An Upcoming Star

Twelve

Lucy's POV
Rach and I decided to go out for coffee, alone, without the kids. We haven't had a lot of quiet time together lately so the girls offered to mind the babies. Jack is with Jill and Bree is with Siobhan and KB. Random duo, am I right? Said they'll make a keeper out of her yet.

"Conor's mom called me last night. She asked when I was coming back to the states that she'd like to meet her granddaughter."
"Are you gonna let her see the kids?"
"I know you're probably thinking I shouldn't but they're family. I can't keep my kids away from their biological family. So, I've decided to head back to Orlando to spend Christmas with mum and dad. You're more than welcome to join me."
"Rach, I don't think it's a good idea to let her come visit them. Honestly, I really don't."
"I can't keep them from one another. She'll probably take me to court and get visitation or partial custody rights. I don't want to put them through that. If Conor or any of his family is gonna be coming back into my life it's going to be on my terms and my decisions."

I reached across the table and took her hand in mine. I brought it up to my lips and kissed it softly, which made her smile.

"I love you."
"I love you too. Now, let's get something. I'm starved."

I chuckled softly and nodded my head. A waiter came over and we ordered. We talked while waiting for our food about anything and everything. I could feel the engagement ring box burning holes in my back pocket.

Jill's PoV
I watched as Sergio ran around after jack on the field. Raheem, Gabriel and Pep were next to me watching them as well.

"He's really good with Jack. I really wouldn't expect it."
"I was surprised at first too but he's been so involved with Jacks life I don't know where we'd be without him. He's a great father figure for him."
"What about his actual dad? Is he not in the picture?"
"Not anymore but he wasn't much of one when he was around in the first place. Conor loved his family more than anything at the beginning but eventually he let the big paycheques and fame get to his head. In the process he ended up losing a great wife and two incredible kids."
"Aunty Jill!"

I looked over at Jack as he came flying towards me. I chuckled and bent down to pick him up. He giggled and kissed my cheek before looking over at the three boys.

"Jack this is Raheem, Gabriel and Pep, the boss. Can you say hi?"
"Hi, I'm Jack."
"Hey bud."
"Hello."

Sergio bent over and tried to catch his breath while Jack went running off with Gabriel and Raheem. I smiled at the sight and turned to face Pep.

"So, Miss Scott, to what do we owe the unexpected visit?"

Rachel's PoV

Mum; Are you sure you want to do this Rach? I'll respect your decision no matter what you do.

Me; I can't keep them from him. He's their father after all.

Mum; But what if he wants back in your
life?

Me; Then it's going to be on my terms. He'll never be the man I fell in love when we first met but that doesn't mean I've stopped loving him. He's still the father to my kids and my husband.

Mum; You never got a divorce? Rach, it's been over a year! What's keeping you from it? You're with Lucy and you're finally happy. Does she know?

Me; He didn't sign them. They're on my kitchen table back home. Which is where I'm heading tomorrow. I shipped everything this morning before anyone woke up. I'll be in Florida by the end of the week.

Mum; What are you going to tell them?

Me; I don't know yet. I better go. I'll call you before I leave tomorrow. I love you mum.

Mum; I love you too baby. See you in a few days.

I hung up and put my phone onto the bed. The door opened and Jack walked in. I smiled at him and he came over and sat on the bed next to me. He was holding a photograph in his hands. I looked down at it and sighed. It was a photo of Conor, Jack and I the day we took him in.

"Hey mommy?"
"Yes baby?"
"Is daddy gonna be home for Christmas?"
"I don't know baby. Do you want him to be home for Christmas?"
"I miss him mommy. I really miss him."

I picked Jack up and put him on my lap as I held him close to me. I kissed the top of his head as he cried into my chest.

"Oh baby, it's okay. Everything is gonna be okay."
"I want daddy to come home."
"Me too baby, me too."

After a while Jack's crying had stopped and he was asleep in my arms. I pressed down on my home button to see it was already nine at night. I carefully stood up and walked out of my room and down the hall to Jack's. I opened the door quietly and flicked on the nightlight. I drew back the covers of the bed and set Jack down. I put the blanket up around him and bent down and kissed his forehead.

"Sweet dreams little man. I love you."

I walked back to the door and closed it slightly behind me. I walked down the stairs and into the living room to see mama laying on the couch. She looked up when she heard me and smiled.

"Hey."
"Hi."
"Where is everyone?"
"I sent them home. Even Lucy. It's her mom's birthday tomorrow and I made her go home. Amelia is in bed, Bree is in the crib there and I don't know where Jack is."
"He's asleep in bed. He came into me earlier and cried himself to sleep."
"Oh, what happened?"

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. Mama sat up and patted the spot next to her and I walked over and sat next to her. I laid my head on her shoulder and she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and kissed my temple.

"What's going on up there?"
"Conor's coming home for Christmas."
"Wait! Seriously? Since when?"
"Since yesterday. I don't think Lucy is going to come back with me but we'll be in Florida so I'll be mum and Ash. I'll be fine."
"Rach, are you sure about this? Letting him back in."
"It's all going to be on my terms. He's gotta earn my trust back before coming back into our life entirely. But mama, you gotta understand where I'm coming from, he's their father. I can't keep him from them."
"He hasn't even met Bree."
"Exactly, and by rights, he's entitled to. I'm not going to be brought to court for this mama."
"What does Lucy think of all this?"
"I honestly don't know. Look mama, I'm gonna go pack. I'll make sure we'll wake you up to say goodbye."

I stood up and walked out of the living room. I walked up the stairs and into my room. I jumped when I saw Lucy sitting on the edge of my bed with her phone in hands. She looked up when she saw me and smiled sadly.

"I thought mama sent you home."
"Oh please, as if that's gonna keep me away from you and the back door was unlocked."

I chuckled softly and walked over to my dresser. I pulled it open and saw most my clothes were gone. I turned and looked at Lucy. She stood up and walked over to me and wrapped her arms around my waist and leaned her forehead against mine.

"Hey babe?"
"Hmm."
"Where are my clothes gone?"
"In the car."
"And why's that?"
"Because we leave in the morning for the states."
"We?"
"Yeah. We're stronger together than we are apart and I don't want to spend the rest of my life without you by my side. I'm so in love with you Miss Morgan- Press and I have been ever since we first met when you were a lost eighteen year old trying to make her impact in the world. I want to raise your kids with you and maybe one day we'll have some of our own. Who knows, maybe you'll even marry me if I get lucky but then I realised that I've already got luck on my side because I already have the woman of my dreams."

She pulled away from me and got down on one knee. She pulled out a black box from her back pocket and opened it up. I brought my hands to my mouth and gasp quietly.

"Rachel Morgan- Press, will you do me the honour and marry me?"