The months managed to surpass without Kross and Destiny realizing how fast time was actually flying due to their busy work schedules and juggling two children. However, the Jackson family prepared to celebrate Thanksgiving with their family and closets friends this year. Destiny ran around like a chicken with it's head cut off to ensure there was nothing missing from the dinner menu.
She spent all of two-days preparing different food choices to accommodate the many guests that would soon fill their home. She was looking forward to seeing her sisters and Darnell; as well as meeting his girlfriend. She was also looking forward to seeing Kross's parents since it had been a little over four-months since they've been in Atlanta.
This was the first year She and Kross were hosting a thanksgiving dinner as a married couple with, she wanted to everything to be perfect. "You should sit down and relax." Kross glimpsed down at her slightly swollen feet while helping her set the dinner table. "I'll relax when everything is done." She continued setting the plates and silverware down neatly. He shook his head. His wife sometimes didn't understand the importance of taking a breather.
"Did you get those shoes for Kaleb like I asked you to?" She looked up. "I did." He assured, not wanting to irritate her. "Thank you." A sigh of relief escaped her mouth— though she knew Kross wasn't one to fail her. "Don't you want to take a nap before the whole gang gets here?" He stuck his hands into his pockets, staring so deeply at his wife. He gave her a look. She had this glow to her that he was well-familiar with.
"I'm not tired." She shrugged, taking a slight step back to look at the arrangements on the table. "Is Taylor still bringing her plus one? I set eighteen plates but I want to make sure I'm not forgetting anyone." She paced the dining area of their home. "Baby, you out did yourself! Everything looks amazing and I'm sure everyone coming will appreciate you for putting this together, okay? I appreciate you for doing all this! I love you, but you need to chill out." Kross was now standing close enough to smell the scent of sweet potato pie on her clothes.
"I just want today to be wholly." Destiny pouted, "This is our first year hosting thanksgiving as a family with all our family and friends." She was nervous and couldn't recognize why. These were people who she'd been around long enough to grow secure with. "Babe," Kross cupped her face in his hands, "Believe me when I say you did all you could do and then some. Please, go upstairs get cleaned up and rest. I got it from here." He kissed her forehead.
"Okay." She gave in before releasing a tiresome yarn, sending Kross into laughter. While Destiny headed up to their bedroom for a shower and nap, Kross cleaned up the kitchen to save his wife the trouble. His phone rang as if on cue, displaying Kyrie's name across the screen. "Yo!" Kross answered seconds later.
"Happy Thanksgiving, ugly ass nigga!" Kyrie joked from his end of the line. Kross sucked his teeth, "Nigga, don't be feeling yourself. Happy turkey day though, my brother." He replied with small chuckles. "Yea, whatever. I was only hitting you to let you know Ima be a lil' late to the festivities. My flight got delayed." Kyrie explained. "Cool. You straight bro. I'll see you when you get here then." Kross told him.
The phone conversation ended shortly after. It was going on 3pm in the afternoon and people would soon be arriving to the house. Kross jogged upstairs, heading for Skylar's bedroom. He sent a soft knock before walking in. Though she's only four-years-old, Kross still gave his daughter the respect of knocking before entering. "You all ready, baby girl?" He questioned seeing a dressed Skylar on the bed.
She nodded with a cheesy grin. "Daddy, I'm hungry!" Skylar stood up from her bed in a pretty orange and grey striped romper dress. Destiny had done her hair in a simple bun but she still looked adorable. "It's almost time to eat. We're just waiting on everyone to get here, okay?" Kross was down on his knee so that he was at perfect height with Skylar. "You promise?" She tilted her head to the side making the cutest sad face.
"I promise princess." Kross chuckled, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Let's go see if your brother is up from his nap." He grabbed her hand before exiting her bedroom. They walked to Kaleb's former nursery and now bedroom seconds later— being that it was right next to Skylar's room. To Kross's surprise, Kaleb was still sound asleep.
He hated waking the kids from their sleep because of how precious and peaceful they always looked— however, he knew his wife would fuss about their son not being up and dressed before the guests arrived. "Time to wake up, sleepy head!" Kross gently shook Kaleb's sleeping body. His eyes fluttered open immediately connecting with his daddy's. "Come on, stretch it out." Kross lifted Kaleb's body, holding his hands up in the air to help him stretch.
Giggles could be heard as Kaleb let out a yarn. Moments later, Kross could be seen dressing Kaleb in a orange and brown button up shirt along with a pair of denim blue jeans. His loose curls were now tamed by six-medium sized braids that went straight back, stopping at his shoulders. Kross took a second to capture a photo of his two, beautiful children; who resembled one another extensively.
"Sky, can you take your brother downstairs and play for a little bit?" He turned to face Skylar. She nodded, gently grabbing a hold of her baby brothers hand. From the top of the stairs, Kross watched them safely make it into the entertainment room. He went back to straighten the kids rooms while deciding to let his wife sleep a while longer. He knew today was going to be eventful with so many different personalities in one space. He was looking forward to it though.
About forty-minutes later, Destiny had woken from her nap, eyeing the time on her phone screen. Her short nap seemed to pass quicker than she wished for. She sat in front of the edge-lit mirror, applying foundation to her face and neck. A tiresome yard escaped her mouth as a sudden wave of exhaustion took over.
Per usual, she wasn't getting much sleep with her work hours and the kids at home. Hosting Thanksgiving this year also didn't make it any easier. Her anxiety— for some reason, was currently scattered all over the place and at an all-time high. Destiny grabbed her phone on the holder in front of her. She quickly went into her contacts to find the name of the person she needed to speak with in the moment.
The line rang a few times before there was an answer. "Carina Emerson. How may I be of assistance?" Her voice was naturally comforting. "Hello, um... hi. It's Destiny. I know it's thanksgiving and you're probably with family, so I'm sorry to be calling at such a inconvenient time, b-but I'm getting ready for dinner with my family and friends and I've been on the edge about it from jump. I, I don't know why." Destiny sounded like she was on the verge of a panic attack.
"Destiny, sweetheart, take a deep breath and calm down. I need you to calm your breathing and try your best not to be overwhelmed." Dr. Carina attempted to calm her. Destiny did as instructed, taking deep breaths to calm her breathing. Everything became leveled after several minutes. "Are you still there, Destiny?" Carina asked from her end.
"Y-Yes, I'm still here." She replied, "I don't know why I feel like this." Her voice was brittle while looking at herself in the mirror. "How long have you been feeling overwhelmed?" Carina asked. Destiny sighed, "Since last night." She admitted. "I don't even know why though." She made an awkward face thinking about her mini breakdown not too long ago. "I don't know why I'm so nervous about being around people who've seen me out cold in a coma." She casually joked.
"Do you remember what you told me last time we sat down?" Dr. Carina waited for her response. "I do." Destiny answered, still seated at her vanity. "Good. And remember we talked about some of the things that triggers your anxiety? One of the things you told me was that you can often get in your head about how people may pass judgment about you or a situation you're in, right?" Destiny mentally slapped her forehead before answering yes.
"So, are you in your head about what your guests may think at thanksgiving dinner today?" Dr. Carina hit her with the golden-ticket question. Destiny bit the insides of her cheek, still holding the phone to her ear. "I am." She exhaled, "Two blended families and blunt friends." She shook her head. Dr. Carina cleared her throat, "I believe it's simply you overthinking. Your family and friends love you, and you love them. That's why you invited them, correct? Don't overthink, Destiny. You should always take a deep breath and go with the pace of things— and remember, if a person or situation is causing mental stress or exhaustion to your health then you can invariably remove yourself." Carina had said all Destiny needed to hear in the moment.
A single tear rolled down her cheek before swatting it away. "Thank you, Dr. Carina. I, I appreciate you taking time out of your day to speak with me and help me through this breakdown." Destiny spoke after a few minutes of silence. "No, don't say that. It's not a breakdown if there was a solution— you, Destiny just had a breakthrough." Carina's voice sounded like a proud parent.
Destiny chuckled, "Well, thank you again so much. Happy thanksgiving to you and your family!" There was now a smile broadcasting on her face. "Wishing you and yours the same! See you next Wednesday." Their phone conversation ended not long after.
Soon after Destiny could hear voices coming from downstairs followed by laughter. She hurried to finish her makeup then get dressed. The beige one-strapped midi dress hugged her curves effortlessly while displaying a small pudge that she wasn't too fond of. Afterwards she gave herself a one-over in the long mirror in their walk-in closet. She took a deep breath before exiting the bedroom.
"I was just coming to see if you were up." Kross took notice of his wife's presence, smiling at her beauty while she came down the flight of stairs. "Who's here?" She looked into his eyes briefly. "My parents." He responded, grabbing her hand and leading the way into the family room. "Destiny!" Giselle's voice was warm and pleasant. She greeted her mother-in-law with a wholesome hug before doing the same to Kross's dad.
"Thank you both for coming." She smiled big standing beside her husband. "Oh, we wouldn't have missed it. You two know family means the upmost to us." Giselle responded. "The house looks great! Did you two do add-ons recently?" Jamal asked, taking notice to some of the new details and aesthetics in their decorative home. "Your talented son here, came up with the sketches for our entertainment room." Destiny never missed the opportunity to brag about her gifted husband.
"Nice! It looks amazing KJ!" His mother commented. "Now, where are those sweet grand babies of mine?" Her eyes roamed around. "Skylar? Kaleb?" Destiny called out. Running footsteps could be heard throughout the front end of the house shortly after. Kaleb and Skylar came running in sight, "Pop-pop!" Kaleb jumped for his grandpa to pick him up.
"Skylar look at you! You've grown so much since I last saw you." Giselle got teary-eyed. She'd spent time regretting what she had done to Taylor, which costed her a relationship with her granddaughter. She only hoped Skylar could forgive her for those lonely three-years she had to spend without knowing her dads side of family once she got old enough to understand.
At the same time the family enjoyed their intimate time together in the kitchen, the doorbell rang again. Destiny rushed over to answer it. She swung the door open, revealing Taylor on the other side. "Happy Thanksgiving!" Taylor greeted in a hospitable way followed by a small hug. The two's relationship has surprisingly gotten better overtime. Though they weren't best of friends; they were cordial and could relate on certain things at times.
"Happy Thanksgiving, Taylor! Thanks for coming." Destiny stood off to the side, allowing Taylor inside the house. "Thanks for having me. This means a lot." Taylor's voice sounded wholesome and sincere. "Of course." Destiny nodded. "Sorry couldn't find my phone." A voice echoed upon walking into the house. Destiny looked over, "Hello." She starred at the girl with Titian-red dread locs.
"Destiny this is Emmi, my girlfriend." Taylor introduced the two. Destiny was taken back. She had now realized Taylor's plus one was a woman.
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