*edited*

Rose Mortimer:

Kendyn drove us back to the house he kissed the top of my head and said that he will be back tomorrow morning with my present. I was sort of glad he left because I didn't want him to see me any more broken then I am.

I took my shoes off and headed up to my room and changed into something a lot more comfortable which consisted of a pair of joggers that I stole from Wolf and the hoodie that Annora found a few months back.

"Knock, knock. Can I come in princess?" I saw my mum's head peek through my door.

"I have a cuppa tea." she smiled coming further into my room handing me the hot beverage and sitting next to me on my bed swinging her arm over my shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" our eyes met and I could see that she was worried about me.

I took Carter's death badly even if I was only very young I have very vivid memories of him, that and all the photos that I have of him in my room and around the house.

"It was just too much in one go. I just needed a breather from the house, I needed to see him." I cupped the mug and took a sip after blowing on it.

"I know baby girl. We all miss him and I know you needed a moment to yourself." she held me close to her. I am so lucky to have her as my mum, I know it hasn't always been easy every day.

"There was a man there. He left flowers." I frowned remembering the familiar looking man but still couldn't put a finger on who it was.

My mum sat up a little straighter looking down at me.

"A man you say?"

"Yeah. Around yours and dad's age, I think. Blue eyes, fair hair... he looks.. familiar." I looked over at my mum and I saw her face become pale before turning into her normal smiley face.

"I'm sure it's nothing love, Carter was loved by many and we are in his hometown, I wouldn't be surprised if some of his old classmates from before he was in our business went to visit him every now and then," she said running a hand lovingly in my hair but I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more but since I was tired of today's events and that I had a birthday beach weekend with Carrie, Damon, Kendyn, Wolf, Ryder, Carter and Jimmy.

"I'll leave you to rest my baby and tomorrow we will have lunch with your grandparents and then you will have to pack all the things you need for this weekend. Dad booked the villa and if there is a problem remember there is Ray's family near." I nodded my head giving her my empty cuppa.

She kissed my head and left the room. I picked up my phone to see a text from Kendyn that made me smile again.

"Goodnight Bellisima Rosa. I hope you have sweet dreams, I know I will because you are in them. Remember I have a surprise for you tomorrow. Sleep tight ❤️❤️❤️"

"Sweet dreams to you too. I know I will sleep peacefully with you in my mind. But I would prefer to be in your arms...❤️❤️❤️"

"Soon mi Rosa, soon...❤️❤️❤️"

I put my phone on charge and turned my light off before dosing off thinking about my man and this said surprise.

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Asher Mortimer:

After Rose ran out we all took our turns reading the letter Carter wrote for her years ago. I know it's invading her privacy but I knew she wouldn't mind us reading it.

I remember when Carter got her, her first piece of jewellery. It was just after Rose got a matching t-shirt for her and me.

~~~~~~ flashback ~~~~~~~~

" Should I be jealous?" Everleigh asked feeling amused as she was sat on my knees since the rest of the space in the living room was taken.

" Ok, now it's my turn since I've auto proclaimed myself her godfather. " Carter pipped up and came in front of Ro and places in her hands a long red velvet box. He helped her open it and Leigh gasped when she saw what it was.

Inside was the sweetest thing ever. It was a simple gold chain necklace with a gold heart and her birthstone, a green emerald.

"Oh my gosh, Carter it's beautiful. You shouldn't have." My angel was at the brim of tears as he was placing the delicate jewels around her neck.

She turned to me as I held a proud look on my face. He stood up and walked to me and gave me one of them bro hugs.

"Guys, wait till you see what I got her for her 18th birthday." Leigh wiped the tears that escaped her eyes and laughed at Carter's statement.

~~~~~~~~~

I smiled remembering that memory as I took my angel in my arms and kissing her stray tears away. We waited for Kendyn to bring my daughter back.

I'm glad that they have found each other rather than that shit face of Bradley or whatever his name was. However, if he ever, and I mean ever hurt my baby he will not live to see any other day.

When they finally came through the door I let her do her thing knowing that she would not want to talk about it, well not to me at least but I knew that Everleigh would swing by her room to see how she was.

Rose has always had it hard with people dying or getting hurt in our business but sadly that's how things work. She is too innocent here even if she can handle knives and guns like her mother does but she still doesn't like to be a part of all this.

I found myself in my office finishing up the last minute details for the kids trip to California at the beach house that Leigh and I had our first wedding ceremony and the gender reveal.

We trust our kids enough to go on a small vacation, and besides the house has full security, the boys are fully trained, Ray's family (that's in the mafia as well) are not far away and we have a warehouse full of men if ever something goes south.

I was lost reading a contract when my office door opened.

"Come in angel," I called knowing it was my Leigh because of her footsteps and she never knocks on my office door.

"I spoke to the princess. Something is... off." she sighed getting comfortable on my lap.

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"She went to his grave, that we knew. But she said something and I think he's back." I drank in the information.

"Him? As in ..." I dragged and she nodded.

"She said there were a man and the way she described him... I think it's Louis." She spoke about her fears.

"He hasn't shown up after thirteen years. Why would he just happen to be there, at Carter's grave, when Rose is there, on her birthday. Why would he turn up now? I have been searching for him all these years and he comes out of his fucking hiding spot only now!? What are the odds of that happening?"

I was starting to get frustrated. Not against Rose, or Leigh but against Louis. That night... that dreadful night where I lost my best friend, where I nearly lost my son and my wife because of my fucking sperm donor and well as my wife's mother, Louis ran off in all the chaos.

I felt my angel's hands caress my cheek.

"I don't know why... I don't get it. It may not even be him, but the way she described him... I can't help but think he is back..." I rubbed her back holding her closer.

"I know baby girl... I know. I'll figure it out. I won't stop till I find him."

And that is a promise.

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