Free Surviving Valentine by Jessica Florence

kids scrambled off of him and ran at me screaming. It was terrifying! His sister laughed. “Oh, sorry sweetie, even I can’t save you now.” I took off running towards the couch as well so I would have a soft landing when they got me. Little arms grabbed my legs and I just barely missed the couch and hit the floor. Damn I thought I had that in the bag.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 10
    Darien
    Scarlet is officially the most graceful clumsiest person I know.  When my niece and nephew took her down, I knew she was aiming for the couch but totally missed. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to piss my pants. Scarlet was looking at me like she might attack me if I kept laughing. I introduced them to Scarlet.  My 5 year old niece Riley then screamed “let’s get him!!”  They all joined in on trying to tickle me. I got a hold on Riley and tickled her sides. She was the most ticklish there. The littlest one Alex was 2 so I let him get away with thinking he was tickling me, I laughed and screamed for help.  Scarlet decided to go for the kill and actually tickle me. Her feminine hands grasped the spot between my ribs and hip. My hips bucked, my fake scream for help turned into a real one, and I had to get off that couch. I grabbed Riley and threw her over my shoulder and took off running. Scarlet grabbed Alex and headed after us. I stopped behind Sammy “Big Sister I need your protection.” She laughed and grabbed Riley then pushed me towards Scarlet and Alex. Alex squealed in joy. Scarlet laughed. I swear nothing hit me in the chest more than seeing Scarlet laughing with my family, and holding my nephew. Sights like that will kill you. I couldn’t get the image of her with a kid out of my head. She would be the coolest mom ever. Just then my mom came back and thankfully interrupted my thoughts from going further.              
    “Alright children, let’s go have some cake.” Scarlet set Alex down and the kids ran off towards the table. We all walked over and sat down. Scarlet and I kept stealing glances at each other. As she took bites of her carrot cake she would moan slightly, and the things it did to me. Damn it fourteen year old Darien was back, sitting right in front of my family for Christ’s sake. I had to shift to make room for big D down there. Yeah,yeah. I call him big D. It’s the best name in the fucking world. “So Scarlet, Tara told me you had your own.. How did she put it?  Kick ass studio.”  Mom asked.   The grownups laughed. “Yeah I kick ass in my studio. I own a business called Scars. I teach self defense and kick boxing. I feel it’s really important for people to know how to defend themselves.”  She was always so proud of her business, and she should be. “That is very cool.” Sammy said. Mom looked at us and I could see her trying to see us together. I knew she would be a little forward with me bringing Scarlet here. “Darien, how are you settling into the house?”
    “I love it, trying to man it up a bit, just ordered a few things, you know flat screen, the works.”  Mom laughed. It was nice seeing her laugh; I know she was having issues with Aunt Tara passing. They were 10 years apart, so they didn’t really get close until after mom graduated high school. They became best friends after that.  We had an endless amount of conversation flowing. Every once in a while Sammy or mom would try and bait us to see if we were together, but we told them we were just friends. Which might I add is awesome to hear Scarlet say I was here friend, one step closer to having her as mine.  After a few hours with my family we decided to head out, Dad was working, so I didn’t get to see him. But I promised I would come back another day this week and that I would call first.  On the ride back I broke the silence first. “Thank you for coming with me, you really helped lighten the mood a lot.” She looked at me, like she was