The next morning the three girls were snoring with green faces RJ giggling and struggling as Elizabeth groaned trying to change him.
"Aww come one RJ sweetie don't you want to be Ice Bear for Father's day? Daddy will love it and it'll be a really cute photo op" Elizabeth said forcing a diaper and small white polar bear outfit on RJ.
RJ whined reaching for a sippy cup and Elizabeth saw grape juice in it dumping it much to RJ's protests and Elizabeth locked eyes with him.
"Now listen here Mr. the terrible two's are far off and you're not even close to being a teenager so you check that sass at the door. It's Father's day and you are going to make daddy so happy on the way to Florida".
Elizabeth handed RJ a sippy cup with apple juice and he sipped it cooing and she put him in front of PJ Mask his favorite show.
"OK enjoy PJ I'm going to wake the three space aliens up and they can help with a Father's Day breakfast and once Rozzy and Matt wake up they can help too".
RJ stared transfixed at the screen as Kuki sleepily shuffled into the kitchen grumbling coffee and saying 12 movies in one night.
"Yea but did you see how happy Matty was that we stuck it out and watched all 12 I mean if there was a 13 I'm sure Matt would love to see it".
Elizabeth looked through a newspaper and squealed just handing the paper to Kuki squealing lucky number 13.
"Girl get schooled 13 is an unlucky number just like black cats, walking under ladders, or smashing mirrors. 13 is never lucky" Kuki said shaking her head muttering lucky 13 where has the world gone.
"Well Mrs. Sceptic in this case 13 is a very lucky number but unlucky to Crystal Lake campers. They are making a new Friday The 13th movie and it releases in theatres and Paramount Plus which Roscoe got for Rumble and I'm sure has no problem sharing".
"Alright great for Jason but how is that lucky? Matt's a binge watcher he's going to want to binge watch Friday the 13th all the way till this release and you're going along for the ride".
"Whatevs he's binged so many movies with me maybe I should start binging movies for him. I mean I don't even know his favorite movies" Elizabeth said cracking eggs into a pan.
"OK that was a test that you so passed. Uncle Wally and I have been doing the same thing going through his movie list and they are all either bloody hack em ups or action flicks with unbelievable stunts and yippee kay yays".
Kuki and Elizabeth laughed as the three girls moaned itching their faces and quickly washing off their faces which were rashy and splotchy.
"Ahhhhhhhh get this junk off it burns, it burns, it burns so much. Lee quit hogging the sink let someone else have a turn girl" Fanny II whined pushing Leone away from the sink and dousing water all over her face the burning intensifying.
"Serves you right Shovey next time wait your- OWWWWWWWWWWWWW WHAT IS THIS GUACAMOLE MADE OF GHOST PEPPERS? Ariana screamed wiping her face with paper towels the mothers smiling at their daughters who were friends again.
"Ladies you learned like we did at your age that guac has peppers in it and those peppers are going to burn your face like lava" Rachel said swigging coffee as Roscoe and Mark stumbled into the kitchen drinking Redbull and getting a look at the girls faces Mark holding back a giggle.
"OK we know we aren't the best looking but at least we aren't in bear furred costumes for a trip to Florida where heat plus fur equals sweaty bears" Leone scoffed rubbing her face hard with a kitchen towel.
"We're dressed as Grizz and Panda to complete We Bare Bears seeing cute, adorable, sweet RJ is Ice Bear" Roscoe said belching as Mark nodded and grabbed RJ getting him picture ready as Kuki awed and snapped pictures of the three boys making silly faces.
"FYI I hope everybody knows it's Father's day and it's going to be hard to top my present which coincidentally isn't a painting".
Rachel grinned secretively knowing Roscoe's present because she helped him make it and knew there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house.
Matt's bedroom door opened and Elizabeth quickly rushed to the frame and grinned wagging her finger at Matt.
"I don't even think so Honey breakfast isn't even close to ready but I do have a surprise for you. Sit tight drink sugary thingamabobs and I'll be right back".
Matt shrugged turning the TV in the room on and Elizabeth ran back to the room with the Friday The 13th Resurrected ad in the newspaper and Matt squealed like a schoolgirl hugging Elizabeth.
"We are binging Friday The 13th the whole way to Florida and once there we'll find a theatre and we're seeing this baby opening night" Matt said excitedly and Elizabeth kissed him the smell of bacon and sausage wafting down the hall.
"Alright looks like the other boys are up so come on new daddy RJ has definitely went all out for his daddy this year" Elizabeth said as Matt was led to a banquet table a place setting with his name on it in between Wally, Nigel, and Hoagie.
"OK present time so we'll go in the way of the hat and so ons and so forths until everyone has had a turn to open their presents" Fanny said shaking the hat up and Rachel pulled Matty's name and a sack was handed to him and Matt reached in getting a PS5, and Xbox Series X, A Switch Oled, a whole bunch of games and Friday The 13th The Shout Factory boxed set.
"Aww thanks Liz thanks RJ and you have officially spent too much money on me not that I care but this was a whole lot".
"Look in the box set Matt there's one more thing in there and it's priceless in a way because it was harder than Haley's Comet to find".
Matt reached inside the boxed set and found tickets to opening night of Friday The 13th Resurrected in his hands as he just hugged Elizabeth and RJ as pictures were taken.
"I have the best family ever and now Florida will be a non stop shopping spree for Liz and little RJ. I mean I should be able to spend my money on you guys if I want".
"OK next is Wally so Kooks, Gabby, Lee and Matt make with the daddy's day gifts and we can move right along".
Kuki handed Wally a box and he opened it to find him on the cover of a photo album her family inside of it as Wally got choked up seeing at last Kuki's family was accepting him.
"Yea it took them awhile but they've finally accepted you and I bet a phone call couldn't hurt to your dads both of them" Kuki said clutching Wally in a hug.
"Me next daddy I made you something because mommy said you liked fighting before we were born. So me being a smarty made these just for you" Gabby squeaked as Leone smiled and said I helped too.
"OK Lee helped paint them and mold them but it was my idea because mommy said every good boxer has them and I figures you deserve them too".
Leone handed Wally a box and he opened it to find golden gloves except it had Leone's, Gabriella's, and Matt's hands welded into gold.
"See just like the golden gloves you never got except you get three mitts and they love you very much. Daddy I'm sorry you didn't get the golden gloves but just think you did get the golden mitts of the Sanban's" Leone said as Wally bawled an act hardly anyone saw him do and he clutched his three kids.
"You three have given me something much more than the golden gloves you've given me unconditional love and that is something you can't win in a fight. I will cherish these mitts and they will never leave my neck" Wally said as Matthew handed him two more presents one from him and one from RJ.
"Well open them I'm sure RJ is in suspense on what he got you. I mean it must feel nice to have a grandson like him" Matt said as Wally opened RJ's present and saw a macaroni necklace which made Wally even more emotional because the necklaces were usually for Kuki not him.
"OK he didn't really make it I mean he's only a couple weeks old but he picked out the pasta and Matt and I strung it until it was full of macaroni" Elizabeth said as Wally happily wore the macaroni necklace and then he opened Matt's present which was a whole day in Star Wars world in Florida one of Wally's favorite movies.
"I figured the fanboy in you can't resist Star Wars anything so how's about it Qui Gon? You and I having an adventure in Star Wars history?"
Wally hugged Matthew and nodded Matt knowing he made his dad's whole year going to Star Wars world with him.
"OK next is Hoagie so Fanny II Marky follow me and we'll get daddy's presents which I'm sure will tug at his heart strings" Fanny said as Mark and Fanny II ran off to get their presents Fanny laying a squirming present on the table.
"OK so obviously the squirming present first and then we'll sort out the rest of the presents accordingly. And before you say anything yes it is another mouth to feed but this is a mouth you've been begging me for night and day".
Hoagie's hands trembled as he slowly opened the present and a golden retriever puppy barked happily and lapped his nose and he laughed and cried as Fanny another tough person rarely cried but tears fell from her eyes when she saw her husband with the one thing that always eluded him.
"Can we name him Ace? I mean I know he's mine and all but we should name him like a family because he is now the family dog" Hoagie said wiping his eyes as Fanny II, Mark, and Fanny nodded as Hoagie snuggled Ace.
"Here daddy I know it's not a puppy but it is something you've been begging me for since you saw the other men's walls and I figured what the heck" Fanny II said handing Hoagie a square wrapped present and he opened it to find her looking at him in a dress and no bunny ears or funny face but a genuine smile.
"Not bad for the start of A Wall Of Fame of your own hey daddy? I also talked to mommy and we agreed that I need to start dressing more ladylike and my friends are going to help".
"You look beautiful to me no matter what you wear sweetie. I do have to ask you got a guac facial last night didn't you? I know I see your face your mom's was the same".
Mark skipped up and gave Hoagie his present which were dog things and a tie that lit up which Hoagie begged for every year.
"OK Mckenzie family your next so come on down and we can shower papa and grandpapa Nigel with gifts".
Roscoe tears in his eyes for his gift fought back his tears and rolled a screen down with Rachel behind a projector Elizabeth and Ariana smiling glad to also be a part of this present for Nigel.
"OK before we start I know every year I paint a picture for my dad and he really loves them but this year I wanted to do something different which is where my mom's great brain came into play Roscoe said and everyone knew that this would be emotional.
"That's not to say I didn't paint a picture we all know I painted a picture I'm an artist. Even mom asked me if I wanted to do something different and I said yes so Lizzie, Ari, and I got to work with mom and we made this slideshow I hope you like it".
Roscoe pressed play and we see Rachel on the screen holding baby Elizabeth and she cooed and giggled at Nigel as he laughed back and she squeezed his finger.
"Well new daddy welcome to the world Elizabeth Rachel Mckenzie and then we can plan her future and ours. We really need to get engaged now" Rachel on the screen said as Nigel nodded and Growing Up by Bruce Springsteen played in the background as we see Elizabeth grow up.
"OK Kooks steady the camera. Girl I hired you as a videographer for this birth can you at least get Nigel, Elizabeth, the baby and I in the frame? I don't care if Nigel has spit up on him this is a joyous occasion now get us in frame" Rachel mouthed and giggled seeing a very tired looking Nigel with a Burger King uniform on.
"OMG daddy you worked at Burger King during my birth? Did you get free Whoopers? If you did why would you ever quit?" Ariana asked as Nigel giggled hugging her as My Little Girl by Tim McGraw played as we see Ariana grow into the pre-teen she was now.
"OK Roz just pedal and keep your balance don't worry I got you and I'm not letting go. You go as fast or as slow as you want we'll show Fanny II who can't ride a bike" Nigel said on screen as Fanny II giggled at being mentioned and You Say by Lauren Daigle played as we see Roscoe ride Nigel crying on screen and watching it.
"Daddy I know I don't say this enough but I love you and truthfully just saying it doesn't have the same effect as this" Roscoe said as we see Roscoe smiling on the screen his two front teeth missing and even Fanny II the toughest girl anyone knew cried Roscoe not seeing his parents and Emily sitting in the back of the room.
You say ended and the lights came on where Roscoe unveiled a picture of Nigel and him on the beach Nigel holding him as the waves crashed and the sun set Nigel's go to favorite day in the universe.
"So daddy Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha- What the hell are you guys doing here? I thought giving me up was easy for you!" Roscoe yelled running off as Nigel, Rachel, and Emily chased after him.
"Well everyone Happy Father's day and to the people that bounce in and out of my godsons and my daughter's boyfriends life well you know where the door is. Or here's a thought chase your son and apologize to him" Fanny said clearing the breakfast dishes.
Trevor and Lisa walked off to look for Roscoe and they heard him crying in a room and walked in seeing Rachel stroke his hair and Nigel hug him Ariana, Elizabeth, Emily, and RJ trying to cheer Roscoe up to no avail.
"Roscoe you don't have to talk to them if you don't want to. I mean we have our Florida trip to look forward to and Trevor can no longer say you aren't a Mckenzie with a false last name. I have a framed birth certificate saying you're a Mckenzie" Rachel said as Elizabeth looked up seeing the Matthews'.
"Come on Ari let's go pack and get you dressed for a car ride while mom and dad try to sort all this stuff out" Elizabeth said pulling a non-moving Ariana with her.
"OK so our last meeting was bad but that woman that found us said you didn't want to be a Matthews anymore Roscoe. I mean how is that supposed to make us feel?" Trevor asked as Roscoe hiccupped and noticed Trevor and Lisa standing by the bed Emily clinging to him like he was a teddy bear.
"Well you came a long way so tell me what you want and I'll think about what you want. I've grown a ton since being adopted and who knows maybe I have a soft spot for abandoners".
"OK well it is Father's Day and I came because I think we got off on the wrong foot. I want to get on the right one before I die and the next time you see me is at my funeral" Trevor said as Lisa gasped never hearing him show his true feelings before.
"Alright I give up let's get to know each other. I'm going on a trip to Florida for a couple weeks so maybe we can start after Florida".
"Well Roz truth is Lisa and Trevor called us earlier this morning and your dad and I thought the fun we'd have if Lisa, Trevor, and Emily joined us for the Florida trip. That way your father and I could get to know them too" Rachel said choosing her words carefully as Roscoe looked at Trevor and Lisa.
"Fine but no fighting the RV runs on happy faces and if you really want to do this right you two have journals and pens ready because this trip is a crash course in Roscoe Mckenzie".
Trevor and Lisa nodded and Emily hopped down following Roscoe to his room to pack Ariana and Elizabeth curious on who's luggage was in the front hall.
"Everyone we've picked up three other passengers and their Roscoe's family so I expect you to show them the same respect you show us" Rachel said as the others nodded and Trevor sat down with a photo album flipping the pages and Roscoe noticed the pictures were of him growing up.
"Wow is that me? Where did you get all the cool cutesy pictures of me? Can I look too or is it a just for you present?"
Lisa wiped her eyes of tears as Trevor turned to the first page showing Roscoe pictures of Roscoe as a newborn.
"There's you in the hospital with Emily, your mom, your Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and me. They always said you looked like me and I've got to say I see the resemblance".
Roscoe snuggled close to Trevor as Fanny II growled hating Roscoe's birth parents for abandoning him and leaving him to cry.
"There you and I are on our very first camping trip you loved it the rest of us hated it because we got rained out and had to leave early".
Roscoe stared in amazement until he saw a picture of him waving goodbye to Trevor and Lisa and Trevor hoped to never get to this picture.
"Why did you leave me? I mean I know you lived in the back of a car but why couldn't I live in the back of the car with you?"
"Your mom and I wrestled with this very question when we left you and the truth is we wanted more for you Roz. We knew you'd be safe and sound with the Mckenzie's and you still are. By the way congrats on getting adopted we were so proud to hear that" Trevor said as Fanny II heard enough.
"So proud that you didn't call him? Send him a card? Facetime him? Nothing? I mean if your so proud of him why don't you show it more?" Fanny II asked as Roscoe gasped never seeing her act this way.
"Fanny II I'm sure they didn't have the number to where I was or if I'd even pick up the phone to talk to them".
Fanny II growled and plopped into a chair eating her now cold breakfast as Lisa sat next to Roscoe taking him in as a plate was slid to her and Roscoe handed a locket to Trevor who just stared stupidly at it.
"Well you know Happy Father's Day Trevor open it there's a picture and an inscription in it. After that we can talk about all the presents you both owe me for being newly found parents".
Trevor opened the locket and found a picture of Roscoe smiling and an inscription that said
On this empty beach
We brave the crashing waves
On this empty beach
It was our lives that were saved
We watched the tide roll in
Daddy and me
It was then that we finally see
These crashing waves were us once
Fighting all the time
Like loving each other was the greatest crime
But like the tide we settled down
Learned to laugh and not frown
So now it's on this empty beach
Where we learn to love again.
Trevor bawled and hugged Roscoe as Lisa joined in Nigel and Rachel clutching the family in a hug knowing they may have just gained more Mckenzie's.
"Roz this is the best gift ever and I promise we will never be those waves again but we'll be the tide smooth and gentle".
"How can you be so nice to them Roscoe? I mean they dropped you like a bad habit and you just want to pick yourself up dust yourself off and forgive them?".
Roscoe stood up and grabbed Fanny II's hand leading her to his room and closed his door as she glared at him.
"OK you hate them and I get that and you can hate me for loving them I'll give you that too. From now on leave your hateful comments about them to yourself because you have parents so does Ari, Lizzie, Lee, Gabby, Matty, and Mark I don't just two kind people who adopted me".
"Family is that what this is about? Because your more than a Mckenzie Roz you're a Fullbright, and A Sanban too. I'm sure everyone here will agree with me on that" Fanny II said as Roscoe continued to glare at her.
"I'm also a Matthews and I'd like to get to know my birth parents. Now as I said you don't have to like them but I'm going to get to know them if it kills me" Roscoe said slamming his door as Fanny II raced after him back to the dining room.
"Sorry about that she's my girlfriend and most times also acts like a watchdog but she promises to be civil. Don't you Fanny II don't you promise to be civil?"
Fanny II just nodded staring at the people around the table as Roscoe stood up and Emily followed him to his room as he packed a bunch of art supplies, Lego sets, his Switch Lite, Switch games, Blu Rays, clothes, and stuffed animals in different bags.
"So girlfriend huh? I bet she's sweet under all that tough exterior and wall building around herself style. I mean she has to be if you're dating her" Emily said chugging a grape soda.
"She really is once you get to know her she's a pussy cat. She like me is probably a bit scared to open up because the last time I saw you guys was like World War III".
"Yea Mom and Dad are like that sometimes but that purple sweater wearing punk didn't help. She made us think that you forgot us".
"Her names Mushi and I did forget you I mean not all of you I remembered all the presents you gave me for my birthday's and Christmas's but I didn't know what any of you looked like".
"Well we're here now and we're going to make sure we become a part of your life. Now why in God's name are you dressed like a Grizzly bear?"
"My little brother RJ is obsessed with cartoons one being We Bare Bears so my friend Mark is a panda, RJ is a polar bear named Ice Bear, and I'm a Grizzly bear named Grizz" Roscoe said turning around showing off his outfit.
"Cool so you do know Florida is not for furry creatures right? I mean it's so hot you're going to be wet bears by the time we reach Florida".
Roscoe giggled growling like a bear as in the dining room an action star conversation was going on Roscoe loving Trevor even more because of this conversation.
"Are you kidding me John McClaine can kick the metal off of the terminator. I mean he walked through glass barefoot and glass who gives a fuck about glass?" Trevor asked as all the guys were impressed with Trevor's knowing's of Die Hard.
"Yea I mean I'll be back what one liner is that? Come to the coast we'll get together have a few laughs now there's a one liner".
Rachel stared surprised at Roscoe and Nigel smiled nervously showing Roscoe the movie and she knew who to blame.
"What he could have said yippie kay yay and well you know the rest or I have a machine gun ho, ho, ho. Then my personal favorite now I know what a TV dinner feels like" Nigel said in his defense.
"OK troops we're moving out let's get our luggage, animals, and selves ready for a long car ride. Before we leave use the bathroom and get snacks, and sodas so there's no complaining on the way there" Rachel said as everyone bolted for a bathroom Trevor packing the Die Hard Movies another bonding moment for him and Roscoe.
Well that's it for now so R&R and I'll write more