Chapter 59: Smiles
POV: Gabby
Word Count: 2559
December 13, 2009
A full month. Marisol was a month old now, it was amazing that the time seemed to fly. But, then again I felt like I was just eating, sleeping, and feeding her. I wasn’t sure the last time I had a decent conversation.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true, I had a conversation the fourth with Marcus. Not that it had done anything really, he spent twenty minutes telling me how much he loved me, how much I loved him. I’d listened for twenty minutes. I really had one question and that was why. He couldn’t answer why he killed Maxwell, he couldn’t answer why Simon died so violently. He couldn’t justify his reason for including Jacob or my biological parents in the plot. His reason for them all was because they hurt me, to me that wasn’t a valid reason. I’d spent thirty minutes in the room and when he was done expressing his love and devotion I told him how I felt. A five minute speech about how I didn’t remember him, remembered nothing and that instead of sending me bullshit gifts for a year, instead of killing people, and instead of scaring me he could have simply told me. It wouldn’t have changed the outcome, I was in love with Zac and not him.
He hadn’t really taken it that well but he was spending a long time behind bars. He’d confessed to Maxwell, Simon and even to planning Jacob and my biological parents. The only reason they weren’t going for the death penalty was me, I’d told them I didn’t want him to die. He’d done enough killing in my name.
The police had cleared Lucas though, his accounts were verifiable and while he had been super fucking creepy around me, he hadn’t assisted Marcus in anything. He was fully aware that trust in him was broken right now and would require time to repair that.
I got up with her nine and after a good feeding she was fine to play just a bit. She still hated Andrew and Taylor, she wouldn’t let either of them really hold her long. I didn’t understand it, no one else had problems! After the eleven feeding I laid her in the swing and tried to draw. Zac was at the studio today closing down things for the holidays. The last time he’d left me alone she’d thrown a screaming fit again, unprovoked and no apparent reason. I had her sitting by the door so I could see her and the clock.
The news of her birth had gone out before Thanksgiving, not many negative comments were received. Thousands of well wishes had been received and Bailey even sent us a gift, a baby blanket with a big owl on it. I didn’t have the heart to tell her how much I hated them right now. I had been thankful and taken a photo for her, the only person in the fandom to get a personal photo from me of Marisol.
We had shutterbug Taylor coming over tomorrow to get some really good ones for Christmas, but I didn’t simply want to give them a photograph. Anyone could give that. I decided that I would draw several for people. His parents and Julian and Trevor were getting large canvases. The others were getting something smaller. I didn’t need to use photos to draw her. All of them would be black and white except Shawn’s. His was something far more special. I’d had Zac take several of both of us, chose the best one and that is what he was getting.
Zac had somehow managed to outdo his Christmas decorations from 2007, I didn’t think it was possible but he had. A huge tree with all new ornaments except a few selected ones, statues, little plaques, lights galore, and even candles that smelled like baked cookies. The whole outside was decorated too, despite the fact no one could see us from the road. About noon my phone rang and I picked up.
“Hey honey.”
“You two doing okay?”
“She’s sleeping and I’m drawing, perfect little day.”
“I’m headed home, do we need anything?”
“Diapers and wipes, beyond that we need nothing.”
“I’ll get them, the weather is getting narly so I may stock up.”
“Might be a good idea, but I planned to go tomorrow anyway.”
“You’re getting her out of the house?”
“I am. Stella and I are going shopping for Christmas. I can stock up on some stuff.”
“Want me to just come home then?”
“If you want, she has enough for today and tomorrow.”
“Ok. I’ll see you in a bit.”
I hung-up and kept drawing, stopping when it was nearly her feeding time and because she was already awake, just kind of looking around.
“Is Mommy’s girl hungry yet?”
She turned and looked at me and I leaned over. “You look hungry, fist all up near your mouth.”
I saw the corners of her mouth barely raise and I picked her up.
“Daddy’s on his way home. I’m sure he’ll snag you when you’re done.”
Again the corners raised some and I smiled at her. “Are you trying to smile princess?”
That time those corners were much higher and she indeed was smiling at me. “I guess I know what drawing to do for me.”
I got comfortable in the chair Jack had bought, that man was a life saver. It was perfect for napping, holding, and rocking her. I was still sitting there when Zac came in.
“It’s freaking cold out there.”
“Temperatures going to drop a bit this week.”
He put the keys and wallet up and then sat down. “Studio is officially closed until new years. Merchandise is out and everything was cleaned up and out.”
“Good.”
“Was she better today?”
“Oh yeah, not a problem.”
He was jittery though until she was done, I then handed her off and let him keep her entertained. I fixed us both lunch, I was almost done when the doorbell rang.
“Expecting anyone?” I asked.
“No. Lucas said he would come over later this week and you could interrogate him to your heart’s desire. But, no one today.”
I dried my hands and walked to the door, I actually checked the peephole before I opened the door, so I knew who it was and my first words were for them to leave.
“Gabriella.” He said.
“You have no business being here, I told you months ago that you were nothing to me.”
“We were hoping that having your own baby would change your mind. You would see the value and importance of family.”
“I knew the value and importance of family before you ever showed up the first time. I learned those from my Mother and my father. I did not learn them from either of you.”
“She is our granddaughter.” He said.
“No, she’s not. We’ve had this discussion already Wilson. For her to be your granddaughter, it implies I am your daughter. I am not. You made that perfectly clear when I was 13 months old.”
“You aren’t hurting anyone but her, she deserves to know us.”
I heard footsteps behind me and glanced, I knew it was Zac but he had Marisol.
“Take her back to the living room Zachary.”
“Gabby.” He said.
“I mean it Zac.”
He didn’t though and that was really pissing me off for some reason and I guessed he sensed that because while he may have intended for them to see her, he covered her head up and went back to the living room.
“You’re husband had the right idea.” He said.
I stepped out onto the porch, despite the bitter cold.
“My husband also respects my decisions when it comes to our child. I told you months ago that she would never see either of you. He may believe you have some small right to see her once, but I don’t. You spent 13 months letting my big brother take care of me, not a single picture of me with either of you. You then tried to starve us to death, because you didn’t want to just give us up. Believe me Wilson and Leann, if I could prove that story, if I could find one shred of evidence I would make damn sure you did time.”
“You can’t mean that.” She said.
“Mean it? Oh I mean it. My stalker confessed to killing the man who hurt me for three years, raped and beat me and as he was telling me I just wished he’d killed you both instead. Max and Simon were bad men, but they are nothing compared to the two of you. I am telling you one last time. You will never see my daughter. Enjoy the photos that may get posted, I can’t stop you from seeing them. But, you will not ever see her in person and if you don’t stop coming around I will file charges and I will have you arrested. You can go now.”
“Gabriella Skye we love you!”
I just stared at her. I hadn’t told Marcus that I wished he would have killed them over Maxwell and Simon, but it was a prevalent thought. I just stood there though. I had nothing else to say to her.
“We want to see our granddaughter. We aren’t leaving until we do.” She said.
“Then you can stand here and freeze to death waiting. I’ve told you.”
I saw the car coming up the driveway, knew it was Shawn and I guess even that far away he recognized them because he nearly skidded into their car. He was out of the car and standing behind them before I could warn them.
“I told you both to leave her the fuck alone, you clearly don’t listen.”
He turned but she didn’t. “She is our daughter, just like you are our son.”
“I’m not your son.”
They moved enough to let them by and Grace went inside, but Shawn stood beside me.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the two of you side by side.” She said.
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer. What are you doing here?”
“We came to see our granddaughter.” She said.
“And I told you that wasn’t happening.”
“I’m agreeing with Ella, you won’t ever see Marisol or mine. Never. You need to just go, deal with your own guilt and shit, you didn’t feel guilty while she screamed for you, you didn’t feel guilty when I was asking you to get her milk because she was hungry. You just laid there. You don’t deserve to see her or mine, so get the fuck out of our lives.”
I was young but he wasn’t then, he remembered them and that time and just by the tone of his voice, he was being the big protective brother right now.
“We are not…”
“You are leaving. Either on your own or I will drag both of you down to your car and make you. If I have to call the police I will. This is not a debate. We’ve both told you that you’ll never see our children. Suck it up. Deal with it. You need to go.”
She came close to arguing but it just took another stern look and they backed down. He turned and went to the car but she just looked at me.
“You won’t make it a year Gabriella. I can see the signs of stress all over your face and we all know what you do when you’re stressed. You run to the white powder and it won’t take but one time to get your rights revoked.”
I actually laughed, it was hilarious. “Trust me, I have a husband that won’t let that happen. I have a brother that will make sure that never happens. I have a little girl that makes sure that never happens. Go home. Enjoy your family.”
She scowled but she did walk away and I turned to Shawn. “Marisol or mine?”
He looked a bit stunned. “You…caught that?”
“Hey, I might be ready to stomp ass and my bloods boiling enough to keep me warm but I still caught that. What are you talking about Shawn?”
“Let’s go inside.”
If he thought that would distract me he was wrong, but I did make sure they left without hitting anything. I then went inside where Grace had Marisol already.
“She’s getting close to being hungry.”
“It’s about time…Marisol or mine?” I asked.
“I was hoping you’d let that go…”
“Not a chance Bro. Explain.”
“Well, we came over for a reason. One was to ask you if you or Zac would object if we got married here on Christmas.”
“Here?” Zac asked.
“Everyone will be here including her family. We don’t want anything big or fancy.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“We are. I hate the whole idea of some big fancy thing. Personally that is, I know a lot of women who did them. Just me I want like court step or in this case, living room floor.”
“I don’t mind.” Zac said.
“Neither do I. But the or mine part?”
“You really are relentless aren’t you?”
“Hey, you peaked my interest. It’s not something you’d say.”
He took a deep breath. “Marisol is going to be a big cousin. He or she is due July 29 th.”
“Grace is pregnant?” I asked.
“Seven weeks and three days.” She said.
“You’re not kidding?”
“No Ella. You’ll be an Aunt in like seven months.”
I had to hug him, clearly too tightly, congratulate them and I called dibs on the baby shower now. Grace laughed, clearly not caring. I sat down with her to feed her, more comfortable now with being able to move clothes and never be an issue.
“I can’t believe you’ll be a dad.”
He smiled. “Hey, it’s sometimes hard to believe my baby sister is a mom. We didn’t really plan it but it happened and we’re happy about it.”
“He’s had baby fever since you got pregnant.”
“Have not.”
She just looked at him. “It’s fine though. It’s where we need to be.”
“I’m not sure when my brothers plan on kids.”
“I’m shocked Stella isn’t pregnant already. Taylor’s had baby fever since before I got pregnant.”
“That is true.” Zac said.
They stayed for several hours, he wanted a boy but she wanted a little girl. They had no idea for names but he knew that Frost was being kept. She was excited and they were also moving into his condo which is where she’d been for the last several months anyway. It was exciting that I’d be an Aunt. Exciting that our family was expanding.
Zac and I had a quiet evening, made plans for presents and holidays and then relaxed. I finished the drawing for Taylor and Stella and put it up, it was in an area they wouldn’t see. Isaac and Nicole’s was already done and I had started Shawn’s.
I worried about being alone tomorrow with them showing up, so Zac dragged Taylor into going with us. He was reluctant but the chance to see his niece was enough of an incentive. Zac and I actually got to bed at a decent hour and I actually got to sleep, well when she wasn’t nursing.