Hostile Resolve - BK3 TPBS 1st Draft Complete

-34-

Not edited. Not so long but I sniffled anyway :( 'the talk' in the next chapter will be posted tomorrow. I've been working on it while doing this one.

Leaving the plane was a welcome relief for all of them. Travelling for hours aboard a plane with a baby who was determined to learn to crawl within the first hour of flight made for a very interesting journey. They'd never been more grateful to Lucas for the charter plane he'd organised. In the beginning Grayson believed it was a bit over the top but with Nicholas finding his way around he was grateful that they were the only passengers!

Nerves really started to kick in as they got closer to his mother. Lucas tried to reassure him that everything was ok, they were expected and welcome but there was no way he could quell the bubbling in his stomach.

Josie was pointing out all the tourist landmarks to Nicholas trying to keep him awake just a little longer. So far successful but with the amount that he was yawning it was obvious to them all that he needed sleep and soon. Perhaps they all did.

He wished he could get the car to slow down. He wished he never decided to make this trip. He wished...

"Just up the road now Grayson."

Lucas was speaking and Grayson snapped back to the present and gave Lucas a single but firm nod.

The car pulling to a halt was unexpected though it wasn't. He looked at the old victorian building and the surprise must have shown on his face as Lucas started to chuckle.

"Not bad huh?"

"Hell!" Grayson shook his head in disbelief. Knowing about them, seeing them on television, reading about them and then seeing one was an almost surreal experience. It was just like taking a step back in time.

Grayson's breath caught as the door opened and an older woman stepped out.

His mum.

He froze to the spot while she made her way to the steps and started the descent towards him.

Josie stood off to the side with Nicholas. She wanted to move towards Grayson and tell him that everything was going to be all right but how could she assure him when she had no idea how things would go herself? Watching the pain on his face made her hate his father even more. He was the reason for so much pain and died without so much as a whisker of reprehension.

Christine looked down the steps at her son and her hands flew to her mouth. This was a moment that she never expected to happen. This was a dream come true.

She dropped her hands to her sides and kept stepping down the steps.

Grayson watched her walk and battled with himself. He wanted to meet her half way but found himself rooted to the spot. He was completely unaware of his surroundings. The only thing in his vision was his mother.

Every step she took he matched with a heavy breath until she was now on the pavement between the steps and the car.

Something burst within him as she took a tentative step closer to him. He started to cry. This moment wasn't something he ever expected to happen but it felt right. For the first time in years he didn't feel hatred or disgust; he felt love.

Whatever it was that changed he found himself able to move again. In two large steps he found himself standing in front of her. She looked up at him and he saw the love she had for him proudky displayed in her eyes. That look... God he missed that look.

His legs buckled and he found himself on his knees with his head buried in her stomach and his arms around her waist. The moment her arms went around his head and shoulders he felt complete.

Over and over he whispered "I'm sorry. So sorry."

Christine cried tears she didn't think she could. She'd cried so much after Lucas called and said they were coming she actually believed the reserves were dry. Obviously not because here she was holding her son for the first time in nearly two decades.

As they watched on, Josie and Lucas now stood together. Lucas had his arm wrapped around Josie's shoulder as tears streamed down both their faces.

Nicholas started to protest at the lack of movement and Grayson pulled himself together and stood up. He looked at his mother and wiped away her tears just as she did for him.

"I'm so happy you're here Grayson"

"I'm so sorry. If I'd known... if I'd listened..."

"Shhh... we can talk later about all that. Right now I see a little man who looks just like you"

There was a twinkle in her eye as she said the words.

"Mum" he choked, he'd gotten used to calling her mother "come and meet your grandson."

He led her over to where Josie and Lucas were standing with a grumbly Nicholas.

"Hey Mum" Lucas stepped forward and gave Christine a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping back again.

"Hey Mrs Porter..." Josie started.

"Christine please... or Mum... You're family after all."

Josie smiled and immediately felt the love that this woman had to give.

"Mum... this is Nicholas."

Christine blinked her eyes for a moment and Josie grimaced.

"If I'd known..."

"Hush now. It's just a name. We can work around that...  Can't we little man..." she reached for Nicholas who hated strangers but quite happily snuggled into his Grandmother's arms.

Christine turned and took Grayson by the arm "Let's go inside."