Reclaiming her ( Forgotten Sons book 1)

Chapter 2

Present day

Lacey

Hanging up the phone, I walk back inside to finish eating breakfast before I take my daughter to school. " Sorry about that. The movers just wanted to confirm the details for tomorrow." I say to my aunt and daughter as I pick up the last square of toast on my plate.

" Do we have to move, mumma? I don't want to leave Aunt Jackie, she's the best." My daughter pleads for the millionth time since I told her that we are moving.

" I'm sorry, Cass, but I think this could be a great opportunity for us. Aunt Jackie will come and visit us, and I promise, the house we are moving into is really big and pretty." I say as if my girl actually cares about the house.

After I moved here, my parents only kept contact by phone and a birthday card for each of us. They never developed a relationship with Cassidy, and honestly, I didn't push for them to have one. Moving here was the biggest blessing. Aunt Jackie helped me with Cassidy while I trained and became a baker. It was so liberating to do a job that I enjoyed and not one that my parents saw as 'suitable' for a lady.

My career is part of the motivation to go back to my childhood home and not just sell it. I received a phone call six weeks ago from the police informing me that my parents had d*ed in a horrible car accident. I flew straight home while my aunt watched Cassidy and met with police and the family lawyer, who informed me that everything had been left to me which included my childhood home and enough money that I wouldn't have to work ever again, except that I love what I do. While I was there, I found out the local baker was looking to retire after forty long years. I made a trip to see him and Mr. Philips happily agreed to sell the bakery to me, the generous offer I made, helping him with retirement.

When I came home and told my aunt, she was very supportive, saying it made her decision to travel easier. For the past year, my aunt had been talking about selling the house and travelling the world, not it seems she can without feeling guilty about us not having somewhere to live.

Tomorrow, we leave, with the movers coming early in the morning to take our belongings while Cass and I drive down in my car. My daughter is upset about leaving her friends, but Cass is a very headstrong, smart young lady who I know will make new friends easily.

Picking up the dishes and placing them in the sink, I look at the time, realising we need to leave now so that my daughter isn't late for her last day at this school. " Alright, Cassidy, let's get you to school." I say as I guide my girl out to the car, turning to give her a big hug before she can escape into the car.

After dropping Cassidy off at school, I return home to finish packing, my car now loaded up and everything else near the door, ready for tomorrow. Deciding I don't have anything else to do, I head to the kitchen to make a nice farewell dinner for tonight.

Once Cass gets home from school, the rest of the afternoon and evening fly by. Aunt Jackie and Cass dig into the lasagne I made for dinner as the three of us talk about our day. After dinner, I bring out a chocolate cake for dessert, my daughters eyes lighting up at the delicious treat. " This was a lovely evening, Lacey. Thank you for the beautiful meal." Aunt Jackie says, and I notice her eyes looking glassy, the reality of us leaving finally kicking in. " Cass, why don't you say goodnight to Aunty? We have a very early morning and you need sleep." I tell me my daughter as she lets out her third yawn in a row. Without argument, Cassidy gives Aunt Jackie a hug before heading up to get ready for bed. Feeling my own tiredness set in, I say goodnight to my aunt and make my way up to bed, hoping tomorrow will go smoothly. Stripping out of my clothes into my nightie, I collapse into bed and fall asleep almost immediately.

The next morning, I was woken up at six a.m. by my alarm and straight away, I roll out of bed, knowing it's less than an hour until the moving truck arrives. Quickly, I shower and get dressed before knocking on Cassidys door and then heading downstairs to make breakfast. As I finish pouring a bowl of cereal for myself, Cass bursts into the kitchen, bouncing around with excitement. " Woah, slow down, Cass! What's got you so excited this morning?" I ask, thinking back to how sad she was last night, still not wanting to leave.

" Well, I thought about it, and I mean, I still would rather stay here, buuut.... if we have to go, then I want to hurry up and go so that I can see my new room and decorate it before school on Monday." My nine year old buzzes as she rushes to eat her cereal in record time. " That's fantastic, sweetheart, I'm so proud of you for making the most out of this opportunity. Now, let's eat quickly before the truck gets here." I say, handing a bowl to my daughter and then following her to the table.

Within no time, we had both finished eating and were now listening out for the truck. A few minutes later, the sound of the truck pulling into the driveway

has me jumping up and racing to open the door.

When the truck is eventually loaded and ready to go, Cass and I give a final hug to Aunt Jackie, no longer being able to hold back my tears that have been building since I woke up. A final hug from Aunt Jackie for each of us, and we are ready to go. Sliding into the driver's seat, I turn the key and smile.

Cass hops into the back seat and clicks her seatbelt straight in.

Looking into my daughters emerald green eyes, I find myself smiling, her excitement beginning to wear off on me. " Are you ready, sweetheart?" I ask as we pull out onto the road.

" Yes, mumma. I can't wait to see our home."

" Me either, sweetheart.I think you're going to love it." I say as we pull out of the driveway and onto the main road. Sighing, I finally let myself feel excited for this new adventure, I just hope it's the right decision.