One I've Been Missing

Holiday

December 24th

It was the beginning of Jasmine's school break and the day we were going to South Shields, so I could meet Jade's mom, her nieces, and her nephew. I already met her brother before, but it was very brief, so now I would also get the chance to know him.

I was a little nervous because I don't know if they're going to like me or approve of my relationship with Jade. I also don't know how they feel, knowing that I'm the one that got Jade pregnant and wasn't there for her. Jade reassured me, saying that there was nothing not to love about me and that they would too, and that it wasn't my fault she was a single mom before, as I had no idea I had a daughter.

I still feel bad about not being with her during the first five years. But I'm glad that I am here now and that I get to be with the most amazing woman I've ever met and see my beautiful daughter grow up.

Jade and I had been together for 8 months when we decided to live together. I was over at Jade's house basically every day to spend time with her and Jas, and when I wasn't there, they were at my house, so it only made sense for us. Our relationship was a little more fast-paced than the ones I had before, but I didn't mind; I love Jade and I love our daughter, and we already wasted so much time far away from each other.

"Momma, can you help me find Lila?" Jasmine came running into the living room, where I was sitting.

"Of course, baby, let's go find her" I said. Lila was Jasmine's toy unicorn, and she took her everywhere she could. She loved sparkles, glitter, and rainbows just like her mommy Jade. And speaking of her, she was finishing getting ready, so we could go.

"Here, baby, I found it" I said, extending the unicorn to Jasmine.

"Thank you, momma" she said, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

I would never get tired of hearing her call me momma. In the first few months, she called me by my name, and as much as I wanted her to call me mom, I understood that it took time for her to get used to it. Now, it's been a couple of months since she started calling me that, but the novelty still hasn't worn off. Ellie said it was still weird for her to know that I'm somebody's mom.

Jasmine and I were in the kitchen, grabbing snacks for our trip; she had definitely inherited my appetite. That girl could eat for days and not get tired of it. When Jade cooks, she always jokes that she cooks for a basketball team, even though there are only two and a half people in this house.

"I'm ready" Jade announced as she came downstairs. As always, she was absolutely gorgeous. I went to her and put my arms around her waist.

"You know there isn't a day when you don't look like an absolute goddess" I said to her, and she blushed. I liked that she still blushed when I complimented her.

"You flatter me too much' she said, "and you also look very, very good yourself." We shared a soft kiss and went on our way.

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We got the 7 AM flight, so we could get into South Shields early and spend more time with Jade's family. We had just landed, and now we were on our way to Norma's house.

"Babe, she'll like you, don't worry" Jade said, rubbing my back to reassure me. I hadn't really realized that I was shaking my right leg nonstop.

"I know, babe, I'm just a little anxious, that's all" I said with a smile. I looked over and saw Jasmine peacefully asleep, cuddling to Jade's side, then I looked at Jade's beautiful smile directed at me, and all my worries went to the back of my mind.

We arrived, and Jade and Jasmine went to knock on the door while I was picking up our bags.

"Oh, I missed my babies so much!" Norma said as she picked up Jasmine and later hugged Jade.

"Hi gramma!" Jasmine exclaimed.

"Hi, pet, how are you doing?"

"Good"

"Hi mom, how is everything?"

"It's all great. Karl said he and the kids will be here for lunch, so the kids can play." "Now let me greet my daughter-in-law" Norma said, directing her eyes at me.

"Hi, Ms. Thirlwall" I said with a smile.

"No Ms. Thirlwall for you, lady. "Call me Norma" she said and greeted me with a hug. I was surprised by the warm welcome; I mean, I expected her to be polite, but I didn't expect this level of acceptance.

"Now, come on in, everybody." We got inside, and Jade showed me her room, where I put our bags, then we went downstairs again. We weren't tired since it was basically a 2-hour trip, so I offered to help Norma in the kitchen, which she gladly accepted, and Jade was in the living room playing with Jasmine.

"So, what do you want me to do?" I asked

"You can start by chopping the vegetables" she said. We remained silent for a brief moment before engaging in conversation.

"Jade talks a lot about you, and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT" she said, emphasizing, and I chuckled.

"She speaks highly of me, I hope."

"Oh, yes! "Perrie did this, Perrie did that; Perrie is wonderful" she said playfully.

"That's good. I try to be my best for her and Jas." "I love them very much."

"That's great to hear; I can see it in your eyes that you are very sincere. "You know, I didn't meet many of Jade's boyfriends before, but the ones I met, I disliked all of them." She remembered.

"I hope it will be different with me" I replied, and she smiled at me.

"So Jade says you are a music producer, right?"

"Yeah, I am a session musician as well, but I mostly produce."

"That's really cool. Jasmine told me you taught her how to play guitar."

"Yeah, I'm teaching her piano now too. "She is really, really smart and talented; she picks things up so easily." I said it proudly.

"I know that proud look" Norma said with a chuckle. "I was always like this when Jade won any academic thing. She was always so smart."

"You still like this to this day" I said jokingly.

"I guess you're right. I am really proud of Jade" she said smiling.

"I don't have a fancy piano, but I do have a keyboard. You could perform for us later." Only if you want to." she offered.

"Oh yeah, it would be a pleasure."

Norma and I finished cooking, and after Karl, Shireen, and the kids arrived, we all ate our lunch and had a great time. Everyone enjoyed the food, and I got along really well with Jade's family, which I was really happy about.

"C'mom, mom said you were going to perform for us" Karl said after we had all sat in the living room for a while and the kids had gone upstairs to play.

"Yeah, I will."

"I'll go get the keyboard" Norma said. She came back, and we set everything up.

I started playing Aretha Franklin's "I Say A Little Prayer," and when I finished, they all clapped, and I could see Jade smiling from ear to ear.

"Holy shit! "When Jade said you were a great singer, I thought she was being nice because she loves you, but wow." Karl was shocked, and I laughed.

"That was really amazing, Perrie." "We are going to have to exploit you more at the Thirlwall family parties," Norma said.

We chilled and talked a little more, and when Jasmine called Jade upstairs, I saw an opportunity to talk to them about Jade's birthday, which would be the day after Christmas.

"Do you guys have anything planned for Jade's birthday?" I asked.

"We always do something, but it's usually nothing big." "Why? Do you have something in mind?" Norma asked

"I do," I said with a smile, and I told them my plan.