*Chresanto's POV*
My family sits at the table for lunch. Mama, Pops, my aunt's, uncles, cousins, grandparents. The little kids are a different table, but right beside us. Kayla is sitting right beside me, Bella is upstairs sleeping in my old room.
We bow our heads to say the prayer and take the hand of whoever is sitting beside us. After the prayer, I let my Aunt's hand go, but keep Kayla's hand in mine. I squeeze it reassuringly, turning to peck her cheek. "I love you." I say to her.
"I love you, Chres." She replies with a smile.
I know she's thinking about her parents and brother. Who can blame her though, it is Christmas after all. I let her hand go so she can eat, but I observe her for another minute or two. She's so beautiful.
I eventually shift my gaze from her to my plate.
"So, when is the wedding?" My aunt Raylan asks.
"Sometime next year, we haven't started planning yet." I answer.
"And I can expect grandkids when?" My mom asks.
"Whenever Kayla wants to have a baby." I reply, looking at Kayla.
"Do you have any idea when that'll be, Kayla?" Mom asks her.
"Honey, quit pressuring those kids." Dad says, placing his hand on Mom's shoulders.
"It's just a question." Mom shrugs him off.
"Well, I'm only eighteen." Kayla answers. "Seventeen, almost eighteen." She corrects herself. "But sometime after we get married. Whenever we both think it's the right time."
"And we already have Bella." I point out. "She's a trip."
Kayla laughs, agreeing with me. "You should have seen her this morning opening her Christmas presents."
"I bet." My mom laughs.
"And what about you, Ms. College Professor? How's it going?" Aunt Tasha asks my cousin, Traycee.
"Oh, I enjoy it very much." She answers with a smile. "The classes are very humorous."
Bella starts crying, more so wailing, and Kayla and I stand up at the same time. "Excuse me," We speak in unison, hurrying towards the stairs.
Kayla beats me to Bella and picks her up. I pull Kayla to me, wrapping my arms around my beautiful fiance and daughter. I sit on the bed, pulling Kayla on my lap. Bella looks up at both of us and giggles, reaching for Kayla's necklace. "Mama." She coos, stretching out her legs.
"Hi, baby." Kayla coos back.
"Wanna bring her downstairs?" I ask.
"Yeah." Kayla nods, standing up.
I stand up, grabbing her hand. "I love you, babe."
"I love you, Chres." Kayla turns and pecks my lips.
When we get downstairs, I see someone I never wanted to see again. Amiyah Taylor.
"Who invited her?" I ask.
"She just showed up." Mama rolls her eyes. This was the ex-girlfriend that my mom was talking about when she first met Kayla.
"You need to go." I tell her.
"Now why would I do that, Chressy?" She giggles, putting her hands on her hips.
"Because no one likes you?" Prehia suggests.
