Elijah returned to the room to find Cleo stroking Snow's fur. He stood for a while just watching her.It was moments like this he knew to count his blessings. To have people drop their lives just to come help him was something he would never take for granted.That was the major reason he couldn't be mad at her for too long. She was too precious to him."Take a picture. It should last longer." She raised her head up, and there was a smile on her face."Unfortunately, pictures do not do justice to the real thing." He teased, and her smile widened."Are you flirting with me Elijah Crawford?" Her brows curled, purposely putting him on the spot."Eeewwww, you're like a sister to me." His nose wrinkled, as he moved from the entrance."Touche," She chuckled, but grew serious just seconds later. "I'm sorry about earlier. I took things too far. I just want you to know it's just words. I trust you with all my heart." She placed her empty hand on her chest, dramatically."I know," He sat at the

Winnie Carter was in her home office when she got a call from John."Hey, what's up?" She picked up the phone, whilst skimming through the documents in her hands."You were right. He went to the old mansion. I guess he thought you lived there. We're on our way to your house now." He said."Is he in the car with you?" She asked."Nope. He brought his car.""Okay. I'll call Lexington now."She was about to end the call when John stopped her."There's something you should know." He said, in a voice that made her eyes pause, skimming and widening with curiosity."What is it, John?""Your aunt and her daughters are returning to the City soon." He dropped the news, and her heart leaped to her mouth."You're joking right?" She said faintly."I wish I was." He sympathized with her.She took a deep breath before asking. "Does Grandpa know his daughter is coming?""Nope. I don't think he should be told until they arrive.""You're right. I guess we have to put things in order now. I assume her h

"Cleo, we're not about to end the day the same way we started it," Elijah said, walking away from her.She was about to talk his ears off, hounding him about dinner. She insisted they eat out. He wanted to stay in and discuss Lexington's ownership of his parent's house. It would also help if he could come up with a solution fast. If not, he had to focus on the rest of the families.Rhonda would be an alternative starting point."Oh common Elijah. It's going to be dark soon, and the weather looks so good. Remember, we have something to celebrate." She whined, going after him."Celebrate?" He took the turn to the kitchen. "What are we celebrating?" He had never been more confused, as he stepped into the kitchen.Between Cleo buzzing in his ears, and Snow snacking away in the middle of the kitchen, he was completely dumbfounded.Snow paused mid-chew when they entered the kitchen. He raised his guilt-ridden face, looking between Elijah, and Cleo.Cleo blinked when she saw him, but shrugge

"Why are you acting like a diva?" Elijah who knew exactly why asked, just to stir the pot."I'm acting like a diva?" She scoffed. "A bold claim from the man who was so ready to throw hands with Asher.""I have my reasons, and everyone knows they're valuable. What are yours?" He pushed, keeping a steady, but instigative voice."Could you two not bicker for once?" Tobias intercepted the brewing argument."If you don't like it, you could just go back to your woman's house. Shouldn't she have made you something when you went over there? Why are you still hungry? Maybe she's just trash.""Don't you ever," He said the moment the words left her mouth. The way his voice dropped, made them pause, and stare at him with curious brows. "Don't call her names. I won't accept it. Not from anyone, and sure as hell not from you." He warned."Bro, are you okay?" Elijah's forehead creased in confusion.He had been trying to instigate as a joke. He didn't even truly believe Tobias went to see a woman. Cl

Cleo drove like a madwoman into the compound and parked haphazardly. She jumped out of the car, at the same time Tobias did.Without much need of communication, they both tried to get an unmoving Elijah out of the car. It was like his body had suddenly become slippery. The more they pulled, the more he slipped out of their hold."Wait, I'll try something."Despite feeling weak, Cleo conjured the very last strength from her essence. "Move back." She barked at Tobias, who quickly obliged.She placed her hands on him and shut her eyes. When she opened it again, she was in his room, and they were both on the bed. She rose and straightened Elijah's legs."That bastard." She muttered under her breath."Are you in here?" Tobias burst into the room, followed closely by Snow."We're here." Cleo turned from Elijah brief enough to acknowledge their presence there, and returned her attention to him.He had been quiet for a while now, but there was a pool of sweat forming on his forehead."Is it