The Following:
Peace, Love, and Happiness
Season 3:
Episode 4
Daddy Issues
Ryan was ten years old when his father took him to the beach for the first time. It was a sunny Memorial Day with a temperature almost in the mid-eighties. The beach was crowded, so it took a few minutes to find a spot. They managed to find a place by the edge of Coney Island, it was far from the Cyclone, which he really wanted to go to, but his father said he as too young for it. He did promise though that when he was older, he would take him.
His father spread out a large sheet, while his mother unpacked their lunch from a large ice chest. They had brought ham and cheese sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, and for dessert, pieces of watermelon. She handed Ryan plates, forks, and napkins to set up, while she dished out the food.
Soon, the three of them were sitting and eating hungrily in silence. Ryan watched a heated volleyball game a few yards away. He really wanted to join. It looked like so much fun. Obviously he knew that would never happen. He was too young. They looked like they were in college.
He turned to his dad, who was spooning more coleslaw on his empty plate. "Where is Jenny?" He asked in between bites.
"She is at the movies with friends, remember," His father said looking at him. "So for now, it is just the three of us."
Ryan smiled at his father and then turned back to the volley ball game. The ball bounced near him and he wanted to throw it back to them, but before he had a chance to move, one of the players retrieved the ball. The game continued and he was only able to watch.
But that soon changed when his father told him he was allowed to go into the waters. Excited, he ran there smiling. He walked in and once the water was to his knees, he began to swim laughing and splashing. His parents watched from their spot, making sure he was okay.
The waves weren't too large from where he was swimming. He saw a football floating a bit away and decide to swim to it. He heard his father calling his name, but he ignored him. If he retrieved the football, maybe he could find someone to toss it around with.
Soon though, he began to feel a cramp in his leg. He tried to continue swimming, but the cramp grew worse and he found himself unable to continue. He fell below the water and choke when he accidentally swallowed salt water. He tried to swim, but he felt weak and couldn't move.
Suddenly strong arms grabbed him and pulled him out of the water. He felt someone carrying him to the shore. He coughed up water and looked to see his father looking worried as he carried him to the shore. His father set him on the sheet gently.
Ryan sat up feeling better, but his chest felt as if it was on fire. He looked at his mom, who was pale faced and scared. "Ryan," His father said softly as he stroked his hair. He looked him in the eyes. "What you did there was very dangerous." He paused and sat down beside him. "Can you tell me what you did?"
Ryan looked at his mother again and then at his dad fearfully. "I swam too far," He weakly said, "And I didn't listen to you."
"Exactly," His father pointed out.
"I'm sorry," He apologized begging to cry. "I saw a ball and wanted to get it so you and I could play."
His father's heart broke when he began to cry. He took him in his embrace and kissed him on the top of the head. "It's okay," He whispered in his ear. "Just don't do it again."
"We don't get to play like we used to," Ryan said looking up at his father. He sniffled and wiped his nose with his forearm. "You are always working."
Ryan's slowly caressed his cheek. "I know I work a lot," His father began. "And one day, you will understand why." He paused and took a deep breath. "Mainly as I have told you, I put bad men in jail. That is why I work so hard." He paused again and kissed him on the head. "But don't worry, I will always be there for you for whatever you need."
Ryan's thoughts was interrupted when there was he heard a knock on the door. He yawned and sat up from the couch. His entire body was sore and he could use a good night sleep. But that was a luxury that he couldn't afford. One that he may never get.
He approached the door and opened it to see Carrie standing there. She smiled and took a step toward him. Her smiled vanished when she saw the stitches and bruise on his forehead. "Oh my god," She said stepping up to him. She dropped her purse on the floor. "What happened to you?" She looked at him concerned.
"It's nothing," He said with a small shrug. He shut the door and locked it. "Just a minor cut."
"A minor cut," She said shaking her head. She eyed the ugly looking wound. "I know you Ryan Hardy and I know when you are in pain." She took his hands and then leaned close. "Aside from me being a reporter, you are a terrible liar."
"Fair enough," He frowned.
"So am I going to get to know who kicked my man's ass this time?" Carrie asked with a small smile.
"Am I your man?" Ryan asked giving her a quirky look.
"Of course you are," She said smiling at him. She leaned close and kissed him briefly. "You never answered my question though."
"An old flame of mine," He said thinking of Molly.
He thought back to the first time he brought her back to his apartment. The first time he slept with her. Then when he found out she was really a cut member and how betrayed he felt. She tried and failed to kill both him and Claire, with the hope to bring on the last chapter of Joe's book. Now she was back with a vengeance and he knew how perilous that would be for everyone.
"You have a lot of old flames Ryan," Carrie said with a bitter laugh. She looked him in the eyes enjoying the warmth they give her.
"That is true," Ryan said with a small smile.
Carrie let go of him and began to pace around the living room. "I care about you Ryan," She said looking at him. "Yet it seems every time I see you, you seem to be either covered in your own blood or someone else's."
"That is also true," Ryan said with a small shrug, "There was a murder case we were working on in Minnesota." He paused watching her grab a bottle of water from the fridge. "But it went south."
"I see," She taking a sip of water. She set it on the counter top and then approached him. "I am glad you are okay," She said with feeling. She suddenly hugged him tight and kissed him deeply.
"So am I," He joked after they broke their kiss.
Carrie looked at him with a small grin. She playfully punched him in the chest. "So what do I have to do to get fed around here?" She asked with a wink.
Max was usually the strong and silent type. She hardly cried. Of course she was just as emotional as any female, but with her having Hardy blood in her, she kept it to herself. Also a life as a FBI agent had given her strength that she didn't know she had.
Yet now she sat beside Mike in the hospital room waiting for him to wake. Despite all her strength, she cried a lot for him. She didn't want him to die and after seeing him get shot in the neck, she thought he would have. The bullet missed his neck by two inches. Another two inches and she would be probably be mourning him from the cemetery.
It all happened too quickly. One second she was standing by Ryan and Mike watching the two of them having a tender conversation, then she was covered in his own blood, desperately trying to keep him alive.
She looked at him waiting anxiously. He had a large bandage covering his neck and part of his shoulder. He looked so sweet and peaceful laying there. All she wanted to do was lie next to him, cuddling with him. But the bed was meant for one person only.
She hadn't felt this nervous about a boyfriend in a long time. Her boyfriend was over two years ago, which she ended for various reasons. When she was in high school, her boyfriend got into a car accident and was in a coma for a week, before waking. After that, he was never the same and moved away with his family for medical purposes. She tried to keep in touch, but it was no good. The phone calls were less often and soon ceased completely.
To this day, she missed him greatly. His name was Jimmy and was as nerdy as can be. He was a huge Star Wars fan, yet was built like a linebacker. He would've played expect for bad knees. Instead he helped Coach the players when he could. It was strange in the school for such a nerd to be so popular. He was well liked of course and she really though that when they graduated, they would get married. But then came the accident and everything went south.
It took her years until she was ready to date again, but she didn't find anyone that she truly cared about. Then she met Mike. She found him cute from the moment she saw him, but didn't want to admit it. After working with him for a while, she felt that he liked her too. Yet she didn't ask him out, because he never made a move.
Then she accidentally saw him naked in Ryan's apartment. It was after his father's brutal death, he was at Ryan's house and was showering. He walked out with only a towel one, just as she entered his house. She tried not to look at him, but he was just darn too cute.
Max felt someone reach out and touch her hand gently. She opened her eyes, surprised that she had fallen asleep. She felt extremely groggy, but was able to make out Mike smiling at her. "Hey there," He said hoarsely. He squeezed her hand affectionately.
"Hey to you too," She said smiling at him. She grasped his hand with both of hers. "How are you feeling?"
Mike reached and touched the thick bandage on his neck. He swallowed loudly and then said in a scratchy voice, "I feel like I am on cloud nine." He paused and began to chuckle. "I feel no pain at all."
"I doubt you would feel pain," Max said with a thin smile, "You have enough drugs in you to put an elephant to sleep."
"I feel awesome," Mike said his smile widening. He swallowed again. "So how is Ryan doing?"
"He is okay," She said running a hand through her hair. "A bit scratched up, but otherwise fine." She paused giving him a nervous look. "You were the one that got the worse hand of it."
"Yeah I know," He said touching his bandage again.
"You know you scared the hell out of me," She said fearfully. "When I saw you get hit and with all that blood, I really thought you were going to die."
"Stop that Max," He said in a serious tone. He sat up straight and caressed her cheek. "I am alive and well. Okay. So stop thinking about what didn't happen."
"You're right," She said feeling a bit of relief.
She was still feeling nervous about the ordeal. Their jobs wasn't the safest one and with her experience with men, it added insult to injury. Plus it could be that she had the Hardy dating curse. Except hers was with men, while Ryan's was with women.
Mike saw Max was deep in thought. He leaned close kissing her deeply which surprised her. When they broke apart moments later, she gave him a sensual look and then kissed him again deeper and harder. They explored each other's mouths with their tongues. A soft moan escaped her mouth, moments before they broke apart again.
"Wow," She said slightly dazed. She looked at him turned on. "That was one of the best kisses I have ever had."
"Same here," He said smiling at her slightly drunk. He wished he could be on pain killers forever. He was feeling amazing. "Did the doctors say how long I would be staying here?"
"Another day or so," She said leaning forward in her chair. She wanted to kiss him again. Deeper and longer this time. "The doctor mentioned that you have one more test, before you can go home."
"Damn," Mike said glancing at the TV that was off. "So what happened with Molly?" He asked after a moment's pause.
"After she shot you," Max said thinking back to that awful moment. She felt herself shudder in fear. "She disappeared," She shrugged, "We don't know where she is at the moment."
"Damn," Mike said shaking his head. He felt bad for Ryan.
"Yeah I know," Max said, "Ryan is pretty shaken up about it. He tries to hide it, but I can see through his shield."
"Yeah I know," Mike said in agreement.
Max was about to say something else, but she couldn't hold back any longer. She leaned close and kissed him again deeply. He was caught by surprise, but soon leaned close and hugged her tightly with one arm as they once again explored each other's mouths with their tongues.
Mark peered through the car window as Cruz drove down the long and windy road that would lead to his new home. The trip from New York had taken nearly sixteen hours of driving and he was more than glad to be done with it. He didn't mind a car ride, but sixteen hours was clearly insane.
On either side of the road, was large oak trees that partly shielded the sun. Dry leaves cluttered the street. It was almost a foot high in certain areas. The road led to a large colonial house, something that resembled to the home of a brilliant Professor.
Surrounding the house, was a long driveway filled with an assortment of cars and vans. On the left side were two basketball courts, a tennis court, and an Olympic size pool. There was a small jungle gym beside a freshly painted garage. A small well primed flower garden decorated the front of the house and there was a handful of wind chimes that sang with every gust of wind.
"We are here," Cruz said pulling up to the house. He glanced at Mark as he turned off his car. "Time to meet daddy."
Mark stepped out of the car feeling unsure if he was making the right decision. Maybe it would be better to be alone. Yes, he would be all by himself and on the constant run, but because he didn't have to worry about anyone else aside from himself it would be easier. Of course he wished he had Luke by his side. It would make everything a lot better and easier.
"Don't worry Mark," Cruz said slapping him on the back playfully as he approached the front door. "We are all family here. So there is nothing to be afraid of."
"I am not afraid," Mark said following him
"Sure whatever you say Mark," Cruz said with a laugh.
Cruz stepped into the house as a tall and well-dressed French man approached with a smile on his face. He had shoulder length brown hair and a cleanly shaved face that had the musky scent of expensive aftershave. He was thin, yet muscular.
"Merce Cruz," He said happily as he approached. He gave him a tight hug and then a kiss on the forehead. ""I am glad you are okay."
"Everything worked smoothly," He said with a proud smile. "No one had a clue."
"That is good," He said placing an affectionate hand on his shoulder. He looked him in the eyes. "It makes me so happy to hear that." He looked at Mark who was standing a feet away looking out of place. "Now you must be Mark?" He let go of Cruz and approached Mark who eyed him with uncertainty. "You are looking a lot older then the last time I saw you." He reached out to shake his hand. "The name is Amable," He gave him a large and warm smile.
Mark glanced at the man's hands feeling nervous. He swallowed and slowly reached out. He grasped it and then looked at Amable curiously. He didn't say anything. Not because he didn't have anything to say there were tons of questions, but he wasn't sure where to start.
"It is nice to finally meet you after all these years," He said letting go of Mark's hand. He took a step away from him and then bowed slightly.
"You must be," Mark stopped himself mid sentence.
"Yes I am your papa," He said with a warm smile. "The one and only." He began to laugh at his own joke.
"Listen," Cruz said stepping away. "I am tired after such a long drive." He paused for a few awkward seconds. "I think I am going to grab a small bite and then lay down."
Amable gave Cruz a small smile. "Dinner is in an hour," He said, "I don't want you to ruin your appetite."
"What is for dinner?" He asked.
"Roast beef with a side of mashed potatoes, tomato soup, a toss salad, and fresh biscuits," He said hungrily. He couldn't wait to eat. "At least that is what the chef told me he was making." He shrugged his shoulders and chuckled softly. "He couldn't been pulling my leg."
Amable turned back to Mark who continued to stand there feeling out of place. "I know this is strange for you," He said gently.
"That hardly describes it," Mark said crossing his arms over his chest. "I have so many questions."
"You may ask one," He said abruptly holding up his index finger.
"What?" Mark asked confused.
"That was your question," Amable said. He pointed to nowhere and then said in a loud voice, "Now off with your head." He laughed at his own joke. He took note of his seriousness and then said, "Don't worry Mark, I am just kidding around here."
"How are you my father?" Mark asked continuing to look at him suspiciously. "I mean how did mother and you meet?"
Mark listened intently as Amable began. Lily and he met while she was on an Art Expose in France. He came to view her painting and she found him exciting and attractive. A cup of coffee, led to dinner, and then a night of sex. That went on for a few months. She found him cunningly and deceptively intelligent. He seemed to know every detail of her paintings.
One day, precisely twenty-one years ago, she joined him on a trip to feed local orphans, and that is where she saw the twins; Luke and Mark. They were in France, despite being clearly American. They were barely a year old when she decided to adopt them. She fell in love with them immediately and it didn't take long before she took them home.
At that time, Amabale and Lily were sharing a house together, right by a large lake surrounded by lush trees and grass fields. It was a sight to see. The plot of land belonged to Amabale and resembled something close to Eden itself. The sun, when out, shown on the lake with such brilliance like a large diamond. It was one of the most beautiful sites in the world.
Lily lived there for almost four years, before she felt it need to move to New York. She told Amabale that it was for an Art Expose, but in reality his clinginess was beginning to annoy her. After a months of arguing, he told her he was staying, while she picked up her things and along with Mark and Luke left France.
She made it to New York safely and with the help of an ominous person, she smuggled her two sons in. She found a house in Monticello, which was in the mountains of New York. She lived there for a year, before she adopted Sami and Randel. They were two years old and were inseparable. Soon, she adopted again, a girl named Radmilla.
"Your mother and I stayed friends for many years," Amable said, "I left France a year ago and have lived here ever since."
"So you aren't really my dad," Mark said stepping away from him. "You raised me for a few years, but genetically you aren't my dad."
"That is true if you get technical," Amable said with a small shrug. "But that doesn't mean I didn't love you or your brother."
"If you loved us so much," Mark asked looking at him confused. He wasn't sure what his take on this man was. "Why haven't you contacted us until now?"
Amable was about to respond when a young women around Mark's age approached. She eyed him curiously before turning toward Amable. She said something to him in French and then eyed Mark again.
"I have an idea," He said with a smile. "Dinner is going to be ready soon. Why doesn't Annabelle show you to your room where you can wash up."
"Follow me," Anabelle politely said.
Amabale locked eyes with Mark as he followed her up the windy staircase that led to the second and third floors. He waited until they were out of sight before he cleared his throat and then made his way to the basement. The basement had a total of ten rooms, all except for one was empty.
He entered the last room on the left and then closed the door behind him. As soon as he entered, a bright light turned on. In the middle of the room, there lay a man dirtied and bloodied. He groaned as Amable approached. The man was handcuffed to the table by his wrists and ankles.
"Guess who," Amable sang tantalizing him.
"Screw you," The man cursed at him.
"You know it is impolite to curse out the host," Amabale said as he approached the bed. He tapped the man on the head a few times in a scolding way.
The man tried his best to raise both his hands, but the handcuffs prevented him from doing so. "If I still had my middle fingers," The man spat at him.
Amable looked at the man's hands. He smiled. "Yes I cut those off earlier," He shrugged his shoulders not really caring. "I bet it hurt."
The man lifted his head to look at Amabale. "I am not going to say anything," He said through clenched teeth. "Do your worst."
Amabale tapped him on the head again. "If you say so," He sang cheerfully.
He approached the table that had an assortment of medieval like torture tools. He grabbed a nasty looking knife and then approached the man. "I already know Agent Giles," He began in a creepy tone, "That you were one of the guys who were part of the secret service department taking care of Clair Mathews." He leaned close and placed the blade beside his jugular. "Tell me where she is."
"My lips are sealed," Giles said and to prove his point he pressed his lips tightly together.
"That's too bad," Amable said removing the knife from his throat. "It seems you are hard of hearing." He began to cut off his ear, ignoring the thunderous screams and the blood that squirted everywhere. "I am here to fix that," He said as he sawed it off. He tossed the bloody flesh on Clark's chest so that he could see it. "Now if you value your other ear," He said roughly, "You will tell me where Claire Mathews is."
Sorry about the long update. Hope you liked the chapter! Of course I would never kill off Mike. He is one of my fav characters as well. lol
But in the near future there will be crazy deaths... it is The Following.. heh heh heh..
Shaw 18