Thank you everyone for still sticking around and reading my story. It really means a lot!
Nate turned the key to his apartment then held the door open so everyone could file in. When the lights were turned on it reveled a banner that read "Congratulations'' and there was also balloons. Nate watched his two ladies and he couldn't help but to smile at how their faces lit up.
"Oh Nate… When did you do all this?! And how did you know that Audrey and I were going to win?"
"I had some help of course and as for the two of you wining that was a shoe in. How could the judges not pick the two of you to be the winners?''
"Wait! Nate, did you have Eliot or Hardison do something so Audrey and I could become the winners?"
"No! Of course not. You did that all on your own. You two were both amazing… You blew everyone away, including me.''
Sophie looked into her husband's eyes and studied him for a moment. Then she smiled and then gave him a kiss on the cheek and then Nate took her in his arms and they embrace each other. Sophie whispered into Nate's ear so no one would over hear her.
"Thank you, Nate.''
"For what? The banner and the balloons? That was nothing."
"That was nice of you but you did something even more wonderful. You made our girl smile again.''
"I think you had more to do with that than I did.''
Sophie looked at her husband and gave him a smile and then Audrey approached her parents.
"Dad, thank you so much for all of this.''
Nate smiled and he put one arm around his daughter and Sophie did the same to include Audrey in their hug.
"Anything for my two favorite ladies.''
"Aww now isn't this cute but I don't know about all y'all but I am starving.''
Nate gave Hardison a look and then the three of them let go of each other and then they all began to get dinner ready. Soon they were all sitting around the dinner table and started to talk about the job that they just finished.
"That job was too easy. I didn't get to steal anything and I really wanted to tase Lana.''
"Parker, I wanted to take things easy and in time we will pick up harder jobs. As for the stealing and tasing we have talked about that. Besides I think my wife here caused enough harm to Ms. Lana Winters.''
Sophie just gave her a husband a smile. Nate was a little surprised at his wife's actions but Eliot however was very proud since he was the one who taught her how to do those things.
"Yeah man, the job was also predicable. Lana Winters is evil and she was the one who was stealing the money. But I have to admit it was awesome to learn that Sophie and Audrey can both play the hell out of an electric viola!''
"Thanks, Hardison. It turned out that Mum took lessons when she was younger and I played the viola from third grade all the way to twelfth grade.''
"Well, you both blew the roof off that joint!''
After dinner they all began to clean up and Audrey was in the kitchen drying the dishes while Nate washed them.
"Dad, I have been thinking… Things between Mum and I are really good right now. We have both been opening up to one another and I think it is time to tell her about what happened with my father in New York. I don't like keeping it from her. I know she will become worried but that might be better than her being upset at the both of us for lying to her. She knows that we are keeping something from her.''
"Yes, I know. Sooner or later she was going to find out and it would be better for her to hear it from us. Or I could just tell her.''
Before Audrey could answer Sophie walked into the kitchen carrying the remaining dishes and she handed them to her husband. Sophie knew that something was going on. Her husband and her daughter were keeping something from her and by the end of the night she would figure out what that was.
"Audrey, Hardison would like to see your viola. How about you go show it to him and I will help your father with the dishes.''
Audrey looked at her mother than her father. She knew what her mother was up to.
"Okay.''
Audrey handed her mother the dish towel and then left the kitchen. Sophie then stood on the side of her husband and began drying the dishes.
"Nate…''
"You will know everything once the team leaves, I promise.''
Nate and Sophie finished the dishes and then joined the others in the living room. There was some violent action movie on the TV screen and Sophie could tell that her daughter didn't like the film.
"Audrey, why don't you and I go wash off all of make-up off our faces and put something more comfortable on?''
Audrey looked at her mother with relief and went with her mother upstairs. Audrey got her stuff from her room and then joined her mother in her parent's bathroom. They both washed their faces and changed their clothes. Then they both sat on the bed while Sophie brushed her daughter's hair.
"Your father and I were talking and…"
"Oh my gosh Mum, I am so sorry. It was my idea not to tell you. I didn't want to worry you. I should have told you that Daddy approached me in New York and he was the reason why I was late getting back here. And I should have also told you the things he said about you.
"What?! You saw Jack in New York? What did he do? What did he say? Your father knew about this?!''
"I…I though he told you…In the kitchen.''
"No. We talked about you getting your driver's licenses. How?''
Audrey turned around to look at her mother. When Sophie looked at her daughter and it was clear to Audrey that she was hurt.
"I'm sorry Mum.''
Sophie just nodded and then got off the bed and made her way to the door.
"I am going to kill your father.''
"Mum…''
Audrey followed her mother downstairs. When they got into the living room Sophie picked up the remote and shut off the TV.
"Heeeey!''
Eliot and Hardison were going to argue with Sophie for shutting off the TV but then they saw the look in her eyes and knew better.
"You all knew didn't you!''
No one knew what to do. Eliot, Parker and Hardison sat on the couch in fear as to how they should answer. Audrey stood behind her mother with tears running down her cheeks. Nate stood in front of his wife who refused to even look at him.
"Yes Sophie, they knew. I told them and asked them not to tell you. Eliot, Parker and Hardison please take Audrey to ice shop down the road.''
Eliot, Parker and Hardison did what they were asked. Eliot put his arm around Audrey and ushered her out of the apartment followed by Parker and Hardison. Once they were gone Sophie finally looked her husband in the eyes. Nate never saw that look in his wife's eyes before and he hoped he would never see it again.
"Sophie, why don't we sit down.''
Nate made a move to touch Sophie's arm but she backed away from him and gave him a look to not touch her right now. Once they were seated Nate began to speak.
"I know I should have told you sooner. I should have told you after I found out. But I was trying to protect you and Audrey. Audrey didn't want you to know at first because of what you might do. In a way she was trying to protect you…''
"Protect me? I am her mother! I should be the one to protect her!''
"Yes and you do protect her. She knows that. I mean look at what you did to Lana Winters. Audrey knows you will do anything to stop any harm from coming towards her. But I have noticed that when it comes to protecting Audrey you just act. You don't think first which is not something you do. You always think before you act. Who knows what you would have done if you found out what Jack did. It could have put both you and Audrey in harm's way.''
"That was not your decision to make alone. So much for being a team. We made a deal that when it came to Audrey we were in it together… Call Eliot and tell him to bring back my daughter.''
Nate knew not to push his wife right now and did what she asked. Sophie needed time. Nate knew that it was wrong of him not to tell her about what Jack did especially after all he did in the past to both Sophie and Audrey. Ten minutes later the rest of the team arrived with Audrey. Audrey appeared to be still crying. Sophie approached her daughter and embraced her in a hug.
"It's okay, Audrey. Everything is going to be okay.''
Sophie looked her daughter in the eyes and tried to tell her she meant what she was saying. She also tried to wipe some of her daughter's tears away.
"Audrey, why don't you go upstairs put a cool cloth on your face. I will be up in a moment.''
Audrey nodded and then made her way upstairs. Sophie then turned to face Eliot, Parker and Hardison.
"I want the three of you to listen to me. You better not ever keep anything that proteins to my daughter away from me ever again. I don't care what he says. Do you hear me?''
Eliot, Parker and Hardison all admitted to themselves that in that moment they were actually scared of Sophie. They all had wanted to tell Sophie about what happened with Audrey and Jack when they found out and they didn't think it was right keeping it from her. So in fear of doing anything else they all just nodded. Sophie then walked past all of them and made her way up the stairs to her daughter's room. When Sophie got to Audrey's room Audrey was pacing back and forth. Sophie watched her daughter for a moment and then she made her presence known. Audrey stopped pacing and looked at her mother. Audrey was still crying.
"Mum, I am so sorry.''
"Shhh.''
Sophie took her daughter's hand and ushered her to sit on her bed. Then Sophie went into the bathroom and got a cool cloth. Sophie sat next to Audrey and placed the cloth and patted her face to try to calm her down.
"I am really sorry. I should have told you. Please don't hate me. I wanted to protect you. Daddy seems to hate you and he thinks you did something bad. And I was so afraid of what he might do and what you would do. I hope you can forgive me.''
Sophie put the cloth down and placed her hand under Audrey's chin so she could look her in the eyes.
"I could never hate you. No matter what. I will love you with every fiber of my being until the day I die and nothing and no one with ever change that. I love more than anyone in the world. I will do anything to protect you. And there is nothing to forgive because I understand why you did what you did.''
"You do?''
"Yes, I do. I know that Laura loves you, I have never doubted that and I never will. And she tried her best to protect you. She thought by sending you away to school, away from your father she was doing that and in a way she was. But she wasn't there day in and day out protecting you from everyday things. Like bullies at school or a mean teacher. You had to do that yourself, you had to protect yourself. You are not used to someone protecting you from anyone and everything all the time. I noticed after Bella's death and when her mother was getting aggressive towards Laura you protected her. Laura protected you but you also protected her. That day I got shot, I did protect you but you also protected me by trying to stop the blood flow and by getting me out of there as soon as you could. It seems that it is in our blood to want to protect the ones we love and we seem to not stop at anything to do that. And I hope you know by now that I will stop at nothing to protect you.''
"Yes, I am starting to see that.''
"Good. Now we have both had a very emotional day. So how about we lie down and try to get some sleep.''
Sophie put the cloth back in the bathroom and Audrey pulled down the blankets and climbed in. When Sophie returned she sat on the side of her daughter and climbed in as well.
"So you are going to stay with me until I fall asleep?''
"No. I think I will stay in here with you tonight.''
"Mum, please don't be mad at Dad. He didn't tell you because I asked him not to. He was just trying to protect you. He loves you so much Mum.''
"Yes, I know. And I love your father as well and I don't think anything he could do would ever change that but I just need time right now. I will forgive him eventually, I always do. And your smug father knows that.''
Audrey couldn't help but to laugh at that. Audrey then laid down while Sophie shut off the light. Sophie kissed Audrey on her forehead and laid down as well.
"Goodnight my love. Sweet dreams.''
''Goodnight Mum.''
The next morning Sophie and Audrey found Nate in the kitchen making breakfast for the three of them. He was making Sophie's favorite, blueberry crepes. Sophie knew that it was an attempt at trying to get her forgiveness. Nate looked up from what he was doing and smiled at his ladies.
"Good morning my two favorite ladies.''
"Good morning Dad.''
Nate could tell his daughter was a little hesitant towards him and his wife was still upset with him. Sophie went to plug the pot in to make tea for herself and Audrey, and coffee for Nate. And then she got the three mugs and prepared them. Audrey decided to approach her father.
"Dad, I am sorry about last night. I should have never asked you to keep something from Mum.''
Nate stopped what he was doing and looked at his daughter.
"There is no need to apologize besides your mother enjoys being mad at me.''
That earned Nate a dirty look from his wife which also held some amusement in her eyes. While Audrey just smiled. Nate then gave his daughter a hug and whisper in her ear so Sophie wouldn't hear.
"And the three of us know that she will forgive me soon enough. She can never resist my charm.''
Nate and Audrey let go of one another and Audrey just smiled at her father while Nate handed her a plate and placed a crepe on it. Audrey placed it in her mother's place and then went back to get her own. Sophie placed the two teas and the coffee on the table and sat down in her place and waited for her daughter and her husband to join her. Once everyone was seated they all began to eat. They ate in silence enjoying the delicious crepes until Nate spoke.
"This morning I called Eliot, Parker and Hardison and informed them that we will not being be taking on any more jobs until we figure out what Jack is up to.''
"Okay.''
They finished the rest of their breakfast in silence and once they finished eating they started to clean up.
"Audrey, I will finish helping your father. Why don't you go upstairs and get ready. I think you and I deserve a day at the spa. What do you think?''
Audrey gave her a mother a big smile and happily nodded and then practically ran out of the kitchen. Sophie and Nate continued to clean up the kitchen in silence until Sophie finally spoke.
"What else are you keeping from me and what did Jack say to Audrey about me?''
Nate smiled at his wife because no matter how hard he tried she could always read him like a book. That was of things he loved about her. Nate finished what he was doing and then took out his phone from his pocket and pulled up the email Jack had sent him the night Audrey returned home from New York.
"Jack sent me that email the night we returned from our honeymoon and Audrey returned from New York.''
Sophie took the phone from her husband and began to read the email. Nate watched his wife as she read the email it was clear that she was upset as she was upset, perhaps even more than when he first read it. After Sophie read the email she looked at her husband.
"What does Jack think I did?''
"I don't know. I have been trying to figure that out. You don't have any idea of what it could be?''
"It could be anything or it could be nothing. It could be a plan to try to get you and Audrey to turn against me.''
"Yeah, I don't know. But I think your mother knows what it could be.''
"What? My mother?''
"The day of our wedding when your mother approached Audrey she gave her the intention of her knowing what that could be and that was part of the reason why your mother and your family kept their distance from you all those years.''
"So…''
"So I invited your parents and your sister to come here for your birthday and we could talk to your mother.''
"Ah.''
"Yeah. I know you are not too fond of seeing them but your mother could be the key to trying to figure out what Jack is up to.''
"Okay. Fine.''
"Anything else?''
"No.''
Sophie then went to head out of the kitchen but then she stopped and turned around to look at her husband and waited for her husband's eyes to meet her own.
"Nate, I want you to promise me two things.''
"Anything.''
"I want you to promise me that you will love me no matter what this will do to us.''
"I promise.''
"I also want you to promise me that you won't let anything or anyone take Audrey away from me because I will not be able to handle that again. I am so afraid of that happening again''
Nate walked up to his wife and put his hands on the either side of her face.
"I promise you Sophie with everything that I have, that will never happen again.''
Sophie gave her husband a teary smile and then Nate put his arms around his wife.
"I love you Nate.''
"I love you too Sophie. More than you will ever know.''
Sophie let go of Nate and then went upstairs to get ready for her spa day with her daughter. Nate watched his wife go and then finished up the last of the dishes.