Jamal stood in front of the mirror in his hotel room, adjusting the cuff of his shirt. His backpack sat on the bed, ready to go, but his mind wasn't on his travel plans.
His gaze drifted to the shopping bag lying on the bed beside his backpack, and he sighed inwardly, thinking of what to do with the dress he had gotten Abigail. He ran a hand over his face, trying to push the heaviness in his chest aside.
The sound of his phone vibrating on the dresser snapped him out of his thoughts. He grabbed it and smiled faintly when he saw the caller ID.
He answered, leaning against the edge of the desk. "Love of my life," he greeted warmly.
Lucy was his mother's maternal cousin, but she was also his very first crush. He had a crush on her long before they found out they were related.
It was through her and because of her that he had struck up a friendship with Dawn, who had been equally smitten by Lucy.
"My Jam!" Lucy's voice carried her usual cheer. "How are you? I heard about Dawn's news. I've been meaning to call all morning, but everything's been so busy here at the office."
Jamal sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Yeah, it's been... a lot, especially considering the fact that I actually flew down to Blue York to see her."
"You did?" Lucy's voice softened.
"Yes. Yesterday was her eighteenth birthday, and I heard she was resuming college." Jamal exhaled heavily. "I wanted to meet her, but then I heard the news."
"Oh, Jamal." Lucy's tone was filled with genuine sympathy. "I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how that feels."
"Well, a lot has happened since then," he said, shaking his head as if she could see him.
"What happened?" Lucy asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.
"You don't have to worry. It's not all bad," he rushed to assure her.
"Really? Tell me about it," Lucy urged him.
Jamal let out a small chuckle. "Be patient. I'll tell you everything when I see you," he said, suddenly making a decision to stop over in Ludus before heading back home to Sogal.
"When will that be, Jam?" Lucy asked dryly.
"Sooner than you think. Who knows? Maybe next week, tomorrow, or today," he said with a teasing laugh.
"Be serious, Jam!" Lucy hissed playfully.
"Fine. I should be there by tomorrow. I'll get in late tonight but will see you first thing in the morning."
"What?" Lucy exclaimed, a delighted laugh escaping her. "You're coming here? Oh, Jamal, I've missed you so much. I can't wait to see you."
"Same here." Jamal smiled despite himself. "But listen, don't tell Tom or the kids. I want to surprise them."
"Not a word, I promise," Lucy said quickly. "What do you want me to make for you? Anything, you name it."
Jamal laughed, "Thanks for the offer, but don't worry about cooking anything. Just seeing you will be enough to fill me up."
Lucy laughed, her voice bright. "You're still as sweet as ever. All right, I'll be waiting."
The next day, Jamal stood in front of Tom's and Lucy's mansion with a grin spread across his face as he pushed the front door open, wondering who would be first to welcome him.
He didn't have to wonder for too long.
The scream came from his right. Brenda, Lucy's fourteen-year-old daughter, came barreling down the hallway, her long black hair flying behind her. She threw herself at him before he could brace himself, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You're here!" Brenda cried, looking up at him with wide, happy grey eyes. "You didn't even tell us you were coming!"
"Surprise," Jamal said with a laugh, patting her head. "Didn't I teach you to be cool?"
"Branden! Bella!" Brenda shouted over her shoulder, ignoring him. "Come see who's here!"
In seconds, her siblings came rushing in from the same direction she had come from, their footsteps echoing loudly. Bella reached him first, pushing her sister out of the way to embrace him.
"My Jam!" She screeched, referring to him as their mother fondly did.
Jamal chuckled as he hugged her back, glad that he had decided to see them before going home. Seeing them always lifted his spirits.
"Jamal, what did you get me?" Branden asked, crossing his arms and trying to appear cool.
Jamal smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you hear about my heartbreak?"
Brenda pouted dramatically. "Forget about her. You can just marry me instead."
"No way," Bella said, stepping forward. "He's marrying me."
Jamal burst into laughter, holding up his hands. "Whoa, whoa. Since when am I getting married to my underaged cousins?"
"They're not even pretty enough to marry you," Branden said, rolling his eyes.
That did it. Brenda turned on him first, smacking his arm, and Bella followed right after kicking his shin. The three of them dissolved into a playful fight, shoving and yelling at each other.
Jamal leaned against the wall, laughing so hard he had to wipe a tear from his eye. "Each time I see you three, I can't believe Lucy gave birth to you."
"Why is there so much noise down here?" a familiar voice said from the staircase.
Jamal looked up with a grin to see Tom standing there, his arms crossed. He had that classic Tom expression— a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"I should've known you were the reason," Tom said dryly, shaking his head when he spotted Jamal.
Seeing the few silver strands in Tom's dark hair that added to his distinguished appearance, Jamal remembered the first time he had met Tom right on that very staircase.
He had only been seven, and Tom had seemed so intimidating and formidable to him. Who would have thought then that they'd all end up having such a complicated relationship?
Tom was not only Lucy's husband, but his Uncle's best friend, his mentor, and funnily, Dawn's half nephew, if such a word existed.
It still amused him each time he thought about how Tom's grandfather had ended up having a child in his old age.
Jamal grinned. "Miss me, old guy?" Jamal asked, spreading his arms wide.
"Hardly," Tom muttered, descending the stairs as his daughters ran over to join him, both talking at the same time.
"What are you doing in my house?" Tom asked, eyeing Jamal with mock annoyance even though he was relieved to see that Jamal didn't look so heartbroken.
"Who, me?" Jamal asked, feigning innocence. "I'm here to see the love of my life."
"Me, right?" Bella and Brenda asked simultaneously.
"What's it with you and the ladies in my life?" Tom asked with a groan.
Lucy appeared behind Tom, her laugh ringing out as she descended the stairs with her usual grace.
Her eyes lit up when they landed on Jamal. "Come here," she said, opening her arms.
Jamal didn't hesitate. He walked up to her and swept her off her feet in a tight hug, making her laugh loudly.
"Put me down!" she cried, though she didn't seem to mean it.
Tom crossed his arms and scowled playfully. "Hey, let go of my wife."
Jamal grinned mischievously as he set her on her feet. "Why? She deserves better. I'm almost as rich as you now, Tom. What do you say, Lucy? Leave this old guy and run away with me."
Lucy laughed so hard she had to clutch her stomach. "You both will have to duel. The winner can have my hand and heart."
Hearing that, Tom punched Jamal's arm.
"Ow! That actually hurt," Jamal said, rubbing the spot as he stepped away from Tom.
"And there's more where that came from. Stay away from this old guy's wife," Tom said, stepping forward and wrapping an arm around Lucy's waist.
Brenda and Bella exchanged a look, rolling their eyes as they counted to three, knowing their parents were about to kiss.
"And there they go," Branden said dramatically when their father kissed their Mom, making everyone laugh.
Lucy turned to the triplets. "Go on, you three. Let us talk to Jamal in private."
"But Jamal—" Brenda started.
"Don't leave without seeing us first," Bella added quickly.
"I'll see you all later," Jamal promised with a grin.
As they left, Lucy led Jamal toward the living Den, her arm looped through his while Tom followed behind. "Now," she said, her tone softening, "tell me everything."