Sorry about the typo guys. I meant don't keep the abuse a secret. My apologies.
John
I watch Christian's face drain of all color. Gracie is still trying to hold onto him as Ana gently pulls her away. Her cries are still echoing through the hallway as it gets the attention of many people around us. Their pulling out their phones to get shit for the media, but that's not going to happen.
"Taylor, get Christian and take him back to the room. Also get more security to get the people who had taken pictures and confiscate their phones. You two," I point two the transporters. "bring the bed back."
The two quickly Rush back to the room and set the bed back up. Taylor carries Christian back into the room, keeping him hidden from the cameras, and puts him on the bed. When he lays him down though, Christian won't lay back. His eyes are full of fear and as soon as Taylor put him down he quickly got off the bed and ran to the corner.
We all watch as he rocks back and forth, burying his face in his knees. I look over and see everyone looking at him in shock as Christian sobs.
"Please." he whimpers. "Please!" he sobs.
"John, what's going on?" Elliot whispers quickly. "Why is this happening to him?"
"I can't tell you guys." I shake my head. "I'm guessing Gracie begging him brought it out of him. He felt like the situation was happening all over again." I run a hand over my face, how am I going to do this? I can't let this man down, especially when I'm the only person he's opened up to.
When I look up I see Gracie running back over to Christian. She's still crying and screaming for him. Something is going on. This little girl never cries and this is probably an indication that something is wrong with her father. I told Christian that children know when something is wrong.
"Gracie, no baby. You can't go near daddy." maybe…
"Put her down Ana."
"But John-"
"Maybe it will calm him down." I suggest. "Christian is just a child himself right now. She's safer with him than anyone else right now." I state.
Ana slowly lets go of Gracie and as soon as she is free, Gracie runs to Christian. She's stopped screaming and the tears have stopped but she still knows somethings wrong. She has a big frown formed across her face and takes slow steps towards him. How old is this kid again?
Gracie finally reaches Christian. She starts reaching her hand out but stops. He's still sobbing uncontrollably into his knees, not paying any attention to what's happening around him. He's having a memory, something we tried to keep him away from. I guess Gracie made him feel like the time his mother left him with those bastards for her own freedom. He's having to relive it all over again.
As Gracie gets closer, Ana starts getting scared and speaks up. "I don't think this is a good idea."
"His daughter is probably the only thing that can bring him back, Ana. Understand?" she starts crying, but nods. I know she's not crying about Gracie going near Christian, but about Christian himself. They just got him back, so it's understandable.
Gracie puts a hand on his, causing his head to snap up and him to back away. But as soon as he sees it's Gracie his eyes widen. He gently grabs her arms and looks over her then back at her shaking his head.
"What is wrong with you?" he asks. "There going to be back. Are you crazy?"
"No."
I turn my back on them and block their view. I wave everyone out the door. They all look shocked. I just shrug. The guys look pissed about having to leave their brother, and Ana is upset about having to leave her daughter and man she cares about. Right now, though, it doesn't matter.
I slide the glass doors shut and shut the blinds to hide the interaction between the two. Christian doesn't want his secrets getting out and I promised him it wouldn't happen.
My attention falls back on the two.
"Please. Just leave." he starts crying again. "I can't have you getting hurt." Gracie just shakes her head. I really hope my kids this smart. "You're going to get hurt. All of the kids do. Stop being annoying." he says irritated. I chuckle a bit.
"No." she walks over to him and sits on his lap, wrapping her around his neck. Christian frowns, but then his face turns serious.
"I'll protect you." he whispers. "I promise."
Does this have to do with a part of his past? If so I need to push him a little into this subject. The protection might be the problem that's keeping him from going further and having these terrible memories. What if he wasn't able to protect that child that he promised? He said that Grace saved him off the streets. Does that mean he left the little girl behind?