Just a quick note to the guests who keep wondering why their reviews are not going through. I have changed my review settings, so now guest reviews won't automatically go through. If they have constructive criticism I will approve them. If they are rude, insulting or all from the same person, which is fairly obvious if five reviews come in within three minutes that are all the same I'll approve one and delete the rest, as I don't see the point of having five reviews up that tell me to just kill Christian. If you happen to have an account, just log in and pm me, this way we can actually discuss. And lastly, I saw some reviews saying I only created this story or the mess with the HEA to get more reviews. Honestly, that's utter bullshit. I don't care if a chapter gets five or fifty reviews because I will finish my stories no matter the amount of reviews I receive. In fact, my favorite story to write was besides one of my short stories, breaking down the walls, the story the journal, which didn't get nearly as many reviews as others but just was so much fun to write. In addition, creating this entire situation for reviews would be stupid, because A, it upset so many of my loyal readers and b I'm sure there are a lot of people who won't ever read stories I post again, so if anything by deciding twenty chapters in that I just don't see a HEA for Ana and Christian I have ensured that from now I'll get fewer reviews and follows...

Christian - One year later

"Hey buddy, ready to go on our camping trip."

"Yes, can we go fishing and hiking and make smores and ..."

„Whoa, calm down, CJ, I promise you we get to make all the things you like. Let me just get your bag." I laugh and walk to the door where Elliot is holding CJ's bag.

"Hey, how are Ana and the little princess?"

"They are both fine, though I think I need to stock up on my gun supply, judging by my daughter's habits now, I'm sure she is going to turn into the queen of the night one day and I need to shoot every fucker who dares to even look at her."

"There's still hope she'll end up with your ugly mug, then all the guys will run away screaming anyway." I joke and he snorts.

"Why thank you, wait what's that. Oh yeah, that was your cue to leave with your son." He says and thrusts the bag into my arms, but he is still grinning, so I know he isn't pissed.

I wouldn't say we are brothers again and most likely never will be. It feels more like talking to a childhood friend one grew up with and met again when they were adults.

As for Mia, I have realized that my issues and hers just don't mix well. Me needing time to myself without any family demands and her wanting to have a full time brother is always going to cause issues for either of us. So, I asked her to sit down with me, explained what is going on, and we even went to see Dr. Flynn together which helped us both to understand the other better. I was afraid she would think I'm a selfish ass, but she took it way better than I thought. We came to the result that for now it is best not to have contact, except for a birthday call and one for the holidays. That is a commitment I'm comfortable with and can keep, so I won't have to disappoint her again.

My other siblings... that's a bit tougher. Sophie is in college now, she chose to go to study in the US and has enrolled at the University of Hawaii. She much like me keeps the contact to our family to a minimum, which isn't surprising given that we all had to live the same fucked up family life together. Alison too doesn't life at home anymore because she decided instead of attending the local high school she wanted to go to a boarding school. Of course, our mother didn't want to let her go at first, but both Jason and her shrink made sure that Alison would get her wish granted. So now, it's only Caleb who is still living at home. Though with all the hobbies he has started to engage in, he too isn't home much, which has led to my fall out with my mother.

With all her kids not available for her to baby at home, her focus had shifted on me yet again or to be more exact on my son and that was the wake up call I have needed to finally let her know that she needs to back the fuck off or else I would make sure she would be institutionalized again.

- 6 months prior -

I'm at the office going through some contracts that need to be revised before the meeting with potential new clients next week when my phone rings.

"Taylor." I mutter still going over the contracts.

"Hi Christian."

"Hey Ana. What's up?"

"I was wondering if you want to start your weekend with CJ early and pick him up from school today instead of stopping by to pick him up tomorrow morning."

"Sure, is everything alright, you sound weird."

"I'm fine, it's just my back is killing me and I can barely get up let alone drive. Elliot is out of town until later this evening, so he can't pick CJ up for me, and so I thought before I ask my parents I just see if you have time."

"Sure, when is he finished at school?"

"At 3:30 pm. Though he has gym class as last period, so he might be out a little later, since he has to shower and change."

"It's OK, I'll just wait for him. Can I stop by at your place first and get his overnight bag."

"Sure, but it might be better if you stop by my parents to get the spare key first, because otherwise you have to wait for me to somehow get up and come downstairs."

"You know what, you rest, I just stop at a shop and get him some clothes."

"OK thank you, Christian."

"Your welcome, bye Ana." I say and hang up, set an alarm on my phone, so I'm sure to leave right on time and don't lose track of time while working.

Outside of CJ's school I wait until I see him, and he runs over to me when he sees me.

"Hey Dad, are you here to pick me up?"

"Yes, your mom called, she isn't feeling so good and thought we could start our weekend early."

"Cool, but mom is OK, right?"

"Sure buddy, she just has some back issues because the baby is getting heavy." I explain and offer him my phone, so he can talk to Ana while we get into the car and I drive to the mall to buy him some clothes. In the end, I'm sure I bought him an entire new wardrobe but this way he doesn't have to bring an overnight back all the time and just has clothes in his room at my apartment. Because it's getting rather late and I know he doesn't get fast food at home, I take him to a diner but soon notice that he is distracted.

"What's up, CJ, you are awfully silent." I say and he shrugs.

"Hey, you know you can tell me if something is bothering you."

"Do I look a lot like you when you were my age, Dad?"

"Yes, you sure do, why... not a fan of this ugly old mug." I chuckle and point to me face making him laugh.

"No... it's just there is this woman, and she looks kind of familiar but I don't remember where I have seen her before."

"What woman?"

"An older lady, like grandma's age maybe. First, I saw her at my baseball games, but didn't think anything of it... but then she showed up at my school and always just kept looking at me and... and yesterday she was at the end of the street when I was outside playing with my new skateboard. She told me I look a lot like you and tried to convince me to go with her."

"What... have you told your mom or Elliot?"

"No, mommy isn't feeling well because of her back and uncle Elliot came home late when I was already in bed, I forgot to tell him this morning. Am I in trouble because I forgot to tell?"

"No, but I want you to describe her to me the best you can."

"OK... she is a bit taller than mommy but not much, thin, she has blonde hair, blue eyes and a mole right above her upper lip." He says and I close my eyes. It can't be, she wouldn't. Not when I asked her to stay away from my son.

I take my phone out and look through all the pictures I have on there until I find one of her and Taylor with Caleb at his last day of elementary school.

"Is that the woman, CJ?" I ask and show him the picture, hoping and praying that this isn't the woman he has been seeing.

"Yes, that's her. Who is she Dad?"

"She's my mom, remember when you were in Canada with your mommy?"

"Not really, only that I didn't like it there. Why hasn't she just told me that she is my grandma?"

"It's complicated, CJ."

"Dad... she scares me." He confesses quietly and I close my eyes.

"You won't see her again, I promise you." I tell him and try to remain in good spirits until he we are at my place, have watched some cartoons and around nine he goes to sleep.

I know I have to tell Ana, but damn it, she is almost nine months pregnant and I don't want her to get into labor due to her losing her temper when she finds her that my mom approached our son.

So, after thinking everything through I decide to call Elliot instead. I have his numbers for emergencies when I have CJ and can't reach Ana, but haven't used it so far. Fuck, I guess there is a first time for everything.

"Christian?"

"Hey, there is something I need to talk to you about, where are you?"

"Driving home."

"Good, I don't want Ana to overhear us."

"What is wrong?"

"My mom is stalking CJ."

"What the fuck, why hasn't he told us?"

"He didn't want to upset his mom and forgot to tell you this morning. Anyway, I'm trying to deal with her, but keep an eye open for her and let Ray know. I'll send you a picture of her. Not sure if Ana needs to know, I don't want to upset her... so it's up to you."

"Yeah, I talk to Ray about it. Ana is supposed to keep her stress level down by doctor's orders, so let's try to deal with this without telling her first. Keep me posted...and Christian, I know she is your mom, but she comes anywhere near CJ again and I'll call the cops on her ass."

"I know, bye." I hang up and run my hands through my hair before dialing Jason.

"Hey son, how are you?"

"Have been better. Listen, how is mom, be honest."

"I know she has been in Seattle to see CJ, but I have this under control, someone is following her."

"Under control, fuck you, Jason. This is not having things under control, you are enabling her again to act crazy. I won't allow her to drag my son into this shit. He is scared of her, do you hear this, my son is scared because she is literally stalking him and you didn't even think of calling me to tell me what she is doing. Christ, I can't believe this shit, where is she now?"

"She told me she is visiting her aunt, but she is staying at the four seasons in Seattle." He says and I get up.

"Well, time to pay her a visit. Fair warning, it won't be a pleasant conversation, because I had it with her." I hiss and hang up before walking to the staff quarters of my penthouse where I find my housekeeper having a glass of wine.

"Do you need something, Sir?"

"No... well, yes. I know I said you could have the rest of the night off, but I have to leave for about two hours. Would you mind having your wine in the great room or TV room, so you hear if my son is up or needs something."

"Of course, I'll get changed." She says and I look at her dressed in yoga pants and an oversized sweater with thick woolen socks. Comfortable home wear...

"You don't have to, just make yourself at home and enjoy your evening. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen you might like." I offer and go grab the keys for my R8 before I get into the elevator.

Thirty-five minutes later I'm at the four seasons and another five minutes later I'm outside my mom's room and wait for her to open. When she does open the door she looks at me with delight in her eyes and moves closer to hug me, but I step back.

"Don't! I'm not here to hug and hang out. We need to talk."

"Excuse me, where are your manners, young man." She says sternly.

"They went out the door when my son told me he is scared of the strange woman that is stalking him. Care to explain why you are stalking my son?"

"He is my grandson and I have a right to see him. His horrible mother is keeping him from me and you are doing nothing to help me establish a relationship with him, so what else am I supposed to do."

"Well, maybe then you should have tried to establish a relationship with his mother first. All she knows is you acted very controlling and strange, so of course she wants to protect her son from your influence and I'm sure as fuck not going behind her back only to end up not being allowed to see my son."

"Christian he is your son, you have every right to make sure he knows his entire family. I don't want much, maybe a weekend a month, part of his school vacations... maybe he could live with Jason and I part-time..."

"Stop it, the only reason you want this is because everyone besides Caleb has left home. Have you talked to your shrink about this?"

"No, and I don't need to. I would have just gotten a lawyer, but with my history no judge is going to grant me visitation rights... if I could just have some time with him. Get to know him... he looks so much like you... it would give me time back that I have missed with you... oh, I should have kept that sweet boy years ago... so much time." She says and I want to feel compassion for her because I know she is a very sick woman but I can't find it in me. When she took me in she should have been helping me to get through the trauma I experienced with Elena and almost being murdered. Instead, she trapped me in a different kind of hell, what did Flynn call it. Emotional prison... yeah, she knew that her constant threat to kill herself was the only thing that kept the family together. Funny enough, it wasn't for acting so crazy, my siblings and I would have actually enjoyed having her around.

"Mom, you need help, you are drifting back into dangerous behavior and I won't allow you to drag my son into this. You called Ana a horrible mother but the fact is, she has done everything right when it comes to our son. She saw how toxic you were and got our son out of there... I just wish I would have had the courage to go with her. Do you know that I have been in therapy for almost six months now and not just because of what happened with Elena and Carrick, but mainly because of what your illness and behavior has done to me."

"That is not true... I have never done anything to harm any of my children."

"Really, do you even know how it feels to wake up everything fucking morning scared to say or do anything to upset you because I was afraid you'd kill yourself and it would be my fault. There was never a carefree moment, never a time when I could feel happy and free. You did this to me and you did this to your other children. I'm sorry for what was done to year, but it's time to get over it. We can't turn back time and make it right... so move on." I say and by now she is crying, usually an absolute warning sign, but I had enough. She needs to know what she has done to me and her stalking my son was just the trigger I needed to finally speak say my peace.

"Christian I love you... but maybe it was just too late when I got you back... CJ is younger..."

"Stay fuck away from him! I swear to God, you come close to him again and I will make sure you get locked up for the rest of your life. He is a happy boy who hasn't been through any hardship or trauma and I will do whatever it takes to keep it that way..."

"You make it seem like I'm a monster."

"No, you are not a monster... but you are sick and you somehow manage to make people believe you are better when you are not. I can tell you what you have done to me until I'm blue in the face and it won't change a thing... but I'm not willing to do this anymore. I'm done, we are done, Mom. I can't do this anymore and I won't so moving forward I won't have a mother anymore. If you ever manage to get the help that you need and not just act as if everything is better we may try again but for now we won't see each other again and if you come close to my son again, I'll have you arrested." I let her know, and she drops to her knees as I turn around to leave.

"If you leave now, I'm going to kill myself, Christian!" She screams but I ignore her and leave the room. On my way to the garage I call Jason.

"Have someone check on her, she wants to kill herself... I'm done with her and I'm done with you, she's only your problem now, so go on and enable her some more until eventually she kills both of you." I say and hang up before blocking his number.

At home, I thank Mrs. Lloyd for watching CJ and peek into his bedroom where he is sleeping peacefully. Getting closer on tip toes I pick up blanket that fell to the floor and tuck him in again.

"She is never going to scare you again. I won't ever allow to let any harm come to you." I murmur and leave the room quietly before getting myself a whiskey and sending a text to Elliot letting him know that we need to be on the lookout for some more time and that I will have security on CJ until I'm sure my mom has either given up or was admitted again.

- Present time -

Ever since that night I have hired an entire security for CJ and myself. It was long overdue anyway, but with my mom on the brink of another mental breakdown I won't take any chances. After talking to Ray, we all agreed to wait to tell Ana until she had the baby and when we did I was glad I wasn't Elliot and had to stay in the house with her, because she fucking exploded that we kept this from her.

As for my mother, Jason still hasn't acted and I think he won't ever do what's right or simply has given up when he realized that even the intensive therapy my mom had couldn't fix her. I did however contact the Canadian CPS to keep an eye on her and the influence she has on Caleb and Sophie told me that he is now in boarding school with Alison which is a relief. It's ironic how my mom went insane over wanting to have her kids around at all times and that's what finally led to all of her children leaving her.

It's also a stellar example for me how to not be as a parent. Because unlike my mom I would never threaten CJ to be with me or just sit by and allow shit to happen like Jason has done for so many years.

As we reach the camping side we put the tent up and get our fishing gear but my phone rings.

"Go ahead, I'll be right with you." I tell CJ and take the call.

"Taylor."

"Sir, I have to inform you that Mrs. Taylor has taken a flight to Seattle." My security chief Peterson tells me.

"Fuck me, have someone on her the entire time and contact Elliot Grey."

"On it, Sir."

"Good, I expect hourly feedback." I mutter and hang up. This is just what I need, but at least she has no idea where CJ is, so we might be saver here then we would have been at Escala...