Chapter 156

Stacey and Jeremy spent the night at the hotel. Before dawn, Hayden arrived. Stacey and Lynn, already up, let him in to check on still-sleeping Jeremy before leaving with their luggage. Stacey sensed Jeremy’s distress if he woke to find her gone.

Back in Hivalis, it was still early. Lynn dashed off to the Aotori shooting base, catching the next flight. Debra, Lillian, and Kevin picked Stacey up at the airport. Spotting her family, Lillian and Kevin shrieked, "Mommy!" Their joy was infectious. Stacey grabbed her suitcase as the children, propelled by newfound strength, raced towards her, pulling Debra along in their wake. A leash, thankfully, prevented escape, while the nanny navigated the throngs of people.

The children swarmed Stacey, their arms encircling her legs. "Lily, Kev, I'm back," she said, her voice brimming with happiness, squatting to kiss them both. Lillian, eyes sparkling, cupped Stacey's face, pecking her cheek. "I love you, Mommy," she whispered. Kevin, mirroring his sister, hugged her head, murmuring the same words.

Stacey, overwhelmed by their affection, tried to lift both, but it was too much. Debra gently took Lillian, while Stacey scooped up Kevin. Lillian, however, wanted Stacey. Reaching out, she whimpered. Debra soothed her, "Mommy's tired. She'll hold you at home."

Lillian's lip trembled. Quickly, Stacey kissed her again, silencing her tears. "Let's go. The car's waiting," Debra said, smiling. "You can hug them both in the car."

Once settled, Stacey held Kevin and pulled Lillian close, pinching her cheek. "Crybaby," she teased. "Couldn't wait a little?"

"I'm not!" Lillian retorted.

Kevin piped up, "You almost cried!"

"I didn't!" she insisted.

Stacey chuckled, holding both children. "No, Lily didn't cry. Her eyes were just wet, right?"

"Yes," Lillian agreed, wiping her eyes. "Some water got in."

Stacey almost laughed. "Yes, Lily's eyes got wet by accident."

Kevin was puzzled. "Why were Lily's eyes wet?"

Stacey patiently answered their endless questions.

Back at Strico, Jeremy woke, disoriented, then remembered Stacey. He frantically searched beside him; the bed was empty. Panic seized him; he scrambled out of bed, shoes forgotten, and ran.

Hayden, working at his computer, looked up at the commotion. Seeing Jeremy, he stated simply, "Stacey went home."

Jeremy bolted towards the door. Hayden, quick on his feet, caught up, grabbing his arm. "Where are you going?"

Jeremy struggled, kicking and pulling, desperate to reach Stacey. His eyes burned with unshed tears.

Hayden forcibly returned him to the suite. "Jeremy," he said coldly, "she's not your mother… yet. But we can change that."

Jeremy stared, stunned.

Hayden, calmly returning to his computer, felt no remorse. Jeremy, however, grabbed his writing tablet and penned, “[What do you mean?]” He thrust it at Hayden.