Hello Lovelies,

Sending love and hugs to those who need it. The world is a crazy place right now, but I hope you can find some escape in this chapter.

Much Love,

Chelsea x


Paula White – Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy this one too. Much Love x

DoloresDeeHowe – Thank you! The Flynn kids really do love their honorary aunt and uncle! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Much Love x

SuzB – Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I hope you enjoy this one! Much Love x

Tammi – Thank you! Oh yes, absolutely smitten with him! Hope you like this chapter. Much Love x

Reds77 – Thank you! Haha, I think everyone's ovaries would pop at the sight of Christian holding a baby! I hope you like this chapter! Much Love x

Jeangb – Thank you! I hope you're keeping well too, and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Much Love x


Saturday morning arrived, a weekend of sweet nothingness and relaxation stretching out in front of me. Today was destined to be a lazy day.

It was for me, at least.

Christian was up bright and early, waking at the crack of dawn to prepare for his PT session with Claude. The pair meet every weekend for circuit training and sparring. It was admirable, really, the commitment Christian shows to his physical health, always keen to maintain his perfect weight and stature. Every time he pulls on his workout gear, there's a part of me that wonders whether I should start working out too.

I quickly shut that voice up with more sleep and cookies. Lots of cookies.

There's only one form of exercise I'm interested in, and it doesn't involve clothes or even getting out of bed…

I woke up fully at around ten, rolling onto my side and instinctively reaching for my phone on the side table. The mandatory morning scroll through social media was beckoning me. My circle of friends on Facebook was limited, a recent cull cutting out anyone who might be inclined to leak information about me and Christian to the press. Upon Kate's advice I had changed my name online to Annie and my profile picture was a simple black and white image of the Sound, all of my privacy settings on extreme. I was hoping to hide in plain sight from the weirdos and creeps. Christian still wasn't a fan of social media, refusing to even entertain the idea of setting up an account. I couldn't blame him. He gets enough attention from the public as it is.

As I scrolled through my feed, I smiled as the latest pictures Rhian has uploaded came into view. They were all of Joey, posted throughout the night. There was a particularly beautiful shot of him laying across Harriet's lap, John cupping his head while he stared down at the two of them. Harriet grinned wildly at the camera.

Oh Jesus…

Every time I see pictures of Joey I feel a sudden whirling in the pit of my stomach, butterflies spinning around like crazy. I had never been the type of person to swoon over puppies or kittens or babies, but little Joey was doing something to me. He had me hook, line and sinker.

Was it strange to admit I was looking forward to Rhian and John calling on me to babysit?

I peeked up from my phone as Christian came into the bedroom. His t-shirt was draped over his shoulder, his torso reddened and glistening with sweat, the waistband of his navy shorts damp.

"You're up," he nodded. He puffed out his flushed cheeks and sat down on the edge of the bed. He used his t-shirt to mop his brow. "I didn't think you'd be awake yet. You usually sleep a lot longer."

"You make it sound like I'm lazy," I pouted.

"Not lazy," he shook his head. "But you do enjoy your sleep. Now more so than ever, for some reason."

"It's because I don't get nearly enough," I said. "It's your fault. You keep me awake most of the night."

That familiar, wicked glint appeared in his gaze. I rolled my eyes.

"You're sick," I snorted, shaking my head.

"I don't hear you complaining during the act," he protested. He reached over to my table and grabbed my water bottle, taking a long glug. "In fact, you always ask for me. You beg me to keep going. I simply give you what you want."

"Because you're such a gentleman, huh?"

"You bet, baby," he winked.

I stuck my tongue out at him and returned my focus to my phone. I turned the screen around to show him the photo I had just been admiring.

"He's a handsome boy," Christian beamed. "I'm tempted to call Flynn and ask if we can go around today to see them all again."

I smiled.

It was good to know we're on the same page, both smitten with the blue-eyed boy.

"That would be nice," I nodded, closing down my phone and dropping it onto the bed. I stretched my arms up over my head. "But I could happily stay here all day."

My hands covered my eyes, right as a fuzzy feeling settled between my brows. It spread across my forehead, a kind of burning pain oozing down behind my eyes.

"What's wrong?" Christian asked, his voice instantly laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

"I think I have a headache coming on," I grumbled.

"Another? Didn't you have one last night as well?"

I nodded and peeled my fingers from my eyes.

"Did you take any pills for it? I put a strip on the bathroom counter for you."

"No, I forgot," I confessed, shrugging apologetically. "I'll take a couple soon. I thought it would go after some sleep."

His frown pulled tight on his brows, his hand stretching out and pressing against my forehead.

"You don't feel hot," he said, pursing his lips. "How do you feel otherwise? Are you nauseous?"

"I feel okay, apart from my head," I sighed. "It's just my head."

He paused for a second, deep in thought.

"When did you last get your eyes tested?" he asked. I hesitated, unsure of the answer. "More than a year? Two?"

"Maybe longer…"

"You should get them checked," he urged, a slight huff in his tone. "You might need glasses."

"I'll book an appointment," I relented, knowing he wouldn't back down until I agreed. "I'm not sure it's my eyes that's the problem… it's probably stress."

He studied my face, his head slowly tilting to the side.

"Has she replied?"

"Late last night," I muttered. "I got up to use the bathroom and checked my phone. It was about 3am."

"And?"

"I could sense the frustration, that's for sure."

This was the weekend Christian and I had planned on visiting my mother in Georgia. We were supposed to fly out last night, but due to Joey's early arrival we decided to postpone the trip until next week. We wanted to be on standby in case the Flynns need us to check in on them, run errands or look after the older kids for a few hours.

I didn't think it would make much difference. It's only an extra seven days. I texted my mother and explained that we wouldn't be coming this week, and her eventual reply was strange to say the least.

Is there really no way you can come out here? You said you would come, I was getting things ready for you, it hasn't been easy trying to work everything out. It's been hard trying to prepare for this. You have no idea how much pressure has been put on me. I'm trying to do the right thing here.

I gave Christian a shortened version of the text and watched as his brows twisted together again.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he huffed. "What is there for her to sort out? I've organised everything. Our flights, the hotel."

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I couldn't make any sense of it. I'm not sure if she's just disappointed and lashing out a bit?"

Christian began chewing on the inside of his mouth, his eyes narrowing.

"Do you think this will undo the progress you've made with her?" he wondered.

"I hope not," I sighed. "I really hope it doesn't."

Things were going well between me and my mother. We were messaging regularly, her being far more communicative than she has ever been. My mother is usually terrible at replying to messages, but she has really put in the effort recently.

Our messages were still on the impersonal side, admittedly, mostly small talk and discussions about the trip. But it was something. It was positive. It was civil.

"If she's getting on the defensive about this," I began, "I am concerned she'll revert to her usual ways once we're face-to-face. That she'll be pissy with me from the off. That everything will be my fault, I'll get the blame for every tiny thing that's gone wrong, blah blah blah..."

"Is it beyond the realms of possibility that she is simply disappointed because she was looking forward to seeing you?" he questioned, trying to find something to quell my worries. "From what you've told me about her, it does seem like she's changed."

It was true. It was like talking to a different person sometimes. As if the real Carla – the mother in her – was finally coming out.

"I'm not sure if anyone ever really changes though," I muttered. "Do they even do lobotomies anymore?"

He rolled his eyes at me.

"Are you changing your mind about going out there?"

"No," I shook my head. "I do want to see her, I have to. I need to talk to her. There's so much I need to say, things I need to get off my chest."

"You want to clear the air," he understood, nodding.

"I know I have to do it now or I never will," I said. "I know I'll chicken out and it'll just carry on for years and years… I don't want to go into the next phase of my life with this hanging over me. Speak now or forever hold my peace and all that shit, you know?"

He smirked, the corners of his eyes creasing with his smile.

"I'm pretty sure that gets said at weddings," he quipped. "And that'll be the point where I scowl at everyone during our ceremony. I dare anyone to try and ruin our day."

"We'll tackle them to the floor if they do," I laughed. I slid my palm over the back of his hand, turning his fingers over to link them with mine. "You grab their legs, I'll take their arms. We'll wipe the floor with them."

"Deal," he grinned.

Pushing up onto his hands and knees, he crawled over me and wriggled down under the covers. He lay down beside me, pulling me into his hold for a warm snuggle.

"I don't want you stressing over this," he whispered. "The last thing I want is you burning yourself out with worry, okay? Whatever happens with your mother, I'll be right there with you."

"That does make me feel better," I replied quietly. I shifted and curled into his chest. "I know I'm in control, that it remains my decision to see her."

"It doesn't matter that we'll be on her turf," he assured me. "If you decide you don't want to see her, that you've changed your mind, we won't go. It's as simple as that. We do what you want, not what she wants. You say the word and I'll get you out of there."

"Thank you…" I pushed my face into his chest, breathing in his manly scent. His heart thumped steadily under my ear. "I'm not sure I could even contemplate the idea of seeing her again if you weren't coming with me. I know I can do it if I've got you there."

"You have me, baby," he kissed the top of my head. "Today, tomorrow, forever."

I smiled against him, enjoy the feeling of being cocooned in his hold, safe in his love.

"Are you worried about meeting her?" I asked.

"Your mother? No, I'm not," he replied earnestly. "The only person I have ever been worried about meeting was Ray."

"Really?" I tilted my head back and stared up at him. "You were nervous about meeting him?"

"I was shitting myself," he snorted, nodding.

"Why?"

"Because he's your dad," he said. "And I knew his opinion of me would matter to you. I didn't want to make a bad impression and risk losing you."

"You thought I'd walk away if Ray didn't like you?" I frowned. He nodded again. "Seriously?"

"I was desperate for him to like me," he explained. "I know you value his opinion."

"Not enough to allow it to influence my choice of partner," I said. "I make my own decisions, and I chose you."

He leaned down and pecked his lips to mine, soft and light.

"Even if Ray hated you, it wouldn't have mattered," I added. "And I don't care what my mother thinks of you either. I'm not seeking her approval."

"You just want to show me off, huh? Have me on your arm like some kind of trophy?" he winked. I broke into a wide smile, poking him in the side. "Ah, there's my beautiful girl… stop worrying."

"Because it's all going to be okay?"

"I can't say that," he shook his head. "I can't make you any promises, can't say that your mother will be a pussy cat and it'll be fine. But I can promise that I will be there, holding your hand, ready to fight your corner if I have to. We're stronger together. We always have been."

"I love you," I breathed.

"I know," he smiled. "How could you not love me? I'm fucking amazing."

I huffed as he pulled me tighter into his hold.

"I think all those endorphins have gone to your head," I mumbled into his chest. "I can feel it getting bigger by the second."

"It's not the only thing getting bigger…"

"Yeah, I can feel that too. God, you're such a fiend!"

"Complaining?"

"Never."