A Christmas Affair

Chapter Two

5 years later

"I know, mom." I sighed into the phone as I moved my computer closer to me, continuing to edit the recent articles. I've been working hours without a break. These pages were to be due tonight so it can be published tomorrow.

"All I'm saying is that you and my grandbaby can come over and spend Christmas with me and your father. It's been years since we last spent Christmas together."

I closed my eyes shut taking a breath. "You can blame dad for that."

I could hear my mother release a harsh sigh. "Jennifer, that was four almost five years ago."

"Yes, when he found out what really happened that night. It was a mistake that I wished that didn't happen but I'm not regretting it. I wouldn't have had a beautiful baby girl." I spoke with acceptance. My beautiful daughter Destiny was what lead to ruin my father's and my relationship.

I had my baby at 21. I was still on the track of beginning my career as a journalist and my father thought I would fall downhill because I had a baby. I sure as heck proved him wrong.

I wouldn't lie and say I had my moments where I struggled to care for her because I did. Finding someone to babysit an infant while I work. It was hard for me but now I'm doing great. I'm 25 and my baby was 4 years old.

"I'm sure if you talk to him and sort everything out it will lead to a start. And if my stubborn man of a husband can't see through it then it will be his mistake for pushing you away. But as far for me, I would love to see my granddaughter for the first time."

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, I heard the knob to my room door twist before opening.

"Mummy?" Destiny said lowly as she rubbed her eyes.

"Hold on, mom," I said before taking the phone from my ear. "Yes, princess?"

She stopped rubbing her eyes and I noticed how bloodshot they were. My princess was crying.

"I had a bad dream," she whimpered.

"Awe, come here," I told her as my arms grew wide open for her.  She ran to the edge of the bed and quickly climbed on my bed and landed in my arms. Her small arms wrapped around my neck and I rubbed up and down her back.

"I'm scared, mummy. Can I sleep with you?"

"Of course, princess."

I rocked her back in forth, comforting my scared baby girl in my arms. It only took five minutes to calm her down and put her to sleep.

I grabbed my phone back as I continued to rock us back and forth. I looked down at my screen and was shocked that my mother was still on the line. Raising the phone to my ear, I spoke.

"She sounds adorable. I can't wait to meet her."

Is smile grew on my face. "Yes, she's my princess," the smile slowly disappeared. "I'm still unsure, I mean I've never taken Destiny on a plane before and she's never even seen snow," I replied. We lived in Orlando, Florida.

"Which will be great to bring her to Canada. Just think about it. If you change your mind tomorrow, we still live in the same house." I could hear the slight hope in her voice.

"Alright, I'll let you know."

"Okay. I love you, my daughter. Give my young baby girl a kiss for me."

I smiled. "I love you too. Will do."

With that, I ended the call. I sighed before pulling the cover off the bed and setting Destiny carefully on the bed, without waking her. She moved slightly before settling. I pulled the thick comforter over her small body before turning the lamp off on her side. I turned the lamp on low on my side before continuing to work.

Maybe I should go. It would be good for Destiny to see her grandparents.

I continued typing as my thoughts corrupted my mind. I sighed. I'm thinking I could just stay for a week and return after Destiny had enough quality time with them.

I looked over at Destiny who snored lightly. I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"You and I are taking a trip to Canada."

Let's see how this goes.

****

I stood with my hands together as I waited patiently for my boss to speak her mind on my paper. Emily Ryan, some find her as a mean, scary, rude person but I honestly see her as I good person who also so happened to be a great friend of mine. But we keep things professional if containing business.

"This paper is great. I will give it to Maxwell to publish. But we need to talk about this surprising leave. Where are you going if you don't mind me asking."

"I'm taking my daughter to see her grandparents in Canada."

"Professional hat off. So how is my favorite munchkin doing." Emily asked with a smile.

"She's doing better, better at giving me gray hairs early but that's my baby."

Emily chuckled. "I wish I had a little girl like her. A child actually." She spoke in a low tone that held some sort of sadness.

"You'll find the right one, Em. Just don't chase, he will come to you."

Emily smile. "That's why we're friends. You give out great advice."

I smiled and I looked passed her to look at the clock. "Well, we will have to talk later before I miss my flight. I still have to get Destiny and pack us a suitcase for three weeks."

"Three weeks is long but I hope you enjoy your time."

"Thank you, Em. Have a good Christmas if I don't see you."

"You have a great Christmas and tell my munchkin that auntie Em will see her soon."

I chuckled. "Will do."

****

"Come on, Destiny !" I yelled for her. We had an hour before our flight for Canada and we were packed and ready and the rental car was waiting outside patiently.

"I can't find, Mr. Buggles, Mommy." She whined.

Oh, dear.

I let go of the suitcases and hurried up the stairs to her princess room. I saw her crawling on the floor and looking for her stuffed tiger. I took a quick look around and noticed it was under her covers.

"Did you check your bed, sweetheart."

"Uh-hn." She hummed as she continued looking under her princess bed. I grabbed the stuffed animal from her bed and showed her. She squealed in excitement before hugging my leg.

"Thank you, Mommy." She smiled and that caused me to smile. I grabbed her under her arms and put her on my hip.

"Now, are you sure you have everything, Destiny because he is going to be far from home and Mommy doesn't have a lot of money right now to buy things that you want ."

She smiled. "I have everything, Mommy." She said as I grabbed the keys to my small apartment along with my purse and the suitcases. I made sure the apartment lights were off and the door was locked.

The man helped me place the bags in the car and I made sure to put Destiny in the car seat that I quickly got out of my small buggy of a car. I strapped myself in next to her as she played with Mr. Buggles. The ride to the airport was silent. The ride was quick.

The man helped me take my things while I carried Destiny in her arms. After getting the arrange seat number and the luggage, I placed Destiny near the window next to the first seat that I was going to be sitting in. She was busy playing some game on my phone with Mr. Buggles in her lap as I put the luggage up in the compartment but it was stuck. I continued trying but a voice stopped me.

"Turning it back to the side will make it fit. Uh, here." The man said as he pushed in my luggage. After helping with the second he closed the compartment before introducing himself.

"Noah." He held his hand out and I gave a smile as I shook his hand. "Jennifer," I said as I slipped my hands away.

He was in the seat next across the aisle. "So is that your niece." He spoke.

"Uh, no. She's my daughter."

"Interesting. She has your eyes but looks nothing like you in the face." Okay, this guy was getting a bit personal. "That's because she looks more of her dad. Why are you asking me these questions."

"I apologize. She just looks really familiar. Reminds me of someone back home." He said.

I frowned but didn't bother to speak to him. I looked over and Destiny was still occupied on my phone.

The flight was 8 hours and by the time we arrived I grabbed our bags before making sure a sleeping Destiny coat was on before picking her up. Her hands were wrapped around my neck insecure.  We exited off the plane and I walked straight to the exit, the doors saying Canada.

"Is that my baby sis?" I turned and I was met with my big brother Marcus.

"Wow, Marcus?" I smiled. He looked so different. I couldn't believe it. It's been so long.

"Yes, it's me, Jen." He smiled and reached for a side hug.

I pulled away in excitement. "Wow, I barely recognized you. Your so different and you decided to grow some facial hair." I chuckled.

"I can say the same about your hair. That is one long ponytail." He laughed.

His eyes then trailed down to my sleeping child. "So it's true. You had a baby." His voice was low.

I felt my nerves shattered. I already lost dad because I had a baby too early and I couldn't lose my only brother. My only sibling.

"Yes. Please don't judge, I had a lot of that in the past and it still haunts me." I announced to him as I looked down.

I heard him walk closer. "Why would I judge you?"

"Dad did. That look he gave me when I told him...." I trailed off.

"I'm not dad, Jen. You made a mistake," he looked at my daughter. "A beautiful mistake. She looks like you but more of Mom."

"Let's get out the cold and talk more in the car."

We got settled in his car. I made sure my baby was strapped in her car seat while Marcus put our bags in the trunk. I got into the passenger seat and we were off.

"If you don't mind me asking...you don't have to answer but I'm curious."Marcus kept saying things to avoid his true question.

"Just ask me, Marcus." I sighed.

"Who's the father?" He asked.

I took a breath before giving an answer. "A crazy one-night stand with a rich man I didn't know. I was the one that snuck out of bed. I was ashamed to have done such a thing but in all truth, I don't regret having a baby. She's my angel." I smiled.

I had to keep a few things out like letting the stranger take my virginity that night. It was done and it was no going back. After I had Destiny I planned on not having any intimate relationships and that's why I have no guy now. All they want from me is a piece of my goods and I was not letting that happen anytime soon.

"Wait was you drunk?" He asked instead.

"Wet. I'm never drinking that much in my life again." I promised myself.

"I hope so. Anyway, when you get settled we are taking a few lights to mom's shop tomorrow. Make it look more Christmassy."

"Sounds great."

About an hour later we arrived at my parents' house. "Wow, mom went all out." I chuckled.

"Yeah, she got me up early in the morning to do all this. I didn't understand why she would do the big stuff yet if the Christmas lights were not on the house yet."

I hummed. "She was probably getting ready to see her daughter after 3 years and her new granddaughter." He said to me.

I looked back at the house. "Yeah," I mumbled. I still felt uneasy being here but it was that time for Destiny to bond with her grandma and uncle.

And hopefully her grandpa. If he allows.

"Can I get her?" I heard my brother ask with slight hesitation. I smiled. "Yes, But please be careful not to wake her. She gets grouchy sometimes."

Marcus chuckled. "So Lil mama has an attitude like her mom?" I playfully pushed him and he laughed as we both got out the car.

I got out and grabbed our bags before following him up the snowy pathway. Just as we walked up the stairs the locks clicked and the door swung open, revealing my mother.

"Oh!!" My mother squealed, tears were in her eyes. Her eyes locked on Destiny who was still sleeping, her head resting on Marcus' shoulder.

"She looks just like you, Jennifer." My mom said with tears of joy. She allowed us in and she embraced me into a longing hug. Tears came from my eyes as I held onto my mother for dear life.

"Maxine, who is at the doo—" my father stopped mid-sentence when he locked eyes with me.

"Hi, Dad," I spoke as I pulled away from mom.

"Jennifer? You look so different," he said before his eyes traveled to Destiny who was slightly stirring in Marcus's arms.

Her eyes opened slowly before her sleep attire grew. She lifted her head off of Marcus' shoulder before looking at him with curiosity in her eyes.

"Mommy." She whined as she turned and reached out for me.

I grabbed her out of Marcus's arms before pointing at him. "Uncle Marcus," I stated. Destiny stared at him for a long moment before a smile grew upon her face.

"Mars!" She clapped. I looked at Marcus with apologies.

"It's alright. She has to get used to me." He smiled.

"Is this your baby?" My father questioned with no emotion in his tone.

"Yes. Dad, meet Destiny, your granddaughter."

We have reunited again with an addition to the family