Twice in a Lifetime

by Jodie Griffin

  “I should probably go. I need that shower now more than ever. And I still have a few things to get ready.” A shadow crossed my mind, and I spoke before thinking, the words spilling out. “I’m worried about Monday.”

  Eve’s sigh was deep. “So am I, but we’ll get through it. Let’s just forget about it for today, okay? Enjoy this time with our kids.”

  It was a good plan, but it was easier said than done. It hadn’t been out of my mind for a single minute since she’d told me about it. “Yeah.”

  We hung up and I took a fast shower, though my legs were still a little unsteady. I smiled to myself as I dressed, putting on the new bra and matching panties I’d bought to tease Eve, and then colorful tights and a long, filmy shirt over them. No real waistband to worry about, plenty of room for food. Perfect.

  I did my hair and makeup quickly, then headed back to the kitchen. Everything smelled divine, and I couldn’t help but snitch a bite of the crispy part of the stuffing.

  As though the girls had heard me finish in the shower, they both came downstairs, carrying an almost empty donut box. “Girls,” I chided.

  “What? We were hungry,” Rissa said, an impish smile on her face. “Besides, I’m on break and there are no good donuts around campus.”

  “She ate most of them,” Lila said, ratting on her sister in a singsong voice. “I was the good child.”

  I laughed. “You’re both good children . . . most of the time. Now help me set the table, please.” I raised a brow at Lila. “No Ryan today?”

  “No Ryan, ever.” Lila’s face darkened and, as Rissa squeezed her hand, she squared her shoulders. “So, how many of us?”

  My daughter was a strong young woman, and while the decision was hers and I’d never have made it for her, I was glad she’d kicked him to the curb. I studied my table with a critical eye. “The three of us, and then Eve, Derrick, and Gabriela. I think we can get away without putting in the table leaf. It’ll be a little tight, but we’ll have an easier time moving around it.”

  Rissa cocked her head. “We could go buffet style if you want. It’ll make more room on the table.”

  I eyed the breakfast bar. “Good point. Let’s do it.”

  The girls set the table and I pulled down serving platters. There was a lot of idle chatter until Rissa spoke up. “I can’t wait to meet Eve in person.”

  My stomach fluttered with apprehension, but then Lila added her two cents. “She’s pretty cool. Just put in your earbuds when she and Mom get mushy, or you’ll hear things you do not want to hear.”

  “You mean like when we heard her and Dad?” Rissa shuddered, though her eyes held a grin.

  Lila laughed. “Exactly like that.”

  I groaned and shook my head. “Did I say you were nice girls? I lied.” This dissolved my daughters into fits of laughter, and it took everything I had to maintain the façade of my mock annoyance. “None of my special stuffing for either of you.”

  More giggles.

  That set the tone for the rest of the morning as we prepared for our guests. There was much laughter and joking, which made my heart happy. And I enjoyed listening to my daughters catch up with each other. They’d always been close, but when Rissa and Lila teased each other and talked about their respective lives, I was glad to see it. As I’d thought many times since Seth’s unexpected death, at least I knew that if anything happened to me, my girls would have each other’s backs.

  I pushed the thought away, checked on my turkey, then jumped when the doorbell rang. I darted a glance at the clock—not quite eleven thirty, so it was too early to be Eve and family.

  “I’ll get it,” the girls both said, and they raced to the door practically tripping over each other.

  I continued doing what I was doing, and when they came back, Rissa was leading the way while Lila carried a gorgeous fall flower arrangement. “What on earth?”

  “There’s a card,” Lila said, placing the flowers in the center of the table.

  “Oh, Eve,” I murmured under my breath as I grabbed the card. I’d told her she didn’t need to bring or do anything, that we had everything covered and she should put her whole focus on Derrick. But I was wrong—they weren’t from her. “They’re from Gabriela and Derrick. That is so sweet.”

  The girls and I finished making and set out the appetizers. For the last thing to do, I turned the matzoh ball soup on to simmer, just as the doorbell rang again.

  The girls raced to the door. Again. I grinned and followed, laughing as they jockeyed over who got to answer it.

  Rissa won.

  She opened the door with a wide smile. “Hi there! I’m Rissa. Happy Thanksgiving. Come in so we can start noshing.” She grinned, stepped back. “Mom wouldn’t let us eat anything until you got here.”

  Eve laughed and held out a hand. “Good to meet you, Rissa. Your mom talks about you all the time.” She smiled at Lila too. “Both of you, really.”

  Rissa ignored her hand and tackle-hugged her instead. “You’re prettier in person than on the police department website. And Mom talks about you too.”

  Eve squeezed Rissa back, then let go. “This is my son, Derrick, and his . . . this is Gabriela.” I lifted a brow, but before I could say anything, she revised her comment. “Derrick’s fiancée.”

  Handshakes and hugs all around, and then Derrick, Gabriela, Rissa, and Lila went off into the kitchen, leaving us alone in the hallway.

  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” I murmured, pulling her down the hallway for a quick moment of privacy.

  “I saw your face. You got your point across,” she muttered, scowling. “It’s a good thing I like you.”

  “I like you too.” I fingered one of the soft curls that framed her face. “So pretty when you wear your hair down and natural.” I let go of that and traced her cheek, then the side of her neck until my fingers rested against her chest, fiddling with the necklace she wore. “Also pretty. This is the one you bought at the art festival, isn’t it?”

  Her voice was thick. “Yes. And if you keep touching me like that, we’ll wind up in the bedroom and our kids can fend for themselves.”

  My body quickened. “I’d be fine with that.”

  Her eyes heated. “You are a bad, bad influence, Talia. And if it all didn’t smell so damn good, and if the kids weren’t here? Dinner would wait.”

  Since we’d wound up in bed with dinner burned several times, I knew it wasn’t an idle threat. “Eve is easily tempted, eh?”

  She let out a half laugh and then spun me so my back was against the wall. “So easily.” She fiddled with the buttons on my shirt and made like she was going to undo one. “What do you have on under this?”

  I smiled smugly. “Nothing but a bra. A new one, just for you.”

  She groaned. She knew my propensity for lacy bras and panties, and she liked me in them . . . and liked divesting me of them. “They’ll save us leftovers, right?”

  I kissed her on her nose. “Doubtful. Let’s go be sociable and grab some goodies.”

  “So you know, I’m agreeing because my baby’s only here a few days. Otherwise your goodies would be naked and under me in thirty seconds.”

  “Augh!” Lila’s voice floated down the hall toward us. “I was going to tell you we were starting to eat, but . . . gah. Don’t you two ever stop?” She spun around and stomped back to the kitchen, and we heard her rat us out to the others.

  We collapsed against the wall, both of us laughing like loons. When we could breathe again, we started back to the kitchen, fingers laced together. As we walked in the door, I heard the tail end of Lila’s rant—which wasn’t all that ranty and warmed me on the inside. “They’re ridiculously cute together.”

  Derrick had his back to the door and didn’t see us. “I haven’t seen my mom this happy in a long time.”

  “I am happy, D,” Eve said, squeezing my hand. I squeezed it back.

  “So am I, Mom.” He turned, slung an arm over Gabriela’s shoulder, and she nestled into his side
with a soft smile on her face. He looked down at her, kissed her temple. “Who’d have thought I’d find the woman of my dreams at work half a world away?”

  “Someone thinks it’s not wise to fish in the company pond,” Eve responded.

  Lila and Rissa answered as one. “Mom.”

  “Though she broke that rule,” Lila added. “With a sledgehammer.”

  The thought was uncomfortable, considering the meeting we were having on Monday. I shifted restlessly and slid a glance at Eve.

  She leaned close, murmured in my ear. “Not today, Tal. We worry about it next week. Today, we’re just like every other couple.”

  Not today. Good reminder. “Dinner will be ready around one, one thirty. Soup’s ready now if you want to start eating.” I pointed to the other things we’d put out. “We pretty much eat all day long.”

  “It smells so good in here, Talia,” Gabriela said. “The food isn’t too bad on base, but it’s not home-cooked. Thank you for having us over.”

  Derrick agreed, helping himself to the cheese and crackers, along with smoked salmon and fresh vegetables. “Thanks for the invite. It’s good to be out of BDUs for a while, not looking over my shoulder.” He handed his fiancée his plate, then pulled his mother in for a hug. “I missed you, Mama.”

  There was a sheen of tears in Eve’s eyes. “I missed you too, baby,” she said, putting her hands on his cheeks, drawing him close to kiss his forehead. She sucked in a deep breath, glanced my way for the briefest of moments. “I feel better knowing you have someone there with you, looking out for you, while you’re away.” She turned to Gabriela, her face serious. “Thank you.”

  The young woman beamed. “You’re welcome, Eve. Papa says the same, though he’s only met Derrick on Skype.”

  “He’s gonna kill me,” Derrick muttered. “Not real happy we got engaged without him meeting me first.”

  “I can’t imagine,” Eve drawled. I pinched her side and she narrowed her eyes at me. “Mean.”

  I held up my hands. “Pretty sure I heard the same sentiment from you. That’s all I’m saying.”

  Everyone laughed, even Derrick, though he winced and scrubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “We’re fixing that, okay? Mom now, and Saturday we’re headed to Pennsylvania for a few days to meet Gabri’s family.”

  I glanced at Eve, who didn’t seem surprised. I’d thought they were spending their whole leave here, but they’d probably discussed it last night. “That’ll be nice for them too.”

  Gabriela nodded. “We’ll be back here midweek before we ship out. A week isn’t really enough leave to see everyone, but I really wanted Papa to meet Derrick. I could have more time if I wanted to since I’m a civilian, but I’d rather be where Derrick is.” She tucked into his side again, and he held her close.

  Lila watched them, and I could see the wheels turning in her brain. I’d talk to her when I could get her alone for a minute. Then Rissa squeezed her hand, and I changed my mind. I’d let them talk later, instead of me butting into my daughter’s love life.

  The kids—though none of them were actually kids—grabbed plates of food and went into the family room. While we were getting everything ready earlier, my girls had hauled out several board games and card games—standard Thanksgiving entertainment for our family—and I heard them discussing which one to play first. Eve and I stayed in the kitchen for a bit as I checked on the turkey.

  Derrick’s voice was a low, deep rumble compared to the girls’ voices. We were quiet, listening to their conversations.

  After a few minutes, Eve frowned. “Is Lila okay? She’s not her usual bouncy self today.”

  I lifted a shoulder. “I think she sees Derrick and Gabri, who appear to have a nice, steady, solid relationship, and it’s making her see what she didn’t have—and what she wants.”

  “I’d like to kick his ass.”

  I blinked. “Derrick’s? Why?”

  She scowled. “No, Ryan’s. He was a dick to her. And I know I’m an overprotective mama but you were right. D did good. She’s a nice girl.” She waved a hand. “Woman, I know. But she loves him and he loves her. That much is obvious. I was worried she was looking for someone to take care of her. Yeah, she leans on him, but not because she can’t stand on her own. Because she knows he’s there for her.”

  I put the oven mitts down and pulled Eve close, enjoying her body pressed against mine. We were silent for a bit as I kissed along her jaw and neck. I pulled back, kissed the tip of her nose. “It’s good that you recognize that. That I’m right, I mean.” I grinned when she snapped her teeth at me. “Mmmm. You can do that later.”

  “Incoming,” Derrick said. “My mom’s girlfriend talking about gettin’ busy with my mama. I’ll take Things I don’t want to hear for $500, Alex.”

  Eve threw an oven mitt at him. “It’s not like you weren’t all over Gabri at breakfast.”

  He rolled his eyes. “That’s different. You’re my mother.”

  I laughed at the expression on his face, but I was curious. “Would it be different if I was a man?”

  He snorted. “Mama’s been gay my whole life, so no. Just . . . she’s my mother.” He put a few more appetizers on his plate, kissed us both on our cheeks, then walked out, calling down the hallway. “You’re not kidding, Lila. They are all over each other.”

  This set us off again. I slung an arm around Eve’s waist. “I like him, babe. He’s protective of you.”

  “He grew up okay, didn’t he? Wasn’t sure either one of us would survive him being a teenager, but he’s a good man. He told me last night he’s up for promotion to captain. I’m so proud of him.”

  “You should be.”

  Rissa poked her head in the kitchen door. “Are you coming, or what?”

  Snickers came from behind her, and my youngest daughter turned bright red. I had to stifle my laughter, as did Eve. “Be there in a minute, honey. Just grabbing food.”

  The minute she was out the door, Eve and I lost it again. “Good lord, Tal. They are as bad as we are.” She took a bowl and ladled some soup in, then grabbed a plate and took veggies and dip and salmon.

  “Where do you think they got it from?” I took some soup too, but skipped everything else. “You need to pace yourself.”

  She laughed, then leaned over and kissed me. “I do. I’ve been ordered to my brother’s for dessert. You’re coming with me, right? The girls are invited too.”

  “I think they’re going to Noah’s house to see their cousins, but yeah. I’ll come with you.”

  She kissed me again. “Good.”

  Two hours later, when my girls finally went off to visit with their father’s side of their family, Eve tossed Derrick her car keys. “Don’t speed. I’ll see you at Uncle Byron’s house. We won’t all fit in my car.”

  He snagged them out of the air. “Come on, baby,” he said to Gabri. “Let’s see how fast we can get this Matchbox car going.”

  Eve propped her hands on her hips. “Derrick Poe, don’t you even dare. I have to work in this city.”

  “Bye, Mama,” he called out over his shoulder, his wide grin playful and his eyes laughing.

  “That boy,” Eve muttered, but her face glowed with love.

  “Is teasing the hell out of you because he can,” I said, completely understanding her desire to smack him upside the head even though we knew he was kidding. “But yeah, doesn’t matter how grown up they get, does it? They’ll always be our babies.”

  “Amen to that.” She looked around the kitchen, at the dishes in the sink and still on the table, wincing. She went to grab some plates, but I waved her off.

  “I’ll get them later.” I stalked her, backing her up against the counter like she always did to me. “Did you notice the house is empty? No kids. Just us. And an open invitation to stop at your brother’s whenever.”

  A smile quirked the corner of her mouth. “Do you actually have any energy left after all that food? Because I’m pretty much comatose.”

 
; “Mmm. I always have energy for this.” I dragged her toward the bedroom, only stopping when she stood in front of the bed. “All you have to do is lie down and think of England.”

  She threw her head back and laughed. “Nut.”

  I slid her silky skirt up to her waist and pushed her onto the bed, then knelt up on the floor with my face between thighs that had spread in anticipation. I fingered the thin scrap of bronze silk that covered her mound and discovered it was a thong. “Sexy.”

  “Decadent. Wanted to see if you’d notice.”

  “Knew I couldn’t keep my hands to myself, did you?”

  She smiled, and it zinged me in that way her smiles always did. “Was hoping, anyway.”

  I stripped them off her in under a second. “A safe bet.” I covered her with my mouth, plunged my tongue inside her without warning, and her head fell back as she groaned.

  “God, Tal.”

  I tongued her for a long while, adding fingers and stroking her inside and out until she was a seething mass of need. But I didn’t want her to go over this way. “Shift up on the bed,” I murmured.

  While she did, I stripped off my own clothes, enjoying the look of utter lust on her face when she saw my new lace underthings. I stripped them off too, then climbed on the bed and straddled one of her thighs. Holding her gaze, I unbuttoned her blouse, slowly enough that she growled at me, which made me smile. Underneath it was a thin wisp of a bra in the same gorgeous bronze that looked lovely against her skin. “Beautiful,” I said, my voice thick with need I didn’t bother to hide. I helped her out of it, grazing my fingers against her skin. Finally, she was naked except for her skirt, which was rucked up against her waist. I should probably have let her take it off, but I liked the rumpled look of it. Erotic. Enticing.

  Mine.

  I slid higher on her thigh and hooked her leg up over my shoulder, supported by my arm. As I stroked the inside of her silky thigh, I rocked against her, our mounds rubbing together. The friction was glorious, and when Eve slid a hand around my hips to grab my ass, I lost my rhythm for a moment. “Bad Eve.”