When Hell Freezes Over by Darrien Lee Page B

her back to him to place a plate in the cabinet.
    Winston smiled and asked, “What do you mean…what?”
    â€œYou all look like you’re up to something,” he said with a frown.
    Venice and Craig tried to keep busy with the dishes so they wouldn’t give away the fact that Keaton was the topic of their conversation.
    Arnelle walked over to him. “You’re imagining things. Is Meridan doing okay with MaLeah?”
    â€œYes, and I gave Fredrick his bath. Is his bottle ready?”
    Arnelle pointed over to the bottle warmer. “Keaton, you’d make a great daddy.”
    He hissed, “Please!”
    He turned and walked out of the kitchen. As he climbed the stairs, he felt chills run over his body. Daddy? Arnelle has lost her damn mind.
    After he walked out, everyone burst out laughing.
    Venice walked across the room. “Ya’ll are so wrong to do Keaton like that.Skeeter, you don’t need to be messing with him; you were the same way about Arnelle.”
    Craig said, “She got you there, Bro!”
    Winston said, “Oh! Ya’ll teaming up on me now, huh? Anyway, that was different. I wasn’t going around talking about never getting married.”
    Craig laughed. “No, you were just trying to be the Playa-of-the-Century.”
    Arnelle waved them off. “Please! Don’t remind me.”
    They all laughed together.
    Venice responded, “Well, we’d better get the kids and get out of here. It’s getting late and they’ve been asleep for a while. Brandon had a good time playing with MaLeah.”
    Winston said, “So did MaLeah. It would be wild if they end up married one day, huh?”
    Everyone froze and looked at him.
    Craig hugged and kissed Arnelle. “Tell your husband to slow his roll.”
    Venice hugged Winston. “Well, I would be honored to have MaLeah as a daughter-in-law.”
    â€œThe same here, Venice.” Craig shook hands with Winston and said, “Skeeter…Arnelle, thanks for dinner.”
    â€œYou’re welcome,” they answered in unison.
    â€œKeep us posted on the love birds,” Venice requested.
    Winston smiled. “We will. Let me help you guys get the kids to the car.”

    Before returning to Fredrick’s room, Keaton stopped by the bathroom to check on the ladies.
    Leaning against the door frame, he asked, “How’s everything going in here?”
    Meridan was in the process of drying MaLeah’s body. She looked up at him with sparkling eyes. “We’re almost done. What are you doing?”
    In a daze, he responded, “Getting ready to give Fredrick his bottle.”
    â€œOkay…and Keaton?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œThanks!”
    He curiously asked, “For what?”
    â€œEverything,” she whispered.
    â€œYou’re welcome, Meridan.” He blushed.
    Smiling, he grabbed MaLeah’s ponytail. “Kiss.”
    MaLeah puckered her lips for her uncle to kiss her. After the kiss, she giggled loudly.
    â€œUncie Key! You have to kiss Dr. MeMe, too!”
    Meridan blushed as she looked up at Keaton.
    He smiled. “You heard her. Kiss, Meridan St. John.”
    Meridan blushed one last time as Keaton leaned down and kissed her, lingering to taste her soft lips. MaLeah put her hand over her mouth and screamed with laughter.
    Keaton finally pulled away and said, “Jesus.”
    Breathless, she answered, “Ditto that and I’ll meet you in Fredrick’s room in a couple of minutes so I can tell him goodnight.”
    Turning back to MaLeah, he took a breath and said, “Okay. MaLeah, give me a goodnight hug.”
    MaLeah now had on her pajamas as she jumped into her uncle’s arms, giving him a big hug. Afterwards, Meridan took her by the hand and led her back downstairs to her parents.

    After coffee, dessert and a yawn or two from Meridan, Keaton knew it was time to take her home.
    He stood and said, “Well, guys,