Holiday Hockey Tale: The Icebreaker’s Impasse By Ivory Row

81 : Visits Part 2 Luci " Feels like we're using him in a science experiment ." I resist slightly . " More like a real life test run so we can keep him away from her . Kingston is right . We need to know how she'll treat him . I'd rather expose him to her in a controlled situation than the court ordering me to send him home with her for an entire weekend away from my eyes and ears . You said it's important to let him drive this train Luci .

I want to do what's best for him even if it's hard ." Easton looks grim . Becker leans back . " Do we need to cater to her in order for her to agree with this our way ? You make a big deal out of asking her or do we let Luci do it acting like you relegated the task to her and she's begging Lorelei to take him ? I don't think you should be there , Easton . She'll be trying to get your focus the entire time . Needs to be one of us ." He points to me . " Not you , Luci Lou .

You are her competition . " " Make it seem like Cole is begging for her time instead ? " Jackson suggests . " Possibly . Let me ask how we should go about this . The play should be worth recording . All those kids on stage putting on a show like her job . Another competition between that and those single thirsty moms from last time . At least we'd have witnesses . Ask Mrs. Hutchins to put her in the back row . " Kingston frowns . " Find out . I'll get Jessie to start drawing something up .

Which of you does she find least consequential ? " Mr. Jason looks between them . I answer . " Kingston . Jackson is Easton's twin , so his bond is competing with her and she will be trying to one up Becker the whole visit ." " I agree . But ask the therapist . Could we pay her to observe and give us more insight or an official diagnosis ? " Jackson adds in thoughtfully . " Yes she's available . I asked ." Kingston takes his plate to the sink .

" Cole's program is at 8:30 on Friday and he's out of school after that . Let's see if Jessie can have them meet at 11 and get this out of the way . " Mr. Jason types into his phone . " I agree ." Easton says with resignation . " Could Barrett come for a sleepover Friday night after the game ? I think it would help Cole after that meeting and I can stay to watch them ." 1/5 +8 Point 81 : Visits Part 2 " Of course he can . " Easton stares at me thoughtfully . He goes to put his plate away .

" Need to go study for anything tomorrow ? I can read your notes if you want . " I nod . We need to talk but not for my exams . Tomorrow's are not ones I am concerned about . He takes my hand to walk to his room . " What do I need to read ? " " Nothing . I want to talk . " " Sounds serious . Luci , did you really think I was going to be angry about Cole asking to see her ? " He doesn't touch me but moves close enough , I have to crane my neck to see his face . " I was a little .

I went and promised him we would do that without checking with you first . His actual parent . I know you are very angry with her being back . Hurt and angry . I just , forgot my place . " I end with that and he frowns . " Your place … Luci what do you think your place is ? " His face gives nothing away. " My place is to love him and be there for him . I mean I take care of him , but I'm not his parent . You should have the final say . " I admit . His hands move to rest on my hips .

" Finally found where the wise Luci is wrong . " He leans his forehead to mine . " Are you listening fully to me ? " " Yes . " My heart is pounding . " Your place is next to me to make those decisions . The ones we make to raise our little boy . You are his mom , Luci , in every sense of the word . You love him , listen to him , put his needs first . It can't have been easy for you to hear he wants to see her , expected or not . " " But I'm … I'm not .

He has a mom ." I need to make that distinction . " He has a womb and egg provider . Biological moTHER . You are his mom , sweetness . Even he recognizes it . He doesn't call you that … yet . But he treats you in that aspect entirely . " I can't stop the tears that slip out slowly . " Luci , did you really think you merited only the nanny role she referred to you as ? " " I don't want to overstep ." I whisper . " You can't ." He answers simply . I stare silently , absorbing his words .

" Let that sink in . What did you need to discuss ? " " How you are feeling about her presence . Beyond just telling me what she's done ." Before we bring her front and center with Cole , I want him to get it out . " I'm torn like you said between hurt , fear , and anger . Mostly anger . On one hand , I wish she 2/5 81 : Visits Part 2 hadn't come back . On the other , let's get it over with . One less thing to haunt me later . I fear how long she'll be here .

Irritated with myself for playing her game for so long . Upset I almost ruined my life for her and chased her down . I'm irate she hasn't worried about my son in any way, but not surprised . I'm f ***** g pissed she went after you ." He blows out a breath . " I f***** g hate her being nearby lurking , but only for Cole's sake and yours . The hurt is for the loss Cole might feel for not having a relationship with her regardless of her issues .

Because like you said , she will always be tied to Cole's life . It has confirmed what I already knew . Seeing her shows me how special you are to me . How deep my feelings for you run . The difference between real love and a manipulated , immature , infatuated love . " He presses a gentle kiss to my lips . " This is real love like you told Cole . " Easton " Your turn . How is my girl feeling ? " Her hands grip my forearms .

Seeing her so thoughtful when I got home had me terrified Lorelei had come by again . " I'm worried how she's going to affect Cole , especially with the holiday . When she was running toward you that day , it was like a nightmare in slow motion . Knowing she was going to touch you … it … everything in me wanted to fall apart ." " I'd never let her touch me Luci ." She nods but she's agitated . " I'm … I'm angry .

She had the audacity to approach me for insider trading on the child she deserted ! I wanted to knock her across the room . And worse , if Kingston and that therapist are correct , she doesn't even want a relationship with either of you for any reason other than the fact she needs your adoration and attention . Her needs ! I want to scream at … at her but also anyone who's enabled her .

Cole was so scared he was going to upset you or me asking to see her and she can't even give two seconds to truly wonder about him ! She acts like you belong to her and should embrace her after she ghosted you . I've never been this angry at anyone before . Anyone ." " Because she continues to hurt Cole . You care about him ." I run my hands up and down her upper arms . " And you . Don't leave yourself out . I don't like anyone hurting you . You are mine to worry about .

" She emphasizes each sentence with a gentle poke into my chest . " If she has this disorder and she knew about it , I'll be absolutely furious that she didn't tell you . If you are in a relationship with someone and you have an issue like that , you share it . They need tricks to be at your side and knowledge to handle it , not to mention deciding if they want to carry that 3/5 + B Points 81 : Visits Part 2 baggage . " She pauses and I consider that .

It will piss me off to no end if I find out she hid that . Especially since Cole would have been at risk from her behavior . " I told Sydney and Banning about my issues soon after we became friends . Told Stormi on our initial coffee meeting once I realized she could be a good friend . It's not fun to reveal your problems , but if they are going to be around they need to be prepared . To decide if they want to stick around that .

I told you my two triggers , a little slower than I probably should have . I wasn't truly sure you'd want to continue this . We weren't dating when I told you about my ADHD . I was scared to tell you but did it for your concern over Cole . I wasn't exactly your friend though and thought you might fire me or make fun of me . " " You had to learn to trust me . Did you see a trauma therapist for your triggers ? " I never thought to ask that before .

I know she saw a psychologist to diagnose her ADHD and the triggers that showed up later as a teenager . Janet was very proactive to get her help . " No I didn't . The psychologist taught me tricks to deal with them and I saw her for two years . " " Sweetness , listen carefully . It doesn't matter to me, but maybe you could talk to this Tamara if she's good . You hadn't had the accident with Brooklyn when you met with the psychologist and that trauma made your fear of thunderstorms worse .

Your decision Luci . If it will help you , I want you to have that option available . " I see her considering it . " Think about it . Still angry with the wrench wench ? " " Yes . " I smile as an idea comes to mind . " Go put some tennis shoes on . Have a t - shirt ? " " I don't . " I walk to my dresser and grab one . " Here , put this one on and we'll get your shoes . Time for your first punching bag lesson .

" We step into the game room and I search through our gloves to see if we still have some old smaller ones . I find them and help her into a pair . We're alone as I teach her to hit it. She laughs when she lands the first one and it barely moves . " That is harder than they make it look , " " Turn your body to hit it . Not just your arm ." I show her and she does much better . The others join us and they watch her with a questioning look . " Wrench wench pissed her off .

" Kingston leans against the wall . " Tamara says to tell her you and Cole both need her to see Cole . And I'm going with him ." 48 Point : 81 : Visits Part 2 Luci doesn't last long punching and once she's done , I check the time . " Might as well do it now ." I mutter moving to the couch . " Need you . " I say pulling Luci into my lap . Taking a deep breath , I unblock Lorelei's number and hit the call button on speakerphone . It rings three times and I consider hanging up .