Growing Love

5

I can not sit still, and I haven't put Nick down once today. He even slept right in the middle of me and Ethan. I'm scared to even hand him over to someone.

"Carter relax. No one is going to take Nick away from you." I looked to Ethan, and sighed. Everyone here is friends and family. They all came to celebrate Nick's birthday, and I'm not letting them even see him. I reluctantly hand him to Ethan, and go grab a soda. I'm not drinking around the kids.

"Bro relax." Freddy hands me a coke, and I sit down. I watch all my family gush over how cute Nick is. But I know this is all just until they show up.

"How do I relax man? My son is trying to be taken away from me, and my mother in law invited the family here. I can't lose him Freddy. Damn it, he is mine!" I felt a hand on my shoulder and noticed James and Marcus.

"Dude you really need to calm down. You know none of us will leave her alone with Nick." Marcus smiled as he watched Jenny running around with the kids. They were playing with water guns.

"Yeah man. We're all brothers, we protect one another." I touched James' hand, and got up.

"You guys are right. So what if that fish is here soon. I won't let her ruin my son's first birthday." And I didn't. After that, we all just let loose. Well, as much as possible with the kids around.

"Freddy I swear to God! Get down!" We watched as Freddy jumped from the top of a tree, and landed on top of the bounce castle we got Nick. Everyone cheered when he popped back up. "Francis!"

"Ah crap, first name." He jumped off the castle and ran away. He bumped into Jenny, dropping her in the pool. And before he could run away, Marcus tossed him in the pool too. Followed by James, who pushed Marcus in. Then me pushing James in. Ethan pushing me, and Izzy pushing him in. But she wasn't expecting Ethan's reflexes, and he grabbed and dragged her in too. We were all having a great time, until they showed up.

"My God, how vulgar!" Everyone turned and looked at the Harrisons come outside. "I am seriously expected to allow a member of the Harrison family to stay here?!" Can I punch a lady?

"Mother. Calm down. Your heart." I recognize the guy behind her. He's the one that fought Ethan. He's the one who put Ethan in a coma, and helped Katherina start this mess.

"You!" I walked out the pool, fist clenched at my side. "You must have a serious death wish if you showed yourself at my own house!"

"Carter stop!"

"Bro he isn't worth it!"

"Man, stop!"

"Son! Please!" James, Freddy, Marcus, Alastor, a few of my uncles and cousins tried to stop me. But I kept pushing through. But before I could, Val stepped in front.

"You do this, they have a way to take Nick back. Go with your husband and calm down. Both of you." I looked to were Ethan was. He was standing by my dad and Nick. Tears shining in his eyes, knuckles turning white. I quickly ran to him, and dragged him behind me. Val's right. To win, we need to be calm. They want me to react, that way they win. But I'm not about to lose any of them again.
______________________________________

Val

I watched Carter drag my son away inside the house. They both needed to calm down in order for my plan to work out. I need everyone to trust me. I know what I'm doing.

"I am so pleased to see you could make it." I put on my best fake smile, and greeted them. Alastor was now at my side. "This is my husband Alastor Kingman. Dear, these are the Harrisons."

"Ah yes. Hello." He shook hands with them all, and I noticed the slight twitch in the young man's eye. Alastor must have used more pressure when he shook his hand. "I need to step inside for a moment." Little by little, they all went inside. And thankfully I spotted Charles with Nick, already inside by the window.

"Well. Please sit, drink. We will be cutting Nicholas' cake soon."

"Sweet." The Harrison's son smiled at the mention of the cake. Just like his sister, they are the saving grace in looks for their family. Mr. Harrison is a tall man. But unlike with Charles or Alastor, age has gotten to him. The same with Mrs. Harrison, but she looks like she is 'fighting' it. Their children must be how they looked like in their younger years.

"Yes. Please excuse me, just one moment." I went inside and found them all in Charles' office.

"Val, I still don't see how inviting them is such a good idea?" I took Nick from Charles and started bouncing him in my arms. He took a strand of my hair and started playing with it.

"I need for you all to trust me. I know full well what I am doing."

"Who's with them?" Izzy asked.

"A bottle of wine most likely." I smiled at Jenny.

"I can see why you fell for her bro? Fish or not, she's a looker." That earned him a smack from Izzy, who then walked to stand next to Carter. "Babe come back!" He tried reaching for her, but she slapped his hand away.

I handed Nick to Carter, and pulled my own son into my arms. He instantly wrapped his arms around my waist, and rested his chin on top of my head.

"My little boy." I smacked his back. "Stop growing up." They all laughed, even Carter. I pulled out of our hug, and kissed him and Carter on their cheeks. "I would never do anything to hurt this family. I still regret treating Carter so harshly. Those people are trying to take my first grand baby away, that is not happening. I need you all to have faith in me and my plan. I still can't tell you, just know it will work." They all agreed, and I thought it would all be okay. Until that little, bitch, goes and does something even more unforgivable.

"I want to see my son!" We looked as Carter completely lost it. I'm going to kill her.