Page 13

SERENITY

A s the city faded behind us, I could feel the shift. The roads grew wider, the houses larger, the air itself calmer.

By the time we pulled up to the massive, sprawling estate, everyone was stunned into silence as the grandeur of it all seemed to settle in.

"This is... a damn castle," Egypt whispered from the third row. I couldn’t help the smirk that appeared on my face as I glanced at Ari. This was pretty much everyone’s reaction to seeing this place.

We didn’t get to come here as often as we wanted to, but especially during my childhood when we needed a break from California and us kids wanted snow for Christmas, we’d travel here to celebrate with each other.

CJ handled our luggage, and as soon as we stepped inside, Juliette, our house manager, greeted us, hugging Ari, and I. It had been a long while since she’d seen us.

“The decorations,” I whispered, glancing around. The familiar scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and crisp autumn air wrapped around me like a childhood memory.

“Your grandmother had the staff set them up before your arrival,” Juliette smiled.

I felt a pang of warmth. Even from afar, my Nona was always thoughtful.

When we mentioned to her that we wanted to do Friendsgiving at the estate, she immediately agreed, they were already in California about to celebrate the holidays with our family back home.

I appreciated my grandparents so much for how much they had done for us.

They wanted us to live good lives and they sacrificed a lot to ensure it.

According to my Poppi, it was what family did for family, and I loved them for that.

“Okay let’s get settled in and we can go over plans before the boys get here.” Ari said as CJ helped the staff bring in our bags. “Juliette, can you show Averi and Egypt to where they will be sleeping?”

“Of course.” Juliette said looking at Averi and Egypt. “Follow me.”

As we made our way up the winding staircase, my cell phone buzzed. Taking it out of my purse, a smile spread across my face.

Creed: Can’t wait to see you later.

Me: Same. What time will y’all get here?

Creed: I think around 4 or 5. Bags already being thrown in the car so we can head out right after practice. It’s only about a thirty minute drive.

Me: Okay, I’ll see you later

“Why you smiling in that phone like that?” Arielle asked as we walked down the corridor that lead to our bedrooms.

I smiled, biting my bottom lip contemplating if I wanted to tell her. “Creed.”

“So, that’s a thing now?” she asked stopping in front of her bedroom with her arms crossed.

“Yes and no. I mean, at my party we talked a little and then some more after. We finally expressed our feelings for each other.”

“Finally is the right word. I swear, y’all were getting on my nerves. Stevie Wonder could see how much y’all liked each other, playing like y’all were just friends.”

“I know.” I shook my head.

“So, is it official?”

“No, he still has a girlfriend back home. We made it clear that we won’t be pursuing anything until that ends. But man it’s so hard. I ain’t had no dick since Iman and girl I am in need.”

Arielle laughed.

“Girl listen, I ain’t tryna shit on his relationship or nothing, but at the same time you gotta do what you gotta do. Get yours Tootie, you about to be in this house with that man down the hall from you for the entire weekend. If you need some condoms let me know, I packed a lot.”

“You are such a slut.”

“For my man, abso-fuckin-lutely. Speaking of, let me go send him some nudes and then take a nap to get ready for him tonight.”

“Ari, that’s nasty.” I scrunched my nose before turning to walk further down the hall where my bedroom was located. She, Sevyn and my bedrooms were along the same hallway.

Once I got in my bedroom, I saw the staff had already brought my luggage up.

I went to unpack, taking my toiletries into my ensuite bathroom.

Once I was done with that, I unpacked my clothes, all warm anticipating the crisp November air including a warm coat with a hat and gloves.

I was delusional, thinking that we’d have snow.

After getting unpacked, I met went down to the guest wing, stopping by Averi’s room where she and Egypt were sitting around talking.

“Hey, y’all all settled?”

They looked at me wide eyed. Egypt was the first to talk. “Serenity, this place is beautiful.”

“Beautiful is an understatement. How is it this big? I mean, I feel like this is just a small corner of it.”

I chuckled sitting down on the edge of the bed. “My grandparents purchased this house before I was even born. They wanted a big family, but it turns out all they could have were my dad and uncle. Still, they kept the house in hopes that our family would grow. It’s unnecessarily big honestly.”

“So, when should I propose to your brother? I need in on this family.” Egypt joked and I shook my head.

Egypt spent the entire party glued to Sevyn’s hip. It was comical to see, I knew for a fact Sevyn was never going to go for it. He didn’t date women younger than him and their six year age difference was a problem.

“You don’t want Sevy. I love my brother but he’s a bit of a whore and he has commitment issues. Plus, I like having you as a friend, I don’t want you deciding you don’t want nothing to do with any of us because of him fucking up.”

“If he’s a whore I’ll gladly be his little slut. Have you seen your brother. I love a tall, fine chocolate man.”

“Averi, please help me.”

“Give it up Egypt.” Averi laughed. “Anyway, what’s the plan for tonight?”

“Movie night in the theater room, I think we’re just ordering pizzas for dinner. Tomorrow, the staff will cook breakfast for us and then we will be cooking dinner.”

“Do you know how to cook friend? I know I can throw down and cook a good southern meal but?—”

“I can cook bitch, shut up. My Nona is from New Orleans. Just because she’s a rich housewife doesn’t mean she don’t know how to throw down.”

“Okay Richie Rich, calm down. Show me the kitchen so I can make sure I have everything I need to make my dishes.”

We made our way out of the bedroom, bumping into Arielle on the way. We walked back down the winding staircase, through the formal living and dining rooms, all the way through to the kitchen.

“Jesus.” I heard Averi whisper causing a proud smirk to grace my face.

The kitchen in my grandparents’ estate was nothing short of a masterpiece—a space so grand it made most professional kitchens look basic.

It was the heart of the house, sprawling and open, designed for entertaining on a scale most people couldn’t even imagine.

Massive double islands stretched across the center, their polished white marble countertops veined with gold and gray, gleaming under the glow of ornate glass pendant lights.

The cabinetry was custom, rich espresso wood with gold-accented handles, stretching from floor to ceiling, hiding enough storage to feed an army.

A separate, temperature-controlled walk-in pantry housed imported ingredients, stocked like a luxury grocery store.

Two Sub-Zero refrigerators sat side by side, their sleek glass doors reflecting the recessed lighting overhead.

In the middle of it all stood a commercial-grade Wolf range, large enough to handle an entire Thanksgiving feast, topped with a custom Jerusalem limestone hood that matched the rest of the estate.

The space flowed seamlessly into a casual breakfast nook, where plush upholstered seating wrapped around a handcrafted oak table, perfect for morning coffee or late-night talks.

Beyond that, floor-to-ceiling French doors opened onto the back terrace, leading to the outdoor dining area and offering a panoramic view of the sprawling pastures beyond.

Even with all its luxurious details, it wasn’t just a showpiece—it was lived in, warm, full of memories.

Some of my best moments had happened in this kitchen, sneaking bites of fresh pastries from our chef, talking late into the night with my grandfather over mugs of tea, or sitting at the counter while my dad made me pancakes.

It was more than just a kitchen—it was home.

“Okay, I can work with this.” Egypt said looking around the space causing us to laugh.

“What’s on the menu, please tell me mac and cheese is; I don’t know how y’all do y’all boujee Thanksgivings but mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, ham, turkey, potato salad, fried cabbage, dressing and cranberry sauce are some of the necessities for mine. ”

“What do you take us for? We’re a black family, regardless of how much money we have; we ain’t too boujee to eat a good soulful Thanksgiving meal.

” Arielle shook her head. “All of that is on our menu. Plus, I’m making banana pudding, a pound cake and a sweet potato pie.

Serenity usually helps Nona with the turkey and dressing so she can do that, you can do the mac and cheese, and collards and Averi can do the yams and potato salad.

We already sent Juliette shopping so everything we need is in here.

I say we at least start prepping before the boys get here. ”

“That’s cool with me.” Averi said going over to the sink to wash her hands. “What we eating for dinner tonight?”

“Pizza and wings.” Ari replied stepping up to wash her hands as well. “Juliette will get it ordered for us around 5 ish. Did Tootie tell y’all we’re having movie night in the theater room?”

“I told them.” I stepped up and washed my hands as well. “Let’s start prep.”

By 5 o’clock, the boys had arrived, and we had Juliette meet them in the foyer while we continued to prep for tomorrow’s dinner.

There was no need in us greeting them, they needed to get settled in their rooms anyway and since they were coming after practice, I was sure they needed a shower as well.

Still, I was anxious, checking the location of the stairs several times waiting, to lay eyes on him.

Slow and easy.