hello beautiful people! i hope you all had wonderful holidays and were able to get a little break and if you had exams- you aced them! Please enjoy this new chapter for you, it took me a while to do. It's my longest ever and i did parts of it while studying for exams sooooooooo Also, yesterday was my two year anniversary of being on here! While i don't update the quickest, i do care and a big THANK YOU to everyone who makes staying on here worthwhile. Anyways, do enjoy this and feel free to review and read and offer comments and ideas! Also, check out all the wonderful stories on here as well as my other ones :) XOXOXO and see you for G+J day!
Featherstone left on a drizzling Wednesday morning. Juliet was sadder then she expected to see him go. She found that Violet was more of a source of joy than ever. Everything her little daughter did was enchanting. If Gnomeo was stressed from work, Violet was sure to at least make him crack a smile. Speaking of Gnomeo, something was going on with the business. There had been men in suits and meetings that left her handsome love looking harried and dark. He didn't talk about it and she was waiting to ask.
"Find out what's going on with him." Lady Bluebury told her one day over tea. This tea visit was part of a conjoined effort on both women's part. Juliet and Lady Bluebury were learning to like each other lately. They shared one man in common and both loved him more than anything. While Lady Bluebury tolerated Juliet, the matriarch adored Violet. Right away, she found any opportunity to get to spend time with her only grandchild. It was the same sort of relationship for Lord Redbrick and Gnomeo: Toleration due to a shared adoration.
"Aren't you in charge of things with the business?" Juliet asked her mother in law.
"Not these days." Lady Bluebury said darkly. Sowden, may he rest in peace, left quite a bit of work for Gnomeo He told me I didn't have to worry and he didn't need my help. I understand of course. He's trying to take on all this responsibility. So much like his father." She mused, sipping tea from a china cup. Nanette stood listening in the doorway.
"I worry about him." Juliet admitted as Violet dozed in her arms.
"Well you're his wife. You should know what's bothering him." Lady Bluebury raised an eyebrow.
"I know." Juliet said, feeling like she was being made to sound like she was a bad spouse.
"If Sowden were here, Gnomeo would have more time for you." Lady Bluebury pointed out as she took another scone. Juliet couldn't even respond. She had forgotten that Lady Bluebury truly had no idea why it was best Sowden was not there.
Very late that night, Gnomeo came into their room loudly. A thunderstorm was brewing and Juliet could hear the distant thunder as she laid alone in the darkness. She wished she was sleeping, but her mind wouldn't allow it. He flipped on the light sloppily and she sat up with the sheets pooling around her.
"Gnomeo?"
"Hey babe." He said rather loudly. She noticed his unkempt hair and his soiled shirt right away.
"What's going on? Why are you yelling?" She asked.
"Why am I yelling? He repeated. "I don't think I am"
She started to protest then stopped, "You're drunk, aren't you?" She could smell the reek of vodka from her bed that brought back memories of being raised alongside a teenaged Tybalt.
"So what?" He grinned. "I got drunk. I never get drunk. I fucking deserve this drink!"
Juliet left her bed, wrapping a robe over her shoulders.
"What the hell is going on?" She demanded. Gnomeo just stared at her for a moment before answering.
"I just sold my dad's company."
Shock ran through Juliet like an electric current. "What? Gnomeo, why? How did it come to this? What's going to happen to us now?" She had so many questions and so many thoughts all coursing at once. Lightning flashed against the sky.
"I fucking sold my dad's company. Is that what you wanted to hear? Is that what you expected from me? I had no choice, Sowden messed up everything, when I got there I tried to fix it but it was all I knew to do. God Dammit, Juliet I sold it! You married a failure!" Thunder crashed and the room shook with the force.
"You'll wake the baby." Juliet said with gritted teeth, using every ounce of strength not to break down.
Gnomeo wiped his jaw with his hand and looked into the pouring rain.
"You're not a failure." She told him softly. She knew it was going to be mostly fruitless to reason with her drunk and terrified husband. But what else could she do?
"Yeah I am. I sold my Dad's company. If he was alive-"
"He'd be so proud of you, you did what you could."
"No." He replied. "This is all my fault."
"Gnomeo!" But he brushed past her. "Where are you going?"
He didn't reply as he slammed the door. She saw his eyes flash with the lightning.
As if on que, Violet awoke and began to cry at the sound of the door. Quickly, Juliet ran to the nursery and took her swaddled daughter in her arms, trying to calm her.
"Nanette, did you see Gnomeo?" She asked her friend as she hurried down the stairs with Violet on her shoulder.
"He just left, is something the matter?" Nanette fussed.
"He just sold the company." Juliet told her quickly. That was not her concern now though. Nanette's mouth dropped open. "Julie, what's going to happen to you now?"
"I don't know, but it really doesn't matter." Juliet said.
"Juliet." Nanette breathed.
"Anyways, he's drunk and afraid and he left and I'm going after him." She handed Violet to Nanette which caused the baby to fuss.
"Oh no, missy, you are certainly not going after that man. Not in this kind of weather, not at this time of night." Nanette nearly shouted.
Juliet ignored her and continued fastening her red cloak. "Nanette, I have to. He needs me and I have to find him before he does something stupid and regretful."
"Juliet you can't!" Nanette protested as Juliet hurried to the door. She opened it and the wet wind blew in her face.
"Put Violet back to bed, I'll be back soon."
"At least take the carriage!" Nanette begged.
Juliet shook her head. "No time. The horse will have to do. No one is out on the streets anyways."
"This is a bad idea!" Nanette called but Juliet had already made her way out into the rain. A horse was waiting and Nanette watched from the safety of indoors as Juliet mounted it and with the horse reared. As lighting flashed, she rode off into the town. Nanette clutched Violet who was drowsy and fussy.
"Pray to God, you don't become an orphan tonight." Nanette whispered as she tiredly climbed the ornate staircase.
The rain wasn't so bad, Juliet thought as she swiftly rode through the streets of the city. The mist of the pelting rain made it hard to see but Juliet looked anyway in the pools of light surrounding every streetlight and house. Although honestly, that's not where she thought he would be. As the rain began to fade away into mist, she knew her destination was in sight. As she approached, she scanned the rocky coastline for a person. Her person. And there he was, standing on the docks where once they had departed on a ship to London, hoping for a better life. His hands clutched the sidebar and his eyes were watching the tall clouds unfold across the grey sea, both angry like his heart. At that point, Juliet was so happy he was alive she forgot to even be angry. She dismounted the grey horse and left him, knowing he couldn't wander far. Slowly, she let the hood of her cloak come down as she softly walked towards him. Light rain patted her face and delicate water droplets fell and rested gently on her hair.
"I thought I would find you here." She said softly. Gnomeo turned around surprised.
"Juliet." He exhaled heavily. "Jules, I'm so sorry." She noticed his face was wet. She couldn't tell if it was the rain or tears.
"You did the best you could." She told him. There was no need to chastise him or be angry anymore. At that moment, she realized that she was soaked down to her skin and so was he.
"I didn't mean for any of this to happen like this." He said, his voice thick.
"I know." She replied. Even though he was as wet as she was, she felt warmer as he took her in his arms. Gnomeo kissed the top of her head as they looked out at the lightening sky.
"We're going to be okay." She told him. "As long as we're together, we'll be alright." Even though the future was unsure for Juliet, she needed him to be strong too.
"I love you." He told her.
"I love you too." She closed her eyes for a moment. "Now where's the future taking us?"
"Home." Gnomeo replied. "You're going to catch a cold." Juliet took his hand trying not to shiver.
As soon as they got home, they were passionately kissing and tearing at each other's clothes with such passion, it felt like all the pent up worry and things they weren't saying were being let go. They stumbled into their bedroom, soaking wet, with a trail of clothes left behind.
As sunlight of late morning enveloped the bed, Juliet woke up feeling warm. She turned over onto her back and saw Gnomeo still laying there, already awake. This was the first morning in a while where she hadn't woken up to find him already gone for the day.
"Hey." She said sleepily.
"Good morning, beautiful." He said, leaning over and kissing her forehead.
"So last night." Juliet began, propping her head up with one arm.
"Was amazing." Gnomeo finished. "You may look like a lady, but get you in bed and-"
"Not what I meant!" Juliet laughed. "Even though it totally was amazing." She paused for a moment.
"I meant the company." She took his hand so he wouldn't get up and avoid the conversation. Gnomeo took a deep breath and looked away.
"I closed the deal last night. We were pretty close to bankrupt and Mr. Kinsey, he's like the president of this whole big company called Garrett and Co offered to buy it. He'd heard of my dad so he gave me a really good deal."
Juliet nodded her head slowly. "Well, it could be worse."
"Right." Gnomeo continued. "And he said he'd try to find me a job."
"That's great!" She replied, smiling so he would smile too. Juliet secretly questioned whether Gnomeo even needed to work that much. His family had plenty of money, and so did hers for that matter.
"But Jules, I have to tell my mom and let a ton of people go. We're going to be fine, but what about them?" Gnomeo continued. Juliet's heart went out to him. He was such a good person and he had such a big heart.
"I don't know." She replied honestly. "We can help them. Somehow."
Gnomeo looked so sad and defeated, she squeezed his big hand as he kept talking.
"I feel like I've disappointed everyone. Maybe Sowden was right, I'm just too immature to handle it."
"No you're not! That man was wrong about everything, don't you ever say that again!" Juliet responded. "Your parents worked hard to build this company and now you're doing the only thing possible to save what's left. It's not your fault your father died and it's not your fault your mother hired a man who did more harm than good. You've done everything good that you can and you deserve to be happy. I know it and your mother knows it and the employees know it and you know it."
He pulled her closer to him. "You should be running this company, babe. You always know what to say."
Juliet ran her hand along his face, feeling the prickle of unshaven hair against her palm.
"Come on." She said, pulling him up. "We have business to do. Together."
"The good news is, is that there might be a job." Juliet told Nanette a few weeks later as she packed.
"That's good." Nanette chirped.
Juliet looked up and smiled, "Yes. If anything, I'm optimistic. That's said, we both could use a break."
"Well, then this weekend will be good for you both then." Nanette offered. Juliet nodded.
After the stress of the past weeks, Gnomeo decided to rent a chalet in the countryside. They were going to take Violet and just try to get away from it all for an extended weekend. They were about to leave and she couldn't wait.
"You almost ready, babe?" Gnomeo called up the stairs.
"Almost!" She replied. He was as eager to go as she was. Apparently, he had come to the same place when he was little boy but hadn't been back in years. The sun was shining in the early morning as she came downstairs with Violet in tow. "We'll be back soon." Gnomeo promised Nanette as the carriage took off.
"So tell me about this place." Juliet asked him.
Gnomeo grinned. "For starters, it's not this place it's Lilac Manor and it used to be my favorite place when I was a kid."
"Really?"' She replied trying to imagine him as a playful little blonde boy. The image made her smile.
"Oh yeah, my dad would take us fishing and hunting and Benny and I would have the best time."
"Why haven't we ever gone before?" Juliet smiled as Violet stared entranced by the fast moving trees outside.
He shrugged, "I never really thought about going back until Violet was born."
"You know she's a baby and can't do anything right?" Juliet laughed.
"Give her time." Gnomeo replied putting his arm around her shoulders.
Gnomeo was right, Lilac Manor was beautiful. Stone houses were scattered amongst acres of flowering land and groves of trees. The chalet Gnomeo had chosen was small but beautiful with a marble balcony that attached to their master bedroom that overlooked the beautiful lake. Faint laughter and soft music could always be heard over the pouring of fountains. Juliet knew she was in love with the place right away. The next few days were happy and carefree. Every morning started off with sunshine and white puffy clouds that lazily floated against the hopelessly blue sky. She and Gnomeo and Violet explored the surrounding lands and Gnomeo knew his way somehow to beautiful and hidden spots where all you could see and hear was nature. In the evenings, there were dinners and lively dancing with the other vacationers or simply just watching the splendid sunset across the lake. On the last day they were there, Gnomeo took Juliet and Violet to a secret spot to have a picnic. The wildflower covered hill was a bit hard to climb, but the view was worth it. You could see the sky, land, and lake all from one shady spot. Gnomeo spread out the old blanket and Juliet couldn't help but think of their first date. How they'd talked and laid in the grass and how she'd barely known him but she'd felt like he knew her better than anyone in her life at all.
"Are you thinking about our first date?" He asked her almost shyly.
"Yes." She grinned. "It was a day and a place just like this one."
"Can you believe those two crazy kids from back then ended up here?" Gnomeo marveled as they sat down to a picturesque view.
"Somehow we made it this far." Juliet said, balancing Violet in her lap.
"I actually have a present for you." Gnomeo told her reaching into her pocket.
"Gnomeo! You didn't have to." Juliet replied, surprised.
"Oh I didn't. It's from Featherstone." Gnomeo explained handing her a letter.
"He finally sent news of what's he's been up to!" She exclaimed, happily.
"I knew you'd be excited." Gnomeo grinned.
"I am! How come you didn't tell me sooner?" Juliet asked, smiling.
"It came today and I liked watching your surprise." He replied.
Juliet carefully broke the wax seal and opened the envelope, her eyes scanning the letter.
"Well, what does it say?" Gnomeo asked, impatient to hear about his friend.
"He found her!" Juliet laughed. "He managed to locate Adelia and turns out she'd been looking for him too."
"You're kidding." Gnomeo said in awe.
"Read it for yourself." Juliet handed it to him.
Dear Gnomeo and Juliet,
It is with great happiness that I write to you from London where I have taken residence. Of all wonders and against all odds, I have found my Adelia. Amazingly, she had been looking for me too. Words cannot express how happy I was to see her when I knocked on her door or how joyful our reunion has been. We have much lost time to make up for. I truly would like to thank you too from the bottom of my heart. If you hadn't came across me, a lonely gardener, so long ago, I never would have had the courage to believe in true love again and to pursue the one thing that means most to me.
I do plan on taking up permanent residence here to be with Adelia. We have many plans to go to Tuscany and the Alps so I'm very excited. Of course, I suppose I'll have to sell the old Lawerence place, but it will do the manor some good to have fresh life in it I think. I'll be back soon to collect the rest of my things and to see my dearest friends again. Tell Violet hello for me.
Much love,
Bill Featherstone.
"Wow." Juliet breathed. "I can't believe it. He really did get his happy ending after all. I'm so glad for him."
"I am too." Gnomeo agreed, setting the letter down on the blanket. "He deserves it."
"He does." Juliet agreed, stretching out onto her back with Violet resting on her chest. She looked so relaxed and beautiful that Gnomeo wished he could take a mental picture.
"Do you think he'll like London?" Gnomeo asked her.
"I hope so." She replied. "Adelia is there so that will help."
"Do you think you'd like to live in London?" He asked, seemingly offhand. Juliet thought for a moment.
"I suppose. I don't really know, it's hard to imagine." She decided. "Would you?"
"Yeah, I think I could get used to the Brits." Gnomeo said.
"Why do you ask?" Juliet wanted to know as Gnomeo looked out onto the horizon.
"Well, there's something we need to talk about." He replied heavily.
"What's going on?" Juliet looked concerned as she sat up, holding Violet who was trying to stand on unsteady and pudgy legs.
"They found me a job at Elliot & Co." Gnomeo began. "It's a lot below what I'm qualified for, but I could work inside the company, or what's left of it."
"Gnomeo, that's good news." Juliet replied, her green eyes wide.
"Just listen." He told her. "So I was having mixed feelings on that. But then, a guy who knew my dad wrote me. He'd heard about the buyout and he offered to buy back my dad's company and reopen it in London, where he lives. He told me that if I moved there, I could be running things. But I told him I would think about it, it's a big choice and I can't make it without you."
"Oh Gnomeo." Juliet breathed. "That's a huge decision."
"We don't have to know right away, but it does have to be soon." He told her.
"This is a lot." Juliet sighed.
"If you don't want to leave, we won't. We both have parents to care for and moving would be hard." Gnomeo reassured her. "I can take a low position, it's fine."
"Whatever we decide, we're in it together. This is our future and we get to say what happens." Juliet told him seriously.
That evening as the little family rode back into the city to home, Juliet wished she didn't have to make this choice. She wished they could live in the happy and innocent bubble that was Lilac Manor forever.
"What are the pros, what are the cons?" Juliet asked him for what felt like the one hundredth time. For nights now, they had pondered what they were going to do. They'd gone over it again and again. It was hard to make the choice because they didn't know what the right one was. Leaving meant leaving behind the lives they had known since they were born. But was staying really the life they wanted?
"Do I really have to say them again?" Gnomeo looked over at her.
"Not really." Juliet admitted. They both knew the answers by heart. "I just feel like if we say it again and again, the right answer will suddenly just be obvious."
"I doubt it will." Gnomeo replied tiredly. "Why even are we considering London, it's completely irrational."
"But a chance to have your dad's company? That's not irrational!" Juliet reassured him.
"It feels irrational." Gnomeo sulked.
"Have you asked your mom about what she would think?" She tried. He looked over to her.
"Have you just casually mentioned this to your dad?" Gnomeo shot back.
"Yeah, good point. We already know what they'd say." She muttered.
"They'd hate the idea." He agreed.
"You know, I wish there would be a sign that would just obviously tell us what we are supposed to do." Juliet said aloud.
"Me too." Gnomeo said. Juliet rested against him on the loveseat they shared.
Suddenly, there was a crash and the sound of breaking glass. A baby's cry rang out. Gnomeo and Juliet both looked at each other and ran for Violet's room.
They were seconds too late.
Gnomeo flung open the French doors and Juliet screamed. The white nursery curtains fluttered open darting around a shattered window. Violet's crib was empty and toppled over, her blankets spread on the ground. Their daughter was nowhere in sight. Juliet pressed her hand to her mouth to keep from screaming like a madwoman but that was how she felt.
"She's gone!" She cried finally. Possibilities and scenarios ran through her mind all at once. Her daughter could be hurt or worse- dead. The very thought barely allowed her to stand up.
Gnomeo was inspecting the damage, his eyes and hands going every which way.
"How did this happen?" He exclaimed, his eyes wide with panic.
"They must have climbed up and broken through the window." Juliet replied. Gnomeo looked out of the window, ignoring the broken glass all around.
"Why would someone take our baby?" Juliet cried.
"No idea." Gnomeo said, hoisting himself up. "But looks like the son of a bitch hasn't got very far." Sure enough, there was a man in black carrying a bundle that had to be a baby. He was running through the garden, his coat billowing in the wind.
"I'm going after him, any man who tried to kidnap daughter is a dead man walking."
"Gnomeo!" Juliet cried but it was too late. He jumped out the window. Juliet could barely watch as he landed with grace, driven by anger. Quickly, she ran down the stairs and out the door.
"Where are you going and why do you look like you've died?" Nanette asked her, concerned.
"Someone's broke in and tried to kidnap Violet. Gnomeo's gone after him, he's in the garden. Call the police."
With no more words, she ran for the garden, hoping that this was a nightmare and she would wake up any second.
Gnomeo was running like he never had before. His lungs stung like fury but he didn't care. There was no stopping him from absolutely destroying the man who dared lay a hand on his daughter. Suddenly, the man turned around and saw Gnomeo. Violet was bundled in his arms, obviously upset. The man had longer dark hair, steaked with silver and a large nose. His face was creased from too much sunlight and cigars. A golden tooth glistened in the dull light.
"You'd better stop right there before I pummel the living daylights out of you!" Gnomeo bellowed. "That's my daughter you're trying to make off with."
The man glared and to Gnomeo's shock pulled out a revolver. Placing it to Violet's temple, he said, "Touch me and she dies."
Gnomeo froze where he was, which wasn't far from the kidnapper. He heard Juliet coming up behind him. "Juliet, he has a gun." Gnomeo warned her without looking back. He kept his blue eyes locked with the dark ones of his new worst enemy. He heard Juliet's gasp of fear behind him. Violet started to fuss, sensing her mother was near.
"That's my daughter." Gnomeo repeated coldly and firmly, barely able to restrain himself.
"Give her back. You touch her and I'll kill you with my bare hands. I will do it right now."
"My brother warned you, Charles. There would be repercussions for what you've done." The man snarled. Suddenly, Gnomeo was confused.
"Charles Sowden? He's been dead for months now. That's not me and that's not his daughter." Gnomeo explained. The man eyed them.
"Dead you say?"
"Y-Yes." Juliet spoke up. "He committed suicide a few months ago. You're clearly mistaken."
The man began to mutter to himself. The gun was still pointed at Violet's head.
"Please." She said, her voice starting to shake. "Give us our daughter. We'll help you, just don't hurt her, please"
The man hesitated, the gun wavering in his hand.
In that moment, Gnomeo grabbed his arm and disarmed him, the revolver clattering to the ground. All he could think about was how he wanted to kill this guy. Juliet grabbed it as Gnomeo snatched Violet protectively from the villain's arms. The man stumbled backwards from the force and Gnomeo sent a furious blow to his jaw, throwing him on his back. Juliet rounded on him, the gun pointed down on him. She didn't have time to shoot it though. By that point, the police had arrived and she and Gnomeo watched as the man was led away in handcuffs. Neither he nor Juliet could let go of Violet who nestled in their arms, mostly unaware. Gnomeo knew he wouldn't be satisfied until that man was either dead or locked away in some high security prison. And yet, questions bounced around in his head. Why had this happened? Why had the man been looking for Sowden? What did he mean by "repercussions for what you have done to us?" Was his family in any more possible danger? It made him want to hurt someone.
That night, after their families had left, Gnomeo and Juliet could stop having retell the horrible story. They had moved Violet's crib and her things into their room. Neither of them wanted to leave her side. If it wasn't semi dangerous, Juliet would have let her baby sleep in the bed with them, just so she could know her daughter was safe. Even though they turned out the lights and laid in bed, it was apparent that neither of them was going to sleep.
"Gnomeo." She whispered.
"What is it?" He turned over to face her.
"I can't stop thinking about it. I can't stop thinking, what if he'd killed her or-"Juliet had to stop talking because her throat was closing up and tears were imminent.
"I know." Gnomeo replied, wrapping his arms around her. "Me too."
"I don't what I would have done if she was gone." Juliet sighed, as he wrapped his hands around hers.
"Me either." He agreed quietly.
"I can't relive the pain of losing someone I love so much again." She continued, remembering how it felt to lose Gnomeo. Gnomeo didn't say anything, but he squeezed her hand. He didn't have to say anything, she knew he felt the same way.
"You don't have to." He said, finally.
The couple laid there mostly sleepless for the rest of the night. Every time Violet cried or made a noise in her sleep, Juliet and Gnomeo were grateful for the sound more than anything else.
The next morning, Gnomeo received word that he had the opportunity to visit the kidnapper in prison.
"Are you sure?" Juliet asked as she helped him into his coat.
"Yes." He replied with certainty. "It's not like he can do anything more to me. There are just some things I need answered."
"Like why this happened." Juliet suggested.
"Exactly" Gnome said, kissing her cheek quickly. "I'll be back before lunch."
He kissed Violet's feather- haired head goodbye and headed down to the police station. When he arrived, he had to wait a few minutes in the dingy station where the man was being held. What a horrible place to have to be for any reason, he thought. He had been to jail once when after a wild night of partying ended with a huge Redbrick vs Bluebury bar fight. Gnomeo and Tybalt were arrested as the instigators. Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe just the fear, but Gnomeo had been really terrorized by that night. Luckily, it was only a night and he could easily pay the bail. Nevertheless, he never wanted to be arrested again. That was part of the reason that he was talking to the man today. He needed to know if there was more trouble awaiting his family that he didn't know about. Possibly things that could get him arrested, even if Sowden had done it. He had no idea what it could be.
"He's in there. You can go in." The officer told him.
"Thank you officer." Gnomeo replied, curtly.
"You have 30 minutes." The officer said, before shutting the door. Gnomeo sat in the wire chair. Across from him was a glass board and through that was the greasy and lined face of the man he had nearly killed yesterday. There was a hole in the glass so they could hear each other. The man was handcuffed and appeared very dirty. He was however, willing to talk.
"I'm surprised you came to see me." He began.
Gnomeo shrugged. "I had some questions."
"Ask away." The man replied, leaning back in his chair.
"Well for starters, what is your name? Who are you?" Gnomeo asked.
"My name? Michael Worthington but I've used the alias Rhett Worthington for years."
"So what do I call you then?" Gnomeo responded, confused. The man thought for a moment.
"Rhett. No one's called me Michael in years until I came here. I answer to Rhett best."
"Fine, Rhett." Gnomeo glared to show his impatience at Rhett's games. "I'll get to the point."
"Excellent." Rhett rolled his eyes. "Obviously, I have nowhere to go so take your time"
Gnomeo ignored him. "What did Charles Sowden do to you or your organization to make you kidnap my daughter? You're facing jail and a felony!"
Rhett's eyes narrowed. "What he did to my family was worth all this! And frankly, I'm surprised you don't know."
"Sowden kept most things about the business private, even from me." Gnomeo told Rhett, not sure if he would believe him. Rhett nodded.
"Well then, to put it simply, that man committed a murder and got away with it, and it was my duty to get revenge."
Gnomeo was shocked. That was not what he expected to hear.
"A murder?" He repeated. "When? How? Who?"
"One question at a time!" Rhett exclaimed.
"You have to tell me everything." Gnomeo demanded. "I need to know if my family is in any more danger."
"Very well." Rhett indulged. "It all began years ago." He looked at Gnomeo thoughtfully. "I was a lot like you. High society boy, I had everything handed to me. My family was new money and my father was a lavish man." Gnomeo tried to wrack his brains to see if the name Worthington sounded familiar as Rhett continued on.
"I was the oldest of three, I had a younger brother and sister. As we grew up, my sister, Claudia was very beautiful. She had dark hair like a raven's and she was in love with a certain male naval solider named Charles Sowden. He was beneath her, money wise, but she insisted it was true love. To me, there was always something odd about him. War made him funny, I suppose. And he was always around, like he had nowhere else to go and I bet he didn't. My parents tried to convince her to marry some Duke, but she was stubborn as a mule. Said, he loved her and that's all she needed. Anyways, when I heard that she'd been showing him where and how we kept our finances I warned her. I said not to trust him until he's legally bound not to leave. But she said he was interested in that sort of thing and it was harmless to help. Of course, I was right. He started stealing from us, but Claudia didn't believe it. It was only when she caught him in the act, with his hands in the money in the safe that she saw the truth. It was too late for her though. She threatened to tell my father and call off the engagement and he silenced her the only way he knew how- he stabbed her until she died."
Gnomeo was sickened beyond words. He couldn't imagine Sowden having this messy past. Actually, he could.
"How did he escape paying the penalty for murder?" Gnomeo asked.
"He framed my younger brother, Tony. He knew Tony was slower than most and by the time police found her, Tony was covered in her blood and Sowden was nowhere in sight."
"Do you think it was at all possible that Tony-" Gnomeo began.
"Never!" Rhett hissed. "Anyone that knew him knew he wouldn't hurt a fly. But it was no use, the evidence was against him. It ruined our family. One daughter dead, one son convicted of her murder. My parents were ostracized and we lost everything." There was such a sadness in his black eyes that Gnomeo felt some empathy.
"Before they took him away, Tony told me he'd seen Sowden do it, not that I didn't already suspect it. When Tony was found guilty, I knew it was my life's mission to get revenge on that man."
"So why didn't you, sooner?" Gnomeo asked.
"Soon after, I tried to kill him myself, but I got caught and went to jail for it." He looked away. "Pretty sure that's what killed my parents, they died of shame."
Gnomeo said nothing.
"I got out two years ago on good behavior and I made it a priority to come after him. I tracked him down and started blackmailing him. Wasn't sure about going back to jail, so I took it slow. But he ignored me so I had no choice but to make my move. If I had known that wasn't his child, I wouldn't have taken her. I swear it. I didn't know he was dead."
"It was in the papers." Gnomeo pointed out.
"I didn't stay in the area. Too risky he'd find me out. We have an unsold property upstate, that's where I stayed. It's pretty isolated." Rhett explained.
"I'm sorry. For everything you've been through." Gnomeo replied tiredly.
"It isn't your fault. The bastard is dead. I can finally sleep satisfied." Rhett flashed a toothy grin that gave Gnomeo shivers.
"Well thanks for the explanation." Gnomeo said across the glass.
"I can't believe you never knew." Rhett replied.
"Yeah same. Listen, Rhett, do you think my family is in any more danger? Are there other people he might have wronged that might be looking for us or him as well?"
Rhett shrugged. "I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't doubt it."
"Thanks" Gnomeo replied. "And good luck." He added as a hasty afterthought.
"You too." Rhett called as Gnomeo left the little room. Gnomeo looked back to see him being dragged away by guards. Feeling sick, he ran out of the station and into the sunlight. He stood frozen, taking in deep breaths of fresh air. At that moment, he made up his mind on something right then and there.
When he got home, he explained everything to Juliet as Violet slept nearby in their view. Admittedly, it was easier to retell it with her hand on his thigh and a glass of gin in his hand.
"So what does all this mean for us?" She finally asked.
"It means that we're moving to London." He replied as they watched the sun set over their city.
OMG! as you might have deduced, this story is meeting it's final chapters. While this makes me so so sad, it also makes me happy because i have new stuff i want to do. So yeah, that's what I'm working on! AAAAAAAAAND i was going to wait to say this, but i am planning on doing a sequel to this so that's going to be wonderful.
anyways Read, review, and suggestions and feedback are always welcome! xoxoxoxoxo- lorelibelle54