Alyssa

“You all have to come again soon, I miss you so much.” Carina said, hugging Nathan goodbye.

“We will, Gran, soon.” Nathan promised.

Carina hugged me too. “Do me a favor and take care of my boys, even though Nathan won't admit it he needs someone to take care of him.”

“I will, don't worry.”

She nodded accepting my answer. “And you, young man,” She said to Oliver. “no more running into roads.”

“You do it one time and everyone is on your case.” I heard the boy grumble.

Carina giggled and ruffled his hair affectionately. “Take care of yourself and be careful, get enough rest so that arm can heal before you have to start going to school again.”

Oliver rolled his eyes dramatically. “Papi, tell Gran gran to stop worrying so much, I'm fine.”

Matthew laughed and crouched to his level. “Well, you can't blame her, just say you'll be careful and she'll leave you alone.”

Oliver nodded and smiled at his great grandmother innocently but you didn't have to look far to see the mischief in his eyes. “I promise I'll be really careful Gran gran.”

Carina shook her head with a sigh. “Good luck with him, Alyssa. You're going to need it.”

We were already on the tarmac and the plane was right behind us, waiting for us to board. It's been three days since Oliver was discharged and because his arm wasn't so bad and he didn't have any complications the doctor cleared him to fly. Oliver wasn't so happy we were leaving so soon but Nathan needed to catch up with work before his company closed for Christmas.

After we said our last goodbyes, we got into the plane and thirty minutes later we were in the air. Oliver was being his usual bubbly self. He was playing around with his toys, talking and I was glad he was moving like the cast on his forearm wasn't even there. Although I worried because he wasn't giving the arm any rest, I let him play until he laid down and fell asleep an hour later.

Maybe now I can try to convince Nathan that we shouldn't go for Thanksgiving dinner with Christopher.

“Nathan?” I called and he simply hummed in reply. “What does your mother do for Thanksgiving?”

That's a good way to start the conversation, right?

“She doesn't do anything for Thanksgiving, but her bakery is usually busy that day.” He answered.

“So wouldn't leaving Oliver with her too much for her?” I reasoned. “She'll be so busy and Oliver needs to be watched carefully now with his injury.”

“Actually, when my mum's bakery is that busy, Oliver is more controlled. He usually gets a job that day and even gets paid and by the time he gets back, he's fed, very tired and ends up sleeping really well.” He explained, his eyes still on his laptop.

Damn it. “What about your father? Does he do a dinner or something?”

“I'm not letting Maria anywhere near you again.”

It was sweet of him to be protecting me like that and I was thankful but honestly I would rather take my chances with Maria, at least she won't beat me up.

“Why don't you want to see your family? Did something happen?” He asked.

A lot happened but I can't tell you. “I-It's not that. I just thought maybe your father would want to spend more time with you.” I lied.

He scoffed. “Even if he wanted to, I don't want to spend any more time with him than I have to.”

I understood why he didn't like his father so much and if I tried to convince him anymore it wouldn't work. I didn't have any excuse to tell him.

“On a completely unrelated note, do you have a dress for that day?” He finally looked away from his laptop screen.

I shrugged. “I'll find something.”

“Why don't you go shopping?” I started refusing immediately. “No, there is no refusing this, I want you to go out and get a beautiful dress for that day, don't worry about the price, you can use my credit card.”

“Nathan, I can't...”

He cut me off. “Yes you can. Maybe you could even go with my sister if you don't want to go alone.”

“No that's fine, really, you don't need to bother her.” I didn't want to spend any time with her again especially if we were going shopping.

“It's not a bother at all. She said she wanted to see you again and has been asking since after the wedding, she'll be glad to go shopping with you again.”

“Really?” Well that's surprising.

“Yeah.”

“Hm.”

“So, maybe you two could go on Tuesday.”

“No that's alright, I can go alone.” I told him.

“Okay then.” He said in reply then went back to him work.

The plane ride gave me time to come to terms with the fact that I would be facing the Jordans soon but not even all he time in the world could prepare me for what could happen during that dinner.

*******

I slipped into my coat, about to leave the house to get an outfit for the Thursday. I was going alone, just like I wanted. It was Wednesday and Oliver was already at Sophia's house. We'll pick him up on Friday.

Because of his injured arm, Nathan and I decided that he wouldn't be starting school again til January when the cast would be off. It felt so nice of him to include me in decisions concerning Oliver. It meant he was recognizing that my presence in Oliver's life wasn't going to be temporary.

Nathan had arranged for a driver to take me wherever I wanted to go and bring me back safely no matter how many times I reminded him that I could drive. I took driving classes when I was sixteen although I knew I wouldn't be getting a car, it just felt nice to be able to drive.

The press were on our backs a few days after our return from London but after he had promised them a conference next week, they let us be.

I was about to open the door when someone walked in. It was Julia.

“Hi, Julia.” I greeted, groaning internally.

Why is she here?

“Hi, Nathan said you were going shopping today, I was wondering if I could accompany you.” She said somewhat nervously.

“Are you sure about that, Julia? Last time didn't go so well.” I pointed out.

She looked down remorsefully. “I know, I just want to make up for it. I shouldv'e never snapped at you like that.”

“I really don't need anyone's help.” Especially hers.

“Can I at least just tag along?”

I sighed loudly. “Fine, but we're going where I wanna go.”

She smiled. “Sure.”

I was planning on going around to get Christmas gifts for everyone but I guess that'll have to wait. I wonder what toy Oliver would like.

I told the driver to park at the strip mall Cassy's store was located and he told me that he'd be waiting till we get back. Not wanting to keep the man waiting for too long, I rushed into the store.

This time it was one of the attendants that greeted Julia and I. She said Cassy had gone out to see someone which wasn't strange, maybe it was a new client she was designing for. Making my way through the store was easy, I've been here enough to know this place like the back of my hand.

“Hey, this is cute.” Julia said, pointing at a beige color dress.

I studied the dress on the hanger. It was a turtle neck and long sleeved. It looked nearly knee length and was body fitting. It was beautiful but I didn't want it.

“Are you getting it?” I asked her.

She thought for a little while then nodded, taking the dress as we moved along. We walked past racks filled with dresses but I still didn't find anything. I had already given up. I could always wear something I already have and tell Nathan that I bought it. After all this isn't the first lie I've told him.

Julia on the other hand had picked out dozens of clothes and decided to buy all of them. This place has some good clothes for a  ‘cheap retailer’.

“Come on, let's go. I'm not seeing anything here.” I told her. Maybe it was because I wasn't in the mood to shop, I was more worried about what would happen tomorrow.

It was a good thing that Oliver wasn't coming with us. Christopher would see him as an opportunity to get more from Nathan or hurt me. I couldn't bear it if Oliver got hurt my Christopher or Hailey, it would kill me.

We stopped on our way out so Julia could pay for the clothes she  picked out. The clothes were getting bagged when I heard a familiar laugh. Cassy walked in just as we were about to leave but she wasn't alone. I was stuck staring at the person and the person did the same.

Midnight black hair, mossy green eyes, pale skin. It's been so long since I'd seen her. When we were younger we'd play everyday but I don't remember the last time I spoke to her.

“Lyssa?” She was just as surprised as I was.

“Ivy!”

I nearly fell over when she crashed into me, wrapping her arms around me tightly. I returned the hug, tears springing to my eyes quickly. Ivory ‘Ivy’ Gallo was my best friend. We've known each other since we were three.

It was because of us our parents became friends but after her parents got divorced, she moved to Canada with her dad. I haven't spoken to her in ten years. She moved about a year after my parent's death. I remember when I ride my bike over to her house and spend the night. We could always tell each other everything, we were unofficial sisters.

“I'm so glad to see you!” She shrieked. Her voice held a little Canadian accent in it but that was to be expected when you've lived the last ten years there.

“It's been too long, Ivy.” I noted happily.

“I missed u you so much. I have so much to tell you.” She couldn't have as much to tell as I did. “What happened to your phone after I left? I tried to call you so many times but it didn't go through.”

I chuckled humorlessly, recalling how Christopher threw my phone out the window of a car out of anger. I don't remember what he was angry about but I remember getting beat up after and warned not to tell anyone.

“Anyway, I'm here now and I'm here to stay.” She announced.

I was so happy, I have my best friend back. She was always the bubbly one that liked going out. She was the one who always forced me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to make new friends. I was so glad she was staying, the grin wouldn't leave my face.

We were so caught it in our reunion that we didn't notice that Cassy had gone into the store and Julia was still standing awkwardly behind me.

“Hi, I'm Ivory. Nice to meet you.” She introduced herself kindly, stretching her hand out for a shake.

Julia took her hand, shaking it briefly. “I'm Julia.”

Before she could say anything else, Ivy's phone beeped. When she looked at it, her smile got impossibly wider. “I'm so sorry, Lyssa. I have to go. But give me your number, we have to get together again, we have so much to catch up on.”

“Okay then.” We quickly exchanged numbers and she said goodbye to her mom before she left.

I could tell having Ivy back was going to make my life much easier, of course I couldn't tell her about the contract and what I went through living with Christopher but at least I had someone that I could call when I had a problem and she would always help me in anyway she can. At least despite the very probable doom that is coming tomorrow, I could be happy about something, I just hope this happiness lasts.

Author's Note:

Hey, guys. Happy New Month!! I hope April turns out to be all you wanted and more. Thanks again for reading.

Questions:

1. Did you like the chapter?

2. What do you all think of Ivory (Ivy)?

3. Any ideas for me?

Okay, until my next update. Don't forget to vote and comment. ❤️

–E