Unfiltered

by Leigh Lennon

  For the first time in a long time, I feel a footing in life that has evaded me for a while now. Many of my relationships are back on track and it seems right. Now with my children being a presence in my life again, I can breathe.

  After dropping them off at home, I run to Lorelei’s, who insists I pick up her extra Crock-Pot, claiming I must cook Nick dinner at some point and that even I can’t screw this up.

  I can see Lore’s point even though I fight like hell not to. However, I understand taking pleasure in doing small tasks for Nick because I truly love him and it is my desire to please him. I roll my eyes at the recipe list that I know even I can't ruin.

  Pulling into my parking spot, I see Nick is waiting on his porch for me. Walking toward the car, he greets me as I emerge, Crock-Pot and all.

  “What is that in your hand?”

  “A Crock-Pot?” I say in an obvious “don’t you have eyes” sort of way.

  “Well, I know that. I guess a more appropriate question would be, why do you have it?”

  I shake my head and take great delight explaining in one word. “Lorelei.”

  He has only met Lorelei briefly at Zip’s one day, though somehow from that brief interaction, the answer to his question now seems clear.

  “She thinks I need to cook for you more and says it’s not fair you do it all.”

  “Well, that is sweet you know, but unnecessary. I don’t mind.”

  “I promised Lorelei I would try,” I say.

  “Again, that is sweet.” He leans down to kiss me gently. I love his attention. It is as if I am the only person in the world when I am near him.

  “Oh, and by the way, Jones is coming over for dinner on Thanksgiving. I hope that’s all right.”

  “The more the merrier, but how did that happen? I thought you hated him.”

  “I am trying,” I say seriously, though I don’t know him very well.

  He walks into my house carrying the Crock-Pot. “Let me lock up my house and grab a change of clothes for tomorrow, sweetie. I will be over in five minutes.”

  “I will be waiting,” I reply seductively.

  “Oh, Lord, I wish I had my stuff packed already. Give me three minutes.” Before he leaves the room, he moans, pursing together his lips. I love leaving him agonized with the thought of sex.

  Rushing into my room, I grab the negligee I bought this afternoon at Nordstrom’s. Slipping out of my clothes quickly, I run to the bathroom to freshen up. Brushing my teeth, I put on his favorite fragrance, one he had told me he loves on me. It is a patchouli coconut mix that he teases brings out the hippy in me. I hear my door open when he says, “Justine, honey?”

  I don’t say a word. A little bit of cat and mouse never hurt with foreplay. “Justine, where the hell are you? You are killing me here.”

  He opens the door, seeing me in the bathroom hallway with my back against the doorjamb, legs spread, though my head is tilted in order to see his reaction. He only has on track shorts and I see he is turned on instantly by the outline of his cock.

  He is barely through the door when he has his shirt off and is pulling down his pants. “Good grief, woman, you are absolutely irresistible.”

  He grabs me and pushes my body onto the bed. “As much as I love your bare body, that teddy makes you even more desirable, if that is possible. I can work around it.” I love his quirky words, they have become part of his sex appeal.

  In an instant, he devours my mouth, sweeping strokes with his tongue. He pulls my head back, a little forcefully, and my panties are drenched by this possessive move. Though I never let a man control me out of the bedroom, this small gesture of domination while we are making love turns my insides to putty as he lights a fire in me that only he can put out.

  “Fuck, this is hot,” I say, kneeling down on our bed and I take his hands to control my head as I engulf him deep into my mouth. I let him dictate what I do to him. By his reaction, I am doing something equally as hot. My tongue makes wet trails down his huge cock and I keep him in my mouth as he comes.

  “Fuck, Justine! That was fucking awesome.”

  I stand up and smile. “That was just for you, mister.”

  He says, “Honey, you need to get to bed. As much as I love being with you, I care about you more.” I close my eyes but he holds onto my hands as I drift asleep peacefully.

  I don’t even feel as if I have fallen to sleep when my alarm wakes me promptly at five. Before leaving for work, I lean down to kiss him, saying, “I love you. Have a great day, cowboy.”

  He smiles. “I could wake up to that every day and be a happy man forever.”

  “Go back to sleep. I love you.”

  He grabs my hand. “Justine? I am going to marry you one day, and I have a feeling that day is in our near future. If that scares you, you need to get over it, and soon.”

  “Somehow, nothing with you scares me.” I smile and walk out. He better be serious. In the time I have known Nick, he has captured my heart, something I never thought another man could do. I am ready to put that for sale sign in my yard and move in with him. Nick has become my everything and I am ready to share it all with him.

  22

  Nick

  I have met her unapproachable father and was almost stabbed by her daughter, but the idea of pairing Justine’s children with my Emma gives me so much more anxiety. The idea of choosing the weekend before the family Thanksgiving to let the two sides meet has logistical merits. But if Emma is her normal Emma self, I think maybe our first holiday together may be invalidated.

  I have always been proud of the strong girl she is. It takes her far in life. She graduated with honors from UCLA in finance and can stretch a dollar like no one I have ever met. She is meticulous in all she does, even the vetting of Tyler, who she was convinced was the worst decision for my staff in my Sacramento office. However, not from the aspect of an employer but that of a dad, Tyler is the best investment I could have made. I really count on him to be the life of the party tonight if Emma comes across frostily. But who am I kidding? Emma always comes across that way to new people.

  She has warmed to the idea of Justine and still laughs every time the knife incident is brought up. “I only want to see you happy,” is what she says to me but I know she still has a little of the spoiled brat inside of her.

  As my thoughts are on my daughter, Justine wraps her arms around me from behind, kissing me on the neck. “What are you thinking, cowboy?”

  Not wanting to share my concerns about my child with her because it will cause her unneeded worry, I turn and moan into her ear. “I am thinking I need to call the kids and tell them to give us another hour before they arrive.”

  “No can do, cowboy. Hils is on her way to drop off my devils as we speak.”

  “Aw, well, later on then?” I ask suggestively.

  “Your wish is my command.” She turns on her heels toward the living room as my gaze follows her.

  As I look into the oven at the Chicken Kiev, my heart starts to race again. I’m not delusional. I’m not expecting this perfect family but I have plans, plans that are in the immediate future and the idea of both Justine’s and my kid getting along, at least for appearance’s sake, is key to executing such a plan.

  As I stir the parmesan risotto that works well with my chicken dish, I hear the door open quickly with that creak I have been meaning to oil. Before I can step into the living room, I hear Justine greet her children.

  Rose walks toward me and gives me a genuine hug. “Hey, Nick,” is all she says but seems happy to see me.

  “Rose, I hid the knives just for you,” I say, touched by the heartfelt hug. I am starting to adore her kids. Kai extends his hand and I shake it.

  Just then, the door opens up dramatically and Emma walks in with a smile that indicates a little irritation. She has an index card in her hand and clears her throat. “For your viewing pleasure tonight, I announce your evening entertainment.” Her voice is dull but she does give a slight smile.

 
; I lean over toward Rose and Justine as I laugh. “This is where Tyler shines.”

  “If you mean by being an ass, yes, you are right,” Emma says.

  “Ems—you are breaking character,” a voice says from my front porch.

  “Oh yes, sorry, honey,” she replies with much sarcasm lacing her voice. “Introducing the star of the show and the ass of the century, my husband, Tyler Hunter.”

  Tyler walks in with a prop. I have to hand it to my son in-law, he goes all out. Before he does anything, he bows to the audience, who is just Justine and the kids at this point. Emma is behind him rolling her eyes, and I am to the side waiting to be used in some way. He takes the prop, showing it is a dummy knife and turns to me, acting as if he stabs me. He turns around with a large smile on his face.

  “I am Tyler and I am here merely for humor tonight. You must be Rose. I couldn’t help but jab you over almost killing my father-in-law. This skit is in honor of you and the fact this will always be a running joke in our family.” He extends his hand and Rose shakes it a little hesitantly.

  “So glad to be your muse,” Rose says, taking a bow and in that moment, I see a resemblance to Justine that makes me smile.

  “I am Emma, the jackass’s wife,” she says as if that is indeed a life sentence.

  Tyler only laughs at his wife as he looks at Rose and says, “You were a good sport!”

  Rose still looks like a deer in headlights and Kai is laughing as Tyler introduces himself and Emma. As they walk into the kitchen, Tyler explains the more elaborate plan he had for tonight, but Emma nixed the idea.

  “Well, that was entertaining,” Justine says.

  “Ah, I have a feeling he is just over compensating tonight.” It occurs to me that just because Emma has given a pass to Justine, she has not yet approved of Justine’s kids.

  During dinner, Kai and Rose both try to engage Emma in conversation but she barely responds to their questions. I wouldn’t say she is being out and out rude, but she is not trying and I am immediately angry as the dinner progresses. Finally, Tyler looks at me with a “don’t worry, I got this” look, and tries to take matters into his own hands.

  “So, tell me, Justine, will you be like all the other crazy people out there the week after Thanksgiving trying to get the best deals on Christmas presents?” he asks and I have no idea where my son-in-law is going with this.

  She gives him a sly smile. “No, I am all done for the most part with my shopping. Wait, doesn’t everyone do that?”

  Rose and Kai smirk at one another as Rose continues, “And knowing Mom, she has them wrapped and her Christmas cards ready to be mailed out.”

  Justine only smiles to this statement. “No way? Why?” Tyler asks.

  “I don’t enjoy Christmas with the demands of shopping and all that commercial crap. I get it done so I can enjoy my holiday in peace.”

  “I am impressed but I have to say, I still believe in Santa Claus.”

  I laugh, not knowing where this is going. “Ty, son, I hate to break it to you but Santa is not real.”

  “No, he is. Then who brings my favorite gift each year?” He laughs, looking at Emma, flirtatiously.

  “What is that?” I question, stupidly.

  “Funny you ask.” He looks at me and then at Emma, as she is shaking her head no adamantly. “It is your daughter decorated in just a bow.” Emma glares at him, making the Cold War look peaceful.

  Justine, snorting between laughter, only says, “You walked into that one, cowboy.”

  Emma may not have talked much more tonight but the humor of Tyler breaks up the harsh exterior of my daughter. That makes the night a lot more tolerable.

  It surprises me when Rafe shows up earlier than I expect. As Rose and Kai leave, Emma doesn’t respond to their goodbyes. She out and out ignores them. I see something in Justine’s eyes that makes me understand that she contacted Rafe to ask him to get the kids earlier. I brace myself for the battle of these fierce women.

  As she turns to Ems, she quietly but forcefully says, “Emma, you are allowed to be a bitch to me, but when it comes to my kids, I draw the line. They have done nothing to you.”

  I see an equal look in Emma’s face and both Ty and I sit back on the couch as if we are going to witness a WWE wrestling match. I look at Ty and we both say quietly, “This should be fun.”

  “I am trying, Justine,” she says.

  Justine squares her off, physically standing her ground and says, “That was you trying, ignoring my kids when they were trying to say goodbye to you?”

  Emma and Justine are standing face to face in my living room while Ty and I are still sitting on the couch. I wonder at what point I will need to get involved. For now, it seems fairly civil, though Justine makes a valid point.

  When Emma doesn’t respond to her, Justine continues, “So there is another reason you have acted like a spoiled brat tonight. If there is, please share with me but if not, treat my children with the same respect they show you.”

  “I am not comfortable around them yet, that is all.”

  “You are telling me a sixteen-year-old and seventeen-year-old can act more mature in a hard situation, one equally difficult if not more, than a twenty-six-year-old woman can?”

  Emma looks at me for help and there is not a chance on God’s green earth I am getting into this little discussion, though Justine continues to make her point.

  Emma is not ready to back down and I think I see a tear forming in her eyes when she says, “I have come to understand you are a package deal and more than sharing my dad with you, I will be sharing him with your kids. I can see it in his eyes that your kids are going to be special to him.”

  Ah, now we are getting somewhere and I instantly see my girlfriend’s eyes soften toward my daughter. “I am not here to replace you, neither are my kids. I love your dad and more so, your dad has more than enough love in his heart for everyone.”

  I now see this woman, one who doesn’t mess around with frivolities, who stands up to my daughter, now comforting her. She says what is on her mind and is unapologetic, yet listens to fix the problem. If I hadn't already fallen in love with her, I would in this moment.

  Emma, though, isn’t sure how to handle the turn-around in Justine. She simply says, “I will try.” Turning to Tyler, she motions to leave as she gives me a slight peck on the cheek.

  “Thanks for the entertainment, Ty,” Justine says and with that, they are gone.

  When we finally get into bed, I watch Justine undress. “This is what I have been waiting for all night,” I say, pulling her close, trying to find easy access to her breasts. I am a boob guy, always have been, and I love everything about her chest. Before I can execute my plan, she stops me. With a mopey look, I give her my puppy dog eyes.

  “Don’t worry, cowboy. You are going to get lucky tonight. I promise. But I need to address the Emma situation: I thought I had worked past her prickliness,” she says, sitting up in bed.

  “Oh, honey, you have. She sees that I love your kids already; that is a little bit harder for her. Just in case you are not aware, she is not the warmest of humans.”

  “Oh, thanks for that little bit of information. I could have been prepped with this beforehand, you know.” She sighs. “I can take her being a jerk to me but my kids, that is a bit different. Are you upset that I put her in her place?”

  “No, not at all. She deserved it. I should have given you fair warning. I was hoping that Tyler’s pranks tonight would be what she would need to get over her hump. Anyway, it is just her way of showing dominance.”

  “If you insist, but next time I can’t promise I will go that easy on her.”

  I didn’t think she had gone that easy on Ems to begin with but I have no doubt a large piece of Emma’s ass will be missing if my daughter pulls this again. “And if that is the case, like tonight, I will be behind you a hundred percent. Normally with Ems, it is one little temper tantrum and then she is fine.”

  “If you say so, cowboy.” J
ustine now has her hand on my thigh, working it up my leg. I smile when she says, “Now, about letting you get lucky tonight.”

  I give a little grin. “That is truly something I can get behind right now.”

  23

  Nick

  “I fucking hate holiday work!” Justine says as I watch her spill her coffee on the floor. “I hate I will miss meeting your beautiful baby mama tonight,” Justine says and jealousy doesn’t suit her, though she is cute with a little green showing through.

  She starts to walk to the door as she relays some logistics. “I will see you tonight by eight o’clock. I have to run over to Lorelei’s and grab Rose and Kai.”

  “Can I go get them for you, to help out? I feel comfortable around them. I know you are working a really hard shift with crazy holiday travel. I will keep things quiet for you, sweetie. Let me help you, please. Your kids know me well enough.”

  “All right, thanks, honey. I will text Rose and Kai and let them know.”

  “I am meeting Annie and everyone for dinner at the Downriver Grill tonight. I will take the kids with me or bring them home if that is what they want.” I sense her hesitation when I say, “I will leave that up to them. This will give me a chance to see Lorelei again,” I mention.

  “Oh shit, honey, I forgot to tell you. Thursday morning, we are heading over to my mom’s house for brunch; that is as long as I can handle my dad.” Grabbing a new cup of coffee and a piece of toast, she starts toward the door as I kiss her on the cheek. She is a whirling dervish in the mornings, and this little quirk of hers makes me love her even more.

  The kids are waiting for me as I pull up to Lorelei’s house. Rushing to the car, Kai says, “I am starving.” I am glad they have become comfortable with me in the almost two months.

  I should know that any sixteen-year-old boy would be famished. “My family is coming in tonight from California and we are meeting for dinner. I was going to see if you two would like to come with me. If not, I will stop and get you both something to eat and then drop you both off at the house.”