Page 109 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Uncle David was already standing, carefully slipping an arm around her waist so she could lean against him. The four of us; my cousins, uncle and I, exchanged a look. It was unnatural, my aunt needing help. Her stint in the hospital had shaken us all. She was our glue and I’d kill anyone who fucked with my glue.

“Right,” I said, my gaze rested on each member of our extended family as Jamal and Uncle David gently led Aunt Cleo out the kitchen. “Dinner is in half an hour. Jenny will get you some drinks,” I glanced at her and she nodded quickly before setting about the task. “And ifanyone of you even looks at my husband in a bad way I will rip you a new one.”

Matt kept his face blank and resumed sipping the Oolong tea. They all shuffled on their feet, warily watching Matt then me.

“What are you having to drink, Granny?” Jenny asked sweetly, her light brown eyes twinkled.

“I’ll take a beer.” Uncle David’s brother chimed in.

He grabbed his wife’s arm and began to hustle her out the kitchen; Latisha, that meddling cow. I could hear her low muttering about uppity black women who forgot their roots. With a sigh I turned around to check on the rest of dinner. Jenny sorted everyone out with drinks then shooed them out the kitchen with a reminder not to mess with her mother, or else.

“Madi,” She spun from the door and walked right up to me.

“What?” I asked, suspicion filling my eyes. She was chewing on a fingernail. A nervous habit we’d broken her out of years ago. Hmm, what did she want?

“I love you,” she whispered, grabbing me in a quick hug.

I just stood there, shocked for a few seconds before I spoke. “I love you too, Jenny penny. Now what do you want?”

Jenny leaned back but kept her arms around me. “Nothing. Thanks for taking care of us when Mom was,” she blinked fast. “Just – I’mglad you’re home. I couldn’t have handled – I’m glad you’re home.”

I wasnotgoing to start blubbering like an idiot. “I’m glad too.”

“I told you about my job at the library on campus. Right?”

“Yes,” I grinned at her. “You did, and I’m very proud of you, Missy.”

Her mouth trembled as she stepped away. “I’m not – youaremy sister and I won’t ever forget it. I promise, I’ll never-” Jenny turned and fled the kitchen.

Matt got up from his seat and sauntered over to where I stood fighting back silly tears. I was an emotional wreck.

“I think your cousin is finally growing up, poppet.” he said, encroaching on my personal space. “And I’m pleased to say your aunt is warming to me. By the way, she expects us to spend Christmas here this year, I didn’t want to tell her no, so be a dear and do it for me.”

“Nope.” I buried my face into his chest and inhaled deeply. “You stole my thunder now deal with the consequences.”

“What are you on about?” Matt kissed the top of my head.

I rubbed my face against the soft cashmere sweater he wore over his shirt. “Matt,”

“Yes, poppet?”

“You’re the best husband,” I raised my head to gaze at his handsome face. “Ever.”

He nodded once then bent his lips to mine. He had stood by my side when I needed him the most, held my hand when it needed to be held. Wiped my tears when I feared the worst and he’d done it all without being asked. He did it because I was his wife, and he loved me. The doubts, those pesky doubts that dwelled in the recesses of my mind; the ones that plagued me since the first night we met. My doubts faded away into nothing. Matt, a man who kept his emotions closely guarded, had always tried to be upfront about the way he felt about me. He loved me. And being with him made me a better person. I kissed him back with everything I had. I was the luckiest woman alive.

“I can’t wait to return home.” Matt said when we broke apart.

My fingers trailed across his smooth jaw. “I guess.”

Matt’s eyebrows shot up. “We arenotmoving here, Madison. Not now, not ever. I’m invoking my rights as the head of our household and laying the law down. Don’t even think about it. Our lives arebased in the UK,”

I tuned him out after the mention of him invoking his rights, instead my gaze wandered over his features while he continued to vehemently oppose any possibility of leaving England. I laid my head against his chest and closed my eyes.

Home was with him, wherever he was, I was home. I belonged, and for the first time in my life the hollow ache deep inside me stilled. I belonged.

CHAPTER 11

“We will ofcourse require unfettered access to your daily life,” The woman smiled at Dante. “And those of the other dancers.”

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