WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

by Desktop Dragon

Ana Grey was always sure of who she was and where she came from, until a surprise email is sent to her informing her that she may be the long lost sibling of someone seeking answers. In New York Eva Cross is that person seeking answers as she has just had everything she took as fact turned upside down and she no longer knows who she is. I DO NOT OWN FSOG OR THE CROSSFIRE STORIES.

149. Chapter 149

AUTHORS NOTE: Well, here we are again, I hope you all had a good Christmas and I wish a happy new year to you all. I hope that 2023 will be a good year for you all.

We are now on the final part of this story, (I estimate about 3-4 more chapters). I had hoped to finish it by the end of last year but it wasn't to be. I just want to thank everyone who has stuck with this story since the beginning of 2020 when I first posted the first 10 chapters and asked for help to get me past my writer's block. I had the main plot parts of the story in my head how I wanted it to go and I know it has been a lot of drama but that is the way I write; I find it far easier to write the negative rather than positive stuff and I thank you all for your continued support and for hanging in there with me as I get it done.

Just to let you know where we are in the story, we have had another time jump and a month has elapsed and so we are now at the beginning of November. Eva's birthday was never mentioned in Crossfire canon, so I have given her a birthday of November 5th for the purposes of this story.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER 149

One month later…

(EVA)

"Happy birthday Angel!"

I am awoken to the feeling of my husband nuzzling my neck and kissing me, his hand massaging my breast and his very hard dick pressing into my stomach, and I smile. I glance at the clock and realise it is really, really early.

"Got to say Ace you know how to wake a girl up!" I say and I hear a small chuckle.

"I live to serve" he murmurs before nibbling my earlobe.

As I try and move, I feel Gideon shift slightly and I realise he has removed my underwear and is now gently pushing himself inside me. I let out a moan as I feel my body accept him.

"Let me love you Angel" he whispers as he thrusts gently.

"You do" I reply, and I feel him push himself in even deeper. He lifts my hips slightly to get me at the right angle so that I can take every last part of him.

I hear him moan as I accept the final inch of him and I lift my hips to meet his thrust and I tighten my muscles around him.

"Fuck! Angel please don't do that, if you keep doing that I'm going to come and I want this to last" he growls and I giggle.

"Well, if you come then we will just have to do it again won't we" I reply as I deliberately tighten around him once more and I feel his smile against my neck.

oooOOOooo

Two hours and about five orgasms later we finally make it out of the bedroom and head to the kitchen for some breakfast. As we enter, I see Jared sitting waiting patiently at the table, and he stands as we walk in, he looks excited about something and I smile at him.

"Happy birthday Eva, I made you coffee and some breakfast" he says and quickly turns placing a mug of steaming coffee down in front of me and then he goes to the warmer and pulls out a covered plate.

I lift the lid and my mouth starts watering at the delicious smell. "Wow, thank you so much Jared" I say and I hum in appreciation as I take a gulp of my coffee, he has made it just how I like it. Jared grins at me as he hands me a fork and some syrup.

"Where's mine?" Gideon asks playfully as he looks covetously at my pancakes and Jared grins at him.

"The pan is over there, the coffee machine is there, you know how to do it" Jared replies cheekily. "Besides it's not your birthday dad, when it is I'll make you some" he adds.

"Well!" Gideon huffs in mock disgust as he moves towards the coffee machine and pours himself a mug full.

I watch the banter between Gideon and Jared, and it's lovely to see them so relaxed with each other that they feel they can behave like this.

"Happy birthday Eva, I hope you like it" Jared says as he pushes an envelope towards me.

I quickly swallow the mouthful of pancake as I accept the card. "Thank you" I reply as I pause putting my fork down to open the envelope.

Inside is a birthday card and a gift certificate for the Spa which I love to visit and my eyes widen at the sight of the gift certificate.

"Jared, this is… I don't know what to say" I say.

Jared grins at me, "Dad said you'd like it, and I know you are going there today with Ana so…" he says with a shrug.

"Like it, I love it! Thank you so much" I reply.

Jared points at it, "It's for two people as well, because I knew you were going with Ana while she is here in New York, she knows about it because I called her to make sure you were still going".

Jared, this must have cost you so much!" I gasp as I read the details.

Jared shrugs, "It's only money and if you can't spend it on the people you… love, then what's the use of it? You… you are the only maternal figure I have in my life now, and you have been nothing but kind, supportive and accepting of me when I came into dad's life".

I stare at him, unsure of how to answer that.

"Well, thank you" I reply hoarsely, after the brief silence.

Jared bites his lip and takes a deep breath; I look at him and he looks anxious now. I give him my full attention waiting for him to say what he needs to and I see Gideon is watching him closely as well. "I… was wondering? Eva… with what I said in mind… would you mind… would it bother you if I… If… if I called you mom?... I mean, I know technically you are my step-mom because you are with my dad… but if you want to carry on as we are then…" he fades off and looks at me carefully.

I smile at him, a warm feeling of pride surges through me at his words. "I would be honoured" I say with total sincerity. I had never expected Jared to take this step as I knew he was really close to his adoptive mom and I never wanted to try and look as though I was replacing her as it wouldn't be right. I am fully aware that I am his maternal figure now though as his relationship with Corrine is completely mutually non-existent. Since that day at the funeral we haven't seen her again and she has completely vanished. I have never raised the subject about what he calls me and just accepted that he was comfortable with just calling me Eva so I am a little surprised by his decision but I do feel honoured that he feels comfortable for taking this step.

Jared grins at me, "Thanks" he pauses and looks at his watch, "I'd better get ready for school" he says as he stands up.

As he goes to leave, Gideon's phone starts ringing and he quickly answers. "It's Arash" he says as he answers. We both watch Gideon take the call and as Jared moves to leave the room, Gideon's hand shoots out to grasp his arm to stop him. Jared looks at me and we both know that this call is something to do with the forthcoming trial in Chicago.

"Well, that is unexpected" Gideon says in surprise and he leans back in his seat.

I glance at Jared who is looking pensive again. I finish my food and then stand up, wrapping my arm around him I lead him back to the table and I sit down beside him offering him silent support as we wait for Gideon to end the call.

Eventually the call comes to an end and Gideon puts his phone on the table.

"As I said… That was Arash… and it appears that Philip Martin has caved… after consultation with his lawyer, who has seen the case we have against him he has changed his plea and he is pleading guilty to all charges… there isn't going to be a trial. There will just be a sentencing hearing which we don't need to attend if you don't want to".

"I want to" Jared says immediately.

"All the charges?" I ask in clarification.

Gideon nods, "Yes, everything the child abuse charges, the murder of Angela Martin, the drugs possession charges, the conspiracy to kidnap - everything. However, he is standing firm on the charges regarding your aunt and uncle which means that there will still be a trial in Seattle to face".

"What are the chances he will get off on those?" I ask and Gideon shrugs.

"I won't lie, the case isn't as strong as unlike the Chicago one there isn't the physical evidence and basically it hinges on Barnett's testimony… and Bev as well of course. Which I think is the reasoning behind this sudden capitulation. He is basically admitting his guilt where the case is strong which gives the defence the argument that he has admitted his guilt in one murder which means because he is protesting his innocence, he is telling the truth and he is not guilty of being involved with that murder".

Jared stiffens at that, "But he was… I mean, that guy wouldn't have been in Seattle if Uncle Phil hadn't told him that is where I was, and he would have no reason to kill me the reason was Uncle Phil's".

Gideon nods, "I know, and there is also the fact Philip Martin was also considering the kidnap ruse again as well, to extort money from me this time… but we just have to prove he was behind it".

"And we will" I say confidently as I give Jared a hug.

"But… why? I mean why has he capitulated?" Jared asks.

Gideon shrugs, "It could be for a number of reasons, Arash didn't go into detail as he has only just received the information but I'm sure that he will find out. My guess is he knew the case we had was strong and by admitting his guilt he is looking at reducing his sentence in some way. Although how I'm not sure as he murdered your mother in cold blood and was captured on camera doing so, so that alone should send him to prison for the rest of his life".

Jared nods, "He was always a bit… strange, his thought process wasn't normal, so he probably thinks he is doing me some kind of a favour by admitting what he did. Not sure what he thinks he will get out of it though… unless, unless he thinks we will drop some of the charges because he has admitted his guilt? I don't know what to think but what I do know is I want to go to the sentencing".

Gideon nods, "Then we will go, things should move pretty swiftly now this has occurred so it should happen fairly soon. Then he will be sent to Seattle to stand trial for his part in your aunt and uncle's murder, according to Arash they were ready to go but waiting for Chicago to deal with him first".

Jared nods, "I'd better get ready for school" he says quietly and as he stands and goes to move away Gideon grasps his arm again looking at him with obvious concern.

"Are you ok?" he asks and Jared nods.

"Yeah" he says simply.

As Jared walks away I touch Gideon's arm and he turns to look at me.

"Do you think he struck a deal?" I ask and Gideon nods.

"It is the only thing I can think of, I just hope that justice is served for Jared's sake but I'll know more when Arash gets back to me".

I squeeze Gideon's arm reassuringly and he smiles at me.

"So, what are your plans today, Angel?" he asks.

I grin at him, "Well Ana is supposed to be arriving soon and she is taking me out for a spa day so I will be able to use my present from Jared, then Ana said something about lunch before they fly home later today".

Gideon nods, "Christian is looking at a company here in New York, and I'm going with him and then we are all going to meet up for lunch. Angus is going to collect Jared from school at lunchtime so he can also join us. Christian told me their flight slot back to Seattle is at 6pm this evening so after they've gone, I'm taking you out" he stops and I look at him carefully.

He is hiding something so I know he has something planned for this evening.

oooOOOooo

"That was amazing, I feel so relaxed now I could fall asleep" Ana says as we leave the Spa.

I nod in agreement, "I still can't believe Jared did that" I say.

Ana smiles at me, "He loves you; you are the closest thing to a mom he has now".

I smile as I remember Jared's request this morning and I realise I haven't told Ana yet. "Yes, I know, he asked me this morning if he could call me mom… that was a surprise, I never expected him to take that step as I knew how close he was to Angela Martin. I feel honoured though that he trusts me enough to want to" I say.

Ana looks at me carefully, "I'm sensing a but here" she says.

I sigh, "I'm terrified… I'm scared I won't live up to the title he has given me. I mean being a mom is a huge responsibility".

Ana shakes her head and squeezes my hand reassuringly. "Eva you have stepped up and been a mom to him since he arrived in our family, you may not have had the title but you have protected him and loved him like a mom since that first meeting… look how you ripped Philip Martin a new one that first day and that was just the start. You are a brilliant mom to him, so just keep doing what you are doing".

I realise she is right, I have unconsciously been a mom to him without realising it. Dad has stepped up and taken the role of grandfather alongside Angus. Jared has a complete family unit around him now, with one exception… my mom. Things have never got back to how they were before the revelations about Frank Lambert, but in all truth how could they? My own mother lied to me for years about who my dad was. She is still my mom and I love her dearly but there is that distance there now… that rift which has never quite healed. She is polite to Jared when we spend time with her and Richard but she doesn't go out of her way for him and her superficial materialistic personality doesn't seem to sit well with him.

I think about it and realise the only grandmother figures he has are Grace and Sadie. They both adore him and go out of their way to spend time with him when we visit Seattle. Thinking about them leads me on to thinking about El. He had called and wished me a happy birthday this morning and it was good to hear from him.

We reach the car and I see Ana sending a text.

"Everything ok?" I ask.

She smiles and nods, "Yes, Christian was just checking in and I told him we are on our way to the restaurant now".

We climb into the waiting Merc and Raul looks at us through the rear-view mirror.

"Angus has just informed me that he has picked up Jared and Mr Cross and Mr Grey are at the restaurant waiting for you" he says politely.

"Thanks Raul, we'd better get going then" I reply with a grin.

Traffic is kind and we make good time, when we reach the restaurant Raul lets us out and pulls away to go and park and as we make our way inside, I spot Jason Taylor waiting for us to accompany us to our husbands.

"Hi Jason, are they waiting for us?" I ask.

"They are Mrs Cross, and may I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy birthday" he replies.

I grin at him, "Thanks Jason, and for the millionth time please call me Eva" I say.

Ana snorts, "It took me years to get him to call me Ana so don't hold your breath" she replies sardonically.

Jason leads us towards a private dining room, which doesn't surprise me. Gideon always books a private room when Christian and Ana are with us. He opens the door and stands aside to let us through with a knowing grin.

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTY EVA!"

I stop dead at the loud shouts, and look around. My jaw just drops and I am in total shock not only is Gideon, Christian and Jared here but my dad is also here along with Ireland and Christopher both grinning widely at me. My eyes fly around the room and I gasp as I see Elliot and Meg are here, as are Sadie, Lucy, Grace and Carrick and Mia and Simon. I am speechless these people have made the effort to fly across the country for me. I am ambushed as Ava throws herself at me and I pick her up giving her a warm hug as my eyes continue to roam around the packed room.

I see Mark and Stephen grinning at me and Stephen's sister my friend Shawna is also here. Arnoldo is here standing with Gideon smiling politely at me and Arash is also here grinning widely. I spot Cary who is grinning like a loon and as our eyes meet, he blows me a cheeky kiss and winks at me. I realise someone is missing though, my mom and Richard are not here, but as I think that the door opens behind me.

"Eva honey, I'm sorry we are late" my mom's apologetic breathy voice reaches my ears and I turn and see her with Richard who is gripping a beautifully wrapped gift. I put Ava down and go to greet my mom.

"Hello Eva love, I'm sorry we are late it is entirely my fault" Richard says apologetically as he hands me the gift and gives me a polite kiss on my cheek.

"Thank you" I reply.

I return my attention to everyone grinning at me.

"I have no idea what to say, I am beyond touched that you all have done this" I say.

Elliot steps forward grinning at me, as he engulfs me in a massive bear hug. "Happy birthday sis! Your husband and my brother planned it like a military operation. It was Gideon's idea to do this for you and so we all flew in with Christian and Ana and hid on the plane until you and Gideon left the airport and then Angus and Raul took us to the hotel so we wouldn't bump into you. We knew you wouldn't expect any of us to be here which is exactly why we did it".

As he pulls away everyone else surges forward to greet me.

"Happy birthday baby girl" Cary says as he hugs me.

"Thank you for coming" I say to him and he shrugs.

Cary leans closer and whispers in my ear as he hugs me, "I wouldn't miss it for the world although I nearly died on the spot when Gideon called me, and told me his plans… I never expected him to willingly include me though. Although… does it make me a bad person to admit I enjoyed his obvious discomfort when he spoke to me?"

"No, it just makes you, you" I reply with a grin as I slap his arm playfully.

"You!" I exclaim as I point my finger at Mark who just holds up his hands in surrender.

"I know, I know… To be honest with you I was so worried that I thought I'd given the game away when you walked in on me and caught me talking with Gideon the other day".

"You told me it was a potential marketing project!" I say as I realise now what was happening and Mark shrugs.

"It was the first thing that popped into my head" he says, and Gideon laughs at that.

"Even though I have my own perfectly capable Marketing department in house at Cross Industries" he says dryly.

I raise my eyebrows at that comment, "That didn't stop you when we first met Ace!" I retort as I remember how he had approached Waters Field and Leaman with a ruse of doing a marketing campaign for a vodka company he had bought as an excuse to get close to me after our initial embarrassing meeting.

I glance at the room which has been festooned with balloons and flowers, and I see a table filled with gifts and a large cake. I walk over to it and gasp it is beautiful.

"Arnoldo, you made this didn't you?" I ask as I turn towards the Italian chef.

"I did, I was given specific instructions and I followed them to the letter so if you don't like it, blame your husband" he says with a smile.

"Shall we sit down" Gideon says and we all move towards the table. I see a waiter hovering with menus which are quickly distributed.

Talk is light and happy as we enjoy our lunch and I feel blessed that all these people have made time to come and see me. I look at my mom and swallow hard, and then at my dad. All this wouldn't have happened if my dad hadn't been shot all those months ago. I look at Ana who meets my gaze and grins lifting her glass at me. I look around the table, El and Meg my friend and my brother who this time last year I was oblivious of now happily married and expecting their child. I look at Jared and see he is chatting happily with Sadie and I smile again.

"Eva I'd like to say a few words" my dad says suddenly.

The general chatting ceases and everyone has their attention on my dad. "I am immeasurably proud of you and everything you have achieved in your life. This year… we…" he pauses his voice cracking slightly and I quickly interrupt.

"Dad, it's ok there is no need to say it because you are my dad end of story" I say firmly. I see my mom shift slightly at my words.

Dad nods and seems to gather himself, "I just want to say… on this your special day that you are my world and I love you… happy birthday sweetheart" he says.

I stand and make my way around the table; my dad stands and hugs me tightly. "I love you too dad" I say, "I also want to say how happy I am that you chose to come and live here in New York to be closer to us".

I return to my seat, "You know…" I begin, and hesitate. "I was thinking before dad spoke that this time last year, I had no idea about most of you and the circumstances which brought you all into my life and I want to say thank you for coming here today".

I hear Gideon clear his throat, "You know that you are my reason for living and breathing Angel so I won't bore everyone by repeating myself, but it was my pleasure and my honour to arrange this for you today as nothing makes me happier than seeing you happy and I know you are happiest when you are surrounded by the people you love".

The meal is a huge success and everyone is chatting and there is an air of relaxed happiness. Everyone breaks into a loud chorus of happy birthday as I blow out the candles on the beautiful birthday cake Arnoldo made. After the meal comes to an end people start milling around the private dining room and I watch as I see Cary chatting with Grace. Gideon, Elliot and Christian are all watching him closely and I realise they are concerned in case he says or does something inappropriate, but as I watch I see a different side to Cary. It is a side emerging he normally keeps locked up tight so I realise he clearly feels comfortable with her. Jared is the first to leave as he has to get back to school, he comes up to me and touches my arm.

"I have to go now mom, I've got to get back to school" he says apologetically.

I turn and give him a massive hug, "I'll see you later" I say and he nods as he returns the hug.

"Yeah, bye mom" he says as he pulls away and I watch him leave with Angus at his side.

"Did I hear that right?" I stiffen at the tone of the question and turn to see my mom at my side with a surprised and slightly disapproving look on her face.

"What?" I ask in confusion and now on alert at what she is going to say.

"Jared called you mom" she says.

I smile and nod, "Yeah, he asked me this morning if he could… it was so sweet and I'm honoured he feels that way" I say proudly.

I stiffen again as I see her purse her lips and fold her arms. "Is that really appropriate though?" she asks and I stare at her not wanting to cause a scene but also wanting to say something.

"No more inappropriate than lying to someone for years about who their father is" I hiss before turning away. I hear her gasp at my cutting words and a part of me feels a pang of guilt but what the hell? Why say something like that?

I walk away before I say or do anything else and walk up to Gideon and tuck myself under his arm.

"Everything ok Angel?" he murmurs.

I look towards my mom who is now in deep conversation with Richard and a moment later they both slip from the room without saying goodbye.

I snort, and shake my head, "Mom just being mom again" I say bitterly.

"What did she do this time?" Gideon asks.

I look up at him, "She heard Jared call me mom and she questioned whether it was an appropriate thing for him to do, and I may have over reacted to that by telling her that it was no more inappropriate than lying to someone about who their father was".

Gideon sighs and just pulls me closer.

As people start to leave, they come and say goodbye. Mark, Stephen and Shawna are the next ones to go as they all have to get back to work and as we exchange hugs I thank them for coming. Christopher and Ireland approach and make their apologetic excuses to leave. Christopher hugs me and whispers quietly in my ear.

"You were the best thing to happen to our family… thank you" he says and I swallow hard at his words.

"Angel".

I turn and see Gideon at my side holding his phone.

"Someone else wants to wish you a happy birthday" he says holding out his phone to me.

I look and I see it is a video call, I peer into the screen and see Ryan and Martha sitting in the familiar room at the prison and they both wave at me.

"Hi guys!" I call as I wave back.

"Happy birthday Eva" Martha says kindly and Ryan grins.

"What she said" he says pointing at Martha.

I laugh at that and how Martha rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

We talk for a few more moments before Ryan tells us his time is up. I thank him and hand Gideon his phone back. Gideon talks to Ryan for a few more moments before the call ends.

Sadie and Lucy are the next to make their apologies and leave, along with Mia and Simon. It appears that Mia and Lucy want to go shopping before returning to Seattle. I thank them all and watch as they leave the room.

"Eva," I turn and see Grace smiling kindly at me.

"Hello Grace, thank you for coming" I say hesitantly. I'm not sure of what she thinks of me, and if she still holds any resentment of setting in motion everything that has happened this year. I know from Ana and El that she has been working hard with her therapy and things are much better now between her and El.

I wait and am surprised when she engulfs me in a huge hug. "I am so happy Gideon asked us to be part of today because there is something which is long overdue which I need to say to you" she says.

"Oh?" I ask.

"Yes, I don't believe I have ever properly thanked you" she says.

I pull away and frown in confusion at her words.

"Thank me? What for? I don't understand?" I say.

Grace smiles at me, "Your desire to discover the truth led you to our family… a family which was riddled with resentment and secrets. Your actions when it was discovered that you were Ana's sister and later also Elliot's brought about a sea change of events which while at the time I fought against, but now realise were needed and my family is now much stronger, closer and healthier for it. You making that decision to find out where you came from, was like throwing a pebble in a pond and the ripples it caused affected us all, and brought about changes which have healed festering wounds which have been there for years. You may not realise it, but your actions have had wide reaching ramifications. Elliot and I are much closer, he now knows where he came from and he was released from an unhappy marriage. Mia has changed beyond all recognition due to the events of this year, she has matured and become a thoughtful and responsible young woman… and then of course there is Christian, watching Ana learn the truth about her past and finding her family also inadvertently brought about Christian discovering more and more importantly discovering the truth. He has made huge leaps and become a completely different person, due to the real help he is now getting because he is seeing things clearly for the first time in his life… and all that is…"

I shake my head and touching her arm I interrupt.

"I'm not responsible for any of that, they made the decisions. They did it not me" I argue.

Grace grips my hand and shakes her head, "But don't you see you darling girl, had you not come into our family and started that chain of events none of what happened subsequently would've done so. Elliot would still have been in an unhappy marriage, Ava would still be lacking a mother, Mia would still be… selfish and entitled and Christian would still be…" she stops and sighs, "Not getting the real help he clearly needed and would still be silently hurting and quietly suffering. He wouldn't be aware of the truth surrounding his origins and he would never have gained an inner peace which he is now starting to show… and I, I would still be unconsciously causing the resentment in my children to continue. That is why I am thanking you".

I am stunned, I had never really considered how my actions had affected so many people and so profoundly. I look around the room at my family and I smile as that realisation hits me. I realise Grace is speaking again and turn my attention back towards her.

"You and Gideon will always have a place at our table as an honorary Grey" she says.

"Thank you, Grace, that means a lot" I say as I swallow the huge lump in my throat especially considering the conversation I had with my own mother a few moments ago.

Carrick joins us and smiles at me, "We are going to go now, Arash and I need to discuss the Seattle trial" he says apologetically.

I nod, "Arash called this morning telling us that Philip Martin had capitulated and is pleading guilty to all the charges in Chicago… I didn't realise you were dealing with the Seattle trial?" I say.

Carrick nods, "I offered, Arash and I work well together and as I am in Seattle it made sense. I don't want to go into too much detail but I think we may have found the smoking gun which conclusively links Martin with the murders of his brother and his sister-in-law in Seattle".

"Really? How?" I ask.

Carrick just smiles serenely, and I realise it must be Welch. He must have done some digging and uncovered something significant.

"Well, thank you. I will be glad when this is all over and Jared gets the justice he deserves".

Carrick nods gravely, "Quite" he says simply. With that Carrick disappears with Arash who grins at me and gives me a peck on the cheek as he says goodbye.

"Eva!"

I turn and my dad is now at my side and I am filled with a sense of sadness that he is also going.

"I have to go sweetheart, I'm on duty later" he says apologetically.

I nod in understanding, "Ok dad, thanks for coming" I say.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world" he replies warmly. He hesitates a moment and looks at me meaningfully, "What was said between you and your mom, I saw… and then a few moments later she left without saying goodbye?" he says.

I snort and shake my head in exasperation, "She heard Jared call me mom. He asked me this morning if he could and I was so proud he felt that way and I said yes… but it appears mom doesn't approve. She actually asked me if it was appropriate? I mean can you believe that?! After what she did… anyway it made me mad, and I may have reacted to it. I pointed out to her that it was no more inappropriate than lying to someone about who their father was". I stop and see a hint of a smile pulling at my father's lips.

"Jared asked my advice on that; he asked if I thought you'd mind and I told him to go for it. As for your mom…" he stops and sighs, rubbing his forehead with his fingers. "She is still messed up over everything that has happened… and she is still harbouring resentment over the way you went public about it all". I open my mouth to protest and he holds up his hand and I shut my mouth again.

"I know, what she did was wrong and I also know you had no choice after what Frank did but to go public… but you gave me a heads up didn't you? You warned me but the fact your mom heard it from the media". He stops and shrugs.

I stare at him and realise he is right but then again I also feel righteous in my decision because of the way I found out. "But what about how I found out dad? I had to discover the truth from a fucking doctor! I was there worried sick you were going to die and I find out that…" I stop and blink furiously as I try and stop the tears from falling.

Dad doesn't hesitate and wraps his arms around me, "I know, I totally get it. When it all came out, I felt like I'd been kicked in the gut and I was so angry at your mom for her lies. Truth be told I still am, so I understand completely. I think the way your mom is behaving now is because she has no idea how to make things right".

I sigh, "Perhaps Caroline could work her magic? She has done wonders for everyone else" I say flippantly.

Dad smiles, "That's actually not a bad idea, if you decided to do that then I'll join you as I have a few things I would like to get off my chest as well" he says.

"Really?" I say as my mind starts putting together a plan.

"Yes really" he says.

"I'll ask Gideon to call her and see if she is agreeable to do it" I say.

"Alright, let me know" dad says and with a peck on the cheek he finally says his goodbyes.

I feel a familiar warm protective arm encircle me.

"Everything ok Angel?" Gideon asks and I smile up at him.

"Erm…" I begin.

"I heard, yes I was listening and yes I will call Caroline" he says simply.

"I love you" I say as I turn and wrap my arms around him.

"He doesn't reply and just holds me impossibly tightly, showing me silently just how much he loves me.