I just want all of you AMAZING readers (who have given me the most AMAZING feedback! THANK YOU!) to know that I do not own anything, that the ages are a little jacked up because of the timeline I have started things at, and that I love you all for clicking the link that lead you to this crazy story. Thank all of you that reviewed and/or favorite-ed and/or followed my story.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
The chapter after this will be my last chapter, and I know this chapter is going to be a little boring, but I have to get stuff out of the way for the FUN.
Chapter 55: Chicken on the Table.
The ride from the airport to the Hartsville farm, where the boys would be staying, and the Johnson farm, where the girls were staying, was somewhat relaxed. Mostly due to the fact that Lee Anne kept them all hyper on the plane for her video thing.
Once everyone arrived at their respective homes, they unpacked and went to bed their weariness taking over their bodies.
Even Elliot went to bed instantly.
And was abruptly awakened at 7:31 a.m when Mitchell woke him.
"C'mon lazy bones, we're heading over to the girls' place to get breakfast."
Within forty-five minutes all of the guys were loaded into trucks and on their way to the girls' house.
Four minutes later the guys arrived... and the guys (minus the five from Haven) were shocked at Nicolette, Lee Anne and Tara's change. All three were in the in the kitchen wearing mid-thigh length sundresses and aprons as they cooked and danced in the kitchen.
While the Grey women plus Gail were sitting at the bar watching with amusement.
"Morning!" Ana said with a laugh as she watched her shocked husband.
"Quite the farmers' wives huh?" Grace whispered with amusement.
"It's somethin to come home to." Max smirked, he watched with stars in his eyes as his wife did her usual dance around the kitchen. This wasn't the first time that he had seen something like this, and he hoped to God that it wouldn't be the last.
"Grubs on." Tara said as she set the last bowl, filled with fresh fruit, on the table.
"How the hell did they get this energy?" Elliot whispered to Christian- who shrugged in reply. In all honesty he had never seen his daughter's eyes as bright as they were when she was taking care of the Hartsville boys... he knew that it was something she aspired to do, as she placed fruit on Billy's plate after he attempted to stay away from it.
He also caught the look she sent Joseph after he tried to do the same thing, he noticed Max's sly smile as Nicolette made a point to put fruit on her plate and filled her glass with water. Though, Christian wasn't the only to notice it, everyone did- but the twenty-somethings from Haven didn't think twice about it, as it was the usual for them.
Elliot, however, asked about it; and Mitchell was the one to answer.
"The girls- like it or not- are the farmers' wives. They take care of the family while the farmer provides for the family. Makes the farmers' wives the most important part of the household. The girls are just doin their jobs."
Nicolette even smacked Billy's hand as he failed to sneakily give the dog some of his fruit.
"Eat it, it won't kill you."
Billy then pretended to choke on a blueberry. Earning him a smack upside the head from Max, and a snicker from Joseph.
"You're fourteen not four. Stop it."
Max, Mitchell, Jonathan and Joseph excused themselves from the table at the same time and Max kissed Nicolette on the cheek.
"Late start already, sorry babe."
"It's fine, just get the work done. You know where I'll be."
The Greys and entourage watched as they- and Billy- finished up their breakfast. Nicolette, Tara and Lee Anne put on different aprons (ones that already had stains) and tied their hair back again. They got to work on the dishes and cleared the table once everyone was done.
"Nicolette please let me help." Gail begged.
"I'll have none of that. You are my guest here." Nicolette shot back as she cleaned a counter, she stole a look at Billy- who was sitting on the couch.
"Billy! By Golly your legs have got to be broken for you to not be out on that lawn mower in the next two minutes!" Nicolette shouted, Billy shot up and pulled his work boots on in record timing.
They heard the lawn mower start not a minute and a half after Nicolette warned him. The girls had just barely finished the sweeping, mopping and dusting when it was ten thirty.
"Lunch." They said in usion.
Tara and Nicolette started on lunch as Lee Anne started the polishing.
"Do you guys ever take a break?" Kate asked.
"Of course we do, we won't have to mop or polish tomorrow. Time saved, we'll probably do the gardening tomorrow though." Tara answered.
"Or the guys house." Nicolette shrugged.
"Only God knows what shape that place is in right now." Lee Anne chuckled.
"A bachelor pad?" Nicolette suggested, causing a laughing fit.
"Are most days like this?" Ana asked, giving Teddy a new toy and Phoebe her pacifier.
"Usually, but if we aren't cleaning, we are in the garden, cooking, doing something with the church, or taking care of the family. It's what we do. The guys take care of us and we take care of them. It's a win-win situation." Tara grinned.
"I know I sure as hell don't wanna be on that plow." Lee Anne laughed.
"They have a point." Nicolette grinned, "Though, I don't hear the plows going, hauling hay? The cows?" Nicolette broke more garlic and placed it in the mix in front of her.
"Watcha makin?" Elliot asked.
"Baked garlic chicken. The guys need more protein and carbs. Garlic adds flavor. Sandwiches. Tara are ya busy, we need more water poured."
"I got it." Ana said, racing over to the pitcher at the table and pouring water into the glasses.
Nicolette popped the chicken into the oven and put the timer on twenty-five minutes. The girls leaned against the kitchen island and began to talk to the other grown ups.
"So, what are we doing tomorrow?" Kate asked.
"Tomorrow, we are doing the usual chores and then the hoedown. Any complaints?" Tara asked, everyone shook their heads.
"Hoedown?" Elliot asked.
"It's a party, for Max and I, usually it happens while the couple is engaged. However, Max and I's engagement lasted... twenty-six hours?... So it didn't exactly happen. But it will happen now." Nicolette shrugged.
"What's going to happen at this... hoedown?" Mia asked timidly.
"Can't tell ya, the bride has to be surprised." Lee Anne grinned evilly as Nicolette rolled her eyes.
"Hello, right here!"
The family talked for ten more minutes then Taylor and his men, Christian, Carrick and Elliot were sent in separate ways to deal with work related things, and Grace went to look at Kate's burn... after she had touched the stove- which Nicolette had already said was on.
Leaving Mia, Ana and the kids with Nicolette, Lee Anne and Tara.
An awkward silence filled the room as Nicolette and the girls began to finish the dishes and clean up the cooking mess.
Luckily before Mia could start grilling her, the timer went off.
"Go get everyone, lunch is on." Nicolette said as she placed the chicken on the table with everything else.