Embroiled

She was embroiled, and there was nothing she could do. Sinking deeper, she feels like there's no one to turn to and she's all alone….But she's so wrong

So, here is the last chapter of Embroiled. Thank you so much for your lovely reviews. I've got a nasty case of pharyngitis (throat infection) so I'm propped up in my bed with a cup of tea writing you your last instalment. I hope to be back soon.

Chapter 13 – Deceived

'Mum?' asked little William aged 9 to Connie on one of their sacred Sunday's.

'Yes William?' she replied, looking up from the roast dinner she was cooking. Elliot and Sam had long given up trying to help and had retired to the living room to amuse the kids and discuss Elliot's new project.

'I don't look like Daddy,' he replied sadly.

'No, you look like me,' replied Connie, ruffling his hair. 'What's brought all this on?'

'The kids at school said because I look like you, Dad must not be my real dad,' he sniffed.

'What utter nonsense,' replied Connie. 'Are you hearing this Sam?' she called out to her husband of 6 years.

'Loud and clear,' he said, standing up with 17 year old Grace, giving each other the look and then entering the kitchen of the home they had bought just before William's birth.

'Why would you listen to them little guy?' asked Sam, ruffling his sons hair. 'You've got mad football skills like your old Dad here, we like nearly all of the same things. It's not the worst thing to just look like your Mum. I mean, look at her, she's gorgeous.'

'After all these years they've still got it,' replied Grace, crouching down to his level. 'Look, Will, ignore what those little toerags say. We're a happy family, we've got our Mum and Dad and what's best is we've got each other. Those little boys at school are probably jealous. Their mum and dad might not be together anymore, their family might not be happy. Besides, why does it matter who you look like? I don't look like I belong to anyone, but I know in my heart that these are my parents and it doesn't matter who I look like most. They made me, and they made you, and they love us more than anything. So next time they say something, call them jealous losers and walk away.'

'Ok Gracie,' he replied with a smile.

'I've got an idea,' said Grace after some thought. 'My boyfriend Chris is coming over in his car for dinner, he should be leaving soon. How about I ask him to pick up your favourite pudding to cheer you up?'

'You mean, chocolate fudge cake?' he asked eagerly. 'You're the best sister ever. And I totally think you should marry Chris because he's cool, and he knows loads about Avengers and comics. He'd be the coolest big brother I never had.'

'I sometimes wonder who he loves more,' replied Grace, rolling her eyes and making a phone call as William trotted up the stairs to look for his IPad.

'You're good with him Grace,' replied Sam. 'You always have been.'

'Well it's been mostly great to have a little brother,' she replied. 'Oh William, Chris is on his way, he's going to get cake and he's going to bring some comics for you.'

'Result,' shouted William down the stairs. 'Told you he was awesome.'

'Do you think we should tell him at some point?' asked Sam nervously. 'About Alex. William may grow up to look like him.'

'Thankfully he takes after me,' replied Connie. 'He's happy, why do we need to disturb him about his biological father, a useless weasel who got me kidnapped and tried to run with the money, getting himself shot in the head in the process? It would just hurt him.'

'I agree with Mum,' said Grace. 'It would mess me up if I ever found out. Alex is dead, there's no family to try and contact William, no one apart from Alex and us knew that William was his. Let's just let sleeping dogs lie.'

'I just get worried,' said Sam, leaning against the counter.

'I know,' replied Connie, squeezing her husbands hand. 'But who was there for every milestone? His first word, his first steps, his first football match and school play. Who has raised him to be a little mini me? Personalities wise, you two are peas in a pod. Genetics don't come into it nearly as much as people think. It's something I've noticed more and more as William has got older. He's a Strachan, we're all Strachan's now.'

'And we moved into a beautiful home, we've managed over 9 years of having at least one day a week for sacred family time, Mum's not a workaholic/anorexic/depressive anymore and Dad has grown up, whilst I'm not a moody angry little Madam. We've won the life lottery, come on, this house even has a pool like I wanted all those years ago.'

'We're happy,' said Sam as William charged back down the stairs, iPad and charger in hand. 'That's all that matters.'

Song of the day/chapter – Taylor Swift – The Best Day – 'I have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger, God smiles on my little brother.'