Coming Home For Christmas

"Lacey...Lacey baby, wake up" “Hmm, what? what's up?" Iwas woken up from my nap but because I was so exhausted, my eyes were burning and itching to close again “You need to go home and get some rest, babe" "Tcan't" I'said as I sat up in my chair but groaned from not only the pain in my back but also the pain in my neck ‘Seats

My body feels like I went to sleep twenty-nine and woke up sixty years older “Babe, you've barely been home in days" "So?" Task annoyed as I look up at my worried and stressed-out husband “So, you need to go home and get some sleep in an actual bed, not a chair and you need to eat food which doesn't come in a triangle packaging or isn't junk food" “I can't leave...” I'started to say before I felt the lump in my throat again

and felt tears start to fill my eyes “I can't leave Carmella, she needs me" Chapter 46 - Unwelcome Guests. 27 “Carmella’s not going anywhere, honey, besides, Cade is here and so are her parents” Logan says and I shake my head “You don't understand, Logan...Carmella was there for me through EVERYTHING and I do mean everything, babe" I'said making sure to put as much enunciation on the word

everything as could “Ever since we were little girls, she's been there, she's looked after me, she's protected me, she's encouraged me and she's always been my biggest cheerleader. she was my rock when I was all alone and pregnant and she was the one who was there by my side helping me with our babies” I'say as a sob left my mouth “She didn't have to, she could've just said hasta la vista and gone back to New York to be with her family because [ know she missed them like crazy but she didn't, she was there from the very beginning, Logan"

“I know, babe" Logan knelt down next to me and caressed my hair as [ broke down and looked at my best friend who has been left unconscious thanks to that bastard “She's my best friend and my sister who has always been there for me in my time of need and now I'm gonna be there for her in her time of need”

“And you have, babe? you've barely left her side since she was admitted" “Do you think four days can make up for twenty-plus years, Logan?" Chapter 46 - Unwelcome Guests. aT Iask annoyed and he gives me a sympathetic look “Lacey you've always been by Carmella’s side just like she has with you and I know she'd be appreciative of you being here, babe but 1 also know that wherever that crazy girl is in that wild subconscious of hers, she's probably pissed because her best friend is neglecting herself to be here for her”

He says and I chuckle “Yeah, if she was here she'd probably give me a poor rendition of Hit The Road Jack or Bye Bye Bye by NSync”

Isay and we both laugh but mine was mixed with a sob God, I'd do anything to hear one of her random song one liners even the dirty ones

"You're right Lace, she would or she'd sing These Boots Were Made For Walking and use it to get you to go home and rest” Cade’s voice said from behind me We both turned around and saw Cade looking like he's been run over by a steamroller His hair is all dishevelled, he's got a thick beard and I think the t-shirt he's wearing is inside out as well

“Since she's not here, I may as well do it for her" Huh “These boots are made for walking and that's just what theyll do, get your ass home and get some rest before I call security and get them to force you to" Cade says and I chuckle “Nice, brother" “Thank you" Chapter 46 - Unwelcome Guests. ~) Cade smiles for the first time in days and his smile forced a

smile out of me as well "Cade, I can't leave Carmella” “Yes you can because I'm here now and her parents are downstairs grabbing themselves a cup of coffee, a really bad one might I add but it does the job, so go home, get a home meal inside of you, have a relaxing bath, sleep in your bed and spend some time with your kids and if you don't then Tl..." "You'll what, hmm?" Tinterrupt him

“I'll tell Carmella that you've been neglecting yourself and T'll make it worse than what it is so that when she wakes up she'll kick your ass and annoy you with songs that you hate like WAP or Baby or that song from Deadpool” “Careless whisper?" I narrow my eyes at him and he nods his head "Yeah, that's the one" Ilet out a breath as I looked at my best friend “Ok fine but I'm coming back and neither of you can stop me"

“Of course you can come back, babe but only when I'm satisfied that you're not neglecting yourself anymore” Logan said with a smile I gave one last look at Carmella before standing up and stretching my body to get rid of any kinks, I then grabbed my things and leaned down to kiss Carmella's forehead “Hurry up and wake up, Carm, we need to plan your baby shower for my little niece” Chapter 46 - Unwelcome Guests. =? I whisper in her ear and kiss her forehead one last time before hugging Cade and leaving with Logan

We got into the back of Logan's sleek black Maybach and he held me close to him as his driver drove us back home to our estate I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes as his fingers gently ran through my hair Iwas hoping for a peaceful and quiet ride home but Logan had other ideas when he brought up the last person I wanted to think about right now “I received a phone call from Klayton today, babe, he said you've been ignoring his calls and texts”

"So?" “So, he's worried about you and he wants to see you, love” Logan says but I didn't answer him, not because I didn't want to but because I couldn't

At first, blamed Klayton for what happened to Carmella and I wanted to beat his ass for it but then I talked to my children about what happened and after hearing from them what they saw, I realised that Trevor would've brutalised anyone who was with my kids that day because my kids were the intended target, not Carmella According to LJ. and Dayton, the bad man aka Trevor tried to take them and was stupid enough to try and lure them away with sweets like a f*****g predator but my kids are way too smart for bullshit like that When Trevor couldn't take my kids the old-fashioned way, he tried to by simply trying to grab him but two grown-ass men trying to grab three rambunctious kids wasn't easy for them, especially with their auntie Carm around who according to the doctor, she put up a fight but it wasn't enough

Luckily for us, some strangers on the street, as well as a passing police car managed to stop the dynamic duo's attempts to kidnap my children and they ran away like the shithouse rats that they are Iwish I knew who the good samaritans are because they not only saved my children from being kidnapped by an evil demonic bastard but they also got Carmella the medical attention she desperately needed which saved both her and her baby's lives “Lacey” "Hmm"

"You went quiet, what's on your mind, love?" Logan asks me and I let out a breath “I don't know what to do or how to feel Logan..I wanna hate Klayton and [wanna hurt him until all of my anger and hatred is gone because if it wasn't for him and Trevor acting like a pair of bratty toddlers squabbling over power and infamy then my best friend and her baby wouldn't have been put in danger, neither would our children but I can't.” Iwhispered/sobbed at the end as the familiar lump in my throat stopped me from continuing “I can't hate him, Logan... can't hate him because I know for a fact that if Klayton thought for even a second Carmella was on Trevor's radar then he would've done

everything he could to protect her" “If you know this then why can't you find it in your heart to talk to him?” “Because I'm conflicted, I love him but I hate him, I wanna Kill him but I don't” I pulled away from Logan and looked him in the eyes "I sound crazy, don't I?" Chapter 46 - Unwelcome Guests. ad Task him and he chuckles

“No but you are running on little to no sleep as well as crap food, so maybe after a good night's sleep and some decent food you'll be able to think clearly again" “Hmm, maybe" I once again rested my head against Logan's chest and closed my eyes I remained this way until we arrived home As soon as I saw my home, I felt guilty for being here but 1 also felt relieved that Logan and Cade forced me to come home and rest

As I exited the car and headed inside of the Manor, my mind drifted to something Carmella told me not too long ago Carmella told me that being pregnant and being responsible for another human being had put everything into perspective for her, it also made her realise that she had to be selfish and think about herself first and foremost because if she doesn't look after herself then she won't be able to care for her child or anyone else she loves If she were here with me now then she'd probably kick my ass for neglecting myself the way that I have and knowing her, she'd probably frogmarch me up to my room and tuck me into bed just to make sure I didn't get distracted

Logan and I entered our home only to be greeted by our anxious nanny “Mr and Mrs Black, thank god you're home" "What's wrong, nanny?" “It's the triplets, ma'am, they've been acting really weird for the past few days” Chapter 46 - Unwelcome Guests. = The nanny says while wringing her hands

"Weird? how?" “They've been very secretive and are always talking in hushed whispers when they think they're alone but when I or someone else is with them, they're quiet which as you know is abnormal for them”

She's right The triplets could talk the back legs of a horse, especially Dayton “But today, I overheard them talking about what happened with Miss Carmella and they kept talking about the bad men, one in particular who had asked Master LJ. to give a special message to his mother but he doesn't want to" What the fk? Logan and I briefly looked at each other before we looked away while shouting for the triplets

It didn't take them long to answer us and when they were standing in front of us, I immediately knew they were either up to something or they were hiding something which pissed me off “What's going on, kids?" “Nothing mum, why?" “Well, nanny tells us you've been acting weird the past few days and you've been very quiet” “We're always quiet” Dayton says angrily and I look at him like really?

"I'd probably believe that statement if Logan Junior or Teddy said it but it just sounds ridiculous coming from you Dayton James Black” I'say and he rolls his eyes which I chose to ignore for now “Nanny said you've been worried over something the bad men may Chapter 46 - Unwelcome Guests. ~/ have said or did after he had..after he had hurt auntie Carm and I wanna know right now what they said or did” The triplets looked at each other nervously

“Mummy...” “No Teddy, we can't tell her” “But we have to" “No, we don't" The triplets argued amongst themselves pissing me off “Ok guys, knock it off" Isaid while rubbing my forehead furiously

“Kids, what have your mom and I told you about secrets?" Logan asked them and they dropped their heads as their shoulders slumped “You told us we should never keep secrets from each other” “Exactly, now tell us what these bad men said right now or well have to punish you all” The triplets were silent for a few seconds but just as they were about to tell us what was going on, the doorbell rang I groaned in annoyance as I tumed around to open the door

“Hello there, Lacey” "Oh my god, it's the bad men" Dayton says before I can speak and my eyes widen in shock as my heart fills with anger and confusion when [ realise what he just said about the person standing in front of me Oh no, this isn't good