Chapter 57 - Family Discussions

A/N: This chapter is more of a filler chapter, but it'll be important to the story! Anyways, hope you enjoy ☺️ - 🤎

Sadé's POV:

— Sunday, October 30th

I woke up today around 1 in the afternoon, feeling absolutely terrible. I had been laying in bed all day because I had a stomach ache, my head was pounding, and I had partially lost my voice from partying last night. I didn't even go that hard. In fact, I didn't go hard at all. I only had five drinks, but Marshall apparently told me that I wasn't supposed to mix light and dark liquors. Which in my defense, I had no clue you weren't supposed to do. Something about it making your hangover worse, which I was definitely feeling.

So Marshall had been taking care of me all day, and watching over me in the bedroom. As I laid in bed, he would either be lying next to me as we watched movies or was writing lyrics in his notebook. However, he had just gone downstairs to get me something that he said would help me stop feeling like crap. When he walked back into the room he had a bag of takeout with him along with a convenience store bag.

"Where'd you I get all that from?" I struggle to say to him confused.

"I made one of the security go out and buy some stuff for you. Look:" he said sitting on the bed as he started taking things out the bag.

"We have some Tylenol for your head and stomach. Some warm tea from Starbucks for your lost voice. I think they call it the medicine ball or something - Hailie & Alaina always gets it for me when I'm feeling sick. We got some bottles of water, some snacks, a fruit salad, and some breakfast even though it's like 2pm." He showed me, placing everything around me.

"Why breakfast?"

"Because you need to eat something and it'll help with your stomach ache. It's just law to eat breakfast whenever you're hungover. I don't know why though, honestly. It just taste better. Or at least it did for me when I used to get messed up." He shrugged, looking me in the eyes.

"Thank you." I hugged him, thankful for his actions.

— A Little While Later

It was starting to get dark out, and Marshall was laid on the bed while I laid up under him. I was feeling a lot better, but didn't want to move or do anything today so I snuggled up to him while we were watching the movie "Superbad", his favorite movie. We were laughing at the scenes when Marshall pulled me closer to him and spoke in my ear.

"Baby, we need to talk about something." He looked down at me.

"About what?" I met his gaze, waiting for him to continue.

"About the upcoming holiday season. We need to discuss how we're going to do it. We're spending it together right?" He started.

"Mhmm." I confirmed.

I wasn't expecting us to have this conversation actually because I just hadn't thought about it. At least, not yet. I felt my anxiety increase, not knowing what turn it would take.

"Well then we need to talk about this. You know we're in a long distance relationship, Sae. Even though we're not that far from each other, we still live in two different states and cities. You live in Chicago, Illinois and I live in Detroit, Michigan..." He frowned.

"I know... I'm really going to miss you when I leave to go back home." I looked away from him, feeling a wave of sadness rush over me.

"Me too, baby. Me too. But we can see each other again in a few weeks for the holidays. We have thanksgiving coming up, Christmas, and New Years within the next two months. We just need to decide how we're going to do this, with both of our families and all." He rubbed my arm comfortably.

Right, family... Something that is estranged for me. I love my family, I truly do. Even though we're not as close with one another or don't have the best nor healthiest relationship, they're everything to me. I'd do anything for them and they would do anything for me. It's just complicated. Sometimes we were one big happy family then other times we were at each other necks. That's one of the reasons why I distance myself from them: Because it's confusing and toxic.

They were great people, we all are. We're just not great together. But even the greatest of people still have their flaws. So when Marshall brought up my family, I did start to panic. Marshall has yet to meet my family even though I've met his. Granted, we're still early on in our relationship despite us dating/taking things slow for a while now.

Being the youngest person in my family and going through everything that I did, they're very protective over me despite what people may think. And when it comes to relationships, they were like hawks. They're very strict on who I should and shouldn't date. They want me to be with someone who has their life together, comes from a good family, is paid, had a respectable career, is no more than 5 years older than me max, and would like for me to date within my race.... Everything that Marshall was not: A white man who's 30 years older than me (the same age as my mother), makes rap music, and had a similar crappy upbringing as me. The only thing that was checked off their list is that he was paid and had his life together. Although I didn't care about that, they did.

I do want him and my family to meet and get along with one another... eventually. I'm just scared. Scared that they won't like him or will judge him, or maybe that he won't like my family. They both mean a lot to me. I value my relationship with Marshall very much, and I've grown to adore and truly like him inside and out; I also value my family though because we've been through a lot together. We may not be on the best of terms, but at the end of the day they're all I had at one point, and regardless of all the negativity & bullshit we've been through, I love them very much. We always spend the holidays together. So yea, I am a little nervous to talk about this. Very.

"Well that means you'll have to meet my family. Do you want to do that?" I ask him hesitantly.

"If you're okay with it, I do. I think the holidays would be a great time to meet my lady's family." He replied open minded.

I didn't say anything for a few seconds as I was thinking. All the scenarios of what could go wrong was running through my mind.

"Sadé, breathe. I can feel you panicking and I can see anxiety flashing through you. It'll be okay." He told me gently.

"I'm just worried, Marshall. You don't know my family like I know my family. They can either be very mean or very nice. There's no middle ground. Either they like you or they don't. They're very protective over me and they're a tough crowd to please. I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable or not want to be around them. And I don't want them targeting you." I mumble feeling tears brim in my eyes.

I'm such an emotional and sensitive person when I don't even need to be. There's no reason for me to be on the verge of tears or having an anxiety attack right now.

"Baby, listen. I'll meet your family. I know it may be uncomfortable at first. I know we may not be your typical couple. I know that. I'm aware that they may not like me at first or ever for that matter, but I'm willing to try for you. You tried for me, and I appreciated that very much. It's only right." He explained.

"Okay... Well let's discuss how we're going to celebrate the holidays then. I think it's obvious that we'll be spending Christmas and New Years at yours since Hailie's birthday is on Christmas." I replied in a happier tone, talking about the happiest time of the year.

"Yup. So then let's spend thanksgiving at yours. I can meet your family then."

"Okay, that sounds good. We always have really big feasts anyways. That's wasn't too hard to discuss."

"Not at all. Now let's finish the movie. The best part is about to come on!" He told me playfully.

A/N: Y'all peep the Instagram comments? 👀 mhmm. Anyways, it's sad to say that our favorite couple will be departing each other in a few days. Let's see how that changes things in the relationship 🌚🤭. Hehehehe- 🤎