EPILOGUE
SYNDER
Christmas Eve…
I was still wrapping gifts and had too many more to go.
So, when my phone rang, I didn’t even reach for it.
Sienna had the music blasting, and she and Whims were singing and carrying on all through the house.
Sienna had started cooking Christmas dinner, so it smelled like a restaurant inside the mansion.
From gingerbread to collard greens, my baby was throwing down.
We were dressed in matching pajamas and everything.
Despite the confusion of a couple of nights ago and the uncertainty of the coming days, I held a smile on my face.
This was what it meant to have family; to have my own nest of people who genuinely cared about me and loved me unconditionally. I loved them the same. My phone rang again, and this time Sienna answered it.
“Hello?” There was a minute of silence before Sienna mumbled, “Mm, hm. Yes, I do. Okay, sure. Here, Baby.” Sienna handed me the phone. “It’s your sister.”
She twirled off and went right back to singing, causing me to chuckle. I hadn’t talked to Yakira since the other night, and I hoped she wasn’t calling to fuck up my mood.
“‘Sup?” I answered.
“Syn, I know you probably hate me, but I’m sorry, okay.
Seriously, this time. I thought about everything Sienna said to me last night, and she was right about everything.
As your sister, I have to do better. I can’t speak for Mama and Daddy, but I can speak for myself.
I want us to have a better relationship.
I promise to do my part to ensure our kids don’t grow up being alienated from each other the way we are with the rest of our family. ”
Shit, a nigga could’ve broken down. “First, I don’t hate you.
It’s a brother’s job to protect his blood.
I could’ve handled it differently, then again, I know I handled it the right way.
It’s up to you to put Que behind you. I’ll miss a game and a hefty check, but I’m done lettin’ that nigga take another thing from me. Especially you, aight?”
“Okay,” she replied. “So… If it’s okay with you, the boys and I would like to spend Christmas with you, Sienna, and Whims. Is that okay?”
Smiling, I responded, “That’s cool, Baby.”
I heard the joy in her tone when she said, “Okay! We’ll see you tomorrow. And we won’t come empty-handed.” We both chuckled.
“Love you, aight?” I stated.
“I love you, too, Syn.”
That was the first time in a long time my sister and I exchanged those three words. It felt like a long time coming.
A few hours later, I stood in my office, flipping through the playbook to see if there was anything I’d missed in my pursuit of Sienna—there was only one thing left on the list. I told myself that I’d propose the minute she allowed me to.
There was no time like the present, though.
It was full-court press, and I wasn’t taking a loss for shit.
SIENNA
“Merry Christmas!” I sang to Domino.
“Merry Christmas, Cuzzo. I thought we agreed you weren’t gon’ fall in love with this nigga.”
Bursting out laughing, I replied, “Well, you know how I feel about the holidays. Plus, who doesn’t want to fall in love during the holidays?”
He grumbled. “At least you semi off the market now. By the way, the boutique hasn’t heard a peep from ol’ girl or anyone else for that matter. People are starting to move on from you and Syn being a couple.”
“Finally,” I stated with a giggle. As long as Courtland held up her end of the deal, all was well. All the other people could talk whatever mess they wanted to talk.
"Speaking of the boutique. Do you plan to close this location?" he questioned.
"Absolutely, not. I'll open another location here." Expanding sounded fabulous!
He chuckled. "Does that mean I'ma be workin' for you full-time now?"
"Well…"
"Damn, Cuzzo," he griped.
I laughed. “Kiss Kevonna’s cheek for me and you guys enjoy your Christmas. My man has to be at the arena in a few hours, so I’m going to enjoy him while I can.”
“Aight. Talk to you later,” Domino replied.
“Later!” Hanging up, I joined everyone in the dining room.
The day I decorated Synder’s dining room, I daydreamed about it being filled with his family.
Little did I know, Christmas would bring so many surprises.
From my mom, my dad, and Ellie showing up, to Yakira and her boys showing up, everything just fell into place.
Legend, Ginger, and their children stopped by for a while.
Synder’s broad smile and joyful mood hit me in my chest. I had a special surprise for him, and it was all due to my cousins, Dayton and Baltimore, stepping in on Synder’s behalf.
Que agreed to drop the charges against Synder and was quietly threatened to stay away from Synder and Yakira.
From now on, my family would be on his ass if he tried anything.
I was sure they put pure fear inside Que, and I wasn’t mad about it.
With everyone gathered together, I couldn’t wait to give him the greatest gift that I’d given him all season. This was much bigger than the ornaments, and the six-figure watch, and other items he’d unwrapped today. This was something close to his heart.
Gaining everyone’s attention, I said, “I have one more gift for you, Synder.”
“You pregnant?” Ellie blasted, causing the dining room to erupt in laughter. Synder looked about as hopeful as my mama, but I had to burst everyone’s bubble.
“No!” I retorted with a laugh. “This is my gift.”
Handing Synder my phone, I showed him the message from the Jets upper management and the league.
Getting them to allow me to make the announcement wasn’t too complicated.
It took my cousins finessing the hell out of them.
We were victorious, though, and I couldn’t wait to see the smile on my man’s face.
Synder’s eyes widened. “Wait. I’m playin’ in the game, today?”
Grinning, I nodded emphatically. “Even with all of us here, I knew not playing in that game today would leave a tinge of sadness in you. You know I can’t have that.”
For a minute, Synder said nothing, but the look in his eyes caused me to blush in front of all these people.
“Sienna Cooley,” he sexily drawled.
Next thing I knew, Synder was on one knee in front of me. He brandished a small box from his pocket, opened it, and presented me with the most radiant princess cut diamond ring that I’d ever seen. It was stunning!
“This holiday season wouldn’t have been nearly as eventful and exciting without you. I knew when I first saw you that I had to do everything in my power to secure you. You bring a rare light to me and Whims that we never want you to take away from us. Will you marry me?” Synder queried.
Here I thought I was surprising him. This was a surprise!
“Yes!” I declared. There was no doubt in my mind that this was the path I was supposed to take. Everyone was there to witness a new beginning for me and Synder. I knew the holidays were magical!
Hours later, while Whimsy and I sat courtside and watched our favorite man light up the court, news of our engagement hit the sports world.
My ring was blasted all over the blogs, and unfortunately, before the game was even over, Courtland was on the internet having a full-blown meltdown.
Now she would force my hand, and hell, I had to stay true to my word.
She would leave us alone one way or the other.
Later that evening, while Synder was showering, I prepared his clothes. As I pulled a T-shirt from the top drawer, a notebook sat underneath it. Curious, I opened it to the first page. Synder’s handwriting was distinctive.
“The Holiday Playbook,” I mumbled. Flipping to the first page, I burst out laughing.
This man really thought about kidnapping me. Closing the book, I didn’t need to see anymore. Synder had me in the bag. I wasn’t going anywhere.
This was the merriest Christmas that ever did merry for me. I would be smiling for a lifetime.
THE END.