It Goes On - Book l

Cinnamon Rolls

I know that this chapter doesn't really have anything interesting happen, but I'm hoping it's still good enough as I'm still trying to pull through my depression and get back on track. I have literally stayed inside all weekend, refusing to go anywhere and haven't gone to the planned dinner with my friends because I'm tired of being a third wheel... It's stupid, but it's a part of what I'm going through and I just don't have motivation to do anything right now, and I'm afraid I won't have much motivation anytime soon. I'm sorry. 

*

Simon's Point of View:

It was still fairly early in the morning, and Fernando had eventually fell back to sleep in one of the guest rooms downstairs. Kiera had fallen back to sleep too after our early-morning bath, and a part of me hoped that she and everyone else slept for another couple of hours as my head was still pounding from dinner last night, having more beers than I usually would and having to go to bed late only to wake up two hours later to set up "Santa"'s surprise and to be woken up again by Fernando when he was consumed with excitement. I looked forward to the chaos, but not at this exact moment.

I glanced down at my phone as I sat in the sunroom, the warm Wyoming sun making it fairly comfortable, and the rest of my team seemed to think so, too, because we all sat around the outdoor patio heater while enjoying a cigar - one of many that Price brought along with him. We all had a hot coffee and a lit cigar, a thick sheen of smoke filling the room. "I'm surprised we're the only ones awake, Simon." Price chuckled, puffing on his cigar.

"We were all up late last night, old man. I think everyone deserves to sleep in for once."

"I know. Guess we're still in our old habits, huh lads?" He chuckled. "Think everyone is going to have a good Christmas?"

"I hope so," Johnny sighed, running his free hand through his hair, thick roots that he had let grow out since we had returned home -a Mohawk, no more. "It's always a good Christmas when we're all together."

"Didn't think you'd be so sentimental, Sergeant." Price grumbled.

"Yeah, having a kid definitely opened up your softer side." Kyle commented.

"I must say, I'm quite surprised to see the both of you settling down," Alejandro said with a smirk, pointing at both me and Johnny with a cigar tucked between his fingers. "Two of the most feared men on the East side turned out to be a pair of softies." He slurred.

"We're just full of surprises, Hermano." Johnny snickered.

"Are you going to tell me how you got that hole in your head?" Alejandro arched his brow, teasing him with a smirk. "The women and children are out of ear-shot."

Johnny chuckled, shaking his head before he took another puff from his cigar, "We were hunting Makarov. Got close a couple of times. Ended up getting a hit on him in London. Price and I were trying to diffuse a bomb, and I had no time to react when the only thing I remember is waking up in a hospital bed." He explained.

"Shit, man. Did the target get away?"

"We thought he did..." Kyle murmured.

"He was neutralized, no?" Rudy arched his brow.

"In the best way possible: beat at his own game."

"Who had the honor?"

"L.T.'s wife!" Johnny laughed. "And you won't believe who she had helping her."