Chapter 51
Thanksgiving part 2
We arrive at Grace and Carrick's house to find unusually we are the first; Asia and I go through to the kitchen with my pies and start to help Grace to prepare for lunch, while Christian, Samuel and Carrick talk
I noticed after the study confrontation Asia was wearing her ring on her finger not on the chain round her neck, Grace notices her ring and comments "ahh the infamous ring I thought you were waiting to tell your dad till he had the all clear, I know things are going in the right direction but he isn't clear yet" Asia retorts "if he is well enough to spy on me he is well enough to be told a few truths" she then looks shamefaced and says "sorry Grandma, I shouldn't have used that tone of voice with you" "no you shouldn't sweetheart, but what's this about him spying on you" Grace quietly asks.
Asia then tells her about last night and this morning at this revelation Grace looks quite cross and tells Asia don't worry sweetie I will have words with that son of mine, as I think to myself he has already been put in his place before I ask Asia "are you sure your ready for the whole family to know how serious you are about each other? You know Aunt Kate will go all Carla Bernstein on you"
Asia laughs and says "yes mom, I want them all to know, he is my happy ever after" I again remind her of how tenacious Kate is, saying "are you sure your ready for the Kate Kavanagh interrogation, every family get together till the wedding, if you both decide that's what you want, bearing in mind you have already said you don't want to be someone's wife yet, you want to be a doctor and if your talking about graduating before you get married that's seven years, that's an awful long time to fend Aunt Kate off, I remember how she was about your dad, from the moment I met him she was sure something was brewing and constantly questioned me"
Asia - "I need to talk to Samuel, don't I, and alone, how am I going to manage that this week-end?"
Grace – "don't worry sweetie, I'll go and extract Samuel from you father and grandfather's clutches and you two can have a walk down to the boathouse" I think to myself, the boathouse, oh gosh, once Grace has left the kitchen Asia turns to me and giggling says "The boathouse mom, your blushing, what goes on in the boathouse?"
I laugh and say "nothing"
Samuel and Grace enter the kitchen where Grace hands Asia the boathouse keys, Asia and Samuel then slip out of the back door and Grace and I continue to prepare the meal. Soon after I hear Kate and Mia, the rest of the family have arrived.
I go through to the dining room to start to lay the table and am really happy with the table arrangement I organised and the florists delivered earlier this morning. By the time I am finished, I think the table looks beautiful with the elegant arrangement running almost the length of the table comprised of fruits, nuts, flowers and candles with classy plain crystal wine glasses and plain white china and silver cutlery.
Not long after I finish the table and return to the kitchen, Asia and Samuel slip through the back door holding hands and smiling, however I do notice her ring in not on her finger, but they both look happy, so I think everything is right between the two of them and they have just made the sensible decision not to share their feelings for each other this week-end.
Grace goes to the family room and asks everyone to make their way through to the dining room while Asia, Samuel and I carry the food through, everyone takes their seats starting with Carrick at the head of the table with Grace to his right and Elliot to his left, Christian is next to Grace and I am next to Christian, Samuel is next to me with Asia on his other side at the end of the table on our side, next to Elliot on the opposite side of the table is sat Kate next to her is Ave and Ray is sat between Ava and Mia
From the noise as everyone sits I think they are impressed with the table and the food, and I breath a sigh of relief before Carrick rises from his seat at the head of the table and says "let us all hold hands" once we have done so, he recites "God is great, God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen" we all respond "Amen" before seating and starting our meal of pumpkin soup followed by Turkey, Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry sauce, Sweet Corn, Carrots, Parsnips, Swede and gravy, and my Pumpkin Pie for dessert.
From the little food that is left on the serving platters and on peoples plates I think everyone enjoyed our meal but before they can leave the table I rise to my feet and tap my glass with my knife saying, "I have something's I would like to say to you all and would like to take this opportunity of doing that" Christian nods and smiles at me even though he has no idea what I am about to say.
"Christian, my husband and best friend, who waited a lifetime for me, I love you more than life itself"
"Asia, my angel, my child, thank you for accepting me in your life, I love you"
"Ray, my father, not by birth, but by choice, thank you for loving me and guiding me all of my life, I love you"
"Grace, the most wonderful and gracious mother in the world, I am so very lucky to have you in my life, Thank you for loving me unconditionally, I love you"
"Carrick, a man who's honesty, integrity and love for life has passed from you to every member of your family, you are my inspiration, Thank you for being part of my life, I love you"
"Kate, My sister and best friend, be happy, and thank you for being their for me and loving me, I love you"
"Mia, my baby sister and co-conspirator I love you and hope you find everything you want in your life"
"Elliot my big brother, thank you for keeping Christian safe for me, I love you"
My family respond by rising almost as one, raising their glasses and saying "Ana"
And we are all crying and hugging before everyone sits back down to take their turn to give thanks for whatever they are thankful for this year starting with Carrick
Once we are all finished in the dining room and have cleared the table and loaded the dish washer we make our way into the conservatory where Christian brings out the tally board for everyone to fill their guesses on the sexes of the babies in.
He then hands Asia a present saying "please open this to reveal the sex of one of your siblings, she immediately smiles and rips the paper from her present which is actually two t-shirts one in her own size and one in a new born size, hers is pink with the logo 'Daddy's big princess and the new born sized one is the same colour with the logo 'Daddy's little princess' everyone is ohhing and arring before Elliot chirps up "OK bro that's one now we want the other"
Christian responds with "put the kettle on and make us all a coffee then" everyone looks at us bemused and I go into the kitchen and bring out the cake I have had delivered, saying "sorry Mia, but if I had asked you to make this for us, you couldn't have taken part in the sweepstake" "it's OK" she huffs before going with Grace to make everyone either coffee or tea depending on preference and before I ask Grace to cut the giant cupcake and reveal the colour inside.
After our cake and coffee we all check out the tally board with everyone's guesses on it
Grace - Girl – Girl
Carrick - Boy – Girl
Kate - Girl – Girl
Elliot - Boy – Boy
Asia - Girl - Boy
Samuel - Boy – Girl
Ray - Boy – Boy
Mia - Girl – Girl
Ava - Girl – Girl
Then Asia opens four sealed envelopes she has in her hands
Rose – Boy – Girl
Ted - Girl – Girl
Valerie – Boy –Boy
Sam Sr – Girl - Boy
"OK" Christian says "that's mom, Kate, Mia, Ted and Ava tied on top points up to now, followed by dad, Asia, Rose, Sam Sr and Samuel and brining up the rear, Ray Valerie and Elliot no points for you three this round, but Christmas Eve we will be revealing names and as well as $5,000 for each correct guess, 2 points are also on offer for each correct guess, so be sure to get your thinking caps on"
We then hand the latest sonogram of the miracles out with everyone ohhing and arring at what looks like one kissing the other.
