Hello everyone! I hope you have had a wonderful holiday, Whether you celebrated Christmas yesterday or ordered Chinese food and watched movies (you Jewish folk out there!). I'm thankful for you readers. Enjoy the last chapter of Fifty Shades Missing (besides the epilogue).
*Warning; higher rating due to violence, death.
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Saturday's bright morning sun shined through her window. Stretching her arms, Maddie grinned. She had a party to get ready for. She had a calm feeling in the pit of her stomach, unfamiliar with all the anxiety she usually had, but she welcomed it and got out of bed. Mrs. Taylor had made her and her parents blueberry pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice. Her parents weren't around so it was just her. Taking a plate, Maddie made her way to the couch to watch some TV.
"Madeline Grey, the former missing family member of the infamous Grey family, turns seventeen. Tonight, she shares her special day with her family, close friends, and other acquaintances at the Grey mansion. Special catering services have already showed up to the house as the paparazzi wait patiently outside for a glimpse of the birthday girl. She has yet to make a public appearance since her return home." Maddie rolled her eyes and set the plate in the sink. Running upstairs, she put on a little bit of make-up, brushed her hair, and put on jeans and a nice shirt. Her parents weren't around, so she snuck her way out the front door heading to the gate. She walked slowly to the gate, the pestering paparazzi buzzing like bees, screaming her name and begging for an interview.
"Madeline! Over here!" She turned toward a blonde-haired woman accompanied by a pudgy camera man.
"Hello. How are you?" Maddie asked. Kill them with kindness. They can't ruin your day.
"Fine, thank you. How are you feeling about the party tonight?"
The crowd was silent as the all turned their recorders or camera's to her to catch the words spilling off her lips. "Um. I'm very excited. It will be the biggest birthday I've ever had, and I'm excited to spend it with family and friends."
"Have you settled back into your life with your family since you came home?!"
"Yes. It was a long and confusing process but I have gotten used to the idea that I'm actually living with my parents, and in this gigantic house!"
A few chuckles escaped the crowd.
"Maddie, is it true that Jennifer has escaped jail?"
Maddie froze. Escape? No way. That bitch is stuck there. "That's impossible." She just stared at them for a moment. "Well, um, I hope you all have a great day. Oh, and don't tell my daddy I spoke with you guys, it's our secret." She flashed them a dazzling smile and walked casually back into the house. Once the front door was closed, she leaned against it, struck by the rumors. Jennifer got out? I'm definitely not telling Dad. That's just bullshit, the media trying to scare you.
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(meanwhile)
"Jennifer Jones: Time for your medicine."
The young man beat on the bars with his baton, trying to get the inmate's attention. He heard nothing so he scanned his badge on the door and came in; Jennifer was slumped on the ground, pail and unmoving. In a hurry, the officer picked her up and brought her to the doctor unit in the prison. A strange looking man ushered him to a room and made him place her on the bed.
"Do you work here?" The officer asked.
He faltered for one moment, then became angry. "Of course I do. Just get out!"
After the officer left, Jennifer got up. "Nice work."
Jack Hyde gave a small smirk. "Put these clothes on, boss."
Disguised as two kitchen workers, they snuck their way to a back door, police officers and other workers not even blinking their eye. Outside the door, a beat up car was waiting for them.
Jen sat in the passenger seat while Hyde drove, speeding away quickly.
"Phase one's complete." Jennifer grinned and looked at her ball gown in the backseat. "Time to party," she said while placing on a bright red lipstick.
XXX
"Alright breathe in. Hold it!" Her mother zipped up her sequence dress. She looked like a dazzling movie star. Her mother wore a classic red dress, while Phoebe wearing a striking navy blue, long sleeved dress that had crystals on the shoulder. Her whole persona radiated the night sky. Christian looked smashing in a suit with a bow tie. With the finishing touches done, her family left her in her room. A few minutes later, she heard a knock on the door. Zac came in, peeking around the corner, then stood jaw-dropped, gawking at her.
"Would you stop it?!" She blushed, walking over and kissing him, her hand holding his chin in place.
As soon as she let go, it dropped back to its position. "I'm sorry, I, just, damn."
"Well said." Maddie giggled. "You look great yourself. Are your parents here?"
"Yes, but I'm escorting you to your fantastic ball. So they told me to come up and they'll text you when they're ready."
Maddie grabbed his hand and brought him to her bed. "Did you see me on TV?" she said, almost embarrassed.
"I did. What made you want to do that?" He rubbed soothing circles on her hand.
"I don't know. Felt like I should do it, get it over with. They would follow me around until they got some answers. Did you hear what they said about Jennifer?"
Zac furrowed his brow. "What about it?"
"They said she escaped."
Zac leaned forward kissing her forehead. "Don't worry, baby. They were just trying to start more rumors. There's no way she's out." He looked down at her wrist. "You're wearing my charm bracelet?"
"Of course. It's a nice personal touch to this dress." Zac reached out and stroked her cheek, kissing her softly.
A small buzz was heard from her phone. "That's our cue."
Zac smiled. "I love you. I'm glad you're here and I get to share your day with you."
They made their way to the top of the stairs, loud clapping erupting from the crowd of people, and descended as the announcer spoke their names. At the bottom of the stairs, she embraced her family, and the festivities began. She danced with her father, Teddy, and Zac. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. Then, before the cake, her father gave an intimate speech saying how happy he was that she was home and what a beautiful woman she was becoming. "And I am so grateful for the many more birthday's to come. We love you; Happy birthday sweetheart." And glasses full of bubbling champagne were lifted into the air.
After another dance with Zac, she stepped off the dance floor into the soft grass. There were hundreds of lights and lanterns that made the trees look full of magic. She smiled at the thought. "Excuse me, are you the birthday girl?" She turned to the voice. "Why yes-" A smack to the head blurred her vision.
XXX
Christian scanned over the crowd to look for his daughter. He couldn't see her anywhere, but spotted Zac alone at the punch table. When Christian approached, Zac chocked on his punch, cleared his throat, and shook his hand. "Mr. Grey."
"Have you seen my daughter?"
"No, I thought I saw her heading your way, sir."
"I can't find her." A soft hand grabbed his sleeve; Ana.
"Have you seen Maddie?"
"No I haven't. We were wondering the same thing."
"Christian!"
The Grey's turned to Zac. He held a small charm bracelet. "Something's wrong."
XXX
She fluttered her eyes open, touching her scalp lightly. She was slumped against a tree, a woman and man standing in front of her. When her vision finally cleared, she recognized the faces: jack Hyde and Jennifer. She stood up quickly, gasping at the sudden realization and the fast movement. "You." She glared at Jennifer.
"Hello honey. Happy Birthday." Jennifer smiled, but her thin skin and wrinkles showed that she was tired.
"What are you doing here? How did you get out?"
"Long story. We can talk about it another time." Jen had her hands loosely behind her back.
"No. I'm calling the police." Maddie turned to walk back to the house when she heard the click of a revolver. She slowly turned back around.
"No, I don't think so, Maddie. You need to stay here." Maddie gulped and raised her hands in surrender. Jen laughed. "If you wouldn't have been so curious, I don't think this would've happened."
"You were wrong to take me away from my family, no matter what reason. You disgust me."
"Oh honey, don't talk like that. I know you've second guessed yourself the whole time you've been here. You don't quite fit in here do you?"
"Shut up, Jennifer! You are a bitch! I hate you!" tears welled up in Maddie's eyes, threatening to spill over.
"Aww. How cute. You can't hurt my feeling, you little whore."
Behind the tree line, she could her soft cries. Her parents were looking for her.
"Perfect!" Jack Hyde rubbed his hands together.
"Would you just shut up?!" Jen turned and glared at him. "You know what, you'll just get in the way. You've done me a great service, you're no longer needed." Jen raised her gun, firing a single shot into the brain of Jack Hyde.
"NO!" Maddie screamed. "What the hell is wrong with you?' Jen grabbed her arm, placing her in a head lock and the trigger lingering at her temple.
Hearing the gunshot, Christian and Zac sprinted farther into the woods. Christian turned towards Ana. "You stay back! Don't come over here!" Ana slowed down a bit but never stopped running.
Zac and Christian stood still when they arrived at the scene. A dead man lay on the ground and a gun was pressed against Maddie head.
"Hello everyone! Join us! Great party, huh?" Jen snickered.
"Jennifer, please." Christian reached out a hand. "What do you want from me?"
"I WANTED A CHILD! And then I had one and you took it from me. So I took yours! And I want to keep her!"
"You can't have my daughter." Christian clenched his jaw.
Tears streamed down Maddie's face, Zac's eyes full of fear and glued on the gun pressed to her head. "Run" she whimpered.
"I needed someone to love. I wanted a child, and you took away that chance. I'll never forgive you, you bastard."
"What do you want, Jennifer?! WHAT?"
"AN APOLOGY!"
It became quiet for a moment. Then Christian spoke. "An apology?"
"Yes." Jen locked eyes with him, feeling vulnerable.
Christian took a deep breath, a sob hidden underneath. "I'm sorry I forced you into that situation. It was brash and rude. I should have given more thought to the situation. I'm sorry. Please let her go."
Jen flinched. "No. I'm not done."
"What more could you want?! I apologized, now LET HER GO!" Christian bellowed, surging forward, but not touching them.
"Maddie!" Ana came rushing in through the trees. Without a blink of an, Jen aimed her gun and fired.
Everything was still. Ana looked down at her stomach, a dark crimson seeping through the red dress. She placed a hand on the wound, and then fell to the ground.
"ANA!" Christian ran towards his wife, gathering her up in her arms.
Jen let go of Maddie, the young girl running towards her mother, standing behind her dad. Zac came to Maddie's side, checking her for wounds.
Jen stood in shock for a moment. Then she mumbled quietly to herself. "I should go. Go. Go. Go. Away. Free."
Maddie looked over to her slowly. "Jen."
Jennifer placed the gun to her temple and pressed the trigger.
"No!" Zac held her back by her mid section. She slowly sank to the ground, clutching Zac's arms.
"Zac! Go get help!" Christian yelled, placing pressure on the wound.
Christian stayed next to Ana, doing the best he can. "Damn it, Ana. Stay with me, okay?"
"I'm here, Christian. Always will be. No matter what." Ana gazed lovingly at her husband despite the soul crushing pain.
"Don't fucking talk like that, Ana. Not right now." Christian clenched his teeth, holding back tears. A few minutes later, paramedics came rushing down, placing her small body on the carrier. Christian followed quickly behind. Maddie stayed kneeling in the dirt, in shock. Zac came running back down, placing his arms around her.
"As much as I hated her, I never wanted her to die. I hate her. She might have killed my mother. But I feel broken." Her eyes were blank like she was speaking to a different worls.
"I know baby. Let's go and see how your mom's doing." He placed his jacket over her shoulders and slowly walked her up the hill. The guests of the party as well as the paparazzi were swarming the Grey's asking questions. Luckily, Zac's father, David spoke to the guest, asking them to quickly make room and return home.
Zac opened the passenger door to his car and ushered Maddie in. When he reached the driver's side, he heard her whimper, "All my fault".
XXX
It was so loud, that beeping noise. Ana slowly opened her eyes to a plain white room. Her stomach felt swollen, but other than that, she felt good. Her left hand was out of use, for a handsome man was clutching it and sleeping softly next to her bed. Smiling to herself, she reached over with her right hand, feeling a slight pull on her stitches, and ran her fingers through his hair. His head lifted slowly as his eyes opened and recognized the situation. She dropped her hand to the bed. "Hi."
He lifted her left hand and placed it to his check. "Oh, Ana."
"This feels vaguely familiar." She grinned.
"Unfortunately, yes it does." Christian kissed her hand a few times.
Maddie was curled against Zac's body on the small couch, Phoebe folded into a tight ball on a chair, and Teddy and Emily sat in the corner; all sound asleep. "Look at my little family."
Christian smiled. "We don't know what we'd do without you."
Ana smiled again. "So what's the verdict on my little gunshot wound?"
Christian shook his head. "Luckily, it wasn't very deep, so they easily got it out and sewed it up. You'll be sore for a while, but you should be fine."
"That's good to hear."
Christian rolled his eyes. "In spite of it all, you act like all is good."
"Well someone's got to be positive when married to Mr. 'Negative Nelly' over here."
"I don't think 'Nelly' is a guy name."
Ana laughed soundly, which seemed to wake up everyone in the room.
Maddie rubbed her eyes, then quickly moved to sit on the hospital bed. "Oh, Mom. I'm so sorry."
"Hush darling. You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm sorry your party was ruined."
Maddie laughed. "It's fine. I'm just glad you're ok."
Ana grabbed her hand, her other children surrounding the bed. Christian placed a loving arm around her shoulder, a perfect family circle. "It's okay, guys. We'll be ok."
Christian pressed his lips to Ana's hairline. "It's over."
XXX
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Haha! I Hope you enjoyed. Next chapter is the epilogue, so our little rollercoaster of a story will be complete. Love you guys, and stay safe!