Bodyguard (YN x Beyonce)

Part Twenty-Four

The house smelled like the kind of comfort that could only come from holidays and soul food. The fire crackled in the background, casting a golden glow across the living room. Everyone was in pajamas... some of them matching, some completely random but nobody cared. It was Christmas Eve, and the entire house felt like a heartbeat.

The chef had gone all out. There was ham glazed in something sweet and spicy, roasted vegetables laid out like a rainbow, and desserts that made you forget all your self-control. The long table looked like something out of a magazine... candles, crystal glasses, even handwritten place cards. Beyoncé did not play about presentation.

I was sitting cross-legged on the floor with Blue in front of the tree, playing Connect Four. Or... losing at Connect Four, apparently.

"Boom! That's four in a row!" Blue shouted, throwing her arms in the air.

I blinked at the board, dramatically confused. "How?! I was literally watching every move."

Blue smirked, just like her mom. "I'm not a regular kid YN. I'm a strategist."

I put my hand to my heart. "Not the strategist. Wow. I've been outplayed."

She giggled hard, and I leaned back against the couch, watching her bounce up to reset the game. Honestly, I didn't even care about losing. Just seeing Blue that happy made my entire night. This was her world, and I was just honored to be in it.

Across the room, the karaoke machine kicked on. I saw Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle grabbing mics.

"Y'all ready?" Kelly called out to the room.

"Let's take it back!" Michelle added.

Then Beyoncé hit the first note of 8 Days of Christmas and the whole room erupted in cheers. There was something nostalgic and iconic about watching Destiny's Child reunite in pajamas on Christmas Eve like it was completely normal. Beyoncé winked at me mid-verse, and I swear my whole chest got warm.

I turned back to Blue and whispered, "Your mom's showing off."

"She always does," Blue said with a shrug, but she was smiling proudly.

The laughter, the love, the ridiculous singing — it all felt like magic. And as I sat on the floor, legs tangled with Blue's, Beyoncé's voice floating through the room, I realized something...

I wasn't just in the moment.

I belonged in it.

Just before dinner, the noise in the room started to settle into a soft, joyful hum — laughter from the living room, music floating in the background, the clink of silverware as the chef made last-minute touches. I was standing near the tree, sipping on spiked hot cocoa, when I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve.

I looked down and there she was.

Blue.

Wearing her reindeer-print pajamas and holding a small, wrapped gift behind her back like it was the most important thing in the world.

"I got something for you," she said quietly, her eyes flickering up at me.

My heart melted on impact. "You did? For me?"

She nodded and shyly handed it over. "Just open it, okay?"

Before I could even thank her, she spun on her heel and ran back toward the couch where Kelly and Solange were sitting, ducking behind her mom's cousins like she couldn't bear to watch.

I smiled, heart swelling, and slowly started to unwrap the gift. It was small and light. Inside, there was a photo in a sleek silver frame. One I didn't even know existed.