By the end of the game, Leah knew all she ever needed to about Matt and probably a few things she didn’t need to know. The skins won the game but paid a dear price. While the boys ran into the locker room, the Lassiter men eased their way to the side lines.
“Babe, I can’t do this anymore.” Joshua put his arm around Roc’s shoulder.
“Those bad boys beat up on you?” she asked sympathetically.
“Yes, babe, they did. Are you going to kiss my boo boo?”
Roc puckered her lips. “Yes, I am going to cure all your boo boos,” she said as they walked off the field.
“Samuel Lassiter, if you hurt my baby making machine, I am going to be very angry.” Cynthia smiled at her husband.
“No worries, my princess.” Samuel smiled as he took her hand. “All the crown jewels are in the safe.”
“I thought you didn’t want any more babies,” Phire questioned.
Cynthia looked back over her shoulders. “I still need the equipment to work.”
Timothy and Adam glanced at each other as they watched their older brothers leave the field.
“Must be the age thing,” Timothy laughed as he put his arms around Denise.
“I could go for another game,” Adam joined in as he took Amber’s hand in his.
Leah and Terry joined Matt and Luke on the sideline.
“Interesting family you have,” Leah said to Matt.
“One day you are going to love them as much as I do.” Matt wiped the sweat from his face, then leaned over to kiss her.
“Do you have a few minutes to help a brother in need?” Luke asked Terry.
“That depends on what it is that you need,” Terry replied.
“At the moment, a listening ear.”
“I can do that,” Terry replied.
The two walked off talking as Matt and Leah watched.
“How did it go?”
Leah knew what Matt was asking. She shrugged. “Not good. Carter tried to mediate, but my father closed that door. I’m hoping he will leave me the key to the bus in the morning.” She shrugged. “I’m just not sure at this point.”
“I’m sorry things went bad with your father.” Matt took her hand in his as he picked up his bag.
“I feel like I let you down.”
“We will make it work.” Matt kissed her temple. “Maybe I can lift your spirits a little.”
Leah smiled. “Watching those thighs of yours on the field gave me a lift for sure.”
Matt smiled. “Then what I have in store for you is going to blow your mind.”
They turned the corner to the parking lot. A number of vehicles were still there. Some people were standing around talking.
“Where did you park?” Matt asked.
Leah turned to point to where she had parked. “Right there.”
“I’ll walk you over,” Matt said as she walked in that direction.
“Someone has a nice Executive Mini Coach.”
“A what?” Matt asked.
Leah pointed. “The mini bus. It’s an executive liner. One of the best on the market right now.”
“You can tell what it is from here?”
“Are you kidding? Yes, that’s a F550 limo bus, can seat up to 26 passengers. They also have a F550 party bus with everything you need to boogie down the road.”
“Let’s go look at it.” Matt pulled her forward.
Leah pulled back. “You can’t walk up on somebody’s bus like that.”
“The door is open, come on, we can peek in.” Matt pulled her along.
“No, Matt. That bus has security features you would not believe.”
“You’re not curious to look inside?”
Leah stopped as Matt walked forward then stuck his head inside. “No one’s in here.” He waved her on. “Come on. Take a look.”
Leah looked around nervously. “Maybe just a peek.”
Matt stepped back to help her inside.
Leah stepped inside, then stepped back shocked.
“Good afternoon, Welcome to Leah’s Charters, where we offer a ride of luxury to and from any destination of your choosing.”
Leah’s hand flew up to cover her mouth to keep from screaming. All of the Lassiters were inside the bus along with Terry.
“Noooooo.” Leah bent over not believing what was happening. Tears filled her eyes as she stopped in the middle of the aisle reeling from the surprise. She looked at Terry, who shook her head then pointed to Matt.
Leah turned to him, mouth gaped open. “You…..you did this? When? How? Why, Matt?”
“Everyone should follow their dream.” Matt smiled.
“OMG!” Her body fell into his arms. “Oh my god, Matt.”
The day had been filled with so much emotions, Leah couldn’t hold the tears back. Waking up with a man who was sweeping her off her feet, gave her the strength to end the toxic relationship with her father. Then quitting her job with no prospects in mind to this was crazy, but freeing. It was overwhelming in a good way. and it was all because of Matt. Leah kissed his neck, his cheek, then his lips. “Matthew Lassiter, you are a blessing.”
“Well, I helped,” Luke yelled out, causing everyone to laugh.
“Terry, handle that for me,” Leah said while remaining in Matt’s arms.
“My pleasure.” Terry cupped Luke’s face, then planted her lips on his and delivered a thank you kiss that would rattle any grown man.
“I think we may have to rename this the baby making bus?” Phire laughed.
“As long as it is not you making the babies,” Sally suggested.
“Leah, we are a family,” Joe began. “We look out for our own. You have a dream. We hope these two buses will get you started.”
“Yeah, you can merge the two together and birth more buses,” Phire added.
Sally glanced at her. “You sure do have babies and birthing on your mind.”
“I’m just saying, Mom. That’s all,” Phire said as she looked around to see everyone glance back at her. “I’m just saying,” she insisted.
Matt looked at Leah. “I don’t want to pressure you into anything you are not ready for. Timothy set up the terms.”
“You can test them out for ten days,” Timothy explained. “If this is not what you want, you can turn them back in.”
Leah looked at the people on the bus. “I can’t believe you did this. I’m not sure what to say. Thank you for believing in me when my own family did not. I promise you I will not disappoint you.”
“Time to put that business plan into action.” Terry smiled.