#but my mom's side of the family is already here in florida so they'll be coming and then my grandparents on my dad's side will be here

[rotisseries]

my graduation is looking like it's halfway to being a family reunion for some reason 😭😭😭 I am loved etc etc yay but also lmfaoooo

[paisholotus]

Now playing: When I Look At You~ Miley Cyrus

Shia's Pov

Miami, Florida

Two weeks later

Today, Brian was coming over to have dinner with my parents. Brian is officially my boyfriend now. After that first date we went on a lot more dates and after the 5th date he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes.

I'm an old school girl even though I'm only 23. I believe if a man wants to date you, he should take you on a few dates, get to know you real good, and then ask you to be his girlfriend. That's how I believe men should be with every woman. Because I honestly can't stand this hookup culture shit. I was raised by a father who told me I shouldn't lower my standards for no man. That I shouldn’t stand for the bare minimum. But, let me tell you something, Brian goes beyond the bare minimum. His fine ass makes me wanna yoke his ass up, but we gotta have some decorum round hea. Make him work for it.

I pulled up in my parents' driveway. My dad was still at work, but he was coming home early. My sisters were out grocery shopping. My brother's Quez and Cole were married, so they won't be coming down with the kids till later. Quez lives in Virginia and Cole in California. I don't get to see them a lot, so when they come down, they stay for at least a month. Especially so we can have time with the kids. Lemir is engaged to his girlfriend, but they live in here in Miami, so they'll be here before dinner. And my youngest brother and sister Huey and Najia. He's a senior, and she's a junior.

I looked over at Brian, who softly bounced his leg and seemed to be deep in thought. I placed my hand on his leg, making him look at it as he smiled, nervously biting his lip.

"What's wrong, bubba?" He shook his head and cleared his throat, "nothing, I'm fine. I'm just excited." I snorted and unhooked my seat belt, climbing into his lap as he placed his hands securely on my hips, holding me in place.

"You know you're not a good liar. Well, at least not to me. I can see right through you. But, I promise you absolutely nothing to worry about. My mom is the sweetest person ever. My dad is a little rough around the edges, but what protective father isn't? My family is overprotective, but they are loving people. So you don't have anything to worry about."

I looked into his eyes, watching his body relax some, as his hands squeezed my hips. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed his jaw softly.

"You okay now?" I asked, smiling sweetly at him. He nodded and gave me that smile that turned my stomach into knots.

I laughed and patted his arm, "Okay, sweet boy, let's go."

We got out of the car and walked up the driveway. I already talked to my mom as we were on our way over here. And I knew she would be in the back gardening. One thing about my mom is that she had an amazing green thumb. Grew her own fruits and vegetables and plants. My dad built a green house in the backyard just for her.

I held Brian's hand, rubbing my thumb over his knuckles as we walked in the backyard, seeing my mom gathering tomatoes.

"Hey, Mama." I greeted her, as she smiled up at me getting up.

"Hey, Mi love, how are yuh?" She hugged me, swaying me from side to side. She then looked at Brian, giving him a big smile as he stuck out his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Brown." She looked down at his hand, and waved him off.

"Wi hug inna dis family. Suh gimme a hug." She said, holding out her arms as she gave him a hug.

I stood at the side them watching them and smiling. I already told my mom about Brian, and she said she had a good feeling about him, even without already meeting him.

"Okay, wah don't we inside, huh?" She said, leading us in the house. As we walked in Brian looked around at the family pictures, and said how warm it felt.

"So, Brian, Shia tells me yuh from Barstow?" My mom asked, Brian, setting down the tomatoes on the table.

"When mi was in college, I once knew a woman from Barstow. She was di smartest person, and i knew. She had dark brown hair an blue eyes. She really neva get along wid her family. But, her an her mada had a great relationship."

I brought over some lemonade for them watching Brian interested, listening to her story.

"She was mi best friend. We practically did everyting togetha, she had dis boyfriend dat mi absolutely despised, No gud for her. Would boss her round an belittle her. One day she tell mi she pregnant an mi was happy for her, because she was happy. But mi neva like dat she got pregnant by dat man."

I brought over some of the new fruit tart she just made. And cut a slice for Brian. Even though he's not gonna eat it right now, he was too focused on her story.

"Mi had to move away, suh wi kinda lose contact. But mi receive pictures in the mail of her two boys she had. Afta dat mi couldn't get in contact wid her anymore." Mama finished her story looking Brian with nothing but love in her eyes.

I looked in between them, trying to put two to two together and smiled softly when I realized.

"Yuh, look just like Angie." She said, softly making Brian stiffen in his seat. His eyes began water, making her reach over and grab his hands.

"Yuh, haven't seen her in a long time have yuh?" She asked, lowly.

He sniffed and quickly looked down, wiping his eyes, shaking his head. "No, I haven't." I walked behind him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and kissing the top of his head.

"Mi, no know what yuh did. Or what happened. But, yuh need to go see her and your brother. It's like too short to dwell on the past. I'm sure she thinks of yuh everyday."

I lifted Brian's head back so he could look at me and wiped his eyes. I could tell he's never been this vulnerable around people. I whispered it was gonna be okay and told him he needed to see his mom and brother.

"What y'all in her -" we looked to see who walked in, and it was my little sister, Najia, walked in coming from school.

"Oh, my bad, I didn't know I was interrupting." She said lowly, looking at Brian as he cleared his throat and smiled at her.

"Hi, I'm Najia, you must be Brian, right?" She asked, sticking out her hand, and he gladly shook it.

She looked at our mama and smirked, "You making people cry with your kindness again, ma'am"

We laughed as Mama rolled her eyes and told her to go do her homework. Mama and I got started on dinner as Brian talked to her.

I couldn't help to wonder if this was fate or not.

Angie

As

Angela O'Conner