Meghan made Lily a bottle. It was close to three am Dan still at the hospital. John slept soundly she had turned the radio on to keep herself awake. "If you fall I will catch you I will be waiting time after time." Cyndi Lauper sang. She hit the off button with a little bit too much force "Stupid radio." she sniffed back tears.
"Honey?" John called
"Sorry didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't Wy did she and Jax are in there talking to each other..."
"He keeps saying mama over and over again. Poor little guy."
"I know...."
"I can't sleep John I just want to sleep."
"Just close your eyes and let everything that is in that pretty little head of yours go." He advised her. "I got the bottle."
"You sure...?"
"Yea I got this." He assured her.
--
"You should be sleeping little one." Dan said as he rocked a wide awake Bree in his arms. "I can already tell you are gonna be just like your mom. Stubborn and not listen to a word I say."
From behind someone tied a blindfold over his eyes. "Now listen carefully. You are going to do everything I say or something bad is going to happen. You are now an unwilling participant in our little game. We have taken your queen away from you and now it is your turn to move." Came a robotic sounding voice.
"What do you want from me?" Dan asked.
"Just to have a little fun. Now tomorrow morning there is going to be something in the glove compartment of your squad car. What you do with it is your own choice but I will say this time is against you. People only tend to get weaker."
"If I don't do what you say then what?"
"Trust me you won't wanna find out..." seconds later the blindfold and robot voice was gone. Brennan was sleeping peacefully in his arms.
"We took your queen ... what the hell does that mean?" He pondered out loud.
He rushed home telling Meghan and John everything that happened. Meghan looked at John as if Dan had finally lost it.
"Now I know he's your brother and with that being said he didn't really have all that much to lose to begin with but I think Danny has gone completely crackers."
"Crackers... that's cute honey." John retorted dryly. "Now remember people grieve in different ways. Maybe this is his way of coping for the time being."
"No really John ... we buried her, she's gone. I would love to believe she's alive but we identified her and it's just not healthy... to let himself believe she's alive when she's not."
"Let him have his delusions for the time being and he never actually came out and said he thinks she's still alive. He said he thinks that is what we took your queen means."
"You actually believe that someone accosted him in a hospital of all places?"
"No ... he probably fell asleep and dreamt it but are you gonna tell him that?"
"No guess not..."
"Cenas Breakfast!" Meghan yelled. All the kids appeared in the kitchen except for Lily who took up residence on John's hip. "How'd you do that? They are are even chronological order. "
Meghan shrugged. "It's my cinnamon toast dude works wonders."
"Load me up baby."
They got the kids settled at the table. "JD finger out of your nose!" Meghan scolded. she fixed John a plate. "There ya go..."
"Avery, Lily can't have food yet..."
"Oops..."
"Its ok baby eat your food."
"Isn't Daddy eating?" Meghan looked at John for help.
"Auntie I spilled my milk." Ian announced.
"Ok..." Meghan cleaned up the mess. "Be more careful please buddy..."
"Ok"
Jax decided to take his spoon and hit Wyatt over the head with it which cause her to start screaming.
"What the hell is going on here!" Meghan literally wanted to cry.
"Breathe...baby...Jax be nice no hitting... its ok Wy shhh eat."
"Ow, dada."
"You're ok eat."
"This kitchen is a damn mad house." Meghan wanted to pull out her own hair. "I need help John...its...I'm overwhelmed."
"Everyone eat ... no more crying, spilling things, hitting, or nose picking understand" John ordered.
"Yep Dada." Wyatt said. The others nodded.
"Great Yankee now they are afraid to move." Meghan laughed.
"You wanted peace and quiet."
"True..."
After breakfast Meghan helped bathe the twins. She helped them dress themselves and when it was time to brush Avery's hair the young girl was in hysterics.
"What did you do to her?" John came running to find out what was wrong with his niece.
"I didn't do anything John!"
"Ava I need you to explain to me what's happening ok... just breathe and tell Aunt Meg Kay."
"You don't brush my hair right. Mommy had a special way."
"I'm sorry baby I didn't know you want me to get your daddy?"
John crouched down to her height. "I have a better idea. How about we leave Daddy alone and you show Uncle John how your Mommy brushed your hair and then maybe I can show Aunt Megs later."
"Alright."
"Ok I'll leave you two to it... and go bathe JD and Wy."
"All done." John announced as he and Avery stepped into the bathroom.
"Ok Ava you can go play baby..."
"Ok..." she took off.
"Thanks for taking that over for me babe..." She looked over her shoulder at John.
"Kinda know what she is going through. I never told you this but when I was a kid I was my grandmother's favorite and she used to make me these amazing apple turnovers. When she died nobody could ever make them the same way. Believe me people tried. I know it doesn't compare to what those kids are going through but I get why she got so upset over something so small."
"I get it too... no one is allowed to call me angel after my grandmother died...it just scared me that's all...I know they won't be the same but I make some mean apple fritters if you want sometime...Can you take Wy she is finished..."
"What we basically are looking at for the near future it a lot of mood swings and tantrums. But I guess they deserve those."
"True but that doesn't make said tantrums any less annoying."
--
"This is stupid." Dan couldn't believe that he was actually doing this. He ran his finger over the glove box to make sure there were no trip wires or anything. He took a deep breath and opened the thing up. Inside was an envelope. He tore open the envelope in a frenzy.
Something fell into his lap. He picked it up with shaking hands. It was the hospital bracelet the maternity wards had slapped on Addley's wrist. His heart banged against his rib cage. She was alive, he knew it now. Part of him had always known. He wasn't sure how but his part of him knew that she was alive even when everyone else said she wasn't.
His eyes went back to the envelope there was a folded up piece of paper inside. He took it out. It was an address he had never heard of. He made a mental note to take this note into the station and have it checked for prints.
--
"Guys ... I knew I wasn't crazy." Dan yelled entering the home his brother and his family lived in.
"Dan Shut up I just JD to go down for his nap."
"What did you say quieter this time?"
"I said I knew I wasn't crazy." He was grinning like an idiot.
"Oh kay..." Meghan looked doubtful.
"I found this and this in an envelope in my car." he was going to hand them to her but then stopped. "Don't touch them cause I need to get them tested for prints."
"Some weirdo could have picked that outta the trash." She took a look at the piece of paper with the address on it. "and its just address could mean nothing..."
"But don't go by yourself."
"I have to. They will kill her if I don't"
"This is stupid Dan be smart your a cop think like one!"
"You don't even believe me ... why am I even talking to you."
"Because I IDed her saw with my own eyes explain that!" She threw up her hands in frustration. "You know what John you try I'm getting no where."
"Did you actually see her?" Dan questioned. "Like really see her?"
"John looked closer than I did. He said it was her."
"You are the one who calls John walking stupid ..."
"As a joke he's smart enough to know Addley's face when he sees it!"\
"Babe ... I never actually saw the face. There was just so much hair and I got queasy."
"May I hit him?" Meghan asked Dan.
"Go right ahead. In fact get a punch in there for me too."
"You mean you dragged me in that awful place to ID my best friend and when I couldn't do it you didn't have the brains to look closely."
"I wanted to make sure you were alright sweetie."
"And you couldn't have tried a little harder to make sure I didn't go through the single most traumatizing experience of life possibly but maybe not burying my best friend! You know what I'm going for a walk don't follow me!"
"Nice one bro." Dan wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulders. "She's real mad this time."
"No shit Sherlock."
"You were the one who couldn't id a damn body ... a damn body that happens not to be my wife."
"Ok smart guy then who did we bury?" John countered.
"I should care about that but right now I wanna do The Cotton-Eyed Joe." John stared at his brother as if he had six heads as he actually began dancing. "Come on Johnny River Dance with me."
"Stop drinking dude... which way did my wife turn right or left..."
"She said don't follow her."
"She knows I don't listen to her."
"I would this time bro. This is some serious stuff."
"But I didn't mean too."
"You didn't mean to miss identify my wifes body."
"Yes" He frowned. There was no way around him looking stupid here. "It was gross dude!"
"You made me think my wife was dead ..." Dan cracked his knuckles. "I should punch you in the mouth!"
"please don't as soon as she is within arms reach of my face Meghan's going to slap me."
"What I don't get is why?"
"Huh?"
"Why people would want us to think Adds was dead Moron"
"Cruelty for the fun of it I guess..."
"But there has to be something more behind it. To go through all that planning ... you cannot kidnap a person and then fake their death on a whim ... but why come to me and tell me it was a lie?"
"It's not for money... who hates you? Addley? All of us? This was for pure hate no other reason is feasible."
"Maybe its like 12 Rounds you have to do somethin heinous to get her back... it's a game to whoever this is." Meghan said rolling back in
"Quit smokin the weed Megs ..." Dan said.
"12 Rounds is a movie honey. This is real life." John pointed out.
"Assuming she's alive which I won't do for the sake of my heart until you stand her in front of me Danny so gather your boys up and figure this out."
"No ... I gotta do this on my own. This is my cross to carry."
"No this has got to be a woman. Only women can think like this...I'm telling you guys it's a game to them."
"It's stupid to go alone Danny. we don't know what we're deal with its not safe."
"Listen Meghan if I bring people Addley will die and I am not takin that chance. All I know is that I bring those babies home tomorrow afternoon and I bring their mommy home tomorrow night."
"This is so stupid Addley would kick your ass you have six kids Dan six! You can't go off half cocked on this...this...thing!"
"Meghan I love you and all but I am doing this no matter what you say. I would be a happy man if Addley was pissed off at me because at least she would be alive to give me the silent treatment."
"You try please..." Meghan threw up her hands looking to her husband.
"I'm with him on this one. He's a police officer and he's trained to do these kinds of things." John retorted.
"Grrr stupid stupid men." she rolled off again
"See what you made me do!" John exclaimed.
"You are on your own with that one"
"Why'd I marry someone so moody?"
"You love her remember?"
"There is that." John shrugged.
"Besides she wasn't always so moody."
"You did not just ask that!" Meghan hollered from the other end of the house.
"How does she always hear?" John complained.
"Just talented honey." Meghan commented rolling back to where to guys were.
"I gotta go do some stuff but I will be back later to take the kids home with me." Dan said before leaving.
"Kay..."
After he left Meghan jabbed John in his hip bone. "This is so incredibly dumb and dangerous John and you just let him have these delusions."
"He is convinced she is alive and I for one believe him. I think his heart knows that she is alive just the way mine would if the roles were reversed. I dunno all the shit that has been goin down for months but I trust my brother and if he says he needs to do this alone then I will respect his wishes."
"I just I can't go through letting her go again if he's wrong that's all and then i feel like she's my best friend and would feel it to but I think I just told myself it was wishful thinking so that I could let go."
"What does you heart tell you right now? Do you feel she is still alive?"
"I think I don't want to hope in case my gut is wrong."
"Come on ... let's do something with the kids to take our minds off what is to come."
"Okay..."
"Better idea ... I will take the boys out and you bake or something with the girls."
"That was almost sexist Yankee!"
"Hey I remember someone offering me apple fritters earlier."
"Good memory! Go but me some apples I got all the other stuff I like use grannie smiths those are the green ones."
She kissed him quickly. "Wait where are the kids?"
"You know it is unusually quiet around here."
"God we didn't lose them did we?"
"Cenas!" Meghan hollered. Lily cried but they got no other response. "great I woke her up lovely."
"Avery, Ian, Wyatt, Jax!" John yelled a little louder.
Both adults heard a loud wail and went to investigate. Apparently the twins had made a tent and would not allow Wyatt and Jax in. Wyatt had her tiny hands on her hips and Jax just looked irritated. It had been Wyatt who let out the wail.
"Definitely your daughter Meghan!" John smirked looking at the angry little fun sized version of his wife.
"Shut up Yankee." Meghan was no amused.
"Aw, don't get mad Belle I find it charming that she has your anger issues."
"Guy what is goin on here? Why won't you let the babies into your tent?" Meghan asked.
"Cuz they are babies. Not a fort for babies."
"You don't think they are doing anything bad in there do you?" John asked raising an eyebrow. Meghan made a face at him.
"They are brother and sister for Christ's sake." He seemed unaffected by her pointing that fact out. "You truly are perverted you know that?"
"Come with having a P.E.N.I.S." he spelt out the word so the kids wouldn't know what he was saying.
"We can spell and that is a bad word." Avery piped up.
"Lovely that's so great John!" Meghan scowled.
"Sorry." She punched him in the gut hard.
"Ow woman!"
"Ian come out from there Uncle John's going to take you and Jax fishin'!"
"No fair what about me?" Avery complained
"We're going to make sugar cookies and apple fritters you game Ava?"
"I wanna go fishing too." She pouted.
"Fish are stinky."
"But Ian is my twin and we gotta stay together."
"Who says? You guys can separate for a bit. It's not against the rules. You are safe here ok."
"Well Mommy was supposed to be safe at the hospital and she wasn't so we are not separating."
"Help me!" Meghan mouthed to John.
"You want me to call your daddy so he can tell you its safe to stay with Aunt Meg?" John suggested.
"No, Daddy has enough to worry about with those stupid babies."
"Ava what did we say about you being mean to the babies?" Meghan scolded.
"Daddy only said I wasn't allowed to say I hate them. He never said I had to be nice to them or like them."
"Have fun honey." John grabbed the boys' hands and took off as fast as he could.
"Chicken shit!" She yelled after him but he was long gone.
"Your Mama would want you to be nice to them. Maybe even like them if that's not askin' too much...it's not their fault Ava."
"What about what I want?"
"I'm afraid you won't get what you want this time."
"Why? I've been good ... I did everything right. Why should I get punished?"
"Come here baby... sit in my lap..." she did as asked. "Sometimes life is unfair and makes no sense no matter how good you are...I'm sorry my baby I really am."
"I want my mom back." The girl cried.
"I know that...." was all Meghan could say once she got the girl calmed down. "Ready to bake?"
"Can I just take a nap instead?"
"Sure that's fine you can even get in my bed." She watched with a heavy heart as Avery shuffled off towards the master bedroom. "Well Wyatt you wanna bake with Mommy?"
"Yesh"
"Don't tell daddy but I'll let you eat some cookie dough."
"Shhh" She placed one finger over her lips.
Meghan smiled. "Yes Wy Wy bear it's our secret lets go change your sister then we'll get started." Wyatt wrinkled her nose. She was still unsure of this new baby who lived at her house.
Meghan picked Wyatt up checked her diaper which was still clean. Then sat her in her lap rolling toward Lily's room.
Lily, who had been staring up at the ceiling in wonderment turned her head and grinned as she saw her big sister.
"See your sister loves you Wyatt." Wyatt frowned. She did really not like this new baby stealing her parents' attention. Meghan set Wyatt down on her feet and rolled over to Lily's crib. "Hey my sweet baby. Did you have a good sleep?" She lowered the crib bar and lifted the baby with ease. Her nose wrinkled a little at the odor that was coming from the infant's diaper. "Fun" She muttered. Wyatt came to stand in front of her chair. She glared at her mother with her little arms crossed over her chest.
"Wyatt Addison Catherine Cena! Stop that right now!"
"My Mama." The toddler spoke up.
"Wy, Mommy loves both you and Lily."
"My Mama." Wyatt repeated.
--
"So tell me how are you handling your mom being gone?" John asked Ian as they stood the dock and stared out at the vast body of water that spread out before them.
"I'm sad still but I know she is in a better place." The young boy replied.
"Jax! Do not put that worm in your mouth. Here hold this Ian. Great idea to bring a one year old fishing."
"Aunt Meggie say we include everyone or we do nothing...."
"That's true she does say that but this wasn't my best activity idea."
"Avery stays mad all the time Uncle John."
"Avery was very close to Addley so it is harder for her to accept she is gone."
"I wish I could make her feel better and not hate the babies so much. Aunt Meg says it wasn't anyone's fault its just the way the cookie crumbled."
"Hating you little brothers and sister isn't going to bring her back ya know."
"I know that... Daddy ignores us now...."
"He doesn't mean to Little Guy ... he just has a lot on his plate right now. Us Cena men don't like to show when we are hurt because it makes us feel weak so we throw ourselves into our work and other things to avoid our pain."
"Like when you slept on our couch for a month when Aunt Meg went on her trip?" Ian asked before getting sent into a fit of giggles. "And you and Dad peed in the front yard."
"Kinda like that." He ruffled Ian's hair. "But I have it on good authority that your dad is gonna be home all night and he wants to spend it with you and your sister and Jax."
"But everybody keeps saying its ok to cry. why doesn't he just cry might make him feel better?" Ian's face perked up hearing Dan was going to be home all night. "Really he won't ditch us!"
John laughed. "No he is not gonna ditch you." Then he grew serious again. "And the reason he won't cry is because he thinks he is too tough to cry. But nobody is ever too tough to cry. Remember that."
"But why does he think he is too tough to cry?"
"It's just a man thing bud." John advised him. "What you want for supper Aunt Meg shot down my idea."
"Smiley face french fries."
"You can't have just that what else?"
"Why not? That is what I want." The boy countered.
"Because I'm married your aunt that's why not."
"That is not a very good reason Uncle John."
"It is if you are married to the uber sad half crazy person."
"She is kinda crazy sometimes."
"But that's why we love her."
"Uncle John was Aunt Meg always in her chair? I've been curious for a while now but Dad says it is rude to ask?"
"It's not rude you're just curious and no she wasn't...she had an accident and now she can't...."
"Aunt Meg prefers to answer questions rather than be stared at so anything you wanna ask, ask her anytime she'll answer so will I."
"Does she ever get bored just sittin in that chair all day? Like she can't run or jump or dance all crazy?"
"I imagine she does get kinda bored... she's just learned to live without all that stuff...but still dance with her sometimes I just pick her up."
--
"Avery, the cookies are ready." Meghan knocked on the bedroom door before quietly rolling into the room.
Avery was curled up into a ball underneath the covers on John's side. She had a picture of Meghan and Addley taken on the day of their college graduation clutched tightly against her chest. She was sound asleep but she looked anything but peaceful. As Meghan watched the little girl began writhing as if in pain. She began to whimper but the sounds soon became full on wails. Meghan rolled over towards the bed and propped herself up so that she could shake Avery awake.
Avery's eyes popped open and she shot right up. Her chest was heaving and her face was completely red. Tears formed two straight lines down her cheeks. "They are hurting her. I could feel it."
"Who's hurting who?"
"They are hurting her."
"It was just a dream baby that's all..." She ran a hand through her niece's hair.
"It wasn't a dream. I saw her and I felt it. She had a cut on her forehead and it was bleeding."
"Well honey I don't know what to tell you baby but I'm pretty sure it was just a real bad dream you've had them all week sweets..."
"Can you tell me anything else about the dream what did the place look like or the people..."
"It was dark and that lady was there ... the one from Jax and Wy's birthday. She was laughing and there were two other people but I could not see their faces."
"ok... um why don't we not think about anymore and go eat some cookies ? You like that picture? You can keep it I have plenty."
"Ok" Avery reluctantly got off the bed and walked slowly out of the room and into the kitchen. Meghan lagged behind.
As soon as the child was out of earshot she pulled out her cell phone and called Dan. "Dan, there is something wrong with Avery. You need to come home now."
"What's wrong?"
"I think she had a premonition of Addley...I would just say it was bad dream but I've had them myself."
"A premonition?" Dan sounded skeptical.
"Yes a premonition ... you have heard of them before."
"Um that's the only word I have for it she saw people harming Addley and was able to tell me Liz was there. You want me to believe she's alive right? I need you trust me on this ok I've had few myself my great grandmother dying...Wyatt before she ever existed... Jake getting stepped on by a bull sophomore year! They all came true it happens Danny."
"Liz?"
"She said the lady who came to Wy and Jax's birthday was laughing as they beat Addley."
"There were a million people at that party."
"True but no one else dislikes us..." Meghan ran a hand through her hair. "She said her forehead was bleeding and there where to other people there and it was dark that was all I could get out of her at least without scaring the shit out of her."
"Ok I will be there soon."
"Okay..."
"Hey Ava save me some cookies!" Meghan hollered doing her best to fake it till she made it.
"I only had two" Avery complained as Meghan rolled into the kitchen.
Meghan smirked. "How many did she have?" She gestured to Wyatt who had chocolate all over her face and hands.
"Like five...."
"Don't tell your Uncle."
"We could just eat them all so he doesn't know."
"I like the way you think little girl."
"I'm smart." Avery grinned.
"Guys we are home" John called.
"Oops we didn't eat fast enough
"How was fishing catch anything?"
"Well someone ate all of our bait." He held the toddler in question out to her.
"Gross JD." Meghan made a face.
"MWAH" Jax smack his lips wanting a kiss from his aunt.
"No worm kisses for me thanks."
"Aww man." That was his new phrase. He had learned it from Dora the Explorer.
"Guys we're home can one of you get Bree outta the car." Danny called out.
"I'll get her." John said as he passed Dan carrying in the boys.
"Thanks." John shrugged. "Jax eat worms by the way."
"I thought they weren't gonna let them out till tomorrow morning?" Meghan asked ignoring her husband's comment.
"Well they said they were good to go so we went."
"You guys mind watch them and the boys for a while. I need a little time with Avery?" Dan asked.
"Danny ... I do not think that is such a good idea." Meghan advised knowing how fragile Avery was at the moment. "She' barely functional I got a half smile out of her for the first time in a week."
"I need to know what she saw." He whispered back to Meghan a little too forcefully for her liking. "She's my kid I know how to talk to her without traumatizing her."
"I will kick your ass from here to Dallas if you make her cry or something."
"I get that you are desperate Danny I'm just not sure grilling her will help...I'm only trying to what's best for her... there is no need to be rude or snippy with me I miss her and want her back too you know." Meghan sniffled and rolled off
"What did you do to my wife?"
"Nothing" Dan muttered as he placed the boys' carriers on the floor. "Now Avery how about you and me go take a walk? Sound like fun to you?"
"I guess..."
He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "See this is nice. Outside in the fresh air."
"Uh huh" she played with a loose hem on the sleeve of her shirt.
"What do you want its not like you like any of us anymore.
"What do you mean I don't like you or your brothers? Avery you are my children and I love you. Always have and always will."
You can love someone and not like them ...mama said that about Lexie and Aunt Meg. You don't like us. You ignore us all. All but those babies..." Avery shot at him. It broke his heart to hear something like that come out of her mouth.
"Avery, the reason I am with the babies so much is because they needed me more. That doesn't mean that I am neglecting you or Ian or Jax. I know that when I leave you with Uncle John and Aunt Megs that you are safe and well cared for. That makes it so much easier to leave you guys and spend hours away from you. There is no way I could ever not like you." He bent down to her level. "I do like you but Daddy is having a really hard time right now. I know it isn't fair but I am just trying to do the best I can."
"I know...I just miss Mommy and Aunt Meg tries but she's not Mommy..."
"No she is not. But she loves you just as much as your mom did so give her some slack will ya."
"Ok the cookies where good...sorry you didn't get any Uncle John beat you here."
"Daddy, why did you marry Janet? You said that you went to school with Mommy. Why didn't you marry her from the start?"
"Life's kinda complicated... she was way different then and my little brother's friend so I just never thought about it and she went away for college..."
"But if I hadn't married someone else first I wouldn't have you and Ian so I'm glad I did."
"She's not dead. I saw her. She's alive but she is hurt." Avery said.
"Aunt Megs said it was just a dream to make me feel better but I different."
"What did you see?"
"Just what I said" Avery huffed. "It was dark and kinda cold and her head was bleeding and they lady from the birthday party was there laughing Daddy that's all I remember Daddy sorry."
"And the two other people but couldn't see their faces."
"No, If I did I would tell you but I couldn't see anything other than what I saw.
"Ok thank you baby. Lets go eat supper."
--
After they put the kids to bed. "Did you get prints or anything off the letter?" Meghan asked looking up when John handed her a mug of hot cocoa. "Thank you Honey."
"Welcome." she sipped her cocoa. They both looked to Danny waiting for answer.
"Partial. But nothing really to go on." Dan frowned.
"Ok lets assume she's alive for one minute are there any abandon structures near by I mean whoever is doing this watched us long enough to know our routine so it would stand to reason their comfort zone is close to us and or the hospital."
"Meg you're smart babe..."
"I watch too much CSI."
"Yes you do watch way too much CSI" Dan agreed. "But what you are saying makes sense."
"Yeah yeah I'm a stay at home mom gotta fill my time somehow...it has to be someone we know I mean this is a really personal way to get to us."
"Who ever this is has to hate you Dan maybe Meghan too but mostly you." John added.
"Ex-wife..." Meghan sing songed.
"Come on this is Janet we are talking about. She was one of your bride's maids in our wedding." John stated. Dan let out a growl.
"What you told me not to tell him I didn't!" Meghan defended John's stupidness.
"I could kill that woman." Dan cracked his knuckles to have something to do.
"What don't I know?" John asked.
"Well don't kill her I mean I'm not redneck enough to be cool with having a murder in the family." Meghan teased no reaction whatsoever. "Addley would of laughed...Janet tried blackmail Dan."
"How?" John asked confused.
"I'm going to let you take that one Danny
"Janet showed up at my house the night you had your surgery. She told me that if I didn't pay her some obscene amount of money every month for the next like two years that she was gonna hurt Adds and the kids."
"Who are her friends? I know if Addley sneezes."
"Huh?"
"Dude who are her friends they are gonna know where she is!"
"You don't think I have tried talking to everyone of her friends that I knew of. Nobody knows anything. None of them talk to her anymore. Not after the jail time."
"Ok who bailed her out? That's a connection."
"All she told me was someone who hates you and Addley."
"The only people who hate me are whorebag Heather Liz and possibly Lexi."
"Lexi doesn't hate you Honey... and Heather doesn't know Addley so that takes her out of the equation."
"Um hmm sure John. You may be right about Heather but you are not right about Lexie."
"Ok ... well everyone hates Addley so ..."
"We narrowed it down at least. What day was she bailed out?"
"I dunno like maybe three months ago sometime."
"I know but I need the day that way I can tell you where Lexi and heather were."
"How the hell do you know where two people who live in Texas were on that particular day?" John asked.
"One's my sister and the other is my arch nemesis. It's a small town not that hard to keep up with people if you try." John rolled his eyes.
"Why do you automatically assume it was Liz?"
"It's not my fault she's evil John."
"She is not evil and she is not involved. You just want her to be involved. Because deep down in that insecure little brain of yours you think I still love her."
Meghan threw the wooden peppermill at John's head. Clipping his ear. "That was for that stupid ass statement."
"Will you two focus!" Dan yelled at them.
"Fine focused but he's dumb!"
"Dumb Meghan really? What are we six?"
"You know what screw you both I am leaving." Dan yelled slamming his chair into the table.
"Don't leave we're sorry... Better not ever call me insecure again and if you love her I'll beat you with a golf club."
"Not like you actually use the clubs you suck so i'll put them to good use beating you!"
"Ok ... now that he's clear on his punishment. How can I help Danny?"
"You can't. Neither of you can."
"So we just wait for you to find Addley? How are we supposed to know whether you are alive or dead or are on wild goose chase?"
"You won't. That is the point. This is my burden to carry. I am the one who refused to pay her and I am the one who didn't do enough to keep her safe."
"It is not just your burden we're a family! What are you Cenas beaten with stupid sticks? You try John I'm gettin' no where obviously." she rolled off in a huff.
"So basically there is nothing I can say to stop you is there?" John asked.
"Nope"
"That was the extent of you trying John nice work!" Meghan hollered
"Baby Cut me some slack here!"
"Yeah Yeah whatever!"
"Will you two be quiet! You are gonna wake up the kids!" Dan snapped.
"I'm going to go watch my Dawson's creek DVD's so you won't hear me again..."
"You do that." John remarked which earned an eye roll from his younger brother. Sometimes he really wondered who was the older brother and who wasn't.
"Fine I will."
"Fuckin' men." she muttered rolling into the living room.
"Bitchy women." John said in a low tone. "Wait. Are we really sure we want Addley back?" Dan popped him upside the head.
"Right sorry call if you need me."
"I'm gonna go by the station and look up those abandon structures Meghan mentioned in our area."
"Be careful bro."
"I will..."
"John why is the one cute on this show gay that's not fair." Meghan asked
"Why are you asking me?"
"Addley isn't around to ask." Was her reply.
"Bye guys." Dan yelled.
"bye." Meghan hollered.
"Bye bro." John plopped down on the couch next to his wife. "You could play a movie on James Van Der Beek's forehead." he added.
"Now your getting into the spirit of things."
"Fill me on what's going on."
"Pacey is dating that crazy chick Andee Jack's still in the closet Jen is self destructive as per usual and Dawson and Joey are dancing around the fact that they are in love with each other."
"Yea. Don't care." He got back up and walked away.
"Your no fun!" where you going..."
"We could have sex instead if you want." she called to him.
"Too late I am already gone."
"Did you hit your head or something I just offered sex and you're still walking are you still mad I threw the peppermill at you? I'd say sorry but you kinda deserved it."
"My sister-in-law is missing ... not in the mood."
"Well my best friends missing and I'm scared and I'm trying really hard not think about all the bad things that could happen I'm on autopilot ... you could at least sit with me we don't have to do anything I just don't want to be alone." she turned of the tv. "See no more Dawson's hell."
"Fine. I'll just sleep on the couch I guess. Goodnight John." she sniffled and shifted to lay down and covered herself up."
"Not feeling bad."
"Fine love you.... don't go lift by yourself call Rob."
"Uh huh."
"Ok John I give up what bug you gt up your ass?"
"Wanna tell me what I did John because I don't feel like guessing games. I'd really rather just fix it I'm tired of fighting all the time. It's like ever since the whole Lexie thing you've stayed pissed off at me and I wanna know why?"
"Is it because I said Liz hates me and Adds well she does ok!"
"No"
"When what? I ok I'm a little sorry I threw the peppermill at you."
"Ok more accurately I'm just sorry it hit you!"
"Just stop talking."
"Tell me what's wring first then I will I promise."
"You never shut up are you aware you never shut up!"
"I thought you liked that about me." her eyes filled with tears.
"You also are way too emotional. And well your family is insane."
"Gee thanks John! Well guess what you love your job more than your family so there."
She transferred back into her chair rolling outside. "Oh no you don't? Don't walk away from me after say that!"
"You wanted me to shut up. You wanna be by yourself. You got your wish asshole."
"Fine be that way. Maybe I'll take a page out of Addley's book and leave."
"Wouldn't be the first time someone's bailed on me... go but if you do it makes you no better than Jake."
"Yep, that's right it always comes back to him."
"So he's what this is about how many times do I have to tell you I don't want him!"
"Because I don't ok I don't want him need to hear it again I don't want him I don't want him I do not fucking want him If i did I wouldn't be here having a completely fucking pointless fight with you on the verge of a panic attack."
He noticed her cell phone in her lap. "Where you going to call him?" "No, I was calling Addley even though I know she won't pick up because you suddenly hate me for some unknown reason and she was my only other friend IS that ok with you?"
She heard the door slam. then cried she had no idea what they where fighting about at all.
She called Addley's voice mail no one knew where her phone was they had lost it at the hospital. "Hey...I just called to say I miss you where ever you are...I think John might of just left me and I don't even know what our fight was about love you bye." Ten minutes later she got a call back. A robotic voice filled her ear. "Nice to know your world has gone to shit Belle."
She was startled and nearly dropped the phone into the pool. she called John quickly. "listen I know you are mad at me but whoever has Addley just called me from her phone and it was really fucking creepy whoever they are they know us pretty personally they called me Belle...hurry I'm seriously freaked out!"
John's phone rang it was Meghan he'd only been gone 30 minutes he let his voice mail get it. He listened to it. "Do what?" he said to himself she was calling him again.
"Are you sure you heard right Meghan."
"Yes I'm sure now come home and I'm not opening the door for you until I know it's you. So think of something only I know."
Not five minutes later. "Let me in baby..." John knocked on the door
"Seriously Meg it's just me...Um, ok you where wearing purple underwear the first time we had sex." she opened the door. A baseball bat across her lap.
"Creeped out much babe?"
"Yeah call Dan..."
"You still mad?" he asked
"Are you? Hm, thought so later you tell me what's so under your skin but now you need to call Danny."
"Fine."
"One more thing you Uh huh Yep or Fine me one more time as god as my witness I will slap you."
"Yes Dear." There was a bitterness to his tone. The way he said that cut her more than she would ever admit. She sniffed back tears and we went to go retrieve a crying Lily who was teething and in a good deal of pain. While John called Dan.
John called Dan he rushed over. "So, do I need to call it again or what?" Meghan asked. "Yeah call again please... try and keep them on the line long enough to get a ping off adds phone please. You ok you seem tense!"
"I'm just peachy."
"John can you Un- mad for a minute and come hold my hand I keep picturing the dude from the saw movies on the other end of the line torturing Addley and that just creeps me out really bad."
John came over and took Meghan's hand in his much larger one. Meghan took a few shaky breaths before dialing the number again.
"It rang three times. "Whoever you are I'll give you what ever you want in exchange for Addley..."
"What I want you cannot give me."
"Then who can... why do you choose to speak to me and not them?""
"Because it is more fun to go about this way."
"Fun huh? Gee I bet you're as fun as a barrel of monkeys." Meghan retorted dryly.
"Got it yet?" Meghan mouthed to Dan
"One more minute." He whispered back to her.
"Put Addley on the phone I want proof she's alive."
"I don't take demands. I give them."
"Fine tit for tat. What are your demands?"
"I have none."
"Just simply like fucking with people."
"well incase you didn't know you are fucking with the wrong people we all will hunt you down and kill you."
"I am so scared." Instant dialtone.
"Long enough?"
"Yes"
" good." Meghan was proud of herself. "Where are they?"
"Umm ... my house."
"WHAT! They are in your house. The one where your kids sleep at night and you are so damn calm about it!" Meghan exploded.
"The house I haven't sold yet!" He gently corrected her.
"Oh" She now felt foolish. "Well go we got the kids..."
"Ok thanks." Without another word he was out the door.
"Well you're still holding my hand. Still hate me?"
"I never hated you in the first place." he sighed.
"Then wanna tell me what the hell that was? Because we don't fight like the fro no reason we bicker and play fight but not like that."
"I dunno." He shrugged and ran a shaky hand through his short hair.
"So you just felt like being mean to me." Her arms crossed over her chest. "Are you at least sorry?" She asked. "Because sure I was not very nice in bringing up that you work too much and it was low to bring up Jake and I am sorry for it but. I said I needed you and you didn't flinch. I said I loved you and you uh huh-ed at me. Then you said I talk too much and my family was crazy then threatened to leave me! Is there anything you are sorry for?"
"I honestly cannot say that I am sorry for anything. If I did that would be a lie."
"What is wrong with you please tell me."
"Because you know what's wrong you are just afraid of the consequences of what ever it is."
"I think maybe we should get a divorce." He couldn't bring himself to look at her.
She looked like someone had punched her. "Why?" She began to sniffle. "Is it something I've done? Do you not love me anymore? You can't ask me for a divorce then say nothing!"
"It's not something you did and I do still love you but I just don't think we are right for each other anymore."
She nodded. "I think you are wrong and will regret it because I won't come back. I love you regardless. But I don't want to be with someone who doesn't want me so draw them up and I'll sign them. You are moving out I refuse to remove the girls from the only home they know. If Dan finds Addley or needs me find me but I can't be around you right now."
Dan winced as he pulled the shards of broken glass out of his fist. He couldn't find the key to the house and didn't have the time to look. So he decided to break into the house that he still legally owned. Blood trickled down his right hand freely. "Fucking Ow." He mumbled. Not his best idea but it go the job done. "That is gonna scar." he chastised himself.
"He stepped into the entryway making a quick run trough off the house they where gone. but it in the kitchen a bright pink post stuck to the underside caught his eye.
He picked it up. It was Addley's writing, he knew that much. The words First Kiss at Jamie Daughtry's Party sophomore year. "What the hell does that mean?" he ran back to the car. Calling the rest of the family asking them to meet at John and Meghan's house.
The whole Cena family gathered in the living room of Meghan and John's home. The home owners at different ends of the room.
"What the fuck is with you two?" Matt asked
"Nothing. Why did you call a family meeting Dan?" Meghan snapped.
"Does first kiss at Jamie Daughtry's party sophomore year mean anything to anyone?"
Everyone looked puzzled except for Sean. "I know what it means."
"You do?" Meghan asked surprised.
"I kissed her at that rave party." Sean said.
"Ok then ... wait a minute ... you kissed my wife?"
"Ew. she kissed you! She never told me!"
"Damn Addley made her way round this family." Coverly laughed.
"So how does that help us find her?" she finished.
"The party she was referring to happened at an abandoned warehouse on the corner of Salem and Henderson" Sean explained.
"Could they be keeping her there? Wait Sean you found her!" Meghan hugged him.
"I will kick your ass later for kissing my wife but for right now I'm gonna go take a shower and pass out. Then tomorrow night after I have some time to prepare I will bring her home."
"Is it safe to leave her there?" Meghan asked concerned.
"They have had her for two weeks so what's one more night." Meghan went to open her mouth. "I don't like it anymore than you do but I need time to get prepared."
"I trust your judgment." Meghan relented.
"Thank you."