Authors Note: Sorry this is so late everyone my dad had a cancer scare thankfully he's still in remission but waiting for all the test results put me into a deep depression. Which was hard to get out of even after the good news. It also caused me severe writers block but I'm back now hopefully. If I'm ever taking too long and you want me to hurry up tell me so in a message or review. As always thanks for reading and sticking with me if anyone's still following this story.
Chapter 8
Riven stretched while letting out a yawn got out of bed and groggily made his way to the bathroom hoping a shower would wake him up. Then he would start cleaning for his welcome home party/ casual get together amongst friends. Refreshed and slightly more awake he set about cleaning not that there was much to clean. Sure he was kind of a slob in his younger years so he understood where Layla was coming from when she made that remark. But he grew out of all that and preferred a clean place to relax. All the place really needed was a good dusting, sweeping, a quick mop of the floors and to do up what little dishes were left in his sink from yesterday. With a sigh he got to work.
"I wonder if I should bring anything." Musa wondered aloud as she put the last remaining items for James in the diaper bag. Still surprised that Riven actually agreed to have a party. "What do you think?" She asked James who was already strapped into his car seat. A blank stare was all she got for an answer. "Thanks for the help." She told him sarcastically. "I know I'll call Layla and ask." Grabbing her cell she scrolled through her contacts found Layla's name and hit call.
"What's up girl?" Layla asked as she answered.
"Nothing much really." Musa said, "I was just wondering if I need to bring anything to the party today."
"Nope I've got everything under control all you have to do is show up." She told her.
"Alright then I guess I'll see you in a little bit then."
"See you then Musa. Bye, bye."
"Bye." She said and hung up. "I guess that answers my question. Are you ready to go see aunt Layla and Uncle Nabu?"
To that question James just smiled.
A knock came from Riven's front door and he set down his tablet got off the counch and went to answer it.
"We're here." Layla announced proudly as she walked into the house shoving bags into Riven's arms as she went. "Wow you actually cleaned up I'm proud of you." She said patting him on the head ignoring his growl of complaint as she did so. "Though this place could use a bit of decorating." she said surveying the living room which only had a couch, loveseat, coffee table and a TV.
"Hey the less I have the less time it takes to clean." Riven told her. "Besides I don't need knickknacks and things all around like girls do you."
"You could've at least added some throw pillows or something." She said as she flopped onto the couch.
Riven just rolled his eyes and took the bags to the kitchen Nabu following behind him.
As the guys were busy unpacking someone knocked on the door.
"I got it." Layla said as she got up from the couch and went to answer it.
"Hey girl." Layla said as she greeted Musa.
"Hey." Musa said.
Then the two hugged awkwardly as trying to avoid jostling James around too much who was sleeping in his car seat.
"Is there anything in your truck you need help getting out?" Layla asked.
"I just have his travel playpen and one other thing but I don't need any help." Musa told her as she set the diaper bag on the couch and James on the floor next to the couch.
"Nonsense I've got the playpen you grab the other thing." Layla told her already heading out the door.
Musa just shrugged and followed her out.
"Where are the guys?" Musa asked once the two got back inside.
"In the kitchen." Layla said while setting up the playpen.
"Hey guys." Musa said as she entered the kitchen.
"Hey Musa." They said together not even looking up at her as they seasoned steaks.
"I have a present for you Riven." She said.
"You know I hate getting presents Musa." He said not taking his eyes off the task in front.
Musa huffed and glared daggers at the back of his head. "Just turn around and see what I have for you." She sternly demanded.
"Fine." He said with a sigh and turned around. "That's a cactus." He said pointing at the small plant she held out to him.
"I know it's a cactus."
"Why're you giving me a cactus?"
"It's a house warming present dummy." She told him, "I made sure it was low maintenance so it wouldn't die since you'd probably forget to water it if I got you a different kind."
"Thanks but I- Ow! Nabu why'd you hit me?" Riven said rubbing the back of his head.
"Because you were about to say something rude." Nabu told him simply. "It's a lovely gift Musa and he thanks you for it."
Riven just gave him a dirty look.
"Look at it this way now you have a decoration for your living room. I'm sure it'll look nice sitting on the coffee table." Nabu said.
"Thanks for the cactus Musa." Riven said taking the plant and going to the living room.
"Need any help?" Musa asked Nabu.
"Nope we're all set." He said placing the steaks in the fridge.
The two walked back into the living room.
"I take it we're having steak for dinner then." Musa said they entered the living room.
"Yep we are." Layla said happily.
"You're not grilling them are you?" She asked.
"Oh no! I refuse to let her anywhere near my grill." Riven said, "I remember what happened last time and I don't think I have enough fire extinguishers."
"Hey." Layla said defensively, "That was years ago and I've gotten a lot better since then. Right Honey." She said looking at Nabu.
"Well you have stopped setting things on fire." He said softly.
"That settles it Nabu and I will do the grilling." Riven said as he finally put the cactus on the coffee table.
"Where'd you get the cactus?" Layla asked.
"I gave it to him as a housewarming present." Musa said.
"A housewarming present I completely forgot we need to go and get you something." Layla said jumping off the couch.
"Don't worry you're already giving me a party I didn't want." Riven told her.
Layla just rolled her eyes at the comment and plopped back onto the couch with a pout, Musa went and sat next to her placing a comforting arm around her.
"Don't sweat it girl." She told her, "You buying all the food and things totally cost more than my puny cactus and he'll probably get more joy out of it too."
Layla sighed, "I guess you're right." She agreed.
"Of course I am." Musa stated proudly, "Besides what's that saying? The quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
"But I'm not trying to get to his heart." Layla said.
Musa just shrugged, "Either way the guy can't say no to food especially meat."
"I think that goes for most guys." Layla told her.
"True." Musa agreed. "Speaking of guys where'd they go." She asked scanning the room.
"Nabu where'd you go?" Layla shouted then quickly covered her mouth remembering that James was still asleep. "I'm sorry Musa I forgot he was sleeping." She frantically whispered.
"Don't worry about it once he finally falls asleep he's out and sleeps like a rock." She assured Layla "I'm thankful for that. The first two months were hectic with him waking me up every few hours. I'm so happy he's sleeping through the night now."
"Riven and I were out back getting the grill set up." Nabu said coming into the living room. "All we need to do is wait for the coals to die down and we'll be ready.
"Okay so what shall we do till then?" Musa asked.
"We could watch sports center." Riven suggested as he came in the room.
"Um no." Layla said, "If we do that you guys and myself will forget about the grill leaving poor Musa here to look after everything on her own."
To that Musa just shook her head. "Well then how about we play cards." She suggested.
"Sounds good I'll go grab a deck of cards." Riven said.
"Ooh strip poker. That's what we should play." Layla said.
"There is a child present." Musa said, "Plus I'm still losing some baby weight and I wouldn't look so hot."
"Baby weight my butt you still got it girl." Layla said, "Now let's deal out some cards." She said rubbing her hands together.
"We're not playing strip poker." Musa told her.
"I second that." Riven said coming back with the cards. "No stripping in my house besides I don't feel like getting my ass kicked by Nabu for seeing you naked since you're terrible at poker."
"Oh I've gotten better I'd have everyone down to their skivvy's in no time." She said.
Riven looked to Nabu for confirmation.
He nodded "She's gotten much better." He said.
"Which is why you didn't object to the idea then." Riven said.
"Exactly." Nabu said.
"I don't care if she has gotten better I don't feel like playing poker anyways." Riven said.
"Me either." Musa said, "How about we just play rummy."
"Sounds good to me." Riven said.
"Me too." Nabu said.
"Fine we'll play rummy." Layla grumbled.
Everyone sat around Riven's coffee table and he began shuffling and dealing out cards.
About halfway through the game the coals had burned down enough for the steaks to be put on and everyone moved the game outside to the patio. James had woken up shortly after and Layla set up the playpen near the table outside so he could be with everyone. But he didn't spend much time in it with Layla constantly holding him even through dinner. Musa didn't mind though it was one of those rare occasions where she got to eat with both hands while she was out and about instead of dealing with a fussy baby. It also got her wondering just when were the two of them going to have their own bundle of joy they seemed to always grab hers whenever he was around.
After dinner everyone decided to watch a movie.
"My shoulder's asleep." Riven told Nabu. After the third movie they watched was over as he did his best not to move it or he'd wake up Musa who'd fallen asleep against it.
"Yeah mine too." He said motioning to his wife who was also asleep.
"You guys just want to crash here for the night?" Riven asked.
"Nah. But Musa might seeing as she's asleep and so is James." He said while gently nudging Layla awake.
"What?" She asked groggily rubbing her eyes.
"It's late we're going home."
"Okay." She said with a yawn and got up.
"We'll see you tomorrow Riven." Nabu said as helped his other half to the door.
"Yeah I'll see you tomorrow." He said as slowly moved away from Musa without waking her and walked them to the door watching as they got in there car and drove out of sight. Closing the door he went to his room pulled back his covers and went back into the living room carefully scooped up his sleeping houseguest and carried her back placed her on the bed covered her up, grabbed a pillow and extra blanket and made his way back to the couch.
