Gift of Love

Chapter 4

Stuck in midtown traffic Melissa, Hugh’s wife, and Tracy, David’s wife, were oblivious to their surroundings. They were too busy observing the goings on of the woman in the front seat.

 Kailani, Tico’s wife, was busy playing referee with her 12 year old son Sam, and his 6 year old sister Tia.

“How many times have your Papa and I told you to keep your hands to yourselves?" Kailani asked while tugging the kids apart, placing Sam on the seat next to her. “You sit there." Sam hung his head in embarrassment at being disciplined in front of his two aunts, even more so in front of his cousins.

Pulling Tia onto her lap, she ordered, “And you sit here."

With his head still down, Sam stole a glance at his sister giving her a dirty look. When Tia saw her brother looking at her with a mean look on his face she stuck her tongue out at him. She put it back in before her mommy caught her.

“Mom!!!" Sam screeched loudly to his mother while pointing his finger at his little sister.

Sam’s sudden outburst made everyone jump. “Jesus, Sam, scare the hell out of me why dontcha?"A loud male voice yelled from the back of the vehicle.

 “Caleb Andrew Bryan, watch your mouth!" Tracy hollered at her 17 year old son. Not another word was heard from Caleb as he and Max, Hugh’s 15 year old son, resumed their previous conversation, namely girls.

 Looking over shoulder Lani (a nickname given to her by the Jovi wives) smiled at the two women sitting behind her. They had all become sisters many years ago. Lani gave a heavy sigh, “I don’t know about you two but I can’t wait to see T. I need to feel those strong arms around me."

Out of the corner of her eye, Lani could see Tia teasing Sam. Lifting her off her lap just a little bit, Lani lightly smacked her on the butt.

 “You know better than that Tia Lilani Torres," Lani scolded. Giving Tia a children’s book, Lani glanced over at her son, who was reading the latest Harry Potter tome. Satisfied that both of her kids were going to behave, for now anyway, Lani once again turned her attention back to Melissa and Tracy and their conversation.

Tracy shook her head back and forth. “I never thought I would admit this out loud to anyone, but I miss my Davy," she admitted with a little laugh.

 Both Melissa and Lani looked at her as if she had been out in the sun too long. Slinging her arm around Tracy’s shoulder, Melissa gave her a gentle nudge. “Have you lost your mind? I think you need to rethink what you just said."

“What? Can’t I miss my husband?" Tracy asked with a smile on her face.

“Sure you can, honey, but this is David we are talking about. Remember? This is the same guy you are ready to strangle when he is home,"Lani replied with a wink.

Laughing at what Lani said, Tracy couldn’t deny it. ”Yes, it’s true. He drives me nuts when he is home, especially if it’s more than few months at a time. But believe me, he more than makes up for it in the bedroom!" The comment flew out of her mouth before she even realized it. Both of the other women had the look of utter shock on their faces.

Lani was the first to recover. “Oooh, do tell, sister dear."

Melissa came next. "So just how exactly does he make it up to you, Trace?”

 The women were so engrossed on their little talk that they had forgotten all about the kids. That is until Gabby, David’s hormonal, 15 year old daughter, spoke up.

“Eeewww, Mom, that is so gross!" Gabby complained while putting her hands over her ears in an attempt to block out what ever else came out of her mother’s mouth. All 3 women just looked at each other.

“Oops, forgot about tender ears," quipped Tracy with a wink.
 
Tabitha, the Bryans’ 12 year old daughter, had been playing a game on the PSP with her cousin Raelene, Hugh and Melissa’s 11 year old daughter, when she heard her sister yell at their mom. Leaning down Tabs whispered in Rae’s ear, “Oooh Gabby is going to get in trouble."

 Rae had been so engrossed in the game that she blocked everything around her out. Gazing over at Gabby, Rae tapped Tabitha on the shoulder. “Why is Gabby going to get in trouble?" Taking another quick glance at her cousin, Rae turned to Tabitha once more. “How come Gabby is sitting there with her hands over her ears?”

 Now Tabitha was known for her love of gossip and tattling, especially when her siblings were involved. She also knew that if her mom heard her, she would be in a lot of trouble.

 “I will tell you later,"Tabitha said in a voice barely above a whisper, trying to make sure no one would hear her.

 “Mom, Tabby is gossiping again!"Eddie yelled to his mom.

Tabitha reached across Rae’s legs and punched her little brother in the leg. “Shut up, brat!" she hissed.

“Mom, Tabby hit me!" cried Eddie while rubbing his leg. Rolling her eyes, Tracy turned in her seat so she could have a clear view of both kids.

“You have been told many times not to gossip, or hit your little brother, haven’t you, Tabitha?" Not waiting for an answer, Tracy continued “Do you want to be grounded while we are here?" This time she waited for a response. Shaking her head to the negative, Tabitha tried to keep tears from falling, she hated getting in trouble.

 “Then I suggest you find something else to occupy your time with, or I will! Do we understand each other, young lady?"

A solemn “Yes, mom," was the response.

Directing her attention to her 8 year old son, “And don’t you even think about starting that tattle tale stuff either, mister. It will not be tolerated! Understand?!”

 “Sorry, mom."

 Turning back around Tracy just shook her head “Unbelievable! I swear these kids are trying to drive me crazy. And that’s saying a lot considering who their father is!" Laughter could be heard from every direction inside the vehicle. Oh yes, the Jovi children had definitely arrived.