"Hi Guys" Tess said hugging them "Sorry about what happened I feel like it was all my fault"
"Nobody's fault she's not well" Mercy said side eyeing a smiling Sam
"Your babies are in bed already" she informed them as she walked away "Mom and Ann are up there with them refusing to leave them until they hear Jean is securely locked up" she smiled
"Your family is full of drama Mercy" Sarah came out hugging her saying tapping Sam in the chest "Bro no wonder your company does so well with all this to write about" she laughed making Sam smile "Your attack" she said pointing at Mercy "priceless but, had she'd have laid a finger on anyone of those babies I don't think I'd have fancied your chances on getting in there first"
"Sorry about my spawn" Aunt Paulette came to them saying "What should I have expected laying down with the devil to make a baby" she said as serious as anything, both Sam and Mercy burst into laughter
"We're getting together tonight down at the old summerhouse if you guys want to join us" Devon Junior informed them
"Sounds good when?" Sam asked
"In about an hour fifteen or so, foods on right now" he replied walking into the kitchen as they followed him in, they'd done meal times in sittings all week with the grandchildren eating first then the Grandparents and then them, they did it that way because they were somehow left with the bulk of the food
"So" Stephen said "Everyone got their song for tomorrow?" he asked cuddling in with Toni
"We thought we might sing one together" Sarah said looking at Brad smiling
"Hows that going to work when you're into Country and he's into Reggae?" Toni asked as Sarah shrugged
"Genre depends on who wins tonight's argument" she smiled
"I guess we have ours too" Denis said looking at Penny who was nodding "She sings anything"
"I on the contrary have a problem" David said side eyeing Sanja "Not a note can my wife sing" he said as she nudged him in his rib "You can't" he said rubbing his side
"I'm sure Mark will find some rootsy something or the other for us to sing" Tess said rolling her eyes
"Your sister kills it" Sam said laughing at her eye action
"We have something" Mercy said smiling at Sam's comment
"So entertainment starts here" Brad said rubbing his hands together "Everyone knows I'm more DJ than sing" he laughed, no one else laughed but Sarah, Sam and Stephen just looked at each other before bursting into their laugh "What?" Brad asked
"When was the last time you actually played music in front of a crowd" Stephen asked
"They're just not ready for my sound yet" he sulked as they carried on laughing
"Sam" Mercy said patting his shoulder lightly, she wanted to laugh too but Toni hadn't bit so she wasn't going to either and she knew the others were taking their cue from her
"Come on Mercy" Sam looked at her saying "This guy might have got away with playing lovers rock or even revives, but he chooses to play hard core ragga telling girls about their bodies and men about their N word self, and he stands there rocking like he doesn't know what he's playing is offensive, purely because it's him playing it" he laughed
"I tell them half my family is black" Brad said
"That's even more offensive" Sam laughed "You're white Dude live with it, and if your music has to be from that prospective at least be sensitive to everyone around you and play party music not dance hall stuff" Sam encouraged "You're an Analyst Dude at least research what your doing"
"Some of that stuff is offensive Dude" Denis said "Even to some of us older black folk"
"Okay point taken, I guess I'm more pissed at the amount of time it's taken my family to tell me this" he said looking at Sam and Stephen
"Tell the truth Sam, you sit there all self righteous and shit, are you telling us you never used the black perspective in any of your comic book fantasies" Mark asked
"Truth, never; well I might have referred to colour once" he said thinking about it
"Told you race had to come into these things somewhere it can never just be about the love" Mark said slapping his fists on the dining table
"Yeah" Sam said "When my children were born I commented on their brown skin that hovered perfectly somewhere between their mother and mine, was that racist?"
"Why did you feel you had to mention colour?" Mark asked
"Because it identified them at the time, and it gave a picture, to my readers, that my family was interracial and I didn't see that as anything to hide from the off" he smiled "I still remember that feeling of pride too" he said looking at Mercy "Thank you" he said kissing her, she closed her eyes to receive it
"I may not know a lot of things but I know that we're sure fire" he sung making her smile
"Know that we're sure fire" she sang back "We love us some Mr Legend" she kissed his neck saying
"I hear that girl" Toni & Sanja said at the same time kissing their husbands before they sang "Can you just stay through the night, turn down the bed and the blinds, before you turn around, can you just stay through the night?
"We got this" Stephen said pointing at Devon Junior as they sang "Let me breathe you in 'til gravity bends, and we fall through the hole in the light, make this our kingdom, somewhere where good love conquers and not divides"
Everyone joined in singing the chorus "Cause I may not know a lot of things but I, feel it in my chest, no, I won't let the blue flame die, we can't lose hope just yet, 'cause it's once, just once in a lifetime, and we're scared to love but it's alright, I may not know a lot of things but I know that we're sure fire, know that we're sure fire"
"We still got it" Tess said making everyone laugh
"Come on guys lets move this party I need to get my guzzle on" Stephen said "I've been the good little baby son all week" he smiled at Sam "I'm never gonna lose that shit, married with kids older than yours and somehow I'm still the baby boy"
"Shit happens" Sam said smiling at him "Baby Bro" as they got up to go make their way down to the old summerhouse
Summerhouse
So now it was just the siblings and everyone soon went into relax mode "You guys need to be as far away from me as is humanly possible" Sam shouted as the whiff of weed entered his vicinity "You're poisoning my lungs" he shouted, Mercy smiled at him
"Chill the fuck out Mr Perfect have some fun now and again" Mark snapped at him
"Is there something going on between you two?" Denis asked as Mercy and Tess looked at each other
"No, not that I'm aware of anyway" Sam replied as Mark just looked "Is there?" he asked him
"No man, we cool" Mark answered
"Here have a drink an chill the fuck out" Stephen said throwing a drink to them both
"I'll put some beats on chill us out" Brad offered as everyone rolled their eyes
"I guess we could catch up" Sarah said trying to lighten the air
"Yeah" Sanja said with a smile "Well, not that anybody's asked but Devon just made partner at the firm and we're feeling good, he's worked hard for it and those bastards better watch out now he's where he needs to be, I'm still doing my catering business and meeting new people and that's enough for me"
"Well done you, did you tell Mom and Dad?" Denis asked as he moved across to hug his brother and then his sister-in-law
"Blown away by you two" Mercy said going in for her hug followed by Sam
"We knew already" Tess said pointing to Mark as Sarah, Stephen and Toni made their way over to congratulate then
"And with all that success we still managed to grow us a drug using son, I ain't got the heart to call him a crack head" Devon said upset as everyone went quiet
"Well" Stephen said getting everyone's attention, hoping to lighten the mood "John and Michael are no angles by any stretch of the imagination so that stone's a bit too heavy for me to throw" he frowned "John just had a scare with a random and just as we got to the foot end of that Michael announced his girlfriend's caught his sperm and we're expecting to be grandparents in 6 months" he laughed "Yeah they look like butter wouldn't melt don't they?"
"And before you judge we did all the talks and stuff with those two they're just 'hard to resist' they tell us and 'they like to keep everyone happy'" Toni said hyphenating with her fingers the things they said "But we're doing alright I guess" she said looking at Stephen "I'm head mistress now and Stephen's Head of Department at the University I guess in about 10 years we'll start winding down"
"Looking after all these frigging grandchildren" Stephen chuckled making everyone laugh
"I hate to say it Dude but that's life" Denis said looking at Penny "We have a drug dealer for a son, I guess we get on with it telling ourselves, he's not that dangerous bastard we used to hate in our neighbourhood back in the day, he's our son that we love, took to church every week and absolutely doted on. But in the cold light of day he's a fucking villain and we condone it because the alternative is he tries to get out and he's dead, maybe so are we" he said hugging Penny "We just carry on, I dread getting a promotion in my job or Penny coming in saying she's had yet another rise because I don't want them thinking we're living above our station"
"We live like scared animals Den everyone in our neighbourhood does and it's not like we saw it coming, they grab hold of your children first and you fear for them so you conform, we don't even know what these people are capable of if anything" Penny stated "And then there's Crystal the black Goth" she laughed "Ever heard of such a thing, she walks around like she's the wife of Darth fucking Vader grunting answers to questions we ask and eating bird food" she laughed almost hysterically "Well rounded I think I'd call that, this gathering, even with all the drama is a welcome break"
"As some of you know our Heather is knocked up by some waste man, we think he's gypsy, which is fine but I know she's had a lot of flack for it since she's made it known, from her friends and stuff" she smiled "There seems to be some big shaming thing going on the in village at the minute but we're sure it will die down once the baby's here" Sarah said as Brad came back to sit with her leaving the music playing itself "Brad got fired about 6 months ago and since then he's been trying to make the music thing work"
"Before you ask, the new boss tried it on with me, I told her where to go, she obviously had it in for me and she worked her magic until she got rid of me, truth I was happy to go" Brad said "The girls are in the middle of their studies and we're just on the brink of struggle. We have a back up plan, my Dad needs someone to run his farm and although I think herding is boring I'd do it for my family for as long as I need to and we wouldn't need to up heave much" he said fidgeting with his beard "That's why it's so important for me to get this music thing right"
"God this is a heavy session" Tess got up saying as she grabbed drinks for everyone and returned to the seated circle as everyone sat in silence
"Well I almost feel like a bit of a fraud because Winston is kind of a good guy, he sort of latched onto the music thing early on in life and to be fair his main focus has been music, he's a bit obsessive about it, if I'm honest" Tessla said smiling at Sam
"Situation for us is alright I'm doing well and Tess is at the top of her game in the dance studio" Mark said
"What is it you do again Mark?"
"Real Estate" he said concluding his catch up
"Our turn" Mercy said slapping her thighs "Well I guess professionally we're on the ball as everyone already knows and to be honest I thought we had it all in the bag but, when that stuff happened earlier I stood there thinking" she said looking at Sam
"We were thinking" he smiled
"Our children are so wrapped in cotton wool, we don't know when we actually did that, but they're not being exposed to life you know" Mercy said looking at Sam for encouragement
"Yeah" Sam said looking at Mercy before looking at everyone else "I was scared shitless at the time but somewhere in there I was thinking what they were feeling and how alien all this stuff was for them, I mean I suppose we've always sort of thought because they were younger than all the other children we sort of kept them separate not wanting the adult influences I assume, it was all done subconsciously"
"Yeah but I stood there today wondering what we were actually doing to our children like de-socialising them they live in this fake famous people world and seriously that is not what we want for our children" Mercy said
"We say that but I don't think it's drugs, pregnancy or any of those things I guess their destiny is their own to find" Sam said wondering at his words "Is that the right thing to do?"
"And that is the correct question, to which no parent knows the answer" Stephen laughed
"I dread to think what songs those guys are cooking up for tomorrow" Devon said cringing
"We'll just have to help each other out" Sam offered
"Those that help us" Penny said looking at Mark
"What?" Mark asked
"Why you not telling anybody your son's autistic" she asked "That's why he's as good a gold because he's autistic" Penny hissed
"It's more than likely because he doesn't throw drugs up his fucking nose 24/7" Tess said in his defence
"Tess" Mercy screeched
"Well if your damn husband wasn't so damn bigoted, You might have got more help with him as a child, but he don't want white folk, and other minorities touching his child, the child needed help" Sanja butted in
"Fuck this" Mark said standing up "There is nothing wrong with my son" he announced before grabbing Tess' hand and walking out of the summerhouse
"His hand is so far up his fucking ass"Penny said shocking everyone into silence
"Well I guess that's a good cue for saying goodnight then" Sarah said before bursting into laughter "This fucking family" she said making everyone else laugh
"Seriously Brad I'm sure you'll find another job and I know you know we're all here for you and Sarah" Sam said "The rest of the Jones we'll crack this thing together, pardon the pun, but we will, I'll look into it. You think those guys are the real hustlers but the the real ones live in my circles, I'll see what I can find out, on the down low like" he said patting Devon's back "And Stephen you are not your children, we all hope to put the best in it's definitely up to them what they take out of what we put in"
"Very wise words Bro did you get them from one of your comic books?" Stephen asked
"No but I hope to put them in one, some day" he replied laughing
"You all just think he's just a handsome face but, there's lots more to my man, he's deep and he can get deeper" Mercy said holding his cheeks and kissing his lips "That's one of the many things I love about him" she finished when she let him up
"Mom Evans said she wants a 7am start which generally means she's starting at 5 so I say bed to get fresh for the busy day ahead" Penny announced
"Can't wait for the drama" Toni said laughing as they said their good night's and left for bed
Sam and Mery went to check on their sleeping children before retiring "God what a damn day" Sam said flopping into bed beside Mercy
"I fear there's more to come babe" she said turning round for him to grab her into him
"What else could possibly happen?" he said naturally grabbing her to him
"Well no one's given birth yet, your Mom hasn't gone full fuck everything just yet and the Dad's are still keeping quiet so there's lots left to go and I bet the Children are gonna bring it" she laughed
"Well just as long as you know, your husband loves you more than you'll ever know and he thinks you were super fly out there today"
"I was fly" she confirmed as she turned to him "You were super babe" she said kissing him lightly "And I know you know your wife wants to give it to you so hard you faint right?" she asked kissing him again
"Parents house" he said laughing "But tomorrow night no holds barred"
"Goodnight babe" she replied
"Goodnight babe" he replied still laughing
"You need to stop that giggling if you don't need me to make you break that house rule of your parents; although we are married, grown and with children I might add"
"Goodnight" he said trying his best not to laugh but he did and inevitably Mercy made him break the rules
Thanksgiving
"Good morning beautiful" Sam said when Mercy finally opened her eyes "It's 6.30 we need to be downstairs in like half an hour" he said kissing her nose
"We will" she smiled kissing him back "That's for last night, you made sure I enjoyed myself" she laughed "But look at that" she said showing him a bruise on her thigh "The bathroom is not the most appropriate place for that especially with hot water running" she laughed
"That was your call Lady, so don't get bitchin about it now" he laughed
"Not bitchin just stating a fact" she said jumping up out of bed "Dibs on the drama today" she said
"Who do you think?"
Total guess I'd say Winston"
"Funny I was gonna say Aunt Jane or Christine, one of the two single women" he said
"Why? Because Aunt Christine ain't getting any and Aunt Jane is a lesbian whose gonna come out today? I still say dibs on Winston" Mercy surmised
"I reckon it's Aunt Paulette that's the lesbian" Sam laughed
"Aunt Paulette and Christine are checking their phones mush too often to not be getting any" Mercy laughed
"And Winston's too attached to his damn guitar to be getting any" he laughed "What did you make of Penny's comment last night?" he asked
"No smoke without fire but Winston might be just a good guy, you know" she said
"I think there's something in it, but I'm reserving judgement until I speak to Winston myself"
"You really think after last nights performance Mark is going to let anyone near him?" Mercy laughed as they made their way to the bathroom exiting 20 minutes later washed, pulling their sweats on and they were off downstairs, surprised to see most of the family already up and eating
"You got like 5 minutes left for Breakfast before Moms' start cracking the whip" Sarah said grinning at them
"We can do that" Sam said as he went to the toaster while Mercy went to the coffee maker to pour the drinks and within minutes they met back up at the table with coffee, toast, butter and Jam on a plate with two knives. Then Sam buttered as Mercy jammed eating and feeding as they went, by 7 they were both sipping the last dregs of the coffee ready for work
"Right" Ann said clapping her hands "Girls in this kitchen with me, Boys in the back kitchen with Mia, and I really don't want to hear any shit about what you can and can't cook, see it as a learning experience" she said shooing everyone away
"Yeah" Mia shouted getting everyone's attention "There will be no cigarette, bathroom, wife, food breaks until the task is finished"
"Thanksgiving's officially started then yeah?" Brad asked
"I guess" Ann said looking at Mia "I sense regret in that answer" she laughed
Mia's kitchen
"Sam" Mark said as everyone rolled their eyes "No, no hear me out we'll all agree with this" he said quieting down the crowd of men and Mia
"Let's hear it" Sam smiled
"Like how you got like four businesses and shit shouldn't you be paying the cook for today giving us all a rest?"
"Is that it really?" Mia asked "For your information he offered, which is more than you can do right now but we thought it would be a great family bonding exercise so we refused" Mia said kissing her teeth at Mark "Now if you insist on chatting bullshit please, do it with a knife in your hand and peel something" she finished as everyone giggled at her response
"God blesses the child that's got his own"Brad commented
"You got that straight" Devon said looking at Mark
"You harping on about my four businesses is not going to get you rich Mark, we work hard Mercy and I to be able to do what we want, we sacrificed having our children earlier, getting married, being together at times, you don't see all the blood sweat and tears that went into our life as you see it now. When you know shit come back and we can seriously have that conversation" Sam said getting angry
"Bro" Stephen said going to him "It's not worth getting angry over you know how he is"
"I know Bro I just hate the way people assume we don't work for what we have" he said looking at Mark "You couldn't even survive what we've had to survive" he shouted at him
"Okay baby leave it let him think about what he said already" Mia said rubbing Sam's back seeing how upset he was about Mark's comments "Come on guys lets cook" she shouted as everyone made light work of it
Ann's Kitchen
"Sanja, Penny" Aunt Jane shouted across the kitchen "Them boys you got are turning into mighty fine men" she said licking her lips
"Jane I know you're an elder and you got some sort of sex disease or something but if I catch you messing around with my boy I'm gonna lay you down and throw hot oil in you" Sanja said
"What the fuck, who the fuck is she talking to?" Aunt Paula asked "Girl do you know that woman is older than the hills you talking to her like that"
"Does she know my son is younger than any tree she ever climbed up for fruit or anything else?" Sanja replied
"Where the fuck did Devon get this cheeky little bitch from?" Aunt Paula asked looking at Aunt Paulette
"Paula you are going to have to curb your language if you want me to converse with you" Aunt Paulette replied looking away
"Look at you telling me what to do, you ain't no better than anybody in here, sucking dick just like the rest of us" Aunt Paula said
"God forgive her" Aunt Paulette said looking up into the heavens as Mercy, Tessla and Sarah stood trying to hide the giggle
"Jane could you stop with the shit please?" Ann finally turned to say clearly she'd been laughing standing at the sink "And Paula please mind your language when the children are about"
"I do there are no children here right now" Paula said looking around "Everybody in here takes dick right?" she asked as Mercy, Tessla and Sarah couldn't hold it any more they went into full belly laugh going harder when they turned to see Ann bright red bending over the sink in stitches
"Come on" Ann composed herself enough to finally say "We need to get this cook on the way or there'll be no dinner"
The Den
So two hours later, well three if you count the messing about, the grown ups were cooking up a storm and the children had been down in trickles to eat breakfast, retiring to the den for a chill "To the den" Mia came through from the back kitchen shouting as everyone dropped tools and headed that way
"Well we're going to kick the singing off with something fresh, so they assure me their going to sing a clean version of 'Gyalis' by Alkaline & Sean Paul I guess" Brad said looking at David, John, Michael and Martin as the music started and they did their version of the song as everyone danced and joined in the chorus
"Love it" Stephen said bouncing around the room "That's definitely woke me up"
"No theme then" Tess shouted breathlessly, as everyone nodded in agreement
"What about the plan we made?" Mark asked
"Scrapped" Tess informed "I didn't want to sing with him anyway" she whispered to Sam, making him laugh
An hour later and Stephen suggested singing 'All I think About Is You' by Ansel Elgort with Sam, Sarah and Toni as they got up in agreement singing like old times when they were younger with Toni added "Throw back good days" Sam said laughing as he pushed his guitar aside and hugged his siblings
"Dinner's ready in about 40 minutes" Mia announced as she came in from the kitchen
"Just enough time for our song" Denis said as Devon, Penny, Tessla, Mercy Devon, Sanja and Mark joined him in singing their version of 'Nobody' by DJ Khaled, Alicia Keys & Nicki Minaj as everyone danced around and really getting into the party mood, Sanja surprising everyone with her short rap bit, the boys shouting to be heard over the diva's
"Dinner" Mia shouted about 10 minutes after the song as everyone gathered at the table five hours after the start of the cook fest, everyone clambering for a seat "Prayers please" Mia said looking at Dan and Devon sitting at either head of the table
"Please Pastor Jones" Dan said laughing offering a laughing Devon the floor
"Thank you Bishop Evans" he smiled getting up to say grace following which the table was opened and everyone ate till their hearts content eventually lounging back to let the meal settle. Everyone ate together today extra tables came out and there were two rows instead of the usual one, a very noisy affair
"Okay who's left to sing?" Tess asked "The girls and the parents I think" she looked around saying
"Yeah" Rosemary smiled getting up as Heather, Chrystel and Dione jumped up too, Tessla put the music on as Heather started singing first the others took their turn singing their version of 'Wake Up Alone' by The Chainsmokers & Jhene Aiko and all four of them finished with harmonies getting a well deserved clap
Mark sat smiling watching his very talented family, his eyes seeing something totally different, he couldn't help himself "That's all good and well" he pipped up when they finished, everyone in the room rolled their eyes "Yes I know everyone wants to tell me to shut my mouth right now but while we're celebrating this very interracial clan, our history is melting away" he said looking around the table "I know it's traditional Mom, Dad for the eldest child to inherit everything but under the circumstances, I've been talking to Tess about it and we agree" he said as Tess butted in
"We haven't agreed anything Mr" she made clear
"Winston" he said cutting his eye at Tess "Is the only actual full black member of the family to carry the name on so I suggest" he said looking at Tess "That everything of yours goes to him" he said looking at Dave and Mia
"Sorry Dad can I take this one" Devon asked bouncing up off his chair before his father could answer him "How dare you!" he shouted down the table to Mark "I'm not saying anything about Winston in that statement I might add, if there was anything left as inheritance he would rightfully have access to it, but you, how dare you come into this family and then presume that anything in it belongs to you except the wife we wrongly let you have" he said very angry as Sanja pulled him to sit back down "He's not even a Jones" he said as he sat
"There's no need to get mad with me for stating a fact Devon" he said staring at him "Do you have any full black children? No" he answered his own question saying "None of you do I'm just stating the obvious" he giggled
"Well said son" Devon informed Devon Junior, totally ignoring Mark's last statement "For your information Mark" he said, finally turning his attention to him "We have four children and we feel we have provided for them sufficiently, it's your duty to provide for your child so I suggest you forge ahead and do that, like every other man who calls himself a father around this table has done"
"I guess they took the wrong mad person when they took my girl" Marcus stated
"No Uncle they took the right one, we just didn't realise there were two" Mercy commented, making Sam smile
"God bless the child that has his own" Aunt Paula said
"I'll give that an Amen again" Uncle Fredrick, who never said much anyway, told everyone
"I feel so ashamed right now" Tessla said
"Don't hold shame girl" Jane informed her from across the table "I held shame all my life and got nothing in return, I like girls, always have always will. I didn't want to say anything to hurt our parents when they were alive and then everyone just got on with themselves and I really never got the courage to say it out loud but it's making me ill and I need to let it out I guess" she said looking around the table
"Finally" Ann said going round to hug her "I'm so proud of you"
"Yeah well Fran; that's my girlfriend, just got fed up after 17 years of me keeping things secret and threatened to leave so I told her this time I'd say something and next family gathering she'll be here" she smiled at Neil as he blew her a kiss of encouragement "I have a song" she announced "Girls come join in" she said looking at her nieces "Boys guitars, and keep the oxygen close for after" she said as 'Man, I feel like A Woman' by Shania Twain started to play and she started the ball rolling
"Wow Jane I hadn't heard you sing for years you sound good girl" Mary said hugging her
"So the black man thing?" Uncle Fredrick asked stopping the claps
"Definitely a cover" she laughed as he slapped his leg in regret
"You so owe me" Sam whispered in Mercy's ear, most of the table were still too stunned to talk
"Day's only just beginning babe" she smiled
"Who are you people?" Peter asked "How the hell is this alright? It's not something to be fucking celebrated" he got up saying as young Mia and Daniel looked at each other almost laughing for the swear
"That will be enough of that Pete" Dan stood up saying "There are women and children present, I know you really don't want to get me started up in here" he said giving him a warning eye as the room went quiet
"Wow" Sam said in Mercy's ear "That was Dad mad trust me"
"Time for our song" Grandma Mia said trying to break the cold ice that just set across the room "Come on you two bring it" she said waving to Mia and Daniel to the shock and surprise of Sam and Mercy, they'd never got up and volunteered anything before
"We're going to sing our version of 'Speak To A Girl' by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill" Mia announced as Daniel grabbed his grandfather's guitar
"We've asked our Grandparents a lot of questions this holiday, having heard how you guys talk to and about each other, we're not used to it, and so we just wanted to give our version of love for you guys to think about" Daniel said looking around the room Mercy already in tears, this was so out of character for their children
Mia
She don't give a blow 'bout your Benjamin Franklin's, she wants Aretha, she don't really care how you're spending your money, it's all how you treat her, she just want a friend to be there when she opens her eyes in the morning, she wants you to say what you mean and mean everything that you're saying, 'cause that's how you talk to a woman, that's how you speak to a girl, that's how you get with the lady who's worth more than anything in your whole world, you better respect your Mama, respect the hell out of her
'Cause that's how you talk to a woman and that's how you speak to a girl
Daniel
She don't give a blow 'bout your pride or the lies that you're hiding behind, she just wanna feel that you're real, that she's near to the man that's inside, she don't need to hear she's a queen on a throne, that she's more than amazing
She just wants you to say what you mean and to mean everything that you're saying
Mia & Daniel
'Cause that's how you talk to a woman, that's how you speak to a girl, that's how you get with a lady who's worth more than anything in your whole world, you better respect your Mama, respect the hell out of her 'cause that's how you talk to a woman, that's how you speak to a girl, that's how you speak to, speak to her, that's how you speak to, speak to her
Mia
'Cause that's how you talk to a woman, that's how you speak to a girl, that's how you get with a lady who's worth more than anything in your whole world
Both
You better respect your Mama, respect the hell out of her 'cause that's how you talk to a woman and that's how you speak to a girl
Daniel: That's how you talk to a woman, Mia: that's how you speak to a girl
"Our parents taught us that" Mia smiled "Well our parents wrote that one"
"That's how we live actually" Daniel added
"I didn't even know they were that interested in singing" Sam said grabbing Mercy's hand, she was still crying
Hugs followed afterwards of course "I got some competition there" Mercy finally got out when she stopped crying enough finding a bit more pride bursting out as tears fall free, Sam wiping his away
"Shall we do ours before we drown or collapse with this age thing we got going on?" Ann asked as Dan, Devon and Mia laughed coming forward "We're living the dream people" Ann shouted "We ain't got much between us, well except for us" she said looking across the four of them "And Sam and Mercy, but even with all that wealth we still got something more precious" she smiled "Each other, yep it might be messed up in places, but hey it's what makes us family" she announced as Dan started playing the song and they started singing 'When Someone Stops Loving You' by Little Big Town Dan and Dave sharing the verses and Ann and Mia joining in on the choruses
"We need to always remember the love" Mia told them while Devon hugged her
"Yeah because that songs the other option" Dan looked at their children sitting around saying
"I love appreciating the day and I guessed everyone would want to just fall off to sleep at this time so I set up a couple of games for us and everyone has to partake, the first one's moving around so stand everyone" Terry told everyone jumping into action for maybe the first time all holiday "This is all your own fault for making this a singing fest with people who can't sing having to take part" he laughed as everyone did as told and got up "There are three things dotted around the property that I feel we need to celebrate Thanksgiving the best we can, if you find them and bring them back within the hour you'll receive a gift" he smiled as everyone cheered "I forgot to say you must work in groups of no less than eight and everyone in your group must return together, with the items right; go" he said looking at the clock, as everyone scattered
Sam, Mercy the children and their parents went off as a team of eight, and sat about for a long while discussing what they felt made for a good Thanksgiving as Terry, Mary, Neil, Jane, Paulette, Paula, Peter, Christine, Frederick and Marcus lagged behind too, Julian as always, wasn't even in the room let alone engaging
"No running around for you guys?" Dan asked to Terry's smile "They're up to something" he said nudging Sam
"Watch them" Devon said smiling
30 minutes in and Dan's team were still sitting watching Terry's team and wondering what the catch was "Its got to be something within us" Ann said "I've had a light bulb moment" she laughed
"Three things that say Thanksgiving" Grandma Mia pondered "Family" she said looking around
"Yeah I'll go with that" Dan said pointing at Grandma Mia
"I'd maybe guess Turkey" Sam put in
"And we can find both of them wondering around out there at the moment" Ann said getting excited about the game
"Knowing Uncle Terry it's going to be something about alcohol isn't it?" Mercy laughed
"Not necessarily" Ann looked at her saying seriously before bursting into laughter, making everyone laugh
"Maybe it's something so mystical and profound only he can..." Sam said mysteriously before Dan stopped him
"Sam it's a hunt not a fictitious marvel occurrence" he laughed grabbing his shoulder to shake him out of it, Mercy rubbed his arm for the jeer his Dad just gave him, smiling
"We love your mind babe" she said as she rubbed
"Love" Dan shouted "That's the third thing; Family Turkey as in food and Love" he said excitedly
"Unfortunately he's right" Mia said laughing at her brother
"I think it's life not food" Daniel piped up
"It's a good answer namesake" Dan replied "We'll go with life"
"Are we all comfortable with those answers?" Dave asked as everyone agreed "Time's nearly up anyway
Minutes later everyone returned
Martin and his team of young people; David, Diane, Crystal, Winston, Michael, John, Rosemary and Heather came back with high, hungry and broke
"That's because all you young ones do is get high, eat us out of house and home with your munchies and broke because of that stuff and not getting up off your asses to do anything" Neil sassed at them
"So their good relevant answers then, Yeah?" David asked
"No" Denis almost shouted at him "Answers are dumb they could refer to any damn day in the life of" he said giving a fake smile at the end
"Yep well, moving on" Uncle Terry said turning to Mark's team
Mark and his team; Denis, Penny, Tessla, Devon, Sanja, Stephen, Toni, Sarah and Brad came back with Bull shit, Dirt and broke
"Nothing new there then Mark, still dominating that group" Grandma Mia said as everyone laughed
"Your answers are just as bad if not worse than ours, at least we know we're thick you guys call yourselves professionals and come up with crap like that" David said to his Dad as everyone looked on waiting for Devon to react
"Leave it David I guess it's one rule for us and a completely different one for them, as always" Martin said
"Hold up I thought you two were arch enemies from the drugs thing?" Mark piped up with a smirk
"Drug's thing?" Dan asked as Devon's ears perked up too
"Oh Martin owed David some money for drugs or something and he threatened to beat the shit out of him if he didn't get his doe, Penny paid up" Aunt Christine paraphrased wanting the scores for the game so she could get her liquid prize
"Hold up" Dan asked there are drugs on my property?" he asked looking at Sam
"No Dad I don't think so, but the boys had beef outside of here and brought it here their Dad's dealt with it and as far as I'm aware they've all been clean since they've been here, their fathers assure me" Sam said looking at Devon and Denis, Dan seemed to accept Sam's explanation before banging the table and sitting back down
"What did you guys come up with?" Terry asked Mia stopping her giggling "We noticed you didn't even go outside"
"Well I guess Mia and Daniel are our spokespersons" Sam said looking at them
"We guessed" Mia said looking at Daniel "Family, Life and ..."
"Love" Daniel finished
"So damn sweet" Brad said smiling at the children
"And the winner is" Terry said before Mark stopped him
"What about your group?" he asked him
"We all knew the answer already" Terrance replied "The winners are Mia and Daniel's team" he said as the team cheered while the other two teams looked on "You would never have got it" Terry said to Mark's blank face "Love, you can't fathom it"
"And on that note" Aunt Paulette announced and everyone knew what was coming "Heads bowed please" she said as she burst into prayer for the longest time as everyone looked around smiling and eye rolling at her performance eventually hearing Amen and following her cue
Paula's defence at times like these was to pretend nobody had just wished brimstone and fire down on her and totally ignore the prayer fest thing her sister had going on "I just feel like bringing back some of our old times, you know back in Ma and Pa's back yard or in the kitchen anywhere really when we girls got together we always enjoyed harmonising, I don't really have a voice any more but I'm up for trying" Paula said looking at Christine, Paulette and Mia "our Favourite 'If you love me' by Brownstone it's pure sisterhood up in the house but that's what we are sisters that rock" she giggled as her sisters came forward and made ready to sing Mia the lead singer as everyone found their harmony around her voice and everyone was impressed
"Still got it Mom" Mercy shouted "That's where I get it from people"
"Beautiful just like my wife" Devon said going to grab Mia as the others clapped loudly
"And" Mark said above the noise as everyone rolled their eyes again waiting for his next revelation "Sorry" he held his hands up saying "And for the record I love my family, I really do, I'm just super passionate about the melt down of the bloodline, I love all my nieces and nephews passionately and I wouldn't want them to be anyone else" he said as everyone cheered, Tess feeling his forehead
"You alright baby, I think you just said something nice to everyone?" she asked
"I'm just fine, just reflecting on Uncle Terry's life lesson" he smiled
"While we're into reflection" Peter said "I also realised I loved my family it should be unconditional but, I guess for the longest time it's not been, and I'm sorry about that and I will try to do better" he smiled as Sarah hugged him
"Uncle Peter of old, I knew you were in there somewhere" Stephen laughed
"Is all this shit supposed to make me feel bad?" Marcus asked
"No" Everyone shouted
"Sorry maybe" Paulette informed her husband
"Okay" he said holding his hands up as surrender "I'm sorry" as everyone cheered again
"Remember you owe me Mrs Evans" he whispered in Mercy's ear "Big time" he said grabbing her ear with his mouth
"I remember, and stop that you know what you're doing" she smiled back moving her ear "The children" she said looking at Mia and Daniel looking at them
"We're not silly Mom we know about sex" Mia said as Sam giggled
"Yeah we hear enough of it from you guys" Daniel smiled "Don't sweat it's all about the love Dad says"
"What you had the talk with them?" Mercy spun round saying
"Babe it took you until our wedding night to say the word sex come on, who do you think was going to have that conversation with them, I'm surprised your surprised actually" he said looking at Grandma Mia "Mom how old was Mercy when you guys had the sex talk" he asked turning Mercy back round to hug her from the back
"About 4 months after she met you" Mia laughed "Before that she refused to listen"
"My point exactly" he laughed bending to kiss her neck "Now she does plenty sex talk but only with me" he laughed as Mercy slapped the arm he had resting on her chest for saying it
"Sam" she said blushing
"Mom you're such a prude" Mia said laughing
"And that's what I need you to be too sweetheart, outside of this circle until your 25" Sam said seriously to her making Mercy laugh
"So now it's a good thing" she asked him
"You are a good thing babe" he laughed squeezing her tighter
"Okay prizes" Uncle Terry announced "A song from the winning group"
"God Sam take it away" his Dad said
"Mercy take it away" her Dad said as they stood looking at each other "Before his man parts start acting up"
"That's fine we can do two songs" Uncle Terry announced ignoring Devon's inappropriate comment
"We'll do one, I'll play you sing" Sam told them kissed her as he spoke
"You sure?" she asked concerned
"You're the professional remember?" he laughed
"We're both professional babe, you just don't shout about it as much as I do" Mercy smiled as he bent to kiss her again before letting her go to go sing their song "That one we sung last night for a joke" she smiled, he nodded agreement
"Well nothing planned, and had this come about maybe up until yesterday I had a song but, with all the love being showed right now I guess it's fitting as we, finally as a family, get together to celebrate, love, life and family on this great Thanksgiving day. It brings me back to a drive Mercy and I took a few days ago right after the Joan drama, we just drove around the grounds just taking the scenery in and I was getting some serious family memories back, childhood, boyhood, manhood, fatherhood and I realised memories are important, I want us to all remember this Thanksgiving"
"Well I want to say we'd just scratched this out the back of our minds, but we sung it as a joke last night but today I just think it's our family genetics, to be celebrated I guess in our own ways we'll remember this time together for life, for different things, but definitely for life so I'm going to delve into the musical talent that is Jill Scott and sort of play with her tune to make it ours so here goes guys enjoy this is "Family Reunion" by Jill Scott adapted to our family's take on family" she said Sam starting strumming the tune as the music played helping him in the background, Mercy sang her version getting laughs as they sang, the ladies coming in for backing
Mercy (Sam & Mercy)
We at the family reunion, telling jokes and playing spades, (Uncle Peter is on the barbecue grill)
Grandma bragging 'bout the blanket she made, for the new baby on her way
(Even though the daddy ain't really ready) this child is coming...anyway, yeah
Paula made her famous potato salad, (somehow it turns out green) maybe its all the scallions (could be the celery)
But oh, Uncle Freddy loves it (Hmm)
Hey baby baby, here comes my favourite...my favourite cousin, she says she's doing fine, taking it one step a day (but in my heart I know it ain't that way)
Chorus: Girls
(Whoa whoa-o-whoa whoa-o-whoa whoa-o-whoa what can you say...its family)
(And whoa whoa-o-whoa whoa-o-whoa whoa-o-whoa, what can you say...its family)
Mercy (Sam & Mercy)
Aunt Chrissy been drinking again...ooh its only 1:30 in the afternoon, everybody tip-toeing round her, (we all know she gonna be tore up soon)
Saying all the things we like to say, hope she gets around to Uncle Marcus, cause we all know he got a little extra somebody on the side, but
Chorus: Boys (Mercy)
Mercy (Sam & Mercy)
Oh shit, damn Martin and David are fighting again, move out the way, somebody might get hurt (oh look at that what happen is worst, they knocked over Aunt Jane's Lemon Cake) Sam: Emm
You know the one she barely ever makes, (I'm getting riled up, I want them to go)
But Somebody turn Frankly Beverly on the stereo, (Moma's starts rocking, shaker their good hip and bottom)
So we all fall into place, smiling and laughing
Chorus x 2 – Everyone (Mercy)
The family laughed at the mention of activities that had taken place over the short week and clapped or danced along as Mercy and Sam playfully included individuals by name in their song, Sam walking around laughing with the people Mercy and he were singing about
"That songs is gonna be our family anthem" Dan announced as everyone clapped their efforts
"I can actually see why you get those big bucks for your songs guys" Marcus admitted
"All true" Sam laughed "But we have the making of a real genius in our midst" he announced looking at Winston who had remained quiet through most of the holiday fun, sitting with his guitar faithfully attached to his hip "Are you willing to share?" he asked
"Yeah I'll take the last song of the day" Winston smiled getting up to go sing his version of 'Sky Stays This Blue' by Dallas Smith as everyone danced around, Sam playing his guitar as he watched Mercy and the children rocking "I just want to say Dad I got a girl" he smiled, when he finished his song abruptly, as his Dad looked on puzzled
"You got a girl, when?" he asked
"About 5 months ago and she's cool" he smiled
"Congratulations Son" he said hugging him "Bring her home some time" he said patting him on the back
"I don't think that's gonna happen in your lifetime" Winston laughed
"Why?" Mark asked as everyone looked on waiting for the revelation
"She's mixed her Dad's black and Asian, her Mom's Spanish and milky white, so all four sides" Winston said "And no I didn't specifically look for her, we fell in love" he announced as Mark stood staring into space thinking about his dilemma
"As I said, you should bring her home" he finally said smiling "I've got all of those nationalities in my family already and god forbid anyone should call me a bigot" he said laughing at his own joke
"Come on" Grandma Mia said to everyone "More food to be eaten before the day's done" she announced as the women scurried in to help serve desserts and got to the living room with trays of delights for everyone to eat
"I guess you owe me big time too Mr" Mercy whispered to Sam making him smile
"Lots of fun to be had tonight then" he replied licking his lips as he pulled the chair out for her to sit in next to him eating while she playfully drew S on his leg or mentioned the letter every now and again in conversation
"I know something's going on with you two" Stephen finally said as they smiled
"What's going on we're having a conversation" Sam said looking at Mercy then Stephen
"Yeah a very private conversation in a public place" Tess said "Nothing new" she said shrugging it off
"Presents" Ann announced as everyone moved to the main room. About an hour later everyone had given what they had to give and received with thanks the presents they received, made verbal contributions as to why they brought individuals presents and hugging until it was going out of fashion in appreciation
They did their own thing later that evening some napped, swam, played some more of Terry's games or ventured to the den for young adult entertainment. Sam and Mercy went to pay each other the debt they owed at the hotel room
"God that was exhausting" Sam said as he flopped on the bed
"Do you love me babe?" she asked shocking him back awake
"What do you mean? of course I do, Why did you ask that?"
"I don't know I just maybe needed to hear it just then" she looked at him saying
"Babe talk to me" he sat up saying
"It's nothing maybe..." she trailed off before she started singing 'Dive' by Ed Sheeran
Mercy: Maybe I came on too strong, Sam: Maybe I waited too long, Mercy: Maybe I played my cards wrong
Oh just a little bit wrong
Sam: Baby I apologise for it, I could fall or I could fly, here in your aeroplane, and I could live, I could die,
hanging on the words you say, I've been known to give my all, and jumping in harder than, 10,000 rocks on the lake
Mercy: So don't call me baby, unless you mean it, and don't tell me you need me, If you don't believe it
So let me know the truth, before I dive right into you
Sam: You're a mystery, I have travelled the world, and there's no other girl like you, no one
Mercy: What's your history? Do you have a tendency to lead some people on? Cause I heard you do
He sat singing the song with her, smiling his mission accomplished,
Mercy: I Could fall or I could fly, here in your aeroplane, and I could live, I could die, hanging on the words you say,
and I've been known to give my all, and lie awake, every day, don't know how much I can take
Sam: So don't call me baby, unless you mean it, and don't tell me you need me, if you don't believe it
So let me know the truth, before I dive right into you
Both: I could fall or I could fly, Here in your aeroplane, I could live, I could die, Hanging on the words you say
I've been known to give my all, Sitting back, looking at Sam: Every mess that I made
So don't call me baby, Unless you mean it, and don't tell me you need me, If you don't believe it
let me know the truth, Mercy: Before I dive right into you, Sam: Before I dive right into you
Both: Before I dive right into you
"I'm Sorry babe I had a lot on my mind tonight I just forgot" he kissed her saying "It won't happen again" he kissed her again saying "Babe I love you" he told her pulling her face back to him, how could he have forgotten to tell his wife he loved her before he took her, now this was going to have to happen all over again he smiled thinking as he got to work
"Goodnight babe" she said turning her back ready for him to grab her "You did it on purpose didn't you"
"Goodnight babe" he said grabbing her in closing his eyes to finally welcome sleep
"I needed more too" she giggled
"Goodnight Babe"
Saturday
"Mom we got to take them back with us, they've got to go to school" Sam informed his Mom who was having a hard time letting go of the children, for them the holiday was over. Sam had businesses to run and Mercy was busy getting her best of album sorted but she wanted to redo all the songs she didn't want the usual just throw them all together again thing, people needed to know how she sounded now, she'd insisted. Her latest film was due out in less than two months and there was a hell of a lot of promotion to do for that, so they had their hands full no time to come back to get the children
"Sam" Mercy shouted from the waiting car
"Come on guys, Mom I got to go" he said hurrying things up before Mercy got her Diva on
"Sam" she shouted again as she saw the children coming out "Where's your Dad?" she asked
"He's coming" Mia said "Nan was refusing to let us go" she laughed
Mercy rolled her eyes "Sam" she shouted again as he got to the entrance with the parents in tow "Bye all" Mercy said jumping in the car
"She's gonna cry if she has to get personal" Sam said kissing the Mom's as the Dad's put the cases in the car"Bye everyone" he said jumping in the drivers seat as Mercy jumped out to hug their parents crying
"Sorry" she said wiping her eyes as she hugged "We'll be back as soon as we can" she promised before getting back in the car leaving her crying Mom's "Bye" she said as Sam drove off
"I hate coming and I hate leaving more, they all need to live with us" she told him as he drove
"Babe we.." he got out before his phone rang "Sorry babe work starts back for me today" he said activating his hands free "Hi Ken, your on loud speaker and my family are in the car so PC please" he informed him "What's up"
"We have a problem on site that you maybe need to come and have a look at Sam"
"Big?" Sam asked
"I can't swear right?" Ken said laughing "But a swear is the only way to describe it"
"Okay manage as best you can, I've got to get my family home and I'll be with you as soon as I can"
"Okay bye" Ken said as the line went dead
6 hours later they were back in their own home "God it seems like an age ago since we've been here" Mercy said walking into the foyer of the house and spinning round "Do you think we have too much space Sam?" she asked as the children ran past them and up the stairs
"Too much space between us right now yeah" he said walking towards her "I don't think I've ever walked into this house, seen you in it and not kissed you Mrs Evans" he announced grabbing her lips
"It was good wasn't it?" she smiled singing "We got this king size to ourselves, don't have to share with no one else, don't keep your secrets to yourself, it Karma Sutra show and tell"
"Whoa, there's loving in your eyes that pulls me closer, it's so subtle, I'm in trouble, but I'd love to be in trouble with you" he sang as they made their way to their bedroom, kissing her at the top of the stairs "I can do an hour"
"Let's Marvin Gaye and get it on" they both sang
"After party perks" she smiled as she went in for another kiss
"Best Thanksgiving ever" Sam laughed when she let him up stepped into their bedroom and closed the door
The End