Wednesday, December 25th

Christmas Day

3pm

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Jada's mom house)

"Hey ma." I said to Jackie. I was now calling her mom. She said it was about time I did.

"Hey son in law." She said and she let me into the house and Jerome helped me with the bags.

Jada and I decided to spend Christmas and New Years in Philly this year, to get out of Florida and have a change of scenery since what happened.

It was cold as hell down here I don't know how folks do it.

Jada was still in the car so I went to go get her.

"Baby.. you ready to come out?" I asked her softly. I knew Christmas and New Years she would be feeling the lost of the twins the most.

She looked at me teary eyed and my heart broke. I hated seeing her in her grieving moments. Some days it was easier, some days it seemed harder to cope than ever before.

I sighed and went in the drivers seat as her mom stood at the front door.

I got in and turned her to me.

"They're here. But they're inside you have to go inside. Come on be strong for our babies." I said to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead and grabbed her hand. Then I looked her in her eyes.

"They love you, and I love you. I'm sure it's paining them up in heaven to see their mother like this. Baby it's paining me to see you like this. I'm trying to be strong for you but you have to promise me you'll be strong for yourself too." I said to her.

She just nodded and closed her eyes as a tear fell. I wiped it away and we shared a kiss.

"I love you." She said to me.

"I love you too." I responded. "Remember, we'll get our fresh start in the new year." I said to her smiling and she gave me a weak smile back.

We decided to move to Las Vegas and settle there. We were also going to officially get married there. We're moving into the new house January 2nd.

We got out the car and walked into the house. Her mother greeted her with a weak smile and they hugged. Jerome hugged her too.

We all walked in and sat down as her mom shared us out some food.

We began eating when Bria, Q, and Mia showed up then we all greeted each other. Mina decided to spend Christmas with her family this year.

Eventually everybody ate and we just chat with one another.

Bria was talking to Jada and I was talking to Q while Mia was talking to Jackie and Jerome.

"Yo how's Jada holding up?" Q asked me.

"Some days are ok, other days are worse than before." I said sighing.

"Damn. How about you?" He asked.

"It's hard. But I'm trying to be strong for her. They weren't mine so I don't feel the close connection Jada feels but I did raise them as mine so I'd definitely feel effected. I was use to their presence." I said being honest and he nodded.

"I feel you bro. When you guys move and start that new chapter of your lives you'll be able to start your own family, for real this time. No drug game, no nothing." He said reassuring me then I nodded.

I looked at Jada. I just stared. I couldn't wait to see when Jada is herself again. And I couldn't wait to marry her for real and start a family and live our lives in Vegas.

I looked at how she just smiled weakly even though she was torn inside. She smiled even though her heart was broken from the loss. She was so strong I just needed her to know that for herself. I smiled to myself completely forgetting Q was next to me.

"You're in love with her." He blurted out.

"In love is an understatement. I swear I'm not doing that girl wrong no more and I'm truly going to work hard and make sure she doesn't experience anymore trauma or pain, even if I gotta take it from her and put it on my back so I experience it and she doesn't." I said and took a sip of the sangria that Bria made.

"I feel the same way about Bria..." he started then pulled out a box with a ring inside showing it to me.

"Myyyy guy for real?" I said smiling at him and dabbing him up.

"Yeah man. It's time." He said chuckling. I raised my cup at him and did a nod.

"And then after we're married I'm gonna have her think we have an Airbnb rented in Seattle when really it's our new house. I know she said she's always wanted to live in Seattle because the houses look nice to her." He continued and I pat his back.

"You doing the damn thing bro. I'm proud." I said.

"Thanks bro." He said.

Only Q knew about about Jada and I's decision for Las Vegas but he didn't know when. And I'm assuming I'm the only one who knew he was gonna propose to Bria tonight. Q was my nigga for real and I know I'll miss him when Jada and I move away.

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7pm

We were opening gifts and it was my turn to give my gift to Jada.

She opened it and started to cry hard.

"Baby..." she started and continued crying and I just hugged her.

I got her the family picture we took last year around Christmas time with just her, the twins, and I. It was inside of a heart that was on a necklace.

She hugged me tight as I hugged her back and rubbed her so she would stop crying.

After we stopped hugging she laid her head on my chest and and I wrapped my arm around her.

For Christmas she got me a phone case with our picture we took in Greece together and a watch with both our birthstone colors in it and our names engraved around the clock.

Everyone opened their present but now it was time for Bria's big gift.

Q had Bria look in an empty bag he gave her pretending there a gift inside but it was just a card, as he read the card he got down on one knee. Everyone gasped and as she as she finished reading it she turned around and started to cry tears of joy.

Jada looked at me and smiled and I smiled back.

"You knew about this?" She asked me.

"Just found out right before presents actually. So yeah I guess you could say that." I said and she smiled again and kissed me.

I missed that smile. She seemed happy in this moment. Mainly because her best friend was getting proposed to.

Q said his speech and then asked her to marry him.

"Yes! A thousand times yes! Get up oh my god!" She said excitedly and I chuckled. He put the ring on her left finger and they kissed and we all cheered.

After presents we all chilled and laughed. Jada seemed to be feeling a little better in this moment, maybe the change of scenery was good for her.

"Can Jada and I have everyone's attention." I said and everyone stopped and looked at us.

"Since we're making big announcements. As you all know, Jada and I are moving next year but you don't know when and where. We've chosen to move to Las Vegas and plan to move on January 2nd. They house is already paid for." I said and Jada smiled at me.

"Oh my god! Nevada? Wow. That means I won't see my best friend often." Bria said with a pout face. "But I'm happy for you guys. Change of scenery will be good for your future." She added and I nodded at her and her and Jada shared a hug.

"Aww cousin I'll miss you! I didn't know it'd be so soon and so far away. But you guys are making the change and I'm happy for the both of you." She said and hugged Jada and I.

"Well I'm happy for you princess." Jackie said.

"We both are." Jerome said taking Jackie's hand and kissing it.

"Since everyone is announcing their big decisions tonight, I should add the Jerome and I are moving to Barbados." Jackie said.

"What?! Mom that's awesome!" Jada said excitedly. I haven't heard her that excited in a while. This was a Christmas miracle.

Everyone hugged them, happy for them and so did I. We found out they planned to move within the next two years or so.

"So who else has announcements?" Bria said and we all laughed.

Everyone shook their head indicating we had no more announcements.

We went back to laughing and talking.

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12am

Bria and Q went back to their hotel to head back to Florida in a few hours. Mia went to her hotel as well but her flight was in two days.

Jada and I were in her old room from when she was living here. We were just in bed relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

"Marcel..." Jada started.

"Yeah shorty." I said while her head was on my chest and I stared at the ceiling while caressing her hair.

"Make love to me." She blurted out and I looked down at her.

"What?" I asked confused.

She sighed and sat up, staring at me.

"Make love to me." She said then turned the light off so that it was dark.

"Baby where's this coming from? And ain't your folks in the other room?" I asked her.

"Marcel. I want you to make love to me. Don't ask question. I want you physically. And they're probably getting it on too. We'll be quiet." She said and I looked at her shocked.

I felt her rolling her eyes even though I couldn't really see her, then she started to pull my boxers down and put my dick in her hands.

"Jada baby you feeling ok?" I asked her. I was real confused. Earlier she was crying, then she was happy, now she tryna fuck. Was it the sangria?

"Baby please just make love to me." She said then started to give me head. I squirmed a little at how good it felt but I didn't want feel like I was taking advantage of her if she was a little tipsy.

"Jada..." I started and grunted a little.

"Please daddy?" She asked and continued sucking.

I bit my lip and squeezed my eyes shut. I gave in and stopped her and brought her head up to me kissing her.

For the night it was endless love making but we weren't loud because we weren't in the house alone.

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