The Love That Grew

Ch. 19 Happy Holidays

Christmas Day

Anita, Xavier's mom, was bustling in the kitchen humming Christmas carols. She looked up as Jashae entered and greeted her with a warm smile. "There you are, sweetheart! Come give me a hug."

Jashae obliged, feeling genuine affection in Anita's embrace. "Thank you for having me, Mrs. Rice. Everything looks amazing... will you excuse me?"

Anita's eyebrows raised, eyes finding Xavier's as they watched Jashae speed up the stairs, hoping it wasn't something she said.

Reading his mom's worried expression, Xavier reassured her, "I'm sure it's not you, Mama. She probably just misses her grandfather, and Ray's at some charity event with P."

"We'll have to do our best to make her feel at home... Speaking of home, where's that fiancée of yours?" Anita inquired.

An exasperated breath left his mouth. "She's at some dance studio rehearsing, said she'd rather come later. Ma, don't give me that look; that's what she said."

Anita shook her head at her son's blatant naivety. "That's what she said? Boy, what does that mean? I can say the sky's green; it doesn't mean it is."

"I trust Tahiri, Mama."

"I know, and that's what scares me," Anita replied, her tone full of concern.

Disappearing upstairs, Jashae used the alone time to check in on Jackson. It had been over a month since she moved to L.A., and she missed him terribly. To her surprise, Maria, the home health aide, answered.

"Hey, Maria, don't sugarcoat it, how's he been?" Jashae asked.

"He's doing better and still has a nasty cough, but the doctors are saying it's because of the weather change. He misses you and wishes you'd come visit soon, even though he's too stubborn to say it," Maria's voice lowered at the last part, meaning Jackson must've been nearby eavesdropping.

Having already missed Thanksgiving, a cloud of guilt washed over Jashae at the thought of missing Christmas and New Year's as well. "I miss him more."

"Mija, you're doing a lot with school and your internship. Jackson and Linda brag about you and Ray to anyone who will listen. They are so proud of you. Don't worry too much; I'm sure he understands," Maria reassured her.

Thanking Maria for her kind words, Jashae disconnected the call, feeling her heart a little less heavy. Today, she'd be spending the holidays with the Rice family. Christmas was a big deal to most people, especially Anita, Xavier's mom.

Jashae reflected on the past month. Moving to Los Angeles had been a mixture of new experiences, some good, some challenging. She missed her grandfather deeply, but knowing his health was improving and that he was proud of her gave her the encouragement to stay the course.

A throat clearing forced her out of her thoughts. "Just checking on you. Xavier told us it's your first Christmas away from your family. How are you holding up?" Darryl, Xavier's stepfather, asked, poking his head into the office space where he found Jashae.

Jashae nodded, her eyes slightly misty. "It is, but I'm grateful to be here with you guys. It makes it a little easier."

Darryl offered a tight hug, knowing she needed it. "You don't have to bottle it up, baby girl. We're a family, and we're here for you. Now, when you're ready, come downstairs before Anita stops cooking to check on you."

With Alexis and Tahiri's family nowhere in sight, the day ran smoothly. Drinks, food, and music flowed freely for hours with little to no quarreling.