DRAGONJULS Storybook
Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: See Part One
Part 13
Chapter Twenty-one
Jace was happily settling Elena in her crib and soothing the child, who she knew would be asleep shortly, her child loved to sleep it would seem. Grace had departed with Colin to see the movie in town and they would eat while they were out. Jake and Lisa had finished their respective homework and no doubt would be plaguing the life out of Faith and Judy for cookies before they went to bed. They usually had a quiet half hour in the kitchen with a hot drink before the bedtime story session and tonight it was Jace's turn to read the book, unfortunately the last one was finished and they needed a new one. Watching her daughter blink back with drooping eyelids, she smiled and thought it was time to make her peace with her own family. A year was way to long for a stupid misunderstanding to continue and she missed her family, especially her father. 'Dad you're going to love your granddaughter when you see her and I want that to be sooner rather than later. I wonder what will mom think, she doesn't look old enough to be a grandmother!' Jace chuckled at the thought.
Elena was now sleeping soundly and Jace checked that the baby monitor was working as she slipped quietly out of the room and down the stairs to the others.
**********
Catherine had decided that she would enlist the aid of Enricho Garcia the VP in South America to take over temporary custody of the operation in North America until Constance was fit enough to take back her role.
Catherine had called him and he had done exactly as she'd advised him, prepared someone to take over from him in the event of any unforeseen absence, there should always be a capable second in command. The fact that her second and his ultimate second were both decommissioned made life a little more difficult. Nevertheless, Enricho although nervous about the prospect, did not shirk from the confidence his employer obviously had in him. Enricho was now on his way and that meant she could go home, if only for weeks at a time and then keep going back intermittently until her staffing problems had been resolved.
Pacing around the room she was anxious to get home, she needed to hold Jace and feel the love that the woman had for her, it settled the aggressive streak she had when she settled into this persona of Catherine Devonshire. Her whole attitude became that of a predator and her personality changed accordingly, nothing was safe if she wanted it badly enough. In all the hours she'd spent with Jace, the wary and uncomfortable sensations were felt at times depending on the situation but the dangerous aggressive nature of the beast never showed it's ugly head. It was a peaceful feeling that overcame her whole body, when she was in the same room as Jace, they didn't even need to touch. An excitement and electricity that burst forth when they did touch and it was the simplest of endearments that triggered the racing of her heart. Sight wasn't ever going to impinge on her feelings; they were basic to her very existence now. No, sight would only paint the memory she had with more colour. If her life had to forever hold the remarkable picture she had today, then she was the lucky one; Jace would never grow old in her eyes. She would always be as her soul projected her, the lovely blonde, compassionate, happy, with mesmerising green eyes that she would always recall with love and passion for her and her alone. Did you need anything else in life, no I think not! I'm coming home my love sooner than you think, this time I'm going to surprise you with my presence.
**********
Colin and Grace strolled the few hundred yards to the movie theatre in quiet retrospective, hands linked but words unnecessary. That had been the most amazing feeling when Grace was with Colin, the fact that they didn't need to communicate verbally, a touch or a glance usually said it all and more. They had accepted the way they felt went beyond simple attraction but neither wanted the magic of the moments they shared together being spoiled with any reference to a deeper meaning, they were going to see how things panned out, at least until Catherine returned home.
Grace glance at Colin's strong profile, he was smiling at something and she couldn't help but smile along with him, he looked so relaxed and happy. 'Guess maybe this love thing has got something going for it.'
"Have you completed all the security arrangements that Catherine wanted on the ranch?" Grace asked him. He had diligently explained the precautions and discussed the overall schematics to Grace in detail. She felt the need for the extra precaution after the events in New York also; however, in Grace's mind it hadn't been prudent to worry Jace about it.
Colin looked down at her and carried her hand to his lips in a light kiss and smiled gently at her. "Yes, they are finished, but we have a perimeter break and the contractors can't come until the morning, I checked it out and it looks like one of the horses strayed near the fence. But, you can't be to careful, so I've posted one of the men there this evening. Catherine would kill me if anything happened to the family because of that breech."
Grace looked at him ruefully and reached up and placed a tender kiss on his lips, "Yeah, she would and I don't think a good word from me would help either, she can get kind of demonic when she's angry and upset. Although other than it being yourself going up there tonight, I don't think you could do much more, could you?"
"Not really and I would have gone this evening if you hadn't agreed to come to the movie, I know it sounds strange but I have a gut feeling that something is about to happen, just not sure what!" Colin gave her a wry grin and shrugged his shoulders.
Grace gave him a concerned look and stopped walking and held his hand and looked at the palm with fixed interest. "You going to read my palm now Grace?" Colin chuckled at her concentrated glance.
"What? No, no I was thinking that's all," Grace said absently.
Colin placed his arms around her shoulders and pulled her in for a sympathetic hug. "You worry too much Grace, but I love you for it and so does Catherine and Jace. How about we skip the movie and have something to eat and go home early, then we can both feel better about the security, what do you say?"
Looking into his grey eyes she affectionately replied, "Oh I think that's one of the best propositions I've had all day," reaching up to kiss him passionately this time, leaving no doubt in Colin's mind what going home early would mean.
Finally breaking for air, Colin tugged at her hand and they ran crunching through the snow back to the Land Rover, thoughts definitely not on food.
**********
Jace sat in her usual seat at the kitchen table with Lisa and Jake opposite her, and Faith to her right with Judy preparing the hot drinks to settle everyone down for the evening.
"Okay you two, which story is it to be tonight?" Jace placed her hands down on the table and contemplated them with a happy smile on her face.
"Lisa can chose, I picked the last one we all read." Jake turned to Lisa and saw her scowl as she really hated choosing the story, but loved every minute of each one.
"But Jake, you know I can never remember the titles!" Lisa returned his stare with one of her own, with her eyes beseeching him to choose.
"Not this time Lisa, you make me chose all the time, it's definitely your turn," the boy answered adamantly.
"That's not fair, I hate you Jake!" Lisa wailed and looked at the amused Jace across the table, her eyes filling with tears of laughter.
"You're not supposed to laugh Jace," the girl accused.
"Hey darling, no I wasn't, but come on, you don't hate Jake now do you?" Jace asked the child gently.
Lisa scowled at Jake and pulled her tongue out, and refused to answer the question. "I want the first story that Catherine ever told us, it was about a boy and girl like us and they had our names too!"
Jace chuckled and turned to Faith and they both smiled at the child's choice. "Well, that shouldn't be too difficult to find now should it? Jake do you want to go to the study and find the book for me please?"
Jake shook his head at her.
"No, you won't go for the book?" Jace was shocked it wasn't like the boy to refuse such a request.
"No, I would go for the book but it's not in the study." Jake said, assuming she would understand.
"Where is it then?" Jace persisted; surely it hadn't been lost, not in this house. Books were a cherished possession for every one of them.
"Didn't she tell you?" Jake smiled, pleased and proud he had a secret that Catherine hadn't shared with Jace.
"Didn't who tell me?" Jace was perplexed now. 'What was the boy talking about?'
"Catherine has it," he finally explained.
"No! She doesn't! I've seen the book in the study, you just don't want to hear it because you didn't like what happened in some of the chapters." Lisa accused him, her childish anger now reaching another level with the older boy.
"I most certainly did like the story, it had a happy ending." Jake countered a little angrily.
"Okay, time out people. Explain Jake?" Jace finally lifted her hand and called a halt to their bickering.
"Catherine made the story up, she wanted us to feel a part of the story so she made it up." Jake looked at the expressions around the table. Jace looked surprised, Lisa looked upset, Faith shook her head at the thought of the mysterious Mrs. Warriorson going to that depth to tell children stories. Judy grinned at them all, didn't sound like her tall enigmatic employer at all, more like something Jace would attempt.
"You're serious aren't you Jake?" Jace whispered once she'd gathered her thoughts, another unexpected facet of her lover having been revealed.
"Yes, I asked her one night where the story was in the book she was reading to us, she said something about it being in another book, but I knew better and she never denied it, just smiled. Catherine made up the story for us, only Catherine can tell that story!" Jake said importantly.
Lisa started to cry, "But I wanted to hear it tonight."
Jace looked across at the child, "I'd love to hear it myself Lisa, but Jake's right, only Catherine can tell the story. How about when she gets home we ask her to tell it again, what do you say?"
Lisa gulped back her tears and gave Jace a watery smile and nodded her head. "Jace? Can she tell the story even if she's blind?" The girl looked at her with a questioning regard.
Jace almost shed a few tears herself, "Sure she can darling, it's all in the mind and Catherine can picture the story in her head. She doesn't need her eyes to read anything, all she needs is her imagination."
"Well, in that case she can tell us other stories too! I love the way she speaks all the different voices." Lisa replied with childish logic.
"Ah, shall we get the first story out of the way before we ask her that one, but you never know." Jace answered and looked out of the window to the clear night sky that heralded a colder weather front. 'Now that's a new one Catherine, you could have been participating in our story sessions all those months, shame on you,' a stupid grin planted itself on Jace's face. "How about I read 'Huckleberry Finn' to you, that should keep us occupied for a while."
Both children agreed and Jake went out to the study to fetch the book.
**********
Catherine sat restlessly in the chair in Constance's apartment with Rio at her feet she'd arrived the hour before and was surprised that Constance was alone. Normally Clare or Danni would be around, not today.
"How are the sessions with Danni going?" Catherine asked the woman who was seated to her left, turning her head in that direction.
"Sessions are great she's very good, never lets you get away with anything." Constance replied, but guardedly.
Catherine noted the guarded tone, "She never did me either, and she's an excellent physio, Clare enjoying the sessions too?"
Constance wasn't sure what to say. "She gave up after the second session, they argued about something or other and Clare refused to attend again, I've seen little of her since."
"You don't know what they argued about, the therapy maybe?" Catherine asked and pursed her lips in concentration.
"No, neither would say, but Clare and Danni are antagonistic to each other so I think Clare decided to stay away." Constance sighed heavily.
"That doesn't sound good to me, how is Danni otherwise?" Catherine had an idea what was going on.
"She's very attentive," the reply barely audible.
"I can remove her and replace her with someone else if she's overstepping appropriate boundaries with you Constance, I've had enough of her shenanigans to last me a life time." Catherine sighed at the remembered news report.
"No, that's okay, Danni just isn't the person I'd prefer to have around that's all." Constance finally answered having waited a few minutes to reply.
"Well, I have to leave in an hour for the airport, if you want me to take her with me I will. I've only arranged for her to stay another month and then you can perhaps use someone in the city, Danni O'Neil off my payroll for good is something I'm going to welcome in the very near future."
"When will Enricho arrive?" Constance changed the subject.
"He arrived a couple of hours before I came here, should be doing the rounds with Rita and Clare, to be honest they're about the only ones I trust in New York at the moment. When you have it back under control.......assuming you want to continue to work for me? I realise that the trauma of the shooting might have given you second thoughts." Catherine gave Constance a glance that the receiver would have sworn seared the soul.
"Of course, you don't think some disturbed idiot is going to stop my career do you; I'm only young once after all and I want more!" Constance became excited at the prospect of going back to work.
"Pleased to hear it, actually I was going to ask you about that particular point, thought it might be a few months down the road, however having mentioned career prospects, how would you feel about taking over for Paul?" Catherine said the words slowly and precisely.
"Me?" a squeak of a voice replied.
Catherine gave a throaty laugh and Rio lifted his head at the unexpected sound from his mistress. "Is there anyone else in the room with us?"
"No, I'm sorry, but I guess I wasn't expecting that!" Constance looked at the tall woman reclining with a relaxed pose in her armchair.
"Paul had you down as a valid replacement, my faith in his judgement did not end at his death; and it enforced some of his commitment in people rather than detracted from it. He would have been pleased that I've followed his advice; he respected you far more than you probably realised." Catherine replied softly.
"You miss him more than you show to the world don't you?" Constance saw the shuffle of the woman in the chair as if she was uncomfortable with her feelings.
"Miss him, that seems a lukewarm expression for how much of a hole he's left in my life. He taught me everything about Xianthos when I first held the reigns after my father died. He was a father figure in the business world for me and he became a great personal friend along the way also! And yet I never really knew much about him until a year or so ago, he was just always there for me, but wanted nothing back in exchange. So, the answer is yes, but it doesn't cover half of what I felt for the man and what I still feel for him. Does that answer your question Constance?" Catherine realised that actually talking about Paul for the first time helped in a strange way and she was grateful to the woman in the room with her for that.
"Yes, I hope I can help you in the future with Xianthos and I'd be honoured to assume the position, but I have one condition." Constance asked.
"Go ahead?" Catherine tilted her head to the side in a listening mode.
"I will remain in New York and run the operation from here, we can replace the VP when we find a suitable candidate. That way we maintain control easily and reassure our market analyst friends. Is that agreeable with you?" Constance watched tiny lines crinkle at the side of her eyes.
"I would welcome that prospect, it will mean that I can stay at home for longer periods, although this time around Constance I will have the final say on all strategic and potentially dangerous decisions. It was foolish of me to ask anyone else to undertake that role for me. My employees, my buildings, therefore my responsibility! This time around I will ensure that I am responsible," Catherine advised bluntly.
"No problem there, I always wondered about that finality when you choose to delegate total control to Paul, especially since you appeared to manage okay with the major decisions from New Zealand previously." Constance responded with interest.
"I thought by removing myself totally from the arena I could get on with my life, all it accomplished was create more difficulties for me. This way I can manage how much time I spend on the corporation and still have my family life intact," Catherine smiled ruefully.
"I'll try not to worry you to much." Constance replied quietly but earnestly.
"Good! One more thing, I want you and Clare to set up Gareth in New York in two weeks time, that won't cause any suspicion, then we will close the trap on the bastard; I'll be back to do that personally." Catherine gave an evil grin.
"Aren't you leaving this situation a little long? I thought you would be going to Africa and confronting him immediately and put the arrogant excuse for a man in prison for years?" Constance was surprised.
"The damage has already been done Constance, he's the hacker alright but the person behind all this, is still unknown. I want to be with my family now! If something is going to go down with my family, I want to be there in the thick of it and I feel like I am running out of time." Catherine gracefully stood up to her six-foot height as Rio stood at the same moment.
"I see. Can you stop something from happening at home?"
"Maybe, maybe not, but I'm going to give it my best effort that's for sure. Time I went to the airport Constance; I'm not looking forward to the sixteen hour flight time but I'm sure looking forward to the end result of it." Catherine held out her hand to the other woman who shook it briskly.
"Safe journey Catherine, and I wish you luck." Constance said sincerely.
"Thanks, you too." Catherine moved towards the outer door and then turned and faced Constance. "If I was you I would ring the party you'd rather have the company of other than Danni. You never know, it might just be what they want too," she opened the door and left the apartment.
Constance looked at the receding figure going towards the elevator and gave her a quirky smile she missed nothing, nothing at all! 'He loved you too Catherine, pity it had to end so tragically,' with that thought she closed her door and contemplated a phone call.
**********
Jake was taking his time in getting the book, surely he could see it, Jace considered going after him but decided to wait a few more minutes.
Faith was having her ears bent remorselessly by an animated Lisa, about some anecdote from her school adventures as she called them. The child had a wonderful imagination and it was amusing to listen to her most of the time.
Judy was ready to dish out the drinks and the cookies for the story telling session. She would then retire to her room until the morning, it was a busy house and although she had enjoyed the challenge, she knew at times it got to her how much she had to work to achieve even the smallest of tasks on certain days.
Jace heard a commotion in the hall and thought that Jake must have dropped the book on his way back, smiling she listened intently at the baby monitor equipment but it was silent, the disturbance hadn't awakened her daughter at all.
Suddenly the door from the hall to the kitchen was kicked open with a resounding thud and three armed masked figures moved swiftly into the room and ensured that all the exits were covered.
Faith screamed and held Lisa in a tight hold, the child looking frightened and tearful, Judy backed herself up against the oven and looked terrified at the intrusion. Jace looked at the three unexpected 'visitors' but kept her mind alert, 'Where was Jake?'
Several staccato instructions were given by the largest figure, all three were dressed in black and the black ski masks just gave credence to their menacing presence. First impressions would have the action down as a robbery but the largest person of the three finally turned to the original occupants of the room and spoke in a heavily accented voice. "Jace Bardley."
Faith looked at her and tears cursed down the older woman's face, she had never been so scared in her life; she'd always lived in the relative security of having a police officer in the family, this was totally alien to her.
The lead masked figure looked impatiently over the two younger women and went over to Judy and stroked a finger down her cheek and the cold flint like eyes that were seen through the slits of the mask, made Judy shiver in terror. "Are you Jace Bardley?" the voice echoed softly in her ear but it wasn't gentle it was totally devoid of emotion.
Jace decided that intimidating the others wouldn't achieve anything, "I'm Jace Bardley, where's my boy?" her defiant spirit coming to the front.
The large figure gave a cold laugh and tapped a finger hard on the bridge of Judy's nose, causing her to cry out with the pain. Walking slowly with evil intent over to Jace, the figure looked her up and down insolently. "So you're Jace Bardley? I believe someone very dear to us both will do anything for you is that correct?"
"I wouldn't know anyone who would possibly hold you dear that I care about, and you never answered me, where's my son?" Jace was annoyed now more than terrified, she wanted to see Jake.
"Ah, that's were you're wrong Jace, may I call you Jace?" The figure asked and Jace didn't deem it fitted a reply. "You live with Catherine Devonshire isn't that right? The boy is no longer of concern." The figure moved closer to Jace to see her reaction.
"What do you mean the boy is no longer of concern? What have you done to him? So help me if you've hurt him I'll.....I'll hurt you myself," Jace finished off desperately.
All three figures laughed at the aggressive nature of the small blonde, who wouldn't have been a physical match for any one of them, never mind all three. "That would be interesting as I have the guns on my side and even if I didn't have the weapons, you are a little small to put up a good fight I suspect." The leader placed a pistol into her face and Faith sucked in a breath at the action and pulled Lisa closer to her to avoid her seeing the violent gesture.
"I would try! Where's my boy, I want to see him?" Jace demanded, she wasn't sure if she was being suicidal or not, but if they have already hurt Jake what of the chances for the others.
"Enough of this! You will come with me now I have no more time to spare, get a coat for her!" The leader pointed at Judy, who went out into the hall being closely followed by one of the other masked figures. Closing in on the hall coat rack, she saw the sprawled legs of Jake turned in an awkward position, his face down against the wooden floor and blood coming from his nose.'Jesus have they killed him?' Judy's stomach turned at the possibility, almost stumbling with the nausea that threatened. Picking up Jace's heavy outer coat, she turned back and walked towards the kitchen, wanting only to go down on her knees to check on the boy.
Judy handed the coat to Jace and gave her an agonised look, her tears followed closely, Jace saw the expression and her heart went into her mouth and her stomach churned at a tremendous speed. 'The bastards have hurt him, they have maybe killed him, Hades, what will Catherine say or do?' her mind closing in on her lover and the turmoil this would cause. Silently with tears drenching her cheeks, she turned towards Faith and mouthed take care of them for me, all of them!
Faith nodded her understanding and received a slap from the leader. "There will be no communication here unless I say." Taking Jace roughly by the shoulder, she was shoved back towards the hall and on her way out she saw the unconscious form of her boy and the tears fell more profusely. Jake had probably challenged them. Something he knew Catherine would do and he was in many ways Catherine's son, even if she hadn't given birth to him or reared him most of his life. His life had started again on 'Destiny' and the boy had, known it, if that was to be his epitaph then he'd become the hero that he always dreamed about; just like his new 'mother' had been in his eyes. 'But you're not dead Jake, you're not, Catherine won't let you die, not like this, not for something this stupid!' Jace prayed for her family and for Catherine to come home and solve it all for them.
As a parting gesture the leader walked over to Judy and whispered insolently into her ear again, two words in German. Judy looked at the figure and paled even more than she had before, the leader strode out after the others.
**********
Catherine was on the private jet ready to leave for Christchurch, they were waiting for final instructions from the tower and then would be on their way.
Catherine stroked Rio's ears as he rested his head on her lap and was in the seat next to her, it was a wonderful luxury of having her own private jet, and no one could say anything about her dog. Dave the steward on board asked if she wanted any refreshments during taxing; she declined and he went to belt himself in readiness for the take-off. Continuing her idle stroking of Rio, which she found eminently soothing, it had helped her numerous times in the last few weeks, particularly that sorry episode with her security personal. She'd talked to the lawyers, but between them decided that making a clean break and leaving it at that was perhaps a very lenient option; or Catherine had to many other things to do and having to wade through that crap would be a waste of precious effort on her behalf.
Now she was relaxed and patiently waiting for this final stretch to be over. She could
ring Colin and secretly arrange for her to turn up at 'Destiny' and surprise Jace and the
children, yeah that would be a good way to come home after all the problems. Susan had
been sorry to see her go and discussed briefly her plans regarding retiring.
"Catherine, you have new horizons to follow now, the apartment will always be just a stepping stone, it was never and I doubt it will ever be a true home for you my dear. Let me retire gracefully and you can have someone else come and take care of the apartment on a casual basis when you don't need it." Susan had gently said on their last evening together.
"Susan I don't want anyone else to look after my property in New York, I trust you. I'll be here more often in the future and it's large enough for the children too, we could make it our second home. Will you please reconsider?" Catherine pleaded yet another blow to what once was a very ordered life.
"Your daddy employed me twenty-five years ago and I've enjoyed working with the family but it's time to move on for me also! You know if you ever truly need me I will come, you only have to ask?" Susan wiped an errant tear from her eyes as she looked at the solemn expression on the younger woman's face. She remembered the first day that Catherine had walked into her life, was it really eight years ago, how time flies.
"Susan that offer goes both ways if you ever need anything from me, please don't hesitate to ask, although I would like you to meet my family if only once, what do you say about a visit to New Zealand at Christmas?"
Susan beamed at the invitation, "I'll be there, and I heard you always liked and enjoyed the Christmas concept?"
Catherine looked at her in surprise and raised her left eyebrow in question. "Who would tell you a thing like that?"
"Is it true?" Susan smiled at the puzzled look on her face.
"Yes, Susan it's true, can't sleep in late even now, just got to open those presents." Catherine replied her expression sheepish.
"That I have to see and this year I guess you get more presents too with your family increasing."
"Yes I suppose you're right, I hadn't thought about it, to far away yet. So who spilled the beans on me? Paul or was it Grace, when you've called the ranch?" Catherine was intrigued now.
Susan looked at the woman and smiled briefly, "Your father would you believe?" She waited for the ballistic missile to explode; it usually did referring to her father.
"He did? I'm surprised, he remembered anything at all about us as children, and he was rarely there!" Catherine spoke quietly. A fleeting memory of all the family together on that last ever Christmas they'd enjoyed before her mother died the following year. It had been jolly. Her father had played for hours with Lucas and his 'Lego' producing building after building until they had a small town. He'd even spent a couple of hours with her seated on his lap reading from one of her new novels, imitating the voices to perfection, an art she had learned from him and had reason now in later life to be grateful for that particular skill.
"He said you could never resist getting up early and that was even before the first strands of daylight broke in the night sky. He was often alone at that time of the year, said it was only worth celebrating with family and close friends." Susan looked at the memories flashing across her countenance.
"He should have come home then," Catherine said finally.
"Perhaps he should, but you know why he didn't don't you Catherine?" Susan asked her seriously.
Catherine paused in thought and nodded her head. "I never did for years, but I do now! Because I think I would do exactly the same, god help me but I hope it never happens any time soon." Catherine replied with feeling.
Catherine held onto Rio as the plane taxied down the runway and eventually took off, she was on her way home and peace at last or for a short time at least she hoped.
**********
Grace was laughing hard at a comment Colin had relayed about one of the ranch hands and then noticed the police vehicle at the gates of 'Destiny'. "What the hell Colin?"
Colin drew the vehicle up to the gates and was asked to identify himself. They both did, but had to wait for the officer to relay the message to a superior and he nodded his head at them to proceed. Not wasting any precious seconds, Colin put his foot down and sped the rest of the way towards the house.
Lights were blazing in just about every room in the main house, several police vehicles were scattered around and an ambulance was outside the porch area leading to the main entrance.
"Christ what's gone on here Colin? We have only been gone about three hours at the most," Grace cried out in anguish and jumped out ignoring the pain in her leg as she ran up the stairs to be stopped by a police officer again. "Let me go you bastard I live here!"
The officer calmly moved out of her way and she shot off into the hall and watched as paramedics were working on a body close to the coat rack. Taking a deep breath she looked towards the doorway and the ashen face of her mother "Mom what's going on?"
Faith looked at her daughter, went forward and burst into tears on her daughter's shoulder. Colin came up behind them and bent down to see who was the victim. "They've taken her Grace and they hurt Jake badly. What are we going to do? It was horrible, horrible if only your father were alive!" The words were almost incoherent.
"Mom, who have they taken and who are they?" Grace whispered soothingly into her mother's ear, her own tears trailing down her cheeks.
"Jace, they came for her and took her; she was upset about Jake, and she must think he's dead the poor child." Faith eventually muttered.
"Okay, I've got that, where's Lisa and Elena?" Grace asked gently.
"Judy is with the other children, Elena is still asleep but Lisa is distraught she thinks Jake is dead too and she'd argued with him before he went out to the hall; she wont stop crying." Faith sobbed and was held closer by her daughter.
"Colin how is Jake?" Grace turned slightly to ask the fated question.
"They've stabilised him; seems he has been hit with something hard to the front of his head, could have a fractured skull and looks like one of his legs is broken. They're about ready to take him to the hospital, do you want to go with him or shall I?" Colin wasn't sure what she wanted to do.
"I need to see Lisa first, tell them I'll follow closely behind, you better go and find out what the police know, we have to tell Catherine too!" No one was going to relish being the bearer of that news.
"Right, I'll get to that." Colin gave her a weak expression and touched a hand to her face gently and mouthed 'I love you,' and followed the medics out with Jake on a stretcher.
Grace took heart from his words. She gently disengaged from her mother, walking slowly with her to the lounge where Judy had Lisa in her arms rocking her gently as the child sobbed continuously. Elena was sleeping soundly in the second crib they had downstairs. When Grace moved into the room, Lisa saw her and rushed out of Judy's lap and flung herself at the woman who was part of her family.
"Aunt Grace, Jake's dead and Jace is with bad men and I told Jake I hated him and I don't aunt Grace, I don't, I love him and I want him to know that!" The child said everything in a rush of emotional words and tears.
"Lisa honey, Jake isn't dead, he's not very well that's true and he's not going to play soccer again for a while but he's alive. Tomorrow maybe you can tell him you love him Lisa, what do you say?" Grace had picked up the petite bundle and held her close, whispering soothingly into her ear.
Lisa turned red-rimmed eyes to one of her protectors and she gulped back more floods of tears, "You sure Grace?"
"Would I lie to you Princess? Catherine would be mad at me if I did." Grace smiled at the child, who looked at her uncertainly.
"Can I really see him tomorrow and Jace too!" Lisa looked at her with complete trust, Grace swallowed hard at the last part of the question.
"I'm going to stay with him tonight at the hospital and Colin will bring you during the day if the doctors say he can have visitors, what do you say?" Grace held her breath.
Lisa nodded. "What about Jace, she will have to come home, Elena needs feeding soon."
"Well, Lisa, Jace had to go with the bad people but the police will get her back, and Catherine is sure to come home too!" Grace didn't know what to say, but didn't want to lie blatantly to the child either.
"Oh, if Catherine comes home, it will be okay, she'll find Jace for us, don't you worry Grace?" Lisa turned the tables on her from being the one soothing to the one soothed, it was bizarre.
Grace clutched the child closer and kissed her head, "I hope so Lisa I surely do. I have to go now Princess, my Mom and Judy will look after you for the rest of tonight. Tomorrow everything will be a little better, just you wait and see."
Lisa kissed her cheek and was gently deposited back on ground level, still holding Grace's hand. Moving over to the crib, Grace looked at the serene features of Jace's baby and wondered who the hell had perpetrated this little nightmare; could it be her ex? Or was it even more sinister, only time would tell.
Gently caressing the smooth cheek of the baby, a single tear dropped onto the blanket and Grace let go of Lisa's hand to brush her hand over her eyes to stop the flow. Turning to her Mother and Judy, she told them her plans to go be with Jake at the hospital, and that Colin was talking to the police and he would let them know what was going on as soon as possible.
Smiling weakly at them, she left the room and grabbed her keys and went to the jeep and the lonely vigil at the hospital bed of a very brave boy, because sure as hell he didn't get injuries like that for nothing.
Her mind refused to think about Catherine. She would call her from the hospital when she had more news of Jake, and hopefully good news about Jace!
Continued in Part 14
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