Chapter 19
It has been just over two weeks since our appointment, my vitamins are helping with my fatigue… well, a little at least. I have returned to work, and we seem to be returning to a somewhat normal way of life now that we are no longer dealing with Tara and Drake. I struggle with feeling guilt over the loss of two lives although I know that it was their own evilness that ultimately finished them.
It is Thanksgiving. The year my mom left, Mychal’s parents invited dad and I to join them for Thanksgiving dinner; it has been a tradition ever since. We do the same for Christmas. This year will be no different, yet completely different. Dad and I will still join them for dinner, but it will be the first time Mychal and I will be there as a couple.
I am nervous. The last time I saw or spoke to his parents was over the summer. They have been away the past few months on an extended vacation. Kenzie and Mychal have talked to them on numerous occasions, and I know they are aware of us, but I still cannot seem to get my nerves under control as we get ready to go.
“Baby, relax. Dinner with my parents isn’t a new thing for us.”
“I know, it’s just… things are different now.”
“It will be fine, trust me.” He winks at me, then proceeds to smack me on my ass before leaving the bedroom.
“Ow! What the hell was that for?!”
“Just warming you up for tonight.” He chuckles. Peeking his head back into the room he says, “Oh, and Piper, if you are still acting so shy and awkward once we get there… I will take you up to my old room and distract you.”
He leaves. I’m standing there with my mouth hanging open in shock. He wouldn’t. Not in his parents’ house. Would he? No way! Damn it, now that’s all I’m going to think about!
I call dad once we are on our way to dinner, knowing he wants to meet us there. When we pull into the drive, I see that Kenzie and Tyler are already here. Kenzie is preparing a massive feast for everyone today, she would have some hungry men hunting her down if she weren’t here.
We see dad pull in, and Mychal grabs my hand bringing it to his lips for a kiss. “Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’m gonna be.” I sigh.
“Remember, there is no reason to be nervous.” He reassures me before jumping out of his SUV.
“Hey kids.” Dad greets us.
“Hi Dad. How are you?” I give him a quick hug and step aside to allow Mychal to greet him.
“I’m starving. Let’s go say hi to the folks and eat.” He winks at us and smiles.
We do not even make it to the door before Mychal’s mom, Carrie, rushes out throwing her arms around him. “I’ve missed you so much!!!”
“I’ve missed you too, Mom.” His voice has a gentle tone I’m sure is reserved just for her.
When she turns to me, I debate running.
“Piper, sweetheart… I’ve missed you, too! I’m so glad the two of you finally admitted what we’ve all known for years! I love you and couldn’t be happier for you both!”
Her gushing is overwhelming, and my hormones are already in overdrive. I am unable to hold back the tears. “Thank you, Carrie. That means more than you know.”
“Oh, honey, no crying.”
I feel Mychal’s soothing touch at the small of my back. “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to help it. I was so nervous coming here.”
“Nonsense. Now, come on inside, that girl has gone crazy inside my kitchen. Tim, I’m glad you could join us.”
“I’m just glad you still invite this old man year after year.”
“It wouldn’t be the same without you. You and Piper have been part of our family for thirteen years now, and that’s how it will stay.”
When we step inside, we are overwhelmed by the enticing aroma escaping the kitchen. It is clear that Kenzie has outdone herself once again. Tyler is in the living room with Mark, Kenzie and Mychal’s dad, watching football. Tyler is completely unaware of anything going on around him, if I were to guess, I would say he is nervous about what he is about to do. Leaving the guys to watch the game, Carrie and I make our way to the kitchen.
“Kenzie, it smells amazing in here!” I say in greeting.
“Piper, you guys made it. Let me get this pie in the oven, then we can set the table. Dinner is pretty much ready, just finishing desserts.”
She gets her timer set, then looks around, clearly checking off her mental list of what is done. Once she is satisfied, she asks Carrie and I to help her set the table and carry food in.
As I am carrying a tray of croissants in, Mychal pulls me aside to whisper, “Both dads know, mom and Kenz are the only two that don’t.” He quickly grabs the tray pulling me in for a kiss as Kenzie walks by.
“Get a room you two!” She teases.
“Don’t tempt me.” He jokes.
“Mychal!” I feel my face turn various shades of pink and red.
As they both laugh at me, Carrie walks in the room. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing!” I say instantly, bringing on a new bout of laughter from these two jerks.
“Yeah, yeah. Are we ready to eat?” I am thankful she didn’t question further, it would have only added to my embarrassment.
Once we are all seated, I look around this table at this amazing meal… I know I am truly blessed. When Mark stands to speak, we all look up. “We are going to try something different this year. This year, before we devour this amazing food, I’d like for us to go around taking our turns saying what we are thankful for. I’ll start. I am thankful for every one of you. We have been blessed to be able to extend our family circle to welcome Tim, Piper, and Tyler… we wouldn’t want it any other way.” His words are a comfort.
Mark takes his seat, Carrie speaks. “I’m thankful to have another year to celebrate with all of you. While we enjoyed our trip, we are happy to be home, with our family.” She chuckles before continuing. “I’m also thankful my daughter can cook, so I didn’t have to.”
She looks over to Mychal who takes her cue. “I am thankful that I have such an amazing life. My world contains more love than I ever felt possible.” Beneath the table, I feel him squeeze my knee, as he turns to face me. “I’m thankful that this beautiful girl was brought into my life all those years ago, and that we finally admitted to each other what we’ve both known for so long.”
As all eyes turn to me, I can’t stop the tears that have welled in my eyes. “What he said.” I try for humor as I dab a napkin over my tears. “Seriously though, I’d be a mess… well, more of a mess, if it weren’t for all of you. Mr. and Mrs. Hartley, I’m thankful that you welcomed that sad little girl into your home and offered to show her what it’s like to feel a mother’s love, even if it was via surrogate.”
Grabbing my dad’s hand, I go on. “Not only opening your hearts to me, but to this amazing man that I have the honor of calling my dad. I’m thankful that God gave me a sister, even if we were born to different parents. Kenzie, I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you when you befriend me. Tyler, thank you for always having my back.”
That brings me to Mychal, I look into those beautiful eyes and sigh. “There are no words that can even begin to describe how thankful I am for you. I feel so lucky to call you mine, I’m only sorry we wasted so many years getting here.”
“Enough sappy!” Kenzie chimes in. “I love you, but please stop swooning over my brother… it’s kind of gross.” The table erupts in laughter. “I am thankful to be here with all of you. I have the best family a girl could ever hope for, a man that has stayed by my side through everything life throws our way. What more could I want? I love you all, yes even you, Tim.” She smiles at my dad as she says this. “I’m thankful I’ve been blessed with two dads, no matter how much grief I gave you both growing up.” She finishes on a wink.
My dad looks around the table before speaking. “Thank you, Kenzie, for skipping me and giving me a moment to collect my thoughts.” He chuckles. “I’m of course thankful for my little girl. Everything I’ve ever done in this life has been for you, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do again. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m thankful for all of you, for giving us not a second family… just a family, because that’s something we wouldn’t have without you.”
I look over to Tyler, who looks as if he is ready to pass out. If I didn’t know better, I'd think he was about to chicken out. It isn’t long before he snaps himself out of it. Pushing his hand through his hair, he begins. “This Thanksgiving, Kenzie, I want to give you another reason to be thankful.”
“What?” She asks in obvious confusion.
He stands, pushing his chair back and out of the way. Reaching into his pocket, he leans down on one knee. “Kenzie, I love you. You have been my everything for as long as I can even remember. Not only can I not imagine my life without you, I wouldn’t want to. If you’ll have me, I vow to spend my life doing everything in my power to keep you happy. Your smile lights up my world, and I want to keep that smile on your beautiful face. Kenzie, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, will you marry me?”
“YES!” She shouts. “I love you, Tyler!” She cries as he slides the diamond on her finger.
We all cheer as they share a small kiss. As I look around, there isn’t a dry eye around. Needing to get my emotions under control, I speak up, hoping to bring some comedic relief to the room. “Now who’s being sappy?”
Kenzie looks up from her hand, and over to me. She wails with laughter. “You do realize, I control what your maid of honor dress looks like, you had better be nice.”
With that, the room is back to a lighter note. We enjoy a meal fit for royalty, and an evening full of conversation with the ones we love.
It’s not too late when we get home. After an eventful day, surprisingly I am not tired. Still thinking of Mychal’s words… and his hand across my ass, I am feeling rather horny. He locks the door, and when he turns around, I run my hands up his chest, sliding his top button open, before moving to the next.
He has a grin on his face as he asks, “Can I help you with something?”
“Mmm hmm.” I respond with my lips on his neck as I continue my path down his shirt. Once I have it fully unbuttoned, I push it off his shoulders. He pulls his arms out, tossing it aside before wrapping his arms around my waste.
I walk backwards, pulling him with me until we are in front of the couch. With my hands around his neck, in his hair, I kiss him deeply. At my urging, he takes a seat on the couch and I straddle him. For the first time in my life, I am thankful that I am wearing a dress as I feel his hands slide over my lace panties. Rolling my hips, I feel him growing hard.
“Damn, Baby. I like these.” He says before bringing his hand down, smacking my ass. Not expecting it, I grind into him.
Never in my wildest dreams, did I ever think I would enjoy being spanked, but here I am, loving it and my pussy is soaked.
He brings his hands up my sides, effectively taking my dress with them, pulling it over my head and tossing it. Taking in the matching bra I am wearing, he licks his lips. I set a nice rhythm moving over him while his hands maneuver over my body.
Unable to resist, I bite his neck… not too hard, but hard enough. My hands seek the button of his pants. Having gotten much more efficient over the last month or so, it doesn’t take me long to have them undone. I raise up, allowing him to slide his pants and boxers off.
With his hard cock bared, I rub my lace covered pussy against him. Soft and slow at first, then picking up my pace. He pulls the lace cups down pushing my tits out, and into his face. He massages them, teasing my nipples. It is hot; erotic. It is sensual, everything I am craving.
Sliding my fingers along the edge of my waist, I start to slide my panties off, wanting more of him. But he stops me. Reaching his hand down between my legs, he moves his finger along the edge of my panties, before pushing it inside. I don’t even try to hold back the moan that escapes as he drags my wetness around, playing with me. Just before I explode, he holds my panties to one side, while positioning himself to enter me. I slowly slide myself down, taking him fully.
He leans in, holding me as I hold him. We could not be any closer if we tried. Skin to skin, heart to heart, we dance this dance of ours. The pleasure is indescribable. We barely move, just savor the feeling of being exactly where we are.
Even the gentle rocking motion proves too much. I break first. Mychal sends me soaring. My orgasm does it for him. Feeling me detonate was all it took to send him over the edge.
We continue to hold each other while the aftershocks rack our bodies.