Sunday, July 21st, 2019

Kimi's POV

The past two days have been quite busy. The lunch we had with Ryder's parents was a success.

Today, Ryder, Ryley, and I are hosting a party to officially announce our relationship. Well, they weren't sure because of the two months we were apart. But, Ryder helped me to see that I needed that time away. And I did.

Ryder is cooking on the grill while Ryley and I are in the kitchen. "I'll be right back, Ryley. I'm taking these burgers out to your dad."

"Okay, Kimi." I had burgers and hot dogs in both my hands as I walked outside. While walking over to the grill, I heard a car door being closed.

"Hey, I have more burgers and hot dogs. Do you need anything else?"

"How about a kiss?"

"Ryder Ellis, don't put your grill hands on my dress. But, you can have your kiss as soon as I put these burgers and hot dogs down."

"I promise." As soon as I put them down on the table, then I went in for the kiss.

"You two just can't stop sucking on each other's face."

Ryder broke away from the kiss. "This face is finally mine, and I am going to enjoy it for as long as I live. Come on in, Rhys and Nic."

"We brought some wine for the adults and apple juice for Ryley."

"Thank you. We can take these in the kitchen until everyone arrives. We are going to eat outside. Ryley is inside."

"I'll stay outside with Ryder, ladies," Rhys says. Nic and I went inside.

"Ryley, look who is here."

"Auntie! You brought apple juice. Thank you."

"You're welcome, sweetie."

"Ryley honey, go play with Trixie, Ski, Snowflake, and Fluffy. Thank you for helping me."

"You're welcome, Kimi." She skipped out of the room to find out animal kids.

"Kimi, I am so happy for you. You and Ryder are perfect for each other."

"Thanks, Nic. He absolutely is the perfect one for me. My lunch yesterday with Ryder's parents went great. His mom and I have more in common than I realized."

"What are you going to do about your parents?"

"I'm not giving up Ryder to please my parents. He loves me, and I love him. He is mine."

"Who is yours?" Ryder says with that devious smirk on his face as he came inside.

"You are. And, if I have to brand you like livestock, I will."

"Woman, do I look like a cow?" Ryder was about to wrap his arms around me. "Uh, what are you about to do?"

"Wrap my arms around you."

"No, you are not. Well, not until you wash your hand's buddy."

"Why don't you come with me? We could wash each other."

"No! I'm clean. Boy, go wash your hands. I'll be here when you come back."

Nic helped me start putting the food in bowls so we could carry them outside. About 5 minutes later, I felt a pair of arms snake around my waist.

"See, my hands are nice and clean." Ryder's hands started inching up to my chest.

"Nic doesn't want to see you feeling on my boobs. Save that for later."

Ryley ran in with the animal kids. "Daddy, I'm hungry."

"I'm hungry too." Ryder then whispered in my ear, "And, not for food."

Oh my gosh, someone's testosterone is raging.

"I will get you something to eat, Ryley." Nic took Ryley outside to fix her something to eat.

"I called my parents this morning, but they didn't answer. I am about to give up on reconciling with my parents. I have your parents, you, Ryley, Rebecca, Victoria, Timi, Myles, and Mitchell on my side."

"You sure do. But, do not give up hope with your parents. If they don't come around, you are not the one to blame. Now how about my kiss?" Ryder twirled me around so that I was now facing him. "I'm not giving you up either, Kimi Forester." I started running my hands through Ryder's hair.

Ryder sat me on one of the empty counters. "Boy, we have guests coming soon. And, I have food on the counters."

Ryder's POV

"Several times, while you were dating Liam, I wanted to snatch you up and have my way with you."

"Oh, what did you want to do?" Kimi put her hands on her hips. "We couldn't stand each other back then."

"Honey, that didn't matter. For example, when your ankle was in a cast at Liam's party before our trip to France, the dress you wore drove me insane. The way you had your legs on the couch was the reason for me leaving early."

"Ryder Ellis, you are one horny man."

"I sure am, and not ashamed to admit it."

"And, I better be the only one that drives out those desires."

"Trust me when I say there is no one else." We were two seconds from a kiss until being interrupted.

"Well, well, well, what have we here?" It was Rebecca, Victoria, and Timika.

"You three sure know how to ruin a mood." I helped Kimi off the counter.

"Ryder, you and Kimi have your whole lives to be freaky. You'll be fine for a few hours. Everybody is outside waiting for both of you," Rebecca says.

"Let's go and get this party over with." I grabbed Kimi's hand as we walked outside. As we approached the table, everybody stood up out of their chairs and clapped.

"There they are. Congratulations, Ryder and Kimi. Everyone at the table is happy you both are finally and officially a couple," Mitch says.

"Ryley, sugar, come here for a minute." She did and stood in front of me.

"I want to thank each and every one of you. I know Kimi and I both drove you all crazy with the amount of fussing we did about each other."

"Kimi, no offense, but you fussed the most," Myles says as Mitch and Timi nod in agreement. Marta, Roshawna, and Livia also agreed.

"Hey, I can't help it. That's one of my negative traits. I can be whiny at times. You all don't have to worry about that anymore."

"Yeah, that will be Ryder's problem now." Mitch and Myles traded high fives after Kimi answered.

"So, Ryder, I remember you saying on the beach in Maui that, 'I see the mother of my future children' when you saw Kimi lying on the sand. Well, Kimi, he didn't know you were a Forester at the time," Steph just had to bring up.

"Did you seriously say that?" Kimi asked.

They would remember that. "That was the day you were wearing that blue bikini. When they told me your name was Kimberly, I pictured you being my wife." I can't believe I just admitted that. "So, yes, I did see the mother of my future children. You all know what the next step is after dating. Ryley will have a mother figure. And, I will have what I have always wanted - a wife and family."

"Daddy, can I sit down now?"

"Yes, you can." Kimi and I sat down too.

Kimi pinched my cheeks. "Aren't you sweet? I would love to be a mother figure for Ryley. That is what I wanted, especially after being pregnant with Ari. I haven't told you all this, but the day I met Ryley, I cried. She is exactly how I pictured Ari to be. Kai broke me. I thought I would never find someone who truly loved me. Liam and Rhys, please don't be offended but, I didn't feel a connection with you guys like I do with Ryder. We each found out we were better off as friends. You both are my additional brothers. With Ryder, it seemed fast that we got together, but it wasn't. Ryder and Ryley are just what I need and want."

"Kimi, we are not offended. I could sense it myself. Especially at the party, I held last October and the Winter trip we had. You're right about us being friends. My friendship with you is a special one because you are my first real female friend," Liam answered.

"We are both grown and can make our own decisions. Whatever I have to do to keep Kimi in my life, I will do it."

"I vowed to do the same. My parents have no right to tell me I can't date Ryder. I love him and Ryley so much. Rebecca and Victoria, I had an amazing time with your mom and dad yesterday. We cried, laughed, and she showed me a few pictures of Ryder as a baby, kid, teen, and college man. He was a cutie then, but now he is sweet and sexy. And, he's mine."

"I'm sure Ryder liked that, especially the baby pics," Rebecca says as she laughs.

"His cheeks were red as a red delicious apple. I told him that I would find some naked baby pictures of me. Hey, I'm not ashamed. Some people have even said I could have been a child model."

I cannot wait to see her naked, adult-sized. Kimi drives me crazy with clothes on.

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"We had a great time tonight."

"Yeah, we did. I can't believe you said that about me in Maui."

Kimi came out of the bathroom with a turquoise nightdress.

See what I mean. "Woman, you are doing it now with that outfit you are wearing. Like I told you, your body is driving me insane."

"I can't help the figure that I have. I love my curves."

"And, so do I. So, get your booty over here now."

"As you wish, Mr. Ellis." Kimi seductively walked over to her bed and plopped.

"You like teasing me, don't you?"

"This isn't a tease. I wear stuff like this all the time. You would know if I was teasing you. Now, hush so we can cuddle. Good night, Ryder."

"Oh, we will cuddle later. Right now, it's Ryder's time."

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Monday, July 22nd, 2019

Monday should be classified as a permanent day off. The workweek should start on Tuesday. I went to check on Ryley, and she is still asleep. Kimi must be downstairs because I smell Starbucks coffee. So, that is where I went.

Kimi didn't know that I entered because she was listening to 'Just Fine' by Mary J. Blige and singing the lyrics.

She is going to jump out of her skin. Watch. I walked right over to where Kimi was standing by the stove and wrapped my arms around her waist. She jumped out of her skin. "Ryder Cooper Ellis!!! You scared me!"

"That was the idea. Good morning, Babydoll."

"I was trying to fix you breakfast before you scared me. You can finish cooking while I calm my nerves. Here is a cup of coffee for you."

"Thanks. I'll finish it and take it with me."

"I know you don't like Mondays, so how about Ryley and I come for lunch to brighten up your day? What would you like for lunch?"

"Please, do come. Wrong question to ask me. But, I'm patient."

"Ryley and I will surprise you with food. Besides, we couldn't do that in front of her. Now, excuse me, mister."

"Not before you kiss me."

"Boy, what if by chance Ryley walks in the kitchen and sees us?"

"Ryley is sound asleep." After turning off the stove, Kimi and I took a short walk then I sat her on one of the counters. "I'm going to enjoy Mondays now that you are here with us."

"Are you now, Mr. Ellis?" Kimi rested her arms around my neck and wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me close to her.

"Oh, indeed, I am."

"You better hurry and kiss me so you will not be late."

I was inches away from a kiss until we heard little feet running towards the kitchen. "Help me off the counter."

Ryley entered the kitchen as I took Kimi off the counter. "Daddy, why was Kimi on the counter?"

I better think of an answer fast. "Uh, see what happened was that Kimi saw a mouse. But she is afraid of them." We don't really have mice. "He's gone now, so have a seat for breakfast. Kimi will fix it for you. I am leaving for work now."

After Ryley took her seat, I went to kiss her forehead. "See you at lunch, princess."

"Bye, daddy," Ryley replied first.

"See you at lunchtime, Ryder."

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Stopping at Starbucks is causing me to be late. It's bad enough that it is Monday. But, now this waiting for my breakfast is a headache.

Several other patrons were waiting. It seems extra busy today. After about twenty minutes, one of the baristas called my name, so I went to the counter and grabbed my order.

Another barista called out a name that I was curious to hear. "Mr. Braxton, your order is ready." He walked over to the counter and grabbed his order. I grabbed a few napkins then walked out of the store as he did.

My suspicions were confirmed when someone called his name. "Hey, Kai, long time no see man. How's the family?"

I squeezed my coffee cup so tight that it spilled out on the ground. I know a list of words that describe my emotional state - angry, irritated, pissed, livid, and more. How do I handle this without going to jail because I want to strangle him?

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