A/N: Hey everyone! Just warning you, some may not like how this turns out, but oh, well. Not much I can do about that.
Going to time jump a bit.
….
For the past three weeks, everyone had settled into some semblance of normal. Ana and Christian worked more on their relationship, and wedding planning. When Christian wasn't with Ana, he was at the office trying to increase his workload so when he took off for his month-long honeymoon, everything would be caught up. He and Ray's business plan was doing well, already making more than enough money for several lifetimes. Elliott has secured yet another construction contract, which also brought in more profit than he could imagine. Kate of course was thrilled, and it was Elliott gentle pleading that he requested that she become a full-time stay at home mom.
"Besides, we can work on baby number three," he whispered to her late one night, and she found herself giggling uncontrollably. She was a sensible, independent woman. But one look into Elliott Grey's eyes, and she found herself agreeing to anything he wanted. Carrick, and Grace had too, returned to their normalcy. Carrick cutting back hours at his law firm to enjoy his children, and wife, and Grace the same. Ana's parent's were planning another trip in the summer, and had asked if Carrick, and Grace would like to come along.
"It's back home to Italy. Ray takes me every other year. Since we will be family soon, I thought I would offer if you'd like to join us," Francesca said to Grace the previous night over the phone. Laughing in delight, Grace quickly agreed.
"I don't see why we couldn't. It would be so fun. Carrick, and I were just talking about going on more trips together. I will run it by him, but I think it will be fine."
Ever since Ana and Christian had started to seriously see each other, the two women had formed a bond over conversation on the phone. Once a week, either Grace would call Francesca, or vice versa. Because of their busy schedules it is sometimes best to have a standing phone call. However, since the family was meeting more regularly, they agreed to start having lunch.
"Grace. I want to tell you something, but I need you to not get upset about it. I also need you to promise me that you will just hear me out."
"Oh, God. It has to do with Mia, doesn't it?" She questioned as she set down her glass of wine, opting to drink straight from the bottle.
My child has driven me to the bottle, Grace thought wryly. Francesca's husky laugh could be heard over the phone, as she spoke.
"I am afraid so my dear friend. Luckily, your child hasn't done anything over the past several weeks. In fact, she has behaved as a young woman should. After all, she has a child to consider. But Grace, you are an intelligent woman yourself. A doctor, I might add. I am sure that nothing escapes your grasp, or attention."
It was true. Grace was never one to boast, but it was very rare for her to be surprised by anything. Anything except her lovely husband and children.
"I'm listening," she said, wanting to hear what Francesca had to say.
"Listen, Grace. I am not trying to start any animosity between you and your daughter. I love Ana as if she were my own, and I would die before I wedged another mother daughter duo apart. But tell me, honestly, do you truly believe your daughter is being honest with you? That she has not suffered a memory loss, and that she is doing this because she knows she went too far?"
Closing her eyes Grace internally groaned. She had a feeling that Mia was faking. Not since the hospital visit, but over the past week. Grace heard Mia talking on the phone to one of her girlfriends, and It sounded as if the past weeks hadn't happened. She also never seemed to be in mourning for her baby that she lost, and whenever she was in the room with Matt, he would get this almost fearful look in his eyes, before running out of the room when her attention was elsewhere.
"Francesca. What if it is true though? What if she faced so many hardships, her mind couldn't process it all?"
Setting down her own wine glass, Francesca stood, before walking over to her patio door.
"Grace. I know you love her, and I'm not saying to do anything, or confront her; I just want you to recognize it, and not be fooled by the young girl's practiced speeches. We were young once. Younger girls sometimes have no idea that we were the originators of a lot of schemes they try and pull today."
At that, Grace laughed loudly. She would never admit it to anyone, but she was quite a wild one in her youth. It was why her parents were shocked she wanted to become a doctor. Even when she first met Carrick, she gave him the run around for quite a while. Her sigh was all the answer Francesca needed.
"I will recognize, and think about it."
…
One thing that changed over the past several weeks was the increasing closeness between Ana and Matt. The little boy was adorable to her, and so smart and funny. Right now, with Grace's permission, she took him to a children's art show, where the kids could even messily paint, and run around with other kids. When he came back to her grinning wide, eyes alight with joy, something in Ana's heart shifted. She was in love with this little boy, and she didn't care who his father was. She just wanted him to be taken care of. They had walked over to the other half of the art place, and this time both Ana, and Matt began playing in earnest.
Ana would dip her hands in multi-colored paint, and Matt would do the same. Then she would slap them on paper, and Matt would giggle before following her. While he was focused on his paper, Ana dipped her finger in red paint, and smeared it on his cheek. He gasped, and quickly turned to her before grinning, and throwing his paint hands on her arms, and t-shirt. Thank goodness, she wore jeans, and tennis shoes, and had her hair up. Soon they were both giggling, throwing paint on themselves, as were the other parents, and kids. Once they tired themselves out, Ana asked him if he wanted some food.
"Chicken nuggets!"
Beaming at the thought of McDonalds, Ana grabbed Matt's small hand, and they nodded to Taylor, who only looked at the two in amusement.
"Where to next?" He asked when they were both settled in the back seat of the truck.
"McDonald's please. Then to Christian."
"Will do."
…..
Christian left his meeting, and was heading back to his office, when he heard a commotion in the lobby. He heard most of the women who worked at his company awwing at something, and he rolled his eyes.
Must be some more puppy or baby you tube videos.
But, he was pleasantly surprised to see Ana, and Matt.
Both covered in paint.
Sipping from McDonald cups.
Grinning at him.
"Hey. What are you two doing here?" he asked, to which Matt described in detail.
"Aunt Ana took me to paint, and stuff. Then we had chicken nuggets! I painted this, see?" Matt pointed to a drawing that Andrea was pinning behind her desk. It was awash in colors, and his handprint was on the right of it. Ana's handprint was on the left side of it.
"He wanted to come and bring you this himself."
Amused, he watched as Ana and Matt continued sipping from their cups as they were praised by all the women surrounding them. Even Taylor seemed to be trying not to laugh.
"Well, thank you for the picture, Matt."
Looking down shyly, he peeked up from his lowered lashes.
"You're welcome Uncle Christian."
Running his hand through his hair, he asked if they were done for the day.
"As a matter of fact, we were heading home. But first, we wanted to know if you were done for the day."
Confused, Christian said that he was.
"Yes. I just came out of a meeting and-"
So focused on his explanation, Christian failed to see Ana's hand behind her back, or the fact that Andrea had slipped Matt something as well. Instead, the boy grinned at Ana who nodded and rushed him.
"Get him, Matt!"
Mouth open in shock, Christian took a handful of paint to his chest and suit-courtesy of Ana-and glitter all over his pant legs by a giggling boy. Everyone in the office was laughing, and he didn't notice the company photographer grinning, and snapping a crazy amount of candid photographs that he'd be sending to the news outlets soon. Ana was gripping his neck, rubbing her paint smeared clothes over his, and laughing at the stunned look on his face. Matt was giggling so hard, that his entire face was pink. Christian found himself chuckling once he got over the shock, and pulled Ana close before kissing her softly.
"Really, Ana?"
Giggling, she kissed his cheek before stepping away. She winked up at him before glancing down at her partner in crime and high-fiving him, much to the amusement of everyone present. What everyone didn't know, was that his brother was Elliott Grey.
This, he could handle.
"Andrea?" he said off-handedly, while keeping his gaze on Ana and Matt.
"Yes, sir?" she asked, still chuckling a bit.
"I need you to give me what you confiscated from Elliott months ago. I saw it under your desk still."
Eyes light with laughter, she bent down, ignoring the looks of apprehension on Ana's face, and curiosity on Matt's. Suddenly, Andrea pulled out a large, yellow super soaker that was clear, and showed that it was holding a ton of water.
"Any last words, Ana?"
"Uh." Turning, she grabbed Matt's hand.
"Let's run!"
The little boy was giggling as he ran, and Christian nodded once to everyone in the lobby before chasing a laughing Ana, and Matt down the hallway. As they left, everyone marvelled at how light-hearted their boss was since Ana came into the picture.
"Thank God for small miracles," Andrea said, before sliding back into her chair.
…..
"Thanks a lot, Skylar. Have a good night."
"Yeah, no problem."
Once the last guy left, Skylar, AKA Jose locked up the bar. He got a job as a bartender, and couldn't believe how much he actually enjoyed it. It was something he did before he met Ana, and while in college, and he couldn't believe how much fun it was to talk with real people. He once again wondered how his life spiraled out of control, then he realized that it was all his doing. Once everything was cleaned, lights were off, and the building was secure, he walked down the steps, breathing in the fresh air. He loved the sea at night time, and thought this was the best view in the world. Whistling to himself, he headed down the beach, smirking at the couple trying to have sex in the sand.
Shaking his head, he jumped up onto the sidewalk. Five minutes later, he rounded the quiet road, that led to his bungalow when he heard a click. Instantly he froze.
"Give me your wallet, Jose."
Closing his eyes, he slowly pulled out his wallet. Quickly, the man behind him, called the person waiting on him from the other end.
"I've got it."
Hanging up, he pressed the gun tighter to his head.
"Any last words?"
Sagging in defeat, Jose shook his head.
"No."
Without hesitation, the man pulled the gun, instantly ending Jose Rodriguez's life.
…
At the private airport hangar, Mia received a text.
The money has been wired back to your account. He's finished. It's over.
Smirking, Mia quietly got out of the car, and headed to the private jet.
"You should never tried to cross me, Jose. Maybe if you didn't leave with my money, I would have left you alone. But no, you just had to go the extra mile."
Mia marvelled at her jet of freedom. Not only was it taking her away from here, but it was giving her a new life. She knew she wouldn't be able to return. She picked a non-extradition place, that she'd visited before, and actually enjoyed. She didn't care too much for her son, and left letters at her parents home for everyone. It explained everything.
Once the plane was situated, she sat back in her seat, and smiled.
"Goodbye Seattle."
…..
Ana, Christian, and Matt came stumbling into the Grey mansion. All soaking wet, yet happy.
"Where's gramma?"
Placing his hand on Matt's not sticky head, Christian shrugged. "She should be in the living room. Let's go find her, then see if we can get a set of clothes. We're all a mess." Hearing voices, Matt ran in the direction of them, leaving Christian and Ana to follow behind him. When they got there, they were faced with the entire family, minus Mia.
"Hey. Is something wrong?" Christian asked. Forcing a smile, and quickly wiping her eyes, Grace stood.
"We need to talk. It's about Mia." Waving Gretchen over, she asked her to take Matt to his room.
"Please get him cleaned up, and dressed for dinner."
"Yes Mrs. Grey."
Once the little boy left the room, Christian, and Ana stood in the center of the room awkwardly. Elliott as usual tried to make light of the situation.
"I see you guys are into water play."
Ana flushed, and Christian scowled.
"Ana took Matt to the children's museum today, then they came by my office and decided to attack me with paint. I then repaid everyone by using your super-soaker."
At that everyone in the room smiled, to which Carrick shook his head.
"You children do work, right? Or do you all just go into offices to play games?"
Kate, and Grace snorted, and Ana grinned before standing on her toes and kissing Christian's cheek.
"I had to, Carrick. It was just too easy."
Carrick winked at her to show he was only kidding. Once their laughter died down a bit, Grace sighed.
"Go up to your old room, and change. When you and Ana return, we have much to discuss."
…..
LOL There it is. The official ending of Jose Rodriguez. And in this story, I wanted Mia to get away. Sometimes it's fun to make the bad people get away. Explanations will be provided next update followed by official wedding planning stuff. Love you all, and please remember to be kind.