Teddy and Family
Chapter 22
A/N: Just too clear things up Edward and Bella and family are based off of my Twilight Forever story and yes they are pretty much cured of all the bad side effects of their former aliment. Well, everyone accept for Bella who's bad luck jinx tends to activate when you least expect it like now. In this world there was no Twilight no Meyer. Bella wrote her Singer Saga under the name Bella Swan…Erika made a fanfic from that and then went on to create Fifty Shades. Ana's a teenage snarky brat when she drinks, with no filter, but other than that she's harmless.
Disclaimer: EL James and sometimes SMeyer (I love to play with her characters but with my AU spin on them from my other story. Sorry folks I don't do Cannon ever. Like, Love it, Hate it…you have been warned ^^) own it all I'm just having fun with the characters, but the OC ones and story ideas are all mine
Christian
Boeing Field
Mom's jet is better than mine!? It's like Airforce One! It has a SIT room inside it for fucking tactical operations! It has a conference room! Cabins with bunks and a few bedrooms! A full kitchen and pantry! We can even ship vehicles in this baby. The main cabin isn't posh, but designed for long distance comfort, it feels like a flying home. This can't be JWE's jet, more like Mom's flying home base between missions.
"What the hell, Logan? Are we going on an OP? This thing is a fucking flying fortress!" Luke is practically drooling at the cabinet that he opened in the SIT room. Yeah, figures, tactical gear, supplies, weapons. Mom was ready for anything.
"Nah, this was my home away from home. The Bureau doesn't care how you get there just so you do and that they didn't have to spring for a ticket that's even better. Ella hated to fly unless she was the one flying and this baby was the answer to her phobia. We never had to worry about security on flights or security breeches not with this baby. We could decompress on our way to the next location and not have to endure having to fly with pedestrians. It's always upgraded with the latest tech. Sometimes years ahead of what everyone uses today. She wants all of us safe, so we get to take this baby to go get our girls." Logan heads off to the cockpit. "Oh, and it's everyone fends for themselves on AIR Ella. It's stocked, but we have to fix everything or reheat it. Well, that and it had better come back the same way it left. You trash it, you clean it. El's rules."
"Logan, get your ass out of my cockpit! You know the rules!" The pilot growls and has Logan by his ear. She's Mom's age and dressed in jeans and a sweater. No uniform on Air Ella. She's an amazon like my mother only she's blonde with a pixie cut.
"God damn it, May! Let go of my fucking ear!" Logan hisses in pain.
"Language! Young man!" She twists even harder. "The last time you flew you almost crashed her, so go strap in!"
"It was a fucking supercell and it wasn't my fault! I landed her fine, not a scratch on her or the team!" Logan sulks.
"Only, because you thought that you could take a short cut through the bloody storm when I told you to stay clear! Go sit down!" May is a bad ass like mom.
She lets him go.
He stalks off to plop down in one of the chairs. "I had to get to Ella! It was necessary! This plane was made to endure any and all weather…"
"It was insane and she'd gone dark for a reason…you jumped the gun!" May hisses back and I snicker. She narrows her clear green eyes at me and looks me over. "Well, hell, you and Eddie could be bloody twins!" She shakes her head.
"Cousins, May. We're cousins." Edward goes over and hugs her. "It's good to see you, May."
"It's good to see that you're looking better than the last time I saw you when I flew you to Italy from Rio was it? Your clothes look better too and you don't need a shower." She smirks and hugs him back. "Sunshine feels good. I bet. Finally, have that HEA too I hear."
"Yes, to all of the above." He chuckles and she lets him go to turn her attention on me. "And no we're not being overly protective. My Bella's a trouble magnet and it can occur when you least expect it like today and you can call Alice if you don't believe me."
"Loved her books. It's a wonder you're still sane. You'd think that with the vaccine that your grandfather created that that little factor would be history." She shakes her head at him and rolls her eyes. "Then again he never was good at perfecting stuff, so there is that."
"It's an on going process that all of our grandparents are working on and it's still hit and miss. Our girls have the occasional incident, but nothing like their mother." The two of them continue with their cryptic conversation. Truthfully, I don't wanna know.
"This place would make Jason cry!" Luke's still off exploring the plane.
"Well, I'm sure that Chris here can get him one for his next birthday!" May calls out, highly amused.
"Uh, I haven't the slightest clue how I would even go about ordering something like this…Is it even legal…I'd have ATF and Homeland at Grey House's front doors…" I really don't know how to respond to that and frankly this woman scares me more than my mom. I do however suck it up and offer my hand in greeting. "I'm Christian…pleasure to meet you."
She ignores my hand and gives me a crushing hug that literally takes the wind out of me. Shit she's strong!
"Enough, with the formalities. You're Chris. El's baby boy and the big shot of the corporate universe. El and I have been like sisters since forever! Mac's my big sis! I've known all about you since you and your sister were babies. After the fire Mac and I were at odds with Ella's mission to leave you and keep you safe, but in the end it was the best thing and the Grey's were the perfect surrogate family to put you with. Mac stayed here to run the biz and we went off to take down the bad guys. Meantime, you and your sister were safe and sound none the wiser with Jason watching over you." She lets me go and then drags me with her to the cockpit. "El says that you're as good as a flyer as her and I. Let's put that to the test, kiddo! You too, Eddie. The rest of you boys best strap in!"
I'm in flying nirvana, as I take the Captain's chair and Edward takes the Co-Captain's seat, while May get's settled with a book behind us. What the hell is Fourth Year and what kind of title is that anyway? Christ, I've never seen a dragon like the one on the cover and is it moving? Ana's gonna have to get on that if the completion is doing Hologram covers on classic book covers not unlike our priceless first edition collection in Ana's sanctuary. Fuck! That looks real!
Edward none to gently hits me in the back of the head. Wisely not saying a word, as he's giving me a look that is daring me to retaliate. I'm not insane! That look screams predator and I sure as hell don't wish to be prey! Get it together, Grey! Focus on flying the bird and getting to Ana. I turn my focus back to preflight procedures.
Ana
New York City
Murry has us downtown in record time. I ask him if we can stop by the brownstone and freshen up before we need to be there and Murry has no problem waiting for us. That was until I saw that it also seems to be getting work done. Then it hits me that Chris was showing me the new plans for the brownstone and that this winter would be the perfect time to do the renovations. Meaning, all of our stuff is in storage, so I can't raid my closet here and still have no clothes.
"Never mind, Murry. I forgot about the renovation this winter. Let's head for the Marriot, please." I feel like pulling my hair out when I glance behind us and sure enough there's Sam right behind us again. I'm starting to think that Murry's not your ordinary Cabbie and Sam does have family here, so anything is possible.
"Breathe, little sister. We'll go shopping as soon as your keynote is done. Promise." Bella gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Sam's behind us again." I growl.
Bella narrows her eyes and shakes her head at whatever she's seeing out the back window of the cab. "Sam's in just as much trouble as we are. Oh, and you're gonna be an Aunt."
"So this is a mood swing!" I blow out a breath, "I should count myself lucky that she didn't shoot me. That settles that there is no way I'm facing the wrath of a moody hormonal pregnant Samantha Prescott-Taylor. She shouldn't even be here in New York, so she's gonna get it when Jason finds out."
"Or she's in denial and it hasn't hit her yet." Bella countered. "Besides, she's not really doing anything dangerous keeping track of Hanah and Claire."
"If Hanah and Claire were taken in then they must have checked her out too. Bloodwork doesn't lie and she's taking it out on us, so we'll wisely let her skulk around in the shadows and fend for ourselves." I dig into my bag pull out a notepad and a pen and scrawl out 'I'm sorry! Go take a Nap! We're fine!' Until it stands out enough so that she'll be able to read it. Then turn around and hold it up for her to see.
Bella's brows raise and she rolls her eyes. "She's not amused. Far from it. And I thought that my Lion had a colorful vocabulary. Not to worry though. She's been ordered by Logan to head for the Hospital and check on Hanah. Uncle Murry will get us safely there and she doesn't wanna be sentenced to tour duty at Grey House until their kid is five."
"Nice trick. Reading lips must come in handy, huh? Well, that and perfect vision?" Murry chuckles. "Sam's my niece. This is a brand new cab and I'm more than happy to come out of retirement to drive you two lovely ladies around town."
"Thank you for rescuing us from her wrath." I flash him a warm smile.
"Nah, she's just had a rough week watching her charges and then you rebelled too…She's still in shock over the little one…and she doesn't want you exposed to Noro…and the Marriot is around Ground Zero…even if you have been vaccinated against the flu…she doesn't wanna take the chance that the shot won't protect you…" Murry gives us more insight of why Sam's on the warpath.
"Hanah's being a rebel? My Hanah? Claire, yeah, but Hanah?" This is news to me. Hanah's like me what's going on?
"Yeah, well, she's also expecting and is in the Hospital suffering from Noro as well as Morning sickness…while the other one just has the flu…it wasn't hitting the clubs if that's what ya think. They were going to see the shows every night and forgot to check in with Sam first." Murry continues my briefing.
"I'll get her a Tesla or I-8 for her birthday."
Shit! No wonder she's being a pain in my ass. Hanah hasn't been playing by the rules. Maybe it's time to lure Austin home to Seattle. Kate's begging for me to bring Austin in as her Co-COO, as she wants more time with the kids as do I with my own. This was a business trip, not a week long vacation in the big apple. One or two shows is understandable, but every night? What about networking? The boring dinners? Did she skip all of them? I know that she's just my acting CEO, because Kate and I are both out on maternity leave, but she still has to play the role and by the sounds of it she's slacking. No wonder Austin has been in Seattle more than she's been in New York. Maybe, Hanah wasn't ready for such a big responsibility? Luke can't even get her to agree to a wedding date, because her parents are both on their third marriages and she doesn't see the point. She's one of my closest friends, but she's also scatter brained at times. Intelligent as hell. Fantastic at her job when she's focused, but not when she's stressed. I should have had Austin handle the Symposium.
"It's New York and the Marriot is right there on Broadway. That's like the musical and theater lovers sirens song. If the other attendees wanna do business with GP then they'll come to you." Bella reminds me. Startling me out of my brooding thoughts. That's gonna take some getting used to, her being able to listen in.
"If she was feeling overwhelmed about coming then she should have talked to me or Kate about it. I could have had Austin attend instead, not that it would have mattered she's sick with the flu too." I stare out at the icy rain coming down in sheets outside and try and focus on the next trial that I'm facing. My keynote in less than a half hour.
"Looks like Mr. Kavanagh is getting antsy if he's braving the rain to see if we're here yet or not." Bella spots Papa K long before I do. He's standing in front of the Marriot under a massive umbrella that an intern is holding for him.
"Well, girls, here we are safe and sound." Murry pulls up in front of the Marriott then turns to hand us his card. "Just call or text me and I'll be back to collect you. I'm not on the clock. There's no fair. I'm just taking the day off from the office, so indulge me."
I hand the ice pack back to Bella and she tucks it away into her Mary Poppins Alice carry-on. My ankle feels better, so walking shouldn't be that hazardous and we're in the middle of downtown within walking distance of everything. "If we need you we'll send up a flare. Thank you, so much for doing this for us."
"We have to check in at the Waldorf after we're finished here…" Bella knows that I wanna walk, but is shooting that plan down.
"Just give me a ring and I'll be here that's quite a walk on a gimpy ankle…" He shoots me a fatherly look and I roll my eyes.
"We will…"
The door slides open the intern goes go to grab my bag, but I growl and he backs off. Papa K's giving me his 'you are in big trouble young lady' glare. "Sam wasn't kidding? You took off from home without any security? No wonder TMZ is having a field day. There's no one to keep them reined in. Where's your luggage? Why are gimping? What's wrong with your foot? Are those converse? Why are your eyes bloodshot? Have you been drinking? What did you do to your hair!?"
"I'll confess everything, but can we please get inside out of the freezing rain first?" I smile tightly at him.
Damn it to hell! That worm followed us here and he brought friends! Shit! At this rate I'll crash all of social media!
"Yes, the sharks are circling and we don't need to give them anymore chum than we already have." Bella links her arm with mine and leads me towards the entrance of the hotel. I forgot that it's tourist central!
And wince when I hear more fangirls cry.
"That's Bella Cullen and Ana Grey! Check out their hair! Are those converse with Armani?! I wonder if they brought their demi-gods with them." It goes and on and on and on as we weave our way through the throng of New Yorkers and tourists.
"Aspirin…pain killers…before my head explodes…never again…not without our MIB…this day just keeps getting worse and worse…they'll be texting their friends…Tweeting, posting, and shouting on Instagram that we're here and the paps will be five deep outside. Plus, side, is those girls are in for a hell of a shock if they cut their hair, because it's a wig." I snark, reaching up and taking off the soaking wet hair piece and wig cap. I shake my mane free and it falls to the middle of my back in shiny chestnut waves.
"But we're trending on social media?" Bella giggles as she mirrors me and once again everyone stares at us. It's like looking at twins, but we're used to it.
"Oh, thank god!" Papa K exclaims in relief as we make our way through the lobby to the elevators. "Now you at least look in your twenties and not like teenagers. My word the two of you look alike."
"We flew commercial…" I shrug. "I want a mask and gloves, we both do, and you should be in bed." It's like this sixth sense where as a mom I can tell if someone is on the verge of getting sick and Papa K has that look and smell. Not sickly, just not healthy.
"I'm fine. Just have a headache that I can't shake, but as for what's spreading like wildfire. I had my flu shot." He ushers us into the elevator. "You can't wear a mask, Ana. It's sending the wrong message to your audience."
Bella digs into her carry-on and hands me a mask and some gloves. "With the Norovirus you can't be too careful. You're already exposed, so this wouldn't work on you. We're not. You're in denial, Mr. Kavanagh. Call it the mom sixth sense, but whatever it is you're on the verge of getting it."
"That bag reminds me of Mary Poppins carpet bag, something out of Harry Potter, or Michelle Pfeiffer's bag from One Fine Day." I gape at her as I put the mask and gloves on.
"It's an Alice Hale…" Bella winks at me. We look a sight as we step out of the elevator and he leads us to the room where the glam squad awaits.
"Ana?" To say that we're getting alarming looks would be an understatement.
"Triplets! Teddy! Hope! Christian! Can't take the chance! No offense!" I call back.
"She looks fantastic?"
"Didn't she have the babies less than three months ago?!"
"I want her trainer!"
I can't help but grin as we walk by everyone here for the keynote, even with masks we look hot. Who knew?
"Ana, half these people are sick and don't even know it…" Bella hisses in my ear.
"I know, just smile until we get to the room with the glam squad inside." I nod and smile at familiar faces, not that they can tell with my mask.
"I'll see you both in a bit." Papa K heads off to chat with some friends of his.
We're met by Gino, my Franco here in New York, and he shakes his head at me and Bella. "You had me worried when I saw the new cut. My salon is being swamped with clients who want your new look. Excellent for me. Devastating for them when they see that you were wearing wigs. Alice has the most realistic line of wigs, even I couldn't tell. Now sit down while I make you gorgeous." He motions for me to sit in the salon chair in the dressing room. He takes off my mask and winks at me. "It's been disinfected. I don't take chances. Now tell me all about those babies and that yummy husband of yours."
I relax and let him work his magic while Angelo his partner works his own Magic on Bella.
Half hour later I'm declared ready and am sporting a braided up do and just the right touch of make up. I never really wear it, but this is an event and I need to look the part. Gino's circling me because I'm wearing Converse with Armani. Bella digs into her magic bag and pulls out a nice pair of Christian Dior kitten heels that exactly match my suit and I slip them on.
"How's the ankle?" Bella watches me walk.
"Tender, but fine."
"You're ready. Give that man of yours and those babies a kiss and hug from me!" Gino calls after us as we head out to the ballroom. My mask and gloves are in my pocket just in case.
"Hank's just finished. Let's get you to the stage. Here's your speech. Andrea emailed it to me and I had it readied for you." Papa K has us do double time because we're running late and my ankle isn't happy. He really does look green around the gills, but I have to focus on my speech. "Be nice. We want CEO Ana not your alter ego." He hisses into my ear right before I walk out onto the stage to a thunderous round of applause.
"So you missed me did you?" I giggle. These are my friends and colleagues and they chuckle. "Truth be told. I love my babies, but the walls are starting to close in on me. It's nice to be back even if for a little while…" I then start in on my keynote.
I try to stay focused, but that's hard to do when it's clear as day that my audience is dropping like flies. Ten minutes in and I call time and the mask goes on.
"Thank you for this honor, but I have to call this Symposium a wash. I propose that we hold the next one not during flu season, but when it's warmer and the leaves are on the trees. It's clear that the majority of you have got whatever is hitting this city hard and need to seek medical assistance to treat it…" As if on cue it hits like a wave and I dash off the stage, before my reflex kicks in. The babies I can handle, anyone else and I get sick too.
"Bella, what's wrong with Papa K?" I kneel down by where he's slouched in misery in a chair. His interns are frantically texting that their boss is down. Before she answers it hits him too and there goes my shoes and suit! I gasp and try to hold it in, but nope the mask come off and poor Bella gets it.
"Oh, sweetie, did you get it!?" Bella isn't even affected at all. Lucky bitch. Damn immortal metabolism!
"I can't be around people throwing up!" I gasp and run right into! Holy fucking shit! The CDC is here! Christian is gonna his flip his shit! If we're under quarantine!
"Alec! Sabine!" Bella's happy to see them.
"Isabella? Why are you in New York?" The man she called Alec leads her off to get checked.
"Wait! I'm not leaving Ana!" Bella plants her feet and won't budge.
"Sabine will take care of her, but you know you can't be here with my team. I have to get you out of sight." He growls back just loud enough so that I can barely hear him and she reluctantly agrees.
"Sit tight! She'll bring you to me after you get poked and checked over!" She shouts over her shoulder. "Be nice!"
"I'm not sick! I just throw up if someone does it in front of me!" I protest as Dr. Sabine Frost leads me away to get checked. "So you're Angel's Aunt, huh?" I gulp when I'm lead into a room and into the bathroom where they help me clean up and then give me a pair of scrubs to wear. I warily let them help me to sit down.
"Just relax, Ana. We're here to help. The less you fight us the faster this will be." Sabine has the bedside manners of Grace.
That's a wicked looking needle! I want Christian! Is the last thing on my mind before everything goes black.