[𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒]

𝐈 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊, that goddess was me.

I was in a gold triangle-cut silk gown that was cut out on the sides. My hair was in a neat updo with two hair strands out in the front. I was trying to take pictures when London was knocking on the door, already ready to go with me.

I opened it to see a handsome–no, not hand–some...the gorgeous, stunning man in front of me. It was the first time I'd ever seen him in a suit.

"Okay, let's go." I looked past him and began walking. He grabbed my hand then.

"You need shoes," he reminded.

I looked down at my bare feet.

"Right." I walked back into the suite, trying not to look at London.

I could feel his eyes on me as I slid the gold shoes on. I fumbled with the straps before London kneeled down in front of me and helped me.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

"M-hm," he replied.

When he stood up, so did I.

"Let's take a picture," I insisted. Though Jaylen would probably take pictures of us, I wanted my own, private picture with him.

He stood close behind me in the mirror, resembling a bodyguard.

"Okay, no more pictures, let's go," he said quickly when I took a look at the photo. I pressed the little heart quickly so that it was in my 'Favorites.'

We exited the room and went down to the venue that was set up elegantly. Dad already left to pick up Mom up.

Brooklyn was by the entrance, greeting people and telling them what table they were seated at.

I casually put my arm around London's waist, he did the same with me which made me feel good. I wanted people to think we had some type of close relationship.

We went to our reserved table, where my family would sit.

There was a bar in the corner.

"I want a drink," I stated and approached the bar, London following behind me.

I asked the bartender for a Shirley Temple with three cherries instead of one.

After taking a few sips, I offered London a taste.

"Want some?"

"Sure."

We drank from the same straw, which I didn't mind because London was sterile, I knew, I shared a bathroom with him. I gave him the rundown on my family, specifically Dad's brothers and sister, and their "names."

Dad/Ezra was 'Uncle Furious' since he always seemed to be snapping at someone. Uncle Atticus was 'Elastic' since he was abnormally tall, six foot eleven or seven foot, one of the two. Aunt Lydia was 'Melody' since she could sing really well, and had a soothing voice (She used to sing me to sleep whenever she visited). Uncle Isaiah was 'Junior'(The Twins' dad) since he was the baby. Lastly, Uncle Zac was 'Money,' always giving his nieces and nephews "Something to hold on to" as he would say.

I took it upon myself to introduce London to all my cousins who were sitting at their own table. Brooke was sitting with them. First I went around the table to hug them all.

"Guys, this London," I told them. "My fine-ass, date." London chuckled beside me.

My cousins greeted London saying different things.

"London, thats Alexus and Aston." Money's kids. "You already know Jaylen and Cameron." Next was Elastic's basketball team. "That's Kevin, Dwayne, Marcus, and Sabrina. And that's Alicia." Lydia's daughter.

After introducing him to my aunts and uncles London and I sat down with my cousins. We told them the story we told The Twins when they were curious about London. Money even slipped London three hundreds.

The boys questioned London. I wasn't surprised that London was able to hold his own, even when they were being rude.

"You religious?" (Dwayne)

"Not ridiculously, but I pray every now and then."

"Would you want to get married?" (Aston)

"If Paris is ready then I'm ready."

"Do you play basketball?" (Kevin)

"A little bit."

"Does being a crack baby affect your every day life?" (Jaylen) Sabrina smacked Jaylen's rude-ass over the head, making Cameron laugh and Lydia (who was sitting on her lap) laugh.

London wasn't bothered, he gave Jaylen a gracious response. "No, it doesn't affect my everyday life. But I want to know, 'cause clearly I'm not a twin, does being an unexpected mistake affect your everyday life?"

My cousins bursted out into "Ohhhh's" and laughter, even Cameron who stood up gave an annoyed Jaylen a noogie.

Jaylen then played victim, which made us not take him seriously.

"Wow, y'all supposed to be my cousins and ain't even defend me. That's cool."

"You just called the boy a whole 'crack baby!"Kevin exclaimed. "What, you thought he was gonna take that shit?"

"You lucky he just call you a mistake. Somebody else would've probably smacked the shit out of you for saying that," Marcus uttered.

"Right!" Aston agreed.

"Don't take me serious, I was playing," London said.

"Don't even worry about it, he's just being a baby," Sabrina told him.

"Nah, it's fine, I see how it is," Jaylen replied with fake sadness and stood up.

"Man, he was just clowning with you," Cameron defended.

"My own flesh and blood," Jaylen muttered and shook his head.

"Fine, go play some music or something," Cameron waved him off.

Aston pulled Jaylen in the chair next to him.

"Man, sit down," he said, making Jaylen grin as he wrapped an arm around him. "Ole sensitive-ass."