the round table, drawing something with a pencil. "Ana?" I ask her softly, causing her hand to stir for a moment. "We're ready for you."
She nods but she continues to draw for a few more second before hopping off the chair and walking back to us. "This is for you." She hands the drawing to Dr. Wyatt.
"Thank you. That's very nice of you." She smiles at Ana before taking a closer look. She frowns as her eyes scan the drawing. Ana sits down next to me again. I look down at Ana. "What did you draw?"
"Her daughter." She says with a shrug.
With widen eyes I look at Dr. Wyatt who is still starring at the drawing. She has a few photos of her family that are standing on her desk but they weren't visible when we entered. How did Ana know how her daughter looks like? Dr. Wyatt looks up, "How did you do it? You didn't see any photos of Hilary. You have no idea what she looks like."
Ana laces her hands together before resting them on her thighs "When we entered the room, the third framed photo on your desk was reflected in the mirror behind your desk. It showed a girl of six in clothes that were about twenty years old. I added the twenty years in my head, changed her features according to my calculations and draw a portrait of her." Ana explains with a shrug as if she didn't do anything amazing.
Dr. Wyatt turns the piece of paper around, so I can see it as well. I see a twenty six year old woman who has her mother's nose and lips. Her eyes are almond shaped and she smiles. Long wavy hair frames her face, covering parts of her ears. She's wearing earrings and has a birthmark on her left cheek. She looks beautiful. She looks just like I imagined Dr. Wyatt's daughter would look like. "Wow your drawing is really good, Ana." I smile at her.
"Not only that." Dr. Wyatt reaches for her iPhone before showing me her wallpaper: Hilary Wyatt was smiling into the camera with her two brothers beside her. It's a black and white photo, showing the similarities to Ana's drawing only better.
They look the same.
I look at Dr. Wyatt who is still in shock. Just like me. I fall back on the couch, feeling the cushions in my back. That girl amazes me every day. "Ana how did you do it?" I ask her again.
She rolls her eyes. "I already told her that. I used my imagination."
"And your eidetic memory." Dr. Wyatt adds with a smirk on her lips.
"Are you okay?" I ask as I notice Ana staring out of the window in the backseat of the silver Tesla. The whole twenty minute drive she's been silent so far.
"Yes." she mumbles, her bright green eyes focused on the passing buildings.
"Are you sure?" Maybe this was too much too soon.
She looks away from the window and into the review mirror, straight into my eyes. "It's just Della said the appointment with Dr. Wyatt would be much easier than with Dr. Cooper." she shakes her head, "She was wrong. Really wrong."
I bite my lip, I knew it! "Do you want to talk about it?"
She shakes her head before looking out of the window again, "I did enough of that."
I let out a sigh as I stop at a red light. Turning around, I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out of it. So I stare at her with an open mouth, seeing more of myself in her than I thought I ever would. She's hurt. She's scared.
She's just like me.
"Ana," I finally breathe out her name, causing her green eyes to meet mine again. "You're here with us now. You're safe. No one will ever touch you or do those things to you. You're now a Bolton."
She frowns at my last sentence, "I don't know what that means."
I reach out to grab her hand but wince as I hear hooping. "You'll find out soon." I turn around before continuing with driving through the busy streets of London. "And besides, now we know that you're able to attend Della's school."
"But we don't know if they're going to take me." she rests her face against the glass, "Probably not."
She's so negative. I mean, it's no wonder with all the shit she had to go through... but it still breaks my heart. "You will." I promise her. "Because as I said you're a Bolton. And rule number one being a Bolton is that your word is law. Always. So, when I saw you will - then you will. Got it?"
Her green eyes start clearing up a bit as she nods, "Got it." There's even a tiny smile appearing on her lips. "But please don't tell Daddy about what happened today."
I nod, "Pinkie promise."
"Pinkie promise." she smirks at my words.
I stare at the ceiling, unable to get any sleep. I can hear my husband's steady breath next to me. His arm is circled around my waist, his left hand with the platinum wedding band is resting on my stomach. Even in his sleep he can't let go of me. It has been this way since the day we met until now, almost ten years later.
My thoughts keep circling around what happened today. Especially about what Ana told me at our appointment with Dr. Wyatt. I can't believe what she went through. Even during dinner I kept thinking of it. My mind kept wandering to a seven, six, five, four, three and two year old getting abused in all sorts of situations by her "parents". It only caused a growth in my rage, frustration and heartbreak. Every situation, every tiny thought tore my heart apart all over again. I still can't wrap that around my head. Around the horror she used to live in. The horror she called life. But I kept my promise to Ana - Troy doesn't know. At least yet, since I have no idea how long I can keep this from him. But the least I can give Ana is a day - and maybe another one. But that's the maximum time I can keep this from my husband and her father. I tilt my head to the side and look at my sleeping husband.
He's the fucking love of my life.
I open the door of his study, because that's where the hard stuff is. It's a little chilly in here. Goosebumps start covering my bare legs and arms as I am only wearing a silk night gown with cutouts in the back. I switch on the lights and get out a glass from the glass cabinet. The scotch is standing on the round table in a crystal bottle. The brown liquor stares back at me, mesmerising me. I walk over to it and fill my glass up a little too much. But I don't care. After that appointment with Dr. Wyatt and the horror it brought to life I need this. I need this badly.
I sit down in the indigo coloured armchair and take a sip. It burns down my throat, easing the pain in my chest. How dare they fucking hurt her! Punish her by refusing her food! I try very hard to not imagine my seven year old daughter locked in a small, dusty room under the staircase. But I just can't help it. I just can't.
I take another sip, hoping the alcohol will stop my mind from creating these images. I already finished the Merlot which Troy and I had along with dinner on my own when I was doing the dishes. But that didn't seem to help. They nearly killed her in there! And they paid a fucking social worker off! She saw, she knew what happened and ignored it! How heartless and money driven must she have been to do that?! I close my eyes and rest my head against the armchair. People like these should be sitting behind bars - or worse six feet under. I prefer the second option and I know my husband would too. A hot salty tear runs down my face. Fucking bastards.
I take another sip, emptying the glass already. The burn eases my urge to cry, so I decide to fill it up a second time knowing that my two daughters are already fast asleep upstairs. I pick up the full glass and take a look at the brown liquor. This stuff must be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and I am drinking it like it's water.
I don't care.
I turn around in the armchair again and look through the window. The snow has covered our property. Icy kisses are placed on the window. It's cold. But I feel hot thanks to the scotch. I take another sip and turn around as the door opens. I can see my husband's silhouette as he walks over to me. I thought he was fast asleep. He surely was when I left the bed. "I've been looking for you for the last five minutes." He brushes through his chestnut coloured hair as he slowly stumbles over to me. He put on a shirt that matches his pyjama pants to cover his bare chest. "What are you doing here?"
I hold up my glass, "Drinking your scotch like it's water." I take another sip. I haven't told him about the appointment because Ana asked me to, but now I am not so sure if I can keep it from him.
His sleepy eyes look at me as he reaches me. "Why are you drinking my scotch?" He asks confused.
I shrug before taking another sip.
He sighs, "Get up." He orders and I frown in response, "You're sitting here alone in this study. In a silk nightgown. With no shoes and blanket. There's a blizzard outside this house and you didn't even turn on the heating. You must be freezing." I bite my lip, the alcohol has been doing a great job at keeping the cold at bay. "Well, get up so you can sit on my lap and I can wrap my arms around you to warm you." He yawns after his explanation. It's four in the morning but I couldn't find any sleep. "It's the least I can do while you empty my bottle."
I rise from the armchair and watch him taking a seat before sitting on his lap. I lean against his torso, feeling his body warmth through his shirt. I can feel his cock coming to life like it always does when we're so close. His arms wrap around me like he promised and it feels better than any blanket ever could. I close my eyes and inhale his scent that will forever make me feel safe and loved. He takes the glass out of my hand and takes a sip. "That's a good scotch."
"If you say so." I whisper, enjoying this moment of togetherness.
He places the glass on the table, "You shouldn't be drinking here alone."
"I am not alone anymore." I say back before opening my eyes again. I tilt my head to the side to look at him.
His hands wrap tighter around my torso, "What's bothering you?"
I stare into his bright blue orbs, that love me more than I will ever give back. She wanted it to be our secret. She asked me to keep it a secret. Can I break my promise to her?
"My angel..." he pushes me by using my nickname.
My eyes rest on his lips before slowly moving up to his eyes again. That glance... Fuck, now I have to tell him. "They nearly killed her." I breathe out.
I watch his soft features change into anger and worry within a second. "What? Who?"
"The couple that had Ana before us. They punished her because she didn't listen. They locked her into a room and refused her any food..." I trail off as his chin tightens.
"How long?" He barks at me.
I close my eyes. It hurts too much to tell him.
"Gabriella!" His tone is warning, telling me to not mess with him right now.
"Eight days." I breathe out, opening my eyes again.
"Eight days!" He echoes, shaking his head. "Why didn't the social worker get her out?"
"She got paid to shut her eyes and mouth."
I watch his teeth clenching. "How did she got out?"
He won't believe me. I wouldn't believe it if it didn't come out of her mouth.
"Gabriella," he barks again.
"She hit herself."
"She did what?!"
"She hit herself black and blue. She got into trouble with their other child. She made trouble at school. She did everything she could for the couple to drop her. She did everything she could for the social worker to be unable to ignore that once more."
He shakes his head, "She's remarkable."
"It was a brilliant idea with horrible consequences for her. But she dragged herself out of there."
He picks up the glass from the table and finishes the scotch in one gulp. "I will find that couple and social worker."
I bite my lip, "And then what?" He wouldn't kill them, would he?
"Make sure they will never hurt a child like that again." He places the glass back on the table.
I unwrap myself from his embrace before straddling on his thighs. I brush through his hair before resting my forehead against his. I can feel his warm breath against my face as we stare into each other's eyes. His cock twitches in anticipation, telling me he wants me. I feel his hands fondling my body, moving the silk nightgown a little up. The alcohol makes me feel even hotter than I normally would feel like when we're so close. I move closer to his ear, lifting myself by shifting my body weight on my knees. I press him further into the armchair just as my fingers reach the waistband of his pants. "I'm not wearing panties." I whisper into his ear, well aware of the drunken sound. But I don't care. I am horny. I want him. But most of all I want this shitty day to end beautifully.
My fingers pull down his pants and briefs in one movement only far enough so I free his cock. As I position myself, I feel his grip tighten around my waist. "My angel," he starts with a sigh as I feel his head in front of my entrance.
"I need this." I say into his orbs that are clouded with desire and alcohol. I don't care that I'm drunk. I don't care about the blizzard outside this house. I need to feel him deep inside of me. I need this way of comfort.
His grip around my waist loosens and without a word I let him slowly glide into me. I tilt my head back as I feel the stretch that's almost tearing me apart. A growl escapes my lips, this is all I wanted to feel. I stop as I feel him balls deep in me. My breath becomes shallow as I stare into his clouded blue orbs. He is doing it for me, I am well aware of that. As he leans forward to kiss me, I softly push him back into the armchair again. I place my hands on his shoulders and start riding him. I move up and down his length feeling the stretch over and over again. Our bodies clash against each other, creating a melody. I feel my body temperature rising and gather the fabric of my silk nightgown to strip it off my body. His hands on my wrists stop me. I frown, but don't comment on it as I continue riding him. His fingers unwrap from my wrists and I place my palms on his torso. I move faster and feel him holding back out of the sudden. He's refusing his orgasm. I lean forward and feel his hands moving down my thighs. He's still holding back. I place my mouth at his ear, "Let go." I whisper as I feel his cock twitching in me. "Fill me up, Troy. Let go." I whisper before kissing his cheek. I continue riding him but stop as I feel him letting go. He comes in a growl as the orgasm rushes through him. I feel his hot sperm filling me, giving me exactly what I wanted.
"Thank you." I say into his blue orbs before kissing him. He returns my kiss and I allow our tongues a dance. I feel his torso closing the gap between us as I brush through his hair. His body heat warms mine as he lets go of my lips. He presses his forehead against mine, looking deeply into my eyes. I know he loves me, there is no need for him to tell me.
Suddenly, he gets up with me still on top of him. I feel his penis twitching in me, being just as surprised as me. "What are you doing?" I ask as he steps out of his boxers and pants.
"You didn't come."
I rarely come when I am drunk. He knows that. Besides, I did this not for my own pleasure. "Troy," I start but stop as I see his glance.
"I'll make you scream at the top of your lungs." He kisses me harshly before starting to walk.
"Where are we going?" I ask, biting my lip as I already miss his lips. He won't walk upstairs, will he?
He doesn't answer me as he walks out of his study. I place my head on his right shoulder, inhaling his scent. I kiss his neck and his right cheek. He stops at the door of our gym and walks in. I frown, "Why are we in the gym?"
He kicks the door shut and presses me against the wooden door. "The only other soundproof room in this house." He explains, raising an eyebrow at me while smirking.
I return his smirk before my hands move beneath his shirt. I help him out of it before tossing it on the floor. I place my hand on his heart and feel it racing in his chest.
He kisses me as his hands widen my legs. The muscles in my upper thighs stretch and I feel him taking a step back. I feel him sliding out of me very slowly before thrusting into me in full force. My back crashes against the wooden door. I cry out in surprise as my nails move down his back. I can hear his breath ringing in my ears as he moves out before burying himself balls deep in me again. God, this feels so good! "Faster." I breathe out as I feel my orgasm building. I didn't expect me to be able to enjoy this so much. He speeds up and my body crashes against the wooden door more frequently. My orgasm builds just as rapidly. I stare into his blue orbs and press my forehead against his. I can't believe he's going to make me come. Not after what I just did.
I feel the nerves in my body clenching. I am so close. He must feel it too because he slows down his pace. He starts moving gentler, enjoying the sounds our bodies make. "Troy," I breathe out the name of my husband. I start winding from his touch. He bites into my lower lip and I brush through his hair. He smiles at me as he slowly rocks into me. God, this feels just as good. My hips start moving with his as I crave more of his length sooner. His hands move beneath my silk night gown and I moan as I feel his warm hands on my stomach and waistline. His fingers travel up my body until he finds me nipples. A growl escapes my lips as he starts twisting both of them at the same time. Quite gently at first before using more pressure and precision. My body responds with a shaking sensation that's full of pleasure which is all over the place. I feel pleasure coming from his cock, his hands and his lips as he starts kissing my neck, finding one of my erogenous zones. Fuck, this is too much for me to handle. I feel my toes curling in as I am right on the edge. I can't believe this is happening.
"Come for me, my angel." He breathes against my face and I let go on his demand. The orgasm rushes through my body as the tension from everywhere in my body releases all at once and I scream out - at the top of my lungs. Just as he promised I would.
He grins before kissing my neck, wishbone and cleavage. "That's what I wanted to hear. I love watching you come, my angel."
I return his grin and chuckle before I kiss his lips. He continues pumping into me before coming in a loud growl as well. I watch his orbs changing color like never before. They turn from a clouded dark blue to a bright blue to a turquoise color. It's mesmerising. I love watching him come as well.
He flexes his hips back and releases my thighs from his grip. I feel the parquet floor heating beneath my feet, warming my body. I feel his seed running out of me. He gave me every single drop. He always gives me what I want - and more importantly, what I need.
"Can we go back to bed now?" He asks me, holding out his hand.
I wish you all a Happy New Year! Please review!
Xoxo
