HOBBIES & ACTIVITIES:
-Running/Jogging
-Listening to music
-Swimming
-Horseback riding
-Solving word puzzles (crosswords, word search, etc.)
-Indulging her musical guilty pleasure
LIKES/FAVORITES:
color– Blue
foods/cuisine–Pizza, Burgers, & Southern BBQ
movie genres–Action, comic book/superhero, dramas, biopics & comedies; musicals are a guilty pleasure
flower–Gardenias
snacks–Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Famous Amos (cookies)
music genres– Jazz, soul, showtunes, easy listening, acoustic, alternative, rock, punk & some metal
season– Winter
book genre–Comics & graphic novels
animal–Sharks
candy–Snickers
quote– “To succeed, work hard, never give up and above all, cherish a magnificent obsession.” --Walt Disney
--BIOGRAPHY--
[death mention tw; abuse tw; cancer tw]
Born Dolores Jane, she is known as “DJ” by most, “Dolly” by her family and a driven and ambitious publicist on the rise. She was raised in New Orleans, LA in a family of 5 with a deeply devout more and vocal Baptist minister for a father, a more demure but loving mother and two siblings. While in school, Dolores was curious, persuasive and influential. She was school president in jr. high and high school and joined the debate club in high school. Her grades were above average but not ‘top of the class’.
Discovering her bisexuality during her sophomore year was done so discreetly, primarily due to her father and his connections and influence within the community. Unfortunately, her mother had stumbled upon her kissing a girlfriend at the time and later, accidentally outed DJ to her father and siblings. While her older sister and younger brother were unconditionally supportive, her father was not. As much as he wanted to kick DJ out, he cared too much about his appearance to his large congregation and the community they lived in. Instead, he verbally abused and berated DJ at every opportunity possible, right up through DJ moving out at age 18.
Every school DJ applied to was out of state--deciding that anywhere in Louisiana was still too close a proximity to her father. With academic scholarships--thanks mainly to writing several persuasive essays and excelling at debate tournaments--along with some money saved from her part time job, she was able to fly out and attend her first choice school CSU Fullerton. While attending, she was all too happy to abandon her Southern accent as much as possible; to this day, it only really comes through when she’s angry or drunk. At age 22, she graduated with her Bachelors degree in Communications, knowing that she wanted to pursue a career in public relations. Now living close to Los Angeles, she worked hard to make connections and, ultimately was hired to an up and coming talent agency in the area.
With the agency having gained success over the 10 years that DJ worked there, she helped to grow it and was proud to have done so. Her ultimate goal, however, was to be able to work independently as a publicist. Additionally, she saw that there was opportunity growing in Northern California, specifically in the Bay Area. San Francisco was becoming more popular for the film and music industries so it was where DJ set her sights. Taking a chance, she packed up her life in southern California and headed North.
Within months of arriving, DJ had secured an up and coming musician for a client and later, a singer/songwriter as a second client. While seeing great potential for the former, she thought the appearance on a reality TV show would help the musician gain more exposure ahead of some plans for a west coast tour. DJ landed him an audition on the brand new love-themed reality show, Ship-Wrecked, not knowing then that doing so would end up being a setback in her own career. The up and coming musician hadn’t made too strong of an impression on the show like some of the others had--in DJ’s opinion--but he did find love. Unfortunately, his new love interest persuaded him to fire DJ, shortly after the new couple returned to San Francisco.
Losing her primary client was a blow, but DJ was determined not to let it completely deter her. She put much of her focus on growing a fanbase for her singer/songwriter client while also pounding the proverbial pavement to scout other talents and expand her clientele. Now having lived in California for over 11 years and San Francisco for 1 of those 11, DJ hadn’t looked back to her life in New Orleans. Almost. The only time she had ever returned to her hometown had been for the funeral service of her mother & to sort through some of her belongings back in 2020. Communication with her mother and her siblings leading up to Scarlett’s passing meant DJ knew it was coming. She’d known that her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer and couldn’t bring herself to return to see the woman’s health deteriorate in person.
Today, she has a good relationship with both of her siblings. Her father makes a point to call her just a few times each year, and while the conversation never goes well when DJ does pick up, she knows that avoiding him altogether only creates problems for her siblings--namely her peacekeeping older sister. Her father’s attitude towards her ‘sins’ has not improved over the years apart, as he makes abundantly clear each time he calls or leaves her a message. Despite his views and toxicity, DJ has continued to work hard to succeed for herself and enjoy the life that she’s built for herself, as much as humanly possible.
Deciding to move in together was a no-brainer. Cris and DJ spent most nights together when she was home - whether it was at her place or DJ's. When she finally suggested they didn't need two places, her girlfriend agreed. They found a perfect place that offered a rent-to-buy agreement. Cris was genuinely excited to be a homeowner one day. It also solidified the idea that she and DJ were in this for the long haul. Not that she doubted it. Once they decided to be official, things fell into place more. And she did everything she could to help their relationship grow.
Now, here she was with her hair in a messy bun, wearing old workout clothes she didn't care about as she carefully unpacked delicate glasses and ceramic plates to put into cabinets in the kitchen. "Oh, dammit... I thought I was so careful when I was putting these in," she said, as she took the newspaper completely off a small juice glass. One perfect chunk had broken off at some point in the move. "Um..." she said and looked around for a paper bag from the grocery store. "Deej, babe, I'm putting any broken glass in this paper bag. So be careful around it."
DJ was the happiest she'd been in her life. Things had been going well between her and Cris for quite some time now. Through the turbulence of work ups and downs, and the occasional pestering from her decrepit, ass-backwards father, she'd had a lot to be grateful for when it came to her healthy and steadfast relationship with her girlfriend. She loved the friends she'd had, and she enjoyed her work for the most part, but time spent with Cris was priceless.
Her and Cris moving in together was more exciting than DJ expected. She was practically bouncing as she went from room to room, starting on a box and then getting distracted and opening another box to delve into. But she'd taken a break to call the electric company to have the bill from her old apartment transferred to hers and Cris's new place. While wrapping up the call, she padded out of hers and Cris's bedroom and thanked the representative on the other line before hanging up. "Uh-oh. Okay, which one was it?" she asked, approaching the crumpled paper and the discarded glass. "Do you want some help in here?"
Cris: I desperately want a little trip with you. I think we've both earned it.
[post-family meeting]
Cris: If you panicked at all during the party, I didn't see it on your face. Everyone really liked you. My brother said I finally picked a "good" one. And my mom and dad both really like you. They say anytime I'm invited to something, you're my unspoken plus one.
DJ: 100%. Mountains or beach? Or jetting off to both?
DJ: I've gotten better about my poker face haha. I was nervous at first but your family is wonderful. Thank you, babe it was nice to meet them all and the next time you have the chance to spend some time with them, I'd be happy to come with you.
Cris: That sounds so nice! We'll make a romantic trip out of it. Go out for fancy dinners and everything.
Cris: They will drink whatever you bring, I promise. I know I don't have to, but I want to. He knows you're coming. Everyone's excited to meet you, babe.
DJ: You're speaking my language, babe. Just us 2 on a trip and being fancy sometimes? All of that sounds like heaven on earth.
DJ: That's really polite but there's really no preference? Thank you for that and for helping put my mind at ease about meeting your family. I mean I'm still gonna be nervous going to meet them but I don't feel like I'm going to act like a total idiot in front of them. Maybe a fraction of an idiot but not a total one. 😂
Featuring: DJ Holt with mentions of @xaviernottheprofessor and others
Location: NYC
Time Frame: Evening, June 23, 2024
Notes: DJ's side of the car accident and thereafter
DJ was riding down the elevator to head through the hotel lobby and wait just outside for Xavier. Unlike him, she wasn't very recognized by the general public, so waiting by the doors wouldn't be an issue. As she descended to the ground floor, she sent Cris an "I love you, talk to you later" text, intending to call her girlfriend after she and Xavier had dinner. They would be discussing his schedule for the couple of days he was back in The Big Apple, and then she would likely call it an early night so that she could chat with her girlfriend before bed.
As she made her way out of the hotel doors, she'd placed a phone call to a contact at Variety magazine, discussing plans to set up an interview for Xavier back in San Francisco next month. She wanted to make sure that there was a firm time limit so not to heavily interfere with Xavier's time off and the time he was wanting to spend with his family and friends.
And then, it felt as though everything slowed down for one strange, immeasurable moment. She was holding her phone in her hand with earbuds wedged in each ear, but her gaze was on the typically congested traffic down the street. Just as she'd gotten an answer to her call on the other end and asked to be transferred to her journalist contact at Variety, she saw it. A car that seemed to come out of nowhere and collide with a vehicle attempting to drive up the street in her direction. The 'bang' of the collision was like the amplified sound of a gunshot. But this was worse. No only was there the heart-squeezing anguish from the initial hit, but it was soon followed by the long, unforgiving scrape of metal as the car rolled.
DJ was stunned, almost to silence but the voice on the other end of her call snapped her out of her shock.
"Hello? DJ? Are you ther-"
"I have to go, there's been an accident," DJ blurted out and ended the call, not waiting for a response. She started in the direction of the crash scene while immediately dialing 911. She'd only vaguely been aware that others were doing the same, but she was also compelled to near the site.
"Xavier!" she heard someone call out.
Her heart dropped out of her chest. "No..!" she whispered to herself, hanging up her phone at the sound of the fast-paced busy signal. Her feet carried her faster but when she got close to the wreckage, she was horrified to see that the damage was too great to be sure of anything. That was, until she saw a familiar albeit scraped up face pleading for help. Someone seemed to have braved the risk of nearing the wreck to pull the driver away just as sirens blared and forced other capable cars to clear space.
DJ's fingers were trembling. Her legs were beginning to feel like cooked pasta from the knees, down yet somehow she was still vertical.
"That’s Xavier Mitchell!"
Her worst fear was immediately confirmed. Almost instantly, she wanted to launch herself off of the curb and try to get him out of the car, or what was left of it. She covered her gaping mouth but with unsteady hands, she made a new phone call. And then another. And another.
Each call started the same way and practically ended the same way.
"It's Xavier," she'd start, bypassing cordial greetings. "He's... it's a car accident."
As much as she prided herself on her expert communication skills and ability to work well under pressure, stress and duress, seeing that her own friend and client was inside of a mangled vehicle unnerved her.
"I'm going to the hospital. I don't know which. I'll let you know when I get there."
She ended up having to prove herself to the EMTs who were securing Xavier to a gurney and loading him into the back of an ambulance. Eventually though--after some choice words sprinkled with expletives-- she was permitted to ride in the back of the ambulance.
Her calls were to Xavier's twin brother, Clayton, his best friend, Riley, and his boyfriend, Fletcher, in that order. She'd contact Xavier's assistant and the kids' nanny at some point but the most important calls had been made.
Sitting in the back of the ambulance, DJ was silent. If she didn't know it was him, Xavier would be nearly unrecognizable, lying there while paramedics worked fervently. It had been a long time since DJ truly leaned on prayer. But today, she was determined to beg God to hear her prayers and for him to bring healing to Xavier. Soon.
DJ: You're speaking my language. I love the sound of both of those. Maybe we can go to Malibu or San Diego or something?
DJ: I'll stop by Total Wine on my way home. Red, white, rose or sparkling? And you really are a gem, babe. You don't have to do that though. Your brother would probably think it'd be weird coming from me when I haven't met him yet, right?
Cris: They (almost) all sound wonderful. In that case, I can’t wait to meet your siblings and nieces and nephews. And if I ever have the misfortune of meeting your father, I’ll just make sure I give him the finger 🖕😊
Cris: Oh my god… horse and buggy 🤣 I fucking adore you. And I promise it will be great.
DJ: I should bug them about coming to visit. Or maybe seeing if we can go to them sometime. Delilah's still in New Orleans but Tucker lives in Vegas. Please do that if you ever end up anywhere near my dad though. ❤️❤️❤️
DJ: Lol 😘 back at you, babe. But I trust you. Should I get some flowers to bring? Wine? A birthday present for your brother? Would that be too weird considering we've never met before?
Cris: Believe me, I will be nervous to meet your family, too. My family will really like you, though. My dad probably most of all because he knows how driven you are.
Cris: Awww, thank you 😘 I am sweet because I love you.
DJ: My brother's the best and trust me, neither he nor his bf or their daughter will give you any reason to be nervous. My sister's nice to a fault and her husband's a good guy helping her not get taken advantage of 24/7. They're on track to have an entire soccer team in their house, I swear. And if I can help it, you'll never meet my dad.
DJ: I'm glad I'll be meeting them with you and not some random, unexpected solo thing. I think it's just that typical 'first time meeting my girlfriend's family' nervousness. I haven't done this since the horse and buggy days.
DJ: No way, you were sweet before that. But I love you too, babe! All day, every day.
Cris: Baby, that could never happen. You are so incredible. And I really haven’t been keeping you from them or avoiding introducing you. We are both so busy. The right opportunity never popped up until now. It’s also a big step, obviously, and we took our sweet time figuring our shit out.
Cris: You can say no if you want. No pressure from me. We can figure out a more low key way for you to meet my family instead if you prefer.
DJ: No, no. I'm not going to say no. I'm just being dramatic. And nervous. But you're right, we don't get many opportunities like this and there's no reason to let your mom go on thinking I'm being hidden away.
DJ: You really are the sweetest person. Fierce when you need to be (aka other senators are acting like jackasses) but the sweetest person in my world. ❤️
Cris: Oh good! My family wants to meet you. My mom was like "Mija, why are you keeping your girlfriend from us? We're not going to scare her away!" They thought my younger brother's birthday dinner would be a good way to do that.
DJ: Hey, beautiful! Surprisingly light. Just have to make a few phone calls in the morning and do some cleaning around the loft. Why, what's on Saturday?
Thanks, DJ! I think that was probably the best outfit yet. I didn't realize Kim Kardashian wore it first at the Met Gala. I didn't mean to start some internet war but here we are lmao.
Pfft, people are ridiculous acting like there's a law against weraing the same outfits. But if they wanna go there, anyone with properly functioning eyes knows you wore it best.
"I'm watching you, Deej." He chuckled at DJ's teasing. He agreeed that all their friend's parties were amazing. "Yeah Aldrich saves the day over and over again, to be honest." He smirked. "but yeah, thank you for saying that. You know damn well I'll be holding a huge bash for that celebration. I want everyone to know about our new explanded little family."
DJ chuckled as well and responded with a sassy pose, hands on her hips. "If I ever get around to having some giant party, I'm going to call him, no question." His happiness was wonderful to se, refreshing in the time she'd been working with him and had gotten to know him better. "You're so sweet, Xavier. And that day will easily be a festive one too."
Stopp! lol Thanks, DJ! I have a good team for that although, I've noticed that they've helped with enhancing my eye for fashion when I'm on my own! I just love dressing up so much. Hey, are you going to the Oscars?
Never! You wear it well, no matter if it's you or your team picking outfits for you. And if we needed further proof of this, I saw you stunning everybody at The Oscars and I saw your pictures online the morning after.
