by Bailey West
“Great, these will go well with the greens and baked chicken we are having.”
“Nette’s biscuits, Ollie’s greens and Zora’s…” Paxton paused and looked at Zora.
“Don’t start with me, Paxton. Your brother didn’t marry me for my cooking, but he does love my milkshake.” She bent over and started twerking in front of Zeke.
Zeke slapped her behind and said, “Damn straight!”
“Oh, my goodness. Please don’t get these two started,” Nette said.
We all laughed.
We sat down at the dining room table. Roman prayed over the dinner, and we all began eating.
“Zora, what is the baby’s name?” I asked while eating my last piece of baked chicken on my plate.
“We are naming her Zahria Vashti. Zeke came up with the first name and Vashti is Sissy’s middle name. I’ve always loved that name.”
“It is beautiful. We learned about Vashti at bible study, right Babe?” I looked at Paxton.
“We did about a month ago. Blue, I think you were in California, and Minister Moore was teaching.”
“Oh yeah, I haven’t gotten around to listening to her teaching, but everyone said she did a great job.”
“I listened to it,” Zanetta interjected. “She taught it from a totally different viewpoint than I’d heard it taught in the past. It was great. You know the story, right. Vashti was King Ahasuerus’ first wife. King Ahasuerus is the king that eventually married Esther. Esther is responsible for saving her people, the Jews, from a planned genocide. Anyway, King Ahasuerus was having a party and called for Vashti to come out so that the men at the party could see how beautiful she was. She refused to come out. The king viewed this as disrespect, and he divorced her. So, I’ve always heard it taught that Vashti forfeited her blessing because she didn’t do as the king ordered. Minister Moore used it as a segue to talk about communication. She said that maybe if the King would have gone to his wife and asked her why she didn’t come out, he may have been able to forgive her, but instead he asked his advisors; his boys. They gassed him up and told him that not only did she disrespect him but she disrespected the whole nation, so he divorced her. Minister Moore said maybe if the King would have asked her, she may have said, ‘I just started my period and I have to sit on this hole in the ground.’ Maybe she would have said, ‘I’m shy,’ but he didn’t ask her. He assumed, and assumption is the lowest level of knowledge.”
“Yeah, she made some valid points about not listening to others when a situation occurs but going straight to the source and fixing it from there. That works in all forms of relationships whether they are work or personal.”
“I will have to listen to it,” Roman finished.
“I love Bible study. I learn so much.”
“That’s good to hear,” Roman smiled.
Everyone helped me clear the table.
“Y’all ready to get to this game?”
We went into the living room where I had the board game set-up.
“It’s men against women, right?” Zora asked as we all chose seats.
“Yes, so move Zeke, you can’t sit next to Zora,” Zanetta said.
Zeke moved to the other couch, sitting next to Roman and Paxton.
“Okay, so this is the way to play this game. This word at the top of the card is the word or phrase that you are trying to get your team to guess. You can use any word to describe it except these words that are listed underneath it. For example, chicken leg is the thing that you are trying to get them to guess, but you can’t use any of these words listed below it, so you can’t say; bird, body, eat, food or KFC.”
“Oh okay,” Roman said, “that’s easy. We are going to annihilate this female team with advanced degrees, two of which are in education.”
“Great pep talk, Bro,” Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
“How much time do we get?” Zora asked.
“We use this little hourglass thing. I think it’s like two minutes. Oh, and this is the buzzer. Someone from the other team has to stand next to the person giving the clues to make sure they don’t use any of the off-limit words. If they do, you can buzz them, and the opposite team gets the points. Any questions?”
“Yes,” Ezekiel said. “What do we get if we win?”
“Bragging rights?”
“Naw, let’s make it interesting,” Ezekiel said.
“Oh okay, I got it. Let’s make the bets between the couples. We won’t say them out loud. We will text them to each other. Everyone take out your cell phone. You will text what you want if you win but don’t press send that way we can place our bets at the same time. When you get finished typing and NOT sending, say okay.”
Everyone pulled out their cellphones and started typing.
Roman looked up first, “Okay.”
Everyone said okay one at a time after him.
“Okay everyone, press send.”
Roman
I was finished typing first because I knew what I wanted. I pressed send and waited to receive Zanetta’s text.
I sent: If I win, I want you to throw away your birth control.
I want you to give me a baby – Beauty
I smiled after reading her text.
“I already did that, Love,” Zanetta said after she read my text.
“You did?”
“Yep.”
“When?”
“About a week ago.”
Zanetta and I decided to take our time starting our family only because she had so much going on at the same time. She’d moved to Houston, started the women’s ministry at the church, opened her boutique, married me and was working on the academy. Now, with things slowing down, I was ready for a family. I was happy to see that she was too.
“Let’s start this game. I win either way,” I said as I rubbed my hands together.
Ezekiel
I want to get the Cane Corso puppy for me and B.
A Cane Corso is a large breed dog that BJ and I want. Zora said that it would be too much to take care of Peanut and a puppy. I disagree. I think the puppy, who we’ve already named Bluette, would be able to grow up with Peanut.
I want ice cream from that place we found in San Antonio – Wife
We already checked. They don’t ship.
You want a puppy. I want ice cream. – Wife
“Alright. It’s not like you are going to win anyway.”
“Whatever, Zeke. Just make sure you gas up before you hit the road.”
Olivia
You have to come with me to get a pedicure.
Paxton thought he was way too masculine to have someone rubbing his feet. I can’t wait to see how he feels after he has it done.
You have to get rid of Bessie. – Pax
I looked up at him after I read the text. He knows how much I love my car. Yes, she is old as dirt and she can get emotional sometimes and won’t start, but I’ve had her since college. I’m not ready to get rid of her even though I’ve promised her several times that I would put her out of her misery. Paxton hated that I chose to drive her and has offered more than once to buy me something new. I don’t want something new, I want Bessie. As recently as a couple days ago, she wouldn’t start and I had to use one of Paxton’s cars to drive to work.
“Pax, that’s way more severe than what I said.”
“Are you a chicken? You don’t think you can win?”
I squinted my eyes at him.
“Alright, Cool, ladies first.”
We started the game. The guys were keeping up with the girls’ team, point for point. We all had something on the line, so the game was super competitive. There was lots of yelling and arguing but it was all in fun. After another round, the girls pulled ahead by two points. It was Paxton’s turn to give a hint.
“Okay, Bros you ready?”
“Ready,” Roman replied.
“Yes,” Ezekiel said.
“Wait, let me make sure this buzzer works,” Zora said as she pushed the button on the device. “Yeah,
it works. Let’s go.” She stood next to Paxton ready to buzz him if he said one of the forbidden words.
“Okay, dun, dun, da-dun,” Paxton hummed the wedding march.
“Oh, ummm, WEDDING,” Roman yelled.
“No,” Paxton said. “What happens after that?”
“HONEYMOON!” Zeke yelled.
“After that,” Paxton said.
“Oh, MARRIAGE!” Roman yelled.
“That but shorter,” Paxton replied.
“MARRY,” Ezekiel yelled.
“Yes,” Paxton said as he pointed to Ezekiel.
“My Lady,” Paxton said next and waited for them to respond.
“OLLIE, OLIVIA!” both brothers yelled.
I was confused trying to figure out what in the world that phrase could be. Why is he using my name? They are going to lose this for sure. I started envisioning us at the spa getting our feet done together.
“Oh, I know what it is,” Zanetta whispered and giggled.
“The middle Bluette brother,” Paxton continued giving clues.
“PAXTON! Roman yelled.
“I got it!” Ezekiel said, “OLIVIA WILL YOU MARRY PAXTON!”
My eyes shot up to Paxton as he smiled, got down on one knee in front of me while holding up a ring that I couldn’t see because tears had instantly filled my eyes.
“So, will you? Olivia, will you marry me?”
I was so caught off guard. I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Paxton and I thought that he felt the same. His actions proved it, but we’d never talked about it beyond building the house. We have thrown around the word forever, but I didn’t know what they really meant for us. I knew from the way he touched me, looked at me, took care of me and doted on me that he cared, but without the words, I was a little confused, until now.
I put his face in the palm of my hands, “Yes, Paxton. I will marry you.”
I heard Nette and Zora scream, but it was a distant sound because once I said yes, Paxton pulled me close to him and kissed me. He kissed me like we were the only two in the room and his next move was going to be to lift my shirt over my head. The way I felt right now, if he did, I would let him.
Unfortunately, he pulled away and put the ring on my finger. I blinked through the tears to finally look at it. I really didn’t care what it looked like. It could have been a plastic ring with a bubble gum center, as long as it came from Paxton, I was satisfied. Of course it wasn’t. It was a beautiful emerald cut diamond ring.
Paxton stood to his feet and pulled me up from the couch. He quickly kissed me again and hugged me. I looked at my ring again. It is breathtaking. It is exactly what I would have chosen if asked.
I was so happy but in shock at the same time. I had no idea that he’d planned on proposing to me. I felt arms wrap around me breaking me from the trance that I was in.
“Congratulations, Ollie!” Zanetta said while wiping tears away.
“Thank you.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Zora said while hugging me.
Both Roman and Ezekiel hugged me.
“I think we are going to leave,” Roman said. He walked over to Zanetta and took her hand. “We have some business to take care of.” Zanetta smiled.
“Wait, who won the game?” Ezekiel questioned.
“Zeke, you can have the damn dog, geeze!” Zora said.
“Cool, I will send Percy to get your ice cream.” Zeke kissed Zora while helping her into her jacket. Zora’s winced a little and rubbed her stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Zeke quickly asked.
“Nothing, just a little cramp,” Zora replied. “I can’t wait to eat my ice cream after my test tomorrow.”
“Bye,” everyone said one at time.
“Bye.” I waved.
Paxton stood behind me while we watched everyone load onto the elevator. As soon as the doors to the elevator closed, Paxton’s lips were on my neck. One of his hands was on my breast, and the other hand was down the front of my pants. I threw my head back on his chest enjoying the feeling of his large hands on and in me.
“Baby,” I said as I pulled away and turned to face him. “Let me taste you.”
I had been scared to go down on Paxton because I wasn’t very good at it the couple times that I tried it. I felt forced with Mason, but with Paxton, I want to. I want to experience everything with him.
I lifted his shirt. He pulled it over his head as I ran my hands along the defined muscles of his chest and stomach. I love his body. I licked and kissed my way from his chest and stomach to the waistband of his joggers. I looked up at him as I hooked my fingers into the waistband of his joggers and his boxer briefs to pull them down. He stepped out of his pants. I led him to the couch. He sat down while I kneeled between his legs. I locked eyes with him while I circled the head of his member with my tongue. He took in a sharp breath. I circled it again, but this time, I took the entire head into my mouth. I felt him clinch as I used a vacuum action to get as much as his shaft into my mouth that I could. I slowly released and did it again. I used my hand to cover the area that I couldn’t fit into my mouth. I licked down his shaft and gently sucked one of his balls into my mouth and hummed. He made a noise like steam releasing through a valve. I paid the same attention to the other one before moving back up to give his shaft all my attention. He gripped the couch with both his hands.
“Ol…”
I picked up the pace when I heard my name get caught in his throat. I guess I’m better at this than I thought. I was so turned on by his reaction to me pleasuring him. He made me feel sexy and in control.
“Ollie, I need to be inside of you now,” he breathed out while he gently pushed my shoulders indicating he wanted me on my back on the floor. I sucked one more time before I released him and lay on my back. I lifted my hips off the ground to assist him in pulling off my leggings.
I spread as wide as I could, anticipating the amazing feeling of having my fiancé inside of me.
He entered me with urgency and stroked like he had a mission to accomplish. If that mission was making me come then, he was about to reach that goal very soon.
“Bayyybbeee,” I sang a few short minutes later as I felt my body tensing up preparing for the massive ascension I was about to experience. The feeling of release that rocketed through my body had me tensing up and holding my breath all at the same time. My mind was telling me to breathe, take in a breath Olivia, but my body was not letting it happen. It felt like minutes, but I’m sure it was seconds. I started to descend and was able to take a breath just as Paxton yelled out my name and collapsed next to me.
17
The day after I proposed to Olivia, Zora went into labor and delivered my first niece. All of the men; Roman, Dad, James, BJ, and I, all waited outside the delivery room. I watched Zora experience one contraction and made a bee-line for the waiting room. The women stayed in the birthing room with her and Ezekiel. Her brothers arrived right before Ezekiel came into the waiting room smiling and announced that the baby had arrived.
We went into the birthing room, and I laid eyes on the most perfect baby girl I’d ever seen. She was resting on her mother’s chest. Her little fingers and toes were long like Zeke’s, but she had her mother’s beautiful face.
“She’s perfect,” Olivia whispered.
“She is,” I replied and kissed Ollie on the forehead.
We spent the evening at the hospital watching Zahria get passed from one family member to the next. Finally, it was my turn to hold her. I sat up straight and prepared myself to hold an infant for the first time.
“Support her head,” my mother said as she gently placed Zahria in my arms. I was not prepared for how light and small she was. She weighed almost nothing and almost fit in one of my hands.
“Relax, baby,” Ollie whispered as she leaned in to touch Zahria’s hand. I relaxed my shoulders and pulled the baby close to me. Zahria moved her little hand, and I saw all five of her fingers with little fingernails. Wow. I know my heart only
has four chambers, but I think I developed another one for this little one. She is going to have her uncle wrapped around her finger, much like her brother does.
Olivia and I left the hospital after it was time for the nurses to take the baby to weigh her and give her a bath. We stopped and picked up dinner before going home.
“Our niece is perfect, isn’t she?”
I smiled at Olivia referring to Zahria as our niece. I wanted to share everything with her even though I still battled with my past and my ability to be a good husband to her.
“Paxton.”
“Yes?”
“I watched you with Zahria. I saw the love in your eyes. Are you sure you don’t want children? Maybe we could consider adopting, or I could try to get my tubal reversed.”
“No, I do love Zahria. She made me think about the child that I would have had, but I’m still sure that I don’t want children. If you want to look at adopting, we can, but it’s not a necessity for me. I think Zeke and Blue will give us plenty of babies to keep us busy.”
I did feel a ping in my heart when I held Zahria, but I know that I don’t want to birth children into the world. My time for that has passed. I hope Olivia is not changing her mind about it.
“Okay,” Olivia responded.
The rest of the ride to the house was quiet.
Olivia
Seeing Zahria come into the world did something to me. I thought that I was content with not having children but, I don’t know, something has changed. She wrapped her little hand around my finger while Paxton was holding her and I fell in love. I want one! Just like her but with red hair and freckles like her dad.
I saw the look of love in Paxton’s eyes as well. He surprised me by saying that he still didn’t want to try.
“We can look into adopting if you want…” After Paxton said that, I stopped talking. He put emphasis on ‘you,' meaning he didn’t want to. I got my tubes tied because I didn’t see life outside of Mason. I thought he was my one shot at marriage and happiness. Now I have Paxton, and I would love to create a human with him. I think he would be a wonderful dad. I watch him with BJ. He is so patient and nurturing. Our child would have the best of everything. Maybe after we get married, he will reconsider me getting the reversal surgery or at least adoption.