Gabrielle Carrington

Eighteen

Fallon and I were stood in the doorway watching our mother ball her eye out.

"She's still up there." I said walking over to Austin.

"Doing what?" Dad asked.

"Shedding more tears than the crocodile killed to make her bag. Did you invite her?" Fallon asked.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that? I divorced her." Dad said

"The pallbearers are ready to carry the casket." Anders said.

"And here you all are." Mom said.

"I don't know if you've noticed, Alexis; this isn't a good time." Dad said.

"No, it's a devastating time. I am so sorry for your loss, Blake. I came to pay my respects. You know Thomas was like a father to me." Mom said.

"Hi, Mom." Fallon said putting her arms around my neck from behind.

"It's been a minute." Mom said.

"It has." Fallon said.

"I can't believe it." Mom said. She walked straight past Fallon and I to Steven.

"Steven, you look so handsome. Though you do look a little pale. Have you had your vitamin D tested?" Mom asked him.

"Never mind the years of therapy for abandonment issues. How is your vitamin D?" Fallon mocked.

"Perks of being so young when you left is I can't have abandonment issues for a woman I don't remember." I said.

Fallon. Gabriella. I'm glad to see that your father had your teeth fixed. If not your tongue." Mom said cupping our chins. Fallon and I shared a look.

"Alexis." Dad warned.

"You must be a friend of Fallon's." Mom said to Cristal. Fallon and I laughed.

"Actually, no. She's the new Mrs. Carrington. You'd hate her, and that's my favorite thing about her. She also knows your daughter's actual age.Also, I'm married now, but don't worry. You have a year for your secretary to send a gift." Fallon said.

"Fallon, stop engaging. We're going." Dad said. Austin wrapped his arm around me as we walked to the car. Austin got in the front with Culhane and I got in the back.

"Can you believe her? I mean, she barely even looked at me, after waltzing in there like she'd only been away on a Mediterranean holiday. I haven't seen her in 11 years. I mean, maybe she was nervous." Fallon rambled on.

"She really hasn't seen you..." Liam got cut off.

"No, no, no, no, no. I was talking to him." Fallon said gesturing to Culhane. "I mean, you should've seen
the way she looked at Steven. Then she embarrasses him about his complexion? I mean, she's not wrong, but..." Culhane sighed.

"Come on, Michael. I know you're still mad at me,
but you can't be. Not today." Fallon said.

"He's on your payroll now. Talk to Liam or Gabbie."

"I was fully prepared to hate my mother-in-law, so no worries here." Liam said.

"Speaking of our little charade, I was thinking you should stay with me until the end of our contract. It's our honeymoon phase. You shouldn't be seen roaming around solo." Fallon said.

"You want me to stay with you?" Liam asked.

"Relax. We have 16 bedrooms. And it'll be less crazy than dealing with the paparazzi at your place." Fallon said.

"Will it?" Culhane asked.

"Doubt it." I said. Culhane fist bumped me over his seat. We dropped Liam off at his apartment then Culhane dropped Fallon and I at the Manor.