Episode 66
Episode 66
Better than Ever
NAOMI
Memphis and I entered the warm country kitchen hand in hand. A tall man with skin as rich and dark as his son smiled the second we entered.
“Son,” he breathed with reverence, hooking his cane on the back of a wooden chair and opening his arms wide.
Memphis let my hand go and went straight into his father’s embrace. “Dad!” My fiancé held onto the man for a full minute. A true greeting between two people that love and care for one another.
“Missed you, son.” His dad clapped him on the back, brought his hands to his shoulders and squeezed. “You good?”
Memphis smiled wide. “Better than ever.”
“Been worried about you since you left college so close to finishing.” He dipped his head and looked his son directly in the eye as though saying something without words.
“Honestly, Dad, I’m fantastic. And most of that has to do with the woman I’ve brought home for you to meet.” Memphis turned to the side, an arm around his dad’s back. “Leon Taylor, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Naomi Shaw.”
Leon grinned and held out a hand. “Pleased to meet you, Ms. Shaw.”
“Naomi is fine, Mr. Taylor.” I smiled shyly and shook the man’s hand. He held it for a bit longer than normal as he took me in from top to toe. “Stylish and gorgeous. Just like your momma.” He let my hand go and glanced at his wife fondly.
“You can call me Leon, or Dad. I hope you’re hungry because we’ve made a feast in your honor.”
My cheeks heated as I put my hand to my stomach. “Famished. Haven’t eaten all day once I heard Memphis prattling on and on about how good his family’s cooking is.” Which was only partly the truth. Mostly I couldn’t stomach anything because my nerves were making me nauseous. But it seemed I didn’t need to worry. Like Memphis, his family was all smiles and happy hugs.
After I was introduced to his father, I met each sister except Sydney, who wouldn’t be in town until tomorrow. She had a late modeling shoot and couldn’t get a flight out in time.
There was Odessa, whose dark hair was twisted into long braids that she’d pulled into a ponytail. She wore pale pink scrubs, which suggested she’d come straight over from work. I was informed that she was twenty years old, third in the lineup of children, and was a CNA at a local hospital in the area, also taking night classes to earn her RN. She was wearily welcoming. Shook my hand and gave me platitudes about my outfit, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. I’d have to win her over.
Paris was the eighteen-year-old who’d just graduated high school. She wore wire-rimmed glasses that looked super cute with her chin length, short curly hair. Leon proudly introduced her as being his Harvard girl, explaining in detail that she was the first person in their family bloodline to be accepted into an Ivy League school, and he was damn proud of it. As he should be.
“I went to Columbia. It can be a lot of pressure attending a prestigious school such as Harvard. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about your undergrad, but I’m sure you’ve done your research. Memphis talks all the time about how proud he is of you,” I offered.
Leon’s eyebrows rose toward his hairline. “You graduated from Columbia?”
Memphis put his arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. “Told you I scored me a gorgeous, brainiac with champagne taste,” he chuckled.
“Champagne taste!” I swatted at his chest playfully.
“It’s true, isn’t it?” He laughed.
I rolled my eyes. “Maybe.”
That had the group chuckling.
Next up, I met Holland who was sixteen and rather surly. She had the best resting bitch face I’d ever seen. Honestly, I was impressed. She didn’t offer her hand in greeting, just a small wave and a mumbled, “’Lo,” for hello. She also had her hair in braids but they were much thicker and the front half was pulled back to highlight her pretty face.
“Holls, you’re looking stunning as usual. How’s the medical terminology and anatomy and physiology courses at school?” Memphis asked.
Her eyes lit up at her brother’s obvious interest in her life. He paid attention to the people he cared about and knew the things that meant something to them. Another reason I was falling for the man.
“Mr. Wesley is a dick,” she snarled.
“Watch that mouth, young lady,” Robin chastised instantly.
“Holland wants to be a surgeon,” Memphis explained under his breath.
“It’s true,” she sneered. “He gave me an A minus on my last project because I swapped one letter in my description of the pulmonary veins. I typed vines instead of veins . It was a total accident, and he marked me by a whole half a point!”
“That was a dick move,” I muttered, then clamped my mouth shut when Robin tsked and gave me that ‘don’t-you-encourage-her’ look. “Sorry, ma’am.”
Somehow me agreeing with Holland struck a chord and she suddenly moved to her brother, got up onto her toes, kissed his cheek and said, “I like her.”
“Me too,” he agreed.
The last but certainly not least was a petite little thing named Cheyenne. She was fourteen, and instead of a handshake or a testy assessment, she hugged me. “It’s nice to meet you, Naomi. You’re the first girlfriend my brother has ever been brave enough to bring home. That means he likes you a whole lot.”
Memphis laughed out loud. “Chey!”—which came out sounding like Shy —“don’t be sharing all my secrets, little girl.”
“I’m not a little girl. I’m fourteen,” she clapped back.
He reached for his sister, tucked her under his arm, and kissed the top of her head. “Any boys I need to hunt down?”
Holland snorted. “Like she’d ever get close to a boy. She’s as shy as her nickname! Besides, she’s way more into girls.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m finding boys are immature even if some can be cute. Girls are prettier and you all know I like both,” she said with grit.
“Does that mean I have to send Syd out to teach some girls a lesson?” Memphis changed his tune instantly.
“Chey is in love with her best friend’s older sister, aren’t you?” Holland teased.
Robin pointed a spatula at her daughter. “Holland, leave your sister alone. She can like whomever she wants.”
“Shut up, Holls!” the apparently not-so-shy teen fired off at her sister. “Lily doesn’t even know I exist. I’m just Kylie’s little friend. It’s demoralizing.” She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed in clear exasperation.
“Okay kids, I think Naomi has had enough. How about some wine?” Leon offered.
“Yes, please. Whatever you have open would be lovely.” I perked up instantly.
Memphis and his dad both laughed and it was the same deep, comforting rumble. I took a full breath and let all my worries go as I exhaled. His family was kind, funny, and more welcoming than I had expected. It was a relief, especially after the not-so-warm welcome my family had given him.
“Why don’t you go on out and sit with Granny on the back deck,” Robin suggested. “The girls and I will bring out some nibbles.”
Leon passed me a cool glass of white wine, and an open beer bottle to Memphis. We took our drinks and headed out the back door. The second the door closed behind us I could hear the girls talking about me.
“She’s sooooooo pretty.”
“Did you see that jumpsuit? I wonder if I could borrow it?”
“Memphis couldn’t take his eyes off her.”
“She’s Ivy League, Mom. So cool!”
Memphis and I both cracked up laughing as he pulled a chair out for me to sit at the long rectangular table that was already set up with a tablecloth, silverware, plates, empty glasses and a water carafe.
“See you survived the gauntlet.” Granny’s lips twitched.
“Apparently.” I smiled and sipped my wine.
Memphis leaned over, bringing his mouth to my ear. “Told you they’d love you.”
“Love is a strong word,” I retorted.
“We’ll see,” he hummed. “I’m gonna help my dad with the grill.”
I nodded. “I’ll enjoy the view,” I said as I watched his fine ass move and flex in front of me, instead of looking out at the lush garden.
He looked over his shoulder. “How is it?”
“Mighty fine!” I called out.
He grinned and shook his head.
“Good one,” Granny complimented and we clinked our wine glasses together in solidarity.
* * * *
Dinner was well underway. The sun was fading over the horizon and the fireflies were zipping around the grass, creating a pretty light show.
“You were not kidding about your parents ability to cook. I’ve never had a better meal and I’ve eaten at some fine restaurants in my day. My compliments to the chefs,” I lifted my glass of wine and rubbed at my full belly.
Memphis and the sisters did the same. Leon smiled and Robin blushed under the praise.
“Does your family make a lot of home cooked meals?” Robin asked. It was a simple question, something that should’ve been an easy ‘get-to-the-know-the-girlfriend’ type of question. For me, it wasn’t so easy.
“Um, no, not really. My father works a lot, in the mining industry.” I glanced at Granny, and she nodded.
“And your mom?” Robin asked.
“She’s really great at hosting charitable events and parties.” I prodded a piece of shrimp and stuffed it in my mouth. I may have been full, but I really didn’t want to expand on my answer.
“I see. And your siblings?”
I shook my head and wiped my mouth with my napkin. “I don’t have any. Only child.”
“That must have been lonely,” Granny reached out and patted my hand. “Good thing there’s a lot of us Taylors to keep you entertained.”
“True that,” Memphis agreed, putting his arm around the back of my chair protectively.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Granny Taylor asked out loud.
Immediately several voices could be heard at once.
“What?”
“Oh my God!”
“You’re getting married.”
“Holy shit!”
“No way!”
“Son…”
And last was a gasp from Memphis’ mom as her silverware clanged onto her plate and she covered her mouth with both hands, clearly in shock.
“Thanks, Gran,” Memphis said dryly.
“Well, you can’t bring home a woman for the first time who looks like that, dressed like she is, with a diamond on her ring finger and not come clean. Been waitin’ all night for you to make an announcement. Got tired of waitin’. Time is a commodity when you’re as old as I am.”
I bit into my bottom lip as Memphis reached out and took my hand.
“Honey, do you have something to share?” Robin asked her son, her eyes filling with tears.
He grabbed my hand and helped me to stand up. “Naomi and I are getting married.”
Robin flew out of her seat and was around the table so fast she could have been an Olympic sprinter. She plowed into both of us with her arms spread.
“Good God Almighty! Praise, Jesus!” she howled up at the sky. “My baby is getting married!” The tears fell down her face as she squeezed us both tight.
“Okay, okay, let me get in on this action,” Leon said, pride filling his tone. He hugged his son as Robin engulfed me.
“I’m so happy,” she cried and bounced me from side to side.
“Switch, woman,” Leon demanded as he eased her from my arms and shifted her to the side. “Welcome to the family, Naomi,” Leon said as he hugged me tight. I rested my head on his chest right above his rapidly beating heart. “You’ve got the best man I know,” he rumbled into my ear.
“My guess, he takes after his Dad,” I praised.
He squeezed me once more and then hugged his wife. “Our baby is getting married.” He kissed her lips. “Another beautiful day for the Taylors.” He held onto his wife, and she nodded and cried into his arms.
Each sister came up and hugged us one at a time.
By the end of it, I was in tears too.
“This calls for champagne!” Granny announced.
“Ohhhhh I’ll get it! Do we want the cheap stuff in the garage fridge we use for birthdays or the dusty one in the fancy glass cabinet we’re not allowed to open?” Paris asked, and I had to hold back my laughter because I didn’t want to be rude.
“This is a momentous occasion, Paris. Bring out the Don Perignon your Uncle Tyrell got us for our twentieth anniversary,” Leon hollered.
“So the dusty bottle?” she clarified, and I lost my ability to hold off the laughter. I also made a mental note for Memphis and me to send them a new Dom to store for another special occasion.
Robin and Odessa collected champagne glasses and Leon opened the bottle and poured a glass for each of us, including just a sip for the girls under twenty-one.
Memphis and I cuddled together as Leon lifted his glass, standing next to his wife.
“To our son Memphis and his fiancée Naomi. May you have as many beautiful years as I have had with the love of my life, and as many as my father and mother.” I glanced at his mom who dabbed at her teary eyes with a handkerchief. “And may you love one another until you take your last breath.”
“To Memphis and Naomi.” He held his glass aloft.
“Cheers!” everyone cried out and we sipped the sweet champagne and then heard the telltale tinkling of silverware on glass.
Memphis grinned devilishly. “I think they want us to kiss.”
“I think you’re right. Come here soon-to-be-husband.”
He looped his arms around me, and I put mine around his shoulders, both of us holding our glasses loosely. “Come here wife-to-be.”
We kissed to the roar of the Taylor family clapping and cheering.
I’d never felt more accepted, nor had I been happier in my entire life.