Reaching Out(Invite)

[Steven Cross]

He held the phone on his hand waiting as it rang for someone to pick up on the other end. Getting the number in question had been rather easy and now was the time to begin putting things in motion. This would of course be the most crucial part of things as he needed the young couple in question his son Jason and his wife sarah to believe he was nothing more than a father seeking to renew his family ties with the sons he had been so long seperated from, and of course the benefit of how they would react to the betrayal that would come later would make the effort to get close to these two more than worth it. A predatory grin spread across his face at the thought of events to come and he waited patiently for a voice from the other end of the call.

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

"No of course I'll get it sweetie! Wouldn't want you to miss any of your PRECIOUS hockey game now would we...?...*Sigh*..."

Sarah slowly made her way through the beach front cottage on the beautiful island of Aruba, her bare feet sliding across the floor as she could only shake her head at her beau's unwillingness to leave the confines of the couch in their living room. A peaceful smile found it's way to her face as within moments she arrived at the ringing phone just as she had exhaled a deep breath, reaching out and taking up the receiver into her grasps. Bringing it to her ear, as she gazed out of the large window located across the room of their living area. Then...

"Hello? Cross residence. Sarah speaking."

[Steven Cross]

Hearing the voice on the other end the smile broadened. Now it was time for things to begin.

Hello, sorry to bother you. I'm trying to locate a Jason Cross, would he be there or have I got the wrong number.

He smiled of course he knew Jason was there but he must play the part.

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

Glancing back towards the room where Jason was undoubtedly still entangled in the images of the television in front of him, Sarah raised an eyebrow before answering back to the voice on the other end...

"Um...Yes, he's here actually. Might I ask who's calling...?"

[Steven Cross]

The smile never faded as he spoke up time to set the hook and see if the bait was taken.

Well this may be hard for him to take but I'm his father. Things were rough between me and the rest of my family a while back but I've been trying to get in contact with them and see about making amends for the past, so if possible I would really like to speak with him. Oh and pardon me for being rude and not asking but who might you be dear his girlfriend?

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

Father? Sarah's face instantly formed a look of shock on it as her mouth hung agape hearing those words. She had never heard Jason so much as mention his father as far as she could recall, and to have him up and call out of the blue was just completely unexpected. She almost had to force her words out once she did respond to her...Father in law? She almost felt a bit reluctant to even inform Jason of the call in question hearing that a mends needed to be made. She had no idea for what reason but, she was almost sure that it must have been something serious if that was the case.

"Oh...Oh!...Wow I ahh...Okay well, I guess yes that would be fine and...No I'm his...Wife Sarah...Your daughter in law I guess...Tee Hee...Wow...This...You have to excuse me Mr. Cross, this is all just so sudden to me."

[Steven Cross]

I'm sorry for the suddenes dear just took me a long time to track Jason down. You say your my boys wife wow thats good to hear actually, I hope everything is going well for you two.

He paused briefly taking a deep breath before continuing.

I know this must be a shock but I really would like the chance to do this. There were things in the past that I should have been there for and I wasn't and I would like to talk to Jason at least if possible and try to sort things out. I'll understand though if he doesn't want to talk it has been a long time and I really should have done this sooner.

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

"Ah, no I'm sure...He'll be happy to...Hear from you. One moment..."

Lowering the receiver as her opposite hand covered it enough to cease the caller from hearing her next words, she turned towards the room where her beau was located and called out to him...

"Umm...Baby?!!?...You...You have a phone call. I think you might wanna take it too."

Shaking her head still in disbelief she awaited his arrival to take the phone call in question.

[Jason Cross]

Jason looked over at Sarah and stood up walking toward her arm outstretched to take the phone. He looked at her curiosity etched in his face.

Who is it babe is everything okay you look a little nervous there?

Shocked would actually be a better way of putting it Jason took the phone even as he listened to Sarah answer.

Hello?

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

"It's your...Umm...Father..."

Quickly clasping her hands around her mouth as if to stop her words from escaping, it was too late as she slowly backed away towards a nearby chair, taking a seat and awaiting to see if the conversation would lead towards things that suggested she should leave her beau with some privacy for the convo ahead of him.

[Jason Cross]

Upon hearing Sarah say who was on the other end of the phone Jason's whole demeanor changed. Before the person on the other end of the line could speak up he answered.

What the hell do you want and don't even try and tell me it's to be a family again cause I think you made you feelings clear on that almost 20 years ago when you walked out on all of us in the middle of the night.

Despite the fact that his gut feeling told him to hang up and leave this be Jason waited to hear what his father might possibly have to say.

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

Sarah slowly lowered her head, diverting her attention from the conversation as much as she could without actually leaving the room. Just as she thought, things weren't going to be pretty with this coming dialog between these two. A deep breath ensued as she swallowed hard before looking back up towards Jason from the chair she now sat in, indian style, her hands clasped together around her mouth as if waiting for what would be said next.

[Steven Cross]

Steven let out a small sigh, he had know this wasn't going to be easy but just kept his mind firmly set on the goal he was working to attain, that in itself would make things all worth while when things were over.

I know I screwed up son and I deserve the anger you no doubt hold toward me. All I really want is a chance to come and talk with you, not to make up for the past I don't think that could be done, but to instead try and start over maybe. Just one conversation between me and you, or if it makes you feel better between you, Sarah and me. I know I've screwed up son but I really would like a chance to try and at least set things back on the right path make us a family again.

He knew it would not be easy. This one simple request would no doubt fall on deaf ears for the time being, but the idea was out there now and given time to think on it he was sure Jason would come around he had always been the more forgiving of his two sons.

[Jason Cross]

Hearing the words of his "father" on the other end of the line only made Jason seemingly angrier.

You want to be a family again. That's real funny, you want to be a family yet you missed all the times you should have been there to help us as a family! Where were you when mom died, where were you when Mark lost his family. You did a real good job of not being there for us "dad" so why don't you just hang up this phone and go back to what you do best not being there for us.

Jason was about to hang up and try his best to forget this call had ever happened when the words his father spoke next made him pause and listen.

[Steven Cross]

A slow sinister grin spread across Steven's face he knew exactly what to say now to get the chance to see his son face to face and help set things up further.

Your right jason i wasn't there for the things I should have been, but tell me this son If you wanted me there so badly why didn't you try and find me at any point. You could have looked for me I'm sure but I'm betting that you never did, did you. I would also guess that you never looked for me because thats what your brother told you was best and so despite what you felt at the time you just let things be am' I right?

He paused briefly waiting on an answer that he knew would not come at this time, the silence telling him all he needed to know that his words had struck home, now for the final push.

Look why don't you and Sarah let me come visit just once to talk and after that if you think it's still to late to work things out, then I'll go away and never bother you again.

The smile on Steven's face seemed to grow even more sinister as he heard the expected reply from his more forgiving son.

[Jason Cross]

All right it's true I didn't look for you when I could have and yes it was Mark who told me not to so I guess it's only fair to give you one chance at least to talk to me and let me see with my eyes just how sincere you are. That being said I'll meet with you whether or not Sarah will be there I can't say that's up to her. For now though this is goodbye dad I have alot I need to think about now so until later goodbye.

The two men exchanged their goodbyes and then Jason hung up the phone. He would have told sarah what was planned but he was sure with the loud tone of his voice that she already knew exactly what was going on. Still he turned to at least talk to her to try and find someway to calm down and that is when the two of them both heard a faint knocking at their front door. They both approached the door together to see who it was since they were not expecting guests at this time. They were both more than a little shocked when they opened the front door to see...

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

"Ma...Madison?...What are..."

Her words pause as she notices the overall demeanor and look of her niece. The child looked as if she hadn't slept nor eaten in days. Her eyes quickly began darting all over the beach front area as she stepped in front of Jason, kneeling down towards Madison as she extended her arms. She embraced her with a strong hug, before once again scanning the area for her mother Taylor.

She saw nothing. Taylor was nowhere to be found and neither was her brother for that matter. Her eyes quickly meet those of Madison's again, seeing the smallest trace of tears begin to make themselves present instantly. Something was wrong. Deathly wrong she thought. Within seconds she took the child up into her arms, holding her close to her as she stepped further out onto the porch of their Aruba cottage, frantically searching the beach for any trace of either Taylor or Cross. Seconds later she stepped further out onto the porch, then eventually halfway down the steps of the porch, still looking towards every direction possible for either of the child's parents. Her heart dropped as she realized neither were in the immediate vicinity. Slowly but surely she began to worry as she glanced back towards Jason still standing shocked in the doorway. She shrugged as if to suggest she was confused to no end. Which was in fact true. There was no explanation for this surprise that they had just encountered.

Quickly shaking her head in disbelief, she made her way back up the steps of the porch with Madison in tow, her mind already focused on getting in contact with her niece's parents. She quickly stepped through the doorway as Jason held the door open, her footsteps carrying them towards the telephone in haste, wondering just what in the hell was going on right now. First on the call list. Madison's mother, Taylor Devereaux

-FIN-