Chapter 20 Chanel
Chanel
“I’m actually looking forward to Christmas for a change,” Jada said, coming into the living room with her coat and purse.
Chanel placed the wrapped gifts into a large shopping bag. “So am I. I hope these gifts are okay,” she said, more to herself
than to her sister. Because she didn’t know the family well, she’d purchased picnic backpacks for each couple that included
plates, napkins, utensils, and other things for the perfect romantic picnic for two. All they’d have to do was add the food.
“Oh, girl, I’m sure they weren’t expecting you to get anything, so it’ll be fine. What time did Vincent say he was coming
to pick us up?”
“I hope so, and he said around one.”
“Okay. That gives us another fifteen minutes or so for you to give me the scoop on the family. I know you mentioned them being
cool, but is there anything I should be prepared for? Like, is his mother one of those people who has to have everything perfectly
done, or do any of the brothers seem stiff and unapproachable? I don’t want to go up in there and say or do the wrong thing
on a first visit.”
She chuckled. Her sister was one of a kind. “No. They’re all pretty laid-back.”
Jada shrugged. “I can’t wait.”
Chanel stood as the doorbell rang. She left the living room and opened the door, and before she could get a greeting out,
Vincent pulled her into his arms and crushed his mouth against hers in an explosive kiss that nearly melted her to the floor.
“Hey, beautiful. I couldn’t wait to see you today just so I could kiss you.”
Still trying to clear the haze around her brain, she said, “Hello to you too. That was some greeting.” Truthfully, if he wanted
to greet her like this every time, she wouldn’t have a problem with it. At. All.
Vincent smiled. “I can’t help myself when it comes to you. Are you and Jada ready?”
“Yep. Come on back. I need to get my purse and coat. Oh, and I got something for all the couples,” she added.
“You weren’t supposed to buy anything, baby.”
“Although my home life was crap, I know you shouldn’t go to someone’s house empty-handed, especially on Christmas. I would’ve
offered to cook something, but your mom and Kamryn rule the kitchen, so I’ll just wait until I learn a few more things.”
He burst out laughing. “I can’t argue with that because they can both throw down. Hey, Jada,” he said as he entered the living
room.
“Hey, Vincent. What are y’all laughing about?”
Chanel put on her coat. “I was telling him about the gifts and that I thought about cooking, but I changed my mind because
his mother and sister-in-law are such amazing cooks.”
Jada waved her off. “Oh, girl. You can cook too.”
“I’ve told her the same thing,” Vincent said as the trio left.
“Yeah, but not like them. You’ll see. I’m going to have Kamryn teach me a few of her recipes.”
Jada rubbed her hands together and grinned. “I can’t wait.”
They made the drive over to his parents’ house while talking about their favorite holiday dishes, singing along to the Christmas
music playing, and laughing at Vincent’s childhood stories about his brothers.
When they arrived and started up the walk, Jada whispered, “This house is so freaking big.”
Chanel smiled. She’d had the same reaction on her first visit. “Wait until you see the inside and backyard. It is amazing.”
While the Bradleys had done well and enjoyed a wealth of material things, it was their love for one another that had made
her wish things had been different for her and Jada as they were growing up. She didn’t begrudge the luxury Vincent obviously
was used to, but it would’ve been nice not to have to struggle so much whenever her parents decided not to work.
Vincent opened the door, then stood back for them to enter first. The delicious aromas coming from the kitchen hit Chanel’s
nose the moment she stepped over the threshold. “Whatever they’re cooking smells so good.”
Vincent shrugged out of his jacket. “If you give me your coats, I’ll hang them in the closet here.”
She and Jada handed them over, then they all went to the kitchen.
“Merry Christmas, fam,” Vincent said, moving around the bar to hug his mother and Kamryn.
“Merry Christmas,” the women chorused.
Mama Yvonne came over to hug Chanel. “I’m so glad you could join us today.”
“Thank you for inviting us. This is my sister, Jada.”
“Welcome, Jada,” she said warmly as she engulfed Jada in a hug.
“Thank you.”
Chanel glanced at her sister and, seeing the emotion in her expression, discreetly rubbed her back. She understood. This kind
of affection was new for them. “Do you all need any help?”
“We pretty much have everything under control, but if you could set these appetizers on the table I have set up in the family
room, I’d appreciate it. We’re just waiting for Shawn and Giselle to get here.”
“Of course. Let me go wash my hands and I’ll be back.”
“I’ll help,” Jada said, following Chanel down the hall. Once there, she said, “Oh my goodness, the way that woman hugged me . . .”
She shook her head.
“Yeah, I know. It was everything I never knew I needed.” As Chanel washed her hands, she recalled the strong hug from Mama
Yvonne on her first visit. It had been filled with so much love, it brought tears to her eyes. Just as it had done with Jada
a few minutes ago.
“I don’t think Mom has ever hugged us like that, and if she did, I don’t remember it. Honestly, I really wasn’t ready to let
go, and I agree. It was everything.” Jada dried her hands. “I’m tempted to go ask for another.”
They shared a smile and burst out laughing. “Girl, for real. Since it’s Christmas, we might get away with it,” Chanel added.
They’d gone over to see their mother earlier to take a gift and some food, because they knew that she more than likely wouldn’t
bother to cook. She’d barely acknowledged them and had been disappointed about receiving gift cards instead of cash. However,
Chanel and Jada knew that if they had given her money, she would’ve used it for more alcohol. Shaking off the negative thoughts,
they started back to the kitchen.
Mama Yvonne glanced up from her task and smiled.
“Okay, the appetizers are in those three foil pans and ready to go. They should still be warm since I took them out of the oven right before you arrived.” She pointed to everything on the bar.
“The deviled eggs, charcuterie board, and shrimp cocktail ingredients are in the refrigerator. There are gloves in the box at the end of the counter, and the tongs for the platters should be somewhere on the bar.”
“I see them,” Jada said, grabbing a pair of gloves, then handing another set to Chanel. She went to gather everything from
the refrigerator.
Chanel peeled back the foil on the first pan and the aroma from the seared lamb rib chops made her stomach growl. She quickly
did the same with the other two pans and found crab-stuffed mushrooms and barbecue meatballs. “Um . . . Mama Yvonne, with all this and the cold appetizers, nobody’s going to have room for dinner.”
“Speak for yourself,” Vincent said, coming into the kitchen and snagging a meatball.
“Hey!” Chanel playfully swatted his hand away.
He merely laughed, then gave her a quick kiss before rushing out of the room. “Tastes great, Mom,” he called over his shoulder.
Mama Yvonne shook her head and smiled.
Kamryn chuckled as she prepared the mac and cheese. “At least he’s consistent. You know what? We need some music,” she added.
“Oh yes. I forgot all about that.” Mama Yvonne washed and dried her hands. “Be right back. I made a playlist last night.”
She was gone and back in a flash with her phone and portable speaker. A minute later, the first notes of Luther Vandross’s
version of “My Favorite Things” blared throughout the kitchen.
“Now, that’s what I’m talking about.” Kamryn snapped her fingers and did a little dance move.
Chanel had the time of her life in the kitchen with the two women and her sister. They laughed, sang, and danced while getting
the meal ready. Chanel put aside a small tray with all the appetizers before taking the rest to the guys. As soon as she and
Jada set the platters on the table set up on one side of the family room, the men were on their feet and across the space.
“Oh man, this looks so good,” Tariq said. “I’ve been waiting for these lamb chops.”
“Well, let me get mine before you boys start,” Papa Aaron said. “Otherwise, there won’t be anything left. By the way, where
are Shawn and Giselle? I thought they’d be here by now.”
Vincent popped another meatball into his mouth, then said, “Last night he mentioned something about stopping by Giselle’s
mother’s house to drop off gifts for the nieces and nephews.” He set his plate down, took out his phone, and typed for a few
seconds. Before he could put it back into his pocket, it chimed in his hand. He read, then laughed. “Shawn said there had
better still be some snacks left when he gets here. They’re on the way and should be pulling up in a minute.”
“Then he’d better make it a quick minute,” Tariq said, filling his plate.
Chanel smiled. “I’m glad I put some food aside for us.”
Tariq toasted her with a chop. “Smart move.” He turned to Jada. “So, Jada, do you work with Chanel and Vince at the imaging
center?”
“Oh nooo,” Jada answered with her face scrunched up as if she’d smelled something bad. “I’m cool on looking at somebody’s insides.
My degree is in criminal justice and I’m working as a paralegal. I haven’t decided whether to go to law school or not.”
“Working at a law firm will certainly help you decide,” Papa Aaron said with a smile.
“I hope so.” She gestured toward the kitchen. “I’m going to see if Mrs. Bradley needs anything.”
“I know there had better still be some snacks on that table, Tariq and Vince.”
Everyone turned at the sound of Shawn’s voice, and Vincent said, “You snooze, you lose, big brother. You’re just lucky you
got here when you did.” He held up a lamb chop and took all of the meat off the bone in one bite.
Shawn rushed over to the table and grabbed a plate. “Man, don’t play.”