Her confused, doe eyes moved from Gabi to me, and soon became brimmed with tears.
Gabi stepped back and I pulled Kirby into my arms and a kiss before she could process things all wrong.
When our lips parted a few seconds later she looked at me for a few seconds, but her gaze was back to Gabi even quicker, still quizzical.
“Baby,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “This is my roommate, Jayson’s, girlfriend, Gabi.”
Gabi smiled at Kirby and held out her hand. “Fiancé, actually.”
That was news to me, though now that she mentioned it I wasn’t sure how I’d missed the ring on her finger up until now.
Kirby’s posture seemed to relax and she offered a small smile and shook Gabi’s outstretched hand. “Hi.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat from the hall drew our attention that way. A girl stood in the doorway. I didn’t have to guess who she was. Kirby had showed me pictures of all her sisters. Her name evaded me, but I knew this was the one that had left home.
Kirby beamed at the girl then looked at me. “Keem, this is my sister, Noelle. She wanted to meet you.”
I raised my brow to that, another surprise. “Really?”
“Mhmm. They all do.”
“Well,” Noelle said, stepping further in. “Saige still needs some convincing, but you’re lucky it’s not Raina. She’d have been a tougher nut to crack. Apparently though, she’s had some…inner growth. Who woulda thought.” She gave an exaggerated shrug as she came in completely and shut the door. “That woman shoulda got a shrink years ago.”
She came up behind Kirby and spoke near her ear, but not low enough for the whole room not to hear. “You said he was cute. Boy is fine! Good job.” She hugged her blushing younger sister’s shoulders.
As she stepped around Kirby, her eyes landed on Jayson and blew up. “Is this the roommate/fiancé?” She turned and held up her hand to Gabi. “Good job to you, too.” They high fived and all the girls laughed. “If I knew there were this many good-looking men in River Crest I’d have stayed put.”
It was odd seeing a sibling of Kirby’s who was her polar opposite. Noelle’s outgoing and friendly personality was a stark contrast to Kirby’s shy and introverted one.
“Well,” Jayson, said, standing, “it’s getting pretty crowded in here. Gabi and I will go and let you guys talk.”
“Actually,” I traveled the short distance to my desk and plucked up my keys, “you two stay and I’ll treat these lovely ladies to dinner.”
Both of Noelle’s brows lifted at me and she flashed a half smile. “Look at you, earning points already.” She went to Kirby and linked their arms together, whispering something in her ear that stayed only between them this time. Whatever was said made Kirby giggle behind her hand.
I grabbed my coat from where I’d tossed it on the back of my desk chair then threw it on and escorted the two Ashford sisters out.
We ended up at a place Noelle suggested called Edgy Veggie.
After we’d all began our meals, Noelle pointed her fork at me. “You and I are a lot alike, Keem. In the sense that we believe in and trust Kirby’s judgement. She’s a smart girl, incredibly so. And not just despite her condition, she just is.”
Kirby blushed at her sister’s words.
“I agree.”
“From what she’s told me, I already know you’re great for her and will be great to her. Raina and Saige will be a harder sell.” She spoke as she twisted more of her fettuccine with vegan parm on her fork. “That’s why I wanted to meet you first. Get to know you a little so I’d have good things to bring back. Things that would hopefully help sway them to our side.”
I nodded, liking where she was going with this. While I wasn’t sure any of it would matter to the sister I’d met–who’d looked like she wanted to wring my neck–anything that would help, I’d do. On the ride over, Noelle had explained to me how Kirby had finally put her foot down with their older sisters about me and her life choices. I was proud of my Sunshine.
“So,” Noelle urged. “Give me the goods. What’s there to know about Haikeem Alexander Lovelace that has my baby sister blushing all over herself every time you bat those pretty lashes her way”
I glanced at Kirby and she was indeed blushing. It was also clear she’d already told Noelle a great deal about me. “Well, I’m a major in robotics, at RCU on a partial academic scholarship. If I keep my grades on an upward trajectory I’m almost sure I’ll graduate at the top of my class or at least in the top three. Next year I begin my Masters in Robotics Engineering. My plan is to help innovate within the medical field and other everyday technology. I want to contribute to technological advances, change the world. You know, nothing big.”
I smiled at the two girls across from me, leaning forward, seemingly captivated by my words.
Noelle sat back, taking her drink with her, sipping slowly and nodded. “Intelligent, ambitious, charming; all good things. What about your home life? Family? Childhood? What’s your relationship like with your parents?”
I sipped my own drink. I’d need the moisture to keep up with her rapid-fire questions. “Pretty good. Corny as it may seem, my parents are actually my best friends. I’ve always been able to talk to them about anything.” Almost anything. “They’ve always felt that keeping things honest and open would help us trust them and be able to come to them with anything. I plan to do the same with my own kids.”
“You want kids?”
“A couple. Not nearly as many siblings that I have. Nine. Six from my dad’s first marriage and three younger than me. Childhood was great. We all got along pretty good. Well, except my older brother, Sebastian. We had a rough time. He was kind of a bully.”
Noelle frowned, shaking her head. “I hate when siblings are like that. They should be your closest allies.”
“I agree. That’s why I try to be the best big brother I can to my younger ones. Savannah especially. I always try not to treat her any different, just be there when she needs me, no matter what the reason.”
Noelle smiled at that. Kirby did too. “Savannah is the Autistic one, right? Kirby mentioned her.”
I nodded. “She was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was five. She wasn’t developing right so my parents took her to get checked out. She’s seen a lot of specialists to help get her on the right track developmentally.”
Kirby spoke this time. “I know all about specialists. It was hard for me at first. Frustrating. It made me sad and angry that I wasn’t normal, never would be.”
Reaching across the table, I took her hand in mine. “It doesn’t define you, Sunshine. You know that.”
She brushed away a tear that had broken free. “I know. I forget sometimes. I’ll get better. At remembering.” The corners of her mouth lifted in a tiny smile.
I squeezed her hand, and returned the smile.
Noelle sat her drink down and signaled a waiter. “I’m gonna get this to go and leave you two love birds alone.”
My brows creased as I turned to her. “No more questions?”
She shook her head, curls identical to Kirby’s bouncing around her face that held a soft smile. “I know everything I need to.”
The waiter boxed up her food which I let her know I’d handle the bill for, then she left.
I moved to Kirby’s side of the booth and pulled her near me. Pressing my forehead to hers, I kissed her lips softly then just stared at her.
She stared back, after a while asking, “What?”
I shook my head slowly. “You amaze me.”
~ ♥ ~
The next day…
Four sets of eyes stared at me, belonging to four sisters, that only two of which I was sure were happy about my presence. One of the remaining two wore a serious, but curious expression. The last I couldn’t read, but at least she no longer looked like she wanted my head on a platter.
I sat on the sofa with three of them towering over me. The fourth, who had stolen my heart wit
hout even trying, sat in a plush chair adjacent to me. Her expression was one of nervousness. This moment was more than important to her. While I’d learned Kirby could indeed stand up to her sisters when pushed to the breaking point, their opinions would always matter. Even if she went against them.
The darker skinned sister, who I’d learned was Raina, began to speak, but the other, a mocha complexion, Saige, cut her off. “Kirby and Noelle say you’re a good guy, but I’ll decide that for myself. What I want to know is what your intentions are with our baby sister? She’s sweet and kind and I will not tolerate her being hurt.”
The other two standing above me didn’t speak, but patiently awaited my answer.
“Trust me, that isn’t my intention. My only plans for your baby sister are to continue to do what I already do. Which is love and support her.”
Kirby’s eyes grew wide at my statement. This hadn’t been how I’d planned to tell her, but my hand was being forced. I’d get down on one knee right now if that’s what it took to convince them of my feelings for her. It was what I saw in our future anyway.
Noelle was the only one of the three sisters to smile. “Works for me.”
The others didn’t seem so convinced. So, I asked, “What do I have to do to convince you all that my intentions are pure? I love her more than I ever imagined I could love anyone. I could search this whole globe and never find anyone that compares to her. She’s it for me.”
I watched Kirby as tears filled her eyes to the brim and she bit her lip to try to keep them contained. It was in vain. As the first slipped free I held my hand out to her.
She took it and moved to the spot beside me. She then lifted her gaze to them, eyes pleading. “Please don’t try to make me stop seeing Keem. I won’t, but it would mean a lot if my only family were okay with it. We’re all we have, and I don’t want us to break apart, but I do want to be allowed to make my own decisions from now on. I’ll ask for your help and advice, if I need it. But please, just let me be free.”
Saige took a slow breath and Raina closed her eyes, both seemed to be contemplating their answers.
Noelle threw an arm over both their shoulders. “Come on you two. Stop being hard asses and let the girl be in love. He clearly cares for her. You have to let her grow up some time.”
Raina finally opened her eyes and to my surprise they were filled with tears. From what Kirby told me she never seemed to show any emotion but anger. “Kirby, you know I’m not hard on you to be mean, right?”
Kirby nodded, brushing away her own tears.
“You going to college, having these grown up experiences, leaving the nest, that all scares me. If you’re gone,” her voice broke and she closed her eyes again, taking a deep breath. “How will I know you’re okay?”
Kirby’s hand slipped from mine as she stood and hugged her big sister. “You just have to trust me,” she said past her sniffles.
Raina hugged her tight, chin resting on Kirby’s shoulder as tears spilled down her cheeks. After hugging it out, Raina scrubbed the tears from her face and gave me a hard stare. “Hurt her and I will slaughter you.”
Saige turned to me too. Her eyes were also wet from the heartfelt exchange but not enough to not glare at me. “And I’ll get rid of the body.”
Noelle then threw in her two cent. “I like you Keem, but let’s be clear, if that day ever comes to pass, I’ll be the one supplying the murder weapon and alibi.”
Kirby huffed, crossing her arms. “Guuuuys!”
At her whining, the three older sisters pulled her into a group hug. “Relax, baby sis,” Raina told her. “As long as he behaves he has nothing to worry about.”
Though my life was being threatened I couldn’t help but smile at the connection the four shared. They had their issues, but anyone could see it was all love.
Kirby pulled back, looking at the three. “Does that mean…?” Her voice was hopeful.
I held my breath.
The three all nodded, Saige spoke. “Yes, you can date Keem.”
“And…” Raina added as Kirby bounced on her heels. “Apply to Ringling for the fall.”
A squeal high pitched enough to shatter glass filled the room and Kirby threw herself into Raina’s arms. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With that over we all sat down for the dinner I’d been invited to. It was actually pleasant, though I felt a little left out with the girls mostly talking amongst themselves about their lives in Barbados.
As things winded down, Noelle brought out dessert; a, somehow, vegan cheesecake. She served everyone, then sat down. “Since everyone is being accepting tonight and seem to be in such a good mood, now is a good a time as any to tell you about my husband.”
In the next seconds the only sound was Raina choking on her water.
Kirby grabbed my hand and stood. “I’m going to show Keem my treehouse.”
Saige shot an incredulous look our way. “It’s freezing out there.”
“We won’t stay long.” Kirby dragged me toward the living room where we got into our coats and she smiled at me. “You can thank me later for rescuing you, because trust me, you do not want to witness that.”
She took my hand again and we went out the front door and around the house to the backyard. Luckily none of the snow we’d gotten had stuck so the treehouse was still accessible. The door was a little frozen though but nothing some muscle couldn’t handle.
Inside was small but not cramped. Cozy. I was too tall to stand though, so I sat on the floor. It was carpeted and there was even seating in the form of a fluffy yellow bean bag chair.
Kirby gave me a quick tour, showing off her dozen or so finished puzzles with a proud smile. I was indeed impressed; the largest was five thousand pieces!
Noticing a large comforter in the corner, I grabbed it and patted the spot between my legs for her to sit. “Come here.”
She crawled over and snuggled against my chest, my favorite place for her to be.
I wrapped the blanket around us and hugged her close to me. I smiled at the way everything had turned out tonight. It was a huge step for Kirby and I felt an even bigger one for us. Though I’d felt it for a while it was amazing finally saying what I’d been feeling aloud.
As if reading my mind, Kirby turned in my arms and looked up at me. “Do you really love me?”
I pressed a kiss to her lips. “More than all the stars in all the galaxies, in all the universe.”
A big grin stretched across her face. “I love you, too. More than all the yellow flowers in all the gardens, from here to infinity.”
My heart swelled up so much it hurt, in a good way. I kissed her again. Putting everything into it.
When it ended she just stared at me for a long while. “What?”
“You amaze me, too.”
Chapter Thirty
~ Kirby ~
Today was the day. Within the next hour I’d be standing in front of my peers, delivering my oral report. A million butterflies fluttered in my belly and I was about to throw up. Keem’s hand in mine was the only thing keeping me from hyperventilating. He gave it a gentle squeeze as I turned to face him.
“I can’t do this.”
He squeezed my hand again then took the other one in his. “You got this, baby. You’ve practiced and rehearsed a hundred times.
“No. I can’t.” I felt the tears coming and could do nothing to stop them. “I don’t have my headband.”
His forehead creased in confusion. “Your headband?”
I nodded. “The yellow one. I forgot it at home. I thought I got it, but I didn’t and now I don’t have anything. I don’t have anything!”
Understanding flashed in his eyes and he brushed away a tear and pushed both sides of my hair back. “Relax, baby. I got you.”
I watched as he slipped his yellow bracelet from his wrist and on to mine. I was glad to be at the back of the class so no one could witness my breakdown.
“See,” he smiled that lopsided smile, “nothing
to worry about. You got this. I believe in you. Do you believe in you?”
Taking a shaky breath, I nodded as my heart gradually slowed to normal. “Yes. I can do this.”
He kissed my forehead and despite my nervousness it still made me shiver. I was glad for his presence. I’d practiced sure, but his support was still helpful. I didn’t know how, but he’d convinced the professor to let him sit in on our class today.
Saige was up now. When she finished the other students clapped then she came and took the seat beside me.
After they settled down, the professor read off the next name. “Kirby Ashford.”
My breath caught but a squeeze to my hands from both sides of me gave me the courage to stand and move slowly to the front of the class.
When I reached the podium that was in place only for today, I took a long, relaxing breath and swallowed down the lump in my throat. It felt like a million eyes were on me. Looking through me. Seeing the ball of nerves and fear that I never succeeded at hiding. I only saw one set of eyes though. The ones that mattered. Hazel in color and filled with pride, belief, and acceptance. That’s what propelled me forward.
I glanced down at my paper though I didn’t need to; I had it memorized. “At the beginning of the semester we were given an assignment. We were tasked with writing a creative and informative report then delivering it in front of the class. Of all the students here, I’m more than sure I was the most nervous and anxious about that last part. The reason for that is something I’ve struggled with my whole life: Asperger’s. It’s always been this ugly thing following me around. In the past few months my belief has changed…”
I went on to talk about the things that had brought about that change: Keem, without mentioning his name, meeting someone like me, forcing myself into situations I wasn’t comfortable with. I also went into the daily struggles of living with the condition.
I pushed out a soft breath, becoming more confident in my words. “I came to RCU expecting to learn the curriculum. I never imagined my most important lesson would be taught from one of my peers. You see, I’ve spent much of my life wishing my condition away. I felt alienated, ashamed, and all I wanted was acceptance. Only there was a problem. That problem was me. There I was, silently begging the world to accept me as I was when I didn’t even accept myself.
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