italianexoticbeauty:

{ teenage newlyweds | @tetheredtoelena }

Never ever in her life did Mary think she’d end up married at the age of seventeen, she was preparing for her final year in high school - all while keeping her marriage to Jeremy a secret. Not from his mother, who had taken them to Las Vegas to get married - but from his father and her family, the ring Mary had was something simple. That was absolutely no one would suspect her wearing it all the time. Miranda had met Mary’s father only once, and she didn’t want the young woman in an abusive home like that - while the Gilbert home was no better, Miranda was putting together funds so that Mary could be out on her own and feel safe. Grayson didn’t ask what his wife needed money for, she had access to the accounts and every so often transferred funds to a trust account. Not too much though - usually one to two thousand a month, something that wouldn’t send up any red flags with the accountants. Mary was supposed to be at the park at eleven for the Gilbert family picnic but she was running late, not on purpose - her parents were in the middle of yet another horrendous fight with her about her being with Jeremy. In the presence of her mother’s parents too - who had extended an invitation to Mary to come and stay with them until the school year was over.

As soon as she calmed down, she had texted Miranda ( aka - Mrs. Gilbert ) about what had happened and why she was running late. Miranda then said she could stay in their guest house for the whole summer, no hesitation. Mary almost started crying again once she had arrived at the park and exited her car. Taking a few deep breaths, she fanned her face with both hands while walking into the park - keys getting stuffed into her purse as she walked along the cement path, almost stomping her feet but her temper was towards her parents not anyone else. The water fountain wasn’t too far from were everyone was gathered, she could hear them all chattering just beyond the bushes. That was until she heard a few screams break out, and a loud pop noise - Matt came rushing around the corner with Elena, Tyler had a firm hold of Jeremy - and they all spotted Mary standing there. “Jeremy, the… you have blood on your face.”

The teenager heard more loud pops and another bodyguard shouting at Tyler and Matt to get Elena and Jeremy BACK to the parking lot. ‘Oh shit, the blood isn’t his!’ Her whole facial expression changed in an instant, and Tyler had a firm hold on her elbow now - all five of them were soon in the parking lot near the large black SUVs the family rode around in. Elena was shaking, screaming and crying - Jeremy was likely inside his own mind now, where everything on the outside was white noise but his thoughts. He wasn’t even making eye contact with her when she placed both hands on his shoulders, Tyler handing her a bottle of water and some tissues so she could wipe the blood off of his face. For a few minutes she stood there, before uncapping the bottle and dumping ALL of the water over Jeremy’s head. The other three jaw dropped when she did that! But Mary did not blink or move, just waited to see if her husband snapped back into reality.

Perhaps their relationship had moved faster than it should at their age, but Jeremy had known from day one that Mary was someone special– someone he’d do anything to protect. And his mother, Miranda, felt the same way. Her own past allowed her to see the obvious red flags in Mary’s home life, and it was actually her suggestion that they legally bring the young girl into their family. Not that he didn’t disagree, but they were awfully young, and Mary had a whole bright future ahead– one that should have seen her getting out of this town and starting a new life. But he loved her, and if it was selfish to want to keep her close, he was okay with that. She would have her own accommodations and her own allowance that permitted Mary to remain independent during and after severing the ties to her parents. Simply put, he couldn’t allow her to live in that environment anymore; it wasn’t healthy for anyone, but especially for a sweet, impressionable teenage. Today was supposed to be the day– the day he could deliver the good news of her freedom, and the day he was going to present her to his father properly. Once she was out and safe, he could announce the full extent of their connection, and she would never have to think that he was ashamed or uncertain about their union.

His father had called him over to speak to a business partner he didn’t recognize. This was supposed to be a family affair, but Jeremy wasn’t surprised that his father couldn’t leave it all at the office. He decided to be polite, humble in his responses and attentive in his listening, but truthfully, he was just wondering where Mary was. Every since she came into his life, he had started to second guess his desire to take over the empire one day. Mary had shown him that maybe there was more to life– that maybe he could be more.

He would never get the chance to find out. A loud crack filled the air, and in an instant, his face was splattered by a warm, sticky substance. His mouth had fallen open as he looked to his father. As if in slow motion, the Gilbert patriarch lurched forward, grip tightening on his son’s shoulders. “Get… him…. out.” Jeremy could barely understand the words, much less who he was speaking to. His business partner was gone, surely off hiding to save himself if he wasn’t actually the one behind this. Strong hands grabbed him before he could react, pulling him away from the scene before he could even will his feet to move.

It was all a blur– his sister’s cries, Grayson’s bodyguard crouched down over his form, more shots ringing out, Tyler shouting at someone? But all he can see is the red and the surprise on his father’s face. Only when he was doused with an entire bottle of ice cold water were his senses shocked back into life. He took in a loud, gasping breath, blinking rapidly as he looked from side to side– trying to get his bearings. Once he realized who was standing in front of him, he exhaled in a combination of grief and relief. “We have to get out of here– safe house #3,” he choked out to Tyler, who nodded in acknowledgement and moved to driver’s side of the vehicle.

“Where’s my mom?” To Matt this time, who still had Elena by the arm, trying to get her to calm down or at least lower the volume so as to not compromise their position. “Max has her; they’ll contact when they can.” He nodded. Standard procedure– family scatters. “Take Elena to #4 and let me know when you’re safe.” It was easier to bark orders than focus on what actually happened. How many times had they practiced this? Never did he ever think it would become a reality.

His attention finally returned to the woman before him. “Mary…” He went to lift his hand to touch her face, only to see his father’s blood on it– so he refrained, hand falling to his side instead. His jaw worked taunt, teeth ground together as he tried to keep himself from losing focus again. “I need you to get in the car with me. I’ll explain on the way. How much did you see?”