BK 5 - Chapter 26 - Penelope
Mariam was thrilled that Roger liked her too, and when he kissed her, it felt like her whole body came alive. She had yearnings and desires she hadn't thought about before. When Roger pulled away, he looked into her eyes.
"I'm sorry I got carried away," He said softly, even though he wasn't sorry at all. Mariam smiled and shook her head as she placed her hand on his cheek.
"Don't apologize. I wanted it just as much as you did, maybe more. I'm going to go change so we can leave." Roger kissed her once more and then let her go. Mariam felt cold once she was out of his arms.
She ran to her bedroom and took her clothes off. After taking a quick wash-up, she combed her hair and decided to leave it long. She then put on a royal blue knee-length skirt with a white blouse. When she looked in the mirror, she frowned and walked into the other room.
"What will people be wearing to dinner?" She asked. Roger smiled and looked over her outfit.
"You're fine wearing that, but you look like you're going to a job interview. Everyone will most likely be in jeans. We're a very laid-back family." He replied. Mariam nodded and ran back into the bedroom. She was anxious about finally meeting the people she'd aspired to be like for most of her life. She threw on a pair of black jeans, a red sweater, and black ankle boots. When she walked out, Roger nodded.
"Much better. Are you ready? I texted them you were coming with me, so they're expecting you." He said, holding his hand out to her. Mariam took it gladly.
"Yes, let's go. I'm so nervous." She said, locking her apartment door.
"Don't be. They're going to love you." Roger said as he took her hand again to lead her downstairs. When he texted his Grandma Cat, he asked if she and Grandma Melanie could be the ones to greet them. He knew their calming effect would help Mariam relax. While driving down the freeway, Roger saw how much Mariam was fidgeting, so he put his hand over hers.
"Are you going to tell me why I feel sparks every time you touch me?" She asked, linking her fingers with his. Roger glanced at her and smiled.
"After dinner, if you're not too tired, how about we talk, okay?" He replied and raised her hand to his lips to kiss it. Mariam shivered from the tingling that ran through her.
"Okay. So, this has been an interesting first day for you. I'm supposed to be your mentor." She said with a chuckle. Roger laughed with her.
"You are my mentor. You mentored me a lot today, but the best part was the kiss. I've never kissed anyone else, so we may need to practice that a lot more just to make sure I get it right." Mariam looked at him in shock.
"How have you not kissed anyone? Have you looked in the mirror? Not to mention all the women who approached you today. I'm sure that's not new." Roger shrugged.
"I've never found anyone that interested me. I believe some things should only be shared with the one you truly feel a connection with." He answered. Mariam didn't know how to respond. He kissed her, but no one else. Does that mean he felt a connection with her? She'd never felt for anyone what she already felt for Roger. It didn't make sense, but it felt as though they were meant to be together.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and moved to the center of the truck to sit against him. Roger put his arm around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder. Neither said anything. They just enjoyed how they made each other feel for the rest of the ride.
When they pulled up to a large gated house, Mariam saw many cars in the driveway and her nervousness returned. Roger had said there would be a lot of people there, but she hadn't expected so many. After they parked, he helped her out of the truck.
"My mom and dad, my Aunt Lisa, and Uncle Jayce live here, but it's the only place big enough for all of us to fit for a family dinner. I'm going to apologize now for some members of my family. They don't have filters and just say whatever they want." He said, while taking her hand and heading toward the front door.
"I've worked with psych patients for years. Loud and unfiltered isn't new to me." She said with a smile. As soon as they approached the front door, it swung open, and Roger internally groaned. It was his Aunt Lisa. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked him up and down before turning to Mariam.
"So what's this I hear about you wanting Grandma Cat and my mom to be the ones to greet you? Are you embarrassed by the rest of us? Please don't let Roger's rudeness give you a bad impression of us. I'm his Aunt Lisa." Lisa smiled and held out her hand to Mariam. She took it as she stared at the petite blonde who was even smaller than her with long, curly hair. She was beautiful.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Mariam." She replied. Lisa didn't let go of her hand as she pulled her into the house.
"Everyone, she's here," Lisa yelled loudly. Roger closed his eyes and shook his head. How did Lisa know what he'd asked? He saw his grandmother running toward him.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Lisa was standing next to me when you sent your text." His Grandma Cat said, hugging him and kissing his cheek. She turned to Mariam next and smiled.
"It's so nice to meet you. I'm Grandma Cat." She said, hugging her. Mariam was stunned. Cat was gorgeous and had to be in her eighties at least. How did she still look so young? Mariam felt all her apprehension leave when she hugged her, and a warm sensation filled her with happiness. Roger was right; his family was incredible.
"Thank you for allowing me to come to your dinner." She said when Cat pulled away.
"Nonsense. The more, the merrier. Please come with me, and I'll introduce you to the family." Grandma Cat took Mariam's hand, and Roger watched them. He knew they would welcome her with open arms.
"So, does she know she's your mate yet?" Lisa asked, watching Mariam and Grandma Cat.
"No, we haven't had time to talk, but I will tell her after dinner," Roger replied. He spotted Jade and Bill walking toward them with Jayce.
"I really like Mariam. She seems like a good person," Jade said, hugging him. Roger spent a lot of time at Jade and Bill's house growing up. Their son Dexter wasn't only his cousin but also his best friend.
"She is, and she even volunteered at the group homes. It's amazing that our paths never crossed." He said as he watched Mariam talk with their Grandma Valerie. She was looking more and more fragile. He was worried she wouldn't be with them much longer.
"Grandma Cat always says we meet our mates when we need each other the most. I'm happy for you, Roger." Jade patted his shoulder and then walked away.
Miriam smiled at Roger when he walked over and took her hand. She had met so many people she knew she'd never remember their names, but Cat and Trey were the most impressive. She couldn't believe they had insisted she call them Grandma and Grandpa. She'd never had any grandparents, or at least that she knew about. Mariam knew it was wrong, but she was already getting attached to Rogers' family.
"Uncle Roger." Mariam saw a little girl with shoulder-length blonde curls running toward Roger at full speed. She couldn't be more than three or four. He bent down, picked her up, and threw her in the air as she squealed.
"Hey, peanut, what are you doing?" He asked, kissing her little cheek. She was Bailey and Tim's daughter, and Roger was her favorite uncle. Mariam's ovaries began doing somersaults, watching how sweet he was with the little girl. She was picturing what he would be like with their children.
"Hello, I'm Princess Penelope." She said, holding her hand out. Mariam curtsied to her while bowing.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, my fair princess?" Penelope giggled as Mariam kissed the back of her hand.
"I like you. Are you my Uncle Roger's mate?" Miriam noticed everyone went quiet. She looked at the little girl, confused.
"I'm his friend. Is that what you mean?" She asked. Roger tried to say something to Penelope, but she shook her head.
"No, not his friend, silly. His mate. Are you an animal, or are you human? If you're human, you'll get a bear like my Uncle Roger, and bears are the best. I'm a wolf." Mariam thought she was joking, but when she saw how everyone was looking at her, she turned to Roger.
"Uh, what's she talking about?" She asked him. He handed Penelope to her grandmother Mindy and took Mariam's hand. He should have known that nothing would go as planned with his family. He smiled at her as he opened the door to the office.
"I think we better have that talk sooner than later."
