Walkin’ in a Writer’s Wonderland 2017

Title: Joy to the World

Tags: NoSex

Summary: Eric invites Jamila's family for Christmas dinner where they learn of a secret the two have kept.

Spoiler for Liquid Lust

“Babe, would you please stop worrying. It’s just Christmas dinner.”

“Just Christmas dinner…?”

“If it’s all about how much food you have to cook, I told you that can be taken care of.”

“That’s not the problem. Eric… you do realize that no one was there to see us get married except Tabs and Tu’Van? That the only ones who know work with you…” I eyed my husband. I felt good that I at least told him half the truth. I didn’t tell anyone in my family about the impromptu marriage, aside from Ramil and Ashley, and they didn’t tell anyone (of course, they were part of the Superhero Union, hence, they worked with Eric).

Eric stopped helping and stared at me. “You… you didn’t tell your folks…?”

“Don’t give me that look! I…” what was about to come out my mouth would be a lie. I sighed and stopped prepping my dressing. “I have a dysfunctional family. I don’t talk to anyone except my dad, Ramil and Ashley.”

“Oh…” he gave me a hug and kissed me on the forehead. “It’s Christmas. I’m sure that they’ll behave and give fake smiles to please you.”

“If that’s what you believe, Maclin…”

It was already a disaster and the food hadn’t been served yet. Eric had the greatest idea to invite all of my family members to the Maclin Manor for Christmas. My brother, Ramil and I tried to talk him out of it but he had put his foot down. Whelp: he would finally get the reason why we secluded ourselves from the rest of the Joneses and Campbells.

Never mind the fact that I didn’t mention my new name change… which, I admitted was my fault for the first round of trouble. My maternal aunt and grandmother came in and immediately asked about Albert, even though Eric had his arm around my waist. My paternal grandfather asked if I was Eric’s maid and went on a tirade about how we didn’t live in “those times” anymore and Eric should be ashamed to have a black maid and “baby, the white man only bring us down”.

And then, the seating. My mother, who I hadn’t seen in years, sat herself and her new husband down next to my dad and step mom, bragging about how well off she was now. Uncle James sat down by Ashley and continued to flirt with her and I had to slyly stop Ramil from using his flame powers. Three cousins wondered why Eric and I sat by one another and then my triplets, bless their hearts, made the announcement.

“That’s because mom and Mr. Maclin are dating.” Solonia stated proudly. Oh… my children had no idea, either. This was gonna be a great surprise!

Of course, everyone gave us a look. My ex, Albert, tried to control his snicker by taking a large gulp of his alcoholic beverage: when he saw the crowd, he said liquor would make it even more amusing. It was weird he was actually the first to encourage the relationship between me and Eric.

“So… she’s not your maid but your girlfriend?” Grandpa Joe asked.

“You old fool: I told you she would’ve been cleaning and not sitting at the table if she was!” my aunt Shirley rolled her eyes. I was told several years back that she wasn’t really an aunt but had been a family friend for so long, we continued to call her as such.

Eric’s smile should’ve warned me but no, I was already trying to hold down the panic attack. “She’s actually my wife, now.” And then he had the nerve to grab my hand and kiss it, showing off the new rings.

You could’ve cut the air with a knife, the silence was so thick. My children were wide-eyed and gaped as they switched glances from me to Eric. Albert choked on his drink. Everyone else had the same wide-eyed, gaped mouth look as the triplets. The only sound came from my brother and his wife, who both were casually buttering their rolls.

“Winston, can we get a refill on our wine? Thanks.”

“You know, a lot of this could’ve been avoided if you just told everyone we were married from the start…” Eric called out as I gathered blankets and pillows: I wasn’t sleeping with him in the bed.

“So, my mother saying I was a measly professor making my children live off scraps is my fault…?”

“No, but that had nothing to do with-”

“And that no one thought I had enough sense to marry money?”

“Jamila…”

“And let’s not forget that you’re still a white devil in disguise and it’s ‘a good thing I can’t have any more children’!”

“I fail to see how this makes you mad at me…”

“You invited them here! This is why me and Ramil don’t associate with them, Christmas or not!”

“I’m… I’m sorry. How can I make it up to you?”

“By not speaking to me.”

“Baby!” was all I heard before I slammed the door on him.

I grumbled but leaned more into him as we laid on the large sofa in one of the dens.

“This defeats the purpose of me sleeping in the other room…”

“I love you?”

“Whatever.” I fought the smile that wanted to appear as he tangled his legs into mine.

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