“First of all, I’m only 56, you heifer,” she fusses, and I shake my head as I enter the house again, leaving them to their discussion.
I find Mama Giselle stretched out on the section, knocked out with a blanket thrown over her. I decided to let her sleep, but I gently woke Zee up so I could take her to bed. She groans, but allows me to guide her up the stairs. After a quick change of clothes and a speed run of our night routines, we climbed into bed, and she snuggled up against me. I drifted off to sleep that night with thoughts of what’s to come dancing in my mind.
CHAPTER 17
Us, Forever.
Zseyah - December 25th, 2023 - 6:20 PM
From the time I woke up around 7, I’d been on the move. It started with me heading to Sera’s room to check on her, only to see that she was wide awake and playing with a few toys. I got her dressed for the day and then headed downstairs to start breakfast. That’s when I realized that Morgan had stayed over because she was already up cooking with Mama Giselle.
Not even a minute later, Mama Liz came through the back door with a basket of fresh veggies from the garden Kay had in the backyard. I greeted them all and asked how I could help, but they told me not to worry. They kicked Morgan out, too, so she could rest her shoulder, and I was responsible for making sure she didn’t get off the couch again. I put Sera in charge of keeping her busy, and she immediately got Morgan to play dolls with her.
Kay came downstairs after a while, and we eventually sat down to have breakfast as one big family. It was a great time, as usual, and we even incorporated gift opening into it sowe could get that part of the day out of the way. Of course, Sera had a plethora of gifts, ranging from toys to books to clothes, and even some candy, which I swiftly put away for later.
Kay and I had gotten her moms vouchers for an all-inclusive spa retreat, as well as gift cards to all their favorite stores. Morgan had gotten them crystal jewelry and a cruise trip for Valentine's Day. And then together, Kay and Morgan presented them with a bottle of honey apple wine that they’d collaborated on with a winery that their friend Avery owned. It was one of a kind, and they were ecstatic to try it.
After we finished opening gifts and breakfast, Kay’s parents cleaned everything up as we finally got ready for the day. This hadn’t been my first time spending Christmas with them, so I was very prepared for the day ahead and all that it brought. Of all the festivities today, my favorite had to be the family gathering they had at Kay’s grandparents' house. Line dances, family games, a potluck – you name it, and we’d done it.
Back when they were first building everything up, they made sure that her grandparents had the most spacious house on the land. They knew that it would be the central meeting place for the whole family, and it was alargefamily.So many cousins, both young and old, along with aunts, uncles, and grandchildren galore. If I had to count, I’d say there were about 40-50 family members around here at any given time.
This land had seen a lot of love.
“You look so tired,” Kay chuckled as she plopped down onto the sofa beside me.
It’d been about thirty minutes since we arrived back at the house, and I’d spent the entire time going in and out of sleep right here. It didn’t help that it was nice and toasty andsmelled like fresh honey and pastries in here. All I needed was a nice glass of wine, and I’d be content to stay on this couch for the rest of the night.
“I am,” I nod, covering my mouth as I yawn. “We been up since early this morning, and all I want to do is melt into this couch as sleep overtakes me.”
“So,I’m guessing that if I were to ask you to come with me to get your last gift, you’d say no?” she questioned, a small smile on her face.
“Wait, hold on. I ain’t say all that,” I quickly said as I sat up. She chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m never too tired to open one last gift.”
“Mmhm,” she teases as she stands from the couch. She holds out her hand for me to take, and I do so. “You might wanna throw on a coat, because we have a bit of walking ahead of us.”
“Walking?” I whined. “Whyyy. My feet hurt.”
“Because, woman, it was too big for me to bring here,” she informs me, before kissing me once and then smacking my ass. “Now go put on a coat and come on. I don’t need you getting sick.”
“So you wouldn’t take care of me if I caught a cold?” I ask with a smirk. She pulls me closer to her, and I yelp.
“Of course I would, but I would rather not see you suffering from being sick,” she admits. “You know I hate when you’re in pain.”
“Ugh, you’re so perfect,” I groan. “Get away from me before I lose my decorum.”
“You’re a mess, love,” she laughs and steps away from me.
I wink at her before walking off to get my coat and slide on my boots. When we’re both warm, we exit the househand-in-hand. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but I didn’t mind the adventure. It would just be us tonight since Sera was spending it with Mama Liz and Mama Giselle. As much as I loved my daughter with all my heart, I was grateful that she had so many amazing people who cared for and loved her unconditionally. It also meant that whenever Kay and I needed the night off, we had a whole village to call on and trusted to keep our daughter safe until she was with us again.
About five minutes into our trek, Kay stopped me so that she could put a blindfold over my eyes. I was reminded of the few times we’d used something similar in the bedroom, and I felt a wave of warmth run through my body. Kay must’ve sensed this because I could hear her chuckling to herself as she took my hand in hers again and guided me along the dirt road.
It was eerily quiet when we finally stopped walking again, and for a split second, my panic set in. But of course, Kay could sense, and she assured me I was fine and she wouldn’t let anything happen to me. I nodded and let her guide me into a building that felt just as toasty as the home we’d left about ten minutes ago. The only difference was that instead of honey and pastries, it smelled like the most delicious meals had been cooked and served here all day long. I immediately put two and two together and realized that we were in the restaurant on the west side of the orchard.
We had so many memories in this restaurant, dating back to the summer after our junior year of college, when she got me a job here. It was the best job I’d ever had up until the one I was at now, and I constantly thought back on all the times she’d come to hang out with me whenever I had a break.There had been plenty of times when we’d be the last ones there after hours and would dine on leftovers as we chilled in our secret spot on the roof. We’d gaze at the stars while stuffing our faces with chicken bacon ranch sandwiches and fried apple tarts.
Then there were the times when the dining room was transformed into a ballroom for their annual fundraising gala. Being able to dress up in gorgeous gowns and dancing till the sun came up with my best friend was something I’d never forget. Now, just thinking about how Sera would get to experience that when she got older made my heart swell. I’d truly been blessed to have met Kay and experienced all of this.
“Okay, we’re here,” Kay whispers. She slowly removes the blindfold. “Merry Christmas, my love. I hope you enjoy this gift.”
