Title: Thanksigiving
Author: Latisha C
Genre: General/Humor
Rating: T
Upload: Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 10:42 AM
Last Time…
Rubbing a hand over his face tiredly, he looked back up at his three best friends.
"Okay, I'm going to level with you right now and then I'm going back to bed. Sari is driving me nuts with worry. I mean, yeah she's back to usual self, personality wise, but with a vengeance. Lately, she obsesses over everything now. Do you know that I've resorted to begging the kid to go out and have some fun with her friends, because she's always in the house nowadays?
"Well, have you tried talking to her about your concerns, Shawn?"
"Not yet, Kevin. But I will, tomorrow even; I just have to find the right way to bring it up with her."
Standing up, Shawn bid the guys goodnight and went back to his bedroom to salvage whatever time spent sleeping he could.
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"Whoa, I guess I wasn't the only one who had the idea to show up a few days early," commented Jesse, while walking into the room.
Sari, Paul and Scott all looked up at his voice. "Yeah, I guess you weren't," Scott agreed, swallowing his coffee.
"So when did you guys get here?"
Paul looked up, "Early this morning."
"Was that you guys who was making all that racket in the hallway?"
Sari laughed. "No, that was Dad and I." At his inquiring look, she continued to explain. "Dad, caught me off guard and so I may have side-kicked him."
"Wait, you…side-kicked…Dad," Jesse asked, a strange gleam entering his eyes.
Sari nodded as the corners of Jesse's mouth twitched slightly. "Yeah, but it was an accident, Jesse," she trailed off, noticing the strangled look on Jesse's face. "Dude, are you okay?"
Jesse couldn't take it anymore and so he burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that he was holding his ribs and tears were coming out of his eyes. "Ow, my ribs," he gasped, sliding into the chair he was standing by. "I can't believe you kicked Dad. He must have really been pissed," he commented, once he had calmed down enough.
Sari smirked at Jesse. "'I'll bust you in your throat so you choke on your spit' pissed."
Shaking his head, Jesse helped himself to some chocolate chip pancakes and link sausages. "Only you can come up with dumb phrases like that, Sari." Laughing at her flipping him the bird, he politely asked, "Please pass the syrup?"
"Okay now, please be on your best behavior Sari," begged Shawn, watching as his daughter popped a piece of chewing gum into her mouth.
"I always behave for your information. It's them who don't," she returned, referring to her grandparents and cousin.
"Look, I know you don't get along with them, but despite the differences you all share with each other, you are still family. Now, I'm not saying to kiss up to them or try and be the perfect granddaughter. All I'm asking is for you to show them show respect and just be polite. Do you think you can handle that?"
"But it's not me who's starts with them. They start with me and I've already told you this a million times."
"You know she is right on that front Dad. They do nitpick at her every chance they get when they are in town," Jesse piped up from his spot on the stairs.
"Thanks but nobody asked you for your opinion, Jess," Shawn spoke, turning back to his daughter. "Look I know how my parents can be and so do you. So they are always criticizing you. That is just the way they are. And nothing you do is going to change who they are. So please, I'm begging you, just grit your teeth and put up with their comments. We all have to."
Scowling at her father she nodded in acceptance. "Fine, I'll do ask you ask…this time. But don't expect anything else from me," she angrily spoke, taking a seat on the steps near Jesse.
"I wouldn't expect anything else but, from you Sari," Shawn answered in response.
"I also want a new computer too," Sari added.
"Fine. If you behave I'll get you the damn computer."
Grinding her teeth she huffed and together they sat in the foyer, until finally hearing the telltale sounds of a roaring engine.
"They're here," Shawn spoke, motioning for Jesse and Sari to follow him outside.
Jesse stood up and went out to greet his grandparents, while Sari had to be physically dragged outside by Shawn.
"I've changed my mind, Dad. I can't just sit there and take their crap," she rushed out, vainly trying to escape back into the house.
"No backing out Sari. We made a deal. Now I should hope you honor your end, as I intend to honor mine," Shawn answered, pulling his daughter another couple of feet.
"Screw the deal."
"Don't you want that new computer of yours?"
"Forget the computer. I'll stick to paper and pencil or my old broken down computer if necessary. Just please let me go," she yelled out, finally escaping. In a last ditch effort she tried running for her father's SUV in the garage, but Shawn caught her half way there. "Damn it Dad, I don't like these people."
"You don't have to like them," Shawn responded, hauling Sari onto his back and back over towards the direction of his parents. "Your only job is to keep your cool around them and we'll be fine."
Sari sagged in defeat on her father. "Fine, can you let me down now?"
"Are you going to try and run away again," Shawn counter asked.
"No, because then you'll only capture me again."
"Your honest, I'll give you that," he spoke, releasing his grip on her arms. "Now, remember you made a deal. Don't make me doubt you by breaking it."
Muttering under her breath, she nodded and walked to where Jesse was standing with her cousin and grandparents. They looked to be sharing a laugh over something but at Sari's slow approach, quickly stopped.
"Hello, cousin. How marvelous to see you," Benjamin greeted her in an overly cheerful voice. "Tell me Sari, are you still dating that fellow with the shocking blue hair?"
"If you are referring to Tony, then no, I am not currently dating him anymore."
Benjamin gave her a look of mock sympathy. "Oh you poor girl, and it is a shame too. Sarah and I were just discussing having you two over for tea and biscuits."
"Yes, such a shame it is," Sari disdainfully responded. "I'm sure Tony sends his regards though."
"Don't be smart, young lady," Joseph promptly snapped. "Benjamin was only inquiring about the latest news of your life. Apologize to Benjamin."
"I apologize Benjy."
"Benjamin," her cousin corrected.
"But of course, Benjamin," she responded turning her attention to her grandparents. "Good afternoon Grandmother, Grandfather," she addressed each one separately. "How was your flight from Boston?"
"Dreadful, thank you very much. Now if you would please kindly help Jesse and Benjamin bring in our bags," she tersely responded, walking inside the house with Joe and Shawn right behind her.
Sari waited until it was just her and Jesse left outside before finally exploding. "Now do you see what I'm talking about? They can't even wait until we are inside the house to start antagonizing me as usual."
"Okay, Little Lady, just relax. Take a deep breath and repeat after me," instructed Jesse, taking her hand in his. "I am Sari, daughter of Shawn and Allie Michaels."
"I am Sari, daughter of Shawn and Allie Michaels?"
Jesse frowned. "No, it's a statement, not a question. Say it as much feeling as you possibly possess."
"Jesse come on, we're going to get in trouble if we don't bring the rest of their luggage inside."
"Forget the luggage, this is more important," he countered. "Now say, 'I am Sari, daughter of Shawn and Allie Michaels.' And this time say it like you mean it. Like the feeling you use when yelling at someone."
"Wait so then you want me to yell it out loud with feeling?"
Jesse nodded, "Exactly."
Sari though she thought this was all unnecessary, did as her brother instructed and took a deep breath. "I AM SARI, DAUGHTER OF SHAWN AND ALLIE MICHAELS."
"I am going to keep my cool and not let my psychotic grandparents ruin Thanksgiving."
"I AM GOING TO KEEP MY COOL AND NOT LET MY PSYCHOTIC GRANDPARENTS RUIN MY THANKSGIVING."
"I will listen to Jesse who is smarter than me."
"Nice try, Jesse. But that isn't going to work," she spoke, a smile now gracing her face.
"Well, I had to try," he responded. "So, how do you feel? Can you feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins?"
"Surprisingly I can. Looks like your impromptu exercise did work, after all."
Grinning, Jesse handed Sari two suitcases while he took the other three and began steering her towards the front door. "I told you it would. You'd think by now you would have learned not to ask questions when I tell you to do something."
"Okay Jesse, believe what you want," she spoke, rolling her eyes in mock annoyance. Walking up the steps, they dropped the bags in the front hallway and walked into the family room.
Shawn looked up at their entrance. "It sure took you two a long time to bring in their luggage," he commented, an eyebrow raised at them.
Taking a seat near Scott and Paul, Sari responded, "Yes, well the suitcases slowed us down a bit, because they were heavier than what we're normally accustomed too." Kevin was located on the sofa near the window, which is where Shawn and now Jesse sat.
"So then you two weren't perchance outside screaming," asked Scott, watching Sari and Jesse's movement with interest.
Sari and Jesse shared a look and responded with a quick, "Nope."
"Maybe it was Benjamin and Company screaming their heads off about the outrageously small room I set up for them on the ground floor," Sari added, a dangerous smirk firmly fixed on her face.
"Please tell me you didn't put them in those two back rooms located near the back of the house, Sari?"
"I didn't put their quarters in the back of the house," she spoke, using the same tone and facial expression as before.
Cursing Shawn began to massage the sides of his forehead. "Okay fine, as a peace offering I'll give you this one incident," he spoke, referring to the location of his parents and nephew's bedrooms. "But you make sure, that this is the only thing that you do. Now if you'll excuse, I'm going to go try and smooth things over with my parents."
Sari waited until Shawn left the room to laugh. "That was fun. I should do it again to something else of theirs," she evilly said, before picking up the remote and turning on the television.
"Oh gee, I can't wait until Thanksgiving Day comes," was Jesse's response to her comment.
Okay so as promised here's the new chapter. I honestly tried to update the story yesterday but for some reason either my new computer or the server on this website wouldn't let me.
In terms of this chapter, it takes place over two days. So I believe next chapter should be Thanksgiving dinner unless I somehow change my mind and decide to include an extra day for one more chapter.
Thanks to those of you who reviewed and those of you who read but didn't review, thank you as well. Although I would prefer to receive reviews just knowing that you are reading the story is enough for me.
I think I might be moving within the next couple of weeks, so if you don't hear from me all that often you know why.
I'm done rambling now, so you can leave.