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Epilogue
So what if I came clean
And told you all you mean to me
So what if I meant every word I said
Baby don't let it go to your head
So what if I write your name
Cause you're always on my brain
In a heart, I paint it crimson red
Baby don't let it go to your head
Don't be getting any big ideas
Let me make it clear
Just cause I can't go on
Just cause I die when you're gone
Just cause I think of you in bed
Don't let it go to your head
If I looked in your eyes
One, two, too many times
And memorized every word you said
Don't let it go to your head
So what if I want to kiss
From your toes up to your lips
It don't mean that you've had me yet
You're gonna be good, I bet
I'm the one who's in control here
Let me make it clear
Just cause I can't go on
Just cause I die when you're gone
Just cause I think of you in bed
Don't let it go to your head
If I looked in your eyes
One, two, too many times
And memorized every word you said
Don't let it go to your head
Ohhhhh
Don't let it go to your head
Ohhhhh
"Gracie! Turn that shit down, girl!"
Grace stuck her tongue out and blared the music louder. "How bout no! I love this song! Reminds me of my mom!"
A black male her age came around a corner and huffed. "What is that crap anyway?"
"Fefe Dobson's Don't Let It Go To Your Head." She smiled and began to sing along.
"Is your mom comin home soon?"
"Yeap. Later today. She's comin in for Christmas." Grace giggled. "You'll finally get to meet her, Kenyan."
Kenyan smiled and extended his hand. "Come on. Time for class."
Grace accepted his hand and smiled inwardly to herself as they walked into school like such. Boys are actually kinda fun!
"What're you say happy about?" laughed one of the workers.
Bobby smiled and pointed at the man. "That's none of your business, is it?"
"He happy cause his woman's comin home," another worker teased loudly, bringing everyone's attention to him. "Bobby's pussy whipped!" The rest of the men began to laugh and give cat calls.
Bobby chuckled and shook his head, tossing a sweat rag at the offender. "Kiss my ass, Reggie."
"Now ladies," Jeremiah interceded, approaching with a large grin. "Let's give the man some slack. He has been deprived of some good sex for, how long has it been since the weddin? Five weeks?" The men oohed and winced.
Bobby threw his arm around his brother's neck and pulled him down into a headlock. "You insultin me, Jerry? Tryin to remind me my wife's so talented she got called away before we could even have a honeymoon? Eh, Jerry? I can't hear you."
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad," moaned a voice.
Bobby turned, dragging Jeremiah with him, and grinned at the approaching girl. "Hey baby. How was school?"
"Fine. I told DJ Rodriguez off for pickin on some elementary kids."
"Good for you sweetie. How bout you, Kenyan?"
"Not yet, Bobby, but it's still early," Kenyan grinned.
"That's what I like to hear." Bobby lifted Jeremiah up and rubbed his head, laughing. "You should take a leaf outta their book, Jerry."
"I got a business to run, man. I ain't got time for cuttin up." Jeremiah punched him on the arm and hurried off to continue business. He did, however, manage to stop long enough to give Grace a kiss on the head and Kenyan a slap on the shoulder.
Bobby pulled off his thick gloves, threw them on the table, and picked up his coat. "You ladies ready to go pick up Mom?"
"Yeah!" Grace screeched happily. "Let's get Mom!"
Bobby pulled a toboggan down over his head and motioned to the boy. "You sure you wanna risk the lady of the house?"
Kenyan glanced at the beaming Grace then nodded, producing a smile of his own. "Yes sir."
"Aight den. Let's roll."
The phone again.
Rose furrowed his brow, flipped it open, and put it to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hello Clarice," a low voice replied.
Her face broke into a grin. "Hello Evil Mastermind."
"I thought you should know, you're being watched."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
"And who might this stalker be?"
"Oh ya know. Tall, dark, ruggedly handsome, hiding behind two kids."
"Two? Should I be worried?"
"Only if you're afraid of boys."
"Mmm. Where should I try to meet this man?"
"Look for the love of your life standing next to an ugly-ass Santa Claus blowup doll."
Rose scanned the area as she entered the main lobby and easily spotted the enormous doll. She approached it anxiously and grinned at the sight of two little figures standing in front of a tall one. "I think I may have found him."
"Good." Bobby hung up the phone and waved. He maneuvered past the kids and hurried toward her.
Rose broke into a jog, whipping around people left and right, and lunged up when they came close. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck. His strong arms locked securely beneath her. She ducked her head and pressed her lips to his. A moan sounded in his throat, but she felt it on his lips.
Bobby allowed his hormones to go wild in front of the hundreds of people as he slipped his tongue into her mouth and touched hers. When their oxygen was almost empty, they parted and beamed at one another. "I missed you."
"I missed you." Rose kissed him again, a bit more calmly, and straightened when he sat her feet back on the ground. "I think I like being stalked."
"My services're at your command."
"Later." The next kiss was more lingering than the last but more controlled than the first. It was simply sweet, appreciative, and strong, much like their very first kiss.
"Come on! What about me!"
Rose laughed and ducked around him. "Hey Gracie!" She threw her arms out and embraced the girl. "Oh baby, I've missed you so much." She drew back. "How've you been? What's been goin on at school?"
"It's been pretty boring actually. But the choir's having a concert! And guess what? I get to sing a solo!"
"That's great! When is it?"
"Two days before Christmas."
Rose tucked the side of her mouth in and narrowed her eyes. "Mmmmmm, I don't know if I can make it, baby girl."
"I'm not gonna beg you, Mom. Don't even try it."
Rose laughed. "Okay seriously, I'll be there. You have me till the first of January then I gotta head back and finish the film. But once it's over, I'll be back for good. I was thinkin about takin the drama department job at your school."
"Really!"
"Yeah."
"Awesome!" Grace blinked and glanced over her shoulder. "Oh, Mom, this is Kenyan from school."
Kenyan stepped forward and extended his hand. "Hello, Mrs. Mercer."
Rose accepted his gesture and winked. "Pleasure to meet you, Kenyan. You're Gracie's boyfriend, right?" He nodded. "Then it's not a pleasure, it's an honor. But we have to make it official." She turned her head and pointed to her cheek. "Gimme some love." Kenyan leaned forward and kissed her cheek as Grace giggled.
Bobby reached forward and grabbed the top of Kenyan's head. "Hey now, don't be makin moves on my woman, boy. I'll have to kill ya."
"Bring it on," Kenyan smiled, punching Bobby in the side.
Bobby pretended to be in pain and shoved him away. "Ey! Them's fightin words. Better watch yourself."
"Come on then, children." Rose clasped Grace's hand and began moving forward. "Snow's supposed to really kick in. Let's get movin."
Bobby and Kenyan followed but continued to take swipes at each other.
Bobby reached back a hand to let Kenyan slap it. "See ya later, man."
Kenyan smiled at each of them and opened the car door. "Kenny?" He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Grace quickly leaned forward and pecked him. Her cheeks were beat red. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Gracie," he beamed before jumping out and closing the door. "Merry Christmas, Bobby! Mrs. Mercer!"
"Call me Rosie, suga!" Kenyan's smile widened and he hurried off into the apartment complex.
Bobby turned in his seat. "What was that about?"
"Oh for heaven sake," Rose scoffed. "It's just a kiss, Bobby."
"Yeah, remember where our first kiss led to?"
"Yes, and look at us now."
Bobby pointed to the girl. "Go back to boys being scary. Kissing is evil."
"That explains why everybody thinks you're the Devil himself, Dad," Grace giggled, sticking her tongue out.
Rose burst into laughter. "She's got you there, Bobby!"
Bobby frowned at both of them. "This is no fair. Two girls against one guy."
"Cept Uncle Angel and Aunt Sofi moved out two weeks ago," replied Grace, moving in front of her.
"They did? Why?"
"Said every family needs their house," Bobby replied.
"Oh honey they don't need to move out cause of us."
"They meant theirs." He cleared his throat and maneuvered around her to the kitchen. "Angel asked Sofi to marry him about a week after you left."
Rose's mouth dropped. "What! Why didn't anyone tell me this!"
Bobby sat the luggage on the floor and straightened. "I didn't?"
"No."
"Oh." He shrugged innocently. "Must've slipped my mind."
"Slipped your mind, my ass. You just didn't want me to invite them over for Christmas."
"I would never." Bobby winked and headed into the living room where Grace sat on the floor watching TV. "What's on, sprout?"
"Jay and Silent Bob."
"Next."
"Bad Santa."
"Nu-uh."
Rose came in and plopped down beside him on the couch. "Admit it. You wanted it to just be the three of us for our first Christmas."
"Christmas Carol."
"Bleh."
"Quit ignoring me."
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey."
"Maybe."
"Bobby."
"Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas."
"Hell no."
Rose reached over and grabbed him firmly by the jaw. "Bobby Mercer, answer my question or I'm going to hurt you."
Bobby smiled at her. "You're doing it again."
She blinked and drew back. "You're such a pervert."
"I can't help it sweet talk does it for me. Besides, my perversion is partially why you married me, isn't it?" Rose didn't respond, which made Bobby laugh.
"I think we'll watch The Grinch," Grace finalized, setting the remote down and putting her elbows on a pillow. "I'm feeling up to some laughs."
Rose glanced sideways at Bobby twenty minutes into the film. He was wearing a pair of rugged blue jeans with his trademark boots and toboggan. His gray sweater hid it, but she knew was wearing a black muscle shirt too. One arm sat on the back of the couch while the other rested on the arm. He was leaning into the corner, watching the TV from an angle.
Bobby looked at Rose and caught her eyes darting from him back to the movie. He took that moment to take her in. She wore a pair of black, boot-cut hip-huggers with a yellow spaghetti-strap and green off-the-shoulder wool sweater overtop. Her feet were bare and displayed her multi-colored toenails. Fingernails were also multi-colored but cut down almost to her skin. She'd probably done it just before coming back. Large silver hoops hung from her ears, a bronze locket hung from her throat, and adorning her left ring finger was a thin silver band with a small diamond cut in the shape of a star. She had insisted it stay fairly simple.
Rose squirmed under his stare. "Gracie baby, I'm gonna go upstairs for a bit. I'll be back in a little while, kay?"
"Kay." Grace wasn't really paying much attention as the Grinch ate a glass bottle.
Rose stood, crossed past Bobby, and headed upstairs. Evelyn's room had become theirs, but in all honesty it hadn't changed much. Some of the pictures had changed, a bit more loud colors, the bed, and the clothes, but otherwise it had stayed. Jack's room had been permitted to Grace. Now that Angel and Sofi were gone she could transform that room into an office, or perhaps relocate Grace and take Jack's room as her office. Somehow, though, keeping Jack's room personal seemed necessary.
"You did good, Rosie."
Rose sat down on the bed and looked to the door. Jack's figure smiled at her. "Thanks, Jackie." She felt her own lips lifting. "I suppose, since almost all is said and done, I won't be seeing you as much, huh?"
Jack shrugged. "Nah, I think you'll be seeing a lot more of me."
Rose looked confused. "I will?"
"Yes ma'am. Grace stole that stack of my songs from your briefcase. Wants to sing em herself when she gets older."
"Oh great. So she'll be turning into another Jack Mercer." She laughed when he winked at her. "I'm glad you're here, Jack. I really miss you. We all do."
He smirked. "Yeah well, I don't miss you guys at all cause I can be wherever now."
"Jack sweetie!" With that, Evelyn came into view. "Come on, honey. It's time to go." She glanced at Rose and waved. "You take care of Bobby, ya hear?"
Rose chuckled. "I will." And with that, they disappeared. She sat motionless in silence for only a moment or two before taking a deep breath. "Rest in peace too, mother."
"Rosie?"
Rose lifted her eyebrows as Bobby stepped up into the doorway. "Yeah?"
"What're you doin up here?"
She shrugged. "Thinking."
"About?"
"You, now." Rose pulled herself further up onto the bed and tilted back her head. "But I think I'm up for some expression on how much you've missed me."
Bobby closed the bedroom door behind him and walked up to her slowly, grinning. "Grace's movie has over an hour left."
Rose gripped the bottom of his sweater and muscle shirt and pulled them both over his head before whispering, "Then let's not waste it."
Bobby instantly pushed his head forward and pressed his lips firmly into hers. Her fingernails trailing up his chest send a shiver down his spine. He brought his hands down against her waist then up beneath the fabric of her shirts. Her skin was warm and smooth. Their tongues touched for only a second before he drew back and lifted her legs. He fixed her body to the length of the bed before crawling on top of her.
Rose smiled at the feel of his strong body suffocating hers. She kissed him absently and tilted back her head as he began kissing and sucking on her exposed neck. Her hands were having their own fun as they trailed all over his upper body before moving down to his belt. She unfastened it and flung it off into the dark. Suddenly, her breath hitched in her throat as his tongue dipped down beneath the hem of her V-cut tanktop.
Bobby took her moment of rush to carefully reach down and grab the bottom of her shirts. He pulled them effortlessly over her head then worked to unfasten the bothersome piece of black silk fabric. "Damn hooks," his growled. He finally undid the final restraint and threw it off to the side.
Rose gasped and arched her back as his tongue touched her skin again. "Bobby," she whispered. She pulled him as close as she could, feeling her exposed skin against his, and threw back her head. "Bobby." Bobby's lips came to the area between her breasts where he kissed it softly.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Rose didn't notice, however, as Bobby's lips found a new spot on her chest. Her breathing was becoming more rapid. "Bobby," she breathed.
Another knock.
Bobby's hands moved to the hem of her pants.
Another knock.
With that, he snapped his head up and glared at the door. "WHAT!"
There was a giggle then quick retreating footsteps.
Rose laughed herself and raised defensive hands as the man turned his glare on her. "I'm sorry, it's just—" But she was silenced by warm lips on hers.
Bobby kissed her half a dozen times, brushed his lips against her chin, then pecked the tip of her nose. "I want more."
Rose tilted her head. "Should I be taking notes?"
"No, we're just gonna keep havin em till we get a boy."
Rose laughed and drew her arms up and around his neck as he leaned down, also laughing. "I love you."
"I love you." Bobby's lips touched hers.
The End
