CHAPTER 25
We are waiting to go to the school and my heart is pounding out of my chest with anxiety. Christian is on the phone to Welch who is emailing through everything he has found on Miss Hailes, aka Mrs Hailes, aka Mrs Hales. It seems as though she has a track record, she has been moving from state to state, and preying on young boys for a considerable time. If the boys have blown the whistle she has turned everything around on to them and with the lack of evidence available it has been hushed up and she has moved on.
Christian is determined that this isn't going to happen in this case and he has got Welch to send him everything so we are fully prepared for this visit. We have our plan of action, we are going in to complain about her bullying and picking on Alex in the classroom, and then we are going to hit her with the rest when we are there, we have all the evidence we need to confront her with her past and we don't want to give her a heads up and chance to be prepared.
Alex looks petrified and Christian is looking determined there is a strange controlled calm about him, which is worrying me and Isobel is looking as though she ready to go into battle. She had spent most of the morning arguing with Christian because she wanted to come to the meeting and have her say. Christian had said no until Izzy had practically dragged him into his office and said or done something, and they had come out with Christian looking pale and agreeing Isobel will participate on the condition she will not lay a finger on Miss Hailes. Isobel has reluctantly agreed to the conditions. She too can see her father means business and she doesn't want to do anything which will jeopardise the case against her by allowing her to press any counter charges for assault. I have no idea what made Christian completely u-turn on letting Isobel have her say but whatever it was, it concerns me.
Christian called the school and had spoken to the principal, and was granted a meeting near enough straight away. After driving to the school in silence, we are waiting outside the Principals office, everyone seems to be falling over themselves to be helpful and accommodating, a secretary has been to us, wringing her hands offering us drinks. Christian has shut down into Mr cool and collected he is a vision of self-control and impassiveness. As I watch him he is staring at his phone and frowning.
"What's wrong?" I ask quietly unable to stand the silence any longer.
"Welch has sent more information about Miss Hailes" he spits.
Just at that moment the Principal's door opens he comes out looking nervous, he plasters a huge smile on his face, and offers Christian his hand, "Mr & Mrs Grey, please come in" he says.
Alex looks as though he is going to faint, and Christian wraps his arm around his son and gently squeezes offering him silent reassurance as he leads him into the room, and once inside he whispers something in his ear, Alex looks up and smiles weakly at Christian and then nods. We all sit down, and the Principal leans on the table his hands clasped.
"What seems to be the problem," he asks politely.
Christian sits in his chair looking relaxed, he has his legs crossed and his foot resting on his knee, he is leaning back with his arm casually draped over the back of Alex's chair. But I know differently his eyes are the colour of a stormy sky, and his free hand is fisted on his lap, I know he is radiating controlled anger whilst looking to the casual observer as nonchalant and relaxed. As the Principal speaks, Christian moves slightly, leaning forward and clasps his hands in front of him.
He stares directly at the Principal, "Shouldn't Miss Hailes be here to listen to the accusations being put to her?" he asks politely but in a sharp clipped tone.
The principal shuffles uncomfortably, "Miss Hailes will be with us shortly" he has hardly got the words out of his mouth when there is a sharp rap at the door.
"Come in" The Principal calls.
The door opens and Miss Hailes breezes in confidently clutching a large folder, she is a petite young woman I put her at about 28 years of age, she has blonde hair flowing around her slim shoulder and is dressed in a slightly too tight top which highlights her ample bosom.
"Mr Grey, Mrs Grey," she says, and she is staring at Christian in a way that is almost indecent, and she makes it clear by the look she is giving him that she is not just into young boys.
Christian nods but doesn't say a word, she sits down lifting her skirt slightly to show her thighs and she crosses her legs. I shake my head in disgust, this woman is a complete slut; she is throwing herself at Christian. He is looking impassively at her and with exaggerated disinterest turns to the Principal, but as he goes to open his mouth, she butts in.
"So, we are here to discuss Alex's attainment in his English lessons," she says briskly, opening her folder, "Alex has been having a few problems concentrating in class and I have had to mention it a few times to him."
She smiles at Alex who turns his gaze to the ground, a hurt and confused expression on his face. Christian leans forward and fixing her with an icy stare he responds.
"Perhaps the reason he has been distracted in lessons is probably because his teacher has been sexually abusing him" he spits.
The atmosphere in the room plummets immediately. The principal's jaw drops open and Miss Hailes goes bright red, but she doesn't say a word.
"Mr Grey, these are very serious allegations" the Principal splutters eventually when he has pulled himself together.
Christian's head swivels back to the Principal who visibly shrinks under his gaze. "Indeed they are serious, my son has been the victim of this woman's unwanted attention for a number of weeks now and things came to an impasse yesterday when she was seen in the locker room having sexual intercourse with him by my daughter who immediately brought the matter to our attention. My son has told us exactly what has happened and how this woman has groomed him, taking him aside for private tuition, and gradually becoming more and more inappropriate".
The Principal stares at Alex, "Can you tell us what has happened Alex?" he asks gently.
Christian grabs Alex's hand and squeezes, I reach out and grab his other hand, Alex takes a deep breath and then he closes his eyes and starts talking, he sings like the proverbial canary, telling every last dirty detail. When he has finished he opens his eyes and tears are rolling down his cheeks, I can't stand to see my son in such pain and I crouch down in front of him and take him in my arms, rocking him and comforting him.
"Miss Hailes, do you have any response to these allegations?" The Principal says staring at the woman who is looking more and more uncomfortable by the moment.
"Are you seriously going to take the word of a boy who is an attention seeker and a disruptive influence in my classroom, I am..." she stops as Christian raises his hand.
He looks at Alex and down to me; I am still on my knees comforting him.
"Ana," he says quietly, I look up and he holds out his hand, "the papers Welch sent," he demands.
I reach for my bag and pull out the folder and hand it to Christian, he throws it to the Principal, you may want to check Miss Hailes employment record from Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois and the seemingly insignificant alterations to her name which could be dismissed as errors.
Miss Hailes blanches and stares wide-eyed at the folder. The principal opens the folder and pulls out the wad of papers as he does this Christian reaches for his phone and dials a number.
"Isobel, it's your turn, but remember what I said," he says quietly before he ends the call he then calls up the further information Welch sent and passes his phone to the principal.
"This is the latest information my security chief sent, it arrived only a few moments ago so I haven't had a chance to print it off," he says as the Principal reads whatever is on the screen of Christian's phone.
At that moment Isobel bursts in through the doors, glaring at Miss Hailes viciously. The Principal looks up at her in surprise.
"Isobel," Christian says a clear warning in his voice. "Tell the good principal what you saw yesterday."
Isobel looks straight at the principal, "I was in the girls locker room I had left my jacket in there and I was collecting it, when I heard Miss Hailes come in, I hid because I heard she had someone with her, that and the stuff she was saying it was disgusting, she kept saying she was desperate to fuck him and that she knew he wanted it as much as she did, then I heard my brothers voice, he sounded scared, he didn't want to do it and he was afraid that someone would catch them, she locked the door, which also meant I couldn't get out so I waited where I was hiding, I saw and heard things no-one should ever hear" she stops and looks at Alex, "you didn't want to do it did you?" she asks.
Alex bursts into floods of tears and shakes his head, Isobel moves towards him, "Forgive me for what I am going to do next but I had to do it to get the evidence to prove what she did to you, I could tell you didn't want to do it," Alex looks up at her and nods.
Christian nods at her and I gape at her in shock she had never mentioned the fact she had actually been in the room at the time. She had made light of the ordeal she had personally been through, to get the best possible outcome for her brother.
Izzy delves into her pocket and retrieves her phone, she glances at Alex regret written all over her face, she scrolls down and starts a video and throws her phone on the table, then she bends down and puts her hands over her brothers ears and holds him tightly, and presses her forehead to his, tears coursing down her cheeks. I look at Christian and realise this was what had changed his mind about her attending the meeting. I stare at Isobel in shock and awe, she had established the fact her brother was in distress and an unwilling party and she had put aside her own revulsion to get the evidence that was required and looking at them both now it was clear she had been affected by what she had witnessed as much as Alex who was personally involved.
The video makes for uncomfortable viewing and I am glad I cannot see what is happening because what I am hearing is making me feel physically sick. The Principal reaches for the phone and stops the video, he looks disgusted and ill, Christian is shaking with rage, but Miss Hailes just looks resigned. The principal lifts the phone and calls the police and child protection services. I am overcome with emotion I cannot control myself, I have sat and listened to what this woman has done to my son, I move past Izzy, who tries to grab my arm.
"Mom," she says.
I yank my arm out of her reach.
"Ana," Christian says but I put my hand up to silence him.
I walk up to Miss Hailes, "Stand up" I snarl; she glances at me but cowers into her seat.
"I said stand the fuck up," I snarl and I grab her arm and with all my strength I pull, Isobel walks towards me takes one look at me and grabs the woman's other arm and between us, we pull her unwillingly to her feet.
"My mom told you to stand up, so you stand the fuck up" she hisses, she fists her hands.
"Isobel, language" Christian warns and he reaches for her and pulls her away.
"Mrs Grey please" the principal pleads, I glare at him and he stops and swallows whatever he was going to say next.
"You hurt my son" I whisper.
"He loved it" she sneers.
My arm is raised and I slap her with all the strength I can muster, I slap her so hard she staggers sideways. She turns to hit me back but Christian grabs her arm.
"You hurt my son," I say again, I take a step towards her, "and so now I am going to hurt you" I slap her again and she topples against Christian who immediately pushes her down on to the chair as if she has burnt him. I step forward my hand raised to slap her again.
"Mom no" Isobel grabs me, "Mom she's not worth it" she whispers.
Alex touches my arm "Mom, Izzy is right, don't lower yourself to her level" he says sadly.
The fight leaves me, I turn to Alex and pull him into my arms and we stand and cry on each other.
Alex pulls away from me, and he makes his way over to the table and silently starts to look through the paperwork which Welch sent, he turns to Miss Hailes a hurt expression on his face.
"Why?" he says quietly.
She shrugs, and doesn't say a word, we can all see her indifference is ripping him apart, he straightens and takes a deep breath and turns to his father.
"Dad, will you make sure, all this" he gestures towards the paperwork and then to himself and finally to Miss Hailes "gets in the media, make sure everyone in the United States knows about what she did, so those people who she hurt before can come forward and get their justice as well".
Christian nods "If that is what you want," he says.
"It is," Alex replies quietly.
There is a knock at the door, and we are informed that the police have arrived, Christian immediately steps forward, and he gathers up all the paperwork and puts it in the arms of the officer, then he collects his phone and hands Isobel her phone.
Christian outlines the nature of the allegations; Miss Hailes is arrested and escorted away. A kind-faced policewoman takes Isobel and Alex to make their statements along with someone from Child Protection Services. Other Child Protection Officers are talking to Christian and the Principal.
After she has been interviewed Isobel returns, and she walks towards me and slips her arms around me.
"I need a hug" she whispers.
I turn and wrap my arms around her, "You are such a brave girl" I say stroking her hair out of her face."
"I had to do it, but it was horrible and I felt so low, but I had to be sure I got him saying no and saying he didn't want to, which I did. I knew she would probably try and turn it around on Alex, say he hounded her or make out it was lies so I had to get the evidence to prove it was all her" she says.
"Izzy it's ok," I say gripping her arms and pushing her away from me so I can look her straight in the eye "you were looking out for your brother, you didn't do what you did to get your kicks or to be malicious, you did it to protect your brother.
"Izzy" Alex has now also returned and is hovering, Isobel turns and looks at her brother. "Thank you, Izzy," he says and he opens his arms to her.
She smiles at him, and walks into him hugging him tightly "No problem" she pauses "but just remember I'm not always going to be there to pick up the pieces".
oooOOOooo
The next few months are a whirlwind of activity, there has been a media feeding frenzy, the youngest son of the Christian Grey groomed and sexually abused by his teacher. Miss Hailes became public enemy number one, as soon as the news hit it went viral and had the desired effect that all her previous victims also came forward and finally got their own justice as well. I also had my suspicions that Welch had a hand in locating the victims and persuading them to give evidence. Plus the fact no doubt because of Christian's influence it was dealt with in a quicker manner than the usual timeline of events.
The extent of the evidence was such that it almost seemed as though it was an open and shut case, and thanks to Izzy's actions the defence's case crumbled. I was so proud of her the day she stood in the courtroom and described in detail what she had seen, the video she took on her phone was played to the court, Alex sat with Christian and as the video was played, Christian wrapped his arms around his sons head and pulled him towards him as though he was trying to shield him from it. When the video had finished there was an eerie silence. We got the verdict we wanted though and Miss Hailes was jailed and rightly so.
Since then Isobel and Alex have been seeing Flynn regularly to talk through their experiences, Isobel quickly dispatched all the negativity of what she had witnessed and returned to her usual self. Alex tried to put on a brave face but we could tell he had been seriously scarred by his ordeal, especially as he couldn't seem to come to terms with the confusion of his feelings for his teacher.
Ava had been a tower of strength for him; they had grown close and were a support for each other with their shared experiences. He had been talking to Christian more as well, I would often see them just walking and talking together around the garden, I didn't pry or interfere I just hoped that whatever was said between them would have a positive effect on both of them.
oooOOOooo
It is Christmas Eve now, and the house is buzzing with activity. Theo and Harry have come home, Theo graduates next year but Harry has a long way to go. Phoebe is now nearly eight months pregnant and is getting increasingly frustrated at Harry and Christian's overbearing concern.
I am in the kitchen going through the menu for Christmas day with Gail. I am aware that Gail works so hard and Christmas should be a time where she can kick back and relax. So I always make sure everything is prepared in advance and we organise it together. Gail and Taylor are joining us for Christmas dinner this year, Harry is spending the day with Phoebe and Jose and Sophie are also coming to stay. They are due to arrive shortly from Chicago. Kate is coming with the girls and we are all getting increasingly hopeful that a reconciliation is on the cards for Elliot and Kate as she is still staying with Elliot despite having the means to find a place of her own. Simpson has been jailed for his crimes and is out of our lives, for now.
As we sit and go through everything, Isobel bursts in through the door.
"Mom will you tell Phoebe," she says.
I smile "Tell Phoebe what?" I ask although I have a fairly good idea.
"She should be resting but she is putting up the Christmas decorations."
"Phoebe is pregnant she is not ill so if she feels she can safely do something then who are we to argue with her," I say as look at Isobel.
"You haven't seen what she's doing!" she retorts and pulls my arm.
I sigh and get up to follow Izzy out and I take in a sharp breath when I see her, there in the hallway is Phoebe balancing precariously on a chair stretching up to decorate the top of the tree. My mouth drops open, and Harry is circling the chair pleading with her to get down.
"Phoebe will you please get down," I ask and move quickly towards her.
She sighs, "Mom I am not made of glass," she says irritably.
I help her down, "I know you're not darling, but you have to realise that your balance isn't as good when you are as pregnant as you are, what would you do if you toppled over and fell?"
She nods "Ok mom, but I just need to be doing something, I feel so restless," she says.
I smile at her, "have you been cleaning and tidying more than normal?" I ask.
She nods, at me and I know immediately what the problem is.
"You are nesting sweetheart, that doesn't normally happen until the last few weeks of pregnancy, so you are a bit early but that's what you are doing."
"I don't understand," she says.
"You are preparing, and getting everything ready for your baby, it's a natural instinct, that's why you feel so restless."
The door opens and Christian and my father walk towards me looking windswept and I beam at them.
"Hi did you two have a good time?" I ask they have been out on the sound in Christian's boat as the weather has been abnormally good recently.
My father kisses my cheek. "Hey Annie, we had a fantastic time," he says.
"We sure did," Christian says with a smile, he disappears into the kitchen and returns with two bottles of beer and hands one to Ray. They clink bottles and head towards the sofa.
Grace appears and Christian turns and smiles at his mother, "Did you have a good sleep mom?" he asks.
Grace moves towards him "yes thank you, darling, I'm sorry about that, I had a terrible headache, but that sleep has done the trick, I feel much better now".
She turns to me, "Ana darling is there anything I can do to help?" I shake my head.
"Everything is under control, and there is nothing left to be done, we are just waiting for the others to arrive and then Christmas Eve can get into full swing".
When Elliot and Kate arrive, Ava immediately goes to Alex and they sit in a corner talking. Zoe wanders over to Phoebe and hugs her, then Ethan and Mia arrive and Jonathan charges to Isobel, who swings him around in her arms.
"Hey little dude," she says smiling at him.
We are just waiting for Jose and Sophie to arrive. I look around the room, the atmosphere is light and cheery and I go into the kitchen for some more wine. As I am in there I hear activity and make my way back out, to see that Jose and Sophie have arrived, Sophie is chatting with Harry and Jose is trying to persuade Alice to take off her coat. In the end, he gives up and Taylor bends down and within seconds has relieved Alice of her coat. Jose shakes his head and laughs, and then he spots me watching and walks towards me.
"Hey Ana, Merry Christmas, how are you?" he looks around and lowers his voice, "how's Alex, we saw the coverage, on the news, it shocked us to the core, we were quite surprised though as we thought Christian would've buried the coverage, and it was like a feeding frenzy for a while there".
I shake my head, "Christian wanted to keep it under wraps but Alex wanted it to go viral, so her other victims could come forward and get their own justice".
Jose's mouth drops open "wow," he says.
Christian appears and warmly greets Jose and Sophie, he hands Jose a beer, which Jose eagerly accepts and takes a long drink.
"Cheers," he says with a grin.
Sophie looks at Jose carefully, "Jose, have you asked them yet?" she asks.
"Oh, shit no" Jose turns to us, "Erm we are having Jason and Alice baptised in the New Year and I was wondering, I mean we were wondering if you two would be godparents?"
Christian beams at Jose, "We would be honoured" he says.
As the evening wears on the men all wander outside and I find myself with Kate, I nudge her gently and I whisper in her ear, as I do so she turns and smiles.
"Merry Christmas" I say.
"Right back at you," she says with a grin and she gives me a warm affectionate hug.
"Sooo," I ask "How are things going with you and Elliot?" I inwardly cringe at my lack of tact and rather forthright question, but in my defence, I really want to know.
She nods "Good, we are taking it one day at a time, but it's working well for us at the moment".
I place my hand on her arm, "I am so pleased for you, and you deserve it".
She nods, "Susannah has been supportive too, she got married you know, Noah is spending Christmas day with her this year, and Elliot is having him for New Year".
I nod, we make our way over to the sofa, and Phoebe is sitting there and she is very quiet.
"Are you ok?" I ask quietly.
She nods, "I'm just tired," she says.
I smile, "Then go to bed," I say gently.
She looks at me longingly, "would you mind?" she asks.
"Phoebe you are eight months pregnant, you are tired, so go to bed," I say.
Phoebe struggles to her feet and I stand and kiss her goodnight. A few moments later the men come wandering in.
"It's turned cold out there," Christian says with a shiver.
Harry looks around, "Where's Phoebe?" he asks.
"She's gone to bed, she's tired," I say.
He nods and disappears upstairs after her. The atmosphere is light and cheery everyone appears to be having a good time, I go and stand with Christian and wrap my arms around him, and he turns and smiles at me. I pull him slightly to the left, and then I glance upward, he follows my gaze and spots the mistletoe I have attached above his head, he understands immediately my intentions and he grins at me.
"Oh I see," he says as he turns to me, then he grabs my head in his hands and plants a very loud wet kiss on my lips, I don't hesitate and I grab his hair and deepen the kiss, and he can't help but respond with a groan. We are soon oblivious to everyone around us until we hear Elliot.
"Will you two get a room" he taunts, then he spots the mistletoe he glances at Kate and with a grin walks towards us.
"Move over little bro," he says shoving Christian with his elbow.
He looks directly at Kate, beseeching her to step towards him, I pull Christian away and we watch holding our breath as she starts to walk towards him. When she reaches him, she places her hand on his shoulder, tenderly he wraps his arm around her and pulls her towards him, and he places a chaste gentle kiss on her lips, he looks her in the eye and then quite deliberately he drops to his knees, everyone gasps as he struggles into his pocket and pulls out a ring box.
"Kate, I was a terrible husband and because of my stupidity I lost you, it was all my fault and I swear to you in front of all these people here, if you agree to re-marry me and give me another chance I will never ever hurt you again. I want you back Kate, you are my world and my world fell apart when you left me and made me realise what an idiot I had been, please Kate, be my wife again, will you marry me?" he stops and looks at her.
You can hear a pin drop, everyone is holding their breath, slowly she smiles, "ok" she whispers.
"What did you say?" Elliot says not quite believing what she has said.
Kate laughs "I said ok," she says a little louder.
Elliot stands and flings his arms around her, "Thank you, he says kissing her repeatedly on the cheek and mouth. He stops and pulls the ring out and slips it on her finger.
"You won't regret this" he says "I swear I will be the best husband ever" he boasts.
The applause is deafening, everyone was stunned into silence but as soon as the ring went on Kate's finger the whole room erupted. Christian walks over with a case of Cristal and proceeds to open it and Gail appears with champagne glasses.
I walk over and look at him, "Did you know he was going to do this?" I ask quietly, Christian looks at me and nods.
"He was going to do it later, but after our little show, he decided to seize the moment" he whispers.
The clock in the hallway starts chiming; I glance at my watch.
"Merry Christmas," I say to Christian, he looks at his watch and smiles.
"Merry Christmas baby" he answers and kisses me.
He turns "Does everyone have a glass of champagne?" he asks.
"No" Jonathan shouts and everyone laughs, Christian opens a bottle of lemonade and pours it into a champagne flute, "Here you are Jonathan," he says.
"Thank you, Uncle Christian," Jonathan says with a smile.
"Merry Christmas everyone," he says raising his glass in the air.
"Merry Christmas" is the unanimous chorus.