Chapter 16

First off I want to start by describing Grayson's scars, I feel REALLY stupid that I didn't do this before (Thx Greeneyez727 for asking me to describe them).

Grayson had a scar on the bridge of his nose (It looks like he got cut there) he has a scar that runs across his his left cheek and he has a one that cuts from the corner of his right eye to his hair line. Then you can imagine small scars dotting the rest of him from burns, cuts and punches.

I hope this helps with a visual, I'm so sorry I didn't do this before! :) Anyway, onto the story!

G R A Y S O N

I woke up in the comfort and warmth of Jean's arms. I shifted and pecked his sleeping face before getting out of bed. It was four in the morning but I couldn't go back to sleep.

I silently walked out of the room, after slipping on a shirt, and walked down to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

As I was searching the cabinets, looking for a glass, when someone spoke up, "What are you looking for sweetheart?"

I jumped up and gasped, turning to see Charlotte in a stunningly beautiful night gown. She laughed, "I'm sorry dear I didn't mean to scare you."

I sighed, placing a hand to my pounding heart, "It's okay," I was smiling now, "I was just looking for a glass."

She walked to a cabinet and pulled out a glass, "Would you like water?"

"Yes please." I answered and she walked to the fringe and poured some water into the glass.

She walked to the island and I met her there, taking my glass and taking a sip, "What has you up so early?" She asked, "I've never met an eighteen year old that was a morning person."

I chuckled, "I don't know, I just couldn't go back to sleep."

I looked down at the glass that held my water, the ice in the water clinking against the glass as I set it down.

"It's about what Arthur said isn't it." She looked at me with so much care and concern in her eyes that for a moment I would have believed she was my mother.

I nodded slightly and she sighed, "I've never really liked Arthur but I acted as sweet as possible for Violetta, my sweet innocent angel." As she said that last part she looked up, smiling at the thought of her sweet daughter, "He treats her like she is the only girl in the world and that is the only reason I approved of their marriage. But when it comes to anyone else he is just such an ass. I'm really sorry about last night."

I shook my head, "It's fine. I can't hide my past forever," I thought about whether or not I should tell her, "I don't know if Jean has told you or not, but I got my scars from my father. He was abusive and would come home drunk with my mother and he would beat me while my mother would watch, and laugh." I held in my tears as scenes from my past played over in my mind.

She looked at me with horror in her eyes, "Jean never told me, I'm so sorry."

"You shouldn't be sorry, you didn't do it." I said simply.

"Grayson, sweetheart, your so brave for holding that in for so long."

I sighed, "The story that we told you last night isn't true, we really meet because I had run away from home and almost collapsed in front of a club. Jean was so kind and helped me so much. I don't know where I would be without him."

"Jean has always been the kindest out of my boys, he got that from his father." She smiled at the memory of her beloved husband.

"You miss him don't you." I said.

"All the time." I could see the tears brimming the edges of her eyes and immediatly felt guilty.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" I started but she cut me off.

She shook her head and sucked in her tears, "It's fine Grayson, I really don't deserve to cry in front of you, you have been through a lot worse than me."

"Why are you being so kind to me?" I asked lightly.

She turned to face me again and smiled, "Because I feel that you don't get enough of it."

She sounded just like Jean and in that moment I saw him in her, the way she looked at me with that care and concern and the way she spoke to me, she was just like her son.

"Thank you." I smiled.

"Your welcome. Come here and give me a hug." she smiled.

I walked over to her and she wrapped her arms around me in a strong momma bear hug.

Once we pulled away I looked at her, "Why are you up so early?"

"I just had a feeling in my gut that someone needed help." She smiled at me.

I smiled at her, "Well I'm glad that you came down."

"Me too," she said, pulling me back into a hug, "Me too."

J E A N

I woke up from the lack of Grayson warming me. I looked at the clock and it was four in the morning. Where had he gone?

I flash of panic surged trough me as I shot out of bed and down the stairs, not bothering to put on a shirt.

Did he leave because of what Arthur had said?

I looked in the living room and in all the spare bedrooms to find no trace of him. I was freaking out.

Once I made it to the kitchen I saw my mom's arms wrapped around him in a comforting hug and I nearly sunk to the floor in releif. I thought he had ran off some where.

He turned to face me as he hears the sound of my feet pounding on the ground.

"Jean, I didn't mean to wake you." He spoke softly.

I sighed and ran to him, wrapping my arms around him, "I thought you had left ir gone off some place because of what Arthur had said." I took in a deep breath, letting his scent drown out any other scents.

"I'm not that stupid. I would never leave you." He smiled at me and kissed my cheek.

I kissed his lips and looked up at my mom, she was smiling, "Grayson and I had a good talk."

I looked down at Grayson and he nodded, "A very good talk."

I loved how well my mom took to Grayson. I was worried things would be difficult but now I realize that I was stressing for nothing.

Grayson and I walked back up to our room and we just laid in the bed and watched a movie. I gently rubbed his back as he ran his hands through my hair.

This was one of those simple moments that were just so amazing I would never forget.