Steele Hearts Redemption (23 page)

I really couldn’t be happier. I was marrying
the love of my life in eight days and I finally had a family who
loved and cherished me.

My phone rang and as I looked at the number
of the incoming call on the screen I froze. So much for everything
going perfect in my life. The call was from the prison where Alexis
was currently locked up at while awaiting trial and ironically
where my mother was at as well. Everything inside me screamed to
hit the decline button but then there was a little part of me that
was curious. After this call I had to remember to change my
number.

“Hello?”

A recording came on asking if I would accept
the charges for this call from my mother. Foolishly, I said
yes.

“Alexandria, darling,” my mother’s high
pitched voiced sang out from the other end.

“Mother, to what do I owe this call too?” I
asked, getting straight to the point.

“Is that any way to speak to your mother
Alexandria? Not even a how are you mother? Or how is Alexis?” she
asked.

I instantly regretted answering my phone.

“Mother, what do you want?” I asked with some
force to my voice.

“Fine, you want to be like that, I’ll get to
the point. You my dear daughter, need to get your sister and I out
of this dreadful place.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, not believing what I
thought I heard her say.

“You heard me. You’re going to get us out of
here.”

“And why, pray tell, would I even consider
that?”

“You’re not going to consider it Alexandria.
You’re going to do it because I am your mother and I say so. I have
spent enough time in here and this is no place for your sister. Now
I don’t care what you have to do, I know you have the resources
being engaged to a wealthy movie star and being a FBI agent so do
whatever you need to do and get us out of here.”

“Are you insane mother?”

“Now you listen to me you little ungrateful
bitch, you do exactly as I say. Understand.”

Her voice was the same harsh tone she
addressed me with until the day I moved out of her house.

“You must really be insane to think for just
a moment that I would try to get you and Alexis out of prison. Are
you forgetting why the both of you are in prison in the first
place?” I screamed at her over the phone. I have had enough with
both her and Alexis and it was about time she knew it. “You tried
to kill someone and Alexis did kill, more than once. Not forgetting
the fact that she wanted both Tess and I dead. You must be going
for an insanity plea to even think somewhere in your deluded mind
that I would, for one second, want you out of prison.”

Silence.

Then I heard the quite snicker from the other
end.

“So that’s how it’s going to be is it?”

“Yes, mother, that’s how it’s going to
be.”

“I’m giving you one last chance to reconsider
Alexandria, or else….”

“Or else what mother? What more you or Alexis
could possibly do to try and hurt me.”

“Oh Alexandria, you underestimate how much
more I could possibly do to you and that handsome man of yours. Did
I tell you I’ve had several offers for your life story? Think about
how the public would feel after I get done telling the world about
what a wretched person you are who used her FBI connections to have
her own mother and sister arrested on trumped up charges. How much
of a manipulative person you are and how you confided in me that
you purposely set out to trap that handsome movie star, and that’s
just the beginning Alexandria. Bt the time I get done weaving my
story the whole world’s going to despise you. It’s your choice
Alexandria. Do as I say or face the consequences.”

Oh my God. Was she serious? The laughter I
was choking back burst out. She was serious. More laughter. I heard
her shouting my name but the laughter wouldn’t stop. I felt the
tears streaming down my face as my laughter became uncontrollable.
Okay time to end this shit. Amidst burst of laughter I had my final
say,

“Oh, mother is that all you’ve got. You think
for one second I’m worried about the lies you may or may not sell.
I have a man who loves me and real family who loves me. You and
Alexis mean nothing to me. Thank you for giving me life but quite
frankly if I don’t ever hear from you again I’d be eternally
grateful. Have a nice life being someone’s bitch in prison
mother.”

And just like that I hung up. The laughter
took over and became so uncontrollable I didn’t realise that the
tears that were flowing down my cheeks were real. Laughter turned
into sobs and I cried, cried for everything I’ve had to put up with
growing up and the turmoil my life became through the hands of two
very evil people. Gabe, who thought to surprise me with an early
return, found me sitting on the floor, crying my eyes out. Without
saying a word he sat down next to me, took me in his arms and held
me as I got it all out.

**********

I walked into the huge, white tent that was
set up on Conrad’s and Sophia’s backyard, with a spring to my step
and a big smile on my face. It was the same spring and smile I had
since the day my mother called me. Her call was like a cleansing.
With my tears I cleansed myself of all the bad I’ve had to endure
in my life and accepted with a whole heart the love that I was
bestowed. I looked at the smiling faces around me and knew without
a doubt this was what life was about, love, family and friends. The
outpouring of love from the people that stood before me was all I
needed. My new husband brought my hand that he held from the moment
we said our vows to his lips and smiled as he kissed it.

“Ready to join the party Mrs. Steele?” he
asked.

“Oh baby, I’m ready for anything as long as
you’re by my side.”

The crowd went wild as his lips crushed
mine.

Our wedding was like a fairy tale. Everything
was done at Gabe’s parents’ house to afford us the privacy we
needed to enjoy our day. The press camped out at the front gate did
not faze us one bit because Sterling personally saw to it that no
one but invited guests were allowed on the premises, not that that
stopped the press from trying to get past the gate. I got dressed
in Gabe’s childhood room, the room where the story of us started,
while he was banished to the study downstairs. I promised myself I
wasn’t going to cry today but after individual visits from Sophia,
Mavis, Betsy and Anna while I was dressing I was in tears by their
kind words. Surprisingly, it was Tess who took pity on me and
shooed everyone away while I finished dressing. Unfortunately, when
she saw me caress the pearls around my neck, the same one she wore
on her wedding day, given to her by Mavis and Betsy, her tears
welled up and before we knew it both of us were in tears.

I finally composed myself and with Conrad’s
hand calming me, I took a deep breath and prepared myself to walk
down the rose petal lined aisle. The look of love on Gabe’s face
was all the inspiration I needed and I practically dragged Conrad
down the aisle with me. The guests erupted with laughter as Gabe
left the makeshift alter we were taking our vows under to meet me
halfway. Taking my hand from his father’s he walked me to the spot
where we would be pronounced husband and wife. It was all surreal
but it was a moment in my life I would never forget, especially
when Gabe said his vows. He poured his heart and soul into his
promise to love, protect and cherish me for the rest of his
life.

“Hey baby, ready to blow this joint?” Gabe
asked, as he came up from behind and circled my waist.

“I am, but I think if we do, your mother’s
going to hunt us down and drag us back here for another couple of
hours. We’ve only been here for an hour babe.” I had to give my
husband credit though. The pout he gave was worthy of an award,
especially when he whispered in my ear his reasons for wanting to
leave. He wanted exactly what I wanted.

“Gabriel Steele, don’t you think for a moment
that I’m going to allow you to drag my daughter away from her
wedding reception after being here for less than an hour,” Sophia
chastised from somewhere on my left. She really knew her boys.

“But mom…..”

“No buts young man. Now come dance with your
mother and allow your dad to dance with his new daughter.”

Conrad didn’t need to hear anymore. He sprung
from his seat and pulled me out of Gabe’s arms and into his.

Almost an hour later I finally sat down next
to Tess to rest my dancing feet. I danced with both my new brothers
and everyone who wanted to twirl me around the dance floor a time
or two and I felt a new me emerging. The old me would have sat in a
corner and observe the festivities while everyone danced around but
this new me embraced the new confidence I found in myself. My new
husband did that. With him next to me I felt free and
liberated.

“So, Ally, how does it feel being Mrs.
Gabriel Steele?” Tess asked, a huge grin on her face.

I looked at the two Steele women sitting next
to me and smiled.

“It feels surreal,” I replied “I love him so
much sometimes I feel my heart is going to burst from my
chest.”

They both smiled at me.

“We know the feeling,” both Tess and Sophia
said in unison.

Tess fidgeted abit, trying to get comfortable
when Anna suddenly appeared and flopped down next to me,, her face
bright red.

“You okay Anna?” Sophia asked, a secret smile
on her face.

“I’m great,” she replied, a forced smile on
her face, “Couldn’t be better.”

“Oh sweetheart, out of all my children he’s
the most complex. Be patient with him my dear,” Sophia said to
Anna.

I knew she was referring to Tyler, but I
didn’t say anything. Anna needed time to heal and when she was
ready I know she’ll finally tell both Tess and I what was going on
with her and Tyler.

Mavis and Betsy ambled up to the table and
joined us. Mavis had a worried look on her face as she looked at
Tess.

“Tess honey, are you feeling okay?” she asked
as Tess continued to fidget next to me.

“I don’t know. I just can’t seem to get
comfortable today. My back hurts and I keep getting these sharp
little cramps in my stomach,” she replied. Turning to me she said,
“I’m sorry sis, but I think I’m going to go inside and lay down for
abit.”

Concern came over everyone at the table.

“Tess honey, how far apart are the cramps?”
Sophia asked.

“Oh no, I’m not in labor mom. I’m probably
just tired. Besides the baby isn’t due for another two weeks.”

I saw the smile pass between Sophia, Mavis
and Betsy and wished they’d clue me in on what was going on with my
sister. Tess tried standing and Sophia stood up to help her up.

“Thank you mom. Would you mind getting Connor
for….”

Her eyes opened as wide as saucers and her
mouth formed a perfect “O” before she doubled over in pain. Sophia
held her and rubbed her back as both Anna and I jumped up.

“Oh ooh…” Tess said.

“Oh ooh…what?” I asked, suddenly anxious.

“Oh ooh…my water just broke,” she
replied.

Anna and I stood there shocked, while Mavis
and Betsy stood, their big smiles still on their faces. When I
finally came out of my shock I frantically scanned the tent
searching for Connor. Spying him standing with his brothers and
father and two other men, with Sterling and Lucas standing nearby,
I screamed his name. The DJ choose that moment to stop the music
and all eyes turned to me.

I could hear Sophia and Mavis telling Tess to
breathe as the men rushed to us. Seeing the pained look on his wife
face, Connor’s face turned white.

“Baby?”

“Don’t you dare baby me Connor Steele. You
did this to me.”

I’ve heard of women screaming at their
husbands during labor but I honestly thought that happened after
hours of agonizing labor and at the hospital.

“She’s in labor sweetheart. We need to get
her to the hospital,” Sophia said softly.

After that soft statement chaos erupted. To
see a billionaire, a movie star, a bestselling writer, a top
attorney, a head of security and a brilliant bodyguard panic was
bordering on comical. Anna, Mavis, Betsy and myself were gently
pushed out of the way as the men tried to take over. If Tess wasn’t
holding on to Sophia she would have been pushed aside as well. Two
of the men tried making her sit, while two more tried picking her
up, one started pacing while her husband tried everything at once
while he kept saying, “This can‘t be happening. It’s too early.”
After what seemed to be an agonizing five minutes of utter chaos
and nothing getting done I put two fingers in my mouth, pursed my
lips and let out a shrilling whistle.

“Everyone sit,” I commanded. They all looked
at me as if I suddenly grew two heads. Unfortunately no one obeyed
my command but I did have their attention.

“We need to get her to the hospital,” I said.
“Now I know you guys have a plan and arrangement with the hospital
so dad,” I said, turning to look at Conrad, “If you could call the
hospital and get everything sorted out I’d appreciate it.”