Yosiah
“Well this is unexpected,” Mom commented when I released her and turned her attention to Xylina. The smile on her face slowly faded and her face went blank. “Xylina.”
Xylina stepped into me and hugged my arm. “Thanks for invitingus, Mrs. Bedford.” She grinned at my mom.
Mom’s eyes narrowed. “It technically wasn’t an invite for two, but…” Her eyes ran over Xylina.
“But we’re here now,” I cut in, seeing this was going downhill fast. Turned out, even going to my parents’ house required a certain look. Xylina said since it was my birthday I couldn’t dress like I would every day.
While she wore a white shirt dress set with a denim vest tied right under her breasts and knee-high, sparkly blue boots, she insisted I wear a light blue, short-sleeved button up with khaki pants. Xylina wanted me to do something flashier, but I shut it down. Instead, she decided we’d coordinate and we agreed on this.
Mom still didn’t look happy, but she cleared her throat and plastered a smile on her face.
“Anyway, we’re all ready and have been waiting for you to arrive. C’mon.”
Mom turned and headed for the back of the house.
“Glad that I’m always welcomed,” Xylina muttered, causing me to snort.
“Don’t take it personal. She takes time to warm up to people,” I explained.
“Only been four and a half years.” Xylina rolled her eyes, causing me to chuckle lowly.
We walked through the kitchen and back door, stepping into the backyard where the smell of BBQ filled my nose. My dad never turned down the opportunity to fire up the grill and Mom loved hosting gatherings. They had the sunroom and patio area redone when they first purchased the house. The sunroom was an open space with automatic screens and floor-to-ceiling windows. One of the screens opened to the patio.
The firepit was lit. It was a small circle cove area with built-in seating surrounding it. Erik and Ryo sat around it, looking to be in a deep conversation. They had a built-in pool and pavilion a couple feet away. It too had automatic screens built-in and they were raised, opening the area. A firepit coffee table with outdoor furniture, a mounted TV, a mini kitchen area where the food was currently set up, and ceiling heaters completed the space.
We stepped into the pavilion. Roman was the first to notice us. He pushed up from the couch with a grin and approached me. “About time your slow ass showed up.” Roman stepped up to me and we slapped hands.
“Roman, language,” Mom and Mama Chelle said at the same time. Mama Chelle and Reginae were both sitting on the couch but rose when they saw me.
“My bad.” He smirked. Then he turned and his eyes widened when he noticed Xylina. “Oh, you brought the missus too.Xylina, it’s nice to see you.” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, causing her to giggle.
“Hello, Roman.”
Michelle and Reginae had come over now. “Happy birthday, my third son.” Michelle approached me with her arms open.
“Thanks, Mama Chelle.” I hugged her and she kissed the side of my face. “You’re just as handsome as always too.” She pinched my cheek before releasing me.
“Hey, Siah.” Reginae approached with a mild grin.
“Wassup, Nae.”
“Happy birthday.” She threw her arms around me.
“Thanks, Nae. It’s good seeing you.”
Her head tilted upward and her smile grew. “It’s your birthday, of course I’d be here.”
Xylina cleared her throat. “That’s one long hug.” She stepped to my side as I released Reginae.
“Oh, I wasn’t expecting you to come. I thought this was a family dinner.”
Xylina narrowed her eyes. “Then why wouldn’this wifebe here?”
“Not like you’re invited to anything else.” Reginae smirked.
Again, Xylina hugged my arm, pressing her chest into me. “That was then and this is now. Right, hubby?” Xylina stared up at me while batting her lashes.