Page 46 of Feeling Blue

Forever’s chocolate face lit up again as she smiled and shook her head. The chemicals in her long hair blew in the wind and up his nose. Being his typical affectionate self, Blue pulled her to him by the back of her neck and pecked her forehead.

“I want them whenever we have them. I don’t care how soon or late it happens.”

“What if we break up? You’re not about to baby mama me, Zurich. I’m sorry, but I’m too fly for that.”

Blue sucked his teeth. “It’s Blue and Forever. We’re not ever ending, baby.”

With her tucked snugly beneath his arm, Blue finally opened the door to enter his auntie Maryann’s home. He couldn’t see her, but he could hear her television and smell the food he’d requested. When he rounded the corner, she was seated comfortably in her recliner, watchingFirst 48. Bluesmiled at the lady who had been his number one since he’d been a boy. The way she treated him and his sister as her own was inexplicable and could never be repaid, but he’d die trying to.

“I still don’t know why you watch this shit, Auntie.”

Forever hit his arm just as a scream left his aunt’s mouth before she hopped from the sofa in her pink pajamas and slippers, running to him. Already laughing at her excitement, Blue trudged toward her with open arms. Without stopping her feet, she slammed right into him, wrapping her arms around his body.

“My baby! Look at you, looking just as handsome as you want to be.” She stepped back with her hands on her hips, looking him up and down before grabbing him and pulling him down to her height for a hug. “I should whoop your ass for taking so long to get over here,” she smiled at him with water in her eyes.

She was still staring when a small yelp escaped her, and she covered her mouth with both hands. “I’m so glad you’re home, Zurich, my God. I’m so happy to see you, baby.” She hugged him once more before finally releasing him to stand to his full height again.

When he did, he stepped to the side and pulled Forever around so that she was next to him and not behind him, where she’d been trying to stay.

“Auntie, this my baby, Forever.”

Shy as she’d been the first time he’d met her, Forever stepped forward with her hand outstretched for a shake. Knowing she would, Blue chuckled when his auntie grabbed Forever in the hug she’d just given him. His chest swelled with love as he watched them embrace lovingly.

“Thank you so much, Sweetheart. Zurich and Pat told me all about you.” She hugged her tighter before sniffing. “I thank God for you daily. My baby deserved to be home,” she pulled away and grabbed his hand while still holding Forever. “You two are just beautiful together.”

“It’s her, she makes us look good.”

Forever couldn’t hide the smile that stretched her mouth, so she dipped her head instead.

“He always does that,” Forever told his aunt in efforts to mask the way he made her blush.

“As he better. I raised both of my boys to love and respect their women, and you’re just breathtaking, Forever. You deserve the praises.”

“Thank you, Auntie!” Blue exclaimed with his hands tossed in the air while rolling his eyes and exhaling heavily. “Maybe she’ll believe you, because she doesn’t be trying to hear nothing I say,”

“Pretty as you are, and you don’t expect your man to comment on it? Honey, you better let this man show you some love.”

Forever smirked in his direction while nodding her head. Blue winked, drawing another bashful smile from her.

“Come on in here and eat,” she walked ahead of them and into the kitchen. “Zurena should be pulling up in a minute. I told her that you were on your way.”

Zurena, his older sister and biggest headache. Not too happy with where she was in life and doing her best to take it out on everyone else, she tended to be a dark cloud, so Blue hoped when she did decide to show up, she wasn’t on her typical bullshit. Forever was too fragile for her. He’d skipped over telling her how his sister could act because she’d been nervousenough. Giving her the rundown on Rena’s attitude would have only made it worse.

“Forever, you like red beans and rice? Oxtails and cabbage?”

“No, ma’am. I’m a vegetarian, but if there’s no meat in the cabbage, I’ll have some of those.”

Blue chuckled under his breath when his auntie faced her with a frown on her face. “A vegetarian?” Her eyes took in Forever’s small body. “That’s why you’re so little now. You need to eat, child.”

“She’s little because of genetics, Auntie, not because she needs to eat. Her sister is small too.”

His auntie rolled her eyes at him and held her open palm up in his face. “You don’t have to protect her from me. I didn’t mean any harm. She’s just a little bitty thing, and I just want to fatten her up some. So, stay out of our business.”

Forever’s genuine smile and following laughter eased Blue’s mind. “She’s fine how she is. I like it.”

“Sure, you do. Your mannish behind.”

The three of them were snickering together when he heard the front door open again. He was out of his seat, preparing for Zurena to round the corner, and as soon as she did, he was happy he’d stood. She was all over him in the same manner his auntie had just been. He’d held off seeing them last because they were his heart. He’d never had them around the gang before and had no interest in starting.

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