Overprotective

Chapter XVIII

I heard the cab door shut outside, and rushed down the stairs. As soon as the maid opened the door, I threw my arms around my brother.

He lifted me up. "Merry!"

When he put me down, I still had my arms around him and I rested my head against his shoulder. "Harry, I've missed you so much. I really need you here." I whined, and felt like once again I was going to cry.

"I know." he stroked my hair softly.

I pulled away, "I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too. So where is my nephew? I haven't even had a chance to meet him yet in six months." he smiled.

I wasn't sure how to answer. I stared down at the tiled floor, "Listen, Harry, you and I need to take the train to New Hampshire."

"Why? Mer, what's going on?"

"Last night, I was out, and when I came home, AJ was gone. Spencer took him."

My brother's eyes widened. "He kidnapped him?"

"Yes. Please, come with me. I don't want to go alone." I begged.

He sighed, and ran his hand through his brown hair. "Of course I'll go with you. Come on." he turned, and saw the coat rack behind him. He grabbed the dark blue one and handed it to me quickly, and I was surprised he was able to guess which was mine.

We took one of Aunt Gwen's cars to the train station, and I bought two tickets, and within moments we were boarding.

Harold and I took our seats, towards the back. "You look tired." he commented.

"I didn't sleep last night. Thinking about too many things."

"Like what?" he asked. I was quiet. "Please, talk to me. I want to help you, Merry."

"Well, to start off… Spencer had an affair. With our cook, Beatrix. She actually tried to poison me. That's when I found out."

"That bastard! I-"

I held up my hand to stop him. "Things weren't so bad until we returned to America, and AJ was born. Once Spencer began to work for his father's company, his coworkers had a bad influence on him. He became insensitive and nasty. He became less loving. Even when we would be intimate," I saw Harold squirm uncomfortably at this, "he would be selfish. He'd hurt me so badly I would barely be able to walk afterwards…."

"He would hurt you?"

"I would tell him to be gentler, but he didn't care. He'd keep going, finish up, and go to sleep. He wasn't abusive though. Although a few times we did fight and he'd slap me. I deserved that though."

"You didn't deserve a thing, Mer. I'll kill him. I'll absolutely kill him."

"Harold, no-"

"Nobody hurts my little sister!" he stood up, looking angrier than I've ever seen him.

People were staring at us now.

"Harold! Stop!" he slumped back into his seat. "I don't know what I'm going to do. I need my son back, and Spencer and I need to talk about this. We need to figure something out."

"Leave him for good."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I…. I'm expecting again."

Harold sighed. "How far along are you?"

"Two months. I left Spencer at the end of August, and then I was already six weeks pregnant. I had just found out. Now it's mid September, and I'm due in April."

"Does he know?"

"I told him right before I walked out. Then he didn't want me to go."

"Divorce him. You'll get a good amount of his money. You can start your own life with your kids. Meet someone new."

"I met someone in New York…"

"Well that's good."

"Not really. He was a liar. He conned me, and tried to get me into bed last night."

"Meredith…" he was trying to keep himself under control, "You need to be more careful. Perhaps you should go back home to mom and dad." I could hear in his voice he was fighting a few tears.

"No." I said, looking to the window, "I can't. I'm supposed to be a grown woman. I'm turning twenty-three tomorrow, actually. If I were to give up and go back to my parents, I'd only be a burden and a disappointment."

"You were nearly killed! You were also taken advantage of by some conman! And your son was taken by Spencer. Admit it, Mer, you need help. You don't even look like yourself anymore. You look so tired, and drained. I don't want to lose you."

"You're not losing me. I'm right here."

"I meant who you are. You're not yourself anymore, because of what you've allowed people to do to you. Take better care of yourself." he demanded, sounding almost angry.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm not trying to sound mean. I'm just worried."

I leaned back in my seat, and placed my hands on my still unnoticeable stomach. "I'm worried too."

"May I kill your husband?" he asked, with his head being supported by his hands, and his elbows on his knees.

"No, you may not. We're just going there to get my son, talk about a few things, and leave."

"Fine. But if he hurts you, or says anything out of line, I'm going to punch his lights out."

"Sure." I agreed, because I knew arguing with him wouldn't be worth it.

We knocked on the door of what was my beautiful home, and waited. Spencer pulled the door open, "Mer, I knew you'd- Oh shit!" He exclaimed once he saw a very angry Harold standing in front of him.

Harold pushed Spencer aside. "Where is my nephew? Tell us, and then I'll deal with you."

"He's upstairs. The maid has him. But listen, I only did this because I knew Meredith would come back here, and I'd be able to talk to her."

"Well perhaps I don't want you talking to her."

"Harry, stop." they both looked at me. "Go upstairs and find AJ. Spencer and I need to have a disussion."

"Fine. I'll be back down in a minute." he said in a warning tone to Spencer, and disappeared up the staircase.

"Have you been taking care of him?"

"Yes, of course."

"He's been fed, washed, changed, and he slept alright?"

"Yes, he was absolutely fine."

"Good." I crossed my arms. "Meredith, I-"

"You took my son. Do you know how afraid I was when I couldn't find him? Do you even comprehend how idiotic this was? How dare you!"

"Listen, I only wanted to see my son, and get you to talk to me. I figured you'd show up here and I'd be able to have a conversation with you."

"That was stupid."

"Yea… it was…" he replied softly.

After a moment, I asked, "So where is Beatrix?"

"I fired her, the day after you left. Sent her packing."

"Then you must have been so lonely." I hissed.

"I got rid of her for you. For us. We can work this out. I want to fix this."

"You need to fix yourself first."

"I've been being an adult. I've been working, and trying to fit in with the other guys. That's all. My father would be proud."

"He'd be proud of you for having an affair and hurting your wife, and even for kidnapping your son? For some reason I doubt that. What would Adam say about this, Spence?"

"Don't bring up Adam." I could tell it was still a sensitive thought for him.

"Do you think he would be proud of you, Spencer? When he was going to give up so much for Clarissa, for him to be watching the things you did to me and to AJ… Do you think he's happy for you?"

"Stop." he said irritably. I could tell the thought of disappointing his dead brother was torture to him.

"Think for a minute, Spencer. About other people, and not yourself." I pleaded, "Adam wouldn't have wanted you to become this type of man. Adam would-"

Spencer snapped. He grabbed my upper arms harshly and shook me, "Shut up, Meredith! Just shut up! Leave my brother out of this!"

"Hey!" Harold was coming down the stairs, carrying AJ in his arms. "Don't you dare lay a hand on my sister!" he shoved Spencer away from me, and pushed AJ into my arms. Then he punched Spencer right in the face, sending him flying back a few feet and catching himself on a table. "I believe you've caused her enough pain."

AJ was clinging to me. I held him tightly, vowing to never let him out of my sight again.

"Harold, this doesn't involve you." Spencer said, with his hand pressed against his cheek.

"Yes, it does. Your wife is my little sister, and I'd do anything to protect her from bastards like you."

Spencer ran at Harold, and pushed him over. They both fell to the floor, rolling around and throwing punches.

"That is enough!" I yelled, but was ignored, "I said that is enough!" I shrieked. AJ began to cry loudly. "Aw, sweetheart, don't cry. Please…" I rocked him desperately, and once again glanced to the scuffle on the tile. "Harold! Knock it off! Spencer! You're upsetting your son!"

Spencer shoved Harold off of him, and sat on the ground, trying to breathe. Harold had apparently knocked the wind out of him, and his nose was bleeding. Harold was covered in a few scratches and red areas that would turn into bruises later.

Spencer was holding his nose, and his face was scrunched up like he was in pain.

Harold stood up and was beside me.

AJ was still screaming and crying, and his face was red.

"Adam was a much better man than me. He should have survived, and I should have died. I should have stayed right where you left me and drowned. I'm not worthy of life. I'm not worthy of you, or my son, and our other child. I'm not worthy of this wealth. This money doesn't even mean a thing to me anymore. It all means nothing if I don't have my family." Spencer whined, while sitting on the floor. "Meredith, please…." he begged. "Don't leave me. Don't break my heart."

"Well, sadly, you blew it, Spencer. You're the one who broke my heart, and it's going to take a while to fix." Harold grasped my hand and squeezed it tightly for support. "I'll mail you the divorce papers, and possibly a letter to let you know about the baby. Goodbye, Spencer." I was surprised by the strength in my voice. "Oh, by the way, where's Ellie?"

"Ellie?"

"My cat."

"Kitchen." he said in a soft, sad voice.

"Thanks." I said insincerely and quickly walked to the kitchen where I was greeted by one of our butlers. Phillip, an older man, who was very kind.

"Oh, Mrs. Welch, how good to see you and the little one again."

"It's good to see you too, Phillip. I'm just here to pick up my son and my cat. Then I'm leaving."

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I know it isn't my place, but I heard what happened, and I think you were right to leave him. He didn't deserve you."

"Thanks." I smiled, while striding over to the basket in the corner of the room where Ellie slept. "Hello sweetheart." her blue eyes opened suddenly, and she purred as I picked her up carefully with one hand, and lifted her up to my chest beside my son. I gave Phillip a kiss on the cheek, to thank him for his service when I had lived here. Then I went back towards the entrance hall, stopping in my tracks when I heard a conversation.

"I love her!" Spencer hissed loudly and angrily.

"Really? Could've fooled me, Welch. The stories I've heard of how you treated her over the past few months…. You're despicable." Harold spat.

After a minute, Spencer replied, "I don't know where my head was at."

"I thought you were an alright guy, Spence. I thought you were possibly the second best guy for my sister."

"Who was the first?"

"James, of course." I felt a slight tug at my insides at the mention of him, "He was a much better man than you. He even went down with his ship, like a true man, while you clawed your way up to the deck like a coward."

"Saving myself is cowardice? How can you even say that? What would any normal man do when faced with that situation? I saved your sister's life, if you didn't know. I persuaded them to let her through the gate. I made her leave me behind. I was going to die there, because I had to!" I heard a break in his voice. He was becoming more emotional after every word. "Once the gate was opened, I searched for a way to the boats, and lucky for me, I found one. To have given up and accepted the Atlantic as my destination would have been true cowardice."

"You used to be a good man. I expected you to take care of Meredith, but instead you've hurt her. She deserves so much better."

"She does. And I'm going to give her that."

"No, you'll stay far away from her as long as I'm around to protect her."

"You weren't always around. You abandoned her, remember? You left home, broke your baby sister's heart, and never wanted to go back. Wasn't until she ran into you that you decided to stay, correct? Perhaps you're only sticking around because she found you, and you don't think you could get away with skipping out on her a second time."

I heard the sound of Harold's hands colliding with Spencer's body, and then a thud as they fell to the floor. I heard fist against skin over and over, and wasn't sure if I should stop it, or let it play out. I couldn't stop them anyway.

Harold groaned, "Get off of me!" he said through clenched teeth. Surprisingly this time, Spencer was the victorious one.

"We both love her, and we've both hurt her terribly. No matter what you do or say, one day I will win her back. You'll see." Spencer stated determinedly.

Then there was silence for a few seconds, and I could only imagine Harold was either furious, contemplating the best way to kill his enemy, or he was too much in thought to respond.

I decided now was the time to make my presence known. Carrying my sleepy little boy, and my kitten, I entered the entrance hall. There was Harold, pinned to the floor by Spencer. They both looked at me, and my husband suddenly and silently let go of my brother.

"Harold, let's go." I stated plainly, and went for the door. With AJ in my arms, and my brother beside me, we left my old home, and went back out to the cab.

I examined my son, making sure he was just as perfect as he was when I had last seen him. Not a scratch on him. Thank God. I hugged him to me, and smiled as he snuggled against my chest and let out a tiny yawn.

"Motherhood really does suit you." Harold stated, while stroking Ellie on his lap.

"Does it?" I looked up at Harold and smiled.

"Yes, you look like a natural. He looks so content in your arms."

"I can tell he looks a lot like his father. He's got my eyes, but the rest is all Spencer." I stated in a shaky voice.

"Are you alright?"

"No, I'm not. It hurts."

"Your arms? Did he hurt you?"

"No. My heart."

"Forget him."

"How can I forget him when I have his son on my lap, and his other child growing in my stomach?"

Harold couldn't answer.

"I heard you." I said suddenly.

"Heard what?"

"You and Spencer arguing about me. I also heard what he said before you attacked him."

"Meredith, you shouldn't believe a word he said."

"But… you weren't going to come back at all. You would have been perfectly content never seeing me again. It was your plan. Why is it different now?"

He grabbed my hand. "I got to know you again. I got reacquainted with an amazing young woman who wasn't afraid to slap a sailor, or put her older brother in line. You're the only one who actually could keep me in line. Even as children. Our bond was special back then. Before I left all those years ago, in the middle of the night, I went to your room and I did say goodbye. I didn't wish to upset you, so I kissed your forehead lightly and left. You were the only one I said goodbye to. Then you found me again, and I left once, I'm not going to leave again. I don't want to lose my little sister ever again."

"You're not going to just walk away again? You promise?"

"I swear it. Family comes first this time."

I looked down at my son to see him now asleep in my arms. "Harold, come with me. Live with me."

"Pardon me?" he asked.

"I'm pretty sure I'd like to return to Wales as soon as possible. I have some money, and once the divorce goes though I'll probably end up with some of his money in the settlement. We could get a house, and you can help me with AJ and the baby. It'll be great. We could hang out and make up for lost time."

"Meredith…. That's a wonderful offer, but I'm afraid I can't."

"Why not?" I pouted, probably reminding Harold of my six year old self.

"I love my job. I love the sea."

"We'll get a home by the sea. It'd be perfect."

"It wouldn't be the same as being on a ship. The ocean is where I belong, Merry."

AJ stirred, but didn't awaken. "Fine, Harry."

"Mer, I'm sorry…"

"It's alright." I stared out the cab window, and saw we were nearing the train station. "Just promise you'll visit."

"Of course. I'll be needing a place to stay on my holidays, and I'll have to teach my nephew everything I know."

"Oh goodness, no." I laughed, "If you're planning to be a bad influence on my little boy, I'll send you to mum and dad's house instead and let them deal with you."

He put his hands up, "Oh no. Anything but that."

I grinned. Things were bad, but with my family, I would be able to get through this. I hoped.

Thanks for reading chapter 18. Chapter 19 will be posted as soon as possible. I just started writing it. I think next chapter might be the last. But I'm not entirely certain yet. Stay tuned, folks! Haha. Anywho, thank you and please review. It will make my dayyyyyy. Love, Kell.