LULU'S POV

As much as James and I had sat down and talked about our issues as a couple it had still been awkward between us for a while. I had never intended for my money and wealth to come between us but in a way I understood where he was coming from. It was not easy for a man to date a woman who was so much richer than him. I had to cut him some slack, that's why I have him all the space that he wanted to get over what he was going through. He just needed my understanding and that's what I was going for.

My phone rang in my pocket just as I was filling out some paperwork in the comfort of my cabin. It was the least interesting part of my job but it had to be done. I picked up after seeing that it was my younger sister Amani calling me.

"Hey chubby, good morning."I greeted cheerfully earning me a grunt of disapproval from her.

"Good morning Lue, how are you this morning?"She replied sassily.

I honestly didn't dislike the name Lue, it had grown on me, I acted like it bothered me.

"Okay fine sorry and my morning is quite boring."I replied looking at all the paperwork in front of me.

"Too bad, anyway I don't have much time to talk, I'm going shopping with Jeremy. I was just calling to ask when you'll be arriving for Christmas."She asked and I bit my lip wondering how I was going to break it to her that I wasn't going.

No matter which part of the world I was in, I always made sure to spend Christmas with my sisters. This was the first year I was going to be away and I had been avoiding broaching that subject with them.

"You're too quiet. You're not going to come are you?"She asked sounding disappointed and I could picture the look of disappointed on her face.

"No I'm not and I'm sorry but I have so much to do. It's also my first Christmas together with James and I want to spend it with him."I explained hoping she'd understand my reason for breaking tradition.

"Then bring him with you."She suggested as if it wasn't a big deal.

I had thought about it but I dismissed the idea knowing James would probably say no. James was already intimidated by my wealth, taking him to my big sisters extravagant mansion would surely scare him away forever.

"It's not that easy Amani."I tried to explain but she was having none of it.

"Yes it is. If you can't I can call him and ask him for you."She offered.

"No no no don't do that."I quickly rejected the idea.

"Then invite him, we will be seeing you by latest twenty third. Don't forget to bring gifts for everyone, I especially liked the bracelets you brought last time, bring more of that."She advised and hang up the phone before I could say anything more.

I groaned out loud tossing the phone away from me as I slammed my head on the table. Now I had to think about how to invite James for Christmas with my sisters and be convincing enough that he would say yes. Christmas with my sisters was always fun, I just had to find a way to make him say yes. My sisters still hadn't called James but Marini had e-mailed me the background check she had done on him, not that I expected anything less from her.

Would he like them and more importantly would they like him? It was all too much so I pushed it to the back of my mind and focused on the work in front of me. Inviting James would have to wait until I was done. Hopefully by then I would have come up with a way to invite him that was convincing enough. Lord knows what my sisters would do if I failed to show up. I also didn't want to go without without James. Back to work, convincing would have to wait till later.

After completing my work I changed into a pair of shorts, a tank top and sneakers leaving my house to go meet up with James. He told me he was at his parents compound helping build a new shed for their ever growing livestock. I didn't have the patience in me to wait until he went home later so I was driving there to talk to him.

Half an hour later I arrived at the compound and I alighted the car. Schools were closed for the holidays so I made sure to carry sweets for all the children. I did right because the beautiful smiles and thank yours that I was awarded made my day. I was happy to see that most of the kids were wearing proper clothes and shoes as compared to the first time I'd seen them. The positive impact I was making in the community was showing slowly and that delighted me. I passed by Naeku's hut to say hello where I found her and a few other women making jewelry for sale.

"Ah, my daughter, welcome."She greeted cheerfully and I squatted next to her on the mat.

"Hello mama, how are you doing?"I asked.

She had insisted that I call her mama after James and I had announced being official. I didn't object even though in real sense she was my grandmother's age.

"I'm doing good. You look beautiful as always. Are you here to see James?"

"Thank you and yes, where is he?"

"At the back. Walk towards the end of this row of huts and turn right. You won't miss him."She instructed.

"Thank you." I appreciated and got up dusting my knees as I followed her directions to find James.

Anytime James was working he was usually shirtless which appealed to the side of me that liked appreciating my very hot boyfriend. I was disappointed to find him in a grey tank top, his coveralls tied at his waist. He was working alone, repairing a few damaged posts in the run down shed. I wanted to stand and observe him but that would have to wait until I was done talking about what had brought me to him in the first place.

"Need any help there handsome?"I asked when I was close enough for him to hear me.

He turned around a little startled, probably because he wasn't expecting me and smiled when he saw me.

"Hi gorgeous and yes please. Did you happen to bring any towels with you? I need some wiping down."He joked and I rolled my eyes at him.

"You should put that joke in your wedding vows."I replied sarcastically and his smile just got wider.

"I'm planning on it."He smirked pecking my lips.

Instead of egging him on I squatted and started picking up the nails he had knocked over putting them back in the empty can of paint that had been holding them.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you because I am but what are you doing here? I thought you had paper work today."He asked as he continued hammering around.

"Yeah but I missed you."I replied avoiding looking at him.

I was still buying myself time to figure out how to broach the subject of him spending Christmas with my family.

"I missed you too babe but seriously why are you here?"He asked seeing right through me.

I straightened up and approached him.

"Nervousness is my thing, find your own."He joked trying to break the tension and it worked because I chuckled.

"What are your plans for Christmas next week?"I asked looking up to meet his gaze.

"Nothing much, I usually spend it with my parents and siblings. I was thinking about you joining us or we can do our own thing, just the two of us."He replied.

"I can't, I'm going home for Christmas. My sisters would have my head if I missed it."I answered and his face fell in disappointment.

"Oh, well I hadn't thought of that."

"But my sisters wouldn't mind if you tagged along. They actually insisted that you come with me."I quickly added.

His facial expression changed to surprise before turning to doubtful.

"I can understand if you say no but I would really love it if we got to spend Christmas together. It's only for a few days and then we'll be back to spend new years with your family so that nobody feels left out."I argued my case hoping he would say yes.

"It's just you, your sisters and Marini's husband right?"He inquired and I nodded.

"Yeah and his cousin Jeremy most probably. He is Amani's best friend and they have been glued to the hip since they met so he'll probably be there. It will be the six of us and Isaac's dog Kim."I expounded.

"You said six, I didn't agree to come yet."

I frowned and got closer to him looping my hands around his neck, he was sweaty but I didn't mind. He looked lost in thought probably weighing the pros and cons of coming with me or staying behind.

"Please say yes. It's our first Christmas together and I want to spend it with you but I want to see my sisters too. I'll still go even if you don't but it would mean the world to me if you came with me."I pleaded and James just tugged me toward him resting his chin at the top of my head.

I hugged him back waiting for him to process and give me his answer. I really hoped he would say yes. I knew he was still getting over his issues with my family being rich but my sisters were so down to earth and welcoming it would be easy for him to fit in.

"I'll come with you."He mumbled quietly I would have possibly missed it if I wasn't so close.

"Really?"I asked excitedly pulling away from him so I could see his face.

"Yeah really. I've got to meet your family at some point so why not just rip the band aid off."He said trying to lighten the mood but I frowned at him.

"You don't have to force yourself if you don't want to."

"I'm not forcing myself, I'm just nervous. I've never met a girl's family before. It has never gotten this serious."He explained and I smiled.

"Awe, Jamie, don't worry. My sisters will love you and you'll fit right in with the guys."I consoled.

"Easy for you to say, my family loved you immediately, you're that likable. I'll probably make a fool of myself within the first five minutes."

"It might have to do with the amount of money I was about to pour into this place."I countered.

"Don't sell yourself short. You had me smitten the moment I met you yet I didn't even know if I'd ever see you again."

"Glad to see I wasn't the only one but seriously you've got nothing to worry about. Just be you and they will love you."I advised.

"Okay I'll keep that in mind."He replied and I leaned up kissing his lips.

I expected it to be a short kiss but he pulled me closer deepening it. I knew there was the possibility of someone walking in on us or a kid seeing us but I was too lost in his lips to care.

"I love you."I breathed when we pulled apart.

"I love you more."He replied pecking my nose.

"You wanna keep me company, I won't be long."He requested.

"Only if you take your tank top off."I bargained not expecting him to actually do it.

He smirked at me before pulling the tank top over his head and tossing it at me.

"Happy now?"He asked stretching his hands and flexing his biceps.

"Very."I replied grinning like a love struck fool.

I leaned up to kiss lips before stepping back to give him the space he needed to complete his work.

He ended up getting trapped by his mom into doing some more repairs for her so I sat down with the ladies working on jewelry. They took the time to teach me how to make a simple bracelet. It wasn't perfect but it was my first time so I did a good job. James had lent out his truck to be used to carry the bricks from the valley to the sanctuary so we used my jeep to drive back home.

"My place or yours."He asked hand on my knee as he drove.

"Yours I want to make us supper tonight."I replied admiring the bracelet I made.

"You didn't so bad on your first time."James complimented and I beamed.

"Thank babe, I'll get better with more practice."I replied pocketing it.

"I'm sure you will. So what are we having for supper today?"He asked.

I'd been experimenting a lot with the food I cooked for the both of us and most of the time it ended up great. James liked it too, said it was like his mouth was travelling all over the world.

"Burgers."I announced excitedly and he grinned.

"Perfect."He replied smiling.

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The next chapter out to be interesting...

What's your favorite holiday?

Mine is new years because it signals a fresh start and a chance to open a blank new page and start a fresh chapter.

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