“Babe…” She’s squealing again.
“Quanie, babe, you can’t keep squealing.”
“But we’re twinsies. And you look so cute. Let me see you shake your tail.”
"Quanesha, I'm not shaking my tail. You already have me dressed as a reindeer."
It's not as bad as I'm making it seem. The jumpsuit is actually comfortable with the fleece inside.
“This is the best gift. I’m going to sleep like a baby on the flight.”
“All right. Then let’s go. I have to meet with Merrilyn, so I want to get back early.”
She gathers her luggage and does a sweep of the room. “We’re all clear and ready. We need to get her a gift.”
“I am.”
Merrilyn sent the vacation package last night. She added every possible feature, and I'll pay for it all. But it doesn't stop me from being nervous about Quanesha's response.
I hope she loves my gift and doesn’t feel as if I’ve invaded her privacy.
We board the plane and settle in. She pulls out her laptop to write, and I'm lost in my thoughts about the details for today. Travel, food, timing. It's the details that make moments memorable.
“Stop worrying. You have an excellent team,” Quanesha says.
“How do you know?”
“We didn’t see the place on the news.” She winks and goes back to writing.
I watch her with her Rudolph hood and matching slippers. Yes, she’s wearing the slippers too. She's mumbling while she writes, talking to herself, and laughing. And every once in a while, she calls out, "Babe, listen to this part."
I listen and respond, but the closer we get to my house, the more nervous I get.
“What’s wrong, Carson? You’re sweating bullets. Are the pajamas too hot?”
“No, I’m fine. Just got a lot on my mind.”
“Is it all hitting you?” Quanesha closes her laptop, pushes her hood back, taking hold of my hands. “If this is too soon, we can talk about it.”
“What?”
“Me, moving in, us?”
"Stop, Quanesha." I kiss her and try to pretend this is an everyday occurrence. Reminding myself that this is how I'm telling her thank you. I glance over, and she's watching me. "Does loving me still scare you?"
She shakes her head. "No. There have been too many signs that point to us being together."
“Like what?” I pat the seat beside me.
Quanesha has a way of telling stories. It’s not her words, but the cadence of her delivery and her soothing tone.
"No, you come over here and lay down." She's sitting on the bench-style chair along the length of the plane.
I walk over and lay as instructed.
“Put your head in my lap,” she commands, and I grin. “You’re a freaky little something.”
She lowers my head until it rests on her thighs. I turn on my side, wrapping an arm around her. I wait, concentrating on the feel of her fingers combing through my hair, massaging my scalp.
“That feels amazing.”
“Then relax, I got you.”
Her words mean more than I can express. To know this woman—that's willing to banter with God on behalf of her best friend—is the woman He gave to me makes me feel lucky, special, blessed.
What if I didn’t stand in the hallway?
What if she didn’t accept that dare?
What if… I inhale the scent of her and focus on her words.
“Close your eyes, Carson.”
And I relax, knowing this woman would do anything for me. It’s not an opinion but a fact, and I’d do the same for her. With that, I close my eyes, ready to see the joy in her eyes when I unveil my surprise.
We land, and my phone is hot. Text messages and phone calls.
“Do you need to get that?” Quanesha asks.
"No, I'm spending time with you. I'll return to work tomorrow and catch up with everyone then." I turn off my ringer, and we ride.
I keep her busy talking about the progress of the current script when she notices the change in the surroundings.
“Where are we going?”
I hold her hand. “To our home. I don’t live in the penthouse full time. I think it’s time you see the house. We’ll stay here tonight and head into the city tomorrow.”
She nods, but her eyes remain glued on the mansions lining the streets.
The SUV slows to a stop outside the privacy gates. Quanesha holds my hand so tight I chuckle.
“You all right?”
“Please tell me that’s another hotel.”
“It’s not.”
“That’s your house?”
"It is. It was our family home, and after my father passed, I bought it from Mother. Then I took three years renovating it to make it my own. I think you'll like it."
I instructed Deacon to drive slowly up to the house, and from what I see, I owe Merrilyn a tip. Christmas lights cover the house, and glowing snowmen and snowwomen line the double-car driveway. She even found a sled with reindeer, and inside is a Black Santa Claus like the one I saw in Quanesha's house.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper.
Quanesha folds over, covering her face. Her shoulders shake, and I know my lady is crying.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight. "Come on, baby, there's more."
She shakes her head, burying her face in my fluffy chest. I open the door.
“I can carry you.”
“No.” She sits up, drying her face on her sleeves.
We walk up the driveway. She stops near every figure, inspects every light and ornament.
“Do you always decorate so beautifully?” The joy in her eyes is contagious.
“No, it’s the first time.”
She stops. “Carson, please don’t tell me…”
"It's for you. I owe you Christmas Day. So, today, in our home, it's Christmas."
“Why are you so sweet?” she asks.
"Because I love you, and I want to welcome you home." I open the door, and she walks inside.
“Merry Christmas!” Fills the air.
Quanesha freezes. “Mamma. Daddy. Jon-Jon. What?" She spins to me, she circles back. Then she runs to her mother.
I exhale relieved. Everyone receives gift bags with Christmas pajamas and fuzzy socks. We party with both families under one roof, all decked out in matching PJs.
I helped her parents fly in and her cousin, in Houston, covered a skeleton crew at the restaurant. My family flew back from Aspen early to spend Christmas with us. But the final surprise is in the formal living room.
Quanesha is speechless.
“Is Quanesha Rachelle Montgomery silent?” Jon-Jon teases.
I walk up behind her and place my hands on her shoulders.
“Is this more of your billionaire shit?” And as if in awe, she whispers, “How’d you do it?”
“Merrilyn used the pictures and video I took. Then we hired a special crew to transport your living with your decorations. I hope you don’t mind.”
“This is why you were so nervous,” she turns around.
“Yes. Do you like it? Does it feel like Christmas?”
Her kiss is all the answer I need. The others clap like we're giving a show, and once Daiya and Pierce pop in, we really party.