Chp35 Layton Manor d-day

Mary pov:

The road to hell is paved thru the bustling city of New York. From the ego fueled skyscrapers in Manhattan thru the Bastions of Queens, thru the Archie Bunker suburbs to the rich enclaves of Long Island. We are in a Party bus. The group is large. The Adults escaped to a limo in front. Leaving us kids to be loud and crass on the bus. Christian, Steve, Ben and Luke are deep in thoughts on the latest computer tech, Christian has become focused on a solar powered laptop for third world countries.

Shawnee is dozing. Mia and Mikey are lost in fashion mag, and stuff. It makes my head hurt. How can anyone stand that 24/7? Ugh! I rest with Anna reading a book. We quietly mesh. I feel sometimes like I should take the lead, but chicken out. I mean Anna is so strong and daring. She reviles in the fight. I can't dig up the courage. I lean on her shoulder. My calm little sister.

The Layton Manor is large; a promenade sweep to the front door. With the skyscrapers just visible in the back ground. The four story grand colonial is awe inspiring and opulent. The classic lines are enhanced by the landscaping. I half expect Mr. Darcy to greet us. The Family arrives but no greeting committee. How rude. Kaylee is undeterred, she bulls inside and we follow. I notice Ben is moving Mia and Mikey to a summer house on the edge of a pond to the right. I wonder if he's embarrassed by them. I hope not.

The interior is like a museum. I fear to touch anything. Steve's arm around me, give me strength. We arrive at a large sun room. Kaylee is arguing with her parents. Her Father is sitting in a chair with his leg propped up in a cast. Her mother, is angry. I move to support my new mom. I see Gail moving to assist. Suddenly Anna is in Toni face, pushing Kaylee back at the same time. Grace is blocking on the right. As I reach the fight. I hug Kaylee, a pull her back. Steve and Christian help me.

"EVERYONE SHUT UP! #! %* NOW!" Screams Ben. "What is the problem?" he takes charge; I've never seen him so assertive. It seems Dan, Kaylee's dad, broke his leg last night escaping from the paparazzi at a Charity event in Boston. The Press had got out about Kaylee and Ray. I hug her, she relaxes. Whispers "I'm ok, baby girl." I release her. she puts her arm around me, I feel the love.

Ben is sorting everything out. We all find seats. Although Christian holds Anna on his lap. Shawnee helps Ben get everyone calm. Toni apparently loves the girl. She seems to gush over her. I watch as Shawnee bullies Dan into a better mood. Grace and Ben confer without Kaylee who is firmly in Dad's arms.

"Alright, everyone is calm, Grandpapa is agitated about getting blindsided by the press. The stuff this morning upset him. I assured him, its bull shit. So let me introduce you all." Ben than proceeds to do just that. Even mentioning that Mia and Mikey are with Aunt Bee in the summer house. I see his grandparents roll their eyes. What wrong with Aunt Bee? "She's an editor at VOGUE, my dad's first cousin. She's fashion mad." Kaylee whispers. Oh, so cool. Wait. We just put three fashion OCD people in a small space. The world may implode. "Do you think that wise?" she grins "Probably not, but it will keep them busy for the day till dinner. Also the social butterflies of the family live and die on her advice." Kaylee smirk, "I don't have to pay for them, Carrick does" smirks Dad. We giggle, even Steve.

The conversation weaves around the room, I mostly stay quiet. Watching. The Layton's are getting comfortable with us. I watch as Anna stands and lead Gail and Grace from the room. Kaylee takes my hand and her mother leads us out to a lounge, very feminine. We sit, a maid brings a coffee/tea service. We help are self's. We discuss the coming confrontation. The siblings have called in. so it's going to be a free for all. They are mad at Kaylee and Ray. How dare a white guy date their sister. Or worse how dare a poor guy date their sister. Already "Sugar-Mommy" is banter about. I see Anna steel herself to smack faces and kick ass. I rise touching her shoulder. She grins at me. we will defend the parents. Take no shit, even if we piss off the new kin.

Shawnee arrives last, she makes a tea and "Alright the guys are calm, Carrick and Christian have Dan in hand. Also I talked with Lewis, Marvin Lewis the oldest son, a yes he hates being call Marvin. Particular when their cousin Marvin, who is named after, the family lawyer, who is Aunt Bee kid brother. Who's also the oldest male in the family, so be warned. He has a mind like a steel trap, and a wit to torpedo a carrier. Lewis is upset over the family getting embroiled in a social failure. He blames you (pointing at Kaylee) for upsetting is wife and daughter." I see Kaylee grin then frown. "Sorry, I forgot about his Daughter the Princess Celesta. She's sixteen, and spoiled rotten. I try to ignore her. she is so"

"She has her good point, Kaylee. She can be very kind" says Toni in defense of her granddaughter, but I see it's not in her eyes. She knows the shits going to hit the fan. I will pay special care to Celesta.

The banter goes back a fore till lunch is announced. We meet the guys in the dining room. The Fashion club arrives. Aunt Bee is a whorl-wind of talk and ideas. I see Dan cringe at her cutting remarks about his tux from last night. She tries to include me and Anna, but we raise are hands and surrender. She goes back to Mia and Mikey. I watch Mikey shine; he doesn't stutter or talk disjoined. He seems very normal. Shawnee leads over "He's a genius, if the world hadn't destroyed him. He'd be teaching at Princeton, or MIT." I know how much he's been hurt. I saw last night the scars on him. If I find the animals that hurt my little brother, I'd tear them in two. I hug Steve, he nods. We so think alike. I snuggle into arm. I realize that Dan is staring at us. A strange look on his face.

After lunch we tour the house. The family will arrive around three. We find some peace before the storm. The first to arrive at 1:30 is her sister Regal and family. They seem nice. The stiff guy seems to melt talking to Steve and Ray. He's very funny and easy to like. As they talk antiquities and chess. His mother is appraiser for Sotheby in Atlanta. He is thoughtful. Regal is bright and airy, her world is family with her husband and daughter. The cute, kind, and serene 10-year old. takes to Mia, Mikey and Aunt Bee, she's another fashion diva in the making. Regal jokes it a phase. I jab "her father's bank balance hopes so". We all laugh. She kids her husband who pulled his wallet, look concerned about his cash. "Please dear, stop her, stop her please!" we laugh harder. He really has a good sense of humor.

At 2 pm Robert arrives. The kids climb all over Ben, and hug us. They are cute, and really good kids. Their mother is a different matter. We sandwich her in a corner and read her the riot act. Anna and I will take no shit from her. she meekly gives in. she already lost to Kaylee earlier. Robert is in awe of Carrick, so he's more willing to go along. He seems a little shaken at Christian, Steve and Luke, they present a united front. And they seem in sync with each other. I suspect the race issue is a smoke screen for family politics.

XXXXXXX

Anna pov:

I relax as the family fill up the house. The kids are in the pool house with Aunt Bee, Mia, and Mikey doing crafts and stories. Mia is a natural at babysitting. Plus, the Pool House is outfitted for the kids. Indoor play sets, White boards, school and play game sets. The Grandparents have created a kids dream room. The kids will be happy for a while.

At 3pm, the house gets ugly. Marvin Lewis has arrived with his family. The first I know of them is the boys screaming at the top of their lungs for food and snacks. They insult the Maid, I rise and step up. They gawk at me. "Shut up! You two sit over there. Now! Maria please bring some ice tea and snacks." I bully them to sit. Next comes in mommy. She's a full head of steam with daughter in tow. "How dare you speak to my children that way. You little gold digger!" I start to open my mouth. When Mary step in front of her. smack!

She stops Alesha in her tracks. "You will keep a civil tongue, or I will cut it out." Glares my sister. Both are stunned. "Please sit on the couch, drinks and snacks are coming" I say with humility and grace. They sit. I do introductions. Toni and Grace come in. Alesha starts to protest, but Toni shut her down. How dare she say those thing to people in her house, and her future granddaughters. I see Celesta frown, her place in the family just got downgraded.

Toni and Grace sit as the drinks come out. Celesta demands Lemonade, Toni ask the maid bring some Oreo's. then tells Celesta to take the ice tea. She has back up with us here. I sip my tea, watching the four. Alesha ask what we plan on doing now we're marrying into money. "Well, me and Mary are working on are college degrees, I plan on publishing, she working towards Language. Luke is most likely going into Security, either here or at GEH. Shawnee is planning to work either with your dad's company or GEH. She may start her own company. What are your plans?" I ooze courage.

She squirms, "I thought now you don't need degrees you'd do charities or immerse yourself in social scene." We laugh, as Grace smirks. "You have a lot to learn about our family. There is no social scene, without a degree and a real job. My children and My future daughter-in-law's know that happiness is doing things you love and make the world better." She squirms more.

"Well, I find raising my children a full time job" "Really! I though the boys were up at Exeter. So you just have Celesta in the city. I mean what every do you do with the spare time." I attack. She squirms more. I can see she's angry about being put under a spot light. Mary chimes in "So Gentlemen are you on the honor roll, what about you Celesta? I mean Anna and I were 4.0 students in high school; all four years. So how are you guys going?" I smile my lioness sister is punching. The kids get even more agitated. Toni ask the question again. We watch as Alesha tries to deflect the question.

Shawnee and Regal come into the room laughing. Alesha get mad. "What's she going here?" pointing at Shawnee. I rise and hug my sister in law. "Oh, you know each other, how fantastic. Shawnee is married to our brother Luke. For four years now?" Shawnee smiles "Almost four, we just got to announced it to my family this week. So your jealous and fears should be put aside. After all, your brother never had a chance. I hope he's recovered." Sweetness dripping from every word. My inner goddess jumps up and super kicks a life-size Alesha bobble head.

The four are stuck. Cornered and Toni take pity, releasing the kids to their space in the game room. They run as fast as they can. Alesha is now alone. She squirms, unable to retreat or leave. Henrietta enters with Kaylee, they seem ok. She sits on the far end of the couch. Alesha start talking about some gala the two attended. I talk to Toni and Graced. Mary sips her tea waiting to pounce.

It doesn't take long. Alesha tries to insult Kaylee, with Henrietta backing. She wisely declines. As Kaylee shoots her down. Mary jumps in. I laugh at the folly of the attack. Kaylee would be overjoyed to never attend another high society gala again.

Mary is like a lioness waiting to pounce on anyone who threats her family. She always says she lack courage, I keep telling her she wrong. When her family and friends are threatened. Meek little Mary turns into a goddess warrior. She moves to the couch and sitting next to Alesha, beats her down.

I watch as Toni has new appreciation for her. Kaylee is smiling talking too Regal and Henrietta. As Grace and Toni plan an outing in Seattle in the summer. I quietly sit, sipping my tea. My family. My family is always united against external threat. Internal we squabble and fight, pout and tease. But always together. I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up to Kaylee smiling face. "Too cool for school?" I smirk "To square too bare" All the Grey-Steele women laugh at the inside joke. If only Elliot and Kate were here.