Swept Away: The First Bloodline by Crystal Smith

“Well, I guess I am.  Is that ok with you?  You are the man of the house and I wouldn’t want to upset you, you know.”  Taylor watched, stunned at how just like that, Zach’s tears had dried being replaced by his smile.
                  “I guess that would be ok.  On one condition.”  Zach’s voice changed to a serious tone.
                  “Oh, ok.”  Damien straightened, good-naturedly, as if he were entertaining Zach.
                  “What movie did you have in mind?”  Zach was interrogating his taste in movies.  She had seen him do it to many times.  Ice Age !  Taylor spoke out silently knowing he heard her.
                  The slight little grin touching Damien’s lips was a blessing.  “I was thinking Ice Age 4.  I have been dying to see that movie.  I hope that is ok with you?”  Taylor almost busted out laughing at Damien’s choice of words.
                  Zach turned smiling at Taylor.  “He’s a keeper Mom.”  He turned back to Damien.  “I have to get ready you know.  Aunt Liz says I always have to look my best when I go out.  That way I can get all the hotties you know.”  He laughed as he raced off down the hall. 
                  Taylor turned to Liz.   “Hotties huh?  He’s six.  Not twenty six.  What have you been teaching my son?”
                  “Hey, what did you expect?  He’s gonna be a heartbreaker.  And you can’t expect him to wait until he’s twenty six.  Look at those blues Tay.  I’m warning you now, that kid is gonna be a thief of hearts.”  She smiled.  “Anyways, I am assuming this date is going to start now, beings that you are here now.”  She turned to Damien.
                  “If Taylor is ok with it, so am I.”  He glanced in Taylor’s direction then back to Liz.  “And that would be a yes.” 
                  “Taylor?”  Liz looked at her.  She could only respond by smiling trying to keep from jumping up and down even though her insides were.
                  “So Miss Ashley, do you need to do anything special before we head out?”
                  “Nope, Aunt Liz says I’m toooo gorgeous.  I don’t have to worry about anything.”  They couldn’t help but chuckle to her response.  The things my sister has been teaching them, not just my son, Taylor thought as she turned her attention back to Liz.
                  “What do you have planned for today?”
                  “Nothing much, thought I would catch up on some reading.  You know the one.”  She teased.  Oh shit!   Immediately Taylor felt it.  Damn her, why did she have to do that?
                  “If I may.  I do believe you had a request.  Be ready around 7.  You have someone coming to pick you up?”  Damien explained.
    “Oh, wow !  That was fast.  I guess I have a date as well.  Maybe I won’t need that book either.”  Winking at Taylor as her mouth curved into a smile.  Liz hadn’t looked this excited in a long time.  Her face was even flushed.
                  “Oh boy, it’s gonna take a quadrillion hours to get ready.  She has wrinkles.”
                  “Ashley Paige!”  Liz called out holding back her laughter, Damien and Taylor chose to let theirs out.  “The things kids say.  I better get started.  See ya.”  She waved to them as she took off, nodding back at Damien as if answering a question.
                  “Ready!”  Zach called out.
                  “Wow, slow down guys.  Give me just a second ok?”  She turned to walk toward her room in need of her toothbrush and paste.
                  “Women.”  Zach said causing Taylor to stop in her tracks.  She turned only to see Damien, Zach and Ashley talking and laughing.  She had never seen another man interact