DISCLAIMER: I own NOTHING!
Thanks for all the reviews! Well, this chapter isn't as long as I had originally planned on it being but I haven't had much time to write on it lately. I also have decided to go ahead and do the idea I had so this fic is going to be super long. Also, I don't know when I'm going to be able to update again. This weekend I have to work and plus with Easter and family stuff I might not get to write until next week so let me know what y'all think of this chapter. Please review! Thanks!
"Hey, Soph, are you ok?" Seth asked his little sister as he knelt in front of the tub, watching as the little girl sat quietly looking into the tub full of watermelon scented bubble bath. Sophie looked up at Seth, a sad look on her face.
"Why was the Nana so mean to Mommy? And why don't she like Tayla?" Sophie asked, gazing back into the mounds of bubbles. Seth looked at Summer, a questioning look on his face. Summer, sitting on the edge of the tub, smiled at Seth and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"The Nana, well see Soph, The Nana is from New York. Ya know, that place where all the big balloons fly at Thanksgiving?" Seth asked, stopping momentarily to see if the little girl understood what he was saying. Sophie nodded, a slight smile crossing her face as she remembered watching the Macy's Day Parade with her parents and brother's. "Well, that's where Dad used to live and he left home to go to Berkley…."
"Whewe Wyan goes?" Sophie asked, recognizing the name of the school.
"Yeah, exactly. Well The Nana didn't like California and she didn't like it when Dad married Mom who's a Newpsie. Well, was I guess!" Seth said, thinking about how his mother had changed over the past few years.
"What's a Newpsie?" Sophie asked, confused by the word she had never heard before.
"A Newpsie is a woman that only cares about herself and how she looks and what everyone thinks about her. She's usually super rich and has way too much time on her hands!" Summer explained, a look of disgust on her face.
"Yeah, a lot like Summer used to be!" Seth smiled.
"Cohen!" Summer spat, hitting his arm with a shampoo bottle.
"Ow, stop it!" Seth laughed holding his arms in front of himself so she could not hurt him any further. "Anyway, The Nana thinks that Mom is like all those Newpsies and that is why she doesn't like her. When it comes to Taylor I think it's kinda the same thing as it is with Mom but she doesn't know Taylor, then again she doesn't really know any of us!" Seth said, realizing for not the first time that he hardly knew his own grandmother and she hardly knew him. Summer saw the same saddened look on Seth's face that was on Sophie's, empathy washing over her.
"Hey, Sophie, c'mon. We need to get you out of here, you're starting to look like a raisin!" Summer said as she held out a big fluffy pink towel to wrap Sophie in. Sophie smiled at Summer and quickly stood up and allowed herself to be covered in the towel and dried off then put into her Little Mermaid pajamas.
"Julie, may I come in?" Kirsten asked as she stood at Sophie's door, gently knocking.
"Yeah, it's your house!" Julie said as she opened the door to let Kirsten in. Kirsten had to admit that she was shocked at what she saw. In stead of Julie with red eyes from crying Julie stood in front of holding Blake who was laughing uncontrollably. Kirsten glanced over Julie's shoulder where Kaitlin sat on the air mattress, rolls of wrapping paper surrounding her. "No peaking Kiki, we haven't wrapped your gift yet!" Julie said as she tickled her little boy's tummy, sending him into another fit of giggles.
"Ok!" Kirsten said, unsure of what was going on. "Julie, are you sure you're all right? I'm so sorry about what Sophie said!"
"Kirsten, don't worry about it. Taylor was right, she didn't know Marissa and I also know that Marissa did put Ryan through h…. a lot of drama!" Julie quickly changed her words, not wanting Blake to pick up a new vocabulary word for Chrismukkah. "Besides, I still have Kaitlin and Blake and I'm very thankful for that. Anyway, I'm not letting Sandy Cohen's mother get to me. If I can handle Sandy's self righteous behavior then I'm sure I can handle her. I mean c'mon, you've put up with the woman for like a thousand years and you've survived!" Julie smiled.
"Barely!" Kirsten smiled. Julie returned the warm smile and for a few quiet seconds, while Blake's laughs had subsided and Kaitlin was too involved in trying to make the perfect ribbon to top a present, Julie and Kirsten shared a moment that could only be experienced by two good friends that had started out as enemies and who had been through so much together. The moment of friendship did not last long though.
"Hey Mom, where's the gift for Ryan?" Kaitlin asked as she rummaged through a few of the bags.
"In the car honey!" Julie answered as she placed Blake on her left hip, her right arm to tired to support him any longer. Kaitlin nodded and quickly headed out to the car.
"When did you guys get gifts?" Kirsten asked, noticing the neatly wrapped presents lying around the room.
"Well, some we had already put in the car to bring for Christmas and the other's I had in the car from earlier when I was shopping. We just thought that we would finish wrapping these so they would be ready to put under the tree for Chrismukkah!" Julie smiled as she sat down on Sophie's bed. She slid a few boxes over so Kirsten could also have a seat.
"So I'm hoping that means you are going to stay for a few days?" Kirsten asked, a small smile on her face.
"Yes Kiki, thank you so much!" Julie said and pulled her friend into a hug. Kirsten smiled and hugged her back.
Sophie was not too sure how she was going to make everything right with her son, after all she had forty plus years of mistakes to make up for. One thing she knew she had to do though was to apologize, something she was not very good at. Sophie had always been a strong, stubborn woman, and to apologize to someone was like saying she was wrong and when it came to women like Kirsten, Taylor, Julie, and yes, even the dead Marissa, she did not feel that she was wrong.
Sophie could not deny that Kirsten loved Sandy and her children but she was not the type of woman that Sophie had imagined Sandy marrying. When he had been dating Rebecca Sophie had been thrilled. Rebecca was a poor, liberal, Jewish girl but Kirsten was a rich, spoiled, conservative, WASP. Sophie shook her head, disheartened that both her grandsons had chosen to follow the same path when it came to love. Ryan had first fallen for Marissa, the epitome of spoiled rich girl, and then there was Taylor. Even though Taylor did not seem to entail as much drama as Marissa had Taylor was also a spoiled rich girl. The big difference between Taylor and Marissa, Sophie noted, was that even though Taylor did bring a bit of drama to Ryan's life it was more of a light hearted drama brought on by her insecurities when it came to love and trust. The drama Marissa had brought upon herself and Ryan seemed to Sophie came from Marissa's excessive drinking and tendency to always get what she had wanted. Sophie had to admit that she was happy that Seth had fallen in love with such a liberal young woman such as Summer, but Summer also came from the same background as Kirsten, Marissa and Taylor. She did not show it quite as often, usually from what Sophie had heard, too involved with saving animals and the environment. Sophie's thoughts about the women her son and grandsons had chosen to spend their lives with were interrupted as the front door opened and Sandy stepped onto the front porch.
"Ma, what was all that about?" Sandy asked as he sat down beside her on the porch swing. Sophie placed her chin on her hand and looked at Sandy.
"Sandy, I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have said that to them, especially in front of the children, but Sandy I just don't see what you, Seth, and Ryan see in those women!" Sophie said, her voice calm. Sandy let out a sigh of frustration, trying not to lose his temper with his mother.
"Ma, you don't have to see what we see in them, we just want you to be nice to them and try and accept them. Please!" Sandy said, his eyes pleading with his mother. Sophie looked away, his eyes reminding her too much of his father's.
"All right Sandy, I'll try but I think I should leave. After everything I said I hardly think that anyone would want me here!"
"Ma, just apologize and everything will be fine. Don't you wanna spend Chrismukkah with your grandchildren? I know how much you regret not seeing Seth experience Chrismukkah as a child so why don't you stay and watch Sophie enjoy it?" Sandy had always wished his mother had been there more when Seth was growing up, not just to see what a fantastic kid Seth was but also so she could see that Kirsten and he were good parents. Sophie exhaled and glanced at Sandy for a moment, not wanting to go in and face everyone but she could see how much Sandy wanted her to spend Chrismukkah with them.
"All right, I'll go apologize. I suppose I should go talk to Kirsten first!" Sophie said standing up, making a face at the thought of having to be civil to her daughter-in-law. Sandy smiled at his mother and stood then gave her a quick hug. Sophie smiled and went inside the house, dreading the task at hand.
Ryan had never known that he could be so happy. Over the past two years everything had seemed so odd to him, like he was not the person that was suppose to be living that particular life. The day he had proposed to Taylor, after nearly a year of them attending the same school and being an on again, off again couple, he'd had to pinch himself when he bent down on one knee and presented her with the simple diamond ring and she accepted his very quick and nervous proposal. The day of their wedding, with Sophie as the flower girl, Seth as his best man, and Summer as the maid of honor, Sandy had to reassure him several times that yes, it was actually happening; he was marrying Taylor. But as he entered the kitchen, his arms wrapped protectively around Taylor as she leaned her head on his chest, he knew that this was his life. That no matter what he was where he suppose to be. Ryan looked down at Taylor who had an identical smile on her face. Unfortunately for the happy couple the blissful moment was short lived as The Nana entered the kitchen. Ryan felt Taylor tense and he began rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"Ryan, Taylor, may I speak with the two of you?" Sophie asked as she walked closer to the island in the middle of the kitchen. Ryan and Taylor glanced at each other and nodded. Sophie motioned for them to sit as she took a seat herself. "Ryan, I am sorry about bringing up your past. It is none of my business what happened. Actually I am very proud of you for being such a stand up guy. Most young men would run in the other direction but you stood by what may or may not have been your responsibility. I am also very sorry about bringing Marissa up. I shouldn't speak badly of the dead, and Taylor was right, I didn't know her. And even though you do seem to have a Hero Complex it is your most endearing quality. It is what makes you you. Ryan, I really am sorry and I hope you can forgive me!" Sophie said, reaching her hand out for Ryan. Ryan glanced at Taylor, a reassuring smile on her face.
"Of course I forgive you. I know I've made mistakes and I know I try to help dramatic girls a lot, but that's part of who I am. Mostly though, I don't care what you think about me, I just want you to accept Taylor as part of the family!" Ryan said, his voice calm.
"Before I accept her as part of the family I need to talk to her." Sophie said, turning her gaze to Taylor. Taylor's smile quickly faded as she slid down in her chair like a scolded child. Ryan squeezed Taylor's hand, letting her know that he was not going anywhere. "Taylor, I apologize for everything I said to you and for ignoring you. You're right, I don't know you and I have no right judging you or anyone else. I hope you can forgive me and allow me to be part of your's and Ryan's lives." Sophie's words did not come as easily as they had when she had apologized to Ryan but as she spoke Ryan and Taylor could tell she was being sincere.
"Of course I forgive you. You're Ryan's Nana!" Taylor gushed as she got up from her seat and went over to hug Sophie. Sophie was caught off guard by the young woman throwing her arms around her as she babbled about Chrismukkah and family, and how this Chrismukkah would be the best ever. Ryan could not hide his smile as Sophie finally shook herself out of her state of shock and wrapped her arms around Taylor.
"Mommy, is The Nana huting Tayla?" Sophie asked Kirsten as they stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching as Taylor continued to hug Sophie.
"No honey!" Kirsten said as she scooped up her little girl, knowing Sophie would end up making noise, blowing their cover. Sophie nodded as she rested her head on her mother's shoulder, her eyelids growing heavy with exhaustion from the excitement of the day. Kirsten smiled at her little girl and gently kissed her temple, continuing to watch as Taylor finally let go of the Nana and Ryan and she headed out of the kitchen. Kirsten continued to stand just out of sight, watching to see what the Nana would do next.
"Kirsten, you can come around from the corner. I know you've been there the entire time!" Sophie said as she stood up from the island and went to the refrigerator. Kirsten blushed momentarily, embarrassed that she had been caught eavesdropping but quickly recovered as she walked into the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, I just didn't want to disturb you guys!" Kirsten said as she began wiping the kitchen down, continuing to hold her daughter as she laid her head on her mother's shoulder, her eyes wide open.
"Uh-huh!" Sophie said sarcastically as she took a bottle of water from the refrigerator. "So, Sandy told me how much he would like for me to spend Chrismukkah with all of you. Would you go into Newport mode if I did?" Sophie asked as she began gathering up glasses and placing them into the sink.
"No, I wouldn't. I think it would be nice if you would stay and have Chrismukkah with your son and grandchildren!" Kirsten continued to clean up, not making eye contact with Sophie.
"In that case, may I hold my granddaughter?" Sophie asked, holding her hands out for the little girl.
"You don't have to ask to hold your own granddaughter!" Kirsten said as she passed Sophie over to her grandmother.
"The way you keep bending over her head keeps flopping backwards. I don't want her to have to go to the hospital with whiplash!" Sophie said as she took the little girl and sat down a chair at the island. Kirsten rolled her eyes and let out a slight sigh of frustration, her mother-in-law never allowing her to enjoy one moment of peace. Instead of calling Sophie on it though Kirsten continued to busy herself around the kitchen, watching as Grandmother and Granddaughter sat in the kitchen bonding. As Kirsten placed the dishes in the sink Sophie began giggling uncontrollably, obviously amused by something her grandmother had just said.
"Sweetie, why don't you take the Nana into the living room and show her your Hanukah book?" Kirsten asked. The little blonde's giggled subsided as she quickly jumped out of her grandmother's lap and began pulling her by the hand into the living room.
"K Mommy! C'mon The Nana!" Sophie urged as she ran into the living room. The Nana followed behind the excited little girl, glancing back at Kirsten for a moment and shot her a quick smile. If Kirsten had not known the woman for so many years she would not have known what to make of the quick facial expression, but after being married to Sophie Cohen's son for nearly one fourth of a decade, she knew very well that the smile had been of great appreciation. Kirsten smiled to herself, glad that The Nana recognized and appreciated Kirsten's small attempt at giving her a chance to bond with her granddaughter.
"Hey, what's that smile for?" Sandy asked as he entered the kitchen.
"Oh, nothing!" Kirsten lied. Sandy smiled at his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist, distracting her from washing dishes. "Are you trying to get your Chrismukkah present early?" Kirsten asked, turning around in his arms.
"Oh yeah!" Sandy smiled mischievously and leaned in for a kiss. Kirsten giggled and cupped Sandy's face with her sud-covered hands. Sandy did not even notice as the warm, soapy water ran down his face, too enthralled in the electrifying kiss.
"Oh gross, do you guys ever give it a rest?" Seth moaned as he entered the kitchen. Kirsten quickly pulled away from the passionate kiss and turned back to her dishes.
"No! That's how you and Sophie got here, so stop complainin'!" Sandy said as he grabbed a dish towel and wiped the soapy water off his face.
"Uhh!" Seth shivered. Kirsten laughed at her son's overly dramatic behavior and continued to wash the dishes. "So, when are we gonna open Chrismukkah presents?" Seth asked as he leaned against the refrigerator.
"Well, that depends if the Nana has apologized to everyone!" Sandy said as he began placing dishes in the dishwasher.
"Well, she's sitting on the sofa with Sophie, Ryan, and Taylor so I guess she's almost apologized to everyone!" Seth said, craning his neck to see into the living room.
"Yeah well, she still needs to apologize to Julie, Kaitlin, you, Summer, and of course your mother!" Sandy said, shaking his head as he thought once again about his mother's outburst.
"Actually she already apologized to me!" Kirsten said, shocking both Seth and Sandy.
"Wow!" Seth gasped. "And she doesn't have to apologize to me and Summer, she didn't do anything to us!" Seth said, recovering from his momentary shock.
"Still, she needs to apologize to Julie and Kaitlin!" Sandy stated as he placed even more dishes into the washer. Seth nodded, knowing that his grandmother had been terribly disrespectful to Julie and Kaitlin. Just as Seth began exiting the kitchen Sandy's cell phone began ringing. "Seth, can you grab that?" Sandy asked, motioning to the island where he had left the phone earlier. Seth nodded and walked over to the phone and picked it up. Glancing at the Caller ID Seth was not too surprised to see the word "RESTRICTED" on the screen, knowing that his father only kept the numbers he used most stored in his cell phone memory.
"Hello!" Seth answered, placing the phone to his ear. For a moment Seth did not hear anything until the dial tone came on. "No one was there!" Seth said as he placed the phone back down on the table.
"Probably a wrong number!" Sandy said as he continued to help Kirsten with the dish duty. Seth shrugged and walked into the living room.