AUTHORS NOTE: I will say up front I am not happy with this chapter, I have read and re-written it a number of times but to me it just doesn't seem to flow right. My intention was for a bit of humour with darker undertones and ultimately a bonding session between everyone as Gideon's past and his vulnerabilities has never been fully revealed and I felt it was time to do just that.
Also, just a quick response to JB's comment who posted as a guest. Thanks for your comments and I totally agree, hard labour should be mandatory in his case! I Googled what the penalty was for desertion in the American military and according to the results I found, five years was the standard harshest punishment so that is what I went for. I would like to point out that I have no idea the ins and outs of military justice and punishment so I am pretty much winging it.
CHAPTER 43
(ELLIOT)
"For fucks sake!" I mutter as I try and squeeze myself into the SUV.
I quickly glance at my daughter who thankfully is sound asleep and unaware of what I just said.
I hear a couple of snorts of amusement from Gideon and Christian and then giggles from Eva and Ana as they watch me wrestling with a giant stuffed giraffe.
"I don't know what you two are laughing at, it's your fucking fault, can't you control them? This is totally stupid" I grumble.
Gideon and Christian had behaved like kids rather than grown men at the zoo and then they had totally lost their minds and practically bought every single stuffed toy the gift shop had to offer for Ava. Of course, they didn't go for the discreet small ones either they went for the life size ones which I have spent the past 10 minutes trying to cram into the SUV. Taylor and Angus are also watching with faces filled with amusement.
"I don't know what you are finding so damn funny, you had to send for another SUV because of the idiocy of these two" I grumble which just makes Angus and Taylor smile wider and Ana and Eva giggle even louder.
As I say this Raul appears with another car and as he climbs out he looks across at me and a smile begins to pull at his lips.
"Don't say a fucking word Raul!" I warn as I begin to yank out all the cuddly stuffed toys which I have just crammed in. He takes pity on me and begins to move them to the car he has just arrived in.
"Does the gift shop have anything left?" he asks dryly and I pause.
"I have no idea, why don't you ask those two idiots as they are responsible for this" I say waving a giant stuffed elephant at Gideon and Christian who are now openly laughing helplessly.
Eva and Ana also take pity on me and come over to help and we quickly move all the toys into the car Raul has just brought.
I glance at Ava she is still asleep and she is clutching a massive stuffed penguin which is nearly as big as she is, but I'm not about to wake her to take it from her. Oliver is also in the car and he can stay as well as he is in a death grip in her other hand.
"That will do, that penguin can stay where it is as Ava is holding that and I don't want to wake her" I say as I run my hands through my hair.
"I'm sorry El" Christian says but the smirk on his face belies his words.
"No, you're not" I retort.
Gideon steps closer, "I apologise Elliot as with hindsight I do think we did get a little bit carried away" he says but he too has a grin on his face as he says this.
"I have no fucking idea where I am going to put that lot when we get home" I say as I stare at the car filled with toys.
"We'll all help when we get home El" Ana says and I smile at her as she seems to be the only one who is being sincere.
"What the hell got into you two?" I say looking at Christian and Gideon once more.
Their amusement starts to fade and they look at each other and shrug, "I just wanted to do something nice for Ava after all she is my niece" Gideon says.
"Same" Christian replies, "But I admit that I think we did go a little over the top" he adds.
"Ya think!" I reply.
Gideon and Christian both apologise for their behaviour and while I know they still think what they did is funny and I can't believe they did what they did I can't stay mad at them as their crazy behaviour ultimately came from a good place. They saw how enraptured Ava was by the toys and they wanted to make her happy but whereas a sensible responsible adult… like me would've just chosen one, those two morons with their unlimited resources bought one of everything, just because they could.
I will have a word with them about this though and I am certain that Ana and Eva will as well as although they don't see the harm in what they did I don't want my daughter growing up believing all she has to do is batt her eyelashes at her uncles and she gets what she wants. The way Mia is should be enough warning that I want my daughter growing up understanding the value of money and not ending up a spoilt brat.
oooOOOooo
(EVA)
We are travelling back to Christians apartment, Elliot is riding with Taylor and Ava in a Merc which is currently in front of us and Ana and Christian is with him, while Gideon and I are riding in the Bentley being driven by Angus.
"You know, you did go too far" I begin and Gideon nods.
"I know and believe it or not I do regret that, but Elliot's reaction when he was trying to cram all the toys into the car was funny" he says, he looks at me and I reach for his hand. There is no amusement on his face now and he looks as though he wants to say something.
"What?" I say gently.
"She calls me Uncle Gideon" he says simply and realisation hits me. I wrap my arms around him and hold him tightly.
"I think you need to open up to El and explain… you don't have to tell him everything but just explain the issues you have with family, he'll understand. It clearly means a lot to you that she calls you uncle and while I get the reasons behind it nobody else does so I think it's time you shared with them as they are also your family now".
Gideon nods, "At the moment he thinks I'm just an idiot with more money than sense, I think I'd sooner him see me like that than him know the truth" he says sadly.
I shake my head, "He is my brother and I want you two to become close… he is your family too Gideon so you should let him in" I coax.
I watch as he thinks about this and eventually he nods, "I will, I'll talk to him and explain and I'll apologise again" he says.
There is a silence for a moment but before I can respond Gideon speaks again, "I blame Christian though, not totally but for part of it as I was just going to buy the one toy then he bought something as well so I had to go one better and then he tried to top me and things just escalated. I think our competitive natures just got away with us" he says.
I look up at him, "That is no excuse, you both behaved like adolescents. You were a bad influence on each other, egging each other on. But what is done is done, but please don't do anything like that again as while Ava will think it is brilliant you are not doing her any favours by behaving like that".
Gideon nods, "I know" he says simply.
We arrive at Christian and Ana's apartment and I watch El carrying Ava inside. She is absolutely beat, the zoo was a massive hit and clearly it has tired her out.
We are all gathered in the living room as Elliot joins us and I watch Ana offer him a drink which he gratefully accepts.
"The toys have all been taken to the plane" Christian says sheepishly after a few moments. Elliot nods but doesn't say anything.
"Look El… I'm sorry we got so carried away" Christian says.
Elliot holds up his hand, "Look, I know you both meant well but I don't want Ava growing up to be a spoilt brat. I don't want her thinking all she has to do is go running to her rich uncles and she gets what she wants". He pauses and looks at Christian meaningfully, "Think of Mia… think of Kate" he says and I see the look of realisation on Christian's face.
"Shit" Christian mutters and he runs his hand through his hair.
I catch Ana's eye and she nods at me, that comparison was enough for Christian to see the error of his ways.
"I want Ava to grow up understanding the value of money, to have a work ethic and realise if she wants something, she has to earn it. Not have things dropped in her lap with no effort. I know in the big scheme of things at the moment a shit load of stuffed animals for a two year old isn't a big deal… well it was when I was trying to put the bloody things in the car, but that's how it starts. If she thinks all she has to do is run to you two and you will indulge her she will become a spoilt entitled brat like Kate and like Mia.
"I get it El and I'm truly sorry" Christian says. "I just wanted to do something nice, she loved the toys and I thought…" he stops and looks at Gideon.
"Help me out Gideon… Why did we get so competitive over it?" he asks.
Ana snorts, "Because that is who you are Christian, you are highly competitive in everything and you have to have control. You have to be the alpha male and be the best but unfortunately today Gideon played you at your own game and things escalated out of control as you both battled for dominance".
I watch as shame fills Christian's face and Ana reaches for him. "Christian stop it, you are a very loving and generous man, you like to do things for others and we all have agreed that what happened came from a good place. You wanted to make Ava happy but you just went over the top a little… ok a lot" she says with a grin.
Gideon steps in and interrupts before anyone can say anything.
"Elliot, I apologise for my behaviour today. I realise that what I did…" he pauses and looks at the glass in his hand, "It's just…" he stops and I see the room has gone silent waiting for him to speak.
"What?" Elliot says carefully.
Gideon looks up, "She calls me Uncle Gideon" he says, "You have no idea what that means to me" he adds.
I see tears appear in Ana's eyes and realisation fills Christians face and he immediately moves towards Gideon and squeezes his shoulder. Elliot looks at the reaction to Gideons words and waits as Gideon composes himself to continue.
"Let's sit down" Ana says gently and we all move to the sofas.
"I… I feel I need to explain my behaviour" Gideon says carefully, "Family is a touchy subject for me" he adds after a moment. I reach for his hand and squeeze it encouragingly.
Elliot is not saying anything but just continues to wait, giving Gideon time to say what he wants to say.
"You have to understand something… before I met Eva, I had no family. My father died he committed suicide when I was about five years old. My mother rebooted her life, she wiped it clean of everything associated with Geoffrey Cross and moved on with my stepfather. I was… I was made to feel unwanted she was making a new life for herself with my stepfather and she had my brother Christopher and my sister Ireland and I was just a reminder of her past which she wanted to bury and forget. Things happened, and my mother and I became estranged and have been ever since I was about twelve years old when that happened. I was totally alone in a home surrounded by people who were supposed to be my family, it was a very lonely situation to be in. I left home to go to college and never went back. I built Cross Industries from the ground up after I graduated from Columbia and I worked day and night - it was mine; it was something that belonged to me and something that gave me a place in the world… it was somewhere I belonged which had been lacking since my father died. Then I met Eva and for the first time I had someone who loved me… I had my own family. Then everything happened and she found you guys and by default I suddenly had a sister in law and two brothers in law and a niece. After a life of being essentially alone that is a huge thing to deal with and I don't want to lose it, I have lost my family twice I cannot do it a third time".
Everyone is staring at Gideon with open mouths.
"You lost your family twice? I don't understand?" Elliot says in obvious confusion.
"El" Christian says warningly.
Gideon lifts his head once more, "No, it's fine Christian. As I said I lost my family when I was five years old. My father committed suicide and my mother moved on and rebuilt. I physically lost my father, the man who taught me to write my name and help me to ride my bike, the man who despite being a fraudster and who plunged the Cross name into the gutter I looked up to simply because he was my dad. Then at twelve I lost my family again when I became estranged from my mother".
"What happened?" Elliot asks and Gideon visibly stiffens.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to" Christian says but Gideon shakes his head.
"No, you are all my family so you deserve to know the truth about me. I was messed up after my fathers' suicide. I saw my mother move on and I felt as though I was unwanted and unloved as she rebuilt her life. I was grieving the death of my father; I had been ripped from my home and placed in another one… everything that was familiar to me had gone. So, I did what any little kid would do in that situation, I acted out. I had tantrums. When my younger brother started copying me, my mother and stepfather decided to put me into therapy… and…" Gideon stops and I squeeze his hand.
"It's ok Gideon, they will believe you" I whisper. Gideon looks up at me and it kills me to see the uncertainty in his eyes.
He looks around the room and takes a deep breath, "The therapist abused me. I told my mother… she didn't believe me". Elliot gasps in shock at this but Gideon holds up his hand, "In her defence she had good reason not to believe me as she took me to a paediatrician who lied to her and told her no abuse had taken place, she believed him over me".
"Fucking hell" Elliot says. He pauses and looks at Gideon with total compassion, "When you say abuse…" he begins and Gideon looks up at him with a bleak expression.
"I was raped" he whispers.
"Shit" Elliot breathes.
The silence spreads out and Ana is the first to break it as she stands and walks over to Gideon gesturing for him to get up.
"We believe you Gideon" she says as she wraps her arms around him and I watch him sag with relief and he holds her tightly.
He glances at Elliot again and searches his expression and Elliot sees this and nods at him.
"Of course we believe you" he says.
Gideon pulls away from Ana and sits down again reaching for my hand as he continues to speak. "So, to cut a long story short I am pretty fucked up, due to a lot of things in my past. But going back to the family thing… I value the family I have been given in the shape of Eva and by extension you guys. I cannot lose my family again. When Ava first called me Uncle Gideon it gave me a bit of a head trip, but I got used to it and discovered that I liked it. Today I saw how much she liked the toys in the gift shop and I thought she is my niece so I should buy her the toys, and I may have got a bit carried away as I too could be considered a little bit competitive".
Elliot smiles, "Yeah ok, after hearing all that I can't really say anything but in future… just one eh?"
Gideon smiles, "Yeah, just one".
I lean forward and look at Elliot, "While we are having a family therapy session, can I ask you something?" I say wanting to get the focus away from Gideon.
Elliot nods and waits for me to elaborate.
"Why have you suddenly decided to want to see Frank El. You have been adamant that you wanted nothing to do with him?"
Elliot sighs, "I'm not entirely sure. I know I was adamant that I didn't want to meet him. But when Arnie called saying Frank wanted to see you two again, I felt the urge to stand up and say what about me? I also get the fact Frank is probably messing with you two and trying to manipulate you, so part of me wants to protect you from him, but then again there is a small part of me that is curious and an even bigger part that wants to just see him once and have my say for what he did to my birth mother, for what he did to your mothers and I also think part of me wants to see him to see if I am anything like him".
I shake my head adamantly and so does Ana, "NO" we both shout in unison.
"El you are nothing like him" Ana says with a swipe of her hand.
Elliot smiles sadly, "Oh but I am, I slept my way through the female population of Seattle before I married Kate".
Christian leans forward, "Elliot you are nothing like him. We have been through this, you never made wild promises nor did you lie to women to get them to have sex with you. You did not treat women badly you were always honest with them and they knew that it was just casual sex and nothing more".
Before Christian can say anything else his phone starts ringing.
"Sorry" he says as he glances down, "I need to take this" he adds and moves out of the room.
"Yeah so that's pretty much the reason why I changed my mind" Elliot says as Christian leaves the room.
Gideon leans forward his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped in front of him. "Elliot, if there is anything that I have learnt about you since I met you it is you are an honourable man, whereas there isn't an ounce of honour in Frank Lambert. He is at best a selfish, misogynistic, manipulative piece of shit".
Elliot considers that as Gideon continues.
"Just look at your life, you are a single father raising your daughter and raising her to be a good person – you had every right to call Christian and I out today over what we did because you could see the damage that our stupidity could cause if we continued to behave in that manner. You are there for your daughter you love her and you are her sole guardian… Frank on the other hand repeatedly ran from his responsibilities. He abandoned three pregnant women and didn't give a shit about any of the children he helped to create. He doesn't even know you exist; I think that alone should tell you how different you are from him".
Elliot nods, "Thanks Gideon" he says quietly.
"You are very welcome" he replies.
At that Christian returns to the room, his phone in his hand.
"Everything ok?" I ask as he sits down.
He nods, "Yes, erm… that was the authorities who I have been liaising with in Detroit, they are ready to have Ella exhumed and reburied with Liam. I need to arrange for my parents to fly out to Detroit as they had expressed a desire to be there for the reburial… and I need to call Alex and Edwin".
Gideon immediately stands up, "Let me help you" he says simply.
We all move closer and Ana wraps her arms around Christian's waist. I watch as he automatically pulls her close and buries his nose in her hair.
"When is this happening?" Gideon asks.
"The day after tomorrow" Christian replies and Gideon nods.
"In which case, I would say stay here in New York and fly to Detroit from here. I'll send one of my planes to Seattle for Grace and Carrick, which can also fetch your relations from Colorado and I'll send another one to Minnesota and Ohio for your other relations who live there".
Christian nods, "Thank you, I'll call Alex and Edwin and bring them up to speed with what's happening" he pauses and Ana looks up at him.
"I'll call Grace and Carrick for you if you like and let them know?" she says and Christian nods gratefully.
"Thank you" he says.
Everyone leaps into action and in a very short space of time the arrangements are made and everyone is fully briefed on what is going to happen.
"Just one more thing" I say as everyone is now relaxing.
As one everyone turns to look at me.
"When are we going to not see Frank?" I say.
"We can discuss that with Arnie while we are in Detroit after the reburial," Ana says and I nod.
"Is Frank still in California?" I ask and Ana hesitates a moment as she thinks about that.
"I assume so" she says with a shrug.
"Well, while we are there I can introduce El to my dad… that's if you want to?" I say warily as I glance at Elliot who is listening to the conversation.
Elliot nods, "I'd like that" he says with a grin.
