70

It’s going good my man, he grinned, slapping me on the shoulder. My last night of freedom.
It sure is, Jackie grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him lightly. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
Of course, he whispered, kissing her again before stepping back and leaning against the car.
As we all said our goodbye’s, I pulled Lily over to one side and out of earshot of the others. Will you be okay ? I asked, worried that she would be nervous spending time with my family on her own.
But as I looked at her, I knew even before I had finished the question that she would be fine. Are you kidding ? she smiled. It’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to spending some time with Jackie and JJ. And getting to know your mum a little better too.
Good, I said, surprised as I felt a ripple of bewilderment shoot through me. So does that mean you won’t miss me at all ?
She burst out laughing as I just stood there, my brows furrowing. Who knew you were such a softie college boy, she smirked, standing on her tiptoes to kiss me on the lips for a brief second before pulling back.
Like hell that’s all I’m getting, I growled, wrapping my arms and pulling her against me.
I knew I shouldn’t have with my father and Dick sat waiting in the car, and mum and Jackie standing by the front door waiting for us to leave, But I couldn’t help it. If I wasn’t going to see her until tomorrow evening, then I needed a proper kiss. After a minute, we both came up for air and Lily’s cheeks were bright red.
I can’t believe you just did that in front of your parents, she whispered, smoothing down her trousers and glaring at me.
Well you couldn’t have minded too much, I smirked. You kissed me back.
She sighed and shook her head. Just get going will you ? she smiled. You’re holding everyone up.
Okay okay, I muttered, my eyes widening when Lily stepped forward and placed her mouth next to my ear, something which I wasn’t expecting.
I’ll miss you tonight, she breathed, her breath fanning over my ear and sending goosebumps down my body. All alone in your bed. And it’s supposed to be hot tonight. I may just have to sleep completely naked.
I shut my eyes and groaned, feeling the lust coursing through me as I pictured her lying there, wearing absolutely nothing. Why do you tease me so ? I murmured, wishing I didn’t have to leave.
She laughed softly and turned around, walking back to my mother and Jackie before I could do anything to stop her. Grumbling under my breath, I stomped over to the car just as my father had stuck his head out of the passenger side window.
Get a bloody move on will you ? He yelled. We haven’t got all day !
Taking one last look at Lily, I got in the car, shutting the door rather forcefully (maybe a little harder than necessary, my annoyance at not spending the night with Lily increasing by the second). As the car began to pull out of the drive, I looked over my shoulder to see the three of them waving at us. And as my eyes caught Lily’s, she winked.
Damn, I thought. It’s going to be a long night.
…………………………………………………..
Lily POV (7 hours later) :
I snuggled in to the corner of the sofa happily, glancing around the living room. JJ’s toys were scattered all over the floor, and I couldn’t help but smile. The little kid was special and he reminded me of Hannah, my little sister back in Indiana. Being in a home so filled with love made me miss her even more, Aunt Flo too, but I knew I’d visit them soon. The only thing I had to do before then was ask Noah to go with me. I knew how excited he was for me to meet his family, and now, I wanted him to meet mine.
The old wooden door to the room squeaked open and Sammy came wandering in, followed closely by JJ. The Labrador strolled lazily over to me and collapsed in a heap by my feet, almost instantly going to sleep. Smiling up at JJ, I noticed that he had gotten changed in to his Spider Man pyjamas.
Hey buddy, I said, patting the cushion next to me. I thought you were reading comics in your room.
I was, but I wanted to come down. I was hungry.
He walked over and sat down down next to me, cuddling right up to my side. There was a blanket thrown over the arm of the sofa so I picked it up and placed it over the both of us. JJ yawned and leaned in to me, looking up with those gorgeous blue eyes of his, identical to his brothers. Smiling, I lifted my arm up and he snuggled in even closer, his eyes shutting as he pulled the blanket up to his shoulders.
Are you tired little man ? I asked, rubbing his shoulder. It’s almost eight, maybe you should go up to bed, huh ?
I don’t wanna, he protested weakly, patting the sofa beside him.
I watched as Sammy immediately jumped up and spread out, taking almost half of it to himself. In a matter of seconds, both Sammy and JJ were fast asleep, their snores echoing around the spacious living room. Glancing over towards the door, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway.
Hey, we’ve got the – Jackie said, trailing off when she caught sight of me cuddled up next to JJ, with Sammy laying flat on his back with his legs in the air.
I shrugged, smiling slightly. JJ’s asleep, I whispered, pointing down at him. Sammy too.
That’s alright, Julie said, moving past Jackie and stepping in to the living room. An earthquake could happen right now and he’d just sleep through it. Sammy too for that matter.
Jackie walked past and they both took a seat on the sofa opposite, placing the bottle of wine and the three glasses on the table. It all seemed so normal, with Julie laughing as she attempted to open the wine. JJ snoring softly beside me as his dog whimpered, probably dreaming of chasing rabbits through a field, or something like that. It was a scene that most families experienced but it was all the more special to me, seeing as it was the first time I was living it.
Do you want some wine, Lily ? Jackie smiled, passing me a glass despite not having waited for the answer. It’s good stuff, and it’s the perfect time too. Calms the nerves.
I nodded and reached out for the glass, trying not to wake up JJ, who snores had gotten increasingly louder. Settling back in to the sofa, I took a sip of the wine and sighed. That’s some good stuff right there, I said contentedly.
I should hope so, Julie giggled, taking a sip of her wine too. I stole it from Pierce’s private stash that he thinks I don’t know about.
You didn’t ? Jackie laughed, sitting back and putting her feet on the oak table between the two sofas. I can’t believe you did that !
Will he mind ? I asked.
Don’t be silly, she smiled, waving her hand at me. My daughter’s getting married tomorrow so what better time than to drink it right now.
Amen ! Jackie agreed, holding up her glass and clinking it against her mother’s. It’s calming the nerves already, just like I said.
I glanced down as JJ shuffled beside me, moving so his head was in my lap, and his feet were curved around Sammy. Leaning forward, I placed the glass on the table and leant back, stroking JJ’s hair as he continued to snore softly. After a minute, I looked up to find Julie and Jackie both staring at me, looks of fascination on both of their faces.
I still can’t get over it, Julie whispered, leaning forward. I’ve never seen him like this before.
Me too, Jackie said. I mean I can remember a couple of months ago, I took him to the stables where I work, thinking he’d love to ride one of the horses. He did, he loved it. But the instructor who was there to help him couldn’t get a single word out of him. And then you come along, and he’s laughing and playing with you in a single day. How do you do it ?
As the words left her mouth, a warm feeling spread throughout my body. I had grown really fond of JJ in the short time I had known him, and I was glad that he seemed to feel the same way. I don’t know, I said honestly, not quite knowing why I should be any different to anyone else. Maybe it’s because I have a sister the same age.
Oh, you have a sister ? Julie smiled, topping up her glass with more wine. Noah didn’t tell us that. In fact, he hasn’t told us much about you at all.
I nodded, knowing why Noah hadn’t. He knew how hard it was for me to talk about my life, and my past so he had left it up to me. I would thank him later for that. She’s five years old, I smiled fondly, thinking about her cute button nose and curly blonde hair. But she’s not technically my sister, but I think of her as one.
So, she’s your….. Jackie said, trailing off.
Hannah’s my cousin. I live with my Aunty now.
What about your parents ? Julie asked, smiling at me kindly. You don’t live with them ?
I took a deep breath, knowing that I didn’t have anything to be ashamed about . Something that Noah had taught me. My mother died when I was little, I don’t eally have many memories of her. And my father died, um, when I was sixteen.
Julie gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Oh honey, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. I was just