“Don’t start your shit already Z,” Xavier laughed.
Zandor stopped. “It’s family day, get your mind out of the gutter. I was talking about Momma’s marinara.”
“It’s not the sauce it’s the Italian sausage.” Cyrus walked past.
“And so it begins,” Xavier rolled his eyes and I smiled.
“Hey Taelyn,” Jase was next. “Carly would be out if she knew you were here but she’s a bit tired.” Jase winked. “You know how it is huh?”
I looked at Xavier and he shook his head.
“Suck it up X, we owe you.” Jase patted his shoulders and then yelled. “Hey Momma Joe you need some help with the balls?”
“Jase where is Bella?” she yelled from the kitchen.
“Setting up her Barbie stuff. She knows how much Xavier loves to play with them.”
“Fuck you Jase.” Xavier snapped.
I was worried he was going to get angry again.
He lifted my chin and kissed me again. “You ready to meet the coolest kid on the planet?”
“I am. Are you alright?”
“Better than alright. Let’s go.”
As soon as he walked into the enormous living room Bella screeched and ran and jumped Xavier’s arms. “I missed you Xavier Doll.”
“I missed you too Bella Doll.”
They hugged for a while before he introduced her to me. “Bella this is Taelyn, my girlfriend.” When he said girlfriend he looked freaked out. His expression made me laugh.
“Is your Mommy dead?” Bella smiled up at me.
I was a bit stunned, “No.”
“Oh well my Mom died, Carly’s mom died, and Tara’s parents both died. Is your Dad--.”
“Little Bell she just walked in the door and now I bet she thinks you’re as crazy as the rest of us. You where my ace in the hole. I was sure you’d be the one who would make her wanna stay.” He laughed and tickled her.
“Well now I’m just more intrigued Bella. So you did a good job.”
“Do you play Barbie’s?”
“Not as much as I used to but sometimes when I’m home I sneak them out of the closet and play.”
“No need to sneak them out here. I have tons of them, come on let’s play.” She grabbed my hand.
“How about we introduce her to Momma Carly, Tara, and Bekah first.”
“Fine,” she grumbled and pulled my hand towards the couches where they were all watching the interaction between us.
“I’m Tara,” the petite brunette stood up and shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you Taelyn Cyrus said you were pretty cool, which means he likes you.”
“He seems like a nice guy. Nice to meet you.”
“This is Bekah.”
The tall curvy blonde stood up and I was immediately drawn to her necklace. “That necklace is gorgeous.”
“Thanks, Taelyn right?” Bekah stood and smiled as she shook my hand. “A gift from Zandor.”
“He has great taste.” She laughed like it was funny and so did I.
The other blonde stood. I stuck out my hand and she hugged me. “Taelyn Patrick. Irish right?”
“Yes, both my grandparents are immigrants.”
“I’m a quarter Irish, on the O’Donnell side.”
“Like Abe O’Donnell?”
“My cousin. That’s how I met Jase. Well sort of. It’s along very confusing story but it ends with a beautiful little Bell and this one.” She rubbed her belly.
“When are you due?”
“Two and a half months.”
“Do you know what you’re having?”
“We know it’s one. There’s an envelope in the kitchen drawer that will answer that question later I think. I’m just worried that Jase will chicken out.”