CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ONE

Last night I stayed put because I wasn't feeling up to moving around, but yet still everyone kept coming up to me and the problems just keeps piling up on me.

My guys are not into parties with cake, candles and stuff, but they do enjoy a good meal and top of the class drinks from my father and I.

Turning to my left realizing Jamie's fast asleep as usual since she never goes to sleep until the early hours of the morning, but me? Now I'm learning what's it like to live without sleep and not be a Zombie, but maybe a hobo, hardly taking time to groom myself these days.

One last glance at Jamie, before I start my morning routine and continue with the problems which plague some members of the Daniels family, including me.

My outdoor activities will occupy my entire day and night, so I choose to keep Jamie at arms length because she'll want to know where I am and what I'm up too and of course get angry when I keep her in the dark.

Clad in my signature all black ensemble, I kiss Jamie lightly on the lips, before heading out, my first stop, the Scott's kitchen for coffee.

"You're up early," Jerome greets me from the stove where he's pouring coffee for himself.

"Yeah but you still beat me to it," I chuckle, moving to get a coffee mug from the cupboard.

"Can one of you ladies get me one of those?" Justin asks walking through the backdoor. Smelling the stale stench of alcohol, even though he seems to have just gotten out of the shower.

Grinning ear to ear, "he's your problem since you bought all that booze, something my sister is still upset about." Jerome laughs, leaving me at the stove to make two cups of coffee.

"When is she never upset?" I muttered under my breath.

Lifting his head from the kitchen table, Justin smirks at me, "I heard that," he chuckles dryly.

Glaring at him, I slammed his coffee mug in front of him, spilling some on the table from the impact.

His lips turned down in amusement, "thank you, boss" he says taking a large gulp of the coffee, while I sat across from him.

"I made the coffee, so whose making breakfast?" Jerome asks innocently, sipping his coffee, his eyes fluttering between Justin and I.

One look at Justin and his hangover state, I realize it's up to me.

"How about we buy breakfast at the cafe in the village?" I suggested.

"Works for me," Justin agrees and Jerome nods in agreement.

"Well it doesn't work for me" mom says from the doorway. "I mean there are so much leftovers but you guys are too lazy to help yourself" she walks into the kitchen, followed by my father.

"And he's drunk," Jerome pipes in, pointing at Justin, who lifts his eyes from his coffee to glare at Jerome.

"Coffee?" Mom smiles at dad an expression I haven't seen on her face lately, before getting him a cup.

Mom opens the refrigerator and starts taking out Mexican leftovers for us, which I was totally grateful for, but as she said, we were to lazy to help ourselves.

Mrs. Stanley also join us in the kitchen as dad and Jerome started chatting about his stint at being subcontracted by our present photographer for mom's new line.

I listen intently with my thoughts wandering to my wife whose still fast asleep and her dreams of being a world class photographer. A dream that was cut short because of me and my past life and associations, or so I thought, but now I am learning my grandfather's family is behind my assassination attempt, with Jamie and Stanley being caught in the crossfire.

Aware that I can't fulfil Jamie's dreams because of the shooting and now her pregnancy.

Her pregnancy!

I've never been one hundred percent of board with her choosing to keep her baby over her life, but I couldn't fight her on her decision, because it was already done, but her present choice of having a early delivery is still not acceptable to me. In spite of how safe everyone claims it will be.

If I lose Jamie and she leaves the kid behind, I know that I will be a horrible parent because I can't deal with it.

As much as I want a family, losing my wife and gaining a child is not in my destiny, so before I make any more plans the day, my first meeting will be with her doctor.

Doctor f**king Morris.

Standing up before I change my mind, "I've a meeting this morning," I said to everyone around the table.

"You're not going alone, are you?" Jerome asks and I stopped to give him a surprise frown. "I mean with you being a target and Clyde out there" Jerome continues, with a nod at Justin, "and your sidekick here with a hangover," Jerome says shrugging, turning to dad, his eyes widening in shock.

I followed his gaze, to see his sister, my wife staring back at me with the same shocked expression on her face.

"Jamie," Jerome got up to walk across to where Jamie leaned against the wall barely able to stand.

Walking briskly ahead of him, "just leave it" I yelled impatiently, reaching Jamie, lifting her bridal style, before she falls.

"No, no" Jamie protested as I walked towards our bedroom, "I'm hungry," she complains, but I can see fear already emanating from her eyes and trembling lips.

Staring down at the fear in her eyes, "I'm hungry," Jamie repeats, her greys silently pleading back at me.

"Asshole, bring your sister her tea and breakfast on our patio," I threw over my shoulder. "Oh and make f**king sure mines is on the tray." I said, walking down the short corridor to our room.

"Why do you keep treating me like a fragile porcelain doll?" Jamie yells, tiredly.