Page 137 of Love Me Again

“Wait, is that what you were saying while I was rubbing…” He stops and looks around the table at his children. “… your foot?” He finishes widening his eyes, and Shayla glares at him while the kids exchange glances.

“Oh, hell nah,” RJ utters with a grimace after he swallows his mouthful of apple. Alaia chokes on her hot chocolate and starts to cough hysterically. “I don’t even want to know what the foot was a euphemism for.”

“I think I just lost my appetite.” Alaia shudders while Cole smiles at his wife sheepishly.

“I don’t get it,” Aria asks, looking around the table. “So what if Daddy was rubbing Mummy’s foot? He does it all the time.” She asks while looking around the table with her wide innocent gaze.

“Your brother and sister are being silly. Eat your breakfast, sweetheart,” Shayla says, brushing a kiss on her youngest daughter’s head. “Aimee and Jo’s are coming over for breakfast.”

“Like all of them?” RJ questions sitting forward, and Alaia watches him with amusement. Shayla looks at her son and nods.

“If you’re asking if Isla is coming, the answer is yes.” Shayla smiles when RJ looks at her and then down at himself.

“Why didn’t you tell me before!” RJ complains just as the doorbell rings and his eyes go wide.

“I’ll get it.” Aria chirps, running to the door.

“Looks like it’s too late to tart yourself up, little bro.” Alaia teases with a laugh, and he growls at her. Shayla giggles and playfully hits Alaia’s shoulder.

“Leave him alone.” She scolds her eldest, who was teasing her brother about his crush. “You look as handsome as ever, honey.” She assures him, kissing his cheek, and he smiles lovingly at her.

“Thanks Mum.”

“Ugh, you’re such a mama’s boy.” RJ gives her a side glare, and she pokes her tongue out at him. “Look, it’s your girlfrie—ow.” Alaia hisses when RJ kicks her under the table.

“Morning!” Aimee chirps, walking into the kitchen, followed by Josh, Isla, and their youngest daughter Zuri, who was one year younger than Aria.

“Hi, punctual as ever, Aimes.” Shayla drawls sarcastically, and Aimee grins.

“Bish, don’t even get me started on the day I’ve had,” Aimee grumbles, sliding her sunglasses on top of her head.

“Yeah, please don’t. I’ve only just gotten her to calm down.” Josh says, giving Cole a handshake and taking a seat next to him. Shayla looks at her questioningly, and Aimee rolls her eyes with a shake of her head.

“I’ll tell you later,” Shayla nods, giving Isla and Zuri a hug before they go and sit beside the kids. The doorbell chimes again, and Aria runs off with Zuri to answer it. Jo and Sam walk in a couple of seconds later, followed by Trey and their youngest little girl Talia.

“Bish, why are you so late? I’m freaking starving?” Aimee scolds her, and Jo laughs as she walks over to sit on the other side of Shayla.

“Oh, pipe down. I just saw you pull up.” Jo retorts, squeezing Shayla while she waves at her big brother, who winks at her and takes a seat by the boys. They all tuck in and eat their breakfast while conversing with one another. Shayla leaned back in her seat and took in her surroundings slowly. She looks over at her eldest, who was having a conversation with her best friend Isla, then she looks at her son, who was talking animatedly about sports with his cousin Trey. Aria was showing Zuri and Talia something on her phone, and they all giggle. Then she looks at her husband, who catches her eye from across the table. They share a knowing look, and he smiles at her handsomely.

“So, Auntie Aimee, what story are you going to tell us today?” Alaia asks, her green eyes glittering with curiosity. Aimee looks around the table at Shayla and Cole and grins widely.

“Have your parents ever told you about how they got back together and married the second time around?” The kids all shake their heads, and the adults around the table laugh. “Oh, this is good. So, they broke up, right, and your idiot dad was about to marry ‘the witch,’ while your mother was about to flee the country to get away from your dad. I will have you know that if it weren’t for me…none of you kids would be here.” She explains and cackles when Cole throws a grape at her.

“Hey! That’s not true.” Cole chides, laughing. “I found out the same time she did.”

Aimee grins and throws at grape back at him. “Let me tell the story!” She grumbles and turns to face the kids who are watching her curiously. “So, basically, I was working with a girl named Becky…” Aimee starts to explain. Cole looks over at his wife, laughing while Aimee describes how they were running back and forth, looking for each other. Shayla looks at him, and she gazes lovingly into his endless green eyes.

“Be mine forever?”

Shayla nods with a grin, “Okay.”

The End.

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