AN: I found this in the vault. I wrote this during my writer's block days. It's been awhile since I posted on here. I still plan to complete current stories but wanted to share this for Christmas.

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow

And mistletoe

And presents under the tree

Jazmine climbed down the ladder. She finally finished the final touches of her Christmas tree which stood 14 feet tall, glistening with white lights as well as silver ball and gold diamond ornaments. Every year she took pride in her Christmas decor. From the moment you entered her home, you would feel as if you were entering a winter wonderland. That wasn't the only thing she took pride in. She was a very wealthy woman with all she ever wanted. A successful nurse practitioner career, a gigantic home, a wonderful son. She had everything, everything except...love.

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

Tears glistened her eyes as "He" crossed her mind once again in December. She only thought about him twice a year. The month of "His" birthday and her favorite holiday. It became a memorial of the past on the one that broke her heart. The man whom she couldn't stop loving, even though she moved on with her life. She had married her current ex-husband, with whom she shared a handsome son, but even he could not compare to "Him".

I'm dreaming tonight

Of a place I love

Even more than I usually do (usually do)

She couldn't believe after all these years. She can still feel him in her heart. It's been 20 years since she last saw him. They were so happy with each other until they started college, which separated them. In the end, they decided it was better to break up, so they parted ways, lived their own lives.

And although I know, it's a long road back

She wiped a tear as she noticed her phone ring. It was her son. He was calling FaceTime, she was smiling vividly when she accepted the video call. The moment she did, his handsome face appeared on her screen. His bright green eyes that matched her widened,

"Yo, Ma! "He said urgently.

"Hello to you as well, Sebastian," she laughed at his enthusiasm.

He laughed "sorry, how are you Mama?"

"I'm fine, I'm done decorating the Christmas tree," said Jazmine with pride.

"Again? I thought you had done it weeks ago! " He exclaimed.

"Yes, that's true, but my new Esty ornaments came in and they couldn't wait until next year,' she explained.

Sebastian shook as his head. " Ma, you're something else"

Jazmine held the phone to the tree. "That tree is something else, right?"

"Damn, that's a big ass tree!" he exclaimed.

She switched the screen back to her. "Young man. You better watch your mouth in my house!"

He laughed "technically I'm not in your house so it doesn't matter Ma" he joked.

She gave him a serious look (I'm not playing with you) that thinned his throat.

"Yes Ma'am. " He said nervously. Jazmine could only smile at the boy. He was the greatest thing that had happened to her.

"It's alright baby, "" she said softly. "Now I know you didn't call me to see how I was doing because you did that this morning." She seated herself comfortably in the chair. "So, what did you need to tell me?" She asked.

His eyebrows lifted. His mama knew him too well.

"Well, I was initially going to tell you in person, but I couldn't wait," he said.

"Okay, " she said patiently.

"Remember that girl of mine?"

"I do, Miss Nina. The charming woman you've been dating for the last year who you still haven't introduced me to. Of course, I remember, " she rolled her eyes.

"Nonsense MA, I introduced you to her countless of times"

"Son, FaceTime is not the same as face-to-face. So, technically, you haven't introduced us, but I'm going to give you a pass since I feel like that's about to change," she says, making him laugh louder.

" Now get on with it, son. How's it going with Nina? " Jazmine said.

"Well, you know we're really serious."

"To what extent?" she inquired.

"I think I love her," he said nervously.

She raised her brow. "You think you love her or you know you love her?"

He smiled " I know I love her. I mean, I love her very much and she loves me."

"Okay, that's good " she said, smiling. She knew he wasn't done, so she waited for him to continue.

"She means the world to me Ma, I feel like she's the one for me. " He admitted. He looked at her more seriously and said, "That's why I decided I'm going to ask her to marry me."

Jazmine's eyes got bigger. "Wow.. That was quick".

I know it sounds insane. We've only been seeing each other for a year, but she's special Ma," he says.

"Do you consider her a good woman? Does she make you happy? " She asked.

"Yes," he replied without hesitation.

"Are you good to her and do you make her happy?"

"Absolutely! I would do anything to keep her happy," he says affectionately.

She saw the ray of light in his eyes and knew immediately that he meant every word.

"Well, in that case, you have my full support " she said.

He sighed at ease. " Thank you Mama. This matters so much to me."

" Your welcome baby, " she said. "So... will you introduce her to me after the wedding or?" She shrugged.

"Hold up MA, I was getting to that, " he chuckled . " Okay, listen . "He said, "I'm coming home for Christmas and I invited Nina to come along with me."

"Really? " She exclaimed. "That's wonderful! "She smiled and then bit her lip as she realized something. "Wait. What about her family? Isn't she going to spend Christmas with them? " She questioned.

"Well..Her father is the only family she has apart from her uncle and aunt who moved to Maryland last year. I thought it would be cool if she could spend time with them too while she's out there. " Sebastian made a suggestion. "Moreover, her father is not the traditional type, he does not celebrate Christmas," he explained.

"Oh, okay," Jazmine nodded.

"Buuuuut. Since she hasn't seen her dad for a long time, I thought he might come too. " He continued. Jazmine's eyes broadened, causing him to laugh nervously.

"I know it's a lot to ask, but I haven't had an opportunity to meet him. And I really want to do it the traditional way by asking for her hand in marriage. I thought this would be the perfect occasion."

"I thought he wasn't a traditional guy? " She asked, smirking at him.

"Chill Ma! " He laughed. 'I know it's an awful lot to ask, but I want it to be special. Her old man means a lot to her. I know that would mean a great deal if she knew that I asked him first. Please Ma, can I do this with a cherry on top? " He asked, giving her the puppy dog eyes, he would give her when he was five.

She shook her head with a smile. Lord did her son knew how to persuade his mama.

"Of course you can baby. As long as her father is in agreement, I don't see why," she said. " They're more than welcome to come for Christmas. Also, since his father is not the traditional kind, I think it would be better if you came on Christmas Eve. Perhaps Christmas Day is too festive for him, particularly with your grandparents."

"That is a good idea, thanks! "She smiled widely. "I really appreciate this! I promise you'll love her! I love you so much MA, "he expressed.

"I love you more, baby," she said, blowing his kiss.

He blew a kiss back, "Ma, it was good talking to you. But I have to go," he said calmly. "I'm gonna call Nina and tell her the news!!" He beamed.

I always enjoy talking to you, baby. And alright. Please be careful. " She said, "See you soon."

"See you soon," he said, before he finished his call.

She glanced at her phone and touched her heart while tears burst from her eyes. She was so thrilled that her baby was coming home and he was coming with a plus one, "She popped up from her seat and rushed to the kitchen to look at the calendar. It was 3 days until Christmas Eve!

She panicked as she became aware that she needed more groceries. She wanted to prepare a big supper for the guest. This was a special occasion since it will be the first time she will meet her son's fiancé and everything had to be perfect. .

She wrote in her notebook things to obtain, including gifts.

She wants to make sure they feel welcome. She wondered what was Nina like. Her only hope was that she was as wonderful as her child described. She hopes her father doesn't get too hard on her son. She realizes that this will be her first encounter and she did not know what to expect, but she just hopes for the best

'Mama said yes Christmas eve Dinner'

Nina Simone Freeman grins at the text message her boyfriend sent.

She couldn't believe it. He convinced his mother to let her and her father come. He mentioned before how easy going she was but knowing that she welcomed them so easily. She became less nervous to meet her.

The only problem was that she still had to talk her father into coming. Unlike Sebb's mother, her father was not the easygoing type. In fact, he is very up-tight and self centered man. He was equally forthright and bold. He didn't care who you were, he didn't bite his tongue for anybody. She has always admired about him, however, his boldness always interfered with her past relationships.

It frightened her dates with its political views and his cold demeanor. One time, he yelled at her date because he was a black man who didn't know the story of Emmett Till. Then there was another time he insulted her date for wearing Yeezys but not having car transportation. He completely quarrelled with another because he bragged about voting for Biden over Donald Trump. He told the poor guy they weren't any different and scolded him for voting in the first place.

He often did background checks and asked questions. That's why it took her all this time to introduce him to her boyfriend. She was very much in love with Sebastian and she didn't want her dad to be the reason she would lose him. It's been a year and they figured they'd move in together soon. They had enough of living on campus.

She thought she was going to spend Christmas alone with her boyfriend. Nevertheless, he thought it was a great idea to visit his mom with her dad so they could meet their parents at the same time.

The idea was great apart from the fact that her dad was...

Huey Freeman.

"Dad? " She said, knocking on the door of his study.

"Yes, Nina?" he asked calmly, reading his notes.

She invited herself and stood there with her hands behind her back. She took a breather before she spoke.

"I'm ready to let you meet Sebastian."

She watches her dad raise his brow, "And who the hell is that?"

"Dad! " She crossed her arms. " You know Sebastian. He's my boyfriend. We've been dating for the last year and a half.

He kept the same facial expression as he spoke. "Interesting... I don't recall anything other than him going to the same university as you."

"Dad"

"I don't even know his full name. As far as I know, he could be a serial killer."

"Dad"

"If only you would have allowed me to run his background you wouldn't have to waste a year and a half dealing with"

"DAD! " She yelled. He stared at her seriously. He had no tolerance for screaming in the house. She seated herself next to him and wrapped her arm around him. He kissed her across the head. One thing about her father is he always had a soft spot for her, only her.

"Dad, "she said softly she laid head on his shoulder. "I know you only want to protect me, but I'm grown now and I have to make my own decision.. All my life, you have taught me to learn from my mistakes and to draw inspiration from them. I can't learn if you're telling me which direction to go. I have to find my own way dad. " She expressed. "I mean, I really love this guy and I want your support, but I need you to stop interfering in my love life. That means no background checks, no interrogation, or insults. All I'm asking is that you meet him one time."

"Please," she added.

He sighed, looking at his princess who was now becoming a queen. She was getting older and he didn't want to admit it, he knew she was right,

She stared at him with begging eyes, hoping he would understand.

He shut his eyes before answering. "Alright. You may invite him to our Kwanzaa dinner,' he suggested.

Nina stood back up and crossed her fingers behind her back. "Actually, I wanted you to meet him before Kwannaa," she said.

He lifted his eyebrow, "I'm listening,"

She took a deep breath " Sebastian's mom invited us to come over on Christmas Eve. We'll leave on Thursday evening. I know you're going to finish a case that day, so I bought you a ticket to arrive Friday afternoon. She stated briefly:

Her dad immediately stood up. "You did what!" He sort of yelled.

" And before you turn all lawyer on me and object. I thought you should know that the ticket is nonrefundable and I know what you think about wasting money,' she replied.

He took a seat and sighed. "When is the flight? And where am I going? " He pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't believe he was considering this.

Nina grinned. "At 9 o'clock, precisely. Woodcrest, Maryland."

His eyes opened as he immediately remembered the home, from which he had spent most of his childhood as a teenager. Most importantly, that's where he met "Her"

The woman from his past. The woman he shouldn't have let go. The only to ever make him fall deeply in love. He felt guilt when he thought of Nina's mother. She had died of cancer when his daughter was only ten years old. He had loved her, but the love he had for her wasn't compared to the long lost love he had for Another woman.

But he couldn't think about her, it was a thing of the past.

"Dad, did you hear what I said?"

He looked up to his daughter, who looked at him worried.

"Yes, you need me at the airport at 9:00 on Friday." He said wearily. "It still baffles me that you did this without consulting me. You're fortunate that I can't ground you," he scolded.

Nina giggled, but then stopped when her Dad glared at her. She knew he hated being made fun of.

She kissed her dad's cheeks, which earned her a sigh. "I'm sorry, Daddy, you won't regret this!" She said, palming her hands together.

He kissed her forehead gently, " I better not, " he said, walking past her. She was laughing while sending her boyfriend a frantic text message. Papa bear's in!!!! Btw could you plwease book a flight for him for Friday morning . I may have told a little lie

He text back instantly: You naughty girl , don't worry babe. I got you

She smiled texting back : Thanks Boo I still can't believe we're doing this!

He replied : Neither can I but we're in this together babe

Sebastian smiled as he stared at the diamond ring in his hand. Everything was going according to plan. He already had her heart,

All he needed was her dad's approval.