Chp 14 home sweet home
Sunday morning, we break camp. Say our goodbyes and head home. The long way. I drive happy with Anna head on my shoulder. We meander the day stopping at galleries, flea markets, and antique stores. A bayside café near Tacoma for lunch. We dread the home coming. The parent's views and attitudes.
I hold her hand as we walk along the bay. Both lost in thoughts. Anna suddenly squares her shoulder stomps her foot. Turning to me "Screw everyone else, this is our life. I am going forward, to school, to a degree, a career, and your wife." I stare at the resolve she expresses. "well, can I tag along?" we dissolve into laughter. "Only if you remember to put the seat down." she laughs
"only if you stop slurping your smoothies"
she giggles "if you promise to talk to me. not order me about"
I smirk, like I'm not henpecked already. "I do"
As she smirks "I double do"
I kiss her quiet. As the sun falls from the sky. It time to face the music.
Arriving a Grey Manor, we drive up to the house, no one comes out, they must have heard the gate chime. Parking, we get out, I take her in my arms kissing away our doubts and fears. Their family. Enter the house we hear them in the great room. Entering. O shit. Shit. shit Ray's here. "Daddy" Anna cries and charges into his arms. He looks pissed at me. I feel the room shrink as dad walks over. "how are you son, you look good?" "I'm better, much better. Although I fear my body may be bruised and battered by dawn" he looks shocked and a little angry. Mom looks concerned. "Anna, baby" she returns to my arms. Just then Mia spots the ring. "CHRISTIAN YOU GOT ENGAGED!"
Everyone stares at Anna, who blushes a bright red. I smile, well the cat out of the bag. "Yes, we decided to get married. Not any time soon. Oh, Ray, we'd like your blessing?" I steady Anna. Ray walks over.
"Come with me." we walk out the back doors to the dock. Dad follows us. The three of us stand there for a long moment. "She just 17, I know her birthday around the corner, but engaged. Christian this is just night-gale syndrome. You both have it. I think you, too should separate. Annie's coming to Kentucky for the rest of the summer."
"Ray, I respect you. I really do but she can and will decide what going to happen. I hope she'll stay. But I will respect her decision. Dad, we are couple. I understand your concerns. We haven't set a date or even a timetable for our marriage. But both of you better understand. We are getting married. We would love your blessing. The Families are important to us. But we love each other. We've always loved each other. Please support and respect our decision."
I can tell Ray's about to blow. "Christian go back to the house, now" Dad says. I walk away. Looking back, I see them in a heat argument. I feel bad our happy news is causing such strife. Entering the house, the noise is loud. As Mom and Anna are yelling at each other. Mia is crying. I don't get it; everyone should be happy. I reach out a hug them both. Stopping the argument. "Please be happy for us." I whisper.
Everyone calms down. Elliot announces dinner is served. We sit, an oppressive mood permeates the room, side by side. Eating off each other plates. Fighting over bites. Everyone is watching us. Mia tries to lighten the mood "so what did you guys do camping" good a safe topic. "We hike a lot, swam, I caught a big Beer Can. Anna's having it mounted for my wall." Everyone stares at me. "Yep, A really big Beer Can, Fosters. I'm thinking walnut, Elliot what do you think?" Anna quickly adds. Elliot laughs, "Teak, Beer Can fish are best on teak." As the table final laughs. The mood lightens as Anna talks about the Campfire. I see my mother brighten over my interaction with people. The families roar as Anna describes my first attempt at Camp pies, the burned charred pie even the dogs wouldn't eat.
We retire to great room. Anna in my lap on the floor. As we play trivial pursuit the star trek version. I'm hammered by Mia, didn't know she's a closet trekkie. Ray and Dad seem calmer. After a while, we retire. I leave Anna in my room, I head down to the TV room to the foldout bed. Ray's in the guestroom. I miss having Anna in my arms. I feel a hand in my hair. Anna sings me to sleep.
Xxxxxxxxxx
I awake its Monday, back to work. Showering and dressing in the pool bathroom. I greet Sally in the kitchen, Anna already there sipping tea and munching granola. I have an omelet, bacon and spinach. We feel each other without words. Ray comes in. "Anna. Christian"
Drinking his coffee, he looks at us. "I want you both to know, I think you both need time and distance, before you get serious. I know you both are smart, responsible adults. I expect a long engagement."
"Thanks dad, we have a lot to work on. I hope you can be happy for us." Anna says, I feel her foot touch mine. I smile.
Xxxx
I drive to work. Arriving I find the lot closed. I bewildered look around. Anna starts to laugh hard. She rocks to and fro. I'm getting mad, what so frigging funny. "ANNA!"
"Christian, ha, ha, o'god Christian it after the first." "so what! Where my company?" she roars in another fit of laughs. "Christian we're in the new building." As she laughs. Shit forgot. I realize I've driven to the wrong building. I smirk, "thanks a lot navigator." "don't be mad, babe." Laughing, I stroke her hair. Lean over kissing the laughter from her. I feel better. I drive to the new building. This day can't get any worse.
Xxxxxx
Monday 11am Seattle Memorial Hospital
I sit in my office drinking coffee. I fucked up yesterday. I came so close to destroying my relationship with Anna and Christian. I let all my fears and insecurities run wild. How could I call Anna those things? I have always viewed her as a daughter. I know she sees Elliot and Mia as siblings. But Christian was always different. They were always different; always had a connection, we've never understood. I guess now we realize it's love. Sipping my coffee. I contemplate the future. I need to talk to Anna, calmly. I know forcing anything will simply push them away. I will not lose my son. Nor Anna.
I wonder if Christian has told her about his lifestyle, sexual style. I have always worried about it, with his single focus and temper. Since he switched to the new therapist Flynn, I no longer get updates. I worry. I know. I'll call Anna and arrange a lunch for us to talk. I close my eyes. Count to twenty and try to relax.
"Paging Dr. GREY, ER STAT. Paging Dr. GREY, ER STAT. Paging Dr. GREY, ER STAT" I pick up the phone dial ER. "GREY?" "DR. Grey we have a 18yr female inbound, violent rape and torture victim. Dr. Miller is requesting your support. Their 2 minutes out" "I'll be there."
Arriving in the ER. Directed to trauma bay 1. My first thought is o'god Anna. The victim is petite, long brown hair, pale skin. I check her she has beautiful brown eye, heartbreaking the terror and pain in them. The torture is brutal, sadistic, inhuman. I find the sadist has burn slut into her back with one those handheld torches'. The third degree burns, I have to steady myself. We decide to induce a medical coma.
Afterwards I throw up in the restroom. I pray the police will find him before he finds another victim. Heading home I wonder if Anna going to stay. Or move in with Christian at his condo. The uncertainty gnaws at me.
