Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  As if she had no clue anything was wrong, Bee slid into bed and snuggled into my body. I purposely didn’t accept her warm body—no matter what my libido was telling me.

  Bee pulled my arm around her and purposely jutted her rear into me. “What’s wrong, Mr. Sour Puss?”

  Seriously? Was she asking me what’s wrong?

  Silence.

  I felt her body chuckle and within minutes, I heard a light snore!

  OH, I DON’T THINK SO!

  “Bee.” I shook her awake.

  “Huh?”

  “How can you sleep?”

  “It’s late. I’m tired. It’s not easy hanging with a two-year-old, no matter how cute the two-year-old.”

  “Don’t you care that I’m pissed? Did you even notice that I was pissed?” What was wrong with my woman?

  I felt the damn chuckle again. “I liked that you were pissed tonight.”

  What??? “Were you doing that on purpose? You wanted me to be jealous?”

  In between a damn yawn, she mumbled, “I did nothing to make you jealous, but I like that you were.”

  I turned her to face me. “I was alone the whole night.” I lodged my complaint. “Everyone had someone to talk to but me. You should’ve paid more attention to me rather than those two guys.”

  Bee finally opened her eyes, but let out another yawn. “You were with your family, but Luke and John were guests. If not me, who would entertain them?”

  She did make sense. “How serious were you with this Luke guy?”

  “We dated.”

  “Most women don’t go to Europe with guys they’re just dating.”

  “How serious were you with Lily? You didn’t go anywhere with her? You didn’t live in the same house with her? You didn’t share a bed with her?”

  Shit. Sometimes, I wasn’t the brightest of the bunch. “Did you share a bed with Luke?” It ate at me to think of the two of them together, but it ate at me even worse not knowing.

  “No. We never shared a bed.” Hallelujah!!! My woman and I were so going to have some serious makeup sex right now. “Since the topic is on the table, did you share a bed with Lily?”

  Damn. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.

  June 23, 2014 BEE: Rich Heart

  With a successful New York trip behind us, Nick and I came upon some startling news.

  In the course of four days in New York, we took the kids to three movies—though they were all the same movie. After watching Frozen, Ellie was so enchanted with Elsa and Anna that she asked to watch the movie again and again. James came along just because he liked the popcorn, hot dog and Junior Mints, and JR stayed home enjoying the perks of being an only child.

  I took both kids the first time. Nick took them the second time. By their third visit, the gal behind the counter threw in M&Ms and gummy bears to our tray. When this trip was over, Nick and I would forever be the twin’s favorites. I didn’t think anyone had spoiled these kids with so many “no-no’s” all in one sitting.

  When we all got on the plane, Ellie had a headset on and sang her version of Do You Want To Build A Snowman and Let It Go the entire five hours. Even JR got in on the action and repeated, “Go, go, go,” to the correct beat. Though most kids had watched this movie months before our Elizabeth, she caught up to them in the course of a few days.

  Overall, it was a great trip, and after being with three kids, I knew Nick and I could handle our own if that was in the cards for us.

  “What are you thinking about?” Nick had snuck up behind me. I guess I’d been sitting at my desk, musing about our trip, longer than necessary.

  “Hi.” I greeted him with a kiss. “I was thinking about how fun it was to spend time with your family.”

  Nick grinned. “They’re a pain in the ass, but they grow on you, huh?”

  “They do.” I pulled in for another kiss. “Are we all good after your jealous rage?” I tried my damnedest not to tease my “sensitive” boyfriend, but my lips had a laughing-mind of their own.

  “What jealous rage?” He played it off—not!

  “By your non-admission, and your diversionary ways, I will assume that you did share a bed with Lily?” As soon as that question was asked, Nick decided to confound me with his clever mouth that started south of the belly button and only came up after I begged for mercy.

  Damn! Office sex with a warehouse full of people was off the charts titillating. We’d have to do that more often, but with the door locked next time.

  I was still on a high from my orgasm while Nick confessed with a sheepish expression. “Lily and I went to the desert while you were away in Europe, and though we slept in the same bed, we didn’t do anything serious. Like I said, I felt like I was cheating on you so I kept my pants on.”

  Though the last part of his statement should’ve made up for the beginning part, it still bugged. I decided to be like Elsa and, “let it go”—or at least I attempted the feat.

  “What’s on tap for tonight?”

  “Mom called and invited us to dinner. She says there’s something she and Dad would like to tell us.”

  Sounded interesting. “All right. Let’s go to the cul-de-sac.”

  I packed up my bags with some samples that would look good on JR and James, and we drove to Nick’s.

  “Hey Mom.” Nick gave her a casual hug and kiss.

  Sandy returned the affection, and came to me with a very big welcome hug.

  Nick’s parents were even more ideal than anyone could put in writing. No fiction could describe this family and their loving dynamic better than the reality depicted on Reid Place.

  Robert Reid imparted his good looks and healthy build on all three kids. He, too, had the dark hair, blue eyes and one dimpled-cheek smile. There was no questioning the relationship between him and Estelle, and him and his three kids.

  Sandy Reid imparted the loving, common-sensical side to the three kids. She was a caring but laissez-fair mother who expected excellence from her children without hovering.

  Both parents were doting grandparents, crazy about their three grandchildren.

  “Hey, Son.” Robert walked in with a tong in his hand, wearing an apron. They had just spent four days with their son in New York, but they still gave him a king’s greeting. “Hi Bee.” Robert came around and kissed me on the cheek. “Come outside. We’re grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. The grandkids are coming over.”

  Once we were settled with our iced teas and beer, Nick’s parents didn’t waste any time explaining why we were here.

  Robert started. “Now that you’re heading in a different direction, we thought it was time to hand over your funds.”

  “What funds?”

  “Your education funds,” Sandy answered.

  Robert explained further. “All three of you had / have education funds. Your Grandpa Jerry opened one up for each of his grandkids, and matched whatever amount we put in for our own children. Since you’ve changed course and decided to go the research route, you have the most money left in your trust.”

  “OK…” Nick searched his parents for more.

  “Your mom and I are handing the money over to you as of immediately.” They literally handed him an old-school savings book. Nick opened it up to the first page and saw all numbers added and subtracted in different colored pens. After a while, most of the markings were in red, where large amounts were withdrawn for school tuition and most likely, anything else related to their education. The little booklets went on for pages and when Nick reached the very end, he found the leftover amount written in blue, circled for easy viewing.

  “How? Why?” If Nick was searching before, he was now baffled at the answer he found. “Why’s there so much in here?”

  “It’s all thanks to your grandfather. He matched every amount we’d saved for you and your siblings. How did you think Jake purchased a house right after med school?”

  Nick shook his head, obviously not having a clue. �
��I never thought about how. I just figured…I don’t know. I never thought it through.”

  “What did Jane do with her money?”

  “From what we know, it’s all still there. I don’t think she’s done anything with it. We’re hoping one day, she and Max will want to move into the cul-de-sac. There are still plenty of empty homes on this street.”

  “What am I to do with all this money?” He was still a bit stunned.

  Both his parents shrugged their shoulders. “Do what you like, Honey,” Nick’s mom encouraged him with a comforting smile.

  “The responsibility is now yours. Your mom and I consider our job done. You are in charge of your own destiny, Son. Make wise decisions and listen to the woman sitting next to you. She’ll lead you right.” Robert winked at me, and went back to the grill.

  The rest of dinner was a blur for the both of us. In part, it was due to the chaos caused by three children. Apparently, Emily was under the weather again so the three kids came by themselves—better put, they were picked up by their grandpa.

  “What the hell…” I knew that was a rhetorical statement from a man who went from pauper to prince over hamburgers and hot dogs.

  “I felt the same way when Donovan came by and dropped off a check that he believed I deserved.”

  “What do I do? Do I keep the money?”

  “What can you do? It’s not like the rest of the Reids don’t have the same thing. Your dad said that each Reid had a trust opened and matched by your grandpa.”

  “Shit.” Nick stared off into space. “I wish I’d known I had this. I wouldn’t have ended my relationship with you if I knew I could support you.”

  “Nick. Let’s not look back. You don’t have to do anything with the money. It’s there as security if you need it. It doesn’t change anything right now.”

  “It might, if you’ll listen to what I have to say.”

  “OK…”

  “I really like where my sister lives. It’s a cluster of eight small homes lined in a U shape, and it isn’t far from my parents. There are some one bedroom, two bedrooms, and a few larger three bedrooms. Already, the Davises take up almost half the block. Any chance you might want to sell this studio and buy a house with me? There’s one that just came up for sale today that I saw when I went to collect Jane’s mail.”

  Sell my home?

  Buy a new home?

  Move in with Nick?

  Whoa!

  June 26, 2014 NICK: Questioning Heart

  Freaked out. Shocked. Speechless. That was how I left Bee the other night. My questions, confessions, everything I’d spoken that night was information overload. She hugged me, told me she loved me, and then asked me to leave. I didn’t take that as a slight in the least. I knew she wanted to process everything I’d laid out for us.

  I knew more than ever, I wanted a life and a future with Bee. Forever was on the tip of my tongue, and I hoped she’d take my request to heart without making life too complicated. It dawned on me the other day that I’d been the one reassuring Bee of my love for her and my desire to commit, but Bee hadn’t been as vocal about her feelings for me. Was she not on the same wavelength as I where our lives were concerned?

  “Nick.” My little black-haired, blue-eyed she-devil approached me.

  “I thought it was Uncle Nick.”

  “Thowry Nick.” She had an almost teasing-like grin. Damn, I was being outsmarted by the two-year-old.

  “Are you really only two? You are the only toddler I know who’s turning twenty-two on your next birthday. What will your boyfriend do when he sees you bat your eyes and spin his head with your deadly smile?” I pulled her up, flipped her over, and spun her upside down.

  She loved it until she somehow began choking on her own spit, or snot, or whatever the hell was all over her nose and mouth. I placed her right side up and helped her calm down.

  “More, Nick.” She commanded in between coughs and choking noises.

  “I think you’ve had enough. What are you doing here by yourself?” I realized now that there was no adult behind her. “Did you walk across the cul-de-sac on your own?”

  “No” Jake appeared from nowhere. “JR told me he needed to go potty so I took him, but it was a false alarm.”

  Now how the hell did a less than one-year-old know he needed to go pee, and what could he have possibly said to his father? “Um, Dad? I need to take a piss?”

  Jake always knew what I was thinking only by looking at my expression. “He’s fascinated with James peeing standing up and he wants to try it, but he doesn’t understand his body. By the time he tells us he needs to pee, he’s already done the deed in his diaper.” That was seriously way too much info for my single-self.

  “Did ya come here to tell me about JR’s bathroom habits?”

  My niece slapped my cheeks with both her hands and explained, “Party time, Nick!”

  “Emily is still under the weather so we thought it might be prudent to have JR’s first birthday party a week early.”

  “Why would you want to have a party if Emily isn’t feeling well?”

  “Because this might be the calm before the storm.”

  Shit. I had enough to think about in this cramped head of mine. I didn’t need to try and figure out what my brother was talking about. Somewhere down the road, someone would explain everything to me.

  “And you’re here because…?”

  “You want to help Aunt Babs with party decorations or you want to be on twin duty?”

  Shit, again. Which one was the lesser of two evils?

  Ellie slapped me again and hugged me with her chubby arms. “Pray, Uncle Nick?”

  This damn girl was going to be the death of me. She knew exactly the right words to say when she wanted something. How could I refuse her?

  “Let’s take your brother and head to your private park. Do you have your bathing suit on?” I asked Ellie, but it was JR who jumped up and down, begging me to take him. “I can’t do all three kids by myself,” I told my brother.

  “I’ll ask Mom or Laney to help. I need to go now. Can you take both kids?”

  Next thing I knew, I had all three kids with me with no help. This was what I deserved for only attending school half days in the summer. I was the only one left to babysit.

  Please HELP! Was the text I sent to Bee with a picture of all three kids sitting on my lap in the wading pool. It was damn difficult sending this text when JR kept wanting to play with my phone. I resorted to throwing it onto the grass.

  Help didn’t arrive for another thirty minutes. Laney and Mom came with three mini bathrobes and the kids protested as soon as they saw the telltale sign of naptime. Hallelujah, babysitting was done!

  “Thanks for watching the kids. We took care of all the planning for this weekend’s party.”

  “Did your mom go nuts, again?” I asked Laney.

  “Is her name Barbara Reid?” That’s what I thought.

  “Hello!” I saw my beautiful girlfriend walk through the gate.

  “Bee!!!” Ellie ran to her. Since New York, Bee was her favorite person, no questions asked.

  “Hello, Elizabeth. Don’t you look cute in your bathrobe.” She hugged my niece as though she was her own.

  “Looky me, Bee.” James looked for attention.

  “Wow, James! You have a T-Rex on your bathrobe. That’s very cool.” James strutted in his robe, proud that his T-Rex received some love and attention.

  “Me, me, me.” JR pointed to his trucks.

  “You must like toy trucks, JR. Is that your favorite?” JR’s head went up and down and up and down. He was cute with his two bottom and four top teeth peeking through the grin. “I guess I know what you want for your birthday.”

  “It’s JJ’s party!” Ellie exclaimed.

  “I know. Your Auntie Laney told me.”

  Bee and I had a boatload of stuff to discuss, so I said a hasty good-bye and got us the hell out of the p
ark.

  “Am I ever glad to see you.”

  “I see you’ve done your uncle duty.”

  “Shit. I’ve logged in my uncle hours for the next few months.”

  “But I’m sure as soon as you see your niece’s big blue eyes, you’ll do her bidding in a heartbeat.”

  “Damn. That girl has my number—area code and all.” Bee laughed. “Since you’re too late to help babysit, do you want to talk, or go out somewhere?”