Chapter 21
MEMPHIS
After a restless night’s sleep, I finally gave up and slipped out of Cassia’s room. Since the sun was just peeking over the horizon, I knew that I’d need a nap later in the day, but for now I decided to enjoy the quiet before the day’s chaos started.
With the wedding over, several friends would be leaving today. Instead of the usual family get-together with my parents at the shop, there would be a huge gathering at my grandparents’ across the street. That didn’t mean the shop would sit empty, though.
Our mothers would likely gather at Summer’s house to chat while my generation lingered outside.
Our fathers would drift to the shop under the guise of looking over the latest builds, offering advice and input before inevitably ending up elbow-deep in an engine.
Through it all, we’d catch up with friends we hadn’t seen in far too long–swapping stories, commiserating over the bad, and celebrating the good things, all while eating too much food and probably drinking a bit too much beer.
All in all, it sounded like a perfect day, and I couldn’t wait to share it with Cassia while we introduced Ivy to her very extended family.
As I passed Ivy’s bedroom, I couldn’t resist peeking inside.
I was pleasantly surprised to see her sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
I hesitated, wondering if I should leave her be to see if she might fall back asleep.
She took the choice from me when she dropped her hands and grinned, scrambling to her feet and reaching out her arms.
“Good morning, baby girl,” I said quietly. I walked over to the dresser and turned off the monitor so we wouldn’t disturb Cassia. I lifted Ivy up, my heart swelling when she threw her arms around my neck and snuggled close. I rubbed her warm back. “Did you sleep well? Are you hungry?”
She jerked back so quickly I nearly lost my grip, but she didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes sparkled as she whispered, “Yum!”
“Hungry?” I asked. When she nodded, I prompted, “Say, ‘I’m hungry.’”
“Hungy! Yum!”
I laughed softly. “Good job! Let’s go find you something to eat.”
I walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, considering my options, but then I realized I was missing a golden opportunity.
I knew without a doubt that Gamma was already awake, and I’d bet my entire bank account that she had at least one batch of cinnamon rolls cooling while another baked.
“Wanna go to Gamma’s for breakfast?” I asked.
Ivy nodded excitedly. “Peez! Yum!”
“Oh, yeah. Anything Gamma cooks is yummy, but her cinnamon rolls are next level. You’ll see.”
I wrapped her in a throw from the back of the couch and walked out to the Gator I’d left parked near the porch yesterday afternoon. I let her sit on my lap as I started it up, and she squealed in excitement as I let her “steer” us toward the road.
It didn’t take long to cross the street and park next to Papa Smokey’s truck. By the time I carried Ivy onto the porch, Gamma had already opened the door and was waiting.
I watched Ivy sniff the air and grinned when she reverently whispered, “Yum, yum, yum!”
“Exactly,” I agreed.
I kissed Gamma’s cheek before handing Ivy over. She received the same enthusiastic hugs and kisses I remembered from my own childhood. After Gamma walked inside, I closed the door behind us and followed them into the kitchen.
“Good morning, son!” Papa Smokey called from his usual seat at the table. He flipped over a mug from the tray in the center and filled it from the thermal carafe. The rich aroma of coffee mingled with the unmistakable scent of cinnamon and sugar. I was right–Gamma was preparing for an invasion.
“You’re up earlier than usual,” he said with a knowing grin. “Guess having a mini-Memphis in your life means breakfast might become a regular thing.”
“Especially when I’m giving Cassia a little extra time to sleep.”
“Did you leave her a note letting her know to come over when she wakes up?” Gamma asked as she handed Ivy to Papa, who was already as enamored with her as she was with him.
Ivy grabbed his beard with one hand and pulled him close for a loud kiss before she started tickling her nose with the whiskery ends. When she giggled, all three adults smiled, but Ivy wasn’t paying attention to us anymore.
“Goodness,” Gamma said, “my babies made gorgeous babies who are now making even more gorgeous babies.”
“Hey! I’m still gorgeous!” I boasted.
Gamma tapped my cheek and smiled sweetly. “Of course you are, baby.”
My mouth fell open when I recognized the tone she used when she was being sarcastic. Papa guffawed, which only made Ivy giggle even harder.
“Did you leave her a note?” Gamma asked again.
“No. She’ll figure out where we are and head over when she’s ready.”
“To a house she’s been to exactly once that’s filled with people she’s only spoken to a few times?” Gamma gave me a pointed look. “New people aren’t comfortable just dropping in like you kids do. In time, she’ll learn–just like everyone else has.”
“I should go write her a note,” I conceded.
When I stood, Ivy twisted around and frowned at me. “Stay!”
“You want to stay?” I asked. When she nodded, I said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Make sure to save me at least two rolls, okay?”
Ivy nodded eagerly as Papa said, “She’ll be fine, son. Take your time.”
When he shot Gamma a knowing look, I had no doubt he’d guessed the first thing that crossed my mind at the thought of going home and finding Cassia still in bed–without the worry of our daughter interrupting whatever way I chose to wake her up.
When I grinned at him, he laughed and jerked his chin toward the door. “Get on now. Go take care of your woman.”
“Yes, man, go take care of your woman,” Gamma said, rolling her eyes at Papa.
“I already did, didn’t I?” Papa asked.
“No, no, no!” I chanted, hurrying toward the front door. “When are you guys going to realize how gross it is to think about you two doing stuff like that?”
“Word of advice, Mem,” Papa shouted. “It’s better for your kids to complain about how gross you are together than about how much you yell at each other.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, but I’d really appreciate it if you’d just stop when we’re around,” I said, reaching for the door.
“Not a chance, boy. Not a single chance.”
◆◆◆
CASSIA
I lowered myself into the chair a little more carefully than usual and smiled at one of Memphis’s cousins before glancing at my watch.
Last night’s adventures in the bedroom with Memphis had left me well sated, but the ones this morning–when he slipped back into bed to wake me up–had left me tender in all the right places.
Considering how long it’d been since I’d used some of those inner-thigh muscles, it wasn’t surprising.
I wondered how long it would take for my skin to adjust to the beard burn Memphis left on my thighs and pussy. I didn’t care if I never got used to it, though. That was a discomfort I’d welcome every day in exchange for the orgasms he gave me.
When I saw my sisters earlier, I knew they’d heard us, even over the sound of the television playing upstairs.
In fact, I suspected the TV was probably on to drown us out, but I wasn’t embarrassed.
We’d lived in enough places to hear all kinds of things through thin walls over the years, and unfortunately, we could tell the difference between screams of pleasure and those of pain.
Mine had definitely been from pleasure, and I couldn’t deny the smug satisfaction I felt when they shot me jealous looks when I walked into the kitchen after the long shower I’d taken with Memphis.
“Obviously you haven’t killed the Forrester yet, and from that dreamy smile on your face, I can’t imagine it will happen anytime soon,” the woman next to me said, slowly shaking her head. “So freakin’ gross, man.”
“You’re related to him, aren’t you?”
“I’m his cousin Sandy and that’s our mutual cousin, Kimber,” she said, motioning toward the other woman, who looked a little green around the gills at the thought of why I was sitting so gingerly.
“You’re not Forresters?”
“No. We’re from the Evans side. My dad is Memphis’s Uncle Levi, and Kimber’s dad is Eli.”
“I’m going to have to write all this down and carry it around just to keep everyone straight,” I admitted with a laugh.
“You’ll see us enough to figure it out eventually, but even if you don’t, it doesn’t really matter. Everyone here is family somehow,” Sandy said with a wink.
“I’ve noticed,” I agreed as I looked out over the yard. “How long do these parties usually last?”
Kimber shrugged. “Knowing this crowd, probably well into the night. We’ll move to the clubhouse when it gets too cool, or when Gamma comes out and tells us to scram so she can get some sleep.”
“I’ve lost sight of Ivy,” I murmured, glancing around again before checking my watch.
“Do you have a tracker on her or something?” Kimber joked.
“No, but I do have an appointment in a little bit. I need to find her so I can take her home.”
“Is Memphis going with you?” Sandy asked. When I shook my head, she added, “Why don’t you just leave her here?”
“With Memphis?”
“With any of us. I’m sure everyone’s met her by now. We all watch out for the kids around here as if they’re our own. If something happens, we’ll give you a call.”
“She might be with Memphis,” I said uncertainly.
Suddenly, I spotted her across the wide yard that Memphis’s aunt and uncle shared with his grandparents. She was riding in a little Jeep with a young boy who didn’t look much older than her. Her smile made it clear she was having the time of her life. I hated to take her away from it.
I pulled my phone out and texted Memphis.
He quickly responded, letting me know he was talking to his grandfather and some of his cousins at his grandparents' house. When I asked if he minded me leaving Ivy there, he said he’d keep an eye on her through the patio door.
Just like his cousin, he assured me she’d be safe with the adults scattered around.