Opening Video - 'I'll Always Love You' by Taylor Dayne

Saturday, February 17th, 2018

Niko's POV

"I scared you, there. Didn't I?" Tatianna's grandfather says.

"Yeah, you did. But that would not have stopped me from keeping Tatianna as mine. I love your granddaughter very much. And, Matti loves Aiesha."

Nobody, not even Tatianna's grandparents, will stop me from making her mine forever.

"Son, if it is okay for me to call you that, Jarvis and Pandora have told us so much about the two of you and what you have both done for our granddaughters. You both are good for them and have our blessing. And, thank you for taking care of that fool who hurt Tati."

Tatianna's grandfathers and I shook hands. "You're welcome. I felt it was my duty. I have loved Tatianna since the night I first saw her in my club. She is special."

"Absolutely she is. Tati's my first granddaughter. I have two grandsons that are older. Would either of you like something to drink?"

"A glass of whiskey for me." Matti agreed as well.

Tatianna's POV

Nana, Aiesha, and I are in the kitchen, fixing dinner for everyone. It's been years since we did this together.

"Nana, have a seat. Let Aiesha and I do the cooking."

"Child, you know I can't have a seat in the kitchen without cooking. I'll be fine."

We fixed Fricassee Chicken, Coconut Rice and Red Beans, Johnnycakes, and plenty of Jamaican Punch. My Uncle Jean Claude is grilling Snapper for us.

I hope my grandfathers bring Niko and Matti back in one piece. They have been gone a while. I called mom and dad to let them know we arrived safely.

One hour later, we heard cars pulling up. Aiesha and I went to see who it was. Grandpa Evander and Santana got out of one vehicle. I was starting to worry before a second SUV parked behind my grandpa. Niko and Matti came out. Aiesha and I both ran to our boys.

I jumped in Niko's arms. "I was beginning to worry about you and Matti."

"I must admit that when your grandfathers introduced themselves, I was worried. But they were only looking out for the welfare of the granddaughters. I'm here now, baby."

"He's right, Tati. But, you and Aiesha have two good men. I'm proud of both of you. Welcome to the family, Kostopoulos Boys."

"Carry me, Niko." I rested my head on his shoulder as I was carried in the house. I love this man so much.

"Thank you, Mr. Reid," Niko replied.

"Boy, cut the Mr. Reid junk. It's Evander and Santana."

"Evander, leave them boys alone. You must be Niko. I'm Nana Dalia. And, you are just as cute as Tati described." Niko blushed when my grandma said that.

"It's nice to meet you, Nana Dalia. This is my brother, Matti."

"You're cute too. My girls got themselves some charmers. Dinner is set up in the backyard."

"Aiesha and I cooked for you and Matti. I hope you boys like it."

Niko carried me all the way to the back yard. My baby boo is one, strong Grecian man. Aiesha and I introduced Niko and Matti to the family that made it to grandma's house today. Then, we sat down at the large picnic table. It is a really, long table so that everyone can sit together. We passed each dish around the table until everyone had a little bit of every dish.

Niko took a spoonful of the coconut rice and red beans. He didn't say anything for a minute. "This is absolutely, heavenly. I love it."

I popped his arm. "Hey, you scared me for a minute there. I'm glad you like it." I grabbed his spoon from him, then fed him.

"Aww, young love is beautiful," My Nana says. "How long are you all staying?"

"As long as Aiesha and Tatianna would like to stay," Niko says.

Aiesha added, "Matti and I are going to stay for two weeks."

"I would like to stay for at least three weeks. I'm anxious to get back to work. It seems like forever since I went to work."

"Okay. I have something for you girls before you leave - something for Aiesha to wear at her wedding. And, something for your future wedding, Tati." I couldn't help but blush at what she said.

"Where do you work now, Tati?" My grandpa Santana asked.

"I work with Niko at his company. I am one of the physicians for the employees. For the time I have been there, I really like it." I'm not going to tell them how I started working for Niko.

I smacked Niko's hands each time he tried to lift his fork. He just grinned. And, I knew what that meant. I put some of the fish on the fork and fed Niko again.

Uh, after I helped Niko finish his plate, he took a turn feeding me.

"Matti and I will go get the dessert." Aiesha and Matti got up from the table and went back into the house.

They brought out Bulla cake, Sweet Potato Pudding, and of course, Rum cake - fully loaded. "My grandma's rum cake is the best there is. The sweet potato pudding is my favorite."

I put some of the rum cake and sweet potato pudding on a plate for me and Niko.

I fed him a spoonful of the sweet potato pudding. Niko loudly moaned, which caused everyone to laugh.

"Niko sugar, save that for when you and Tati......."

"Grandma!" She had me blushing at the table.

"And none of that better be going on in this house. Got it?" Grandpa Evander says with arched eyebrows.

"Sorry. I couldn't help it. That is one of the best desserts I have tasted. This pudding could make millions," Niko then says.

"Tati baby, if you would like to, go ahead. You have my blessing. It's your recipe now. I have made it so much that I have it memorized."

"Thank you, Nana. But, where would I sell it?"

"Tati, you should open a restaurant. Everyone raves about your cooking," Aiesha suggests.

"But I wouldn't have time to run it."

"Don't you worry about that. I would love to. I have wanted to move to the U.S. for years. This would be the perfect opportunity to make the move," My aunt Tessa says.

"Tati baby, you know I will support you, no matter what you decide. I will NEVER let you fail. Just give me the word, and it's yours," Niko says as he gives me a kiss on my cheek.

"That's a thought. But I finally have a relationship that I have always wanted and know it will last forever. I don't want it to interfere with us."

"Trust me baby, it won't interfere. I'll make sure of that. How about you make it a small cafe first? You will not only draw Caribbean clientele but others as well. I will help you with suppliers and finding the perfect location. There's actually space right next to my Greek restaurant. Just think about it."

"Okay. Thank you and I love you, Mr. Kostopoulos."

Niko just grinned and said, "You're welcome." Then, his hands roamed under the table and landed on my thighs. It was hard trying not to move or giggle.

Through the rest of the evening, we sat around the table, sharing stories about me and Aiesha growing up in Jamaica. Niko and Matti chuckled several times.

Niko loved the Sweet Potato pudding so much he had a second serving. He kept whispering in my ear about opening the restaurant.

I know he won't allow me to fail, so that's why I am seriously thinking about opening it. I even thought of a name for it.

**************************************

Sunday, February 18th, 2018

"Good morning, Cubby. I thought about your whispers from last night and I would like to open the cafe."

"That's great news We'll get started on it when we get back. And, I got a text from my real estate agent. The house you wanted is yours."

"Yes!!" I did my happy dance. "I absolutely love that house. I can't wait to move in it! Thank you! Thank you!" I peppered Niko's face with kisses.

"You're welcome. Anything for you, baby. And, I already told him to secure that space for your cafe."

"Niko Kostopoulos!"

"Hey, I had no doubt you would do it. I'm confident like that."

"You sure are. I'm not mad at all. I love your confidence. Today is going to be Niko and Tatianna's day. Aiesha is doing the same thing with Matti. And, I'm driving. I'm taking you to all of my favorite hangouts. And, my favorite restaurant. So, chop-chop, let's go eat breakfast. After we eat, the first stop is our Jamaican home. We need to pack also because that is where we are staying for the next three weeks."

Niko just smirked as I dragged him down to the kitchen. About 5 minutes later, Aiesha dragged Matti in the kitchen.

It didn't take us long to eat breakfast. After we did, all four of us went to pack our clothes. After packing, we loaded the Yukon Denali, my grandpa, Evander rented for us. Once we reach the house, Aiesha will take the Denali keys. Grandpa Santana will meet us at the house with an SUV for me and Niko.

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"Welcome to Reid Manor."

Grandpa Santana was waiting for us. It looks like he rented an Escalade. I have always wanted to drive one of them. I better not say that out loud because Niko would buy one for me.

"Thanks, grandpa." I gave him a big hug and then he handed me the keys.

"You're welcome, Tati. Enjoy." He gave me and Aiesha a kiss on our cheeks. Nana Vea pulled up to the house, and grandpa got in the car with her and pulled away.

"Gentlemen, it's tour time."

Aiesha took Matti one way, and I took Niko another. We went to the basement floor first. "One of my favorite spots is the pool in the backyard." After opening the patio door, we stepped outside.

"The yard is huge," Niko says as we walk around the grounds for a little bit.

"It really is. We have a small garden too, although it probably needs some work. Let's go back inside."

We went inside and toured the rest of the house.

After we were finished, we met back up in the living room.

"Hope you and Matti enjoyed the tour. Now, it's time to tour Kingston."

"I did enjoy it. I got to see where my baby lives. I can't wait to see the naked baby pictures too."

"Boy, let's get out of here." After locking up the house, Aiesha and Matti made their way to the Denali. Niko and I walked to the Escalade.

********************************

The first place I took Niko to was a playground not too far from our house.

"I used to come here all the time after middle school. The swings were my favorite."

"Madam Reid, would you like to go for a swing?" Niko asked.

"I sure would."

We walked over to the swings. I sat down and Niko pushed me.

"I didn't really have any school friends. And, the one time I did, she turned on me. People even tried to bully me, but I sure didn't let that happen. I did become friends with someone at my job I worked during the summers I came back from University."

"If you would see them now, would you recognize them?"

"Maybe I would. Or, maybe I wouldn't. I could care less about them. I love my life in San Diego. And, now I have you by my side. Like I said when we left your parents' house, I am done feeling self-conscious about myself."

"Darn right you have me. You know what I do to people who mess with you, right?"

"Absolutely, I do. I'm ready to go to the next spot."

After getting up off the swing, we walked back to the Escalade.

**************************************

I pulled up to the first place I ever worked - Whole Latte Love Coffee Bar.

"This place means the world to me. Like I mentioned at the park, it's the first place I ever worked. Even though I went to University in the U.S., I always came back home in the summer. I worked here each year during University and medical school."

Niko and I entered the Coffee Bar. And, I saw Mama Ade - Adelaide Atkins. Niko and I walked over to where she was standing. She was talking to Talasia, her daughter.

They both turned around. "Tati!! It's so great to see you!!" Both of them gave me a big hug. "We miss you. And, who is this handsome fella with you?" Mama Ade is a trip. She was grinning silly at Niko.

"This is my boyfriend and future hubby, Niko Kostopoulos. Niko, I want to introduce you to Mama Ade, and Talasia. Talasia is my only good best friend. Girl, when are you coming to visit me in San Diego? Aiesha is in town too."

Niko replied, "It's nice to meet you Mama Ade and Talasia."

"I would love to visit. Mom and I will come to visit soon. What's your address?" Talasia asked.

"I'm moving to a new place once I get back to the States. Here's my cell number so we can keep in touch."

I gave her my number, and she gave me her number.

"Take good care of my Tati. She deserves to happy," Mama Ade says to Niko.

"You're right that she deserves it. And, I will see to it."

Niko's POV

I sure will see to it. And, no one will get in my way. Not even my mother.

We sat down and had a dessert named Toto (it is a small coconut cake) and a cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. This is a must in Tatianna's cafe.

Mama Ade went down memory lane of how Tatianna was an amazing employee. Hearing her gush over Tatianna puts a big smile on my face.

We stayed here for about two hours. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

"How long are you both staying in Kingston?" Mama Ade asked.

"For three weeks. We will definitely come back to visit with you, Mama Ade," Tatianna answered.

"That's great. Let me get back to work. We'll see you soon." Mama Ade and Talasia then walked away.

"I have one more place I want to take you to, Cubby." Tatianna and I got up to leave. As soon as we approached the Escalade, Tatianna became irritated.

"Well, well, well, look what the wind blew in - Tatianna 'Too Dark' Reid."

"Well if it isn't Shakina 'The backstabbing tramp' Fooard. Find somebody else to bother."

Hmm, looks like someone is about to take a trip to the island.

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Reid Family's Jamaican home is courtesy of Can Stock Photo - © Can Stock Photo / EyeMark

Backyard pool is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / sergojpg