Bonus Chapter.
Important A/N at the end!! PLEASE PLEASE READ IT!!!!
9 Years Later.... (9 years after the 3 years in the epilogue part 2; Layla is 36 and Ashton 38 y/o)
Layla's POV
"Done." I said finally clicking save on my computer and leaning back in my chair. I rolled my neck trying to get all the kinks out of it.
"You are finally finished." A deep voice familiar as if it was my own said. Turning around I grinned over at my husband, Ashton. He was leaning against the wall dressed in his work clothes but his tie was loose and hanging around his neck. His brown hair was ruffled and his eyes tired but when he looked at me I could see his blue eyes sparkling. In the 14 years since we met he hasn't really aged at all. He still looked like the 25 year old I met at a bar, with only a little more wrinkles near his eyes and mouth. He looked even more like his father now a days and I found him way sexier. To think I have this amazing, smart, sexy guy as my own is still mind boggling to me; how did I end up getting him?
"Thankfully." I said getting up and walked towards him. Wrapping my arms around his waist I buried my head in his chest breathing in his smell. His own arms wrapped around my lower back pressing my against him while resting his head on top of mine. Ashton's hugs were best thing I have ever had.
"Are the kids in the living room?" I asked reluctantly pulling away from his warm embrace.
"Yeah. Carter is with Macey, Luke and Ethan are there too." Standing up on my toes I gave Ashton a quick kiss on the lips before grabbing his hand and pulling him out of the study behind me. I was more than ready to get out of that room. I have spent the last 3 days constantly in there trying to finish up my book that my publicist needed next week. I was a lot more worried about this book than any other one because it is a sequel to my last one, and I didn't want to disappoint my readers.
We came to a stop in front of the living room and I grinned at the sight before me. Luke was sitting on the couch playing a video with his best friend Ethan, the same age, from a few houses down. Even though he was only 12 years old he was already a little heartbreak, just like his father. On the floor a little bit away from the boys were Carter and Macey playing with dolls and a barbie house. Both of the girls were inseperatable always doing something at our house or at Kacey's. At 11 years old both girls were becoming quiet the beauties. They were definitely Kacey and I's daughters.
"Daddy!" Carter said once she noticed we came into the room. She came running over to us and jumped into Ashton's arms as he knelt down. Carter had Ashton wrapped around her finger so tight that if she killed someone he would come to her rescue no matter what, same with me. With her baby blue eyes and already long brown hair she looked like a mix of Ashton and I.
"Hey baby girl. Have you been playing with Macey?" Ashton asked picking her up in his arms. She was getting too old to be picked up but Ashton didn't mind.
"Yes! We had a party." She grinned.
"There better not have been any boys." Carter just rolled her as at him before jumping out of his arms and back to Macey. Even though she was only 11 Ashton was already gearing up to chase away any boys that come her way. I chuckled at them before going over to Luke and Ethan.
"Are you guys hungry?" I leaned on the back of the couch above both boys.
"Yeah. Can we get pizza? And Ethan is staying over." Luke said not once taking his eyes off the tv.
"You know you are welcome anytime Ethan. Does pizza sound good to everyone?" I asked looking over at Ashton. With a nod and a few 'yeahs' I was on the phone calling in for some food. After hanging up I looked up over at my kids with a soft smile. It was weird to think that in just 2 weeks they will be back in school, back in 6th and 5th grade. They were growing up way too fast for my liking.
Life has a way of going by too quickly whether you want it to or not. The idea of my kids soon going to high school then college, before starting a life of their own was not a welcoming one. I just wanted them to stay small and dependent on me. I know that makes me sound very protective but every mother will know what I am talking about. I was a little more protective than most because of the way I was raised.
The idea of me being just like my parents faded as soon as Luke was born. Never in a million years would I ever think of treating my children the way I was by my parents. I once threatened Ashton that if I ever became like my parents than I wanted him to shoot me, which he reluctantly agreed but only when I said I'd chop off one of his precious body parts.
Life with Ashton has turned out better than everyone would have thought, even me. Yes before me he was a player and slept with anything that walked but he had also gotten his heart crushed into pieces. Once he realized I wasn't going to betray him like Allie and wasn't going to leave he opened his heart up to me. Sure we had our problems every once in a while, I mean who doesn't. Sometimes we would get in a fight over something stupid and apologize an hour later. I use to never believe in soul-mates honestly. The idea of someone who was perfect for you and meant for you seemed farfetched to me but now the idea has kind of grown on me. I mean were Ashton and I destined to be with each other, probably not. But I couldn't see my life without him now, he was the thing that I didn't know I was missing until I found him.
I watched as he laughed to something Carter said to him, his grin making his whole face light up. He was just as worried as I was about being a parent but he is the greatest father anyone could have. He gave us a great life and raised our kids to be grateful for what they have. We made sure they knew money had to be earned not just given.
I was jerked out of my thoughts and staring at my family by a knock at the door. Surprised at how fast the pizza guy came I grabbed my wallet on the counter and headed towards the door. Unlocking the door I opened it.
"That was fast." I said opening my wallet not having looked up yet. When I didn't hear the total I looked up and instantly froze. Everything inside of me locking up and shutting down. My hand gripped the door until my knuckles turned white. I never thought I'd see these people again in my life.
Standing in front of me were my parents, Mathew and Jane Kingston. They looked almost the same as the day I left for college. My father's brown hair had grey along the sides showing that he wasn't in his prime anymore. My mother's brown hair was now cut short and I could see grey starting to come in. Both of their faces had aged and wrinkles covered it like they had been through some hard times. It has been 18 years since I last saw them and I was hoping for 18+ more. I stood there staring at the two people I hated with everything inside of me.
"Layla do you need any help?" Ashton called from down the hall. I vaguely heard his footsteps coming my way but all my blood was rushing to my ears. I couldn't say or do anything. "Honey-" Ashton said but trailed off as he came to a stop next to me. I felt his eyes as they traveled from me to my parents. His confusion clear as he stared at the people in front of me.
"Layla...Honey." My mother said her voice cracking at the end. At the sound of my name being said by her I snapped out of whatever trance I was in. Letting go of the door I crossed my arms across my chest.
"L-Layla." My father stuttered out right after my mother. No! They are not my parents. I will never refer to them as such.
"Wait." Ashton said suddenly. He realized just than who the people were and took a step closer to me practically pushing into my side. I could feel his body tensing up and I knew his blue eyes were narrowed at the people I once called my family. "You are her parents." He practically spat at them. He knew of everything my parents have ever done to me. It was a couple of months before Luke was born when I finally told Ashton every single thing from my childhood and my teen years. I told him about the regular beatings, how Kacey found out and would help me cover up my bruises, how when I got accepted in NYU I left and never looked back. By the time I had already told him he had kind of pieced together enough to know but when I told him everything he flipped and was about to go find my parents and do something too them. Now him seeing them here in front of us with watery eyes I knew he was trying to hold himself back from launching at my father.
"Who is this? Is this the rich man you married?" Jane asked looking at Ashton almost like he was a piece of meat.
"Why were we not invited to the wedding sweetie?" The moment my father called me sweetie I felt myself snap.
"I am not your sweetie. I am not your daughter. " I said in a cold hard voice that I didn't even recognize. "You have no right to call me anything."
"Layla don't be like that." My mother tried to say but I cut her off.
"What are you doing here? How did you find out where I live?" I asked glaring at both of them.
"You are all over the news and magazines. We were surprised on one day seeing you on the television being talked about." She said. They are here for money. I thought watching as my mother tried to look past us into our house.
"You are not welcome here. Leave. Now." Ashton hissed at them his voice just as hard and cold as mine. I've heard his before and knew that if my parents do as he said they would regret it.
"Are you going to let your husband talk to your parents like that?" My father asked turning to me. His brown eyes were the exact same as they were 18 years ago. Cold and void of any emotion. They were lifeless and I could practically see the satisfied look they would get when he'd hurt me.
"Mommy, Luke won't let me and Macey play with them!" Carter said suddenly appearing behind me. My parents faces morphed to surprised at the word mommy, making them look at me and Carter.
"Tell your brother to share with you. We will be there in just a minute okay?" Looking over my shoulder I nodded at my daughter. She stood there staring at me and Ashton than at my parents confused. A minute later she nodded before turning and running back to the living room. When she was out of view I turned my head back around and saw my father having a stare down with Ashton. Grabbing Ashton's arm I pulled him towards me and walked forward until I could close the door behind me. Thankfully my parents were a few good feet away from us and I could easily shut the door. I didn't want any of the kids to hear us talking.
"You have a daughter." Jane said her face lighting up. "I have a granddaughter."
"Like hell you do. You are not my parents so you are not their grandparents." I bit out. Luke and Carter have asked about my family before but Ashton and I both decided to tell them they passed away years ago. The only grandparents they needed was Ashton's parents. "They already think you died and you have, especially to me." I gripped Ashton's hand needing his strength and glad he was there beside me.
"Get off my property before I call the cops." He said squeezing my hand in his.
"Layla we are sorry for what we did! We want to make things right." My mother pleaded but her voice was anything but sorry. I knew the only reason they were here was because they heard I had money and thought I would give them some.
"No you are not. You enjoyed every second you tortured me, both of you got off on it. You are not my parents and never were. You can forget about me giving you money and get the hell out of here." With anger flowing through my body I took a step towards them my voice like ice. I took pride in seeing my mother flinch before controlling her body. "If you ever come back here..." I turned to my father. "I will not hesitate to kill you with my bare hands. Leave." They looked at each other before my mother made a small nod with her head. Ashton and I stood tense next to one another waiting for them to leave. A minute later they turned and starting heading towards a parked silver car on the curb. They were almost there before my father turned around and narrowed his eyes at us.
"You may think I am not your father but I am. My blood runs through your veins; you will always be just like me whether you try to hide it or not. You are your mother and father's daughter." He said with a sick grin across his face. With one last look at both of us, his eyes lingering on me, he got in the car and drove off. I stared after it until it disappeared from my sight. As soon as I couldn't see it anymore my body seemed to give out. I leaned heavily against Ashton feeling all my anger seep out of my body.
Seeing them again made me want to do things to them that would land me in prison. I wanted to do what they did to me but worse. I wanted them to feel all the pain I went through. At those thoughts I shivered his words echoing through my mind. Their blood did flow through my veins, I could be just like them and one day I could snap. Shaking I felt Ashton wrap his arms around me holding me tight against him.
"Layla you better not believe a single word he just said. He was saying it to get under your skin. You are nothing like your parents at all." He whispered fiercely. "Look at me." He said. Without waiting for me he put his hand under my chin and titled my face up until I looked into his eyes. "You. Are. Not. Your. Parents. Do you hear me?" He said it with so much conviction and emotion. He tighten his hold on my chin waiting for me to answer.
"I am not my parents." I whispered. "I am not my parents!" I let my words seep in and I knew I was right. I would NEVER be like them, I won't allow myself to. Even if I have to fight myself everyday I will never become like that. I am my own person, I have pathed my own path and I will not stray from it. I have fought to be where I am today, I have not let the things that have happen to me shape me, I am anything but my parents. I am me and that is all that matters. I am a great mother, and a great wife. I have wonderful children and a wonderful husband. My life is exactly what I wanted it to be and I am happy with it. I will not let anything change or break what I have built.
**That is the end of the beginning of the bonus chapter. From here on out is the smut everyone voted for. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE SEXUAL CONTENT THAN I WOULD SUGGEST YOU STOP AND SCROLL DOWN PAST IT! If you do like sexual content than continue and I hope you enjoy it! Keep in mind I have never written smut before so it may be terrible so sorry!
********************************************************************************************