Essence

I laid in my bed sulking all cried out. I literally spent the whole Christmas Eve laying in my bed trying to get my life. Not only did I not sleep because of the fucking nightmares but now Pharaoh was giving me basically what I gave him for three days. I basically cried my eyes out until the sun went down. I felt bad about Pharaoh, scared from the nightmare, and just sad as fuck. And the only thing I wanted was my momma. The one person I could never get again.

I wrapped myself tighter in my mothers blanket that still had her scent when I heard someone open the door. I peaked to see Auntie Harper giving me a light smile. She sat on the bed rubbing my back for a minute just leaving us in silence.

"Talk to me sweets" she finally spoke

I shook my head knowing tears would form the minute I spoke out loud.

"Sweets we just talked about this. I'm here to give you love, protection, and guidance. I'm not Evelyn... honestly nobody could be as amazing as her but you girls" she smiled "But I'm your auntie and I'm going to love you and be here like always"

"I know" my voice shook causing me to sigh "It's just so much I can't explain"

"Let's talk about what you can"

"I feel like I'm sinking back into depression. And I'm so frustrated because the first time in so long... I was happy Auntie! Spending time with my daddy, I got dean's list, and...." I sighed

"And what sweets?"

"I finally felt something... I don't know something for a really nice guy" I shook my head "But now he won't even talk to me"

"He won't?"

"I didn't know how to explain the dreams and everything so I just pushed him off more and more every day. Now he not even responding to me" I wiped the one tear that feel "I just miss my mom and I want her to make it happy again. I can't do this without here"

"Essence baby" she pulled me up "I don't want you sulking and wallowing in sadness. Things are hard but we're going to make the best of the time we have together. We all love you more than you know and it hurts to see you like this" she smiled "Everything will work out but you have to trust me okay?"

I nodded "Okay"

"Come on" she stood up

"Where we going?"

"To make this the best Christmas you can remember" she smiled "Eve would want me to make her baby as happy as possible for the next few days and a couple surprises have popped up ready for you"

"Huh?"

"Just come on girl"

I laughed dragging myself out of the bed. My aunt pulled me out of my room before I could change from my pajamas. Everyone was in their pajamas as well but had bags packed and I was so confused. I kept asking question as we got in Mazikin's G-Wagon only to be ignored. I laughed as we reminisced about holidays back home before everything went bad. I was so caught up on memories I didn't realize we were pulling up to a super familiar house.

I began to freak out as Mazikin parked the car and turned it off.

"Maz--Gu---What are we doing here?" I whisper yelled at them

"Girl come on"

They got out the car pulling me along with them to the door. Auntie Harper rang the door bell and knocked before pulling me to stand in front of her. I was beyond embarrassed as I looked at myself and my family in our pajamas on the steps of my boo bestie house at 9 o'clock at night. It only got worst when Pharaoh's mom happily open the door with his sister standing behind them, both in onesies as well.

"You're here!" she spoke excitedly before hugging me"Come in! Come in! We just got the games set up"

I followed with everyone behind me seemly the only person confused by everything going on. When we got downstairs to the basement there was a hug game room/man cave with games set up all over. I couldn't hold my laughter seeing Pharaoh's brother and what had to be his dad dancing to Michael Jackson on the WII.

"Guys!" his mother called

The three men of their family stood up walking over to us and everyone was smiling at me. I couldn't take it anymore and finally shook my head before throwing my head back at the ceiling taking a deep breath.

"What---"

"Introductions!" his mother pushed Pharaoh towards me

"Well" I sighed "This is my auntie Harper, brother/cousin Mazikin, and little sisters Anais and Isis. Family this is my... friend Pharaoh"

My aunt hugged him and so did the girls. Mazi kept a mug before shaking his hand which looked hard as hell. I shook my head looking at Pharaoh just laugh it all.

"Ess and family this is my family. My mom Victoria, my father Malcolm, my sister Heiress, and my little bro King"

"Okay intros done!" I put my hands on my hips "What the freak is going on here?"

Everyone laughed at me before Pharaoh took my hand and led me back upstairs. We stood between the doorway and the kitchen and he just looked at me with hope in his eyes.

"Pharaoh what is---"

He kissed me before I could finish then pulled away smiling.

"I know Christmas is a hard time of year for you. And I know this is the first one without your mom. I figured that's why you got all weird with me. I just wanted to show you that I'm here for you and I'm going to make sure you got nothing but happy memories from this point on"

"Raooooo" I whined as tears flowed down my face "How did yo--?"

"Gianni helped me talk to your aunt last night and this morning. You were locked in your room when I came over and got all the gifts yall had under the tree. Then you aunt just had to get you here. I thought that would be the hard part"

I laughed pushing him "I want to be mad at you"

"Why?"

"I thought you were really mad at me"

"Of course not" he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me "I just know when something's bothering my girl and I want to make sure the first one starts today"

"No one has every done anything like this for me Pharaoh"

"We just getting started baby! Come on so I can spank that ass in Uno again!"

"Whatever! You only saying that because I waxed that ass in Monopoly go!"

We laughed as we headed back downstairs without families. For the rest of the night we played games and just had fun. My sisters and I baked cookies with Auntie, Mrs. Tori, and Heiress. It was amazing but I didn't think about the past from the time I left the house.

We all open one gift before heading off to bed. Pharaoh showed everyone there room before coming back to mine. He pulled me to his room and handed me a box. I smiled before opening it to the most beautiful Pandora bracelet.

I gasp looking at it "Ra---"

"Merry Christmas Ess"

He took a mistletoe from behind his back and put it above us before kissing me.

"Merry Christmas Rao"

I pulled him into another kiss before pushing him back and closing the door. I wasn't going to do anything but I really wanted to sleep with Pharaoh next to me. We got in the bed and held each other as we fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning to soft lips against mine. When they were gone I open my eyes to see Essence smiling at me.

"Come on! You about to miss breakfast"

I nodded before getting up and heading inside of my bathroom. I did my hygiene routine before heading downstairs. I froze walking out to the sight on my bed.

My mouth hung open as I got closer to my bed. I picked it up and covered my mouth to keep from yelling. I was zone out and lost in the beauty of the watch until I heard giggling from my door. I look to see Essence recording me.

"I guess he like his gift" she stopped recording "Merry Christmas"

"Come here"

She put her phone down and walked over to me smiling. I pulled her into a hug and a kiss before looking into her eyes.

"You really got me that?"

"I knew you wanted a new watch and I love rose gold as you clearly know" she shrugged "Plus I knew you were getting me something"

"I never got a gift like that from a girl"

"Stop lying" she laughed

I straight faced her "I'm serious"

"Really?" She looked surprised "Woooow I feel special"

"You are special... you're special to me"

She blushed before pulling away and pulling me downstairs. Both our families were eating and talking when we walked in. My mom and her aunt were smiling at us like we just got married, which made me and Ess laugh.

We spent the morning eating and kicking it until it was noon when we finally started opening gifts. The twins were super happy opening their gifts. Essences got both of them laptops and camera while Mazikin booked them a photo shoot with some of his friends. Heiress and I got money and small things but King got a few games he wanted and shoes.

I was calm until it was time for Essence to open her gifts. I got nervous Essence loved the bracelet but she didn't know it was just one of her gifts. I let her open gifts from her aunt and cousin before handing her the envelope with my last gift to her in it.

"What is this?" She laughed

"Open it girl duh" I shook my head "Swear you slow as hell sometimes"

"Shut up"

She pushed me before opening it and immediately screaming in my ear. I laughed as I held my ears in slight pain. She started jumping all over the room making everyone else laugh too.

"What that boy do?" My dad chuckled

"We're going to New York!" Essence yelled hugging me "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"Anything for you baby girl" I smiled

Essence showed her aunt the tickets who winked at me. I couldn't take my eyes off Essence. Know I put the smile on her face made my soul warm up. It was like since last night she's been glowing. I smile before taking out my phone and getting a picture of her.

Perfect Christmas ❣️ #HerSmile #SheGotMe🔐 #MySquishy❤️

😍

🤨 oh for real?!

YASSSSSSSS BITCH

🥰

🙄 I know that ain't him

👀...🗣 TALK YO SHIT FAM

#CuffinSeason #BAEwatch #WeFightHoes #WeBlockHoes

Damn she bad 🤤

Oh Damn 😲

Fuck you mean 😲

...