"Daniel please", tears streamed down her face as her legs trembled in fear. Death was something else, especially when it's staring you right in the face.

"One question though", I took a sip of my brandy and turned back to her. "Was I never enough for you?", I asked, but she didn't answer me because she was scared for her life.

"It was one thing to leave me for Damon those years ago, but wanting to destroy him and his family just because you want him to suffer, I have to give it to you sweets", I rose my glass to her in a toast. "You're bitter"

"What did you expect me to do?", she spat. "Damon humiliated me in front of everyone when he called off the wedding, he made a mockery out of me and I wanted him to feel the pain I felt by destroying him and his beloved family"

"There she is", I laughed while clapping my hands. "That's the Amber I know, the conniving bitch", I said, and she held back a sob. "You only loved him for his money, and now that I think about it, that's the exact same reason you're with me. You don't love me, you love my money and what I can do for you".

"That's not true baby, and you know it", she cried, and I laughed again

"Is it?", I rose my brow, walking towards her, and she nodded her head. "Listen Amber, I want you to go upstairs and pack everything that has your name on it and disappear, for good"

"And if I don't?", she challenged, her puffy red eyes staring back at me

"It's either you disappear on your own voluntarily, or I make you disappear", I said, and it dawned on her what I actually meant. "But we would want that now, would we?"

"What am I supposed to do?", she yanked herself from the boys grip and stood in front of me. "I'll have no money, how will I survive?"

"You can go back to your father", I said suggestively, and she grunted. "And you're a big girl, you'll figure something out"

I was about to walk away, but she grabbed my arm and turned me to face her

"I can't go back to that life. You can't get me used to living the good life then dump me like that", she protested and her grip on my arm tightened as she kept strict eye contact with me.

"You should have thought of that before going against my instructions", I said, not breaking eye contact with her either

"I'm not going anywhere, and you can't make me", she let go of my arm and folded her arms. "You and I had a deal and I followed through with it"

"Feisty", I laughed. "One of the things I used to like about you"

She suddenly got down on her knees, "Daniel, anything you want, I'll do it. I can't lose you", she let out a sob and I burst out in laughter.

"You don't want to lose me, or my money?", I asked, and she hesitated for a second. I held her by her shoulders, forcing her to stand up on her own two feet. "I know, and I already told you what I want"

"Daniel please-"

"I'm only giving you an hour to get the hell out of my house", I commanded and tears stung her eyes. I took out an envelope from the table and gave it to her. "This should last you long enough"

She took it and opened it as she took the cheque out. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw the amount I signed off to her.

"I would use it wisely if I was you", I walked away from her. "And oh, Amber", I turned to look at her one more time. "You were never worth it to be honest and to think I held a grudge over Damon for all those years because of you", I shook my head in pity. "I could have done something better with my time"

She was about to open her mouth to say something, but closed it again.

"Have a nice life", I turned on my feet and walked upstairs, I signaled Angelo to come closer. "When she's done, drop her at the train station or something", I said, and he nodded his head in agreement. Getting rid of her, felt like finally paying off a loan, it felt great.

"Roberts, you never fail to come to my rescue", Damon said as we shook hands. Adriana and I were leaving today and Maxwell was loading our bags in the car.

"It's always a pleasure, Kingsley", we broke contact. "You know that anytime you need me, I'm only a call away"

"I'll always be grateful to you for keeping Layla safe. I'll forever be indebted to you", we turned to look at her, she and Adriana were hugging and bidding each other a goodbye.

"She's one of the most important people in my life", I whispered quietly as my gaze fixed on her, Damon didn't pay attention to what I said. "I'll always do anything in my power to protect her"

Damon turned to me and gave an approving nod

"Are you sure you don't want to stick around for Christmas?", he asked for the fourth time and I laughed as I walked toward the car

"No, I can never miss Christmas with my folks, my mother would kill me", I said, and we watched Layla and Adriana walked up to us and Layla gestured for a hug, and we hugged in a polite gesture. Damon and Adriana did the same.

"Thank you for everything Troy", she said as Damon circled his arm around her waist

"Anytime", I smiled, and she smiled back. "I think we should get going", I suggest to Adriana, and she nodded her head before she got inside the car. Damon and Layla stepped aside before I also got in the driver's seat. They waved goodbye as I started the ignition and drove of.

I felt Adriana hand brushing against mine as she entwined our fingers together

"We're going to be okay", she said, and I turned to look at her before placing a kiss on the back of her hand

"We're going to be okay", I smiled at her as deep down I knew that, I still felt like I left a part of me behind

Christmas day came and went. We spent the day bonding as a family as we spend the day and grandfathers house. We figured it was best to spend the day with him so that he too can get in the Christmas spirit. It's been a while since I last saw him. We only kept in touch through calls and Kim keeping me updated on his condition weekly. He wasn't out of the woods as yet, but his blood and sugar levels were constant. His lungs were also fully functioning, and he was breathing on his own. He also looked better, and it was mostly old age he was complaining about. That morning, we exchanged gifts and Dylan got more gifts more than everyone else.

My Grandfather and Dad video called me early in the morning, thanking me for the gifts I couriered them a couple of days prior. I spend the last Christmas with them, and they were telling me how weird it felt spending Christmas without me. Apparently I had a way of turning a house into a home. It broke my heart not being with them on this day, but I promised I'll be with them next year's Christmas.

The dinner was something else. Mom had put out all the stops. I wasn't even going to take any of the credit because I mostly did the chopping. The whole kitchen was under siege, and she had everything under control. I was even taking notes and was definitely taking some recipes home with me. Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, steamed vegetables and roast beef. Fruit cake and raisin pudding for dessert, it was a delight.

It was indeed a feast. I nearly chowed my tongue off. The men quickly wiped their plates clean within minutes and helped themselves to seconds. Mom and I exchanged looks and laughed to ourselves as we watched them eat. And believe you me, the Kingsley men, eat.

After I tugged Dylan in, I went to check on Grandad just before I went to bed. I found him sitting on his bed, reading a book.

"Ah, Layla my dear", he said delighted his eyes lit up as I walked into his room. He patted the space next to him on the bed, gesturing I should sit next to him. I gave him a hug as I sat down.

"I'm glad you're back home", he said as we broke contact. "Where you belong"

I smiled. "It's good to be back"

He took my hand in his. "This family is nothing without you, you're the glue that's keeping all of us together"

"I'm glad you're better Grandad, I was really worried about you"

"You know me", he shrugged as he chuckled. "I always pull through"

There was a knock on the door and Damon walked in. Grandad gestured he must also sit beside him and took Damon's hand and covered my hands with it.

"The two of you are the future of this family", he said as he looked at both of us. "I'm happy that you found your way back to each other because honestly-", he turned to look at me. "He's a mess without you. He doesn't know whether he's coming or going", he joked, and we laughed.

"There's no place I'd rather be", I felt his hand gently squeezing mine as he locked eyes with me and I tried to hide a blush

"I promised Mom we'll have a cup of tea before bed", I stood to my feet and gave Grandad a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight Grandad, I'll see you in the morning", I said, and he smiled before nodding his head and I walked out.

"Thank you Grandad", I said to him after Layla walked out of the room, and he looked surprised for a second

"What for?"

"Everything", I smiled at him. "But more especially, for choosing Layla to be my wife"

He chuckled. "Do you remember the day I told you'll be getting married?"

I laughed a little and nodded my head before patting him on the shoulder. "You always had my best interests at heart"

"That's because I love you Damon and I always wanted the best for you, even if you didn't see it"

"I do now, and I'll forever be grateful to you"

"You better"

Later that night while Layla and I got ready for bed she kept the questions coming

"So you're saying Amber won't be a problem anymore?"

"Daniel took care of her", I said, and she froze, staring blankly at me.

"No, not like that", I laughed a little. "I mean he made sure she got out of town, she's still alive", I clarified, and she breathed out a sigh of relief. We got under the covers, and she snuggled next to me.

"I'm glad it's all over", she wrapped her arm around me and I nodded

"So am I", I caressed her back. "We can now focus on the more important things", I said, and she lifted her face to look at me then laughed to herself.