Love Costs

•Civil•

Sydney's pov
"Hey buddy" I said going into Jacks room "hi mommy" "so do you think I could leave you here for a while" "where are you going" "to see daddy, so will you stay here" "no" "I can't leave you with grandma and grandpa" "no" "why don't you like them" "because they're mean" "they're mean to you" "to daddy and uncle Isaac" "aw buddy I'm sorry. They're just worried they aren't trying to be mean" "I don't care" "so you don't want to stay" "can I stay at uncle Isaacs" "uh I can see if he can come get you" "okay" he said before I got up and went downstairs.

I texted Isaac and he said he would come get him in an hour since he had something to do.

"So Jacks gonna stay at Isaacs tonight" I told my mom and dad "he can stay here" "he doesn't want to" "at some point you have to put your foot down he's a kid" "I'm not going to force my son to stay where he doesn't want to. He doesn't like you because of the stuff you say about Isaac and Anthony" "we don't say anything in front of him" "he's not deaf mom. You shouldn't be saying stuff like that anyways it's his father and his uncle. You cant build a relationship with him if you don't like where he comes from" "it's not our fault his father is in jail" "no it's not but if you'd stop saying stuff like his father is a criminal and a killer that would help" I said "so you're going to see him" "yes I am, you can't even say his name. He didn't do anything to me" "well if you're okay with your son knowing his father from a prison visit then who are we to tell you otherwise" "you're impossible".

Isaacs pov
I finished this meeting as early as possible then headed to Syds house to get Jack.
When I knocked on the door her mother opened it glaring at me before I stepped inside.

"Here's his stuff" she said handing me a bag "yea" "he's okay to stay the night right" "yea of course" "alright and how are you doing" "uh fine" "we can talk if you need to" "I don't. I just want her back" "it'll work out" "thanks Syd" "yea" "well say hey to Anthony for me if he's not isolation I'll go see him next week" "okay. Bye Jackster" she said hugging and kissing him before he and I left.

"Why do you have a gun in here" he asked as I grabbed the one on the seat, putting it in the glove compartment "it's so no one hurts me. Anyways what do you want to do" "I don't know we could go buy a toy" he suggested as his smile grew "I don't know if mom wants me buying you another toy" "please just one" "fine, we'll go get a toy" I said "can we get two if I get a coat" "what" "mom said I need a new coat so she'll be happy if we get one so then I can get two and she won't be mad that you bought me toys" "huh makes sense I guess".
"Are we gonna go get Hailey" he asked "no buddy me and Hailey aren't exactly friends anymore" "why" "we had a fight so we don't talk anymore" "oh. I liked her" "I liked her too".

///

Fuck I was screwed. After paying for the coat I turned around and Jack was gone. He could literally be anywhere in the mall by now.

Haileys pov
"Hey" I said getting in the Kyle's car "hey babe, how's it going" "I don't know better, it's not as weird but still" "yea I get it. Well just try to make the best of it". We ended up going to the mall so I could get some new jeans and then we were gonna eat at the food court.

"Like these" I asked Kyle coming out of the dressing room "yea" "okay. I'll get these and the black and white one's and the blue ripped ones" I said gathering them in my hand and taking them to the cashier.

We started going towards the food court when I saw a little kid that looked a lot like Jack. Or maybe it was Jack.

"Jack" I said as he turned around and ran towards me "hi Hailey" "where's your mom" "oh I don't know" "well come on" I said grabbing his hand.
"Who is this" Kyle asked "Isaacs nephew sort of, it's his cousins kid" "oh. So are we taking him with us" "well to the food court and then to look for her" "uh okay".
"Jack you hungry" I asked him "yea, can we get pizza" "sure" I told him as we got in line for the pizza.

"Whos he" Jack asked as we sat down with Kyle "my friend" "oh. Like how you were friends with Isaac" "yea" "well he said you weren't friends anymore" "no we're not" "so you hate him" "no I don't we just don't talk to each other as much as we used to" "oh". He ate his pizza in silence mostly just focusing on chewing it which was the cutest thing ever.

"Ready to go" he said wiping his mouth with a napkin "alright come on" I said as he grabbed my hand and we started walking, Kyle next to me.

"Found him" Jack said as we started walking up to a police officer talking to Isaac "he's a four year old kid what the fuck do you mean did I call him" Isaac said angrily.
"Missing something" I said as he turned to us and came over quickly hugging Jack.
"Where did you go" he asked "to look at the toys and when I came back you were gone" "Jack you can't walk off like that understand. You scared the hell out of me" "yea I'm sorry but look who I found" he said pointing at me as Isaac stood up.
"Thank you" he said "yea you're welcome I just saw him wandering" "well I'm glad you found him" "yea" I said before Kyle spoke "you can fuck off now" "Kyle" "what we gave him the boy he can go" "it's not a hostage exchange chill out" "thanks again" Isaac said before they walked away.

"What the hell Kyle" "what" "Jack was lost the least we could do was be civilized" "there's no need to be civilized with him Hailey" "just for Jacks sake you didn't have to be so harsh okay" "okay sorry".

Sydney's pov
"Anthony Castellano please" "yea he's waiting for you go ahead" the woman behind the desk said.

"Sydney" he said when I sat down "hi" "I miss you so much" "I miss you babe. How are you doing" "I'm doing alright, I'm just trying to stay out of trouble" "yea how's that going" "it's rough but I'm okay" "good" "how's Jack" "I don't know really" "what's wrong" "I don't know if he feels wanted at my parents house" "what do you mean" "he doesn't like them. He said he hears the things they say about you and Isaac" "tell your parents to get their shit together he's four years old" "I know. At first he was just polite but they were strangers but now that he knows them it's not any better" "and what about you" "what about me" "how are you doing at your parents house" "okay. Everything they say is so backhanded and offensive but it helps put a roof over Jacks head so I'm dealing" "god I love you. You're so beautiful and strong and I'm sorry you have to raise our son alone" "I'm not alone I do have help I just can't wait until we're a family again" "me too. How's work" "good I'm still working in the office so I'm good. I think I might pick up a shift at a grocery store or something" "for what" "I'm not gonna live in my parents house until you get out Anthony" "you don't have to but I don't want you picking up any shifts anywhere. If you need the money I have it. Just talk to my parents and they will give it to you" "I don't want to beg your parents for money. They haven't known me since you got arrested and I don't want them to think that's all I want" "I don't care. My money is yours. Next time my father comes I will tell him to bring you a check" "Anthony" "Sydney it wasn't a suggestion" "fine but I want them to get to know Jack too" "okay good".

"So I really wanted to wait until I knew it was final but I want to tell you first" he said "okay" "I've been talking with my lawyer and I could maybe get my sentence reduced" "what" "yea. The detective on the case planted some evidence and the judge is deliberating over the fact that it was in defense and besides most of my sentence is robberies and gang related crimes" "oh my god that's amazing. So if it works out how long will your sentence be" "eight years so I'll only have five left. I know it's still a lot but it's less and I'll be out before his eighth birthday" "babe that's amazing. Anytime less is enough" "yea" "when will you know" "two weeks tops" "okay" I said as he smiled a little.

Isaacs pov
"Okay buddy what do you want for dinner" I asked lifting him onto the counter and going to the fridge "candy" "you can't have candy so let's be realistic. Do you want a sandwich, pasta, chicken, a burger" "pasta" "okay" I said pulling it out and putting it on the plate. I grabbed the plate and Jack and went to the living room and turned on the tv while he ate.

"Hey" Dixie said walking inside "hey" "what are doing" "waiting while he eats" "oh okay, can I ask you something" "go ahead" "did you ever talk to Hailey about the pictures" "yea" "and that didn't work" "no" "well how did they get out" "I really don't know Dixie" "and you really didn't do it" "no" "so convince her you didn't" "I kind of can't do that without any proof" "well you want her back don't you" "yea" "then it can't hurt to keep trying right" "I guess" "you don't have to act like this doesn't affect you" "I'm not, I just have things to take care of I can't sit around here moping all day. If she wants to be with her jackass ex boyfriend that's her choice" "yea but I know it hurts" "doesn't matter" "well just try it okay" "thanks".

After he ate I gave him a bath and then went to lay down as he fell asleep on my chest.