We climb down the stairs together and head into the kitchen.
Fiona takes a tray of muffins out of the oven as we step in. “Hungry?”
“Oh yeah.” Everett walks over. “Your banana chocolate chip muffins are the best.” He winks at me.
The kid knew by smell that Fiona was cooking. I can’t wait until I know just by the scent that it’s my woman in the kitchen. Unlike Everett, I walk over and wrap an arm around Fiona as I steal a muffin. “They look amazing. Thank you for making them.” She cooked for my family after not getting a moment of sleep all night. Any other woman would have gone to bed.
My woman thought of others’ needs first. I’m going to have to carry her up to bed before she works too hard. But not until I kiss her silly. Maybe I’ll start with that delectable neck of hers.
Dad walks in with Dash on his arm. “Your mother will be down in a few minutes.”
Why doesn’t it surprise me that Mom didn’t go to sleep either?
“Those smell delicious. Thank you, Fiona.” Dad walks up and nabs a muffin from the platter.
Dash makes a grab for it.
“You need some teeth for that, little man.” Dad expertly moves it away from those grasping hands.
“I don’t think he cares.” I know I wouldn’t have when the food smelled this good.
“There’s more in the oven. I thought you could bring some for those that might need it later.” Fiona tries to wriggle out of my arms.
“Oh, no, you don’t. Have I told you how much I love you today?” I kiss my way slowly up her neck.
“Kids, there isn’t enough time for that. I need to talk to you two boys in my office before your mother gets down.”
That’s not good. Are we going to make arrangements for Gabe? I give Fiona a peck on the cheek and follow Dad back to his office.
As soon as the door closes, Dad says, “Max, I need you to do something for me. Everett, you’re welcome to join him, but you don’t need to if you think this might be too hard for you.”
“Whatever you need.” Whatever it is, it isn’t going to be pleasant.
Dad reaches into his pocket and pulls out a slip of paper. “This is your grandmother’s current address. Your mother swore years ago that she wouldn’t ever speak to her parents again. I was going to do this myself, but I need to be with your Uncle Antonio right now. We’re worried about his mental health.”
He’s been getting better for years now, but I can see why Dad is worried. “You want me to ask her about Tanith.”
Dad raises an eyebrow. Then, understanding dawns on his face. “Yes. We need to know whatever she might know.”
Every detail she can remember will help.
“I want to go.”
Dad nods. “I thought you would. Now, both of you boys should know, you might not receive a warm welcome. Everett has a better chance of being accepted, but expect your grandmother to be hostile at best.”
“Why?”
“Because our grandmother is a bigot.”
Everett’s mouth drops open. “And she might accept me because I’m white?”
“It’s possible.” Dad takes Dash’s fingers out of his hair before he can start yanking.
“I don’t want anything to do with a woman that doesn’t accept my family.”
That kid fits in our family so well.
“She might not talk to either of you. You need to be prepared to convince her in other ways.” Dad looks at me.
