LULU'S POV

"Are you sure we have enough food?"I asked Ruth walking into the kitchen to double check everything for the tenth time.

"Yes so stop fretting. It's not the first time you're hosting people here so why are you so worried?"Ruth replied filling a pitcher with fresh apple juice.

"Honestly I don't know. Where is James?"I asked looking around for my husband.

"I have no idea, haven't seen him in a while."Ruth answered.

"Okay you finish that while I go look for him. You're okay doing it all alone right?"I asked her once more.

"Yeah of course, I'm okay. Go already."Ruth insisted shoving me out of the kitchen.

She truly was my best friend in the whole world and I had no idea what I would do without her.

It was Christmas once again and my turn to host the family for our annual Christmas party. Marini and Amani were bringing their families. Jeremy, his wife and two kids would also be present. All of James siblings were invited and of course Mark and Ruth, a party wouldn't be the same without our two best friends.

The house was decorated in green and red the Christmas colors with lots of gifts under the fake tree, mostly for the kids. I loved having everyone over but the family was growing meaning more kids and it became more hectic each year. I didn't mind though because we had enough love to go around and space for everyone.

I walked past the living room where Mark was struggling to pull his three year old daughter Mercy away from the gifts. I tiptoed away before he could rope me into helping him. Mark and Ruth had five kids. Joseph the first born was nine, followed by twin girls Mary and Martha who were seven. They had another boy Ezekiel and the last born was Mary. Ruth had wanted a big family and she had made sure Mark gave it to her. She was a terrific mom and an amazing wife.

Now onto finding my own family. I knew that James wasn't in the backyard so I looked for him inside the house. He wasn't in our bedroom when I looked but then I heard his voice coming from our daughters room so I made my way there.

I peeked through the slightly open door to find him lying on his back on our daughters bed as they looked up at the sky through the sky light they had begged us to install for them. James was sandwiched between our two daughters, April the first born who was seven years old and Della our second born who was five. James was the greatest girl dad and had been in love with our girls even before they were born. I couldn't have asked for anyone better to raise a family with.

"Dad you said angels are real people right?"April asked her dad.

"Yes."James confirmed.

"So grandma and grandpa are angels right now looking down on us?"April asked further.

"Yeah they are."James confirmed his voice breaking up a little.

James mom, Naeku had died when Della was three so the two of them had memories of their grandma. Naeku had died a happy woman after meeting all of James three kids. April was even named after her.

Koinet had followed a few months after her. It's like their lives had been tied together and it was impossible for one to continue existing without the other. James being the mama's boy that he was had taken his mother's death hard but I had been there for him through it all. When his dad died, he'd been sad but he had already seen it coming after watching his dad struggle to live without his wife. They bad been laid to rest side by side with beautiful headstones. They would forever live in our hearts.

"Mommy."A soft sleepy voice mumbled at my feet and I looked down to see my four year old son Noah staring up at me with huge sleepy eyes.

I bent down to pick him up ruffling up his short dread locks and kissing his cheek soundly.

"Hi baby, did you have a good nap?"I asked him.

He nodded and laid his head on my shoulder sucking on his thumb. I was still trying to get him to stop that habit but it was still a work in progress. Our little interaction had gotten the attention of the other three and when I looked up they were all seated up on the bed staring at us. James smiled at me, that secret smile that was only reserved for me. I smiled back and winked at him. Ten years of marriage later and my husband was still the hottest man alive to me. He was also the best dad to our three kids, especially the girls which made him even more attractive in my eyes. Just like James had been a mommy's boy, Noah was too. I loved all my kids but Noah was my baby just like I was his whole world.

"Time to go girls. We have guests to entertain."James declared getting off the bed.

Della held out her hands wanting to be carried, so James did exactly that and picked her up.

"Mama, I'm hungry."April said walking up to me.

"Aunt Ruth is in the kitchen, go ask her for something to eat."I answered fixing the collar of her dress.

"I'm hungry too."Della whined struggling to get off James arms.

He set her down carefully before she hurt herself. I had to put Noah down too because the other thing Noah loved more than me was food. The boy could eat, just like his mom.

"April wait for your siblings."I yelled after her.

Like the good big sister that she was she waited for them, took their hands and led them away towards the kitchen.

"I want another one."James declared taking me by surprise.

"Another what?"I asked playing dumb.

James wrapped his hands around me, hugging my back to his chest and splayed his hands over my flat stomach. I worked extremely hard to lose all the weight I gained after each pregnancy. I always wanted to be in shape, for myself, my husband and my kids.

"Another baby."James whispered kissing my neck.

He was trying to seduce me but his charms wouldn't work. Okay maybe just a little bit.

"We agreed to stop at three."I reminded James.

"I know but they are growing up so fast and I miss all the baby smells and the tiny clothes and shoes."James commented.

"What about the poop, the unending vomit, sleepless nights and the constant worry."I asked him.

My pregnancies had been fairly easy but when the kids were toddlers they had been a nightmare. Crying all night, always hungry and literally all over the place. I didn't miss that phase at all.

"You're right, let's stick to the three."James relented remembering what we'd gone through.

The good thing is that we had each other through it all and a wonderful support system from our friends and family.

"Perfect decision but we're still young so if you still want a kid we can try again in the next few years."I suggested to James.

"As long as you're okay with it babe, I'm with you all the way."James said making me smile.

Yes, I definitely win the trophy for best husband.

Our intimate moment was interrupted by the fast approaching sound of helicopter blades. It was about time they started arriving.

"Time to play host."I sighed but made no move to get out of James' embrace.

"I'm here."James whispered comfortingly kissing my temple.

We stood in our bubble for a few more minutes before it was popped by Ruth calling out to us.

"I love you."I said to James turning around in his arms to kiss him.

"I love you too."He replied.

Ruth called us again and we had no option but to break away and join her in the kitchen. She was feeding our kids and hers some snacks so James, Mark and I were left with the task of welcoming the guests.

They had arrived in two helicopters, one being piloted by Isaac and the other one by one of Marini's pilots. Marini, Isaac and their two kids Abigail who was nine and Nikolai six arrived in the same helicopter as Jeremy and his wife Isabel. They had a two year old boy Keith and were expecting a baby girl in a few months.

Amani and her husband Lee-Kim had arrived in the other helicopter with their two kids, Ari the first born girl who was four years old and one year old Ji-won. Yeah you guessed right Amani, had married her Korean celebrity crush. They had their own complicated love story but Amani had never been happier and that's all that mattered to me. Looks like the Kiarie sisters had taste for foreign and exotic men but at least I had stayed local. My man was African, tall, dark and handsome, exactly to my taste.

"Autie Lulu!"Different tiny voices yelled at once and before I could brace myself I was tackled to the ground by numerous tiny bodies.

At the rate we were reproducing, we'd need to open our own private school specifically for our children. With all the money floating around, we could definitely afford it.

James helped me to my feet and all my nieces and nephews got a hug and a kiss on the forehead before I sent them into the house to get some refreshments.

"Lee-Kim is that you? Oh my God babe, it's that famous Korean celebrity?"I exclaimed excitedly waving like a crazy fan.

Lee-Kim laughed while Amani just rolled her eyes at me.

"You know my sister has a huge crush on you. Can I get an autograph please? Make it out to her."I added.

"Where would you like it?"Lee asked pulling out a sharpie from his jacket.

"Right here."I grinned pointing at my collar bone tilting my head to give him space.

Lee-Kim moved closer to continue with the joke but I was immediately jerked away by James.

"Hands off my wife Lee."James growled.

"Sorry."Lee-Kim mumbled stepping away from me.

After the moment was over we all laughed it off and shared a hug. The first time I'd seen Lee-Kim our interaction had been somewhat similar so anytime we saw each other we always recreated the first moment we met.

"Welcome back to the Savannah guys food and drinks are this way."I invited everyone as soon as we were done sharing lots of hugs.

We couldn't fit everyone inside the house so we had transformed our backyard into a picnic buffet. Our family loved to eat so there was enough food and drinks for everyone to eat to their fill and enjoy.

"So Isaac last time you were here, you showed interest in learning more about our animal sanctuary. You donated a good amount to keep it running so I invited a few of my furry cat friends to say thank you."I said as we all walked towards the back yard.

He froze when he caught onto what I meant. Isaac was a big and strong veteran but he couldn't get over his fear of lions and it was always hilarious teasing him about it.

"I'll just stay in the chopper."He choked out looking around with fear in his eyes.

"She's just messing with you."James told him when he saw real panic in Isaac's eyes.

Isaac signed in relief, scowled at me for messing with his head before walking away in a huff.

"I love the small sister, big brother relationship that you two have but one day he will shoot you and I won't stop him."Marini declared.

"Yes you will because you love me more than you love him."I retorted.

"I didn't want kids yet I gave him two so that should tell you who I love more."Marini grinned walking away from me to join her husband.

She was just pretending. She loved me more than him. Right?

"So chubby how was Seoul? Anytime you visited you always came back with a boyfriend, married or with a kid. Is there another bun in the oven already?"I teased Amani.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"Amani retorted grinning at me.

She hadn't denied my comment but she hadn't rejected it either. So it was either baby or no baby? Well whatever it was, I was happy for her and Lee-Kim, they were great parents and if they wanted another child then they could definitely make it work.

"Food!"Amani cheered happily when she saw all the food we had prepared in anticipation of their arrival.

We all waited for the kids to come out of the house before settling down together in the backyard for a day of food, games, family and Christmas.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?"I asked James when I felt his eyes on me for the umpteenth time.

"Is there something wrong with admiring my wife?"He teased.

"Well no, look all you want but your gaze has a message to it."I replied.

"Yes it does and its that I'm the luckiest man alive to call you my wife and mother of my children. When you came here eleven years ago, you changed everyone's life but especially mine. I love you wife."He confessed.

"I love you too husband."I replied holding Noah who was napping in arms closer so I could lean in to kiss James.

I was the lucky one to have such an amazing husband and the cutest most adorable kids.

As I looked at everyone in the backyard I counted each and every single one of them as my blessing. Our family had grown so much over the last ten years. My sisters and I probably never imagined ourselves getting married, having kids or family picnics, except Amani who had always been a romantic at heart but yet here we were. We were blessed and I thanked God everyday for each one of my family members either through marriage or friendship.

THE END ❤🤧🥺

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Yes and that's the end of it my beautiful and patient readers. Thank you for sticking it out with me through all the writers blocks on this book. You truly are angels sent from above. I love you all so much. See you in the next one. 

I have no idea when I will write Amani's story but I will because the series is a trilogy of the three sisters. There's already hints in this chapter of their relationship but I'm not saying anything more about them. You guys will just have to be patient and wait for me to write the book. It will be titled "His Melanin Queen" so keep an eye out for it.