Page 59 of Bound by Destiny
Pop exhales heavily, either tired or just as pissed as Ma. “Ma, know you’re pissed, I am too. Just let the boys handle whatever needs to be done.”
I keep my lips zipped on the matter because this information needs to be close to the vest. This club is in my blood, and I’ve paid attention to my mother. She doesn’t talk about certain things, and I’m taking this as one of those things.
“I know that. It’s like he’s a damn ghost and we can’t exorcise him from our lives.” She pauses, and a look of surprise crosses her face. “I know. I’ll get some sage and do that burning thing around the house and the clubhouse. Get rid of all the bad spirits.”
“Ma, since when are you into that stuff?” I ask, because this doesn’t sound like her.
“The moment that man kept comin’ back in our lives. If it takes sage to get rid of him, fine. If it takes a damn seance or I have to dance naked around a fire, I’ll do it!” One thing is for sure, she’s damn determined.
“Now, woman. You ain’t dancin’ around a fire naked, I’ll tell you that right now,” Pops chimes in, and warmth floods through me. Not at the topic of discussion, but at the banter. We came so close to losing this between them, and I’m so damn happy that we didn’t.
I’ve always loved how they loved each other so much they knew what the other was thinking. How when Ma would enter the room Pops would make those goofy wiggle brows at her. How Pops still smacks her ass every time she walks by him. How Ma is the only woman in the world he wants and shows it every damn day. He doesn’t need Valentine’s Day or any of that shit. No, he does it every day, and it’s an honor to get to sit here and listen to it.
Jacks reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze like he can read my mind. I love that too.
“I’ll do whatever I have to, Malcolm Gavelson, you mark my words!” Her declaration is firm and precise. “And don’t you roll your eyes at me, mister!”
My stomach cramps as the laughter continues to flow. Yes, this right here—this is worth all the money in the world.
“Anyway,” Pops says, changing the subject. “What brings ya around? Aren’t we meetin’ at your momma’s house tonight for dinner?”
“What, you don’t want to see me, Pops?” Jacks chides. “Come on! I’m your favorite grandson-in-law.”
Ma looks over to my hand. “Don’t see a ring on that finger, buddy. You’ve got some work to do.”
“We’re not there yet, Ma,” I jump in, feeling a little lightheaded about the subject. Yes, I love him. Yes, I want to spend the rest of my life with him, but we haven’t talked about marriage. Yet.
“Don’t you worry, Ma,” Jacks overrides my words. “It’ll be comin’ sooner than you think.” At this I gasp, turning toward my man who smiles beautifully.
“Don’t look so surprised, gorgeous. One way or another, your ass will be tied to me forever. Know what I want, babe.” Tears well in my eyes as I lean over and kiss him. His fingers thread through my hair as he deepens the kiss. Breaths become hard to take in.
“Enough of that,” Pops says as we pull apart.
“Oh, Pops. You know young love. Everything is an adventure and new. Let them have their moments. Lord knows we had them.”
Then there’s the look. The one I love seeing passing through to one another. That look of devotion, passion, and everlasting love. Yeah, it’s the best.
Ma and Pops get stuck in their little trance for a couple of minutes before breaking it.
“I just wanted to come by and see how you are, Pops, and I wanted to tell both of you—thank you for the desk. I know I’ve seen you before now, but I never really said thank you. I love it.”
Ma’s smile widens. “Oh, girl. You had to have that old thing. I still remember you comin’ over here playin’ on it, openin’ drawers and writin’ down ‘orders.’ Of what would depend on the day. And with all your school work, I wanted you to have somethin’ nice to calculate all of our numbers and keep us on track.”
“I absolutely love it, Ma. I can’t thank you enough.” Pride sweeps through me.
She waves her hand at me dismissively. “Nonsense. You use it, and that’s all I ask.”
Our visit is nice, and when we leave I’m excited I’ll see them again in a few hours. It always takes some kind of tragedy to happen to hope your eyes to those things that are important. Like just spending time with those you love and letting them know how much they mean to you. Life is so damn short and can be taken away in a second. All it takes is five minutes to tell those you love them, because you never know when that last time will be.
Me, I pray it never comes.
Looking around the table,I’m in awe of my family that keeps growing and growing. It’s nice that once in a great while the Gavelsons and Cruzs get together for dinner under one roof. We don’t do it nearly as much as we should, but it makes these times more cherished. I’m amazed at the strength surrounding me.
Each person here has been through so many obstacles life has thrown at them and each time, they’ve come out on top. There’s a power there that you don’t just find anywhere. It comes from deep within, all starting with Pops and Ma.
They taught their children, Princess, and my dad, GT. Who then taught their kids, Cooper, Deke, Austyn, Nox and me. It’s no coincidence that we’re with significant others that are our match in every way. The ones who pick us up when we’re down or help us destroy demons that need it.
Pops and Ma had their problems with Ransom. My mom and dad, Angel and GT, had a love that almost didn’t happen. Cruz and Princess had many things to overcome. Cooper and Bristyl had problems with another man who thought Bristyl was his. Deke and Rylie had a slew of problems, but each one brought my brother back into the fold. Austyn and Ryker have had so many things go wrong, but sit next to each other more in love each day than the last.
