The Ultimate Gentleman (Part 2)

Fifty Five

"Jack is on a plane here now. He will be going straight to his mother's as planned. Vanessa and Samuel have been briefed and I've offered our services. I'm waiting for Michael and Christi to call me back, but I don't know if I've got enough men to cover the entire family." Sean said with a nervous swallow, Johnny could tell the seriousness of the situation just by the tone Sean had used. "And we have no idea where he is?" Johnny said pushing his hair off his face. "None at all?" He said almost desperately. "Well we've had the best PI's on it since this morning, no initial findings but it's still early days." Travis said gravely. "Fuck" Johnny said turning on the spot and pulling out his cigarette tin. "Sir if I may. I think we need to reevaluate everything. Christmas needs to be quiet, staying exactly where we know. Nothing elaborate and definitely no unplanned spontaneity." Johnny nodded quietly then remembered "But the hotel? We are meant to be doing Christmas there?" "I really don't think that's a good idea." Sean said sadly. "Well I can't tell Holly. She'll die. She will feel so responsible after all he is her ex." Travis nodded slowly "Then don't. Let's just spin it, tell her you want Teddy's first Christmas to be at home, you want all the family together under one roof." Johnny shrugged "with all the effort she's gone to organising the hotel you think she'll fool for it?" "Sir with all due respect, you are one of the greatest actors in the world. I'm sure you can pull it off." Johnny nodded before going into the garden to smoke.

A while later, Johnny re entered the kitchen, calm and composed with a look in his eye that showed how deadly serious he was. "Holly is not to know. A thing. That goes for all the women, I just want Michael in on it and Samuel. Hire as many god dam security guards you can find. Protect my family Sean." Everyone took a deep breath. This was a massive threat, and nobody was taking it lightly. "Yes sir."

Later that day, after dinner, Lottie and Pippa were playing nicely in front of the open fire whilst Johnny did his best to persuade his wife that Christmas at home would be for the best. "If you really think so Johnny, you know I don't like anything big and flash anyway. Christmas at home works for me. I better make sure we can still order a turkey." Johnny smiled sadly before correcting himself. He kissed his wife's head gently. "I do know you darling and I can't believe I didn't think of it before. All of us together. Under one roof. Our family." Holly smiled before placing their baby son into his arms. "I'm gonna go sort the girl's rooms before bed..." she said quietly hoping that their errant daughters didn't hear her. Johnny nodded before fussing over Teddy.

"Well I think Daddy got us out of that one... you'll learn one day bud. Sometimes your wife just has to think it's her idea when really it's yours." Johnny whispered to his son before being bundled by Pippa. "Papa.." she said rubbing her eyes slightly, a sure tell she was close to getting rather grouchy before bed. "Yes sweet pea..." he said moving cushions out the way so she could snuggle into his side. "Does Santa watch us ALL the time?" Johnny's eyes widened. "All the time? How do you mean?" "Well Santa; he won't bring us any presents if we are naughty. Well how can he watch all us children all the time?" She said inquisitively. Sometimes she was so like him it scared him, she was their little thinker. "Oh well that's easy. Mummy and Me, we are Santa's helpers. If he can't keep track of you all he checks in with us and we tell him." "Yeah because there are so many Depp kiddies." Lottie abruptly interrupted with a giggle making him smirk as he hadn't noticed her listening in to, he also wondered where she learnt that sentence. "Many?" He repeated. "Yes. Nobody else has 5 do they? Not Uncle Ben, Uncle Adam, Or Aunt Kate? Auntie G and Uncle Stevie don't have any. Do they help you Daddy?" Johnny rolled his eyes chuckling. "Yes they do actually, and now you've come to mention it. I do have my hands full. Come here you." He said lifting his arm so there was room for Lottie and Pippa. She climbed onto the couch, and they all snuggled into together. "Its true, I do have my hands full, but I love each of you fiercely. Madly. Unquestioningly. You are my gods." He said almost emotionally, kissing their heads and then Teddy. He wished Lily and Jack would hurry home from their mother's in a few days time too. He wanted his family safe and protected. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for any of you. You know that don't you?" He asked the girls who were looking up at him intently and listening. They nodded not knowing the true meaning of their father's emotion. "We love you Papa. So much." Lottie squeezed him tight and Pippa lent up and kissed his cheek. "Never ever forget that. I'll always be there, and if I'm not there, I'll always come for you. Always." "Promise?" Pippa said quietly. "Pinky promise." Johnny said with a soft smile.