Nadia looked at the man who was close to beating his wife to death, and she recognize the symptoms immediately. He was addicted to heroin. "
Nadia remembered all of the times that she had to keep her sister safe, and now she had to do the same for her mom. It was the least she could do.
She immediately texted her dad. She told him not to call and made sure that was in all caps so he knew to take her seriously.
She quietly made it over to the door and hit the button that turned the alarm to the door off. Then she put her final plan in motion. She called 911 before she walked around the corner. The man's eyes grew even wider.
Olivia turned around and saw her daughter. She was pissed, but she would deal with that later. Now she had to keep them both safe.
Nadia looked her in the eyes, and they had an unspoken conversation.
"I told you to leave and call 911!"
"I know and you can ground me later. Now I need you to trust me to handle this."
"I trust you. You know that."
"I do. Let me do this"
"Okay!"
Nadia looked at the man, "My name is Nadia"
Tracy's husband Kenneth looked at her, "Where did you come from?"
"I was sitting by the corner, but I realized you needed my help?"
"Why do you think that?"
"My biological parents were hooked on heroin. Well my dad. I can tell you had some a bit ago. Tracy & my mom doesn't get it but I do."
"She left me. She thinks she is better than me."
"I understand. My mom took me and my sister on as projects. She doesn't understand the struggle."
He looked at Olivia. "I can tell."
Olivia looked at her daughter, and could tell she didn't mean what she was saying.
"Look you need to be careful walking around the window. You have no idea who is out there."
"I don't know what I am going to do."
"You need to let Tracy get some medical attention. You roughed her up pretty good. You don't want her to die. You will end up doing life, and my mom is pregnant as you can see. She needs to eat something or she is going to get sick. Let her take Tracy out through the front door, and I'll stay with you. No one is going to shoot you with me here. I am a child."
"No way. I have leverage."
"You won't have shit if she dies. Come on. Up until now I thought you were a smart man. You didn't come here with the intent to murder her. You came to remind her that she couldn't take everything from you right?"
"Yeah!"
"So if she dies you really are going to lose everything. So let them go."
He finally agreed, but she could tell that her mom wasn't going for it. She just looked at her. She pleaded with her eyes to trust her. She was the one who went out to save Tracy. She was making sure that happened. He had kicked her around. There was a possibility of internal bleeding.
Olivia finally tore her eyes away. With tears falling from her eyes she helped Tracy up, and they made their way outside. The police were waiting on them. Nadia was not only brave but smart. The police were waiting at the door for them.
Tracy was taken to an ambulance and rushed to the hospital. Olivia was in the back of another ambulance. She asked the policeman, "How did you know to be at the door waiting for us?"
"You have a really intelligent daughter ma'am."
"Thank you, but I still don't understand."
"Your daughter turned the alarm off to the back door so when it is safe for us to take a shot we will get her out. She called 911, and put it on speaker phone. She has provided us a play by play. That is why we were at the door. You should be proud."
An officer brought Fitz over to her. She could tell that he had been crying, and she broke down in his arms. He pulled back.
"Where is Nadia?"
Olivia broke down. The officer updated Fitz on what was going on. He pulled his radio out, and they could hear Nadia still talking to the man. For the next hour they listened in. They could tell that the man was agitated at times. Towards the end Olivia noticed her words were slurring. She looked at the officer.
"She is a diabetic. She hasn't eaten anything since breakfast. She has not had her medicines. You have to get her out."
The officer went to go check on their progress. Kenneth had used Nadia as a shield throughout the hour, but she could tell she was crashing. She told him so he allowed he to sit. That was their queue. Nadia could see the door open. By the time Kenneth realized what was going on he was down.
They had used a stun gun.
The officers went over to check on Nadia, but she collapsed in their arms. They rushed her out. She was put in the ambulance that Olivia was in. They watched the medics work on their daughter, but by the time they arrived at the hospital she had slipped into a diabetic coma.
Once Olivia heard that she passed out. She was also taken back to be treated. The whole ride over to the hospital he tried to be strong for his family, but he was slowly breaking especially after his wife passed out. This was worse than when she was kidnapped. They had a family.
While both were being treated Fitz called his family. Not only did they need to be here he needed them. He called Huck & Quinn who were with the kids. He asked them to bring the kids, and he would explain to them what happened. He appreciated that they were willing to tell them, but it was going to be hard no matter what. He felt like they should hear it from them directly.
Thirty minutes later a doctor came out. Dr. Stevenson & Dr. Jacobs were taking care of his wife and daughter.
Dr. Stevenson said, "Your wife and son are okay. The stress of the situation caused her blood pressure to sky rocket. We have it under control. The contractions have pretty much stopped, and your son is comfy in his mom's belly. We have her on a mild sedative so she can rest as much as possible."
Dr. Jacobs said, "As you know your daughter is in a diabetic coma. I won't lie it was touch and go for a moment, but she is critical but stable. Once we get her levels to increase I am confident that she will come out of the coma. It may take her some time to get her strength back, but there should be no long term complications. She manages her disease well."
Fitz was relieved to hear the news. He looked at the doctors, "Can you put them in a room together? My other girls will be here soon, and I think them being together will make this a little easier."
The doctors readily agreed. Fitz had told them he had no other questions, but then he thought of something.
"I know you can't give me specific information, but I want to handle Tracy's care. Can you refer me to who I need to speak with?"
Dr. Stevenson said, "My husband is the head surgeon that is working on her. I will notify the administration."
Fitz thanked the doctors again.
A short time later the girls walked into the waiting room, and he could tell they knew something was wrong because they were in a hospital. This was down side of having really smart children. You couldn't pull much over them.
Addie whispered, "Did mom and Nadia die?"
Fitz picked up both girls. They had tears coming down their faces. He wiped their faces.
"No honey they didn't die. Your mom and sister were brave. A man was hurting his wife, and they didn't want her to die so they talked him down. Your sister's sugar levels got extremely low so she is in a diabetic coma. Once her levels come up she should be fine. Your mom needed some medicine to rest with everything that is going on. She & Grayson are fine though. I asked the doctors to put them in the same room so we can be with them at the same time."
The girls climbed into his arms and cried. He shed a couple of tears himself, but he composed himself to take care of his family.
The girls wiped his face and told him they loved him. He told him he loved them too. A few minutes later two children and an adult walked in the room.
The older woman said, "Are you Mr. Grant?"
He nodded
"I am Tracy's mother. I was told that you made arrangement for my daughter to receive the best care that the hospital could provide."
"Yes, and no thanks is needed. We just want her to be okay?"
The children had gifts for Olivia & Nadia. The young man said, "The officers said your wife and daughter made sure my dad didn't kill my mom. We are sorry they are hurt."
Fitz & the girls went over and consoled the children. Fitz said, "It was scary getting that call from my daughter, but I know it was for you too. I can honestly tell you that I am okay that my wife and daughter did what they did so you can still have your mom. She sounds like a wonderful mom."
The young lady said, "She is the best."
Addie said, "Ours is too. Is your mom going to be okay?"
They nodded, and explained that Tracy made it through surgery. She would need some therapy, but Olivia had stepped in at the right time. She has some facial fractures, broken arm, leg, and fractured ribs. It would have been a lot worse if it wasn't for Olivia & Nadia."
Olivia &Nadia were put in a room where the family remained by their side. Jayden, Jasmine, and Karen helped out.
Olivia was released after two days. Her blood pressure was under control. They got her to eating again, and most importantly her contractions stopped. Grayson was okay to remain in the belly for a little while longer.
Nadia however remained in a coma.
Dr. Jacobs was talking with the couple after Nadia had been in a coma for a week. She began, "Nadia levels are normal so physically there is no reason that she should still be in a coma right now. That leads me to mentally and emotionally. The trauma from that day may be holding her back. Something has her afraid to come back."
The doctor was still talking when Olivia shot up. For a pregnant woman she still could move pretty fast. Her brother and sister had taken the girls out to get away from the hospital.
She walked into the room, and went over to Nadia's bed. She carefully climbed in the bed and pulled her daughter in her arms.
Fitz and the doctor made it to the door to find out what was going on. The doctor was going to head into the room, but Fitz stopped her.
Olivia kissed her forehead, "Mommy is not mad. I need you to come back. Grayson & I are fine just like you wanted. Your dad needs you. Do you know most nights he tries to make sure you are okay, and know that you are loved? He doesn't want you to be forgotten because you are quiet. Your dad has always been into tennis. He is finally having a boy, but in some ways you are his boy. He enjoys your matches and your talks. Then there is me. I need my smart level headed daughter back. The one who risked her life for her family. The one who was smart enough to help the police get us out safe and sound. I saw it in your eyes, and I want you to know that I know the things you said in that room were only to build rapport with Kenneth. Tracy is going to be fine. Your dad made sure she was taken care of. Your Aunt Quinn & Abby are helping me make sure Tracy's store remains open till she gets back Your sisters miss your guidance, and Grayson wants to hear your voice. So does your mom. She wants to hold you. Tell you how much she loves and adores you, and how unbelievably proud she is of you. So come back baby. You are needed and wanted here. The Grant family is not complete until you come back."
Fitz closed the door after he looked at his wife and smiled. The best thing about being married to your soul mate is knowing what the other needed. She loved that Fitz gave her space when needed. He didn't demand an explanation. He trusted her. Something she didn't have growing up. She dozed off praying her daughter come back to them.
Fitz handed the doctor a tissue. She didn't realize tears had fallen.
Fitz nodded, "I understand. My wife is a brilliant and incredible woman. The world sees this powerful woman. She can be ruthless, but she wears the white hat. The girls adore her, and they come first. I have no doubt when you come back tomorrow you will see our daughter up."
"For most patients I would caution them, but after what I just witness I believe you. I look forward to meeting an awake Nadia."
Fitz was exhausted. The doctors and nurse on the floor had been good to him, and he appreciated it. The nurse that had been taking care of Nadia sent him into their lounge area. No one really slept during that time, and she knew he wouldn't leave the hospital. He needed a couple hours of interrupted sleep.
She knew he was exhausted when he accepted without arguing with her. Almost two hours later she went in to check on Nadia to find her awake.
She whispered, "Can you check me over enough to let her sleep?"
Olivia was tucked under daughter holding her hand.
She nodded. She paged the doctor, and checked her vitals. She was fine. They were almost done when Olivia woke up.
Tears began to fall. The doctor helped Olivia down, and they finished checking on Nadia. Olivia was unable to form a sentence until they left. Nadia patted the side of the bed that she was laying in before she woke.
Olivia carefully got back in the bed. She kissed her daughter's forehead. "I've missed you."
"Really, after everything I said."
"I heard what you said, and I know what you said kept not only us alive but Tracy. Tracy now gets to be around longer."
"You started"
"And you finished. You complete all of us. We not only want you alive and here with us, but we need you. Your sisters aren't complete. Your dad has done everything he could humanly do to keep us all together. I can't stress how much we love you."
"I can't stress how much I love you back. I don't feel scared. Right after I heard you talk I felt it all go away. I don't fear being that little girl I was. I am a Grant. An angel told me I was born so I could eventually be a Grant. Sometimes it is not where you start, but how you end. I started out one way, and now here we are."
"Here we are!"
"Mom, I still want to do Grayson's room together. We have done things together, but not like this. The project was supposed to bring us together."
"We will finish the project together I promise."
The nurse came back in, "Mrs. Grant I forced your husband to go into our lounge to get some uninterrupted sleep. Every time we walked in he would jump up concerned about you two. I was getting a little worried. He has been sleep for about two hours now."
Nadia shook her head, "Let him sleep. He needs it. I knew he was always here. I could feel all of you here, but dad was the dad I dreamed about when I was in foster care. I realize it is not a dream. He is really my dad."
The nurse smiled, "I can tell you that you have one of the best I have ever met."
They smiled, "We know."
Fitz slept for another 90 minutes. When he woke up he was so refreshed. He needed it, but now it was time to check on his wife and daughter. He needed to pick up the girls, and grab dinner for everyone.
He rounded the corner and noticed Nadia's care team was together talking he made it over to him.
The nurse smiled, and told him to go open the door.
He walked into a sight that would remain etched in his memory forever. His girls both awake, happy, and healthy.
Nadia looked over at her dad. "Hi daddy."
He went over and pulled her in a tight hug, Olivia tried to get up, but he wouldn't let her. He held onto them really tight.
Olivia felt his tears on her shoulders. She whispered in his ear that Nadia was fine, she was fine, Grayson was fine, the other girls were fine. He was the best husband and father anyone could ask for, and she thanked him for all of his sacrifices.
In his other ear Nadia was telling how he was the best dad ever. She told him she prayed for him in foster care, and now that she had him she would never let him go.
It was emotional but they felt whole once they composed themselves only to fall apart a short time later when the other girls arrived.
They were complete again once Nadia woke up, and it was a defining moment for the family. They would never take each other for granted again. They wanted to be a family, and they would do anything to keep it that way.
Two days later Nadia was released. She would be receiving some home care until she was back 100% but it was a matter of when not if.
Before they left they stopped by to visit Tracy who was recovering nicely, and she would be moving to a rehab facility that the Grant family was covering.
They walked in. Tracy was overwhelmed when she saw them.
Olivia wiped her tears, "Save your energy. Your kids will need it."
She laughed, "You and Nada saved my life."
Nadia smiled, "Well my parents saved mine."
Olivia shook her head, "Our children saved us. We got to be everything our parents were not."
Tracy nodded, "I thought I was."
Olivia grabbed her hand, "You did. Don't feel like because you stayed with Kenneth you failed them. Trust me even as adults and parents we mess up. I did. I was the one who put my marriage in jeopardy. What matters is that you fixed it. We have made sure that all you need to do is focus on your recovery."
Tracy looked at her, "You have paid for my stay here, the rehab facility, covered overhead at the shop, paid off my mom's mortgage, and set up a trust fund for my children. I can never pay you back."
"We don't want you too. Our family is blessed, and the least we can do is pay it forward. Kenneth can't win. If you get better, but have nothing to go home to then he wins. It says you are financially dependent on him. When you get better you get to go home to your mom, your kids, and your business. You get to build your life the way you wanted, and he gets to sit in prison for a very long time. We helped you so you could gain financial independence."
"Thank you for everything. I feel like we are friends now, but I understand…"
"We are friends. Your kids have some playdates with us, and with your mom. Our team who is also our family always spends Thanksgiving with us. This year Grayson should be with us, but we would love for you guys to join us."
"I would love that."
It took about a week before Nadia really started to feeling like herself. The following week they made it back to the shop, and completed Grayson's nursery
Everyone loved the final product. The room was designed using a combination of blues and yellows. The crib was the show piece in the room. Nadia had selected a hand painted iron crib with vines. She had found a Madagascar crib bedding set.
Olivia added a toy bag option, diaper stacker, and mobile that matched the set. Even though they didn't bring Alaina & Nadia home from the hospital they had a decorative engraved pillow made for them like they did for Addie, and they had one made for Grayson.
Above the crib was a five arm safari chandelier & shades piece. The wall was decorated in circus parade and under the big top wall art.
They had yell shaggy rugs put on the floor to make it look more masculine. They had decided to put in two empire adult rocker gliders with ottomans. One in blue, and one in yellow.
Olivia & Nadia revealed the room to their family first. Addie, Alaina, Fitz, Karen, Jayden, and Jasmine loved the room. It was perfect for a boy, but it had feminine touches.
Fitz looked at his wife and oldest daughter, "Guys I love it. It is a boy's room, but it is great."
He turned to look at Nadia, "I can't wait till he is old enough to have a Madagascar marathon."
" Well his first one has to be with mom & I, but the best one is the family marathon."
Olivia looked at Fitz and smiled. Before the accident they were bonding. They were showing Nadia she was a Grant for life, but the accident solidified it in ways that they couldn't and didn't care to explain. All that mattered was they were one big happy family.
Olivia looked at Fitz and nodded
Fitz went over to Nadia, "I know that you are really bummed that you can't go to your camp, but your mom thought of an idea."
Nadia looked up.
"I thought that we could head over and enjoy Wimbledon, and your mom and sisters will join us the final weekend."
They watched the excitement of all three girls, but especially Nadia. She didn't try to hide her excitement which was new and great.
The next couple of months were blissful. Nadia recovered and started practicing with her team. One of the girls that bullied her was now her double's partner, and they were expected to rack up a lot of titles.
By the time the school year began Olivia let Huck & Quinn handle most of the business. Fitz was back teaching, and she just yearned to be a mom more than a business woman. Huck & Quinn were capable. When they needed her she was there.
Grayson was an easy baby, and he enjoyed being in her stomach. She attended most of the girl's events. Aunt Karen was now staying with them to prepare for Grayson, and they all loved Aunt Karen.
She had announced that she when they returned to the United States that she was resigning from her board positions. The girls had started to call her Nana instead of Aunt, and Fitz could see how much it meant to her. No one asked why. She wanted to see Nadia play tennis in college. Addie & Alaina were trying to find their nitch.
Fitz had to go to the New York for business. Karen & Olivia had tucked the girls in. She was in the family room watching television when Karen sat down beside her.
She helped Olivia up and put her head in her lap. She began to brush Olivia's hair. It soothed both of them.
Karen said, "Don't lay here and think about the mistakes you made. You are human. I have a confession to make."
"What's that?"
"I know why the girls call me Nana now?"
"Am I not supposed to know?"
"It is not a secret. I just overhead them talking to their dad. They were asking about both of your parents, and he explained it to them. The vanilla version. Addie asked him did he get another mom like Nadia & Alaina. He told them I was his second mom. His dad didn't like it so he took him away, but he always knew he would find me again. So they said if I was his second mom that would mean they had a grandmother. He agreed they did. They said their friends call their grandmothers Maw Maw or Nana. Maw sounded old so they liked Nana. He never told them, but implied it would be okay."
Olivia sat up, "He is right. You are our second mom, and I couldn't have asked God for a better one. I love you Mama Karen."
As tears fell she kissed Olivia's forehead, "You are the daughter I always prayed for, and I love you Liv. You are a wonderful human being, wife, and mother. You had a hiccup, but you fixed it and look at you guys now. We are a family. You, Fitz, Jasmine, and Jayden are my children. All of your children are my grandchildren, and I can't thank God enough. DNA be damned."
Olivia smiled, "DNA be damned.
On October 30 Grayson Thomas Grant made his presence known at 10:35 P.M. in the evening. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and 15 inches. It was a quick delivery. Olivia arrived at the hospital at ten and thirty-five minutes later he arrived.
He cried long enough for the nurses and doctors to know he was okay, and he calmed down. He latched onto Olivia's nipple with no fuss.
It was clear as they looked at their son that Olivia was merely an incubator, and she provided their son some melon. Otherwise he was all Fitz. He had curly brown hair, and she could see that one curl that was going to be a problem when his hair grew out. When he finally opened his eyes they were crystal blue.
Speaking of opening his eyes. That only happened when he was held by his oldest sister. It was clear there was going to be a bond between Nadia and Grayson. He had his dad's personality. He was a laid back baby.
Fitz smiled as he looked at his son, "Thank you Livvie for giving me our family. Not just Grayson but all of our children. I am so happy."
She turned and kissed her husband, "Thank you for coming back. For choosing me. I know we've had some bumps in the road, but I promise it was worth it."
"Oh, I know it is."
A/N-We stop there. I will have a Christmas in England with the Grants now that Grayson has made his arrival.
I like to use real life in my stories to bring it some additional life. I often times use things about Kerry & Tony in their fictional character. In this update when Olivia is talking to Tracy about financial independence from her husband we all know that is the Purple Purse campaign.
Check out pics of the nursery furniture and design on my twitter account kimberl17711667