CHAPTER 5 – HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS…PART ONE

DINER

JUSTIN

I leap out of the booth and grab my best friend.

                “What the fuck?  When the fuck?!”  I ramble, checking her over to make sure she’s really here!

She is she’s really here, I bring her back in to a tight hug.

                “Fiancé and this morning!  Now I really need to breathe!”  She gasps

I look across at Brian who is finding the table very interesting. 

                “Brian?” 

He doesn’t look up but I see a small smile play at his lips and his tongue make its way to his cheek.

                “Daphne?  Daphne!”  Emmy Lou screams and dashes from the door to sweep her into his arms.

Brian finally looks up at me; I quirk an eyebrow and give him a smile.  He grins back.  Message received.

I pull Ted out shove her in next to Brian so that he can say hello and sit next to her. 

                “So uh Brian about Thanksgiving…”  Michael starts.

                “I will let you know what you need to know Michael.” 

Debbie looks at him sternly and slowly he shuffles back to his table.

                “So Daph what will it be, oh where you staying?”  Debbie rattles off pencil poised.

                “Is it just me and Justin eating?  And I’m not sure, I was just told to pack and get to the airport where a ticket would be waiting for me.”

                “In that case you’re staying with us!  Drewsie won’t mind.  And I am sure Justin would like to thank someone for his early Thanksgiving present in his own sweet way…”  Emmy Lou decides

                “Just for tonight though okay?”

They both nod at me.  I can’t believe Daph’s here.  I can’t wait for her to meet Zee and Faal and we have so much to catch up on, though she knows most of it. 

BRIAN

It seems my little blond bombshell is very grateful I arranged that surprise for him.  I am flat on my back in the driver’s seat of the Vette and he’s wrestling with my pants.  

                “To take the edge off.”  He mumbles

                “Oh Christ!” 

I whimper as he takes me down whole, I go from semi-hard to rock hard in seconds.  His tongue swirls along my slit and he sucks the pre-cum up from my ankles.  Then he is furiously sucking, licking and bobbing and stroking my inner thighs, my balls and my stomach all at once.  And all too quickly I explode.

                “Holy mother of fuck!”  I gasp.

He looks very pleased with himself and quickly zips me back up.  I sit upright trying to regulate my breathing, adjust my seat and make myself look presentable.

                “Now go back to work.  Please don’t be late coming…home.” 

He kisses me letting me taste myself and then heads back to the diner.

A few minutes later Ted knocks on the window on my side.

                “Want me to drive?”  He asks.

I just nod.

BRITIN – TUESDAY EVENING

BRIAN

I get home and call out to him, no response.  I check the lounge and the kitchen and he’s not there.  I start to panic and then I hear music.  I head upstairs quickly.  The song from Babylon is playing and there in the middle of our bedroom is Justin, naked swaying to music like he did that night.

He shimmies towards me and loops his arms round my neck and kisses me.  Before he starts rubbing up against me stripping me of my clothes.  I think I have forgotten to breathe.  My clothes are pooled round my ankles all apart from my boxers, which have an ever widening wet patch.

He crawls on the bed and loops his hands into the ties he’s already prepared and spreads his legs.  He has a butt plug in and starts to sway his ass at me.

I almost rip off my pants and kick off my shoes.  I smile as I advance, we lock gazes and before he can say anything I replace the plug quickly with my cock.

                “Oh!”  He jolts forward.

                “How long have you had that in?”  I growl at him holding still with great effort it has to be said

                “About 2 hours!”  He pants and groans and tries to push back.

                “Hold still.”  I growl wanting to savour the moment.

“No!  Make me grateful.  Make me grateful!”  He pants.

He grabs the headboard and I grab his hips holding him tight and start to move.

                “Brian!  Harder.  Oh.  Fuck.  Harder.  Yes.  Yes.  I am so uh, oh, fuck, grateful.  Faster.  Please.  Faster!”

I keep thrusting and grunting out his name like a mantra.

                “Oh God now, please let me, please let me come!” 

He cries out twisting in my grasp, I am sure there are going to a multitude of bruises.

                “Wearing.  A.  Cock.  Ring.”  I gasp out.

                “Y-yes, please Brian please!”

I reach blindly down and snap it off.  He clamps down and we both explode at the same time.

                “You’re welcome.” 

I groan and we collapse on the bed in a heap of tangled limbs and happiness.

MEL & LINDZ HOUSE – TUESDAY EVENING

LINDZ

There is definitely something up with Mel, she seems really happy for some reason. 

I’ll admit that I’m in a bad mood but that’s because my parents called to berate me, me for fuck sake, for Michael’s behaviour.  Apparently, he was shouting in the park at another neighbour causing embarrassment, I had to promise I would speak to him about “time and place”, but at least they backed off their threat to evict him.  He needs somewhere for Jenny to visit. 

She is still being a bit of a brat about this row.  I’m not sure what it’s about as he never mentioned anything to me, just said that she lit into him the moment he got there, when he made an innocent comment.

                “So are we all packed for Pittsburgh?”  I ask her

We are flying out on Wednesday afternoon and heading straight to Britin, which will give me time to add my personal touches to the table, I definitely think we need a seating plan.

                “Mel are you okay?”

She nods and goes out humming, since when does she hum?  Something is definitely up, I don’t like deviousness or secret agendas.

BEN & HUNTER’S HOUSE – WEDNESDAY EARLY EVENING

HUNTER

Dad’s so embarrassed.  It’s funny.  He wasn’t expecting me to come back so quickly.  So when I came in and found him and Steve making out on the sofa it was a bit of a surprise for all of us.  The way they sprang apart!

I head back down having got what I wanted from my bedroom.

                “Uh Hunter, what you saw there, um…”  Dad stammers.

                “Well it’s just that we want to take things slow and…”  Steve is blushing from head to toe.

                “Guys, we all know, and figured you are taking it slow and will tell us when you want to.”

They look at each other in astonishment.

                “If it matters, I’m happy for you both.  And I’m glad you doing it your way.”

                “Of course it matters, you are one of the most important people in my life…”  Dad begins.

                “Then it’s all good in the hood dude all good in the hood.  Now go back to sucking face.”

I smirk and make sure I lock the door on my way out.

BRITIN

BRIAN

                “So what time’s Daph getting here?”

                “In about 20 minutes.  Um Brian, really thank you, but why?”

                “It’s because she doesn’t like Michael and hasn’t had her say yet.  And this way we limit the witnesses.”

                “Brian…”

I sigh and take him into my arms.

                “Because I love you and I know that you’re not totally happy with him coming here.  And everyone deserves to have their best friend with them so you have yours and I have mine.”

                “Huh?”  He looks confused and hurt.

                “You, you twat!”

He blushes scarlet and buries his face in my chest squeezing me tightly.  We are brought out of reverie by the door going.

                “Dad, papa how you guys doing?!”  Gus calls out immediately coming to hug us after Alice.

Jenny runs up for a hug and too.  George helps Mel and Lindz with their cases and once everyone is settled in their rooms they rejoin us in the lounge.

                “So Brian, how many people are we having for dinner tomorrow?”  Lindz asks settling into the sofa.

Justin and I exchange looks.

                “Well unless you have invited people we don’t know about, then Brian and I have about 14 people coming.”  Justin replies sweetly.

The doorbell goes again.

                “And I do believe that’s a few of our guests now.” 

He gets up and goes to the door to lets in Daphne, Emmy Lou, Drew, Jennifer, Tucker, Molly, Hunter and Matt.

                “Hunter!”  Jenny squeals and dashes to greet her brother.

                “Hey J!”

                “You never said you would be here.  Matt hi!”

                “Hey best friend here, missing out if you please!”  Gus jokingly grumbles.

Lindz face is a picture of confusion and annoyance.

        “Hi Melanie, Lindsay how have you been?”  Daphne asks politely.

        “Fine thank you Daphne.  I’m not sure if you remember my son Gus, he was quite young when you last saw him and I’m not sure you’ve even met Jenny Rebecca?”  Lindsay is in full WASP mode.

        “Momma of course Gus and I know Aunt Daph!”  Jenny sighs and rolls her eyes.

This seems to catch both Mel and Lindz off guard.

                “How?”  Mel asks.

                “FaceTimed with her loads of times.  And a couple of times when we went to New York we met up.” Jenny replies airily.  “Now Aunt Daph are you in the room next to me because remember you promised to do my toes?”

                “I think so and never fear I haven’t forgotten my Chanel…I have Rouge Noir or Peridot, which would you like?”  Daph giggles.

                “Ooh is Rouge Noir the one from Pulp Fiction?  I think that on my toes and Peridot on my fingers until I have to go to school of course.”  Jenny decides

                “Do I want to know how you know about Pulp Fiction?”  Mel asks warily.

                “No.”  Jenny replies simply.

                “Fair enough.”  Mel shrugs smiling.

                “Wait, where’s everyone else?”  I ask.

                “They were about 20 minutes behind.  They had to repack the boots when there was a bubbles breakdown between…”  Drew begins.

                “In other words, they over packed and had to take some back to the house so they could fit in the rest?”

                “Ding-ding.”  He replies smiling.

Right on cue the doorbell goes again and Deb, Carl, Blake, Ted, Steve, Ben, Zee and Faal all pile in carrying boxes of champagne, wine and a few ice boxes.  The latter are quickly squired away before Justin or Emmy Lou could go and assist them…I had to hold on to Justin and Drew body blocked Emmy Lou…neither of them were happy and took to a corner to plan a strategy.

                “You won’t find them so just sit down and enjoy the rest of the evening.  Emmy Lou and Debs remember kitchen at 0700, all other helpers from 0900.  Goodnight everyone.”  Alice smiles and leaves.

                “Yes Aunt Daph we get a lie in!”  Jenny crows.

                “So you are the famous Daphne or may I call you Daph?”  Faal asks.

Daphne looks up at him and I have never seen her look so awestruck apart from that time she saw me naked.

                “Uh…”  Was all she managed to get out as she scrambled to her feet

                “I’m Faal and this is…wait I’ll be back.”

                “Please tell me he is straight!”  She gasps at Justin.

                “He is.”  He replies.

                “And also married.”  Lindz calls out coolly.

                “Now she remembers.”  Justin mutters.

                “Of course he is!”  Daphne gripes.

Faal comes back in with Zee.

                “As I was saying, I’m Faal and this is my lig Zee.  Zee this is Daphne.”

They both look at each other carefully and then envelope each other in a hug.

                “Nice to meet you.”  Zee smiles at her

                “Likewise.”  Daph grins back.

                “Need some help my lig?”  Faal asks.

She shakes her head and heads back to where she was.  After about 20 minutes, I notice she’s not returned.

                “What’s Zee doing?  And what is that wonderful smell?”  I call out to Faal.

Immediately Justin is off like a rocket before I could stop him.

                “You had to ask?”  Faal gripes

Two minutes later he comes back in with a large mug and a sandwich.  He makes his way carefully over and settles back in my lap.

                “What is that?”  I ask.

                “Roasted vegetable soup with grilled cheese and bacon toastie dunkers.  Careful it’s hot.” 

He warns slowly lifting the mug, I take a sip and once again wonder why she’s not in catering.

                “Clearly you came back and just sat down.”  Zee scoffs from the doorway.  “If anybody else wants some, do feel free to help themselves.  The toasties are best made before you pour the soup so it has at least some time to cool, molten cheese not good.”

                “Isn’t it a little late for cheese toasties?”  Lindz asks.

                “You don’t have to eat them Lindz, just have the soup.”  Mel responds and heads to the kitchen.

Pretty soon we are all sipping and dunking, I manage not to comment on the fact that to make her point Lindz has a small cup of soup and no toastie and is clearly regretting it. 

She wants to cut off her nose to spite her face that’s her problem.

THANKSGIVING DAY

BRIAN

                “Oh.  Baby.  Oh like that!  Yes!  Please!  Please!”  I cry hoarsely as his thrusts into me.

I am on my elbows and knees ass high and so pleased our room is soundproofed.

                “Mmm, you feel so good!  So oh good!  H-how close?”  He pants.

                “N-now!  Fuuuuckkkk!”  I yelp.

                “God!”  He screams and collapses on my back.

Slowly we come back to earth and he rolls off me.

                “What time is it?”  He croaks.

                “Time for sleep.”  I mumble and pull him into my arms to hell with the wet spot.

KITCHEN – 0700

ALICE

I know it’s vindictive of me but ever since Brian told me that he was coming I have wanted to prepare a special plate just for him, but I shall take the higher ground and not do that.  Just.  Happily George and Vince are going to be here for lunch too.  I like Vince, he may look like a breeze block but he’s got a heart of gold and is fiercely loyal to the boys and if that man causes any problems he will have him out in seconds.

I think I hear my troops coming down, time to start breakfast.  I am hoping to persuade Zee to do the candied bacon she told me about.  But if she does that then we will definitely have to keep Justin out of the kitchen, where he puts it lord alone knows.

                “Morning happy Thanksgiving my darling Alice!”  Emmy Lou trills and twirls me around.

                “And to you my dear sweet Emmy Lou.” 

                “What are we chopped liver?”  Debs gripes good naturedly.

                “Right.  Shall we?”  I ask

Two hours later, Daphne, Jenny, Mel, Faal and Ben come down to help with the laying of the table and putting out of the presents.  I love the way Justin has done the decorations, Brian always indulges him at Thanksgiving actually Brian indulges him all the time.

                “Jenny why are you walking like that?”  Ben asks.

                “I don’t want to smudge my toes papa?”

                “Um you’re still in your pyjamas, wouldn’t it have been a better idea to do your toes after your shower?”

                “Papa this is the base coat.”  She sighs.

                “Of course how silly of me.”  He shakes his head and ruffles her hair. 

I look at the time, if we want to keep on schedule then people need to come down for breakfast soon.

                “How far away are we?”  Emmy Lou asks.

                “About 30 minutes, if we start knocking up now, it should be perfectly done.”  Zee advises.

                “Well boys and girls let’s start knocking up!”  Mel calls and heads upstairs.

Mostly everyone is down on time, I notice that Lindz came down 15 minutes later than anyone else, as if she wanted to make a grand entrance.  The only thing that happened was that her breakfast had to be put in the oven and it got a bit dried out.

                “Okay who’s on clean up?”  Carl calls out wiping his mouth.

                “We agreed that the kids would do breakfast stuff.”  Brian calls out from the head of the table.

                “So hop to it.  Lindz can wash up her plate when she’s done.”  Debs instructs.

I try to hide my smirk when Lindz gets that pinched look again like she got when she realised that nobody waited for her at breakfast.

                “Who hasn’t showered?”  Steve asks.

All of the kids put their hands up as well as Daphne and Carl.

                “So once you guys finish in here, then get showered and we can open presents!”  He suggests

Never have I seen kids move so fast!

MATT

                “Hey you okay, I mean about him coming and all?”

I noticed he had been quiet at breakfast.

                “Yeah I guess.”  He answers quietly

                “You’ve folded that six times.  Remember what happened over our anniversary dinner when we didn’t talk.  Talk to me.”

                “Supposing he says something and I lose it?  I have so much anger for him that’s why I keep walking away from him because I know he will say that one thing that will tip me over the edge.  I didn’t do anything bad to him!”

I pull him into my arms and let him cry and for every tear I hate Michael Novotny.  I hadn’t heard Jenny come in and when she tugged at his hand and held it tight my heart broke.

                “In order to get to you he has to come through Matt, Aunt Zee, Uncle Faal, Uncle Brian, Uncle Justin, papa, both sets of grandparents, Aunt Daph, Gus, Alice and then me and in order to get to me he has to come through mom, you’re safe.  Now you are going to have a fantastic Thanksgiving Day but before you do that, is it me or are papa and Steve getting schmoopy!”

                “I caught them making out!”  He wipes his nose and grins.

                “Again the talking thing!”  I grouse.

FAAL

                “Okay what was that about?”

Zee looks up at me in surprise.

                “What?”

                “You and Daph last night. What was that?”

                “She thinks you’re hot understandably because you are…”

                “And…”

                “And nothing.”

                “Zaden.”

                “She recognises a fellow devil’s hellcat and will do nothing about it.”

I smile and kiss the side of her neck.

MEL

“What time’s Michael getting here?”  Lindz asks

                “For lunch.  I think that’s about two?” 

                “But he’s going to miss the presents.” 

                “Lindz I don’t think anybody is going to be giving him presents.”

                “But he’ll have one for Jenny…”

                “Then she can open it later.  From what I understand, he’s here for lunch and then he goes.”

                “Why would he do that?  Oh I see, this is Justin’s doing.”

                “What’s with the tone?  Actually it has nothing to do with Justin, it was Brian’s decision and he only made that to make Debs happy.”

                “You seem to be in the know about this.” 

                “Well he did ask if we would be okay with it and gave us reasons why he was going to do it.”

                “Why wasn’t I consulted?”

        “Well when I said we, I meant Jenny, he asked her and she spoke to me about it.”

        “But I’m Jenny’s momma.”

I snort and leave the room.

LOUNGE

BRIAN

Finally everyone is here that matters.  As every minute ticks by I can feel myself getting tenser, but then I look at the unbridled joy on Justin’s face and I lower my shoulders.

“Okay present time!”  Justin calls.

The kids get theirs first and they are overjoyed.  Gus gets driving lessons, Jenny and Molly get a spa weekend each, Matt gets surfing lessons and Hunter gets a cooking weekend.

“Oh I forgot here’s your finder’s fee.”  I give him an envelope.

“Finder’s fee?”  Lindz looks puzzled but Ben smiles.

“Yeah Hunter found two of Justin’s missing paintings and it’s customary to pay a finder’s fee.” 

I explain, Vince nods at me from the doorway.

“Oh before you open that can you help Vince with a couple of packages for me?”

        “Sure.” 

He follows Vince outside and I indicate that we should follow quickly and quietly.  When he sees the motocross bike he stops, he looks at me, then Justin and then Ben.

        “No.”  He whispers.

        “Matt helped pick it out.”  I tell him.

        “I…so what’s i-in the envelope?”  He sniffles.

        “Certificate of ownership.”  Justin answers.  “You don’t know how happy you made us when you found them.  This is the least we could do.”

        “Sheesh it’s getting chilly out here, why don’t we all go inside?”  

Carl orders and we leave Matt and Hunter alone.

                “So what pictures did he find?”  Lindz asks.

Justin shows her the slides.

                “Oh gosh, these are incredible, where are they now?”  She is positively drooling

                “Nowhere that concerns you.”  I tell her firmly and I bask in the Sunshine smile I get.

Matt and Vince come back in and I hear the roar of the engine of Hunter putting the bike in the garage.

The adults get presents by which I mean that Justin, Zee, Faal and I all got together having given the others strict instructions that we didn’t want anything from them.  Alice and George try to give their tickets to Hawaii back to us.  Daph burst into tears at the diamond earrings...she can’t travel much with her residency.  Carl and Debs are speechless at the tickets to Aruba.  Jennifer and Tucker get tickets to Baha.  Ben and Steve get separate tickets to Aspen as well as one for Taylor but we know they are going together.  Ted and Blake get tickets to any opera in Italy.  Emmy Lou and Drew got tickets to see an NFL game in London and Mel and Lindz get tickets to San Francisco.  I can’t help but bridle at the unimpressed expression on Lindz’s face.

KITCHEN

JUSTIN

                “This is my house and I demand to know what is in the ice boxes!”

                “Isn’t it sweet how he thinks that will work?”  Alice jokes with Zee.

                “Oh come on!  Normally I have asked at least four times and tried to sneak a look twice!”

                “Okay.  You know how much you love short rib and duck?”  Zee sighs.

                “Yes!”

                “Well we’re not having that.”  Alice replies

I almost scream in frustration and stomp back to the lounge.

                “Any luck?”  Emmy Lou whispers.

                “No.”  I grunt.

                “What are you two boys chattering about?”  Lindz comes over.

                “We’re trying to find out what’s for Thanksgiving Lunch but they won’t tell us.”  I sigh.

                “Well that’s just irresponsible, someone could be allergic to something.”  She exclaims

I exchange a look with Emmy Lou.

                “Lindz.   Zee and Alice have been cooking for us for months and are well aware of the allergies people have.  Daph why don’t you try?”  I call out.

She waves a bottle of nail polish at me and goes back to painting Jenny’s toes, whilst mom and Mel do each other’s.

                “How about we send Carl, you know the grandfatherly approach.”  Emmy Lou suggests

                “Oh no you are not getting me involved.  Why can’t you two just wait like normal people?”

                “Yeah right!  Like you don’t share the tastings!”  I tease, he merely shrugs and pours more brandy.

                “Tucker they wouldn’t suspect Tucker!”  Emmy Lou exclaims

                “One word.  Couch.”  Mom calls out.

                “Why don’t I just go and ask them, they will tell me.” 

With that Lindz gets up and heads to the kitchen.

                “Oh there is no way on earth I am missing this!”  Faal snickers quietly.

We follow him out and hide on either side of the doorway.  Ben has to carry Jenny as her toes are still wet and the pigeon toed walk from Jennifer and Mel slow them down a bit but we get there just in time for Lindz to try and open a pot, neither Alice nor Zee are in there but then Zee comes back.

                “And you want what exactly?”  Zee drawls.

                “It’s customary to let people know what they are eating before it is served, just in case the food isn’t to their taste or their standard.”

                “Really?” 

                “Yes.”

                “It’s also customary not to try to sit on the face of a husband in front of his wife or yours.”

                “I don’t know who you are used to dealing with but I am more than capable…”

                “No, no you are not.  You couldn’t take me on.  You see the thing is Faal is mine, he neither wants nor needs anything your sluggish twat has to offer.  This level of persistence is only cute in puppies and kittens, you are neither puppy nor kitten nor cute.  If you think you can take on this devil hellcat you come ahead but know this you have come into this battle of wits unarmed and that was a foolish endeavour.”

We use the stunned silence in the kitchen to make our way quickly back to the lounge.

                “How could she do that to me?”  Faal breathes.

                “I’m gonna stay right here until dinner’s ready.”  I snuggle back in Brian’s arms.

                “Yeah, me too.  It has knives, Korin ones but knives nevertheless!”  Emmy Lou shudders.

                “Aunt Daph, can I say any of that to anybody that annoys me?”  Jenny whispers loudly.

                “Not really.”  Daph whispers back.

                “It was pretty cool what she said?”  Jenny giggles.  “I got the feeling she was defending mom too.”

                “It was and she was.”  Daph smiles.  “You definitely get your brains from her side of the family.”

When Lindz comes back in but she is looking a little shaken and teary eyed but they soon dry when nobody asks what is wrong.

ZEE

Okay Faal has that really fucked off look on his face.  Shit!  But she was practically goo-goo eying him right in front of me.

                “With me.”  He demands.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Lindz smirk. 

We make it to the mud room and he spins round to face me.

                “How could you?!”  He demands.

                “Now just…”

                “How could you do that and then wear this, what time is it?  Shit fuck!  Tomorrow morning you are going to be walking funny.  In the meantime come here.”

FAAL

I head back to the lounge.  Everyone looks at me. 

                “What?”

                “Nice lipstick.”

                “You know your mom, she likes to mark her territory.”

Before anyone could say anything the doorbell goes.  I watch Brian take a deep breath and squeeze Justin’s hand.

                “I’ll get it!”  Daphne states firmly.

DAPHNE

I take a deep breath and open the door.  Michael is standing there beaming.  Oh I see he has read way too much into this already. 

                “Remember this is only lunch, once you’ve eaten you are gone understand?”

                “Daphne would you let me in already!”

                “No Michael I need you to say you understand this is not a welcome back, this is a “because of Debs”, Debs your mother, you still need to make it up to everyone you hurt.  Whenever I say the word “breathing” you shut the fuck up about whatever you are talking about understand?”

                “Daphne!”

                “This was a yes or no question not a Daphne question.  Do you understand?”  I demand.

                “Yes.  Can I get come in now?”

                “You better understand or I will get Lilah to shit in your food.  And then make you eat it!”  I snarl.

I step back and let him enter at the same time Alice comes out and he tries to hand over his coat and it ends up on the floor.

                “Okay folks dinner is served!”  She hollers

DINING ROOM

BRIAN

The room, as usual thanks to Emmy Lou, Zee and Alice looks beautiful.  Apparently, Justin was allowed to choose a colour scheme and they went with the rest.  The seating plan was such that Michael was by the door and Vince was opposite him.

                “Right ladies and gentlemen!  There is a homage to the normal Thanksgiving Lunch but this is Zee and she doesn’t do normal.”  Faal cries out.

I hear a harshly muttered “breathing” from Daphne.

                “And so without further ado.  The first course!”

Zee, Debs and Alice come in and hand them round.

                “Finally!  Okay so what’s this?”  Justin demands.

                “Scallop, prawn and lobster pot pie with spiced Asian prawn.” 

As everyone digs in the heady aroma of the seafood and the cream sauce fills the room.  This time even Michael eats and I can tell he’s enjoying it.  Justin is pouting because I got two prawns, when I point out that the other one is most likely for him he swipes it off my plate very quickly.  Once that is finished Carl stands.

                “In an homage to the normal fare we have Dinner in a Cup or as better known as the second course!”

                “Oh my lig, how long did it take you to chop this up so finely?”  Faal asks her.

Michael snorts and gets another harshly whispered “breathing” from Daphne.

                “Wait is this a full turkey dinner just chopped into very small dice?”  Mel asks.  Zee nods and smiles.

                “Seriously Ems get the pad off the table!”  Drew berates gently.

Despite the richness of the dishes they are also light, I have a feeling the main course is going to be special and once that is cleared Jenny stands.

                “For a, um, epi-epic, wait I got this.  Epicurean, is that right, delight.  A palate cleanser.”

We are presented with silver eggs and nobody quite knows what to do.

                “What the…”

                “Breathing!”

                “Life the lids.”  Alice tells us

What’s inside is a cold boiled egg.  We all look at each other.

                “Now taste them?”  She demands.

Whilst it looks like a boiled egg it definitely isn’t.  The “white” is an oyster mushroom mousse and the yolk is, judging by Emmy Lou’s expression, enoki his new favourite mushroom.

                “Mom how is it yellow?”

                “Touch of saffron.”

                “Please I am begging you!”  Emmy Lou groans.

                “Yes this you can have.” Zee says after a nod from Faal.

Once the whole table is cleared away, George and Vince leave and the first thing that hits the room is the smell. 

                “Hog roast!”  Justin squeals.

                “Close.  Suckling pig, but for Mel we have done crispy aromatic lamb.”  Zee grins.

                “Fuck that give me the pig!”  She giggles and swiftly apologises to Jenny.

Two suckling pigs are brought out and the fixings put around them and every one digs in. 

                “Yep that’s a food baby.”  Hunter pats his stomach happily.

                “I have to say I preferred the more traditional Thanksgiving dinner.”  Lindz remarks.

The room goes quiet.

                “Then why’d you eat it?”  Vince asks.

                “I beg your pardon?”  Lindz blusters.

                “Why’d you eat it?”  He repeats.

                “Now who do you…”  Michael interrupts

                “BREATHING!  Both of you shut the fuck up!   Sorry Vince not you.  This has been a lovely meal and considering your behaviours, yes I am talking to you too Lindsay, they have still welcomed you into their home on this special day.  Now be fucking grateful, polite and quiet!”  Jennifer snaps.

MEL

Suppose now is as good as time as any.

                “Whilst there is a lull in the conversation, I have an announcement.”

Everyone turns to look at me and I take a deep breath.

                “A month ago I was approached with a partnership offer that starts in January and I have been mulling it over weighing up the pros and cons and I have decided to accept contingent on the agreement of my family.”

                “Mel?”  Lindz begins.

                “Let me finish.  It is a full partnership with the Chase, Donaldson and Draper, and I have decided to accept contingent on the agreement of my family.”

                “Oh yes!”  Zee cheers.

                “And why are you so happy about it?”  Lindz snaps at her.

                “Well one they’re our lawyers, business not personal, and they only hire the best.  And two they’re based in Pittsburgh.” 

Zee replies smugly.

It takes a few minutes for it to sink in and the first person to speak is Jenny.

                “We would move back to Pittsburgh?”

                “That’s the plan.”  I reply

Lindz stands up and embraces me.

                “Oh sweetheart why didn’t you say.  Of course, I think you should take it.  I never really wanted to go to Toronto in the first place.  We are finally coming home.”

                “My honeybun is finally coming home!”  Michael cheers.

                “Ugh.  I hate that nickname.”  Jenny grumbles.

                “Wait where are we going to live?”  Lindz exclaims and then turns to Brian expectantly.

ZEE

I see it and there is no way on this fucking earth she is going to get in there.

                “Well as I see it there is only one solution?”

                “Of course there is.” 

Lindz simpers and pushing her hair behind her ear and smiling at Brian and Justin.  Like she knows she’s won.

                “I’m so glad you agree.  You can have the Brownstone for six weeks.  Britin is too far in that wrong direction, the loft is too small, and The Treehouse is not an option so that leaves the Brownstone.   There are nearby schools for you to look at to enrol Jenny and Gus.  Mel is within walking distance of work until you guys can afford a car.  There are plenty of galleries that you can put your resume into and they are surrounded by grandparents, fathers, aunts and uncles.  And their friends they made here are this side of town not the Britin side.  And if the boys wants privacy they go to the loft.  And if after six weeks you’ve not found anything, then you simply look for a smaller place for the two of you, the kids will be fine.”

I take a sip of my wine and level my gaze at Lindz.

                “Yes there’s your parents property in Shadyside for example that could easily suit you and Mel if push comes to shove.”  Jennifer chimes in

                “Zee are you sure?”  Mel asks in surprise.

                “Absolutely.  It’s standing there empty most of the time.  Obviously there will be conditions on the occupancy, which must be strictly adhered to.”

                “Whatever we need to do we will do.”  Mel cries.

                “But…”  Michael and Lindz say at the same time.

                “That’s settled then.  Let me have a date and we go from there.”  I hug Mel.

                “I can’t believe it you’re moving back!  I am so happy.”  Ben smiles.

                “Okay time for dessert!  But this needs to be had in front of a roaring fire.  So scoot!” 

They all head off to the lounge, except for Brian and Justin.

                “You didn’t have to do that.”  Justin gives me a tremulous smile.  “But we’re very glad you did.”

                “But why did you?”  Brian asks.

                “Because she wouldn’t have left Britin once she got in.”

Jennifer’s low voice startles us.

“I saw that glint in her eye, nicely done.  Are you sure you aren’t part WASP?”

“No pure hellcat with maybe just a dash of Cerberus.”  I reply.

“Who’s Cerberus?”  Jennifer asks.

“The three headed creature that guards the gates of hell so the dead can’t leave.”  Justin replies.

                “Oh.”

Just as I leave with the pudding tray I hear Brian whisper.

                “My sonny boy is coming home.”

The molten chocolate puddings and a hot toddy shot of brandy go down well and dessert passes without incident.

BRIAN

I think that is the slowest I have ever seen Michael eat a pudding.  Well that tactic is not going to work.

                “Zee and Alice that was exquisite.  Let’s clear so we can drop into our food comas.”

They all take their bowls back into the kitchen with Michael trailing behind. 

                “What time’s your cab coming?”  Ma asks.

                “I haven’t booked one.  I wasn’t sure what time it would finish.” 

                “Michael you don’t have that luck to push!  Why didn’t you book one and then you’d only have to move the pick-up time?  It’s going to take ages for one to come now.”  She snaps.

He gives a small shrug.  I know his game and I could feel my temper starting to rise and  see Justin starting to tense up.

                “Don’t worry Mrs H, I’d planned on this.  I’ll drive him back.”  Vince chimes in.  “What’s the address?”

                “Michael’s going now!”  I call out.  “Those who want to say goodbye come and do so.”

Lindz comes out and hugs him goodbye, she whispers something in his ear and for once I wish I could lip read.  Vince holds the door open.

                “Come on I want to get back to the party.”  He commands and with that they are gone.

                “Brian, I don’t think that was fair, after all he…”

                “Made his bed he can lie in it Lindz!”  I snap.  “If you are so worried about his wellbeing I can always call Vince back and you two can celebrate the rest of Thanksgiving at his place?”

She narrows her eyes at me but says nothing, then goes back to the lounge.

                “Christmas should be interesting.”  Justin comments sliding his arms around my waist.

                “You don’t think she’d take Zee on again and on home turf after that bitch slapping from earlier?”

                “She’s a WASP and a determined one.  Of course she will!”

I chuckle before kissing him deeply.

                “Enough sucking face, we’ve got board games to play!”  Daph yells out.

                “Happy Thanksgiving baby.”  I whisper

                “You too.”