Speak To Me

(Gabriella)

I chewed at my thumb nervously, my eyes following Jamie as he paced back and forth anxiously. His face became more angry by the second as I heard Ray explain the story for the third time. Okay..I won't lie..I'm glad Jamie had Ray follow us..but how was I supposed to know that guy would show up out of nowhere?!

"Here, drink this Gabs." Rylan whispered while handing me a bottle of water as I nodded my head in thanks.

"I want all of the security footage pulled up..I want pictures. We need to find out who this guy is!" Jamie stated angrily as I shared a look with my dad.

"What? What aren't you telling me baby." Jamie rushed out before coming in front of me and dropping to his knees, making it so we were now at eye level.

I took out my phone, knowing for a fact I couldn't speak right now as I started to type.

"Well, I have seen the man before." I typed and showed it to Jamie.

"What? When? Why don't I know about this?" He rushed out, his eyes wide and full of panic.

"It was at the hospital, he was a nurse there. He spoke to me but I didn't know what to think about it at the time." I confessed..I mean, honestly, I thought it was a little weird but I didn't think I would see the guy again. "What did he say?" He asked while glancing towards Ray before nodding once. Obviously exchanging some type of hidden messages.

"He just asked about why I couldn't speak and some other stuff." I said, trying to remember all of it. That was a pretty traumatic day to be fair.

"Listen..I'm not mad..okay? But if anyone asks you personal questions like that again or gives off a weird feeling..you need to tell me." He spoke calmly as I felt tears welling up inside of me before I completely shattered. I blame the babies.. I clung to Jamie's shirt, my face burying into his chest while he held me tightly and began rubbing my back soothingly.

"Were you scared?" He asked as I nodded again, making Jamie stand up and slide on the couch with me. He quickly pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his body around mine, hiding me away.

"Tell me exactly what happened John..from the beginning." Jamie stated darkly, his voice so much colder than his warm touch as he continued to stroke my back and hair.

"Well, we went downstairs and everything was fine.. After a block or so, Gabriella pointed out a dog passing by and suddenly when we looked in front of us a man was standing there." My dad began telling the story.

"I was frozen in place..couldn't even react, to be honest.." He whispered, making me lift my head up and peek over at him.

"Why? Did he have a weapon or something?" Rylan chimed in and I knew the mere mention of a weapon pissed Jamie off more.

"No..it was because he looked just like Gabriella..like my Amber too." Dad whispered and that's when Jamie sat up slightly.

"Wait..what did you say?"

"Well..I'm saying he looked just like Gabriella..and what he said..."

My mind started to trail off..the whole scene playing through me as I still felt confused.

I had just seen the cutest little white dog as I pointed it out to my dad and went to keep walking. That's when a man appeared in front of me.

My eyes traveled up his body as I noted he was wearing black jeans with a matching hoodie.

"Y-y-you." I stuttered out, recognizing the man immediately when I saw his face.

"Me." He replied with a broad smile.

"Good afternoon Gabriella, John..I know we haven't officially met." He said, making me glance at my dad as he just stared at this man with his eyes wide open.

"There is something I think you need to know..the reason why we keep running into one another..if you just come with me, then I can explain everything.." He stated while reaching out and grabbing my arm. I tried to pull it back as he began tugging me forward.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you..I promise. I would never hurt my sister." That's when my heart leaped into my throat. I felt my body grow numb with confusion as this man began pulling me along.

I saw him smile warmly as I found myself recognizing that smile..it looked just like mine..

I finally came back to my senses and realized he was still pulling me.

Wait..I can't go with him..I don't even know him..how do I know what he says is true? Why didn't he say anything when we first met? And why was he squeezing my arm so tightly?

I dug my feet into the sidewalk, trying to stop him as I began to panic. I can't just leave Jamie.

Before I could think of what to do, Ray appeared out of nowhere, yanking me from the man as he quickly pulled me behind him protectively.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Ray yelled and went to reach for something in his waistband as my dad suddenly ran up.

"Oh god, are you okay Gabriella? Did he hurt you? I'm so sorry..." My dad rushed out, making me shake my head no as Ray suddenly shouted.

"Hey! Get back here!" The guy ran off as I looked down at my wrist and back to where the man had been standing.

Why did he call me his sister? Could he have been mistaken?

Then without warning..something filled my mind..a memory from a long time ago that I didn't even know existed.

"You know your brother has one of these too..but his is a dinosaur." My mom's voice echoed through me..a voice I hadn't heard in so long. In my mind, I saw her holding up Butterscotch as she spoke to me softly. Tears filled my eyes as I glanced up at my dad.

"D-daddy.." I whispered, the word sounding like a question as my dad shook his head no..

"I..I don't know sweetheart.." He confessed, making my brow furrow as Ray quickly ushered us back to the apartment.

My dad told his version of the story and I filled in a few missing pieces as Jamie clung to me tightly.

"His sister..and you are sure this guy isn't some son you had that you don't know about?" Rylan pondered, making Jamie sit up slightly he seemed to realize something.

"It wasn't John who had the son..Gabriella looks more like her mother..how much do you know about Amber's past?" He suddenly asked my dad.

"Well, she didn't talk too much about it..but I suspected she was in an abusive relationship. So perhaps.." My dad trailed off and that's when I grabbed Jamie's phone.

I needed to mention what I remembered..

"When he called me his sister, a memory came back to me. I think my mom did have another son. She used to talk about me having a brother..I must have forgotten somehow..." I confessed, feeling guilty for some reason..maybe he wants to connect..but why is he doing it like this? Why didn't he just come up to me and tell me?

"It's okay Bunny, you were so little sweetheart.." My dad added, making me nod before placing my head against Jamie's chest again.

"Well, even if the guy somehow is your brother, I don't like how he is handling this." He added, making me nod in agreement..it was definitely creepy.

"Geez..can't Gabs catch a break? Seriously.." Rylan muttered before plopping onto the couch next to us.

"I think we need to go away for a little..at least until we find out more about this guy." My husband announced.

"Will you be able to handle things in the office John?" He asked my dad, making him sit up straighter before clearing his throat.

"Of course..I think it will be a good distraction for now." He admitted, making Jamie nod once.

"I think I should go with you, that way you have more people to watch out for Gabriella." Rylan chimed in, making Jamie turn his head towards him.

"We can go up to my parents cabin, spend some time in the mountain. It's off the grid and there's no way he can find it." Rylan added before smiling brightly. Jamie pulled me back, his eyes peering down at me as he lifted his hands and placed them on either side of my face.

"Is the mountain okay with you baby?" He asked gently and I couldn't help but get excited.

I nodded my head as Jamie's eyes began to warm.

"Hell Yeah!" Rylan shouted, making me laugh as Jamie was now glaring at him.

"This isn't some type of Vacation Rylan..remember that.." He reminded him..

But I couldn't help but wonder about that man..is he really my brother? And where exactly did he want to take me?

I hope he doesn't have bad intentions..because if I had a brother..if he really wahted to know me..that sounds kind of nice to be honest..

But I will trust my husband, because Jamie is never wrong about these things..and if he is worried, then I will be a good girl and listen..