That Awkward Moment

Petty Party

3 WEEKS LATER

The faint melodious sounds of Christmas music played in the background while Ebony put the finishing touches on her Christmas decorations for Christmas which was two weeks away. This Christmas she was thankful and blessed to be able to spend time with her baby after the strenuous year she had with her baby's father and his family. His family had completely disowned her after the events that transpired but she was okay with that. The only person she ever truly missed was Erik. Their reunion was short and sweet but she knew that in order to be able to keep her baby under Bakari's terms she had to make some sacrifices.

She picked up an old picture frame holding a picture of Kari and her at the hospital holding their baby for the first time. She hadn't been that happy in a long time, since the start of their bitter custody battle. Shameik, who was on the couch keeping Kari occupied while his sister tidied up the penthouse, knew something was bothering his sister by the way she sadly gazed at the frame that was in front of her. The light aroma of sweet potato pie fills their penthouse with a sweet welcoming atmosphere. She intentionally made it that way so when her guests arrived for her holiday gathering they wouldn't feel as socially awkward being with her since the incident between their two friends broke out.

"You okay?" Shameik asks directed at his sister, bouncing Kari in his arms as his nephew held onto his pointer finger in his small infant hands.

"Y-yeah..." Ebony half smiles, clearing her throat and averts her attention back to her brother. "Yeah, Im fine Im just a little nervous about tonight...some shit could go down and Bakari is expected to be here because Sheila says and I quote, 'Bakari wanted to spend some time with Kari since we're all hanging out as friends again.'" Ebony sighs, rolling her eyes.

"You know, you can kick him out it is your house." Shameik emphasizes.

"I know, but this is the only time he's getting to see Kari within the next few weeks before he flies off to Jersey for the holidays to be with his family so I've got to suck it up and keep it moving cause I don't want to get on his bad side..."

"Okay...if you say so but if he steps out of line I'm beating his fucking ass." Shameik warmed her.

Ebony smiles at her brother's eagerness to protect her and smiled as she rubbed his head and bent down to kiss her son's cheek before making her way into the kitchen to take the pie out of the oven. The sound of the doorbell ringing caught her attention as she placed the homemade pie on the stove and cut the oven off to get the front door.

She approaches the door and checked the mirror on the wall adjacent to the front door and fixed her hair one last time before opening the door to invite her guests into her home. The first guests to arrive were her best friends, Sheila & Jamal who held their secret Santa gifts in hand and a bottle of her favorite wine. Ebony steps back and let's them inside before Sheila embraces her best friend in a comforting hug.

"It's good to see you...you look amazing." Sheila says, holding her friend in her arms looking at her with admiration.

"Awe, thank you I feel better than I have been in a long time and though we fight and argue I can't imagine my life without my best friend. You're like my sister and I'm sorry if I've said some very harmful things to you in the past. I was not in my right mindset and I let a nigga control the way I thought and felt...and got that I'm sorry." Ebony apologizes.

"Friend It's okay, you're already forgiven." Sheila says, letting go and follows her into the kitchen. "By the way Jamal and I are planning our wedding and we've decided to have you as my maid of honor."

"Oh my goodness!" Ebony says and shrieks with excitement, pulling her in for a hug. "I would be honored to be your maid of honor!" Ebony laughs at what she said, seconds later after she said it. "Pun intended."