Christian quickly scanned over Daniel, who was returning a glower. He'd tanned slightly in the California sun and his green eyes were still sharp, his blonde hair still naturally messy, and Christian noted again how Daniel was one of the few people who were taller than himself.
Without taking his eyes off Christian, Daniel walked through the open plan living room towards the kitchen area where they stood. 'Ivy, what the hell is that man doing in our apartment? I can call Jackson if you want?'.
Ivy shook her head and Christian spoke 'I came here to apologise, and to explain some things'. Daniel was glancing over the situation with slight confusion between the two people staring back at him. 'Right...Ivy do you want me to leave you to it?'.
Christian interjected before she could speak 'I'd like to talk to you too Daniel'. The blonde gave Christian a withering look 'sort out your problems with her first, then we'll have our discussion'.
He glanced at Ivy 'I'll walk Milo, I'll have my phone on me incase you need me. I assume you've heard the 'news'?' she nodded 'Jackson told me. I don't care if she's my mother, it's my money and she's not getting her paws on it'.
Daniel nodded 'rightfully so. I'll look up some legislation when I can. Call if you need me'.
Awkwardly Daniel placed down the bouquet of roses on the countertop, picked up the dog lead and walked away again, Milo following at his heels.
When they were alone again the siblings turned back to eachother and Christian sighed, running a hand through his hair 'well that could have gone better'. Despite herself she giggled slightly 'yes, well, can ypu blame him?'.
Christian shook his head and turned back towards her warily, 'so...we should talk...I need to try and explain don't I?'. She simply nodded.
Ivy listened for nearly an hour and a half, listening through all the details of Christian's childhood, Elena, the red room, his ex subs, and his feelings for Ana, and how this time it was different.
Eventually Ivy spoke, clearly deep in thought.
'I'll come to Seattle... I want to see Ana...and I want to see Flynn, if that's okay? I want to understand this somehow'. Christian's face lit up 'you'll come back? When?'.
Ivy thought in her head 'I've got work here for a few days, I guess I can make it back on...Thursday next week? I can't guarantee that Dan will come with me, it depends if the case he's on finishes soon or not, sometimes they drag right out; and anyway, you two still need to talk.'.
Ivy texted Daniel that they had finished their conversation and he returned with Milo a few minutes later. He still looked annoyed but Christian noted the softening in his eyes when he looked at Ivy. 'Are you alright?'.
She nodded, a small smile on her face and Daniel's eyes were still a bit cold as he looked over at her brother briefly and back to her
'Jackson wants to do a call with us, About your mum'.
Christian muttered 'do you want me to go?'. Ivy shook he head 'Jackson's our security guy, you may as well stay'. Daniel looked less than impressed but opened his mac and answered a video call.
Jackson was probably in his mid thirties with broad shoulders, muscular physique, tanned skin, light brown eyes, short cropped brown hair and a strong South African accent.
'Alright you two? Christian?' they both nodded and Christian nodded, not surprised that he knew who he was- Taylor would be proud of this guy.
'Right well, Zara Viljoen arrived recently on a flight from Cape Town, she's been in Pretoria for about a week before that, I think to see family?'. Ivy nodded 'Zara's family are in Pretoria, it's where she's been living with her husband for the last few years'.
Jackson made a quick note and nodded 'right, well she came to Cape Town and spent three days there, it seems your uncle Jacob saw her but it wasn't for long, he sent her an email the next day which I'll paraphrase for you: stay away from Ivy, if you go near her I'll destroy you'.
Ivy didn't even blink and Jackson continued 'so we don't know if she's aware that you are in the City or not, it might just be a coincidence but I don't know. From what I know about Zara Viljoen, it's probably not coincidence, anyway, I've got a track on her and I'll keep you updated. Do you want to see the CCTV of when she arrived?'.
Ivy nodded 'yeah, thanks Jackson'.
The screen was now filled with HD footage of San Francisco aurport and it zoomed in on one woman in particular.
She had a slim, willowy frame, looking like a ballet dancer or gymnast, only looking about mid to late 30's despite obviously been older. Her hair was light brown, smooth and sleek, not a hair out of place, and her outfit looked expensive too. She had black skinny jeans, red high heels an an open collar dark grey silk shirt.
Christian muttered 'she looks a lot like you', Ivy's voice was quiet 'she's still not getting a penny of my money'. Hanging up the call, Daniel slipped an arm around Ivy's waist and kissed her hair
'she has no right to it, legally it's yours and yours alone'.
Ivy leant her head on Daniel's shoulder and Christian met his eye 'Can we talk? You and me?'. Daniel nodded 'I could really do with a drink, there's a bar down the block'.
He glanced at Ivy 'is that alright?' she smiled 'of course, I have to sort out some notes from last weeks meetings and go over my diary'.
Christian glanced at Daniel over their beers, the taller blonde looking sourly at the tv screens on the wall rather than his former boss. 'Daniel...where is it heading?' he looked up in surprise 'what?you mean me and Ivy?'.
Christian nodded and sipped his drink as Daniel replied without even needing to think
'well I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with her hopefully. I wouldn't just pack up my life and move States just for any girl. I told Ivy from the get go that I was going to marry her, I didn't really have a choice, there's no one else'.
Christian was quiet for a little while before nodding slightly 'see that's what I wanted to hear. Frankly that's what I should have listened to the day I found out about you both, I just...'
Daniel shook his head 'the past has passed, Christian, it's fine. We all reacted and acted badly, admittedly probably you more so that anyone else but still...I just want Ivy to be happy'.
Christian and Daniel clinked their glasses together and drank.
Daniel was preoccupied, thinking about the white gold engagement ring he had in his bedroom, the ring box hidden under a pile of socks.
With Christian's blessing, he now finally felt ready to take the plunge.
Across town Ivy was checking through her calendar to check the dates from meeting and wether she had the corresponding notes to them.
It took her a while to work it out, it didn't matter if she was one of the top mathematicians in the state- she kept hoping that the math was wrong, or at least the dates were.
Ups and downs there.
Hope you liked. Please see my other two current fanfictions if you want more updates as I alternate them.
Please Review and let me know what you think x