Food

Annika

Maybe it was not fair to go behind Creighton’s back after how he had defended me in front of his family but I couldn’t leave the situation like this. Especially when it was my fault to begin with. I understood and empathized with everyone. Was it still hurtful? Of course, I was still human but still, it was comprehensible. So when Elsa reached out to me and asked me to come over, I was more than happy to oblige. We understood without having to word it that the men didn’t have to know about our meeting yet. It was natural I guess when you dated a King man that you prepare and organize everything before you let them enter a space or situation. Creighton was mute about the happenings from two weeks ago. Our flight was scheduled for tomorrow but I refused to leave without fixing this situation. I already kept him away from his family for a long time and I just didn’t feel comfortable to be the reason for yet another unknown period of time. I knew how much he loved his parents and how strong his bond was with his mother. He hated to be pitied but I hated to see him so ignorant about his own feelings. He tends to get angry when trying to be pushed for a conversation especially when it’s about his own feelings. Over the time in our relationship I have to admit it got better and I watched him multiple times trying to adjust and better his behavior for me. And I also knew how positively it effected him. So naturally I didn’t want to lose all the efforts we made.

I rang the bell knowing that Elsa was alone today. She had mentioned that Aiden was at work and Eli and Ava were out so we would have the space for us. She opened almost immediately as if she was waiting close by and smiled warmly at me. „Annika, I’m happy you were able to make it“

I greeted her back with a bright yet unsure smile, the memories from two weeks ago flashing before my eyes. I stepped inside and handed her my purple thin jacket she asked for. It was spring and it was warm in London yet it was still.. England. I was glad that Creighton told me to pack a jacket since it was chilly at times. We went to the kitchen where Elsa offered me to sit at the high kitchen island on one of the bar stools. I watched her silently prepare tea for us as I fumbled with my phones pink fluffy ball that was hanging as an accessory on it. It was silent, not tensed but awkward as I could imagine that Elsa also was thinking about the past happenings. She put the fancy tea cup, that had purple Lillie’s on it, in front of me, making me smile brightly at the thought. She gave me a knowing smile before grabbing her on cup and sitting across from me. We stirred our tea for a moment, both waiting for the other to start.

Thankfully Elsa took the lead and started first.

„How did you get rid of Creigh?“, she asked with a slightly amused undertone. I smiled slyly.

„Told him that I lost my wristband in the lobby“

After we stormed off from the Kings house Creighton booked us a fancy hotel. Truth to be told I never considered Creighton as someone who flaunts with money so when we first entered the room I was a bit taken aback. Not because it was so unusual for me - thanks to my parents I had seen quite some hotel rooms - but because it was Creighton who chose it. Later on I figured out that the only reason he chose that hotel was because there were multiple opportunities for him to fuck me. No kidding, he got incredibly creative on the balcony, in the shower with multiple shower heads and even on the minibar. His excuse for staying this long was that he wasn’t done yet but I knew that he was procrastinating because he didn’t want to leave his parents like this either. School started after the short spring break two days ago. Ava told me that her and Eli were still here as well. She also said that she felt like Eli wanted to reconcile and was just waiting for something to happen. Of course would the older King brother not leave before making his little baby brother happy again. I just hoped that meanwhile Cecily was able to control and distract my brother until I was back. He obviously didn’t like me missing school to hang out with my boyfriend but I assured him that it was necessary and important. Since Jeremy was with Cecily and we had open communications and more trust in my ability as a big girl, my brother tried to trust me more and I appreciated the effort. He still didn’t approve but he didn’t try to stop me either. 

„And he is still waiting?“ Elsa asked interrupting my thoughts. I shrugged my shoulders. „Probably going insane by now. Especially because I turned my phone off“

She looked at me first shocked and I almost felt guilty as I remembered how I already hurt her son once before but before I could apologize Elsa started laughing. 

„I can’t even blame you, they are clingy like that. You practically didn’t have another choice“ 

I joined her and chuckled before I took a sip from my tea.

„Annika“ she started and I heard the seriousness laced in her voice. I automatically straightened.

„I have to apologize“ I blinked at her confused.

„Creighton was right. I was still hurt from the past and without even realizing it I let it out on you. I thought I had forgiven you but … maybe there is still something that makes me a little bit petty?!“ her voice raised in the end as if she was questioning it herself. She shook her head sighing. „Creighton, truly, was my first love at first sight, you know.“ She smiled fondly at the memory. „With his father I fell in love over time, with his brother, it was natural and establishing with every day. With him though..“ she looked at the ceiling and I could see that she was trying to keep her tears from falling. „Creighton came into my life when I needed him the most. I really wanted to have more children but couldn’t because of my heart condition. A condition that lead back to a dark past. So I was reminded every time that my wish of having more children would be denied and connected to very painful memories. Then suddenly.. Creighton came around. Gosh, he was so perfect and beautiful“ A single tear ran down her cheek and I couldn’t help my own tears from welling up. I loved my mum to death but I knew that she suffered in her motherhood, especially with Jeremy. She wasn’t always a great mother to him… so seeing Elsa so desperately wanting to be a loving and devoted mum for her sons inspired me. Warmed my heart. „I was connected to him not by blood but by heart the moments our eyes met. His struggles, his pain, his sadness were mine as well“ She sniffed and chuckled embarrassed, wiping her tears. „I’m sorry“

„No, please… You’re a wonderful mother, Elsa. He is so lucky to have you“

I placed a hand on hers which she covered with her other palm.

„And I’m sorry. For what I did“ I couldn’t help some tears from escaping myself.

„I never ever held it against you for how you felt. How anyone felt who loved Creighton. Him choosing me doesn’t mean that it is normal for you too. You’re hurt. And his love for me might’ve made him forgive me over what happened but it’s not the same with you guys.“ I let out a long breath. „I hurt your son, almost killing him Elsa. I deserve the treatment“

Elsa shook her head, gripping my hand tightly.

„What you deserve is a second chance, like everyone else. Like Creighton, when he survived that fire to be with us. Like me, who had almost died but came away with a heart condition“ She reached out and cradled my cheeks, wiping my tears in a motherly way.

„You know, it was never fair of me that I never asked you what happened. I know the story, what had went down and how you did… what you did, but I never heard it from your perspective. Would you please tell me?“

I managed a small smile and nod at her request. I appreciated how much she tried and who was I to deny it when she tried to be better and fix this relationship. The memories of what had happened were still hurtful and I think they would hurt for a long time but maybe I could share my pain with Elsa this time. So I told her. How I never knew Creighton’s past, didn’t know about his revenge and that we were both taken aback by the truth. How I saw him, strangling my brother, threatening him, how he was close to killing him. How I begged him to stop and how I couldn’t lose my brother nor the boy I loved. How I pulled the trigger to stop the madness.I even told her from the encounter later on the island with my dad and how Creighton had changed prior, eaten alive by hate and revenge. I told her how I chose myself instead of hurting either one of them because Creighton wasn’t secondary. He was my heart, a part of me. When I stopped talking I was hysterically crying in Elsa’s arm who was silently crying with me. She was stroking my hair like a loving mother and softly swayed with me from side to side.

I sniffed after a few moments, regaining my voice again before I leaned back.

„I apologize“ I mumbled bashfully. I didn’t expect the memories to hit me like they did and I felt guilty crying when Elsa just opened up about how much he loved Creigh and how I almost took that from her.

She shook her hand with a soft smile. Cupping my cheek and stroking it with her thump in a endearing way.

„No, I apologize for not caring about your feelings“

My face crumbled at that and I couldn’t help but crash against Elsa’s chest now and hold onto her for dear life. Only in that moment I realized how unresolved the past was due to the fact that I didn’t get everyone’s forgiveness. My decision didn’t just effect me and Creigh, it effected everyone who loved and care for us. My family stood by me, my friends came around and forgave me. But Creighs family… we never had the chance to talk about said issue in detail. Elsa was right, I never was able to explain myself. I know that Aiden had supported our relationship from the beginning though he had been harsh towards me. He understood what I meant for Creighton and put his own feelings aside. He accepted me (as much as Aiden King tolerates anyone but his wife) but I never resolved it with Elsa. And as much as I blamed her for her distance and I believed that it influenced also Aidens behavior around me, as much should I blame myself for never trying hard enough to connect. Instead I was greedy with Creighton and denied him his family without even wanting to. 

„You did what you had to do.“ Elsa whispered in my hair, holding me tightly while I sobbed. 

„It is not fair of me to put my son over the life of your own brother“

She pulled back and stroked my hair behind my ear, grabbing a tissue to carefully wipe under my eyes while talking.

„As someone who lost her brother at a very a young age, I should empathize more. It was a difficult situation and…“ she sighed. „Seeing the people you love going against each other is… cruel. I should know it the best“ For a moment she lost her focus, gazing far away, to a distance I couldn’t imagine before she shook her head and came back to reality.

„I’m sorry, Annika“, she then said, looking me straight into the eyes with her bright beautiful blue eyes, putting so much honesty and genuineness into her words that it almost made me bawl again.

„I‘m sorry, too“ I whispered with no less of true meaning in my apology. 

„And I’m sorry as well“ Both of our heads turned when Eli was leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen, arms crossed with Ava behind him, clearly pushing him to talk. She smiled softly at me and disappeared into the living room to give us space.

„It was not fair to shoot against you when feeling threaten in my own relationship. To be honest, blame Aiden fucking King for it“

„Eli“ Elsa said warningly which made his son send her an air kiss that made her chuckle fondly. He walked over kissing her temple before hugging her from behind, looking at me.

„Okay, okay, I might be a little protective when it comes to my little brother. But it was still not nice for me to say those things… I guess“ 

He shrugged his shoulders, a playful smile on his face when he rolled his eyes. I chuckled, wiping under my left eye.

„Well, it wasn’t fair of me to shoot your brother, so I guess I deserved it“ 

He grinned at me, telling me basically that all was in the past and forgiven before he kissed his mothers cheek and squeezed her a last time to leave for Ava. 

„He is my little rebel“ Elsa muttered with pure love in her tone, watching her son disappear through the door. 

After a while we decided to make dinner when Creighton called Elsa on her phone. Her eyes beamed at me, excitement visible on her face when she saw the name on her phone. Since the incident Creighton haven’t had talked with anyone from his family, including his mum. She must feel so relieved that he was calling her.

She picked up, turning on speakerphone while signing me to be quite. 

„Hello?“

„Mum?“ There was no distance audible. More panic and helplessness. I watched Elsa’s eyes getting glassy at his voice. 

„Hey, Baby…“ she said softly.

„Mum, I…“ he groaned frustrated. „Mum I don’t know where to go but Annika disappeared and I can’t reach her for over an hour now and I am about to lose my mind. I am sorry, I really didn’t want to bother you with this but-“ he stopped talking, inhaling sharply. When he continue his voice sounded so broken and miserable I almost snatched the phone and told him that I was alright. „…Mum I am so fucking worried. What if something happened to her? I.. I know you don’t understand but I can’t live without her Mum. I wished you’d understand that she means to me what you mean to Dad. I can’t breathe without her and… I’m sorry that I can’t change the past but I want to choose a better future. With you as well as Annika. She deserves a second chance like I did in life… doesn’t she?“ 

Elsa looked so proud and loving it broke my heart at how beautiful she truly loved her sons. It was so admirable. She nodded though he couldn’t see it.

„You’re right, baby, she does. I’m sorry that I hurt you, Creigh. That was never my intention“

He sighed on the other side.

„I know… I… I am sorry for how I left things.“

„It’s okay. I understand“

It was silent for a moment before Creighton’s broken voice spoke again.

„Where is she, Mum… I don’t know what to do“

Elsa smiled at me. „Come over, baby, maybe we can make a plan to find her“

They agreed that he’ll be here in 20minutes so we hurried to make the dinner. We decided on gratin, with salad and mushrooms. Elsa leaned in while chopping the vegetables.

„You know, I’m a bad cook. And to this day Aiden tries to cook and make dinner most of the time. But when I do it, he never once complained and ate the food“ She giggled, shaking her head fondly. I blinked at her, mouth parting when realization hit me. Was Creighton doing the same? Was he also secretly hating my food like all the others but was swallowing it down nevertheless to not hurt me. A new wave of love washed over me as I smiled to myself, checking the gratin. Shortly after the doorbell rang and Elsa motioned me to stay when she rushed to the door. 

I sneaked to the kitchen door and peaked around the corner to watch them. 

When Elsa opened the door, Creighton looked devastated. It almost made me feel guilty and bad for doing this to him but when I saw how he hugged his mother like a little boy who just found his parents I knew I did the right thing. Elsa was small in her sons hug but it didn’t stop her from hugging him tightly back. 

They spoke for a moment, mumbling in low tones that I couldn’t decipher before they let go and I decided to step outside.

„Surprise~“

Creighton blinked twice before he stormed towards me with a furious expression. Just when I thought he would go off or grab me by my throat he pulled me almost aggressively against his chest and buried me in his chest. I couldn’t breathe for a moment by the way he was squeezing the air out of my lungs but I wasn’t complaining.

„You’re getting punished for this, little purple“ He whispered in my ear but his voice was far away from actual anger or sexual need and more relieved and light. 

„It’s fine with me“ I pulled back after a few struggles to make him let go, before I beamed at his face with a bright smile. „I needed to have some bonding time with your mum“ He dipped down to give me a deep, passionate kiss before he pulled back, smiling softly at me.

„Thank you“, he said with gratitude in his voice.

Only half an hour later we were all seated around the dinner table like last time when Aiden entered the room. Just like two weeks ago, he circled the table to kiss his wife. But when he pulled back his face hardened, worry written in his grey eyes. „Did you cry, sweetheart?“ The way he asked made it impossible to deny anything. She leaned forward and kissed his upper lip before nodding. „Out of happiness though, I promise“ Aiden looked her in the eyes for a long moment, probably to ensure that she wasn’t lying before he sat down on his place.

He looked up at Creighton and me but didn’t comment on our sudden surprising appearance. I almost would bet though that I saw how his lips were twitching to a smile. 

„Who made the food?“ he asked then after looking at the dinner suspiciously. 

„Me and Anni“ Elsa said, winking at me secretly. I watched how Eli, Creighton and Aiden exchanged looks, all three of them looking fearful, swallowing visibly. My Tchaikovsky, Elsa was right. They really hated our cooking and were pretending to like it to not hurt our feelings. All three men nodded to each other before picking up the fork, as if they agreed on this mission to hell. I looked around, feeling guilty for making them eat what they didn’t like when suddenly Ava knocked over the wine bottle, right into the gratin which we still didn’t serve yet. 

„Oh… noo~“ she said so unconvincingly sad my mouth dropped. This bitch?!

„I’m so so sorry, damn it. I ruined the dinner“ 

I looked at Ava with an open mouth. She only shrugged and showed her tongue in return. She never had made a secret about his she didn’t like my cooking.

Eli instantly grabbed his phone from his pocket, fingers flying over the screen.

His tone monotone and totally, one hundred person careless towards the situation „Don’t worry, baby, accidents happen.“ 

Aiden agreed, looking over Eli’s phone, nodding to something that his son pointed at. „Oh well, I guess I need to order pizza- oopsie, done“ Eli announced dryly.

„I’ll help you clean up mum“ Creighton shot up and collected the plates, his brother and his dad instantly joining him. I was so shocked about the synchronized behavior and the quick escape routine they had learned by hard that I couldn’t even fathom what was happening. 

„You girls go and look for a movie to watch. Let’s make a comfortable movie night“, Eli called from where he was at the fridge.

„Oh, so you guys are staying longer?“ Aiden asked with no effort to try his impatience. 

„Aiden!“ Elsa exclaimed but her husband shrugged it off.

„Yes, we are extending for a week“ Creighton said, filling the dishwasher. My eyes sparkled.

„We are?“ 

„if you want to, little purple?“ I nodded in agreement, Elsa smiling as brightly as I was. Eli and Ava agreed on staying longer too - much to Aidens dismay - and we rushed to the living room suddenly excited about the time that we would finally able to spend together as a newly extended family.