When Hell Freezes Over (11 page)

“It's okay, Keaton. You know how children are.”

“I guess we'd better go face the music, huh?”

“Lead the way.”

Keaton took her hand into his and led her toward the kitchen to join the others.

Dinner went off without any problems. After MaLeah finished giggling over Keaton kissing Meridan, they were able to enjoy the delicious meal he'd prepared. As they ate, Arnelle complimented Meridan on the pink cashmere sweater she wore with her black leather pants. Her black boots put about three more inches on her height, bringing her even closer to Keaton. He couldn't help but admire the way the leather fit to her shapely backside. It was hard for him not to stare as they sat side by side. Winston and Craig smiled throughout dinner as they observed Keaton's obvious weakness around Meridan. They continued to talk about the upcoming Mississippi trip and, before long, it was time for the children to go to bed. MaLeah cried because she wanted Meridan to help her with her bath. When Winston and Arnelle protested, she cried even louder.

Meridan stood. “Arnelle, it's okay. I don't mind helping MaLeah with her bath.”

“Are you sure?”

MaLeah ran over and hugged Meridan's leg.

“It's not a problem at all. Come on, MaLeah. Let's get you ready for bed.”

Keaton stood also. “I'll go so I can show you where everything is.”

As Winston, Craig, Venice and Arnelle cleaned up the kitchen, they couldn't help but discreetly discuss how soft Keaton had become since he'd become involved with Meridan.

Winston said, “Arnelle, I guess you know, your brother's halfway to the altar.”

Craig wiped off the table. “I agree. He's like a different person.”

Venice put the leftovers in the refrigerator. “Don't ya'll think you're jumping the gun a little?”

“Hell no!” Winston loudly answered. “You guys must not have eyes.”

Arnelle said, “We have eyes. It's just that my brother doesn't seem like the marrying type.”

“It's different, now that he's hooked up with Meridan,” Craig explained.

Turning, Arnelle asked, “What do you mean?”

Venice said, “Don't pay Craig and Winston any attention, Arnelle. If it's meant for Meridan and Keaton to be together, they will be. I think they're a cute couple.”

Winston gathered the trash bag. “I don't care what ya'll say; I think his playa days are over.”

Arnelle opened the garage door for him. “You don't think he's getting serious about her, do you?”

“I guess time will tell, huh?”

At that time, Keaton walked in and noticed the surprised look on everyone's face. Sensing that he had walked in unexpectedly, he asked, “What?”

Arnelle turned her back to him to place a plate in the cabinet.

Winston smiled and asked, “What do you mean…what?”

“You all look like you're up to something,” he said with a frown.

Venice and Craig tried to keep busy with the dishes so they wouldn't give away the fact that Keaton was the topic of their conversation.

Arnelle walked over to him. “You're imagining things. Is Meridan doing okay with MaLeah?”

“Yes, and I gave Fredrick his bath. Is his bottle ready?”

Arnelle pointed over to the bottle warmer. “Keaton, you'd make a great daddy.”

He hissed, “Please!”

He turned and walked out of the kitchen. As he climbed the stairs, he felt chills run over his body.
Daddy? Arnelle has lost her damn mind.

After he walked out, everyone burst out laughing.

Venice walked across the room. “Ya'll are so wrong to do Keaton like that.
Skeeter, you don't need to be messing with him; you were the same way about Arnelle.”

Craig said, “She got you there, Bro!”

Winston said, “Oh! Ya'll teaming up on me now, huh? Anyway, that was different. I wasn't going around talking about never getting married.”

Craig laughed. “No, you were just trying to be the Playa-of-the-Century.”

Arnelle waved them off. “Please! Don't remind me.”

They all laughed together.

Venice responded, “Well, we'd better get the kids and get out of here. It's getting late and they've been asleep for a while. Brandon had a good time playing with MaLeah.”

Winston said, “So did MaLeah. It would be wild if they end up married one day, huh?”

Everyone froze and looked at him.

Craig hugged and kissed Arnelle. “Tell your husband to slow his roll.”

Venice hugged Winston. “Well, I would be honored to have MaLeah as a daughter-in-law.”

“The same here, Venice.” Craig shook hands with Winston and said, “Skeeter…Arnelle, thanks for dinner.”

“You're welcome,” they answered in unison.

“Keep us posted on the love birds,” Venice requested.

Winston smiled. “We will. Let me help you guys get the kids to the car.”

Before returning to Fredrick's room, Keaton stopped by the bathroom to check on the ladies.

Leaning against the door frame, he asked, “How's everything going in here?”

Meridan was in the process of drying MaLeah's body. She looked up at him with sparkling eyes. “We're almost done. What are you doing?”

In a daze, he responded, “Getting ready to give Fredrick his bottle.”

“Okay…and Keaton?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks!”

He curiously asked, “For what?”

“Everything,” she whispered.

“You're welcome, Meridan.” He blushed.

Smiling, he grabbed MaLeah's ponytail. “Kiss.”

MaLeah puckered her lips for her uncle to kiss her. After the kiss, she giggled loudly.

“Uncie Key! You have to kiss Dr. MeMe, too!”

Meridan blushed as she looked up at Keaton.

He smiled. “You heard her. Kiss, Meridan St. John.”

Meridan blushed one last time as Keaton leaned down and kissed her, lingering to taste her soft lips. MaLeah put her hand over her mouth and screamed with laughter.

Keaton finally pulled away and said, “Jesus.”

Breathless, she answered, “Ditto that and I'll meet you in Fredrick's room in a couple of minutes so I can tell him goodnight.”

Turning back to MaLeah, he took a breath and said, “Okay. MaLeah, give me a goodnight hug.”

MaLeah now had on her pajamas as she jumped into her uncle's arms, giving him a big hug. Afterwards, Meridan took her by the hand and led her back downstairs to her parents.

After coffee, dessert and a yawn or two from Meridan, Keaton knew it was time to take her home.

He stood and said, “Well, guys, I'd better get Meridan home.” Looking in her direction, he asked, “Are you ready?”

“Yes, it's been a great night. I had fun with the kids. Winston, Arnelle, it was so nice to see you guys again. It was also good to see the Bennetts and the kids, too.”

They all stood together and Winston said, “Same here, and we hope to see more of you. The kids really love you.”

Winston looked over at Keaton and winked. He went on to say, “And I must say, Keaton is a changed man since you two have been hanging out.”

Keaton took Meridan's hand. “Don't listen to him. Let me get your jacket.”

Keaton walked out of the room. Arnelle hugged Meridan and whispered, “Winston's right. Whatever you did to my brother, I want to thank you.”

Meridan felt a little awkward, not realizing exactly what they were giving her credit for. She said, “Well, I'll see you guys later and I'll make sure to take good care of him in Mississippi.”

“I'm sure you will,” Winston said, grinning.

“Goodnight. Keaton, are you ready?”

Glaring at his sister and brother-in-law, he said, “Yes, I am.”

Walking them to the door, Arnelle said, “Keaton, drive carefully and, Meridan, have a wonderful time visiting your family.”

“I'll try. Goodnight.”

In unison, Winston and Arnelle said, “Goodnight.”

 

M
eridan and Keaton arrived at the Jackson Airport early Friday morning. When they stepped off the plane, Keaton could immediately tell he was back in the South. It was a welcomed feeling and the humidity was no joke. Meridan had on some faded jeans, a white, button-down blouse and brown suede boots. Before coming home, she got some microbraids that hung a few inches past her shoulders to keep her hair more manageable during the trip home. Keaton, also dressed in jeans, adorned a white T-shirt and leather jacket.

On the plane ride there, Keaton occasionally played in her hair, causing chills to run down her arms. Meridan, on the other hand, was starting to get a little nervous about bringing Keaton home. She'd never taken a man home to meet her family before.

As soon as they exited the plane she heard a familiar voice call out her name.

“Meridan! Over here!”

“Daddy!”

Meridan ran over to her father, who stood at least six-feet four-inches. He smiled as his youngest daughter jumped into his arms. Keaton followed close behind her and watched the loving exchange.

A few tears fell from Meridan's eyes as her dad whispered, “Welcome home, sweetheart.”

She kissed him and wiped her tears away.

“Daddy, I'd like you to meet—”

Extending his hand, he said, “This man needs no introduction. Why didn't you tell me you were bringing home the Chief?”

“Chief? Daddy, this is Keaton Lapahie,” she announced.

Keaton laughed. “Nice to finally meet you, Mr. St. John.”

“Chief, you can call me William. I can't believe you're the friend Meridan was talking about bringing home.”

Confused, Meridan asked, “Daddy, why do you keep calling him the Chief and how do you know him?”

Mr. St. John put his arm around his daughter. “You mean to tell me you don't know?”

Keaton helped by saying, “Mr. St. John, Meridan doesn't know. I really hadn't got around to telling her yet.”

“Got around to telling me what?” she asked in confusion. “What's going on?”