Chapter 24 #3
Cailín came in next, followed by Carleigh and Harlow. Jon and Deklan rode together with Solara and Luna, and finally, Connor and Alyssa arrived a little past noon. Zuri was in Brazil visiting her grandmother, and Carleigh’s sister, Juniper, was off on a safari photographing wildlife.
When Tabitha introduced Major to Connor and Alyssa, Major shook his hand. “You have no idea how much I appreciate the painting. My mother cried, she loved it so much.”
“It was my pleasure. Painting for money is okay, but doing things for family is pure enjoyment. Speaking of…” Connor wiggled a rolled-up piece of paper. “Where is Carleigh?”
“Is that what I think it is?” Tabitha asked.
“Yes. It’s been a few months since I had a vision.”
“Carleigh! Get your ass in here.” Tabitha couldn’t wait to see what Connor had drawn. He had been having visions since he was a little boy. Sometimes they were happy things to come, and sometimes they were warnings.
“I’m here. What’s got your ass on fire?” Carleigh asked.
Connor presented the paper, and Carleigh held her hands up. “Before I take that, is it good or bad?”
“That’s to be determined,” Connor answered cryptically.
“Fuckin’ hell. Let me see it.” Carleigh accepted it, unrolling it carefully. “Huh.” Tabitha looked over her cousin’s shoulder. Connor had drawn what looked like a tiger constellation over some snow-capped mountains. Carleigh passed it around so everyone could see it. “Any idea what it represents?”
Alyssa hugged Connor’s arm. “We did a little research, and there are several meanings for a white tiger. We don’t know how any of them would pertain to you though.”
“Maybe you’re going to space?” Jon suggested.
Carleigh slapped his hard abs with the back of her hand.
“I’ll keep my feet on terra firma, thank you very much.
” She retook the drawing, rolled it back up, and took it out to her car.
When she returned, everyone was standing around waiting on her.
Carleigh stole the beer Jon was holding. “Today isn’t about me. Let’s party.”
Like Major’s family had in Vermont, the group caught up quickly, congratulating Tabitha on finding her mate. They ate, drank, and enjoyed each other’s company.
Cailín walked around, handing out champagne.
When everyone had a glass, she said, “A toast! To Major and Tabitha, and Anthony and Elle. May you be blessed with good friends, me, better family, also me, and a lifetime of happiness. Yes, with me. Seriously, you all deserve every bit of good things life has to offer. Raise your glasses to the wonder twins and their mates.”
“Hear, hear!”
“Cin Cin!”
“Sl?inte!”
Tabitha saluted her brother and Elle with her glass before clinking it against Major’s. She sipped the bubbly drink, whereas her mate downed his in one go. Cailín was there to refill his glass.
Tabitha reached out and gripped Cailín’s arm. “Thank you for putting this together.”
Cailín gave her a small smile. “You’ll do the same for me if I ever get my happy ever after.”
“Damn straight I will.” When her phone vibrated in her pocket, Tabitha handed her empty glass to Major.
“I’ll be right back.” She disappeared into their home office and closed the door.
The text was one she’d been waiting on, so she grabbed her laptop and returned to the kitchen, setting it on the island.
When she had it loaded, Tabitha winked at the male on the other end, then turned and whistled loudly.
When she had everyone’s attention, she said, “I have a surprise for Major. Come over here, Hottie.” Major blushed but grinned at her as he joined her in the kitchen.
She maximized the screen, and Jacoby smiled at them, and he wasn’t alone. Desi sat next to him on the sofa.
Major gripped the edge of the island. “Holy Zeus. Is this real? Tabby?”
“It’s real. Major Lazlo, say hello to Jacoby and Desi Rothchild.”
Major cleared his throat. “Hello. It’s a pleasure.”
“Tabitha said you’re a big fan. Can you tell us your favorite song?” Jacoby asked, placing a guitar on his lap.
“Scattered.”
“Oh, going back to the first album. I like it.” Jacoby bumped Desi’s shoulder. “You know that one, Old Man?”
“I might can hum a bar or two.” Desi, looking more like Jacoby’s brother than father, rolled his eyes.
“Okay, here we go.” Jacoby strummed his acoustic guitar and sang the first verse. Desi, surprising no one, sang the second verse. Then together, they harmonized on the chorus.
Mirror shattered, reflection scattered, light bulb getting dim
Heart in tatters, no longer matters, chances growing slim
Of finding my way out, day after day slipping lower
Falling, stalling, crawling over broken glass
Toes on the ledge, close to the edge, arms spread wide
Wind howling, a memory scowling, urging me on
To finding my way out, day after day falling faster
Running, gunning, stumbling over shattered dreams
Sirens blasting, red and blues swirling, disturbing my peace
Lightning flashes, glass crashes,
Sparks light the night
Thunder booming, jarring, hitting my soul
A voice close by, or is it inside my head?
The echo of what used to be
Jacoby stared through the screen. “I wanna hear all y’all singing with us now.” He tapped out the beat, and everyone sang the chorus again, no one louder than Major.
When it was over, Major clapped and hooted along with Tabitha’s family.
Jacoby sang another one of Jupiter Madness’s hits, then Desi sang one of Cyanide Sweetness’s songs.
When he was finished, Jacoby pointed at Major.
“Your mate has you down for VIP tickets. Just let me know which show and we’ll get together beforehand and eat supper. ”
“Yeah, that’d be great. Thank you so much.”
“It’s what family does. Congratulations, and welcome to the Clan.” Jacoby gave Major a salute before the screen went dark.
Major slumped against the counter. “I can’t believe that just happened.”
“I wanted to fly you out to see him like Connor did for Alyssa to meet Desi, but we had your mom’s birthday party.”
Major grabbed Tabitha’s face, cradling it in his large hands.
“No, Sweetness, that was enough. Even if it had been a phone call to say hello, it would have been enough. Thank you.” Major bent down and kissed her softly.
Whistles and cat calls filled the room, but Tabitha held on tighter and kissed a little longer.
When they finally came up for air, Major’s eyes glistened. “I love you so much, Tabitha Stone. You’ve already made me the happiest male in the world, and we’ve just gotten started.”
“I love you too, my hottie. I look forward to all the concerts we can take in over the next thousand years.”
The End