Page 105 of Painting Her Fate

Her answering laughter is all I needed to hear before giving her the last kiss of the day.

I make it to my parent’s home a little later than expected. Lili and I had one last goodbye kiss that rapidly heated into a firestorm. I could still smell her lavender scent clinging to my clothing and feel her hands raking through my scalp. My hair is probably still disheveled, I don’t give a flying fuck. My family can razz me all they want, bring it on, nothing will destroy my outstanding mood.

When I enter the house, I head right to the backyard where everyone is congregating.

“Hey, look who finally showed!” Gavin yells, rocking back in the dining chair.

Mom is the first one up to greet me, being her usual hostess. She kisses my cheek and smiles brightly, a knowing twinkle in her eye. “Can I get you a beer?” She gestures for me to sit at the table. I see Ford sitting next to Gavin, their whispering to one another all while staring at me.

Mom thinks of Ford as another one of her sons since my time in the service. He often would intrude on our video chats, thanking her for the cookies and other goodies I would share with him. She always packed extra, knowing that the packages for him were far and few from his family.

“I snagged a can of pop on my way through.” I mention as I pass Emma, give her a quick kiss on the cheek then sit next to her, Ford on my other side.

Ford’s smile has devious thoughts being conjured. He looks me up and down, his chin jutting in a greeting,“Qué tal, jefe?” (How’s it going, boss?)

“Outstanding.” I grin.

That word for us Marines is used like butter on bread.Alright ladies, let’s make this day an outstanding one,being a favorite of mine. I pop the tab on the can a take a good size gulp of the carbonated beverage.

“I see you still have that face fungus.” Gavin states, turning to Ford.

“Cough it up, Ford.” He held his hand out and did a ‘come hither’ motion.

Ford leans forward, grumbling as he pulled out his wallet and smacked a twenty in Gavin’s hand. He cocks a brow at me, “You weren’t in on this with your brother, were you? He didn’t bribe you to keep that beard of yours?”

Gavin folds the money and sets it in his pocket then leans back in his chair, his hands cradling his head, a satisfied look on his face. “Ha! If only! I

was sure he’d shave it. Twenty bucks is twenty bucks.”

Emma chimes in, “At least Zander trimmed it. Gavin over there looks as if he is ready for a chainsaw competition. Where’s your flannel axe man?”

We all roar in laughter at her comment, all except mom as she sits down.

“He is expressing himself, leave him be.” Another bout of laughter ensues as we fall into casual conversation while we wait for the ham to finish.

“So.” Ford says, “Why were you late, boss? I reminded you about this yesterday.” He laces his fingers together on the table in waiting. Emma, Gavin, and Blake all murmur similar questions.

I shake my head and can’t help grinning; she does that to me, it’s there for eternity now.

“I’m in a good mood. The sun is shining, it’s nice out.” Yeah, I’m not fooling anyone with that shitty line.

Ford mocks, “Yeah, right. You were with Lili; you didn’t even bother

to fix your hair.” My smile only grows if that is even possible. “I knew it.” He holds his hand out to Gavin, giving him the ‘give it to me’ gesture.

Gavin rolls his eyes and sighs, pulling the twenty back out and slapping it in Ford’s hand, “Well, that twenty went fast.”

“You bet on that too? You guys are making money on my love life now?” I fold my arms, “What’s next? A bet about marriage?” They both glance at each other. “Are you kidding me?! What the hell!” The table lights up again in laughter and even though I am taking the brunt of the bashing today, I gotta say, it feels good.

I love my family. Also, I’m glad Lili wasn’t here to be subjected to their shenanigans.

A timer chimes, signaling that the ham is ready. Time to change the subject to something other than bets on my personal life.

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist, you look great”, Lili squeezes my hand as we drive down the scenic roadway to her family gathering, “They are going to love you. Relax.” Lili says glancing at me while driving.

It’s going to be fine, just stick by her and things will be okay.

I haven’t been this nervous in a long time. Dressed in a casual navy-blue button-down t-shirt and dark jeans, I’m feeling quite under dressed in comparison to Lili’s bright yellow spring dress with the tiny black belt around her waist. She crimped her hair in a beach waves and didn’t get mad when I pulled her in and ran my hands through it as I kissed her; she just fluffed it in the mirror and giggled. That sound is pure gold.

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