You're My Little Secret, chapter 22
In the morning I woke to the smell of coffee and bacon that had floated up the stairs, and the familiar clatter of mom shuffling around in the kitchen. Without even opening my eyes I rolled over on my other side and brought the pillow that Tre had vacated only a few hours earlier closer to my chest, inhaling his familiar smell and smiling at the memories of last night that seemed to float through my mind like snapshots.
Not ready to get out of bed yet I continued to lay with my eyes closed, trying to figure out how I finally had gotten to a place in my life where I felt content. And wondering when Tre and I were going to have the inevitable 'let's tell everyone we're dating' talk. I hoped it would be sometime soon, although I'm not sure how much of a surprise it was going to be to my parents at this point.
I was just about ready to emerge from the piles of pillows and blankets that were tucked around me when I heard someone come down the hallway and stop in front of my door. Betting that either Joey or Jakob had been sent to wake me up, as that was one of their favorite games, I shut my eyes and burrowed back down into the comforter just as my door creaked open. I knew immediately when the person opened the door and gently closed it behind them that it was Tre. The kids usually ran screaming into my room or if it was Adrienne or my mother they would stand within the doorway and call my name, knowing that I hated to be startled awake.
I waited for Tre to either whisper my name or at the very least throw himself on the bed next to me but there was silence as I tried to fight the smile that threatened to creep on to my face. I could feel him staring at me, making it difficult for me not to crack an eye to look back or at the very least shift uncomfortably.
I almost giggled when I felt him move to the end of my bed and the blankets shift as he crawled underneath and burrowed his way upwards. I couldn't help the smile that formed on my face when I felt his fingers ghost along my bare knee.
I really couldn't help myself. "Mike?" I whispered, trying to make my voice sound hopeful.
I saw the steady progress in his climb to the top halt as my words registered, and I fought the giggles that rose in my chest as his head finally emerged from under the blankets next to my shoulder.
The appalled look on his face was priceless and that finally did send me into a fit of laughter. "And you fucking wonder why your mom and sister think something is going on, Jesus." He muttered as I leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"How did you get nominated to come wake me up?" I asked curiously as he shifted a little, placing small kisses on my shoulder before moving so his head was laying next to mine on my pillow. His voice was a little scratchy yet and his hair hadn't been tamed so I figured he himself had just gotten out of bed too.
"I actually volunteered... Jakob woke me up this morning and let me tell you something, that kid has vocal chords on him like that of the siren on a fire truck. I thought I would spare you the agony." I giggled softly as I reached out to run my hands through his messy hair.
"You're awfully cute in the morning." I whispered as he moved a little closer to kiss me.
Right before his lips touched mine he whispered back, "I'm always fucking cute, I don't know what you're talking about." His lips brushed mine as his arm wrapped around my waist under the comforter, pulling me close to him as we shared a brief kiss.
"AUNT AVA! UNCLE TRE! BREAKFAST IS READY!" I pulled away from Tre to laugh as he cringed. "See, a voice like a fucking siren." He mumbled as I rolled away from him to place my feet on the carpet. He followed suit on the opposite side as we both grudgingly stepped out into the hallway, holding hands as we descended the stairs.
We both stopped mid-step into the kitchen as the site of Mike and my mom dancing around the kitchen caused us to stop and laugh. Both still in their pajamas, mom holding a spatula and Mike a coffee cup, they continued to twirl each other around like some sort of tango. I glanced at everyone sitting at the kitchen table who were seemingly ignoring the display happening five feet from them and couldn't help but stare in amazement.
Adrienne looked up from behind her newspaper and shook her head. "Avert your eyes now or you'll be scared forever." She mumbled sarcastically.
I giggled and headed for the empty chair between where Mike had been sitting and Adrienne. Tre sat across from me, giving me a wink as we waited patiently for the crazies in the kitchen to join us.
My dad, sitting at the head of the table, finally rolled his eyes from behind his glasses and put down the sports section.
"Lois, for pity's sake woman, come sit down. We're starving." He scolded playfully as Billie Joe nodded in agreement from next to Tre. "Yeah, and I blame Mike too, he encourages her." My dad and Billie Joe shared a nod as the two in the kitchen finally complied and joined us at the table.
"That was pretty." I murmured to Mike who grinned and shrugged. He really was flattered by my mom's extra attention... I couldn't decide if that was sick or amusing. As breakfast continued there was a clamor of small talk as the plates of waffles and the bacon were passed around. While we ate I slid my barefoot across the floor to rest between Tre's, occasionally running it up his pant leg a little, causing him to smirk into his waffles.
"You make the best waffles, Lois." Mike complimented my mother as he took a giant helping of waffles and even bigger helping of syrup to compliment them.
Mom smiled from the other end of the table. "Thank you Mike, dear."
"How did everyone sleep?" Dad asked, glancing over at the boys who were sitting on either side of Billie Joe. "I heard someone had a nightmare last night."
Jakob nodded a little. "I had a dream that werewolves were out to get me and they came from under my bed." He managed to say around a mouthful of waffle, syrup dripping down his chin and on to the front of his Spiderman pajamas in the process.
Adrienne frowned and leaned over to hand him her napkin. "Jakey don't talk with your mouthful please."
Billie Joe chuckled a little and nodded. "Or at least learn to keep the food in your mouth."
The boys shared a laugh as the women at the table collectively rolled their eyes.
My mother turned suddenly in her seat to look in my direction as Mike requested that I pass the orange juice.
"Ava, I think it's about time we invested in a new bed for you." She said, taking a bite of her bacon. "Even though you're not here that often."
I glanced over at her strangely. "My bed is fine, mom." I said, reaching for the orange juice that Mike had requested.
She furrowed her eyebrows. "Oh well, you must just be a restless sleeper then." I froze with the orange juice half-way to Mike and prayed to God she wasn't going in the direction I thought she was going in. Oh please no... she couldn't have heard...
I saw the curiosity on everyone's face as they waited for an explanation to her bringing up such a random topic. She didn't disappoint. "When I got up to use the bathroom in the night I walked by your room and I heard your bed creaking and heaving... you're quite the roller in your sleep. Always were, I just thought you would grow out of your rough and tumble ways." She teased, smiling as she poured cream into her coffee, completely oblivious as to the real reasons for the creaky bedsprings.
I could have died. I actually hoped that lightening would strike me dead immediately because this conversation about my creaky bed couldn't possibly go well... I'd never make it out alive.
I saw Tre freeze across the table, his fork half way to his mouth, as he finally connected the dots in his mind. I quickly avoided his nervous gaze as I saw the smirk on Billie Joe's face and then Mike's as they too solved the mystery. I was so appalled that I forgot I was supposed to be handing the orange juice to Mike. He nudged me a little as I felt the color drain from my face. I still couldn't look at Tre and I certainly couldn't bring myself to meet my sister's eyes either.
My mother, oblivious to the smirks and the clearing of throats, looked over at me again. "Didn't you sleep well dear?" She asked curiously.
Billie Joe, unable to help himself and no doubt eager to get back at me for all of the vicious comments about his hair, smiled so widely you would have thought it was Christmas. "Something tells me she didn't get a WINK of sleep last night."
I shot him a look of death as my mother looked confused.
"How do you mean?" She asked her son-in-law who earned another death look, this time from Adrienne, which thankfully shut him up for the time being.
My father who had been quiet all this time was staring curiously at me as I assumed by now I was as white as a ghost and could hardly hold a fork in my hand because I was shaking. "I slept fine, mom." I finally managed to mumble. "Why don't you tell us about your plans for today?" I said, attempting to veer the conversation away from anything having to do with last night.
Oh, but it was far from over.
"I heard weird noses coming from aunt Ava's room last night too." Jakob volunteered as Tre's fork clattered to his plate and his eyes widened before muttering an apology and something about being clumsy when my parents glanced over at him. I entertained the thought of just slicing my wrist wide open right then, it would leave the same effects on me as the conversation... just less awkward.
My mother still painfully oblivious frowned. "What sorts of noises?"
I thought Billie Joe was going to have coronary as he laid his head on his arm, his entire body shaking with laughter and a rare snort making an appearance every so often.
"Sort of like whimpering." Jakob replied, his tiny eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he thought about it. Through my mortification I saw Adrienne's hand cover her mouth, I'm not sure whether she was appalled or amused. "Jake, finish your breakfast." She mumbled, her eyes trained on me for a moment before she tried to steer the conversation in another direction as I had a few minutes earlier. "So 35 years today, huh?"
I sat completely rigid in my chair as I felt the waffles and the bacon threaten to make a re-appearance at the table. Please just let me die.
I saw my mother at the other end of the table still trying to understand, her eyebrows knitted together. "Whimpers?" She questioned as Mike, who had been trying not to laugh this entire time, lost the battle. He gripped his side as he and Billie Joe shared a hearty laugh, ignoring Adrienne's shushing and my parents questioning looks.
"Did Mike say something funny again?" Mom called from the other side of the table.
Dad shook his head, wiping at his mouth with the napkin. "Who knows, they just started cackling." He answered, jerking a thumb at Billie Joe who now had his head thrown back and was still enjoying a good laugh.
I finally dared to look at Tre and when I did my mouth hung open in shock as I noticed his face was colored a bright red hue. I could remember exactly one other time in my LIFE when I had actually seen him embarrassed. I half expected him to high five everyone at the table and brag, but he remained eerily quiet as he took a drink of his orange juice, intent on memorizing the pattern on the table cloth.
Jakob shrugged again, prepared to answer his grandmother. "Sounded like someone was hurting her."
Dear sweet Jesus. Why?
My father cleared his throat, confusion still etched into his face. "Hurting her? I don't understand. Like a dream?"
I was horrified as tears began running down Mike's face. His hand was slapping the table as he wheezed and cackled with laughter.
"I hope you choke." I whispered menacingly, which only sent him into another laughing fit, in turn making Billie laugh harder.
My parents were obviously torn between Tre and I's looks of humiliation and Mike and Billie Joe's amusement, but thankfully they just couldn't put it together.
"Ava, did you have a bad dream?" My mom asked curiously.
Jakob piped up from beside Adrienne again. "It's okay if you did aunt Ava, I had a bad dream about werewolves."
I smiled sweetly at the young boy who had moments ago unknowingly betrayed me. "Thanks little man."
There was a brief moment where I thought we were moving on to another subject but of course my mother quickly digressed. "So, you didn't have any dreams?"
"JESUS CHRIST IS THIS SOME SORT OF INTEROGATION OR WHAT?" I yelled, startling my mother and silencing the two laughing hyenas next to me.
"Ava Lynn! You watch your language... honestly, using the Lord's name in vain." She muttered. "And in front of your nephews. What kind of example is that to set?" She scolded as I shook my head.
"New subject!" Adrienne intervened quickly. "What are you and dad doing today besides letting us take you to dinner later?" She asked as everything quickly shifted away from my nightly activities, sexual and otherwise.
Tre didn't look at me for the rest of the meal. My appetite was gone.
After breakfast I went outside for a smoke...and to find a shotgun. I took a seat on the back steps, resting my head in my arms as I tried to will away the embarrassment that I was pretty sure would be embedded in me forever.
I heard the screen door open and slam and then, "Want some company, kid?"
I looked up to see Billie Joe standing above me, an unlit cigarette dangling between his lips.
I shook my head miserably. "Not a fucking word about... you know." I warned as he grinned around his cigarette and took a seat next to me, borrowing my lighter.
"Could be worse." He replied, a hint of sympathy but mostly amusement laced in his words.
I glanced over at him and pretended to think it over. "No, no it couldn't POSSIBLY been worse actually." I muttered miserably, my cheeks coloring with the thoughts of the conversation all over again.
Billie Joe was silent for a moment before he exhaled and then shrugged. "They could have walked in on you last night." He offered casually, but there was something in his voice that caught my attention, a hint of truth, a confession.
My mouth dropped open when he ashed his cigarette on the step below our feet and looked slightly embarrassed. "NO." I gasped, putting a hand over my mouth.
He nodded a little. "Right before Adrienne moved to California with me I stopped through for the night and I had snuck up to Adi's room after everyone went to bed for a little late night T and A... " He stopped as I grimaced. "Sorry." He said apologetically before continuing, "So anyway we were going at it, in what I thought was a relatively quiet manner, when all of a sudden the door flies open and your dad walks in."
I couldn't help but cover my eyes in embarrassment FOR them. "Dad? Oh yeah, that's definitely worse than mom mentioning I have a squeaky bed." I replied as he chuckled.
"And the worse part was when the door flew open it startled Adrienne who shoved me off the fucking bed and I fell butt-ass naked on the floor right at his feet."
I tried to hold my laughter back, I really did, but it was too funny. I started giggling as he stubbed out his cigarette and leaned back, resting his weight on his palms.
"That's AWFUL." I mumbled when my laughing fit had ceased.
He nodded. "Yeah, so like I said, it could have been worse."
I finally lit my own cigarette as we settled into comfortable silence for a moment.
"I've never seen Tre that embarrassed before, it was kind of cool." Billie Joe snickered as I giggled a little.
I nudged him as he shrugged. "He really cares for you, Ava. I'm sure you already know that, but I've seen some changes in him these past couple of months that has your name written all over them. Good changes too, I mean it as a compliment."
I blushed a little and this time it wasn't because I was embarrassed. "Thanks." And then remembering something I had been wanting to amend for awhile added, "Sorry about that night on tour when I jumped down your throat." I said earnestly, glancing over at him. "You were just way too close for comfort on that one. And I kind of treated you like shit because of that for awhile and I know that was months ago but I wanted to let you know anyway."
He nodded. "S'alright, I knew I shouldn't have come at you with that the way I did... . and might I also say that the scene in the bathroom was fucking hilarious. Probably one of the highlights of the tour." He replied, an amused grin on his face as I chuckled.
"So you didn't buy that we were plotting for your anniversary party, huh?" I joked as he shook his head.
"That was a fucking awful lie, kid. And besides, Tre couldn't lie to save his fucking life." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I figured you two would eventually work shit out on your own time... but I sure had a few laughs along the way."
I smirked and then stubbed out my cigarette as we both continued to lounge on the steps, staring out into the backyard.
"I'm surprised Adrienne never got mad at you for figuring it out before she did and not saying anything to her." I said, looking over at him curiously. "She must have realized later that you knew."
He nodded a little and sat forward again, picking at his shoes.
"That month you two didn't talk was my punishment for holding out on her." He joked. "It was hell on earth."
I nodded. "I bet."
He glanced over at me, squinting a little in the late morning sun. "When are you and Tre going to make the big announcement?"
I shrugged, feeling my spirits drop again. "After this morning's debacle who knows... he has yet to say a word or even look at me." I glanced over at Billie and grinned sheepishly. "Soooo I'd say probably by next Christmas."
He shook his head before standing up and then offering his hand to pull me up too. "Don't be so dramatic, he'll get over it." He mumbled as I pushed him to get through the back door first, he shoved back as we playfully made our way back into the kitchen where Mike and Tre were saying goodbye.
"Leaving?" I asked, directing my question towards Tre. I stared at him for a moment as he stepped forward to engulf my mom in a hug. "Thanks for letting us stay Mrs. N." He mumbled, ignoring my question.
Mike finally answered for him when Tre still hadn't acknowledged me. "Yeah, we need to get to an interview by 11." He replied as I nodded and continued to stare at the side of Tre's head, feeling rather irritated by his actions.
"Enjoy your anniversary." Tre was saying to my mother who grinned and patted his cheek.
"Such a sweet boy... Ava, isn't he sweet?" My mom gushed as I chortled from behind her.
"Oh yeah, he's a real peach."
He jerked his head around at my sarcastic tone and I thought I saw a hint of annoyance, which would only serve to match my own annoyance at these dumb games we seemed to be playing. I mean for fuck's sake, it wasn't the end of the world... so we had an awkward breakfast, so what.
Mom, once again oblivious to the tension, moved to hug Mike next. "You come see us real soon, okay?" She said as Mike nodded.
"Will do Lois, thanks."
Billie Joe who had walked upstairs to grab his bag reappeared in the kitchen.
"Bye mom." He said, leaning forward to give her a kiss and a hug. "Happy anniversary."
I followed Mike and Tre as they walked outside, leaving Billie Joe to say his goodbyes and to wait for Adrienne who was driving the guys to the arena.
"So we'll see you after the concert?" I asked, wanting to make sure they remembered what we had previously discussed.
Mike nodded a little. "We'll probably be to the reception hall by 11:30 at the latest."
"Great. Well, have a good show tonight." I offered as Tre shifted in front of me from one foot to the other.
He nodded, keeping his eyes focused on the ground. Mike sensed we needed a moment so he excused himself politely.
"Do I get a kiss?" I asked playfully, taking a step closer to Tre and pulling at his belt loop.
I saw a restrained smirk play on his lips as he nodded a little, but he didn't make any move towards me. "It's okay, you know." I whispered to him as he finally brought his eyes up from the cement to look at me.
"Definitely not cool." He muttered back, his cheeks turning a pinkish color. "I don't need your parents taking an active interest in our sex life."
I couldn't help but smile. "You're kinda cute when you're embarrassed." I replied, taking another step closer and leaning up to touch my lips to his. He brought his hand up to cup my face for a brief second before he pulled away. "We'll see you later tonight at the party."
I nodded back as he started towards the car right as the front door opened and Adrienne and Billie Joe stepped out with mom following after them.
"Bye." I muttered to Billie Joe who gave me a quick wink before climbing into the front seat next to Adrienne. I waved at the car before turning around and heading back inside with mom, hoping that the evening would make up for the disastrous morning.
"SURPRISE!! Happy Anniversary!!"
Adrienne and I grinned as we saw our parent's faces transition from being confused at being dragged into the reception hall just a few miles from our house 'for after dinner drinks', to that of complete bewilderment. They really had no idea that we had been planning this party for a couple of months now.
We smiled as our mother turned around. "You girls, always fussing over us." She tried to sound flippant but we both saw the tears in her eyes, as she squeezed our hands and then quickly strolled away to start greeting the eager guests.
"Thank you girls." Dad simply said, still in shock, turning to give us both kisses on our cheeks before he too quickly hurried away to mingle with his poker playing friends.
"Great turn out." I mumbled to Adrienne who nodded and leaned into me a little. "I'm glad we did this." She whispered. I nodded and then reached over to squeeze her hand. "Prepare to be mauled." I muttered as we were both quickly enveloped by various family members and friends. As usual we were given the third degree about what was going on 'way over there in California' and finally after being told we didn't come home enough and four rolls of film, we met back up at the bar.
"Oh God, I thought I would never make it out alive." I muttered dramatically as we both slid onto a stool. "So many questions... so many camera flashes."
Adrienne nodded. "I know, I thought aunt Nancy was going to smother me to death in her cleavage."
I giggled. "I forgot how tall she is... and you're right, you really do run the risk of being smothered in those things."
We giggled some more and quietly made fun of our family as Joe, our hired barman for the night, approached.
"Vodka tonic, please." I muttered and then smiled as Adrienne chimed in with, "Make that two." He nodded silently and busied himself behind the bar.
"How do you feel?" I asked Adrienne as she shifted to get comfortable. "And should you be drinking with your pain meds?" I asked.
She gave me an amused look. "And how else do you think I'm going to make it through tonight without alcohol?" She joked as Joe set down two napkins and then our drinks.
"Thanks." We chorused as he chuckled, "You're welcome," and walked away.
I swiveled a little in my seat. "What should we toast to?" I asked Adrienne as she tucked her gum into her napkin.
She held up her glass and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, if we were decent daughters we would toast to our parents... "
I shrugged. "We already toasted to them at dinner... let's toast to something else."
I saw the look on her face and I knew the direction she was going before she even spoke. "How about we toast to you and Tre?"
I felt a twinge of embarrassment as she obviously was making a reference to the conversation at breakfast this morning. "How embarrassing." I mumbled as she giggled and lowered her glass.
"Okay, so not up to toasting to any late night romps?" She teased as I shook my head. "I could have died, Adrienne."
I saw her smile. "I feel your pain and I know your embarrassment." She replied as I nodded vigorously. "I know, Billie Joe told me this morning about dad walking in on you guys." I said, grinning as it was her turn to blush and shake her head, the memory obviously sending shooting pain through her body.
"Oh Jesus." She mumbled, not meeting my eyes for a moment. "THAT was agony... this morning was nothing compared to how fucking awkward that was."
I nodded in agreement. "Oh yeah, there's no argument over who wins the 'Most Horrific Moment Ever' award."
We both shared a laugh as she raised her glass again. "So let's toast to breaking our men in at mom and dad's." She offered as I giggled at her colorful toast. "Or at least breaking our beds in."
"Not a very conventional toast but okay... to breaking our men in at mom and dad's." I raised my glass to meet hers as we laughed again.
"Still weird though." She admitted once we had taken a sip and set our glasses back down. "Just yesterday you were playing with your Ninja Turtles dolls and watching The Little Mermaid in dad's lap and now you're whoring around." She teased as I nodded and added, "With Oakland's finest, none the less."
She opened her mouth to say something just as Jakob and Joey came running up.
"Mom, will you go with us to the car so we can get our toys? We're bored."
Adrienne rolled her eyes playfully. "No. You need to mingle with your relatives!" She hissed as I stifled a chuckle.
"But mom... " Joey began but quickly stopped when Adrienne shot him a look of death. "You can deal with having your cheeks pinched for a couple more hours, you never see some of these people."
The two disgruntled boys stood in front of us looking like they weren't sure whether to cry or throw a fit on the floor.
Adrienne sighed, sensing that their breakdown was upon us. "Okay, I'll go with you." She mumbled as the boys almost sighed in relief.
"Be back in a bit." Adrienne called over her shoulder. "Cheers." She mumbled sarcastically.
I grinned and lifted my drink. "Cheers indeed."
I took a sip of my drink and took in the atmosphere around me, everyone looked happy and carefree as they mingled and took obscene amounts of pictures. I glanced up at the clock over the bar and saw that it was only 9:30. The DJ we hired started playing music about an hour after we arrived and there seemed to be a correlation between how much alcohol was being served and how many people were on the dance floor.
I was pulled on to the dance floor, against my will, by a few of my aunts and appallingly enough we line danced to some obscure country song that would probably haunt me forever. But my mom never stopped smiling and I think that made it worth it, I was just going to have to destroy the pictures later on.
Awhile later I excused myself from the throngs of people on the dance floor and headed out back for a smoke. I stepped out onto the black concrete just outside of the door which was designated for smokers and laughed to myself when I heard the DJ announce it was time for the Macarena... Jesus, welcome back to 1993.
I was gazing out at the pond behind the hall, on my second cigarette and wondering when the guys were going to show up, when I heard the door behind me open.
"Here you are." I smirked to myself before slowly turning my head to look over my shoulder.
"Here I am." I replied, grinning at Tre as he took a few steps towards me, the door closing softly without his body to keep it propped open. I turned my gaze back to the pond as he stepped up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"You feel cold." He sighed into my hair, nuzzling my neck a little as he pulled me closer to his chest. "How long have you been out here?"
I shrugged within his warm embrace. "I don't know, awhile... and you'll be sad to know that you missed the Macarena."
I giggled as he stomped his foot in mock anger. "Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have showered first. Fuck all, I could have been here 15 minutes earlier." He continued to curse and mutter to himself as I turned around in his arms and smiled at him.
"Well, I'm glad you're here now." I said, taking in his newly gelled hair and crisp dress shirt. "You look pretty."
He smirked as he leaned down to kiss me, making the butterflies in my stomach do somersaults as he held me close. I loved how he smelled after he just got out of the shower and his dress shirt had just a hint of cologne attached to it, it was perfect.
We stood outside for a few minutes kissing and quietly talking until Billie Joe stumbled out back with Adrienne in tow.
"Are you two fucking out here too?" Billie joked as Adrienne shoved at his shoulder.
I unwrapped my arms from Tre's neck as he took a step back. "Har har har." He muttered back. "We didn't miss cake, did we?" He asked, concern filling his face as Adrienne shook her head and leaned against Billie Joe.
"Nope, we won't be cutting the cake or saying our toasts for another half hour or so yet." She replied, glancing at me. "You prepared something, right?"
I nodded as I slid my hand around Tre's waist who had been covertly inching away from me. "It's not anything fancy, I'm just going to thank everyone for coming... yada yada yada."
She nodded and silence fell over the four of us as I tried to get Tre to look at me, irritated by what I had come to call his 'people complex'. He wouldn't meet my gaze and as soon as Billie Joe finished his cigarette he had the decency to mumble an excuse and pull Adrienne back inside with him.
Miraculously as soon as the door closed behind them Tre stepped back towards me again, grabbing for my hands and smiling mysteriously.
I shook my head. "No." I said pulling away from him. "You and I need to have a talk."
His eyebrows furrowed together and a sigh escaped his body. "I fucking hate when you say that." He backed against the brick wall of the building and stared at me as he slumped and crossed his arms over his chest.
I mimicked his gesture, crossing my arms over my chest. "You have a problem with being affectionate towards me in front of other people." I said, not bothering to beat around the bush.
He shook his head a little as though he was in disbelief. "After that dismembering discussion at the breakfast table this morning I would hope you understand my hesitance to maul you in front of your parents." He replied, his frustration with the conversation coming through loud and clear.
I shook my head. "It started way before this morning." I replied as he picked at the wristband of his watch.
"I don't know what you mean... you and I have only been... Jesus I don't know, out for a month. How can you say I'm not affectionate towards you in front of people? We haven't BEEN in front of people." He mumbled, pushing away from the wall to pace. As soon as he started pacing I realized that he knew that he had a problem, but he wasn't sure how to deal with it. He only paced when he was really frustrated with himself.
I stared at him as he paced back and forth and wished for just five minutes, maybe ten, of some sort of resolution. "Look, I know for so long we were used to sneaking around together and worrying whether people saw us or not... but Tre, we don't have to worry about that anymore. We're allowed to kiss and cuddle and all of that good shit without consequences... we just can't have anymore sex in my bedroom." I teased as he continued to pace, hands on his hips.
He didn't say anything and I know he didn't appreciate the bedroom joke, he was the type of person who didn't get embarrassed easily but when was embarrassed it stung right down to his bones.
"So what do you want to do?" He asked, finally turning to look at me, his face etched with confusion and frustration. I was getting tired of seeing this look from him.
I sighed. "I fucking hate when you ask me that." I mumbled, noting the small grin on his face as he realized he had muttered those words only a few minutes earlier.
"Seems like we're back at this place a lot." He replied, stepping a little closer to me.
I looked up at him through the dark, feeling a sense of sadness wash over me again. "We're really good when it's just us, but we can't seem to get our act together around other people and that's just fucking weird... even for us."
He nodded. "So maybe we'll just have to live with being dysfunctional?" He mused jokingly, even though he knew the answer to that.
I shook my head and started walking for the door. "I can't live like that."
He sighed. "Maybe we're just not ready yet... we said a month ago that we would try to figure some shit out and then give it another try... maybe we're just not there yet." He offered, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I'm ready Tre, maybe you need to figure out if you are." And with that I slipped back inside the hall just as I heard the DJ making an announcement for everyone to gather around for a few words.
I sighed and made my way up towards his booth where Adrienne stood motioning frantically for me to join her up on the small platform. She handed me the microphone and a glass of champagne, encouraging me to say my toast first. I hardly felt like saying pretty words when I just basically told the love of my life that our relationship wasn't good enough for me, but I accepted the microphone and the flute of champagne anyway. We weren't here for me; we were here for mom and dad.
I smiled out into the sea of faces and almost fell right off the stage when about twenty-five cameras went off at the same time. I realized that my momentary blindness had been caused by an entourage of aunts and cousins in front of the stage.
"Jesus... " I muttered to myself glancing over at Adrienne who chuckled and nodded knowingly.
I finally brought the microphone up to my mouth, still trying to blink away all of the tiny flashes of light in my eyes.
"Hi everyone, thanks for coming! As you know we're all here to celebrate the anniversary of a very special couple." I shifted my gaze over to where the cake table was and also where mom and dad stood holding hands and looking delighted to be here amongst everyone. I felt jealous all of a sudden of their 35 years... hell, I didn't even have a month I could brag about.
"Thirty-five years is a very, very long time." I paused for a moment as some of the older women and men in the audience chuckled at my lighthearted tone, "And although you have had some ups and downs along the way you've always managed to come out on top. You've spent thirty-five Christmases, birthdays, and Valentine's Days together. And all of us standing in this room tonight want to wish you the happiness and the strength to enjoy thirty-five more Christmases, birthdays, and Valentine's Days together, and thirty-five years of all the little moments in between that make the year special. Happy Anniversary mom and dad, we love you." I said smiling and raising my glass in the air. Everyone followed suit as we took a polite sip from our glasses.
I handed Adrienne the microphone as she smiled at me and stepped out into the middle of the makeshift stage.
"Thanks Ava... and I swear to God if you take my picture while I'm up here talking I will beat you to death with this microphone." Adrienne said in a joking tone, but I chuckled when I saw about thirty cameras lower in defeat. My relatives really were camera whores.
I stared out into the sea of faces and immediately spotted Tre standing with Mike towards the outskirts of the dance floor. He was staring back at me too and as usual I felt our magnetic pull towards one another. I tried to convey several messages to him just by staring across the room but in actuality all I wanted was a gesture, I wanted to know that he was ready to commit to him and me. I needed to know that he was invested in us, something I didn't believe right now. I averted my eyes seconds later when I realized that I had missed most of Adrienne's toast.
"... .So we toast to you mom and dad." She said sweetly, raising her glass. I quickly mimicked her motions, realizing I was about a step behind everyone else. "Here's to thirty-five more years of the good stuff." I glanced over at my parents who still stood together, this time with their arms around each other and teary eyed, as they shared a kiss.
"Now let's have some cake!" Adrienne announced, which earned a cheer from the audience.
I was holding my little cousin Grace awhile later when my dad approached me.
"Care to dance with your old man?" He asked, holding his hand out and smiling.
I grinned back. "I would love to." I replied, gently setting Grace back on her feet and taking his hand.
I heard a terribly familiar song spilling from the large speakers as he winked at me. "Tiny Dancer. It was your favorite when you were little."
I nodded happily, placing my hand in my dad's and the other on his shoulder as he gracefully moved us around the dance floor. "You remembered." I replied, surprised he committed to memory such a trivial piece of information, but one that meant so much to me.
"How could I forget? You begged for us to play this song for you all the time... and when we would you would smile so big." He paused for a moment, chuckling at the memory. "And you would dance and dance around the living room, like a ballerina."
I giggled a little. "I always wanted to be a ballerina, a tiny dancer, if you will." I explained as he chuckled in agreement.
"You didn't stick with your dance classes for very long though."
I smiled. "In theory, I wanted to be a ballerina in theory."
He chuckled again. "You were the cutest little girl, Ava. Always smiling, always dancing and singing."
I didn't answer for a moment as my dad purposely bumped us into the couple dancing next to us. I looked up to see my mom dancing with Tre who was playfully over exaggerating all of his dance steps. My mom was laughing and swatting at his shoulder as he grinned and straightened out his arms, apparently ready to act like a human being again. I caught his eye for a moment but I quickly turned back to my dad who was watching me carefully.
"I grew up in a musical household. What did you expect?" I finally replied.
He nodded as I saw my mom, who was still dancing with Tre, wink at him. "That's true. Your mom and I got you hooked on the good stuff." He replied proudly.
"Hmm, I wouldn't say what you listen to is necessarily good... I just said you and mom are musical people." I teased as he chuckled.
We danced to the music for a few moments, enjoying the song before he spoke again. "You know, I'm the luckiest man in the world." He gloated as we posed for Adrienne, who was hovering on the side of the dance floor with her camera, blinding us with her flash.
"Oh yeah? Why's that?" I asked curiously blinking away the annoying stars in my eyes.
"Because I have two of the most beautiful daughters in the world. Both successful. Both intelligent. Both in love with upstanding gentleman. I couldn't be more proud of you two." He replied, the last part catching my attention.
"What do you mean?"
He grinned knowingly. "You and Tre are quite fond of one another, are you not?"
I grinned sheepishly as my heart skipped a few beats. "Yeah, we are. Although it's not going so smoothly right now." I admitted as he shook his head a little.
"Relationships take work, Ava, a lot of give and take. But I've seen the way you look at one another and I'm quite confident it will work out." I felt my face grow red as my dad chuckled and whispered, "I think the song lyrics are true... I think you will marry a music man, one that your mom and I, if it ever gets to that point, would be happy to call our son-in-law."
As he spoke those last the words the song came to an end and I stood motionless for a moment, finding it difficult to move or even speak. And then I was wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. "Thanks dad." I mumbled happily, tears forming as he patted my back. "You are most welcome, Ava."
I hugged him close for a moment before I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"May I cut in?" Tre asked politely as my dad nodded and gave my hand to Tre. My mom gleefully took my dad's hand and they danced away from us as I tried to get my bearings back from my conversation with my dad. I felt Tre's arm wrap around my waist as he cupped my other hand and placed it over his heart, pulling me close. Close enough to lean down and whisper into my ear.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." He joked quietly as I continued to stare in awe at my dad from across the dance floor.
I shook myself out of my stupor as Tre's voice registered in my brain.
"I, uh, I just had a weird conversation with my dad." I replied as he nodded, although he clearly didn't understand.
The song changed from that of Elton John to a fairly old song by Edwin McCain as I pulled him closer by wrapping my arm around his neck. He sighed in contentment as I rested my cheek against his shoulder.
"I love this song." I whispered into Tre's lapel as I felt him nod from above me.
"About earlier... " he began but I gently shushed him.
"Let's just enjoy this moment together, this song." I whispered letting my thumbnail graze the back of his hairline, just inches above where the collar of his shirt gave a little as his neck bent. I felt his lips on my bare shoulder for a brief second before he nestled his nose next to my ear as he quietly sang.
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it out with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above...
I felt shiver upon shiver race down my back as he continued to sing gently into my ear, his breath brushing against my neck. I slid my hand out of his and wrapped it around his neck, lifting my head off his shoulder to look up into his eyes. His other hand moved down to where the other one was wrapped around my waist, holding me close to him as we danced in time to the music. I bit my lip as I felt an incredible surge of emotion run through my body, and I could tell by how his blue eyes sparkled back at me from under the dark lights of the dance floor that he was feeling the same way I was.
"I love you." I said, watching as his eyes dropped to my lips briefly hinting that he wanted to kiss me, but when my words registered in his brain he locked his eyes on mine and broke into a secretive smile. I watched as he leaned a little closer, his forehead pressing against mine.
"I love you Ava Lynn Nesser." He whispered back.
I smiled so wide I was certain my face was going to hurt for weeks. I moved my arms from around his neck to around his waist, pulling him closer to me as I nestled my face into the side of his neck.
He pulled away suddenly, startling me. "Stay right here." He murmured excitedly, turning away to hurry through the crowd of people. I stood staring after him in confusion as he made his way up into the DJ's booth. I saw him whisper something into his ear as the DJ nodded and as the last dying notes of the song played the DJ handed Tre a microphone.
"Can I get everyone's attention please?" Tre yelled, causing everyone to stop and turn. I could have crawled under the table.
"First of all, I would like to extend a hardy congratulation to Lois and Harold... happy anniversary guys!" A polite applause circulated through the room and I caught Adrienne's eye as she gave me a questioning look, I merely shrugged and hoped that everyone would assume he was drunk.
He stared directly at me as he continued to speak in a blunt tone. "With that being said, I would also like to say that I am in love with their daughter."
I closed my eyes in disbelief as quite a few people gasped and turned to look at Adrienne who was standing with Billie Joe, assuming that Tre was referring to her. Billie Joe, fairly drunk by this point, put his hand to his chest in mock anger and turned to look at his wife in outrage. "After all of these years this is how I'm left to find out, huh? You love Tre?" He said, his words dripping in disbelief. "I'm appalled." Adrienne rolled her eyes and ignored him as my aunt Nancy clicked her tongue. "Oh dear." She mumbled nervously.
I almost giggled as Tre rolled his eyes at the people in front of him. "No, not Adrienne... I meant Ava." I shifted uncomfortably, my face turning beat red, as about 50 heads turned to stare at me in curiosity. "I love Ava." He repeated again. "She makes me absolutely retarded sometimes, so much so that I can't even recognize myself, and I have no other explanation for this except that I love her. She is intelligent and kind and funny... and hot." He stumbled a little, smiling into the microphone as a few people chuckled.
I saw Billie Joe's black head nod in agreement. "Runs in the family, man." He hooted, lifting his beer bottle in the air in a toast as Adrienne shushed him. "For fuck's sake, Bill."
I continued to stare up at Tre smiling as he gestured wildly. "We have had a bumpy ride this past year, but I am up here tonight to let everyone know that I'm not going anywhere. I'm positive this is what I want. Ava, you're who I want to be with. Because, well, I love you and stuff." There was a giant 'awww' that murmured throughout the room as I smiled, feeling a flourish of happiness and relief wash over me. Well, I wanted a gesture... here it was.
"Did I mention she was hot?" Tre joked into the microphone, causing me to giggle as he set the microphone down on the stage and then clamored down into the sea of people heading straight for me, the crowd parting for him.
When he reached me he stopped in front of me. "Now I believe you." I murmured, smiling up at him. He grinned back.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" I turned my head to see Billie Joe, unanimously drunk, pumping his fist in the air and chanting rather childishly, despite Adrienne's shushing. I guess people weren't too appalled because they joined in after a few moments of hearing Billie Joe's lone voice echo through the hall.
"LAY ONE ON HER!" My uncle Dave called out from next to Adrienne, to which she shook her head. "That's just wrong." She mumbled before grinning and cupping her hands to her mouth. "Let's see some tongue!" She called, earning her a high five from a very enthusiastic Billie Joe.
"I can't believe you just high fived me." I heard her mumble as he threw his arm around her neck and kissed her temple, grinning. "TRE IS THE MAN!" He called out one last time before Adrienne covered his mouth with her hand. I giggled as I saw Mike standing a few feet away from Adrienne and Billie Joe, he looked both embarrassed and happy for us as he clapped.
I was a little embarrassed that my parents were standing two feet away watching me kiss Tre but they grinned and raised their glasses in unison.
"I guess they want a kiss." Tre murmured happily
I smiled up at him. "So it seems." I held on to the back of his elbows as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me sweetly on the lips.
There was an explosion of hoots and hollers and I quickly buried my face in the front of Tre's shirt.
"Oh my GOD." I muttered as he held me close and kissed the top of my head, laughing all the while.
"How is this for affection right out in front of God and everyone?" He mumbled into my ear as I giggled.
"Like I said, now I believe you."
"I would like to say something!" I heard my dad call out as I removed myself from the front of Tre's shirt to see him smack in the middle of the crowd standing on a chair. My mother hushed the crowd, standing encouragingly next to my dad's chair as he looked down and took her hand in his. "Thank you all for coming out tonight, it means the world to Lois and me. And we would especially like to thank our two beautiful daughters, Adrienne and Ava, for throwing us this party. You are the best daughters two parents could ask for... so I would like to toast to you two, my beautiful children. And to Tre... " He said, glancing over with a smile. "We're glad that you two FINALLY figured all of this out, we've been waiting for what seems like forever." He teased, raising his glass. "Cheers!"
"CHEERS!" Everyone called out as we finished off whatever we had in our respective glasses.
Tre and I slipped out for a walk as soon as everyone was done congratulating and asking nosy questions. It was a little chilly but the stars were out and it was peaceful as we walked hand in hand down a quiet path, the sounds of our shoes echoing back at us as we walked.
"So the theory about you and Mike being lovers has officially been laid to rest?" Tre asked, slipping off his coat and hanging it around my bare shoulders.
I burrowed into it before linking my fingers through his again and nodding. "I think so... although most of my family is senile so I wouldn't expect any miracles." I joked as he chuckled. "And there's always the risk of them thinking we're sneaking behind your back. I expect that rumor to be up and circulating around Christmas time."
"Ahh yes." He nodded, grinning a little and glancing up at the sky.
"I can't believe you did that." I murmured in disbelief as he smiled.
"I wanted to declare my love for you rather publicly." He replied, swinging our adjoined hands back and forth as we continued to walk through the dark.
"I'm sorry I freaked out... .it's just that after this past year and everything we went through with Adrienne I couldn't stand the thoughts of falling apart because you were being stupid." I said, grinning up at him as he stopped walking suddenly.
I giggled as I had to backtrack a few steps to stand in front of him.
He sighed in a dramatic fashion, his eyes twinkling. "So let me get this straight, from now on everything is going to be my fault, right?" He questioned softly, cupping his hands around my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks.
I stared up into his eyes and nodded, wrapping my hands around his waist to pull him closer to me.
"Good to know." He whispered, leaning down ever so slightly to kiss me. My eyes fluttered closed as the chill in the air seemed to go away.
He pulled away slowly, his eyes searching mine as he smiled in what looked like a secretive manner. "What?" I whispered curiously, afraid that speaking too loudly would shatter this perfect moment.
He shook his head a little and licked his lips before saying, "This is the start of something good, I know it."
I couldn't help the smile that spread over my face as the same words he uttered last Halloween, the night that started it all, lingered once again between us.
I leaned back up to kiss him, whispering against his soft lips. "I couldn't agree more."
Not ready to get out of bed yet I continued to lay with my eyes closed, trying to figure out how I finally had gotten to a place in my life where I felt content. And wondering when Tre and I were going to have the inevitable 'let's tell everyone we're dating' talk. I hoped it would be sometime soon, although I'm not sure how much of a surprise it was going to be to my parents at this point.
I was just about ready to emerge from the piles of pillows and blankets that were tucked around me when I heard someone come down the hallway and stop in front of my door. Betting that either Joey or Jakob had been sent to wake me up, as that was one of their favorite games, I shut my eyes and burrowed back down into the comforter just as my door creaked open. I knew immediately when the person opened the door and gently closed it behind them that it was Tre. The kids usually ran screaming into my room or if it was Adrienne or my mother they would stand within the doorway and call my name, knowing that I hated to be startled awake.
I waited for Tre to either whisper my name or at the very least throw himself on the bed next to me but there was silence as I tried to fight the smile that threatened to creep on to my face. I could feel him staring at me, making it difficult for me not to crack an eye to look back or at the very least shift uncomfortably.
I almost giggled when I felt him move to the end of my bed and the blankets shift as he crawled underneath and burrowed his way upwards. I couldn't help the smile that formed on my face when I felt his fingers ghost along my bare knee.
I really couldn't help myself. "Mike?" I whispered, trying to make my voice sound hopeful.
I saw the steady progress in his climb to the top halt as my words registered, and I fought the giggles that rose in my chest as his head finally emerged from under the blankets next to my shoulder.
The appalled look on his face was priceless and that finally did send me into a fit of laughter. "And you fucking wonder why your mom and sister think something is going on, Jesus." He muttered as I leaned down to kiss his forehead.
"How did you get nominated to come wake me up?" I asked curiously as he shifted a little, placing small kisses on my shoulder before moving so his head was laying next to mine on my pillow. His voice was a little scratchy yet and his hair hadn't been tamed so I figured he himself had just gotten out of bed too.
"I actually volunteered... Jakob woke me up this morning and let me tell you something, that kid has vocal chords on him like that of the siren on a fire truck. I thought I would spare you the agony." I giggled softly as I reached out to run my hands through his messy hair.
"You're awfully cute in the morning." I whispered as he moved a little closer to kiss me.
Right before his lips touched mine he whispered back, "I'm always fucking cute, I don't know what you're talking about." His lips brushed mine as his arm wrapped around my waist under the comforter, pulling me close to him as we shared a brief kiss.
"AUNT AVA! UNCLE TRE! BREAKFAST IS READY!" I pulled away from Tre to laugh as he cringed. "See, a voice like a fucking siren." He mumbled as I rolled away from him to place my feet on the carpet. He followed suit on the opposite side as we both grudgingly stepped out into the hallway, holding hands as we descended the stairs.
We both stopped mid-step into the kitchen as the site of Mike and my mom dancing around the kitchen caused us to stop and laugh. Both still in their pajamas, mom holding a spatula and Mike a coffee cup, they continued to twirl each other around like some sort of tango. I glanced at everyone sitting at the kitchen table who were seemingly ignoring the display happening five feet from them and couldn't help but stare in amazement.
Adrienne looked up from behind her newspaper and shook her head. "Avert your eyes now or you'll be scared forever." She mumbled sarcastically.
I giggled and headed for the empty chair between where Mike had been sitting and Adrienne. Tre sat across from me, giving me a wink as we waited patiently for the crazies in the kitchen to join us.
My dad, sitting at the head of the table, finally rolled his eyes from behind his glasses and put down the sports section.
"Lois, for pity's sake woman, come sit down. We're starving." He scolded playfully as Billie Joe nodded in agreement from next to Tre. "Yeah, and I blame Mike too, he encourages her." My dad and Billie Joe shared a nod as the two in the kitchen finally complied and joined us at the table.
"That was pretty." I murmured to Mike who grinned and shrugged. He really was flattered by my mom's extra attention... I couldn't decide if that was sick or amusing. As breakfast continued there was a clamor of small talk as the plates of waffles and the bacon were passed around. While we ate I slid my barefoot across the floor to rest between Tre's, occasionally running it up his pant leg a little, causing him to smirk into his waffles.
"You make the best waffles, Lois." Mike complimented my mother as he took a giant helping of waffles and even bigger helping of syrup to compliment them.
Mom smiled from the other end of the table. "Thank you Mike, dear."
"How did everyone sleep?" Dad asked, glancing over at the boys who were sitting on either side of Billie Joe. "I heard someone had a nightmare last night."
Jakob nodded a little. "I had a dream that werewolves were out to get me and they came from under my bed." He managed to say around a mouthful of waffle, syrup dripping down his chin and on to the front of his Spiderman pajamas in the process.
Adrienne frowned and leaned over to hand him her napkin. "Jakey don't talk with your mouthful please."
Billie Joe chuckled a little and nodded. "Or at least learn to keep the food in your mouth."
The boys shared a laugh as the women at the table collectively rolled their eyes.
My mother turned suddenly in her seat to look in my direction as Mike requested that I pass the orange juice.
"Ava, I think it's about time we invested in a new bed for you." She said, taking a bite of her bacon. "Even though you're not here that often."
I glanced over at her strangely. "My bed is fine, mom." I said, reaching for the orange juice that Mike had requested.
She furrowed her eyebrows. "Oh well, you must just be a restless sleeper then." I froze with the orange juice half-way to Mike and prayed to God she wasn't going in the direction I thought she was going in. Oh please no... she couldn't have heard...
I saw the curiosity on everyone's face as they waited for an explanation to her bringing up such a random topic. She didn't disappoint. "When I got up to use the bathroom in the night I walked by your room and I heard your bed creaking and heaving... you're quite the roller in your sleep. Always were, I just thought you would grow out of your rough and tumble ways." She teased, smiling as she poured cream into her coffee, completely oblivious as to the real reasons for the creaky bedsprings.
I could have died. I actually hoped that lightening would strike me dead immediately because this conversation about my creaky bed couldn't possibly go well... I'd never make it out alive.
I saw Tre freeze across the table, his fork half way to his mouth, as he finally connected the dots in his mind. I quickly avoided his nervous gaze as I saw the smirk on Billie Joe's face and then Mike's as they too solved the mystery. I was so appalled that I forgot I was supposed to be handing the orange juice to Mike. He nudged me a little as I felt the color drain from my face. I still couldn't look at Tre and I certainly couldn't bring myself to meet my sister's eyes either.
My mother, oblivious to the smirks and the clearing of throats, looked over at me again. "Didn't you sleep well dear?" She asked curiously.
Billie Joe, unable to help himself and no doubt eager to get back at me for all of the vicious comments about his hair, smiled so widely you would have thought it was Christmas. "Something tells me she didn't get a WINK of sleep last night."
I shot him a look of death as my mother looked confused.
"How do you mean?" She asked her son-in-law who earned another death look, this time from Adrienne, which thankfully shut him up for the time being.
My father who had been quiet all this time was staring curiously at me as I assumed by now I was as white as a ghost and could hardly hold a fork in my hand because I was shaking. "I slept fine, mom." I finally managed to mumble. "Why don't you tell us about your plans for today?" I said, attempting to veer the conversation away from anything having to do with last night.
Oh, but it was far from over.
"I heard weird noses coming from aunt Ava's room last night too." Jakob volunteered as Tre's fork clattered to his plate and his eyes widened before muttering an apology and something about being clumsy when my parents glanced over at him. I entertained the thought of just slicing my wrist wide open right then, it would leave the same effects on me as the conversation... just less awkward.
My mother still painfully oblivious frowned. "What sorts of noises?"
I thought Billie Joe was going to have coronary as he laid his head on his arm, his entire body shaking with laughter and a rare snort making an appearance every so often.
"Sort of like whimpering." Jakob replied, his tiny eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he thought about it. Through my mortification I saw Adrienne's hand cover her mouth, I'm not sure whether she was appalled or amused. "Jake, finish your breakfast." She mumbled, her eyes trained on me for a moment before she tried to steer the conversation in another direction as I had a few minutes earlier. "So 35 years today, huh?"
I sat completely rigid in my chair as I felt the waffles and the bacon threaten to make a re-appearance at the table. Please just let me die.
I saw my mother at the other end of the table still trying to understand, her eyebrows knitted together. "Whimpers?" She questioned as Mike, who had been trying not to laugh this entire time, lost the battle. He gripped his side as he and Billie Joe shared a hearty laugh, ignoring Adrienne's shushing and my parents questioning looks.
"Did Mike say something funny again?" Mom called from the other side of the table.
Dad shook his head, wiping at his mouth with the napkin. "Who knows, they just started cackling." He answered, jerking a thumb at Billie Joe who now had his head thrown back and was still enjoying a good laugh.
I finally dared to look at Tre and when I did my mouth hung open in shock as I noticed his face was colored a bright red hue. I could remember exactly one other time in my LIFE when I had actually seen him embarrassed. I half expected him to high five everyone at the table and brag, but he remained eerily quiet as he took a drink of his orange juice, intent on memorizing the pattern on the table cloth.
Jakob shrugged again, prepared to answer his grandmother. "Sounded like someone was hurting her."
Dear sweet Jesus. Why?
My father cleared his throat, confusion still etched into his face. "Hurting her? I don't understand. Like a dream?"
I was horrified as tears began running down Mike's face. His hand was slapping the table as he wheezed and cackled with laughter.
"I hope you choke." I whispered menacingly, which only sent him into another laughing fit, in turn making Billie laugh harder.
My parents were obviously torn between Tre and I's looks of humiliation and Mike and Billie Joe's amusement, but thankfully they just couldn't put it together.
"Ava, did you have a bad dream?" My mom asked curiously.
Jakob piped up from beside Adrienne again. "It's okay if you did aunt Ava, I had a bad dream about werewolves."
I smiled sweetly at the young boy who had moments ago unknowingly betrayed me. "Thanks little man."
There was a brief moment where I thought we were moving on to another subject but of course my mother quickly digressed. "So, you didn't have any dreams?"
"JESUS CHRIST IS THIS SOME SORT OF INTEROGATION OR WHAT?" I yelled, startling my mother and silencing the two laughing hyenas next to me.
"Ava Lynn! You watch your language... honestly, using the Lord's name in vain." She muttered. "And in front of your nephews. What kind of example is that to set?" She scolded as I shook my head.
"New subject!" Adrienne intervened quickly. "What are you and dad doing today besides letting us take you to dinner later?" She asked as everything quickly shifted away from my nightly activities, sexual and otherwise.
Tre didn't look at me for the rest of the meal. My appetite was gone.
After breakfast I went outside for a smoke...and to find a shotgun. I took a seat on the back steps, resting my head in my arms as I tried to will away the embarrassment that I was pretty sure would be embedded in me forever.
I heard the screen door open and slam and then, "Want some company, kid?"
I looked up to see Billie Joe standing above me, an unlit cigarette dangling between his lips.
I shook my head miserably. "Not a fucking word about... you know." I warned as he grinned around his cigarette and took a seat next to me, borrowing my lighter.
"Could be worse." He replied, a hint of sympathy but mostly amusement laced in his words.
I glanced over at him and pretended to think it over. "No, no it couldn't POSSIBLY been worse actually." I muttered miserably, my cheeks coloring with the thoughts of the conversation all over again.
Billie Joe was silent for a moment before he exhaled and then shrugged. "They could have walked in on you last night." He offered casually, but there was something in his voice that caught my attention, a hint of truth, a confession.
My mouth dropped open when he ashed his cigarette on the step below our feet and looked slightly embarrassed. "NO." I gasped, putting a hand over my mouth.
He nodded a little. "Right before Adrienne moved to California with me I stopped through for the night and I had snuck up to Adi's room after everyone went to bed for a little late night T and A... " He stopped as I grimaced. "Sorry." He said apologetically before continuing, "So anyway we were going at it, in what I thought was a relatively quiet manner, when all of a sudden the door flies open and your dad walks in."
I couldn't help but cover my eyes in embarrassment FOR them. "Dad? Oh yeah, that's definitely worse than mom mentioning I have a squeaky bed." I replied as he chuckled.
"And the worse part was when the door flew open it startled Adrienne who shoved me off the fucking bed and I fell butt-ass naked on the floor right at his feet."
I tried to hold my laughter back, I really did, but it was too funny. I started giggling as he stubbed out his cigarette and leaned back, resting his weight on his palms.
"That's AWFUL." I mumbled when my laughing fit had ceased.
He nodded. "Yeah, so like I said, it could have been worse."
I finally lit my own cigarette as we settled into comfortable silence for a moment.
"I've never seen Tre that embarrassed before, it was kind of cool." Billie Joe snickered as I giggled a little.
I nudged him as he shrugged. "He really cares for you, Ava. I'm sure you already know that, but I've seen some changes in him these past couple of months that has your name written all over them. Good changes too, I mean it as a compliment."
I blushed a little and this time it wasn't because I was embarrassed. "Thanks." And then remembering something I had been wanting to amend for awhile added, "Sorry about that night on tour when I jumped down your throat." I said earnestly, glancing over at him. "You were just way too close for comfort on that one. And I kind of treated you like shit because of that for awhile and I know that was months ago but I wanted to let you know anyway."
He nodded. "S'alright, I knew I shouldn't have come at you with that the way I did... . and might I also say that the scene in the bathroom was fucking hilarious. Probably one of the highlights of the tour." He replied, an amused grin on his face as I chuckled.
"So you didn't buy that we were plotting for your anniversary party, huh?" I joked as he shook his head.
"That was a fucking awful lie, kid. And besides, Tre couldn't lie to save his fucking life." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I figured you two would eventually work shit out on your own time... but I sure had a few laughs along the way."
I smirked and then stubbed out my cigarette as we both continued to lounge on the steps, staring out into the backyard.
"I'm surprised Adrienne never got mad at you for figuring it out before she did and not saying anything to her." I said, looking over at him curiously. "She must have realized later that you knew."
He nodded a little and sat forward again, picking at his shoes.
"That month you two didn't talk was my punishment for holding out on her." He joked. "It was hell on earth."
I nodded. "I bet."
He glanced over at me, squinting a little in the late morning sun. "When are you and Tre going to make the big announcement?"
I shrugged, feeling my spirits drop again. "After this morning's debacle who knows... he has yet to say a word or even look at me." I glanced over at Billie and grinned sheepishly. "Soooo I'd say probably by next Christmas."
He shook his head before standing up and then offering his hand to pull me up too. "Don't be so dramatic, he'll get over it." He mumbled as I pushed him to get through the back door first, he shoved back as we playfully made our way back into the kitchen where Mike and Tre were saying goodbye.
"Leaving?" I asked, directing my question towards Tre. I stared at him for a moment as he stepped forward to engulf my mom in a hug. "Thanks for letting us stay Mrs. N." He mumbled, ignoring my question.
Mike finally answered for him when Tre still hadn't acknowledged me. "Yeah, we need to get to an interview by 11." He replied as I nodded and continued to stare at the side of Tre's head, feeling rather irritated by his actions.
"Enjoy your anniversary." Tre was saying to my mother who grinned and patted his cheek.
"Such a sweet boy... Ava, isn't he sweet?" My mom gushed as I chortled from behind her.
"Oh yeah, he's a real peach."
He jerked his head around at my sarcastic tone and I thought I saw a hint of annoyance, which would only serve to match my own annoyance at these dumb games we seemed to be playing. I mean for fuck's sake, it wasn't the end of the world... so we had an awkward breakfast, so what.
Mom, once again oblivious to the tension, moved to hug Mike next. "You come see us real soon, okay?" She said as Mike nodded.
"Will do Lois, thanks."
Billie Joe who had walked upstairs to grab his bag reappeared in the kitchen.
"Bye mom." He said, leaning forward to give her a kiss and a hug. "Happy anniversary."
I followed Mike and Tre as they walked outside, leaving Billie Joe to say his goodbyes and to wait for Adrienne who was driving the guys to the arena.
"So we'll see you after the concert?" I asked, wanting to make sure they remembered what we had previously discussed.
Mike nodded a little. "We'll probably be to the reception hall by 11:30 at the latest."
"Great. Well, have a good show tonight." I offered as Tre shifted in front of me from one foot to the other.
He nodded, keeping his eyes focused on the ground. Mike sensed we needed a moment so he excused himself politely.
"Do I get a kiss?" I asked playfully, taking a step closer to Tre and pulling at his belt loop.
I saw a restrained smirk play on his lips as he nodded a little, but he didn't make any move towards me. "It's okay, you know." I whispered to him as he finally brought his eyes up from the cement to look at me.
"Definitely not cool." He muttered back, his cheeks turning a pinkish color. "I don't need your parents taking an active interest in our sex life."
I couldn't help but smile. "You're kinda cute when you're embarrassed." I replied, taking another step closer and leaning up to touch my lips to his. He brought his hand up to cup my face for a brief second before he pulled away. "We'll see you later tonight at the party."
I nodded back as he started towards the car right as the front door opened and Adrienne and Billie Joe stepped out with mom following after them.
"Bye." I muttered to Billie Joe who gave me a quick wink before climbing into the front seat next to Adrienne. I waved at the car before turning around and heading back inside with mom, hoping that the evening would make up for the disastrous morning.
"SURPRISE!! Happy Anniversary!!"
Adrienne and I grinned as we saw our parent's faces transition from being confused at being dragged into the reception hall just a few miles from our house 'for after dinner drinks', to that of complete bewilderment. They really had no idea that we had been planning this party for a couple of months now.
We smiled as our mother turned around. "You girls, always fussing over us." She tried to sound flippant but we both saw the tears in her eyes, as she squeezed our hands and then quickly strolled away to start greeting the eager guests.
"Thank you girls." Dad simply said, still in shock, turning to give us both kisses on our cheeks before he too quickly hurried away to mingle with his poker playing friends.
"Great turn out." I mumbled to Adrienne who nodded and leaned into me a little. "I'm glad we did this." She whispered. I nodded and then reached over to squeeze her hand. "Prepare to be mauled." I muttered as we were both quickly enveloped by various family members and friends. As usual we were given the third degree about what was going on 'way over there in California' and finally after being told we didn't come home enough and four rolls of film, we met back up at the bar.
"Oh God, I thought I would never make it out alive." I muttered dramatically as we both slid onto a stool. "So many questions... so many camera flashes."
Adrienne nodded. "I know, I thought aunt Nancy was going to smother me to death in her cleavage."
I giggled. "I forgot how tall she is... and you're right, you really do run the risk of being smothered in those things."
We giggled some more and quietly made fun of our family as Joe, our hired barman for the night, approached.
"Vodka tonic, please." I muttered and then smiled as Adrienne chimed in with, "Make that two." He nodded silently and busied himself behind the bar.
"How do you feel?" I asked Adrienne as she shifted to get comfortable. "And should you be drinking with your pain meds?" I asked.
She gave me an amused look. "And how else do you think I'm going to make it through tonight without alcohol?" She joked as Joe set down two napkins and then our drinks.
"Thanks." We chorused as he chuckled, "You're welcome," and walked away.
I swiveled a little in my seat. "What should we toast to?" I asked Adrienne as she tucked her gum into her napkin.
She held up her glass and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, if we were decent daughters we would toast to our parents... "
I shrugged. "We already toasted to them at dinner... let's toast to something else."
I saw the look on her face and I knew the direction she was going before she even spoke. "How about we toast to you and Tre?"
I felt a twinge of embarrassment as she obviously was making a reference to the conversation at breakfast this morning. "How embarrassing." I mumbled as she giggled and lowered her glass.
"Okay, so not up to toasting to any late night romps?" She teased as I shook my head. "I could have died, Adrienne."
I saw her smile. "I feel your pain and I know your embarrassment." She replied as I nodded vigorously. "I know, Billie Joe told me this morning about dad walking in on you guys." I said, grinning as it was her turn to blush and shake her head, the memory obviously sending shooting pain through her body.
"Oh Jesus." She mumbled, not meeting my eyes for a moment. "THAT was agony... this morning was nothing compared to how fucking awkward that was."
I nodded in agreement. "Oh yeah, there's no argument over who wins the 'Most Horrific Moment Ever' award."
We both shared a laugh as she raised her glass again. "So let's toast to breaking our men in at mom and dad's." She offered as I giggled at her colorful toast. "Or at least breaking our beds in."
"Not a very conventional toast but okay... to breaking our men in at mom and dad's." I raised my glass to meet hers as we laughed again.
"Still weird though." She admitted once we had taken a sip and set our glasses back down. "Just yesterday you were playing with your Ninja Turtles dolls and watching The Little Mermaid in dad's lap and now you're whoring around." She teased as I nodded and added, "With Oakland's finest, none the less."
She opened her mouth to say something just as Jakob and Joey came running up.
"Mom, will you go with us to the car so we can get our toys? We're bored."
Adrienne rolled her eyes playfully. "No. You need to mingle with your relatives!" She hissed as I stifled a chuckle.
"But mom... " Joey began but quickly stopped when Adrienne shot him a look of death. "You can deal with having your cheeks pinched for a couple more hours, you never see some of these people."
The two disgruntled boys stood in front of us looking like they weren't sure whether to cry or throw a fit on the floor.
Adrienne sighed, sensing that their breakdown was upon us. "Okay, I'll go with you." She mumbled as the boys almost sighed in relief.
"Be back in a bit." Adrienne called over her shoulder. "Cheers." She mumbled sarcastically.
I grinned and lifted my drink. "Cheers indeed."
I took a sip of my drink and took in the atmosphere around me, everyone looked happy and carefree as they mingled and took obscene amounts of pictures. I glanced up at the clock over the bar and saw that it was only 9:30. The DJ we hired started playing music about an hour after we arrived and there seemed to be a correlation between how much alcohol was being served and how many people were on the dance floor.
I was pulled on to the dance floor, against my will, by a few of my aunts and appallingly enough we line danced to some obscure country song that would probably haunt me forever. But my mom never stopped smiling and I think that made it worth it, I was just going to have to destroy the pictures later on.
Awhile later I excused myself from the throngs of people on the dance floor and headed out back for a smoke. I stepped out onto the black concrete just outside of the door which was designated for smokers and laughed to myself when I heard the DJ announce it was time for the Macarena... Jesus, welcome back to 1993.
I was gazing out at the pond behind the hall, on my second cigarette and wondering when the guys were going to show up, when I heard the door behind me open.
"Here you are." I smirked to myself before slowly turning my head to look over my shoulder.
"Here I am." I replied, grinning at Tre as he took a few steps towards me, the door closing softly without his body to keep it propped open. I turned my gaze back to the pond as he stepped up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"You feel cold." He sighed into my hair, nuzzling my neck a little as he pulled me closer to his chest. "How long have you been out here?"
I shrugged within his warm embrace. "I don't know, awhile... and you'll be sad to know that you missed the Macarena."
I giggled as he stomped his foot in mock anger. "Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have showered first. Fuck all, I could have been here 15 minutes earlier." He continued to curse and mutter to himself as I turned around in his arms and smiled at him.
"Well, I'm glad you're here now." I said, taking in his newly gelled hair and crisp dress shirt. "You look pretty."
He smirked as he leaned down to kiss me, making the butterflies in my stomach do somersaults as he held me close. I loved how he smelled after he just got out of the shower and his dress shirt had just a hint of cologne attached to it, it was perfect.
We stood outside for a few minutes kissing and quietly talking until Billie Joe stumbled out back with Adrienne in tow.
"Are you two fucking out here too?" Billie joked as Adrienne shoved at his shoulder.
I unwrapped my arms from Tre's neck as he took a step back. "Har har har." He muttered back. "We didn't miss cake, did we?" He asked, concern filling his face as Adrienne shook her head and leaned against Billie Joe.
"Nope, we won't be cutting the cake or saying our toasts for another half hour or so yet." She replied, glancing at me. "You prepared something, right?"
I nodded as I slid my hand around Tre's waist who had been covertly inching away from me. "It's not anything fancy, I'm just going to thank everyone for coming... yada yada yada."
She nodded and silence fell over the four of us as I tried to get Tre to look at me, irritated by what I had come to call his 'people complex'. He wouldn't meet my gaze and as soon as Billie Joe finished his cigarette he had the decency to mumble an excuse and pull Adrienne back inside with him.
Miraculously as soon as the door closed behind them Tre stepped back towards me again, grabbing for my hands and smiling mysteriously.
I shook my head. "No." I said pulling away from him. "You and I need to have a talk."
His eyebrows furrowed together and a sigh escaped his body. "I fucking hate when you say that." He backed against the brick wall of the building and stared at me as he slumped and crossed his arms over his chest.
I mimicked his gesture, crossing my arms over my chest. "You have a problem with being affectionate towards me in front of other people." I said, not bothering to beat around the bush.
He shook his head a little as though he was in disbelief. "After that dismembering discussion at the breakfast table this morning I would hope you understand my hesitance to maul you in front of your parents." He replied, his frustration with the conversation coming through loud and clear.
I shook my head. "It started way before this morning." I replied as he picked at the wristband of his watch.
"I don't know what you mean... you and I have only been... Jesus I don't know, out for a month. How can you say I'm not affectionate towards you in front of people? We haven't BEEN in front of people." He mumbled, pushing away from the wall to pace. As soon as he started pacing I realized that he knew that he had a problem, but he wasn't sure how to deal with it. He only paced when he was really frustrated with himself.
I stared at him as he paced back and forth and wished for just five minutes, maybe ten, of some sort of resolution. "Look, I know for so long we were used to sneaking around together and worrying whether people saw us or not... but Tre, we don't have to worry about that anymore. We're allowed to kiss and cuddle and all of that good shit without consequences... we just can't have anymore sex in my bedroom." I teased as he continued to pace, hands on his hips.
He didn't say anything and I know he didn't appreciate the bedroom joke, he was the type of person who didn't get embarrassed easily but when was embarrassed it stung right down to his bones.
"So what do you want to do?" He asked, finally turning to look at me, his face etched with confusion and frustration. I was getting tired of seeing this look from him.
I sighed. "I fucking hate when you ask me that." I mumbled, noting the small grin on his face as he realized he had muttered those words only a few minutes earlier.
"Seems like we're back at this place a lot." He replied, stepping a little closer to me.
I looked up at him through the dark, feeling a sense of sadness wash over me again. "We're really good when it's just us, but we can't seem to get our act together around other people and that's just fucking weird... even for us."
He nodded. "So maybe we'll just have to live with being dysfunctional?" He mused jokingly, even though he knew the answer to that.
I shook my head and started walking for the door. "I can't live like that."
He sighed. "Maybe we're just not ready yet... we said a month ago that we would try to figure some shit out and then give it another try... maybe we're just not there yet." He offered, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I'm ready Tre, maybe you need to figure out if you are." And with that I slipped back inside the hall just as I heard the DJ making an announcement for everyone to gather around for a few words.
I sighed and made my way up towards his booth where Adrienne stood motioning frantically for me to join her up on the small platform. She handed me the microphone and a glass of champagne, encouraging me to say my toast first. I hardly felt like saying pretty words when I just basically told the love of my life that our relationship wasn't good enough for me, but I accepted the microphone and the flute of champagne anyway. We weren't here for me; we were here for mom and dad.
I smiled out into the sea of faces and almost fell right off the stage when about twenty-five cameras went off at the same time. I realized that my momentary blindness had been caused by an entourage of aunts and cousins in front of the stage.
"Jesus... " I muttered to myself glancing over at Adrienne who chuckled and nodded knowingly.
I finally brought the microphone up to my mouth, still trying to blink away all of the tiny flashes of light in my eyes.
"Hi everyone, thanks for coming! As you know we're all here to celebrate the anniversary of a very special couple." I shifted my gaze over to where the cake table was and also where mom and dad stood holding hands and looking delighted to be here amongst everyone. I felt jealous all of a sudden of their 35 years... hell, I didn't even have a month I could brag about.
"Thirty-five years is a very, very long time." I paused for a moment as some of the older women and men in the audience chuckled at my lighthearted tone, "And although you have had some ups and downs along the way you've always managed to come out on top. You've spent thirty-five Christmases, birthdays, and Valentine's Days together. And all of us standing in this room tonight want to wish you the happiness and the strength to enjoy thirty-five more Christmases, birthdays, and Valentine's Days together, and thirty-five years of all the little moments in between that make the year special. Happy Anniversary mom and dad, we love you." I said smiling and raising my glass in the air. Everyone followed suit as we took a polite sip from our glasses.
I handed Adrienne the microphone as she smiled at me and stepped out into the middle of the makeshift stage.
"Thanks Ava... and I swear to God if you take my picture while I'm up here talking I will beat you to death with this microphone." Adrienne said in a joking tone, but I chuckled when I saw about thirty cameras lower in defeat. My relatives really were camera whores.
I stared out into the sea of faces and immediately spotted Tre standing with Mike towards the outskirts of the dance floor. He was staring back at me too and as usual I felt our magnetic pull towards one another. I tried to convey several messages to him just by staring across the room but in actuality all I wanted was a gesture, I wanted to know that he was ready to commit to him and me. I needed to know that he was invested in us, something I didn't believe right now. I averted my eyes seconds later when I realized that I had missed most of Adrienne's toast.
"... .So we toast to you mom and dad." She said sweetly, raising her glass. I quickly mimicked her motions, realizing I was about a step behind everyone else. "Here's to thirty-five more years of the good stuff." I glanced over at my parents who still stood together, this time with their arms around each other and teary eyed, as they shared a kiss.
"Now let's have some cake!" Adrienne announced, which earned a cheer from the audience.
I was holding my little cousin Grace awhile later when my dad approached me.
"Care to dance with your old man?" He asked, holding his hand out and smiling.
I grinned back. "I would love to." I replied, gently setting Grace back on her feet and taking his hand.
I heard a terribly familiar song spilling from the large speakers as he winked at me. "Tiny Dancer. It was your favorite when you were little."
I nodded happily, placing my hand in my dad's and the other on his shoulder as he gracefully moved us around the dance floor. "You remembered." I replied, surprised he committed to memory such a trivial piece of information, but one that meant so much to me.
"How could I forget? You begged for us to play this song for you all the time... and when we would you would smile so big." He paused for a moment, chuckling at the memory. "And you would dance and dance around the living room, like a ballerina."
I giggled a little. "I always wanted to be a ballerina, a tiny dancer, if you will." I explained as he chuckled in agreement.
"You didn't stick with your dance classes for very long though."
I smiled. "In theory, I wanted to be a ballerina in theory."
He chuckled again. "You were the cutest little girl, Ava. Always smiling, always dancing and singing."
I didn't answer for a moment as my dad purposely bumped us into the couple dancing next to us. I looked up to see my mom dancing with Tre who was playfully over exaggerating all of his dance steps. My mom was laughing and swatting at his shoulder as he grinned and straightened out his arms, apparently ready to act like a human being again. I caught his eye for a moment but I quickly turned back to my dad who was watching me carefully.
"I grew up in a musical household. What did you expect?" I finally replied.
He nodded as I saw my mom, who was still dancing with Tre, wink at him. "That's true. Your mom and I got you hooked on the good stuff." He replied proudly.
"Hmm, I wouldn't say what you listen to is necessarily good... I just said you and mom are musical people." I teased as he chuckled.
We danced to the music for a few moments, enjoying the song before he spoke again. "You know, I'm the luckiest man in the world." He gloated as we posed for Adrienne, who was hovering on the side of the dance floor with her camera, blinding us with her flash.
"Oh yeah? Why's that?" I asked curiously blinking away the annoying stars in my eyes.
"Because I have two of the most beautiful daughters in the world. Both successful. Both intelligent. Both in love with upstanding gentleman. I couldn't be more proud of you two." He replied, the last part catching my attention.
"What do you mean?"
He grinned knowingly. "You and Tre are quite fond of one another, are you not?"
I grinned sheepishly as my heart skipped a few beats. "Yeah, we are. Although it's not going so smoothly right now." I admitted as he shook his head a little.
"Relationships take work, Ava, a lot of give and take. But I've seen the way you look at one another and I'm quite confident it will work out." I felt my face grow red as my dad chuckled and whispered, "I think the song lyrics are true... I think you will marry a music man, one that your mom and I, if it ever gets to that point, would be happy to call our son-in-law."
As he spoke those last the words the song came to an end and I stood motionless for a moment, finding it difficult to move or even speak. And then I was wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. "Thanks dad." I mumbled happily, tears forming as he patted my back. "You are most welcome, Ava."
I hugged him close for a moment before I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"May I cut in?" Tre asked politely as my dad nodded and gave my hand to Tre. My mom gleefully took my dad's hand and they danced away from us as I tried to get my bearings back from my conversation with my dad. I felt Tre's arm wrap around my waist as he cupped my other hand and placed it over his heart, pulling me close. Close enough to lean down and whisper into my ear.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." He joked quietly as I continued to stare in awe at my dad from across the dance floor.
I shook myself out of my stupor as Tre's voice registered in my brain.
"I, uh, I just had a weird conversation with my dad." I replied as he nodded, although he clearly didn't understand.
The song changed from that of Elton John to a fairly old song by Edwin McCain as I pulled him closer by wrapping my arm around his neck. He sighed in contentment as I rested my cheek against his shoulder.
"I love this song." I whispered into Tre's lapel as I felt him nod from above me.
"About earlier... " he began but I gently shushed him.
"Let's just enjoy this moment together, this song." I whispered letting my thumbnail graze the back of his hairline, just inches above where the collar of his shirt gave a little as his neck bent. I felt his lips on my bare shoulder for a brief second before he nestled his nose next to my ear as he quietly sang.
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it out with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above...
I felt shiver upon shiver race down my back as he continued to sing gently into my ear, his breath brushing against my neck. I slid my hand out of his and wrapped it around his neck, lifting my head off his shoulder to look up into his eyes. His other hand moved down to where the other one was wrapped around my waist, holding me close to him as we danced in time to the music. I bit my lip as I felt an incredible surge of emotion run through my body, and I could tell by how his blue eyes sparkled back at me from under the dark lights of the dance floor that he was feeling the same way I was.
"I love you." I said, watching as his eyes dropped to my lips briefly hinting that he wanted to kiss me, but when my words registered in his brain he locked his eyes on mine and broke into a secretive smile. I watched as he leaned a little closer, his forehead pressing against mine.
"I love you Ava Lynn Nesser." He whispered back.
I smiled so wide I was certain my face was going to hurt for weeks. I moved my arms from around his neck to around his waist, pulling him closer to me as I nestled my face into the side of his neck.
He pulled away suddenly, startling me. "Stay right here." He murmured excitedly, turning away to hurry through the crowd of people. I stood staring after him in confusion as he made his way up into the DJ's booth. I saw him whisper something into his ear as the DJ nodded and as the last dying notes of the song played the DJ handed Tre a microphone.
"Can I get everyone's attention please?" Tre yelled, causing everyone to stop and turn. I could have crawled under the table.
"First of all, I would like to extend a hardy congratulation to Lois and Harold... happy anniversary guys!" A polite applause circulated through the room and I caught Adrienne's eye as she gave me a questioning look, I merely shrugged and hoped that everyone would assume he was drunk.
He stared directly at me as he continued to speak in a blunt tone. "With that being said, I would also like to say that I am in love with their daughter."
I closed my eyes in disbelief as quite a few people gasped and turned to look at Adrienne who was standing with Billie Joe, assuming that Tre was referring to her. Billie Joe, fairly drunk by this point, put his hand to his chest in mock anger and turned to look at his wife in outrage. "After all of these years this is how I'm left to find out, huh? You love Tre?" He said, his words dripping in disbelief. "I'm appalled." Adrienne rolled her eyes and ignored him as my aunt Nancy clicked her tongue. "Oh dear." She mumbled nervously.
I almost giggled as Tre rolled his eyes at the people in front of him. "No, not Adrienne... I meant Ava." I shifted uncomfortably, my face turning beat red, as about 50 heads turned to stare at me in curiosity. "I love Ava." He repeated again. "She makes me absolutely retarded sometimes, so much so that I can't even recognize myself, and I have no other explanation for this except that I love her. She is intelligent and kind and funny... and hot." He stumbled a little, smiling into the microphone as a few people chuckled.
I saw Billie Joe's black head nod in agreement. "Runs in the family, man." He hooted, lifting his beer bottle in the air in a toast as Adrienne shushed him. "For fuck's sake, Bill."
I continued to stare up at Tre smiling as he gestured wildly. "We have had a bumpy ride this past year, but I am up here tonight to let everyone know that I'm not going anywhere. I'm positive this is what I want. Ava, you're who I want to be with. Because, well, I love you and stuff." There was a giant 'awww' that murmured throughout the room as I smiled, feeling a flourish of happiness and relief wash over me. Well, I wanted a gesture... here it was.
"Did I mention she was hot?" Tre joked into the microphone, causing me to giggle as he set the microphone down on the stage and then clamored down into the sea of people heading straight for me, the crowd parting for him.
When he reached me he stopped in front of me. "Now I believe you." I murmured, smiling up at him. He grinned back.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" I turned my head to see Billie Joe, unanimously drunk, pumping his fist in the air and chanting rather childishly, despite Adrienne's shushing. I guess people weren't too appalled because they joined in after a few moments of hearing Billie Joe's lone voice echo through the hall.
"LAY ONE ON HER!" My uncle Dave called out from next to Adrienne, to which she shook her head. "That's just wrong." She mumbled before grinning and cupping her hands to her mouth. "Let's see some tongue!" She called, earning her a high five from a very enthusiastic Billie Joe.
"I can't believe you just high fived me." I heard her mumble as he threw his arm around her neck and kissed her temple, grinning. "TRE IS THE MAN!" He called out one last time before Adrienne covered his mouth with her hand. I giggled as I saw Mike standing a few feet away from Adrienne and Billie Joe, he looked both embarrassed and happy for us as he clapped.
I was a little embarrassed that my parents were standing two feet away watching me kiss Tre but they grinned and raised their glasses in unison.
"I guess they want a kiss." Tre murmured happily
I smiled up at him. "So it seems." I held on to the back of his elbows as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me sweetly on the lips.
There was an explosion of hoots and hollers and I quickly buried my face in the front of Tre's shirt.
"Oh my GOD." I muttered as he held me close and kissed the top of my head, laughing all the while.
"How is this for affection right out in front of God and everyone?" He mumbled into my ear as I giggled.
"Like I said, now I believe you."
"I would like to say something!" I heard my dad call out as I removed myself from the front of Tre's shirt to see him smack in the middle of the crowd standing on a chair. My mother hushed the crowd, standing encouragingly next to my dad's chair as he looked down and took her hand in his. "Thank you all for coming out tonight, it means the world to Lois and me. And we would especially like to thank our two beautiful daughters, Adrienne and Ava, for throwing us this party. You are the best daughters two parents could ask for... so I would like to toast to you two, my beautiful children. And to Tre... " He said, glancing over with a smile. "We're glad that you two FINALLY figured all of this out, we've been waiting for what seems like forever." He teased, raising his glass. "Cheers!"
"CHEERS!" Everyone called out as we finished off whatever we had in our respective glasses.
Tre and I slipped out for a walk as soon as everyone was done congratulating and asking nosy questions. It was a little chilly but the stars were out and it was peaceful as we walked hand in hand down a quiet path, the sounds of our shoes echoing back at us as we walked.
"So the theory about you and Mike being lovers has officially been laid to rest?" Tre asked, slipping off his coat and hanging it around my bare shoulders.
I burrowed into it before linking my fingers through his again and nodding. "I think so... although most of my family is senile so I wouldn't expect any miracles." I joked as he chuckled. "And there's always the risk of them thinking we're sneaking behind your back. I expect that rumor to be up and circulating around Christmas time."
"Ahh yes." He nodded, grinning a little and glancing up at the sky.
"I can't believe you did that." I murmured in disbelief as he smiled.
"I wanted to declare my love for you rather publicly." He replied, swinging our adjoined hands back and forth as we continued to walk through the dark.
"I'm sorry I freaked out... .it's just that after this past year and everything we went through with Adrienne I couldn't stand the thoughts of falling apart because you were being stupid." I said, grinning up at him as he stopped walking suddenly.
I giggled as I had to backtrack a few steps to stand in front of him.
He sighed in a dramatic fashion, his eyes twinkling. "So let me get this straight, from now on everything is going to be my fault, right?" He questioned softly, cupping his hands around my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks.
I stared up into his eyes and nodded, wrapping my hands around his waist to pull him closer to me.
"Good to know." He whispered, leaning down ever so slightly to kiss me. My eyes fluttered closed as the chill in the air seemed to go away.
He pulled away slowly, his eyes searching mine as he smiled in what looked like a secretive manner. "What?" I whispered curiously, afraid that speaking too loudly would shatter this perfect moment.
He shook his head a little and licked his lips before saying, "This is the start of something good, I know it."
I couldn't help the smile that spread over my face as the same words he uttered last Halloween, the night that started it all, lingered once again between us.
I leaned back up to kiss him, whispering against his soft lips. "I couldn't agree more."
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