Better Late Than Never, page 12
Randy smiled before he embraced his brother.
“It seems I may have to battle my nephew for my woman.”
Cody laughed. “Well, if you do, you will have fight on your hands.”
Kristen struggled to keep her expression clear. Did Randy consider her to be his woman? She sighed when she realized it was just one more thing they needed to discuss. Right now, she liked the arrangement they had. They were getting to know each other again, and she was trying to see Randy for the man that he was and not the man he used to be. Gone was the predictable boy she knew. In his place stood a complex man she had to get to know all over again. The same could be said for her. She was no longer naïve and idealistic. She focused on the reality of the situation at hand. The problem was she was still trying to figure out what was in front of her. However, today wasn’t the day to do it. It was Ophelia and Spencer’s anniversary party. She and Randy could wait until later. If she had been able to wait six years, she could wait a few more hours.
She closed the door and asked everyone if they wanted anything to drink. She left for the kitchen to fill the drink orders, and when she returned with the drinks, the doorbell was ringing again. Randy stood to answer it, and Blair and Drake were standing there. There was more embracing and greeting from everyone because Blair did live off by herself.
After spending some time with Drake, she knew Blair was more than okay with him. The fact he was an attractive man didn’t hurt either. Randy went and got the drinks for his sister and Drake while she handed out the ones she had to Cody and Alexandra. Once Randy returned with the drinks, everyone settled in. His sister Emily and her family arrived prior to Randy’s parents did. She realized a lot had changed. For some reason, she never imagined Cody and Emily so grown up. Cody was three years younger than her, and Emily was the same age as her and her sisters, but she still couldn’t imagine them at the point where they were in their lives. Yet, here they were sitting in front of her. Kristen looked down at Cody Jr. and Tracey since both had been fighting for her affection since they arrived. She favored Emily. Kristen looked over at Randy who was smiling at her.
“I think you have two fans.”
She smiled and shrugged. “I guess I do.”
The only time the two children had been off of her lap was to eat. Emily and Cody’s children were adorable. Another thing she noticed was Wade loved his Aunt Blair. He hadn’t left her side since she and her fiancé, Drake, had arrived. She was almost starting to feel neglected.
“Okay, Mom and Dad, it’s time for you two to open your gifts.”
Randy stood, and Emily grabbed Tracey while Cody grabbed Cody Jr. Kristen watched the Strouds receive present after present. Their grandchildren were more than happy to help them with the presents. Kristen watched them enjoying the interaction. It was occasions like this she missed. Occasions like this she longed for.
“I am so glad you and Randy are back together.”
Uncertain of how to respond, she looked at Blair. Kristen smiled. “We’re not together.”
Blair gave her a stunned look. “But I thought …”
She reached for Blair’s hand. “Randy and I are trying to work through things.”
Blair sighed. “Well, I hope you and Randy can work it out. The two of you are good together, and it is good to have you with us again.”
“I have missed you guys a lot, and I know we have a lot to catch up on.”
Blair smiled. “We do.”
Blair shifted Wade in her lap. “How are your sisters doing?”
Kristen grinned. “They are doing very well. Both of them were supposed to be here today, but Kayla had already made plans, and Keirra wasn’t feeling well this morning. Kayla might be able to come by a little later.”
“Well we won’t be leaving until tomorrow afternoon. Maybe we can meet up sometime before then.”
Kristen nodded because she knew her sisters were looking forward to seeing all of the Strouds again. They had grown up with them, and there had been nothing but good times.
“Thank you for the gift, Kristen.”
She looked up when Ophelia leaned down to hug her. “You’re welcome.”
“Be sure to thank Kayla and Keirra for me.”
“I will.”
The rest of the party was fun. When it was time for everyone to leave, she felt a sense of sadness fall over her. She hated for the fun to end, but she knew it wouldn’t be the last time she and all of the Strouds would get together.
Randy’s brother and sisters all embraced her repeating they were glad to see her and they were looking forward to seeing her again. She returned the sentiment before everyone leave. They were all going to spend the night at their parents’ house then leave out tomorrow. She and Randy had insisted a few of them stay at the house, but they claimed they didn’t want to impose. They were allowed to leave with the promise someone would come back if everyone didn’t fit comfortably in the house. Kristen knew even while Randy spoke the words that no one would take them up on the offer. The Strouds had a lot of room at their house. They were supposed to meet up at the house in the morning to have breakfast. Randy closed the door when his last sibling pulled out of the driveway.
He turned to look at her and Wade. “Well that went very well.”
Wade nodded. “Yes, Kristen did good.”
Kristen laughed at Wade. Randy narrowed his eyes, but she saw him fighting a laugh himself. He took his son out of her arms and tossed him up in the air.
“Just for that comment someone will be washing the dishes all by himself.”
Wade groaned. “I can’t reach the sink.”
Randy carried him into the kitchen. “Well, you had better grow a couple of inches and quick.”
Kristen followed them into the kitchen, and a short time, they had the dishwasher loaded and the kitchen cleaned. By the time she made it upstairs, Randy had Wade in the bathtub. She went into his bathroom and took a quick shower and changed into her nightgown. Knowing Wade was going to be joining them for a little while, she put her robe on. By the time she entered the bedroom Wade was already in the middle of the bed.
He scooted over to make room for her. She slid in beside him and Randy. He had removed his shirt and shoes. She followed him with her eyes all the way to the bed. Wade handed her the remote control to the television. She took it and turned the television on and switched it to the Disney Channel. Wade made it through one kid show and then fell asleep, like she knew he would. Randy lifted him up and went to place him in his own bed. Randy returned to the room closing and locking the door before rejoining her in bed and pulling her underneath him.
She laughed, and he smiled. “What are you doing?”
The look in his eyes became heated. “I am going to finish what I had planned for us this morning.”
The heat in her own gaze increased while her smile faded. “Go ahead and do your worst.”
When Randy’s lips touched hers all thoughts left her mind, and the only thing that mattered was Randy making love to her.
“I am so excited about seeing all of your family again.”
Keirra mumbled something around a sip of coffee that sounded like an agreement with Kayla’s statement. All of them had their own fond memories. Kristen had been able to talk her sisters into coming over to the Strouds for breakfast.
Randy had convinced everyone to ride together. Being his idea, he was the one who had to pick up everyone. She and her sisters had all brought something to go with breakfast. When the front door to the Strouds’ residence swung open, an excited Emily stood there. She and Keirra embraced for what felt like a year before Randy broke up the reunion and ushered everyone inside.
With the arrival of Kristen and her sisters everyone soon became excited. Soon breakfast was ready, and everyone was sitting around the table catching up. Wendy, Cody. Jr., and Tracey were introduced, and the confusion on their face of seeing three women who looked alike was amusing. Kristen liked that Wade was able to tell her apart from her sisters even though there hadn’t been too many times when all three of them had been present when he was around. Even with all of the excitement, Kristen felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. It was gatherings like this that made her feel sorrow. She missed the good times with her family.
Feeling the onslaught of tears coming, she excused herself from the table. She stepped out onto the front porch and wiped the tears from her face. The front door opened a second later, but she kept her back to the person who had joined her. Randy’s arms encircled her, and she leaned back into him.
“What’s wrong?”
Unable to speak, Kristen shook her head. Tears began to flow faster, and when she could no longer disguise her crying, she turned and pressed her face into Randy’s chest. He comforted her until she was able to compose herself. She smiled when he produced a napkin.
“Thank you,” she mumbled when he led her to the porch swing.
He brushed away a tear. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Kristen looked up at Randy and gave him a sad look. “Every once in a while something happens to remind me of the times we spent with Mom, Dad, Nana, and Grandpa, and I get a little upset.”
Randy grinned. “Is there anything I can do?”
Kristen shook her head. “Being here for me right now is enough. It might sound strange, but I enjoy the memories even when they are sad.”
Randy placed a kiss on her forehead and pulled her closer. He held her until she was ready to go back inside. When they went back in, they retook their seats. A quick glance at her sisters told Kristen they knew what was on her mind, and Kayla, who was sitting on the other side of her, squeezed her hand.
“Just think about the good times.”
Kristen nodded and took a deep breath. When she looked up she almost gasped out loud. The Strouds were no longer in front of her. Instead, it was her mother, father, and maternal grandparents surrounding her. She almost felt like she was in a dream state. Her mother smiled at her, and she returned one of her own. When her mother spoke, she couldn’t hear her but she read her mother’s lips. A strong sense of calmness came over her, and when she blinked, the room came back into focus, and the Strouds and her sisters were before her. Kayla squeezed her hand again, and a genuine smile came to Kristen’s face. She was going to be okay. The family she needed right now was around her.
Chapter Eleven
Kristen let out a loud whoop of joy, and her sisters looked at her like she had lost her mind when she walked into the living room.
Keirra’s expression was full of annoyance. “What is all the noise about?”
“Grandma and Grandpa are coming into town tomorrow.”
Keirra beamed. “That is great.”
Kayla frowned. “When will they arrive? I need to clean the house up before they arrive. Do you know how long are they going to stay?”
Kristen laughed, and then she shrugged. “The house is clean enough, Kayla. We aren’t slobs, and you know you can never put a time limit on Grandma and Grandpa. They are free spirits coming and going as they please.”
Her sisters nodded. They were used to their grandparents’ extensive traveling, which made them enjoy their infrequent visits even more. Kristen grinned at the thought of her father’s parents coming into town. She loved to see them, especially her grandfather because it was like seeing her dad all over again. She looked down at her cell phone when it rang and smiled at Randy’s number.
“Hello.”
“Hey, sweetheart, I’m calling to let you know I’m turning onto your street.”
She grabbed her pursed. “Okay. I am ready and walking out the door now.”
“You can wait for me inside so I can say hi to your sisters. Besides, a gentleman doesn’t sit in the car and blow his horn at a lady.”
She laughed. “Okay, Randy. See you soon.”
She disconnected the call and looked at her sisters. “I will help you clean and fix up the guest room when I get in tonight.”
Keirra chortled. “You might want to make sure they are going to sleep in the house first. They could just park the RV on the front lawn and stay in it.”
Kayla shook her head, and then frowned at Keirra. “I will be sure to tell them you said that.” She stood and looked at Kristen. “Don’t worry about rushing back to help. I will take care of it. You just go out and enjoy yourself.”
Kristen smiled at her sisters. “I always do.”
The doorbell rang cutting off Kayla’s reply. Kristen opened the door to find Randy standing on the other side looking handsome. He gave her a brief kiss then stepped inside to greet her sisters. After a brief conversation, she and Randy left.
He led her to his truck, and she was assailed by the smell of pizza after he opened the door. She looked over at Randy when he slid inside the truck.
“Is that Jimmy’s Pizza?”
Randy nodded, and she moaned in anticipation. She loved Jimmy’s pizza. Since she and her sisters had been back in Baxley, they had eaten Jimmy’s Pizza a few times, but the pizza was so heavy, and so good, eating it too often was pure gluttony. Randy drove to his house. She smiled when he reached into the back seat and pulled the pizza out. He climbed out of the truck before going around to her side and opening her door. He led the way inside and straight toward the backyard. Citronella candles were lit, but her eyes were drawn to the blanket in the middle of the yard. A telescope was set up not too far from it.
She looked at him in surprise. “Are we stargazing?”
“And eating Jimmy’s Pizza.”
She laughed. “I remember the last time we did this.”
“It was a long time ago.”
She looked at him. “Yes, but a lot of times, it seems like it was just yesterday.”
He led her to the blanket holding her hand with his free hand and carrying the pizza in the other. She sat down on the blanket first, and he handed her the pizza then reached into his back pockets. He placed packets of crushed pepper and Parmesan cheese on the blanket. Reaching into his other pocket he pulled out napkins. She watched him lower his frame onto the blanket beside her. He pulled off his shoes and socks before reaching for her feet. Since she had worn sandals he didn’t have much work to do. Once they were comfortable, she opened the pizza box and dug in. The first delicious slice had a lot of cheese and grease, just the way she liked it. She took a bite and moaned. “This is great.”
He took his first bite nodding in agreement. “Tell me about it.”
She gave him a bright smile. “Grandma and Grandpa are going to be in town tomorrow.”
His lips curved upward. “That’s cool. It has been a while since I have seen them.”
“It has been about six months since we have seen them.”
“What’s bringing them through town?”
Kristen shrugged. “Who knows? You know they come and go when they please. They have worked hard all of their lives and are retired now. They deserve to roam the country if it makes them happy.”
There was one time of the year she knew she would always see her father’s parents and that was the anniversary of their father’s death. It was a time when they got together and shared the good times and stories about their father. The anniversary was a time for them to catch up with everything going on in each other’s lives.
He picked up the last slice of pizza after making sure she didn’t want it. “What do you guys have planned?”
She shrugged. “To be honest, I have no idea, but whatever it is, I would like for you and Wade to be involved.”
Randy smiled. “I like that idea, and I am sure Wade will, too.”
She grinned. “Good. I am sure my grandparents would like to see you again.”
At least they should. There were a lot of activities going on in Baxley this week due the fact homecoming was this weekend. It was going to be a good game. Different dances and celebrations were going on around the town. It was a fun time in Baxley so her grandparents were coming through at a good time.
He reached out and gave her a hand a light squeeze. “Well, either way I’m sure it will be a good time.”
Kristen nodded before looking up at the sky. It was so clear out she didn’t need the telescope. Randy finished off the last slice of pizza and cleaned his hands, then took her into his arms.
He lay back, and they began to debate over which constellation they were staring at. Kristen was sure he made up a few along the way, but it was so much fun she didn’t care.
She looked up at Randy loving the relaxed feel of being with him.
“Randy where are we going with this?”
He replied without hesitation. “I don’t know, Kristen. I know where I would like for this to go, but it is up to you.”
He studied her carefully while she thought about what he said. She sighed, and he tilted her head toward his. His lips found hers. The affection she felt behind his kiss made her heart swell with an emotion hard to describe. The one thing she knew was she cared about Randy more this time around than she did last time, but was it enough? She was taking it slow. She just hoped she wasn’t setting herself up for another painful heartbreak.
Pulling back, she looked up at Randy. “I’m scared.”
He gave her a gentle look. “Why?”
She sighed and looked away from him. “I’m afraid you will hurt me again. You have no idea what our breakup did to me.”
He gave her a sad look. “You’re right. I don’t know, but I want you to tell me.”
She was quiet for a long time, uncertain of where she should start. She exhaled the pent-up breath she was holding and closed her eyes. “I was devastated when you broke up with me, Randy. Besides my sisters, you were everything to me. Even when I was off in college we worked hard to keep our relationship the same. I thought everything was okay.”
Kristen opened her eyes and looked at Randy. “When you broke up with me, I didn’t know what to do. It felt like a part of me had been ripped away. I was confused, upset, depressed. I tried to figure out what I’d done wrong, but I couldn’t.”
