Chapter Twenty: Family Ties That Bind Us

Whoever filled my plate thankfully didn't overfill it. I am too nervous to eat, but I eat anyway, to keep from making Keiran worry about me.

Why does he worry about me so much? It is unnerving.

I make myself eat. A little of each of the items on my plate.

"Man, this was so good. Thank you for getting this, Keiran and Keith. I am almost sorry that Mackenzie couldn't be here. How long have you known her?" I ask, trying to get an idea of how they met and what their relationship is.

"Honestly, we met after I got out of the Navy and joined the FBI. She was starting around the same time I was. Because of that, we became professional partners. Sadly, she has expectations that are not happening. Especially now that I met you, my darling Magnolia." Keiran smiles, grabbing my hand and kissing it.

Jenna and Keith are watching me.

"It is amazing when we meet our women, isn't it, Keiran?" Keith says uncomfortably.

"I will forever be grateful to you, Keith. I want our first son to be named after you." Keiran replies happily.

"Hey now! Let's not get Keith's head too big! It needs to fit through the door." Jenna tries to laugh off.

"But it is the truth. I will forever be grateful to him. And the fact that he is most likely my brother, makes me proud. I want nothing more than to be a Christopher." I look over at Keiran and he looks at me. "Unless you want to keep Stephenson. I would do whatever you wanted, my darling."

"Honestly, I can't consider marriage and name changes at the moment. I kind of want to figure out if you and Keith are brothers. Need to figure out if I actually am related to the Mafia family. And I need to get my hair and nails done."

Jenna laughs at my attempted jokes.

"Your hair is beautiful. Why do you need your hair done?"

I pretend to think. "Just a trim and conditioning treatment. That's all."

Keiran nods. "Yes, make sure that your hair looks its best, my dear. I love your confidence."

I smile. What he does not know is I plan on buying some wigs for Jenna and I. Maybe even a few for Keith.

I want to try being a redhead. Currently, my hair is medium blonde and on the longer side. I don't want to cut it, but if I need to, I will.

"I am sure Miss Reba will do it for you. She owes you for fixing Johnny's haircut. He looked so handsome when you finished!"

I smile, remembering little Johnny. "When I was done, he looked like such a little man! Keith, you remember little Johnny, Miss Martha's three-year-old?"

Keith thinks about it and smiles. "Who doesn't know little Johnny! That boy is awesome! That entire family is amazing. Aren't there like ten kids?"

Keith's comment makes me laugh. "I think five? I can't remember. But, he did so well! I am sure Miss Reba would gladly squeeze me in for a conditioning treatment and trim at some point soon, as thanks for helping her out…" I smile, thinking about a nice conditioning treatment.

"Have I told you that you have a beautiful smile, Miss Magnolia?" Keiran's laugh is almost happy. His smile looks like longing.

Like he's got something on his mind.

"Thank you, Keiran. That means…" I start to reply and gasp.

It's dark wherever I am. Looking around, I guess I am in someone's living room—one I have never been in.

I hear a woman's scream from down what I guess is a long and dark hallway. Next, I hear another voice, this one a man's voice.

I then hear splashing, and the woman's screaming is loud and distressing.

A slap echoes through the house, and I smell fire. It takes everything I have not to scream as I am stuck in place.

The longer that I am stuck there, the more I hear and realize that I know the woman's voice.

It's Mackenzie.

I scream.

AN:

Hello everyone! How do we feel about the vision of Mackenzie? What did you think about the chapter?

Thank you to everyone who is reading and to my team who makes everything work.

LOVE YA!

-brier