Shock travelled across the room, the epicenter being Xavier and Jessica. The stare-off stopped and the both of them turned to Harry in unison. The move was so fluid and together that it felt like they had practised it. It was clear the two of them hadn't really heard what Harry had said. Even for Elena, herself, she had to make sure her ears were working. And she knew her grandmother. This was not outside the realm of possibility.

"What? Can you say that again?"Jessica said, still in disbelief. She had unconsciously moved closer to Harry, her eyes wide, her skin paled.

"Are you sure we can trust this? How do we know this woman can be trusted?" Xavier had gone to the other end of the spectrum. He was full of wariness and suspicion. His hand had even reached over to Jessica and restrained her.

"She's Elena's grandmother so there's all sorts of information at her fingertips. And she's been there for us before. This is legit,"Harry reassured his brother but he didn't make a move to approach them. It was clear that Xavier's wariness was a thing to watch out for. Like coming across an injured wolf. Caution was needed.

"I can vouch for her. We came here because she gave me some dirt on you, Xavier." Elena decided that she needed to intervene or this standoff between the brothers wouldn't end. The way he jumped slightly showed that he was shocked but the information didn't even faze him. He literally shrugged it off.

"Then we can take a look. Right?" Jessica had a rather harried air around her. Elena was puzzled by her reaction. The information must be important to her but she couldn't figure out why. Maybe it was the missing link from her past. Or maybe she had really liked Xavier so having to leave him had pained her. The latter theory sounded like a soap opera plot and the least plausible. The reason being that Xavier was the least likeable guy in the world.

On the other hand, it did sound like there was some emotions between them all those years ago. Could there still be lingering feelings? Were feelings going to be ignited once this was solved? Elena could feel the euphoria getting into her veins while her mind ran free.

"Don't look so entertained,"Harry suddenly said, sitting down beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. When had he gotten there? And what happened to the file? Surprised, her eyes went to Jessica and Xavier. They were still by the door but their faces were in the file, looking over and studying every page.

"What-"

"I gave it to them. It was only fair. That didn't have anything to do with me,"Harry responded to her unasked question while snuggling closer to her. "Your grandmother is an intense woman."

"Why? What did she say? Did she do anything to you?" She was quite curious. When he had told her, she was shocked. This was the last place she would expect that old woman. If LA was too much for her, Las Vegas must be a nightmare. But the happiness that had filled her as well couldn't be denied. She knew her grandmother was worried for her. It was nice to know that someone in her family was concerned. Not that Stephan didn't count but the concern from a man and woman differed.

"Well, there was a flying teacup and an irate woman but basically, she was just worried for you and didn't believe I can take care of you. She knows I'm the reason you're here right now-"

"That's not fair. She don't know how we are and what we're fighting about. And this trip, that fight, was a growing moment. We wouldn't have come to a compromise. Well, not as fast. And you wouldn't have met your nephew. So it all works out,"she said, trying to comfort him. Looking up at him was near impossible since he was resting his chin on her shoulders but the warmth from him being behind her was a nice compromise. Also it was easier for her to drop a kiss on his closest cheek. Oh God, why was she blushing so much?

"Yeah but her words got to me. Just a little bit. I mean, if I hadn't pushed you so much, we won't be here right now-"

"Hey, stop that. We're over that. It's just time to move on and get married before I pop them out. Anyway, what is in that file?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Don't lie. I know you peeked inside. I mean, I did that when she gave me the flashdrive." Poking his cheek, Elena couldn't help the glee that filled her. Having this moment to themselves, it was rare for them to just mess around and tease each other. It brought her back to the first night they had spent together. "Hey, hey, don't ignore me."

"Alright, alright,"he grumbled, pushing her ever poking hand away. A smile broke through his grumbly facade when she giggled. "The file corroborates whatever Jessica just said. And what the both of them have been up to over the years. Even includes pictures of Noah growing up. Moreover, it also includes the reason why she left."

"Why she left? Really? But how- No, nevermind. This is my grandmother we are talking about. For all I know, she's so powerful that she has world leaders eating out of her hands. So anyway, what's the reason? Tell me."

"This has to be a lie."

A sudden outburst by Xavier cut their conversation short. The two of them looked over to Xavier and Jessica and Elena was surprised by how red his face was. He was mad. So gripped by fury that he was crushing the papers in his hand.

"What are you talking about? Even faced with this, you are going to protect him? Is there any reason why I left?"Jessica retorted just as furiously. Then her head whipped to look at Harry. "And why are there so many photos of Noah in here? From when he was a baby to now. Did you know about this and followed him around? This-this is unacceptable!"

"Oh, there's pictures too?" Xavier did a one-eighty and tried to get the papers from Jessica. Papers, that apparently, contained such photos. Jessica put up a valiant effort but Xavier got it in the end. And he changed to a gushing, doting father. "Oh, he's so cute. He was so small. And you are so beautiful. There's one for every Christmas and Easter. He smiles just like you. So sweet. I wish I had been there. You wouldn't look so tired-"

"Is this the same person? That is your brother, right?"Elena asked Harry softly. He was like an entirely different person. Like all those fathers who brought out their children's photo at every opportunity. And he was talking so sweetly to Jessica that all their arguments from before seemed like a dream. An illusion.

"Don't worry. This is still the same Xav that you know and hate,"Jessica said drily. She sounded so knowledgeable that they couldn't help but nod and agree. However, her tone and expression didn't match. Her eyes was soft and gentle while her lips lifted up in a sweet smile. It was as if watching him gush over the pictures brought her joy. The relationship between the two of them was strange.

From what Elena got from Jessica's explanation, it didn't sound that there wasn't much of a connection between them. Apart from their child, Noah. And the way they fought validated that impression. But they threw a wrench into her impression at any opportunity. Like that time Xavier was throwing a jealous fit at Noah's strong resemblance to Harry. Initially, Elena had dismissed it as anger at being fooled but Xavier had looked genuinely distressed at the thought of being cheated on. And now, with the fondness Jessica was showing. What was with the two of them?

"So, I was thinking,"Harry said, cutting into her thoughts, "what is your opinion on a Vegas wedding?"

"Vegas wedding?" She was surprised. It only occurred to her then that this was Vegas. And they could get married in a heartbeat.

Married.

She was getting caught on that word. A wedding had never been in her plans. Not that she had never wanted to get married. It was just an "eventual" thing. Nothing she should worry yet. Especially since she found out about her pregnancy. Not even when Harry kept proposing to her. Or when she had accepted her proposal. Time hadn't really permit then.

But now that he mentioned it, a Vegas wedding would be best. For one thing, she wanted to be married before giving birth. And, another thing was the wedding preparations. She did not want to be caught up in that when she was having a tough time as it was making babies.

Why was he bringing it up now?

"I don't mind it. It's better than what a traditional wedding. But why?"she asked, looking up curiously at him.

"I just want to make you mine. I love you and if what happened with them happened to us, I don't know if I will ever be sane." Her heart skipped a beat and her cheeks flushed. She could never get used to his declarations of love.

"Ah, ok,"she answered timidly. Say it, say it. "I-I love you too and I certainly don't want you to devolve to insanity."

"Great." His smile was blinding. And it was full of relief.

"And stop being sneaky. Tell me what happened to make Jessica leave." He thought he could slip that in without her catching it. Well, he had another thing coming.

"It's pretty simple, actually. Someone close to Xavier did something to convince her that leaving is the best choice for her-"

"Not for me,"Jessica interjected, startling the both of them. They were practically whispering to each other. How did she hear anything? Looking at her, Elena saw that Xavier was paying attention as well. Jessica was aware of that as well because she let out a sigh and glanced at her baby daddy before returning to them. "It was for him, for Xav. He convinced me that having a baby at such a young age would hurt Xav's future. And I didn't want that. I mean, I know he's excited and all but how long would that excitement last? And after that ended, won't we just burden him? So before that could happen, I thought we should get out of his life-"

"Well, that didn't work,"Harry snorted. "He was a wreck after you left. I didn't know it at that time but now that I think about it, that was when he slacked off classes and eventually refused to be the heir to the company. Basically, a pain in the ass."

"Isn't he the CEO now?" Jessica looked so lost that Elena felt pity for her. "I mean, I heard you were the CEO for a couple of years, Harry, but wasn't that because Xav wanted to branch out and learn?"

"Where did you get that from?" Harry was becoming more derisive and was about to expose more of Xavier's past. Elena felt that this information needed to be given slowly, letting Jessica absorb them before giving more. She looked both lost and appalled. It was like her great sacrifice had been for naught.The feisty woman from before was long gone. Elena should stop her future husband from giving her more damage but, luckily, Xavier stepped in.

"He's right. I wasn't involved in the company until recently. But it's not because I wanted to."

"What? Then what have you been doing since I left?"

"Whatever I wanted, basically."

"So you lived the life of all those rich kids? Were you involved in anything illegal?"

"What? No! And I can never live such a purposeless life." Xavier looked so affronted that Elena giggled softly. Jessica didn't help either with her wide-eyed curiosity. But Elena couldn't blame Jessica for her misconception. His description was remarkably sparse and open to interpretation. "I travelled around the world, worked in some companies, enjoyed life after. That's all. Anything to get away from the parents."

Elena liked how he termed it as "working" in "some" companies. Yeah, as if being the directors, chief officers and CEOs of multinational companies was simply working. That was an extremely simplified explanation. Jessica, however, took his words at face value and nodded. She was remarkably simple for someone who was in her thirties. Still, there was somethings that didn't add up.

"But, and sorry to interrupt, why do you always, I don't know, mess up on March twentieth? Like without fail."

"W-what are you talking about? I don't know what you mean. I mean a mess is a bit much. I didn't do much, just think about my kid and, like, something important is always scheduled on that day. It's not like my fault or anything. And how do you know this-"

"March twentieth? Noah's expected due date?" Jessica had a dreamy look in her eyes, cutting into Xavier's unexpectedly adorable blunder of a retort. "You remembered?"

"Well, yeah. I was looking forward to it and then, and then-"

"I left."Jessica suddenly sounded old, older than her years. The increasing closeness between them dissipated. And Jessica emotionally and physically distanced herself from him. Xavier's expression immediately shuttered and all traces of the father he was meant to be disappeared. He was so affected by that. "A-anyway, it was nice to see you again. If you're in town, let me know and we can grab dinner."

"Wait,"Xavier cried, trying to grasp her wrist but she managed to evade in time. "Are you not even going to talk to me about why you left?"

"You don't believe those papers which are conveying the truth. What else is there to talk about?"Jessica returned, her eyes filled with unshed tears. Then, ignoring Xavier, she turned to Elena. "If you see Noah, let him know I've went home. Sorry again for what my stupid son did and hope we can keep in touch."

"You're not even going to keep in touch with me. J-Jessica, wait up." Xavier's words could still be heard through the door as he chased after Jessica. It was quite a comical sight to see the cold, controlled Xavier act hotblooded and young.

"So, yeah. I'll book the chapel and we'll get married before the week is over,"Harry said, his voice still echoing the shock of seeing his brother in this manner. Elena was still unsure about the reason for the rush but a part of her liked his impatience.

"Definitely."

AN: Hi guys. Hope you like the chapter. As I'm sure you're aware, this is a double update. Really sorry for missing last week. The next chapter is the epilogue. Please look out for it.

And check outmy published book, Accidental Babies, on Amazon. There's an ebook and paperback. The best of both worlds. Let me know if you did buy it.

THANKS!!!