January 11, 2024. Chapter 2-2. The next chapter will be tomorrow.
"Finally, home sweet home!" Lucas said the second they arrived at their home. Their caravan was composed of soldiers who escorted them from the airport into the gated community of Lucas' villa. It took them another five days to return to Rose Hills due to security measures and some court documents Lucas and Axel had to sign. "Mom, Dad!" Aiden exclaimed with gleaming eyes. "Everybody is here! My favorite uncles too!" The couple glanced at the door, and Lily's brothers emerged. Lewis and Liam came after Aiden. "Lucas! Glad to see you, brother!" Lewis exclaimed. All of Lily's brothers came out and hugged the couple. It was a group hug that Lily had longed for many days. She missed her brothers so much, no matter how annoying they could be sometimes. Lily was almost teary-eyed as she relished in their hold. She said, "I'm so glad you came." "You made it. You guys pulled through," Levin remarked, being the last one to hold her. "I love you, Sis." "I love you all," Lily responded
"Aiden, what is this ten thousand dollar expense all about?" Liam asked Aiden. "I had my secretary check it. Gunner had requested a private plane usage. Only you could have instructed Gunner to book the plane." Liam had invited Aiden to Lucas' study. Aiden sat between his parents while Liam and his wife sat across from them on a leather sofa. "Son, did you go to DC without our knowledge?" Lucas seriously asked. "Aiden, tell us," Lily said. Aiden sighed. He answered, "Mom, Dad, remember when I said I communicated with Chief Justice Edward Roberts? The last time, I sent him a mail, but after the verdict, I was so happy that I wanted to express my thanks really fast." "Sending through express mail would take five days, so I asked Uncle Gunner to use the company plane and deliver my letter to the judge. I told him I was happy and that I was proud of how he delivered swift justice," Aiden admitted. "Is it bad, Uncle Liam?" "Um." Liam leaned back. He replied, "Your intentions are go
Before Shauna could reply, the rain poured harder. Both Shauna and Axel looked up to the angry skies. Axel stared at Shauna, saying, "I was working. I couldn't answer your call -" "Are you mad?! It's raining!" Shauna scolded. She saw how Axel glanced at the distant car. She assumed it was his, but the rain was so heavy that it only made sense for her to offer, "Get in!" "What?" He hesitated. "Get in!" She repeated. Axel quickly moved to the opposite side of the vehicle and took the passenger seat. Once he closed the door, the rain intensified. Stranded on the side of the road, they sat there. "Wow, some rain," Axel finally remarked. From the corner of Shauna's eyes, she saw how he was evaluating himself. He said, "I hope you don't mind. I'm terribly soaked -" "It's fine," She answered. "It will dry." "Listen, Shauna, I apologize for not answering your call weeks ago. I was very busy. I meant to call you back, but I completely forgot," Axel reasoned. Shauna paused. She
"You- " Shauna pointed to her mother and then to Axel. She said, "You know each other?" Axel exited the car and greeted, "Good evening, Misses Ross. It's nice to see you again." "Shauna!" Reese's face lit up. She said, "Shauna, that is Axel, Lucas' friend! The guy I have been telling you about!" Shauna turned to Axel. He explained, "I was reluctant, but when we entered your home, I was ninety percent sure you were Mister Ross' daughter, but I was too speechless to tell you right away." "I don't know what's happening, but I like it!" Reese claimed. She beamed at Shauna, raising both her brows. Meanwhile, Shauna was still dumbfounded; the guy she had evaded because he was Lucas's friend was Axel! She remembered when she met Axel at the hospital, then at the Diamond Hotel. The fact that he was also gone for three weeks made perfect sense! He was connected to Lucas all along. Shauna's face burned. She thought, 'Thank goodness I did not tell Axel her mom was trying to play cupid for
Lily winced, noticing her phone was buzzing on the bedside table. She struggled to reach for her mobile because Lucas was holding her waist. "Who the hell is calling this early on a weekend?" Lucas groaned. "I wouldn't know if you don't let me go," Lily protested. She managed to grab the phone and settle back in bed. She raised a brow, seeing it was Shauna calling. "It's Shauna," Lily revealed. "Don't answer the call," Lucas instructed sternly. Lily answered it anyway, and it left Lucas grumbling. On the phone, she greeted, "Good morning." "Lily, I have to tell you something," Shauna said. "It's important." "Okay, go ahead. Tell me," Lily replied. "I haven't been thinking about Lucas over the past month - not that I was always thinking of him before. Today, I tried to think about Lucas, but it doesn't hurt," Shauna said enthusiastically in her tone of voice. Lily's mouth fell on the floor. She mused, 'Was Shauna seriously confiding in her?' "Okay, is that good or bad?
"Aww, you guys look so cute together," Reese remarked. "And look, you two are wearing the same color!" With sparkling eyes, Reese suggested, "Let me take a picture of you both." Axel automatically put his hand on the small of Shauna's back, posing for the photo. How could he complain? He was sure he would get a copy of that photo, and he was right. After Reese took three pictures, she asked for Axel's number and sent him the images of him and Shauna through Viber. He smiled, looking at the results. They did not stay longer, though; they left after that brief exchange with Shauna's parents. *** While in the car, Shauna and Axel were laughing together. They were talking about their unexpected kiss in front of Shauna's parents. Axel said while driving the Porsche, "I really like your mom. She is cool." Shauna's face burned. She looked out the window and said, "I think your mom is also cool." There was a moment of silence before Axel complimented, "I like your attire. It's refres
As the sun set, the sky was filled with warm shades of orange and pink. The weather was just perfect, not too hot and not too cold. Within a private community, a mansion surrounded by pines was full of life. The same luxurious residence was crowded with friends and family. Everyone was thrilled because a surprise awaited them. "Lucas!" Keith Henderson, Lucas' uncle, stretched his arms out to him. "We are looking forward to your surprise!" Lucas accepted the hug, tapping Keith's back. He responded, "Uncle, it will be a great surprise." "Lucas. Good evening. It's nice to finally meet you in a happier state," Keith's wife, Karise, greeted. She also hugged Lucas tightly. "Thank God you are back with Lily, for she has given you back your smile." "Don't worry, Aunt Karise. I've been smiling more often now," Lucas promised. He pulled away and smiled in his wife's direction. Karise gave Lily a hug. She remarked, "In the end, it's still the two of you." "Yes, Aunt Karise. Our parting
"Mom, are you sure it's okay for me to go with Grandma Karise and Grandpa Keith?" Aiden asked while packing his things. "Yes, Aiden," Lily said. "Your grandma Karise has an entire itinerary planned for you. I heard that your Grandpa Evan and Grandma Shanty are coming along. They said they were taking you to a waterpark. It's going to be fun." "Hmmm. I might be too tired the next day since we are going to the waterpark this morning. There isn't much room for visiting Grandpa Sean next," Aiden remarked while checking his schedule. "Lily laughed. She said, "Aiden, It's okay. You don't have to always please them; they will understand." "I-" Aiden sighed. He explained, "It's just that I just got my Dad, so I want Dad's godparents to like me." "They already like you, and they will accept you no matter what," Lily fixed Aiden's hair and smiled. "They are family." "Technically, they are not," Aiden corrected. "Well, they are like your Uncle Chadwick. They are not blood-related, but th