“What?” She asked as she came out of the bathroom and walked over to where he was standing. “Oh that,” She smiled sadly. “My childhood best friend gave me that. He wore a matching one that he made. He was very talented.”
“Do you still talk to him?” he asked curiously.
“No,” She spoke sadly. “We were best friends from the time I was seven to like fourteen, I think. Then one night he and his mom were just gone. I never found out what happened, but I do think about him constantly.” She sighed sadly, “He helped me through some very dark times in my life. My parents weren’t the best, but he helped me through so much that I don’t know if I would be here if I didn’t have him in my life.”
“Hey what’s going on in here?” Lucian asked coming over.
“She was telling me about her childhood best friend that made and gave her this,” Daemon said pointing to the bracelet. “But the friend and his mom disappeared from her life one night.”
Lucian forced back a gasp when he saw it. “What was his name?”
She shrugged and chuckled, “That’s the thing, I don’t remember,” She admitted. “He told me one time but then he kept telling me my eyes were going to cause me so much trouble when I got older. I would call him Angel, because he was like my guardian angel, and he named me Trouble. We just called each other that, I can’t even give you a clue to what his name is although I wish I knew what it was so I could try and find him again.”
“Well maybe one day you will find him,” Lucian smiled softly. “I bet he would be touched that you still have that gift from him.”
She scoffed, “I doubt he would recognize it or remember me but it’s sweet to think about it.” She looked out the window and sighed, “It’s just better to stay with my memories and imagination. I couldn’t handle that kind of rejection.”
The doorbell rang and they looked at one another. “Stay in here,” Daemon said as he and Lucian headed to the door. “Can I help you?” He asked the man standing there glaring at him.
“Where is Jasmine?” The man asked glaring at Daemon and Lucian.
“Mason,” Jasmine said as she squeezed between the two brothers. “What are you doing here, Mason?”
“Here,” he said pulling a four-year-old out from behind him and into her legs. “Something came up so here,” he grabbed his phone and answered it. “What? Yeah, I’ll call you back.” He hung up the phone and glared at Jasmine. “I’m done with this shit, I’m done Jasmine.”
“Lilly,” Jasmine knelt down and smiled softly as she looked at her daughter, “Can you go into Mommy’s room and watch Care Bears for a little bit, please? Mommy needs to talk to your father.”
“Otay Mommy,” She smiled and turned to the two men, “twos me peas.”
“Excuse us,” Lucian smiled softly, and they moved then the moment Jasmine faced the man they stood behind her again.
“What is going on, Mason?” Jasmine asked trying to remain calm, “I thought we discussed this? I work night shift all this week. I need you to watch our daughter so I can work since you aren’t paying your child support. I need help with her, Mason.”
“I’m not giving you any more money Jasmine,” He glared as he started getting upset. “That brat cried the entire time, why should I put up with that shit?”
“She’s your daughter,” Jasmine sighed frustrated. “You scare her Mason; she doesn’t know you! You are never there for her. She has to get to know you. If I didn’t have to work so much, then it wouldn’t be a problem, but you won’t help me out financially!”
“I’m not giving you any more money Jasmine,” He fumed, “I’m not giving you money for that spoiled brat!”
“You haven’t given me anything Mason!” Jasmine glared, “Twenty bucks and diapers that aren’t even the right size doesn’t do anything!”
“God you are so selfish!” He shouted at her making her flinch, “I can’t do anything right when it comes to you! And you wonder why I fucking cheated on you, you stupid cow! Maybe if you weren’t so goddamn selfish you could keep a fucking man! You wonder why every man has cheated and left you? Because you are selfish and ungrateful. You got pissed when I cheated on you, yet here you are with two men! Well guess what slut? No matter how many men you sleep with they will eventually get tired of your shit and leave you as well. You will end up alone no matter what you do because no one wants to put up with your ungrateful ass. Here, I’m done with you,” He shoved a packet into her chest and stormed away.
Jasmine took a deep breath and blinked back tears, “I’m sorry,” She whispered as she wiped a tear and cleared her throat. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I promise it won’t affect my shifts, I’ll figure something out Daemon, I promise.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Daemon shook his head. “Are you okay?”
“I need to go check on my daughter, excuse me,” She stepped away from him and cleared her throat. She set the packet down on the table and headed to her room, “Hey my beautiful miracle, did you have fun with your father?” she asked as she sat beside her daughter on her bed.
“No,” Iris shook her head. “Sorry Mommy.”
“What are you sorry for, Baby?” She asked sitting up a little more and looked at her daughter confused.
“He mads me,” she whispered. “He yells lot.”
“I’m sorry Baby Girl,” Jasmine whispered as she kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry I made you go with him. I really thought you two would have fun together.”
“He says I no call him Daddy, Mommy,” She pouted, and Jasmine sighed.
“I’m sorry about that Baby Girl,” She spoke softly. “He just doesn’t know what he is missing by not spending time with you. I promise he will regret it one day.”
“I find new daddy?” Lilly asked softly and Jasmine smiled softly.
“Maybe one day,” She kissed her forehead. “Hey, are you hungry Baby Girl?”
“Yeah,” Lilly smiled, and Jasmine hugged her.
“Come on, let’s see what Mommy can find,” She picked her up and carried her into the kitchen. “What would you like Lilly?”
“No what Father gibe me,” Lilly shook her head and Jasmine turned to look at her confused.“What did your father try to give you Lilly?” Jasmine asked trying to remain calm.“Slimy peabut bubber,” Lilly shook her head and Jasmine softly gasped.“Lilly, you didn’t eat it did you Baby Girl?” She asked kneeling down in front of her daughter. “Lilly, did you eat the peanut butter?”“No Mommy,” Iris shook her head and Jasmine’s smile lit up the room. Daemon and Lucian looked at each other intrigued. “I memer you say no eat peabut bubber. I no eat it. Father got mad me Mommy.”“I’m sorry Lilly, but I think he forgot you are allergic,” Jasmine kissed Lilly’s hands. “I’m so glad you remembered and didn’t eat it Baby Girl, you know what? I think this calls for ice cream for being such a big girl and remembering such an important thing. Will you go potty and wash your hands and I’ll go ask my friends to borrow their car since Mommy’s is being silly, please?”“Otay Mommy,” Lilly beamed and rushe
“Raze is making the food now but said we don’t have any ice cream,” Lucian said hanging up his phone. “I will head to the store and get some once I know what kind to get everyone.”“Whoa there Little One, who all do you have with you?” Asher asked as the spitting clone of Jasmine walked into the living room.“Gumby Bear, Pichu, Twhywhite Spakle, Spite,” she said nervously.“Dude, I love Pikachu and Grumpy Bear,” Asher smiled hugely. “I don’t know the other ones sorry, but I think it’s cool you have a dragon.”“That Spite,” She smiled shyly.“That’s Twilight Sparkle’s little dragon buddy Spike,” Jasmine smiled as she came into the room with a couple of backpacks. “I just need to get the meds from the kitchen, and I think we have everything for the night. Clothes, toothbrushes, brushes, her blanket…” She trailed off thinking. “Oh, I need to get her favorite cup also. Sweetie, why don’t you give me all your buddies and go get a couple of your movies? Daemon, Asher, and Lucian don’t have
“Wow,” She whispered when they pulled up to a large mansion. “You like?” Daemon asked and she nodded. “It’s beautiful, Daemon,” She whispered. “Mommy, berry lies,” Lilly gasped in awe. “I see the fairy lights,” Jasmine smiled softly as she got her daughter out of the car. “Raze likes to keep them up all year round,” Lucian smiled as he pulled the backpacks and ice cream out of the car while Asher grabbed the bags of movies and stuff animals. “Come on in,” Lucian smiled, “Home sweet home.” “Hey guys, finished just in time,” Raze said as he came out of the kitchen. “Who’s the little girl that loves chicken nuggies and French fries?” “Oh me!” Lilly beamed as she turned away from Jasmine’s chest to look at the six-foot four man with long black hair, olive skin, and bright blue shining eyes. “Dat me!” Jasmine looked up from looking at her daughter
“Promise?” She sniffled as she looked up at him with tears still streaming down her face. “Promise, promise,” He smiled sadly as he wiped them away. “I swear it.” He kissed her nose then chuckled as some tears got on his lips. “How do you know the guys anyway?” “I work for Daemon as a bartender,” She answered sniffled. “Well, I did, I don’t know about now with everything going on.” “We will discuss that later,” Raze said wiping her tears again. “Hey, sorry to bother you two,” Daemon said coming into the room. “Speaking of the devil,” Raze chuckled making her giggle. Daemon looked at them confused then shook his head, “Anyway, um, Little One ate five chicken nuggets and some fries and drank all her apple juice. Can she have that ice cream now?” “Chocolate chip cookie dough?” Raze asked and Daemon smirked. “Oh, she’s why that’s the only flavor you will
“The stalker left a sticker on her car and sent a text that showed me, Lucian, Asher, and the girls along with her ex in her yard when the ex was dropping off Little One. He claimed the girls would be his after he deals with us and the ex.” “Fuck that,” Raze growled. “Exactly,” Daemon nodded in agreement. “The ex, Mason,” he said his name like it was acid, “oh boy, that asshole.” “What did he say?” Raze asked. “I record every conversation since I left him,” She whispered as she played with his necklace. “For evidence in case he ever tries to dispute anything while I try to save up money to continue with the divorce. I filed but he’s refusing so it’s ugh.” “Can I hear it please?” Raze asked. “You’re not going to like it,” Daemon warned and Raze nodded. “Here’s the text,” She whispered as she showed him the message from the stalker. Raze tightened his grip on her and took a de
“Here’s the bathroom,” Raze said as he opened a door. “Thank you,” She smiled softly. “Come on Lilly, let’s get your teeth and hair brushed.” “No baffy Mommy, me seepy,” She yawned. “You can take one tomorrow,” Jasmine nodded, “It’s way past our beddy time.” “Look at you two,” Raze smiled as Lilly came out in her Care Bear pajamas and Jasmine in black leggings and large black skull shirt. “Mommy tory?” Lilly asked as they got on the air mattress in the media room while Asher put the Pokémon DVD on. “Just a small one, okay? Jasmine asked. “It’s really late.” Lilly nodded and Jasmine thought for a moment, “Which one?” “My fabrit,” Lilly whined, and Jasmine smiled. “Oh, that one,” She cleared her throat, “Okay, once upon a time there was a little girl with long black hair and gray eyes,”“Wike me,” Lilly smiled, and Jasmine smiled.“Exactly like you. Well, she w
“Shhh, come here Little Flower, let Mommy sleep a little longer,” Jasmine started to wake feeling her daughter start to leave her arms. She tightened her hold on her and forced herself to wake up even though she was so exhausted. “Let go Trouble,” Raze’s thick sleep filled voice filled her ears behind her. “It’s just Daemon getting Little One since she’s awake.” “I’m awake,” Jasmine yawned and let go to stretch. “No,” Raze growled tightening his hold on her stomach. “You were up and down all night, go back to sleep.” “My daughter’s awake so I’m awake,” Jasmine yawned again but tried to scoot closer to him anyway, making him chuckle. “Just lay with me while he gets her some breakfast, okay?” Raze asked and she hummed while nodding into his chest. “We will get up in just a little bit.” She breathed in his scent of cigarettes, leather, and something that reminded her of the forest. It was just something uniqu
“Don’t make me repeat myself, Jasmine,” Mason’s voice filled the air. “You know what happens when you piss me off.”“I’m sorry Mason, I was taking care of Lilly. She had a hard time sleeping last night. What did you say?” She asked softly. “Seriously?” Mason yelled, “So fucking stupid.” He sighed, “Where the fuck are you? I want my daughter and you aren’t at the fucking house that I fucking bought you with the stupid ass money you insisted on having when you tried to fucking leave me. That house is mine or did you fucking forget that? You didn’t get very far from me if you are still living in the stupid ass building you call a house. It’s a fucking shed. Quit your fucking shit Jasmine and get your shit together. You are still my fucking wife and I want my goddamn daughter. Now where the fuck are you?” “You said you were done with me Mason,” she said blinking back tears. “You said you didn’t want Lilly and you didn’t want the marriage when I found you ch