Yes Ma'am

Cousins

Jasper

"You alright Jazz? You seem kind of antsy." My wife comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my middle.

"I'm fine, love. Just a bit nervous, that's all."

"I know. It's been a while since we've seen Peter and Charlotte in person. Your cousins never stick around in one place for long."

I turn around and pull her close. "Thea was still a baby." I remind her, and then add "I'm glad they're finally settling down here on the ranch."

"Has it really been that long?"

"Afraid so."

We shift our attention to the five year old twirling around and picking wildflowers in the field a few feet away.

"She's growing too fast." I murmur.

"She's not gonna stay little forever, Jazz."

"I know, Alice. I just don't think I'm ready for her to grow up yet."

"We still have time."

"Mommy, daddy, do you think auntie Charlotte will like the flowers I picked for her?"

I pick her up. "I think she'll love them, kiddo." I tell our daughter.

"You really think so?" Her eyes are big and filled with curiosity.

"We know so, sweetheart." Alice pats her cheek softly.

"Hey, we're here, sorry it took so long. Emmett couldn't find his shoes."

"They weren't in the place I left them last night!" Emmett exclaims.

"It's alright Rose," I laugh. "they're not here yet."

A car horn sounds in the distance. "And now they're here." Alice adds. "Did you give Char the code for the gate, babe?"

"Yeah, did that last night." I reply.

The five of us watch as the dust cloud rolls in behind Peter's old Dodge then disappears as fast as it came.

"Auntie Charlotte!" Thea yells out and as soon I set her down, she takes off running.

"Hi there sweet pea, we missed you! Look at how big you are!" I smile as Charlotte kneels down to hug her.

"Daddy says I grow like a weed."

"I don't doubt it." She ruffles her hair. "Oh! Are these for me?" She asks when she sees the flowers in Thea's hand.

"Yeah! I picked them myself!" Thea says proudly.

"Thank you kiddo."

"Hey, what about me? Do I get a gift?"

"Uncle Peter!" Thea launches herself at him.

"Howdy there, sweet pea! Ready to learn how to stand up on a moving horse?"

"Yeah!"

"Peter please," I say in an exasperated tone and add a sigh. "Don't be a bad influence on my daughter."

We all exchange greetings before resuming our conversation.

"Daddy, I wanna learn though!" She gives me her best puppy dog eyes and I sigh again.

"I don't know whether to be concerned or amused." Alice says to no one in particular, but it causes Rose, Emmett, and Char to laugh.

"C'mon, Jazz. Lighten up."

"Peter Whitlock, I swear that you're trying to give me a freaking heart attack."

My cousin snickers and I look back at my daughter who's still giving me the puppy dog eyes. "Sorry kiddo, won't work on me this time." Thea pouts and slinks away over to Alice.

"Jazz, when did you stop being so fun?" Peter asks me.

"When I became a father."

"Oh please, Jazz never was fun." Rose adds and I elbow her lightly.

"He's fun! You should see him when—-"

"Alice!" I hiss, covering her mouth.

Charlotte, Peter, my sister and Emmett all snicker and I roll my eyes. "Thanks guys."

Eventually our little group goes their separate ways for a while. Rose and Emmett taking Charlotte and Peter to their new house by the creek, and my little family back to our house. Thea asleep on my shoulder, and Alice's hand in mine.

Life was good.