"Did you just do what I told you not to do a few minutes," Mel asked as Linc licked his finger shaking his head no.
"Lincoln," she said placing the spoon down moving towards him as he slowly backed away. "What did we agreed upon," she said as a grin appeared on his face.
"That I would just sit and watch you bake my cake," he said going around the counter once she reached his side.
"Linc," she sighed in fustration.
"Yes love," he said innocently before making a run for it when she ran towards him.
Jumping onto his back their laughter filled the room as he held her legs securing her from falling.
"If you wanted a piggy back ride, all you had to do was ask sweetheart," he said as she held onto him tightly as he stepped out of the house.
"When have I ever asked for one," she said leaning on his shoulder as he started walking towards the garden. "Where are we going Linc," she asked softly.
"Somewhere," he simply said as he continued walking towards the cabin.
"Close your eyes," he murmured once they reached the cabin.
Doing as told she heard him open the door before he murmured for her to open them. A gasp escaped her lips as she looked around the cozy room.
"I love it Linc," she said squeezing him loosening her grip when he pretended to be in need of air.
Letting her down he watched as she looked around taking in the numerous pillows thrown on the floor over the Persian rug, before looking over the Arabian finger foods he had had prepared.
"But shouldn't I be the one throwing you lavish surprises?"
"Even if it's my birthday, I will always surprise you with even the little things," he said sincerely.
Just then the children arrived with Walter who quickly left after handing over Tessa to Linc.
"Now, I know you wanted the island but I wanted us to just stay home," he said. "Whatever theme you want I will have it prepared for you," he said worried she would refuse.
"I don't care about the trip, just as long as I have you and the children with me," she said sincerely stroking his cheek before she rested her hand on his chest turning to look at the rest of the gang.
Leaning his forehead against hers he sighed smiling at her as the memory of that day returned to him.
----
Both Mel and Marco lay still, each wide eyed. When Mel turned her head to look at them. Linc felt the breath he had been holding leave as he took a step towards her.
"Mel," he breathed taking a few more steps as she stood up looking at the blood on her shirt.
"Linc," she responded stepping away from Marco as he gasped for air.
Linc pointed his weapon towards Marco but Mel stopped him from pulling the trigger. Lifting up her weapon Marco's gaze never left her.
"Greet Enrique for me," she said pulling the trigger killing him instantly.
"Are you okay?" Linc asked looking over her.
"I am fine my love. Nothing a good shower can't fix," she smiled as Linc held her close until his heart rate became normal.
"Come on, let's go," he whispered making eye contact with Cas.
Cas nodded in understanding as they left the room heading home.
"Linc," she gasped as he turned off the shower. "We need to take care of Sofia," she said.
A smile formed on his lips as he handed her towel.
"It's being taken care of this every instant," Linc said.
----
Cas
"Take me home," Sofia said once she put on her seatbelt.
"Very well ma'am," the driver said.
Driving her back home she stepped out of the car heading into the house only to find all the lights off.
Switching on the lights she came face to face with Lei as he sat with Raquel a gun pointed at her.
"What is the meaning of this? Are you alright honey, did they hurt you?" She asked only for Raquel to not give her a response.
"Okay everything is set up," Vlad said as he walked towards them.
"Up," Lei said as Raquel stood up.
"Wait a minute aren't you my driver?" Sofia asked.
Cas chuckled as he looked at Sofia
"I have many jobs, one of them is cleaning up messes and you two are a blemish I need to wipe off the face of this earth," he said. "Raquel do you want to go back and see Dr Devonport?" Cas asked referring to Devon.
She quickly shook her head no as Cas slowly handed her a gun.
"Shoot her right between the eyes, make it look good my dear," he said as Sofia visibly paled.
"What do you think you are doing. You can't make her do this," she barked as Raquel murmured, "I'm sorry mom," as she pulled the trigger trembling with fear.
"Now next you are going to take away the pain. Don't you want it to go away," he whispered softly as she nodded her head yes.
Raising the gun to her head she pulled the trigger crumbling to the floor in an instant.
"Didn't even have to raise a finger," Vlad said as they walked out removing the work-suites they were wearing so as to not contaminate the scene of the crime.
Cas knew the police officers would contaminate the scene themselves before any forensic specialist arrived.
"It's done," Cas said to Linc over the receiver.
"Thank you Cas," he simply stated ending the call.
----
"Everything is sorted love," he said as she shrugged on a sweater.
"That's good news indeed. Now we don't have to worry anymore," she replied her voice muffled by the sweater as Linc moved towards her to pull it down.
"Linc what are you doing?" She asked as he began to pull it up.
"Why do you ask questions you already have the answers to love," he said as she realized he hadn't even dressed.
"Oh no you don't," she said grabbing the sweater out of his hands making a run for it. She heard his laughter making her smile as she realized, for once her life would be normal once more. She wouldn't have to be away from her babies or her family.
------
Present time
"Are you sure we will finish all of this food?"
"Well if you were with child, we wouldn't be having such a discussion would we now love?"
Mel looked at him, her mouth hanging open.
"Did you just insinuate that I only eat when knocked up," she said as he fell onto the pillows.
"Now love, why would I say that. You already know it's true," he answered with a mischievous smile.
Mel grabbed a pillow throwing it at him which resulted in a pillow fight as Mel watched her children deal with their father whilst she held a sleeping Tessa, which was a surprise for her to be sleeping through all the noise....
-----------------
20 years later
"Oh come on, get a room," Zach grumbled walking into the kitchen followed by his siblings.
Linc and Mel chuckled still in each other's arms.
"Good morning mom, dad," Tessa said giving them both a hug.
"Good morning, sweety," they both said. Rose and Ryan greeted them next before taking their seats on the counter.
"Shall we love," Linc said taking her hand.
"We shall," she said leaning up for a kiss which he happily obliged her with. Looking at their children they saw them rolling their eyes which made them laugh out loud.
Taking a seat on the breakfast table Mel dished out some food for Linc taking his plate to him.
"Wait I thought you said you were going somewhere," Ryan said.
"Yes after breakfast," Linc said patting his lap for Mel.
"I have somewhere to be," Rose piped up standing up.
"I'll join you," her brothers said simultaneously standing up to follow her.
"Guys wait up for me," Tessa said grabbing a piece of her toast.
Chuckling they watched their children leave, most likely to see their uncle or grandparents. All grown up they thought of how much their lives had changed over the years, Zach a recent graduate and already helping his father with the company, the twins currently in university with Rose majoring in fashion designing, Ryan studying engineering and computer sciences and Tess in her first year of law school. What more could they ask for they wondered as they looked into each other's eyes.
"When you two are done with breakfast just inform me," Andre said turning to leave the kitchen.
"Why is everyone always leaving us?" Mel asked with a frown making Linc chuckle.
"Sweetheart please tell me you are joking right now," he said as she moved off his lap to sit next to him.
"What?" She asked in confusion.
"Because of this," he said claiming her lips sending her to infinity and beyond. He could still take her far with just a simple kiss after all these years.
"Oh," she said placing a hand on his chest feeling his steady heart beat against her palm as she blushed.
"Shall we go find our kids," he said standing up after they were done with their meal.
"Yes let's do that. Wait what about our anniversary plans?"
"I just want to spend time with my family, no one else," he whispered kissing her forehead taking his phone out.
"Okay," she said leaning into him.
"Where are they?" He said into the phone. "Thought as much."
Driving to Ethan's house they arrived to find everyone in the swimming pool.
"Brother it's so good of you to join us," Ethan called out as they made their way towards him.
"Happy anniversary," Lia said hugging them.
"Thank you," Mel beamed before she heard.
"Mom, dad. How did you find us?" Tessa said before looking at her bracelet.
They all had the similar bracelet and could never remove them.
"This is a violation of my rights as a human being," Tessa said.
"Yes tell that to your fathers business enemies," Mel said with a smile.
They knew not to argue with their mother especially on matters of their wellbeing. This was after she had told them all that had occurred during their youth.
"Hmmm should we leave them and just spend our anniversary elsewhere."
"Well, as long as there is food and a bed, fine by me."
"And me?" He said.
"Of course with you. After all I need you to cater to my hearts desires," she said wrapping her arms around his neck as he straightened up lifting her off her feet.
"Oh come on," they heard Ryan cry out as they kissed completely lost in each other as Charlie 1 arrived.
~~~Finally The End~~~
Whew it has come to end.
Hope you aren't disappointed with the ending, tried to make it sweet, sort everyone out, those whose deaths were still pending were handled, those you thought had died, were not dead 😂.
Thank you for your awesome support.
Moving on to His Achilles Heel now, still to finish Dante and Draco's story, major writers block but hopefully something will come up soon 😃