Chapter Forty Four - "Our Wedding,"
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Avery's P.O.V

Logan and I walk out to the backyard, sitting near the small pool that my mom had bought for River. We sit on the armchairs provided beside the pool and keep silent - well, that was until Logan spoke.

"Avery..." Logan mumbles, looking over at me. "I didn't want to bring this up again but seeing as that was the reason we are like this, I have to. You can't blame yourself for what is happening right now." Logan says and I nod.

"You only say that to make us get past this but you don't see what I'm seeing. I'm the one who brought River back. I'm the one who was so gullible and befriended my long-lost sister. I'm the one who has put River into this-"

"You can't put yourself in that situation, Avery. You didn't even know what was going to happen if you brought River back here..." Logan trails off and I roll my eyes.

"That's exactly my point. I may not have known but as I'm the mother, I should know. I should be aware and cautious, especially with someone who I've hated for as long as I can remember. I mean, look at what Katie did to us on that last school day?"

"Exactly, Avery! Katie did that. Just like how she is doing what she is doing right now. You aren't in the wrong." Logan explains and before I can say anything, Logan stands up and holds his hand out for me to grab. When I do, I breathe out a sigh when Logan pulls me into his chest, hugging me tight.

"We are going to sort this out once and for all, okay. Not only for our family but for ourselves."

● ● ●

"Mom, please, let's not talk about this right now-"

"Talk about what? You and Avery? This is crucial-"

"And so is the safety of my son and your grandchild. So, can you please just watch Drew for another few hours?" Logan asks and I can hear Sarah sigh on the other side of the phone.

"I will because I love Drew, not because you are my son." Sarah says and I can't hold back a laugh, shaking my head at Sarah's choice of wording. Oh, how I truly miss her.

"I'm going to pretend that didn't hurt. Bye, mom." Logan says before signalling at me to hang up the phone. Before I do though, I hear Sarah's voice again.

"Avery, is this on loudspeaker?" Sarah asks and when I look over at Logan, he narrows his eyes at me. I smile and press the speaker button before placing the phone to my ear.

"Not anymore." I smile, Logan's finger tapping my hand as it rests in between us while Logan continues to drive to Katie's house.

"Okay, well, this stays between you and me. You make sure to beat Katie's ass before I have the chance to do it because from what Logan has told me, which is very little by the way, I'm surprised I haven't drove to her house myself."

I laugh, "I will. Love you, Sarah."

"I love you too, Avery. Just remember, if you get arrested, I'll happily bail you out."

I laugh again and say my final goodbyes, hanging up the phone. "So, what was that about?"

I chuckle at Logan's tone, knowing that he hates when his mother talks secretly to me. I mean, I would too but I don't have to be cause my mom would always tell me what she said. I guess it's a girl thing.

"Our wedding," I joke, watching as Logan throws me a smirk.

"Oh really? And what did she say about our wedding?"

"That she doesn't want me marrying you."

Logan rolls his eyes and chuckles. "Now, that is the one thing my mother would never say."

● ● ●

"I need you to present the recording as a witness for the case. I mean, you will probably get a longer sentence or something but we would appreciate it." Logan says, looking at Jade who is picking at her nails.

"She can't." Helena says, crossing her arms over her chest. "She is on good behaviour in here. If something goes wrong with that, she will be in here longer."

"Shut up-"

"Logan!" Jade snaps, slamming her hands on the table. "You heard her... I can't."

"Why?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows at her. "You have helped us for a while and with Helena by your side-"

"She has got people coming for me."

"Katie? Who?"

"Her mom. She knows people in here. They will kill me if she hears a word about anything. I can't risk my life."

"Sure you can."

Everyone looks over at the door and my eyebrows furrow even more when I realise that my dad has found his way here without warning. "With your sentence, you are going to die in here anyway."

"Dad... don't."

"Avery, listen. Jade is our only solution. She is can fix this." My dad says, pulling a chair from the corner of the room and taking a seat beside me. "River can be safe."

"And you think she is going to listen to you? The relationship you two have isn't all cupcakes and rainbows from what I have heard." Helena cuts in, crossing her arms over her chest.

"It isn't. But I need her to do this so my family isn't in any more danger."

"She's right. My answer won't change just because you have waltzed your way in here." Jade says, shooting daggers towards our father. "You mean nothing to me."

"I might not but I'm sure your little boy Felix does."

"How the fuck do you know about Felix?"

"Oh, that little boy who you adopted from the orphanage and now lives in Washington with Dan? I have my ways."

Jade's eyes go dark in anger. "You will not touch him."

"I won't but I can get child services to. Isn't kidnaping a child from an orphanage an offence?" My dad asks with his eyebrows raised.

"Fine, fine. But I need to set some rules."

My dad looks over at me with a smirk. "Sure."

• • •

I sit in the car, waiting for Logan as he talks to my dad. In all honesty, I would be worried about what my dad would be talking about but all I can think about is what happened with Jade.

My dad wants her to testify against Katie when we get her arrested. The messages and recordings is enough proof that what Katie is doing is all her. But I can't help but think if this goes badly, what will happen next?

I hear the engine of my father's motorcycle then the door of Logan's car. He stares at me with a smile. "Hey."

"Hey," I reply back. "What did you two talk about?" I ask, trying to get my thoughts about what is about to happen out of head.

"That's a secret." Logan winks, closing the door once he sits in. When it goes silent, I look over at Logan and before I can say a word, Logan holds my hand.

"It will be okay. I promise."

"Yeah, well, the last time you promised me something, you broke it." I say and Logan shakes his head.

"You trust me, right? So, believe me."

• • •

"I love you so much, baby." Logan says with a smile as he picks River up into his arms. Drew watches his father with jealousy, wanting to receive the same affection that Logan is giving River.

"Okay, okay, give her back to me." Claire says, holding her arms out towards Logan.

Logan looks over at Claire with a glare. "You are still so annoying as ever."

Claire grabs River from his arms, smiling at him. "And I'm not going to change just because you and my best friend are back together."

Logan rolls his eyes before telling Drew to go find Heather. I watch as Claire walks out of my room, probably taking her to the bathroom since I told her to give River a bath while I talk to Logan.

"You still have that worried look on your face." Logan says and I look up at him. "And I know what you need."

Logan closes the door and locks it, making my eyes widen. "Logan! Everyone is home!" I gasp when he starts walking to me.

"Never stopped us before at that water park."

My cheeks flush red as he grabs my hands, pulling me up from the bed. Logan kisses my lips gently, making my heart race as his hands trail down to my hips.

"But sadly, I have a way better idea." Logan mumbles against my ear, making me gasp with disappointment.

"But... but what is better than sex?"

"What I have planned will definitely top sex. Just put on a nice dress and meet me downstairs." Logan says before unlocking the door and leaving my room, my face red and my body heating with anticipation.

We will see about that.

• • •

A/N - I failed you guys again with the updates... I know. You can all attack me in the comments.

Lofd - "Because I'm bad at love..."

-XmysterysmileX