[right][sub][color=dcdcdc]TIMESTAMP: After Two Callahans, a Girl, & a Mystery[/color][/sub]
[sub][color=dcdcdc][@BrutalBx] & [@LovelyComplex][/color][/sub][/right]
[table][row][cell][center][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/12030d8699e27586bd16458985147515/tumblr_inline_nic5q2AtL41t6da4c.gif[/img][/center][color=#2e2c2c]x[/color][/cell][cell][center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/221014/1d16b9bdab6b0e0aa50c2d03255e8243.png[/img][/center]
[color=#2e2c2c]x
x[/color][/cell][cell][center][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/5f0b21a202d28b13ccfc86a909309ced/tumblr_inline_ns9gk5ba9F1qlt39u_250.gif[/img][/center][color=#2e2c2c]x[/color][/cell][/row][/table][color=dcdcdc][indent][indent][color=666666]“It’ll all be mine someday.”[/color]

Those words had echoed in Teddy’s brain since he was a child. The Grimms never had much, they lived in a single bedroom house down on Haze Street. It was Teddy, his brother George and his parents Hank and Gabby. 

Hank worked over in Boston down at the port and like any blue collar dad he spent most of his time at work or at the bar before he came home to the family that weighed him down. He had heard from some people that his father used to be a happy guy, a fun loving and quirky character but the massacre at Camp Eden had changed him. It was supposed that having your stomach slashed and your girlfriend murdered would do that to you.

Gabriella was an immigrant; could barely speak English and Hank out of the kindness of his heart, took her in and they fell in love; a storybook romance perpetuated by lies to withhold the truth. Both of them were abusive, violent and God fearing. George always wanted to escape, it was his thing. When Teddy was a boy, he remembered he and his brother running around Edenridge, looking for hideaways where their father couldn’t find them…but Hank always found them. 

On one particular of those long ago days, the future mayor of Eden and his brother found themselves in the fabled Scott Street. Of course, the likes of the Clearys and the O’Haras looked down on these two scruffy boys as they meandered over Prairie Court, probably looking for somewhere to rob. It was then that Teddy and George found themselves at the big black gates of the Carlisle Estate. It had been built by hand by the Judge himself, Nathaniel Carlisle, back in the 17th century. The last known members of the forgotten founders family had moved out in the 50s after their progeny murdered a cheerleader by the lake. Teddy was enamored with its gothic beauty, to him, it looked like the grim reaper himself called the manor home. Then and there, the young boy decided; [color=666666]“It’ll all be mine someday.”[/color]

And it was. Upon his return to Edenridge, he bought the manor, lovingly restored it and now called it home. From the window in his bedroom he now stood looking out of, Teddy could see most of the town, including his former home on Haze Street, though now it was no longer a house. He made sure when he became mayor to raise that building to the ground. As the Reaper built his empire of the future, he saw fit to destroy everything that could remind him of his past and the hell he walked through. The future and everything in it was his. 

Taking a seat at his bedroom desk, Teddy loosened up his tie and opened up his Mac just in time for a FaceTime with his youngest child.

[color=666666]“Hello Precious.”[/color]

Intentionally, Kylee placed herself in Adam’s kitchen, the one place there wasn’t decorations (thank GOD Adam had only recently moved in). The background? The fridge, the counter, and the cabinets, the same style that could be found in every Milligan Apartment suite. The frame gave a small glimpse of her setting but its focal point was her face, as she held her phone directly in front of her and made sure her gleaming face, the subject of the image, was in the center. 

Her hair blow dried, her skin moisturized, and her lips glossed, she was ready for battle. While she was wearing Adam’s shorts, her top was her crop tank and cardigan (dried… okay it was a little damp but she had to make her dad believe what he saw, and what he saw was Kylee at her girlfriend’s apartment). She only had enough time to dry her clothes for five minutes so she had to wash it after this call, wearing damp clothes was icky. Still, presentation was key and she had to make sure she didn’t look like a Callahan boy just rocked her world.  

She warned Adam already what she was going to do and she hoped her lover would stay quiet. She didn’t need him on her dad’s radar already. They were just starting to have fun and Adam knew how her daddy was. Not just the Mayor persona. No, Adam knew that Theodore Grimm liked things a certain way and when they weren’t…  [color=a95963]“Hi daddy! Sorry I missed your call, I had it in my bag because it’s pouring outside. But now I’m all comfy.”[/color] 

Teddy immediately scanned the room behind his baby, she was obviously at the Milligan Apartments. There were no decorations on the walls behind her, which meant that either the place was empty, recently moved into or the home of a psychopath. He always knew when Kylee was lying to him, the same with Lincoln, Kennedy or Hailey. They had too much of their Mom in them. She could never lie to Teddy either. Of all of his children, Kylee had the most of Melody in her. The boys were a lot like his own father in a lot of ways and Hailey was a creature unto herself. 

[color=666666]“I can see that. I am assuming, Kylee Rose, that you are at Miss Ramsey’s home?”[/color]

She could feel it. The pressure. He was looking at her calmly but that made this even more unnerving. Kylee had to keep her poker face on lest her father find out Adam is back from the grave. For years now, Adam became a ghost that Kylee never brought up. She was hurt and even hearing his name hurt. Truthfully, she had no idea how her father would react and whether or not he’d be proud of her or disappointed in her for moving on from Wes so fast. [color=a95963]“Mhm!”[/color] She lied, keeping that smile ever so wide on her glowing face. [color=a95963]“She’s in the shower right now but she gives her regards.”[/color]

Kylee wasn’t at Mei’s. That much was obvious. The weird heavy tattooed child that his little girl hung around with so often had a sticker on the top of her food cupboard, a pentagram with a deer's head sketched upon it. That was not situated above Kylee’s chocolate hair. She was lying to him. It would not take much to get her to confess, it never did. However, on this particular occasion he would allow her to get away with it, at least for now. He had made a decision earlier that day to rid her of the Silo boy, to unblock her path of obstacles and intrusions, especially one that kept dark secrets that could harm her. [color=666666]“I am happy to see you are safe. You can probably guess my announcement has been postponed. We hope to announce the new hotel tomorrow.”[/color]

[color=a95963]“There’s no time yet?”[/color] Kylee asked, relieved on the inside that he did not inquire further about the apartment. Maybe her angle, her frame, her shot was believable! Future filmmaker here. The next Palm d’Or winner of the Cannes Film Festival. No, not really. She would never be as good as Adam but a girl could try. 

[color=666666]“It is…weather dependent,”[/color] Teddy reached forward, taking a hold of his fine scotch crystal and admiring the gift from the motherland. He took a small sip, savoring the burning taste of the Highlands as he mulled over his words. [color=666666]“I will let you know of course.”[/color] When he had left Edenridge, the Mayor had spent years learning and honing his persona. One learned skill was to recover and process information in a way that almost felt slow motion. [color=666666]“Precious, I have just gotten off the phone with your Aunt Evelyn.”[/color]

At the mention of her aunt, Kylee frowned, leaning back on the counter and thinking back on her family’s short trip to the UK. In two days, Uncle George would be dead for exactly a month. She could only imagine how much her auntie was grieving. Looking beyond the camera, Kylee watched the back of Adam’s head. He wore his headsets and was going through his footage. Years ago, she tried to convince herself he had died when he left without notice. That didn’t work, of course, because she was never confirmed of his whereabouts or what happened. Whether he was dead or alive. There was still hope. Hope he’d come back, like he did, and swoop her off her feet, like he did. She had hope that there was a tomorrow but for her extended family… 

Her uncle’s light was gone and that meant there was no hope. Only the harsh reality that he aunt’s soulmate would no longer be there to give her kisses in the morning. Her aunt’s soulmate would no longer hold her when she was incredibly sad. Her aunt’s soulmate would not be able to tell her how his day went and how he was so glad to be home with her. It was all very sad. To lose a soulmate like that. 

Kylee couldn’t even imagine that kind of heartbreak. Losing someone because of rejection or because your paths were no longer aligning was one thing, but losing someone you saw the rest of your life with because of death. That was horrible and so, so very sad. [color=a95963]“How’s she holding up?”[/color] Kylee looked away from Adam, bringing her gaze to the man calmly staring at her from the other side of her phone.

[color=666666]“Evelyn is tough.”[/color] Teddy was adept at hiding his true feelings and motives. It was a skill honed from over his forty two years walking the Earth. The truth of the matter was when Evelyn called him a month ago to tell him that his older brother was gone, the elation that Teddy felt in his heart could not be described. It was a wordless sensation akin to one’s skin being on fire. [color=666666]“My worry is more for your cousins Amaranth and Aster. To lose a parent is always terrible but to lose one in such horrific circumstances…”[/color] The manner in which his sibling met his end was joyous and it was harder for Teddy to hide his glee. [color=666666]“I have invited them to come stay here for as long as their mother wishes. Family must always come first and in times like these one must rely on family.”[/color]

Nodding in understanding, Kylee thought of her cousins, wondering what they were feeling. Her father was a constant in her life. Her mother, on the other hand… that was an entirely different experience. She grew up with Prue, and three years or so ago, her father got with Celine. Even if she loved Prue dearly something was off and Kylee knew, just knew that this woman was not her mother. This woman was playing a part that her father expected of her. That was what it was like to live in the Grimm household. Everyone had their parts to play. Kylee watched, listened, and saw things she likely wasn’t supposed to, all the while playing her part as daddy’s Precious. Edenridge was her father’s stage and even her, his beloved daughter, was a puppet in his show.   

Prue was one of the most manipulated puppets her father had. As much as she loved her, she couldn’t properly grieve her because deep down she knew her mother was someone else. The way her siblings carried themselves in regards to the past led her to believe in such a theory, led her to have so many unanswered questions. In each of their eyes she saw secrets, secrets none of them were willing to tell. Was it the same for her cousins? Were things not as perfect as it seems? Were they ripping at the seams? Were they grieving or were they glad their father was dead? [color=a95963]“We must plan a big dinner then daddy. Make them feel nice and welcomed. Is there anything you need me to do to prepare for them?”[/color] 

She was such a good girl. Kylee almost always did what she was told. Almost. Like right now she was lying to his face about her whereabouts but he was letting that one slide. After all, not six hours ago he choked the life out of the scumbag that she called a boyfriend but he did so to protect her. Once he figured out who she was with now, they would be the next one for the Reaper to vet. He wasn’t one of those fathers who believed no one was good enough for his Precious, he just had high standards. [color=666666]“Just keep an eye on your siblings when they arrive. You know how your brothers can get a bit….full on shall we say?”[/color]

Lincoln and Kennedy had inherited much of Teddy in all aspects of their being. Hailey too. Ky was the most like her mother, which was probably why he treated her the way he did. [color=666666]“And just watch over them. With everything happening in town at the moment, there are many moving pieces in play and I do not want your cousins to get lost in the shuffle.”[/color]

[color=a95963]“Do you really think they would?”[/color]  Kylee raised an eyebrow, pushing herself off the counter. Based on how ice cold her cousins could be, they weren’t girls that could be easily trifled with. They protected themselves first and foremost before letting anyone in. [color=a95963]“Mara’s always been focused on herself and her future. I don’t think her grief or this town will change her mind on her end goal. As for Aster, I would worry more for this town and her hurting people’s fragile egos. She loved Uncle George. I imagine she is not doing okay.”[/color] This did bring up a new set of questions. How did her cousins feel about this whole transition? Did they even want to come to America? Didn’t Mara have to go back to college? Didn’t Aster have to finish her senior year? [color=a95963]“You said Auntie Eve is okay with this? She wants to be alone away from her children right now?”[/color] 

[color=666666]“Do NOT challenge me, Kylee Rose,”[/color] Teddy raised his hand slightly, a sign that Ky would recognise instantly. It was the Mayor’s sign to end a conversation lest face his wrath. [color=666666]“Your Aunt Evelyn and I have discussed this, at length. Amaranth and Aster will be coming to live with us. Evelyn will be going on tour as she feels this is the best way for her to heal and she will be visiting as often as she can. This. Is. The plan.”[/color] Lowing his hand flat back on the desk and taking a breath through his nose. Always so inquisitive. Teddy’s dark eyes looked through the lens of the phone into the mirrored eyes that his child shared with him. [color=666666]“Do you understand what I am asking of you, Precious?”[/color]

Briefly, the corners of Kylee’s mouth turned down, as she tucked her lower lip between her teeth. She shifted her weight from one side to the other, her gaze downward, away from her father’s glare. Embarrassed for asking too many questions, she tried to get her mind back on track. Only recently Adam had taken her out of her dark place. She didn’t need to go back solely because she said something wrong to her dad. Playing with her hair with her free hand, she locked eyes with the main man in her life once more and nodded, [color=a95963]“Yes, daddy.”[/color] There was a faint blush on her cheeks and obvious remorse in her brown eyes. She didn’t mean to offend. Kylee wanted to know how her cousins were feeling about this sudden decision to uproot their lives but it was clear as day regardless of how they felt, they would be coming. They were birds like her in their own locked cage. Freedom was a crime for girls like them. [color=a95963]“Sorry…”[/color] a heap of sadness overwhelmed her soul. She just wanted to make him proud of her. [color=a95963]“I’m sorry, daddy.”[/color]

[color=666666]“It is getting late,”[/color] Teddy looked at his custom Rolex and noted the time. It was a gift from Evelyn at Christmas. For a moment the image of him wearing it as he choked her during their first time giving in to passion flashed in his mind, followed swiftly by his earlier asphyxiation of Wesley Silo. [color=666666]“You are better off staying where you are tonight than trying to come back to the manor. At least I know you will be safe. I love you Kylee Rose.”[/color]

Adjusting her posture, trying to seem more perky, when reality was he had deflated the little ounce of happiness she had in her, Kylee beamed, [color=a95963]“I love you too daddy!”[/color] Her heart was uneasy and part of her was worried when he did find out about Adam, he would not take it lightly. She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep this from him for too long. He was her father and he had the right to know of her affairs, even if she was afraid of how he’d take them. There was no lover she had that ever satisfied him. He barely acknowledged Natalia, he assumed Pierce was gay, he knew what she had with Mei was fleeting, and Wesley… he didn’t exist to him. Wesley Silo was nothing to her father. [color=a95963]“I hope you have company tonight. Is Celine…I mean, mother, home?”[/color] 

This was typical of Kylee. She always worried about everything, every small detail. She was just like her. [color=666666]“No, she was at a friend's house when the storm hit. She is safe. Your sister too, she’s out of town. So I am alone tonight but that is fine.”[/color] In many respects, Teddy preferred to be alone. Then he wouldn’t have to suffer any fools. Despite what the rumors might say, Grimm manor wasn’t full of ghosts and despite what the people around him might say, Teddy Grimm was not haunted by his misdeeds. [color=666666]“I have some paperwork to catch up on and then I will likely retire for the evening.”[/color] A flash of lightning was enough to shift Reaper's face into a cold glare. [color=666666]“You are the air I breathe, Precious. You are my heart. Please be safe but don’t EVER lie to me again. I do not ask twice.”[/color]

There it was. He knew. Kylee Rose Grimm should’ve known better. There was no way of fooling him. Father knew best. [color=a95963]“I’m sorry. I won’t. I’ll explain tomorrow when I see you. It’s complicated.”[/color] She was running her fingers through her long hair profusely. She really couldn’t lie for the life of her. Especially not to him. [color=a95963]“I promise.”[/color] 

The mayor got to his feet, picking up his Mac with one hand and placing the other in the pocket of his custom suit from Osprey’s as he walked back towards the window. [color=666666]“I do not want promises, Kylee Rose, and I do not need explanations. Just do as you are told.”[/color] His eyes left the screen to look out across his empire of dirt before drifting back to his daughter. [color=666666]“Goodnight, Precious. You are my world. I love you.”[/color] With that, the screen cut to black.

Shaken, Kylee placed her phone on the counter. Interlocking her fingers together, she rested her hands on her mouth, cupping it, trying to regain her composure. She was an awful daughter for lying. She stood in the kitchen in complete silence unable to move. 

She was a small bird being held tightly. 

The person who entered her cage time and time again just to remind her who was in control, clutching her in a way that made it hard to breathe, to make sure her wings would never work in the way she wanted them to…

That person was her father. 

Daddy really did know what was best for her. 

Daddy always knew what was best.
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