Gideon

Gideon looked back and found Christian right behind him. He looked down at his arm and back at Christian. He shook Christian's off.

"Let her go Cross. She needs a few minutes. Let's go into my dad's office."

He followed Christian down a hallway that led to a closed door which Christian opened. He realized Elliott and Carrick had also followed. Carrick went straight to the liquor and poured drinks for them after he was handed his glass he threw it back and was served another.

"Why did you buy Kavanagh Media?" Elliott asked.

"I couldn't let go what that weasel did to her. I had already intended to buy them out before she left the hospital. After she told me what happened, I made my decision. You all weren't doing anything. I thought you would have done something Grey."

"Oh I planned on it but she asked us not to interfere. I wanted to rip him apart but she said the mistake was hers alone."

"That's bullshit and you know it."

"You need to understand something." Carrick said. "My daughter is too nice to a fault. She sees the good in everyone she meets. She doesn't understand how someone who obviously told her he loved her could hurt her so badly. She blames herself for what happened and not once blamed Ethan for anything."

"I blamed myself because if it wasn't for me this wouldn't have happened. She knew that and told me if anyone was to blame it was her. She's the one that believed everything he told her. Mia's experience with men was very little. Don't get me wrong, she had plenty of boyfriends but none were serious. Elliott and I made sure of that. Some dated her because her last name was Grey."

"So you scared her boyfriend's away."

"Only the ones that needed scaring." Elliott said.

"Why didn't your fiancée like your sister?"

"Mia is an annoying, whiney, get on your nerves little sister, just like she is supposed to be. Mia didn't like the way Kate would talk to me and when Mia would ask me for something Christian had already told her "no", she would come to me. I could never tell her no like dad could. I really think Kate was jealous of the closeness that Ana and Mia have."

"She's a spoiled rich brat but only let that show around her family. Mia never acted like that in front of anyone else. Mia is a sweet, loving young lady that loves to love. This whole situation has dimmed the light in her and it only comes back when you around. She had hardly ate since she's been here. She only comes down for therapy and dinner." Carrick said.

"I don't like the idea of you being anywhere near my sister but I also see how much she seems to need you. I don't understand the connection you two seem to have and I'm not going to try to understand. I have that same connection to Ana when we met. We still have that but it's stronger. So I am going to tell this once: if you do anything to hurt her I will ruin you."

"Trying to scare me off." Gideon smirked. "I won't hurt her and you could try."

"She's outside on the patio."

Gideon left and went in search of Mia. He walked through the kitchen and saw her sitting on a chair. He opened the door and went to her. He sat down in the chair next to her and stared at the water.

"I don't want you to be mad at me for buying Kavanagh Media."

"I'm not mad. I should be but that isn't what's bothering me."

"Then what is?"

"Did you mean it, when you said you loved me?"

"Yes I did."

"How can you love me when you don't know me?"

"I know enough and I also know that's its fast. I have only told one other woman that I loved her and she betrayed me. I didn't think I would ever love again and I swore I wouldn't but with you it seems inevitable. What I feel for you is so different then what I felt for her and it makes me think that I didn't love her after all. I know you are weary because of what that asshole did but I'm not him. I would never hurt you intentionally but I'm possessive, demanding, am when I want something I get it. I want to see where this could go. What do you want?"

"You." she whispered. "But I'm scared. The last time I believed when someone told me they loved me it was the worst mistake I have ever made. I don't want to get hurt again and you have the power to do just that. But I also don't want to miss out on something that could be wonderful. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm willing to try this and see where it goes. Just a warning: I can be annoying, whiney, and I love to shop."

Gideon smiled and leaned toward her. "I think I can handle that." He said before her kissed her he wrapped one around her waist and pulled her closer. She held on to his biceps as their kiss deepen. A cough had them separated them.

"I'm sorry but dessert is being served." Grace said with a smile as she left them.

"I guess we better go get some dessert."

Mia giggled as he helped her up. They walked into the family room and sat on the loveseat with Gideon right beside her. He picked the pecan pie while Mia picked the pumpkin roll, which they found out was each other's favorite. They had just finished eating when the questions started.

"So Gideon, you live in New York?" her grandmother Trevelyan asked.

"I do. My business Cross Industries is located there."

"Are you willing to relocate?"

"Mother!"

"What? It's a legitimate question. He is dating my granddaughter after all."

"To be honest, I've never had a reason before." Mia blushed when he looked at her. "Most of my business is on the East coast."

"How long are you going to be in Seattle?" Carrick asked.

"At least until Monday but my plans could change."

"Then you will come to Sunday dinner." Grace said.

"I would love to."

"We are hosting a family dinner tomorrow night at our place and Christian and I would like it if you would come." Ana said as she nudged Christian.

"Ah yes we would."

"If you're sure."

"We are." Ana smiled.

Mia tried to hide the yawn but Gideon still managed to see it.

"Grace it was a lovely dinner and I appreciate the invitation. I asked Mia if she would come stay with me at my hotel and she agreed. I think we should leave now since she's tired."

"She won't be …" Christian said.

"If Mia said ok then that is fine with us. Just take care of her." Carrick said.

'"Mom would you help me upstairs so I can pack a bag?"

"I'll help you." Christian said.

"Just to the top of the stairs."

He nodded and help Mia up the stairs with Grace following. Once she cleared the stairs, he left them alone. He went back to the family room and walked right to Gideon.

"You better take care of her. She still has trouble walking by herself."

"Don't worry. I'll take care of her, you can be sure of that."

Mia

Grace gathered the things Mia wanted and watched from the bed as her mother packed them. She waited for the questions to come but they never did. Grace came out of the bathroom when a frown on her face.

"Mia darling, how are you going to take a bath? I'm sure the hotel doesn't have a bench for you to sit on."

"Oh I hadn't thought about it. Maybe it isn't a good idea that I go with Gideon."

"Nonsense. If you want to go then you should. Wait here."

Grace left and Mia fingered her pink travel bag. She looked around her room and notice for the first time how juvenile her room looked. She had pink everywhere. She was a twenty-one year old woman not a twelve year old girl. This was her childhood bedroom and she never changed anything just added to it. She looked up when she heard voices. Gideon walked in behind Grace.

"As I was saying Gideon, we have a small problem. Mia needs to use a bench when she takes a bath. I'm sure the hotel doesn't have one."

"Not a problem." He said as he got out his phone to use. "Do you need anything else, little one."

"No. I can take my cane with me."

Grace and Mia watched as he spoke on the phone with someone at the hotel and barked orders to them. He closed the phone and smiled.

"The bench will be there in the morning. I couldn't get it sooner."

"In the morning is fine." Mia said.

"Is there anything else you need me to pack?"

"I think that is everything mother, thank you."

"I put your pain meds in the side pocket."

"Ok."

"Be sure to take them if you need them and don't fall asleep with your braces on."

"I won't."

"Have a nice time darling and I will see you tomorrow night at Christian's."

"Ready, little one."

"Yes."

Mia led the way to the stairs and waited for Gideon to help her what she didn't expect was for Gideon to pick her up and carry her down the stairs. She let out a squeal that brought everyone running from the family room. She blushed at the attention and curled more into Gideon. He put her down so she could say bye to everyone before they left. After ten minutes they were walking to the car Gideon had rented and helped Mia into the passenger seat before he put her bag and cane in the trunk. He got in the driver's seat and started the engine.

"You ready."

"I'm ready."

Mia watched as Gideon pulled out and headed toward the highway that would lead them to the hotel he was staying at. Halfway down the road, Gideon reached for hand and entwined their fingers. She felt that familiar tingle when their hands touched. She felt that every time she was near him. She closed her eyes and let the feeling wash over her. She felt the car stop and she opened her eyes and saw the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in front of her. She blinked several times to keep the tears at bay. Gideon noticed.

"What's wrong Mia?"

"This is … this is where he brought me."

Gideon cursed that asshole as he looked at Mia's face. "We can go somewhere else."

"No. Your things are here and I have to get used to coming here again. My parents hold several parties a year and this is where they are held."

"Are you sure? I can get my things and we can go to another hotel?"

"No it's fine."

Gideon opened the door and gave the keys to the valet and then went around and helped Mia. An employee brought her bag and her cane. They rode the elevator to the top floor where Gideon had rented a suite. After the employee left, Mia went to the window that over looked the gardens and let out a sigh.

"We can still go to another hotel?"

"No it's ok."

She turned around and saw that Gideon had removed his jacket and was in the process of rolling up his sleeves. She wanted to see him without his shirt on but she knew she wasn't cleared to do anything yet. She wasn't ready to be intimate with Gideon. She had to wait for her leg and her arm to heal. The doctor had also warned her against having sex until her next appointment which wasn't for two weeks and especially about waiting at least two years to have a baby. They wanted her uterus to heal completely before attempting a pregnancy. They didn't know if she would have complications or not. That was the least of her problems.

"Do you want to watch TV or go to sleep?"

"A movie would be nice."

"Are you nervous?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"A little. I don't understand why?"

"This is the first time that we are alone out of the hospital and I don't know what you expect."

"Mia, sweetheart, this is really no different from that. I don't expect you to have sex with me. One I know physically you aren't ready for that and emotionally you're not ready either. I don't want to rush into anything. I want us to continue to get know each other and when we get to the point that we are ready we'll take the next step. All I want to do is sleep in the bed with you in my arms and not having any wires in our way."

"I want that too. I haven't been able to sleep well."

"Well then why don't we go to bed early and in the morning we can do whatever you want."

She nodded as Gideon held out his hand to her. He picked up her bag and led her to the bedroom. He opened the double door and saw the enormous king size bed covered in a cream colored comforter. He set her bag on the bed.

"Do you need help getting ready for bed?"

"A little. My mother usually helps me."

"I can help you. What did you bring to wear in bed?"

"A pink nightshirt and black sweat pants."

He rummaged through her bag and found what she said. He also pulled out her toiletries bag and went to the bathroom and set everything down. He came back for her and helped her into the bathroom. He sat her on the closed toilet seat and removed her small arm brace and then helped her lift her shirt. He quickly pulled her shirt over her. Once it was covering her, he unclasped her bra and helped her take it off. He removed her leg brace and helped her put the sweats on. She leaned against him while she brushed her hair and her teeth. He helped her into bed after he turned the covers. She got comfortable in bed and then he went to the bathroom and got ready himself. Mia watched as he came out of the bathroom wearing a t-shirt and boxers. She could the muscles in legs as he moved. He turned the lights off and crawled into the bed and moved closer to her.

"Can you move back just a little?"

She moved back until her back was flush with his chest. She felt that all too familiar tingle and shivered. He draped his arm around her waist and hugged her to him. He kissed the side of her neck.

"Good night Gideon."

"Good night little one."