Page 20 of Five Mistletoe Moments
“It is. I’m sure you know how it is owning your own business. The hours are long, but the payoff is worth it.” He pulled out eggs, bacon and sausage from the refrigerator, placed them on the counter, then went back for milk and butter. From the pantry, he gathered everything he needed to make pancakes. “By the way, the BlackLux is a nice place.”
“Thanks,” Marcel said.
Mia walked over to where her friends stood. “You guys shouldn’t have flown all the way down here. It’s Christmas and I know your mom is going to be disappointed.”
Alana picked up Mia’s hand. “I was fine until you sent this. I had to come and see that you were okay for myself.”
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It’s amazing.” Alana hugged Mia. “You did good, Dwight.”
Dwight smiled. “Thanks. Like I told Mia, I wanted to find something that expresses all she is to me.” He went about the task of preparing breakfast while Mia chatted with her friends and could tell they were close. It made him glad that she’d had the family after losing her parents. “Okay, folks. Breakfast is served.” After everyone fixed their plates and sat around the dining room table, Dwight blessed the food.
“These pancakes are off the chain,” Zaire said. “And they’re fromscratch.”
Mia laughed. “Zaire is the chef at the club and he loves food.”
Agreement flowed around the table, along with more compliments on the food, but Dwight could tell the brothers were still sizing him up. He decided to head the inquisition off at the pass. “So, here’s what you need to know. I love Mia and have from the moment I met her. Yes, it’s only been a month, but I’m a thirty-seven year-old man who knows what he wants. I will love and protect her until I draw my last breath, and anyone who threatens her well-being will be given a one-way trip to hell. Did I miss anything?” He glanced around the table. All three wore expressions of shock, but no one said a word. ”Now, if you all are going to be around for the rest of the day, you’re welcome to join us at my parents’ house this afternoon.”
“Well, damn. What time is dinner?” Marcel asked.
That broke the tension and everyone laughed.
Mia had a wide smile on her face. She mouthed to Dwight, “I love you.”
Dwight winked. Her approval was all that mattered.
* * *
“Girl, I have never seen somebody shut down my brothers like Dwight did,” Alana said as they got out of the car. “Zaire’s easy. Throw some food in his face and he’s good. But not Marcel. Usually, he has grown men screaming like girls and begging for mercy.”
Mia laughed. “I know. But Dwight is special.” She glimpsed over her shoulder to see the three men talking and laughing. They started up the street. There were so many cars, Dwight had to park three houses away.
“Yeah, he is. You still mad?”
“About you waking me up, hell yeah. About you hopping on a plane because you were worried, not a chance.” She hooked her arm in Alana’s. “You’re the sister of my heart, my ride or die friend and I’d do the same for you in a heartbeat. I love you, girl.” They shared a smile. “Whew. Now I have to hope my future in-laws like me.” Mia had been too caught up in her friend’s surprise visit to think about the dinner, but now that she’d reached the door, the butterflies started doing a salsa in her stomach.
“Girl, please. These people are going to love you.”
“I hope so.”
Dwight reached out and entwined their fingers. “You ready?”
“Is anybody ever ready to meet somebody’s parents?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Smiling, he opened the door and gestured Alana, Zaire and Marcel in first, then Mia.
“Oh, Dwight. You made it.” An older woman who bore a striking resemblance to her sons rushed toward them. “And you brought guests. Welcome to our home. Please come in.”
Dwight introduced her friends, then said, “Mom, I want you to meet Mia Broussard, the woman who owns my heart.”
For a long moment, she stood there with in stunned silence, then she let out a joyous shout and grabbed Mia up in a crushing hug. “Oh, my. I am so very happy to meet you, Mia.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Mrs. Albright.” She smiled at the woman’s exuberance.
“You all come on in and meet everyone.”
She grabbed Mia by the hand and nearly dragged her through the house to a large family room. Mia glanced at Dwight, who merely shrugged.
