A Highland Wedding

I'm Coming Home

Anna

I woke up with hair in my mouth and cradled in Alexei’s arms. We were sprawled on a cot and he was leaning against the wall asleep. I reached up to trace his jawline and he pulled me closer to him.

“You’re awake finally. You were out cold. I have to tell Sawyer that you’re awake so his doctor can look at you.” I nodded and then I just wanted to go home.

“Alexei, do you have your phone with you? I want to make a video call home. I need to see everyone and I need to know how Caleb is.” He nodded and smiled. I wanted him to keep the stubble, it was a good look on him.

“Well, Daniel and Jer might not be home.” I narrowed my eyes at him and he looked away.

“Where are they? What happened to them?” He sighed and raked his hand through his hair and handed me the phone.

“I’m not letting you go so you’re doing this with me here.” I scowled at him; he just evaded the question. Typical lawyer!

“Yeah, don’t pull your lawyer mind tricks with me.” He laughed and I snuggled closer to him.

“They are probably watching Gregor.” I closed my eyes and sighed; I know this has to be hard on him. I was going to have to mend the fences with him at some point. I was petty though, I wanted to hold on to my grudge just a little longer.

“I know that look, go easy on him Anna. He isn’t dealing with this well. He has been drinking himself stupid since you have been kidnapped. He didn’t sound good when I talked to him so the boys and my dad have been taking turns spending time with him.” He seemed to have forgiven Mack if he can find it in his heart to forgive him, I can think about it.

I dialed Melina’s number and waited for her to answer. She picked it up and he put it on the speaker. Placing a finger on his lips I knew what he was doing. He was going to surprise her.

“Alexei, why do you call the little pepper woman? I thought you go to bring my granddaughter-in-law back from a crazy lady?” I c****d an eyebrow at Alexei and he was blushing bright red.

“Bubby, can you give the phone to Melina and grab everyone please?” She muttered something in Russian and I was biting my lip trying so hard not to laugh.

“Alexei please tell me you have good news; your grandmother is driving me nuts and she is trying to commandeer my baby.”

“Melina, can you put the phone on video.” She muttered and I heard the baby gurgling in the background. He had the phone away from me so I wouldn’t be seen in the video.

“Ok, so what am I looking at? The fact that you have a beard growing. Very impressive but I think Jer would appreciate it more than me.” I snorted and couldn’t help it. The way she said it so nonchalantly was just too much.

“Anna? Oh my God did you find her?” He grinned and lowered the phone so that I was in the screen. Melina screamed and the baby started crying. She picked the baby up and started bouncing it around.

Tears were streaming down my face as I saw my friend and her child. “I miss you guys so much. I want to hold Isla! Look how chubby she is!” Melina rolled her eyes.

“She is a fatty like her Uncle Jer. Oh, Caleb and Sully just came in I think Bubby went to find Eugenia.” Caleb came onto the screen and I gasped at his shaved head.

“What did you do to your hair?” He looked sheepish and grinned at the camera. He reached down and grabbed a small brown and white striped bird. It made a squawking sound and pecked at the camera.

“Hennessey had babies! I kind of ended up getting knocked into the pen and getting emu poop in my hair. It wouldn’t come out so Uncle Sully shaved my head.” I pulled a face and cringed.

“He is fine, it was just gross, besides he likes it this way. When are you coming home? The dogs won’t listen to me.” I missed them, I didn’t realize how much they became entwined in my life. Even Caleb and Sullivan, I haven’t known them as long as everyone else.

“Soon, I hope. I can’t wait to hug everyone. I miss you too Caleb.” He nodded, he looked like he was ready to start crying and he sniffled.

“Anna! Are ye fine Anna?” Sinclair and Eugenia were hugging one another and they looked so old and frail. Eugenia was crying and hugging Sinclair so tight he looked like he was going to pass out.

“Eugenia let up on Sinclair! I will be home and back with you guys soon!” An older woman with wrinkles and wearing an intricate headscarf was pushing Eugenia and Sinclair out of the way.

“You my granddaughter-in-law?” I glanced up at Alexei and he was blushing again. He was so cute when he blushed.

“Yes, and are you Alexei’s grandmother?” She waved a gnarled finger at me.

“I am your grandmother too. You make an honest man out of my grandson. When you come home, we will have lots to talk about. I am glad you are safe I will go pray for you now.” She hung up and the screen went blank.

“That is your grandmother?” I was grinning at him and his ears were bright red.

“Yes, Bubby is very outspoken.” I couldn’t help but lean up and drag his face close to mine. I looked into his eyes and he swallowed.

“Thank you, Alexei Nikolaev, for coming for me.” He sighed and ran his hands up my back.

“Anna, haven’t you figured it out, I would walk through fire bribe the devil, and take over Hell for you.” He pulled me in for a kiss and I deepened it, his hands were creeping under my sweatshirt when someone cleared their throat.

We both turned toward the doorway and saw the man named Sawyer smirking at us. I sat where I was and smiled at him.

“I take it you are the owner of Keating Security.” He nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. I kind of wanted to take a picture because Jer would love this silver fox of a man.

“That would be me, Sawyer Keating. Pleased to meet you, Miss Devreaux.” I climbed off Alexei’s lap and walked over to shake his hand. I leaned heavily against the wall and he looked concerned.

“Do you feel up to having my staff doctor take a look at you?” I nodded and he clapped a hand on my shoulder.

“Great, also I want to let you know that we were able to grab that Maddox guy.” I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding sighed out of me.

“That is good. He isn’t completely innocent in this but he is in love with that psycho Claire.” Sawyer nodded.

“Love makes people do strange things.” He glanced at Alexei and nodded to us again.

“I will let Toya know that you are awake and she will examine you. Alexei come with me we have some things to discuss.” I narrowed my eyes at him and he kissed me on the forehead. He was going to spill the beans when we get home.

For now, I can just be happy that I was going home to my family and my animals. I was also going to have to address the elephant in the room, Gregor Mackenzie.