The Broken Road


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"Home sweet home," Carly laughed as Jason swooped her up. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she could barely restrain the bright wide smile on her face. Leaning closer o him, she relished being in his arms. It was more romantic than she thought being carried over the threshold bridal style by him. Her lips were just about to kiss his checks when coughing and groaning noises from their children quacked the air.

"I'm glad that we made it here before the snow hit," Lucas commented as he shivered. "I love this place. It gets great heat." Taking off his jacket he hung it up. He laughed softly as the boys simply took off their jackets and left them where they were standing when they took them off.

"Thanks," Jason commented with a smirk as he winked at Carly.

"Yew! Little brother here," Lucas snarked. He hung up the boy's jackets.

"Our home!" Jake squealed as he dashed in between Lucas and Jason. "Daddy put mama on the couch. We gots'ta get the tree up! San'a not comin' without it!" Within seconds the boys were running around the penthouse like mad bulls. Michael ran up the stairs while Jake and Lucky just ran around and around the living room.

"Jake! Lucky!" Johnny roughly called out their names while signaling with his trigger finger for the kids to come to him. "Now boys." Squatting down Johnny looked bigger.

"What?" Jake pouted in pure Carly fashion once he was close enough.

"We need to get a tree!" Lucky argued as he started to work himself up as he got closer to Johnny.

"In a half hour a nice big tree will be delivered here. See those boxes?" Johnny inquired as he pointed them out. Seeing them shake their heads, Johnny smirked. "Those are your mama's ornaments that go on the tree."

"Oh wow!" Lucky exclaimed while Jake's eyes become overly large saucers.

"Yep. Your mama loves her ornaments," Johnny laughed at their cute expressions.

"What about San'a?" Jake inquired softly.

"Santa? He knows you're here," Johnny tried to reassure him.

"How?" Jake wondered as tears started to pool in his eyes.

"I'll tell ya, but you got to keep it a secret. Can you boys do that?" Johnny improvised quickly. Seeing the over exaggerated nods, Johnny shook his head. "Santa… he's on our payroll. He knows because we know where you are."

"Really?" Lucky replied amazed.

"Mikey! Santa know where we are!" Jake raced up the stairs heading towards Michael with Lucky hot on his heels.

"What did you tell him?" Lucas wondered as he watched the boys race up the stairs.

"Santa's on the payroll. Huh?" Jason snickered as he took a seat next to Carly.

"Nice," Lucas replied as he headed upstairs to check on the boys. It didn't hurt that he was also curious to see just what Jason had done to the penthouse.

"How are the neighbors?" Jason inquired coolly not amused by their latest stunt.

"Out. Food will be here shortly after the tree is delivered. Emily and Lucky said that they'll stop by later this evening. They're bringing Cameron with them. If we're really lucky, the people next door won't notice that we're home," Johnny commented coolly as he sat down in what was dubbed his chair.

"What happened?" Carly inquired softly as she tucked a blanket over her lap. Leaning against Jason, she sighed as he wrapped an arm around her. She started to play with his fingers.

"Someone thought they would be funny to have reconnected the stove," Johnny replied giving Carly a narrowed look. "And then when I removed it, someone else thought it would be funny to buy another one."

"I remember stay out of the kitchen," Carly laughed joyfully. "Are the boys staying in one room?"

"Michael as the oldest has a room to himself but Lucky and Jake are sharing," Jason answered. "I've asked Monica to join us for the tree trimming party. Bobbie said that she'll be here once her shift is over."

"Do we have enough food coming?" Lucas inquired as he strolled down the stairs. Moving closer to the adults, he lowered himself into the chair closest to the fire. "The boys are busy inspecting their rooms. We'll see them again when dinner or the tree arrives."

"Is Edward coming also?" Carly probed as she gnawed at her lower lip.

"Maybe, I've already told him that he is welcome to come but to leave the shouting at home," Jason answered as he pulled her closer to him.

"Do you think Zack will be able to arrange time off?" Carly wondered. "Kendall said that they were trying to make it for Christmas."

"That's funny," Johnny snickered.

"What is?" Carly demanded as she narrowed her eyes.

"He's got to explain how he does that," Jason commented with a smirk.

"Tripled the food order and she has enough ornaments to keep everyone busy for the next few days let alone hours," Johnny stated as his phone vibrated. Flipping it open, he reviewed the text. Snapping the lid closed he announced. "Tree and food are here."

"Jason!" Carly pouted at him, she even batted her eyes for extra effect. "What about Kendall?"

"We're here!" Kendall announced as the door opened. "Whoah look at this place. I love it!"

"Ken!" Carly squalled lighting up. She was loud enough that her kids heard her.

"Ian! Spike!" was coursed from upstairs followed by thunderous footsteps. Watching their reunion was hilarious. They were acting like it was years since they last saw each other instead of hours. It was when Ian broke down into tears that gave the adults pause.

"Ian what's the matter?" Michael asked as he comforted his little brother by wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"You went away," Ian stated as he clutched Michael desperately. "I no like that."

"I didn't go very far now, did I?" Michael stated as he smiled down at Ian. "You sure showed me."

"Yeah, I show you. No go away again," Ian demanded. Michael laughingly agreed. With Ian settled the boys raced up the stairs to inspect the play room that Lucky started to brag about.

"Oh god, my baby," Kendall whispered completely horrified. Big water tears appeared in her eyes as she attempted to stop herself from sobbing.

"It's a good thing I bought the penthouse next door then," Zack stated calmly hoping to keep his wife's emotional outburst to a minimum. Only to have both Carly and Kendall burst out crying in joy.

"You tried man, that's what counts," Johnny commented as he shook his head at the two crazy ladies. "Did you get penthouse three or four?"

"I was able to buy four; do you know who has three? I tried for one, but that wiry kid Spin said that it belongs to a friend of his. He also he said that Stone Cold would not be happy if I tried anything," Zack laughed. "I think he tried to intimidate me."

"It belongs to Carly but her cousin Lulu and her friends live there," Jason explained with a snicker as Zack joined him at the pool table. "Spinelli lives there also. As for penthouse three, multiple people put in a bid on it when Sonny, Katie, Olivia and then Jax decided to buy the last penthouse. Since I know the owner, he accepted none of them."

"Who owns this place?" Zack inquired curious.

"Me," Jason stated coolly. "Once Carly made up her mind about coming home, I secured the building completely."

"Very impressive, can I buy in? There are several security features I think this place needs," Zack inquired as he accepted a beer from Johnny. "I have a few enemies of my own."

"Yeah, Spinelli told me about that. I'll see what I can do," Jason offered. The information that Spinelli dug up impressed Jason. Carly was the one who noted the slightly similar life stories, both men were born into wealth but decided to venture out on their own.

There was a rapid knock followed by Max opening the door. "The food and the tree are here Boss."

"Put the tree in the corner and the food on the kitchen island," Jason ordered as he put away his cue. "Where is that brother of yours?"

"He's taking Lulu to see the 'Lights in the Park.' He should be back roughly at eleven tonight. The rest of the scooby doo squad are joining them except for Spinelli. He's across the hall," Max reported.

"Why?" Kendall inquired feeling for the kid.

"It's a couple's thing. Spinelli doesn't go to them because he doesn't have someone," Max answered.

"What! That sweet boy doesn't have someone!" Carly demanded outraged.

"Get him over here!" Kendall demanded. Twisting around Kendall and Carly shared a look right before smiling widely. "Project!"

"Oh god!" Zack muttered.

"Gorgeous ladies, you wanted to see me?" Spinelli inquired as he lingered in the doorway.

"Run Spinelli," Jason called out as he and Johnny laughed.

"Jason!" Carly admonished. "Pay no attention to him."

"Is this a plan?" Spinelli asked as he started to back up.

"Food's here!" Michael shouted as he stomped down the stairs. "Spin's here too!"

"Should have run," Johnny snickered as he dragged Spinelli into the penthouse and closed the door.

TBC