Thanksgiving Day

 

Selena stood outside of Octavia’s front door with her cell phone to her ear. “I’m outside, are you coming?”

Sitting on her bed, Octavia glanced down at her thin T-shirt and panties that she’d slept in. “Not quite,” she said.

“Well, how long do you need?”

Octavia pursed her lips. “About two hours, give or take.”

Selena’s eyes stretched. “Octavia, open this door.”

Octavia slinked out of bed and dragged her feet down the hallway. The chilling breeze that had been in Chicago’s atmosphere lately was oddly missing today. When Octavia opened the door, she was only greeted with sunshine and still air.

Selena dropped the phone from her ear. “Well, at least your hair is done.” Selena rolled her eyes and crossed the threshold. “Come on, let’s get you ready.” Selena closed the door and grabbed Octavia’s arm, pulling her back into her bedroom.

“What are you doing?” Octavia asked nonchalantly.

Selena stopped walking and turned to face Octavia.

“The question is, what are you doing, girl. You know today’s Thanksgiving, right? I called you, left messages. We’re going over to Daddy Rose’s house for dinner.”

Octavia arched a brow. “Daddy Rose?”

“Yeah, girl that’s his name, and I’m claiming my spot in the Rose family next. I’m not letting you heffas take all the good men off the market.”

  “In case you didn’t notice,” Octavia said, “I’m not in the family either.” Octavia moved past Selena and went to sit on her bed.

“What’s going on here?” Selena said. “You’re not going?”

“Why should I? I haven’t heard from Jonathon. He won’t even respond to my text messages.”

“This is the perfect time to talk to him. If you’re there, you’ll be face to face. He can’t escape you then.”

“Does it look like I’m in the mood to chase after him?”

Selena looked Octavia up and down. “Yes,” she said, “you do. With that untamed looked you got going on, you look like you’re about to chase after a family of cheetahs.”

Octavia rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

“Listen, because I know both of you are probably looking pitiful and feeling miserable, I’m going to take it the extra mile and help you get ready. Hey, I’ll even run your shower and pick out your outfit. But you’re going to have to wash your own ass. I ain’t doing all of that.”

Octavia rolled her eyes again as Selena sashayed into the bathroom and disappeared. Images of Jonathon ran through Octavia’s mind. The last time she saw him they’d had a big fight, but before it happened, Jonathon had kissed her with so much fervor that it had practically sucked in her soul. A chill ran through her as she relived the moment. In truth, Octavia was missing Jonathon so bad her heart felt broken, and seeing him again would be everything, except he had cut her off, and Octavia regretted pushing him to that point.

Selena traipsed out the bathroom. “All right, you’re good to go.” She strode across the room straight for the closet. When she didn’t feel Octavia move, Selena turned back with a hand on her hip. Slowly, Octavia slinked off the bed and trudged into the bathroom.

Two and half hours later, Selena and Octavia left the house and climbed into her car. The ride over to Christopher Lee Rose’s home was filled with Selena chatting and Octavia half-listening. Jonathon had taken over her thoughts, and honestly, Octavia hadn’t felt this unsure of herself in a long time. Was cornering him at his dad’s house a good idea?

“You can’t back out,” she heard Selena said.

Octavia turned to her. “What?”

“That look on your face tells me you’re contemplating breaking free and running back to the house but you can’t. I’m driving.” Selena shrugged and poked her bottom lip out, mocking Octavia with a bat of her eyes.

 Octavia bit her bottom lip and turned her focus toward the window.

“Oh come on. Seriously, Octavia, wouldn’t you rather be with him? Even if it’s just to say whatever it is you’ve been trying to say with all your attempts to reach out.”

Octavia turned back to Selena. “That’s the only reason why I’m here. I don’t expect him to say much, but at least I can speak my peace.”

“God girl, you sound like you’re going to a funeral. Perk up. I’m certain it won’t be as bad as you think.”

“How’s that?”

“We’re talking about Jonathon here. He’s loved you for a long time.”

Octavia stared at her friend as she exited the highway. Octavia wished she could feel the confidence Selena felt. They passed two other highways before turning on Russet Way. The closer they got, the more nervous Octavia became. It was so unlike her, and she didn’t know how to snap out of it. When the house came into view, Selena smiled delightedly.

“I think we’re late,” Selena said. “It’s already getting dark.”

Octavia read the dashboard time. “Better late than never,” Octavia said.

“That’s the spirit,” Selena responded, giving Octavia’s leg a quick tap. Selena pulled in and parked, and the ladies left the vehicle.

“Shouldn’t we have brought something?” Octavia said.

“Girl, you know they have everything.” Selena turned to Octavia with a frown. “Why are you acting brand new, like you’ve never been here before?”

“How am I acting like that?”

Selena squinted at Octavia. “Come on,” she said, linking her arm through Octavia’s. The doorbell could be heard on the porch when Selena pressed the button. They waited, and Octavia’s heart knocked as the nearing footsteps on hardwood floors approached. The door swung open, and Norma smiled, holding her arms out.

“Happy Thanksgiving, ladies, we weren’t sure if you would make it,” she said.

“Of course,” Selena said, stepping into Norma’s embrace. They hugged and Selena moved inside the house. Octavia followed suit, leaning in to hug Norma. Immediately the sweet smell of candied yams, roasted turkey, and other soul food dishes attacked Octavia’s senses.

“Goodness, it smells delightful,” she said.

“Thank you, Ms. Davenport, I hope you enjoy your dinner just as much.”

“I’m sure I will.”

Norma reached past her and closed the door. “Everyone is at the dinner table. Follow me.”

They walked behind Norma, and memories of the flag football game they’d played over the summer flashed through Octavia’s mind. It brought a smile to her face thinking about how the girls had used their womanly curves to distract the guys so they could score touchdowns to ultimately win the game. The men had called it cheating, but the ladies had called it fair game.

“It’s such a beautiful day that we’re having dinner on the deck out back,” Norma announced. They all went through the screen door to a half lit wooded deck that housed a large rectangular dining table. All of the family was in attendance. Sitting next to each other on one side was Samiyah and Jonas, Claudia and Jaden, Santana and Josiah, Desiree and Julian, and Phoebe and Quentin. On the other side sat Eden, Jasmine, two empty seats, Christopher, Adeline, Martha Jean, Jordan, and Jacob. At the head of the table was Jonathon. Octavia swallowed back a knot in her throat as all eyes turned to them.

“Hey!” Samiyah and Claudia chimed simultaneously.

“Hey, hey,” Selena said. “I’m sorry we’re late, blame her,” she teased.

Octavia pursed her lips and cut her eyes at Selena but only briefly as they were pulled back to Jonathon.

“Sorry for the tardiness,” Octavia said. The apology was for everyone in the room, but her eyes stayed with Jonathon. Seeing him after two weeks made her heart thump even harder.

“It’s okay, we were just about to make an announcement,” Samiyah said with a beam.

“Please do,” Octavia said.

Samiyah’s eyes cruised up to Jonas with a belated gleam in her eyes. Jonas pulled her close and pushed a kiss against her forehead.

“Samiyah’s having my baby,” Jonas’ smooth voice boomed.

“I knew it!” Martha Jean shouted.

Adeline rolled her eyes and mumbled, “You didn’t know shit, sit down.”

Martha Jean turned sharply to Adeline, but Jonas’ deep voice halted her next words: “I would appreciate it if you two could get along, long enough for everyone to enjoy this news.”

Slightly ruffled, Martha Jean sat back down but not without rolling her eyes at Adeline. “I’m so happy for the both of you,” Martha Jean said.

“Thank you,” Jonas said.

With high-pitched squeals, the women jumped and closed in to hug Samiyah, while the men congratulation Jonas. After shaking his son’s hand and hugging him profusely, Christopher walked toward Octavia with outstretched arms.

“How are you?” he asked.

“I’m okay,” she said.

“Are you? I saw on the news that the missing girl reappeared at your home. How is everything?”

 “She’s much better and getting better by the day. We are currently both going to therapy together.”

This brought everyone’s attention back across the room. They all tuned in to Octavia and Christopher’s conversation, including Jonathon.

“Come,” Christopher said. “Sit.”

Christopher pulled a chair out next to Adeline, Claudia’s mom. On the other side of her was Martha Jean, Samiyah’s mother who sat with a scowl on her face. If it was up to Martha Jean, she would be sitting next to Christopher, but Adeline had managed to get to the chair before she could.

“So, you are taking her to therapy?” Claudia asked, confused.

Octavia let out a sigh. She wasn’t sure if now was the time to reveal her demons to everyone in the room, but since they were all waiting for an answer, Octavia figured now was as good a time as any.

“My parents passed away sixteen years ago today.”

Octavia scanned the table quickly. Some of the surprised looks on their faces were expected. “We were in a car accident that was fatal for them, but I survived.  To make a long depressing story short, I ended up in therapy, which seemed to help for a while, so much so that I stopped going altogether thinking I could maintain on my own. However, every year during this season I have nightmares of the accident.” Octavia cleared her throat, feeling a bit uneasy being the topic of conversation. “They’d gotten pretty bad this year, but a good friend of mine encouraged me to reach out to my therapist.”

Octavia glanced over at Jonathon, who was watching her with smoldering eyes. A chill fled down her skin as she held his gaze. “So, I did, and when Ayana showed up on my porch, I invited her to go to therapy with her grandmother’s blessing.” Octavia eyed everyone in the room.

“Honey, why didn’t you tell us?” Samiyah asked.

“That’s why you woke up screaming that night,” Selena said solemnly. “All this time, you never said anything.”

Octavia reached for a glass of water and took a sip. “I don’t care to talk about it. I didn’t even talk to my best friend about it. Not because I didn’t trust him, or want him to know but…” Octavia’s words trailed off. “More so because I didn’t want to be a burden.”

“Octavia…” Jonathon said, finally deciding to speak.

Hearing his voice was like having ice cream on a summer day. Exhilarating and satisfying. Octavia took her gaze back to him.

“Jonathon,” Octavia said, “I never meant to push you away.” Her eyes glazed with tears that didn’t fall immediately. “I want you to know that I never invited Steven over. It was a telephone conversation. Regardless, I know what kind of guy he is, and I wouldn’t put him or anyone else before you.” Octavia’s eyes dropped, and she wrestled with her next words. “I… I love you, and I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down her face, and the floorboard scraped as Jonathon pushed back his chair to stand. He rounded the table and made it to Octavia in two seconds. Bending down, Jonathon wrapped her up and pulled her out of the chair into a sealed embrace.

With the pad of his thumb, Jonathon wiped the tears from her face as he gazed into her stained eyes. “You love me, Octavia?” he asked.

Octavia’s heart beat rigorously against her breastbone. “Yes. I have for a long time.”

Jonathon sank his warm lips into hers, and their mouths savored the taste of their probing tongues. With warm moist lips, they tasted, licked and sucked on each other. Affectionately, tenderly and lubricated. Something like a growl thundered from Jonathon as he pulled Octavia so close their hearts were practically one, beating with the same rhythm. Octavia moaned into his mouth as her arms coiled around Jonathon’s neck. A fire raged in them both, out of control and filled with lava.

“Dayum!” Selena said, then quickly slapped a hand over her mouth as she apologized to Norma and the others with a pleading look.

“Son,” Christopher said, feeling like he needed to intervene before Jonathon made love to Octavia in front of them all.

Pulling away from her took pure cock-strong strength. His hands glided to her face as he tore their mouths apart. With labored breaths, Octavia and Jonathon stared at each other.

“I’m sorry,” Octavia chanted in a hushed whisper. “Please forgive me for pushing you.”

“Ssssh,” Jonathon cooed. Hugging her tightly, Jonathon pressed his lips against the side of her face, ear, and neck. He could smell her mango scent and having Octavia in his arms again had Jonathon’s heartbeat racing at an all-time high. She felt so right that it was hard for him to pull away. But he had to in order to say what he needed to.

Looking into her tear-stained eyes, Jonathon spoke: “I should’ve been there for you. Somehow, I got my priorities mixed up and it cost me.” He brushed his lips against her forehead, needing to inhale her once again. “Octavia, being apart from you almost drove me crazy, girl. I don’t know about you, but I don’t ever want to experience that again.”

“Me either,” she confessed.

“Let’s promise each other from here on out that we won’t rise to anger so quickly and instead we’ll talk things through.”

Octavia nodded as more tears slipped down her face.

“Sweetheart, I can’t take your tears,” he said, grabbing tissue from Norma as she’d manifested a box of Kleenex out of nowhere. Gently, Jonathon dabbed at Octavia’s face. “I have something that belongs to you,” Jonathon said, reaching into his pocket. The red box he produced made Octavia’s heart rock even harder if that were humanly possible. “With my brother’s blessing, my father gifted me my mother’s ring.” Jonathon popped the box, and everyone in the room gasped, including Octavia. A hand flew to her mouth and more tears streamed down her face. “He told me when I found the woman I wanted to marry, to make sure she understood the significance of such an important piece of jewelry and what it would symbolize in our life.”

Jonathon’s smoldering gaze ripped through Octavia as she fought to stop her tears to no avail.

“I know more than anything that woman is you. I love you with my whole heart, baby, so I’ve gotta ask. O, will you make me the happiest man on earth and spend a lifetime with me?”

Tears fell so fast Octavia couldn’t get her words together. She trembled as she nodded so vigorously that she was spinning. “Yes, Jonathon, baby, I’ll marry you.”

A mischievous smile crept along Jonathon’s lips. “I don’t want to wait, Octavia. I want you as my wife, right now. Will you marry me right now, baby?”

Octavia’s eyes rose in shock. “Right here?” she asked, looking around. Just then, the dim lighting on the deck illuminated as the backyard lit up in an array of Christmas lights that were wrapped around the house. Another gasp fled from Octavia as she took in the design of a makeshift wedding display. The yard stretched into a beautiful grove, where red and black chairs sat with roses outlining a walkway. At the end of it, a tall metal arch glowed from more lights that wrapped around it. Octavia looked back to Jonathon with her mouth hanging open.

“When did you have time to do this?” she gaped.

“Let’s just say, I’ve been at it all week. You didn’t think I’d spend Thanksgiving without you, did you?”

More tears sprang from her eyes, and Octavia shifted to look at Selena.

“You were in on this?”

With tears in her eyes, Selena nodded. “He sent me after you, girl.” Selena fanned her face. “You guys deserve each other.” That sent more tears down both of their faces.

“We would love to fill the open position you have and become your family,” Jaden said.

“Yeah,” Jonas said. “Consider us your brothers.”

Desiree lifted a hand, “And we your sisters!” she squealed, and they all laughed as Christopher approached Octavia.

“And I, your father.”

Octavia watched them all with a chorus of tears falling down her face. Turning back to Jonathon, Octavia continued to sob.

“So how about it, O, can we start forever right now?”

“Oh my God, Jonathon,” Octavia cried. “Yes, baby, yes!” she shouted with happiness.

The deck erupted with applause and whistles and boisterous stomping. Octavia through her arms around Jonathon, sinking her face into his chest as she cried. Jonathon kissed the side of her head and lifted Octavia off her feet. In a daze he walked down the deck of the steps into the yard headed straight for the altar. Waiting for them, a pastor stood with a smile. Following in tow, the family made their way to the seats that were prepared for their witnessing of Jonathon and Octavia’s matrimony.

Standing under the arch, Jonathon slowly sat Octavia to her feet, and his body scorched as her warm skin slipped down him. As they spoke their vows, the couple kept their gazes locked as a happiness unlike anything either of them ever felt wafted around them like a warm blanket.

The kiss was a capturing rapture of heat as Jonathon stole Octavia’s lips, sealing them together for all time. Swiftly, Jonathon swept her off her feet and walked purposefully to the guest house across the yard. Without breaking their kiss, Jonathon strolled through the house over a rose pedaled decorated hallway into a master bedroom. They couldn’t get out of their clothes fast enough. They pulled and tugged at one another, basking in the taste of their mouths, shoulders, and breasts. Once they were naked, Jonathon lifted Octavia in his arms, and his bobbing penis impaled her, sending his name in a coiling shout from her mouth.

With a grip on her thighs, Jonathon moved in and out of her, sending pleasurable waves of quakes rocking through her core.

“Oh my God, Jonathon!”

Jonathon drove into her, pumping so furiously that they were sure to be sealed together. “I love you,” he said, stealing her mouth with his. Jonathon never gave Octavia a chance to respond as he branded himself inside her with a molded passion.

“Love you… love you… love you…” he whispered as they sailed from one heart-stomping orgasm to the next.

 

The End

 

Enjoying the Falling for a Rose Series? Grab the next installment which follows Adeline and Martha as they fight over who will win Christopher Lee Rose’s heart in this holiday special edition, !

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