Page 10 of Sweet Poison

“Hi, guys!” I greet as their pretty faces appear on the screen, their radiant smiles instantly help with the nerves. Little by little the nerves of flying and being away from home start to fade.

“Low!” Ella chimes in, excitement written all over her lovely face. My cousin has always been beautiful with her slightly tan skin, big doe blue eyes and long curls with pink stripes but age and motherhood has made her even more stunning. Her husband Shaw is obsessed with her and rightfully so. “We just wanted to make sure you were doing okay and wish you the pinkest trip ever. We’re so proud of you!” Ella uses sign language at the same time using her words. “Oh, and Jax wanted to say hi too!”

I smile wider and melt when I see Ella’s baby boy, Jaxon, making adorable faces at me through the screen. Jaxon Banning’s chubby cheeks and bright brown eyes are irresistible. He’s a mini version of his father.

“Hi there, cowboy!” I greet, my voice full of warmth.

Jaxon, just like his Dad, has a love for horses and the cowboy life already.

“Low! Low!” Jax babbles back happily, his tiny hands reaching towards the screen as if he could touch me. I love that he’s dressed in cowboy print jammies with a small cowboy hat on.

I grin, watching his cute antics with amusement. He melts the heart of everyone he meets. That’s the Jax effect. “You’ve gotten even more handsome since the last time I saw you! Look at those squishy cheeks!”

God, he’s so adorable that even my grumpy cousin Raiza can’t help but gush over him.

Jax responds by blowing kisses, his little pink lips pouting cutely as he sends virtual smooches my way. I catch each and every single one of them making him giggle.

Ella, watching with a smile of her own from the background, chuckles softly. “He’s growing up so fast. Beautiful man and I were just talking about how quickly he’s outgrowing his clothes. I don’t like it.”

Raiza’s voice cuts in, breaking the light-hearted moment. “I think it’s time for us to get Jaxon boy, his first pet.”

Ella raises an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her lips. “He already has horses and Poppy.”

Ella’s kids have countless horses. The main ones are Geraldine, Peppermint and Peanut. Poppy is their pet goat.

Raiza shakes her head, dismissing the mention of the horses and the cute goat. “Those don’t count. He needs something fierce, like a cheetah or perhaps a Python. Would you like to have your own venomous snake, pretty boy?”

At the mention of a snake, I can’t help but shiver. As much as I love nature and all its wonders, snakes are my personal nightmare. The idea of a snake, let alone a cheetah, as a pet makes me feel uneasy.

My cousin Raiza, her brother, Azariel and my aunt Kadra and Uncle Vitali love everything with sharp teeth and venom. Especially Azariel.

“I don’t think those are appropriate pets for a toddler, Rai,” I say, forcing a laugh. “I think he should stick with less... slithery or dangerous options.”

Ella laughs, clearly enjoying our banter. “My baby boy is happy with his Poppy girl and his horses. Aren’t you, my supernova?” Ella pepper kisses Jax’s small and angelic face, making him giggle.

My face breaks into a giant smile as I watch the tender moment between them and even Raiza visibly melts at the sight of them.

Our family keeps growing and there’s so much love and magical moments. I’m glad. Our parents deserve it. They went through hell to give us our beautiful heaven.

Out of nowhere the flight attendant’s voice crackles over the intercom, announcing that we’d be landing soon, and then Ella and Raiza begin to say their goodbyes. “Oh, you made it to Brazil, Low. We’ll catch up soon, okay? Send pictures and share everything and I mean everything!”

“I will,” I reply, feeling a pang of reluctance as I said goodbye. “Give Halley and Shaw a hug for me.” Then I wave at Jax. “Talk to you later, sweet boy.”

He blows me one last kiss.

Raiza chimes in, “Stay safe, Low. We love you and if you need me just call and I’ll be there!”

“I will,” I tell her, smiling. “I love you both.”

With final waves and smiles, the video call ends. I tuck my phone away. As the jet begins its descent, the anticipation of landing in Brazil takes over me and the nerves that were there before completely fade away.

“We’re here, baby girl.” Uncle Cianne’s grin is infectious as he looks ahead, clearly eager to land.

As I gaze out the window of the jet, I couldn’t help but feel in awe of all the green that surrounds us. The contrast between this stunning and vivid green expanse and the familiar cityscape of Philadelphia was striking. I couldn’t help but compare it to the Philadelphia I knew during Christmas time—the city draped in a blanket of snow, twinkling lights adorning every building, and a crisp chill in the air that made the holiday season feel magical but stark. I was going to miss a white Christmas but this place held a magic of its own.

I was eager to land as I took in the vast canopy of trees stretching endlessly, a sea of green under a bright, tropical sun. The colors were so intense, so different from what we’re used to back home. Brazil is beautiful and so colorful that I was already in love with the country and I hadn’t even landed.

“Wow,” I whisper at the same time uncle Cianne takes a picture of the sight outside his window.

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