My Sweets

Scottish Fights

BOBBY

I'm driving through the Scotland countryside, pointing out various things to Jessa. "Wow. It's beautiful here." She's staring out the window, taking everything in.

"Aye. It sure is. I didn't realize how much I missed being here until now. It even smells different here." I take a deep breath of the familiar air. "Thanks for making me do this, Lass." I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips, giving her knuckles a small kiss.

"Alright. Brief family history. My mom was born in Jamaica. She is the only daughter of six children. When she was young, they moved to Scotland. My grandparents kept the Jamaican traditions alive, but she essentially grew up here. I really want to visit Jamaica sometime to learn more about that part of my heritage. Anyway, when she went away to Uni, she met a charming Scotsman, my dad Lloyd. They wed and had a dashing son..." Jessa giggles at me, "and a daughter. Atlas, it was not meant to be. Daddy-o left when we were kids and moved to the Bahamas. Mom later remarried another Scotsman, Clyde."

"You've never really said much about your dad. Are you close?"

I shrug. "Somewhat, I guess. I mean, he left us. That was hard on 12 year old me because I was so close to him. I'm not gonna hold it against him anymore though. We talk but I haven't seen him in years. It's always fun when we do get together though. He'll love you."

We finally pull up to my childhood home and I smile to see it again. I notice Jessa is nervously twirling her ring. I reach over, grabbing her hand. "Relax, love. It's going to be ok. You've already met mom and Lindsey. I told mom no extended family yet, so it'll just be my stepdad and Junno is stopping by later."

"Right. Yeah. It's ok. I'm totally fine." She gives me a strained smile. Her brows are furrowed and she looks miserable. I gently guide her chin towards me and kiss her.

"You're worrying for nothing, Lass. I promise."

"Yeah. I know," she exhales deeply.

"Anyway, they don't have a choice. They have to love you because I love you." She smiles at me and takes a calming breath. "They are totally spying on us right now, so we might as well go ahead and head in."

I round the car to open her door. I grab Jessa's hand as we walk to the house. I don't even get to the doorknob before my mom comes rushing out. She grabs me into a tight hug. "Bobby Boo! I've missed you so. Let me get a good look at you, boy." She holds me at arms length and looks me up and down smiling. She pulls me in for another tight hug before pushing me aside to grab Jessa. I laugh as she squeezes Jessa into a tight hug too. Jessa's smile is huge, which relieves me. I don't want her to be stressed about this. I was never worried about these two. I always knew mom would adore her.

"I'm so excited to spend some proper time together," she says to Jessa.

"I am too."

My stepdad appears in the door. I give him a hug, patting him on the back. "Clyde. Good to see you, man. I'd like to introduce you to my beautiful bride-to-be, Jessa."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jessa."

"It is. I'm so happy to finally be here."

Clyde helps me carry the luggage in as my mom whisks Jessa into the house. "She sure is a beaut," he says to me.

"I know. I count my blessings daily."

JESSA

Bobby's mom hasn't stopped talking to me since I've stepped foot in her house. I love it. She has went above and beyond to make me feel welcomed. Clyde is really nice too. Bobby hasn't said a lot about him, so I wasn't sure what to expect. They seem really close though. He's on the quiet side, compared to Bobby and his mom.