Family Bonds: Book 2 of Sista

by Blackstar1979

Family Bonds the sequel to Sista. The the Superstars and Sistas have been through a lot that have carved out bonds where there were none. Will the past rip apart the bonds that have been forged or make them stronger? Reviews are welcomed as always.

21. Chapter 21 What a Holiday

Chapter 21

What a Holiday

On the 22nd Paula, Janet, and the twins stop by Last Ride. Paula felt safer now that the baby snatcher was six feet under, but the fucker that robbed her and turned her world on its ear last year is still breathing. She would not make her bar a target for a recurrence this year. As Tracy holds Katie and coos at her Paula tells her to shut it down at 6 tonight and not to open until the 26th.

"Paula I know you said you would think about it but won't that cut our profit? A lot of places along this strip are holding Christmas Eve parties." Tracy says as she holds her boss's new baby. Paula said she did think about it and last year around this time this place was robbed and she wasn't making it a target for another go around. "I mean we have 7 people scheduled including myself. Hank still feels awful about calling off last Christmas Eve. We also have a few off duty cops that are coming for the prize drawings and those are at the end of the party. Please Paula ever since Shakers moved across the street they have slowly been stealing our customers. I even have some bands willing to pay to play as part of the battle of the bands contest." Paula says if people start calling off shut it down. "So you'll lets us have the party?" Tracy says trying to contain her excitement.

Paula says "Mark gets in tonight and we aren't coming to the party." Paula knew she would be a nervous wreck by midnight if she went to the party. She looks at her big girl holding her little sister. Janet was beaming from ear to ear. It was rough having to share her dad with work again. Mark was making waves with his school and WWE had picked him up for another WrestleMania run with him having the title and all. He had meetings and shows lined up until after mania. Paula missed him too, it was way different when he wasn't hers and wasn't living with her when he came home. Now when he said he was heading home since that meant he was coming to spend time and just relax with her and the girls the biggest smile would claim her face. He'd be home tonight.

"Paula I understand it's cool. You hired me and trained me to manage this place in your absence and I intend to prove to you that I know what I'm doing. I told the staff in the event we were given the go-ahead anyone that doesn't show might as well apply somewhere else. You won't regret this, Shakers will, but you won't. Our band battle and raffle is going to blow their Christmas Karaoke and 2 buck beer out of the water." Tracy switches babies handing Katie to her big sister as she holds Rosa. After playing with Rosa Tracy thinks about the fact that if Paula didn't come to the bar she wouldn't see her before Christmas. "Hey Paula take her I got you something." Paula takes Rosa and tells Tracy she didn't have to do that. Tracy pulls a small wrapped box from behind the bar. "Yeah I felt I did. No other boss I have had has cared like you do. I moved here with a chip the size of Houston on my shoulder. When I came to Grandville South to live I had 20 bucks left to my name and not even an address? My first night working here my tips which you didn't take half off paid for my motel room. When you told me I could move upstairs after you moved out I couldn't believe it I had to pinch myself. I now have a career, a home, and a car because of you. So here is a small thank you, for believing in me and giving me my life back." Tracy wipes her eyes.

Paula had already given her staff their gifts. She opens it and smirks as she pulls out a coffee mug warmer with her favorite flavored coffee. "Thanks honey this is really sweet of you. Stop crying before you get me going. You earned this manger spot when I couldn't count on Lady you stepped up and ran this place like it was your own. When I found out that you were staying at the Grand motel and catching the bus I've rode that hour and a half ride a few times and I know it's no fun especially at night coming here. Even with you living the farthest away of any of the staff I never had to get on you about being late or just not showing up. When I found out that the Grand was closing down because of tax problems I was selfish I will admit it. I didn't want to lose you so that's why I offered you the apartment upstairs." Tracy hugs her. As she lets go Paula says "Look if the guys do call off I mean it shut this place down, I don't want you here by yourself are we clear woman?" Tracy nods and says they were clear. Paula and the girls head towards Ivey Mansion.

Mark is eating up road on his Harley along the way he stops at a florist he used and picks up some flowers for his wife. His school was almost ready for inspection and the grand opening would be a week after the first of the New Year if all went well. He was heading towards Angel and Joshua's place with his country music blasting. Paula's ringtone hit and he pulls over and answers the call while sitting on the side of the road. "I'm in town darlin. I know we're going to be at Angel's house for the holiday but I was thinking of taken my girls out. Yeah put my girl on, Hey there honey you been minding? No I haven't got any call smart butt. I miss you too darlin. Like I told your momma I'm in town. Until the 28th what you planning some wild party while I'm gone." Janet sniffles and says nope she just missed him more than usual right now. Mark knew why and had been to Nina's gravesite and his cabin. He did his usual around this time of year he put roses on her grave and sat talking to her. Clearing his throat he says "Baby girl I'm about 20 minutes away." He starts up his bike and the next thing out of his 13 year old daughter's mouth reminded him of Nina so much he had to take a breath, Janet was becoming more and more like Nina every day. So he answered like he would Nina. "Yes ma'am I promise no speeding" She giggles and says now get off the phone so she could see him soon. A smirk plays over his face when he hears Paula in the background agreeing. "Bossy women ya'll had better be lucky you're mine. Bye darlin." Mark felt he was the lucky one, parts of this year sucked much ass, but with good came bad and he was glad he had some good memories of this year to throw at the bad ones. He was married to a woman who understood him, and loved him whether he was the Undertaker or not, a hard find. His daughter was doing well in school, and his oldest twin girl was grown before she could talk. Katie was rolling on the bed and drinking two 4 ounce bottles for meals. Rosa wasn't trying to roll anywhere yet, but she was filling out and almost ate as much as her twin. When he was on the road being able to see them in their room on the camera was hard because yeah he could see them but nothing beat holding his girls and spending real time with his little family. He rides up and Paula and the girls come out onto the porch of Ivey Mansion to greet him. He gets off his bike and meets Paula as she carries Katie Jade to the front steps. He steps up and takes her while hugging Paula with his free arm. Janet stands with Rosa he meets her eyes and Paula moves so father and daughters could get the first of many hugs. Mark hands Katie back to Paula and takes Rosa while hugging Janet to him. Janet clung to him as he was about to release her he looks over at Paula she puts Katie in her carrier that was attached to the dual stroller she then takes Rosa as Mark and Janet walk up on the porch. "What's wrong baby girl is everything okay?"

Janet losses her battle with her emotions and openly cries into her dad's shirt as she whispers over and over "I Miss her so much." Heat rose to his own face as Mark says "I know honey me too we all do." Hearing Katie start crying made Janet try harder not to make a sound. She didn't want to upset her little sister but she couldn't help it. Christmas was always hard for her. Maybe this year she could see her mom's grave and talk to her. Looking up at her dad's face she says "I want to go see mom's gravesite I only saw it once and would like to see it again now that I'm older. I talk to her but it's just different you know?" Her dad asked what did she mean by once. Janet pulls to be let free as her dad's eyes cloud with a look of confusion. "Aunt Megan said I was too young and it was too far away. I Googled mapped the cemetery it, it's only 10 miles from here can I please go daddy I promise I'm old enough?"

"Janet go get your jacket and the helmet out of the truck bed." Janet runs into the house heading to the garage. Mark sits on the step with his head down. So many things ran through his head. Paula had put Rosa in the carrier with her sister and was rolling the stroller back and forth. He caught the sight of her shadow and looked up. Paula tells him Janet never asked her because she would have taken her. "I know I thought the times Megan said they went that meant she took little mama with her. That was my foolish assumption. I can't undo the years she didn't get to go but I will take her whenever I can when she wants to go." Janet comes back out hugs Paula and walks back down to the bottom step. "You ready darling?" Janet nods her head. Mark gets on his bike, Janet puts on her helmet and climbs on behind him wrapping her arms around his waist. Paula watches as father and daughter ride out of the gate down the hill towards the main street that would carry them to Nina's final resting place. So that was why her big girl had went all quiet. When her little family returned she would tell Janet that if she wanted to go see her mother please don't hesitate to ask. She pushes the stroller back into the house and sits in the den humming to the twins until they fall asleep. Leaning back in the stuffed chair she aims to take a cat nap as she drifts off she thinks about her little family.

Chase lay in the bed and watched Amy sleep he was proud of her she hadn't taken anything this past two days it was the Eve of Christmas Eve and he suggested she try not to take the pills since she was going to be spending the next two days with her daughter and would probably like to be awake for some of it. He knew some of her signs now that he didn't just associate them with her keeping her distance. He is soon brought out of his dazed near sleep reverie when she starts saying "no I'll call" she then flinches rapidly as if being struck sinking herself into the mattress. "Amy" he says in a tone born of worry as he turns on the bedside lamp. "Amy your dreaming sweetheart come on wake up its ok." Suddenly she sits up looking around Chase sits up as well. "Amy?" She hugs him crying that she can't do this.

Amy had the dream again it never failed even though Nick was dead his image and their fights seemed to find her in sleep. "I can't do this Chase."

"You did so well last night. I know you can" he says.

The faith he had in her made her feel guilty as she pulls herself from his embrace and speaks to him looking him in the eye. "No I waited until you went to sleep and got up and took one and cleaned the back lanai when I felt the pill working I slid back into bed and fell asleep. Tonight I tried it your way and they came the dreams came back. How am I going to go back to that house with my daughter and pretend that all is well?" tears threaten to fall as she breaks eye contact with Chase while trying her best not to break down. She pulls back the covers to get up he places his hand on her back. She stills, as he starts rubbing her back she melts in to his touch with a shuddering sigh. When she apologizes for not telling him about taking the pill he stops.

"I understand maybe I went about it the wrong way. You are the first person that I have personally witnessed with an addiction." She says what about his son. "He was already admitted when I went to visit him." she says she didn't want to stress him out or burden him. Chase starts rubbing her back again watching her melt into his touch stirred other feelings within him. "Enough about this." He whispers she looks back at him and must have seen the look in his eyes. She leans back as he guides her to lay in front of him. He then starts kissing her everywhere as he massages her before long they are making love. Once she is sated Chase lets himself go over with her. They lay intertwined and breathless until sleep claims them both.

Sally is given the okay from Angel and Sophie to come help prepare dinner for Christmas here at Ivey Mansion. She pulls out her breakfast casserole and says that it was for breakfast now not tomorrow. Brad and Cass are in the living room helping put the gifts under the main tree. It seemed like her daughter Angel had turned most of the evergreens on this property in to a Christmas tree. Everyone sits down for Christmas Eve breakfast. Joshua says he thought she had stopped doing this. Cassandra and Brad look at her. "No Joshua I never stopped Christmas Eve breakfast you would land on Christmas and before six pm you were either on your way home or at the airport. I am glad you have started coming around more son." He smirks and says if he had of known he would have come a day earlier. Michael tells Joshua that could have got very expensive with him staying at the Boulder Inn when he stayed overnight. Brad says to Angel that she had better watch Joshua when it comes to their mom's casserole there wasn't much that could stand in the way. Joshua says wait until Brad gets some of Angel's lasagna they would have to peel him away from the table. Sally looks over at Angel who just watches Joshua and his siblings playfully banter back and forth. Her little family was finally getting along. They had all come so far. She looks over at her husband and then at the other man that claimed her son Jonathon was very polite but he would go toe to toe over his girl and her son. She looks over at Angel's father Chase he had made room in his heart and home for her son a long time ago. She was glad the entire family was spending Christmas together.

Candy walks in to the living room where Angel and Sophie are putting more gifts under the tree. "You going to keep that up and the tree is going to tip over. I just dropped Nicole off with her mom I'm glad her dad won't hurt her anymore but wow. She and her mom are spending today and tomorrow together at Ivey Suits. Her mom is at the very least trying to make an effort to be with Nikki in a place they both can just chill in." Angel says she may have a solution to the problem. "Oh?" Sophie looks at her as well saying the same thing.

Angel bites her lip and says "She could move down the street across from my dad into what used to be um Evie's house." Angel sees Candy's open expression close and she continued before she lost her nerve. "Her parents aren't coming back to Texas. They asked me to take care of their home. With their Christmas card this year they sent me the deed to the house. I don't want it and I'm no real-estate agent. I spoke to her mother about having Chase put it on the market since he got me such a good deal for my condo. She was fine with that idea until I told her when he sold it I would send her the check. She said she didn't want the money she just didn't want the house to fall apart from neglect. I figured Chase could sell it to her or rent it to her and then everyone would be happy. I'm sorry I didn't think it through. I mean it would be new for them and Nikki could continue going to the same school. I gave Chase the deed so he could put it in his organization for Saving Grandville. Nikki's current home is worth about the same if not a little less. So I think her mom could swing it. Candy if it is going to bother you I'll drop it I…"

Angel was taking on some of Joshua's ways Candy saw that her girl wasn't going to stop talking until she said something. "Angel it's a great Idea please stop. I know what you're doing girl and I have to say Joshua is still better at it for now. It's cool I never set foot in her house and like I said before, I blew that shit way out of proportion. If my insurance company wouldn't have a cow and a half I would give them my place but the work is already done and the insurance just paid Logan's company. My claim check is on its way. Besides now that I know who would be living there I just might want to give my house another try. I'd have not only my favorite couple and godson up the hill but down the street I'd still have access to Nikki. Her mom would be able to work, and Nikki and Janet could still hang out so everyone would win. I'll give her Chase's organization website the house would be on there right?" they both look at Sophie she nods. "Ok Now for what I really came over for." Sophie asks should she leave the room. "Actually no Sophie maybe you all could help me. I will be dining with Deon and his parents at their home to announce our engagement. I dodged the bullet on Thanksgiving but we both were invited to their home for Christmas."

"Aren't you the same woman that told me to be myself when I went to meet Sally and Michael?" Candy says the same rules don't apply to her situation. "Why?" Candy sighs and sits on the sofa and tells them how she met his parents.

"As you know I met Deon shortly after he and his family moved here. Well I met his parents in the worst possible way. They came to support their son cool. I used to dress a lot worse than I do now." Sophie jokingly says she didn't think that was possible. "His mother thought I was a groupie. I wasn't playing we had a guest piano player. Well I didn't know his parents were going to be there so I ran up on stage and congratulated my man. It was his first guitar gig and he did fucking awesome he didn't miss a chord and back then the stage was lower to the ground. So fast forward half a year he wanted to intro me to his parents, his mother took one look at me and told him to get my groupie ass out of her home. They shouted at each other in their native tongue but you don't have to hire Rosetta Stone to figure out what they were calling me. He told them I was a performer like himself. That's when they revealed that they saw my half naked ass jump up on stage and disrespect their son by kissing him in public like he was mine. The bitch then said she knew what kind of performance I provided she called me a stripper. Deon told them he was mine and I was a pianists not a dancer that's when they really got to cussing him out and she told him never to let my stripper ass darken their door ever again. Now three years later I am nervous as hell about going over there. Deon says it was all a big misunderstanding. That crazy bitch said never, I don't think never means three years and two months down the road. If I try to change my hair color right now it will do some crazy color and I'll look even more stupid." Candy drives her hands through her Blonde and blue hair as she rests her head back on the sofa. Sophie tells her that her hair is fine for her profession.

"One" everyone turns to Sally as she walks into the room "stop calling her a bitch before you slip up and call her one to her face. Two, Candy you are a very bright young lady that dresses colorfully to express yourself, changing you attire isn't necessary. If these people are inviting you to their home, maybe they realize that you make their son happy. You've been featured as part of the band for as long as there has been a band local or otherwise unless the Baza family lives under a rock, they will know their son told the truth that the woman he loves and wishes to marry is a gifted keyboardist with a band not a dancer. I've seen you dance child and a stripper you are not, but I've also heard you play one of my favorite arias to perfection on my worn out piano from just hearing it on my cd player. Three be nice don't go in on guard and please don't do the flippant comment in a nice tone it fools no one. Four now for what to wear within your own wardrobe, pick something that makes you feel good whether it be the cloth or the color. Please remember you are going to marry Deon not his parents if for some reason they still insist on finding issue with you it is not your fought that is unless you call her a bitch to her face," Angel and Sophie agree with Sally. Candy gets up and hugs Sally the doorbell rings Sophie says that will be Luke's parents. Moments later Sophie comes back in, followed by what had to be Luke's father they looked alike aside for the small height difference and the grey hair and his mother who was more than likely where Luke got his deep blue eye color. Luke's father greeted everyone and his mother asked to be pointed to the kitchen after greeting Angel and shaking hands with Sally.

Candy looks at the kitchen door as she and Angel sit on the sofa. "Wow I want to just stay here there is going to be some really good smells coming out that kitchen in a bit. Angel tells her she will try to save her a plate but she really needed to go face the Baza family. "I know wish me luck girl. I know I'm going to need it." Angel says good luck and gives Candy a hug while telling her friend if stuff get really rough she knows she always has an open invitation here. Candy half laughs "I'll text you if there's any blood shed I just hope it won't be my own." Angel says she doesn't see Deon letting anything happen to her. "You're right he'd flip out before I would." Candy gets up as Angel walks her to the front door she looks back at her friend. "My godson is really taking his sweet time." Angel tells her Joshua said JC was waiting for dinner since he won't get her or Sally's cooking again until he has teeth. "Well now it makes total sense, Joshua is passing on his greediness."

Later that night over at Ivey Suites Nikki and her mom sit at the table eating pizza. "Mom the view is cool from up here. Is this place going to eat into us getting another place though?" Her mom sighs and says no as she gets another text message and smiles at her phone. "Who are you texting?" Her mom looks up and smiles saying a friend as she sends another text. "I'm going to text my friend did you want me to take your plate in the kitchen?" Her mom looks up and says sure. Nikki heads into the kitchenette she can still see her mom and her mom seemed more herself since they weren't both trying to pretend their old house wasn't a wasteland of bad memories. She was glad her mom brought her here but she worried that her mom was giving up on getting them a new place. Last week Nikki had taken her posters off the wall and gave them to Janet since she trusted Janet wouldn't let anything happen to them. There was only so much paint and dry wall you could do to a house. She felt bad for not crying when her mom said her dad was dead but the tears just wouldn't come. When her mom caught her crying it was because her mom was crying and she hated to see her mom so sad. She wanted to say something her mom used to say to her a lot so she walks out and says "Mom that smile looks good on you." Her mom tells her right back at her and laughs at a text she gets. Whoever was making her mom happy, she was glad. She pulls her phone and texts Candy since Janet would probably be sleep right now and she didn't want to freak her out or nothing. Nikki knew she was going to be up for a while her mom and her were preparing Christmas dinner together. They'd taken one of their famous pizza breaks like old times.

Nikki: Hey Merry Christmas or at least it is about to be. How is Deon's mom, is she still mean?

Candy: Haven't went over there yet. Aren't you supposed to be sleep waiting on Santa?

Nikki: Candy nice try but we all know Santa isn't real If he were he would have given me what I asked for by now. We had pizza but mom is cooking that's why we are still up I'm helping cook dinner for tomorrow night. The last time I was over right after you know what. Mom set a plate for him I just took it off the table was that mean?

Candy: About Santa oh I don't know it could still happen. As for the plate thing did you get in trouble I think it was probably just and oversight. Like I said little miss worry wart stop worrying.

Nikki: No mom just put the plate back up and said nothing else about it. I think mom gave up on the getting a house and staying here plan this hotel is really nice but I looked online and this suite is like 799 a night. That's mortgage on my block. She says she has it handled but I don't know. I'm glad we aren't still at the house and she is much more happy she's in there texting someone that keeps sending her jokes or something because she is smiling more.

Candy: Nikki stop worrying about it you worry more than I do and I'm way older than you.

Nikki: Easier said than done but I'll try. So are you going to wear the outfit I left on your bed I'm sure you have found it by now.

Candy: yeah I was wondering was it you or Deon. Glad that mystery is solved. I like the shirt the pants maybe pushing it.

Nikki: It's what you wore to take promotion shots.

Candy: I know but it's not something I want to wear to dinner. I'm thinking blue with pink piping body con dress we found a few weeks ago at Hot Topic.

Nikki: I like the black and silver one better but you look cute in the first one If Deon has any brothers they will so hit on you in the blue and pink one it's shorter. (Winking emoticon)

Candy: (Green Puke face emoticon) the only other guy there is going to be his dad. The longer one it is. If you're good, I'm going to try to catch some ZZs oh and Merry Christmas little sis it's after midnight.

Nikki: back at you sis. The door just buzzed got to go anyway.

"I'll get it mom." Nikki says as she heads to the door her mother was elbows deep in a turkey. Nikki looks out the keyhole and saw the delivery person. "If it has to be signed for put it under the door please." A slip of paper comes through the mail slot Nikki signs it and sends it back. Her mom had washed her hands and was coming to see what was going on. Nikki looks out and the man was walking back to the elevator she opens the door and a box half her size was sitting in front of their door. It was gift wrapped. "To Nicole from Chase, oh man I wonder what it is?" when she looks up her mom has a weird look on her face as she asked how she knew Chase. "Oh he's Angel's dad or one of them" that glazed confused look crosses her mom's face. "My favorite band lead the girl on my Angelic Impression poster. Well she and Candy are like not only band mates but they are BFFs in real life. She's not a lead anymore but they are now in Personal Touch together, and before you tell me I shouldn't be calling him Chase he says Mr. Ivey was his dad and that title is only to be used if I was a stranger or a business associate. It is Christmas it's after midnight can I open it please mom?" Her mom then smiles and says if it is burning that much of a hole in her little girls' curiosity go ahead. "Thanks mom you're the greatest I promise." Nikki opens the box shredding the wrapping paper but keeping it in the suite not in the hall. She then pulls the box all the away in the suite and closes the door. Opening the box Nikki squeals in delight "it's a home sound system wait is that? Mom we have Music he sent the entire collection of Angelic Impression and the first Personal Touch CD" Nikki starts jumping around singing as she pulls stuff out of the box.

"Well I guess you wouldn't want what I got for you then?" Chase had told her about a home that would be on the market soon. It was a 2 story, three bedroom, and 2 master bath, with an optional den right down the street. The best part was that she would own it. Chase's Saving Grandville organization was all about selling locally to preserve the area to what it once was. Whatever he envisioned she wanted a part of it. Grandville South was home to her and her child. The house was modern and though bigger than her current home. He had a point she could use her winnings to get her and baby girl into a house a lot faster than she expected. He was selling it for a steal of only 20,000 she'd looked at the surrounding property and knew it was his way of helping her the homes around the one she was purchasing were in the 300,000 range. She makes sure her hands are dry grabs her laptop and goes to the virtual walk through of the home. "Nikki I've already set things in motion here take a look at your gift from me." Nikki takes the Laptop and Amy watches her baby's eyes go big as dinner plates as she watches the video of the place they would soon live.

Nikki lets the video finish and jumps up and hugs her mom tightly. She then stops "mom so we get to move in it?" Her mom nods saying she had already paid for it they were just waiting until the banks opened after Christmas. "Well my room is almost all the way packed up. My posters and clothes are between Candy and Angel's house. This is great I'll be able to set up my new system through our new place. Oh mom I was really worried about whether we would be moving and I'm so glad we are. I think I even know where it is." Nikki cut and paste the address into another window. "It's close to Candy's place. I swear if it wasn't 12:30 in the morning and it wouldn't wake the twins or her mom and dad I'd call Janet she is going to be super happy for us. She is going to totally flip the freak out. I get to go to the same school I'm at now. Mom this is going to be so terrific."

Amy watches as her little girl talks a mile a minute in hyper glee. This was the most her child had said to her in one stretch of time since they had started meeting on the weekends after she came back. They finish cooking at around 2 Christmas morning and head to their bedrooms. Amy knew that Nikki should sleep well considering last weekend when they were at the Hilton she slept like a baby also Nikki had started staring off into space while mixing the batter for the last cake which was a sign that she was nearing falling asleep. Nikki had asked how she knew Chase she said they were friends. Lying in bed after checking on Nikki who was already asleep Amy stares at the ceiling she was tired looking over at her purse she knew the pills were there she'd got a few from her dealer. Chase was more than likely asleep. Minutes later she gets up and grabs her purse. Chase's statement about being awake while with her girl slammed into her mind. She looks at the alarm clock in the room. Balling her hands into fist she walks away from her purse and climbs back into bed. She drifts off only to be rousted by anther nightmare. "Wow a whole 30 minutes." she mumbles while wiping tears from her eyes. It was three in the morning if she just took one pill she could get some sleep. She gets up grabs her purse and takes the pill. She felt so weak she couldn't even do this for her baby girl. She set the alarm clock no matter what she was going to be up for her girl at 9 am Christmas morning. That gave her 6 hours. She lay in the bed waiting for the dreamless sleep the pill would soon offer up to her. The warm feeling still eluded her. Getting up dizziness hit her and almost knocked her back down. Amy knew doing something active would get it moving through her system quicker after the dizziness passes she walks into her closet to grab the little gifts and mini tree she'd hid in her luggage. She would not fail her girl Nicole would wake to gifts under a tree yes the tree was only a foot tall but lucky jewelry didn't take up a lot of space. She takes her gifts and the tree sets them up in the seating area before she can head back to her room heat rushed up her body bringing back the dizziness 10 fold she felt herself falling tries to grab a seat but misses. She hit the ground with a groan lifting her head she sees stars her world then fades to black.

Chase W: Merry Christmas Sweetheart. How is your morning going? Did Nicole like her gift?

Chase sent the text in hopes of a little conversation before going to dinner tonight. It was nearing 10 am. When she did not respond he remembered her saying she was going to cook a Christmas dinner for two. Maybe she and her girl stayed up too late.

He hit the shower and gets dressed he checks his new iPhone that Sophie had insisted he replace his old dinosaur of a Blackberry with. She'd said she was going to pull him into the 21st century if she had to do it with him kicking and screaming all the way. He'd never tell his daughter but he was looking at phones earlier in the year since her and Angel gave him such a hard time about his computer and his Blackberry. Gifts are soon passed out at Ivey Mansion Candy gets one from Joshua, Deon, and Angel that she still couldn't believe. They went to Ivey Mansion on their way to Deon's parents place. "Josh don't walk me into anything please." Candy says as Joshua leads her out into the garage. Deon says from just to her right that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. Angel stayed behind her. Candy knew they were in the garage "unless you are going to smuggle my ass pass your parents what could you possibly want to give me in here that all three of you would be a part of."

"Take off the blindfold and look for yourself" Angel says Candy pulls off the blindfold and screams at the sight of her new vehicle. Sophie walks out and says she thinks Candy found her gift. A neon green 2015 Kia Soul it was big enough for her dual keyboards or to just have room. Candy hugs Joshua Deon and Angel. Angel taps her telling her to please let go Candy lets go quickly "what's wrong too much contact." Angel says "No girl you were just squeezing too hard you about took my breath away." Candy apologizes.

Deon says "Hey Candy no trying to squeeze JC out. I know you want to see him and all. We all do but that probably isn't the best way to go about it." Soon Candy and Deon get ready to head towards his parents' home in Candy's new car she says "well at least if stuff gets out of hand I can drive away." Deon puts his hand on hers on the steering wheel drawing her attention. "My queen please stop worrying. You've changed outfits 7 times this morning alone. That's a record even for you. My parents were wrong to make such blanket assumptions about you without even meeting you. If I thought for a second they were going to hurt your feelings for a second time I would have declined to even go myself." He leans over and capture's her lips in a possessive kiss.

Nicole knew she didn't set her alarm but none the less she heard one. Getting up she walks in her mother's room. "Mom?" Turning off the blaring little alarm clock she notices the bed is empty. Looking around so was the room. She walks into the seating area "Mom? If you're trying to jump out and surprise me it's not going to... MOM!" Nikki screams as she sees her mom on the floor with a chair turned over next to her and little gifts shewn all over the floor with a small tree. Her mom didn't even flinch when she screamed. Nikki gets on her hands and knees in front of her mother's prone form "MOM wake up please wake up MOM?" she starts shaking her mother and slapping her shoulder. Her mom comes awake looking dazed, reaches her hand and pushes her hand away slurring give her ten more minutes and calls her Wendell. "Mom who's Wendell? Please get up you're on the floor it's me you can go back to sleep when you get to your bed." Her mom was slurring like her dad did. A freighting thought hit her. She sniffs she didn't smell alcohol but her mom was out of it. "Mom wake up I'm serious get up you're freaking me out." Nicole slaps her mother's shoulder and before she knew it her mom sat up and slapped her back knocking her off balance yelling for her to stop hitting her. It wasn't the blow itself. Her dad could hit way harder. It was who had hit her that made tears burn her eyes and made her throat grow tight as she covered her face and curled into a ball.

Amy was foggy. When she felt some one hit her she defended her self. "STOP HITTING ME?" Sitting up she'd told Wendell her dealer that she hated when he or his roommate came in her room but hey it was his home but she would not let them punish her. As long as she gave him the fucking money what was it to him if she slept? Something else registered the voice didn't match and it was bright as fuck in here today even through her eye lids. His house was usually dark he had black out curtains for a lot of different reasons. Opening her eyes and looking around she doesn't recognize her surroundings. That's when last night and this morning rushes back to her she was no longer in hiding, she was here with her daughter for Christmas. Hearing a small whimper she looks over at Nikki curled up on the floor. She quickly puts her hand over her mouth she hadn't defended herself from Wendell or any of his roommates she'd hit her own child. Pulling her baby's shirt she says "Nikki, I'm sorry baby. Are you ok?"

Her mom had never hit her before. As her shirt is pulled she is asked if she's okay. Nikki sits up but keeps her eyes downcast at her hands that rest in her lap "yeah" not knowing what else to say next. She wanted to be alone. "If you're okay I think I didn't get enough sleep I'm going to go lay back down." She hoped her mom hadn't heard the hitch in her tone. Her mom apologizes and asked her to please forgive her. "Yeah Okay" she says into her shirt as she gets up and walks as calmly as she can to her room. When she quietly closes the door the floodgates reopen all the worry and confusion that held her tongue when looking at her mom erupted as she flung herself on her bed and cried into her pillow. Everything was so cool last night what the hell happened.

Hearing her child right in the next room crying ripped Amy apart knowing it was because of her. Looking around she'd knocked over the chair and pulled the tree and gifts onto the floor when she fell. She must have been a sight passed out on the floor with her gown around her waist among the debris of what was supposed to be a Christmas surprise. She had no idea why one pill would put her out so quickly. Wendell was a RN so she texted him in code what happened. When he replied that he had given her 1000s instead of her 300s it all made sense. She'd told him the week before that one pill wasn't doing it anymore so he'd upped the dosage. If she had of taken two she could have over dosed Marry fucking Christmas then Nikki wouldn't have any parents. She didn't feel like a mother right now she felt like a mess. She was angry at her dealer but angrier at herself. Amy gets up off the floor she felt helpless there was nothing else she could say but I'm sorry to her baby girl. Her girl had said she forgave her but she felt the invisible barrier between her and her child get that much bigger. Last night it felt great to see her child so animated and happy. This morning she'd struck her own child. Her phone plays Chase's text tone. When she read it she goes in her room, the little dot on the alarm clock was off and the switch was pushed back, so Nikki had cut it off and then found her. She thinks of how to explain what happened. Even if Chase was going to be disappointed in her he wouldn't be half as disappointed as she felt with herself. She takes a shower and brushes her teeth the pill dried out her mouth so much. An hour later not wishing to face her daughter she sits on the bed and texts Chase back.

Amy: Chase the place you spoke of for treatment is that still a choice. I thought I could handle it but I see that I can't.

As Chase gives gifts and receives them his phone plays Amy's favorite song she was texting him he walks out on the back porch and opens the text expecting to see merry Christmas or a full report on if Nikki liked Angel's suggestion for her daughter's gift. What he read made him wonder what had caused her to ask about therapy.

Chase W: What happened are you okay?

Amy: No I hit my child. I felt someone hitting me and defended myself. When the fogginess left I look over and Nikki is on the floor beside me curled into a ball. She was trying to wake me up. I apologized but if I had of not taken the pill I wouldn't have been so out of it. I passed out in the seating area on the floor. I'd wanted to make this Christmas special and memorable. We were doing so well but I couldn't get to sleep but I didn't want to be a zombie this morning. I even set my alarm. A lot of good that did me it woke her up and she must have turned it off and came looking for me. What scares me more than anything is that my dealer called himself catering to my needs of stronger shit and upped my dosage per pill so this morning I took what would be three pills worth in one if I had of popped two I could have killed myself. I'm sorry to lay all this on you it's just been a very rough morning and I really don't have anyone else I can talk to. Nikki went in her room and though the crying has stopped she hasn't come out. I feel so weak I couldn't even do this for my child and then I ended up hitting her.

Chase W: I'm on my way. I didn't want to push. I care for you a great deal and I don't want you hurting yourself I'm glad you reached out to me and trusted me enough to let me know what is going on. We'll get through this sweetheart.

Chase walks back through the kitchen of Ivey Mansion heading towards the garage. Luke asks him was he okay because he looked pissed off. "Is there anyone in the den as of now?' Luke turns around and says the door is open so he would have to say not at the moment. "Can we meet in the den for a consult?" Luke nods and asks what was wrong. Closing the door Chase asks Luke to please not say anything of what he was about to say to anyone and that surly included Sophie. When he leaves the den he has in hand a number and an appointment for the following Monday.

Paula had been edgy until Tracy called her "Hey so how did the party turn out?" Tracy said they did really good and everyone showed up ready to work. "That's good I'm glad. Thanks girl I was worried about you last night." Tracy says that is why she called. She also tells Paula that it was good that Last Ride was covered because someone robbed Shakers last night or early this morning. The owner was found in his deep freezer. Tracy said she didn't understand the owner is built like a football player. "Honey if it was the same guy from last year on first look he really don't look dangerous he looks like a skinny skater boy when he drew that gun on my ass last year he grew ten feet in that one second." Tracy says well the guy must have realized that Hank and Bubba both openly carry when they bartend at night. "Well that might be something I look into when I open the second Last Ride in Pittsburg Texas. Well aright girlie as long as everything is good I'll let you get back to your Christmas." They both hang up and Paula looks on the news app about what happened to the bar across the street. The owner had died of asphyxiation from being closed up in the freezer but the two that robbed the bar were caught on camera. Paula almost dropped her phone when she saw the image of the guy it was the same guy and a female. Mark walks up behind her and asked was everything ok. She jumped at his voice. When she turns around he raises an eyebrow at her. "Though Last Ride didn't get hit last night the new bar Shakers did and the owner got killed the fucker made him get in the deep freezer. The cleaning crew showed up this morning and found the door not locked and called the cops. Mark I spoke to that man not more than a month ago at one of Chase's Saving Grandville meetings. The police know who they are looking for now which is more than they had last year but they haven't caught him." Mark hugs her as they both thought about what happen last year. Mark is the first to speak as he says he has a few friends in law enforcement that can keep an eye on Last Ride both here and back home in Pittsburg.

In the kitchen Angel and Sally are trying to get batter out of a mixing bowl when Sally without looking says to Joshua. "Don't even think about snatching that muffin." Angel admits she didn't even hear him come in the kitchen. Joshua smirks and says he will have to be quieter next time. "Joshua I'm glad you came in can you help Bradley and Sophie set the table?" Joshua walks out of the kitchen mumbling loud enough for them to hear I come to steal a few of my wife's muffins and get put to work. Sally says to Angel "Wait to next year when he'll have a little 2 foot helper. If his son is anything like him you are going to have to watch them both when cooking."

"Well I'm ready, most of the time I had to convince Sophie that she has time for a meal it will be a change. I wanted to thank you for the recipe for your casserole. Now that I see what I was doing wrong it all makes sense. Also I really like the blanket you made for JC I had no idea you could do stuff like that." Sally says she had a few hidden talents and she really loved her gifts from her and Cassandra and was pleasantly surprised by Bradley and Joshua's gift. She tears up saying she never thought she would get them in a studio long enough to take a professional picture together. "It was hard for me to keep that secret I saw the pictures and thought about what you said when we came up to see you guys in CO. I'm so happy their not fighting or avoiding each other anymore. Bradley is going to be working for Logan he says he is kind of tired of living in the woman's house and with her house almost done her paying him will stop soon. Bradley is going to be doing the Davenport expansion." Sally says when he is not on drugs Bradley has a lot of talent with a hammer. "I saw some of the pictures he has taken of his work for the woman he lives with."

Bradley walks back to the door for more silverware out of the maid's quarters in the hall that ran parallel to the kitchen. Listening to his mother and sister talk about him had his ears burning. A lot had changed now his new sister Angel has stopped looking at him like she's waiting for him to attack. He had finally dropped the name Boy out of his vocabulary which made his interaction with his baby brother Joshua a lot easier. His dad and he were on the mend so much shit had went down this year. If someone would have told him that he would be out of prison, off drugs and over at Joshua's place for Christmas dinner with his family. He would have sworn they were lying. Being sober and hanging with Joshua they found out that they weren't as different as he first thought. When not thinking he was about to try to toss him or fight him Joshua was pretty cool to be around. Joshua's gift to him was NBA season tickets. After dinner they were going to play on the Massive court in the game room. Even his relationship with Cassandra was stronger and heading in a better direction. Back in the day she was his follower now that she wasn't so quick to do whatever he said they were both happier. He was getting a second chance at being a real big brother and would soon be an uncle. Sensing someone behind him, he turns around to see Angel's sister is staring at him. "I'm coming" he says as he grabs the silverware and follows Sophie out into the dining room to finish setting the table.

Jonathon and Gloria are sitting on the deck talking when he sees his kin Janet and her playmate Glenny out in the backyard playing on the swing set his son Joshua had put up. Mark had told him about Megan not letting her go to see her ma's gravesite. Mark asked him did he ever visit his mother's grave. Mark's mother his sister Rosa Angela was buried in Ireland along with her husband Callaway and their parents. Jonathon told him every year since she passed he visited her gravesite. He tells his nephew he was proud to see that last year that he and Megan had visited. Mark shook his head and told him not to start he was having a good time and not to start talking about Megan. Jonathon wasn't happy with Megan either but Markus was her big brother and she had been really hurt that he had not spoken to her since the baby shower. Mark blew his top and asked Jonathon what he would do if the only family he trusted had let him down in such a big way. Jonathon spoke what he knew of the situation which was that an argument about Megan's actions at the Baby shower were the cause. Mark told Jonathon about the rest of it the beating and manipulation and lastly the steps Megan took trying to force a wedge in between him and Janet using him as one to fear to get back at him. Jonathon drops the conversation when Logan walked out. He insisted Glenn Jr. Go play. He'd came so that Janet and Glenny could have fun on Christmas. Jonathon turns to Gloria after Logan walks back out and starts running after Glenny and Janet in a game of tag. "I had no idea that Megan went so far. I should have known it was more than her actions at the baby shower those two were very close while growing up. Megan has sent me email after email telling her side she neglected to tell the true reason Mark has shut down on her. I think she doesn't realize how poisonous her actions were. It's good that she has not come around if she tried that with one of mine her action would cause a reaction she would not be ready for." He looks out at Logan chasseing Janet. "No wonder he won't take sides. He knows his wife is wrong and instead of fanning the flame he would rather be near his kin. I know he misses Janet being close yet so far away." Janet runs on to the deck and tries to hide behind Jonathon. "Oh no you don't you are not using me as base the last time you did Glenny ran into me almost knocking me down." When Janet runs and yells for Glenny to go to the slide she dashes pass Logan. Gloria asks Jonathon how a little 30 pound boy almost knocked him off balance. "He's three feet tall and ran into my crotch do I have to draw ya any more pictures."

Bobby shows up with Joy and hands Angel her gift and says that's for his nephew. Joy says she tried to stop him but once he put his mind on something it was full steam ahead. Angel opens the gift and says to Joshua "Look what Bobby got JC." Joshua comes over and takes the onesie out of the box. It read Lock Load & Ready for Bear. The front of the shirt looks like a bullet proof vest and even has J.C.L.D on the breast plate. The toys were a badge rattle and pillow pet police dog. Joshua looks at Bobby and says only his brother would be trying to recruit his unborn son into law enforcement of some kind. Bobby says he was going to get this little Ranger's playset but half the stuff he was worried that JC would try to eat it instead of play with it. Angel smiles up at her brother and says. "Bobby please stick to plush toys or ones too large for him to swallow." Bobby says fair enough and hugs his little sister.

Bobby turns around and looks for his dad "Hey where's pop. I got him a gift from the same site." Luke says that Chase stepped out but said he would be back in time for dinner. "OK well for anyone that hasn't met my girlfriend Captain Joy Wildflower." Joy smacks him on the arm and tells him unless there was someone here not at the wedding, she had met just about everyone and stop with the Captain stuff unless someone was going to start a cybercrime ring right here in the living room she was on vacation. She turns back to everyone and says to please just call her Joy.

Sophie smirks at her brother's girlfriend and says "Yeah Joy keep him in line. Bobby unless you would want her family calling you Field Commander Agent Robert Hawk–Ivey every time they address you nobody has time for all that. I am proud of you though big bro so is that title like a raise for you or do you do the same type of stuff. He winks and says that's classified. Sophie says "Spook" as she is about to leave the room. Bobby runs over and holds out her gift saying it just reminded him of something she would say. Opening it Sophie pulls a coffee mug and reads it aloud. "You have the right to remain Silent anything you say will probably be stupid. I guess this could go in my office. Thanks bro." Sophie walks over to the tree and hands him his gift. "This is from me and Angel." Bobby looks shocked and starts ripping the paper off the box as he pulls out an outfit with his favorite team on it and hugs Sophie she says. "Thanks for his sizes Joy you are a life saver. The first one I had to send back they sent him one three sizes too big."

"No problem girls I got the email with your gift inside that was clever I've never shopped there before but I need to come out of the work clothes or jogging attire as your brother let me know when he saw me today in a this dress you would think I never wore one before." Bobby says he liked the dress but understood why she wouldn't wear dresses like that to work.

Angel excuses herself and walks into the den Joshua follows and asks was everything okay. "Yeah I just wanted to check on Candy." Joshua says to tell him how it went as he is challenged by Bobby to the video game Joshua had bought him. "Go have fun. That is unless you don't think you can beat him." Angel smiles up at her husband as he mock glares and says to Bobby get ready to lose. He kisses her she pulls him down for another he places his hand on her breast. She lets him go and says "don't start nothing you can't finish big bad wolf." He says tonight he was going to unwrap his little Red Riding Hood. "Yeah if you don't eat yourself into a coma" He says he would just have to save room for his wife as desert. Angel giggles as he dips his head and kisses her cleavage. "Bye Joshua" He leaves the room after two more people yell for him to come on. She sits on the sofa and texts Candy.

Angel: Hey just checking for blood shed LOL

Candy R: No blood shed my man was right it was a big misunderstanding. His mom apologized and said she really didn't give me a chance she was going off of what she thought she saw and her only reference was American reality television as far as the calling me a stripper. I should have known something was up because her English isn't that great. So Groupie and stripper were the words she latched on to and was confident enough to say.

Angel: LOL It could have been worse she could like hardcore Rap music.

Candy R: Cringe. So is my plate still waiting on me? I was so nervous about re meeting his parents that I am iffy about eating. I wasn't rude I ate some here but his dad is super touchy and with Deon I don't mind but it kind of still creeps me out when other guys touch me. He hugged me and put his hand on my lower back saying welcome to the family after we told them about being engaged and I about broke a tooth I bit down so hard to not flinch away from him.

Angel: Candy if it freaks you out tell Deon maybe he can talk to his dad.

Candy R: They like me and I don't want to start anything

Angel: Would you rather feel groped every time his dad wants a hug? Take it from someone that doesn't do touch. It's better to say something before he hits another one of your triggers and you freak out on his ass.

Candy thought about that she had started converting back to withdrawing into herself. That made her angry at herself she wasn't that person anymore.

Candy R: Thanks girl I know how hard is for you but shit you will tell people don't touch or even with people you know and like you will give us a signal I just stood there.

Angel: Don't beat yourself up over it. I didn't always say something. If the guy didn't mean anything by it he should have no problem with stopping the action that make you uncomfortable. You know what he is to your man but that doesn't automatically say you know who he is as a person.

Candy R: thanks girl I just told Deon and he says he will speak with his father. I got to go girlie

Angel: There will be a plate for you bye girlie

Angel walks out in search of her husband when Mark comes down the hall holding one of the twins. "Hey big guy" He greets her as she reaches for her baby cousin. He hands her over and Angel sees who is now coming to her without crying. "Hi Rosa I think you were sleepy last night." Mark says she has just been fed. "Oh that's the secret. She's awake more I noticed." Mark thanks her for the outfits for the girls and he and Paula's hoodies saying they were a great idea. Angel looks up at her cousin "your welcome Janet helped with the twin's sizes and Paula helped with you and Janet's I didn't want to get a just fit but I didn't want them too big either. He was wearing his gift a light weight zip up hoodie with the name of his school on it with an image of the Heavyweight belt under it. On the back it read Coordinator. He asked who helped with Paula's. "That was kind of tricky I went by what size she is now and used what Candy did for me the waist is adjustable." Mark said smart move. "I know I didn't want to be clobbered by Paula." Paula walks out into the hall and asked who she was clobbering and why. Angel giggles as she tickles Rosa getting a smile. "No one I hope. Are you guys still going horseback riding tomorrow?" Mark says Yeah at the same time Paula says she didn't know. "Um Okay just call me if you guys are. That way I can come and watch the twins. Janet is going to tour Ivey Enterprises since she will start her shadow part of her schooling soon Sophie is taking her on a tour tomorrow. That's the permission slip Sophie gave you Mark." Mark says he was wondering why he was emailed a doc-u-sign when school was out for break. "Well you know how Sophie is with the paper trail thing." Mark says he appreciates it and the fact that the Academy not only sends Paula a letter but sends him Janet's progress via Doc-u-sign so he can still be in the know while on the road. Paula says with how frazzled she has been she's glad he gets a copy of the notes and things that if she forgets to tell him something while on the road he still gets it. Luke's mom pokes her head in the hall and asks Angel if she could help with the last cake. Angel says "sure" and hands Rosa back to Mark. "Bye little Cuzo"

Paula holds out her arms to take Rosa. "Katie is asleep up in JC's bed." Mark nods as he follows her back up the stairs "Mark I completely forgot about the tour. The day I got the slip I had taken the twins to their doctor's appointment when I got home I was so tired. I hope you signed it because I don't even think I signed it." Mark tells her that he signed it and not to worry about it. Paula sits in the rocker and rocks Rosa. Mark asks her did she not want to go riding anymore. They had said they would go to the ranch and ride Lightening and his new pony and stay at the Ranch until Sunday before he had to hit the road again. That will be the longest she has been away from her girls since she had them. With everything that happened she was not comfortable with not being near if her baby girls needed her. "It's not that I don't want to. This will be the longest time I won't be in reach of the twins. What if Angel goes in to labor while watching them we will be two hours away." Mark tells her that Joshua will be at the house and Janet won't be gone all weekend just one day. As Paula looks down at what she had come to know as her little Rosa sleep she lays her in the crib with her sister. As she goes to sit back down she looks back and Mark is sitting in the rocker patting his knee. She sits in his lap and he runs his hands up and down her back. He tells her how he feels every time he has to go on the road. He wanted her to understand that he understood her hesitance and knew what it is was born from partly from being a new mother and then the darker part that made them both go silent at times. He tells her that un like with his past fuck ups with trusting people she and he knew how Angel, Joshua and the and the gang treated Janet while they weren't around because of how they had let Janet stay there during the school week and yes they would be two hours away but still just a phone call away. By the end of their conversation it was agreed that they would come back on Saturday early morning if she wanted.

Nikki washed up and went back to her room. She packed up her stuff and comes across the digital photo album Candy had bought her for Christmas. She promised not to open it until today and had kept her promise. Turning it on looking at a pic of her and Janet swiping to the next picture was a pic of her, Candy, and Janet after Candy's hair dye job. Angel had taken the picture. In 10 hours Christmas would be over and she could go back to Candy and Deon's place. A knock sounds on her door. "Hold on please" Nikki says as she puts the photo album in her back pocket and walks to the door. Last night she liked this presidential suite layout but right now it was too high and she felt like the walls were caving in. She wanted to text Candy but what she would say eluded her. It wasn't like she was going to say hey I hit my mom and she hit me back Marry Christmas. She pulls the door open and there stood her mother. Not wanting to just stand here she rocks form foot to foot.

Amy tells her that all she can says is that she is so sorry. Changing the topic she says "we have a guest." Her baby girl looks above her and to the right as her little expression opens into a smile as she says. Hello to Chase. Amy caught the discoloration on her baby's face. She'd left a bruise. Holding back her first instant to reach for her girl she puts her hands in her pockets and says. "He's come for dinner please join us." Nikki looks back at her and says "okay" They eat or at least attempt to. Amy then focused on Chase and so did Nicole. They ask him questions. Nikki asks questions about the family and had he seen the car Candy was going to get. He told her it looked like an over grown skittle. She smirks then looks across the table at her mother "I wish I could drive."

Chase asked her what he used to ask Angel when she was 10 and would say the same thing after Sophia had been rough on her. That answer lead him to find her when she ran away later that year when Sophia tried and failed to get his oldest girl committed. "So little lady where would you go?" Angel had said the mall and that's where he found her watching music videos in the record shop.

Nikki looks Chase in the eye and says "Back to Candy and Deon's house. I'd wait on the steps until they got home and surprise them. Although there is cake at Angel's place and it is Chocolate." Nikki smirks "so either Angel's or Candy and Deon's place or if I had the gas money I would do both. Hey Chase can I come with you so I can hang with Janet before she goes back to her parent's house please?" Nikki watches him turn to her mother. As he said the dreaded words that no child wanted to hear he said ask her mother. Nikki looks back at her plate and moves her food around on it again spreading it out and then moving it back closer to the center of the plate. Her mom says no she would be leaving Monday and she wanted to spend time with her child. Confusion and anger swelled inside of Nikki as she kept her eyes on her plate. Was Christmas ever going to end? Well yeah, Monday morning her mom was going to run away again, but at least she was already Candy's charge and Candy wouldn't have to worry about her mom returning. That thought sent tears into her eyes to the point the plate blurred. She wouldn't cry not in front of Chase. Blinking fast to stop the onslaught of emotion rising in inside of her she says "Excuse me please" Her mom says she was excused Nikki gets up put her plate on the counter and dashes off to her room.

Chase steeples his fingers in front of his mouth in thought. Amy asked him if he had to deal with anything like this. Chase sighs though he hadn't struck Angel he knew some of what Amy felt but somethings he was not willing to let out because of the delicate nature of their relationship and the fact that he one day wanted to introduce this woman to his children. She must take his silence as something else because Amy continues and says not the drugs but this feeling that anything she says right now will be taken the wrong way. "Using me as a bridge here at dinner just made it easier for you both not to have to speak to each other. Amy I know it's hard and I can't give you some sage advice." Chase was guilty of a few things when the girls were growing up he didn't intervene as much as he probably should have. If Sophia went too far he would remove who ever she had set her sights on for a time but never talk to Sophia about the issue. He let his work world cover him about a lot of things he kept his comments to himself often giving off a devil may care attitude as Sophie called it around the family though he would call it more of a go along to get along attitude. By the time the girls were late teens he had no idea how to repair the fabric of his fractured family. He was just glad that the girls stuck together and didn't let Sophia's way of thinking tarnish their relationship.

Nikki sat in her room flicking though the pictures in her album and wiping her face she'd made it in her room before she started crying. She felt confused and knew some of it was anger. She needed music she wanted to shut out the thoughts. She finds one of Joshua's songs in his pre Personal Touch days on her mp3 list and cranks it sending the guitar and hard bass beat through her ear buds. Nikki was a local Granville South girl and liked Davenport Lighting though she was happy for the merger between Angelic impression and D Lighting Personal Touch was a great mix of both styles. On the D Lightening cd Joshua made his point through his angry sound there was only an underground cd that didn't go far. When he and Angel started appearing together you could understand all of his words or he had her sing and he would just play. Right now his guitar solo in that D lightening aggression era was drowning out the racing thoughts. On one of the songs she gets up and even start imitating how Joshua glared at the audience and as he would jerk himself forward with the beat and stomp his foot right before he would hit a solo or drop his fist to signal a stop it was solo time.

Chase knocked on the door getting no answer Amy opened the door and her girl was playing air guitar and her face turn into an evil scowl at the wall lip sinking with only a few of the words coming out as she stomped her foot. Amy smirks and says to Chase. "I'm sure the people below us are loving this little show." As she is about to apologize. Chase tells her that this suite sits high enough that the sound would not be that pronounced considering there weren't living compartments on the floor below the rooms were two floors down and unless Nikki secretly weighted over a ton no one would hear what went on up here. The area below them was a well soundproofed bar. Amy walks over and pulls Nikki's ear bud out Nikki jumps and spins almost falling on her butt. Nikki's expression was total shock that was gone and replaced by her guarded look just as quickly. She spoke to her girl. "Nicole, Chase came to say good bye and I came to talk to you."

"See you later Chase" Nikki says as the sudden erg to hug him rose within her before he touches his pointer and middle fingers to his forehead about to point at her and say laters kiddo as was his habit she runs over and hugs him letting go just as quickly. "I'll walk you to the elevator." Chase leaves and Nikki walks back into the suite thinking about the fact that her mom said she was leaving on Monday. Her mother was putting the food in little containers and told her to come help pack up dinner. The words were out before she could make herself shut up. "Look I'm sorry for waking you up you were freaking me out." Nikki quickly explains what she saw when she woke up and came in the seating area. "Please don't run away again. You promised you wouldn't anymore. You got your lick back I didn't think I hit you that hard but I shouldn't have hit you at all. I'm sorry." A strange look took over her mother's expression. When her mother ran towards her she shut her eyes covering her face waiting for god only knew what. Had she said too much? Suddenly she is enveloped in her mother's embrace she wraps her arms around her mom holding on for dear life as if she held her mom in place she wouldn't run away. Emotion surged as she cries "please don't run away momma you all I have left. I won't ever hit you no more."

Amy had messed up so bad her child was bracing herself for impact before she hugged her. It was bad enough hearing her cry in another room but standing here blaming herself, Nikki thought she announced her plans of abandoning her. They needed to talk right now. Taking a breath as her girl clung to her she pats her baby's back and says through her own bands of emotion "Nicole I'm not running away. I promised you I wouldn't do that anymore. Honey please stop crying. Come on Nikki let's go run some cool water on your face and wrists before you make yourself sick." Her girl was turning red and it wasn't just her face. The last thing Amy wanted to do was top off this holiday with an emergency room visit. They get to the bathroom just in time Nikki lets her go and throws up. Amy holds her baby's dark brown mane of hair out of the line of fire so to speak. Moments later after rising out her mouth all that remained were the hiccups and shudders here and there. They walk into Nikki's room she watches as her girl walks over moves a camera looking device and sits on her bed. "Nikki I am glad you woke me. I'm terribly sorry I struck you." Nikki opens her mouth to say something. "Please dear this isn't easy for me either. I have become addicted to sleeping pills because just like you don't sleep well at the house I don't sleep well anywhere really. I thought I could handle this for the short periods of time I get to see you. I had been trying and Chase has been helping me, I tried to not take them and I thought I would be able fight the addiction but last night I caved and took one pill promising myself that I would set my alarm and be able to wake up on time to surprise you with the tree and the little gifts. When I came fully to myself and I realized that I had struck you." Amy lightly runs her thumb across the discoloration on her baby girl's otherwise porcelain complexion. "It proved to me that it was time for me to get help. I don't ever want to see the fear and hesitance in your gaze again especially towards me. I want to be here for you for a very long time. We have a home to live in and I would rather do that and be clear of mind. I don't want to ever hurt you again, or freak you out about me as I used to worry about your father. Chase is going to help me into a program. That is where I will be going Monday." Nikki looks worried and asks then what will they do for the next three days. "Well since Chase knows that my check is good he has agreed to let us start moving as far as sleep I don't know."

Nikki says "trash the pills and sleep with me. It worked for me when we slept at the house on the sofa knowing that you wouldn't let anything happen and feeling you near was like an extra blanket. Now that I know it is like with dad I won't touch you if I have to wake you up. Did you take them when we were at the house or at the Hilton." Her mother says no but the following days she wasn't sleeping except two hours in the entire 48 hour period by the end of the weekend she would be zombie putty. "No zombie putty I'll help you mom." That night they both curled up on the sofa and her mom gave her the necklace and bracelet she wanted from a magazine. Nikki watched her mom flush away a small baggy like the one her dad used to hang on to. Many mornings he would still be holding it as he slept in some random part of the house. Nikki felt herself falling asleep and would jerk her self-awake. Her mom told her to go on to bed that they had a lot of packing to do. When Nikki woke the next morning she found her mom right beside her she moved and her mom woke up blinked and said good morning and called her sweet pea, later they pack up and check out, leaving the key cards at the front desk.

Christmas Night at Ivey Mansion everyone ate and helped clean up and started separating into different parts of the house or out on the basketball watch. Joshua, Bradley, and Luke started. The brothers then teamed up when Mark, Jonathon, and Logan asked to play. The cousins won and Bradley says "Of course you won." He points at Mark "you got an almost 7 foot ringer" he points at Jonathon "and another building it's kind of hard to drive to the hole when you have to get pass the New York skyline." Bobby walks outside as Logan says he should really get going. Bradley asks Bobby "Hey do you play?" When Bobby says he'll play. Bradley says "Great because if I have to painfully watch Joshua try for all 3 pointers I'm going to scream." Joshua says he got them 27 points and wasn't going anywhere near Jonathon who had knocked him off his feet blocking him when he went for a jumper. Jonathon says he barely touched him with a smirk. Deon and Candy show up and ask to play wanting to be on Mark's team. Joy said she would help her man and his team. So Mark, Jonathon, Deon, and Candy played against Bradley, Bobby, Joy and Joshua. The score was 100 to 87 Joshua high fived Bobby and Joy everyone laughed at Bradley who danced like he had won a NBA ring instead of a family game to see who could get to 100 first.

After the game the Sheldon parents take their leave. The Davenport parents along with a super hyper Bradley and a quiet Cassandra go as well. When asked was he staying by Candy since she wanted to know if she was going to have to find another room Chase says he was heading out. Mark headed straight to the hot bath Paula had run him. Jonathon and Gloria head down the hill towards his home. Joshua heads for the shower Angel was already in there he walks in and they shower together which starts their night of lovemaking. As they both lay in their bed sated and happy Joshua pulls his wife closer and says Merry Christmas Mrs. Davenport." She says Merry Christmas and they soon drift off to sleep.

Logan and Glenny return to their home. He tells Glenny to go get ready for bed and he and Mimi Meg will be in to tuck him in. After not finding Megan downstairs he walks upstairs "Red are you h…" he opens his bedroom door and all the blood drained from his face at the sight of Glenn fucking his wife in his bed. Heat then rose along with his temper. "This Christmas present you could have fucking kept." Glenn and Megan both roll from the bed to the floor scrambling for clothing. Glenn pulls on pants saying it wasn't what it looked like. "Oh really. It look like you were fucking my wife." Logan roars. Glenn says he came over to cheer up his friend because she was feeling left out and. Logan charges at Glenn. Megan screams for them to stop. Glenn punches him in the midsection. Glenny yelled coming. Logan ducks another swing and turns towards the door to tell Glenny go back in his room. "Glenny go back in…" Glenn uppercuts him upon contact Logan's world goes black.

Glenny runs in thinking he was being called he stops, takes one look at his daddy standing over Uncle Logan on the floor and runs from the room as fast as his little feet would carry him. The big door was closed but the pet door wasn't the big doggies weren't here no more. He had to hide Daddy had dropped Uncle Logan and Uncle Logan was bigger than Glenny what if Daddy or Mimi Meg dropped him it would hurt that's what. Mimi Meg was calling him so was his dad and they both were loud. Glenny found his hiding place. Janet had hide there and he could get in there too. He curled up in the garage under the big cover with Uncle Logan's big loud bikes wishing that Janet was here with him. He soon falls asleep curled in a ball with his hands over his ears.

Megan runs around Glenn and Logan after Glenny. She checked his hiding place in the basement. Where the heck had he went. Coming back up the stairs she runs in to Glenn who almost sends her ass back down the stairs he grabs her before she falls. "He's not down there." Glenn says he's not in his room or the toy chest in the play room. "GLENNY" they both yell hysteria lacing their tones. Megan grabs her hair and pulls as she tries to think where her baby boy could be hiding. Glenn suggest they look at the camera system. "Yeah like I wanted to give my husband a free porno no thanks. It's bad enough that we got drunk and went..." Glenn cut off her words with a hard kiss. Megan melted against him. A thought hit her fast and just as hard Logan hadn't moved. He'd turned to yell at Glenny and Glenn had decked him. They started this when Glenn came over to give her a Christmas gift. He was feeling down about his bad choices in woman. She was feeling left out since she didn't want to go to the Connors' or the Kincaids' for the holiday which is where she told Logan she was going. He'd lied to her too, he'd said if he wasn't back by 10 he was going to stay and just come home the morning after. They had their Christmas breakfast, gave and received presents and he asked her was she going to be okay she told him she would be fine to go get lots of pictures of her newest nieces. He said will do. She opened her eyes and stopped kissing Glenn. They had drank their dinner and spoke shit that sounded irrational to her now. Glenn said Mark was barley speaking to him still and he felt he had no one. Megan told him he still had her as she accused Logan of cheating on her with Mark and the rest of her family and how it just wasn't fair. They went upstairs and laid across the bed still talking shit about Mark and Logan then Glenn kissed her at first it shocked her, then she gave in to the feeling of being wanted. Before they knew it they were fucking and telling each other they deserved a Christmas too. When Logan came in the look of hurt in his eyes tore her apart. She had to find her son and check on her husband. She pushes against Glenn it was like moving a brick wall. She moves her face to the side. "Glenn this can't happen we're in enough shit and your son is missing."

Glenn lifted his lips and moved away from her. This shit had went way too far. Yeah he was bummed about Mark still being pissed for him bringing Band troll's ex to Thanksgiving. Logan was supposed to be staying at Angel's place. The really fucked up thing was while fucking he had almost called Megan Angel. Megan was a bit taller than Angel but laying down height didn't matter. Now everything was crumbling around his ears again. What the hell was he doing? No Angel didn't want him and try as he might he tried not to love her but that only made him want her more. He couldn't get the image of her out of his head he told himself countless times that he had fucked that up. That they were just friends but by the way Angel looked at him in the hospital told him that friends was a long shot. He was sure that Megan wouldn't like the fact that fucking her was his fantasy with someone she didn't get along with but looked so much like he could get lost for a second. "You're right let's go find our son."

Logan came awake on the floor at the foot of his bed to an empty room. Fuck his head was killing him. Then it all came rushing back the sights and sounds of a betrayal that he would have never guessed could happen let alone would happen. Megan had said she was going to the Kincaid's place for dinner then coming back. He'd told her if he wasn't back by 10 to set the alarm that he might stay and just hit the road the next morning. He finished the game with the guys and hit the highway at 8 which would have had him here by 10 but traffic got backed up what 10:15 was the cut off for her? No he didn't call first but hell he was coming home to his wife with their son on Christmas. She had been so much better about him taking Glenny to go hang with Janet they were on their own road of back to how they used to be prior to her wigging out at Mark's place and jumping on him from the back deck, but he guessed that was all a lie. A sickening thought hit him with force was this the first time or had this been going on for a while? Going up against Glenn proved to be not a bright idea but the big motherfucker had just pulled out of his fucking wife. He sits up and the room spun great a hangover without the pleasure of drinking he thought as he walked out into the hall. He'd been telling Glenny to go in his room when Glenn clocked him. Making it down the stairs out the front door to his truck he had to get the fuck out of here before he did something he couldn't reverse because if he laid eyes on either of them right now the fact that he even thought about his firearm said that pissed didn't even come close to his mood. He starts his truck and Glenn comes running out of his house with Megan behind him. Logan throws the truck in drive and peels out of the driveway almost running Glenn over.

Hours later Logan drives back to his house. He wasn't ready to talk to his cheating ass wife but there was nothing for him in the streets this time of night but liquor and that and him being pissed off wasn't a good combination. He parks in the garage there was shit he could do out here. It was a good thing Glenn's truck was not still parked behind Megan's Stealth out in the yard. He didn't notice it when he backed in but when he left he spotted it. Climbing out he walks over to his bikes maybe he would fix his front tire he had the tools and the pump he'd borrowed from Mark might as well. He takes the tarp off his bikes and stops. Laying curled in on himself was Glenny still in his play clothes. He picks up Glenny and takes him in the house as he hit the living room Glenny stirs in his arms at the temp change probably. "It's okay little man Uncle Logan got you." Logan walks in to Glenny's room gets his PJs on him and puts him in his bed. After securing the house for the night he walks pass his bedroom, stops, opens the door and Megan lay in the bed alone she hadn't even changed the damn sheets. He closes the door and heads back in Glenny's room sits in the recliner and falls asleep.

Authors Note: Home many of you saw this coming? Please review: End Note