Disclaimer: I still don't own Mort Rainey or Secret Window, so suing is pointless.

AN: Please see my bio page about how appearances by readers/reviewers are prohibited. All characters that resemble real people (either in looks, names, behaviors, etc.) should be considered under a thing called "coincidence." If you want me to remove a character, or if you have a complaint about me or my story, please send an e-mail to me personally and I will take care of it. Thank you. I'd also like to thank the reviewer for their support during this time. Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 5: The Unbelievable and the Unexpected:

Amber's POV:

Yes, it was finally that time of year again, time for the annual Christmas visit of my parents. We had actually given the twice-yearly event a name, The Return of Two Evils, because that's what it was. Eventually, Mort and I had given up on trying to be overly pleasant to them during their visit and just tried not to cause scenes wherever we went. As time passed, we imagined that the coming of my mother and father was a sort of trial of patience for us, and each time we tried to be somewhat decent to them, we felt like we were struggling to keep our patience and our sanity. Somehow, we succeeded, and made it to the next visit with our sanity intact.

As time wore on, we were extremely glad when Kaitlyn started coming with us to the visits, mostly because she took my parents' critiques of her like a big joke. She had actually laughed when my mother insulted her clothes. After my mother's comment, Kaitlyn had told her that it was part of what made her unique, and if my mother didn't like it, she could just "shove it up her ass and live with it." My mother had been speechless for several moments, and that's saying something! After my parents had returned home from that visit, I had bought Kaitlyn a whole jewelry box full of punk earrings as a token of my thanks. In return, Kaitlyn wrote a song for me that bashed my parents and made me laugh. She sang and played it for me after my parents had left to cheer me (and everyone else) up.

Well, as I was saying, it was that time of year again, and we were all prepared to go to our city loft for the visit. My parents would be arriving that evening, and we had agreed to meet them at the apartment so we could all go out for dinner immediately afterwards. Mort was dressed in all black while I was in a short red dress (because Mort thought I looked sexy in red). Mike wore black pants, black shoes, and a blue dress shirt. Kaitlyn was dressed normally in a short black dress and silvery shoes because I had insisted that we go somewhere fancy for dinner this time. She agreed to dress like I wanted her to, as long as she chose the jewelry she could wear, so she chose a skull-and-crossbones necklace and bracelet just so she could piss off my parents (which it would). Elizabeth had insisted that she dress like me, so she wore a cute miniature version of the dress I was wearing.

The drive was slightly stressed because of where we were heading, but we managed to lighten things up by singing along with the radio, or playing games like "I Spy" and counting cars from out of state. By the time we arrived, we were all tired from laughing and joking so much, but at least we were relaxed enough to get through the evening without any mishap…I hoped. I could only pray that nothing bad would happen during this dinner, but who was I kidding? Mixing my parents, Mort, and Kaitlyn in one room was like begging for disaster, but if Mike and I sat between our parents and our lovers, then things should be relatively calm, for a while at least. Perhaps I should have included bodyguards to stand nearby while we ate...oh, well

We arrived at the loft with no trouble and spotted my mom and dad in front, waiting for us in the cold. I rolled my eyes. Couldn't they have waited inside the lobby? I mean, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it was freezing outside and that the lobby was the preferable place to wait for someone! And winters in New York City were cold and miserable, so why would they wait outside for us? I sighed and got out of the car, the others doing the same. We all smiled and nodded politely to one another. My parents had obviously stopped by their hotel long enough to change before coming to meet us, because they were all dressed up for dinner. Mort hailed a cab for them and sent them ahead of us to the restaurant while we piled back into the car to follow them.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we were quickly seated in a special area away from the public, mostly because Mort was well-known in New York and sometimes got mobbed by fans. We were seated in a spacious booth, my parents at one end, me, Elizabeth, and Mort in the middle, and Mike and Kaitlyn on the other end. Elizabeth was excited since this was her first dinner in a fancy 'grown-up' place, and tried to behave as she looked off of my menu (since some of it was French and she wanted to know what was in the food). We all ordered individual appetizers and nibbled on those while we waited for our entrees to arrive. Elizabeth took a bit off of each plate and asked questions that kept us all busy chattering. I was thankful for that because it kept everyone from making a scene.

Our dinners soon arrived, and we made polite comments about how good it was. Elizabeth had her own small plate of food, but she was constantly asking for a 'taste' from everyone's plate, so she was quickly full… that is, until the dessert tray was displayed to us. As Lizzie devoured a slice of strawberry cheesecake, we adults had our wine or coffee and made small talk. Everything was going well until Elizabeth asked what seemed like an innocent question that really wasn't.

"Mommy, how did you and Daddy meet?" she asked, looking up at me with big, innocent brown eyes.

We all went quiet. Mort and I knew that everyone, including Kaitlyn, had been told the truth about how we had met. My husband and I exchanged looks, knowing I had to answer Elizabeth before my parents could spew their own twisted version of my first meeting with Mort.

"Well, honey," I said softly as I took her into my lap, just like I did when I told her a bedtime story. "Mommy and Daddy met in a bookstore, far away from here, where Mommy used to live. Daddy wrote stories back then, just like he does now, and Mommy had gone with a friend to get Daddy's autograph." I smiled at my husband. "That was when Mommy met Daddy for the first time."

"And Daddy fell in love with Mommy the moment he met her," Mort said, reaching over and wrapping an arm around me. "He brought Mommy back here with him, and then we fell in love, got married, and had you." He leaned over and rubbed his nose against Elizabeth's, making her giggle. "And we lived happily ever after."

There was a snort from my father. "Yeah, right after you kidnapped and raped her," he muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Dad!" I gasped. Elizabeth's eyes widened and I covered her ears as I turned and glared at him, telling him not to say another harsh word when my daughter could hear him. I turned back to Elizabeth. "Don't listen to him, sweetie, he's just upset and drunk. Mommy and Daddy love each other very much and are very happy together."

"Yeah, I'll bet you're happy as his kidnapped wife," my father said, taking another gulp of wine.

I heard Mort grind his teeth as I again covered Elizabeth's ears and murmured comforting words to her. Elizabeth wasn't ready to hear about the truth of my relationship with her daddy, and I had no intention of telling her the awful truth, no matter what happened. I'd tell her the honey-sweet, watered-down version of the story, and that would be enough. Mort and I loved each other, we were happy together, and that was all that mattered.

As I comforted Elizabeth, Mort stood up. Alarmed that he might do something drastic, I put my hand on his arm, hoping to calm him down. It didn't work; I could almost feel the hate and anger radiating off of him, and I knew that, from this point on, there was nothing I could do to stop him from speaking his mind to my parents. I put my hands even tighter over Elizabeth's ears so that she wouldn't hear what was going to be said next…I had a feeling that this could get ugly.

"Mr. Olson," Mort said, his hands gripping the table edge as he fought to keep his temper as he spoke. "Amber and I have been nothing but considerate to you and your wife while you are here in New York and in our home. Frankly, we treat you better than you deserve and give you honest answers when telling you about our love for one another. Not only that, but we allow you to see Elizabeth, which we have felt is your right as her grandparents. I believe it is time to take those rights away from you."

Mort's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, and I pulled Lizzie even closer to me so that she couldn't see her Daddy get angry. Mort had always kept his cool no matter what happened, but when it came down to the safety of me and our child, he could, and most likely would, lose his cool…like right now…

"For every single stay of yours, you have not only insulted me, but you have also insulted your own children, who are your own flesh and blood! You have even been rude to Kaitlyn, your son's girlfriend, who had had nothing to do with the conflict between the five of us. Not only that, but you have also caused serious damage to my daughter's emotional and mental health." Mort paused as he looked into the eyes of each of my parents. "I no longer want you anywhere near my family in any sort of way. If you ever come near us again, I'll have you arrested and removed from our presence. Is that understood?"

My father's eyes narrowed, as did my mother's. Not giving them time to answer, Mike and Kaitlyn got up and turned to leave the restaurant, Mort and I following close behind them. As we passed our server, Mort hurriedly paid him for the meal and we quickly got our coats so we could wait for the valet to get our car. Mort placed himself between the front door and me and Elizabeth, keeping an eye open for my parents. Elizabeth looked scared and confused, but I quietly promised to explain when we got home. She nodded, and put her thumb in her mouth, subtly telling me that she was tired and it would probably be best for me to wait until tomorrow to explain to her what had happened.

Our car finally arrived, and we all piled in. I was about to close the door when my parents came running out of the restaurant, frantic looks on their faces. It had taken them all this time to come after us after we had walked out on them? Talk about a delayed reaction! I shook my head and slammed the door shut just as my dad spotted us. I heard him call my name, but I ignored him, instead tending to my now drowsy daughter, who sat next to me. I heard Mort hit the gas and speed away before my parents could even get close to the car. As we sped around the corner, I felt myself smile with relief and joy at leaving my parents in the dust…it really had been a good night, after all.



A Week Later: NYC: Amber's POV
:

Telling a child that she can no longer see her grandparents should have been a traumatic event, but for us, it was nothing. Elizabeth was surprised at our news, but she quickly shrugged it off and went to play with her toys. But even though Elizabeth was calm about the whole thing, Mort and I braced ourselves for some sort of legal assault on our home from my parents.

The day after our dinner, Mort warned the front desk to not let anyone up to our apartment unless it was Mike, Kaitlyn, or expected visitors that we told them about; all others were to be turned away immediately. The days following that were the most stressful we had faced since the beginning of our marriage. When my parents still failed to show up and demand to see us, Mort told me they were up to something, something that could ruin our family and our lives. I believed him, even if Mike and Kaitlyn didn't; they were convinced that my parents had given up and gone home. I wasn't so sure about that…

A week after the disastrous dinner with my parents, a knock sounded at our door. I was playing dolls with Elizabeth when the knock came, and I looked up in surprise at Mort. He gave me an equally surprised and puzzled look. We hadn't been expecting company, and fully expected the people downstairs to keep away any unwanted company. Mort shrugged at me before going over to answer the door. I heard the door open and Mort saying some angry words before the sound of a dozen footsteps entered our home. I grabbed Elizabeth and pulled her close in case we were being robbed, praying that it wasn't that sort of situation. I was shocked when a mob of police officers and two young women in suits walked in, determined looks on their faces.

"Amber Rainey?" asked one of the women. She was short, about 5'1, with hazel eyes and brown hair. Combined with her black suit and skirt, her attitude practically screamed attorney or lawyer. "My name is Heather Kapusta and this is my associate, Maria Perez. We are your parents' attorneys, and we have a warrant for the arrest of your husband." She held up an envelope.

The other woman nodded. She, too, wore a dark suit, high heeled shoes, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Her facial features were hard, borderline cruel, and her attitude also screamed attorney or lawyer. Both women nodded to the police officers beside them and I was soon surrounded on all sides. Horrified at what was happening, I looked around and heard Mort scream my name as he was dragged out of the apartment. Just then, Elizabeth began crying, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Mommy, where are they taking Daddy?" she cried, her face buried in my neck.

"They're taking him to a place where he can't hurt anyone anymore, sweetheart," Miss Kapusta said, reaching out for Elizabeth's head.

I snatched my daughter out of her reach. "Don't touch my daughter!" I snarled at her. "Where is your warrant for arrest? I want to read it!"

Miss Kapusta looked surprised that I was so cold to her, but she handed over the warrant. Not daring to let go of Elizabeth, I took the paper and shook it open so I could see what my retarded parents had come up with. I was extremely shocked at what they had charged him with. Kidnapping, rape, and mental/emotional trauma and manipulation were the top charges, but I didn't need to read any more. My parents had done what they had threatened all those years ago…

They had taken me away from the one person in the world who loved me more than life itself.



Hours later: Amber's POV
:

I sat in my living room, holding my daughter as she slept. After what had happened earlier that day, neither one of us was willing to let the other out of our sight. I was thinking about making dinner when there was a light knock at the door. Elizabeth was startled awake and she clung to me like a lifesaver.

"Are the bad ladies and police back again, Mommy?" she whispered, her brown eyes wide with terror.

"If they are, I'm not letting them in, sweetie," I whispered back, kissing her on the top of her head. I slowly got up and peeked through the eyehole, letting out a sigh of relief at what I saw there. I opened the door and admit our visitors. Mike, Kaitlyn, and another girl I didn't recognize walked in.

"Hey, Sis, we heard what had happened," Kaitlyn said, slinging an arm around my neck and giving Lizzie a quick rub on the back. "Any word from Mort yet?"

I shook my head. "Nothing," I said, closing the door behind them and leading them into the living room. I sat in the loveseat and the other three sat on the couch. "I know that he's got the right to one phone call, but I hope that he's used it for a lawyer instead of calling me. He knows that's what I'd want him to do first. After he's got legal representation, he'll find a way to contact me and let me know he's alright."

Mike raised an eyebrow. "You sure are calm about this, Amber," he said. "If I were you, I'd be tearing this place apart or wringing our parents' necks by now."

I gave a weak chuckle. "Well, the last thing I want to do is be in prison for attacking Mom and Dad," I said, rubbing Elizabeth's back to sooth her back to sleep. "After all, who would take care of Lizzie?"

Kaitlyn nodded. "Well, as soon as I heard what had happened, I felt ready to sock your mom in the face and castrate your dad, but Becca here stopped me," she said, nodding towards her companion sitting at her side. I took a good look at her for the first time.

She was definitely the sort of person Lyn would like. Hair in colors of black, purple, bright blue, and what I assumed to be her natural brown were all…interestingly mixed on her head, tumbling around dark blue dreadlocks. She was slightly taller than my 5'3, she looked about 5'5, and glasses covered her crystal blue eyes. Black jeans and a black top with silver crystals sewn on it were complemented by a silver cross around her neck, and numerous rings on her fingers looked sort of punk, but were all tastefully done. I liked her already.

"Hi, I'm Becca," she said, holding out her hand.

I leaned forward and took it. "Amber," I replied. "And this is my daughter, Elizabeth." Lizzie raised her head (thumb in her mouth and all) and looked at the stranger. She took one look at the multicolored hair and giggled, pulling her hand out of her mouth and pointing at Becca's hair.

"Mommy, her hair is pretty!" she exclaimed, pointing. "Can I have blue hair, too?"

Everyone laughed. "Not until you're older, honey," I said. Besides, I wasn't sure if Mort would approve of it or not…

Mort

Mike must have seen my depressed look because he came over and sat at my side. "Don't worry, Sissy, Mort will hire the best lawyer he can get and be out in no time at all," he said, holding my hands in his. "He's a clever guy, and everything will be alright in the end."

I gave a weak and teary laugh. "Isn't that what I'm supposed to tell you?"

My brother shrugged. "Yeah, but this time I get to be the comforting person in the family," he joked.

"Oh, a sensitive guy," Becca said, smirking. "You got lucky with this one, Kaitlyn."

Lyn rolled her eyes. "Don't I know it," she said, shaking her head.

We all chuckled as Kaitlyn stood up and went to make dinner with Becca. Mike remained with me and Lizzie, and we all ate together as a group of family and friends. The only thing missing was Mort.



Meanwhile, Mort's POV
:

Putting his head down on the metal table, Mort couldn't believe that it had come down to this. He had been forcibly removed from his home, snatched away from his beloved Amber and his darling Elizabeth, and arrested under trumped up charges! How could Amber's parents have done this, and so quickly? Okay, so he had taken Amber away over six years ago, but didn't certain crimes expire after five years or so? If that was the case, then the Olsons had no right to have him arrested like this!

"Mort, you've gotta talk to me," his long-time friend and lawyer said, placing her hand on his arm. Well, Shannon McKnight was one of his lawyers. She and her cousin, Melanie Black, were both representing him, and for that Mort was extremely grateful.

"Shannon, I really don't know what to tell you besides the fact that I'm innocent," Mort said, raising his head to look into the black eyes of his friend and lawyer. Her dark brown hair was full of curls, but pulled into a practical ponytail with a few strands escaping, and her beige suite complimented her features perfectly.

"We know that, Mr. Rainey, otherwise we wouldn't be here talking with you," teased the other woman, Melanie. She quickly sobered. "But seriously, Mr. Rainey, why would these people bring up such charges against you?"

Mort sighed. He had to tell them the truth, for his family's sake, as well as his. If he was going to keep Amber and Elizabeth in his life, his lawyers had a right to know what they were defending him against, and why things were happening the way they were. So he told them, from the moment he had fallen in love with Amber through the kidnapping and the marriage (which he and Amber had both agreed to tell others that she had willingly signed the documents for). He told of Amber's pregnancy, the confrontations with her parents, Elizabeth's birth, and the 'deal' he had made with them. When he had finished, he looked up at his defense lawyers and could almost see their brains working.

"Well, there really is no reason for you to be here, Mort," Shannon said, glancing at her cousin. "If you and Amber are legally wed, and she is with you willingly, then the charges against you can't be brought against you. We should have you out of here in a day or two, no problem."

Melanie nodded. "It's likely that the Olsons' attorneys got a very friendly judge to sign your arrest warrant, Mr. Rainey," she said, putting her hands on the table. "There are people like that in the system, and certain judges can sometimes be played to sign things. Some judges are sympathetic towards someone, or if enough circumstantial evidence is brought in front of them, they'll sign anything." Caroline reached out and patted Mort's arm.

"We'll find another judge that isn't so easy to play on and get you out of here, Mort, don't worry," Shannon said, smiling at him. "We'll try and have you home with your family as soon as possible."

'Not soon enough for me,' Mort thought, Amber's beautiful face flashing in front of his eyes and Elizabeth's small voice ringing in his ears.



AN
: Thanks for all of your support and reviews. Sorry if I sound bitter in the first author's notes, but can you blame me after what's happened? (Sighs) But anyway, I still thank everyone for their patience while I repost and edit everything. Love you all!