Coming Home For Christmas

Chapter 8 - Two Sides To Every Coin “Love isn't supposed to be perfect, it's supposed to be real’ ~ Unknown Lacey's POV “He said what?" Cassidy practically shouted as I sat there in shock

“Girl, what do you mean now? I've always carried gin and a glass in my bag, especially this one because Duke had it personalised for me" Bunny says whilst holding up her now full glass to show us where it says her name with a pair of bunny ears on it

Imean, it's cute but my god, does she really have to carry this around with her when she's got people on hand to get her one at the drop of a hat? “So, let's talk about Cade” Bunny takes a sip of her drink before saying something which had me facepalming and shaking my head “Why's he being such a py?"

“Grams, seriously” “What? I'm being serious, is he one of those Gen Z thingies, Carmella?" “No Bunny, he's aman” Cassidy says while rolling her eyes “Can't be that much of a man if he's crying over a baby, I mean, back in my day, men were being forced down the aisle with a shotgun to the back by their lover's father if their stupid selves

impregnated a woman out of wedlock” “What? that's a lie” “Oh no it's not Carmella darling, where do you think the term shotgun wedding comes from?” Bunny said with a wink as she took another sip of her drink

“Anyway, like I was saying, back in the day men were real men and they took care of their responsibilities but somewhere somehow with time they've gotten softer with each generation and it's become easier for men to run away from their babies instead of raising them" “Not all men are like that Bunny, I mean look at our men”

"What like child abuser James or d**k loving Dylan?" My grams says and I spit my drink out everywhere again What the f**k is wrong with this woman? and why does she have to be so freaking blunt? "Bunny, that's not fair, you know better than anyone how guilty James feels for everything he's put our children through” “Yeah and Dylan did me a HUGE favour by cheating on me, grams thank you very much”

“Oh I know, my loves and I promise you, I'm beyond proud of my son for the changes he's made within himself and for how hard he's worked to repair things with Liam and Lacey, I also agree that Dylan did you a huge favour Lacey my girl, I'm just proving a point to you all that each generation is getting softer and weaker instead of stronger and tougher like they're supposed to" “And what's this got to do with Cade and 1?"

Carmella asks “Everything Carmella honey because Cade is running scared instead of being a man" “Well, maybe he is scared, grams, I mean, think about it nobody is ever ready to have a kid, even if they've got all of the money in the world and a huge support system around to help them they're never ready, so maybe that's why Cade is spewing bullshit like I ain't got time for that s**t

because he's scared" “But why? he's so good with all of your kids, so why would he be scared to have his own?" Carmella asks sounding sad “It's probably because he can't return your kid like he can with ours when they're being little assholes” “Or maybe it's because he was abandoned by his own dad and he's terrified of history repeating itself"

Rachel says nonchalantly shocking everyone except for my mom, Bunny and my mother-in-law “What are you talking about, Rach?" Rachel looked around at all of us and she seemed shocked by how confused we all are “Oh come on, Lace, you know Cade and his brother never had a

“You heard me, Cass, he said he hasn't got time for a baby yet" “Pfft time, what's time got to do with it?" Cassidy asked while scoffing and rolling her eyes “If time was enough to stop someone from having a baby then the human race would've gone extinct a long time ago because nobody has got time for anything these days, we're all way too busy working our asses off for ourselves and other people to focus on time"

dad growing up” “Yeah they did, their dad was always around” “No, he wasn't" She says while shaking her head “Yes he was, Rachel, he used to work two jobs to provide for them until Logan's dad gave him a job at the company”

“That wasn't their dad, Lace, that was their dad's brother who stepped up to help their mom with raising them when his pathetic brother did a runner” Oh my god “How have we never known about this?" “Because I didn't want anyone to know that my dad didn't want me, that's why, Lace"

Cade's sad and pained voice says from beside me

We all look to our left where we see Cade, Logan, Klayton and my brothers standing with their hands in their pockets, Klayton was leaning against one of the tables with his arms crossed over his chest and Logan had his hand on Cade's shoulder offering him some comfort “What are you guys doing here?" "The wife texted me, cugina” Of course she did I narrowed my eyes at Cassidy who looked at me with an expression like /don't care, Idid what! did as she shrugged her shoulders

“Cade, why didn't you tell any of us about your real dad?" “Because it's embarrassing, Lace” “No, it's not, you fr+=+g it" | say in frustration “It's embarrassing for your dad but it's not for you, Cade” “Lacey's right, son" My mom says whilst looking at Cade with a sad expression “So, is this why you're scared to be a father because your own father was a piss poor parent?" For Christ's sake “Bunny..you don't always have to put your two cents in, ok" "If

you say so, Lace" Bunny says with a smile as I close my eyes and shake my head in annoyance “Wait, what are you talking about Lace? what baby?" Logan asks confused

“Our baby, Logan” Carmella says and I had to stifle a chuckle when I saw the look on my husband's face who looked like a cartoon character with his wide eyes and open mouth “A baby? you and you are having a baby?" “Babe, you're so cute when you're confused but you just look ridiculous when you're acting stupid” I'say earning chuckles from most of the people around us while Logan glares at me

“Watch your mouth, love" He says with a slight growl and I chuckle at him “Yes Logan, Carmella’s pregnant with my baby" Cade says in a tone that sounded like he was fed up "Wow" “Congratulations brother, why didn't you say anything?" “Because he hasn't got time for that s**t"

Cassidy says in a snarky way and Cade's eyes widen in shock as he glares at Carmella “You told them what I said?" "Well, yeah" Carmella said sounding like she was gonna cry “What you said really upset me, Cade and it made me feel like you didn't want us” “Are you tripping, Carmella? why wouldn't I want you or our kid?" "Because you're so focused on time, Flavor Flav" Isaid while rolling my eyes and everyone laughed

Chapter 8 - Two Sides To Every. ~) I love this guy, he's like another brother to me but I swear he's as thick as two short planks “With all due respect, Lacey, can you stay the f**k out of this, please? it's got nothing to do with you" ©Oh hell no “Don't you dare disrespect my best friend like that, asshole" “No, it's ok Carm, I mean, who the hell am I to have an opinion on how he's feeling, right? I was only nineteen years old when 1 fell pregnant with not one or two kids but three babies and 1 was forced to run away from everyone and everything I ever knew and loved and was forced to raise my kids and work my ass off with only one person there to help me"

“Cassidy's right, Carm, I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not diminishing Cade's job or how hardworking he is because he does work his

Ilooked up at Cade who was now looking at me with a guilty expression on his face “Do you think I was ready, Cade? do you think I was prepared for that s**t at nineteen? because trust me, I wasn't..you've met my kids, they're not the easiest kids in the world to raise, especially Dayton who is like a frog on crack most days of the week, so what's your excuse, hmm?” “My granddaughter is right, son, if she can do it on her own at nineteen even though she didn't have to because she could've just called Logan, her grandfather and me but anyway" My grandmother muttered the last part under her breath and 1 glared at her

It's been almost ten years since I left New York and this bitter little rabbit still refuses to let go of the fact that I ran instead of calling my grandparents or talking to Logan “What makes you think you can't be a great dad because yours wasn't around?” Chapter 8 - Two Sides To Every. w) “And why would you compare marrying Carmella to marrying an old ball and chain?" Cassidy chimes him causing all of the guys to groan “fel, Cade”

"You seriously said that, brother?" Logan asks Cade with a look on his face like someone has just grabbed his balls “Yeah, I did say that but only because Carmella said having s*x with one guy for the rest of her life would be like sucking on a gobstopper” forts sake "I don't get it" Rachel says confused “Because gobstoppers are neverending, sweetheart and it literally

takes a lifetime just to finish one, that's what she means, she's referring to sucking only one d**k for the rest of her life" My mother in law says and I looked at her in shock “Guys, really? my grandmother is right there" “Your grandmother is Bunny, principessa, she's probably..actually no, she's definitely heard and said worse this one" Klayton says with a chuckle and I facepalm "You got that right, boy"

My grams said whilst winking at my cousin “So..what's what? what's happening? are you guys together? or are you splitting up? what's going on?" Cassidy asks and the room immediately fell silent “Well, I know what [ want and what I wanna do but I don't wanna take the thunder away from Logan and Lacey by doing it" Chapter 8 - Two Sides To Every. Y) "What do you mean, Cade?" A confused Logan asks and Cade rolls his eyes as he whispers something into his ear

Logan's face immediately went from confused, to his eyebrows shooting up in shock to a happy and genuine smile appearing on his face “Cade, Carmella means the world to Lacey... can guarantee you right here and now that if you do what you're planning on doing then she won't have a single problem with it" Huh Cade smirked as came over to me and kissed my cheek “I'm sorry for what I said, kid"

He whispered in my ear before going over to Carmella and getting down on one knee Holy s**t /s he gonna do what I think he's gonna do? Tlooked up at Logan and his smile alone was enough to answer my unasked question “Carmella Johnson, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" "Yes, you prick, give me that ring"

Carmella shrieked and I chuckled She's spent way too much time with Logan this one Ithought to myself as all of the girls cheered excitedly while the guys complained about how they're the happiest man alive with their respective spouses “Are you happy, my love?"

Logan whispers in my ear and I smile “My best friend is pregnant and she's just got engaged..I couldn't be happier”

ass off for Logan and me, not to mention, he goes above and beyond for our kids but he also still manages to find time to do stuff for himself and to also treat you like a queen whilst working hard, so what's his problem?” “Exactly, Klayton's a mafia Don and a businessman, Logan also owns several businesses as do most of the other spouses and do you know what they've all got in common, Carm? they're all family men” Cassidy growled and I could tell she was getting frustrated which 1

understand why she'd feel this way but I don't think her words are helping Carmella’s situation right now “Look Carmella, I wouldn't put too much stock into Cade’s words, if 1 were you" Isay and Carmella looks at me like what the f**k? “Lacey..Cade literally said he hasn't got time for that s**t, the s**t in question being our child”

“Well, he should've worn a love glove then if he's not ready for sleepless nights and shitty nappies” A familiar voice says from behind me Iturned around and my eyes widened with excitement when [ saw my grandmother and Abigail standing there with huge smiles on their faces and looking like they've just come here from a business meeting

“Bunny” “Hello, darling” My grams said as she gently gripped my chin and kissed my cheek “What's going on? I thought you guys were stuck in London"

"We were but thankfully, the weather cleared up and we were able to jump on the jet the first moment we could” Thank god I honestly thought they weren't gonna make it which would've ruined everything for me if they couldn't “Anyway, back to cowardly Cade and his breeding balls" "Grams" I scolded my grandmother who just shrugged her shoulders as

she pulled out a bottle of gin and a gin glass Wait, what the fk? Chapter 8 - Two Sides To Every. ae “Bunny, you're carrying bottles of gin and a gin glass in your bag with you now?" My mom asks her