Chapter Eleven: Fallout with Mamaw

Taking a deep breath, I go to talk, but Mamaw stops me.

"In these binders is everything I can access to regarding our car accident and Papaw's murder. And the family I left behind to marry your Papaw. It's not a lot, but it should help." She hands me the binders and I start to read.

The first pages are of her family life. How they groomed her to be nothing but a good mob wife.

The original plan was for her to be married to one of the McGregor's sons. The arrangement fell through when they all died before they turned twenty-four—all six of them.

Her father then tried to sell her to the highest bidder in the mob world.

The winner was a man named Royce King. While he was a smaller mob boss based in Rochester, NY, his family owned several banks in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse. They were working on branching out to the Capital Region of New York. He planned on being in New York City and cities in Massachusetts—mainly Boston—within three years.

Mamaw's father anticipated having this avenue to launder money would be smart.

The only issue was Royce's men were the ones that took out the six McGregor boys. All of my Mamaw's technically intended.

I felt so sad she had seven men her father intended to marry before she was even sixteen.

Just before she was told her father promised her to Royce King, she met Papaw when she was sixteen. It was love at first sight. After her most recent fiance was murdered, she hoped there would be time before her parents started looking for another prospective husband for her.

Sadly, four days after she met Papaw, Royce's men brought him to the house in New Rochelle and asked Mamaw's father for her hand in marriage. The men agreed on a price and shook on it. A wedding was planned to take place rather quickly, just in case another murder was to happen.

I almost wonder if there was a bride's price paid to Mamaw's father each time she became engaged…

"May I ask you something?"

I look up towards Mamaw; she nods.

"Ask me anything you need, my dear. I am an open book."

"Did your father pay your intended's family for marrying you or did your family get paid?"

Mamaw looks deep in thought. "I am not sure. I guess the men's family paid money to my family because of the status we held. My family was the head mafia family. It would have been an honor to acquire me as a bride—closeness to my father's mafia and all."

"Must have been a different world. How long was it before you were to marry King?" More contemplating. "This says someone suggested a brief engagement. I didn't see more than that unless it is coming."

"Within two weeks, ironically, April first." She laughs as she remembers it. "April Fools' Day."

I laugh at the idea of Mamaw not being at her wedding as an April Fools' Day joke. I am sure that did not go over well.

"When did you and Papaw escape?"

"The night before, after the rehearsal dinner. Papaw found a body of a girl who died that night and put it in my bed. She looked just like I did. It was gross; but we dressed her in my clothes and left. The guards were drunk, so they did not notice us. Thankfully, we were able to hitchhike all the way to Mississippi, where we found a small town and married. We claimed to have lost all our identification in a fire and just wanted to be married. We picked alternative names and made a life here. Until Aro found us. Not sure how he did, but he did."

I let it all sink in. Amazing how much has changed since Mamaw and Papaw married. Those things would not fly here now.

I nod and keep reading. She talks about each of her children. How she spoiled my mother. How my mother and father met, then married. My birth and how much Mamaw loved me. How she foretold my birth and how I would experience a rough childhood.

"Really? You KNEW I was in for a rough childhood and did nothing to help me, not truly. I really appreciate it."

The glower Mamaw gives me is one of hurt and disgust. I don't care.

I tune out what is being said and make use of the binders in front of me.

I see Mamaw and Papaw started putting money away for me when I was a month old. She put it into accounts my parents couldn't access.

I wonder if my parents realized it.

I inspect the name of the bank; I notice there is one that is several hours away in Arkansas.

"Why Arkansas?" I put the binder down and glance up at Mamaw as she laughs.

"Just like the town name. Not going to say any more than that."

I nod and notice the name of the town: Magnolia.

Yeah, a town shares my name and has a secret bank account for me.

"Did you know my parents wouldn't let me inherit your house when I turned eighteen?"

She shakes her head.

"Not surprised, honestly. I bought the house back. It is yours if you want it. That was one of the conditions I asked for if I fled into hiding. It appears someone dropped the ball in giving it to you…"

Miss Dixie and Miss Montgomery looked almost chastised.

"We talked to you about this, Ma'am; there was nothing we could do, as Magnolia was a minor then. Remember?" Miss Dixie spat.

Mamaw nods. "I remember, but remember when I told you how you needed to get her out of the house? How did that work out for my granddaughter?" Mamaw seems pissed.

"She grew up in one place. She knew her name and who her family is. That is better than you had since your so-called accident and death. How many name changes have you had? How many times have you moved?"

"Honestly, if Magnolia had been with me, we would have made sure she knew we loved her. Unlike how her parents actually treated her. Didn't her father try stalking her? How much do you want to bet that was not the first time he violated her that way? How many nights was she forced to sleep in that back room that was nothing more than a semi-enclosed back porch? Huh? Or is it acceptable for a child to be alive yet have a gravestone in the local cemetery? With her death date being the day of the accident. This makes absolutely no sense and you know it!"

Mamaw is pissed. Missed that spunkiness.

"We went over this and there were sometimes that they found you within hours of a move. Remember the move to Hamilton, Montana? How would that have been for a little five-year-old girl with you? You were scared shitless yourself." Miss Dixie spits back.

"Did any of you think to ask what I might have wanted? I mean, it is my life we are talking about." Trying to stay calm and failing miserably.

"No, they haven't, Mags, but I am not surprised. While I have not known you for long, I noticed that many people feel the need to not give you choices in your life. Or if they do, it's almost like they do it out of guilt. If what your Mamaw is saying is true, you own a house that you are not living in…"

I stop Keith. "No, I remember that my Papaw and Mamaw's house was about two blocks away, not too far from where I grew up. Maybe a street over. Where I live is across town. Or am I wrong about that? I was five when you died, Mamaw." A look of heartache dawns on Mamaw's face.

"You are right. Nobody really lets you pick for yourself. There are several reasons for that. Well, until you turned eighteen that is."

I am getting angry. "How. Old. Am. I?" I ask, stressing each word.

"I know you are over eighteen! And you have been for a few years. But you don't understand the power that my brother has…"

I stand up and hold my hand out and take a deep breath. Nope, did not calm me down one bit.

"I don't understand? Of course not! I had no idea that my entire identity was a lie. My Papaw and Mamaw were not who they claim they were. That my Papaw was murdered with me and that you faked your death to keep you safe, but never thought of me. I was with you during both events and you think that someone might not look for me in case I saw something? How do you know they weren't after me, and perhaps that is why my parents treated me how they did? Has anyone thought of THAT?" My voice reaching nearly yelling levels by the end. To say that I am shaking would be an understatement.

I am near tears, arms wrapped around me, and I am pulled into Keith's chest. His voice is quiet and I can tell no nonsense.

"We are done. Now! You all need to leave. Jenna, show everyone else out."

Mamaw, Miss Dixie, and Miss Montgomery all try to protest. I don't hear what they are saying, but I am done.

"Don't you get it?" I snap. "Ignore the fact that you were once dead and are now alive. Ignore the fact that you all put me in danger, leaving me here with a family who wants me dead. NOW you want me to go along with whatever you think is best for my life when I am done. I am grateful that I have my family to help me through this. Because I am no longer a Stephenson. Or whatever you are. I am a Christopher." I give Keith a small hug and let go.

I see Jenna as she makes her way over to where the ladies are standing, realizing that I never touched her tea, which must be cold by now. My eyes catch the cup on the end table and it makes me realize I can't drink cold hot tea.

When the other ladies leave and Jenna comes back, I hug her.

"I am so sorry that I never drank your tea."

She shakes her head with a slight smile. "I only offered to make the tea because I was going to hit someone. There was no actual tea. So, I forgive you. Want me to make you some in a pot and all that fancy shit?"

We both laugh at that comment.

"Let's pretend we are fancy, then go to bed. I'm beat to hell."

Keith laughs at my comment.

"I mean, it's not like everything that you thought for the last almost twenty years was a lie! You handled today well, sis. Ladies, you two have your fancy tea party, and I will go a few rounds with my punching bag. You working tomorrow, Mags?"

Leave it to Keith to be practical.

"I am, but not until three. Though, I think I only have two appointments and I am sure they would both reschedule. I will…"

Keith cuts me off. "I'll call Miss Reba. Good night." He takes his phone out as he walks away.

I smile as I think of the two best friends that a girl could ask for.

The family I never had.

As I stare into the fire, a chill sweeps through me.

Like my life is going to change soon.

Through fire.

~VOF~

AN:
I hope everyone had a great weekend! Princess had a great birthday and it scares me that she is 5! We even had some drama. Two of the cards he got didn't have her name spelled write. It was funny considering one is my mother-in-law!

To be real sakari-x, I am looking forward to seeing what is in the binders too. We won't find out until they move. Cause there i some drama coming! As always.

I am slowly adding more to my Keiran POV story I am calling "Dark Valley" I am not sure when it will come out, but definitely after I have several chapters to my lovely Monica if she doesn't beat me first. LOVE YOU MONICA!

Thank you to Monica for your tireless effort to make my words pretty and make sense. Its a hard job making that happen!

Izzy for prereading.

Midnite for your continued support in this tale and for allowing me to make your story come to life.

Dani for my banner.

I made the teaser banner.

Next chapter is the tea party!

Have a good week! Brier