Just for the Holidays

NYC - Family

Nayeon stretched her arms, standing at the curb of the passenger pickup at JFK. She inhaled the musk of the city, reveling in the sound of cars honking and the lights in the night. She loved LA, but there was something about the east coast she could never shake. Mina stood off to the side, responding to the people she had missed while she was on the flight. Nayeon appreciated social media for what it was but was a little more traditional than Mina in her phone use. Her Instagram grid was updated maybe a couple of times a year, and she genuinely tried to stay away from it. Her phone rang, lighting up with a message from her family group text.

All Im the Family

Hyo: I think we are almost there! Passenger pickup 4 right?

Mom: Take pictures!! I need to see them!!

Dad: *thumbs up*

Nayeon: Yes we are here! See you soon!

Nayeon smiled down at her phone and looked up at Mina, who had started scrolling through Instagram.

"Ready?" Nayeon asked, a little nervous. Mina looked up and smiled back. She stared at the younger girl for a moment, taking in the way the corners of her lips lifted, then stood up and grabbed her luggage.

"Do I have something on my face?"

"Oh uh, no, you just hadn't responded yet."

"Yeah, let's do this."

A black Mercedes pulled up, with Jihyo smirking in the driver's seat watching her sister interact with the younger girl. It had amazed her that after all this time, Mina still had the same effect on Nayeon. Jihyo could only hope for a similar relationship herself in the future.

"Dude I missed you!" Nayeon yelled as Jihyo got out of the car. She had already opened the trunk and was starting to put stuff in when her sister wrapped her in a tight hug. Mina automatically started loading the suitcases in where Nayeon left off, not missing a beat. Suddenly, she felt arms wrap around her, noting that the younger Im had been working out because most of her hugs had not been like this.

"Jihyo have you been working out? I can barely breathe," Mina squeaked out. Jihyo laughed and let her go.

"I just missed you both so much! Mom has been going crazy planning every meal for every day and we have much to discuss about our plans for your time here..."

Nayeon looked at the two of them, smiling at the sight. Mina and Jihyo had gotten off on the wrong foot initially, always fighting about nothing. It had taken Nayeon some time, but she realized these two people she loved were extremely similar in some very important ways. They were both hotheads who wore their hearts on their sleeves and took offense fairly easily. The way they responded to conflict was also similar, further endangering an already testy situation. Nayeon could never tell either of them this information, but over time things had improved on their own as they both adapted.

As they drove they talked about everything from the weather, to work, to what they wanted to binge over the long holiday. The conversation finally lulled to a comfortable silence, and Nayeon's eyes were starting to close after the long flight they'd just taken. Mina was taking in the views outside, occasionally snapping a picture. Jihyo broke the silence.

"I'm going to propose to Jeongyeon while we are in Manhattan." Nayeon's eyes shot open.

"Wait what? It's been less than a year, Hyo," Nayeon mumbled, disapproval starting to leak out of her facial features.

"This is exciting though! When did you decide this?" Mina quickly added, looking at Nayeon with a stare of caution. She knew the older girl didn't think it had been long enough, but she also knew that the conversation could very quickly turn into the younger Im shutting down if they weren't careful. Time had been helpful in learning how to navigate this family.