Chapter Ten;
It was nearing the end of November. Which meant in a couple weeks it would be "The day of Thanks" in Suna. It was a holiday that celebrated the day their land was founded, and on that day everything closed. People invited their families over for dinner, and they would celebrate the gift of life, family, and happiness.
Currently, Sasori and Evelynn had the kids at the park. It was starting to get colder, so they wanted to let them play at the play ground as much as possible before the snow fell. The two boys were currently on the monkey bars. Sasori and Evelynn were on a bench nearby, and were smoking a cigarette.
"So, what are you doing for Day of Thanks?" Sasori inquired.
"Hm? Oh, just throw a little something together for Adrian and myself. Raiden, my brother, is going to over to his wife's mother's house. So, it'll just be Adrian and myself this year." Evelynn replied as she gazed fondly at her son.
"What about Mira and Shoto?" Sasori asked.
"Mira is going to her parents, and Shoto is going to her fathers."
"You could always come with my to Temari's." Sasori offered. "You already know Temari, Shikamaru, and their kids. You'll meet granny Chiya, Gaara, and Kankuro."
"Oh, no. I couldn't intrude." Evelynn declined politely. "It's a holiday for family, you know."
"You are family." Sasori frowned.
"Not quite." Evelynn responded softly. Before he could respond Deidara and Adrian ran over.
"Mommy, Dei-nii-san and I are hungry." Adrian whined.
"Yeah, daddy!" Deidara chimed in.
"How about I take everyone out to eat, hm?" Sasori asked. "It's almost dinner time, anyways."
"I don't see why not." Evelynn grinned.
The boys cheered, and grabbed their parents hand. Evelynn laughed and Sasori chuckled as the two dragged them to the car.
-Time skip!-
It was eight o' clock at night when Sasori called Temari. he had just put Deidara to bed, since the boy had school in the morning. It bothered him slightly, that Evelynn didn't consider herself family. Not that he could blame her. They had only been officially a couple for a week, and had known each other only five months. Still, Adrian and her meant as much to him as Deidara did now. So, Sasori called Temari, because if anyone would get Evelynn over for Day of Thanks, it was her.
"Hello?" Temari's voice picked up on the other line.
"Hey, Temari, can I ask you a favour?" Sasori asked.
"Of course, little cousin!" Temari responded cheerily.
"Evelynn is refused my invitation to come over to your place for Day of Thanks.." Sasori started, but was quickly cut off by Temari.
"Oh no! I got this covered, because you are going to marry her. You hear me?! Adrian and her have to be there. They're basically family already! Don't worry, little cousin. I got this!"
With that, Temari hung up. Sasori smirked. Well, he knew he could count on her. WAIT! Did she say they are going to get married?! They haven't gotten that far, yet. Hell, he and Evelynn only just started dating! Sasori shook his head. Sometimes, his family blew even his mind. Shaking his head Sasori headed into the bathroom for a shower.
-Evelynn's apartment-
It was eight-thirty when Evelynn's phone rang. She had just put Adrian to bed, and was getting ready to get a shower. She glanced at the caller I.D., and saw it was Temari.
"Hello?" Evelynn answered curiously.
"Evelynn?" Temari asked.
"Yeah, it's me. Is everything alright?"
"No, it's not! How can you not be coming over for Day of Thanks?!" Temari wailed. Evelynn pulled the phone away from her ear slight, and flinched at her loud voice.
"Uh, I.. Uhm.." Evelynn stuttered.
"You have to come over! You have to. I'll see you here with Sasori, and don't think about not showing up!" Temari demanded. Then she hung up the phone without waiting for a response.
Evelynn blinked in surprise, and stared at her phone. Then she rolled her eyes, and headed out her door to Sasori's apartment. She banged on the door, and in a few minutes Sasori answered. Evelynn's face flushed a bright pink. He was only wearing a towel loosely around his waist, his hair was dripping wet, and there were still drops of water running down his torso.
"Yes?" He drawled with a smirk.
"You.. I.. Temari.. Go get dressed!" Evelynn cried out while covering her face with her hands. Sasori chuckled, low and deep. Then he leaned forward, and whispered against her ear.
"Or.. I could invite you in, and we could.."
He didn't get to finish his sentence. Evelynn had turned, and fled back to her apartment, slamming her door closed. Sasori smirked in the direction she went.
"What the hell is going on.." Old Nami, from across the hall, paused as she opened the door, and found Sasori practically naked. She gaped, and then quickly slammed the door shut.
Sasori was sure her nose was bleeding a little. Shrugging, he went back into his apartment and closed the door.
-Time skip! Day of thanks-
It was finally the Day of Thanks. Evelynn was sitting in the passenger seat of Sasori's car. She was wearing a dark red, v-neck sweater dress that stopped at her mid-thigh, and her shoulders were slightly revealed. She wore a pair of black skinny jeans, and a pair of dark red wedged heeled sandals. She had dressed Adrian in a royal blue, button up collared shirt, black slacks, and black tennis shoes. Nervously, she kept fidgeting with her hair, which was pulled into a low, messy bun at the back of her neck. Her bangs were parted to the right, and a few curly strands of hair fell around her face.
"You look lovely." Sasori assured her. He was dressed in a black and grey striped collared shirt, black slacks, and a pair of black dress shoes. He had dressed Deidara in a dark green collared button up shirt, a pair of black slacks, and a pair of black tennis shoes like Adrian's.
"Are you sure there's nothing I have to worry about?" Evelynn asked softly.
"Well, Chiyo can be kind of rude, and Kankuro might flirt with you." Sasori said thoughtfully. "Other than that, no."
"Hm." Evelynn hummed as they pulled into Shikamaru's and Temari's driveway.
"Ah, everyone's already here." Sasori observed.
"Wonderful." Evelynn muttered sarcastically.
The four got out of the car. Deidara ran up to the door excitedly. Adrian held back, and his behind his mothers legs as they walked. Evelynn placed a comforting hand on his head as Sasori knocked on the door. Temari answered.
"Evelynn, you showed up!" Temari exclaimed happily. Then, she waved at Adrian. "Hello, little Adrian. Are you nervous?"
Adrian just nodded his head shyly.
"Well, no one here will be mean to you. If they are I give your mommy permission to beat them up, okay?" Temari laughed. This seemed to ease Adrian's nervousness, because the little boy giggled. He allowed himself to be led into the house by Deidara. Instantly Tanari and Shikanaru greeted them.
"Hey, Adrian!" They both exclaimed. Now that he was around familiar faces he was completely at ease. The four kids ran to the playroom until Temari would call them for dinner.
Sasori gently grabbed Evelynn's elbow, and led her into the living room after Temari. Shikamaru was sitting on the couch between a red-headed man and a brown haired man. In the arm chair was an old woman, whom Evelynn assumed was Chiyo. The woman looked up, and smiled stiffly at Sasori.
"Well, if it isn't my grandson." Chiyo stated as she stood up. "Who is this little lady?"
"Granny Chiyo, this is Evelynn Crevan. Evelynn, this is my grandmother." Sasori said quickly.
"How long do you plan to keep this one, Sasori?" Chiyo asked. Evelynn blinked in surprise. What that that mean?
"Forever, if I can manage." Sasori responded dryly.
"Hey, Sasori, my man!" The brown haired boy walked up grinning. "Who's the pretty woman?"
"Evelynn Crevan. Evelynn, this is Kankuro." Sasori chuckled.
"Nice to meet, ya. Welcome to the family!" Kankuro grinned. "Hey, if you ever get sick of Sasori I'm always available."
Sasori glared daggers at his cousin, and Evelynn let out a laugh.
"Actually, I know someone who's single." Evelynn stated innocently.
"You can't be serious." Sasori groaned.
"Oh, really? Is she cute?" Kankuro asked with a sly grin.
"Absolutely! Evelynn Crevan only attracts the cutest." Evelynn said as she gently placed her hand on Sasori's arm. Kankuro, Temari, and Shikamaru all laughed at the blush that formed across his cheeks.
"I'll look forward to meeting her then." Kankuro winked, and then went over to sit next to Shikamaru again. Temari left to finish dinner, and Gaara made his way over to Evelynn and Sasori.
"She's a very charming girl, Sasori. Congratulations." Gaara nodded towards his cousin.
"Thank you. Evelynn, this is Gaara." Sasori introduced them.
"It's nice to meet you." Evelynn smiled gently.
"Likewise." Gaara nodded. Before the conversation could continue, Chiyo cut in.
"Don't you have a son?" Chiyo inquired.
"Oh, he's.. Around." Evelynn stated as she looked around for Adrian.
"Shouldn't you keep a better eye on your child?" Chiyo asked casually. Evelynn's eyes flashed dangerously as she turned to Chiyo. Only, it was Sasori who spoke.
"Adrian is very well acquainted with Tanari and Shikanaru. On top of that he and Deidara are practically mothers. I can assure you Evelynn is an outstanding mother. Adrian is probably in the play room with the other kids." Sasori remarked coolly. His icy gaze meeting Chiyo's.
"I can believe she's a wonderful mother." Gaara said calmly, trying to break the tension.
"Who's a good mommy?" Adrian and Deidara poked their heads in the door.
"Who's this little one?" Gaara asked with a half smile as he nodded in Adrian's direction.
"I'm Adrian Crevan." Adrian stated proudly as he marched over to his mother. "The youngest son of mommy Crevan."
"There's another one?" Chiyo asked with a raised eyebrow. The other adults in the room looked just as confused. Deidara tugged on the Chiyo's clothes. The old woman looked down at him curiously.
"I'm Addy's big brother, granny Chiyo, un." Deidara 'whispered' behind his hand up at Chiyo. The truth was he thought he was whispering, but everyone in the room could hear him. "We're trying to get Daddy and Evelynn to get married, so we can be real brothers."
Adrian nodded behind him. The two seemed unaware of the other adults in the room. Chiyo chuckled, Gaara coughed back a laugh, Kankuro and Shikamaru were shaking with silent laughter, and Evelynn and Sasori were glancing with amusement down at the boys.
"Good luck with your mission, boys!" Kankuro hollered over to them. Their eyes got wide, and they slowly glanced up at their parents. They were meet with their amused glances.
"IT WAS HIS IDEA (UN)!" The two shouted together, and then fled back to the play room.
Evelynn, Shikamaru, and Kankuro burst out laughing. Gaara and Sasori chuckled softly, and even Chiyo smiled a little bit. Ah, the innocence of children.
"Dinner's ready!" Temari called.
Sasori and Evelynn went to grab the kids, and everyone else took a seat around the table. Chiyo sat at the head of the table, to her left was Sasori, and to her right was Shikamaru. Next to Shikamaru was Temari, then Tanari, then Shikanaru, and Gaara sat at the other end across from Chiyo. Next to Sasori was Evelynn, then Deidara, then Adrian, and then Kankuro.
"I'll take care of him down here." Kankuro promised with a grin.
"You better!" Evelynn laughed.
"Alright, everyone, I'll explain how this works. Since Evelynn and Adrian are new." Temari said. "We start with Chiyo, and then go to the right. Everyone says a few things they're thankful for, and then we can eat."
Temari grinned, and Chiyo took over.
"I'm very thankful for my family. Especially my grandson, who has proven to be a loving father. As it seems, he's also proven to be a loving family man in general, and I look forward to Evelynn and Adrian becoming a part of the family." Chiyo said kindly. Sasori scratched the back of his head sheepishly, Evelynn smiled softly, and everyone else grinned broadly.
"I'm thankful, of course, for my two knuckle head brothers." Temari grinned. "My sweet, little cousin, and my great aunt Chiyo. Mostly, I'm thankful for being married to such a devoted husband, and having two adorable rascals of my own."
"I'm thankful for my wife, my kids, and the family that came with them. Who invited me into their lives so.. Er, kindly.." Shikamaru chuckled.
"You mean when we tried to kill you that was a kindness?' Sasori asked with a smirk.
"Well.." Shikamaru took a sideways glance at his wife, who was giving him a 'I dare you to finish that sentence' look. "Tanari, you're turn."
"I'm thankful for mommy, and daddy. My uncles, my cousin Sasori and Deidara and Adrian. I'm thankful that Evelynn brought us Adrian. Oh, and I guess I like my little brother, too." Tanari giggled. Shikanaru glared at her.
"I'm thankful for everyone. Except Tanari, 'cause she's mean." He pouted.
"Don't be rude, Shikanaru." Temari scolded with a chuckle.
"I'm thankful for all of my friends and family. I'd also like to take this time to thank Evelynn and Adrian for showing up, and opening themselves up to all of us." Gaara said kindly. Adrian grinned, and Evelynn nodded her head in appreciation towards Gaara.
"I'm thankful for porn.." Kankuro started. Temari threw a dinner roll at his head. "Ouch, Temari! What did you do, cook those with cement. Okay, okay. I'm thankful for my family, and the new girl Evelynn is going to introduce me to."
Kankuro finished with a wink. Evelynn giggled, but the other adults either rolled their eyes or rubbed their temples. Adrian shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He wasn't used to so many people looking at him.
"It's alright, Adrian." Sasori assured softly.
"I.. I'm thankful for mommy. And uncle Raiden, and auntie Shoto, and auntie Mira, and Dei-nii-san, and 'Sori. And everyone else. 'Cause, I never seen a family this big 'fore. And it's really nice, and I like everyone, and I like having a family." Adrian rambled softly. All the adults looked at him and smiled softly, and Deidara scooted his chair closer to Adrian's.
"We like you, too!" Tanari spoke up.
"I like you more than Tanari does, though." Shikanaru added.
"Do not!"
"Do too!"
"Alright, you two." Shikamaru cut in. "It's Deidara's turn."
"I'm thankful for daddy, and Addy, and Evelynn. I'm also thankful for uncle 'Tachi, 'cause he teaches me marital arts.."
"Martial arts." Sasori corrected with a half smile.
"Right. Martial arts, un." Deidara nodded. "I'm also thankful for granny Chiyo, and her being nice to Adrian, un. Oh, and for my cousins."
Evelynn, much like Adrian, shifted in her seat uncomfortably. Sasori rested a hand on her knee, and looked at her reassuringly.
"Well.." She started. "I'm thankful for my little boy, Adrian, and my older brother, Raiden. I'm also thankful for Deidara and Sasori. Who've become just as important to me as Adrian is. I'd also like to thank all of you. For so willingly inviting Adrian and myself into your lives."
"Hey, we like you." Kankuro stated with a grin.
"You were like family since day one." Temari reassured with a smile. "Alright, Sasori, go ahead."
"Well, I'm thankful for my sons, Deidara and Adrian." Sasori started casually. "I'm thankful for all of my family, and to granny Chiyo for taking me in and raising me. I'm also incredibly thankful that I got to meet such a rude, caring, eccentric woman such as Evelynn. I actually hope to tie the knot soon."
Evelynn flushed a bright shade of pink, and Deidara and Adrian were 'whispering' excitedly to each other that Sasori called Adrian his 'son'. Everyone else at the table smiled appreciatively. Sasori had come a long way from the cold, distant business man they once knew.
"Well, everyone dig in!" Temari exclaimed happily.
Just as everyone was starting to eat Shikanaru suddenly spoke up.
"Mom, what's porn?"
A few of them choked on their food, the little kids looked confused as well, and Kankuro was howling with laughter. Temari threw another dinner roll at his head.