“When you see my birthday surprise for you, promise to jump in my arms and plant kisses all over my face.” He wore a rakish grin as he spoke. Gabe grunted.
“If her lips go anywhere near your ugly face, you die!” Kenny drew back as if he had been burned.
“Now, Gabe… bruh! Ugly?” He turned to look at Mac who wore a look of irritation on his face. I laughed. Kenny’s silliness always irritated Mac.
“We all know that I’m the handsome one of the crew.” He continued not in the least bothered by Mac’s frown. Gabe grunted.
“Oh yeah. If you’re the handsome one, then who am I?” Kenny chuckled.
“Why my good friend, you’re the strong one.”
“And who is Mac?” I asked, knowing better than to indulge Kenny in his madness. But not being able to help it any more than a baby could help crying when they needed their mama’s attention, he turned to look at Mac who at this point was literally growling at him.
“I’m in no mood for your garbage today!” He spoke from between clenched teeth.
“Mac here…” Kenny responded blinking up at him innocently. “Is the ugly one!” He was out of his seat so fast that by the time Mac swung at him, he was laughing on his way out the door.
“Goodness, that boy moves fast.” I said chuckling at the angry look on Mac’s face.
“You ever met a slow snake?” He grumbled. I held my head back and laughed before coming to my feet. I loved these guys so much. They had become brothers to me.
“Sorry I missed breakfast.” I told Gabe, leaning down to kiss his lips. “I’ve been so tired lately. Did you find the blueberry cookies I made last night?”
He reached up and rubbed my cheek, studying my face. “I did find them, they were very good. Thank you.” I chuckled.
“Did you save me one?” His guilty gaze shot over to Mac.
“Just barely, those freeloaders decided to stop by for breakfast.” Mac cleared his throat.
“I saved you one. Gabe and Kenny started fighting over the last one.” I opened my mouth staring down at Gabe. He had the nerve to act offended.
“Baby… who you gone believe? That dude, or your man?” I bent down and kissed his lips again.
“That dude never lies, you…” I said poking my finger into his hard chest. “Is a cookie monster that can’t be trusted with the cookies.” His arms shot out and he grabbed me bringing me back to his lap, where he started tickling me with his beard as he loudly kissed my neck, pretending to take bites out of it. I squealed trying to move his mouth away.
“I am a cookie monster!” He growled in my ear. “And I’m going to eat you my sweet!” I couldn’t stop the thrill that shot down my spine at his words. Grinning up at him, I started to pull his head down to mine so that I can kiss him. But Mac cleared his throat loudly… Mr. No-nonsense that he is!
“If you two can hold off on having sex on the desk, I have a few more things to go over with you bruh about security for tonight.” His tone was as dry as usual. Gabe looked over at him before his eyes lowered to mine.
“Well, I guess my nursemaid says I can’t have any cookies after all!” He whispered. I giggled standing back up off his lap. Mac absolutely hated when he called him that.
“That’s okay, I need my coffee anyway.” I gave him one last kiss.
“Thank you so much, you don’t know how much having my land back means to me!” I whispered.
“You never lost it sweetheart!” He whispered. I walked past Mac and gave him a quick hug. He grunted as he patted my arm.
“Sorry for interrupting Mac!” I sang to him as I left out the office shutting the door behind me. I shook my head as I made my way down to the kitchen. Mac was the sweetest, sternest man I had ever met. I loved him because he for some reason had dedicated his whole life to keeping Gabe safe and out of trouble. He was truly a God send. Without him and Kenny, Gabe’s childhood would have had no love at all.
“Good Morning!” I said to Gabrielle as I floated into the kitchen happier than I’ve ever been. She stood in front of the coffee pot waiting on it to finish brewing. This was something my mother-in-law and I had in common. She too could not begin her day without a cup of Joe.
“Morning mija.” She took down two mugs and filled them with coffee. I went to the fridge and grabbed the plate of blueberry cookies I had hid for Gabrielle and myself. Something I had learned to do with Gabe. His sweet-tooth was relentless. He would shamelessly eat all of anything I baked. And if you didn’t slide in there and get yourself a bite, you were out of luck.
Gabrielle carried the cups to the table then went back to the cabinet. Sitting down I began stirring cream and sugar into my coffee.
“Happy birthday daughter!” I looked up surprised to see she carried a little box in her hand.
“Aww! You didn’t have to buy me anything.”
“Oh yes I did… mija this one is long overdue.” I half frowned and half smiled at her cryptic statement as I began to unwrap the little box.
She eased down in the chair across from me, watching me excitedly as she prepared her coffee. When I was finished unwrapping the box, I stared down at it confused.
“A pregnancy test?” I asked. She nodded.
“I had a dream last month about two beautiful pieces of luggage. Last night I had a dream I was shopping for the same two pieces.” She said that as if I was supposed to know what in the world that meant.
“Umm… okay!” I was lost. “I’m confused. What does luggage have to do with you buying
