AUTHORS NOTE: This story has been in the works since 2015 and only now is it finally at a point where I am reasonably happy for it to be uploaded. It started out as a full story but I just didn't have the time to dedicate to putting the level of detail in needed, so I then decided to condense what I had into a comprehensive 'one-shot' rather than a full story which was lacking. However, it ended up being too big for a 'one-shot'. So, we have fallen somewhere between a 'one-shot' and a full story with a short story! After much tweaking and deliberation, I am now finally happy(ish) enough with it to share it.

The idea behind it is Ella didn't end up in a Detroit slum hooked on drugs and selling herself while her pimp physically abused Christian. In this universe, Ella stayed with Christian's father and they made a real go of being a family. Despite their very young ages and the odds being stacked against them they succeeded and Christian had a modest yet happy childhood and Ella made a huge success of her life. However, that also means Christian never ended up in a Seattle hospital, was never adopted by the Grey's and never fell into Elena's hands. Did that also mean he never became a successful businessman and was never interviewed by Ana – or were they always destined to be together one way or another?

The story begins Ella is just 16 years old, for the sake of this story I have given her a birth date of January so by the time Christian is born she has turned 17.

Enjoy!

INEVITABLE DESTINY

CHAPTER 1

June 18th 1983…

"Come on Ella you can do it!" I encourage my beautiful girlfriend to continue pushing.

She is covered in sweat and is obviously tired from the long labour she has endured.

She looks up at me, her long brunette hair plastered against her forehead. I press the damp wash cloth to her head once more.

"Come on baby, nearly there" I coax.

I glance nervously at the doctor and she is telling Ella to push and then she looks up at me, as she makes eye contact with me, she smiles reassuringly.

"He's a big boy and she is petite so it was always going to be hard work for her" she says.

With one herculean effort Ella takes a deep breath, grips my hand even tighter and pushes and then she screams out and I see our son's head now outside Ella's body. I smile as I see the mass of copper hair, my copper hair.

"Come on I can see him… and he has my hair; come on Ella you've got this. Push him out, you are doing so well" I say.

Ella has my hand in a grip of iron and she pushes again and then his shoulders are clear and our son slips from her body.

I have tears flowing freely and I press a kiss to her soaked forehead. "You did it, you did it" I croak the emotion overwhelming me.

Activity goes on around me and I watch with a kind of detached interest as all I can focus on is Ella and my new-born son. He is screaming loudly, and I smile. There is nothing wrong with those lungs and I follow the nurse as he is taken to be weighed and checked. I feel an intense surge of pride as he is wrapped in a towel and laid in my arms.

"My boy" I gaze down at the wriggling little bundle and he opens his eyes and looks straight into my own.

I take him to Ella who is being checked over and I place him gently into her arms.

"Here is your son" I say and I watch as her arms go protectively around him.

"Our son" she corrects me and I smile at her.

"Do you have a name for him?" the doctor says and I glance at Ella and she nods.

"Yes, we do, "Christian, his name is Christian" I say.

"And his surname is Harper" Ella quickly puts in. I stare at her but she nods her head adamantly. "Christian Anthony Harper" she says firmly.

I sit beside her and watch her carefully. I am in awe of this brave young girl, who at just seventeen years old is also still just a child herself. A pang of guilt goes through me at that thought. We both are children and realistically speaking we are both too young for the responsibility of parenthood and I know the odds of us making it are not good but we have to try, we have to give it our best shot for his sake. My eyes drop to my son who is now suckling at his mother's breast.

I will never forget that cold early December evening when my life changed forever. The biting wind had sent the temperatures plummeting and it was starting to snow. Winter in Detroit is always brutal and this particular weekend was really very cold. That evening I had been in my bedroom reading when my parents had called me down from upstairs. I'd heard the tapping on the front door but not really paid any attention to it and I'd stayed in my warm bedroom, not bothering to find out who was calling.

When I had come down after my parents had urgently called me and I'd laid eyes on Ella. I was astounded and dismayed by what I saw. She looked cold, tired and dirty. But that shock was nothing to what I felt when she dropped her bombshell. She said she was three months pregnant and that the baby was mine. My mind had gone back to three months previously back in September and we had been organising a party for a mutual friend of ours who was moving away. I'd been seeing her for a few months and we were starting to find it increasingly difficult to keep our hands off each other. Then that particular day we had started kissing and things had gone way too far. Neither of us had been prepared for how events had turned, both of us wanted it to happen and in those moments of mindless fumbling I had ended up taking her virginity and also lost my own and it seems whilst doing it I'd made us parents at the same time.

We did have sex again after that first time but we had also used condoms each time afterwards. We were convinced that nothing would happen after just that one time. Then suddenly Ella stopped coming around and every time I called her home her parents refused to let me speak to her. They told me not to bother their daughter again. I had been confused and wondered what had happened but after hearing Ella's story it all became clear.

She had told her parents that she was pregnant and she had named me as the father. She told them she loved me and that I loved her. Her dad had gone ape shit and told her she was never to speak, see or have anything to do with me again. Then they had banned her from having any contact with the outside world, while they tried to brainwash her into having an abortion. They wanted her to erase the mistake she had made. But my brave little Ella had resisted and eventually found a way to escape the prison that she had been forcibly pushed into. She had left the house in the dead of night and ran away. Trying to keep one step ahead of her parents, she hadn't come straight to me as she didn't want to lead them to me and so she had been sleeping rough for nearly two months until she was fairly certain they had given up looking for her. I had no idea about any of this; so as far as I can determine from the fact her parents hadn't come here looking for her, I can only assume that they really weren't that bothered and had decided to just wash their hands of her.

My mom and dad had been understandably furious and disappointed when they heard all this. But thankfully that disappointment and anger was directed towards me, as it was clear Ella was in no fit state at that moment for a tongue lashing but that didn't stop me getting one. My dad had called me irresponsible and stupid, but despite that they also had a degree of sympathy for us as my mom was just seventeen when she had me. My dad was twenty and he had stepped up and done the right thing by my mom and me. They had faced untold resistance from both sets of parents and my mom was urged to abort me at first and then badgered to put me up for adoption but she had flatly refused to do either and my dad had stood by her and helped her raise me.

Their story was my inspiration that I could make a go of it with Ella. If they could buck the statistics and still be together seventeen years down the line then surely, I could too. So here I was, Daniel Christian Harper seventeen years old and a father to be with my then pregnant sixteen-year-old girlfriend ready to follow the path they had done previously. I can't fault the support they have given us; they took in Ella there and then and that first night they fed her and helped her get clean and warm. Then my younger sister, Mel who had also witness Ella's arrival had offered her some of her clothes to wear. When she had bathed and eaten and was sitting looking much better in a pair of my sister's sweatpants and a hoodie, I had gone and sat with her to try and figure out what we were going to do. Much to my surprise my dad had then stepped in and insisted on taking her home. I had stared at him in shock and protested loudly saying I wasn't going to send Ella and my baby back to what she had tried so hard to escape from; but he said she had to let her parents know she was safe. He had gone on to explain that he hoped that if we all sat down together that we could talk reasonably about what was going to happen. Ella had said that her parents were unreasonable and I could tell she was really scared about going back there, but my dad was insistent and drove us to her house; he said it was in everyone's best interests to be reasonable about it but that all changed when we had arrived because their attitude had been horrific. In fact, it was so horrific that my dad had made the decision on the spot there and then and he told Ella to pack her stuff and that she was coming home with us.

Her parents were truly horrendous, and unreasonable didn't begin to describe their behaviour. They treated her as if she had committed a heinous crime. They hurled vile insults at her and looked at her as if she was something nasty on the bottom of their shoe and not their beautiful, intelligent daughter. They had told her if she left the house with us that evening, she needn't ever bother to come back. To which Ella had responded by saying that it was fine by her. My dad called his brother and when my Uncle Tony arrived with a van, we had stripped Ella's room of her belongings which she wanted to keep. It wasn't pleasant though as all the time we were being screamed and cursed at by her parents. I can't help but wonder how Ella coped living in such a toxic environment and it gives me a whole deeper sense of admiration for my girl. When Ella was certain she had everything she wanted, we all calmly walked downstairs and out of the house, with her parents still screaming abuse at her. Ella didn't even look back; this was hardly surprising as her mother was calling her a dirty whore and a filthy hooker and her father even told her that he hoped she died in childbirth.

My dad had been so angry when he said that. My uncle and I had to hold him back from taking a swing at him for saying it; but it was Ella who calmed him down. She simply stood in front of him and placed her hands on his chest. She had thanked him for his outrage on her behalf, but she also told him she didn't want him to have an assault charge on her account.

We had returned to my home and we had emptied all Ella's belongings into the spare bedroom; which was now officially Ella's room, while my dad and uncle filled in my mom on the interaction we had with Ella's parents and their diabolical behaviour. My mom was shocked, and it takes a lot to shock my mom. She had been disowned by her parents when she made it clear that she was keeping me. However, they had eventually reconciled after I was born and it became clear my dad was in it for the long haul. I don't see that happening with Ella's parents any time soon, so I know we are literally all she has now.

I look down at our son now sleeping peacefully in Ella's arms.

"You know, by rights because we are not married it should be your surname that goes on the paperwork" I say gently.

Ella shakes her head defiantly, "No, I want him to have your surname" she says and I wrap my arm around her.

"Ok baby, we can talk about that later" I say but she shakes her head adamantly again and looks me in the eye.

"No, I want him to have your surname, I don't want my family name attached to him after the way my parents have treated us. Christian is a Harper not a Macgregor" she says firmly.

I can understand that. After Ella had moved in with us, every time we had been out and about and seen her parents, they had made a point to scream abuse at us in the street and cause a scene. After the third occasion my dad, uncle and grandfather had gone to Ella's parents' house and I have no idea what had been said or done, but from that moment on whenever we saw them they simply crossed the street and blanked us.

I kiss her forehead, "You'll be a Harper soon enough too" I assure her and she shakes her head sadly.

"I have no idea why they won't just sign the consent forms and let me marry you. They don't want me and yet they won't let me go" she says.

I hold her tightly, "It's all about control with them and they want control over a situation which you are not willing to give to them, they are the worst kind of bullies. Right from the start the way they tried to brainwash you into having an abortion, and when you left, I think that shocked them that you were prepared to do that. Since then they have tried to exert that need for control over you. Like the way they behaved every time we saw them out and about, but once again they had that control taken away when my family intervened and went to see them. This is the final thing that they have the control over, but don't worry you are 17 now and as soon as you reach your 18th birthday you and I will be taking a little trip to city hall and I will be placing a wedding band beside this engagement ring," I say as I press a small kiss to the ring on her finger.

oooOOOooo

Seven months later…

(January 15th 1984)

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today before family and friends to witness and celebrate the marriage of Daniel and Ella. Welcome and thank you for being here on this special day".

I look at Ella standing in front of me dressed in a simple yet beautiful outfit on this cold January day, today Ella celebrates her 18th birthday and she also officially becomes my wife. I pull my gaze away from her and towards my parents, grandparents and uncle who are all here to witness this moment. It is a simple city hall service but it is not the wedding that is important it is the marriage we build from it. But sadly, none of Ella's family are here to witness this occasion.

As I think this, I hear the door open and look towards the back of the room and I take in a sharp breath. I nudge Ella and nod my head towards the back of the room. She turns to look and I see tears in her eyes as she sees her fifteen-year-old sister Tia looking nervously at us.

I glance at my mom. She is watching us carefully and as she sees us look towards the door she turns to look and a frown fills her face as she sees Tia quietly sit down by herself. Her attention returns to Christian, she is holding him and he is starting to get restless. He is seven months old now and he is a bright boy, advanced for his age and curious about everything. At this moment he is taking in everything that is going on around him. My mom pulls his attention to her as she says his name and then points towards us.

He looks and as he sees us, he smiles widely and starts bouncing in my mom's arms.

"Da da da da" he calls as he finds us and I smile. He is a very vocal baby and he has recently started saying that. Although we both know it is just random sounds he is making and he doesn't associate it with us yet, but it still fills me with pride to hear him say it. Ella looks across at her son and smiles, the pride and love in her eyes for our son is evident.

I return my attention to the city hall official who is now speaking.

"Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. Let us love one another".

I look at Ella and we focus our attention on the official.

"Daniel and Ella, today you take the step of consecrating the very special relationship you have been building, and in this step, you change forever the direction of your individual life paths. In marriage, two people give themselves freely and openly into the hands of the other and in doing so, each receives the love and trust of the other as their most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches their community of family members and friends who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. Those of you here today are part of Daniel and Ella's community of family and friends, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. This community also includes those friends and family who cannot be here today, and those who have left this life, and we here recognise those unseen ties that bond them to Daniel and Ella".

He turns towards Ella and smiles at her. "Ella if you could repeat after me… I, Ella Frances Macgregor take you Daniel Christian Harper, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part".

I take a deep breath in as Ella repeats the vows in a strong confident voice. Then he turns to me.

"Daniel, repeat after me… I Daniel Christian Harper, take you Ella Frances Macgregor, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part".

I repeat the vows sincerely as I grip Ella's hand tightly; this is it for me this girl is my world.

The official smiles, "The rings please" he says politely" he pauses as I reach into my pocket and pull out the two simple wedding bands and hand them to him. "Thank you" he replies, "The wedding ring is an unbroken symbol of the everlasting love and commitment between husband and wife".

He pauses again and turns to Ella, "Ella if you could repeat after me, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you".

I fix my eyes on Ella as she repeats the words whilst looking directly into my eyes. I tune out the official and focus on Ella as she speaks to me.

"Today I give to you all who I am, and accept from you all that you are".

"Today I make a personal promise of love and trust that you are my husband".

"Each day I wear this ring, the world will know that I am yours".

"When you look at this ring, may it remind you that I will always be your best friend".

"I love you with all my heart and I am honoured to be your wife, today, tomorrow, and always".

"With this ring, I thee wed". I watch as she pushes the ring on to my finger and then lowering her head, she presses a kiss to it and squeezes my hand.

I am so fixed on her I nearly miss what the official says next and it is only when Ella nudges me I realise it is my turn. I grasp her hand and repeat the words to Ella that the official speaks to me.

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you".

"Today I give to you all who I am, and accept from you all that you are".

"Today I make a personal promise of love and trust that you are my wife".

"Each day I wear this ring, the world will know that I am yours".

"When you look at this ring, may it remind you that I will always be your best friend".

"I love you with all my heart and I am honoured to be your husband, today, tomorrow, and always".

"With this ring, I thee wed". I push the ring onto Ella's finger and look up into her eyes.

The official beams at us, "By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Daniel you may kiss your bride".

I don't hesitate and I lean forward and cupping Ella's face in my hands I pull her gently towards me and plant my lips against hers. I hear her groan and her hands come up into my hair and I can't help myself, I pull her close and deepen the kiss totally forgetting we have a room full of witnesses to this moment. When we eventually come up for air there is a ripple of amusement and Ella even giggles a little.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr & Mrs Harper. Congratulations to you both".

I grip Ella's hand as we move towards our family who all surge forward. Christian leans towards us and Ella grasps him and pulls him into her arms, then she turns towards her sister who is hanging back.

"Tia" she says quietly.

Everyone looks round and the girl nervously walks forward. "Hi Ella, I couldn't not see you get married, you're my sister. Dad has no idea I'm here, and if he did, well…" she shakes her head sadly.

"Thank you for coming Tia" Ella says as she wraps an arm around her little sister.

We all go to our favourite restaurant to celebrate. As we are all chatting afterwards, my mother comes and sits next to me.

"That was a bit of a surprise" she murmurs and nods towards the exit where Tia is now leaving and giving her sister an emotional hug goodbye.

I nod, "Tia and Ella were… are, really close. They tried to keep in touch but that bastard of a father put a stop to it. As far as he was concerned Ella was a corrupting influence. He had disowned her and as such he believed he had the right to prevent her from seeing Tia as well". I pause and smile, "but he failed to take into consideration the stubbornness and downright ingenuity of two very bright girls, there was no way Tia wouldn't be here today to see us get married".

My mother shakes her head sadly, "there are people out there who should never have kids" she says and then she reaches for my hand and squeezes it, "but Ella is part of our family now".

I look across at my wife, "she is" I say proudly.