Thanks for all of your reviews.

I am so sorry it took me so long. I was sick, had a lot of homework AND I am an expert when it comes to procrastinating. And I feel really depressed lately. Sorry again.

Chapter 25 Moms

James POV

After some time, I raised my head and looked at the now deserted chair next to the bed.

»Where did she go? «

The others followed my gaze.

»That's weird. She didn't say much. «, Carlos said.

We entangled from each other and I stretched my stiff body, before we cuddled together again, but not as close together as before. When the door opened, I flinched. And I hated myself for it. I couldn't stand being so weak. It's not like I had this weird and problematic hero-guilt complex-thing like Kendall. But I still didn't like to feel weak. I wanted to feel self confident and strong again. How was I supposed to help my family to cope with what they did to me, when I couldn't cope with that myself. I looked at the door and saw Mama Knight coming in slowly. I relaxed mostly. I trusted her, but I still remained cautious. And I hated it. I mean I know Mama Knight since pre-school where Kendall, Carlos and I met. The biggest part of my brain knew that she meant not harm, but there was this irrational little corner in my mind that went mad with fear. I noticed the haunted look in Mama Knight's eyes and I felt bad.

'We should have thought about her…Of course this whole mess isn't easy for her either. '

I smiled at her in a (I hope) reassuring way and she smiled back.

»Is everything okay? «, she asked.

We nodded.

»We scared the psychologist away. «, I said.

»Still not sure why…«, Logan added with a little frown.

Mama Knight smiled softly.

»She told me she only wanted to make you talk. «

Carlos frowned. He looked so cute I had to fight the urge to coo and kiss and cuddle him senseless.

»That doesn't make any sense. Why was she here in the first place then? We would have talked without her. «

I could tell that he became upset, so I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him further into my chest.

»What's the matter, love? «

»I just don't like intruders. «

He mumbled.

I kissed the top of his head.

»She just wanted to help. «

»I know. «

I looked back at Mama Knight.

»The reason why I am here, is to ask you if you are up to visitors? «

»Our moms? «, I guessed.

She nodded. I looked at my friends and my love feeling unsure. I loved my mom dearly, but sometimes she could be kind of overbearing and demanding. The others looked really unsure too. Well, except for Carlos. He looked determined.

»I want to see her. «

»Are you sure? «, I asked.

»DON'T CODDLE ME! «, he snapped.

And I understood. He wanted some kind of normality and his mom was part of that normality. I sat up in bed and pulled Carlos between my legs. After I hugged him from behind, I nodded.

»That's fine with me. «

Kendall and Logan nodded hesitantly.

»Don't worry, guys. «, Mama Knight said and left.

When she came back with Mama Garcia, my boyfriend tried to wriggle out of my grip, his face was red.

»Carlos, could you please stay there? I don't know if I could handle this otherwise. «, I whispered.

Immediately Carlos relaxed and leaned back against me.

»Thanks. «

»Carlos? «, Mama Garcia asked softly.

I looked at her. She looked a lot like Carlos. He got her shortness, her lips and her nose. And Mama Garcia was as gentle and optimistic and friendly as her son. But despite her small size she could be one of the most frightening people on this planet when she would get angry.

»Mom. «

His voice was full of suppressed sobs and tears. His mom cried, too.

»Can I hug you, mijo? «

He nodded and shuffled a bit towards the edge of the bed. They hugged each other tightly and cried openly. To be honest I was on the edge, too. I didn't trust anyone to have their hands or arms on MY Carlos. Not even his mom. Kendall and Logan, probably sensing my discomfort, held their arms out and I snuggled into them. It felt good to be held. With all my previous "girlfriends", I was the one who had to offer a secure place in my arms. With Carlos I offered him a secure place and he offered one to me. And then there were of course my two best friends, who were like brothers to me. Carlos and his mom talked quietly for some time, before she smiled at us and asked:

»How are you guys? «

I shrugged and Logan mumbled:

»We're fine. «

Mama Garcia smiled again.

»I am so glad that all of you are fine. «

After she left, Mama Knight returned with Mama Mitchell. I entangled myself from Logan and snuggled with Carlos and Kendall instead and watched Logan's reaction. When he saw his mom, he started to tremble.

»Hey, sweetie. «, Mama Mitchell murmured softly.

»Hey mom. «, Logan whispered.

He seemed reluctant to let her near him, until we nudged him a step forward. Then he fell into his mothers arms. Their exchange seemed to be so intimate and personal we averted our gaze. When Logan joined us in our group cuddling again and his mom left, I looked at Mama Knight.

»I am sorry, James, but your mom isn't here at the moment. «

I tried to fight the waves of sadness and disappointment that surged through my body.

»Where is she? «, I asked hoping my voice would sound normal.

»She has a meeting with some lawyers. «

I frowned.

»Why would she meet with lawyers? «

Mama Knight looked at Kendall.

»Didn't you tell them? «

Kendall blushed and shook his head.

»I think its time, Kendall. «, she said, before she went out of the room.

»Kendall, what's up? «, Logan asked.

»Why is my mom meeting with some lawyers? «, I asked.

Kendall took a breath.

»Please don't be mad for not telling you earlier, but I was worried how you would react. «

He looked at Logan his eyes tender.

»Logie, your father was killed by the cops. «

Logan froze. After a few minutes, he whispered:

»I am glad he is dead, but a part of me is sad. And a part of me feels bad for feeling relieved. «

Kendall kissed Logan softly.

»Logie, you have every right to feel relieved and you have also the right to feel upset. «

We comforted Logan, until he stopped shaking. Then I asked:

»That still doesn't explain why mom meets with her lawyers. «

»Mike isn't dead. He is going to court. «, Kendall replied flatly.

I growled.

»If I ever get my hands on that disgusting filth, I will kill him. «

»I don't want to see him again. «, Carlos whispered.

He looked pale and sick. I soothed him.

»You don't have to if you don't want to. «

Now we comforted Carlos.

»James? «

»Yes, Kendall? «

»I am sorry that your mom isn't here. «

I smiled weakly at him.

»It's okay. Of course I want to see her, even if I am nervous, but she makes sure that this monster will never hurt anyone, so it is okay. «

After a few minutes of silence, I slipped into a light troubled sleep, comforted by the three warm presences of my family.

In the next chapter we will see how their first day back in the Palm Woods will be. What do you think?

I hope you like it. Please review.