Page 108 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Jenny gasped out loud and exchanged a look with Jamal. “She must’ve seen Jesus in that coma. It’s the only explanation.”

“God, Jesus, the angels,” Jamal elaborated.

I ignored them, my attention stayed on my aunt. “I got married without you there.”

She dabbed at my moist cheeks. “I know,” she glanced at Matt again. “He makes you happy?”

It was my turn to look over in Matt’s direction. “Yes. He does.”

Matt smiled at me, his expression was one of pride, of love.

“I guess that’s it then.” Aunt Cleo decided firmly. Then she muttered, in her usual tart way, “God only knows why you couldn’t find a good black man.”

“Cleo.” Uncle David muttered under his breath, not quite reproachful but close.

Matt raised an eyebrow at my aunt and with a deadpan expression replied, “I’ll have you know I tan quite well.”

The rest of us were speechless, astonished at Matt’s nonchalant response. I chewed my lower lip for a second while Matt and Aunt Cleo had a stare off. I knew my husband had the stare skills, but he was up against the Master. If I didn’t do something -

“He’s joking. It takes a while to get used to British humour.” I piped in abruptly.

Jamal chuckled, then Uncle David joined in. Jenny just shook her head at me. And my aunt and husband? Well, they just maintained the stare off until Aunt Cleo sighed and averted her gaze. Wow! She must’ve seen Jesus.

“Lord help me,” she muttered. “At least he’s easy on the eyes.”

Uncle David sent Matt a mock glare and my cousins promptly reminded their father about his wife’s crush on the great Timberlake. Maybe my aunt had a secret appreciation for fine white men? Hell, hot was hot, whatever the shade. I still remained uncertain over this about-turn change in her acceptance of Matt. There was only one explanation. Yep. She definitely saw baby Jesus, teenaged Jesus, grown Jesus. It had been divine intervention for sure. I remembered the fervent prayers of supplication I’d made before bringing Matt to meet my family last year. It seemed God did answer prayers, but on his own schedule. Damn. I definitely needed to start attending church…

Envy. One of the seven deadliest sins, and I was currently drowning in a sea of envy. I snorted under my breath and sent another hidden scowl in Matt’s direction. Stupid gazillionaire with his warm smile, quick wit and attentiveness. My husband was on a charm offensive, wasting no time in securing his place in my family hierarchy. And Ishit you not, he was ranking higher than me at the moment. Huh.

“Silver tongued devil.” I grumbled to the seasoned lemon soles neatly lined on trays as they awaited their final journey. The oven was hot.Perhaps similar to hell, where silver tongued devils hail from. I mused to myself. Yeah, I was jealous of my husband. Out of my peripheral vision I saw him sip the Oolong tea Jenny had made. The barely visible tightening of his mouth let me know he was secretly comparing it to a proper cuppa and finding it sorely lacking.

The doorbell went, signalling the arrival of Uncle David’s family and Jamal yelled he would get it. I sighed while exchanging a weary look with Aunt Cleo. She was sat at the kitchen table with Uncle David and Matt. They were having a lovely conversation, chuckling amongst themselves. It had started the first day Aunt Cleo had come home from the hospital. Cosy chats where my input wasn’t really needed. I know, yes, it was obvious my bat-shit craziness was on hyper-drive. Sue me. I should be ecstatic my family were finally making every effort to know the man I’d fallen in love with and married. But hell if Matt hadn’t stolen my thunder. I was the prodigal niece returned home, once again a part of my beloved family. Gorgeous, grey-eyed devil. He had drugged me and stolen my freaking thunder! If I hadn’t let him bully me into taking those darned sleeping pillsIwould have been the person holding my aunt’s hand when she woke up. Not only would I have been the prodigal niece returned, I would’ve been the prodigal niece returned whose very presence drew my aunt into wakefulness. It also didn’t help that I knew my family were genuinely trying to accept him. His parents still weren’t fond of me, and they weren’t even trying. I was freaking jealous. Matt had the luck of the Irish. The man could win at any given situation. How? Why did everything always work out for him?

Stupid in-laws. It wasn’t fair Matt was winning my side completely over when I only had half of his. His siblings and the twins, yes. Grumps, I remained unsure about, and Matt’s parents…well, they wouldn’t mourn if I got hit by a bus. Matthew Bradley always came out on top, and I was jealous of my freaking husband. I shot daggers at his profile then froze when he suddenly turned to catch me in the act. His mouth twisted into an unsure line at the storm clouds swirling over my face, and I did what any loving wife would in such a situation; smiled prettily and fluttered my eyelashes at him. BloodyAdonis. I put the trays of lemon soles in the oven and set the timer before checking the venison. By the time the soles were baked to perfection, the meat would’ve rested enough and we could all eat. Within minutes people were walking into the kitchen. I wiped my hands with a paper towel and forced my expression into one of serenity.

“Cleo Meyers,” Ms Regina started. “Don’t ever put my boy through that hell again. You need to take care of yourself instead of-”

“Hello, Ms Regina,” I interrupted her tirade. “You look nice.”

“Didn’t you hear me talking?” she asked sharply before resuming to berate my aunt for falling ill.

I glanced at Aunt Cleo who slowly moved to get up. Uncle David immediately touched her arm, silently requesting she remain seated. My aunt wasn’t 100% as yet, and the only reason we were having this damned family dinner was due to Ms Regina kicking up a fuss. Saying family needed to be together during times like these.

Fuckers.Nowthey wanted to act all sweet and nice? What about all those years they stressed my aunt out? My face hardened as I observed Aunt Cleo’s tired face. She got tired so easily. My estrangement had been horrible, I loved my family, and by family I meant: Aunt Cleo, Uncle David, Jamal and Jenny. The rest of them could kiss my black ass. No one was going to mess with my family, especially now the rift between us was going through the healing process. The woman who taught me so much had almost been taken away from me. There was no way in hell I would allow them stress her out today.

“Look, if you guys are going to cause a drama tonight, I’ll show you the door.” I said coldly. Matt hid his smile.

“David,” Gemma called out shrilly, the latest addition to her family was snug and cooing in her arms. We had yet to be officially introduced. I narrowed my eyes at her. Had she already forgotten our last encounter?

Jenny slipped past them and made her way to stand next to me, peering at the cooked venison. She put one hand on her hip. “Don’t start nothing and there won’t be nothing. Mom’s only been home three days. She should be resting not entertaining, and Madi’s been cooking all afternoon when she should be packing. They leave tomorrow. So,” Jenny beamed at me and I beamed back. We had found a shared peace. All girls need their mommies, grown or not. Ishared her mommy. “I suggest y’all chill out,” she continued.

“Damn straight.” Jamal agreed, walking over to stand in the space between his seated parents. “You need to take your pills, Mom. Come on, let me help you up.”

Jenny and I anxiously moved towards them.

“Stop fussing,” Aunt Cleo murmured, but we could all see the strain on her face as Jamal helped her to her feet. “And stop swearing, Jamal.”

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