The Single Mom & The Popstar

15

Today is Christmas Eve and I was decorating the tree with Charlie when Normani, Andrea and Jilly came in. Charlie smiled happily as she ran over to them and gave them all big hugs.

Placing the last ornament on I stood up and greeted everyone. "Hey guys." I said as I hugged everyone. Well almost everyone, Jilly pushed me away because she still doesn't like me.

"So where's blondie?" Jilly asked.

I was about to speak but the door opens and in walks Dinah with many, many gifts in her hands. "Hello. I brought gifts!" She exclaimed as she hands all of us a gift. I just tilted my head as I looked curiously at the blonde. "Why so many gifts DJ?" I asked.

Dinah shrugged as she sat down on the floor next to Charlie. "I guess I wanted to say thank you for being here for me. I mean you guys have been like the family I have always wanted." She tells us. I smiled as I sat down and hugged her. "You're welcome D." I said, gently kissing her cheeks.

"What happened to your family?" Jilly asked.

Dinah frowned "uh we don't speak. Since I'm gay my parents think it would be best if I stayed away. They don't want me influencing my siblings to be gay." She said bitterly. Jilly looked down sadly as she played with her fingers. "I'm sorry." She mumbled before walking into one of the empty bedrooms. Without much of a thought I followed behind her.

"Is everything ok?" I asked.

Jilly turned to me with tears in her eyes as she looked at me. "Do you want me here? Does anyone want me here?" She asked desperately. I nodded as I walked towards her. "Of course we do. You're family Jilly." I told her.

She sighed "it doesn't feel like it. I just feel like I don't belong here," she frowns. "Hell my own mother didn't even want me. Nobody does." She said sadly. I held her hand in mine as I made her look at me. "You do belong here. You're family and it wouldn't feel like Christmas if you weren't here." I told her. "We love you Jilly." Her eyes lit up a little as she gave me a small smile. "I love you guys too."

After our talk we headed back into the living area. "You know you should talk to Mani. She feels like she's losing you." I told her. Jilly nodded and made a beeline for Normani and Mama Drea. I gave them their privacy and went over to Dinah and Charlie who were playing with her Legos.

"What are you guys doing?"

Charlie smiled at me. "Dinah and I are building Whoville." She tells me. I chuckled as I sat down next to my daughter. "Can I help?" I asked. Charlie's eyes lit up and she handed me several pieces to help build Whoville and pointed to where I have to put them. I don't know why but I have a feeling she might go into architecture when she's older. She loves to build so it makes sense to me.

As we were halfway through Jilly and Normani came up to us. "Can we help?" Normani asked. Charlie got super excited and immediately shoved pieces into their hands and told them where the pieces need to go. "How do you know where each piece goes?" Jilly questions. Charlie stopped and turned to her as she pulls out a piece of paper. "I drew it." She said like it was the most simple thing ever. "I needed to know what it looks like."

I'm pretty sure she had us all stunned because of how good the drawing actually was. She did amazing for a girl who barely learned how to draw a year ago. "Baby this is so good." I said. "May I keep it?" Charlie nodded "of course mama."

After spending an hour building we decided to stop since it was getting late. Charlie stretched her arms out and reached for me. Bending down I picked her up. "Is everything ok baby?" I asked. She rubbed her eyes. "I tired." She mumbled. I kissed her forehead. "Let's tell everyone good night and you can go to bed." I told her. She nodded tiredly as she said good night to everyone before I took her up to her room and put her to bed.