Merry Little Cluster Fudge (The Price of Love #3.5)

10. Chapter Ten

Wick

"There you two are," I said as Carter and Olivia met us halfway through our walk back to our suite.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Cara called, running to jump into Carter's arms.

Fucker look far more relaxed than he had an hour ago when he and Liv had slipped away. Good for him.

Less than half a day in the sunny Caribbean, and I was fairly certain we'd all found time to relax with our partners. Well deserved on all fronts. Because parenting was fucking hard, and I was lucky enough to share the responsibilities with not one but two partners.

I had a shitload of respect for my little sister and her husband. They worked hard and loved harder, raising two of the most well-adjusted and wonderful little humans.

If anyone deserved a relaxing vacation and some time to themselves, it was Carter and Olivia.

"Sorry," Liv said through a giggle. "We... lost track of time, I guess."

"No worries," I said, tossing my arm around her shoulders and giving her a brief squeeze as we headed back in the direction they'd just come from. "We're all going back to get ready for dinner."

Marco, Meg, and the kids were nearly at our suite already. They'd had piggyback races while I gave Cara a ride on my shoulders and held Case's hand until we'd found their parents.

Mom, Dad, and Bill trailed behind. Carter's dad had lost the love of his life when Carter was just a kid. While he'd never found a new partner, my parents and Bill had been inseparable since Case was born and Dad got sober.

Their friendship was fucking adorable.

An hour later, we all regrouped outside the medium-fancy restaurant at the resort. We'd eaten lunch at the buffet, and none of us were sure it would be acceptable to take five children under the age of seven to the fancy-fancy restaurant.

But this was perfect.

"Oh my goodness, don't you all look adorable," Patricia exclaimed as she took in all the kids dressed to the nines. She pulled a small plastic bag from her tote and stage-whispered, "Don't tell your parents, but I brought some fudge for a pre-dinner treat."

I hung back with Meg and Marco, watching the wholesome scene unfold. "What is this lady's obsession with fudge?" I whispered.

"I honestly do not know, but she's adorable," Meghan sighed.

"It's really good fudge. Did you try some?" Marco asked.

Before I could respond, a sharp voice cut through our group's chatter.

"Sorry I'm late!"

We turned as one and saw Laura Price strolling down the path toward us. Her Louboutin heels clicked loudly on the stone path. If they could talk, they'd be saying I'm better than you . Her tailored Chanel dress probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. Diamonds dripped from her ears and throat, catching the fading sunlight. The whole ensemble was an obscene display of wealth.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Christ, does this woman ever dress down? Even on a tropical vacation, she managed to look like she'd stepped off a runway in Milan. Even her hair was still perfectly coiffed, despite the humidity. The only valid explanation was black magic. I wondered if the resort offered valet parking for broomsticks.

As she approached, I caught a whiff of her designer perfume. The sweet, cloying smell mixed with the salty sea air, created a nauseating combination that made my stomach churn.

Her mouth was stretched into what I assumed was meant to be a smile. Her cold, calculating eyes, swept over our group, lingering disapprovingly on the children's fudge-stained faces.

The kids barely paid her any mind, too preoccupied with the doting affection they were receiving from Patricia.

"Mother," Emmett said, his voice tight. "We weren't expecting?—"

"You thought I'd miss Christmas with my family?"

Patricia straightened up, her cheerfulness replaced by discomfort. Mom, never one to let Laura's presence ruin a good time, swooped in.

"Patricia, dear, why don't we go check on our table? I'm sure they're ready for us by now."

As the two women headed inside, Thomas approached his soon-to-be ex-wife. His jaw was set, and his eyes were narrowed. Shit's about to hit the fan.

Callie and Olivia exchanged a look before quietly ushering the children away from the brewing confrontation. They herded the little ones toward a nearby fountain, distracting them with the promise of making wishes.

Emmett and I moved to flank Thomas, presenting a united front. Meghan stood slightly behind us, Marco's hand on her lower back in a gesture of silent support. From the corner of my eye, I could see Carter, Bill, and Bob watching warily from a distance.

"Why are you here, Laura?" Thomas asked, his voice low but steely.

Laura smiled thinly. "As I said, I'm here to spend Christmas with my family. Surely you didn't think you could exclude me from a holiday gathering?"

My fists clenched at my sides. This woman has some fucking nerve. After years of emotional manipulation and neglect, she thought she could just waltz in and claim a place in our celebration?

"Your family?" Emmett's voice dripped with disdain. "I'm surprised you can say those words with a straight face."

Laura's eyes flashed. "I'm still your mother, Emmett. And you're still my son, whether you like it or not."

"Biology doesn't make you a mother," Meghan said from behind us. "Actions do. And your actions have made it clear where we stand in your life."

Tension radiated from Thomas in waves. His shoulders were rigid, his breathing measured, as if he was trying to keep himself in check. When he spoke again, his deceptively calm voice was filled with a quiet fury that made even me want to take a step back.

"Laura, I think it's time we had a frank discussion about boundaries and respect."

Laura arched a manicured eyebrow. "Boundaries? Respect? I'm here to see my children and grandchildren. How is that disrespectful?"

Emmett let out a bitter laugh. "You never had any time for your own children, let alone your grandchildren. Now you think you can just breeze in here and play happy families?"

I heard Meghan's intake of breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Marco move closer and wrap an arm around her waist.

"I suggest," Thomas continued, his voice growing colder with each word, "that you turn around and leave. Now. Before this gets any more unpleasant."

Laura's eyes darted between Thomas and the rest of us. She lifted her chin, defiant. "I told you, I'm here to spend Christmas with my family."

"Bullshit," Emmett spat. "Why are you really here?"

"I don't appreciate your tone, Emmett. I raised you better than that."

I couldn't hold back my snort. "That's rich."

She turned her frosty glare on me. "I don't believe I was speaking to you, Wick."

"Well, I'm speaking to you," I said, taking a step forward. "You don't get to turn up here and pretend like everything's fine. You've hurt every single person standing here, and for what? Your own selfish?—"

"Now, now," she interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. "Let's not air our dirty laundry in public. We're all adults here."

"You're right, Laura," Thomas said, his voice eerily calm. "We are all adults. Which is why I'm going to say this once, and only once. You are not welcome here."

Laura's eyes widened, genuine surprise flashing across her face. "Excuse me?"

"It's time for you to leave. I won't say it again."

For a moment, I thought she might actually listen. But then her gaze landed on something over my shoulder, and her lips curled into a sneer.

"And who's that?" she asked, nodding toward the restaurant entrance. "Your new plaything, Thomas?"

I turned and saw Patricia standing in the doorway, looking uncertain and more than a little uncomfortable.

Thomas's face hardened. “She's none of your concern."

"I suppose it was only a matter of time before you replaced me with some simpering?—"

"That's enough!" Emmett's voice boomed, startling us all. I'd never heard him raise his voice like that before. "I won't stand here and let you insult the people we care about. And I won't let you ruin our Christmas. Just... just go, Mom. Please."

The raw pain on Emmett's face hit me like a punch to the gut. I glanced at Meghan and saw she was fighting tears. Fuck this noise. Time to end this shitshow.

I stepped forward, placing myself between Laura and the others. "Mrs. Price," I said, my voice firm but polite, "I think it's best if you leave now. We can arrange for you to see the kids another time if that's what you really want. But right now, you're not welcome here."

Laura opened her mouth to retort. But before she could speak, a small voice piped up from behind us.

"Grandma Laura?"

We all looked down and saw Lilah standing there, her big eyes wide with confusion. "Why is everyone yelling?"