The Lyon's Cub Caitlin (Lyon The Next Generation 1)

“Oh Todd you’re back, great I need a favor. Colton’s busy out in the garage and I don’t know where my sons are, probably with that drone of theirs. I need to grab the slow cooker from the attic. This one seems to have broken. You can’t miss it, it’s still in the box and should be on the shelf to the left as soon as you walk in.”

“No problem Mrs. Lyon, I’ll find it.” I waited for him to start heading up the stairs before heading out to the garage.

“Colton, honey are you busy?”

“What do you need babe?”

“I wanted to use the slow cooker to cook the roast for dinner, but the old one is on the fritz. I bought a new one months ago and it’s up in the attic.”

“Say no more.” He wiped the grease off his hands and walked over to kiss me before heading inside. Yes! I did a little bootie shake and headed back inside. Cierra was taking a rest on her husband’s orders and the trips were down for their nap. Cody was with his brothers so I had nothing to do for like the next half an hour. I can just sit and wait for the fireworks to start.

Todd

I’d just made it to the attic when my phone rang. “Hi mom! I tried calling you earlier but your phone went to voicemail.”

“I know I just saw, how are you son? You settling in okay?”

“Well I haven’t been to the house yet, I only stopped by to pick up my jeep and give back the rental.”

“Oh? How come?”

“Well I came home a little earlier than expected and Mrs. Lyon didn’t schedule the cleaners until next week so I’ll be staying at their home this weekend.” She didn’t say anything. “Mom?”

“Well, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

“What do you mean? Why not?”

“Well son, I’ve been giving this a lot of thought and I think it’s time you moved on.”

“Moved on? Moved on where? What’re you talking about?”

“I think that you’ve wasted enough time on that relationship, you’ve missed out on so much already…”

“Mom-mom-mom, stop right there, what’s gotten into you, where’s this coming from?” I could feel my muscles tighten and all my defensive hackles started to rise. If there’s one thing she knows not to do, it’s to meddle in my relationship with Caitlin.

Everyone pretty much knows that shit’s off limits. Friends and family alike. Other than Colton Lyon, who has all rights because he’s her dad, no one else is allowed to stick their nose in my shit. Not unless they want to get ghosted.

“What do you mean where’s this coming from Todd? You’ve been in limbo for the past four years. I’ve watched you waste your whole teenage life since the age of fifteen, you even missed your prom for that girl.”

“That girl? Her name is Caitlin and before you say anything else I think you should think long and hard about whether or not what you’re about to say is something you want between us for the rest of our lives.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean mom, that Caitie’s going to be my wife, she’s the only girl I’ll ever marry, which means that she’s the only daughter in law you’ll ever have, the mother of your grandkids, unless you plan on adopting someone. If you say the wrong thing here I won’t ever bring her around you again. Because if you do I’ll always remember that thing whatever it is.”

“I won’t stop being your son and I’ll never stop loving you, but I won’t subject her to that, she doesn’t deserve it.”

“Of course I’m not going to say anything bad about Caitlin, I think she’s a nice girl. But that father of hers…”

“Stop right there, saying something negative about him is the same as saying it about her, he’s her father.” What the hell has gotten into her? Why would she wait until I’m here to start this shit? She had years to bring up this mess if it was bothering her, but she never has.

“You don’t understand son, I only want what’s best for you. I want you to be happy and I just don’t think you are. And as far as I’m concerned he’s the one who’s been standing in the way of your happiness.”

“That’s because you don’t understand Mr. Lyon, he’s not like that. She’s his teenage daughter mom for crap sake how do you want him to respond? How would you respond if you were in his shoes? As for me missing out on stuff, I’m two years older than she is so of course I’ve reached certain milestones before she did. I’m not worried about it so you shouldn’t be either.”

“As for prom, those things mean more to girls than they do guys anyway. The only reason I wanted to go in the first place, was to show off my girl and to share the experience with her. The fact that I missed it is in the past and not something I even think about.”