THE UNKNOWN FUTURE

CHAPTER 31

Roy parked outside a mansion and carried  Braden in his arms. He led us to the house and pressed the door bell. I had never met any of his friends and I was eager to see them. A lady opened the door and hugged him cheerfully. She hugged me lightly and turned her attention to Roy smiling boldly at him. I felt jealousy clouding me and I swallowed hard.
“You went missing on us. We really missed you.” She smiled at him affectionately.
Roy looked at me and saw my expression. A smile twitched on his face.
“ Forgive my manners ladies. This is Ann Jackie. She is my brother’s wife. And this is Jackie. She is my fiancee. This is Braden, our son.” His brother’s wife? He had said that we were going to his friend’s place for dinner and there we were at his brother’s house. What was he really up to? He wrapped his hand around my waist affectionately and kissed me on the forehead. I relaxed and smiled at Ann. She smiled back at me.
“I finally get to meet you. He has been telling his brother a lot about you. Welcome dear.” She said giving me an affectionate hug this time round.
“Dave is waiting for you. Come in guys.”
Roy took my hand and we followed her inside.
“Someone was jealous outside there.” He whispered and his lips twitched with a smile.
“ I was not jealous you silly! You have a lot of explaining to do.” I punched him softly and he chuckled.
“I know. I'm ready to be crucified.” He chuckled and I joined in.
We got into the living room and a man stood up to meet us. I didn’t need to be told he was Roy’s brother. He looked just like him.
“Finally you show up after all this long. Is this my sister-in-law? If she is then I understand why you don’t visit anymore. She is so beautiful. I bet you can’t keep your hands off her.” Dave said and we burst out laughing. He was just like Roy. I liked him immediately.
“Don’t make me jealous. I'm the only one who should notice her beauty.” I covered his mouth and we all chuckled.
“ And this little champ here, I guess he is Braden.” Dave took Braden in his arms and kissed him on the forehead. Braden chuckled and we all joined in.
“Wow! He is so handsome and cheerful. I like him already. Wait until Chelsea sees him. This house will be unbearable.” I liked how jovial Ann was.
“Where is Chelsea by the way? She doesn’t miss her uncle?” A girl came running and hauled herself at Roy. He took her in his arms and kissed her on the cheeks. She laughed and entangled her arms on his neck.
“Hey uncle?” she said joyfully.
“Hey little princess. Uncle missed you.” He kissed her on the forehead and she chuckled.
“Now, give aunt Jackie a hug then go and play with your cousin.” She hugged me joyfully and took Braden to the foyer to play.
“Mind giving me a hand in the kitchen Jackie? You will get bored with their discussion.” Ann said smiling. She was always smiling. Just like Dave. Just like Roy. Everything revolved around him.
“Sure Ann. I don’t mind at all.” I smiled and followed her into the kitchen.
“I like you already Jackie. You and Roy look really good together.”
“Thanks Ann. I like you too.”
“Anytime. I have never seen him like this before. He is so jovial now that you are with him. I can see he is smitten by you by just the way he looks at you.”
“No Ann. I'm the one who is smitten by him. I love him so much you know. It’s like my whole life is dependent on him. I want to see him happy forever.” I covered my mouth and we both chuckled. I was talking too much and we were strangers to each other.
“No problem dear. I'm your sister now and just feel free with me. It’s amazing how these two brothers can drive someone crazy.” She had a smile on her face.
“Yes, I know. I'm a victim.” Someone hugged me from behind and I smiled. The cologne and body wash said it all.
“I want to steal her from you Ann. She never gets off my eyes. That was enough gossip.” He said kissing my neck. Ann chuckled and Dave wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Do you need a room Roy? We have many here.” Dave said grinning and we all chuckled.
“This kitchen counter will do. You should excuse us maybe.” He grinned back and I gave him a soft punch on his stomach.
“Sorry about that guys. He can be so naughty sometimes.”
“You need to get used to that Jackie. Dave is so naughty too.” Ann said and we all laughed.
“How do you deal with Roy Jackie? He can be so stubborn.” Dave asked glaring at Roy and he glared back at him. He had taken a seat and I was seated on his laps. I was so free with Dave and Ann and I didn’t mind it at all.
“I just manage. I like his stubbornness but not all the time.” I smiled at him and Dave and Ann chuckled.
“Why are the two of you here if I may ask? This is our territory.” Ann had a serious look on her face and I smiled.
“Oooh! We even forgot why we came here. Mum called. They are almost here.” Dave said and I gasped at his words. His mum was coming too? How now?”
“Your mum?” I asked still gasping.
“Yes. Mum, dad and our younger sister Terry. Terry is so excited to meet you.” Dave said still smiling at me. I tensed and Roy squeezed my hand assuringly. Dave noticed my expression and took Ann's hand.
“We will be in the sitting room.” He said and they walked out. I turned to look at Roy searching his face but he just chuckled.
“You didn’t tell me we were having dinner with your family baby. I came here knowing we were coming to your friend's house but it turned out to be your brother’s house. I have no problem with meeting Dave and Ann. I like them a lot but your parents is a different case.” I was so tensed up.
“Come on baby! I knew you wouldn’t approve of it if I told you we were having dinner with my family. I wanted to take the next step and introduce you to them.” He caressed my face with his fingers.
“ I appreciate that baby. But how am I going to face them? Will they even like me? What about Braden? Will they like him?”
“They are all eager to meet you. They already know about Braden and have no problem with it. It’s my life baby. Not theirs. I get to choose who I want and they can’t dictate for me. I'm sure they will like you and you will like them too. Just relax love.” He took my face in his hands and kissed me lightly.
“I will try to. I just hope they won’t ask me tough questions.”
“I will help you with the questions. Maybe I should give you a leakage already.” He chuckled and I joined in.
“You are not funny at all.” I said faking seriousness and he laughed.
“I know I’m not. Let’s join Dave and Ann or they will be wondering what we are up to in here. I feel like taking you on this counter.” He took my hand and we joined Dave and Ann.
The door bell rang and I tensed. Roy noticed it and took my hand. He kissed my knuckles and smiled assuringly. Ann opened the door and hugged them cheerfully. I could tell she had a good relationship with them. She led them to where we were seated and we rose up to meet them. The pretty lady, who I assumed to be Terry hugged me tightly.
“I finally get to meet my sister-in-law! I must admit you have taste Roy. She is so beautiful.” She said grinning and we burst out laughing. I was still tensed and Roy had let go of my hand to hug his parents and sister. His mum came and stood before me. She smiled and hugged me.
“welcome to the family dear. I'm so glad to meet you.”
“Thank you madam!” I said humbly and saw a smile twitch on Roy’s lips.
“Not at all. Just call me mum.” She rubbed my hand assuringly.
His father came to where we were and I tensed more.
“Am I allowed to hug my daughter-in-law?” He asked with a wide smile on his face.  I nodded and he hugged me lightly.
“Welcome to the family dear. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
“ The pleasure is all mine sir.” I said smiling back at him.
“Just call me dad. We are like family now.”
I let out a breathe I hadn’t noticed I was holding. Roy noticed and chuckled. He took my hand and led me to the table.
“It’s called keeping up with the Smiths.” He whispered and I gasped. I didn’t even know his father was called Smith. We all settled on the table to eat. Everyone was so happy and I fitted in immediately.
“Jackie dear, what do you do?” His mum asked smiling at me.
“I work as an IT manager.” I smiled back at her.
“She is the IT manager in Lee holdings. The best we ever had.” Roy added looking at me with a lot of admiration.
“Wow! So much beauty and brains in one person. I already like you Siz!” Terry said giggling.
“Thanks Terry.” I gave her a smile and she smiled back.
We ate chatting and cracking all types of jokes. I noticed Mr. Smith was a man of few words. He was like Roy in everything. I noticed how they all bonded with Braden and I felt overwhelmed with happiness. That was what I had been afraid of. They treated him like their own. I watched how happy everyone was and smiled with satisfaction.
“It’s getting late. We are working tomorrow and we have to leave.” Roy said taking my hand.
“Yes. It’s already late. We lost count of time.” Mr. Smith added.
“We should have  dinner at our house soon. Are you okay with that dear?” Roy’s mum asked looking at me.
“Sure mum. It’s a nice thing. It was a pleasure meeting you all.”
We said our goodbyes and Roy led us to the car. Braden was already asleep and I put him to sleep on the back seat. I got in the car and smiled at Roy.
“What is it love? You are just smiling.” He asked giggling.
“Just that I’m so happy. Your family is just amazing. Thanks baby.”
“I knew you would like them. So I won’t be crucified?” He asked grinning at me.
“You will still be crucified silly. You will be paying for all this.”
We both laughed and he pulled me to him for a kiss.
“I love you baby.”
“I love you too Roy.”