28
Beckett
O ur Saturday turns out to be a gloomy, rainy day, so we spend the morning inside at home. I show Selah some of the apps I’ve made, and she gets wrapped up in a coloring app I created two years ago. I watch her as we sit on the sofa with Edison and they take turns doing the color by number until they have a vibrant picture of farm.
After lunch we decide to venture out and go to Brimstone Arcade in town and play some games. Edison and I play Donkey Kong, and I teach him some of my Pac-Man skills, while Gana and Selah opt for playing Skee Ball.
That evening I order pizza, salads, and some brownies for Edison and Gana, and set it up for them in the dining room. They are staying home to watch a movie while Selah and I go to dinner at her friend’s house. Once they are settled, I go to finish getting ready for dinner.
I wasn’t completely thrilled at the idea of spending our evening with a bunch of strangers, but I know that everyone we are going to see tonight means a lot to Selah, so it’s important that I get to know them.
And get to have a chat with Joey.
I’m slipping on a clean shirt when Selah comes out of the bathroom wearing a striped, pink dress. Her hair is up in a bun, and I can see her new earrings are out on display.
I pull down my shirt as she gives me a lop-sided smile. “Can you zip up the back of this dress for me, please? I always have trouble with it,” she asks, turning around.
“Of course, angel,” I agree, more than happy to assist her.
The dress’ zipper is low enough that I can see a hint of her lacy panties underneath that match the bra that she has on. I twist my jaw, running my fingers down her smooth bare back.
She shivers under my touch, and I take my time zipping her up, then smooth down the back of her dress.
She turns around, and I pull her against me, giving her a soft kiss. “You look amazing,” I whisper, unable to take my eyes off of her dress and the body wrapped in it.
She shifts on her feet, “Thank you. You look very nice too,” she says, running her hand over my shirt.
I smile down at her, gently stroking her hair, “You know, I realized just now that I’ve spent an entire day without strategizing or planning anything for work. We all have had such a good time together that I was actually just focused on the moments as they happened.”
Her mouth curves into a smile, “Wow, well I’m glad we could get your mind off of things for a while. You deserve to relax, Beck.”
I tilt my head, running my finger over her collar bone, “There are other ways I’d like to work on getting relaxed,” I say quietly, leaning down to kiss her neck.
Her breath hitches and the giggle that escapes her lips goes straight to my cock. “We don’t have time for that. We will be late!” She laughs, giving me a gentle push that doesn’t move me.
I sigh knowing she’s right. One thing I pride myself on is punctuality. “Fine. We can continue relaxing later,” I grumble.
I take her hand and we go to say our goodbye’s to Edison and Dragana. Edison’s eyes light up when he sees Selah. “You look so pretty Ms. Selah!” he exclaims, setting down his slice of pizza.
“Thank you Edi!” Selah chirps, leaning down to give him a hug.
I ruffle his hair playfully and he gives me a sweet smile. “Be good for Gana, and have fun watching your movie, ok? I’ll check in on you when we get back,” I tell him, stooping down to give him a hug.
“Ok Uncle B. I promise I’ll be good,” he says, sticking out his pinky finger to me.
I look down at his little finger and smile, remembering how Bobby and I used to do the same thing when we were kids.
I hook his pinky finger with mine and he nods before letting go. I stand up and suddenly feel hesitant about leaving him again. Dragana pats my back, gently pushing both Selah and I out of the dining room.
“Don’t worry about anything . We will be just fine. You two go enjoy some time out,” she assures us.
“Thank you Gana. Call me if you need anything at all, please,” I say.
“I won’t need anything,” she insists, giving Selah a hug.
She turns to me as Selah steps out of the front door, “ U?ini je srec?nom,” she warns, tapping me on the chest.
“I’m always going to make her happy,” I assure her, gently squeezing her shoulder before heading out of the door.
◆◆◆
Piper and Oakland’s house sits on a nice property, surrounded by trees. We stand at the door holding cookies and a bottle of wine that we brought with us. A few moments later we are greeted at the door by a woman holding a little baby girl in her hands, who I assume correctly is Piper.
She gives Selah a one-handed hug, then shakes my hand, introducing herself and welcoming us inside. “It’s so great to meet you Beckett! Thank you for coming,” Piper says enthusiastically.
“It’s great to meet you too, and thanks for having us over,” I say, looking down at her daughter as we step inside. “This must be Nova? She’s very cute.”
Piper hugs her close, then places a kiss on her head, “Thank you! Yes, this is our little Nova Clark.”
A giant wall of a man comes into the foyer behind her, draping an arm over her petite shoulders. Piper introduces him as her fiancé, Oakland Lycus. He scowls at me, and we both appraise each other before shaking hands.
“Please you two, come on into the dining room! We are all set up and ready to eat,” Piper says, leading the way.
We follow behind her, and come into the dining room where there is food set up on tables lining the wall. We set our items down, and Selah introduces me to a younger couple, Libby and Hayes, then reintroduces me to Mary, and her boyfriend Lane. I don’t see Joey anywhere around, and I wonder if he decided not to come.
Just as we are all lining up to get food, Oakland comes into the dining room with Sheriff Vaughn, who has a woman on his arm. Selah goes over to give the woman a hug, and I realize that she must be her closest friend, Evy. I step over and greet her, then turn to Sheriff Vaughn.
He looks a bit less formidable out of uniform, and I’m surprised when the corner of his mouth actually lifts. “Good to see you again Mr. Kade,” he says, nodding at me.
“No need for formalities, Sheriff. Just Beckett is fine,” I say, holding out my hand to shake his.
“Well in that case, just Rockwell, will do as well,” he says, giving me a firm handshake.
He asks about Edison, and I catch him up on everything that I have completed for his custody arrangements as everyone starts getting food around us. We finish talking, and look over at Selah who is still chatting with Evy.
I go over and lean down to her ear, “What would you like to drink, angel? Some juice?” I ask, looking at the drinks lined up on the table.
She looks over at the table and her face looks a bit tense, “I think I’ll just have some water, Beck. Thank you,” she responds quietly.
I grab her a water bottle, and Evy reaches over to grab a can of coke, but Rockwell shakes his head, taking the can from her and setting it back down.
“I’ll get you some water too, baby,” he says, giving her a stern look.
Selah smiles at them and I raise an eyebrow, wondering what that is all about. I get Selah a plate and we move along the table, “Lasagna, right, angel?” I ask already digging into it with the spatula inside of it.
Her eyes dart around the different entrees on the table, and I can feel her anxiety starting to rise. She meets my eyes, and I give her a reassuring smile. “Um..ok, yes. And maybe just some salad,” she agrees finally.
I give her both then move on to the rolls, putting one on her plate too, then add a small portion of vegetables. I balance the plate in one hand and put my hand on her lower back, walking her over to the dining room table. I pull out a chair for her, and she sits as I set the plate gently down on the table in front of her.
“I’m going to get mine. I’ll be right back,” I say, kissing her cheek.
“Thank you,” she mumbles, but doesn’t move to pick up her fork.
I lean down to her ear, “Eat it while it’s still warm, sweetheart.”
Her eyes move to mine, and she nods, picking up her fork. “Ok, Beck.”
I stand back up and see Evy watching our exchange. She gives me a warm smile, and I nod at her, going over to get my food.