Page 17 of Major

She opened her eyes and smiled up at him, winding her arm around his neck and pulling him closer. He kissed her tenderly at first, then with such passion and desire, it took his breath away.

“I’ve missed you,” she smiled.

“I’ve missed you more,” he grinned. “Come on. Let me introduce you to everyone. Do you feel like walking, or should I carry you?”

“Major, I’m perfectly capable of walking. Gray said there was nothing wrong with me or the baby.”

“I’m just being careful,” he grinned. Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, he walked down the aisle of the plane and stepped out to see his parents and about seventy-five other people smiling at them.

“Major!” said his mother, kissing his cheek.

“Hi, Mom. Dad,” he smiled. “This is Dr. Elena Fayek. The woman I’m going to marry.”

“Oh, she’s lovely,” said Stormy, wrapping her arms around the young woman. “You are a true Egyptian beauty.”

“Thank you,” smiled Elena. “You’re so young. How are you his mother?”

“See, that’s why you’re going to keep her,” laughed Stormy. “Elena, this is my husband, Jalen.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” she said, extending her hand. Jalen only pushed it aside and hugged her.

“We’re family. We hug here,” he laughed.

“Where is she? Where is she?” came the duet of voices. Claudette and Mama Irene were storming toward them.

“Oh. Oh, now, she’s just lovely, Major. Well done, baby,” said Mama Irene.

“She is a beauty with brains. My kind of woman,” smirked Claudette. “Alright now, we’re going to get this wedding taken care of. Preferences for flowers, colors, food, music?”

“Uh, Mama Irene, Claudette, maybe you could wait until we’re settled in the cottage for this,” smiled Major.

“No, no, it’s alright,” giggled Elena. “They’re lovely. I like lilies and crocus. My favorite colors are purple and green.”

“Mardi Gras colors,” whispered Claudette to her mother. “She’s a winner.”

“Food? Anything that doesn’t eat me first. And music, anything that makes people happy. I’m pretty easy to please.” She placed a hand on her stomach, then over her mouth. “On second thought. Nothing with milk.”

“Oh, dear. Those first few weeks can be a bother,” said Irene. “As Major said, I’m Mama Irene, and this is one of my six daughters, Claudette. I also have nine sons.”

“Holy cow!”

“Indeed,” laughed the older woman. “Alright, Major. You get your girl to the cottage. I’ll have Sage bring around the rings for you to look at there. Claudette and I will plan for the wedding, and Gwen will bring around some dresses. We’ve got it scheduled for tomorrow at four.”

“Mama Irene…”

“Don’t start with me, Major. You got that woman with child. You’re gonna marry her unless she don’t want you.” She stared at Elena, who was still giggling over the old woman. Elena looked at Major, frowning playfully.

“Well, he is kind of quiet and stubborn sometimes. But I do love him,” she grinned. He laughed, hugging her. “I think I’ll marry him if that’s alright.”

“That’s fine, just fine,” she nodded.

“Then there’s a party to plan,” smiled Claudette. “Let’s go.”

“I love your family,” laughed Elena, walking slowly with Major down the paths toward the main property. “This place is huge!”

“My family is wonderful,” he nodded. “And yes, this place is huge. Later, I’ll take you around and show you everything. We owe all of this to Mama Irene and Matthew.”

“Do they really have fifteen children?”

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