Chapter 19: Shoot, Shag, Marry
Author's Note!
Sorry for the long wait. I had the entire storyline planned out, but then I lost it in the midst of exam preparations. I feel like i'm running out of drive to write this story or any story at all. Gah! SOS.
"ELLIOTTTTTT!" Christian hollered, for the second time tonight. "Taylor, get him down here now!" He pointed at Taylor.
Just as Taylor turned to head up the stairs, Elliot came bounding down. "Dammit Christian! What is it!" He growled.
Christian gestured towards the joining party in complete awe, the same that had wiped the words right out of my mouth. I stood gaping, my palm on Christian's bicep, at the surprise that had befallen us
"Oh thank God!" Elliot was the first to shout, his initial gruff demeanor breaking like ice at the sight of his little sister. Elliot stalked towards Mia and enveloped her into a tight bear hug, refusing to let go. "Where the hell were you Mia!"
"What is it?" Mia grumbled, clearly exhausted by the sudden need for her to be here. She returned his hug chastely and grimaced at the sight of me, sending chills up my spine.
I ignored her reaction the best I could, knowing she had every right to be angry at me. Quickly, I diverted my attention elsewhere. Mom and dad were looking like zombies. "Mom, Dad, please sit down, I'll get you something to drink." I ushered them in, careful not to get into the line of fire that was Christian.
He charged towards Mia and wrapped his arms around both of them, "We though you were gone, Mia!" He snapped, relief betraying his tone of anger.
"What is it, Christian?" Mom groaned a little, wiping her face with the back of her palm in hope of waking herself up.
I bit my lip, resisting the desire to tell her everything. This was Christian's role. Mom turned to me and raised her eyebrows in question, she was tainted with lethargy. "I'll go prepare one of the spare rooms for you, mom." As I began to step away, Christian's firm arm encircled my waist and drew me back into his chest once more.
"Gail, could you please?" He said politely at her, I had not even realized that she was awake. She nodded at him and vanished quickly. "Mom, please, take a seat." Christian gestured towards the couches and led them there.
Dad was clearly in discomfort at the uncertainty, helping his wife down and then immediately shooting Christian a pointed look. "Christian?" Elliot and Mia took their seats beside their parents, Elliot's arm wrapped possessively around Mia.
As Christian and I rarely had company over at Escala, all that was left was the single seat couch and Christian pulled me onto his lap. I blushed furiously and looked away. He rested his hands on my lap, shifting me to a side so he could see his parents. "There's been a kidnapping."
The room filled with a resounding, "What?!"
Christian clenched his jaw and made sure to divert his eyes from Mia, who had begun to be alert upon the news. "Ethan has been kidnapped."
"How's that possible?!" Mia screeched, Elliot quickly soothing her arm and trying to calm her down. "I just texted him a few hours ago!" She refused to listen to what Christian had said.
"You what?" Christian was interested. "When?When was this Mia?"
"Why?" She narrowed her eyes. "He hasn't been kidnapped, that's stupid."
I could not stop myself, "Mia, the kidnapper sent me a photo of Ethan... He was.. Hurt."
The reaction was instant, Mia leaped out of Elliot's hold and onto her feet. "Hurt?!"
Christian's palms shot up, as if trying to calm a mad horse. "Elliot."
"Babe, we need your phone." Elliot said softly, sitting up to grab her at the waist. "You need to breathe." He began to coax her tensed self down onto the couch.
Mia's beautiful eyes were crazed, the disbelief tainting them were soon chased by all forms of fear for her loved one's life. I could not bear to watch, knowing full well that I would feel those same emotions if Christian was ever taken away from me. In response, I shifted slightly to wrap my arms around his neck securely. Christian leaned in and kissed my neck softly, gently, reassuringly.
"Mi-" Elliot started again.
"FUC* TAKE IT!" Mia hollered, yanking her phone out from her pocket and tossing it at her defenseless brother.
"Mia..." Both her parents said in a reprimanding tone.
Mia rolled her eyes and pointed her finger at Christian, "WHY DID THEY TAKE HIM?!"
"Mia, honey," Dad called, "your brothers are just trying to help."
"Christian, please... Do explain..." Mom fatigued, having to deal with her bickering children as well. "I'm sure she's just disconcerted."
Christian nodded at them all, "We don't know why and we don't know who, but Kate received a message today informing her that Ethan had been kidnapped." Before anybody could probe, he continued, "Welch checked the threat out and unfortunately, it's legit. Currently, w-"
"Holy shit." Elliot snapped. Immediately, we all spun to stare at him. He glared wide-eyed at Mia's iPhone and shook his head. "The bastards tried to lure her!" Elliot's jaws clenched.
"Ethan texted me just over an hour and a half ago asking if I could meet him." Mia's eyebrows furrowed, a new expression on her face tonight.
"Meet him where?" Christian demanded.
"Just the bar from across Escala." Mia's voice was now soft and fragile. "I was waiting there... that's when I saw mom and dad being rushed into Escala."
"WELCH !" He shouted and instantly, the man immersed from some hidden spot that I had missed him before. It was then that I noticed three other men gathered at a corner, busy on their laptops, no doubt trying to crack that rubiks cube. "You heard what she said." Christian said, "Elliot, phone."
"Yes, Mr Grey." Welch was on it, taking the phone out of Elliot's hands.
Taylor stepped forward with Barney, who had clearly just arrived and had yet to be briefed. Welch turned to face him, almost in relief, "Thank god you're here! We need you on with Mike pronto."
"Why did they take Ethan?" Mia clenched her jaws, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
Christian hesitated, uncertain of how to proceed. Even Elliot looked away slightly, embarrassed even. Neither brother wanted to be the one to break the news, news that concerned me.
You're the reason why, my inner goddess sneered.
"Don't just sit there!" Mia screeched like a child, clearly too hormonal and too shaken to remember her manners.
"Mia, honey." Carrick crooned, reaching for her. Mia slapped his hand away and stared him down.
"Why won't you tell me?!" She barked at Elliot, the moment he shifted his glance to ignore her, she turned on her heel and charged to Christian. "WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?!"
From some unknown place that had never existed before, I heard myself squeak a little, "Me."
"WHAT?!" She snapped, her face turning red with fury.
"They want me." I said softly, as if a child caught in an act he had to claim responsibility for.
Instantly, Christian tensed. Mia's face twisted into a fierce snarl and she lunged at me, with his spidey reflexes, Christian leaped to his feet and grabbed her. "LET ME GO!" Mia hollered, thrashing in her brother's embrace. Christian's quick reaction had destabilized me and I found myself falling to the ground, landing painfully on my shoulder blade.
"ANA!" Christian's worried eyes searched me.
"I'm fine." I whimpered, finding myself feeble in getting up, like a baby on its back.
"FOR NOW." Mia screamed. "YOU BLOODY BIT*H!"
Luke rushed to my side, helping me to my feet gingerly. "You're alright?" He asked quietly, rubbing my arm slightly and looking pointedly at my belly.
Oh right. I was pregnant. I had almost forgotten about that little fact.
Mom dashed over as well, coming to take my other arm and searching for any signs of a miscarriage. She heaved a sigh of relief and stroked my arm gently, reassuring me that everything was going to be alright.
"WHAT DID THAT BITCH DO THIS TIME?!" Mia growled, resisting Christian's hold. "YOU ALWAYS FUC*ING MESS THINGS UP!"
"MIA!" Mom scolded, anger tainting her usually sweet voice. "That is no way to talk to Ana."
"I'm sorry, Mia." I pleaded, raising my palms up in surrender. "I don't know what they want with me."
"IF IT'S YOU THEY WANT, THEN SCREW YOU. THEY CAN FUC*ING HAVE YOU."
"MIA!" Christian was provoked to anger, pulling his sister to arm's length and glaring at her with that reprimanding grey I knew too well.
"EVEN AFTER SHE PRETTY MUCH FUC*ED ETHAN BEHIND YOUR BACK?! WHY THE FU** ARE YOU SO BLIND?!"
"Mia, that is enough." Carrick's voice rose above the chaos. Even the security details and tech team had turned to watch the fiasco. "You will go to your room now. Do you understand?" Even though it was soft, his voice weighed in with so much authority that Mia was silenced. "Your brothers and Ana have been doing nothing but looking out for you and this is how you disrespect them. I will speak to you privately."
At his words, Christian released Mia and stepped to my side, forcing Luke to take a step to his side too. "Are you alright?" He whispered, his hands caressing my stomach.
"I'm fine." I reassured him, observing as Carrick led Mia up the stairs after Gail.
"Mom." Christian said urgently.
"What's the matter?" Mom strode back quickly, "Is Ana alright?"
"Could you check Ana's vitals?"
"That won't be necessary!" I hissed at my over-protective husband. "I think I'd survive such a short fall."
"Mom," Christian studiously ignored my plea, "She's pregnant."
"I just did, honey." Mom gave him a gentle smile, "The child's stronger now and so is Ana. Dr Greene told me that you're definitely out of any danger."
Yet, Christian was still not entirely convinced. A wave of annoyance coloured his expression, "I really wish Mia would just grow up!"
I reached for his arm and held him gently, "She doesn't know, Christian. Only your mom does."
"Um..." Came a rather puzzled three of us turned to find Elliot still in his spot. We had completely forgotten that he was there. "Ana's pregnant? Why wasn't I told?"
"Ell-" Christian began.
"Kate's pregnant too." I giggled, rather facetiously.
"She is?" Christian's eyes widened at the news.
"She told?" Elliot seemed slightly abashed, he smiled meekly at his mom, "Surprise?"
Mom stood rooted in her position for a good time, her face a complete blank. Finally, her brain clicked together and she shook her head, her face saturating with motherly joy. "Oh! Both my boys are going to be fathers!" She sang, clasping her hands together. "And I'm going to be a grandmother!"
I couldn't help but smile along with Grace, but the eye bags under her eyes drew my attention to a matter more pressing. "Mom, shall I bring you to your room? You look in need for rest."
Grace wrecked a sigh, her smile disappearing. "Is it that obvious?" She pursed her lips for a moment, "I just came out from an 18 hour operation. That was... Tedious."
"I'm so sorry..." I began to say, the guilt blooming as I realized that we had woken her from substantial rest.
"Mom, I'll catch that fuc*er." Christian said with a determination.
"Christian!" She admonished, disapproving of his language.
"Mr Grey!" Welch piped up. All eyes turned to him. "There's something you need to see sir."
My heart fell. Christian nodded at him, then turned back to me, "Ana, please take my mom to one of the spare rooms."
"Ch-" I began to protest, I wanted to know what Welch had found.
"Ana." He silenced me with a firm glare, "Now please." Without another moment to spare, he charged towards the group of men and sat down between Welch and Barney.
"It's alright, Ana." Elliot leaned over to stroke my head, "I'll be with daddy Grey, we'll let you know if anything changes."
"Take care of him, please." I whisper as mom takes my arm.
Elliot gives me a firm nod of his head and one of those dashing smiles that he treats Kate to, "Check on Kate for me will you and steer clear of Mia's vision."
"Elliot!" Mom hisses softly at him, as if reprimanding him for bringing it up.
I try my best to smile at the both of them. "It really is my fault, I'm very sorry." Elliot's smile vanishes and mom sighs gently. I felt the fresh tears prick my eyes as the guilt washed over me. Something I did had caused all of this. But what?
Soft fingers caught my jaw and I raised my eyes to Elliot's comforting gaze, "Don't torment yourself, Ana. It's not your fault."
Such reassuring words... Which you do not deserve! My inner goddess snaps, disbelief coloring her tone.
"I know you care for Kate, Mia... And ..." Elliot cheekily looks back to make sure Christian's busy before winking at me, "Ethan."
I found myself fighting back tears at the amount of care Elliot providing me at the moment. I knew that if I were to open my mouth, I would cry once more. Instead, I settled for a tiny nod.
"Come here, soldier." Elliot crooned, snatching me from his mom's hold and into a warm embrace of his own. "We'll get this bastard, you have my word."
"What are you doing Elliot?!" Christian groaned from across the room. "Please stop fondling my wife!"
He pulled away and threw Christian a salacious teasing grin, "Come on Grey, we can share, right?" We were all treated to Christian's rare roll of his eyes, he folded his arms and glared at his brother. Elliot turns back to me, clearly on a mission to lighten my mood, "Your husband's possessive eh?"
I smile meekly at him and nod.
"Well," He leans into the ear further from his mom, "If you ever need help, you can come to brother Elliot."
"For Fuc*'s sake Elliot, take your hands off my Ana and get your bum here!" Christian growls, irritated.
In a large gesture, Elliot steps back with his palms raised like a criminal. "Good night, sister in law."
"Night." I say quietly, then shoot my fuming husband a soft smile, "I'll be in Kate's room."
Christian nods at me, "Please go, Ana. My mother's tired."
Mom seizes my arm once more and shakes her head at playful Elliot, "Go help your brother."
"Yes mom." He says with a toothy grin.
As I guide mom up the stairs and out of the sight of Christian, I hear Elliot tease him once more, "Two girls one Elliot!"
After settling mom into one of the rooms prepared for her, I went in search of Kate. I had no idea which room she was in and we had five spares. Coming across the first one, I pressed my ear up against the mahogany and strained to listen. There were muffled voices... And I could make out that this was indeed not Kate's room.
" I'm just so sick and tired of her!" Mia squeals, displeased.
"That's enough, Mia." Dad admonishes, "You cannot speak of your sister-in-law in this fashion ever again. It's exceedingly beyond the decorum I have raised you."
"But dad. I literally have to share her with Ethan! My boyfriend! All the time!" She pleads with him to see her side, "And now she's taken him away from me by some stupid error she made?!"
That stung.
"Ana makes your brother happy, Mia."
"And I don't deserve to be happy?!"
"Maybe Ethan's not the right man for you, you're still so young, there are many others out there."
I hear a sound from the end of the corridor and I straighten up immediately, alarmed. This house was way too big and there were too many corners I had yet to explore. I stared at the shadow that accompanied the curve of the corridor. There had been a sound, I was sure of it. My eyebrows furrowed... What could it have been?
Should I yell for help?! What if it was... The man behind this all? Was it even possible?
I took a steady step towards the bend, craning my neck to see around it. Quickly, I pulled all the moves Claude had taught me to memory once more, tensing to use them. My heart beat raced at the speed of lightning and I found myself slip into a pant, even beginning to feel as if I could feel the baby's heart beating along with mine as well. It then occurred to me that I would never be able to fend anybody off on my own.
You're weak! Get help! My inner goddess begged.
If the man took me, he would return Ethan. I tried to convince myself. I was the only breach to the secure circle that was the Grey family. Just hearing Mia talk about me in such a way made me face the fact that they all saw me in that same way; that I was juggling both Ethan and Christian. Maybe... Maybe if I just went silently...
But the baby, you fool! My inner goddess chided my stupid rationalization.
The baby! My hands flew to my belly just as my eyes made out the undeniable silhouette of a man approaching me from the darkness. It was too late to flee. Before I could stop myself, I let out an ear-piercing scream.
Feel; Robbie Williams
Enrique Iglesias; Hero
Please review and give me suggestions! I'm running out of juice/energy to write this.