Sophia says, "We may have to wrestle for it." Both our dads look up as if they just heard the best idea ever. The first one to laugh was quiet Lorenzo, which makes the rest of us bust up. Clearly everybody was starving. The room becomes silent for the next five or so minutes until the groans of overeating begin.

Dad says, "The problem with this food being so d.a.m.n good is that I never stop eating when I should."

"Dad, you can swim it off later." He looks at me like he's about to slap me across the back of my head. I say, "Or you can just sleep it off."

Dad gives me a crooked smile, "Yeah kid, that sounds better."

When we finish eating, we all gather in the living room on the floor in front of the fireplace. We haven't picked out furniture yet, so it's floor or stand and everybody with their full tummies chose to pop a squat on the floor. Lyric's dad starts the fire and we all make a comfortable spot for ourselves. The fire is roaring and the crackling it is making is beautiful music that lulls us all into a trance-like state.

Lyrics says, "Mom, tell us how you and Bo met."

Mom says, "Oh Dylan, you've heard this a thousand times."

"I know, but it's one of my favorite stories."

Sophia says, "Well I haven't heard this story." Mom loves telling this story but acts like she doesn't. Personally, it is one of my favorites too.

Mom begins by saying, "I had this friend named Mary Sue Jackson, and she was gorgeous. She was the type that caught all the attention when she walked into a room. I was your basic farmer's daughter, nothing like her at all."

Dad chimes in and says, "You were stunning. Girl, you're still stunning."

Mom blows him a kiss and continues with her story. "Mary Sue invited me to join her at a bonfire party one Friday evening and told me that there was going to be some strapping gentlemen there. I was eighteen years old, but I knew my daddy wouldn't let me go to some party so I lied to him. I told him that Mary Sue's church was having a bonfire for girls only. He was happy to let me go when he heard that. Daddy was such a good Christian, but I lied anyway."

I interrupt her and ask, "Mom, did you ever tell Papa that you lied to him?"

She shakes her head no and says, "Oh no honey, he'd have probably still punished me." We all chuckle.

Lyrics says, "Let Mom continue, she's getting to my favorite part."

I zip my mouth and Mom continues. "It was July, hot as h.e.l.l but I had to dress like I was going to a church function. I knew all the other girls would be in shorts, tank tops, and flip flops but I knew daddy wouldn't let me go to a church function in a tank top and shorts. My outfit was a skirt that went to mid-calf, a collared short-sleeve shirt, and Mary Jane shoes. I was so embarra.s.sed, but I wasn't about to let that stop me from checking out the strapping young men promised to be at the party. I kissed daddy good-bye and was riddled with guilt. I asked G.o.d over and over to forgive me for lying. As I was driving to the bonfire, I had a weird feeling about the night. Finally, I got there and let me tell you, Mary Sue didn't lie about the strapping men. The rodeo was in town and many of the young bull riders were at this party. I was dressed like I was chaperoning the party not attending it. Finally, I found Mary Sue in the middle of a herd of men, all of whom were gawking over her. She busted through them and practically fell on top of me. She was plastered. About ten minutes into the party, the skies opened and rain poured down. Everybody ran to their cars and left the property, except me and drunky bo bunky who was hanging on to me while I practically dragged her across the never-ending field. Of course, I found the biggest mud hole to slip into and my whole side was covered with mud. Finally, I get her into my car and my car won't start! Out of nowhere, comes this beat-up truck with the cutest man I'd ever seen. He gets out of his truck, laughs at the mud plastered all over me, and then introduced himself to me. I almost choked on my tongue when he said his name was Bo. I always loved that name. He looked at the engine and smugly told me that my battery was dead and that he would give us a ride home. Of course, I'd lied to daddy so that was not even an option for me. He said, 'Here, I thought you were a good girl.' Mary Sue slurred, 'She is a good girl. Too good if you ask me.' Bo rolled his eyes and pulled his truck up to my car, put a tarp over the two hoods and jumped my car. I thought Superman himself had come to my rescue. To make a long story short, he asked me to a movie and dinner the next day and almost exactly two years later, I became Mrs. Staff." Dad pulls Mom close to him and gives her a kiss on her forehead.

He says, "G.o.d knew what he was doing."

I reach over and grab Lyrics hand. I say, "He sure does."

It is getting late and everybody is noticeably sleepy. Each couple disperses to their designated rooms, each equipped with one plush bed, and nothing else. All I can think about is getting my fiance into our room and making this first night one to never forget. Luckily, our room is far enough away from the other rooms, so neither of us will have to m.u.f.fle our noises. What she doesn't know is that I made a quick stop into the lingerie shop while she was with Mom. Just thinking about her in the outfit I bought her, is making me rock hard.

"Check under the bed. There may be something for you?" She looks at me and hops down off our very high bed and reaches under, pulling a red box out.

She smiles and says, "For me or for you?"

I smile and say, "Both." She opens the box and pulls out a long red body suit. It's made completely out of fishnet material. She looks at me and says, "What do I do with it?"

Quickly I say, "You put it on so I can take it off."

She seductively goes into the bathroom to change and I hear her say, "Holy s.h.i.t, this bathroom is f.u.c.king huge." When she comes out, my breath leaves my body. This can't be the same girl that has been my best friend all these years. This woman is so f.u.c.king s.e.xy. The body stocking fits her perfectly, allowing her perfectly hard nipples to find their way out of two of the holes. Her long beautiful legs seem to be begging to wrap around my body. When my eyes focus on how the fishnet lays deliciously over her sculptured p.u.s.s.y, I'm ready to cash in now! This beauty with no make-up, hair windblown, and bbq stuck in her teeth, is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes upon in my entire life.

Standing in front of our new bed, in our very large and empty room, my hands find their way to her long beautiful hair. As my fingers thread to her neck, she rolls her head back as if my touch melts her. I want to kiss her so badly but my hands find their way roaming her body. When my fingertips find her hard buds poking through the material, my mouth crashes against her neck and she releases the first moan, which hits me directly and hard in my b.a.l.l.s. If my c.o.c.k were to be any harder, it would burst.

As I guide her down onto the bed, I whisper, "My mouth will follow the material as I slowly take it off."

She says with a smirk, "The scissors are in my purse."

"Oh baby, that would take so much of this fun away though." She lays still as I pull the spaghetti straps down her arms as I softly kiss her them. As I lower the beautiful red netting over those perfect mounds, my mouth covers and sucks her tender nipples hard enough for her to moan loudly and grab my hair. I love when she grabs my hair. It makes me happy that I didn't cut all my hair too short. Slowly, I edge the stocking down her belly and drag my tongue as I inch it down to her bikini line. It is getting harder and harder for me not to rip this s.h.i.t off and attack that p.u.s.s.y with my impatient tongue. She bucks her hips up, teasing me more than she even knows. Proving I actually have a shred of self-control left, I tease her by lightly dragging my face on her lower stomach, gently brushing her wetness. She bucks harder and I sit up and pull the body suit off entirely as my face, like a magnet pulls to her wet folds. My tongue is lapping her folds, consuming everything she wants to give me. Noticing her getting wetter, I ease my finger into her tight hole. Her legs are draped over my shoulders and my face is buried in that perfect wet spot, licking and fingering her slow and deep. She is soaking wet and releases a deeper moan as I add another finger. I need to be inside her, like five minutes ago. The way she's breathing and the tightness her walls grab my fingers with, I know she is very close to coming. I lick her hard and, not so gently, take her in my mouth as I plunge my fingers in her hard.

She bucks hard, grabs my hair with both hands, and yells, "I'm gonna c.u.m baby. Oh s.h.i.t! Tan!" She comes hard, leaving my fingers soaking wet and my c.o.c.k throbbing hard. As fast as I can, I slide my pants off and slide my hands under her hips, lift her hips up and slide my hard c.o.c.k inside of her. Her walls are still throbbing, which grabs me even tighter. I slide in so deep and lose every bit of control I pretended to have earlier. Thrusting in and out, seeing the look of absolute satisfaction on her face, and hearing the noise we make from the wetness is too much for me to take. My c.o.c.k drives in harder, deeper, and faster as we both moan loudly and more desperately. I pull her up with me and she is straddling me, swallowing my c.o.c.k completely as she rides me with her perfect p.u.s.s.y. Her head is back, hair dangling down her back, and nails digging into my chest.

She says, in not a soft tone as she pulls hard on my hair, "I'm f.u.c.king your c.o.c.k so deep, baby. I want your come, Tanner. I'm gonna c.u.m all over you again. Oh baby, f.u.c.k my wet tight p.u.s.s.y." My hands slide down to her hips and they follow her flow as she rides me with a rhythm that reminds me of one of my favorite songs. I can't get any deeper inside her but G.o.d knows I'm trying. I wrap up her dangling hair and yank hard, bringing her head toward her back.

f.u.c.king her so hard, I tell her, "Do you want my c.u.m, baby? Make me c.u.m inside you, baby. f.u.c.k me hard. Oh s.h.i.t baby, f.u.c.k me. Oh G.o.d, you're gonna make me c.u.m. Oh G.o.d." She wraps her arms around me and roughly slides back and forth on my c.o.c.k as I'm coming in her. She starts bouncing on me yelling that she's gonna c.u.m too. A flood of fluid pours out of her onto my lap and her p.u.s.s.y is throbbing hard around me. We both roll onto the bed and lie still for a few moments; words are not needed. This woman right here is going to be my wife and very soon.

Chapter 22.

'All I've ever wanted is right there in your eyes.'

Lyrics I can't believe we've already lived here for one month. Tomorrow is dad's wedding and I am so excited for him. Sophia is perfect for him and for me too. She's so laid back and really fits in nicely with the family. The whole family will be there tomorrow, even Brent and his gang.

I yell to Tan, "Babe, we gotta leave in a few minutes so we can get there in time for dinner. Mom is making dinner tonight. I believe she said quiche."

"Oh yeah. You should watch how she makes it so you can make it for me."

I laugh and say, "How about you watch and make it for me." I yell down to Anthony and Lorenzo, "We gotta leave in five, gentlemen." These two have become like family to us. Lorenzo isn't so quiet anymore. In fact, he is quite funny.

Lorenzo shouts up at me, "Okay, Ma." I could hear each one of the three men laugh, but I laugh too so it's okay.

About two hours into our drive to Beaumont, Tanner's phone rings. He picks it up and immediately I know it is Chip.

Tan says, "Okay bro, thanks for the heads up. Antonio and Lorenzo are right behind us, so I'm sure we are safe. Oh yeah, they are great guys. We'll miss them when this whole thing is over. Chip, don't forget April 25th." Tanner gives a laugh and says, "No doubt in my mind. You're the best, thank you."

When he finishes, I ask him, "Everything okay?"

He places his hand in mine and says, "Babe, you're right here with me. Yep everything is okay."

"That's very sweet but I know you aren't being honest with me."

He puts both hands on the wheel and says, "I don't want you worrying about this c.r.a.p. It's already been bad enough for you."

I interrupt him and raise my voice a little, "Seriously, you think I'm so weak? I can handle it, I promise."

He pauses for a few moments and says, "Chip wanted to give me a heads-up that Jennifer may be heading into Texas. He doesn't know where, but one of his friends, who is friends with her ex-agent, told him that she was going to be coming to Texas. He didn't know why she'd be coming out here; he just wanted to give me, us, a heads-up."

My stomach tightens up, but I don't want him to know. I say, "Well, we have our own private bodyguards so we should be fine, right? Besides, she can't do anything to anybody that isn't drugged up. Let her show her face near me and I'll tear that s.k.a.n.k to shreds."

Tanner puts a hand behind my head and says, "Just stay close to me please. I'm not worried about what she can do. I'm thinking about the idiot that would do anything to have a piece of her. Let's just play it safe for now. It'll be in the past soon."

It's a lot to swallow but I take a deep breath and say, "Wanna play?"

He half smiles and says, "The guys are right behind us, if we pull over, so will they." I push his shoulder and say, "Not that, silly. Wanna play the music game?" He clears his throat and begins.

He sings with that delicious raspy voice of his, "There's a place in my heart that's made just for you and you alone."

I sing, "There's n.o.body else, not even Tim, I'd rather bone." He almost spits his water out.

He says, "Oh really, even more than Tim?" I've loved Tim McGraw for as long as I can remember.

I laugh and say, "Yeah babe, even more than Tim."

He looks at me and says, "I'm honored and you're full of it." I laugh it off. Truly, there is n.o.body else I'd rather be with than my Tanner.

"Ready to create a song?" I nod yes. He sings, "Back roads, dirt roads, highways, and interstates, don't care which one I take to get back to you." That's cute.

I sing, "Every song on the radio talking about love gained, love lost, or love never found."

Tan smiles and says, "Deep." He sings, "Since the day I met you, our souls have been bound." That line took me aback a bit. I sing, "Wherever you go, wherever life takes you, I'll hunt down your scent like a good ol' farm hound." We both crack up.

He sings, "Baby let me tell you, in case you've forgot, everything I've ever wanted is right there in your eyes."

I quickly say, "Say that line again, please."

Without hesitation, he sings, "Baby let me tell you, in case you've forgot, everything I've ever wanted is right there in your eyes."

"That's gotta be our next song. I love that line."

He pats himself on the back and says, "It is pretty good if I do say so myself."

I repeat the line a few more times in my head and randomly blurt out, "Yep, I love it!"

We pull up to the Staff's house and the chimney is pumping out beautiful smoke. So many memories sitting around the fireplace here. As soon as Anthony and Lorenzo park, we flag them to come in with us.

Tan says, "You feel right at home, don't worry."

Lorenzo says, "Oh, your family talks about the old country too? I bet they talk about your fifty uncles and aunts too, right?" We both laugh and Anthony smacks him upside his head.

He says, "Ah shut up." When we walk in, the whole family is bundled up in the living room watching my favorite John Wayne movie, McLintock. Brent's kids, Chase and Maddie, pop up and give us a running and jumping hug.

I hear Lorenzo say under his breath, "Welcome to The Walton's."

I sarcastically whisper to him, "Not the Walton's, the Staff's." He winks and shushes me away. We introduce our artillery to the family, well the ones that haven't met them yet. Brent and Ca.s.sie look at us like we brought Al Capone into the house. Yes, they are part of the Mob, but it's so easy to forget because they are both so kind and gentle when around us. We make our rounds with hugs and kisses and then toss them each a handmade blanket and tell them to find a spot to get cozy. We find a spot and a blanket to nuzzle with the rest of them as well.

Maddie squeezes between Tan and I and she says, "Auntie Dylan, this is an old timer's movie." I smirk and whisper, "It is but you know what? It's one of my most favorite movies ever."

Her eyes grow big and she says, "It's one of mine too."

I turn around and quietly say, "Mom, the quiche smell so delish." She raises her overfilled wine gla.s.s to me and winks. I notice that Sophia and Ca.s.sie have filled gla.s.ses too. I get up and make my way to the kitchen and help myself to a gla.s.s of Shiraz. Holding up my gla.s.s as I walk into the living room, I say, "Cheers to Dad and Sophia." Everybody raises their gla.s.s or bottle.

The movie ends and everybody grabs their seats around the table. Anthony and Lorenzo hop right in and grab theirs. Not a minute in and dad asks Anthony, "So, tell us about your family."

Anthony's face turns red from being singled out but he says, "My family or The family?" We are all looking at him like a kid in a candy store.

Dad says, "You know, your mom and dad, siblings, that family."

Lorenzo comically says, "Oh man, I was getting nervous for a minute, if you know what I mean." Anthony gives him the shut-up look. Lorenzo says sarcastically, "S.o.r.r.y. Please forgive me if I was being rude."

Tan says, "No man, you're fine. Personally, I think you're hysterical."

Lorenzo says to Anthony, "See, n.o.body was offended." Anthony's face turns red again. Mom puts four amazing quiches down the center of the table and each one looks better than the last. The smell soothes my body and soul with memories and comfort.

The food makes it way around the table and then Anthony says, "To answer your question, sir, I'd say I have a pretty normal family. My parents have been married for thirty-three years. I have two brothers and three sisters. Every Sunday we go to our parents' house for dinner. Well, I haven't been there in a few weeks though and I'm catching h.e.l.l on that. Two of my sisters married morons and the other married one of my best friends, who is only half a moron. My older brother is married to a girl I went to school with since kindergarten, and my little brother is a pickle smoker like Chip."

Dad says, "A what?"

Anthony laughs and says, "He's gay."

Dad says, "Oh, a pickle smoker. That's funny."

Anthony says, "So I have seven nephews and three nieces. Oh and I have about fifty or so people that I call my Aunt and Uncle, and every kid of theirs is called my cousin. Hey, that's Italians for you."

Lorenzo laughs and says, "It's true. That's about my exact story too."

Bo chimes in and asks, "Would you mind telling us how you got into the mob life?" The whole table freezes and I swear you can hear a pin drop.

Anthony looks down and says, "Guess that's the pink elephant in the room. No sir, I don't mind telling you guys. The way I see it is you know when. Well, let's say your dad has an auto shop or something and when you get old enough he begins giving you more and more responsibilities at the shop, right, so you learn the shop like a pro and before you know it, it's your shop. That's pretty much how I ended up in the family business. I know the t.v. shows portray the Mob as a bunch of nuts, but it's not like that. Of course, we do have a couple loons that are only breathing because of who their family is, but other than that, it's a whole lot of families just trying to get a leg up. My older brother dabbled in the business but he's real smart and got his law degree. He's a corporate lawyer, if you can believe that. He's one of the good guys though. My younger brother is a Civil Engineer and works in Manhattan for some big wig. Me, I never wanted to do anything but what I'm doing now. I love being part of the family. I don't know, maybe I'm a loon."

Dad says, "Well son, doesn't sound too different than any other family I know. I bet your Mother cooks one heck of a meal on Sundays."

Lorenzo says, "Mr. B, you have no idea. That beautiful woman makes a Cacciatore like it was baked in heaven."

Anthony says, "You all are welcome any time. There's always a seat for all youse."

Mom says, "Oh that's so lovely. Sounds like a trip to New York is in our future, wouldn't you say Bo?"

Bo says, "I'd say so."

The wine has gone to my head a bit and I stand up and tap the spoon against my gla.s.s. "I'd like to make a toast to my dad and my new stepmom. Dad, seems like it was always you and me. I can't imagine how hard it must have been raising me all on your own, but you did it, and obviously, you did a great job. I can't remember ever seeing you so happy and outwardly in love, and I think you wear it very well. You're my daddy and I want you to be so happy, and it makes me happy to see that you are so very happy now. I love you, Daddy, forever and ever. Sophia, well you are simply amazing and I couldn't have hand-picked a better woman for Dad, or a stepmom for me. I was so lucky to move next door to the lady I call my Mom, and I consider myself lucky to have you now, too. When my mom died, I thought Daddy would be alone forever, but then he met you, and you brought that flare back into him. Thank you for making Daddy so happy. I love you both so much." Sophia has tears rolling down her face and she stands up and gives me a big hug.

Dad steps in and hugs me tight as he whispers, "You're always my number one girl, baby."

My eyes well up and I squeeze him tight and whisper, "You're always my hero, Daddy. Love you."

Dad and Sophia go home and the rest of us scatter to our rooms. Mom made a make-shift room for Anthony and Lorenzo in the living room. I love sleeping in Tanner's old twin-size bed; the same one he's had since he was in high school. So many nights we'd sit up writing, playing guitar, and singing. Often, we'd fall asleep next to each other but never crossing the line. Now, I can't even walk by him without touching him somewhere on his body. We fall asleep wedged together, safe, peaceful, and happy.