25. Packed A Punch

If she thought she felt like a princess last night as Braylon treasured every inch of her body, it was nothing like the feelings of inadequacy when she walked onto West's jet.

They'd all been waiting in a private area at the airport and were told they could board.

At least Trevor stating, "Now I know why Abby had no problem flying back and forth all the time. This is how you travel," just about summed it up.

"I felt the same way the first time I saw this," Abby said. "You get used to it."

"Do you really though?"

How could she get used to this?

The jet's seats were nicer than any piece of furniture she'd ever sat in.

"It takes time, but you forget about these things once you are with West's family. They have a way of making you feel like it's all normal."

"We are normal," Braylon said. "Or at least I am. I'm not sure about the rest of my siblings."

"Jerk," Laken said. "I'm the only normal one in the group. Mom knows it too."

"If you say so," Foster said. "We let Laken believe the things that come out of her mouth so she doesn't cry."

"I don't cry," Laken said, shoving her brother. "I get revenge when they least expect it. Always."

"You might have to, being surrounded by so many men," Lilian said.

"I'm just so much older than Talia that we don't have anything in common. But you and Talia might, Lily."

Which was just a reminder that she was only two years older than their youngest sister.

"Lily is much more mature than Talia," Braylon said. "Just like Abby."

"Age is only a number," she said.

"That's right," Laken said. "It's a number Thomas keeps trying to find out."

"What?" Braylon asked.

"Nothing," Laken said.

"You started it," West said. "Finish it."

"Let's say that my staff hear things. Thomas has been running his mouth that Braylon might be slacking off in his job because he has a girlfriend now. Thomas must have seen Lily in the office last week when she stopped in and he's been trying to find out her age."

"How come you didn't say anything to me?" Braylon asked. "I'd take care of it."

"Like you ever say anything to Thomas," Laken said. "You let him say more than he should."

"Because he's respectful of his superiors," Foster said. "Everyone knows who we are, but that doesn't mean we run back to West. You'd be good to remember that."

Foster's words were said quietly but packed a punch. Enough that Braylon grabbed her hand and moved her away from the group to the other side of the plane.

Foster went by himself and West and Abby stayed with Trevor. Laken came over a minute later.

"I'm sorry," Laken said. "I'm getting sick of you not standing up for yourself. You've got to know what is going on, right, Lily?"

"I'm not saying a word."

She agreed with Laken to a point. She felt Braylon should speak up, but it was his decision on whether he wanted to or not.

It wasn't until recently that she'd spoken her mind and it wasn't always pleasant.

There was a lot more drama in the office with her dealings when it came to Stella, but she put her head down and did her job.

Aaron and Nate both told her what a great job she was doing. That didn't mean they'd put their neck out on the line for her if Stella wanted to fire her.

She just hoped some of it didn't have to do with the fact of who she was dating.

She was positive Aaron mentioned something to Nate. Others already knew, but that was those who gossiped. People would come over and talk to her a lot and ask questions, but she stopped answering anything personal a long time ago.

Most just knew she was still dating Braylon and that was it. Whether there was a ring on her finger or not meant nothing.

"It's not your business, Laken. I appreciate you saying what you did, but I know what I'm doing."

"What is that?" Laken asked.

"I don't have to explain it to you, but you know damn well West is aware of Thomas's treatment of me."

Laken sighed and sagged into the seat. "And he's not doing anything so you think he doesn't care? Is that it?"

"It's not that he doesn't care," he argued.

"I get it. I'll keep my mouth shut. You figure it out. Tell me what is going on with your job, Lily."

"You don't want that drama to fill the flight," she said, grinning.

"Oh, I do. I really, really do. Maybe I can give you some pointers."

"So far you've helped me on one end but on another, maybe not."

Laken's face paled. "Now I'm sorry. What happened?" Laken slapped Braylon's arm. "You should have said something to me."

"Nothing to say," he said. "I want to hear this all too. Maybe I'm missing something."

Crap, guess she put her foot in her mouth.

The flight attendant announced for everyone to get buckled in and they were taking off.

She got a reprieve for the moment but knew it wouldn't last long.

Three hours later, she was pulling into Braylon's mother's house. West and Abby were in one car with Abby's father. She and Braylon had one and Foster and Laken had another.

Braylon had been right. West and Abby were going to the old house with Trevor. Laken, Talia, Nelson and Rowan would be staying with their mother and Foster would go with Elias.

"I'm nervous," she said. "I shouldn't be, but I am."

"Stop," he said. "My mother is excited to meet you. She's going to welcome you with open arms."

Braylon guessed correctly. Before they had a chance to even get out of the car, the front door opened and an older woman came running out.

Though she didn't look like she was fifty-six, which Braylon had told her. Nor did she look like she had eight kids.

"Get out of the way, Braylon, I've got to meet Lily."

She laughed as Aileen nudged her son out of the way when he went to hug her and then went straight for Lily.

Before she knew what was going on, she was pulled into a hug.

"Hi," she said.

"It's so nice to meet you. I'm Aileen, but I know you know that. My boys. They are bringing me home more girls. I'm so excited. I don't feel quite as outnumbered anymore. Please, come in. Talia is just as excited."

"Ahh, nice to be home, Mom," Braylon said with his arms out still waiting.

"Oh, you know I'm just joking. Give me a hug." Braylon hugged his mother and kissed her on the cheek. "Did you tell Lily about the pictures? Nelson and Rowan are here. Everyone is here, just waiting for you guys. Here you all are."

Lily turned when West and Foster's cars pulled in.

"What pictures?"

"I was going to tell you when we got here. I didn't want you even more nervous."

"What's going on?" she asked.

"West and Abby are having engagement pictures taken here in the backyard. A photographer will be here at one. That is why we had an early flight. Then there will be family photos. My mother wants you and Trevor in them."

"I'm not prepared for pictures," she said. "I just brought jeans with me. You said casual clothes."

"We are casual people," he argued. "You saw what I packed. We only have one suitcase. Did you think I kept a suit here or something?"

She was so panicked over this that she hadn't realized. It did make more sense though that Braylon had asked her to bring a red shirt. He had one too. She wondered if everyone was going to be in red. She just thought it had to do with Christmas.

Guess she was going to find out.

She'd thrown him into her crazy family in Lake Placid, and now she'd get to see what it was like on his end.