Congratulations, 'GreyKitty77' it was in fact the Zenith thing that I added from Grey's Anatomy in the revised Chapter 1 ;)
I used to see James Remar as the Richard Lincoln of my story, but since watching that show Hannibal, I'm totally seeing Mads Mikkelsen (who plays Hannibal Lecter) as Linc. So, that's who will be representing him on my Pinterest page.
Also, oh my goodness. I have never gotten a reaction from any chapter like I got from Chapter 20. I made sure to lock my doors after reading some of those reviews lol. I absolutely LOVED every single review and PM I received after you all read 'he was murdered,' because the intensity of your reactions means you're really invested, which I adore. Anyway, here's your Chapter 21. Enjoy and welcome to Seattle, Carla and Bob Adams :)
I edited this quickly, so please forgive my errors.
May 29th 2014
CPOV
I sit here in our breakfast room just looking at my wife. Early morning sunlight is shining through the windows and making Ana's mahogany hair glow. Her face is tearstained and her knees brought up to her chest, well as close as they can get thanks to her protruding tummy, as she sits with her un-eaten breakfast on the table in front of her. I hate more than anything that there's nothing I can do about the pain she's feeling right now. She and Ray were as close any father and daughter could be; I know this is unbearable for her.
She looks to heartbroken.
"Ana, baby, why don't you try to eat something?" I ask with a hand outreached so that I can brush it against her arm, as a small token of comfort.
After we heard about Ray's death, I held her as she cried for hours, but now, it feels like she's drifting from me.
She turns her head to face me and I see her bloodshot eyes swimming with more tears.
"I don't think I can." Her voice is hoarse and it takes everything in me not to fall apart with her. I know she needs me to be strong for her right now. "I want to see Teddy."
"I'll go see if he's awake yet."
"No!" She yells and tears fall once more down her cheeks. "Don't leave me."
She sucks in a shaky breath and I drop to my knees in front of her. Her legs fall to either side of my waist and her arms wrap around my neck.
"Shh, baby, it's going to be okay. I'm here."
Her sobs wash over my ears and I cling even more tightly to her small body. After a few moments I lift her into my arms so that I can carry her out of the room. Her sobbing has stopped, but I still feel her warm tears gliding down my neck.
I walk us into the living room where I see Ted sitting on the floor with Gail.
"Mr. Grey. He just woke up and I just thought I'd let him play for a bit before breakfast." Gail says and Ana's body shoots like a rocket off of me.
"Teddy's awake?" She pushes away from me as soon her feet hit the ground and she practically runs to where Teddy is playing with his airplanes.
"Mommy." He smiles a sleepy, toothy grin and then puckers his lips so he can give his mother morning kisses. "Daddy!" He yells for me when he sees me, with that same precious smile he gave Ana.
I walk over and sit beside my wife as she places Teddy on her lap and I then cover my son's face in kisses. He laughs and eventually pushes me away so he can continue playing.
Ana runs and hand over his hair, over and over again, while her other hand rubs circles on his little back. I know she's soothing herself by being in his presence, because I've done the same thing many times when I've been stressed. I wrap an arm around her shoulders and run my fingertips along her soft skin.
"What are we supposed to tell our son, Christian? He's too young to understand death. What do we say when he asks to see his g-r-a-n-d-p-a?" She spells so he doesn't understand, and I am struggling to come up with an answer for her.
I never wanted Teddy to experience loss, as unrealistic as that is, and even when he lost someone, I'd hoped he'd be older. He absolutely adores his Grandpa Ray, and for him not to be able to see him again, is going to be rough.
"I don't know, baby. We don't have to say anything just yet though." She nods her head and then kisses the crown of Ted's head. "I need to go check in with Taylor; will you be alright for a few minutes?" I ask, worried about leaving her after her reaction a few minutes ago.
"I'm okay right now."
I get up and kiss both wife and son before heading to Taylor's office. On the walk there, I think of the events that have happened. Two men were found on my property, coming for my family, and one of my men was shot.
A shiver runs up my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. My palms are clammy and a knot forms in my throat. I'm sick of this shit.
It needs to end now.
"Taylor, you better tell me you've got something." I demand when I walk through the door, not bothering with pleasantries.
"I'm going over the security footage, trying to get a lock on the unknown suspect's face, or get any sort of details about him. Fitz said he shot the suspect in the leg, he knows definitely it was a man based on the build and the security guy we had on Ray was killed as well."
"How'd it happen?" My voice resigned and full of apprehension.
"Whoever was there was there solely to kill him. Clean shot to him."
"We know that for sure?"
"We do, we just don't know why anyone would want to kill him, unless it was purely to hurt Mrs. Grey."
"Find it the fuck out, Jason. My wife's utterly distraught; I want as much information as possible."
"Yes, sir."
"Anything else?"
"We've got more security on your family, just to be sure. And your plane's just touched down in Savannah to pick up Mr. and Mrs. Adams. They should be here in a matter of hours."
"Good. Let me know if and when you know anything."
"Yes, sir."
I turn to leave to get back to my wife, but somewhere along the walk I end up on my knees, trying not to let panic overtake me.
I feel like a complete failure. I've promised Ana that I would always take care of her and keep her safe, but look at what's happened. What's the point of having all of my money and power if I can't keep my family safe?
I think of my unborn daughter and the world that Ana and I are bringing her into. This unsafe, cruel world. How am I supposed to be okay with all of this?
"Christian?" I hear my sweet baby's voice calling to me and look up through glossy eyes to see her walking towards me. "Oh, Christian."
She drops to the ground in front of me and wraps her arms around me. Like a magnet, I cling tightly to her and allow myself to break, just a little.
"I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so, so sorry." I sob into her hair and inhale her comforting scent. She smells like home.
"Shh, shh. This isn't you fault. You didn't do this."
"It's my fault. It is." I hold her so tight I fear I may be hurting her, but she continues to run soothing hands up and down my back.
"Stop blaming yourself, please, sweetheart." Her voice cracks and I feel guilty for laying this on her, but I can't contain it any longer.
We sit there for several minutes, just crying to each other and holding on for comfort.
I pull away from her and run my hands along her rosy cheeks, trying to dry away the tears that have fallen. I feel her small hands come to my face and I know she's doing the same.
"What did Jason say?" She asks as we still remain sitting in the hall.
What do I say? Do I tell her that her father was an intended target? How can I when we still don't know why?
"Fitz is going to be alright. He can confirm that it was a man that he shot and Taylor's reviewing the security tapes, trying to find an angle where it shows the suspect's face. If he can find a still image, Welch's people can clean up the picture and maybe get us an ID."
"Good. That's good. Do we know anything else about Daddy?"
"No." I lie. "We don't know anything right now."
"Let me know as soon as Jason tells you, okay?"
"Of course, baby. Where's Ted?"
"Gail's got breakfast on the table for him. French toast of course." She giggles and I breathe a sigh of relief for just a moment. "He always wants French toast."
"Your mom will be here in a few hours." I tell her and she looks genuinely relieved.
"Really?"
"Yes, baby. I told Gail earlier to get one of the guest suites set up for her and Bob. They can stay as long as they want. Okay?"
"Okay." She hugs me once more and I savor the feeling of her warm body pressed to mine, her lovely pregnant belly pressing my stomach.
"Let's go see our little boy." I say and we stand to go seek our son.
"Mom!" Ana yells as Ryan walks through the door, escorting Carla into the living area. Ana's arms are thrown around Carla and her mom reciprocates tenfold. The two women hold each other for several minutes and Bob walks over to with and offers his hand to shake. I offer to show him to their room, but he shakes his head, saying he remembers from last time and turns to walk away from me. He stops behind Ana and drops a kiss to her head, picks up the bags and then continues his journey down the hall.
I stand and wait for the women to pull apart and then greet Carla with a slight hug.
"Christian, it's good to see you. Even under the circumstances." She smiles at me with tears in her eyes.
"It's always nice to see you, Carla." I smile back and place a hand on Ana's lower back.
"I'm going to go freshen up a bit, maybe unpack, and then I'll be back. I want to see my grandson too."
"We just put him down for a nap, but as soon as he wakes up." Ana tells her mother just before Carla leaves to go to their room.
"Happy to have your mom here, baby?" I ask as I lead her over to the sofa we were sitting a few minutes ago, where Ana was reading to me. To Kill a Mockingbird, one of my favorites.
"Very. Thank you for arranging everything."
"I'd do anything for you." I tell her and pull her into a hug. "What do you want to do while your mom settles in?"
"Want me to keep reading?" Ana asks with a small smile playing on her plump lips. "I know how you think my reading voice is sexy."
"You're always sexy. No matter what you're doing." I growl in her ear and for just a moment, my world is alright. "Give me a kiss."
I pucker my lips dramatically and she laughs when she sees me. She quickly, just barely, touches her lips to mine before pulling away.
"You call that a kiss? I won't accept that, baby." I pucker up again and put my hands on her luscious ass.
She smiles at me just before bringing her mouth to mine and she lets my lips gently and sensually massage hers. She tastes of the raspberry vinaigrette she had at lunch and just a hint of peach iced tea. And of course she tastes of my favorite flavor; my Ana. Always my solace.
She lets me kiss her for a few seconds and I'm grateful. Life just seems better when I have her in my arms.
"Mm, how about that, Mr. Grey? Does that qualify?"
"I do believe it does, baby. That was perfect." I smile against her lips and sway her in my arms. "It's always perfect."
"Oh, you sweet talker you." She laughs with her head tossed back and I feel the ends of her hair tickle the backs of my hands as they still rest on her ass.
"I do aim to please, Mrs. Grey."
"And please me you do." She smiles at me and I so wish that smile would stay. But soon her face goes somber and I frown as the smile disappears from her lovely face. "I need to start organizing Daddy's funeral."
"We can do that together, baby. Okay?" She nods and drops her head to my chest so that we can hold each other for a moment.
I just want all of the bad to be over. For everyone's sake, but especially Ana's.
"Where is he?" I ask Taylor. Ana's sitting with her mother, Bob and Teddy in the family room, so I thought I could take this opportunity to question that piece of shit Richard Lincoln.
"Follow me, sir." He stands from his seat and we make our way outside of the house and he walks me to the unattached garage. "Just through here."
Taylor inputs a code on the keypad just inside the door and… mother of God… what is this? I hear a latch click and see a narrow stair case come into sight behind the rock wall on the far end of the garage as the wall is opened up. There are secret passageways in my house? When the hell did this happen?
"What the fuck, Jason?" I ask and he casually shrugs his shoulders.
"It seemed like a good idea." He says nonchalantly and leads me down the stairs. I hear the latch click back when I'm halfway down the stairs, and I feel like I'm heading into a dungeon.
Coming to the bottom of the stairs I see Thompson and Reynolds sitting in front of a wall of computer monitors. There are four heavy metal doors with elaborate locks on them next to the monitors.
"Jason?" I question.
"Ms. Elizabeth Morgan is that room there and in here," he gestures to the door closest to him, "is where Mr. Lincoln is."
"What're we doing with Morgan?" I ask.
"What would you like to happen, sir?" He asks with a quirk of an eyebrow and I know he's asking if I want her… disposed of… or turned over to the police.
"Has she given us anymore information?"
"No, sir."
"Do you think there's anything left she can tell us?"
"With my experience, I can honestly say I don't think she's keeping anything from us. I think she's told us everything she knows."
"Alright. Hand her over to the police."
"Yes, sir." He says and then gives a look to Thompson who nods in return.
I jerk my head towards the door that's separating me from Linc and watch as Taylor uses 2 different sets of keys and inputs an elaborate code to open the door. He pulls it open and I see a small room, with a bed, table, chair and toilet inside. Sitting on the bed, with a slight smirk on his face sits Richard Lincoln in the flesh.
"Chris, I was wondering how long it would be before I saw you."
"Linc." I walk closer to him, with Taylor right behind me, and as I get closer to the piece of shit, I see a nasty cut and bruise on his left eye. There's discoloration on his iris and I smile at the thought of the pain he must have endured when receiving it.
"Sorry about your father-in-law. I hope I can offer condolences to your lovely wife." He bends a leg to rest his ankle on top of his knee and leans an elbow back on the bed, looking smug and absolutely malicious.
"Don't speak of my wife. Ever."
"Oh, but why? She really is very beautiful." I have to take a step back and control my breathing before I start throwing punches at this son of a bitch. How dare he speak of Ana? "I had the great pleasure of watching her for the last few months. I've learned a lot about her too. I know she likes drinking tea from that café across the street from Grey House; she goes at least 3 times a week. I particularly liked it when she would go out with that blonde friend of hers, mostly because they're always laughing and young Anastasia looks gorgeous when she laughs. Oh, but I think my favorite has been watching that pregnant belly of hers grow…"
I cut him off when I land a punch to his sickening smiling face. He laughs when the punch lands and I see blood dribble out of the side of his mouth.
"Don't" I growl and clench my fists tightly. My nails are digging into my palms and I welcome the sting of pain that starts to radiate from my knuckles.
"What's the matter? I'm just reminding you of what a lucky man you are. There were nights when all I could think about was her."
I punch him again and again, trying to rid the smugness from his face. When Taylor touches my shoulder I flinch back, and take the hint to lighten up. Linc's face is a bloody mess and he spits a large amount of blood onto the floor.
"Why?" I ask him, the venom in my voice makes my words poison and I want nothing more than to beat the answers out of him.
"Why should you have anything after what you did to me? You took everything."
"You bailed Jack Hyde out of jail, you were asking for retaliation."
"I did that as a favor! That wasn't on me, but you sure as hell wasted no time in bankrupting me."
"A favor to whom? Elena?" I ask and he chuckles venomously.
"You still don't see it, do you?"
"See what, you son of a bitch? Don't jerk me around."
"You think Elena and I are the only problems you have? I thought you were smarter than that."
"Then who?" I scream and grab him by the shirt as I yank his face towards mine. "Tell me or I'll make the rest of your life torture."
"You're going to do that anyway." He smirks at me. Fucker.
"It'll be a lot better if you talk, trust me." I push him and he falls back onto the bed. I smile when he hisses through his teeth from the pain as he straightens himself to sit up. I enjoy seeing him in pain, and this is just the start.
"I'll tell you this, Grey, because it'll fun for me having you run around in a panic trying to figure out who it is, and this may come as a surprise to you, but Elena and I were approached with the plan to ruin you. We were only too happy to go along with it. Well, Elena definitely was. That woman really knows how to hold a grudge."
"Who was it? Who approached you?"
"See, that's what's going to drive you crazy. Who was it? Why would anyone come after you?" He laughs again and I hate the sight of him enjoying my misery so immensely. I turn around and start to walk out of the room, but not before I hear him shout, "Don't trust who you think your friends are, Grey!"
June 1st 2014
APOV
It's a drizzly Sunday afternoon as we all stand out in the cemetery and listen to the preacher speak of eternal life and the passing of a loving father, son and soldier. I look up and see some of my dad's Marine friends standing across from me. A few of them I recognize, but some I don't. I look around and see that so many people are in attendance. Ray touched so many lives. Taylor, Sawyer and Thompson have placed security all around this place and checked everyone as they came to the funeral. I can't imagine someone pulling something during something like this, but I wouldn't put it past the people who are after us. Christian's being extremely cautious and I catch him literally looking over his shoulder each time we're out of the house, in turn it makes my stomach tighten and my chest ache when I see his grim face surveillance our surroundings. Each time he catches me watching him, he smiles, but it's never one that's real. It's a smile meant to comfort me, but it never does.
I see men folding an American flag in a routine symbol of honor for my father and when they're finished, they come to me and places it in my arms. I feel my husband's warm hand wrap around my shoulder as he clutches me tightly to him. I'm not sure if it's meant as comfort or protection, but it doesn't matter to me either way.
"Now if you all will join me in The Lord's Prayer in close." I hear the preacher say and close my eyes to listen to the words of the only prayer I know.
"Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven"
I open my eyes and see some of the people around have their eyes closed and just as I'm about to bow my head once more, my vision meets the warm eyes of my old friend. He smiles when he sees me looking at him, and I'm just short of shocked to see him here. After Christian and I were married, the only friend I truly kept was Kate, and I think that's only because she's married to Elliot. Everyone else kind of stayed in the past. Including José. So to see him here makes me smile. The last time I saw him was when I was pregnant with Teddy and José was heading to travel across Europe, after he got a job doing photography for National Geographic. He smiles warmly at me and gives me a little wave. I send a wink to him and mentally remind myself to speak with him after the preacher finishes.
"Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
For ever and ever.
Amen"
After the word 'amen' is uttered, the crowd starts to disburse and numerous people approach me and shake my hand. After I am thoroughly hugged and offered condolences, a tall older gentleman with sandy blonde hair that I don't recognize, but seems oddly noticeable, makes his way to me. I feel Christian's arm tighten around me as the man stands before me.
"Ana." His voice is low and baritone and sounds strangely familiar. "Look how you've grown."
"I'm sorry; I'm at a disadvantage…" I murmur, slightly embarrassed I don't know who I'm speaking to.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't recognize me, I don't think I've seen you since you were 3 years old." He laughs and I smell the scent of his cologne. He even smells familiar. I just can't place him.
"Ronny, is that you?" I hear my mother's voice coming closer and turn to see a bright smile on her face. "How long has it been?"
"I was just thinking it's been since Ana was about 3. How old are you now, sweetheart?" He addresses me with such fondness.
"I'm 24."
"Wow, 21 years. Where has the time gone?" My mom says as she looks adoringly at Ronny, whom I'm still not sure who is.
"Hello, I'm Christian Grey." My husband sticks out a hand to shake and Ronny smiles and takes his hand.
"Pleasure. I'm Ronald Steele. Everyone just calls me Ronny."
"Steele?" I ask dumbstruck.
"Sweetie, this is… well, this is your uncle. This is Ray's brother." What?
"My uncle?" My voice shrieks slightly as I look bug-eyed at the man before me. "I don't understand… Daddy never said…" I see Christian nodding his head to Taylor, I'm assuming silently asking for verification. Taylor nods his head slightly and I'm left with my mouth hanging open.
"That's my fault." Ronny suddenly looks somber. "He cut me out of his life when you were just a little girl."
"But, why?"
"Ana, maybe let's not do this here." My mom grabs my hand and squeezes it gently. Her eyes are pleading and although I'm intensely curious, I oblige her.
"Alright." I saw dumbly.
"Listen, Ronny. Some family is coming to the house when they leave here; you're more than welcome to come too." Christian offers.
"I'd be happy to."
"Ride with us!" My mother offers quickly and jerks her head towards Bob who's waiting a few feet from us, typing away on his phone.
"Thank you, Carla." He smiles warmly at my mother and then turns to me. "I'm very happy to see you, Ana. Circumstances be damned, I'm happy to."
I nod my head and watch as he walks away with my mother and Bob.
"Oh my gosh, I have an uncle? I don't understand why no one told me this before." I tell Christian and turn to face him. He blows out a big puff of air and shakes his head.
"I never looked past your parents on your background check or I would've known."
"But Taylor knew?" I question.
"Taylor knows everything." He shrugs his shoulders as if that's the only explanation needed.
I look past him to see José standing there looking at me.
"I'll be just a minute, okay? And then we'll go. Here, take this." I hand him Ray's folded flag and start to walk away.
"Wait a second, where are you going?" He asks but then looks over my head and a look of realization comes over his face. His jaw visibly tightens and his eyes frost over. "I'll be waiting right here."
I turn once more and walk to where José is still standing, waiting for me.
"Ana." He smiles and pulls me in for a hug as soon as I reach him. I can practically feel Christian's eyes boring into my back, so I pull away quickly. "Wow, you look wonderful."
"Thanks." I feel my cheeks redden. "So do you. It's been a while. How have you been?"
"I've been alright. I've missed you." His chocolate brown eyes sparkle as he looks at me. "And I knew I wanted to be here for you. As soon as I found out, I dropped everything."
"Well, I really appreciate it. You know how much my Daddy meant to me."
"Yeah." He says and suddenly looks really solemn. "I am sorry for your loss, Ana. I hate that you're in pain."
"Christian's really been there to make things easier, so that helps a lot." I say and José's face looks as if he's swallowed something sour. "So, how did you hear about Ray?"
"Oh, well, Kate called. She thought it'd be good for me to be here."
"She was right. I am glad to see you. Don't stay gone for too long, okay?"
"Yeah, I'll definitely be around."
"Okay, I have to get going. But I'll call you soon. Alright?"
"That sounds great, Ana." He smiles and pulls me in for another hug and this time kisses my cheek. I have a feeling Christian won't be too happy about that. I risk a glance over my shoulder and let out a sigh of relief as I see Christian standing with his back to me as he talks with his parents. "I'll see you soon."
"Bye." I say and watch as he turns to walk away and notice he's walking with a limp. "José! What's wrong with your leg?"
"Oh, I… I fell. Hard. Down some stairs." He looks at me nervously and then turns around, walking just a bit fast, towards his car.
That was really strange.
I shrug it off and walk over to my wonderful husband.
"Hey, baby." He smiles sweetly at me, with sympathy in his eyes. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes. I'm just ready for this day to be over." I tell him as I place my hand in his and begin walking over to our car.
"So, Ana. Christian tells us that there's an addition to the family." Grace says with a smile as she takes ahold of my other hand and walks with us.
"Huh?"
"An Uncle Ronny?"
"Oh, right. Yes, that was really a surprise. I still don't know why I haven't ever heard my dad mention him. Or my mom for that matter."
"I'm sure they'll tell you soon, darling." She smiles sympathetically and let's go of my hand as we approach Elliot and Kate. Grace and Carrick tell us they'll meet us at the house and we wave them goodbye.
"Ana banana, I'm so sorry." Elliot says and pulls me in for a hug. "He was a hell of a guy."
I nod my head and feel the tears well up in my eyes as I think of my dad.
Elliot lets go of me and steps aside to talk to his brother as my best friend pulls me into her arms.
"Sweetie, I can't tell you how sorry I am." She holds me as close as she can without putting too much pressure of my pregnant tummy. "You let me know if you need anything, yeah?"
"You and Elliot are staying with us for a few days, isn't that enough?" I smile through my tears and she winks at me.
"Nothing's enough." She smiles sadly.
"Oh, thanks for calling José by the way."
"What?" He face is washed in confusion.
"And telling him about the funeral. I didn't even think to call him."
"I didn't call him, Ana." Her forehead crinkles briefly before Elliot interrupts and tells us it's time to go.
"We'll see you guys back at the house." Christian says as he ushers me towards the open car door.
I slide into the backseat and let my mind run in circles.
Why on earth would José lie to me?
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