The Turbulent Road Ahead
By: Sigmastar79
A/N: So Sorry for the wait, have had alot of problems here at home, but im back now :)
Chapter 22
Andrea waited a bit before calling out again. She knew her head set worked, she had tried it out with Sarah earlier that evening when they returned from their shopping trip. Taking a deep breath, she again called out with better results this time.
"HMAS Hammersley, this is Seaman Andrea McGregor, come in over"
"This is the HMAS Hammersley, what is your emergency?"
"RO, thank the heavens! This is Andrea, let Uncle Mike know I have spotted you and that we are about to have dinner. When the coast is clear, I will call back out on this channel when it is time to move in over"
"Loud and clear Juliet A-2, Romeo A-2 out"
Andrea giggled at RO's little joke. She had to admit, the RO for Hammersley was kinda cute. She always got a little flustered around the man. As she heard her mother yell out for dinner, she hid the radio and head set, making sure no one could hear it before going to dinner. She knew exactly how to tell her mother help was coming!
RO smiled and wrote down his little joke in his journal. To call Andrea 'Juliet' was an inside joke since the Hammersley was 'Romeo' and Romeo was saving Juliet. Walking up on bridge, he let Mike know Andrea had called in with a sighting of them and would call back when it was time to strike.
"Are you sure it was Andrea RO?"
A look was passed between Mike, Pete and Dutchy. Mike knew Andrea had a bit of a crush. He was starting to have a bad feeling about this SitRep.
"Yes sir and we even set up a little joke between the two of us to relieve the tension"
"How did you do that?" asked Pete. He had a bad feeling he was going to strangle a certain Radio Operator.
"Her call name is 'Juliet', and we are 'Romeo'. She thought it was pretty funny since she laughed. Laughter is good when you're being held hostage by a deranged lunatic"
Mike just chuckled while Pete gave Robert a look only a father would understand. A look that clearly said 'touch my daughter and die'.
"Andrea, dinner is ready, come eat"
Christina was not in the mood when she saw her daughter run into the room happy. Andrea was about to say something, until she saw the dead look coming from her mother's eyes. That was when she saw it. Her mother's old wedding ring, it was once again upon her finger. Andrea looked from the ring to her mum and Christina only blinked. Anger coursed through her veins at the thought of her father finally breaking her mother's spirit.
Her mother was a strong willed woman, but with the stress of Aunt Kate's pregnancy problems, the funeral of the first baby, the rape and break in, the new baby, and now their kidnapping; her mother was finally at her limit and the ring had tipped the scales. Knowing her mother was giving up, she knew she had to shine that light to keep her mother going. She had to give her mother her strength.
"Mum the most wonderful thing happened!"
"Oh really" said Christina indifferently. She had no clue what her daughter was going to pull out next, but she was just so tired. All she wanted to do was lie down and sleep for a thousand years. Seeing Gerald coming in for dinner, she looked at her daughter putting on a fake smile. "What is so wonderful Andrea?"
"Remember I said I knew about Travis and Polly?"
"Yes" said Christina weary of where this conversation was going. Gerald was right there and Andrea could mess everything up if she wasn't careful.
"Well, I got on messenger and walked right in the middle of a great big fight!"
"Oh really" said Gerald as he sat at the table. "What kind of fight?"
"Travis Webb aka Spider against Robert Dixon aka RO"
Gerald looked between Andrea and Christina as Andrea spoke about this new boy. He knew something was up. He would play their game until they messed up and he would catch them. He just had to wait.
"OK, and please tell me what is so wonderful about breaking the no internet our room rule your Dad has?"
Sarah had also perked up at the conversation which Gerald had noticed. He had a feeling he was about to dislike his gender.
"He was defending me, mum! Robert was going off to Travis about me. He told spider I deserved better. Spider said he asked out Polly because I wouldn't, you know"
"Yes I do" said Christina. She wasn't very pleased at the moment, but she knew Andrea was trying to say something in code. "And what did Robert say?"
"Robert said it was just fine with him if I wanted to wait. He said a lady always waits until she knows for certain that he's the one. Only a whore gives it out so freely. Then he pissed off Travis by asking me whether he could be my Romeo and I his Juliet!"
"Wait, you mean the same Robert that every time he sees you he stutters?" giggled Sarah. She knew exactly who 'Robert' was.
"Yep. The one who always is spurting off weird facts to everyone"
Christina smiled then. She had finally figured it out. Robert Dixon was the Radio Operator on the Hammersley. Andrea had found help. Stating she was now dating the boy was only to get under her father's skin.
"Is this the same boy that every time your Uncle Mike gives a glare, the boy runs in fear?" asked Christina with a smile. She would deal with Gerald later. She was actually having fun with this.
"Yes Mum, one in the same. He asked me out and I said yes. I told him you and Dad got back together and he said that was fantastic. He made and sent me a little graphic that says Dixon loves Perkins"
Sarah squealed so loud that it made everyone jump as she ran to hug Andrea. Gerald just looked on as he told the boys to remove their elbows from the table before asking Christina what was for dinner.
"Crab imperial, asparagus tips with sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, and snow peas. I made sweet tea for the children and Irish breakfast tea to calm my stomach and to help you relax. "
"Crab imperial; you only make that on special occasions, so what's the occasion princess?"
Christina pointed to the envelope on the table next to him while yelling at the girls to sit down. Opening it, he smiled and then laughed. He watched his wife serve him first and then got their daughters to help her serve everyone else. Sitting back in his chair, he sipped his tea, enjoying the way it ran smoothly down his throat, while watching Christina enjoying the chaos that was their dinner table. This was an unexpected surprise, but a pleasant surprise. He was going to have to make the nursery bigger.
Christina was almost sick of the looks Gerald was giving her at the moment. She subconsciously touched her stomach as to protect her children. Children, good god she was having two sets of twins. When the doctor had come this afternoon, the man had given her the news. When she found out she was carrying four children, she broke down in tears. How could Pete ever want her after all of this? She wasn't having one child, she was having four. He wasn't going to want to be held down with eight children.
She looked up to watch as Gerald watched her from across the table and saw the passion in his eyes. She knew he would want to 'celebrate' his accomplishment after dinner. She shivered in disgust at the thought that she was now stuck with this man for the rest of her life.
She remembered asking the doctor how in the hell could she have ended up with two sets of twins and the doctor laughed while he explained things. From the look of things, she had double ovulated this last cycle and fate had not been kind in that Gerald's swimmers had decided they would all be twin producers again this time around. Instead of her last pregnancy with one set though, she was now 'blessed' with two sets.
The problem was Christina didn't feel like celebrating. As she thought back to the moment, all she wanted to do was cry.
"You've been blessed Mrs. Perkins. This only has happened a handful of times in history naturally. I will come and see you next week for another ultrasound and to make a plan to keep the babies in uteruo as long as possible. Looks like congratulations are in order for you and Mr. Perkins"
Kate was beside herself. She wanted so badly to be there for her father, but she couldn't leave the damn hospital. Hell she would give just about anything to be out with the Hammersley looking for Christina and the kids herself, but again she couldn't. She instead sent her father to be with Mike's parents. She knew they could be his strength while she helped with the search.
Waiting was her problem, she was never known for her patience. Knowing Andrea had been in contact with the Hammersley took a large load of her shoulders, but she wouldn't feel better until she held her sister in her arms with her children to know they were safe and sound at home.
She had done what Mike had asked. She had used his card to buy something form the cafeteria and had it brought up. She had spoiled herself with a noodle dish and an iced coffee, which she had found she recently liked. She thinks it was called a frapachino. Whatever it was called, she liked it. Taking a nice long hot bath afterwards had also helped. She was a little more relaxed, but not much.
Cat had been more active as of recently. She swore the baby was trying out for the Olympics. She could watch her stomach for hours as it moved with the baby. Doctor Harper had said this was normal at her stage of development. But still she had this bad feeling and she prayed it had nothing to do with Christina and the kids. She had no clue the one in danger was her.
When Maxine had received word the family in danger was Kate's, she was furious. She was furious that her office had been taken over to help out that insufferable whore's family. Making up her mind, she started making some phone calls. She knew she had to end this once and for and she was putting together a backup plan just in case things went wrong for her. Looking over her chequebook and house, she couldn't help but smile at the idea rushing through her head. Yes, that was perfect!
Larry received the text from Maxine and smiled. He texted back that the best time to strike was right before the end of third shift. That way she could get in and get out with him without anyone noticing. He knew she had formulated a backup plan that would save her in case she got caught. He smiled again at the thought of what she was planning to do. Oh how he loved a devious woman.
After clearing out her bank account with the help of some prepaid credit cards and ATM's, Maxine went through her house and packed everything in big garbage bags. Packing things into her car, she went to the one thing she still owned that was still in Jeff's name. Stocking it with food and fuel, she started taking things from her car inside. She knew she had several trips to go, but her plane flight wasn't for another few hours and she still had time. Once everything was transferred, she went back to the empty house she once called her home. Walking to her bedroom, she grabbed the suitcase that held her uniform and paperwork she needed for Canberra. After putting those into the boot of her car, she walked to the fridge, removing the one thing she needed.
The syringe, it was finally time for Kate to get what she deserved!
Andrea waited until her mother put her brothers to bed before giving the signal to her sister behind their father's back. Nodding, Sarah went into her room after kissing their parents goodnight and went into her room. The signal was to start packing. After going to her own bedroom, she waited patiently till there were no more sound in the house before walking back out of her room. Looking around quickly and seeing nothing, she moved quickly to the fridge. Grabbing the leftover crab imperial, she set it aside along with some tuna that had been made for lunch and some of her mother's famous fruit dip. She had just grabbed a couple of apples when she heard light footsteps. 'Someone is trying to be quiet' thought Andrea as she acted like she knew nothing and started to slice the apples. She was almost finished when felt a hand grab her wrist.
"What the…"
"I could say the same thing Andrea" said Christina. Not much got past her at the moment.
"Hungry. Have a bad feeling"
Christina nodded her head. She knew something was about to happen. She waited for her daughter's hidden clues.
"I know, I feel it in the air"
"It feels like before. Eyes closely watching us and the feeling of stalked. I need to gain strength and energy to protect you and the kids. As the oldest that is my job"
"OK" said Christina 'So we are being watched, with their father that is no surprise'.
"Don't take your father's security so seriously sweetheart. We are in no danger"
"I don't know Mum, what I do know is we 'strike first'"
Christina froze for a moment. That was the Hammersley's motto, strike first. Andrea had the Hammersley on hold ready to strike. They were awaiting her signal. Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, Christina decided it was best to cover up. The hairs only rose up when Gerald was around.
"Ok, I'll bite Andrea. You're having the dreams again. The dreams where someone is coming to take us, and hurt us if we are not together right?"
"Yes"
Christina nodded again. Now she understood. Andrea needed all of them together to save them. One safe location where no one would hurt her younger siblings and they would stay safe during the fire fight.
"Will it help calm you if I put Sarah in the same room with the boys tonight and allow you to watch over them?"
"Yes Please"
"Ok. Finish whatever it is that you are doing here and I will go and arrange it. Your father is probably still awake so I will go let him know your fears and your dedication to protecting your siblings. Your father will appreciate your loyalty"
"Yes I do"
Both females visibly jumped and turned to see Gerald standing in his pyjama pants leaning against the door frame to the kitchen in the dark. The look on his face was a dangerous one and Christina had to fight placing herself in front of Andrea.
"I sometimes forget things. Like I had forgotten that the McGregor women seem to have their own special little code. So tell me what is watching me my dear daughter?"
"I don't know" said Andrea faking a serious look. "All I know is every time I close my eyes tonight I am seeing it again. Mum knows what happened the last time I dreamt this"
Christina forced herself to forcibly shiver causing Gerald to turn his attention to her.
"Explain Christina"
"After you were arrested the last time, Andrea started having dreams. I ignored it at first, thinking it was because she must have overheard something. She was your little girl Gerald, and little girls miss their fathers when they are gone. She wouldn't sleep for three days. On the fourth the police and Interpol showed up. I told you they used the girls to make me sign the papers Gerald. I never told you how"
Gerald looked at Christina anxiously. He knew something had happened, but he had never pressed it. Now he was finding out in the worse way. Christina took a deep breath while Andrea let off a growl deep from her throat, not too much unlike him. It didn't pass his attention she was gripping the counter in anger.
"They tried to take everything"
"And everyone" said Andrea with a forced hate through clenched teeth. Gerald looked to Christina who had her head down.
"So that was what you meant by they used the girls, huh Princess? They made you choose; me or our children?"
"I didn't even know I was pregnant with the boys yet Gerald. All I knew was I was scared and I had one very scared little girl and"
"And what Christina?" Gerald said, his anger slipping out. They had two daughters, if one was scared, what was the other one?
"And I was angry and hurt" said Andrea threw her clenched teeth, her knuckles turning white from gripping the counter top so hard. Her mother wasn't the only one who could act well.
"WHAT!" yelled Gerald. This brought the guards out and Gerald waved them off in anger. Sarah came into the room and Andrea told her to fetch the boys and place them in her room for all to sleep in. Not arguing with an angry Andrea, Sarah ran to do as she was instructed to do.
"Andrea went after one of them when one of the men grabbed Sarah and hurt her arm. She became your daughter through and through. She grabbed a knife and stabbed the man in the leg then grabbed Sarah and locked herself in their room. She put herself and Sarah in that small cubby hole that used to be inside their closet. She barricaded them in there and stayed there and guarded Sarah. Since breakfast had just finished, they were both full and the little sneaks were known to horde snacks in there for their 'tea parties'. Andrea wouldn't let them out or help in until I told them it was safe"
Gerald was shocked. He remembered yelling at the girls for that, saying it would cause bugs and mice. He didn't realise it had helped save them in the end.
"You saved your sister?"
"They planned to take Mum at the front and us from the back before Mum even knew we were gone. Too bad for them I am a McGregor and a Perkins. You don't screw with me."
Gerald laughed at this. He had been worried for nothing. Andrea wasn't up to anything; she was being protective and cautious while still being 13. She was learning. Then he remembered.
"You said you where hurt"
"One of the men went to fire his gun at me when I stabbed the other one. Mum grabbed his arm and the gun shot at a lower angle. What was meant for my head got my leg. I wrapped an old cloth in the cubby hole around my leg while I waited for the all clear. Mum got the living daylights beaten out of her for interfering with the guy's shot"
Gerald looked at Christina and saw her head held high. She had saved their oldest daughter and was beaten, yet still was able to carry the boys. He was even more proud of the tenacity of his bride. She was his feisty lass, and had passed that down to their daughter.
"Ok, I'm going to back to bed. Christina, I expect you soon as I wish to spend some more time with you. If it makes you feel any better Andrea, watch over your siblings. Scream for us if you need us"
"Ok Daddy"
Gerald kissed Andrea on her forehead and then kissed Christina lightly on the lips before heading back to bed. Andrea looked at her mother with relief. Their little lie had worked. Christina helped rush the food into the room with Andrea and informed her other daughter what was happening softly as Andrea readied her radio. Everything was in place. Christina turned on the TV on low and Andrea gave her mother a hug as she had to leave the room to attend to their father.
As she left the room, Christina prayed she could keep Gerald busy long enough for Andrea to set off the signal to the Hammersley, whatever it was. She had to help her children escape even if it meant in the end she would be alone for the rest of her days. Walking into her room, she saw Gerald waiting in bed. Closing and locking the door, she dropped her gown to the floor at her feet. The look of arousal crossed his face as he got out of bed to meet her. It didn't pass her attention he was already undressed. He had been waiting for her, but she knew something he didn't. She knew that this was the last night she would ever have to lay with Gerald Perkins.