Love On The Court

𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕪-𝔽𝕠𝕦𝕣

📆: November 24th, 2022 (month later)
📍: Cheryl's Penthouse Apartment, Upper East Manhattan, NY

Ding

The timer that rests on the marble counter of Cheryl's kitchen goes off, signaling that the turkey is done. Her mother grabs a mitten before bending down to open the overly hot oven.

She pulls out the steaming turkey and they both hum at the smell. "You did an amazing job, Hon." she compliments.

"Thanks, mom." the redhead grins, sliding her apron off. The two women look off at all the food they spent all day preparing. And that's not the rest of it.

Veronica agreed to make a few dishes, along with Mikayla. Toni is on dessert duty and Bryce has all the drinks. They are all set for her annual Thanksgiving dinner.

A lot of her friends and family are coming tonight. She even invited Julianne, and yes her father, Katherine, and the twins will be tagging along.

She wants everything to go smoothly.

She doesn't know what she was expecting when she asked the woman to come tonight. Of course, Julianne was going to suggest bringing her family. But Cheryl is seeing past their little situation.

It's been a few weeks since their talk at the restaurant and she's trying to mend herself before forgiving them. She doesn't want to hold grudges against them even if she forgives them.

"What time will Elaine and her family be here?" her mother breaks her thought progress. The model turns to look at her as she places the big bowl of mashed potatoes on the table. "Uh, Toni said they have to make one more stop so about thirty minutes."

Penelope nods. She misses hanging out with her friend. After finding out about her heart condition, she only reached out twice. She's been so busy with the team and keeping Dylan in college that she hasn't had the time to acknowledge the Topaz woman.

Knocking on the front door grabs the two women's attention. Cheryl rushes off to get to the door, leaving her mother to set the big table. The redhead wants to make sure there is enough room for everyone to sit.

"Dylan the villain in the house!" her brother obnoxiously shouts once the door is open. "Oh my god, Dylan!" the redhead slaps the back of his head when he nearly knocks her over.

The boy laughs and drags his friend into the house with him. "Hey, Cheryl." Dallas greets.

"Hey, Dal." the woman replies as she shuts and locks her door. "How are you?"

"Good. Good. And you?"

"Amazing."

"Enough with the chitchat, where's the food?" her brother interjects. Rolling her eyes, his sister points to the kitchen which is where he pulls Dallas into.

"Momma!" she hears him greet causing a smile to form on her face. He's still that annoying little boy she knew growing up. "Wow, everything looks amazing!" he compliments.

"This is all of your sister's doing."

Cheryl leans against the kitchen entry frame with a slight laugh. "Mom helped a ton. I would've had it done in time."

"Oh, hush. It was a team effort." Penelope waves off. "Plus, you did most of the prepping. I just cooked it."

"I still say it's a team effort," Dallas speaks up.

"See, thank you, Dallas." the model pats the boy back causing a blush to paint his tan cheeks. Dylan rolls his eyes at his best friend's expression. The boy has had a crush on Cheryl since they were six.