LACY

I woke up bright and early this morning while everyone else decided it would be an excellent idea to sleep in. With everything that happened this past week, I couldn't blame them. I felt that I lived a lifetime's worth of drama within a time frame of just seven days.

I didn't mind that the Smith family decided to sleep in. Being Sunday, it meant that we would all flock to Sunday mass. They never usually missed out on a service unless it happened to be a really serious situation.

I was more than happy to stay at home though. It wasn't that I didn't like Sunday morning mass but if I went then bumping into my parents and Brian would be inevitable.

Imagine that! I was actually running from the people who raised me and my fiance. I never thought in a million years that my life would turn out this way. So messed up that I was beginning to think that it was too damaged to be repaired.

Macy ignored me the entire week. It was as if I never existed. When we sat down for dinner she would speak a minimum of two words before excusing herself and heading to her room.

She made it seem as if she couldn't stand being in the same room as me. I understood her disappointment in me but now she was just being downright dramatic and today would be the day she would finally talk to me and put this all to rest.

Admittedly, I missed her. I had no one else to talk to, no one to annoy, no one to tease, I basically just had no one. It sucked that she was my only friend and once she decided to offer me the cold shoulder I became friendless!

But!

I woke up this morning with a purpose and that was to get my best friend and cousin back. I had a plan that would hopefully follow through unhitched. The way I looked at it, there were only two ways this could play out.

One way would be me burning the house down due to my less than glamorous cooking skills. If I happened to burn the entire family, including myself, down with the house then Macy would be forced to spend her entire afterlife haunting these grounds by my side.

That wasn't a half-bad idea!

The second way would be me actually succeeding to cook. If that happened then breakfast should go smoothly and I might just earn a smile from Macy.

Honestly, I would throw an entire enchilada if she would just offer me the slightest of glares. This was why she remained single! She was so stubborn and hard-headed. I was almost certain that a man would rather turn gay than put up with her.

I laughed to myself as I cracked an egg and successfully dropped it into a bowl without any pieces of eggshell falling along with it.

So far so good!

I did that to a few more eggs before whisking them until all that could be seen was a yellowish-orange liquid. Finally finding a pan, I placed it onto the stove and added some oil. I didn't raise the heat too high because I really needed to be cautious. The moment I felt the pan was hot enough I poured the liquid into the pan and quickly jolted back, using my forearm to cover my eyes as droplets of oil splattered all over the place.

Once I was done scrambling the eggs I placed them onto a plate and left them on the kitchen island. I decided to toast some chocolate-flavored pop tarts because Macy loved eating those whenever she was angry. It was either pop tarts or chocolate brownies.

Out of nowhere, the toaster flung out two burnt pop tarts. I watched as the pop tarts traveled in the air at a record speed before colliding straight into someone's face and falling onto the white tiled floor. A floor so white that it made me cringe.

I looked into Macy's scornful gaze and audibly gulped at its intensity. I could see the gears in her head-turning, creating a movie that only she could view. The movie was probably named 'A thousand ways to kill Lacy Black'.

I couldn't help but stare at Macy with expecting eyes. I expected her to lash out at me, swear me for attempting to cook, or for allowing burnt pop tarts to slap her across her face. The more I thought about it, the more comical it became. Macy was strong enough to defend herself from a man like Brian but got bitch slapped by a pair of flying, burnt pop tarts.

I tried to stifle down my bubbling laughter but it bubbled out of me the way lava bubbled out of a volcano unapologetically. The features on Macy's face visibly softened and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. As much as she tried to hide it, her smile didn't fail to catch my eye.

The kitchen was suddenly filled with the blissful sounds of laughter from both Macy and myself. She picked the burnt pop-tarts off the floor and dumped them into the garbage disposal.

"You can scramble eggs but you suck at toasting pop tarts!" Macy's voice was laced with amusement.

I felt a strange kind of happiness knowing that Macy finally spoke to me, "I tried! That must count for something, right?" I shrugged as I walked over to the toaster and inserted two more pop tarts in.

"I think you deserve an award for only burning the pop tarts," she said, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

"Yeah," I began to fumble with my fingers as tension flooded the kitchen, "I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry for letting you down and going back to Brian. I wasn't thinking about me when I did it."

She let out a breath and then nodded in understanding, "I know! You were just trying to save my ass and out of anger I just lashed out at you. I realized my mistake but it turns out that I have a lot of pride. Who knew?"

I teasingly rolled my eyes, "The real question is, how did it take you so long to realize you have too much pride?"

She offered me a dry stare and then smiled, "Seriously though, thank you. Although, I think I would have done pretty well in prison. What do you think?"

"I think your virgin eyes would get traumatized not even twenty-four hours into you being there."

"I wonder if a condom for the eyes is a thing?" Macy tapped her chin, pretending to be in deep thought.

"I wonder which thrift shop you bought your brain from?"

She hit me over the head, "At least I can say I didn't miss your bitchiness!"

~~~

Breakfast came and went rather smoothly. Uncle B and Aunt Coral were ecstatic about Macy and I finally talking again. After a long time, we sat in the same room together and felt no tension whatsoever.

Macy helped me prepare the rest of the breakfast and kept a close eye on me as we were doing so. Breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, pop tarts, bacon, and chocolate chip pancakes.

Because what's a Sunday breakfast without pancakes?

Considering that Macy and I made the breakfast and aunt Coral used the pregnancy card on us, uncle B was stuck cleaning up the kitchen.

Macy and I curled up on the living room couch and I filled her in on all the missing details that she missed out on the past few days of us not talking. She listened intently and nodded here and there to indicate that she was still listening. After, I was finally done Macy bobbed her head up and down as if she were in deep thought.

"So what I'm hearing is, and correct me if I'm wrong but you didn't tell Dylan that he lost the bet and now owes me five bucks. Instead, you were busy playing tongue hockey and giving people in the hospital a PG 16 rated porn show?"

I took a throw pillow from behind me and threw it at her face, "Out of all that I said, that's what you choose to pick on!"

She shrugged, "We both know I have a shit load of debt due to my shopaholic tendencies. I'm broke these days." Macy emphasized the word broke as she said it the second time.

"I did say that I could help you with that."

"I'm not a charity case, Lace. But thanks for the offer," she gingerly smiled.

"I thought you would have at least cut back the pride by now," I stated blandly and unimpressed.

She rolled her eyes at me and then waved the topic away, "So, when do you plan on telling Dylan that you're back with Brian McAsshole?"

I tucked my hair behind my ear and began to chew at my bottom lip. They became chapped due to a lack of moisture, "I... I don't really know, Mace."

Macy shook her head in disapproval and a sly, smug smile contoured her face, "Who would have thought that my sweet and innocent cousin would be a player. A fuck girl would be an appropriate term. Don't you think?" She asked in a mocking tone.

I flipped her the bird and then gently shoved her which caused giggles to erupt from her.

"Go stick that finger in a block of butter!"

I groaned slightly and then crossed my arms across my chest, cocking my head to the side, "This is serious, Macy!"

"I know, I know. I'm just trying to lighten the mood. You have to tell the poor kid at some point. You just can't lead him on like that," Macy said with a deadly serious expression.

"He's only two years younger! How are you going to privilege yourself to call him a kid?" I quirked an eyebrow at her in curiosity.

"Same difference! Does he know the age difference?" She asked almost as if she knew the answer to her question.

"Probably because he did attend our birthday party even if it was for a few minutes to beat the living daylights out of Brian. I don't think he knows that I know though because uncle B is the one who told me when he had been looking for information on Lucifer."

A comical smile appeared on Macy's face, "When you say his name, well the name you gave him, your face lights up as if a spotlight is shining directly above you."

I felt my entire body heat up and I was almost certain my cheeks changed a strange color of red. I suddenly felt so embarrassed and my cheek muscles began to pain from my immovable smile.

"Oh, stop blushing and making me feel bad about my lonely life," Macy deadpanned, "Anyway, where is that kid staying? Rose right?"

"I'm sure Uncle B will try his best to get Rose's custody handed over to Lucifer. Hopefully, she doesn't get tossed back into yet another abusive foster home," I dejectedly sighed.

There was a long moment of silence between Macy and me before she said, "Yes!"

I glared at Macy confused at what her sudden yes was about. My eyebrows scrunched to emphasize my confusion.

"Yes, I will be your maid of honor but can I ask who your bridesmaids are?" She asked sarcastically.

"I haven't thought that far but I'm guessing aunt Coral and my mother."

"My mother is going to look like a beautiful whale on your wedding day!" Macy snorted just as her mother walked into the room.

"Well here I was thinking that since you two are getting along so well I'd take you both for ice cream and a trip to the park but since my daughter thinks I'm going to look like a whale, I'm beginning to rethink my decision!"

Macy woke up from her spot on the couch and walked over to her mother. She stood behind her mother and wrapped arms around aunt Coral's waist, placing her chin on aunt Coral's shoulder, "A beautiful whale mom! And we aren't kids anymore for ice cream trips to the park."

"Speak for yourself, Macy!" I immediately cut in.

"Don't be a little witch your whole life. You just want to go because Dylan works across the road from the park," Macy called me out and threw me an award-winning grin.

I narrowed my eyes into slits and if looks could kill then Macy would have probably been impaled by the glare I shot her, "Macy Smith if you don't shut that mouth of yours right now I will slap you so hard that the sound will be heard for three days!" I threatened, holding three fingers up to emphasize my point.

"My offer of burying you in my backyard and planting a bed of blood-red roses on top of your decomposing body still stands," she shrugged, completely unfazed by my threats.

"I can honestly say that I didn't miss you two fighting!" Aunt Coral said as she rubbed her temples with two fingers.

~~~

There was just something about the park that relaxed me. It was why I chose to have my morning runs here. That and because it was close to home. It had been a while since I last ran just to get my mind off my life's problems. With everything that was happening, I didn't find the time anymore.

I watched as the wind shuffled the browning leaves on the trees that lined the sidewalk. Those leaves fell to the ground as if they were confetti decorating the floor. Fall was in full swing with the flowers that were planted all over the park slowly losing their lives and the once striking green grass drying out and becoming brown.

The cold breeze that whisked around me brought not only fresh air but also shivers down my spine. I hugged my body and clenched my jaw to prevent my teeth from chattering. I wore a thin jacket over a black tank top and grey sweatpants paired with the custom-made sneakers that Malik had gifted me for my birthday.

I continued my stroll with Uncle B and Aunt Coral slightly behind me while Macy walked silently, licking her ice cream, beside me. The chitter-chatter of the many adults around us and the joyful and vibrant laughs and screams of children filled the air. Some would call it noise but for me, it was calming and soothing.

Seeing how so many people still smiled the most truest of smiles and actually had fun made me feel that there was still some good in the world. It didn't mean that since I was having an almost quarter-life crisis that it would last forever.

I smiled as I watched a little boy rolling on the probably pokey grass with his little puppy. He looked so carefree. His puppy jumped on top of him and attacked his face with multiple licks. The boy broke out into a fit of giggles as he tried to push his lovable pup away.

Just then I felt a pair of small hands wrap around my waist. I jerked back but quickly managed to regain my balance until another small body collided with me.

I looked down to see my two dark-haired brothers. Bending down, I scooped them up into a group hug which Macy privileged herself to join.

I analyzed my two little brothers. Sean was dressed in a black shirt with black jeans and vans. He had a leather jacket to complete his look with his hair combed back. He looked like a little bad boy, it was adorable.

Dean, on the other hand, had a blue graphic shirt on with blue washed-out jeans and white converse. His hair was in shambles but when he bent down to pick his navy blue beanie off the ground, I understood why. He placed the beanie that said 'Playa' in bold writing on his head, completing his rugged look.

My brothers weren't the type to dress alike. The moment they turned five, the two of them began to pick out their own clothes which really brought out the difference in them. The best way to describe Sean would be a future fuck boy in the making whilst Dean dressed according to his mood.

Eight-year-olds of today!

"Where are mother and father?" I asked the two as they stared at me with their dark, beady eyes.

"Somewhere, Maria is keeping an eye on us," Sean informed me as I saw a huffing Maria run toward us.

Maria was hired eight years ago with the primary responsibility of taking care of both Sean's and Dean's every need. They gave her a hassle but they loved her so much. Almost more than they loved their own mother.

"Why are you two troubling Maria again?" I playfully scolded my little brothers who turned and looked at Maria with their puppy dog eyes.

"Why are you scolding them, miss?" Maria's thick Spanish accent nearly drowned out her words. She was putty in my two little demon brothers' hands once they stared at her with those innocent eyes.

"You are far too lenient on them, Maria."

Uncle B and aunt Coral joined us. After a few more greetings Sean turned to me with thoughtful eyes. Sean may have been eight but he was rather mature for his age. Unlike Dean, Sean was upfront and told you exactly what was on his mind so it didn't surprise me when he asked, "So you're marrying Brian?"

"Yeah," I shrugged, "Why not?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because he's the second biggest cunt after a whale's vagina!" Macy dramatically said a little too loud causing some people who were walking by to stare.

"What's a cunt?" I heard Dean ask Maria.

"You need to watch your mouth around my little brothers you stupid," I warned Macy and then turned my attention to Dean, "It's a very bad word so if you ever say it, and I mean ever, I'm going to take all your money and keep it for myself!"

Dean shook his head with conviction and I chuckled at how comical he looked. I just knew how to get my brothers to listen to me. I knew they would learn these words one day but right now the only things they needed to worry about were not falling off the see-saw whilst in midair and tripping on fresh air.

"There you are!" My mother's voice drew me out of my thoughts. Her voice was filled with relief upon seeing my brothers, "Lacy, how are you?" A gleeful expression covered my mother's face and I returned it with a smile that I hoped would not falter.

"I'm fine," was my simple response as I shifted back and forth on my feet.

My father's straight face didn't falter. His lips were pressed in a thin line whilst his eyes were void of any sort of emotion. His pale grey suit matched his personality while my mother wore a bright red trench coat with black jeans paired with knee-length, flat boots.

She seemed a little happy which made me feel content. With less arguing going on in their luxurious house, there was much more time to laugh and have fun.

"We didn't see you all today," my mother said, clearly referring to us not attending church.

"We were all tired from the week," Uncle B replied with a curt nod.

"Brian had been looking for you," my mother shot me a weak smile, "He wants to have the wedding in a month."

"What!" I heard gasps all around and my jaw dropped to the floor.

My mother just nodded to confirm that I indeed heard correctly. How was I going to make preparations in a month? I didn't even have a dress yet.

Most importantly, how would I tell Lucifer about my unfortunate predicament?

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