Chapter 16

Playing: 🎶Love by Jhene Aiko🎶

-Day With Family-

Xander's POV

"I've missed Theresa's cooking," Charles confesses, a giddy glint in his eyes as I drive across the windy roads that lead to my Father's private land tucked away in one end of the small town of Cashiers.

We touched down about two hours earlier at the airport and spent an hour hiding and dodging the press, paparazzi plus a few passengers who wanted a picture or signatures. One of the downsides of not taking my private jet and landing at a secluded hanger.

This leaves me driving for the past hour into silver run falls, in the heart of Blue Ridge Mountain town, 63 miles south of Asheville and at about 3,500 feet elevation. I look right and offer Charles a much-deserved glare thus he refuses to take the wheel after the new car was brought to me at the airport. Yes, I purchased a new car that waited for me to land.

It is a simple Nissan Xterra, nothing huge, and will enable me to drive easily to my destination without any hitches due to its height and lightness.

"Don't give me that look, bro, I'm exhausted too," he defends, grimacing at the stained and rumpled white shirt he was donning below his suit yesterday. "I'm also hungover if I'm permitted to add."

"No, you aren't permitted," I grunt, gripping the steering wheel despite my aching muscles that I have no idea why they are so sore. "My bones are killing me."

"And I have a killer headache," he retorts, rubbing one hand on his forehead while the other is slack on his thigh that is still clad in yesterday's navy blue trouser.

"For the record though, you stink," I say, facing the road as I brush my nails through my dark curls and peer in the rearview mirror for a minute. I catch little circles under my eye from my rough sleep last night while at the same time feeling fresh and neat in a cream-colored t-shirt and black sweatpants hence I had the luxury to shower, unlike some people.

"Way to state the obvious Einstein," he scoffs, doing the same thing I did on his side mirror. "I just pray Theresa won't kick me out the second she sets her eyes on my disheveled state."

"I don't think she would, she has a soft spot for you, sometimes more than me," I voice truthfully knowing my stepmom loves him like her own son.

"That's because I'm more handsome," he shrugs, a cocky edge to his words that has me snorting.

"Whatever lets you sleep at night," I grin in triumph, certain, that would shut him up.

"Xander 1, Charles 0." He nods as if accepting a grave fact and I hold in a laugh, not wanting to add to his misery as his face turns grim.

Thankfully, I don't suffer the silence or hold in my laugh for long as some minutes later I turn into the wide expanse of land I acquired for my Dad a few years back. It's vast and well-trimmed greenery which he uses as a golf course and other outdoor activities like strolling with the love of his life in the quiet area or sometimes lounging in the evenings.

Their cabin is situated at the far back corner of the property which gives them a view overlooking the place. I pack the car and shut the engine, climbing out the next moment.

"Don't you dare laugh," Charles says noticing my strained cheeks, and that does it, I burst out laughing so hard that I hear a flutter of wings as my voice probably scares off the birds hanging around in the trees? "You are hopeless."

"You could have just stayed without saying that," I argue calming down from my laughing fit and dragging the little duffel bag with overnight necessities from the backseat. "I was doing a good job with keeping my humor at bay."

"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England," he slams his door hard before I do the identical and see him a few meters ahead, stomping to the white painted cabin with a black roof and of course a cute chimney at the top.

"We argue like lovers," I blurt, knowing that will crack him and he does, breaking out in chuckles.

"That's funny and weird," he shivers after that. "Don't say that, again."

"Aye, aye captain," I punch his shoulder lightly as we near the door, I can perceive the scent of home-cooked pasta drifting through the windows, and my stomach grumbles, reminding me of my lack of breakfast.

"Oh my God Danny come look," I hear Theresa squeal before the door opens wide to display her short round motherly figure wrapped in a pink flower print dress that stops at her knees where the black apron around her waist ends. "I told you I heard someone drive up."

"Who are the hoodlums on my property?" Dad's gruff voice inquires, appearing in blue trousers and a black longsleeved turtleneck that hugs his still insanely taut body perfectly.

"I've told you not to make assumptions about people," Theresa reprimands and swats his flat belly with a wooden spoon as Charles and I climb the three steps to the veranda. "Welcome my boys."

"It's good to see you, Theresa," I smile, my eyes wrinkling at the ends as I pull her into a hug and inhale her warm strawberry scent mixed with a hint of tomato sauce which is probably from the kitchen."

"It's good to see you, son," Dad claps my back affectionately as I rest my head atop Theresa's blond locks and bask in the maternal feeling for a little bit longer before I release her. I kiss her forehead when I see her green eyes misty and pointed nose a tad red as she sniffs and tries to control her trembling pink lips.

"I've missed you both," I say and walk into Dad's outstretched hands as we embrace, his head reaching my shoulder as his hair brushes my chin.

"Come here boy," Theresa gestures to Charles who has been silent through our exchange, and engulfs him in a hug. "You have grown more handsome."

"Don't inflate his ego ma," I roll my eyes as Dad and I separate and gawk, as she pinches his cheeks while he grins at me.

"You didn't inform us you were coming," Dad conveys, bringing my focus back to his dim yellow irises that till now appear unusual but endearing to me whenever I peer into them.

"We wanted to make it a surprise," Charles answers for me, and Dad nods, scratching his nails on his high cheekbones that sit aside a crooked nose that must have been broken once or twice in the street at a young age.

"Come in, come in, Tessa's just made pasta, and I know that's your favorite," he speaks, his nude lips bending in a half-smile as he throws his arm across Theresa's shoulder as they lead the way on the wood flooring to the living room.

Watching both of them now as they exchange muffled words and laughs I feel blissful and grateful that Dad found love again. I'm even more thankful for the fact that he found it in Theresa, a woman who has shown me, love, since my mother's absence and has been a source of strength to my father.

I remember how scared I was of her when she got hired as my stay in Nanny because Dad had to focus on his work, rather she made me understand I can and deserve to be loved by a woman. The fear of rejection dissipated and was then replaced with the fear of abandonment but she conquered it too by reassuring me she won't leave me for anything.

A smile on my lips, I recall when I started hoping for her and Dad to end up together to the point of me setting up moments to make them warm up to each other. The moment it finally happened I couldn't withhold my joy as I at the time thought it was my plans that made it work, but now I realize God heard my hopes and wishes even though I didn't exactly pray for it.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Charles whispers in my ear, bringing me back to the present.

"Shut up," I whisper back.

"No talking, the food is served," Theresa reprimands placing the dish of ready-made pasta atop the mahogany desk decorated with a white flower-designed lace tablecloth.

"Sorry," I apologize, the grin still present in my expression as I've missed this.

She acknowledges my response in a nod as Charles gives me the middle finger for a reason unknown to me. From my left vision, I observe Dad shake his head and I'm pleased to note I'm not the only one who found that action weird.

We all settle in our chairs, at the makeshift dining that's positioned in the same space as the living room, Dad at the head, Theresa on his right, Charles on his left while I sit at the other head.

"May we pray," I let out, stretching forth my hands. Charles blinks, Dad chokes on mere air and Theresa's eyes are wide.

"Come on, join your hands," Theresa asserts after recovering from her shock. Dad's lips break out and his teeth shine through them as he clasps his hand with Charles and Theresa who then lace their fingers with mine.

"Dear God," I shut my eyes and begin. "We say a huge thank you for providing us with this meal, and we say may you bless it, bless the beautiful hand that made it and bless everyone who consumes it, in Jesus name we pray, Amen."

We untangle our palms and I pick up the china plate from my face and proceed to do as everyone by helping myself to servings of the delicious pasta.

"So son, how was your performance in Tennessee?" Dad inquires, and grabs a fork, commencing to feast on the food.

"What he means to say was, we hope you enjoyed it," Theresa explains squeezing Dad's arm and with a bright smile continues. "Because we loved it."

"Your energy was so contagious that I nearly joined in hopping to the song," Dad confesses and I stare at him affectionately appreciative of his presence and support in my career. I have never been more blessed than having the two people who matter to me the most have my back.

"I love you all," I tell, not needing a response as I dive into my meal, the fresh breeze from the window whipping my hair gently as we all enjoy our brunch.

After the meal, Charles takes his leave saying he booked a room in the nearest motel, not wanting to ruin our family time. In spite of the reassurance given that he isn't.

I don't argue with him as Theresa does because I know he'll want a female to warm his bed tonight.