Tough Love (Hidden Secrets) (23 page)

“I
need to talk to you,” I said hesitantly as we walked inside.

“Okay?”
He said almost sounding nervous.

Sitting
down on the couch, I began to play with my ring. “Eli told me to tell you something,” I started.

He
sat down and took my hands in his. “Just tell me, Princess.”

“He
left for a while,” Jack flew up from the couch getting ready to scream so I hurried on. “He said to tell you that he found your reason.”

Jack
froze. He stared down at me for a moment. Suddenly he smiles, “That’s what he said?”

I
nodded. “He begged me to let him go and not treat him like he was weak. He just wanted to be himself and not have to regret any of the time he had left. I told him I couldn’t lie to you. Eli said I didn’t have to. He said you’d understand.”

He
nods, smiling, “I do. He’s found Amber.”

“Oh
my God! He’s got some happiness in his sadness,” I said teary eyed.

“We
both did. For a while after Hannah had passed, I’d see Eli and Amber together and it pulled me deeper into the dark. Don’t get me wrong I was happy for my brother, but I just couldn’t stop from thinking why did mine have to be taken from me. I really pulled into myself, hid away from everyone. Then you came along with your bright light making me see everything for the first time.”

“Jackson,”
I breathed.

“As
scared as I am for him to leave, I understand why he did. Honestly I’d do the same thing.”

“So
you’re not mad at me for letting him go?”

His
brow furrowed in confusion. “Why would I be mad at you?”

“Because
you don’t like him being out of ear shot let alone away, I worried you’d get upset that I let him leave.”

Kissing
me lightly, “Never Princess.” He kisses me again deeper. “I believe I have a reward and punishment to repay,” he says with a wink.

Jackson
followed through all right, over and over again. Collapsing to the bed in a sweaty exhausted heap, we lay there enjoying the moment. Rolling over, I sprawled across his chest and threw one of my legs over his.

“Mmmm,
best blanket in the world. Are you sure you have to go to the sisters day tomorrow?”

I
laughed. “Yes, Kayla told me that since she’s eight and a half months she isn’t going to have much time right away. Mary said this is her last moment she’ll be able to get out from under Tobey’s thumb,” I laugh again.

He
wrapped me in his arms, mumbling something. I couldn’t understand, but soon we were both asleep.

* * *

We all met at Mary’s and drove in to the restaurant. I could see right away what Mary was talking about. Tobey fussed over her as she walked out to the SUV that they rented.  Jason wasn’t much different towards Kayla. Watching their men with them caused me to look at Jackson. He was watching his sisters as well. There was a look in his eyes that had my heart tightening in my chest. He’d have a child about the boys’ age right now. His eyes met mine and he mouthed ‘I love you’ and I mouthed it back. The boys then ran out dragging Jackson away. I laughed as he tried to keep up with them.

Soon
enough we were all in the SUV heading off toward the restaurant. Kylee was driving. Mylee sat in the passenger seat Mary and Kayla sat in the second row and Colleen and I sat in the third row seats. Reaching into my purse, I pulled out my gifts for both of them.

“Here,”
I said handing the boxes over the seat. “The boys and I wanted to get you gifts.”

They
both looked at me surprised, but took the boxes from me. They opened them and first pulled out the snow globes. Inside were a picture of each of them with their significant other and the other side was their latest pregnant photo.

“That’s
from the boys. Sebastian finds them relaxing so they figured they were perfect for you guys.”

They
both just nodded their heads stunned at the thoughtfulness from the boys. Then they pulled out the smaller box from me. They looked at each other then opened them together. Both gasped as they pulled them out of the box. Tears filled their eyes and they turned to me, silently asking for an explanation.

“The
center piece there is the symbol for strength. It has your birthstones in the center. The symbol on the left is for courage, it has your initials on there. The right side is a symbol for guardian. That has you’re man’s birthstone in it. Then the band clasped across connecting the chains, is obviously your last name—or will be—then on the top of the first letter is your birthstone again and the end of the last letter is his. I’ve paid already for the birthstone of your babies to go in, all you have to do is take it to the jeweler when their born. I figure if you want you can add to it as you add to your families.”

They
sobbed out a thank you and squeezed my hand. I turned to Colleen and handed her a box.

“I
know Colbie is already here, but I figured that I wasn’t around then so I can still give you your gift. It means the exact same thing as theirs. Jack has told me a little about what each of you have gone through and I thought to show exactly how brave and exceptional you ladies are, I’d get you necklaces in reminder of the good that has come from the dark.”

“Thank
you, Shannon. I’m glad Jackson has found you. When he told me about Hannah…my heart broke for him. He needed happiness. He needed you,” Colleen whispered.

“Great!”
Mylee exclaims from the front seat. “Now we look bad for not getting gifts,” she winks at me.

“I
got them one, but I, uh, forgot it,” she laughs.

Soon
enough, we were pulling into the restaurant. We all got out laughing and joking around as we walked in. My voice immediately trailed off as I looked around. It was a sight to see. You could see immediately why it was called
Chandelier
. There were some breathtaking ones hanging from the ceiling. It was so stunning in here I was afraid to touch anything or even move in fear of breaking something. 

We
were lead to a room in the back. It was closed off with a sign that read ‘Williams Party’. As we walked inside, again there were stunning chandeliers and one long table with chairs then another one that held a plethora of food options. Stopping in my tracks, I was in shock.

“You
okay, Shannon?” Kylee asks.

“Yeah,
sorry. I’ve never been to such a beautiful place before.”

“It
is one of a kind. They have the best food and service. It’s the reason we chose this place for our get together.”

We
all sat down and started talking about anything that came to our minds. It was great to see that I had so much in common with these girls. I was afraid because of my social standing and being so out of my element here that I’d not be able to find common grounds with them. We started telling jokes about our men and some of their little quirks that they have.

“Ky
and I can’t really comment on this conversation and I really don’t want to hear about my brothers like that. Can we change the topic?” Mylee joked.

“This
may be stupid of me, but when are you and Carson getting married,” I asked.

“Oh,
not a stupid question. Actually we’ve been talking about that a lot lately. We wanted to ask you.”

Confused,
“Ask me what?”

“Jackson,
Mom and Dad, had told us about your lakeside cabin. We were wondering if we could have the wedding out there. If it’s too much trouble I understand, but…”

“No,
Colleen. It’s not too much trouble. I’d be honored to host the wedding out there.”

“Oh
yay!” Colleen squeals clapping her hands. “Carson’s going to be so excited.”

“When
are you planning?”

“Whenever
it’s available. We’d have gotten married yesterday, but we want everyone there. It’s just the family, my dad, and my Uncle. Is that okay?”

“Yeah,
the deck is more than big enough to hold everyone and eat. The lake is beautiful this time of year. We should get together and I can take you out there so you can see it.”

“Oh,
I want to go,” the rest eagerly said.

“You
all want to go after this then? We could torment the men and make it a slumber party?” I joked.

“That’d
be great!” They all cheered.

“Let’s
go now! I could use some relaxation,” Mary said.

We
all got up and started collecting our things when the door burst open. Three scary looking guys stormed in. Everyone screamed. A bald guy walked forward.

“Nice
to finally get you alone Shannon. Let’s go or your friends here will get hurt in the process.”

I
started to walk forward when Colleen stood in front of me. “She’s not going anywhere with you scum. I suggest you leave before you get hurt.”

“Colleen,
no, just let me go. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“I
don’t want you to get hurt. Believe me I can handle myself,” she whispered back.

“I
don’t have time for this,” one of the other guys hissed moving toward Colleen.

He
lunged at her and I screamed. Colleen dodged and punched him in the jaw then spun around and kicked him in the gut. My guess is she’s been training with Carson. A small smile plays across my face. She was damn good. Knocking these guys back like they were nothing, if only Carson could see her now, I laughed in my head.

Just
then, one nailed her in the side of the face and she fell backward into the table. Colleen went to stand back up when another one kicked her, knocking her to the ground. The bald guy grabbed me just as Mary started screaming holding her stomach.

“NO!”
I yelled as I was being hauled out of the room. “Mary, Mary are you okay?” I jerked kicked and fought against the guy that held me.

Kylee
and Mylee ran to her side. Colleen was still passed out on the floor where Kayla knelt down. Just as I was about to bite the guy that held me a shooting pain shot through my head. My vision blurred. Then slowly my vision started to fade out until blackness consumed me.

Chapter Thirty

Jackson

All
of us guys under one roof, the only one missing was Eli. The guys asked where he was, but it wasn’t my place to tell them. So I just said that he told Shannon he needed to get away for a bit. I felt I owed him that much. After Shannon explained how he’s felt since he had his heart attack, I couldn’t bring myself to treat him that way anymore. Eli deserved to live whatever time he had left without the constant reminder that there was a clock ticking down. No one should have to live like that.

Shannon
was really helping everyone. So were these boys. Sebastian had such a unique take on such normal things that it floored me sometimes that he was only four years old. Atreyu wasn’t left behind in the intelligence department. He understood things that were beyond his years. After watching how Shannon interacts with them, I can understand. She never treated them as if they were too young. The boys were treated at the level their intelligence allowed them.

“Jack!”
Sebastian yelled drawing me out of my thoughts.

“Wow,
look at you! How long did it take you to learn that?”

“Surprisingly
, not long at all. I put him on Secrets and sat with him before he was ready to do it on his own. Secrets has really bonded well with him. It’s almost like they talk to each other.” Tobey said as we watched Sebastian trot around alone.

“Atreyu
likes the cows,” Scott said standing next to me.

“Yeah,
your sister talked me into purchasing some dairy cows. That’s where Atreyu excels at. The calves really love him. He’s really got the knack for milking too. Sebastian tried but he just didn’t like it. He much prefers the horses.” Tobey explains.

“You
guys may have to move to a farm,” Jason jokes.

“Nah,
they can just come out here when they need their farm fix. I don’t see Shannon giving up her parents’ house for anything. It’s a beautiful place too. The city inspector was surprised with all the changes that were made. The value on the house was almost tripled. The bad thing is that her taxes will go up now too.”

“Yeah
that’s the problem with fixing up the outside of your house. We used to tell people to redo the inside of their houses and maintain the outside, but not to upgrade until necessary because of that fact,” Nick said. “The problem was that for Shannon the house had to be overhauled because it had been let go for far too long. We had no choice.”

“I
can’t picture Jax here living on a farm anyway,” Jake teased.

I
laughed. “You’re probably right.”

“Hey
at least they can cook,” Jeff jabbed at Carson.

“Hey
Colleen can, I can’t,” he laughed.

“Kayla
could run circles around you in the kitchen, Jeff. That woman can cook!” Colt pokes.

“Who
do you think taught her?” Jeff tooted his own horn.

“Yeah
well the student has surpassed the teacher,” Joel joked.

We
were all having fun. It was nice having everyone together. We didn’t all get together at one time. Our schedules usually conflicted with at least one or two. So it was nice that this worked out so well. The only thing that would make it better is if Eli was here right now. It would be all the Williams boys together and that hasn’t happened since Kayla’s wedding and before that it was way too long.

“Uncle
Tobey!” Sebastian screamed. “I’m going to pee my pants if I bump one more time. Can you help me down?”

We
all laughed as Tobey went over to help him down. Sebastian immediately ran to the side of the barn and peed. Atreyu screamed for me at the top of his lungs from the porch. It stopped all our hearts cold. Before I even realized I was moving, I was standing in front of Atreyu. He was crying hard.

“No
one was inside. The phone rang,” he was crying and I could barely understand him.

“Roo,
bud, I need to you to calm down. I can’t understand you when you cry and talk at the same time.” I spoke as calmly as possible, even though that is the exact opposite I felt.

“No
one was inside. The phone rang,” he said a little easier to understand.

“It’s
okay that you answered the phone. Who called?”

“Aunt
Kylee,” he sobbed.

My
blood ran cold and I could feel the tension from the guys behind me. “What did she say?”

“They
are at the hospital with Aunt Mary and Aunt Colleen.”

That
was all we needed to hear. Calling Sebastian, I ran to my car loaded the boys in, Jake jumped into my car and we took off. Carson had Colbie in the car and was pulling out right behind me followed shortly by the rest of the guys. It was like a convoy line of cars, all headed in one direction with one purpose to get to our significant other or sister and make sure they are okay.

Scott,
Joel, John and Henry rode with Tobey. It was probably a good thing. Tobey was a wreck just hearing that Mary was in the hospital. They’d already lost one baby because of Kyle Hall. I prayed my sisters were okay and the love of my life. Atreyu was still crying in the back seat. It was enough of a distraction that I stayed away from too consuming of thoughts and fears to stay focused on the road.

We
whipped into parking spaces not really caring how or where we were parked. It was like a herd running together. All of us stormed through the emergency entrance to get answers. The information desk directed us up to the third floor and we all ran to the elevator. The ride was agonizingly long. People tried to board with us but there was no room, thank God.

When
the elevator doors opened, we ran to the nurse’s station. Just as we got out the last name, Kylee called out from a door and we all rushed to her. We stormed through the door like a wrecking ball through a wall. Inside, Mary lay on a bed, sweating and breathing heavy. Tobey ran to her side. Colleen sat semi slumped in a chair. Carson was by her side cradling her in his arms.

Looking
around I saw Kayla being held in Jason’s arms as he rubbed her belly. Kayla’s body was shaking with sobs. I saw Kylee and Mylee being comforted by Colt and Jeff. The one face that I didn’t see sent my heart into a panic. The face that I needed to see was not here.

Before
I could control myself, I yelled, “Where’s Shannon!”

Everyone
stopped and looked around besides my sisters, they all stared at me with tears in their eyes. Colleen got up and walked toward me. She placed her arms on my shoulders. With tears in her eyes, she told me the one thing that caused my knees to give out and a cry so gut wrenching it left my throat scratchy and my lungs depleted of air.

“She
was abducted,” she said softly.

Sebastian
and Atreyu circled their arms around me, but I barely registered it. It was like I was standing outside my body right now. Nothing seemed to be moving at all. Everyone seemed to be just staring at me. Slowly, almost as if off in the distance, I registered soft crying in my ears. Then it slowly dawned on me that the boys were just as scared as me. That thought alone had my focus coming back through my fears.

“Shh,
it’s okay guys.” I tried to give them comfort even though I felt none myself.

“What’s
abducted?” Atreyu said slowly.

“Someone
took her away,” Scott kneeled down next to the boys.

“We’re
going to get her back, right?” Sebastian asked innocently, tears fell down his cheeks.

My
face hardening and anger taking over my body, pushing away the loss and sadness, “Damn straight I am!”

Just
as I stood Mary cried out. With my attention back to the present, I moved to my sister’s side, Tobey on the other. I took her hand in mine. As much as I wanted to run out of here right now, I needed to know my sister was okay. Everything seemed to progress quickly. Soon the doctors were kicking everyone out, but Mary begged for me to stay. With Tobey on one side and me on the other, we helped her bring her baby into the world.

A
piercing strangled cry filled the room and I smiled down at my sister. Tobey was kissing her then stood to see their child. Nurses and doctors worked on the little bundle of joy in the corner of the room. Leaning down, I kissed her forehead tenderly.

“I’m
so proud of you,” I whispered.

Tears
fell down her temples. “Thank you for staying. I know you really want to get to Shannon, well try to find her at least.”

“I’m
glad I was here to welcome another new member of the family,” I assured her.

Finally,
a nurse carried a bundle wrapped tightly in a blanket and set it on Mary’s chest. There was a breathing tube in his nose, but the baby was a spitting image of my sister.

“Say
hello to your son, Mom and Dad,” she says smiling at Tobey and Mary, then stepped back to allow them to see their beautiful bundle of joy.

“Oh,
wow,” Mary breathed.

“He’s
perfect, just like his Mama,” Tobey whispered.

“I’m
sorry Tobey, but I think my sister made this one on her own. There’s no sign of you at all,” I teased lightly.

They
both laughed softly. We all just stared down at this tiny little guy. Another strong male to add to the family, I’m so glad that Mary and Tobey got their family. They deserved it. Tobey was so in love with my sister and I knew he’d care for their child no differently.

“Have
you thought about a name?” I asked breaking the silence.

Mary
looked up at Tobey and he nodded his head. “We want to name him Mitchell Elijah Young.”

Running
my finger down his cheek, fresh tears filled my eyes and threatened to spill over. “Good strong name. Shannon would be honored, so will Eli.” Leaning down, I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “You ready for the others?” I whispered and Mary nodded her head.

Walking
out, I got the family. Mom and Dad had finally arrived to the hospital. We walked back into the room. I hung back so everyone else could get in and see the newest Williams addition. Tobey was now holding him as the boys leaned in to see.

“Wow,
he’s really small,” Atreyu said.

“You
grew that?” Sebastian asked, shocked causing everyone to laugh.

“What’s
his name?” Mom asked.

Tobey
smiles. “Mitchell Elijah Young,” he whispers handing him to my parents.

My
heart both ached and soared in this very moment. Shannon should have been here. She should have been standing right next to me smiling at this beautiful little boy saying how much he looked like Mary or how much of heart breaker he’s going to be. It was the elephant in the room. It was almost palpable.

Sitting
down in a chair, I watched as my family welcomed the new addition. My soul was being pulled out the door. There was this surge to get out of here and find my love was overpowering. Standing I tapped Kylee on the shoulder.

“I
need you to watch the boys for me, please,” I begged.

“Of
course. Go.”

I
kneeled down next to the boys. “I need you to stay with Aunt Kylee okay?”

They
nodded with tears in their eyes. Both of them hugged me, “I love you,” they said at the same time.

“I
love you guys too,” I chocked.

Standing
I started to head for the door. Not knowing exactly what I was going to do or even where to start looking, but damn it I had to do something.

“If
you think you’re leaving without my help, you’re crazy!” Jake said behind me.

“You
don’t…”

“She’s
just as important to us,” Carson said.

“We’re
helping,” Jason stated next.

“Whether
you want it or not,” Jeff crossed his arms over his chest.

“You
can’t take all of us on,” Colt hissed.

“We’ll
be more effective with all of us,” Nick suggested.

Scott,
Joel, John and Henry all stood next to my brothers, crossing their arms and glaring at me too. I didn’t want to drag them in on this, but we did stand a better chance with everyone than just me.

“Fine,
but I’m leaving now to go to the restaurant. Anyone wanting to come needs to come now.”

“Jack,
you know…” Tobey started.

“Tobey,
your place is with my sister and nephew.”

He
nodded and gave me the look that told me he wanted to kill whoever threw Mary into premature labor. I understood his anger, but he needed to be here. Jason walked toward me.