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Mamieo- a term for grandmother
Firin- a term of endearment
Bheith i ngrá le duine -To be in love with someone.
Nyla fixed her already perfectly coifed hair. She had reapplied her make up twice and the disarray of her bedroom was evidence of how many times she had changed her outfit. She had bought a bottle of three hundred dollar wine and a Waterford crystal vase that she hoped wasn't trying too hard. She had never felt so nervous she wasn't even sure how she was going to eat with her stomach was in knots. She also made pecan pie as a thank you for the invite. She reapplied her deodorant and turned on her desk fan. She was sweating and her stomach began to roll in accord with her shot nerves. She took two TUMS and thought back to her last appointment with Dr. Schroeder, she was pleased with her progress and had made the decision that they could start seeing each other every other week. Nyla felt scared, proud at the same time but she also felt that it was for the best.
The chirping doorbell released her from her thoughts and she quickly got the door.
"Hi Gavin, why didn't you just use your key" she asked pulling him down with the sides of his scarf to plant a juicy kiss on his cold lips.
" It's on the ring in the car. I just left it running since it was so cold out today.”
"This weather sucks."
"No worries, I have big plans to keep you warm tonight."
"Really now, I might be tired after spending all thanksgiving at the McKeough residence."
"Speaking off that, we should get going before we're late."
"Grab the bag off the table the present for your mother is in it.
"Got it" he said picking up the bag and walked out of the door.
The pulled up to grand driveway , in front of the house and parked. Nyla reached round to pick up the gifts when Gavin's hands stilled her movements.
"Nyla listen to me" he had played his iPod and sang to almost every song to give her space during the ride there. However, they were here now and her jerky movements revealed how anxious she was but now they were here and he needed her to feel secure with this next step.
"Nyla I love you. I love you so much, you have no idea" he gestured to the imposing house. "Regardless of what happens in there. What's happening in here is safe. Do you understand me?" Gavin asked hold her cheek, caressing it with his large hand.
"Got it. Seriously I'm good." She said with more conviction than she felt. She didn't want him to see her as the weak link in their relationship. Come hell or high water she was going to wow at this Thanksgiving dinner. Nyla leaned over and kissed him gently which probably wasn't a good idea because that soon turned passionate. They seemed to momentarily forget where they were, till reason started to make headway in Nyla's mind and she pulled away dazed and excited.
"Lets go!"
Even though they were on time, the festivities were in full swing when they arrived. Nyla sat in front of the fireplace listening with rapt attention about the tales of youth and debauchery from Gavin's cousin Shane. He was overly friendly but not in a creepy or disrespectful way, just honest to goodness friendly. He was mid sentence when an elderly woman came over and ordered him out of her seat.
" Shane go find your own lass and leave my Gavin's alone. Come now lass we have much to discuss."
Nyla blanched and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She didn't want to follow the older woman but she was Gavin's grandmother and the matriarch of this family so she would respect her position. Nyla rose and attempted to gain Gavin's attention as he drank a Guinness with his father and another man she had been introduced to but forgotten his name. However, he was in his own world, head thrown back in hearty laughter .
Agnes McKeough watched the newcomer for most of the afternoon, she was pretty and had a good build. Her hips looked wide enough to provide her with plenty of great grandchildren. Now she just had to make sure this girl wasn't after her grandsons fortune.
"Nyla, is it?"
"Yes."
"Nyla you can call me Maimeo "
"Ok. Maimeo" Nyla said the foreign word rolling awkwardly off her tongue.
"My grandson is taken with you lass. I've never seen him so smitten."
Nyla blushed and thanked God again for her coloring it was hardly noticeable
"I'm quite fond of him as well."
"So your not after his inheritance? Anxious to be a doctors wife?"
"Mamieo‘,I am not ready to be anyone's wife right now. But I do know that I want to make Gavin happy."
Well honey you'd better get ready because Gavin looks ready to settle down, finally. It's funny he had that filly before but I knew she wasn't for my firin.
Bheith i ngrá le duine "
"Pardon, I don't understand any Gaelic. You don't have to. I saw the way you watch my a grandson and I know that you have love for him. This makes my old heart happy. The last one the love didn't shine in her eyes like your does. My Gavin deserves nothing less. When will you marry. Your both old, I need many great grandchildren. You will let them know our homeland."
Nyla started coughing harshly, pointing at her throat she gestured for the older woman to give her a minute while she regained composure. His grandmother continued with her rapid fire questioning while Nyla choked to death on her own saliva. By now Nyla wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. Where was Gavin? Hadn't he noticed that his nosey Maimeo had accosted her, planning their wedding and plotting big things for her womb. She was sipping the water that his grandmother finally gave her.
" it seems like you've given this quite a bit of thought. That's... That's ...I'm sure Gavin will appreciate hearing all your plans. Why don't we go find him? Nyla really didn't know what to say to this woman. I mean she was obviously a little touched. Gavin suddenly appeared as if her thoughts alone had conjured him.
" Nyla there you are sweetheart. I’ve been looking for you for almost ten minutes." He said pulling her to him kissing the top of her head.
"I wanted to get to know Nyla. It's so hard to chat with everyone in the drawing room and its not like you would take a wee bit of time to visit me"
"I'm impressed Maimeo it took you almost five minutes to let that out. I will visit you soon and since you and Nyla have become so friendly I’ll bring her with me."
"That's wonderful firin. I saw your cousin Sean out there I have to speak with him also.
It was good talking with you lass "
"So how bad was she did she threaten to give you a polygraph test or tell you I was disinherited."
"You knew that little lady was going to pull this and you didn't give me any warning. If she was someone else I would have told her shove off and mind her business but I just had to sit and listen to the pretty detailed version of our future."
"Well, what'd she say?"
"I'm not telling" Nyla said with a laugh and hurried it of the room.
"Hey get back here." He said running after her and missing her as she slipped into a lively game of darts being played in the game room. He was going to get her.
Dinner was a jovial and surprising relaxed affair. Nyla couldn't get over how down to earth most of Gavin's family was. She had also been harboring a secret fear that his family would assume the lone black face was the help but she quickly had to put away her preconceived notions. She was not the only person of color there not that it would have been a big deal if she was, but it was nice not to be the only dark face in sea if white. Gavin's cousin Brogans wife was a petite and pretty Afro Latina from the Dominican Republic and his sisters husband was Taiwanese. They both were interesting and she had made plans to take Bachata lessons from Marisol.
Everything was going well even Gavin's mother started to warm up to Nyla. When they arrived his mother was busy overseeing the kitchen staff so Nyla chose to spend time with he rest of his family rather than interrupt. However after being accosted by his granny and losing her shirt (figuratively) in darts, though she was sure a few of his cousins would mind it being taken literally she thought it was more than time to seek out the lady of the house. Nyla found her still in the kitchen but handing out bonuses to the staff that decided to work the holiday. There were only four of them and she was letting them go before the end of the dinner so they could spend some of the holiday with their own families.
Nyla walked in to the beautiful but well used kitchen.
"Hi Joan. I'm sorry it's taken me this long to seek you out but its a jungle in there" Nyla said pointing to the crowded living and family rooms.
"I know but I love it. There all so busy now it's hard to get together. "
" Thank you again for including ,me in the festivities. I brought you a little something."
Nyla said giving her the gift bag. Joan was very appreciative of the gifts but what pleased her most was the homemade pecan pie.
" Thank you Nyla for the lovely gifts you really didn't have to but Im glad you did. I have to hide this pie from Aeden. "
Nyla eyed her suspiciously, she knew a fellow foodie when she met one.
Don't give me that look .It’s not greed. I'm looking out for his health." She said staring longingly at the pie.
"Of course not I would never dream of thinking such a thing" Nyla answered unable to keep the laughter out of her voice or the small smile from playing upon her lips.
Gavin was in a corner hidden by one of three Christmas trees admiring Nyla.
"You know this is creepy right" he heard his cousins Shamus ask him.
" A little. Not really she is my girlfriend. I can I observe her. " he answered sheepishly.
"Your hiding behind a Christmas tree dude get a grip . How old are you anyway? " The teen said with a mix mild disdain and humor, shaking his head and walking away.
Gavin laughed at the himself but kept on watching Nyla chat it up with his uncle Ogan. The old man looked besotted, he was practically eating out of her hand. He couldn't be upset he knew the feeling all to well.
Nyla felt eyes upon her but her being the newest invite to this large a group and, being they only black person someone was bound to stare. She refocused her attention on Ogan who was quite a character.
"You know Nyla I was going to go into medicine as well. It was me who steered Gavin into he medical field. He was considering playing basketball or some other foolishness"
"So the medical community has you to thank for Gavin contributions"
"Yes, exactly finally someone who is willing o give me my due." Nyla laughed an rolled her eyes at his jesting.
Nyla sensed his Gavin's presence just before his strong arms wrapped around her waist . He lowered his head to nuzzle the back of her neck , his warm breath tickled her nape and brought goose bumps to her flesh. He noticed and smirked, she was pleased that he couldn't see her nipples tightening under her padded bra as her body reacted to his nearness.
"Nyla is this man bothering you? Want me to kick him out ?" He said with a face that fought and failed not to smile as his uncles face turned red at the slight.
"Kick him out, how preposterous, from my understanding you owe this man you eternal gratitude for guiding you in your career. " she said smiling at his uncle.
"You pay no mind to my reproachful nephew, obviously the smartest thing his done thus far is scoop you up. If I were a a man spry in age I would give him a run for his money lassie. You mark my words."
"So I was right, you have been over here trying to steal my future wife, the gall , in your sisters home no less."
Nyla attempted to fashion her features in a normal state as her mind whirled and heart raced at Gavin's imparting his intentions for their relationship to his uncle. He had mentioned marriage before but even with her limited experience she knew men didn't always mean what they said during pillow talk.
"Now look here son, I wasn't trying to release you of this filly because I guarantee if I did she'd be leaving with me. I may not be a young in years but with age comes experience." He countered winking flirtatiously at Nyla.
Nyla's eyes widened and she quickly replaced her surprised face with a sultry stare and winked back at him much to Gavin's chagrin.
Gavin tightened his hold on her and whispered on her ear " I think I hear my Maimeo calling. Maybe you ,my mom and granny would like an all expense paid weekend together to bond seeing as you'll be joining the family soon."
"You wouldn't"
"I would" he said pulling away from her and toward the direction of the matriarchal line.
"Hey, hey, hey there big fellow, I was just messing around. no need to pull out the heavy artillery." She said catching up to him and lacing the fingers together, they walked over to the newly put out dessert table.
Nyla had lost track of how many people she had hugged goodbye as most of the family and friends filed out . She and Gavin had made plans for a few of his cousins to meet up at their family ski lodge in Aspen before the end of ski season. Nyla agreed to go immediately, she loved high adrenalin sports. she would probably snow board instead. Gavin's father had a new found respect for Nyla since she beat him at chess. Apparently no one had ever dethroned him so he was quite meek after his defeat. However, Nyla heard Joan telling him she would help lick his wounds when their guests left. Nyla took that as her queue to leave and told Gavin as such. When prodded her for their semi early departure she recanted the story. However instead of being embarrassed Gavin smiled and went to get their coats, but not before Nyla heard his barely audible "go dad".
Nyla shook her head and made the prerequisite exiting small talk.
Mamieo- a term for grandmother
Firin- a term of endearment
Bheith i ngrá le duine -To be in love with someone.