Everything Started Here With You

Vacation

Expectations are a form of greed you set up to your standards and hope someone else will fulfill.

Jung Yoon Do
---Doctors

"Mmm. Baby, you look like a snack," Hayden growled slightly.

"Shut up. You said I could go, so I'm going," I snapped.

"Come on. You could stay for a couple more minutes."

The horn blew outside and I knew it was time for me to go. I was not about to stay here with him. He could pack on his own. He could be lonely for all I cared. It's not like he didn't have friends or anything. They'd gladly keep him company if they didn't have to help them pack.

"Bye, Hayden. Make sure you turn off the light when you're not in that room," I reminded him.

"When have I ever forgotten?" he chuckled.

"Need I remind you of the time we almost had to pay--"

"Yeah, yeah. Get going."

I smiled at him and opened the front door. Before I even closed the door and turned around, Abby had me wrapped in a bear hug. I didn't know how that was even possible when she was smaller than me. Then again, she did work out daily. You couldn't not see her in the gym if you happen to slide by there randomly.

"How are you?" I laughed into her shoulder. "I haven't seen you in a bit."

"Of course not. I was in the gym and working a lot since I returned a few weeks back." She pulled back from me. "I called Tamera, because I didn't have your new number. How have you been? I heard that KayKay went to California already."

"Yeah. She was supposed to be interviewing Lexi before the gala."

"Dang. I hope she doesn't beat her to death when she realizes who Luca is married to."

"Me too. She never really liked her. I don't know why we're still friends with her. Something's off and I need to hurry to California to figure out what."

"Queen, you know we'll help you in any way."

We got into the car and the kids were happy to see me again. I explained to them that they'd stay with my parents until I returned home again. Addison protested until I told them they could go with Tamera and Abby any time they wanted. They were like family, so there were certain times when I trusted them with my kids.

We ended up at a restaurant I hadn't been to in a good while. Tamera said she would pay for everything even though I insisted not to. The kids ate a lot and I was glad, because I was sure it would put them to sleep faster. No need for them to hang on to me when I was trying to leave. They always did that whenever I left for work and they had a nanny.

We talked about what was happening at work with each of us. I told them about how the case for domestic abuse wasn't going so well. The husband was trying so hard to get the best lawyers to work with him. Probably so he could pay them to take his side in anything. Of course the lawyers would do anything for money. Not me. I declined his offer and took on his wife's as soon as she asked me.

Tamera started complaining about how she was working overtime with her modeling. How she had to change agents at least five times in the past weeks and had to fire her manager for scamming her multiple times. I really wasn't listening, because I didn't really care. She had always complained about the people she worked with. Didn't matter if they were nice to her from the beginning.

Abby didn't really say anything. Her schedule consisted of mostly going to the gym. She never really mentioned dealing with bratty brides and their desperate wedding needs. I knew at one point it was too much for her, but after a while she got used to it and stopped complaining. I heard she got a promotion and was now the go-to wedding planner in the entire city. Not much longer after that, she got a wedding offer overseas and we hadn't been in contact since then. I was glad she still considered me a friend after so many years.

By the time we had left the restaurant it was nearing three. I knew the kids were going to nod off soon, so we dropped them off at my parents house and did a little shopping. I knew Hayden was going to be mad that I was spending his money, but who cares at this point? He's the one who gave it to me a while back and told me to spend it as I please. Why not now?

After shopping, Abby insisted that we all went to my house. They'd help me pack. I wasn't going to say no. I knew how Hayden could be if he wanted to be on time. With me slowing around, I knew he was going to be a little irritated. When we entered the house, we were surprised to find him on the couch reading. What? Was he just reading the same sentence over and over again to become smarter? Probably couldn't read an entire book if his life depended on it.

"How was it?" He asked, not looking up to see who had walked in with me.

"It was...great," I chirped. "Did you pack?"

"I did. Our flight leaves at seven. That gives us two hours to check everything, then head to the airport." He put down his book. "Any questions?"

I looked at the girls.

"Nope...I was just going to bring them upstairs, so they could help me double check what I've packed already. Want me to pack your guns and send them to Calif on the cargo jet?"

"You could..."

"I was joking."

We headed upstairs and threw all my bags on the bed. For some reason, I ended up with more lingerie than I wanted. The girls had insisted that Hayden was going to be more of a nuisance than a burden when we left. I didn't want to believe that, but it was technically true. I knew how Hayden could be when we took trips away from the kids. Maybe this upcoming mission would give us something to think about when we got there. With the gala underway, Hayden would be forced to spend time with Lexi. After all, he was her brother.

"So...I know you plan to do more than party when you get there, so...here." Tamera pulled a box out of her purse and I almost smacked her silly. "...Don't deny it. Hayden wants you almost every night. Asher told me what happened last night and I called Abby. You know we were up till six this morning, laughing about it. Even now it's still funny."

"You guys are mean," I mumbled.

"Not mean, Queen. We're truthful. What are we if we don't laugh at your problems?"

"...Nice?"

Abby laughed and took the box from Tamera. She tossed them at me and I almost broke my ankle trying to dodge it. They both laughed at me. This was not funny. I wasn't planning to sleep with Hayden any time soon. He had his chance last night and it got ruined by Lexi and Asher. In California, we have business to take care of. There was no way we'd have time to play around.

"Girls, I'm not going to play around with him. I still have things I'm going to be busy with out there. There's no way we'll have time to--"

"He'll make time," Abby said. "Trust me, my baby used to do it all the time."

"You broke it off with him, didn't you?" Tamera asked.

"I did. He came crawling back before I went overseas. I tested him a bit and he started doing the same thing. Then...he cheated on me and I left him right in the middle of the City of Love."

I'm dead. This girl. I guess I really had something to think about. Hayden wasn't gettin' any of me when we left. I was sure of it.

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Sorry for the late update. Been busy. Love you guys. I miss writing all the time, but school is starting here and being online all day will be doing things to me. 

⚜Author-nim⚜