During yet another very dry and bleak holiday season, Simone Evans, a high school English teacher, finds herself in the most unlikely friendship with Jordan Jackson- an ex con.
**Mature Content**
More mature chapters will be marked with a (⚠︎︎) bef...
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"Aunt Simone!" Brian's kids came running up to her when her and Jordan came in the house, arms full of presents.
"Hey guys," she put the gifts down and pulled them into a tight group hug. "Ohhhlook at y'all," she squeezed them even tighter, regretting all of the time she's missed out on them growing up because of what her and her brother were going through.
"Wassup Jordan?" Brian held his hand out to him.
"Nothing much man," Jordan accepted the handshake that turned into a sort of half hug. "Merry Christmas. And thanks again for having me over," Jordan gave him the wine they'd brought as a favor, along with giving the kids all the presents they bought for them.
"Of course, you're basically family now," Brian reminded him. "And Merry Christmas to you too."
"Appreciate it. For real."
"And Simone," Brian held his arms open to her and she walked into his chest, accepting his warm embrace. Simone fought the urge to cry as she hugged her brother, realizing that's the first hug they've shared in she doesn't even know how many years.
"Merry Christmas sis," he squeezed her tighter, trying to make up for lost time.
"Merry Christmas Brian," she sunk into his hug even more. "Where's daddy?"
"He's in the guest room," he guided both her and Jordan into the house where they greeted the rest of Brian's maternal and extended families before bringing them to her father upstairs.
"Hi daddy," Simone said as she approached him laying in the bed.
"My sweet Angel," his lips curved into a little smile seeing her.
"Merry Christmas daddy," she went over to him and gently held onto his hand.
"Christmas," he repeated with a small smile on his lips. "I've always loved Christmas."
Jordan just stood off in the cover and let Simone have her moment with her father until she called him over to her.
"I know you don't remember, but this is Jordan," Simone introduced them for what felt like the millionth time now.
"Hi Mr. Evans," Jordan greeted him. "Merry Christmas sir."
But he didn't seem to care, because he just started reciting song lyrics— something he's started doing a lot lately when he's completely out of it. He'll completely zone out of reality all together and just start singing the same song that he used to sing to Simone's mother all the time.
"Angel of mine," he whispered because his voice was very frail, much like the rest of him. "How you changed my world, you'll never know..."
That was her parent's song, the 1998 version of 'Angel of Mine' by Monica. And to this day, Simone doesn't know if it's because her mother's name was Angel, or because the song had a deeper meaning to the both of them— but either way, it was theirs.
