Check out this story 'No Place Like Home' by FunShineBear in the External link ...It's a good story so far! Oh and I'm changing Xavier's age from 24 to 22, just a heads up! =)

Vote

Comment

Fan

*****************************

I watched Xavier through the mirror till his figure disappeared. I sighed and leaned back in my seat. I shouldn't have just left like that, too late now. In a way I did feel bad about, but at least I didn't leave during dinner. So leaving after it finished is something, right? Corrie's laugh rang through the confines of the car. It brought me back to the situation at hand. Since when do they all talk? Why were they all together?

"So does anyone  want to tell me what's going on?" I asked looking around at all of them.

"We're going out." Liam shrugged

"I understand that, but why are the two of you with them?" I asked twisting in my seat directing my question to Elena and Corrie.

"I ran into Cole this morning--literally ran into. I was doing my whole morning jog, you know." she said "Anyway we swapped numbers and here we are."

"Okay, is there a reason why we just left Xavier on the side of  the road? Aren't you guys like really close?" I questioned 

"We all grew up together, so yeah, we're close." Cole said "When you said you were with him we decided it was t he perfect opportunity to push his buttons. Since the two of you are getting married and all what better way to do that then steal you away from him for a little bit."

"Your logic is so weird." I said shaking my head. "You know he'll probably find us, right?"

"Yup." Liam and Cole nodded

"He wouldn't be Xavier if he didn't." Cole smirked

"Are you all trying to get me in trouble?" I accused

"How the heck would you get into trouble?" Liam asked confused

"Have you met my mother?" I asked

"No, I can't say I have." he replied

"You're lucky!" Elena commented "I swear she's Satan's Mistress."

"Or the Devils Spawn." Corrie asked

"Should you really be talking about her mother while she's in the car?" Cole questioned

"They're both right." I shrugged 

"Why would you get into trouble though?" Liam asked

"Because I'm supposed to be with Xavier." I answered "We're supposed to 'get to know' each other tonight. That was a major fail! Plus if I want to know anything I could just ask either one of you."

"Ask away, what ever you want to know if we know the answers we'll tell you." Liam said

"I'll keep that in mind." I said 

We drove for a while longer. The music softly playing the back ground and the constant chatter coming from Elena, Corrie and Cole filled up the silence. I stared out the window watching as the brightly lit shops passed us by. What was Xavier doing right now? Had he gone home? Where were we going? So many questions raced through my mind and I didn't have an answer for any of them. Deciding not to dwell on it any longer I cleared my mind of all thoughts content to just go with the flow. 

Soon we ended up on the freeway and taking an exit into a neighborhood not too far from where I lived. It confused me a bit that we were driving down a street full of houses. Weren't we supposed to be going out? Why would be here? Unless one of the boys lived here cause Elena, Corrie and I sure didn't. I got my answer when we pulled up to a huge house that was littered with cars and people. 

"A house party?" I asked looking around at all the drunk people that were stumbling about the front lawn.

"Yup, can't beat a good ol' fashion house party." Liam grinned stepping out of the car; the rest of us following suit. 

"I'm surprised people your age still throw house parties." I teased

"Hey, for your information we are only 22." Liam said nudging me with his elbow

"Could've fooled me grandpa." Elena joked "Let's get this party started!"

The girls and I entered the house leaving Liam and Cole out side with cute little pouts on their faces. 

"I'm not drinking tonight, I'm spending the day with my sister tomorrow after I finish up at Aggie's." I yelled over the ear splitting music. They nodded and went to find what I assumed to be alcohol. 

 Walking through the crowded rooms and hallways we finally reached the kitchen. As the girls got their drinks--no doubt wanting to get drunk tonight--I just grabbed a can of coke. After my last hangover I was swearing off alcohol for a while; not like I drank all that often any way. 

As the minutes passed into an hour the girls had already had more than one drink and were ready to start dancing. I danced with them to a few songs but I wasn't really feeling the whole party scene especially when it looked like we were the youngest people here. Which we most likely were. Not wanting to ruin their night I simply said I wasn't feeling well and was going to catch a cab home. I walked out into the cool night air and pulled out my cell to call a car service. 

"Leaving so soon beautiful." someone whispered in my ear. 

I spun around coming face-to-face with some drunk guy. "Yes, I am. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving." 

He grabbed hold of my arm as I turned to walk away. "Not so fast."

"Get your hand off me before I break it." I stated calmly.

He laughed. "Mm, I think I'm going have fun with you." he said jerking my body to his.

His greasy dirty blond hair fell into his bloodshot eyes. His breath reeked of alcohol and cigarettes. I attempted to pull my arm from his grasp, but that was unsuccessful. His grip tightened and his free hand wrapped around my waist; pinning my body to his. I internally groaned; this was not happening right now! Where the heck are Liam and Cole when I need them? I couldn't even knee him in his family jewels because he was standing to damn close. 

"I'm going to show you what it's like to be with a man." he slurred as he nibbled on ear. Disgusting!

"Let the girl go Ken!" a voice called out from behind me. My body stiffened it was Xavier.

"Nah, I don't think I will Xav. You can have a turn when I'm done with her though." the guy--Ken said

"I'm not going to tell you again." Xavier said; voice void of emotion.

"Why, what's she to ya?" Ken questioned

"That's none of your concern." he replied "Now you let her go."

"It ain't happening." Ken hissed.

His body shifted enough so I could bring my knee straight up to his crotch so that's what I did. His hands fell to cup his family jewels and fell to his knees. Gripping a handful of hair I set my knee into his nose knocking him on his back out cold. I shook myself a little trying to rid my body of the uneasy feeling he had set upon me. I was taking a very long shower when I got home. 

"Thanks." I said turning to Xavier.

"I wasn't the one who knocked him out, you were. So there really isn't a need to be thanking me." Xavier shrugged

"Well you distracted him enough so I could do it, so thanks." I sighed "If you hadn't showed up who knows what he would've tried." I said smoothing out my dress. "So, what are you doing here?"

"I was invited," he shrugged "It is a friend of mine who is hosting it after-all."

"Oh." was my genius response, should've known.

"Why are you out here instead of inside?" he inquired

"I was going to head home." I replied

"Really? I figured since you ran off with my friends and yours that you'd be out all night." he said flatly.

"I'm not in the party mood. Plus, I've got a long day tomorrow." I was so not in the mood for his attitude right now. "Enjoy the party Xavier, I'm out of here."

I turned my back on him and continued down the drive way calling the car company at the same time. They had a car out in the area so I would only have to wait ten minutes tops. I couldn't wait to get home so I could just go to sleep. I was still tired from the flight and even more tired for the seemingly long dinner and party. I looked back over my shoulder as the car pulled up to see Xavier standing there with his hands stuffed in his pockets looking down at the ground. It was going to take a long time for he and I to see eye to eye. We were both obviously too stubborn for that.

After a series of twists and turns the car pulled up to my house. I wasn't all that late and I hoped that neither of my parents were up; especially my mom. I knew she'd want full details about the dinner and it was something I did not want to get into. Quietly opening the front door I tip toed to the stairs. I had noticed the dim light coming from the den. 

"Mallory?" my father called out quietly.

Knowing I wouldn't be able to get upstairs until I talked to him I headed toward the den. "Yes Daddy?"

"Come sit with me." he said motioning to the chair across from him

After taking a seat I asked; "What would you like to talk about?" I asked knowing it had to be something.

"I wanted to apologize to you. I should have done so a while ago, but you have been keeping you distance from your mother and I."

"Apologize for what?"

"For placing you in an arranged marriage. I know you have had your life planned out for as long as I can remember and because of what I've done you will not be able to pursue very many of them."

"That's true." I agreed still attempting to wrap my head around the fact that my father was apologizing to me.

"If there was any other way around this I would've chosen it. But, there isn't and for that reason I am truly sorry."

I just nodded not knowing what to say and stood from my seat. "Goodnight, daddy." I whispered kissing his cheek and made my way to my room.

 That night I wasn't plagued with any dreams of my impending doom. I had been off and on since Thanksgiving and that really truly sucked. If I did dream of that than I didn't remember it when I had woken up to my bed shaking like crazy and body jostling with it. My eyes went wide and I almost fell off my bed think that were a earth quake or something. It happened to be Maria with a big grin on her face. 

"Wake up Ree! It's morning!" she sing songed 

I yawned and stretched. "I'm up!" I mumbled pushing her out of my way; she tumbled over into my pillows with a giggle. "Go and get ready, I'll do the same and then we can go."

"Okay!" she squealed running back to her room.

My sister was going to make this day something else I just knew it. I took a nice long shower and got ready for I was sure was going to be a very interesting day. I dressed in a pair of black yoga pants and a fitted light blue tank top and white trainers. I walked over to Maria's room and found her trying to put on her sandals. I helped her with them and took her hand leading her out of the house. I hadn't ran into my parents so they were mostly likely not home. 

I placed Maria into the car seat I had in my car and drove off to the mall first. Since I hadn't been able to pick up any gift's for the kids at Aggie's I needed to do that before we headed that way. We shopped for a good two hours purchasing clothes, toys and anything else the kids may need. Including some game consoles and games for the older kids. 

It was nearing lunch when Maria and I left the mall. We had eatten an early lunch while I left all the gifts to be wrapped. I really hoped that the kids liked theirs gifts. Ria was practically bouncing in her seat as we drove to Aggie's. She always got excited when she came with me. She liked to see all the little babies and the children her age. Sometime's I had a feeling that she liked going there more than day care. 

"We're here!" she yelled 

"Relax back there." I chuckled stepping out of the car and going to take her out. 

I placed a few of the lighter bags in her little hands and grabbed as many of the gifts as I could. Maria ran along ahead of me stumbling along with the bags she was carrying. Aggie opened the door and grinned down at her. 

"What do we have here?" Aggie said "Are you Santa's little helper?"

"Yup!" Maria grinned nodding vigorously "We've got lots and lots of presents!"

"Well, thank you sweetie! Why don't you go put them under the tree." Aggie smiled letting Maria pass. "Let me help you with those." she said pulling the gifts out of my hands. 

"I'll go get the next batch." I smiled

"You really didn't need to do this." she said 

"I know, but I wanted to. These kids deserve to have a good Christmas." I said kissing her cheek.

"You aren't the only one who thought so." she commented softly 

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing. You'll see." she grinned and walked back into the house.

Shaking my head and went and got more of the presents out of my car. What did she mean that I wasn't the only one who thought so? I knew a few organizations sent the kids some gifts but, I didn't know of a single person who did the same. Shrugging it off I walked into the house.

"My sissy doesn't like you very much." I heard Maria giggle

Who was she talking too? I loved all these kids here.

"Is that so?" a man asked; I stumbled through the entry way and dropped all the gifts as the sound of Xavier's voice.

He was crouched down in front of Maria; facing me. What the heck is he doing here? 

"Nope, she always grumbles about you." Maria said; she hadn't seen me yet since she was facing me. That little traitor!

"We'll just have to change that, wont we." he said raising an eyebrow at me. 

"Your finace really is something, isn't he!" Aggie whispered into my ear. 

"Oh, he's something alright." I mumbled "I'm going to get the rest of the things."

I walked back out to my car and leaned against the truck. I needed a minute to myself before I went back in. What the heck was he doing here?! I did notice there was a whole bunch of gifts already under and around the tree when I rounded the corner. Were those all from him? If they were, why had he went out and done it? He didn't peg me as someone who gave a crap about anything other than himself. I guess the saying 'Don't judge a book by it's cover' is true. Well, to some extent anyway. 

Once I had brought every thing else in I sat and talked with some of the older kids as Maria ran around playing with the younger ones. I watched from the coner of my eye as Xavier played with some of the little ones. He looked so at ease with them. I knew he was an only child so I began to wonder how he had any experience with kids. As far as I knew he didn't have any mini Xavier's running around.

On more than one occasion he glanced over my way. Every time he did he sent me a small smile while I couldn't help but return. I liked this side of him it was something new and refreshing. Maybe just maybe every thing with us would be civil on some level. I hoped that would be the case anyway. Only time would tell I guess.