"It's not de end ah de world, boy."

The pout on Elijah's face as he threw himself on Erica was so adorable. Gathering him in her arms, she rolled her eyes playfully and began to stroke his newly braided head gently. It was two days before Thanksgiving break, and it was known amongst the group, this was Erica's first US holiday, and she was scheduled to visit her family. After the incident with her aunt and cousins, she was hesitant to visit. Her fears were alleviated by her father and her grandmother's heartfelt calls. The concept of having grandparents, aunts, and uncles was new; back on the island, her mother, stepfather, and sister were the only relatives she had. The family on her mother's side treated her like an outcast, so she did the same. 

"If any of them..." Elijah began to say.

"Ah, will be fine. You worry too much—all allyuh. Yuh feel mih daddy will let them bad treat mih? Nah. Ah feel good about visiting dem," she cut him off before he voiced his umpteenth worry. 

"Fine. When you return, we have to plan for our first Christmas together," Ayanna said cheerfully. The smile on Erica's face grew wider, she loved Christmas, and it's currently a great experience for her. Coming from an all-year-round sun-filled home, experiencing the change in seasons was currently exciting to her. Her father and Elijah took it upon themselves to bundle her up appropriately whenever she leaves the house. It was highly amusing. 

"You two coming also?" Erica asked of Kage and Callum. Shaun already confirmed it even though he didn't have to. Katie and Bryan would have dragged him to the decided venue.

"My folks don't mind. One mention of Raine's name and I got their approval in less than ten seconds," Kage answered.

"My mom said it's okay since she planned for a vacation around that time," Callum answered with a shrug of his shoulders.

"That's great. You can hang with Ayanna on your free days," Raine commented. Erica eagerly nodded her head in approval leaving the budding couple with heated faces, 

"ERICA!"

"Yeah daddy!"

The friends all listened on with wide eyes at the shouting conversation between father and daughter. It was entertaining hearing their accents belting through the shouts, what was even better for them all, they understood each word. 

"Allyuh go on, daddy will help share de food," Erica said with a knowing smile. It seems her friends now visit her with empty stomachs. Her father wanted to cook for them all as his own version of thanksgiving for their little gathering. In the Caribbean, it has an event similar to the American version. Food, games, and prayers make for it and it's usually held by anyone who wants to share their goodwill, no matter what time of the year it was. Julius' reason for this thanksgiving is for three reasons. His daughter was finally with him, she was happy with new friends and his little family was complete. 

"Okay." Her friends rushed out leaving the couple to their few seconds of solitude. Elijah didn't waste one second. In one move he had Erica beneath him, her arms locked around his neck and her lips eagerly reaching his. He couldn't resist her. Placing a bit of weight on her, he smiled against her lips when he felt her breasts pressed against his chest and the warmth that exuded from her body. 
"I can kiss you forever," he whispered as he brushed his lips against her cheek.

"And we gettin' dat? A forever between me an' you," she returned. Elijah paused his playful kisses all over her face and locked eyes with her. The honesty and longing in her words were shown in her eyes, it made his heart lurch in excitement. This was real. It was happening. Just like his parents and sister, he found his soul mate at such a young age. His cheeks hurt from smiling so much, and the heat from his blush was getting hotter.

"Yes, my love, we have that. A forever," he answered softly. Then, holding her reverently in his arms, he knew she too felt the gravity of their moment. Her soft kiss on his neck sent a shudder of pleasure through his body. Imagine receiving her warmth, her kisses, her random hugs for the rest of their lives together - he couldn't wait. 

"I love you."

Elijah smiled at her words, yeah, he could hardly wait.

******

Seated around the dining table with their chosen dishes, Julius stood at the head of the table and waited for everyone to settle down. Although, the aroma of the four dishes he created tickled his nose, he grinned upon the sight of his daughter's friends commenting on each other choices. Erica chose simple dishes they cook daily and are also a must to have at thanksgiving celebrations. Pelau, coocoo, steamed fish, dumplings with curry goat, polenta, and baked chicken were placed on the table with large servings taken from them.

 "Hands together, close ya eyes," Erica ordered. They all watched her do the actions and followed quickly.

"Dear God, bless de people about to take part of dis meal. Thank you for each of their lives an' guiding dem on de path dat led dem to us. Thank you for dis new beginning. My greatest thanks is fuh answering my prayers. You brought my daughter to me, even wid de little trials, you delivered her safely to me. In your name, Jesus Lord. Amen."

"Amen!" They all chorused before opening their eyes. 

"Now we eat. Ain't its something like allyuh thanksgiving," Erica asked pouring Elijah a glass of punch.

"It is but more tolerable," Trey commented. Alec snickered knowing why his friend made that comment, leaving the others to shake their heads in equal amusement. After a moment of appreciation for the food, the chatter began. Julius was content in simply watching over the group as they ate heartily and simply enjoyed themselves. One part of his daughter's comfort and happiness was secured, the next half was family-wise. He prayed that things will go smoothly for their trip.

********

New Jersey

It was her first time traveling in the US and the entire trip was eye-opening to her. Although, the bustling people around her in the two airports had their differences, seeing many characters just in the terminal was enough to fill her imagination and the atmosphere was laidback, probably due to her father's guidance. Unknowing to her, Julius handled her travel credentials and what was needed to move freely within the country. He explained the specifics during their flight, leaving her educated on the laws of the United States. His explanation was easier than her mother's fussing when they prepared to leave Tobago. She made Erica feel guilty over the normal proceedings. Yes, it had many things to do but she didn't have to make her feel like a burden. 
It's all in the past, erica thought to herself. Her relationship with her birth mother is no longer viable and she can boldly state she has no sibling or a mother. The two made their decision in cutting ties with her and she came to that same agreement. The message Giselle sent over Facebook Messenger was unanswered and deleted. There was no room for toxic people in her life.

Arriving in the state her grandparents decided to continue their living over the years, she was excited to see more of her father's neighborhood. So many stories were told but it was one sibling he had the most with. His older brother Joseph. Her only uncle. He was currently married and was blessed with one daughter, Kashia who was now twenty. All great things were told about him and it was no surprise that he was the one who volunteered to be their driver to the family house. 
Disembarking the plane, she followed her father into the terminal and towards the arrival bay to meet up with her uncle. Tugging her suitcase behind her, she made sure her father was close to her as they maneuver through the crowd of holiday travelers. The nerves of a first-time flyer settle in as they walked deeper into the mass, the loud talking, distant chatter, overheard intercom blaring were all contributing to a deafening headache. Crowds were never her thing. 
"Nearly reach." Somehow her father's words reached her. He led her to a less congested area, away from the others to a dense area of the arrivals terminal. 

"UNCLE JULIUS! OVER HERE!" "HERE!"

The giddy voices of teenagers pulled her attention to their direction. Bypassing the people going past them, she spotted the two teenagers, bouncing on their toes and waving wildly. When Erica and Julius came into a clearer view, the two bolted towards them, unable to hide their joy. Not wanting to be knocked over, Erica took a wide step away from the familial greeting and simply watched on with keen interest. Her father didn't linger on one kid, he spoke to them both with the same joy and love an uncle can only give. 
"Don't feel left out. Give them a few more seconds. It has been three years since he visited." The jovial male voice startled her a bit. Looking to her left, she was met with by an older version of her father. There was no mistake, this was her uncle Joseph. Boasting a close-cropped beard and low-cut salt and pepper hair, the man stood a few inches taller than Julius and had a slight tummy. His dark eyes shone with mirth and it matched his wide welcoming smile. His openness made her uneasy, meeting new adults was nerve-racking. She opened her mouth to say 'uncle' but a meek 'hi' came out. 
The man laughed at her flustered actions but politely returned a soft hello to her, for some reason Erica knew he was doing that for her benefit. 

"Stop ringing down mih ears and come," Julius said a few steps away. Then, head lifted, she turned to meet her cousins. So many greetings filled her head to say but in the long run, it was her father who did it for her. 
"Mikhail. Delaney. This is mih daughter, Erica. Your cousin."

Erica gave them a timid wave and smile which seem to be enough for them. Mikhail greeted her from his position while Delaney closed the distance and grabbed her covered hands. The bright and energetic demeanor of the girl nearly brought Erica to her knees. Handling energetic people like this requires mental preparedness but she withstood the barrage of questions the girl threw at her. She was purely beautiful.
Without her father saying anything of the two kids' background, it was clear as day when their brown skin boasted the melanin of both parents. Just like her, they wore their hair naturally and were styled to their liking. Mikhail opted for dreadlocks which were freshly done and Delaney had hers in a complicated braided style with colorful beads at the end. Their features were similarly strong in each other, another bold statement to their background and relation. "I'm fifteen, he's thirteen. How old are you? Do you like it here? You look like grandma when she was younger. Is it true, you're finished with high school? Lucky! Oh, and is it true you gave Shian a beatdown? She had it coming, right, Mikky?"

"Sure did," her brother answered dutifully. 

"Uhhh... I'm seventeen and yeah ah like it here. Daddy say ah look like she a lot. Ah finish high school in Tobago but had to continue here until ah decide what to do. Me ain't mind tho. And yes ah did beat she. She deserve it tho."

"Okay okay, leh we not broadcast that last part," Julius said when he noticed the two younger ones itching to hear the whole story. Mikhail went to his phone, fingers flying over the screen while Delaney was bursting at the seams with more questions to ask. He chuckled knowing she was also excited to have a cousin that she actually liked. Shian and Anika always bullied her whenever the family gathered, causing many issues between their mothers. Thankfully they won't be attending because Erica and himself will be visiting.
"Your niece." Julius turned her to face her uncle whose smile was still there on his face.

"Hi. Nice to meet you," she greeted politely, extending her hand.

"Don't force yourself too much. It comes naturally to greet each other over time," he returned gently. Erica narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out if the man before her was psychic. He figured out the root of her anxiety and her unspoken words. 

"You will get used to it. Uncle Joseph is a doctor. He tends to understand people from observing a lot," Delaney explained.

"Good. I ain't going crazy," Erica retorted.

"Nope. Let's get a move on. Everyone is waiting for you guys to arrive. Kashia wanted to come but these two beat her to it, so she's doing what she can at the house." Joseph took her suitcase as Delaney pulled her to her side and Mikhail taking his spot on the other side. The brothers led the way, catching up with each other as they all made their way to the parking lot. 

The drive to the family home was filled with chatter from everyone. Family gossip was included and advice was given to Erica about visiting in-laws plus the impact of her arrival into the family. What she learned, her presence made Shian and Anika's jealousy spike. Their mother raised them in such a self-entitled way that they dubbed themselves the favorites amongst the grandchildren. When word of Erica came to their ears, little by little their jealousy grew, along with their mother's snide remarks and grudge against her brother. 
Are grown-ups that petty also, Erica thought to herself. Thinking back to her aunt and cousins' visit, the condescending remarks and behavior all test to that. Such a shame.
Pulling up at the curb, the house her father vividly described to her was right there before her. From living in a cramped two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, New York to a large four-bedroom family home in New jersey - the dream her grandparents chased to the US was there for her to behold. Doing odd jobs while taking advantage of the wide range in education helped build the Hollis family.

Delaney was the first to leave the car, tugging Erica along for the whirlwind of an entrance. Thank heavens it was through the lawn and the stoned driveway where she just witnessed Mikhail slipping with her suitcase. 
"Aye girl wait, de door," Erica shouted as the thick oak door came into view. Expecting it to be locked, her perception of safety was blown away. But, instead, the front door was unlocked allowing them to go in with ease. 
"Grandma! We are back! Come quick!" Delaney was shouting her greeting, tugging Erica along. They entered the living room first that had three men watching a game. No attention was given to them, one muttered the word 'kitchen' sending Delaney's path that way.
"Grandma! Oh hey mama, where's grandma?"

"She just left to finish up some stuff. Is that.... Erica?! Oh my.... Wait. Girl, take ah breather!" 

Delaney didn't give her mother time to greet her cousin, Erica gave the woman an apologetic smile over her shoulder and a small wave to the woman next to her who was trying her best not to laugh. Helplessly following, Erica became heated with her winter clothes still on and the warmth of the house. Making two turns down the hall, leaving behind the family photos on the wall and the decor that lined the floor and side table, they came to a pair of closed doors. Knocking first, they entered after the cheerful welcome of an older woman's voice. 

"Heard you coming from quite in de front."

Erica's shyness came back in full force when her cousin released her hand to greet their grandmother. She couldn't help but stare at the older woman. The similarities between them were clear. Removing her winter garments, she silently pointed out what she inherited from the matriarch of her family. They both caught each other's gaze as Delaney animatedly spoke and it was a mirror version happening repeatedly. The naturally shaped eyebrows, dark eyes framed by curly eyelashes, high cheekbones, and troublesome curly hair. Her grandmother aged gracefully, even though she was partially covered by an unfinished crochet blanket, she still boasted a shapely figure. Neatly folding the blanket, the woman rose from her seat and approached Erica.
"This is a lot for you huh?" she asked gently. 

"Yuh could say dat."

"It's alright. I'm Joleen. Ah think you passed yuh grandfather in de living room. His name is Lawrence. Yuh will meet him after. Dellie go and help yuh mother and bring something for Erica to eat," she said leading her to a little sitting area in the corner. That's when the backyard was in view and the comfort of the room took over her.

"Okay," Delaney chirped and left with a quick wave. 

The two stayed in a somewhat awkward silence before Erica spoke first. "Thanks for de calls and ting. Ah know daddy tell you everything that happened wid auntie Carlene an' dem plus wid mih mudda. Meeting allyuh is ah big ting so that it will take some time."
Jolene boldly reached out and cupped her cheek, her weatherly hand was warm and so comforting. It was a first for her. This grandmotherly feeling she heard her friends spoke of. 

"Don't rush it. All we care about is dat you know, you have family in de same country as you. We're a call or plane away. Now tell me how yuh left Tobago. Anything new added," the older woman asked excitedly. Her grey hair that was held back by a headband bounced with her excited movements. A soft wow escaped her seeing how fluffy her hair was, it was the same when she released her hair from hairbands. It was amusing to see her grandmother still lively as ever. Erica's shoulders slumped in ease as she began to tell her what changed on the small island.
This wasn't so bad after all.

After an hour of talking, Julius entered the room with a tray filled with goodies for three in his hands. "Ju-ju!"

"Oh gosh, mammy."

It was the first time Erica witness her father so flustered. Jolene rushed to her feet wanting to hug her son, thankfully he placed the tray on the coffee table before she did so, he probably anticipated her actions. She was fussing over him like any mom does, holding his face in her hands that had the widest grin on his face. "So happy you visiting. Look how yuh glowing," Jolene commented. Wrapping her arm around his waist, squeezing him tightly with that one arm, they both turned their gaze on her. What she felt was indescribable. Words that came to mind weren't enough. She had a parent who was proud of her and a relative that cared and accepted her. This is what she longed for but never had the heart to voice aloud or receive. 
"It's good to have you here. Both allyuh. Come leh we eat. Kashia baked some black cake last night. She did well for she first time," she said pushing her son to take a seat before serving them.

"When we finish here, the others want to meet you," Julius informed her.

"Uh-huh." Erica was too distracted to answer politely. Eyes closed in pure heaven, she savored the slightly gooey texture of the cake. Each chew made the rum-soaked fruits expand into more, giving her a heady feeling. That was proof as to how long the fruits were preserved, oh she missed this. The cake was a staple food for the Christmas season and wedding receptions back home. "So good," she muttered.

"It's good to know de girls in our family can handle themselves in de kitchen," Jolene commented, taking a bite of her own. Julius chuckled, raising a filled glass to his lips. 

"What's that? It look like ponche de creme."

"Yup. Yuh grandfather made it but he send ah glass of homemade wine for yuh. Ah think it's cherry wine, ain't too strong," her father answered. Erica chuckled thinking of how early alcoholic foods have been fed to Caribbean kids at such young ages. She can remember throwing back a shot of rum with lime for bad flu at seven and even drinking the Christmas fave every year. 
"Oooo."
Her father and grandmother chuckled in amusement at her happy dance as she reached for the wineglass. "It's good that yuh eating properly. But, don't get hook on dem fast food eh. Instead, make sure yuh eat cook food, "Jolene warned. 

A grin lit up her face. "Yes, granny."

The words were natural and formed easily on her tongue. All three sat with wide eyes after hearing those two words. It was a big moment, emotional for one and satisfying for the other two. 
Not wanting to make it awkward, they continued with a nonsensical conversation to start their bonding time.

This is what she wanted and she finally achieved it. Unfortunately, moving to the US she lost her mother but that's alright.

She gained a father who loved her immensely. A new family accepted her with open arms. A group of friends she wouldn't trade for anything and..... the most unexpected one.

The love of her celebrity crush. 

It may sound like a fairy tale if she told her story out loud but it's her very own 'you won't believe me if I told you' story. 

Her happy ending, at last.