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Story: The Love of Priest 2

Brea smacked her lips. "Of course she will. You're her daughter," she assured her as she waved off Britain’s concerns.

Brea was so quick to act as though their mother was an easy pill to swallow simply because she never really bumped heads with Brea as much as she bumped heads with Britain. It was almost as if Seven trusted Brea to make decisions with her own life while with Britain, she wanted to micromanage everything.

The doors of the banquet hall were opened, causing Brixton to wedge between his two sisters, offering both of them his arms so he could accompany them inside. They were ushered to a table in the front where Seven and Henderson were already seated. Upon spotting their children, Seven and Henderson jolted up from their seats with wide smiles plastering their faces. "I'm so happy for you, Pops." Britain wrapped her arms around her father, praising him.

"Thank you, Princess, and thank you for coming as well," he expressed his gratitude as they parted from the hug.

Britain nodded her head as she shifted her attention over to Seven. A light smile was shared between the two before Seven made her way over with her arms open for an embrace. Britain was slightly shocked that her mother made the effort, but nonetheless, she fell right into the embrace. "Thank you for coming, Mocha. I really appreciate it," Seven said to Britain.

"You're welcome, Ma. I wouldn't have missed it," Britain reassured her.

Eventually, they were all seated at the table together. Truth be told, Britain hated these events. They just made her stick out like a sore thumb. She knew her family didn't necessarily shameher for her career choice and for not choosing medicine like they all did, but it did make her feel a little left out.

The event began, and Britain managed to space out for the majority of it. Her mind lingered off to Priest, bringing a light smile on her face. Priest wanted her back in Italy as soon as possible, yet she didn't seem to be in a rush to go back home at all. At least that was how it seemed to him. Every time he would ask when he should be expecting her, she would give him the run around and dismiss the conversation. Priest's patience was running thin, but it wasn't in his character to demand for her to come back to Italy.

Britain knew he was over her being dismissive about returning to Italy. As the days went on, the phone calls grew shorter, and the texts came in a lot later. She was now ready to return to Italy, and it was on her own timing. Her return would be a complete surprise to Priest since she had yet to tell him anything.

Truth be told, she was wishing that this night could go a lot quicker so she could make her way to the ramp and get on the jet that was awaiting her. She was seeing herself off, and even though Jazzlyn offered to meet her at the ramp to see her off, Britain assured her it wasn't necessary. They shared a lengthy goodbye when Britain was leaving for her parents’ event, and she planned on heading straight to the jet afterward.

She didn't have plans of returning to the city for a while. Holding herself accountable, she could admit that she jumped the gun by packing her bags and running back home as soon as she and Priest had a disagreement. She was driven by anger and confusion when she decided to leave Italy hastily. However, Britain also had to admit that even though she was faced with worse upon her return to the city, it brought some perspective into her life. She got to analyze things and situations differently. She had finally washed her hands clean of any resentment shehad lingering within her for Cameron, and she also expressed how she felt to her mother. She never had intentions of this return to the city being a mission to tie up any loose ends, but she was glad she got to clean up some of the mess she left behind when she left alongside Priest just a few months before.

Britain was dragged out of her thoughts when she felt someone cup her hand into theirs. Looking down, she noticed Seven's wedding ring, giving her clear indication that it was her mother. Diverting her attention to her mother, Britain eyed her as she kept her attention fixed on the presenter on stage. Seven had placed her hand over Britain's just for a sense of comfort. She knew how uncomfortable Britain could get at these events. Britain let out a short sigh before a light smile canvassed her face. After a few moments, she lightly rested her head on her mother's shoulder, resulting in Seven kissing the top of her head.

Eventually, Seven and Henderson were both called to the stage to accept their awards. Like always, the siblings gave the loudest cheers as if they were at a neighborhood basketball game. Henderson, who wasn’t much of a talker, let Seven do most of the talking, allowing her to thank her colleagues and, most importantly, her family.

Once every award was accepted, the event came to an end. Britain was relieved that it didn't drag into another hour because she was anxious to get on the jet back to Italy. As they were exiting the banquet hall of the luxurious hotel, Britain felt someone link their arm with hers. Glancing to the left of her, she noticed that it was her mother again. "Congrats, Ma," Britain said as she smiled lightly at Seven.

"Thank you, Mocha," Seven expressed her gratitude. "Brea says you're leaving tonight.”

Britain nodded her head. "Yeah, I'm heading straight to my flight. Hoping to get to my fiancé by the morning in Italy.”

They walked toward the exit in a comfortable silence, reaching the front of the hotel where everyone was waiting for the valet to bring around their vehicles. Britain noticed Cyro leaning against his SUV awaiting her not too far away. With a light sigh, she slipped her arm from her mother’s. "I have to go," Britain told her.

Seven nodded her head in understanding. Britain turned to her father and siblings, offering them goodbyes. "I have to get to my flight. I'm so proud of you, Pops. It was nice seeing you," she said as she hugged her stepfather.

Henderson applied a light kiss on the top of Britain's head. "It was good to see you, princess. Safe travels and call me or Mom when you land," he told her as they parted from the hug.

She nodded her head, assuring that she would call when she landed safely in Italy. She went ahead and offered her siblings a goodbye as well. "I had so much fun hanging out with you," Brea said as she and Britain swayed side to side in their embrace. "Go home to your man and be happy, Brit. I'm serious," she encouraged her.

"I will," Britain laughed.

Turning to Brixton, she gave him a hug as well. "You flying on that private jet again or he got you flying commercial this time?" he whispered, being nosey like usual.

Britain burst into laughter as she playfully hit her brother. "You're so annoying," she grumbled as she rolled her eyes. "And I'm flying private," she enlightened him.

"I'm just being nosy, but have a safe flight, Mocha." He sat a kiss on the top of her head, finalizing his goodbye to her.

Britain began her walk toward Cyro, stopping once more to wave goodbye to her family and let them know she loved them. Once she was close to the SUV, her name was called, causing her to come to halt. Looking over her shoulder, she realized it washer mother calling for her attention. Seven made her way over with a nervous look etched on her face.

"What's the matter?" Britain asked with her brow raised.

"I would love to see you off… only if you don't mind, of course," Seven offered, causing a shocked look to canvas Britain's face.

Britain was definitely surprised by her mother's efforts. She was expecting her mother to continue to be cold and unreasonable. It was almost like Seven was actually seeing where she went wrong and was taking full accountability. "Ma, it's not necessary," she assured her. She was skeptical about taking her mother up on the offer.

"No really. I insist," Seven pressed. "I didn't get to see you off the first time, and I really regret that.”

Britain took a brief moment to think it over. Of course, Seven seeing her off wouldn't fix all their issues, but it was definitely a start, and she couldn't see herself preventing her mother from making the effort. Without any further thought, she nodded her head. "Okay, let's go. Cyro will bring you back," Britain assured her while glancing at Cyro for confirmation.