Chapter 18

Theodore's POV

There was no way of convincing her but at least she was trying to live..if that's the right word to use. Uncle John has been pushing my parents to make her go back to therapy and if not him to someone else. Gail also told me that grandma has been calling for Tina to resume her appointments that she has been ditching. Now that everyone knows about her condition, I guess she does not see any other reason to attend them.

I could see her from under my eye playing with her food, acting as if nothing is wrong. I could see her anxiety, and then says everything is under control. Under control my ass. I knew I had to speak to her again. Or maybe speak to Uncle John directly maybe we can do something… But for now I had bigger fish to fry.

'You seem quiet Teddy.' mum asked worriedly. 'is everything ok?'

'Are you worried about that tender.' Dad replied trying to guess what's wrong. 'Listen you don't have to worry. We have got lawyers working on it. It will soon be settled.'

'What tender Christian?' mum asked as I saw dad realising Tina's concentration on whatever was on her dish.

'Pumpkin? Are you ok?' he asked.

'Yeah dad..' she smiled weakly.

'Karen's pregnant…' I blurted without even realising. I felt mum and dad's gaze solely on me whilst Martina sipped some water trying to ease the tension.

'What?' Dad asked.

'Karen's pregnant…' I continued. '... And I'm the father.' I explained.

'How? When?' What are you saying Theodore?' mum asked confused.

'What I mean is. Karen is pregnant, I am the father, and I left the decision of what she wants to do with the child to her. She is carrying it after all.'

'... And if she keeps it?' Dad asked.

'I'm going to be involved only if she wants me to be involved.' I explained.

'Theodore how did this happen? You're responsible, you're…'

'I guess things happen!' I replied to dad.

'How many times have we talked, no love without glove?'

'Well sometimes things happen. You either forget or to busy too… You know…' I continued as mum stood up and paced around.

'Are you marrying her?'

'What? No!' I replied. 'I caught her cheating on me.'

'How sure are you it's yours?' Dad asked.

'I guess pretty sure. Because the things she did with the other guy would be pretty hard to make a baby that way!'

'I think what Teddy is trying to say…' Martina started whilst mum cut her off.

'You knew about this?'

'Yeah… I was with Teddy when he received the call.'

'... And you didn't have the decency to tell us?'

'Tell you what?' she asked defensively. 'It's not my baby! I am not the father so it's not my thing to say.'

'I'm very disappointed in you Martina!' she affirmed.

'Why are you disappointed at Martina?' I argued. 'I made the mistake not her.'

'... But she hid the information.'

'Ana maybe you should calm down.' Dad replied as he stood up.

'Mum it's not fair!' Martina said. 'Teddy was trying to lessen the blow. And you are blaming me?'

'Martina to your room.' she shouted.

'Mum!' I was confused to why she was deflecting this on Martina.

'Now!' she strongly affirmed as Martina left the dining room as fast as she could.

I was so angry at her reaction more than anything. If anything should have been angry and disappointed in me not her. She had nothing to do with this. I felt so furious at that moment.

'Mum I know you're disappointed but you shouldn't have spoken to Martina like that.'

'He's right Ana..' dad explained. 'It's Teddy's thing to tell us…'

'I don't want to hear it…' she replied. 'Teddy what's going to happen now? Your career, reputation, future relationships.'

'Mum I am not going to be the first person to have a child out of wedlock and am not the first COO that had unplanned children. Might I remind you that you two were the same when you learned you were pregnant with Martina.'

'That's different. We had you and we were married.'

'Mum you're blowing this way out of proportion. I'm 26 years old, so it's not a bad age to have a child after all. I'm financially stable…'

'... But you are not in a stable relationship. You are not even in a relationship!' mum explained.

'Oh yes, because you two were in a so called "stable relationship" when you found out you were pregnant with her?' I threw at her. 'Age doesn't define who's ready to raise children!'

'We're not saying you're not capable of raising a child.'

'Than what the hell are you saying?' I exasperatedly asked exasperated. 'Mum, dad, I'm telling you because you are becoming grandparents. I am not asking you to babysit. This is my responsibility.'

'Have you thought about the possibility of her not wanting you involved, of it not being actually yours?'

'Yes, which is why we are meeting tomorrow and although 99% it is mine, I am going to ask her for a DNA test.'

'...and if she doesn't accept?'

'We'll cross the bridge when we come to it.' I replied. 'But guys you need to reevaluate your priorities. Something happens and you take it out on Tina? This wasn't her fault.' I added as I looked at mum.

'I know.. You're right... ' She replied. 'I just lost it.'

Martina's POV

Since Teddy's big revelation, everyone seemed to be over his case. My parents never stop questioning him to the point that he felt the world closing in on him. I guess it's the first time for him. As much as possible I tried to support him, spending hours at night talking and letting him confide in me and sometimes let his frustrations out. This situation on the other hand made everyone off my case, which was a nice breath of fresh air. This didn't mean that Taylor wouldn't be my security and driver, or that I didn't have Prescott during my runs, but it meant that I was at liberty to do everything I wanted to do.

My grandma and uncle John keep trying to get hold of me, but at this point, I don't feel I need any of …. Of that. I just need to get things sorted on my own.

I went out of the bathroom drying my hair, and as usual weighing myself before getting dressed. It was lovely having some control back. I recorded my new weight, feeling lighter, happier… which was soon replaced by wanting a new, better number. I got quickly dressed putting on my high waisted jeans and an oversized jumper on top. I put on my black pump block heeled shoes and made my way downstairs where Gail was waiting for me. Lately breakfasts in the morning were cut short and/or focused on more discussions with Teddy on his way forward. Karen accepted that she'll do a DNA test, as she is not sure herself if the child is Teddy's. She said that she'll keep it either way considering that she feels her clock is ticking, and she doesn't really care about the father, so if Teddy is the father, it's in his hands whether he wants to be a father or not. On the bright side, there is no more pestering from my parents to eat, or join them during lunch time. Gail on the other hand, keeps worrying. She's such a lovely woman. I love her so much. Wish she was actually in a related family kind of relationship.

I went down and fetched my travel coffee mug whilst preparing my daily caffeine mix. Gail came in fixing some flowers in a vase, and the suit followed grandma.

'They're very beautiful Mrs. Grey.' She smiled as she moved forward to fill the vase with water. 'Hello dear.' She smiled as she hugged me. 'Your grandma came to give us a visit.' She smiled.

'I can see that.' I smiled. 'Hello grandma.'

'Hello dear.' she greeted as she came forward to give me a hug.

Grace's POV

I knew I had to intervene in other ways. The girl was doing everything she could to put us off. John updated me on her current appointment absence and I could update him on mine. She looked sick, pale, cold, and when I hugged her she tried to push me away.

'Gail, could you give us a minute?' I asked politely as she complied. 'How are you doing Martina?'

'I'm ok.' She smiled as she poured coffee in her mug. 'Why are you here grandma?'

'I came to visit you, and see how you're doing, seeing as….'

'Grandma, don't start again. I'm fine.' She replied as she moved to the table and took a seat.

'Ok, then why are you missing your appointments, your sessions?'

'...because I don't need them.'

'Did you work through your…'

'Kidnapping?' She replied. 'Yeah, because I want to relive that right?'

'Martina, you need to process…'

'Grandma, please, if you came to visit, can we talk about anything besides appointments, sessions and the rest?' She asked, looking exasperated.

'Ok, what would you like to talk about?' I asked seeing that pushing her too much would draw her further away.

We managed to have a decent conversation and shared a couple of laughs. I enjoyed seeing her like this, carefree and alive even if it's for a few minutes. Maybe this is what she needs, someone to be with her, understand her, and love her unconditionally. I'd do anything to keep her safe. After an hour or so, her friends came to pick her up.

'Thank you Gail. For everything you do with her.'

'It's my pleasure Mrs. Grey.' She smiled.

'Gail, how is she doing?'

'I don't think Christian and Ana will approve of me disclosing any information…'

'It's for her own good Gail.' I assured her as she gave it some thought. She left what she was doing on the island and turned to face me giving me all her attention.

'Grace, she has become more withdrawn. She's skipping meals, and no one tells her anything. Well, at first everyone was trying, Christian and Ana made sure to make her sit at dinner, but since Teddy is becoming a father…'

'Yeah I hear about that.'

'Christian and Ana have been very edgy about it, which made them focus all their attention on Teddy.'

'...and Teddy?'

'He's been helping her as much as he can, but you know how she can be.'

'Hard headed, just like her father.'

'That she is.' She laughed. 'I'm keeping an eye on her, trying to force her to eat whenever I can, making sure she still has her lunch and breakfasts ready. She needs someone to think of her.'

'Thank you Gail. Please, if something happens call us immediately.' I replied as Christian and Ana came in.

'Mum!' Christian smiled as he came to hug me. 'This is a surprise.'

'Well, one of us had to make the effort to visit.' I replied as Gail handed me the coffee and I joined them for a little chat.

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