An hour later, Iris pulled into the winding tree-lined driveway leading up to Ben's grandmother's house. It was beautiful. Stately oak trees draped with Spanish moss gave way to a clearing of 2 acres. Nestled in the heart of the property was a beautiful southern-style red brick ranch house. There was a large wrap-around porch, several wicker chairs, a couple rocking chairs, and a beautiful whitewashed porch swing framing the French door entrance. The doors were wide open, allowing Iris to see people coming in and out, while some were milling about on the porch and the lawn.

Seeing so many people walking about, Iris began to feel extremely nervous again.

"What am I even doing here? What could I possibly expect to happen?" Iris thought as she put the car in park, picking up her phone to send Ben a text.

Before she could even open her messages app, she saw someone waving out of the corner of her eye. Looking up, she saw Ben, jogging toward her with a wave and a large grin on his face. Putting her phone in her purse, she got out of the car. Her heart beat wildly as she took in his appearance. He was dressed somewhat casually yet also slightly dressy, as he was in a white button down shirt, the top 2 buttons undone to show the top of a dark colored tee underneath. His shirt was tucked into blue jeans that sat over tan suede boots. Finishing off his look was a tan suede jacket that showed off his broad shoulders as he came toward Iris, stepping around a running child every so often.

"Hi, I was just about to text you," Iris said breathily, barely able to contain the desire to push back a stray lock of Ben's hair that had been tousled by the wind.

"Wow," Ben said, beaming happily at Iris as he took in her appearance with slight appreciation. "You look...amazin'."

Iris felt her cheeks heat up despite the cool breeze. "Thanks, so do you." She looked around nervously at the sea of faces, noting almost immediately that she was the only brown face in the area, although she did see a few mixed faces. With a start, she realised that those faces were also peering at her curiously.

"Oh don't worry about 'em, they're just curious about you," Ben told Iris, noting her apprehension as she looked around with wide eyes.

Iris nodded, uncertain. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she gestured to the back seat. "I brought the jollof, I just hope y'all like it."

Ben lit up, his smile reappearing like the sun as he followed her finger to look inside the car. "Knowin' how good your dishes look, I bet you'll be more concerned with whether there's enough by the time we all try it," he said with a chuckle.

Iris smiled, some of the nervousness melting away as Ben opened the passenger side door for her. She zipped open the cooler bag, and pulled out the covered dish, leaving the bag inside so she wouldn't lose it. Ben then closed the door for her and tried to take the dish from her hands. She insisted on holding it, so she handed him her keys and asked him to lock the door, which he did, very graciously putting the keys in her purse and zipping it back up. Iris felt her ears get hot at the gesture.

"C'mon, let's go. My grandma's been wanting to meet you since college," Ben said as they ambled slowly toward the front door.

Stopping in her tracks, Iris stared in shock. "College?!" She exclaimed incredulously. "That long ago?" Her heart beat even faster, but she was unsure whether it was nerves again or because he had told his grandmother about her even way back then.

Ben laughed sheepishly, looking like he didn't expect himself to say that. "Don't worry about it, I know she'll like you."

Iris flashed him a dubious glance. Seeing his open and warm expression, she nodded and continued walking. The two leisurely made their way over, nodding hello at the people who approached Iris. Ben gave the introductions whenever this cousin or that uncle came up to greet Iris with curious smiles.

Finally reaching the door, Ben graciously ushered Iris in first before following behind her. Upon entering, she was struck with the dizzying scent of different kinds of food. They all came together in a delicious cloud that made her mouth water slightly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten all day. Before she could take anything else in, she saw a gray haired woman stepping toward the two with purpose.

"Nana! This is Iris," Ben called out.

Iris nearly shook. This was Ben's grandma. Iris wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't this. Ben's grandma was a graceful woman. Her hair was in a soft bun, a few wisps framing her slightly wrinkled face that showed that she was definitely a heartthrob in her heyday. Her beauty has not faded, but matured into elegance, although a mischievous twinkle in her eye betrayed her lively personality. She wore an elegant burnt orange A-line dress with quarter sleeves that flared slightly at the elbow. To dress it down, she wore a cream colored cardigan held closed at her throat with a single pearl button, and on her feet were simple cream colored flats. All in all, she had the aura of a wise elegant woman who was still down to earth and personable. Iris liked her instantly.

Once Ben's grandma approached, her face broke into a smile as she studied Iris' face. "Welcome to my home, Iris. I've heard a lot about you, and I can already tell you seem like a nice girl indeed," she said with a lilting southern accent, winking at Ben.

Iris felt a slight weight off her chest, although the nerves were still there. "Whew, she doesn't hate me, that's a good start," she thought as she smiled politely.

"Thank you for inviting me into your beautiful home, Mrs. Charles," Iris said, which elicited a laugh from the other two. Looking between them in confusion, Iris widened her eyes, mild terror that she'd made a mistake setting in.

"Oh no honey, 'Mrs. Charles' is only for strangers and my accountant! You can call me Nana like Ben does, I insist," she said to Iris' surprise.

Iris blinked stupidly for a moment before catching herself. "Oh, okay. Um, thank you...Nana," she said hesitantly.

Nana beamed at her happily. "Oh where are my manners? I've been makin' you hold that dish this whole time!" Turning to Ben, she continued in a chiding tone with a slight frown. "Benjamin Charles III! Now why didn't you take the dish like I've taught you to? Never let a lady hold somethin' whilst you're empty handed."

Ben awkwardly began to speak before Iris cut in. "Oh no that's not it, he's always been a perfect gentleman to me, and he offered. I just wanted to carry it in myself."

"What is it? Come on over to the dining table so you can set it down," Nana said, ushering the two into a large dining room with a table piled high with food. Pushing some dishes to the side, she cleared a space so Iris could set the dish down.

"This is jollof rice, it's a Ghanaian dish. I just made some with what I had," Iris said while removing the lid, allowing the scent to waft up. Ben seemed riveted by what he saw, as did Nana. Nana swiped a spoon off one of the place settings and took a taste. Her eyes widened as she glanced back up at Iris in amazement.

Ben also took a spoon and dove in. Tasting the rice, he marveled. "Wow this is delicious, better than I imagined!" Unable to help himself, he took another bite. Iris blushed, flattered that her crush liked her food.

Nana also took another taste, this time slower as she let the flavors wash over her tongue. "You made this? By yourself?" she asked in astonishment.

Iris nodded bashfully, her face hot from the attention. "Yes ma'am, I made that this morning."

"Well I'll be...this is the best rice I think I've ever tasted, and I don't say that lightly! The flavors are so intense and complex! I've gotta find a servin' plate and add it to the table. Everyone needs to try this. Thanks for bringing it over, sugar. I didn't realize Ben found such a capable and beautiful girl…friend." She added the last word hastily upon seeing the alarmed look on Ben's face. Winking mischievously at Ben, she then plucked the lid out of Iris' surprised hands, closed the lid, picked up the rice, and immediately disappeared into the kitchen without notice.

Iris looked up at Ben, bewildered. Her hand was still in the same position it was when she was holding the lid. Ben chuckled, eyes brighter than before.

"C'mon, let me give you a quick tour of the place since you'll be here for a couple hours at least," he said.

Iris agreed. She followed him as he showed her the foyer picture wall, the powder room, and the living room. They had just entered a small sitting room when they heard someone calling Ben's name.

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