AUTHORS NOTE: Just a quick thank you to everyone who is still hanging in with this story and patiently waiting for the updates. It is a new experience for me to write a story and post a work in progress as it is being written, as normally that is not how I do things. Also, a massive thank you for all the incredibly positive feedback, the reviews have blown me away. Including a number of guest reviews where people have named themselves but remained a guest. (I had no idea you could do that!) As you probably know (if you follow me and my stories) I am more used to the other sort of guest reviews - the ones which don't ever see the light of day as the inane rantings and abusive content don't deserve any acknowledgement!
I do try and respond to reviews personally as the way I see it is people have taken the time to write and encourage me so I feel it is only fair to take the time to respond back personally to comments and acknowledge them and answer points/questions which have been raised. However, I have got a bit behind with that so right here, right now I just want to say how much I appreciate all the positive reviews I have received for this story and a massive thank you to everyone who has taken the time and effort to leave them.
CHAPTER 44
(GIDEON)
I look around me at the crowd of people gathered here today. I am currently standing in a windswept Detroit cemetery witnessing the reburial of Ella Banks, the birth mother of a man who has very quickly become one of my closest friends and one of the few people in the world I trust. My eyes travel over the people here today all from totally different walks of life yet brought together by this one woman who died over 25 years ago.
I see Christian with his stoic impassive expression firmly fixed to his face. To the casual observer he is outwardly not showing any emotion at all. Beside him is Ana and she is holding his hand and that is the only give away of how he is truly feeling at the moment as the way he is gripping her hand and the way she is gently stroking his arm with her other hand speaks volumes for anyone who cares to take notice of it. Next to Ana is Elliot, Mia and then Carrick and Grace all dressed simply and sombrely in black. On Christian's other side is Edwin Hawkins – Ella's father, Hal and his husband Derek and Arnie who sticks out as he is dressed in full military uniform. Then there is the Banks family. Alex, and his son Brad who is here with his wife Gina and their three daughters Sarah, Natalie and Jennifer. Finally, there is myself and Eva.
There was open curiosity and questions as to my involvement with the proceedings today especially as it was my air fleet which was used to transport everyone from their various parts of the country here to Detroit. I think that these people are finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that not one but two multi billionaires are now linked with their lives. However, I have also witnessed incredible levels of loyalty from them as inevitably the media got to find out about today and whilst I have flown in a large contingent of my security team to prevent any media intrusion on this ceremony, reporters have inevitably been lurking around and trying to question the Banks and Hawkins family members only to receive short shrift and told in no uncertain terms where to go and where they could shove their 'blood money'. I find this unbelievable as they are simply not concerned with the outlandish offers of money which they could gain from speaking to the press and they have put family loyalty above any potential financial reward they could receive.
The short but simple and incredibly moving ceremony comes to an end and then everyone seems to relax and the hum of quiet murmuring begins as people start to chat amongst themselves. I hear Christian clear his throat and address everyone.
"Erm… I just want to say thank you to everyone for taking the time out to join us here today to reunite my birth parents".
Edwin turns and shakes Christian's hand and pulls him into an affectionate hug. "No, thank you for doing this" he says. Then he pulls away and addresses everyone.
"Today my daughter has been finally laid to rest. Whilst what happened to both Ella and Liam was a tragedy and worst of all in Ella's case it was possibly preventable, but we need to look forward now. We have so much to be thankful for. Whilst we have the sad confirmation that Ella is no longer possibly out there somewhere, we have to look at it positively that we now know for sure and have closure. Whereas had Christian not been found we would have always been left wondering, plus we also now have our family reunited… now that we have my grandson back with us". He looks affectionately at Christian as he says this and I see my friend swallow hard at his words.
I watch as Ana frees herself from Christian's iron grip and embraces Edwin and whispers something in his ear. Before turning to speak to everyone.
"We would be happy if you could join us at The Apparatus Rooms for some refreshments". There is more general murmuring, nodding of heads and general acknowledgement to this.
Ana and Eva had decided to organise that and after agonising where to go, settled on the Apparatus Rooms in downtown Detroit.
oooOOOooo
"So… just explain again how you come to be involved in all this?"
My attention moves to the man standing next to me, Brad Banks. My mind quickly finds the information it needs as to who he is. He is Christian's biological uncle, the brother of his birth father Liam.
"My wife is Ana's sister" I say simply as I nod towards the two women who are chatting with Brad's wife Gina. "So, you could say Christian is my brother in law" I add as I inwardly smile at that thought. I am also surprised at the warm feeling in the pit of my stomach as I say these words and I realise in a rush that I like the idea of being related in part to Christian and Ana.
"I was talking to Arnie; it was really weird how it all came out and how you are all linked. I mean, the guy who is Ana and Eva's sperm donor brought them together and then from that it all came out about Christian, it's a small world" he says.
"Indeed, it is" I reply simply. This forcibly reminds me of the fact we will be travelling to California shortly so that Elliot will get his closure with Frank. Eva and Ana have repeatedly said that they don't want to see Frank and that they have no intention of seeing him while we are there and their only reason for going is to support Elliot. However, I believe that they will insist on listening in to that encounter and if they believe that Elliot needs their assistance, they won't hesitate to join him. Christian and I have said as much, but not shared these thoughts with our wives.
My attention is taken by Christian coming up towards us. Brad looks up and grins at him.
"Hey" he says easily and I smile at his easy-going nature.
"Hello Brad" Christian replies before turning to me.
"Gideon, Arnie wants a word with us about the forthcoming visit to California" he says.
Brad is still listening and looks at us questioningly.
"Frank Lambert sired another child, besides Ana and Eva and that child turned out to be my adopted brother Elliot. As if things couldn't get any stranger" Christian explains, and Brad's eyes widen and he looks across at Elliot who, at this moment is chatting amiably with Arnie and Hal.
I nod and turn my attention to Brad, "If you would excuse me" I say politely. He nods and waves his hand dismissively.
"Yeah sure go ahead" he says.
I step away and walk across the room at Christian's side.
"This is all somewhat surreal isn't it?" Christian mutters quietly and I can't help but let out a loud snort at that comment.
"That doesn't even begin to describe everything that's happened recently" I say.
Christian pauses, "I am still struggling to get my head around all this, how one simple action by one man could cause the ripple effects it has done" he says.
I stop walking and wait as Christian looks carefully at me and I know he has more to say. I pull him to one side wondering if he is struggling again. He has been doing so well since he has been seeing his new therapist but the last thing anyone needs is for him going off the deep end like he did when he first discovered the truth about his birth family.
"Are you ok?" I ask warily and he nods.
"Yes, to be honest with you I've never been better but I was just thinking about everything. Frank Lambert's brother dies and he fucks his girlfriend which produces El. Frank Lambert doesn't learn his lesson and wanders through life treating women appallingly and produces two more children. Now these three children come from totally different backgrounds and are totally unaware of each other and grow up believing different things about their ancestry. Then years later a freak incident, forces the truth to come out and then it was at that point it was like someone threw a pebble in a pond and the ripples just caused a tsunami".
I glance around the room, "And now look at us" I say.
Christian runs his hand through his hair and shakes his head, "It has made me question every single part of my life, it has opened my eyes up to so many things from the fact my shrink was fleecing me to major things like I have finally realised that none of what has happened in my life is my fault. Whilst I've had a few wobbles because my need for control has been challenged I have come to realise that ultimately this has been a really positive thing, because if none of this had happened and Eva hadn't reached out to Ana; I wouldn't have discovered the truth about my own origins and I also believe that El would still be stuck in an unhappy marriage with Kate. I would still be feeling a huge degree of resentment towards my father for all the things which have happened between us over the years". Christian pauses and grins at me, "And you my friend would still just be the asshole who rules the East Coast".
I throw my head back and laugh at that, I can't help it. "Good to know" I say after a moment and I have managed to take control of myself.
"I agree though, it has had a profound effect on all of us. I would never have dreamed of seeking help had you not encouraged me to do so and sought out that therapist for me. I am now facing up to my own inner demons for the first time in my life… I… I also reached out to my little sister, Ireland recently and it appears that she would like to have a relationship with me".
Christian's face breaks into a massive genuine smile and he slaps my arm, "That's brilliant news" he says with utter sincerity.
I nod in agreement, "I know, I was hesitant at first but it seems that she has always wanted to know me. I am under no illusions that there will never be any relationship with my mother, stepfather or brother but it seems there may be the chance with Ireland. Also, if it hadn't been for everything that happened with Ana and Eva, I would never have met Ray… and let's face it he made me see what an asshole I was to Victor. Whilst I'm certain he still thinks I am an asshole it seems he doesn't tolerate me with open hostility anymore".
Christian slaps my arm, "That's good to know, who would've thought that the actions of a selfish misogynistic fucker and a criminal who thought it was a good idea to shoot a Californian street cop would have such a positive outcome for two completely fucked up men like us".
I pause as I think about that fundamental fact and I realise he is right, how the negative actions of two men has had such a positive outcome.
I glance towards Elliot and Arnie who are still talking and I gesture towards them, "I just hope that El gets the closure he is looking for" I say.
Christian sobers and nods, "So do I" he says.
We make our way across the room and Arnie glances up and grins, "I was just telling Elliot about what is going to happen" he begins.
Christian and I step closer to listen.
Arnie takes a deep breath, "So… Frank believes that Annie and Eva have agreed to see him. I think he believes that he can manipulate them into trying to help him get out of a jail term but obviously they won't. From what he has said in the interactions I've had with him he honestly believes that having two billionaires as son's in laws will help him escape the military prison, but he also knows that to get that help he has to make a show of making amends with Eva and Annie. He thinks that if he says all the right things, tells them what he thinks they want to hear they will be eating out of his hand".
"Like every other woman he has ever encountered" I say with more than a hint of bitterness.
"Quite" Arnie agrees, "But what he's not expecting is his first-born son to show up instead" he says as he nods his head towards Elliot.
"Annie and Eva will be watching proceedings from outside and whilst they are adamant that they don't want to see or speak to Frank I have a feeling that they will intervene if Frank gives Elliot a hard time".
I glance at Christian as that is exactly what we have said.
"We have thought much the same thing" I say and Christian nods.
Arnie nods, "In which case I think we should just play it by ear, there isn't any way he can hurt them or anything so my advice to you would be if they want to bawl him out then let them" he turns towards Elliot, "Are you sure you still want to do this, I've warned you that Frank won't hold back once he realises who you are and he will say anything to try and make himself look better and shift the blame?"
Elliot nods, "I know, Ana and Eva have said much the same thing and they've told me how he will try and spin things to suit himself" he says.
Arnie nods, "I just wanted to make sure you were aware" he says simply.
We continue talking and as we are doing so, I notice someone hovering a distance away. Arnie looks up and grins at the man which makes Christian and myself look around to see exactly who it is. I immediately recognise Hal; he hesitantly moves closer and I can see he has something on his mind.
Christian and I look at each other as Hal moves closer.
"I need to speak to you Christian… when you have a moment" he says after a slight hesitation.
Christian nods, "That's fine, I think we are about done here" he says glancing at Arnie and Elliot questioningly.
Elliot nods, "Yep, and if you'll excuse me, I'm going to head off. I want to get back to Ava. I know she has been well cared for by Gail – and thank you for flying her in" he says glancing at me. "But I want to head off and spend some time with her" he adds.
"That's fine" Christian says easily and he reaches for Elliot and slaps his shoulder affectionately. Elliot then turns towards me and as he holds out his hand to me and I accept it he reaches for me and slaps my shoulder.
As Elliot moves away Hal moves closer and I can see he looks uncomfortable, Arnie looks at him questioningly before discreetly stepping back. I follow his lead to give Hal some privacy with Christian. Much to my surprise Derek, Hal's husband joins us and he looks worriedly at the conversation taking place a few feet away.
"He's eaten with guilt about what happened with Ella" Derek says.
Arnie shakes his head, "He has no reason to" he says.
"I've told him that, but he takes it personally that he was unable to persuade Ella to go home and that he wasn't more forceful".
Arnie shakes his head, "Hindsight is twenty twenty. We all failed Ella, she assured us she was fine and we took her word for it".
I glance across at Christian and Hal and Christian is standing with his hands on his hips and he is shaking his head adamantly and speaking urgently to Hal. I know that he is telling Hal that he has nothing to feel guilty about and a few moments later I am surprised to see Christian pull Hal into a hug. The older man almost sags in his arms and starts sobbing uncontrollably.
Arnie and Derek immediately move closer and Derek is clearly worried about his husband as he anxiously hovers around him.
I watch as Christian grips the back of Hal's neck and speaks urgently to him. Hal nods and offers Christian a weak smile.
A moment later Derek leads Hal away closely followed by Arnie who is looking equally concerned.
I walk over to Christian who looks a little bit shell shocked. He is pinching the top of his nose and he has his eyes closed.
"You ok?" I ask warily and he opens his eyes and nods.
"Yeah, he's totally eaten alive by guilt. It is made worse by the fact of what happened to me… you know, the abuse from Ella's pimp. He wouldn't stop apologising, I told him there was nothing to apologise for; but nothing seemed to work and in the end I had to forgive him. I told him I forgave him and that seemed to help but seriously I had nothing to forgive him for, I tried to tell him that but he wouldn't have it".
I slap Christian's shoulder, "Well I think you did the right thing. We both know it was just one of those things, like we were talking about earlier, a moment in time and a decision which had major ramifications. He didn't do anything wrong but he believes he did and so getting your forgiveness was necessary to him and because you gave it willingly… it helped". I glance across at Hal who is talking to Derek and he looks different somehow, as if a weight has been lifted from him.
Christian looks around, "I don't know about you but I've just about reached my limit in sociability today".
I smile and nod, "I'm right with you there, not much longer though. Elliot has gone and it looks like Brad and his family are getting ready to leave as well".
It appears I am right and after Brad and his family leave it seems like the cue for everyone to start to disperse. Soon the only people left are myself Ana, Eva and Christian.
"Are we heading back to the hotel?" Ana asks as she wraps her arms around Christian's waist. He automatically pulls her close and buries his nose in her hair.
"I think so" he replies.
We thank the staff at the Apparatus Rooms and leave. As we step outside Angus is waiting along with Taylor. Angus hands me the keys to the rental car and moves towards Taylor and climbs into the second vehicle.
"Back to the hotel?" I ask as I grip the keys.
"Yeah, back to the hotel" Christian replies.
