Page 21 of Five Mistletoe Moments
“Okay, everybody.” Mrs. Albright waited until she had everyone’s attention before introducing the Blacks. “And this is—”
“Um…Mom, I think I can handle this one,” Dwight cut in. “Everybody, this is Mia Broussard. My fiancée.”
Mouths dropped all over the room and one could hear a pin drop. Then there was pandemonium. Mia and Dwight were mobbed by his family and Mia hoped there wouldn’t be a test at the end of the day because she doubted she would remember more than three of those names.
“I can’t believe you’ve been keeping her a secret,” his mother fussed. “When are you planning to get married?”
Dwight and Mia shared a glance, and Dwight answered, “We’re going to have a Christmas wedding.”
“Wonderful!”
It took another twenty minutes for things to settle down. Mia had a chance to meet his younger sister, Shelby, her husband and their seven-year old twin sons. She cracked up when the boys tackled Dwayne to the floor and the three of them rolled around.
“This happens every time,” Shelby had said with a sigh.
Valencia came over and Mia introduced her to Alana, then said, “Your husband loves to play. Do you have any children?”
“Not yet, but we’re working on it.”
Alana’s phone chimed and she quickly dug it out of her pocket. “This is my mother. I’d better take it.” She connected the video. “Hey, Mom.”
“Is Mia okay?”
Mia leaned into view. “Hi, Mama Jo. I’m great. I’m so sorry your dinner is being disrupted.”
“Oh, baby, don’t worry about that. I’m so happy for you and I hope he’s a nice young man. You know I’ll be right there to help you plan the wedding. Your mother was my best friend and I promised her that I’d take care good of you.”
Her emotions swelled and tears stung her eyes. Every girl dreamed of having her mom there to help with the plans and her dad to walk her down the aisle. “I know and you have. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.” She couldn’t ask for better bonus parents. “We’ll talk when I get back.”
“Okay, and maybe some of this will rub off on Alana and the boys.”
Alana snatched the phone back. “Gotta go, Mom. Talk to you later.”
“Mmm hmm. Be safe.”
She shook her head and ended the call.
Mia fell out laughing and rubbed her shoulder against Alana.
Alana promptly shoved her away. “Don’t be trying to rub this cutesy, romancey mess on me. I’m not in any hurry to get married.”
“Hey, you know I’ll do anything for Mama Jo.”
Valencia chuckled. “It’s good to know my mom wasn’t the only one.” She led them over to a table laden down with all types of appetizers. “Dinner won’t be for another hour, so help yourselves.”
They fixed plates and found a spot to eat away from all the noise. Mia searched and found Dwight talking to his brother, the Black brothers and another man who’d just arrived. He looked upset. “Who’s the guy talking to Dwight?”
“That’s Terrell, Dwight’s partner. Apparently, their business manager just up and quit. No warning, no nothing.”
“Is that right?” An idea sprouted in her mind.
“Hopefully, they’ll find someone to replace her soon. It’s a good thing construction is slow right now because of the weather.”
“Yes, hopefully. How did you and Dwayne meet?” she asked, changing the subject.
A slow grin spread across Valencia’s lips. “He’s my boss.”
Alana and Mia let out a surprised scream.
