This Is Me Trying

Chapter Forty-One

Betty
A few days later

"Hey! Come in!" I stepped aside and let Jaina and Barrett walk inside the house.
"Where's my little princess?" Barrett asked as she walked into the living room.
"Nice to see you too B." Kaya playfully rolled her eyes.
"She's napping. I didn't want her to be cranky while you two had her." I sat on the couch next to Kaya.
"Wait, I thought just Jaina was keeping her tonight?" Kaya asked with a confused face.
"Ah... that's what we wanted to talk to you two about. Barrett?" Jaina looked towards her.

"We've officially been dating for six months now. We're together. We're moving in with each other." Barrett rushed out.
"Well shit Barrett. I didn't think that was a secret. I thought you two were out." Kaya said with a laugh.
"I knew for a while. I spent the night at Jaina's house a lot." I shrugged.

"See? And you were nervous for n reason." Jaina playfully elbowed Barrett.
"Well, she's my little cousin! I didn't think she'd know."
"I know a lot more than you think I know." Kaya laughed.

"I'm starving. Do you want me to cook or do you wanna order out again?" I asked Kaya.
"Pizza? I know you're tired babe." She laced her fingers in mine and squeezed gently.
"Let us order the pizzas. We'll get enough for everyone." Jaina said while pulling out her phone.

"So, have you decided anything about the funeral?" Barrett asked as she sat down in the chair.
"We're going." Kaya squeezed my hand harder and smiled at me softly.
"I'm glad. Your Dad will be glad to see you."
"My Dad's back in town? Since when?"
"Uh a month or so ago? I thought you knew." Barrett said awkwardly.
"No. You think he'd take time to at least call me. But I guess not." Kaya scoffed.
"Bambina." I whispered.
"He's just as much of a monster as she is. He's the one who left me with her. He-"

"Sei bello. Sei forte. Ti amo. Sei così, così incredibile. Stai calmo e risplendi la tua luce bella. Conosci la tua verità. Baciami." I whispered in her ear. (You are beautiful. You are strong. I love you. You are so, so amazing. Stay calm, and shine your light beautiful. Know your truth. Kiss me.)

Kaya took a deep breath and turned, giving me a soft kiss.
"Ti amo. Sii forte." I whispered as she faced Barrett again.

"I'll be nice. But that's it. I don't want him in our lives. I've been fine without him. I have a family who loves me." Kaya told her.
"Yes you do Kai. You know you're like my little sister. I'd do anything for you." Barrett nudged her knee with her palm.
"Yeah, yeah. Sister cousins, remember?" Kaya laughed.
"So, what made you two want to move in together?" Kaya continued.

"We just felt like it was time, you know? I love her, she loves me, we see a future together, I wanna spend the rest of my life with her." Jaina said as she sat on Barrett's lap.
"What she said." Barrett wrapped her arms around her girlfriend.

"When are you two moving in together?" Jaina asked.
"Ah, we haven't talked about that yet." Kaya looked at me.
"I mean, I was looking for my own place a few months ago. And then Mom and Mamma got Rory, so I stayed around to help. I figured they raised me, so I could stay around and help them."
"So, you don't want to move out any time soon?" Kaya asked.
"I don't know. I honestly haven't given it much thought lately."
"So, if I asked you to move in with me you'd say no?"

"I uh, I think we left something in the car." Barrett tapped Jaina's leg and she got up.
"Yeah. We left- my phone!" The two quickly walked out of the room and outside.

"I'm not saying I would say no."
"But you wouldn't say yes?"
"Kaya." I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"It's just a question Betty. It's a simple yes or no."
"So, are you asking me to move in with you?" I raised my eyebrows.
"Maybe." Kaya smirked.
"Well, if you're asking. Then ask right."

"Betty, do you want to move in with me?"
"Sì. Yes. But, only on one condition." I said with a smile.
"What's that?"
"We turn one of the spare bedrooms into a room for Rory."
"Deal. I was already thinking about that. I have a crib picked out. We'll need it eventually one day." Kaya leaned over and pressed her lips against mine.
"I love you." I whispered against her lips.
"And I love you."

"Ouch!" We heard Barrett whisper shout.
"You two can stop pretending you went outside now." I laughed out.
"Sorry. Miss Nosey here wouldn't go outside." Barrett said as she walked in with Jaina.
"I'm sorry! I wanted to make sure my Mija was okay. She's still my little fifteen year old niece." Jaina sat down next to me and wrapped her arms around me.

"I'm almost nineteen Tìa." I pointed out.
"Shhh. You're still a teenager." She whispered with a smile.
Rory started crying, and Kaya immediately got up and walked to get her.

"So, you're moving in with my sister-cousin huh?" Barrett asked with a huge smile on her face.
"Sì. Don't say anything to anyone else. I wanna tell Moms first."

"Look! There's Auntie Barrett and Tìa Jaina!" Kaya pointed out to Rory as they walked in.
"Dibs on the baby!" Barrett exclaimed as she took my little sister from Kaya.
"Baby hog." Jaina pouted.

I got up and grabbed Kaya's hand, pulling her into the kitchen.
"You sure you wanna live with me?" I asked as I put my arms on her shoulders.
"More than anything in the world." She wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me in for a kiss.

Everything is perfect. For a moment, it was perfect.