Chapter 13
‘This is a horrible idea.’ I thought to myself. I had locked myself in my room all day going back and forth trying to talk myself out of going to this stupid dinner. I took a shower and said I was just doing it as part of my routine. Then I started on my hair and said I was trying something new.
But now standing in front of the mirror in the black strapless floor length gown Natasha made me get, with my hair curled and parted to the side, my make up done and the faux white fur scarf I was wearing as a shall I had to admit it to myself.
“I’m really doing this shit.” I said taking a breath before heading down.
“You clean up nice.” I heard Tony said.
“Are you really surprised?” Natasha retorted.
“So it’s just you two?” Clint asked.
“Hanna hasn’t come out of her room all day.” Steve said.
“She made it pretty clear she wasn’t going.” Bruce said.
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” Natasha said as I walked down the stairs.
“This is a horrible idea. I mean on a scale of one to ten this is like a hundred.” I said. “That being said we obviously need answers and we don’t have any leads so this is our best shot to figure out what the hell happened to me. So We’re going to go, look around, you’ll do your super spy thing, you’ll do the billionaire thing and then we get out and after we do we are never mentioning this again. Ever. Agreed?”
“Sure.” Natasha said.
“Absolutely.” Tony said with a smirk.
“This is a one time thing, and we’re stopping by to get a burger or something because I don’t care what universe we’re in my mother can’t cook.” I said.
“Whatever you want.” Tony said. “And can I just say you look great. Not that you don’t always...”
I interrupted Tony by reaching up and straightening his bowtie.
“That was going to bug me.” I said. “Let’s go. “
“Don’t wait up.” Tony said.
The drive to Newport from Malibu was long but the limo was comfy.
“Alright, pre-game time.” Tony said popping open a bottle of champagne and passing out glasses.
“Anything we should know?” Natasha asked.
“Like what?” I asked.
“Things to look out for?” Natasha insisted.
“Well my dad has a thing for red-heads.” I said.
“Old man has a type.” Tony chuckled.
“Oh and whatever you do don’t ask about the plants.” I said.
“What plants?” Tony said.
“Any of them.” I said. “Once you get mom started she won’t shut up.”
“And your brother?” Natasha asked.
“I doubt he’ll be there.” I said sipping my champagne. “In my world he tried to spend as little time as possible with them. It’s probably the only thing he ever really tried at. So what exactly are we looking for.”
“Anything that sticks out to you. That could have caused you to end up here.” Tony said.
“That’s a bit vague.” I said.
“That’s the point.” Natasha said enjoying her drink.
When we pulled up the house on top of the hill I just had to stop and look.
“This is a big step up from the old place.” I said looking at the mansion with an oceanside view. The grand entryway with roman columns and huge double doors.
“It’s a nice place.” Natasha said.
“Too much marble for my taste.” Tony said offering me his arm. “Shall we.”
“I’m going to regret this.” I said putting my hand on his arm and following him in. Inside was a marble floor with two grand staircases leading upstairs, a giant crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and more roman columns acting as a partition between the entry way and the reception room.
“I’m getting Dynasty vibes from this place.” I said.
“It looks like something out of Dynasty.” Tony said.
“I’m going to go look around, keep a low profile.” Natasha whispered before going to do her thing.
“Champagne?” Tony said taking two glasses off one of the servers trays.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I asked him.
“No I’m trying to get you to relax.” Tony said. “You look like you’d rather be anywhere but here.”
“That’s because I do.” I said.
“How bad could they possibly be?” he said.
“I cut off all contact five years ago for a reason.” I said.
“Well that five year streak is about to end.” Tony said smiling as he looked behind me.
“What?” I asked turning to see the last two people I ever wanted to see again.
“Smile and go with it.” Tony said.
“Tony.” I said.
“Smile…” He said.
“Mister Stark.” A chillingly familiar voice said.
“Ah, our gracious hosts.” Tony said.
“Lillian Marin.” She said offering him her gloved hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh the pleasure is all mine.” Tony said bowing and kissing her hand. I had to figure the urge to gag.
“Greyson Marin.” Fake dad greeted. “Welcome to our humble abode.”
“Very humble indeed.” Tony said sarcastically. “Allow me to introduce my friend this is…”
“Rebecca Blake.” I said before Tony could say anything. “Thank you for having us. You have a beautiful home.”
“You are most very welcome.” Greyson said giving me a strange look. “I’m sorry have we met before?”
“Uh not that I know of.” I said. “I probably just have one of those faces.”
“Oh, I doubt it. A beautiful face like is not easy it forget.” He said with a wink. I just laughed awkwardly trying not to be visibly grossed out my own dad just hit on me.
“Oh Greyson, you’re going to make the poor girl blush.” Lillian said playfully slapping his arm.
“Oh he’s just being honest.” Tony said.
“Well if you excuse us we have to go make the rounds.” Lillian said. “If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.” Tony said before turning to me. “you okay?”
“I think I just puked a little in my mouth.” I said.
“Looks like good old dad also has a thing for blondes, Huh?” Tony teased and I just gave him a look. “How about I get us some real drinks?”
“Yes please.” I said.
I took a walk around the house looking for the guest bathroom. I went in and turned on the faucet.
Focus Hanna. They’re not your parents, they did not contribute any DNA to make you so what just happened was a complete stranger admiring what you can do with makeup and the right bra.
Okay I got this. Pep talk over. I washed my hands and headed out only to bump into the last person I expected to see in this world. My sister in law. Grace.
“Oh sorry.” She said as she almost hit me with a stroller.
“It’s okay.” I said picking up my dress to move out of the way. Grace looked around shifting from foot to foot obviously very uncomfortable.
“Shit.. Watch him for a minute.” Grace said moving the stroller so I could hold the handle and locking herself in the restroom before I could say no.
“Uh…” I looked confused before looking down at the baby who stared up at me with big green eyes. He was sucking on a pacifier but as soon as he realized he had my attention he spat it out and started fussing.
“Wah!” He cried.
“Hey hey no..” I said. “Come on Jamie. You don’t do that.”
“Ah!” He whined.
I looked at the stroller and saw his toy giraffe and a ring toy.
“Oh I can work with this.” I said waving around the giraffe and making a squeeky voice. “Hey little man do you know what time it is?”
“Hm..” Jamie stopped crying.
“It’s ring time!” the ‘giraffe’ cheered before I threw the ring toy up and the giraffe caught it with its neck.
Jamie giggled.
“And again!” I said doing the same thing again. At one point I let him hold the ring and one things his baby and my nephew had in common... they both had a great throwing arm.
"Oh!" I said.
"What are you doing?" The baby’s father said walking over.
“Hi, I’m just watching this little cutie while his mom is in the lady’s room.” I said.
“There’s my big guy.” Greg said. The baby cheered as he picked him up. That never happened in my world. Greg wasn’t a doting parent. He was the guy that never wanted to be a father but ended up being one. That resented his kid for ending the party and no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t get over it. Just like mom.
“Ah!” Jamie giggled.
“I’m sorry about that my wife is probably powdering her nose.” He said annoyed. “I’m Greg by the way. Greg Marin.”
“I know.” I said. “There’s a giant family painting of you over the mantle.”
“Right. I thought the cat was over kill.” He said.
“It does give off the bond villain vibe.” I said. “I’m Rebecca Blake.”
“Nice to meet you.” he said just as Jaime started fussing and putting his arms out towards me.
“Oh.” I said catching him before he fell.
“That’s weird. Jamie doesn’t normally like strangers.” Greg said.
“We kind of became buddies with the help of mister giraffe.” I said handing the baby his toy.
“You’re good with him.” He said.
“He’s a great kid.” I said.
“That he is.” Greg said. “He’s my world. You look good with my baby in your arms.”
“Your wife is in the restroom.” I deadpanned.
“Well I doubt she’d notice.” He said getting closer instead I forced the baby into his arms.
“I think someone needs a diaper change.” I said walking away. Well he’s rich and a better father in this world but he’s still a dick and a moron.
“Drink.” Tony said handing me a martini which I drank in one go. “You okay?”
“My brother just made a pass at me.” I said.
“Ew.” He said.
“Yeah.” I said.
“Well quite a family you’ve got here Bex.” Tony said. “How’d you come up with that?”
“Middle name and old friend’s last name.” I said.
“Huh.” He said just as Natasha came by.
“You were right about your mom, she really can’t stop talking about her roses.” Natasha said. “How are things with you?”
“I got hit on by my dad and brother.” I said.
“Ew.” Natasha said.
Just then Lillian took a glass and tapped on it with a spoon to get everyone’s attention.
If you will all please join us in the dining room. Dinner is about to be served.” Lillian said before taking Greyson’s arm and heading to said dining room.
“This ought to be fun.” I said heading there with Natasha and Tony.
And boy was it. Tony having been the biggest donor of the night, ended up having us sit closest to the head of the table. I was right in front of my sister in law, my fake brother and to my surprise my best friend.
“Amelia so good of you to join us dear.” Lillian said.
“Thank you for having me Lily.” Amelia said. “Sorry for being late.”
“Work as always?” Grayson said.
“Oh you know this one, always working.” Greg said.
“Someone has to pick up your slack.” Grayson said condescendingly. “How’s my dealership doing? Sales were a bit low last month.”
“Were they?” Greg said. “I could have sworn my paycheck looked the same.”
“Who do you think signs your paycheck?” Greyson said.
“Boys, no business at the dinner table.” Lillian said smiling tensely.
“Sales will pick up in a few months. Amy came up with this great idea to sell cars through an app.” Grace said. “She and Greg have been working crazy hours setting it all up.”
“Well one of us has to work to pay for you pilates instructor.” Greg said.
“I’d say we both benefit from that.” Grace said.
“Yes we do.” Greg said kissing his wife.
“You two been married long?” Natasha asked.
“Just over two years.” Grace said. “We’ve known each other our whole lives.”
“Dated for three months before we eloped. When you know you know.” Greg said.
“Vegas was fun.” Lillian said.
“Made a killing at the roulette table.” Greyson said.
“It was a fun wedding.” Amy said. “How do you three know each other?”
“Work.” The three of us said.
“Well thank you for everything you two did in New York.” Grace said. Tony tensed and I could tell he was about to have a panic attack.
“I thought there was a no work talk at the table rule?” I said taking his hand under the table in a show of silent support.
“Yes there is. Gentlemen you can talk about work after dessert.” Lillian said. “For now lets all remember why we’re here.”
“I forgot to say thanks for looking after Jamie earlier. Greg said you were really good with him.” Grace said.
“Really? I can’t hold the kid without him crying.” Greyson said.
“He’s not good with strangers.” Lillian said.
“It’s all about confidence. Kids learn by seeing so if they sense you’re nervous they get nervous.” I said.
“That is very true.” Lillian said. “You were the same way.”
“Oh please he never cried.” Greyson said. “We never gave him a chance to.”
“Perks of being an only child.” Greg said.
“I don’t know, I always wanted another kid. A daughter.” Greyson said.
“Of course you’d say that. You’re not the one that’d have to give birth to them and I doubt you would have liked her very much as a teenager.” Lillian said. “One is more than enough. We got it right on the first one, no need for more.”
“True, it’s one thing when a son starts dating but a daughter… yikes.” Greyson said before looking at Lillian. “We’re the perfect family as we are.”
“If there’s such a thing as perfect were pretty damn close.” Greg said.
“No complaints here.” Grace said.
“You do have a beautiful family.” I said struggling to keep a straight face.
“They’re okay.” Greyson said making everyone laugh.
The dinner didn’t provide any answers as to how I got here but I did find one new huge difference.
After it was over we headed back to the manor. I didn’t say anything the entire way back. Mostly because what was there to say.
“Hanna, you okay?” Tony asked once we were back.
“Never better.” I said sarcastically.
“We didn’t find anything about how you got here but we’ll figure something else out.” Natasha said. “Don’t feel bad.”
“I feel fine Nat. It’s not everyday you find out everyone you’ve ever known is actually better off without you.” I said. “They can actually be in the same room without tearing each other’s heads off and they actually like each other so… yeah I’m great.”
With that I headed up to my room.
“Hanna.” Tony started but I ignored him. I slammed my room door shut and kicked off my heels before falling into my bed.
“Great fucking day.” I said to myself.