Chapter 26

Eric POV

Wednesday- 2:00 pm

I can't believe my dad would do this! Fucking coward! Why can't he stand up to my uncle for once in his life? Why can't he call the police or Mr Grey and tell them about this situation? Phoebe really doesn't look well and I'm scared she is actually going to die before anyone does anything.

Dad came back about half an hour ago, trying to calm my uncle down and get him to see straight but after another shouting match, agreed to give him the money he took out of his bank account.

"Thank you Ricky. Now I just gotta wait for Grey to hand over the money I demanded," I hear uncle Rob say.

"What? You're still gonna hang around and think he's going to give you the money and then just let you walk? Are you seriously fucking insane?" Dad snaps at him. I don't hear Uncle Rob's response, if he even gave one. "Where are the kids, Rob?"

"I can't tell you that!"

"Why the fuck not? I gave you the money now give me my son!"

"It's not that easy Ricky. I need some sort of reassurance that I'm not going to prison. The kids are going to come with me until I can get away for good." I decide I can't let that happen. I shout down to dad that we're up here and I kick the door down. Something I should have done the other day but now I'm just too angry. I rush downstairs and see the gun he had lying on the table and pick it up, aiming straight for him. Dad is yelling at me, telling me not to be stupid but before I know it I've pulled the trigger.

And then all hell breaks loose.

… … …

Christian POV

Wednesday- 2:30 pm

When we finally arrive at the edge of the woods, the police are already there and my security team are giving the details of what they know. After speaking to the officer in charge and Marx I discover they have found the van and Richard Johnston's car parked nearby to an old abandoned cabin with the belief that my little girl is trapped in there with the psycho. They are all getting suited up and guns loaded before entering the woods to take them down and find Phoebe. I hang back a bit, reluctantly agreeing to wait outside the cabin until they have restrained Robert and Richard.

It seems to take a lifetime to get to the cabin but finally we arrive and it all looks quiet. That is, until something breaks the window from the inside and shouting can be heard.

"I should have called the police on you years ago! At least that way that sweet girl wouldn't have had to cope with as much pain!"

"Cry me a river! And you wouldn't have given me up, Ricky! No matter what!"

"It would have been better if you had died and not Anastasia. Tell me where my son is Rob or I swear I will go to prison for killing you!"

"You don't have it in you, Ricky! I'm the killer in this family, not you!"

Oh my God, he is confessing unknowingly to the police chief right now. Though hearing the words about my wife leave his mouth make me want to kill him myself. Next thing I know there is a teenage voice shouting to his dad that he and Phoebe are upstairs in that cabin and a few minutes later there is a gunshot. My heart leaps into my throat. No!

The police decide to move. They kick down the door and run in, shouting orders and throwing the men to the floor. Once Richard and Eric are restrained I enter, against the chief's wishes, and follow a police officer up the stairs where I see Phoebe handcuffed to a chair, eyes closed, legs bleeding, covered in bruises. Standing behind her with a knife to her throat is Robert. He is leaning in close to her glaring at me.

"Take one step, Grey and I slice her throat open."

"Don't do this! Please, she's only a child."

"You think I care? She was supposed to die! Not Ana!" I go to respond but I am distracted by the sweet sound of my wife's voice. I look up and she's running through the door. I look back to Rob and his eyes have widened almost in fear and he backs away from Phoebe. She falls forward in the chair but she hisses as the cuffs dig in deeper.

"No, no! You can't be here. I killed you," Rob is whispering to Ana, who is standing paralysed in the doorway. I can't take my eyes off Phoebe, however. My heart breaks and I rush to Phoebe since Rob has moved right away and gently take her face in my hands. She flinches and opens her eyes and they look so lifeless.

The police chief enters the room and analyses the situation.

"Johnston. Give up now. There's no-where left to run," he says as the other officers aim their guns at him. I notice now that he is clutching his arm which is leaking blood and I realise that gunshot must've been for him, not my little girl.

"No! This isn't how it's supposed to be!" He runs forward again and tackles Ana, trying to cut her with the knife. She lets out a scream and I realise he must have caught her but the officers manage to pull him off, disarm him and cuff him before he does any real damage. I look at her and she has a cut on her cheek but she looks at me and says she's fine, so I stay with Phoebe.

Once they have taken Rob from the room, kicking and screaming all sorts of atrociousness, a police officer comes upstairs with a key to the handcuffs and quickly undo Phoebe's wrists and ankles, causing her to fall forward into my arms. She is shaking with sobs and I hold her tight, trying to comfort and let her know she is safe now.

… … …

Ana POV

Wednesday- 12:30 pm

It's been half an hour since Christian left and I decide I cannot stay here any longer. I stand, leaving Ted with his brothers and cousins in the games room and head back upstairs to find some car keys. I find some but am stopped by Sawyer who questions where I am going. I tell him honestly that I am going to the woods I heard Christian talking about and nothing he can say will stop me.

Of course that doesn't stop him from arguing with me. I will have to get used to this security thing again if I am sticking around (and Christian will not let me leave again) so I fight back and say everything I can possibly think of to get him to let me go. In the end he agrees but he insists on coming with me, which I guess I can accept. Besides, I didn't tell him this, I actually don't know the way.

It's about 2:30 when we arrive and as Sawyer pulls up behind the police vehicles by the cabin I realise this may not have been the best idea. What if Phoebe does overreact and goes crazy at me. How will Christian react after he told me to stay at the house? Only one way to find out. I exit the car and run into the house, only to see Ricky from high school and I'm guessing his son Eric on the ground with their hands cuffed behind their backs. Ricky's eyes widen in shock and I swear I hear him scream as I run up the stairs after realising my daughter isn't down here.

"No! You can't be here! You're dead," he's saying as I continue up the stairs.

"Christian?" I call running through the door. I heard them talking as I walk through the door.

In the middle of the room Phoebe is handcuffed to a chair with Robert standing behind her with a knife pressed firmly into throat and he is glaring at Christian as he pleads with Rob to let her go. Rob shouts claiming that Phoebe was supposed to die and not me all those years ago and his eyes widen when he sees me. He backs away from Phoebe and she falls forward in the chair hissing in pain as the cuffs dig in deeper.

"No, no! You can't be here. I killed you," Rob is whispering. Christian rushes to Phoebe since Rob has moved right away and gently takes her face in his hands. The police chief enters the room and analyses the situation.

"Johnston. Give up now. There's no-where left to run."

"No! This isn't how it's supposed to be!" He runs forward again and tackles me, swinging the knife and catching me on the cheek. I scream. The officers manage to pull him off, disarm him and cuff him quite quickly though. Christian looks at me but I just reassure him I am fine and he turns his attention back to Phoebe. Shortly after Rob is gone an officer comes up with the key to unlock Phoebe from the chair and she falls forward into her father's arms, shaking with sobs. I hear him telling her that she is safe now and everything will be alright.

The sight in front of me would be beautiful if it wasn't for the fact we are in a disgusting cabin in the woods and my daughter being covered in blood and bruises. I rush over and kneel next to them, getting a proper look at my baby girl. I gently place my hand to her cheek and she looks up at me with lifeless eyes.

"Mom?" she whispers, disbelieving. "Is it time?" she closes her eyes and snuggles closer to her father. I realise she must think I am an illusion, here to welcome her to the afterlife or something. Her breathing evens out, although shallow and we realise she must have passed out. Christian holds her and glares at me as the paramedics come up and tend to her. Carefully she is taken downstairs and loaded up into an ambulance and while we have a few seconds together my husband finally says something to me.

"What are you doing here? I told you to stay home with the boys," he snaps.

"I couldn't just sit there, Christian. I had to see her." He sighs and we go downstairs. Christian goes with her in the ambulance and I get my cheek looked at quickly. I'm told it will be fine but I should get it checked at the hospital just in case so I get Sawyer to follow them, while I call Grace and tell her what's happened.

It feels so strange talking to my mother-in-law on the phone, just like old times, but she agreed to meet us at the hospital and oversee Phoebe's care. All I can do now is wait.

… … …

Teddy POV

Wednesday- 2:00 pm

I cannot believe my mother is alive. It just doesn't seem real after all this time but she is here, in the flesh. Talking to me about my life at Harvard and her life in England. I can't believe it though. Dad had taken us to England once, after mom 'died' and obviously we never thought of the possibility of her still being alive. We were closer to her than we were in Seattle and we didn't even know it.

After half an hour in the games room with the boys when dad left I notice she's not here anymore. Oh no! I quickly get up and look around upstairs to see if I can find her but I notice Sawyer isn't here either and one of the cars is missing from the garage. Shit! Dad is going to kill me for letting her run off again. I'm just hoping Sawyer is with her or I don't know what we'd do. I also hope she doesn't do anything stupid. I think we'd all die if we lost her again. I realise though, I don't even have her cell number so I can't ring her to make sure she's safe. I ring Sawyer who tells me he's with her and that everything will be fine.

For some reason I don't quite believe it. I become a huge bundle of nerves so I hide upstairs so my brothers and cousins don't see me panicking. To take my mind off things, I logon to my computer and try to get some college work done but I'm disturbed by a knock at the door.

Ava walks in before I give her permission to enter and sits on my bed. I can tell there's something on her mind. I ask her what's wrong but she just shakes her head at me.

"Ava? Come on I know something's up." She sighs.

"Do you think Phoebe's alright?" she asks fearfully. "I mean, what if that guy has hurt her pretty bad. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her, Ted. She's my best friend." She looks down and I see tears falling from her cheeks. I stand from my desk and sit next to her on my bed and wrap my arm around her, pulling her close.

"Phoebe is a fighter, Ava. I'm sure my dad will find her and bring her home. She may be a bit shaken up and I know she will go bat shit crazy when she finds out about my mom but I don't doubt she'll come back," I reassure her as best I can.

"Oh yeah, your mom. I'm glad she's come home. I may not remember a lot but I remember that she was awesome. I just hope my mom will be ok."

"Ava, everything that is happening here is going to take time to recover from. Aunt Kate will learn to accept what happened and so will Phoebe. My dad is already talking about getting some sessions in with Flynn for everyone and if we all work together, we should all be fine at the end of it. It will take time."

"Do you think my mom will forgive your mom?"

"Yeah. I think she will. They were best friends so finding out my mom had been hiding away all these years would have hurt your mom. But like I said, time and talking should help." Ava just nods and rests her head against me. I know she must be worrying about Phoebe and Aunt Kate and trying to be strong for her younger sisters so I realise that she needs someone to look out for her, even if she won't admit it. I silently promise to look out for her and my brothers and the triplets until this is all over.

… … …

Grace POV

Wednesday- 2:45 pm

I must admit it was strange to receive a phone call from Anastasia but at the same time it was almost as if the last ten years never happened. She tells me they found Phoebe and are on their way to the hospital and asks if I am able to meet them there. Of course I agree and alert Carrick of the good news and we make our way there together.

I also call Elliot and Mia as I know they have been worried about their niece and leave it up to them if they want to come to the hospital. Mia agrees to come and Ethan comes with her meaning my two youngest grandchildren will be there too. Elliot decides maybe it's best not to leave Kate at the moment but Kate insists on seeing Phoebe with her own eyes to make sure she is alright. I know she felt quite protective of Phoebe when Ana wasn't around and even tried to take her away from Christian so she will want to make sure that she is alive and well. I did warn Elliot to tell her that if she starts anything with Ana again I will make sure security escorts her out as Phoebe will not need arguing today.

We arrive before the ambulance and so we wait in the emergency area until they all arrive. Naturally the ambulance arrives first and Christian jumps out followed by the paramedics pulling out the gurney Phoebe is lying on. She looks so battered lying there my heartbreaks a little. A few minutes later, Ana arrives and Christian wraps his arms around her but for some reason glares at her. They follow the paramedics pushing my granddaughter until they are not allowed to go any further. She needs to be checked over and bandaged up which they will do before letting us see her.

Ana is quickly seen to by a doctor to get a cut on her cheek looked at and stitched up. Once that's done they head towards the waiting room. Together they collapse into chairs, waiting for news. Carrick and I sit with them and try to reassure them as best we can. Christian start mumbling.

"She looked so weak. She was lifeless, mom. Her eyes had no light left in them." He starts shaking his head to himself as tears fall from his eyes. Ana tries to speak to reassure him. He just looks up at her and glares again. "And you! I told you to stay home with the boys!" he snaps.

"I'm sorry, Christian but I couldn't just sit there and do nothing!"

"Why not? You have spent ten years away from them! Why couldn't you spend more time with them before seeing Phoebe? She's too weak to understand what the fuck is happening right now!"

"Christian, this isn't helping, son," Carrick tries to calm him down. Ana has tears in her eyes and just apologises. I wrap my arm around her and reassure her everything will be ok.

"Christian?" Mia calls walking over to us and wrapping her arms around him tightly. Ethan follows with CJ and Emma. "Any news?"

"Not yet. They're examining her and are going to get her bandaged up before letting anyone in to see her," Christian explains. Mia just nods and hugs Ana. Ethan comes over and hugs Ana too but just shakes Christian's hand. Emma comes over and crawls into my lap. She has always been a grandma's girl and loves to be near me whenever I'm around. She looks up at Ana curiously. Mia quickly introduces Ana to her children since she didn't get a chance to the other day.

"Ana, this is CJ and Emma. CJ, Emma, this is your Auntie Ana. Uncle Christian's wife," she explains.

"I thought Uncle Christian didn't have a wife, mommy?" CJ asks confused.

"He does, sweetie. She has just been away for a while and has now come home," Ethan tries to explain to his nine year old son. CJ nods looking full of questions but surprisingly leaves it alone and goes to say hi to Ana who smiles at him.

"Hi, I'm Carrick Christian but everyone calls me CJ because my grandpa is called Carrick and my uncle is called Christian," he explains making us all chuckle.

"Well, I am pleased to meet you CJ. I'm Anastasia but everyone calls me Ana because it's shorter and easier."

"Anastasia is a pretty name. Can I call you Auntie Anastasia?" he asks innocently. She smiles and nods.

"Yeah, sure if you want to." She looks up to Mia and Ethan silently asking permission and they just nod their heads.

"Oh give me a break!" comes the voice of my other daughter-in-law who isn't as accepting of Ana's being alive as we all are.

"Kate. What did I tell you? Be nice or we go home," Elliot scolds his wife like she's a teenager. Kate just sighs and addresses Christian, who is still angry at her for scratching Ana.

"Any news?"

"Nothing that concerns you," Christian snaps, wrapping his arm around Ana. I guess he's forgiven her for following him to that cabin.

"She's my niece-," Kate starts but is interrupted.

"She's my daughter. You can't keep trying to stake some claim over her Katherine because it's not going to work."

"I'm not trying to stake some claim over her. I just want to make sure she's alright. I care about her."

"She's just getting checked over and bandaged up," Ana says, wanting to end their mini argument. "We should be able to see her shortly." Kate glares at her.

"I wasn't asking you. I was addressing Christian," she snaps. Christian stands.

"Katherine I suggest you stop speaking to my wife like that. I get that you're angry but you really need to cut the shit now! You should be happy that Ana is actually alive but instead you're acting like a bigger bitch than normal."

"Acting like a bitch? I'm sorry am I the only one here who realises what she's done? She runs away for ten years, letting us all believe that she is dead and then comes back and tries to pretend that nothing has happened. I'm sorry guys but that shit just don't work like that!"

"Why are you so angry, Kate? It's her husband and children that have suffered the most without her," Mia snaps.

"Kate why don't we just go. I knew coming here was a bad idea," Elliot tries to pull on her arm to leave. She shrugs him off.

"I'm not going anywhere until I see my niece," Kate snaps.

"Then you're going to have a very long wait!" Ana snaps, standing. Kate just stares at her.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Either you calm the fuck down and be civil or go home Kate because if you keep this up I won't let you go in to see my daughter." Kate looks shocked at Ana's words.

"You can't do that."

"Can't I? I'm her mother."

"Some mother you turned out to be! You left her all alone in that park, crying over you. I've been more of a mother than you have!"

"Yes and from what I've heard been a shit mother to your own kids! Kate you have no idea what I have been through and right now I am angry and scared and worried so you really don't want to mess with me right now. Either sit down, calm down and shut the fuck up or go home because we are not dealing with your anger crap while my daughter is lying in there getting fixed up!"

Kate finally shuts up and sits down next to me but still glares at Ana.

"What happened to your cheek?" she asks curiously. Ana tells her about that Robert who cut her and Kate just nods before looking away. I know it's selfish but right now I only want to focus on my unconscious granddaughter in the other room and not be worrying about everyone else.

… … …

General POV

Wednesday- 5:30 pm

The Grey family sit in silence for over two hours. Christian had offered for Mia and Ethan to take their kids back to his house and have them stay with Gail and the other children until they heard some news which they only accepted after Emma was getting a bit restless. Mia decided to take them and rest there for a little while before coming back.

Grace and Carrick get up to walk around every now and then as they were getting achy from sitting too long, Grace would occasionally go and see what was happening only to be told that Dr Bruyne would be out shortly with news. Carrick made some calls to find out what was happening with the Johnston's and what charges were being pressed.

Kate and Elliot sat together holding each other's hands as Kates legs shook nervously waiting for news. She would occasionally glance over to Ana trying to find it in her heart to forgive her friend but right now it was just too painful to think about everything that happened let alone forgive and forget. Kate knows she will need some sessions with Flynn but right now her anger is all she has. Elliot, on the other hand, keeps glancing at his own wife, nervous about what she may do since she has been quiet for so long. He knows she is hurting, they all are, but he needs to know that she is going to be okay in the end.

Ethan keeps pacing. He is worried about everyone in his family, especially his sister and he is worrying that all the stress may be too much for Mia, especially as she is carrying his baby again. They agreed not to say anything until everyone gets over the initial shock of Ana's return and hope their news will bring everyone together again. He glances at his watch. Mia should be back soon.

Christian and Ana just sit there, hand in hand, looking down waiting nervously for news. As time goes on the more worried they get. What if something more serious has happened that they didn't know about. Ana's leg starts shaking nervously and Christian gently places his hand over her knee to get her to stop. They look sorrowfully into each other's eyes before he just wraps an arm around her and pulls her close.

Finally, an hour later, Dr Bruyne enters.

"Phoebe Grey's family?" she calls and they all stand. Christian steps forward to say he is her father. "Ah, Mr Grey. Your daughter, as I'm sure you're aware, is covered in some severe bruising and there were several deep cuts at least a day old. Her nose is broken and there are deep welts on her wrists and ankles from the handcuffs. We've stitched up the cuts over her legs and back but I' afraid she may still be in pain for a while. Her wrists and ankles may need a couple of weeks to heal but we have some treatment that should help ease that pain. We have sedated her so she can get some rest while we give her some nourishment as she is severely dehydrated and from what we can see hasn't eaten for a few days," Dr Bruyne explains. Everyone lets out a sigh but no one asks the scary question on everyone's mind. Will she be ok? Luckily the doctor can see this in their eyes assures them she will make a full recovery physically, however the mental scars may take longer to heal. She leaves them telling them they can see her two at a time.

Everyone agrees that Christian should go in first but Ana suggests Grace go with him in case she wakes up. They don't want to upset her by having her mother there when she is supposed to be dead. Christian and Grace accept and head towards Phoebe's room.

… … …

Phoebe POV

Oh my God, I ache everywhere. If I am dead why do I ache? And why can't I see? I'm distracted by my father's voice talking to my grandmother, I think.

"What do I tell her? What if she hates her and me? I can't lose my little girl, mom."

"Christian, we will tell her like we told the boys. It will just take more time for her to accept it," Grandma replies. Who are they talking about? Accept what? I realise now that I can't be dead. Or can I?

"I know it will take time. Time seems to be the only thing this family needs nowadays," dad groans. Grandma chuckles. "How long until you think she will wake up?"

"I don't know son. When she's ready I guess," grandma replies. I feel something warm on my hand and I realise it's my dad's hand. He reassures me he's there for me and that he won't leave me until I'm awake. On that note I go back under.

…

"I'm sorry for overreacting the way I did. I just can't believe it. After all this time, she's here," I hear Aunt Kate's voice which brings me back to the now. Though I still can't open my eyes.

"I get that you're angry Katherine. We all are in some way but you can't just attack her like that!" Dad's voice again.

"I know! I will try to make up with her but at the moment I can't stand to face her."

"Well you need to get your shit together. The last thing Phoebe needs is dealing with a bitch fight!"

I don't hear the next thing because the darkness closes in.

…

I feel stubble stroking my hand as someone pleads with me to wake up.

"Come on Phoebe. You can do it. Open your eyes for Uncle Elliot," my uncle is saying.

"You don't really think that'll work do you?" I hear my uncle Ethan as well. Where's my dad? I want him here.

"I hope so Ethan. She looks so fragile lying there. No wonder Christian and Ana are in bits." Wait! What?

"She will wake up when she's ready. Besides Ana hasn't even seen her yet."

I'm pulled back under but I want to hear the rest of the conversation!

…

My dad is back. He is holding my hand again and it feels very comforting. He is alone and pleading with me to wake up.

"Come on baby. Open your eyes. You can't go anywhere yet, there's someone you need to meet."

Who do I need to meet? I try to think but I need the bathroom really badly and that's what allows me to open my eyes.

"Daddy?" I croak out. My throat is so dry. His eyes widen and he jumps up happily.

"Phoebe!" he sounds so happy and relieved that I start to cry.

… … …