Chapter Twenty-One
“I knew she was the one when she fit in seamlessly with my friends without having to try. She got our weirdness right away.” - Enzo
DEREK
Friendsgiving is a long-standing tradition in our friend group. There are plenty of us who have big families to spend the actual day with, like Graham or Enzo, but we also like to spend a day together being thankful for each other.
Also, it’s a nice excuse to have a football game on the TV, comfy clothes on, delicious food, and loved ones around every corner.
Graham and his family came down especially for the day, and it’s great to see him. I admit, I’ve been obnoxious about my love for Graham in the past. But he is well and truly a brother to me, and having him here, meeting Elizabeth as my girl and not as Quinn’s friend, is special.
“How’s everything going?” he asks, his normal subdued personality shining when both his and Elizabeth’s daughter play with his young son. I can’t believe we have another generation of “us” running around.
It’s probably too soon to think like that, knowing Elizabeth and I have only kissed so far—something I am dying to rectify—but I consider Rora my family, even if I’m not going to say it out loud just yet.
I take a serious note and look at my friend, who glances back at me. “For real? It’s been the best few months of my life.”
Graham nods and says, “I’ve noticed a change in you.”
I lift a brow. “A good change?”
“Yeah, man,” he says, looking over the partygoers again. Elizabeth is encased with women who folded her into our little group seamlessly, and it’s a sight I absolutely love to see, considering how much she means to me.
This is going to be her family too, if all works out the way I hope.
“You are always going to be the comedic relief of the group, Derek. That’s who you are, but I’ve seen a bit more.” He shimmies his head, as if weighing his words. “Maturity. I guess. Seriousness that you haven’t always possessed.”
“I’ve always had that, just not around you guys.”
“No, I know. You had it in the freaking desert. You had to at times,” he says, likely thinking back to shit that went wrong. I hate those memories. I never want to think about them again. Or to think of why I have VA benefits at all.
While I was proud to have served my country, I hated being in the military. It would have been great if I wanted an education or to stick in the military career-wise, but I was quick to find out that it was not going to be a long-term thing for me.
I give a brief nod, not wanting to dive into the reason my best friend has a slight limp when he walks.
“I can be serious,” I start, thinking about the store, worrying about Rora and her nightmares, worrying about being with Elizabeth, or better, worrying about not being with her or enough for her.
“I have plenty of things to be worried about. But sometimes I just want to relax and have fun. Every time I’ve poked fun at you, or the guys, I’ve always done it as a way to push you toward what I think is good for you. ”
Glancing around the room and seeing almost every one of our friends paired up with their perfect woman, I nod. “I think I did a great job.”
Graham snorts and claps me on the shoulder. “You did, man. You’re a real-life matchmaker.”
“Please, please, no titles. Titles ruin the magic,” I joke back and smile when Rora lets out a hearty laugh at something Alex, Graham’s stepdaughter, says to her.
“But seriously, I love seeing this side of you and seeing you become someone’s partner. Real partner,” he clarifies, likely referring to some of my previous mistakes. “Someone who actually compliments you.”
“I’m a very lucky man,” I said proudly, staring at Birdie, who looks over at me and gives me a smile. I know I’m lucky, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. That’s why I’m working so hard to earn the position next to her.
“All right, everyone!” Nora announces, bringing out an expertly cooked turkey, with Enzo right on her heels with more dishes. “Dinner is ready!”
We all gather around the table, the little kids snagging spots beside each other and Quinn hoisting her little boy into a highchair for him when he’s trying to snag a big chair.
Birdie comes over to me, and I slide my hand around her back, pulling her close and kissing her temple. “Doing okay?”
“I’m doing great,” she says, smiling at me. “I’m glad to be here with you.”
With me. Not with my friends, but with me. Something about that statement eases all of my concerns. My heart nearly sags with relief to hear it, and I press another kiss to her cheek and direct her to a chair.
“Okay, really quick,” Viv says, standing at the end of the table as we all get settled.
“I know we’re about to eat this amazing dinner my brother and his incredible, too-good-for-him girlfriend cooked.
” She winks at her brother, who gives her a sarcastic look.
I chuckle at the barb. “Archer and I wanted to share some news.”
Then, her hands cup around her belly, and she says, “I’m pregnant!”
Cheers erupt around the table, and I whoop at the news. “Yes! Uncle status earns another point.”
Birdie laughs at me, and I stand up to hug Archer, going longer than necessary just to piss him off, and he shoves me off of him. Viviana gladly accepts my hugs, and I spin her around, making her laugh.
“I expect this one’s uncle to be up for some babysitting.”
“Hell yeah.” I slap her hand. “I’m a great babysitter. Just ask Rora.”
Viv laughs, and I return to my seat, everyone settling in to eat as the adrenaline from the news calms down.
I look at Birdie, who’s watching Rora carefully take food, making sure she doesn’t need help, and I reach out, sliding my hand over her thigh lovingly. She looks back at me and smiles, and that something in my chest tugs again.
I’m both terrified and ecstatic to find out what it is.
We’re stuffed by the time we say good night and head back to Elizabeth’s place. We enter the quiet, dark apartment, and Rora is nearly ready to pass out.
Together, we work through her nighttime routine. This is something that, when I was around, Rora asked me to participate in, and I can’t say no to that face.
Plus, I wouldn’t mind spending some time with Elizabeth tonight.
I’m learning that dating a single mom is not like dating anyone else, there’s a different progression of things. For instance, I spend most of my time getting to know her when Rora is around, because for Elizabeth, that is her life, and getting to know her was getting to know her daughter too.
I find that I enjoy our time whether Rora is around or not, but having the time alone is made that much sweeter since it’s harder to come by.
“Want a drink?” she asks, slipping off her shoes and stretching her arms above her head.
“Nah, I’m good,” I say, walking forward and grabbing the side of her cardigan, tugging her toward me. She did her hair in those big, gorgeous curls that I love for today, and now, they were soft and falling all around her.
“I can’t believe how good those yams were,” she says, looking up at me and winding her hands around my shoulders as if her body is automated to do exactly that. “I’ve never liked yams, but those were incredible.”
“Nora and Enzo have a gift,” I say, meaning it. My attention, however, isn’t on yams, but on her soft and supple skin as my hand trails down lower, my skin connecting with hers like a current.
She moans softly and reaches up, pressing a soft kiss to my lips that I devour hungrily. Her lips against mine create a hunger that I’ve never felt for anyone else, and I beg her with my body to touch me and let me touch her.
Her body moves forward, winding each limb around me like a snake that’s found its victim. I’d die happily this way.
Lips pulling away from mine, she lets her eyes lazily connect with mine as she asks, “Bedroom?”
I nod. “Bedroom.”
We quietly tiptoe down the hallway, avoiding knocking into walls as we reach her door, and she turns the knob to let us in. I’ve only been here once before, and it was to help put the laundry away.
So I know the walls are soft white, covered in pictures and décor that matches Birdie perfectly. I know the dresser is to the left, the top covered with trinkets and framed photos of her and Rora and her family.
I know that in front of that is a large, soft-looking bed that I guide Elizabeth to the moment that door behind us clicks. “What about Rora?”
She stares at me, smiling softly. “She should be fine.”
“Won’t she come in here?” I glance around, wondering what I would do if she came in here mid… ahem.
“She rarely ever does,” Birdie says, leading me forward, each deliberate step backward toward the bed having my pulse ratcheting up.
When she reaches the bed, she leans over to her nightstand, and a click sounds through the room. A soft light illuminates her trusting features, and I smile down at how beautiful she looks. Slipping her cardigan to the floor, she starts to lift her shirt over her head, and I am mesmerized.
She’s wearing a soft white bra, no frills, no fuss, and she’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
I swallow, taking her in as she starts to unbutton her jeans, her eyes on me the whole time.
But before she can accomplish her goal, I step closer, wrapping an arm around her back and another under her leg, lifting her to me and putting her on the bed.
She gives a small squeak and laughs as I land over her.
“Well, hello there.” Her voice is deep and smooth, her eyes on fire as she takes me in. I may still be fully clothed, but Birdie makes my skin feel so alive that I’m sure the clothes are going to burst into flames and fall like ash from my body.
I reach down, slanting my lips over hers and tasting every part of her. My lips slip down her jaw and over her collarbone, trailing loving and worshipful kisses there, dragging my tongue down between her breasts where I pause, right before I suck her skin hard.