𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋𝐿𝑉𝐼𝐼

Janet left me to go get the door. I stayed back, nervously adjusting my sweater and patting down my skirt, making sure I looked as presentable as possible. The seconds felt like minutes as I stood there, my palms slightly trembling. I could hear the front door creak open, followed by the sound of Janet's family greeting her with excited voices, the warmth in their words unmistakable.

I took a slow breath, mentally bracing myself for what was to come. I'd prepared for this moment, knowing I would eventually meet Janet's family, but standing in the same room with them, face-to-face, was something entirely different. The energy in the air was palpable, filled with the warmth of family connections, love, and if I was being honest, anxiety. I could feel the weight of it pressing against me as I tried to steady my nerves.

Footsteps grew closer, and I could hear their small talk as they made their way through the house. "Michael's running a little late, couldn't miss an invite from you," a male voice spoke, I assumed it was one of her older brothers.

I swallowed hard, trying not to overthink it. And then, they appeared. First, it was Janet walking alongside her older brother Jermaine. Behind them, I could hear the shuffle of more footsteps, the rest of her family entering including her mother. My heart raced as I stood there, unsure of what to expect.

When Janet entered the room, her eyes immediately locked with mine, and she smiled reassuringly. Her family, her siblings, her mother, and all the others, filled the space, the room suddenly feeling crowded. They were all so warm, eager to reconnect with their baby sister, but there was something about the way their eyes flicked to me that made my stomach turn.

Janet was still holding my gaze as she took a deep breath, her nerves so clear I could almost feel them.

"This is... this is Mariah," Janet said, her voice cracking slightly. She glanced at me with wide eyes, as if asking me to help her through the moment.

I nodded softly, offering a reassuring smile. "Hi, everyone," I said, my voice a little more steady than I felt. "It's really nice to finally meet you all."

Kathrine turned to the rest of her children. "Let's sit down, all of you," she said, her voice commanding but not harsh. She pulled out a chair, and I could see Janet visibly relax. She gestured for me to sit, and we all gathered around the table.

The food was laid out, bowls of salad, bread, and platters of fried chicken, greens, and mashed potatoes. It was a comfortable, homely spread, just the kind of dinner I imagined Janet growing up with. We began to serve ourselves, and the conversations started again, though this time it was quieter. The initial awkwardness began to fade, replaced by small exchanges, like everyone was feeling each other out.

Her family looked at me, some with curiosity, others with surprise, but no one with hostility. It wasn't easy for Janet, I could see that, but she was trying. And that was all I needed to see. I held her hand beneath the table, offering her a quiet gesture of support.

Latoya, who was sitting across from me, tilted her head and gave me a soft smile. "It's nice to meet you, Mariah," she said kindly.

"It's really good to finally meet you," Jermaine added, his tone a little lighter, although he was still sizing me up. His playful expression showed he was trying to keep the mood light, but there was a seriousness to the situation.

Randy glanced between us, then nodded. "I'm not gonna lie, it's a little shocking, but... I respect you both."

"I know this might be a lot to take in," Janet said, her voice filled with a mix of nerves and hope. "But I want you to understand that Mariah is important to me. And I hope you can accept her, as you've accepted me through everything else."