AUTHORS NOTE: I know! Don't die of shock, another update so soon! This was originally part of the last chapter but it got a bit too long so I thought this was a good place to split it.

CHAPTER 84

(MEGUMI)

I'm unsure what to do now. I look around me and I'm worried, worried that I have caused trouble and made things worse between Grace and Elliot. Does Grace really think I'm a gold digger? Does she really think I am just with Elliot for his money? The very thought sickens me and part of me wants to go and bawl her out and shout I am NOT Kate Kavanagh. As Gideon so clearly pointed out though, this is Christian's birthday and not the time or place to do anything like that, which makes me regret what I said earlier, when I overheard what Grace said. The thing is though, Elliot could see I was upset and we have this rule that we tell each other everything and without thinking of the possible ramifications I told him.

I had so many reservations when I got with Elliot and everything did happen so quickly it took my breath away. We did try to take it slowly but the chemistry between us was off the scale and things evolved and it all felt so right. I can honestly see where Grace is coming from, she saw what Kate did to Elliot and she is worried for her son, but making assumptions about me and my character isn't fair. She thinks because we eloped and didn't say a word Elliot didn't get me to sign a pre-nup, and from what I heard today along with the heated exchange when we announced to Grace and Carrick that we were married, she believes that I have somehow brainwashed him. What nobody is aware of is that I have actually signed a pre-nup. I insisted on it, as I didn't want any allegations levelled at me that I was only with Elliot for his money, so to hear those thoughts are a reality for some people really, really hurts. Admittedly Grace doesn't really know me, to be fair to her I can see her perspective but on the other hand she hasn't really tried to get to know me. I have been with Elliot for some time and yet my observations have been that while Grace dearly loves all her children, she doesn't go out of her way. In fact from what I have seen Elliot is the one who always instigates visits apart from the occasional summons when Grace calls to invite for a family dinner, but even then she always calls Elliot.

I watch him talking and laughing with Ana and Eva and I smile. Not only because he has got over the upset caused by his mother's words, but because he is visibly enjoying himself. Words cannot describe how much I love that man, his tender affectionate nature and his innate kindness. I glance at Christian, he still intimidates me. He is so intense and completely the opposite to Elliot who is practically horizontal he is so laid back and easy going. Which is why it was such a shock to see his reaction to what his mother had said.

I feel bad about that now, I don't want to cause a rift between them, it seems that there is enough of a gulf in that family as it is. As an outsider, which I essentially am you can see the tensions. Christian is clearly struggling with the new dynamic of Elliot being Ana's biological brother, Elliot has admitted as much but he also admits that being adopted always made him feel as though he never really belonged anywhere and now that he has Ana and Eva he feels he has roots. We had talked at length about it when we discussed our previous relationships and I had confided in him about the abusive relationship I had escaped from when we met. He had told me how he spent most of his time searching for love and affection and as he got older he mistaked it for sex and as such had been in his words a bit of a man-whore. I had seen the shame in his eyes as he recounted stories of his bachelor days and the number of girls he had slept with. He said now that he has Ana and Eva he feels he belongs to somewhere. It's funny really Ana had said much the same thing, when we were talking she had told me that she had always longed for siblings growing up and now she has her wish. It's all so new and exciting for them at the moment, and everyone is finding their groove. Eva is still coming to terms with the fact Victor isn't her real dad, she keeps making a point of saying it's irrelevant and that Victor is her dad - end of, but she too was an only child and finding two siblings has been a novelty and I think they are all revelling in it.

"You look deep in thought".

I am pulled from my thoughts by a familiar voice, I turn and see Mia grinning at me. She takes the seat beside me and looks at me questioningly.

"You don't look too happy? Is everything ok?" she asks.

I force a smile and shake my head, "No, everything is fine" I say brightly.

Mia snorts and rolls her eyes, "And I call bullshit, what's happened?" she asks and I can see the genuine concern for me written all over her face.

I sigh, "I overheard something, certain individuals seem to think I am going to turn out to be another Kate and that I am only with Elliot for his money and that I am going to hurt him like she did".

I stop and try and hold back the bitterness and hurt I am feeling.

"Oh god, it's dad isn't it?" Mia says and she leans towards me and wraps her arm around my shoulder.

I shake my head, "No actually it wasn't" I say.

Mia rears back in surprise, "Who then?" she asks and she looks around the huge garden at everyone.

"Grace" I mutter and Mia's eyes widen at that.

"Mom?!" she exclaims.

"Ssshh" I hiss as I don't want to cause any more trouble.

"Sorry!" Mia says and glances around. "Nobody heard me, but mom? Seriously?" she asks.

I nod, "Yes, Elliot went apeshit and I feel awful now" I say.

Mia shakes her head, "No, he was protecting you, so don't feel bad. Mom has been acting really weird ever since Christian discovered his birth family. Then El decided to search for his and found Sadie and discovered that Ana and Eva were his siblings. Did El tell you how I behaved when he discovered Ana and Eva were his sisters? I was a complete brat. I was scared that he wouldn't want me anymore. Christian ripped me a new one because I made Ana cry… I think in a way, mom is feeling the same kind of things as I felt but it's coming out differently".

I nod in agreement, "I get that I really do, it has to be hard for her with everything that has happened but… thinking I am anything like Kate is wrong".

Mia nods, "I know, she hasn't even really made any attempt to get to know you either. If she had she would know you are about as far removed from that bitch as you can get. I mean you signed a pre-nup for god's sake and you instigated it. You are good for El, don't let mom upset you – especially now". She pauses and looks at my stomach as she says it.

My hand automatically moves to my still flat stomach and touches it.

"I think Gideon was right, everyone should sit down and get everything out into the open and clear the air".

Mia nods, "Perhaps Christian can get his therapist to sit in and help as well?" she says.

(ANA)

"Don't let it get to you El" I say as I touch Elliot's arm.

He smiles at me and then glancing over we follow his gaze and see he is looking at Meg, who is sitting talking to Mia.

"Mia has been brilliant, she totally accepted Meg and they are really close".

"That's really good El" Eva says encouragingly.

"Annie could I have a word?"

I turn to see my dad looking serious.

"Sure dad what's up?" I ask as I move away from Eva and Elliot.

My dad pulls me to a quiet corner, "You three are as thick as thieves just lately" he states simply.

I frown at the way he said that is if it is a bad thing.

"What are you getting at dad?" I ask.

Ray looks at me with that penetrating gaze he has which always makes me feel like a little girl again about to be scolded. He sighs and rubs his eyes, "What I am getting at is you are standing here with Elliot and Eva, Gideon and Christian are over there and Megumi is over there. All three of you have partners, and yours is the guest of honour today and yet you three are all standing whispering together".

"But…" I begin and stop, I had no idea… I didn't realise… "…I…" I say and stop, and feel tears pricking at my eye lids.

"Annie, I don't mean to upset you and I totally get that it's all kinds of new and exciting that you three have this link, and it's brilliant that you are so close, it really is, and I am so happy for you that you now have siblings. Just don't forget there are other people who matter though".

I stare at him, "Christian is my world" I exclaim and my dad smiles kindly at me.

"Yeah, but it sure doesn't look like that from where I am standing. As I say I get that you three have this bond and you are building it and getting closer, but don't push away the other people who matter to you".

"I won't" I say. I look over at Christian and I think about what my dad has said, and I marry it up with my actions recently. Most recently when El and Meg came for dinner and we sat and discussed how we had slapped down Kate, we had totally ignored Meg and Christian until we had overheard them talking. I feel awful now and it must show on my face as Eva comes over and looks at me carefully.

"What's happened, what did Ray say?" she asks, almost immediately Elliot is also there and I look at them both and repeat what my dad said.

Realisation fills Elliot and Eva's face as they both start joining the dots with our behaviour recently.

"I never meant to… I didn't mean to…" Eva begins and I touch her arm.

"None of us did, we got carried away with the bond we were building and our link and we need to make it right" I say.

Elliot nods and moves across to Meg and pulls her into his arms and holds her tightly.

I glance at Eva, "Come on" I say and we move towards Gideon and Christian who are standing talking.

I don't stop and walk into him wrapping my arms tightly around him.

"Hey baby, what's wrong?" he asks his concern obvious and it makes me feel like dirt.

"I am so sorry Christian" I say and look up into his grey eyes filled with love for me.

I perceive Eva pulling Gideon away, and I tug Christian closer. "I'm so sorry" I repeat.

"For what baby?" Christian asks looking confused.

"For shutting you out, for focussing on Eva and El and forgetting you are the most important person in my life"

"Baby, no!" Christian says but the look on his face tells a different story, the look of almost relief that I have come to this realisation without him having to say something.

"You have felt pushed out haven't you?" I ask.

He doesn't say anything and just shrugs, "Maybe a little" he admits eventually.

I shake my head, "I am so sorry, I never meant to make you feel that way" I say earnestly.

Christian smiles and runs his fingers down my cheek, "I know baby. I know it wasn't deliberate, you, Eva and Elliot are finding your feet with this new sibling bond that you have. You were always an only child as was Eva. Elliot is adopted so to suddenly have what you three now have it's only natural that you would behave the way you have done. Elliot discovers he is related by blood to someone, that is massive for him. I remember how I felt when I read the DNA results, so I totally get his reaction. You have always said you wished you had siblings growing up, so now you have them you are revelling in it and I would never begrudge you that. I don't know about Eva, but she was also an only child so I am guessing she feels similar emotions to you".

I stare up at him, is this really the same possessive man I met a few years ago? I continue to stare at him and he looks a little uncomfortable at my close scrutiny.

"You're staring baby?" he says.

I shake my head, "No I'm marvelling at how far you have come. You have really changed since you have been with this new therapist" I say.

Christian looks embarrassed and shrugs, "We may have discussed my insecurities regarding the link between you, Elliot and Eva, and she made me see things from your perspective. How new and exciting this bond you three had and how it was almost like a novelty and that with time you would settle down".

I sigh, "But I should never have put you in the position to have to deal with things, you have been through so much and your well being is supposed to be my number one priority". I pause and glance at Grace.

"Your mom is also clearly struggling, perhaps you could call Caroline and get everyone to sit down – like Gideon suggested and sort everything out?"

Christian nods, "I said much the same thing to Gideon just a moment ago, I think everyone would benefit from it".

I grab his biceps and standing on my tiptoes I press a kiss to his lips. "I'm sorry" I say with total sincerity.

"Baby, you have nothing to apologise for" he replies.