Friends First, Benefits Second

by Schweetpea1870

They've been best friends for years. Nothing more, nothing less. After one drunken night, they slip into new territory with each other. Admittedly, they have a great thing together. Determined not to ruin their friendship, they decide to give a FWB relationship a chance. They know the mistakes the movies have made. They can handle it without developing feelings. How hard can it be?

28. All I Asked For

Still in shock… life really is too short man.

Rest in peace to the legendary icon: John Witherspoon, AKA our Granddad.

Your comedy is unmatched. Your voice is irreplaceable. Your spirit and memory live on in our hearts.

"You win some, you lose some. But you live to fight another day."

~John Witherspoon (1942 – 2019)

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Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Aaron McGruder's The Boondocks or any of his characters.

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"That's not Santa! It's an impostor! Beware the False Santa!"

~Jazmine Dubois; A Huey Freeman Christmas

---

Jazmine's POV

"Can I get a Christmapolitan for her and a Santa's Magic Old-Fashioned for me, but warm?"

"And can you go light on the cosmo, please?" Jazmine asked.

"But feel free to add an extra shot of Jack—I mean magic to mine." Cindy corrected as the waitress chuckled, jotting down their drink orders.

"You got it." She grinned towards them both. "I'll give you girls a few minutes to look over the menu and be back with those drinks in a second."

"Thank you." They responded before she took off from their table, jingling the entire way in her elf costume.

"I love this place already." Jazmine giggled, taking another look around the room. When Cindy had told her about a local pop-up Christmas restaurant/bar coming near Woodcrest, she had been ecstatic. Little did she know, Cindy had already booked the two of them for brunch reservations as an early Christmas gift, which led to much squealing over the phone. She felt her insides screaming in excitement and awe the moment they walked in. It looked like Christmas had thrown up in the space with all of the lights, bright decorations, holiday music, and costumes that the staff adorned. It even smelled like Christmas with hints of peppermint, cinnamon, pine, and even an occasional whiff of freshly baked cookies in the air.

Considering Christmas was Jazmine's all-time favorite holiday, the restaurant easily became one of her favorite places on Earth after just five minutes. She was already dreading having to leave.

"It's aiight." Cindy smirked with a shrug. "So fill me in Mrs. Claus, what's been goin' on?"

Jazmine chuckled at that. She could admit, she had her Christmas glam lit in all its splendor for the occasion. Donning a white flare dress with a red Nordic pattern, complete with alternating lines of snowflakes, trees, and reindeer printed all the way down, she paired it with a set of black knee-high boots with a white fur trim. For a bit of extra flair, she had her hair pulled into a large bun, accented perfectly with a bright red bow.

"Ohhh no, Miss Elf. You can go first." She countered, causing Cindy to roll her eyes playfully. While her best friend seemed to have opted for a more subtle look, it was definitely on the sexier side. Cindy wore a green silk blouse with a plunging neckline at the waist tucked inside a black pair of trousers. Her hair was done in a sleek ponytail and she'd paired the outfit with a chunky pair of black ankle boots.

"It's been ages since the last time I've seen you, I've missed you so much!"

"Jazz, it's been exactly three weeks."

"STILL." She insisted with enthusiasm. "I need an update from you. What's been going on?"

Cindy paused for about a half-second too long. "Things have been pretty good for the most part. Nothing really new to report or anything."

Jazmine stared at her blankly, the Christmas buzz slightly dimming a bit. "That's all I get?"

"Girl, what all do you want?" She tried to joke in return.

"The real." Jazmine pressed. "What's really been going on? With you, with Landon, with Riley, everything."

Cindy gave her a slight look at hearing Riley's name included, but let out a resigned sigh. "Where do you want me to start?"

"With Landon obviously."

"Can we at least wait for our drinks? I think I see our waitress at the bar grabbing our order."

"You really need a drink to tell me about you and Landon?" Jazmine raised a brow.

"No, I just wanna drink." She responded with another shrug. Jazmine gave her a look, but let it go… for now. As soon as their drinks were brought to them and after they ordered the cranberry meatball appetizer to share, Jazmine lit into her right away.

"Okay spill. What's been going on?"

Cindy took a large sip of her drink before answering. "Landon and I are still living together." She stated the obvious.

"Well duh, I know that. I found out from him a few days before Huey and I headed back to school." Jazmine said pointedly, giving her own drink a stir.

Cindy grimaced slightly as she looked at her. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jazmine asked honestly. She hadn't had a chance to ask this question after Thanksgiving. She had seen Cindy the day that her and Huey were leaving after the holiday, but it had been very brief. Cindy had also brought Landon with her, so Jazmine hadn't gotten a chance to address it. They hadn't had too much time to talk at all really before they were telling each other goodbye.

"It's not like I was hiding it. It just never came up."

"Cin, you were still lying in bed when you called me once you finally slept with him. And you called me like right after he left when he told you he loved you for the first time." Jazmine pointed out, hearing Huey's earlier skepticism in her head about those facts.

"I know, I just... it happened so fast. I know that's a lame answer, but that's it." Cindy told her, avoiding eye contact as she glanced down at the menu. "It's something he had brought up and he really wanted to take this step together so he—"

"Did you want to?" Jazmine cut her off.

"Huh?"

"Did you want to? You keep saying he."

Cindy blinked at her. "Well I was about to say that we talked about it together and decided that we were ready to do this."

Jazmine kept her face neutral, picking up on the defensive tone. "And things have been good?"

"Like any other couple, some days are better than others. We're good, Jazz." She said in response, lifting her glass to take another large gulp.

Jazmine nodded slowly in contemplation. "As long as you guys are working it out together. Are you and Landon on the same page about the majority of things?"

"Yeah…."

She tried not to stare too hard at Cindy while she chose then to sip her own cocktail. She could tell instantly by her face and the pitch of her voice that she was not telling the truth and just acting suspect. If not for the drink at her disposal, Jazmine probably would've let it go. But her glass was nearly half empty and they were finally getting some one-on-one time together privately.

So she asked: "Is it still an awkward triangle?"

Cindy pulled the glass from her own lips right before she was about to take a sip. "What?" Her voice hitched again, clearly caught off guard by the question. "What triangle?"

Jazmine was not about to go through this whole facade again. "I just mean the relationship between you two and Riley."

"It ain't no triangle." Cindy muttered.

"Whatever it is." Jazmine rolled her eyes. "Are you guys good?"

"Riley and I are fine. We haven't seen each other as much, but when we do, it's cool. We're friends like we always have been."

That was a stretch, but she let it slide. "What about Landon?"

"I told you, Landon and I are fine—"

"No, I mean Landon's relationship with Riley."

Cindy swirled the small amount she had left in her glass. "It's a work in progress."

Jazmine gave her a look at that, but had to pause as the waitress came back with their appetizer. Cindy quickly downed the rest of her glass, already handing it to the woman for a refill after they placed their food orders.

Once they were alone again, Jazmine gave Cindy a look to continue. "Still a work in progress?"

Cindy took her time while she helped herself to their shared dish. "I mean, it's not like they have beef or anything. The couple of times they've been around each other, Landon's been friendly."

That you know of. Jazmine thought to herself. "But?" She asked, keeping her eyes on her while she started to dish her own plate as well.

Cindy hedged a bit. "I don't know exactly. I think he just… still feels uncomfortable."

"I mean, that's understandable." She could give him that much. "Has he said anything about it or about Riley directly?"

"Certain comments, yeah." Cindy answered quietly. "But it doesn't matter, I know they're not gonna be best friends or whatever. I just don't want it to always be awkward vibes, y'know?"

"I get that." Jazmine replied, noticing how quickly she continued on talking instead of going into detail. "Is there anything in particular that makes him feel awkward or…?"

Cindy took her time chewing as she looked at her plate. "Landon thinks he may have a thing for me."

"Really?" Jazmine raised an eyebrow.

"I know right, it's ridiculous." Cindy shook her head. "Meanwhile, Riley's always making comments and acting like Landon's jealous, which is equally ridiculous honestly."

"I mean, they probably are both jealous of your time to an extent." Jazmine mused. "Landon's protective over you as your boyfriend and Riley probably misses having the freedom to hang out with you whenever he wants. As his friend and Landon's girlfriend, you're the one that sets the boundaries."

"Gotta love those boundaries." Cindy practically snorted with the roll of her eyes.

Jazmine held her gaze for a moment, even though the waitress came to drop off her drink. "What?" She asked at once.

Cindy gave her a brief look in return before smiling a thank you to the waitress as she took a sip. The host was barely a foot away from the table when Jazmine spoke again. "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean by what?" Cindy asked after her swallow.

"You know what." Jazmine pressed. "I said the word 'boundaries' and your face—that! Your face did that!" Jazmine blurted, pointing to the current expression on Cindy's face. "What aren't you telling me?" She demanded.

"You are a crazy person!" Cindy hissed, batting away her finger.

"You're just mad because I know you!" Jazmine hissed back in return. "Now tell me!"

"Alright, damn!" Cindy rolled her eyes. "Now before you even start thinking anything, I'll tell you right now that Riley does not like me at all other than friend-wise."

"That's a weird way to start this story."

"Shuddup!" Cindy hushed. "I'm sayin' that because I know how you are. And we ain't goin' there."

"Okay whatever. What happened?"

Cindy didn't meet her eyes again as she stirred her drink. "Reez has just been actin' different with me lately."

"More words please."

"Girl… I don't know. I can't really describe it. His vibe with me is just different."

"Likeee what kinda vibe? Good vibe, bad vibe…?" Jazmine raised her eyebrow when she noticed how Cindy still wouldn't meet her gaze, her cheeks slightly turning pink. "A sex vibe?" She lowered her voice on the word, having her answer as soon as Cindy snapped her head up.

"Jazmine!" Cindy scolded, her face flushing even more.

"Well, it's a vibe!" The right one apparently. She added silently. "Has he gotten fresh with you lately?"

"God, I can't with you." Cindy shook her head. "No, he hasn't gotten 'fresh' with me, grandma."

"Something had to have happened." Jazmine raised an eyebrow. "So tell me."

"It's nothing really, it's just…" Cindy hedged, clearly trying to find the words. "I don't know. The only example I can think of is that he just seems to be… close to me when I'm with him."

"Again, more words please." Jazmine prodded, sipping her cocktail.

"It's dumb." Cindy brushed off. "But like the night he got hurt and he came over. He just seemed so… focused on me, if that makes sense. I mean, I gave him a Vicodin, so I know he wasn't completely himself, but… the way he was looking at me the whole time was just… different. That along with the way he hugged me and kissed my face."

"He kissed your face?" Jazmine asked with interest. "How?"

"He kissed my cheek twice when I was hugging him goodnight. And then before he left in the morning, he kissed my forehead." She explained, shying away a bit at Jazmine's widened expression. "But again, I gave him that pill."

"I'm sure he wasn't still feeling it by the morning." Jazmine pointed out. "Anything else happen?"

"Well…" Cindy stalled, making Jazmine arch an eyebrow. "We only hung out one other time recently. And this time he was high."

"He needs rehab, I swear." Jazmine rolled her eyes. "What happened?"

"I mean, same thing pretty much… it's just his vibe with me." She said, looking down as she played with her food. "The space between us is different in a way. The way he talks to me, definitely the way he engages with me—"

"Like how?" Jazmine pressed, well aware that she was trying to hold back. "What happened the last time?"

Cindy took another slow sip of her drink before clearing her throat. "He was rubbing my back for a bit."

"Why?" Jazmine asked in confusion.

"We were talking about my mom and he was trying to be nice and comfort me I guess." She gave a shrug in response.

"What else?" Jazmine asked instead, feeling there was more.

"Well, we went for a walk and he wrapped his arm around me." Cindy spoke slowly. "Then he kinda caged his arms around me when we were leaning on a fence at the park."

"Was he facing you when he put his arms around you?"

"He did it from behind. Standing behind me I mean, resting his hands on the fence with his arms around my body."

Jazmine blinked at her. "What else?"

Cindy avoided eye contact as she lifted her glass to her lips, muttering something before she took a long sip.

"What did you say?" Jazmine leaned forward, clearly not hearing her correctly.

Cindy briefly looked her in the eye before glancing down again after she swallowed. "…He kissed my neck."

"He what?!" Jazmine exclaimed.

"My back was turned, I had no idea he was about to do that, otherwise I would've moved."

"What did you do?"

"I pulled back right away and looked at him, and he apologized that I was feeling sad and that he was there if I needed—"

"Hold up, he didn't apologize for overstepping?" Jazmine cut her off.

"Not exactly." Cindy brushed a lock of her hair back. "He was high though by the time I got to his house so I'm sure that played a factor."

"Cindy, that's not an excuse. That's a complete violation of your boundaries." Jazmine told her seriously. "And by continuing to excuse him, you're enabling that behavior."

"I don't want to enable him." Cindy sighed with an eyeroll. "He knows damn well I don't get down like that."

"A reminder may be needed then. He can't act like that with you. Whether he's drunk or high, it doesn't matter. Your boundaries are your boundaries and if he doesn't respect them then he's not respecting you."

"Yeah." Cindy said quietly, taking a bite of food. "I gotta go see him after this. To do his hair."

"…Wearing that?" Jazmine asked, glancing down at her low-cut top.

"I have clothes that I'm changing into when I get there, smartass." Cindy shot her a look.

"Do you, girl." Jazmine shrugged. "But you need to stand up for yourself and your relationship. You don't want this to cause drama or to become a thing."

Cindy shook her head slowly, looking away as she lifted the remaining drink she had left in her glass. "No… I definitely do not."

---

Cindy's POV

You still out with Jazmine?

Cindy let out a sigh at the text as she turned off the ignition, her thumb already tapping away with a mind of its own.

Yeah I'm gonna hang out her for a bit and text you on my way home.

Once finished, she slumped backwards in her seat and leaned her head against the headrest. That uncomfortable feeling of dread rose as she looked towards the building across the lot from her. She felt it even more glancing down briefly at the cutesy emoji text back from him.

God, she hated this. Both the lies and the guilt she was feeling was starting to be a bit much. But that feeling of dread was the worst of it. And it was starting to become a daily thing.

Which was some bullshit. It was the week of Christmas, literally two days before. Her vacation days allowed her to take the entire week off. Her best friend was in town and the whole crew was going to celebrate together like a family. Realistically, her mood should be elated.

But in reality…. Cindy drummed her fingers on the wheel, making no move to reach for the door handle just yet. She couldn't shake her mood, that feeling, and it was killing her. If she was being honest with herself, she had been feeling this anxious dread for the past few weeks. Not everyday or all at once, but just randomly. She couldn't pinpoint it exactly either. It wasn't like things were terrible. She was sure it had to do with the stress of the season itself. Mournful thoughts about her mother. Mixed feelings about her father and his family. And on top of everything, there was the Riley and Landon dynamic.

While she had shared some of her thoughts with Jazmine, she hadn't been completely transparent with her and didn't want to go into full detail. It had felt good to get a little bit off her chest, particularly about Riley. And she knew Jazmine was right: she would have to clarify boundaries with Riley if things persisted. Especially if she ever wanted him and Landon to be cool.

Landon though….

Cindy looked at the text again while she bit her lip, hesitating before she dropped the phone back in her bag. She hadn't lied much when she told Jazmine that the two of them were okay. It was true… for the most part. She was thankful that he had been honest with her about the struggles he's had with his anger. That factor was probably what allowed her to have as much patience and leniency with him as she currently did. Truthfully, the raising of his voice didn't even bother her that much anymore. His outbursts never lasted long and she knew it was a common trait among those dealing with complex issues, so she tried not to take anything to heart. That wasn't what bothered her. It was the borderline lack of trust he seemed to have. The constant checking in. The need-to-know of who she was seeing and where she was going almost every day since he'd moved in.

That shit drove her crazy though she was trying to keep her cool about it. Cindy had always been an independent person. Now? She wasn't quite sure what she was. She was starting to feel like a whole fraud. Yes, she was technically lying to him today about her whereabouts, but only to avoid unnecessary drama. She didn't know how much longer she'd be able to do it. Especially if she had to keep acting as if Riley was a secret. Or like they had something to hide, which was the furthest from the truth.

Cindy shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts, hastily beginning to grab her things before finally opening her car door. She closed it with a bit of unnecessary force, keeping her eyes straight ahead as she marched towards the apartment building. She refused to dwell on her wandering thoughts any longer. At this point, she just wanted to get in and get out. If a conversation came up organically, then she'd speak her mind. Until then, her focus was on getting done and getting out.

However, Cindy's eyes immediately narrowed once the front door opened, and she realized she'd have to speak her mind a lot sooner than she thought.

"Why is your shirt off?!"

Riley seemed taken aback by her exclamation, his hand still on the door as he pulled it open wider. He stood before her wearing nothing but a pair of loose basketball shorts.

"It's literally hanging around your neck!" Cindy continued, pointing to the tank that was tossed around his shoulders. "Why wouldn't you put it on before opening the door?"

A forced grin appeared on Riley's face as he took a step to the side. "First of all, hey to you too, Cindy. Come on in." He said with heavy sarcasm, extending his arm out to gesture her inside. She rolled her eyes as she walked past him into the living room.

"Second of all, if it wasn't obvious, I just got out the shower. My bad for air-drying." He said, pulling the tank down from around his shoulders once he closed the door. Cindy did notice a few water droplets splattered amid his torso as he started to slide the shirt over his head. Not to mention his obvious fresh hair wash. He had apparently taken the liberty of removing his own braids and currently had his hair styled in a curly afro bun at the top of his head.

"It's called a towel. Try using one." Cindy responded.

Riley seemed to suppress a snicker as he eyed her. "Damn, I'm fresh out of towels. But I do own shirts, unlike some. That's some nice fabric though, C. Where'd you find it?"

"Fuck you." Cindy snipped at him, fighting her blush at the sound of his laughter. "I went out to eat with Jazmine."

"Y'all musta been tryna get some free food."

"Boy, say one more thing." Cindy warned. "You will be lookin' a hot mess on Christmas, keep playin' with me."

"Girl chill, you already know I'm playin'." He grinned, walking past her. "Go on and set up, I'mma grab a beer 'fore you start."

"Now?"

"Yeah, you want one?"

"Nigga, it's one o'clock!"

"So?" He called back in confusion.

"You need to stop drinking." Cindy muttered to herself, setting her purse on the couch before carrying her other bag with her down the hallway.

"Where you goin'?" Riley asked, returning to see her walk in the opposite direction.

"Your room to change."

"Wait, my room?" He echoed, now following her. "Nah, go to the bathroom."

"Boy, your room's right here." She said over her shoulder, surprised to see him suddenly so close behind her. "I'm just gonna be a second—"

"Nah, it's a mess." He interrupted, stepping around her quickly to reach the door handle before she could. "Just change in the bathroom."

"Are you kidding me, I've seen your room be a mess more times than I can count." Cindy gave him a look as she tried to nudge him out of the way, but he wouldn't budge. "What are you hiding right now?"

"Christmas gifts, aiight?" He admitted. "I didn't get a chance to wrap 'em and yours is one of the ones that's on my bed."

"Your bed is on the other side of the room. I won't look, I'm just gonna—"

"Hell no." Riley cut her off immediately, now wedging himself completely between her and the door. "One, there's all types of stuff out that'll give it away. Two, you're a damn liar and you would 100% look."

"At least give me a hint." Cindy cracked a grin. "You give me a hint and I won't ask again or try to go in your room."

"You promise?" He asked her seriously.

"Yeah." Cindy chuckled. "I promise."

Riley seemed to consider for a moment. "I made it."

"That's the hint, you made it?" Cindy raised an eyebrow, watching him nod. "Okay then, so I'm assuming it's art?"

"Maybe." He shrugged a shoulder.

"You are so suspect." Cindy sucked her teeth with an eyeroll, finally backing away from the doorway and towards the direction of the bathroom. "You do artwork for me all the time. Why you acting all top-secret about it this time?"

"You said you'd stop asking questions, girl." Riley said in response, still watching her. "And since you promised, as soon as you change, get your ass back in the room and do my hair, hoe."

"I got your hoe, bitch." Cindy laughed, slamming the bathroom door shut behind her.

---

"Will you knock it off and stop pulling away from me?"

"Would it kill you to ease up just a little?"

"Do you want this to look neat or not?"

"I wanna still have my fuckin' edges girl, shit!"

Cindy ignored his dramatics as she continued on his last braid, not easing up in the slightest. "We're right at the end, you big baby. You ain't said shit this whole time."

"I was focused on the show I watchin' when you started. There ain't shit on now to distract me from your heavy-ass hands."

"Blah-blah-blah, hush it." She brushed him off, finishing up the end. "You're done."

Riley wasted no time in lifting his phone and switching the camera around to see his own face. "Ooh-hoo-hoo, ya boy is back, baby! Damn." He grinned widely, checking himself out from multiple angles.

"Here we go." Cindy rolled her eyes with a smirk, watching him pose for a few pictures. "Witcho' conceited ass."

"Thanks boo." Riley propped an arm on the couch to raise himself from the spot in front of her, taking a quick snap of the two of them as he stuck out his tongue in her direction.

"Boy!" Cindy laughed, pushing his face away from hers as he took another picture. "Aiight, get ya ass up."

"Wait, what about that other stuff?" Riley asked as he turned to kneel in front of her.

"What stuff?"

"You know what I'm talkin' about." He told her, and she did. "That Jamaican stuff you put on my scalp. You ain't put that on in a minute."

"The castor oil." Cindy said to herself, reaching down to look in her tote bag.

"Yeah, that stuff. You bring it?"

"Sit down, boy." She told him, pulling the serum bottle out as she gave it a gentle shake.

"Hell yeah." Riley dropped back on the ground immediately, turning back away from her. Cindy eyed the back of his head, using the dropper to apply oil in between his rows. She was barely halfway through when he spoke up again to no surprise.

"You gonna rub it in, right?"

"…Yeah." She responded lowly. She was already well aware he was going to ask that question. And she already knew exactly what he was going to do as soon as she started.

"Mmm."

Cindy fought to conceal her sigh as she massaged her fingers on his scalp, trying to ignore his moans of content. She knew it felt good for him, but damn. His noises were so over the top. And with all of the thoughts still in the back of her mind, it was a bit much. When Riley started tilting his head backwards with his eyes closed, now gently brushing his hands along her calves, she had reached her limit.

"Will you stop that?" She blurted, making her fingers go still.

"Stop what?" He mumbled back, his eyes still closed.

"The moaning, boy." She removed her hand completely to get his attention. "And that." She moved her legs wider apart for a moment so he would move his hands from her legs. She was wearing jogger sweatpants now, but still.

"My bad." He responded casually, his eyes now open as he sat back up. "And honestly, I don't even realize I be makin' noise. I can't help that shit."

"I think you can, you just extra." Cindy mumbled, resuming her last row to rub in the oil.

"Relax, it ain't like it's better than sex."

"Then stop acting like it." Cindy shot back, giving him a "light" nudge to the back of his head while she leaned back on the couch. "Save that shit for your girl." She added pointedly, crossing her arms.

"Aye, speaking of Tish," Riley spun around from his spot on the ground suddenly to face her. "Whatchu think I should get her for Christmas?"

"A clue." Cindy deadpanned.

"I'm serious, man."

"Yeah okay." She rolled her eyes.

"Why would I be joking right now?"

"You realize it's only two days before Christmas, right?" Cindy gave him a look. "You're tellin' me you haven't even started thinking of ideas for her?"

"Stop sweatin' me aiight, I've had a lot goin' on. And I haven't even seen her recently for real."

"So you forgot about her?"

"Nah, hell nah I ain't forget about her!" He denied immediately. "I'm just sayin' I been busy and shit! And she's rich as hell, there ain't shit I can get her that she can't get on her own."

"So get creative, nigga. Plan something that you can do together. Or something just for her that she can enjoy."

"Think she'd like it if I made her something?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Girls love handmade shit." Cindy shrugged. "Especially if it's sentimental and means something."

"Ooh, what if I made like a nude portrait of her?"

"…Romantic."

"Not on some porn shit, but like a classy nude. Tasteful or whateva, like an album cover. From the side or somethin'." He explained. "What if I cover the titties with her hair or somethin' and then—"

"Nigga, it's whatever you want!" Cindy interrupted, not needing the full picture. "You don't need my approval."

"I know, but I want your opinion since you a chick and all." He said easily, rising from his spot and scooping his empty beer bottle off the coffee table.

"She and I are not the same and do not like the same things though." She pointed out, glancing up towards him.

"Don't I know it." He practically snorted, not even meeting her eyes as he turned on his heel for the kitchen.

Cindy narrowed her eyes at his retreating back, feeling her core stir as she wordlessly stood up and followed behind him slowly. What the fuck did that comment mean? And why was he acting so casual with this shit? Like it was acceptable for him to rub on her legs like he didn't have a whole girlfriend. A girlfriend he was asking her what he should buy for. Did Tish even know she did Riley's hair? Did she know about any of their recent hangouts? Especially…

"Why'd you kiss my neck that night?"

Riley stood tall from the fridge, looking over at Cindy now standing in the doorway. She didn't even know she was asking the question until it was halfway out of her mouth. There was no chance in holding it back any longer. And she was going to get a damn answer.

Riley shut the door of the fridge closed, keeping an eye on her as he reached for the bottle opener on the counter. "Why you thinkin' about that?" He asked plainly.

"I just am." She responded, crossing her arms. "Why?"

Riley kept a poker face as he brought the bottle to his lips. "Did you like it or somethin'?"

Cindy felt the heat at the pit of her stomach as she glared at him intensely. "Does it look like I fucking liked it?"

"It looks like you're blushing." He replied after he swallowed his sip.

"Not for the stupid reasons you think." She shot back, taking a few steps into the kitchen. "You can't be doing that, period."

"It was an accident." He said stupidly.

"Nigga, are you really tryna tell me that you accidentally leaned in and kissed my damn neck?"

"Yeah, better watch out." Riley responded dryly, eyeing her heavily as he brushed past her to exit the kitchen.

"Boy…" Cindy warned, following right behind him.

"Whatchu want me to say, C?" He shrugged, turning back to look at her once they stood in the living room again. "You already know I was high."

"That doesn't excuse you from crossing a line, Riley. I didn't appreciate it and I don't think Landon or Tish would appreciate it either." She said with emphasis. He remained quiet for a moment, so she continued. "Does Tish even know about the past few times we've hung out?"

"About as much as Landon does." He answered, shooting her a look of his own.

Cindy stared back at him, hearing the disdain in his voice. She let out a breath before continuing. "Riley… I hate this as much as you do. And I really, really, want you and Landon to be cool. But it's never going to get better if I can't even be honest to him about our friendship together." She told him, gesturing between each other. "I miss hanging out with you, Reez." She told him honestly.

"I do too." He said in response, surprising her.

She grinned. "I really do. But how do you expect me to hang out with you more or at all if I feel like I'm keeping a dirty secret?" She asked him seriously. "We're both in committed relationships. We need to respect our partners and each other, whether we're hanging out in a group altogether or just by ourselves."

"…Yeah right."

"Boy, whatchu mean 'yeah right'?!" Cindy snapped at his response.

He smirked. "Like y'all would ever allow me to bring Tish along to hang out with the group again."

"Boy." Cindy nudged him with the roll of her eyes. "I don't give a fuck and I'm unbothered, nigga. If you wanna bring her, bring her."

"Huey said he'd fist-fight me." He scowled. "Lil bitch."

Cindy managed to choke back her laughter as she shook her head. "Regardless. Boundaries, Reez. We've gotta chill."

"'We' meaning you. Got it." He clarified wryly, glancing away. "I feel you though. I really was just tryna make you feel better that night, C." He said, seeming to pause for a moment before turning to look at her. "I ain't mean to upset you like that. I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Cindy nodded. "I appreciate that."

"…I'll try not to accidentally fall into your neck next time I'm high as fuck though." He added cheekily.

"You didn't fucking fall, dumbass." Cindy rolled her eyes with a grin.

"I'm a clumsy motherfucker, what can I say?" He shrugged a shoulder.

"The only time you're clumsy is on the court."

"Fuck you."

Cindy giggled at his expression, half-pissed at her comment, half-smiling, even though he was clearly trying to keep up his front. The sight made her happy inside, almost enough to drown that feeling of dread completely.

She matched his smile, grinning up at her favorite nigga while she swiped his beer bottle.

"Back at you." She winked before taking a sip.

---

Riley's POV

Merry xmas xoxo. See you tomorrow.

Riley stared at the text as he leaned against the foyer wall. He debated on responding back to her while he took a slurp of his spiked eggnog. This was the first time getting a text from Tish at all since he'd initially sent her one around noon. Not that he was tripping or anything, but it was five hours later. He knew she was with her own family that day, but damn.

Bet. He texted back, not really knowing what else to say. They'd already decided that they'd meet up after the holiday to make things easier. He couldn't even picture her being back in the same room with his people, and didn't want to. And he definitely had no desire to meet her family anytime soon.

So it was all good. They'd hangout tomorrow or whatever. Which would also give him a little more time to finish up her gift.

Speaking of… Before he put his phone away, Riley switched his message thread to check for any other recent texts. When he didn't see any, he started composing another to her before Granddad started up again with his bull—

"BOY!" The sudden shout caused Riley to jump, turning around to see grandfather coming right up behind him. "Where the hell is the white girl and what's-his-name?"

"G, she should be here any minute now. I just texted her again."

"Any minute now my ass, you said that almost a half hour ago." Granddad glared. "You just standin' here drinkin' yourself simple and we been ready to eat. They got two minutes."

"Seriously?" Riley gave him a look. "Come on, we really gonna start without her?"

"She knew what time dinner was planned, hell! And I ain't about to let the food get cold, have you lost your mind? As much time as I spent on this meal too? Shit, she can heat up a plate when she gets here."

"Man, it's Christmas!" Riley protested.

"Tough titty!" Granddad snapped back.

Ding-dong.

They both turned to the door, Granddad leading the way down the hallway to open it right away. Riley felt his body relax a bit as soon as he saw her, barely registering her boy standing right beside her.

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Freeman!" Cindy greeted Granddad with a sweet smile. "So sorry we're late, but I didn't want to come empty-handed. Had to stop at the store and grab dessert." She said while offering him what appeared to be a pie box.

"Awwwww Merry Christmas, Cutie Pie. You know we weren't gonna start without you." He lied, his voice all the sudden going from Scrooge to Santa. "And is this Patti LaBelle's Sweet Potato Pie?"

"Your favorite." Cindy nodded. "I grabbed the last one they had just for you."

"Bless you, Lil Baby." Granddad chuckled. "Come on in."

Cindy smiled before glancing towards Landon. "Do you remember my boyfriend, Mr. Freeman? It was very brief when you met him earlier this month."

Granddad turned to look at him directly for the first time. "Ohhh yeah. What's your name again? Louis, Libra, Lando?"

"Very close, sir." Landon kept his smile. "Just add an N to that. It's Landon."

Riley had no doubt his grandfather was probably eyeing him the same way he was. Because why the fuck was he in a damn suit? Who told him it was a black-tie event? Cindy seemed to be wearing a dress, but her and Jazmine did that shit every year, it was like their thing. Homeboy just looked like he was trying too hard.

"Mmmmhm, I got it." Granddad hummed, holding the door open wider. "Come on in here, Lawnmower."

Riley had to turn and take a chug of his eggnog, otherwise he would've laughed out loud. He had been sure to tell his grandfather all his opinions about Landon. Much like him, he too couldn't get over his stupid-ass name. Unlike him, he was going to clown him straight to his face it seemed.

Sometimes he really did love his Granddad.

Once Riley felt like he could hold it together, he set his mug on a side table and turned to see them come in. Landon took the two large tote bags full of gift bags and boxes into the living room after Cindy pointed over towards the tree while she stepped more into the foyer.

"Hey." Riley greeted, taking a step closer as Granddad past by him.

"Merry Christmas, Reez." Cindy gave him a smile.

"Merry Christmas even though it was almost cancelled on your ass." He smirked.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes at him playfully. "There was so much traffic getting here. And I didn't have cell service in the store and didn't see it until we were about here. Sorry I didn't text back."

"Yeah yeah. Lemme take your coat."

"Thank you." She said, turning her back to him as she started to slip out of her long coat.

"You and Jazz are so corny, man." He commented, eyeing her dress from the back while he hung up her coat. As usual, the two of them were matching, which was obviously Jazmine's idea. This year, Cindy had on a dress with a long-sleeved black top that went into a billowing navy skirt with bright pictures of snowflakes, mistletoe, and gift boxes all over. Jazmine's was the same but with a red skirt that had pictures of ornaments, bulbs, and candy canes.

"This is her favorite time of year, forgive me for trying to make her happy." Cindy replied, turning around to grin at him.

"Mhm. You look nice." He told her, subtly admiring the fit of the dress on her. And the way she let her hair be loose and wavy down her back. Even her makeup was looking—

"Doesn't she though?" Landon's voice snapped Riley out of his thoughts as he re-entered the foyer. He noticed how tense she suddenly appeared as Landon looped arm around her waist while he kissed her temple. He then turned to Riley and stuck out his hand to shake. "Good to see you Riley, you look nice!"

Riley tried to keep his expression neutral as he returned the handshake. The comment definitely seemed shady, considering Riley was only wearing a burgundy long-sleeve and jeans. "Sup?"

"WE ABOUT TO BLESS THE FOOD, IF Y'ALL WANNA EAT, GET IN HERE!"

"We comin', man!" Riley couldn't have been more thankful for the interruption as he turned his back on Landon, grabbing his mug and leading the way down the hall.

"You made it!" Jazmine cheered when they entered the dining room, already buzzed off her second glass of wine.

"Late." Huey uttered from beside her.

"What does it matter to you brother, you ain't even about to eat the majority of the food at the table!" Caesar laughed.

"Some of us wanna eat though." Hiro didn't take his eyes off the prime rib roast as Riley took his seat next to him.

"Merry Christmas, you two!" Tom greeted Cindy and Landon cheerfully while Sarah waved.

"Another nigga." Ruckus muttered not-so-subtly under his breath.

"Ruckus, shut your ass!" Granddad snapped from beside him at the head of the table. Then he cleared his throat. "Now that we're all present, I just wanted to thank you all for coming to celebrate another Christmas here. Every year the table seems to get a little bigger." He grinned, looking around the table of 10, not including himself.

Riley glanced towards Hiro. "Aye man," He whispered as Granddad went on. "Why ain't you bring your girl?"

"Are you kidding?" Hiro whispered back, turning to him with wide eyes. "Huey said he'd fist-fight me."

Riley rolled his eyes. The hater. "Nah, Ceez and I are gonna take Ming and Lindsay to a late showing at the movies tonight since they're with their families all day." Hiro continued. "You can come too and bring your lady if you want."

Did Tish even like going to the movies? Riley couldn't picture that shit, so he just shook his head. "I'm good, man."

"In conclusion," Granddad was still talking. "I just wanted to thank you again, and I hope you enjoy this holiday feast that I'm gifting to you all. Cheers!" He toasted while lifting his glass, prompting everyone else to follow suit. Riley smirked at Cindy from across him as he tapped his mug to her goblet of water.

"Where's the wine?" She mouthed to him.

"Kitchen." He mouthed back to her, ignoring Landon's eyes on him as he "missed" clinking his cup to his.

"Let's dig in." Granddad announced, standing to grab the roast platter.

"I thought you said you were gonna bless the food." Caesar spoke up with a grin. "Ow!" He groaned as he appeared to grip his leg suddenly.

"Oops." Hiro said plainly, his eyes locked on the plate in Granddad's hands.

"Ohhh yeah, I did wanna bless the food." Granddad nodded, putting the dish down before he bowed his head. "Lord… please bless this food and me for preparing it…."

"Amen." He concluded, lifting the platter again immediately. "I'll distribute the roast, y'all can start dishing yourselves plates of everything else." He told them all.

"You don't have to tell me twice." Hiro hopped up right away and started plating some of the dish directly in front of him.

Riley started helping himself, noticing Cindy grab her water goblet as she rose from the table. Landon barely looked at her, but raised his own glass so she could take it. Riley raised his eyebrow as she actually did, heading off silently to the kitchen.

The hell?

Riley was still loading his plate with the next dish when Cindy returned with the wine glasses. After she put them down, Riley started to extend the dish across the table towards her, but Landon captured her attention as he took hold of her wrist and leaned to whisper in her ear. Riley froze in confusion as he watched Cindy seem to pause, slowly picking up the glass she put down for Landon and moving it next to her own glass. Then she turned and left the table again towards the kitchen!

Landon caught Riley's eye as he resumed plating his own food. "White wine gives me a headache." He explained briefly, nodding to the glasses Cindy had set down.

"Hmm." Riley hummed in response, avoiding eye contact while he dished a helping onto Cindy's plate.

He's really starting this maid shit again with her.

He had no choice but to look in his stupid face after he was done to hand him the dish next. Landon looked like he was watching him the whole time Riley put food on Cindy's plate.

"Thanks, Ri." He said with a smile, sounding anything but grateful. "I could've done that." He said, taking the dish from him.

But you didn't, bitch.

"Yeah I'm sure, L." Riley responded evenly, purposefully glancing at Landon's halfway filled plate in comparison to Cindy's bare one. "The collards greens are her favorite."

"Yeah I know." Landon kept smiling, his eyes barely leaving his while he scooped a helping onto his own plate.

Yeah fucking right.

Riley was already way over his presence as he distracted himself with another dish. He glanced over when Cindy finally re-entered the dining room, holding a different glass filled with red wine. Once she set it down and took her seat again, Landon gave her a chaste kiss on the lips before offering her a different platter. Riley looked away, taking a bite of food to contrast the bitter taste he started to have in his mouth.

Everyone else seemed to be chowing down after Granddad had made his rounds with the prime rib servings. It was mostly quiet aside from the jazzy Christmas instrumental that was playing. But even though Riley was at the opposite end of the table, he did hear his grandfather's comment when he suddenly spoke.

"Cutie Pie, pass these rolls down to Cindy and License, they didn't get any." He said casually to Jazmine, handing her the bowl.

"Mr. Freeman," Jazmine tried and failed with her scolding, giggling too much to be taken seriously as she handed them to Huey.

"To Leviticus." Huey said out of nowhere, causing Jazmine's jaw to drop and even Tom and Sarah to chuckle as he slid the bowl down.

Caesar was already laughing as he grabbed the bowl and placed it loudly in front of Landon in display. "Here ya go, Lucha Libre!" He announced, making everyone else laugh as well.

Almost.

Riley had laughed a good bit at his brother, only because it was unexpected. He had started to laugh at Caesar's dumbass, but had eased up once he caught the look on Landon and Cindy's faces. Landon had such a tight, fake-ass smile on his face as he nodded, pretending to play along as he picked up a roll. But when he turned to Cindy to offer her the bowl, it was as if his eyes hardened at her. Like she did something wrong.

Riley zeroed in on her face and she wasn't even smiling… at all. She glanced away at Landon's intense gaze on her, meeting Riley's eyes for a moment. In that brief second, he noticed the way she slightly narrowed her eyes at him, which made him feel guilty. If anybody did something "wrong", it was probably him. He knew he had been talking heavy shit with Granddad on Landon whenever things were fresh and they started dating. And even though Granddad's commentary was funny as hell to Riley and everyone else at least, he didn't want it to cause fucking drama.

Especially with this temperamental nigga. Riley thought to himself, still peeping the way his gaze was locked on Cindy hard. And he didn't like that shit.

Not at all.

---

"When I die, put #FoodComa on my tombstone." Hiro mumbled groggily.

"I told you to pace yourself broski, this is that soul food." Caesar smirked diagonal from him.

"And it's #TheItis." Riley corrected with a burp right after.

"Whatever it is, I'm dying."

"Oh, that's probably just from your arteries clogging." Huey quipped easily.

"Boy hush!" Granddad glared at Huey. "My cooking would never."

"…But what about your actual soul food restaurant a few years back?" Tom questioned.

"Shut your drunk-ass up, Tom! Nobody's arteries were clogged!" Granddad snapped.

"Yeah, Tom!" Sarah co-signed, significantly drunker than Tom was as she finished her glass.

"Like mother, like daughter." Riley said loudly enough under his breath with a grin, staring at Jazmine from the far end of the table. She steadily turned her head to him with a glare, signifying she had heard him as she scratched the side of her cheek with her middle finger.

"Alright, let's do a quick intermission before the gifts." Granddad announced, rising from his seat. "Grab a drink, use the restroom, and meet in the living room when you're ready in about ten minutes."

"You got Huey and I's gift in there, right Granddad?" Riley asked sarcastically.

Granddad whipped his head towards him as he walked. "Boy, your gift was in here and called dinner. Y'all grown."

Riley rolled his eyes while he stood from his seat along with everyone else. He slowly pushed in his chair, watching Landon and Cindy leave the table across from him. The nigga was still whispering in her ear like he'd done the majority of the dinner. He wasn't getting anything from Cindy's expression, other than just seeming quiet and uncomfortable. He'd barely seen her smile the whole time.

"Just leave me here." Hiro broke him from his thoughts as he slumped back in his chair with his eyes closed.

"Man, get up."

"I can't."

"The key is to use your legs, my dude." Caesar said, coming around the table with Huey and Jazmine behind him. He hooked his arms underneath Hiro's to hoist him up, ignoring his groaning in the process. "There we go!"

"Wake up Hiro, it's almost time for presents!" Jazmine said excitedly, poking his cheek. "I hope you like what I got you."

"Mhm, I will." Hiro mumbled, letting out a yawn.

"We'll see." Huey smirked.

"Shush." Jazmine nudged him.

"It's definitely interesting." Caesar added. "You may already have one."

"Shusshhhh, don't ruin it!" Jazmine swatted at him and took hold of Hiro's arm to pull him away. "You'll love it Hiro, ignore them."

"Is it coffee or a nap?" He mumbled back as they started to lead the way from the dining room. When they all exited into the foyer, they saw Cindy leaning against the wall of the stairwell. She grinned lightly when she saw them. "Hey guys."

"Ready to go to the living room for gifts?" Jazmine smiled, extending her arm for her to take.

"I'll meet you in there. I'm gonna get a refill real quick." She said, lifting her glass. "Landon just went up to the bathroom so we'll meet you in there in just a few minutes." She told them, leaning away from the wall to head towards the kitchen.

Riley watched her pass by as he followed the others to the entrance of the living room. But instead of entering, he paused and glanced towards Granddad in his recliner.

"Aye G, can I bring the tray of cookies in here?"

"As long as you vacuum after." He shrugged.

"Why can't Huey do it?"

"Because I don't eat sugar."

"Man, that ain't fair." Riley grumbled, leaving the doorway to head back towards the kitchen.

"How?" He heard Huey's voice exclaim from the hallway. When he finally turned the corner to the kitchen, he nearly bumped into Cindy who was on her way out.

"Oh, my bad." Riley apologized, placing a hand on her waist briefly to steady her and avoid spilling her drink.

"You're fine." Cindy brushed off, looking down as she held her filled glass with both hands.

"Hey." He gently touched his hand on her side again to catch her attention. "Are you alright?" He asked, finally meeting her eyes.

She seemed surprised by the question as she blinked at him and took a slight step back. "Why would you ask that?"

"Because you don't look alright, obviously."

"I'm fine, Riley."

"You don't seem fine, Cindy."

"Oh really?" She gave him a look.

"Do you want me to grab a mirror?" He gave her a look back, passing by her to enter the kitchen. "You've barely smiled since you've been here. Actin' like it's a wack-ass Monday."

"It's a Tuesday, boy." She said to his back.

"It's Christmas." He countered, turning back to her once he reached the island. "And you just look… sad." He said with a shrug.

"I ain't sad. Christmas can just be a lot sometimes."

"It ain't never seemed that way before."

"Well, things are different now." She shot back, and the finality in the sentence sounded deafening to him.

"Yeah they are." He responded quietly, watching her as she took a sudden sip of her wine as she hesitated in the doorway. Her whole demeanor was driving him insane.

"He stressing you out?" Riley asked bluntly, studying her expression.

As expected, it hardened. "No. But he is understandably a little stressed. And so am I. You wanna know the answer to that question?"

Riley closed his eyes for a moment, knowing he walked right into that one. "Look. I'm sorry about Granddad. I ain't been talkin' to him recently-"

"But it's obvious that you have been runnin' your mouth to him." She cut him off.

"I said I'm sorry. I'm being forreal. If I tell him to chill with the jokes, he will."

"And we both know him." She rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, we do. And you know he's just clownin' around. Your boy needs to loosen up."

"He's in a mood today, okay? Holidays aren't his thing."

"So what, he's gonna take it out on you?" Riley raised a brow.

"That's not what I said."

"Good, cuz it ain't happening. That ain't no fuckin' excuse."

"Reez." Cindy spoke his name slowly, giving him a tired look. "Let it go. Please."

He glanced down for a moment, letting out a sigh through his nose as he picked up the tray of cookies. "Look. I'll handle Granddad. If he starts, I'll shut it down. Period." He told her seriously, walking over to her at the doorway. "I'm sorry. I ain't mean to piss you off… especially on Christmas." He told her before innocently picking up a gingerbread-shaped cookie and biting the head off.

He could tell that she was trying not to grin at him, so he offered her the remaining part of his cookie. She rolled her eyes before taking it from him. "Only you would." She said before taking a bite off the arm. "All I know is that you better have gotten me a good gift." She teased him.

"I hope." Riley said lowly, still feeling slightly anxious over his decision.

"Whatchu mean you hope?" She asked.

"I just hope you like it."

"But why wouldn't I-"

"Girl come on, we gotta go back, they gonna be on our ass about what's taking so long." Riley gestured her forward in front of him. She gave him a look over her shoulder as she turned slowly, chuckling when Riley playfully nudged her forward. "Don't trip in them damn heels."

"Then don't push me if you ain't planning on catchin' me."

"I mean, I'll try but it's between you or the cookies."

"Whatever, boy." Cindy giggled again and Riley grinned at the sound. It was the first time he'd heard her really laugh since she'd gotten there.

"You guys good?"

Riley's smile fell at the sight of Landon suddenly being right in front of them as they turned the corner to the hallway. "Yeah, we good." He said at once.

Without YOU, nigga.

"Just grabbing another glass." Cindy explained, suddenly seeming more timid than she had been just a few moments ago.

"Great." Landon smiled only at her, wrapping an arm around her waist to turn and walk with her. "You ready to open my presents?"

"One of your presents, yes." Cindy corrected him. Landon chuckled and turned back to glance at Riley.

"She said I could only bring one to open and not the entire dozen I got for her." He boasted, prompting Riley to raise his eyebrows in response.

"Because we had decided on just one gift."

"I wanted to spoil you." Landon shrugged. "You should've let me bring them."

"They'll be waiting for me when I get home." Cindy told him quietly.

"All for you, babe." Landon kissed her cheek.

"She does deserve the best." Riley commented from behind them, meaning it as he watched them. "Of everything." He added pointedly, sure that Cindy had heard him by the way she turned her head towards him while they all entered the living room.

"Cookies!" Jazmine exclaimed at once from the nearest couch, turning in her seat once she heard his voice. "Gimme!"

"You best put a please on that." Riley smirked, but handed the tray over to her.

"About time!" Granddad complained. "These presents ain't gonna pass themselves out."

"Let's get it." Caesar grinned from his spot next to Hiro in front of the tree. The two of them started pulling presents out from beneath the tree as some of the others headed over as well. Riley felt almost out of place as everyone bustled around while he went near the center of the room and sat down on the floor next to the coffee table. He watched as Cindy and Jazmine stood by tree and helped check tags. Tom and Sarah sat in dining chairs near Granddad's recliner as they started passing down envelopes. Ruckus sat in a folding chair in the back corner, crossing his arms and mumbling under his breath as he observed everyone.

"So how do you guys open presents here?" Hiro asked aloud as he sorted between boxes. "All at once or one at a time?"

"First we gather everyone's gifts so we all have our individual piles." Jazmine explained with a cheery tone, handing an envelope over to her parents. "Then we all take turns and watch everyone open."

"Nice. Who goes first?"

"Highest roller decides." Granddad spoke up, pulling a pair of dice out from his sweater pocket.

"Sometimes we take bets." Caesar smirked, walking towards the couches with an armful full of gifts.

"We ain't gamblin' on Christmas, boy!" Granddad reprimanded him.

"Oh my bad, Mr. Freeman. Not this time then." He apologized before turning to Riley with his gifts. "Same bet as last year?" He mouthed to him.

Riley nodded quickly, always down to win money, even if it was only five bucks. He quickly pulled out his phone to text him his prediction on the dice order. When he glanced up, he noticed Cindy staring up at the mantle over the fireplace.

"Whose gifts are these?" She glanced back at the others before turning back to the thin, rectangle-shaped gifts of different sizes.

"Those are my mine." Riley stood up immediately, heading over. "I'll hand 'em out."

"Did you put names on any of them?" She asked as she reached up to touch one, but Riley intercepted before she could.

"No, because I know whose is whose." He told her, nudging her hand out of the way before collecting them all in his arms. "I said I'll hand them to people when they're ready to open their stuff. Go sit down somewhere." He smirked while heading back to his spot. She eyed the gifts in his hands curiously, but headed to the couch to sit next to Landon.

"I think that's everybody!" Jazmine said, hurrying back to the sofa next to Huey with the few gifts in her hands. "We should be ready to start!"

"Well actually, before we do that—" Tom spoke up, but paused as the room collectively groaned at him. Sarah laughed it off as continued for him.

"Just to save everyone time, we passed around envelopes with your names on them for you kids… and you Robert." She smiled over kindly at him. "You all got the same thing, Amazon gift cards on us."

"Aww thank you so much!" Jazmine smiled brightly at them. "And to save you time, I-we booked you a special and paid reservation dinner at your favorite restaurant."

"You all chipped in, huh?" Her mother grinned, glancing down at their envelope and opening it.

"Yup."

"And all signed the card." Sarah chuckled a bit at the way Jazmine's signature took up the vicinity of the bottom of the card, followed by all of her friends names squeezed in behind it.

"…Yup." She smiled, glancing at the others who were trying not to laugh.

"Well thank you all. And enjoy your cards."

Tom turned awkwardly to Ruckus seated in the corner. "Sorry Ruckus, we uh, didn't know you were going to be here."

"And also didn't know if you ever did any online ordering ever, so we didn't want to get you something you wouldn't use." Sarah added. "But we'll buy your groceries next week."

"Thank you pretty white lady, but I do just fine buyin' my own food."

"You know me well enough to call me Sarah, Ruckus." Her voice was slightly exasperated.

"Besides, it's not like old Uncle Ruckus is ever around." He continued, looking dead at Tom. "Ain't like I'm around y'all every week… every year… every Christmas."

"Unfortunately." Huey uttered.

"Oh Ruckus, if you don't hush up." Granddad rolled his eyes as he flung a shabbily wrapped package that whirled easily through the air to Ruckus. He seemed caught off guard when it landed at his feet.

"What's this?"

"A present, fool. Now open it."

"Really G?" Riley complained. "He gets somethin' and we don't?"

"Y'all got Christmas gifts throughout your whole childhood." Granddad brushed him off. "Be grateful!"

"For what?" Riley was incredulous.

"The gift of allowing us another year to breathe your air and eat your food?" Huey cocked his head.

"Those type of gifts started before we were even teenagers!" Riley added.

"What do you think, Ruckus?" Granddad ignored them completely, looking over as Ruckus held up a light red cotton jacket.

"It… looks like my other ones." He said as he examined it.

"But new. Not faded pink or stained or holey. And in your correct size."

"Won't He do it?" Caesar commented innocently while giving one his boxes a gentle shake as he held it to his ear.

Ruckus lowered the jacket down on his lap and stared across the room at Granddad. "I... wasn't expecting anything."

"I know you weren't. Merry Christmas." Granddad nodded.

Ruckus furrowed his brow a bit in response while crossing his arms. "Never in my life have I spent a red cent on a darkie. I hadn't planned on breakin' that streak today or ever on getting you anything."

"That's fine Ruckus, I hadn't thought so."

"Well whatchu you mean by that?" He asked right away.

"What I said." Granddad gave him a look with a shrug. "I didn't expect anything in return."

"Nigga, you ain't about to hold that over my head like you did somethin'." Ruckus glared.

"I'm not—"

"Ohhh I see, I see! So you think just cuz you went and got me a shirt from the Walli-World, you better than all the other coons out here. You still ain't shit, nigga." Ruckus snapped, standing suddenly to his feet.

"Now look here! I'mma do your damn dishes and clean your kitchen, then we're callin' it even. And I don't wanna hear another word about it!" He demanded, marching off to the kitchen with the jacket folded neatly over his shoulder. The room was quiet for a brief moment as they watched him exit.

"Damn… I thought he'd never leave." Riley broke the silence, turning back towards the others.

"Anyyyyways." Granddad rolled his eyes. "Let's get this show on the road." He said, tossing the dice in his hand into the air to land on the coffee table.

"It's a six and…" Jazmine trailed off, waiting for Riley to take a peek at the one that rolled off onto the floor.

"Another six." Riley grumbled, annoyed that Caesar had guessed right on Granddad getting the highest number. He picked up the dice and gave them a quick roll, satisfied with his numbers. He passed them off afterwards, watching them go around the room and everyone taking their rolls. When Hiro took the last turn, he cursed under his breath and glared at Caesar who was casually celebrating in his seat as he looked at his phone, clearly having the most guesses right.

"Alright, so the order is me," Granddad spoke proudly. "Then Huey, Jazmine, Hiro, Riley, Caesar, then Cindy. Sorry Lambo, doesn't look like there's much for you."

"G, would you give it a rest? C'mon." Riley shot him a look, feeling the heat of Cindy and Landon's gaze from across the coffee table.

"Boy, was anybody talkin' to you?" Granddad snapped, his focus now locked onto him.

"Would you like to know what your present is?" Riley changed the topic smoothly.

"That would be nice, considerin' all I got was one envelope." He grumbled, starting to open it.

"It's from all of us." Riley rolled his eyes.

Granddad pulled the item out of the envelope and lowered his glasses down right away. "Ohhh lawdy-lawdy-Lord, who is this cutie pie?" He asked with interest, flipping the page around to show a headshot of an attractive young woman.

"Her name is Genevieve." Huey explained boredly. "We've hired her to provide maid service at the house for a week."

"Really?! A full week?"

"A whole seven days to get her number." Riley smirked.

"Don't you worry about that. Your Granddaddy will have that all handled."

"Maybe in your dreams." Huey said quietly under his breath.

"What was that?"

"I suppose I'm next." He said with an eyeroll.

"Huey…." Jazmine said with a patient smile, batting her eyes a bit at him. It was obvious he was holding back the sigh as he closed his eyes for a moment.

"I can hardly wait." He spoke in monotone, making the others snicker at his forced voice. It wasn't a secret that Huey couldn't stand the idea of Christmas… any of it. But considering Jazmine loved everything about Christmas, they settled on a compromise once they started dating. He had to at least pretend like he cared. And he had to participate in the act of gift-giving, but only between the two of them. He didn't want gifts and was also not about to buy stuff for everyone else.

"Why do I have two presents here?" He asked, looking between a gift bag and a neatly wrapped box.

"Oh, the bag's from me." Caesar smiled.

"Why?" Huey gave him a look, starting to pull out the tissue paper.

"Because I care about you, man. Because it's Christmas. Because you're my brother from another—"

"I hate you." Huey said plainly, pulling out a box of children's hair relaxer. The room busted out laughing as he chucked it across the room, Caesar just barely catching it.

"Aw come on man, there's a few more things in there!" He told him, still laughing good-naturedly.

"A book of conspiracy theories," Huey stated while pulling it from the bag. "And… a hair pick. Thanks." He told him dryly.

"This is actually a nice hair pick though." Jazmine giggled, plucking it from his hands and sticking it gently into his hair.

"Thank you, Jazmine. I actually ordered it from an African hair store online."

"I gave you my thanks."

"You ain't mean it."

"Next gift is from Jazmine." Huey went on, now picking up the smaller box. He opened it easily, revealing a square case. "Looks like it's a CD of…" He paused after he opened it, furrowing his brow in concentration. "…Wait."

Riley looked between Huey's face, seeming almost frozen in surprise, to Jazmine's smug one from beside him. "What is it?" He asked.

"Where… how did you find this?" Huey spoke quietly, still staring at the disc.

"I know a guy." Jazmine shrugged a blithe shoulder, making Huey turn his head to look at her.

"This is show and tell, boy! Now what the hell is it?" Granddad demanded from his chair. Huey glanced down again before rotating the case to face them. Because Riley was closest, he was able to make out the words written neatly in marker on the silver CD.

"A Christmas Play" by Huey Freeman.

"Your Christmas play?" Riley said in confusion. "Is that the one you made when we were in school?"

"Wasn't it called somethin' else?" Granddad asked.

"The Adventures of Black Jesus." Huey replied at once, turning back to Jazmine. "How did you get this?"

"It wasn't easy, but I finally was able to track down Mr. Uberwitz." Jazmine explained with a smile. "He's doing well by the way. But anyway, I asked him if anyone would have a video or recording of the play that was performed on opening night, and he was able to track down the guy of the guy of the guy who still happened to have access to the files of all the recording cameras at the school. Once he finally got ahold of it, he connected me with someone who could zoom in a bit and remaster the video and get it on a disc for better quality. So… I did that for you." She concluded with another casual shrug.

Huey just stared at her. "I… don't know what to say."

"Merry Christmas, Huey." She giggled, giving him a light peck on his nose. "I'm next!" She announced cheerfully, pulling the first gift of hers onto her lap. "This first one's from Caesar." She grinned over at him, already unwrapping the large box.

"It's really for you and Huey." He told her.

"Awww Ceez! Thank you!" She exclaimed once she tore off the paper enough to lift the lid to the wide box. "It's a care package!" She tilted it forward so everyone could see the display of snacks, toiletries, and more that filled it completely.

"I know it's y'all final semester, so I wanted to help give you that last push." He told her. "And I put some of your favorite healthy snacks in there too, big man." He added to Huey.

"You shouldn't have." Huey smirked.

"We love it, thank you." Jazmine smiled, putting it aside before reaching for a smaller square box. "This is from… Cindy." She said, starting to tear off the paper. She had only torn off a portion of the front before she paused. "You didn't."

"I did." Cindy grinned.

Jazmine squealed before ripping off the remains much faster and flipping open the lid that had the Gucci logo on the front. "Omigosh-omigosh-omigosh." She chanted to herself as she lifted out a white sack that had the logo on it.

"That's an ugly-ass bag, I'll say it." Riley spoke his mind.

"That ain't the gift, boy!" Cindy shot back.

"This is the dust bag, silly." Jazmine spoke as if in a trance while reaching inside. "This… is the gift." She revealed, pulling out a cream-colored belt with the gold GG buckle.

"Show her off." Cindy prodded, even though she didn't need to. Jazmine was already standing to loop it around the waist of her dress.

"I love you so much! Thank you so much for this, she's beautiful." She sighed dreamily as she looked down in admiration.

"Do you know how many starving families you could feed with that belt?" Huey raised an eyebrow over at Cindy. "The amount of—"

"Shh-shh-shh!" Jazmine immediately pressed her index finger to Huey's lips before kissing his temple. "Baby I love you too and it's fine, just let it happen, shh-shhhh…." She told him quietly against his cheek before he pulled away. The others laughed as Cindy blew a kiss to both Jazmine and Huey while he subtly flipped her off in return.

"Neexxt!" Jazmine's eyes looked even brighter as she looked down at the last small box in her hand. "Actually, I think I'll take my gift from you first, Riley." She smiled at him, extending her hand.

Riley nodded, glancing down at the four wrapped gifts that he made and grabbed the medium-sized portrait one. He watched in amusement while she quickly but carefully opened the package to reveal the canvas. She let out a giggle, turning to show everyone the Christmas painting he'd made of her and Huey as usual. He didn't have to open her gift to him to know what it would be. Every year they had a routine: he'd make her a picture of her and his brother, and in return she'd buy him a new art set to restock some of his supplies.

"I love it!" She beamed, admiring the picture. Huey shook his head from beside her, clearly not agreeing with the depiction of him in a Santa outfit. "Thank you, Riley."

"Thanks for this." He smirked, gesturing to the slim box beside him that was marked from her.

"Huey's gift is last." Jazmine smiled at him while untying the red bow on the small white box. Huey simply waited, folding his hands neatly as he watched her open it.

"Oh Huey," She cooed, lifting what appeared to be a plain black scarf from the box. Riley had been ready to boo at the sight of the lame gift, but then Jazmine seemed to look at it closer as she rubbed the texture. "Wait a second." She mumbled before lifting the scarf to her nose.

"Weird flex, but okay." Caesar cracked, making the other chuckle. Jazmine pulled the scarf down and turned to Huey with a smile.

"This is yours."

"Was." Huey's corrected. "It's yours now."

"But," Jazmine seemed shocked. "This is your favorite, the only one you wear all winter long. You've had it for as long as I've known you."

"I know." He nodded.

"And… wasn't it given by your father?" She asked him softly.

The room felt quieter as Huey nodded again. "He gave it to me the last Christmas we had together." He spoke quietly, only making eye contact with her. "He gifted it to me then. I'm gifting it to you now."

Jazmine's eyes appeared full as she glanced down in wonder at the cashmere scarf. "I really don't know what to say."

"Merry Christmas, Jazmine." He replied smoothly. She leaned in towards him in response, pecking his cheek before wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

"Well before it gets too deep in here, I think I'm gonna open my gifts." Hiro spoke up after a few beats, which Riley was thankful for. "And oh! I almost forgot! For my gift to all of you, I got you guys a one-year subscription to Tidal."

"For real, man?" Caesar asked. "That's so dope, thanks!"

"What the hell is a Tidal?" Granddad complained at everyone's reaction.

"It's a music streaming service that's super lit, Mr. Freeman. Jay-Z founded it actually."

"Mister Jigga himself?" He sounded impressed.

"The one and only. I'll show you how to download it later." Hiro grinned before glancing over at Riley. "Lemme grab my gift from you to start, Reez."

Riley handed him the horizontal present, watching him pull off the wrapping paper right away. "Oh this is sick!" Hiro told him, turning around to display the picture of a boombox with graffiti style paint colored all over the canvas.

"I was hoping you got me more wall art too. I know exactly where to put this." He nodded, setting it aside. "Thank you."

"No problem."

"I'm opening Caesar's next." He said, reaching for the small gift bag. "Oh man, you've gotta be kidding me." He pulled a box out right away. "A Walkman?!"

"I too know a guy." Caesar grinned at his reaction. "And I know you still have all your old tapes and shit."

"I don't get rid of any of my musical equipment." He responded distractedly, his eyes skimming over the back of the box. "You didn't have to do this Ceez, thank you."

"Ain't no thing, man. Just hit me up when you set it up for the first time."

"Oh, we settin' this up tonight. Like right after this is over." Hiro grinned, putting the box down to grab the next. "Aiight, this one's from Cindy-licious." He announced.

"It's not a Walkman or anything but…" Cindy shrugged with a grin as she watched him open.

"Oh hell yeah. A vinyl collection of some of the Wu-Tang albums?" He said in surprise, holding the box set up.

"That's tight." Riley said while grabbing a cookie from the platter. "Which ones?"

"Looks like Wu Tang Forever, 36 Chambers, and The W." He read off the back.

"Lit." Caesar looked at the front of the cover while he held it. "Definitely doin' a listening party at your studio later this week."

"For sure. Thanks so much, Cin." He told her, setting it down before pulling the largest box from his group towards him. "Just one more from Jazz."

"I hope you like it." She told him again as she watched him.

"Girl, why are you so worried?" He chuckled in confusion while he tore the paper. "You know I'll love anything you—ohhhh a fog machine! You got me a fog machine!" He exclaimed immediately, clear excitement all over his face.

"Oh wow, I did not expect that reaction." Caesar snickered.

"I've always wanted a fog machine!"

"Clearly." Huey said sarcastically.

"And it's portable, I can take it with me anywhere." Hiro seemed mesmerized. "How did you know? I've never even talked about it cuz I knew y'all would call me corny."

"I mean, this is the hardest I've ever seen you geek out over something." Caesar smirked.

"I pay attention." Jazmine giggled. "Merry Christmas."

"Take it away, Reez." Hiro pointed towards him, still oogling the front of the box.

Riley sat up a bit more as he eyed his presents. "Aiight… so first I'mma open these art supplies from Jazmine." He told the room as he casually started unwrapping.

"Boy, stop spoilin' stuff!" Granddad scolded as the others laughed. Riley smirked and held the box up so they all could see.

"Thanks, J." He gave her a head nod as he set the case down. "From Caesar…." He paused as he reached into the gift bag. He took a look and snickered before showing the others. "The new Sounds by Thug headphones that Thugnificent just released."

"Oh dope, you gotta let me know how they are." Hiro grinned.

"I'm sorry, did you say Sounds by Thug?" Huey raised an eyebrow.

"Sure did." Caesar grinned proudly. "People be callin' it the knockoff version of Beats by Dre, but there's only one way to find out."

"…It seems obvious."

"Thanks, man." Riley told Caesar, admiring the gold appearance of the headphones before setting the box down. "And finally, Cindy's weighted-ass box." He said, pulling her rectangular gift closer in front of him.

"Just open it." She smirked.

He unwrapped the paper quickly, revealing a plain white box with a blue lid. Once he lifted the top, he looked up to her in surprise. "You serious?"

"No." She joked with a playful smile. "Of course."

"What is it?" Caesar asked.

Riley reached inside the box to pull out one of the blue spinning rims from the set she got him, identical to the ones that had gotten stolen.

"Aw that's so sweet." Jazmine said when she saw it.

"Those are sick." Hiro co-signed.

"Back in the game." Caesar nodded in approval.

Riley glanced back towards Cindy. "You really ain't have to do this."

"No one has to do anything they don't want to do for Christmas." Cindy kept grinning at him. "You didn't deserve what happened to you, obviously. Now that it's over and done, you can go right back to stuntin' on these hoes in the whip."

He shook his head at her, matching her grin. "Thanks, C. Seriously." But before she could even respond, Landon leaned in more towards her, wrapping his arm even tighter around her shoulders if possible.

"So generous, babe." He spoke before kissing her temple. Cindy's focus moved from Riley to Landon as she gave him a tight smile, patting his leg. Riley forced himself to look away, glancing back at Caesar instead.

"Here's your gift from me." He muttered, handing him the large square gift.

"Let's see it." He said, starting to tear away at the paper. "Aw snap, this is baller, Reez! Thanks!" He exclaimed, turning around the canvas to show a handmade album portrait of The Fugees.

"That's awesome, man. The Score was my favorite." Hiro said, studying the details of the art.

"Mine too. I can't wait to hang this up." Caesar grinned. "Onto Jazzy-baby's gift for me next." He pulled over her box, wasting no time in pulling open the paper. "Is this a new microphone?"

"Not just any microphone. But one specifically designed to do podcasts like you've been talking about." Jazmine explained to him.

"You take such good care of me." He smiled over at her. "This is dope, thank you so much. Still promise to be one of my guests when I start filming?"

"Of course."

"You and Huey?"

"No."

"Probably." Jazmine winked.

"Thanks girl." He nodded back to her. "Aiight, one last gift from my other girl." He spoke, pulling over the long and rectangular box towards him.

"Don't geek out like Hiro." Cindy teased.

"Is it worthy of that level geek-out?"

"To you? Possibly."

"We'll just see about tha—is this a Hoverboard?" He changed sentences midway through as he focused on the box, pulling off the packaging even faster. "Oh my God, this is a Hoverboard! I've been wanting one of these!"

"Geeked." Hiro smirked.

"Mr. Freeman," Caesar ignored him, turning towards the recliner. "Can I—?"

"No." Granddad cut him off right away.

"But it's cold outside!" He whined. "Can't I do it in the hallway?"

"Nigga, do you speak English? I said no. Wait til you get home."

"Ugghhhhh!" Caesar whined dramatically, staring longingly down at the box.

"You have to charge it anyway, Ceez." Cindy told him with a sympathetic grin. "Why don't you go plug it in?"

Caesar seemed to contemplate this for a moment before he stood up with the box. "Good idea. I'm gonna go find some scissors to open it and get it charging. I'll put it out here so it's out of the way." He spoke to the room casually, seeming to mosey oddly out of the room.

"If I hear you on that damn thing in the hallway, you're goin' home boy!" Granddad raised his voice.

"You won't!"

"Hurry back, Cindy's next!" Jazmine called out to him.

"Well first, I want Landon to open his present from me." Cindy said, gesturing to the small black gift bag in front of him.

"My first gift of the day." He teased, and Riley had to fight not to roll his eyes. Did the nigga really expect them to get him something when they all barely knew him? Including Cindy, but that was beside the point.

"Michael Kors, nice." Landon said, pulling a gray embossed box from the bag. He opened the lid with a grin before turning it around to reveal the olive-green watch inside. "This is sharp."

"Really?" Cindy asked him, almost sheepishly. "I know that you already have a nice watch, but I thought that color would look really nice on you."

"It's perfect baby, I love it. Thank you." He told her, leaning in to give her a lingering kiss on the lips. "Now you need to open yours."

"Saved the best for last." Jazmine added with a smile.

Cindy sat up a little taller as Landon moved to set a medium-sized box in her lap. She started peeling away at the wrapping paper along the edges, but when she pulled it over the top, her eyes widened. "Babe?"

"Yes?" He answered innocently. Cindy looked to him in shock as she pulled away the remaining paper, revealing a tan shoe box.

"Shut up." Jazmine blurted, leaning forward in her chair to see more. Riley raised an eyebrow, considering he couldn't see the top of the box from his spot on the ground. It wasn't until she lifted back the lid that he was able to make out the name Louboutin.

Damn. Riley managed to keep his poker face as Cindy kept unboxing, but… damn. He really was out here ballin' on her. Not that she didn't deserve it, because she definitely did. It just made him feel… weird. And definitely made him feel even more self-conscious about his gift. He lowkey didn't even want to show it to her after this big-ass display.

"Wow." Cindy breathed, pulling a silver heel from a red dust bag while Jazmine and Sarah fawned. The shoe was strappy, decked out in crystals, with a high red-bottom stiletto heel. "This is… wow." She uttered, not seeming to have any reaction aside from being stunned. "Thank you so much."

"With the bloody shoes though?" Caesar came back into the room, letting out a low whistle afterwards. "Kill 'em."

"She's worthy." Landon grinned, watching her tuck the shoe away. "You might wanna check the bottom of the box by the way." He told her coolly. Cindy slowly moved the shoe bags and tissue paper out of the way, crinkling her brow as soon as she did.

"Babe, we said one gift!"

"I changed my mind." Landon shrugged in response. "Pull it out."

Cindy gave him a slight look as she seemed to be opening something else. Her face held that look of shock again as she stared down at whatever she was looking at.

"But what is it though?" Hiro asked from his spot across the room.

Cindy cleared her throat before lifting a rectangle box that contained a shimmering statement piece of jewelry. "A very beautiful necklace."

"A Swarovski necklace." Sarah spoke up with emphasis, her eyes glued to the collar-style necklace that was covered fully in hanging crystals. "With earrings." She pointed out.

"She had to have something to wear with the shoes." Landon gave Sarah a grin before turning back to Cindy. "You like?"

"You really outdid yourself… but they're gorgeous. Thank you." Cindy responded quietly, not quite answering the question as Riley noticed. Granted, the jewelry looked fancy and extravagant as fuck, but he just couldn't picture her in them.

But things are different now.

"Open mine next!" Jazmine said excitedly, bringing Riley out of his own thoughts. He watched as Cindy went to open a decorated manila envelope.

"I'm half excited, half nervous." She teased, opening the folder and pulling out a stack of papers. "Definitely more nervous if there's this much reading involved."

"Just look at the front for now, brat." Jazmine grinned.

"A summary would be nice though." Caesar added.

Cindy held up one finger to him as her eyes began skimming over the page. Then she lowered it a bit, giving Jazmine a questioning look. "Torne Valley Vineyards?"

"To summarize," Jazmine began proudly. "You and I are going to have our first traditional wine-tasting experience together."

"Aw, how cool!"

"In New York."

"What!"

"Where in New York?" Caesar demanded.

Jazmine giggled. "It's about an hour from Manhattan. I've already booked tickets for us to take the train there so we can reserve a hotel room on the Upper East Side. It would be a weekend getaway trip so we can have a full day to shop, obviously, then have all day to spend at the vineyard!"

"Jazz, that's amazing!" Cindy had a big smile. "When'd you book it for?"

"It'll be the middle of June!"

"Can I come?!"

"No!" Cindy and Jazmine told Caesar immediately, who pouted.

"Girls trip only." Cindy told him.

"I don't know. Shopping, wine, and you two alone together in the city?" Landon mused with a slight grin. "I'm worried what kind of trouble you'll get into without Huey and I there."

"We'll stay out of jail, I promise." Jazmine waved off.

"You can't pre-promise something like that." Huey shook his head. "But have fun anyway."

"Thank you so much for this, Jazz. I can't wait." Cindy smiled, beginning to put the papers back in the envelope.

"Y'all are rude, but open mine next." Caesar spoke up, and Riley whipped his head to him in annoyance. He wanted her to open his present next so it could be out of the way. "And it's got an explanation too before y'all even come for me."

"That's a weird way to start but okay." She smirked, lifting a white box with a bow and an envelope taped to it. "Should I open the card first?"

"Nah, open the box first." He answered her. She gave him a nod as she picked at the tape around the edges. Once she opened the lid, her eyes lit up.

"Ooooh!" She let out, holding up a green pair of fitness leggings with a mesh design along the sides. "He got me a full set!" She smiled, pulling out a white crop hoodie and a bright red sports bra.

"Um?"

"Shut up, Hiro." Caesar gave his arm a push while he laughed. "Jazmine helped me."

"I was about to say." Landon's grin was light as he stared at the clothes.

"I did!" Jazmine giggled.

"Still suspect." Riley shrugged.

"Man, bump y'all. Cin, the outfit is from Fabletics and the card I gave you is good for another full outfit for you to pick out."

"Aww thanks so much, Ceez! This is so thoughtful!"

"Glad someone thinks so. Exactly why I didn't want to go last, y'all are some haters."

Shit. Riley cursed internally, starting to get that anxious feeling again as Cindy put the lid back on the box before looking across the table to him.

"Reez?" She asked with a smile, nodding her head towards the only present left in front him.

Riley reached for the gift slowly, the smallest gift he had in relation to the others. His fingers drummed along the back nervously as he held it in both of his hands, hesitating slightly. It suddenly felt heavy in his hands. Too heavy. Too real. Too… personal given the setting. He met her gaze while he pushed himself to hand it towards her and get it over with. But at the last second, the minute her hand gripped the gift, he couldn't force himself to let it go.

"Aye," He spoke quietly, hating how silent it suddenly sounded in the room. "You uh… don't have to open this right now if you don't want to."

"Huh?" Cindy blinked at him in confusion.

"I mean, if you'd rather open this in private or later, that's cool." He told her, removing his hand once he realized he was still hanging onto the gift.

"Why would she want to do that though?" Landon spoke up, eyeing Riley with a calm smile. "I'm sure she'll want to thank you in person for the present since you won't see her later."

"Yeah I get that." Riley responded at once, not taking his eyes off Cindy. "But it's not about me. It's whatever she wants."

Cindy gave him a questioning look, obviously unsure about what exactly was going on. She looked down at the gift in her hands for a moment before briefly glancing between Riley and Landon.

"I mean, I do want to thank you today for it." Cindy said to Riley while she went to the corner of the wrapping. "I'll open it now, I don't mind."

I do. Riley thought instead of responding, keeping his eyes on her while she kept her head down and worked on unwrapping it completely. He felt himself hold his breath as Cindy pulled the wrapping paper off the front of the gift and saw the picture.

"Oh my God." She about whispered, putting a shaky hand over her mouth as she stared down at it. Her other hand tightly gripped the 5x7 frame he had put the picture in, the only gift Riley had done that for given the circumstances.

"How…" She trailed off after her voice cracked, her eyes still locked on the photo. She took in a breath before she lifted her gaze to meet Riley's. "How did you do this?" She practically whispered again.

"I used what I could." He replied. He felt the eyes of everyone on him, but could only concentrate on Cindy's full ones. "It was nothing… really."

She blinked at him, those glassy blue eyes looking even closer to spilling over. "Yes, it is."

"Can I see?" Landon asked, leaning closer against Cindy to look down at the photo. Riley had to bite his tongue as the nigga actually took it from Cindy's hands to hold it when Cindy showed it to him. "Oh wow. This is you with your mom when you were little?"

Cindy nodded, looking down at the photo. "One of the better times."

"Wow." Landon said again, shaking his head at the photo. "That's a great picture, Riley." He smiled up at him before he handed the picture not back to Cindy, but over to Sarah in the chair beside him. "Wanna see?"

Motherfucker. Riley glared at the side of his bitch-ass head, instantly pissed. It wasn't his fucking gift to show off and pass around the room. For all he knew, Cindy wanted to keep it private, which is why Riley wanted to give her that choice.

"You got mad talent, Reez." Caesar said after getting up to take the photo from Tom since Granddad had fallen asleep in his chair. "For real though. This is…" He trailed off, turning the picture to show Hiro.

"Gifted, man." He supplied, studying the picture. "Seriously." Riley mumbled a thanks to him as Caesar brought the picture to hand over to him. He glanced down at it again briefly, critiquing his work out of habit.

He honestly didn't feel like he had done much. Truthfully, he felt like he had cheated in a way. He had used trace paper on the ruined picture of Cindy with her mom to transfer the good parts of the image onto drawing paper. It had taken forever since he tried to get every usable part that he possibly could. Then he filled in the rest free-hand, detailing her mother's face from memory, other snippets he could find in the albums, and Cindy. He'd used her facial structure to really add to the details of her mother's face, particularly the smiling laugh she was doing in the picture, which he had to admit came out well. Once he finally had everything drawn, he added color over top of it, trying to make it look as bright and vibrant as possible to give it even more life. And while he had to admit that it did turn out nice, he was starting to second-guess his gift choice entirely, especially with as big of a thing as it was becoming.

Riley started to hand it back across the table to her, not even bothering pass it over to Huey or Jazmine, it had gone around the room enough. The doubt stirred in his stomach more noticing the way her eyes were still welled. What if he was upsetting her? What if she was already upset and this just made it that much worse? What if he legit ruined her Christmas just by—

His thoughts were put on hold when Cindy took the picture again, but reached out with her other hand to cover his. He made eye contact with her again, watching a fresh tear escape from her glistening eyes. But surprisingly, her lips were slightly upturned as she looked at him.

"Thank you." She told him, her voice thick and her tone genuine. Riley felt his body relax as he let the gift go and gave her hand a gentle squeeze in return.

"Merry Christmas, C."

---

Cindy's POV

She stared at the picture, now resting on her living room end table as she sipped her tea. She couldn't get it out of her mind ever since she opened her gift and actually saw it. The only picture she wanted, a picture that had been ruined, was now restored and made even better. She had next to no words for him.

She wished she would've been able to talk to him more. After the gifts, everyone stuck around to watch Huey's play before Caesar and Hiro had to head out afterwards, which prompted Landon to want to get going too. She hadn't gotten another opportunity to talk to him privately, as much as she'd wanted to. The most she could do was give him a hug before she left, thanking him again, to which he brushed off as usual. It made her want to slap him upside the head or shake him really. But also, just hug him some more.

Riley really surprised her. It was like he knew before she did that the picture was something she needed. Her mother had been on her mind sporadically throughout the day. Not that they ever spent the holidays together since she'd moved out, but this year was just… different. Her dad had texted her a merry Christmas and invited her over if she didn't already have plans, but Cindy couldn't picture that. And also wasn't ready for that. She needed to spend time with her real family… her friends… Landon.

Cindy puffed out a slight sigh, glancing over towards the pile of open gifts at the tree. It wasn't that she was mad about him wanting to "spoil her" or whatever, but they had already agreed: one gift for each other. And it made her feel like an asshole that he spent so much on so many things she hadn't necessarily asked for when all she got him was the one thing. One thing she wasn't even positive he was going to really like or actually use. He had said that he'd liked it, but she just didn't know. It was their first year really celebrating a big holiday like Christmas together and she'd wanted to keep it simple. He'd told her previously that holiday gatherings stressed him out, and she could get that. He seemed on edge earlier but had finally seemed to settle. In fact, he'd been in a better mood for the remainder of the evening thankfully. Bustling around, putting things away, making her tea, and just seeming happy.

She turned her head towards the patio doors at the sound of distance but muffled boom. Landon re-entered the living room from the hallway, looking over towards the door as well. "Are those fireworks?" He asked.

"Sound like it. Not sure why Christmas fireworks are a thing." She shook her head, taking another sip of her tea.

"Wanna come out and look at them?" He asked, approaching her.

"It's probably cold out there though."

"Your patio's heated." Landon shrugged. "You've got the best view in town, c'mon. I'll grab us coats." He said before doing just that. Cindy relented, putting her mug down before she stood and stretched. She walked leisurely to the doorway, sliding it open as a bright burst of color filled the sky. She smiled a thank you as Landon tossed her long coat over her shoulders, covering her white shirt and red plaid bottoms. He was now back in his suit jacket, covering the outfit he had worn earlier.

"I don't know how you're still in those clothes." Cindy chuckled as she stepped onto the patio. "I was into pajamas within five minutes."

"Yeah I know you were." He grinned, slipping his hand into hers. They strolled to the far end, taking in the big sky as they did. "Did you have a good Christmas?"

"I did." Cindy nodded, stepping forward to rest her hands on the balcony railing. "You?"

"I was with you. Of course I did." He responded, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling into her neck. "I'm happiest when I'm with you."

Cindy smiled leaning back against him comfortably. "You make me happy too."

Landon kissed her neck again as he rubbed her hips a bit. "Would you be mad at me if I told you I had one more gift for you?"

She couldn't help the sigh that escaped. "Seriously babe?"

"Kinda."

"Landon, you way overspent."

"Maybe." She felt him shrug as he removed his hands from her body and took a step back.

"I don't know what that means, but we were supposed to keep things simple—" She began, but heard her own voice fade out once she turned and realized that Landon was down on one knee in front of her.

Holding a small velvet box.

"Cynthia," Landon spoke calmly, despite the look of complete shock frozen on her face. "I'm in love with you. I want to spend my life with you. I want to always be the one person you can count on; the person who'll do everything to make you happy. Whether that's with my love for you, my time with you, and my multiple gifts for you." He gave her a grin, right before opening the box to reveal the massive rock that sat inside.

"I'll never grow tired of giving you all that I have to make you happy. I love you with all that I have. Please do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world… will you marry me?"

---

Boom.

What. Happens. NEXT?

First things first: thank you PM's are coming. As you can see, this chapter was humongously long already, so I will send those messages for my lovely reviewers ASAP!

Secondly, disclaimer: LovinHueyFreeman pretty much co-wrote this chapter and without her it wouldn't exist, so thank her and go flood her story Back in the Day with review love.

ALSO special shoutout to QuestionyTheQuestionMark for being the inspiration for all of Landon's many roast name aliases. Pretty much all of them were provided by her via reviews and they take me out each time. The disdain for the guy is unreal and I'm living for it.

Thirdly… it's been a minute hasn't it? Life, work, and all of the like have been a lot, but we still kickin' it! Still such a joy to write this story and I'm hoping you all like it! Very curious to see what you think about what's happened, and more importantly, what's to come….

Feel free to leave a review and as always, thank you SO much to all of the readers and reviewers who've held this story down and continued to support. It means the world.

I'm hoping to have another update for at least one of my stories (not sure which at the moment) sometime soon after the new year. I'll get back to work as soon as I can, but until then, have a wonderful holiday season everyone and hope you enjoyed this Christmas-y chapter!

Cheers!

~Schweetie