"You two seem happy," I commented as Ana and Aisling walked into the suite at 1:00 pm. "Did you have fun?"
"We did," Anastasia replied, passing Teddy to me before flopping onto the sofa. "Have you eaten?"
"We ordered up," I replied. "You?"
"Yes. We stopped at a café after the bookstore. Christian! You should see this place! It's amazing."
"As good as Strand Books?" I asked with a smirk. Anastasia had once described visiting there as dying and going to heaven.
"Pretty close! I'm grateful to Aisling for suggesting it!"
"High praise, indeed," I said to Aisling with a smile which she tentatively returned. "I hope you both took advantage of all its offerings?"
"I might have bought a thing or two…" Anastasia admitted.
Aisling snorted, smiling at Ana.
"Ok. So, I might have bought a lot," my wife corrected.
"I hope you did!" I said with a smug smile.
"You go ok?" Anastasia asked, the look in her eyes belying her casual tone.
"Fine," I said, reassuring her with my smile. While Aisling and Ana went shopping, Wendy, David, and I discussed Eleanor. David had made her 'real' for me through his stories. They'd grown up as neighbors before they dated so David could detail her short life up to the time he left to join the army.
David explained Eleanor's mother, Kathleen, had been a free-spirit – having Eleanor out of wedlock in the 1960s. Eleanor's father never revealed, her grandparents took on the responsibility of raising her while Kathleen spent less and less time at home. In an eerie parallel, Kathleen died when Eleanor was four.
Convinced they'd been too liberal with their daughter, Kathleen's parents resolved not to make the same mistake twice. Accordingly, they'd been very stern with their granddaughter; sending her to a strict Catholic school and limiting her interactions with others. Yet David and Eleanor had secretly met, their love story playing out during hours at the school library, free periods at high school and on the long bus journey to and from school.
They hadn't been ambitious; Eleanor had hoped for a home of their own and in time two or three children. David joining the army had been the first step in their plan, but things had not worked out the way they'd hoped. We'd probably never learn how Eleanor ended up where she did, and why she didn't reach out to David. Still, I now had a picture of my mother beyond the drug-addicted neglectful prostitute – and for that, I would be eternally grateful.
"This little guy looks ready for sleep. Did you want me to take him to Gail?" I offered.
"Yes please," Anastasia replied, curling up on the sofa we'd claimed for our sessions before making chit chat with Wendy, Aisling, and David. When I returned, it was time to get back into it.
"This afternoon, I wanted to discuss where to from here. Christian and David spoke a little about it earlier, and both have committed to wanting to develop a relationship. Now I'd like to explore what that means for each of you. David? Would you like to start?" Wendy asked.
"Well, I've missed a lot of time with you, Christian. You have a family with the Greys, but had things been different you would have grown up an O'Riley. If you're willing, I'd like to tell my family about you, and arrange a time for them to meet you."
"I'm open to the idea," I said cautiously, "however I need to speak with my legal team, first. I'm a private person, and while it's public knowledge I was adopted, few know the full circumstances of my early years and I'd prefer to keep it that way. The last thing I want is the story of my early life splashed over some tabloid."
"I hadn't considered that," David admitted.
"Da? Christian is right. Can you imagine Connor if he discovered he had a wealthy cousin? He'd be camped on Christian's doorstep asking for money, or worse selling his story…" Aisling argued.
"You have a point," my father mused. "What if it were just my parents, brother, and sister, and you got them to sign an NDA?"
"I'd be a lot more comfortable with that," I admitted.
"Christian? How do you see your relationship with David progressing?" Wendy asked me.
"I thought we could visit each other from time to time? We could come to Detroit, and you and Aisling might want to visit us in Seattle? Or we could vacation somewhere together? Once we know each other a little better, I'd also like you both to meet my adoptive family."
"You'd like to pursue a relationship with Aisling, too?" Wendy asked.
"Yes – if you're open to it?" I asked, smiling at my half-sister.
"I'd like that."
"I told David about visiting Eleanor's grave and we talked about commissioning a plaque," I announced as Ana, Teddy and I were lying on our bed together after everyone had left.
"Oh?"
"We agreed to list her name, birth and death dates, and a small epitaph. We took a while to work it out, but we decided to go with Always remembered. Rest in peace."
"You're happy with that?" Anastasia asked, her fingers drawing little patterns on my arm.
"I am. David wanted Remembered with Love, but since so many of my memories of Eleanor are complicated, I wasn't sold. It's weird having to share her memory with someone else; especially since David's memories are of a girl he wanted to spend his life with."
"You loved her, too," Anastasia challenged.
I sighed. As usual, my wife was right. However, no matter how much I may have cared for my mother, there was still resentment along with a new feeling. Guilt. My conception and birth had catapulted my mother into an entirely foreign realm. One she was completely unprepared for. Were it not for me, Eleanor and David would probably be married with three children, now. The rational part of me appreciated it was not my fault. I still felt responsible, though. Not that I'd tell Anastasia that.
"David insists on paying for half the plaque. I have no idea why…"
"Because he loved her, Christian. I know you're blaming yourself for what happened, but you have no reason to. And if you're feeling responsible for what happened to Eleanor, imagine how David must feel? You're the two people most intimately connected with Eleanor. Let him pay half. He needs to do this as much as you do."
I lay on my side, considering Anastasia's words.
"I should ring legal and get them to draw up NDAs for David's parents and siblings," I sighed.
My aunt and uncle still lived near Boyne Falls, and once I'd agreed to meet David's immediate family, he suggested we meet there. His brother, Patrick, had bought their childhood home, and I was curious to see it. Of course, I was every bit as eager to see the house three doors down where my mother had grown up. David and Aisling would pick up his parents on Saturday morning and use the four-hour drive to tell them about me. We'd fly up to Boyne Mountain Airport at midday then meet everyone Saturday afternoon.
"Andrea? We're flying to Boyne City on Saturday morning. Can you please book accommodation for us for one night? I'll also need transportation waiting at the Boyne Mountain Airport."
"Yes, Mr. Grey," Andrea responded, ever the consummate professional. I suppose this was far from the most difficult task I'd tasked her with over the years, but I could tell she was curious.
"We'll be returning to Seattle on Sunday, and I'll be back at work on Monday" I added. "Can you also put me through to Dermot?"
"Certainly, Mr. Grey."
The lawyer who handled my most intimate personal affairs, Deidre Dermot knew everything about me and had been briefed on my trip to Detroit and the reason behind it.
"Mr. Grey," she greeted. "I hope your visit has gone well?"
"It has, thank you, Ms. Dermot." I explained what I needed and why.
"I'll have the documents drafted and sent to you within the hour. I was actually about to call you. Half an hour ago I received a call regarding Jack Hyde. His defense team has convinced him to change to a guilty plea which means there won't be a trial and you won't need to meet with the legal team in Detroit. A judge will determine his sentence, and if you provide a written victim impact statement, neither you nor Mrs. Grey will need to appear."
"What sort of sentence can he expect?" I asked, my mind playing catch-up.
"Life, or close to it," Dermot replied confidently. "Between the information provided by Ms. Ilyard, Mrs. Grey's statements, and that of the FBI and local police, the case was all but indefensible."
"Keep me appraised, and thanks for all your work on this."
"What is it, Christian?" Anastasia asked once I'd disconnected the call.
"Hyde's pleading guilty, so there won't be a trial. Deidre said he's likely to get something close to life."
"It's over?" Ana gasped, her eyes wide.
"It is," I said, scooping Teddy into my arms and pulling up his little shirt to blow raspberries on his belly. "Let's get dressed and go out for dinner. I want to celebrate!"
"You look nervous," Anastasia commented as the GEH plane leveled out for the forty-minute flight to Boyne City.
I shrugged. There was no point denying it. I was nervous! After a delicious breakfast, we'd checked out of the Detroit Foundation Hotel. It was a nice place to stay, but if we were going to visit Detroit often, I might look into buying an apartment locally. If our flight had been longer, I would have taken Anastasia into the bedroom at the back to work off some tension. As it was, I had to content myself with holding her hand as she chatted with Gail.
I tried to do some work, but I wasn't in the right headspace for it, so instead, I closed my eyes and thought about my discussion with Mia. At Ana's insistence, I'd called her yesterday to tell her about my search for my birth mother and how that had led to discovering my biological father. I told her a little about David and Aisling, including that I would be meeting my uncle, aunt, and biological grandparents today.
Once she'd calmed down about not being kept in the loop, Mia was actually encouraging – even offering to fly over to Michigan for moral support. I'd declined, instead inviting Mia to have lunch with Teddy and me on Wednesday when I took my son into Grey House for the day. Anastasia had pointed out Mia might be threatened by Aisling – so she encouraged me to work on my relationship with both of my sisters.
With Ethan still overseas consoling Kate, Mia had admitted she was at a loose end. I was wondering whether to find her something at Grey House to keep her occupied? Mia had never really known what she wanted to do with her life, but spending days shopping and going to the gym wasn't the answer. I'd raise the issue with Ana when we got home and see if she had any thoughts.
"Not long now," Ana whispered, leaning over to kiss me as the jet prepared to land. We were going to check into our accommodation, then wait for David to call. When he did, Taylor, Anastasia, Teddy, and I would head over to Patrick's house for the family meet and greet.
Once we landed, McIntyre and Prescott secured Teddy's car seat in a serviceable but utilitarian hired van. Not our usual sort of transportation, nonetheless it would do the job. Taylor drove us to our where we'd be staying – a self-contained home with five bedrooms right on Lake Charlevoix in Boyne City. I had to hand it to Andrea, she'd come up with the goods! The place was beautiful, and there was even a crib waiting in the master suite for Teddy. We settled in, and I was just getting nervous when David called.
"Christian? I've told everyone about you, and if you're still willing, they'd like to meet you."
"Ok. We've rented a house in Boyne City, so we'll be there soon."
David gave me the address, which Taylor typed into his phone.
"There's one more thing… I haven't discussed the circumstances of Eleanor's death. My family remembers her as my sweet seventeen-year-old girlfriend. They're upset enough to know she's gone without knowing the worst of it. I don't like them thinking badly of her because of what she had to do."
My heart swelled a little. It was as though David wanted to protect Eleanor – even now she could no longer be hurt.
"I'm happy to go along with that. If anyone asks, I'll tell them she died in an accident and I don't wish to discuss it."
The drive there took ten minutes. The township itself was much smaller than I'd imagined. David had explained the population had been falling since the 1980s, but was now turning as people realized they could get more for their money but still be within fifteen minutes of larger townships. Taylor pulled up in front of a tired white two-story weatherboard house. The van had barely pulled to a stop when David and Aisling appeared on the front porch.
I unbuckled Teddy and passed him to Anastasia once she climbed from the van. He was almost due for his sleep, so Taylor assembled his stroller and carried it up to the porch, Anastasia and I following in his wake.
"Christian," David said, holding out his hand. "Thanks for coming. This means a lot to me."
"It means a lot to me, too," I replied, shaking my father's hand then following him inside. Anastasia followed with Aisling, Taylor bringing up the rear with Teddy's stroller.
The front door opened into a small entryway, however, David led us straight through an archway on the left and into the family sitting room where four sets of eyes regarded us curiously.
"Oh Sean!" the woman who was obviously my grandmother gasped, clutching the arm of a man beside her. "It's like looking at David twenty years ago!"
"Well he's twenty-nine, so closer to thirty years ago, Ma," David said, trying to lighten the mood. "Christian? This is my mother, Cora, my father Sean, my brother Patrick and my sister Maureen. Guys this is my son Christian, his wife Anastasia and their son Teddy."
"It's Theodore, but we call him Teddy," I said, just to fill the silence.
My aunt was the first to collect herself.
"Please! Take a seat! I have to say, meeting another nephew was the last thing I expected when David rang and demanded I come to a family meeting today. We've all signed those forms you prepared for us," she said, picking up four signed NDAs from the coffee table and passing them to me.
"Thank you. Please don't think I don't trust you… It's all just very new and sudden for me," I explained, passing the papers to Taylor.
"It's fine. David explained how successful you are. We actually saw you on Oprah, but I never thought you might be my nephew!" Maureen gushed.
We sat awkwardly, Taylor loitering near the doorway.
"Can I introduce my head of security, Jason Taylor?" I said, again to fill an awkward pause.
"You have your own security?" Sean asked.
"An unfortunate necessity," I mumbled. "No offense, Taylor!" I quickly tacked on.
"None taken, Sir," Taylor replied with a smirk. The fucker was enjoying seeing me so out of my element!
Our initial shock over, Cora stood up, moving into the kitchen and preparing tea and coffee, Maureen following to assist. The rest of us sat in uncomfortable silence, waiting for them to return. Teddy was overtired and started to grizzle.
"Is there somewhere I can put him down to rest?" Anastasia asked Patrick. "I've got his stroller, but if he hears us talking, he won't settle."
"You can put him in my office," Patrick offered, standing and gesturing for Anastasia to follow. Taylor did likewise, pushing the stroller toward the rear of the ground floor. My uncle returned, Ana rejoining us a few minutes later.
"Taylor is watching over him," she said quietly.
"So, Christian?" Cora said returning with a tray of tea cups, Maureen following with plates laden with slice and biscuits. "David told us a little of your life and how you located him. He said it was through a genealogy site?"
I cleared my throat nervously.
"Yes, that's right. I had just turned four when my birth mother passed away. She'd listed herself as Ella Riley on my birth certificate with a false birthdate, so it was impossible to identify her. The team I'd tasked with finding more information had no success, so they suggested looking for a DNA match. It hadn't occurred to me a search like that might turn up a paternal connection, so it stunned me when I was informed I had a living paternal aunt and uncle."
"Ma? Remember ages ago Patrick and I and the kids did that Ancestry search to help Aunt Grainne? We had swabs taken from our cheeks to try to find a match with the side of the family who stayed in Ireland?" Maureen explained to Cora.
"And that led you to us?" Sean asked, regarding me coolly.
"It did. I grew up knowing nothing of my biological parentage. It wasn't until I became a father, myself, that I started to wonder where I came from. Since I'd never known a father, I focused my attention on searching for my mother."
"Yet you contacted David?" Sean challenged. While everyone else appeared to welcome me, Sean was openly disapproving. "What is it you want?"
David hissed, and the tension in the room increased exponentially. Anastasia grabbed my hand, silently urging me to keep my cool.
"I want to get an idea of where I come from," I replied, my voice shaking with the effort to stay in control. "I have hazy memories of my mother and knew nothing at all of my father. I wanted to learn how I came to be. And you know what?! I wanted to know my birth mother's real name!"
I almost shouted the last part. Anastasia responded by moving closer to me, placing her hands on my cheeks and forcing me to look at her.
"It's ok," she crooned, holding my eyes with hers.
"This was a mistake," I said, my voice quivering. I stood up. "I'm going for a walk. Which house did my mother grow up in?" I growled, my eyes meeting David's.
"Number eighteen," he replied. "Aisling? Go with your brother."
"No," Anastasia interjected, recognizing anything I said or did now would undoubtedly offend. "Taylor?"
"Mrs. Grey?" he said appearing seconds later. He must have already heard the raised voices.
"Mr. Grey is stepping outside. Please go with him."
