Love's Fun

by Karen Deen

  “I say you don’t give up easily, do you? I’ll talk to Ally tonight and call you. By the way, I don’t need partying to relax me, I’ve got my own remedy.” I’m out of my chair too, getting ready to head out.

  “Famous last words of the man who is now already totally gone. Shackled with the ball and chain. All you need now is the ring and signed piece of paper.” He thinks he’s joking and making me feel uncomfortable, but I shock him.

  “It will happen, mark my words on that.”

  “Oh, boom! He has officially fallen. Another good man bites the dust. It was nice knowing you, man.” We both walk out of the café chuckling, with Rocco tagging along behind, shaking his head at the way we talk to each other. This is pretty tame, he should hear us when we really get going.

  ***

  The rest of the day runs smooth and leads into another night of pleasure with my girl. Only this time, we are at her apartment and there is a little more sleep. Only a smidgen but we need to get some to recharge our strength

  We plan a get-together in a week’s time on the Saturday night for everyone to meet. We decided to wait a week so Luke and Zoe will be back from their little trip away. Turns out, it is also the weekend after Jordan plays in town so he messaged saying he might stay for the rest of the weekend to catch up. Looks like our little get-together just got a little bigger.

  Ally and I fall into a perfect routine of staying together every night, wherever we decide on the day. As much as I love her in my bed, I’ll sleep anywhere as long as she is in my arms. Our first weekend together, I want to meet her parents properly. If I plan on dating their daughter, it’s only right I let them get to know me and I get to know them. Ally decides just a short meeting will be better for the first one. She assures me it’s not about me, or us as a couple, but her mom is like Lilly, and once she knows I exist, then there will never be any peace until we are married with seven kids. Not sure I’m okay with the seven kids but marriage doesn’t make me flinch in the slightest. A few weeks ago, it would have given me a rash just thinking about committing to someone. Ally has changed all that in such a short time.

  ***

  It’s now Sunday morning and after rising for a leisurely breakfast in bed, which involved more than just food, we are heading out to meet her parents for coffee. I’m desperate to have them like me; there are some little nerves happening but not anything I can’t manage. Holding Ally’s hand as we walk down the sidewalk, I can tell she is really nervous. Her palms are sweaty, and she is quiet. For her, being quiet is a sure sign that she is feeling anxious so it’s up to me to put her mind at rest.

  “Tell me one of your happiest memories with your mom and dad?”

  She looks up at me with a grin. “That’s hard to answer. Only because I have so many it’s hard to choose.” I can see her face relax a little as she thinks of which one to share.

  “There is this one memory that looking back now as an adult I see totally differently. I think I now know why the game was started as a distraction for us kids.” She lets out a little giggle. “We were all fairly young and had just got off the school bus. It was unusual that Dad’s truck was out front. He used to work such long hours. So, we all went running into the house to say hello. When we found Dad, he was running down the stairs looking like he had just got out of bed in the morning. He looked a little hot and bothered. Told us he had a big day at work, so he had come home to play with us all. Pretty sure he had been ‘playing with mom’ which is a vision now I don’t need. He then let us all get into our swimmers and get in the pool instead of doing our chores and homework. We played all afternoon until dark, the whole family including Mom. Then we went and got burgers and chips with ice cream for dessert. It was just a simple thing but times like that, where we were all together as a family and happy, are the memories I like to remember. Whatever they had been up to when we got there, it sure put Dad in a good mood. I imagine trying to find time with your wife on your own would be damn hard with five kids around.”

  I give her hand a squeeze and love the look of happiness that is displayed on her face. I had achieved what I was aiming for which was relaxing her before we got here.

  “That’s my dad’s truck parked over there so they have beaten us here. You know that’s a miracle for my mom. She must be excited to meet you. I warn you, she is going to be over the top and I apologize in advance.” Taking her face in my hands, I get close to her.

  “I will love them, stop worrying. They must be good people if you are their daughter. We’ve got this.” With that, I kiss her lightly then take her hand and drag her through the door before she has time to get nervous again.

  Alesha

  “Lesh,” I hear my mom call from a table across the café. She is jumping up to wave so we can see her. Not that I’d miss her. God help me, this is going to be a fun time. I love my mom dearly, she is someone I’ve always known is there for me. She didn’t push me to be anything other than just me. Her most annoying habit, though, that all of us kids agree on, is her nosiness. It’s all done with the most heartfelt love, but she just wants to know every little detail of our lives and how she can help. That’s fine when you are twelve years old, or maybe even sixteen at a pinch. Being an adult and your mom still wanting to know every little detail in your life, it’s just painful.

  I’m wrapped in her arms before I even reach the table. Looking at Dad who is standing up waiting and laughing at his wife.

  “Mom, hi.” I try to break free from the hug to introduce Xavier, but she doesn’t even give me a chance.

  “You must be Xavier. I’m so excited to meet you and get to know all about you.” She then wraps him up in a hug, too. I probably should have warned him about the hugging in this family.

  “Sophia, leave the poor boy alone and let them at least get to the table.” My dad takes her hand and leads her to sit down again.

  “Oh, hush now, Mitch.” She laughs as he seats her and kisses her on the forehead.

  “Nice to meet you, Xavier. Don’t mind my wife. She will suck every personal detail out of you in the first ten minutes, if we let her. Hello, my little Princess.” After shaking Xavier’s hand, he hugs me, and I sit in the seat Xavier is holding out for me.

  “Hi, Daddy.” He always makes me feel special. My dad has always been there to protect me and make me feel like it was okay to be me.

  “Now before your mother winds up, what can I get you both?” Dad takes our orders and gets up to go to the counter with one last comment for my mom. “Behave, love, until I get back.” Ponting the finger at her. He knows there is no chance that will happen, but he gives me a wink as he leaves letting me know at least he tried.

  “You just ignore him, sweetie. He thinks he is big, tough and growly. I can bring that man to his knees in thirty seconds.” I roll my eyes not wanting to even picture what she is talking about. As Mom gets older, she has no problem talking about sex in front of us. We may be adults and not her little kids anymore, but they are still our parents and it should be an unwritten rule.

  Xavier thinks she is hilarious. They are chatting non-stop as Dad comes back to the table. Mom is loving it. Xavier is more than happy to answer all her questions and fill her in about his family and life. I know most of it already, but I do pick up a few interesting facts along the way. Once the coffee and cake’s placed on the table, it slows Mom up a little and gives Dad a chance to talk to both of us.

  “I hear you have a personal training business with your sister that you operate out of a gym. Any thoughts to ever take that further into your own business?” I try not to show my giggling. It’s typical of Dad to talk business. I know him too well. He will be asking to know that Xavier is financially stable and can support his daughter if he needs to, if this goes anywhere. Always subtle as a sledgehammer is my Dad.

  “Yeah, Nat and I have been talking about it for a long time. We want to set up our own gym and we are hoping to do that in the next year. Just finding the right business space is always going to
be an issue. I don’t think we will have enough to purchase something yet, but we will work up to that. We are so busy and overbooked that we know the demand is there. We have been doing our budgets and banking proposal so when the right opportunity comes along, then we are ready to go. In the meantime, we will continue to grow the business.” I can see my dad is impressed.

  Finally, Mom has settled down a little and we spend the next hour talking between us about all sorts of things. My parents tell me about what the twins have done this week, what milestone Thomas has passed, and then Mom does the usual pump for information on my siblings. I’m not saying anything. No way, I’m keeping the sibling pact we have about keeping all information from Mom unless it’s important.

  Excusing myself to use the bathroom, Mom jumps up to go with me. What am I, five years old and need my hand held? Or sixteen when you used to gossip with your girlfriends about the boys?

  “He is very hot, Lesh. I really like his sense of humor, too.” Mom calls out to me a little louder than I would like in the corridor. No matter how old you are, your mother can still manage to embarrass you. Guess I won’t get any peace in the bathroom either.

  25

  Xavier

  SOPHIA IS THE MOST adorable lady.

  She cracks me up and has me laughing all morning. She certainly doesn’t lack any confidence. Ally doesn’t take after her in that department. Though I can see Lilly is exactly like her. I reckon Sophia would have been a little wild in her younger days. Mitch would have had fun trying to control her. You can see how much he loves and adores her by the way he looks at her. I know Ally doesn’t want to hear it, but I bet they still have a very healthy sex life. There is no way a dominate guy like Mitch would stop loving his wife in the best way possible. Man, I hope I’m like that at their age.

  Watching the girls head to the bathroom I can tell he is waiting to talk to me. I’m sure about his little Ally. I’ve never had to go through the Father talk before. Not even in high school. Which, in some ways, is a little embarrassing. I didn’t hold a girlfriend long enough back then.

  “You look like you’re worried I’m about to lay down the law to you, son.” Mitch chuckles a little.

  “I understand if you are. She is still your baby girl. You need to make sure she is protected and treated tight.”

  “You’re a smart man, Xavier. Ally has always been my little princess. But I have a gut feeling that she is now becoming your little princess. I already have a good feeling you will take care of her. The way you watch her and the look on your face tells me what I need to know. You were thinking I’m going to give you a lecture, but it’s actually the opposite. My little girl has always been quite shy and pulled away from the world and people. Many days when I would come in from work, the kids would be all together watching television or just being loud in general. Alesha was nowhere near that noise. I would find her curled up in her room in her reading nook with her book, oblivious to the commotion downstairs. I would quietly enter so not to disturb her, but she always knew I was there even before she saw me. Has a special talent, that one. Some connection with the universe. It’s almost like she has been here before. I don’t know much about that shit, but Alesha is different to my other kids.”

  He rubs his hand through his hair, contemplating what he is going to say next. “That’s the problem, though. She always felt a little out of place with her brothers and sister. They never did anything to make her feel that way. It’s just how she was. I want you to take care of Lesh and bring her out into the world to enjoy it. She has a glow about her today that is new, and it suits her. Sometimes it just takes that right person to see the real you and it’s like the world opens up as a whole new place to explore.

  “Out of all my kids, Alesha is most like me. Quiet, reserved but with so much inside to share. I didn’t quite know how to love or open myself up until this sassy young lady came barrelling into my world. There is one thing about my Sophia. Once she meets you, there is no going back if she decides you are going to be part of her life. She had me at hello the first time I stood at the counter to buy a coffee. I couldn’t talk to her. I didn’t need to, though. She saw everything I was saying without words. My little princess is the same, but I guess you already know that. Be gentle and patient with her. She will get there in her own time. Real love, the heart-cracking-open and stomach-fluttering kind, is all she will need to let her open up. But I think you already know that too.”

  Hearing the girls coming back from the restroom, well, Sophia I can hear as clear as anything while Ally looks like she is just tuning out. I want to wrap her up and sit her on my lap and tickle her until she is laughing, but I’ve got the impression she doesn’t want that sort of over-the-top affection near her parents. Before they make it to us, I need to let Mitch know I hear him loud and clear. I also need him to understand how special she is to me and I will take good care of his girl.

  “I will always care for her. She has changed my life. My world seems so much brighter now. Just know this one thing: I’m going to marry your daughter one day. When it’s time, I’ll ask for your permission, but rest assured I’m not letting her go and I already know I would take a bullet for that woman.” My voice is forceful and certain. I make sure Mitch understands there is no bullshit in my words.

  “I respect a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to stand up for that. Welcome to the family, Xavier.” Mitch pats me on the shoulder and that gesture alone means the world to me and is full of acceptance.

  “Did you miss us?” Sophia leans down and kisses Mitch on the way to her seat to grab her handbag. “We need to get going, kids, I’m sorry. We had promised to go riding with the twins this afternoon. Well, not me, but Gruffy and Zach are riding with them and I get to have Meme cuddles with Thomas while I give Emily time to herself.”

  “What are you two up to this afternoon?” Mitch asked as he stood behind Sophia.

  “I thought we might take a walk around the lake, lying in the park and do some reading. What do you think, Ally?” I look to her.

  “Can’t think of anything more perfect.” Her body language is such a giveaway to how she feels about things. Her shoulders drop and she lets out her breath at the thought of some relaxing downtime.

  “I hear you like to run the trails, Xavier, just like our boys?” Mitch asks me as we leave the café.

  “Yeah, I love being up in the mountains. Ally tells me you spent lots of time up there with the kids, teaching them how to survive in the bush.”

  “Ha! I’m surprised she told you that. Pretty sure she hated every minute of it.”

  “We are going to go hiking up there next Saturday. She has agreed to walking, just no running, plus staying on the trails. I think you might be right about hating the adventure stuff.” We both laugh between us as the girls are hugging goodbye. Then it’s my turn to have the air hugged out me by Sophia and then Mitch gives me a man hug with three slaps on the back. It feels good like I’m being accepted.

  Waving goodbye as they pull from the kerb, I turn, pick her up and kiss my girl like I have been starved of her kisses for days instead of hours.

  “I’ll never get tired of those kisses,” she whispers as I put her down.

  “That’s good because I will never tire of giving those kisses.”

  Holding hands, we head off down the street to home.

  Dana

  My phone vibrates in my pocket. Taking it out, I know it can only one of three people. No one else has this number. My heart leaps, hoping it will be Xavier, but my head already knows it won’t.

  Bear: They are hiking in the mountains next Saturday. I just overheard him tell the parents.

  Dana: Whose parents??

  Bear: The slut’s. The mother is crazy. It was all so sickening. A cozy family meet-up for coffee.

  Dana: For fuck’s sake

  Bear: It’s time. I’m not waiting any longer. Sort this out or I will.

  He thinks he controls me. I’m sick of no one paying m
e any attention. No one cares what I want. Well, I’ll show them who is in control of this. The men in my life need to stop fighting what is already written on the wall. One of them will do as he is told, and the other man will be mine to do with what I like.

  I need to get everything sorted for next Saturday. They couldn’t have made it any easier for me if they tried. Now I don’t even have to guess what their plans are and when I can strike. I’m not sure I can stand to watch many more nights of them fucking like horny rabbits. If only they knew how much I know and see. By the time they work out who we are and what we’ve done, we will have moved on again. This time we leave no one behind. I fought too hard for Xavier. He will be mine and I get to keep my pet this time. No matter what Bear says.

  Alesha

  With an amazing weekend coming to an end, Xavier wants to stay at his apartment tonight. Time to test out the bath again but this time for the two of us. I can’t wait.

  With the water running in the bath and the scent of lavender starting to waft through the rooms, I’m standing at the end of the hallway watching Xavier bend over and stack the dishes and glasses into the dishwasher. His back and arm muscles get me every damn time. Tiptoeing across the room to stand behind him, I wait until he stands again and slide my arms around his waist, kissing his back and running my hands up his chest under his tank top. He quickly turns and grabs me around the waist, hoisting me straight up on the counter.

  “I don’t think we have tried this bench top out yet.”