Disclaimer: I don't own Kickin it
Now onto the story
Crawford Residence
Wednesday, November 21st, 2012
"Are you excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow?" Kim asked
The end of another warm, sunny Seaford day has come and the blonde freshman found herself in her bedroom on her bed on the phone as she leaned against her headboard. Her phone sat next to her on speakerphone as she braided her hair for the night. She has spent the day with her family and -much to her excitement- her uncle Landon and his six year old daughter, Summer. Her uncle arrived in Seaford late last night while the rest of her extended family took today's morning flight.
"Honestly I can take it or leave it. Since we had a family reunion this summer, this Thanksgiving is just going to be my parents and sister." Milton says
Kim hummed her acknowledgement. She remembered Milton telling the group that since his parents visited Scotland this summer they weren't going to visit them again for Thanksgiving. His maternal grandma is in a retirement community and they'll probably visit her. His maternal grandpa passed away a few years ago.
"What about you?"
"Well this'll be the first Thanksgiving with my family and Chuck's sister's and I'm unsure how it'll go."
"Hm," the ginger haired teen hummed, "is that a good or bad thing?"
Kim shrugged even though he couldn't see her, "I'm not sure about that either. We, Abernathy's are... an acquired taste. Especially my Mimi and from the one encounter I had with Janine so is she."
Chuck sang praises of his older sister, making her sound like such an amazing woman and Kim believed him. She couldn't wait to meet her at the wedding but when she finally did she wasn't like the woman Chuck made her out to be. She wasn't outwardly rude but there was obvious dislike radiating off her. Her smile was fake and her pleasant tone was so forced. Kim likes to think of herself as an expert in the fake nice due to her Southern family. If you were raised right you're never outwardly rude, you hide it under 'pleasantries' and double meaning words that you can't tell are rude until later on. It was a skill you learn and both her Mimi and Aunt Sandra were experts in it.
"So two strong willed women in the same room. They will either get along or kill each other."
Kim chuckles as she finished the last braid, "Something like that. When it comes to my Mimi I wouldn't put anything past her."
"I guess that tells me where you get your personality from." Milton jokes
Kim grins, "Proudly so."
The Abernathy's annual Thanksgiving meal was usually hosted at Mimi and Papa's home. AKA Kim's grandparents back in Brentwood, Tennessee. Only after her mom's wedding to Chuck last spring there was a change of venue this year. Chuck's sister, Janine, already agreed to fly down from New York to California to spend Thanksgiving with him. Since Janine already booked her flight for Seaford, her mama and Chuck agreed they didn't want her to have to change her already scheduled plans. So Kim's grandparents and aunt and uncle decided to fly down to her mama's house. From what Kim's cousin, Andrea, told her it was a very reluctant agreement. All of Kim's maternal side of the family lived in Tennessee with her mom being the only exception. It made much more sense to host Thanksgiving there but her Mimi and Aunt Sandra wanted to play nice for Chuck and Janine.
Chuck has a strained relationship with his family. Kim doesn't know much of the details just that his parents were part of New York's high society and had already mapped out his entire life. He rebelled against it so they disowned him and left him without a single penny. Most of his family dropped contact with him as well except for Janine and his first cousin, Louis. They were the only people from his family that attended the wedding, plus Janine's husband and kids of course. That completely rocked Kim to her core. How can you not even show up for your own kid's wedding? Kim knows Chuck said they disowned him but she thought maybe be was being a bit dramatic. That his parents would be able to put their differences aside and attend his wedding. She was wrong. They were so stubborn in their ways that they're seriously just going to pretend that he doesn't exist.
Kim can't even imagine how he must've felt that day. Even though he put on a brave face and tried to assure her that he's more than over the whole debacle with his parents, it still must've hurt. Parents seeing their kid's wedding is like a big deal for both of the people and having your parents not attend is a different kind of pain. That also made Chuck all the happier to see his sister and first cousin at his wedding. Kim liked Louis. He welcomed her mama and her family with open arms and treated them as if he knew them his entire life. The only con about him was that he had a bit of an ego but Kim could deal with it because he came to the wedding with gifts for Belle and her. She got a brand new IPod Touch and Belle got a fancy toddler driving car and a babydoll.
Unfortunately all Kim got was bad vibes from Janine. The blonde gets the feeling Janine doesn't like her mama very much. Janine was stand-offish at the wedding to her mama and her whole side of the family. The only person she showed a crumb of warmth to that wasn't Chuck was Belle. Her little sister on the other hand was scared of Janine and took to hiding behind her whenever she was near.
"You sound better." Kim noted then grabbed the pillow her phone was sitting on to place it in her lap
Before, Milton for a lack of better words sounded dead. His voice was flat, it sounded as if life was just sucked out of him. He took his breakup with Julie really hard, understandably so since they dated for two years. Then on top of that Julie didn't even seem to care at all. If anything it seems as if she set her sights on another guy already, Ethan Love. Kim wanted to bitch slap her or maybe even throw a punch. She hated this new Julie and can't believe that this was the same girl that despised womanizers like Ethan. That told Jack he wasn't her type and laughed when he thought she was into him. That same Julie Fisher now wants Ethan of all guys.
"I am better. Or at least I'm trying to be," Milton corrected, "I love Julie and I probably always will but I can't keep moping around. I'm tired of feeling sad about her, we broke up and it sucks but it happened. I need to move on with my life just like she did."
Kim smiles at her ginger haired friend's wise words, "Well good for you. I'm glad. I miss the old Milton."
"Yeah, me too." He agreed
"What about you?"
Kim stiffened at the question and unconsciously tightened her grip on the pillow in her hand, "What about me?"
"How are you holding up with your breakup?" He asked in a confused tone like he didn't understand her confusion of the question
"I'm the one that broke up with him." Kim retorts. And he didn't even try to stop it, she grimly thinks before pushing the thought away
"I know that but you two have been dancing around this thing you guys had for years. You can't possibly be fine." He replies in a cautious tone like he was carefully choosing his words so he won't set her off. Like he was handling her with kid gloves.
Kim hated that.
"Well I am. I'm holding up just fine." She swears through gritted teeth
"And that has nothing to do with your distractions of gymnastics and your play's opening night?" He presses causing Kim's heart to flush with something that might be embarrassment and for what? She has nothing to be embarrassed about. He was wrong, completely and utterly wrong. Screw him for trying to read her.
Cheer season is over for Kim. She only does sideline cheer who only cheers for the fall sports team but mainly JV football. Since JV football season was finally over so was sideline cheer. There was the option of competitive cheer and Kim which did interest her but she ultimately declined. Competitive cheer overlaps with gymnastics, a sport she's in.
"No it doesn't." She denies, ignoring the little voice in the back of her head questioning if she was lying to herself and him.
Milton paused, once again thinking about what he wanted to say next. "You know it's okay to not be okay with it right?"
Kim rolls her eyes. "Yes I know that. That's all Kelsey, Donna, and my mama has been saying. But I'm fine. Seriously."
So what if the guy she's been crushing and fantasizing on turned out to be not that good of a boyfriend? So what if all the years she's been pining for him added up to a relationship that lasted for roughly two months? So what if he prioritized pranking Frank over her. The girl he supposedly crushed on for years as well.
She's fine. Honest.
"Whatever you say." It was obvious he didn't believe a single word she said. She was more than okay to ignore it
A tense silence falls between them. She squeezed the pillow again in her lap before placing it back next to her. If she squeezed it anymore it'll be nothing more than flat fabric. She really didn't want to fight with Milton. Not now not ever but she didn't wanna talk about Jack. There was nothing to talk about. They were dating now they weren't. End of story.
Milton was the one to break the silence. "Well I should head to bed. It's getting late."
The blonde hated that she was partly relieved at that. "Okay. Goodluck with your aunt Gerty." She says with a smirk, remembering that horror story
Milton groaned at the reminder, "Very funny. Good luck with your step-aunt and Mimi."
That cracked and unwilling chuckle out of her. Just like that any previous annoyance she held has vanished, "Thanks. Goodnight."
Kim ended the call with a smile. She placed her phone on her nightstand and reflected on her conversation. She appreciates Milton's concern for her well-being and understands why he along with the girls and her mama are concerned for her. She just doesn't want to dwell on it, especially when she has other things to worry about. Like Addams Family's opening night, gymnastics, and Thanksgiving.
This'll be the first real time Chuck interacts with her family. He never got to really know them since they live in different states. All he knew of them was from the stories Kim and her mama told them and she could tell it scared him. When he finally met them at the wedding they were all on their best behavior and were silently studying him. Trying to figure him out off their first impressions.
Kim tried to assure her step-dad that there was no reason to be nervous. They'll love him. He won her over even though she tried very hard for him not to. She didn't want to like him. She was perfectly fine with not having a father or a father figure in her life. All she wanted was a fresh start in a new state to heal from her past with Lester. Imagine her surprise when seven months later her mama breaks the news that she's pregnant. Then five months after that enter Chuck, the man that accidentally knocked her mama up. She instantly hated him for ruining her new life.
Turns out Chuck was a decent guy. As soon as he found out her mama was pregnant he demanded to help her out and be in his unborn child's life. He was always nice to Kim even when -she can admit- she was acting like a brat. He never lost his temper, snapped at her, or forced a relationship with her. He let her come to him and have it grow naturally. Slowly a bond grew between them and he asked her for her blessing to marry her mama.
By the time of their wedding all of her reservations and bitterness was gone. He asked Kim if she'd like for him to adopt her and she readily agreed. Chuck is a wonderful stepdad that treats her like she's biologically his own daughter. He's been more of a dad to her in the past three years than Lester was in the seven years he lived with them.
Kim hopes that her extended family would love him as much as she does. They should, he's a good guy, way better than Lester. She also knows after that whole scandal they're gonna be extra protective of her mama. Which was completely understandable, so Chuck will unfortunately have to deal with the third degree from five different adults. It comes with the territory or marrying an Abernathy. All she could do is wish him good luck.
Thursday, November 22th, 2012
The next day the Crawford family woke up early to prepare for the hectic day ahead of them. Kim basically woke up around the time she usually does for school which she didn't appreciate. Once she was finished with her usual morning routine she came down the stairs dressed in her outfit to help her parents finish setting up the house. Personally wearing a white long sleeve cable knit sweater dress wouldn't be her outfit of choice. She'd much rather wear jeans, a cable knit sweater, and maybe pair it with ankle boots. She's not sure, she loves her brown knee high boots too. The Abernathy's dress up for holidays, even the ones like Thanksgiving (maybe especially the ones like this), so that means Kim has to.
Outfit aside the blonde freshman's not sure she can remember a time seeing her mama this stressed out. She snapped at her husband for putting the pecan pie in the wrong place on the table and at her for setting the silverware wrong. Kim just backed away from her like you would a feral animal in favor of helping Belle get ready. The fourteen year old doesn't hold her mama's snappiness against her. She knows she's just nervous about having to host her family's Thanksgiving meal. For one her mama is still reconnecting with her family after spending so long being cut off from them due to Lester. Two, it's breaking the usual Abernathy tradition of having dinner at Mimi and Papa's house. Four the rest of the family hasn't been over her Mama's house then five, the dreadful task of having to host Mimi.
Like Kim told Milton, her grandmother is an intimidating woman. An intimidating woman with impeccable taste that is hard to impress. Her nickname is the Ice Queen due to her usual cool composure. She wasn't a very affectionate person like the stereotypical grandma is. She's not the type to smother you in hugs and kisses or pinch your cheeks when she sees you. Her Mimi is more reserved and coolly composed. The most affection you'll get from her is a quick peck on the cheek with a five second hug. That's not to say she doesn't love her family because she does. When she found out about her mama leaving Lester and what she went through she practically dragged her to her house. Her Mimi is the type of person to show her love through actions instead of words. She's only ever expressive with her love when it's a dire situation. When it's not she's an almost always unflappable, beautiful, stoic woman dressed in J Crew or Ann Taylor.
Her Mimi wasn't easily impressed and that made Kim's aunt Sandra all the more desperate to gain her approval. Even as an adult, her aunt Sandra craves to impress Mimi and even now she hasn't gotten the approval she wants. Kim's mama on the other hand never liked the world of Southern High Society and being a debutante. That caused friction within the family of course and by the time she graduated high school severe damage had been done. She basically dropped off the face of the earth to them and both sides weren't interested in a reconciliation. Her uncle Landon was the only person her mama kept in contact with since her aunt Sandra was on their parents side. Kim doesn't know all the details of what happened after her mama left Brentwood since she was very tight lipped about it. All Kim knows is sometime in that gap, her mama met Lester, had her, then everything went to hell.
Towards the end of their toxic marriage her mama started talking to her uncle Landon again, he realized what was happening or her mama told him and he helped get her out.
So yeah. Kim understands why her mama is spazzing out.
When it was noon Kim was relaxing in the living room, braiding a small side braid in Belle's hair as the toddler rewatches Tangled for the millionth time. Ever since Kim introduced her to the movie this summer Belle decided that it was her new favorite movie. Belle always wants to play Rapunzel and even begged their mama to get a Rapunzel costume, hair braid, and a plush Pascal.
Once Kim finished Belle's braid she patted her once on her shoulder, "There, all done."
"Thank you Kimmy." Belle grabbed her plush pascal then got up from her spot to sit on the living room floor closer to the TV
The blonde's gaze was drawn to the living room window. It was across from where she sat tucked in the left corner. She noticed a car pulling into the driveway. She didn't recognize the vehicle but remembered her mama informed her that her grandparents would be using a white chevy rental car.
Kim perked up, "They're here!" she called loudly before jumping up from the couch to dash towards the kitchen
In the kitchen was her mama spreading pie filling into a pie mold. If Kim was to guess it was probably the sweet potato pie with marshmallow meringue. A family favorite. The oven fan was blasting and it looked like her mama didn't hear her. She entered the kitchen to walk towards her mama
"Mama, they're here." She loudly announces once she closer to her
The Crawford matriarch finished pouring the filling before looking up from her pie with a confused expression, "Who's here?"
"Mimi and papa."
Color drained from Jill's face from those three words, "They're here? Oh God they're here."
Kim watches her mama in concern. Her mama nervously brushed a blonde strand from her face. She nodded to herself, "Ok it's fine. I'm fine, we're fine."
The younger blonde tentatively asked, "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes Kimberly," her mama snapped causing her to shrink in herself at the use of her full first name, "now come on let's meet them at the door like a family. Chuck!"
Her mother quickly untied her apron and shoved it in one of the bottom cabinets. After slamming the cabinet door the older blonde inhaled then exhaled a deep breath. She straightened the brown jacket she was wearing. Honestly, Kim likes her mom's outfit; a brown leather jacket over an ivory tunic top with black leggings and knee flat brown boots.
The doorbell rang and she heard her mama curse before speed walking out of the kitchen. Kim followed close behind, smoothing down her white dress and running a quick hand through her hair. Chuck met them in the living room and beckoned to Belle to come towards them.
When they all stood near the front door Jill wiped her palms on her pants. She inhaled a deep breath then steeled her face, "Okay everyone look alive. Let's get this show on the road."
She opened the door to the sight of her parents, as always, groomed to perfection. Mimi wore a knee length black dress with two white strips in the mid section and a matching white trim black blazer over it. Papa decided on black dress pants with a white collared shirt underneath a black blazer.
Papa was the first to speak, "Jillybean!" he happily exclaims, opening his arms for a hug
Her mother good naturedly rolls her eyes at the nickname, "Daddy I told you about calling me that," she chides but gave him the hug anyway followed by a peak on his cheek
"And I forget every time. Your poor father is old, don't forget."
"Uh huh." After she finished greeting him she stepped back to let him enter the house. Kim was the next person for him to greet. She grinned at him.
"Kimmy!"
"Hey papa."
"You look absolutely beautiful. Looking more and more like your mother as age. Besides the eyes of course."
Kim smiles a bit awkwardly. Not really knowing how to respond to that. It has been pointed out more than once that she resembles her mama. That, she's used to, and is immensely grateful for. Her eyes, sadly, her eyes are all Lester. Instead of sharing her mama's blue eyes she has Lester's brown ones.
The next person her mama greeted was Mimi. Impressively any of her mama's previous nervousness wasn't to be seen. From an onlookers point of view she looked calm.
After a quick hug and peck on the cheek, Jill smiled at Mimi, "Hi mama"
Mimi politely smiled back, "Jillian."
"How was the flight?"
The woman in question shrugged, "Can't complain. The service was good and the food was nice."
Jill awkwardly nodded, "Great. I hope you didn't have trouble finding my house."
"No. Landon insisted on using that voice map."
"Oh okay that's good."
Feeling extreme second hand embarrassment, Kim had to look away from the scene. Thankfully she got a distraction in the form of Belle running and jumping into Papa's arms.
"Papa!" The four year old excitedly exclaims
Papa hoisted her on his hip, "If it isn't my favorite little princess."
"Rapunzel! I'm Rapunzel."
"The cutest Rapunzel ever."
Papa and Belle continued to chat with one another so Kim walked back over to her mama and Mimi. She decided to help her mama out and cut in the awkward conversation. Over Mimi's shoulder Kim sees her uncle Landon closing the Chevy's side door while holding Summer's hand with his other hand.
"Hey Mimi!"
Her grandmother glanced away from her mama to look at her. She gave her one of her slight smiles, "Kimberly."
After sharing a hug and peck her, Mimi stepped back to get a good look at her, "You look lovely."
Kim smiled more genuinely at that, "Thank you."
"Though the dress is a bit short. You didn't have anything, knee length?"
"Not for the style I wanted."
Mimi kept a neutral expression, but her disapproval was evident, "Hm."
Thankfully Mimi didn't seem to want to further criticize her outfit any further and went on to greet Belle. With Mimi away from the door she got a full view of her uncle Landon and Summer walking up the front walkway. Kim locked eyes with her youngest cousin who flashed her a smile then bounded up the walkway. She crashed into Kim, engulfing her in a tight hug.
Kim smiled as she hugged her back, "Hey Sunshine."
"Hi!"
When Summer pulled back, Kim got a good look at her. The six year old was dressed in a plaid skirt overall over a white long sleeved shirt with a pumpkin on it. "I love your outfit."
Summer preened at the compliment, "Thank you. Aunt Sandy chose it."
"I'm not surprised." Uncle Landon was still learning how to dress his daughter from what Andrea told her.
"Summer!" Belle exclaims from behind her. Kim turned around to see her little sister staring at Summer in pure delight
Summer's face lit up with the same happiness as the four year old. "Belle!" She sped past Kim, nearly knocking into her, to rush towards Belle. The two embraced in a hug. Kim nearly melted.
"Hello again Ronnie," her uncle Landon greets her as he stepped up to embrace her in a quick hug, "solved any new cases?"
Kim exasperatedly rolls her eyes at the joke. It's no secret that she was a huge Veronica Mars fan. So her uncle took to calling her Veronica or marshmallow, the latter being the name the show fans dubbed themselves.
"Considering it's only been a day, no." Kim says after pulling back a smile on her face despite herself. She stepped back to let him enter farther into her home.
Her mama was the next person he hugged. "Hey sis."
"Landon." All the fond exasperation she felt for her brother was laced into the one word she said.
"Wow, don't overwhelm me with your love. We just saw each other yesterday." Landon jokes. He made an attempt to ruffle her hair but she expertly swat his hand away
Her mama scowled at him but her eyes gave away the fond exasperation. She rolled her eyes at the man. "Be lucky I gave you that."
Landon spreads his arms wide for a hug for her stepdad, "Chuck! Nice to see you again."
Chuck chuckles and pats Landon on the back in the hug, "You too Landon."
"Don't worry, there is absolutely nothing to be worried about." Her uncle assures her stepdad
Chuck's face twisted a little in confusion. He lets out a nervous chuckle, "I'm not worried."
Landon cocked his head to the side in surprise, "Really?" he laughs, " Oh bless your Yankee heart, you should be."
"Landon." Her mama chided and smacks him on the arm
He turns to look at his sister, "What? I'm just tryna warn the fella. You hafta be prepared to deal with mommy dearest. I bet she's fixin to skin you alive ."
Her mama glared at her brother, "You hush your mouth," she turns back around to face Chuck, "you don't need to be afraid. Not really. She'll love you."
Kim shoots her step-dad what she hopes is an encouraging smile, "Yeah she will."
As if on cue Mimi turned away from Belle and Summer and locked eyes on Chuck. Her lips curl into a polite smile, "Well if it isn't my new son-in-law." She somehow managed to make that sound ominous
Chuck's expression takes a slight panicked edge.
Landon morphs into one of amusement. He leans in close to Chuck's ear, "Godspeed."
Around forty five minutes later saw Kim in her basement with her cousins Andrea and Maddy. Maddy sat primly on the leather couch half heartedly watching the show playing on the flatscreen. Andrea was also on the couch but she was strumming one of Kim's guitars. Kim was next to Andrea trying to show her how to correctly play the guitar.
Her uncle Nolan and aunt Sandra were both settled in the living room with mimi and papa. After a round of hellos and catching up with each other her mama went back in the kitchen to finish cooking. That left Chuck to fend for himself with the Abernathy clan since Kim wanted to do her own catching up with her cousins. She gave them a tour of her house that ended in the basement. The basement was a stapled hangout area whenever the gang came over.
Chuck helped fix it up for it to be a den when he was just dating her mom. He was responsible for bringing in the furniture and cleaning the place while her mama covered the designs. The den turned out pretty nice. It was a wide spacious area with grey painted walls, a beige carpet, a U shaped brown leather couch, two big bean bag chairs, a coffee table, and a flatscreen tv hung on the wall. Closer to the basement entrance was a small music area set up for Kim. Chuck made that especially for her when he was in the process of trying to win her over. Two guitars seated in stands were against the right wall while the keyboard was near the back wall.
Andrea and Maddy were her aunt Sandra's fraternal twin daughters and a year younger than Kim. Kim wasn't the closest with her cousins but that wasn't because there was bad blood but rather because they had different personalities. Andrea and Maddy were raised to be prim and proper ladies. They have impeccable manners, don't lash out or raise their voice, don't swear, always well groomed and level headed. Heck they don't even chew gum in public. They hangout at the country club or their lake house and when they're of age they're going to debutantes. They were raised to follow the tradition just like their mama.
Kim wasn't like that.
Her mama was never into following tradition and being the perfect southern belle so Kim wasn't raised that way. Her mama left Brentwood after graduating high school, Kim never grew up in that lifestyle. Kim can admit she's short tempered, she doesn't hold her tongue, sometimes she doesn't put much effort in her appearance, and she's not afraid to throw a punch if needed. Once her mom started reconnecting with her family again she learned about the rules and traditions but she wasn't really interested in being a southern belle.
Despite their different personalities, Kim gets along with the twins just fine. She loves them of course but they probably won't be the type of cousins that are super close and share every little secret with them. If she had to choose which twin she liked better it would probably be Andrea. Maddy was the perfect southern belle to a T, she mirrors her mama almost exactly. Kim could tell Maddy silently judges her for growing up different from her. For not trying to be like her or her aunt Sandra. Kim truly believes if it wasn't for them being related Maddy wouldn't even talk to her. Kim doesn't really mind because she feels the same way.
Andrea was different. Andrea doesn't judge her for having a different upbringing, if anything she seemed fascinated by Kim's life. Being able to speak freely and bluntly and not having to be groomed to perfection everyday. Being able to wear sweats in public. She's always full of questions whenever they cross paths again and Kim is happy to answer them. In return Kim too is curious about Andrea's life as basically a southern prep.
"So Kim how are things going between you and Jack?" Andrea asked after she gave up trying to play the guitar
Kim tensed at the question. It was an innocent question. She hasn't told her cousin about the breakup yet. That still didn't stop the feeling of defensiveness.
Kim grabbed the guitar from Andrea and started strumming it so she wouldn't have to look her cousin in the eye, "We're um, we're not together anymore. I broke up with him."
She could feel two pairs of eyes on her, she refused to make eye contact. Maddy was the one to ask, "Come again?"
Kim clears her throat, "Yeah we uh, turns out we aren't a good fit." She goes for a casual tone
That wasn't enough for Andrea, "Are you kidding me? Kim from what you told me y'all are a perfect fit. I reckoned y'all would've been together forever."
Kim chuckles dryly, "I'm not sure about that," she strums a few more strings to prolong continuing, "the timing just wasn't right. He wasn't ready to date so we're not anymore."
Andrea places a hand over her chest in sympathy, "Oh bless your heart. I can't imagine how you must be feeling."
Kim shrugs awkwardly, hating the pity, "It's fine Drea, really."
"I don't see how that could be fine Kimberly," Maddy spoke up, "you crushed on this boy for years. Y'all finally get together and break up in two months if I'm correct? Poor sweetheart."
Kim finally looked up from her guitar to glare at Maddy. Not needing or wanting her fake sympathy. It was times like these that she reminded her of Grace, "Well I am fine, Maddilyn."
Her fellow blonde just blinked, unperturbed by the use of her full name. She already mastered the art of keeping calm like Mimi and aunt Sandra, "Whatever you say."
Kim stopped strumming the guitar and stood it next to her on the ground, "Look, I really don't want to talk about it."
"Of course, of course." Andrea was quick to agree, understanding that this was a difficult conversation for her cousin
A brief silence falls between them that was broken by Maddy again. Her face was wrinkled in disgust, "What even is this show we're watching?"
Kim brightened at the question, happy for a topic change, "Teen Wolf. It's about that guy, Scott Mccall, he got bit by a werewolf turning him into one and his life as he juggles being a werewolf and still a normal teen."
Maddy arched an unimpressed brow, her uninterest clear as day. "How interesting."
Kim shrugs, "I'll admit it sounds kinda lame explaining it and it does have it's cheesy moments but it's a good show."
Her cousin hummed, "I'll take your word for it."
The basement door opens and Belle rushes down the short flight of steps into the den. Summer follows behind walking more calmly.
"Kimmy, mommy wants you guys to come up stairs now."
"Uncle Chuck's sister is here with her family." Summer added
Yipee. Well it was time to use all of the southern charm she learned. "Okay we're coming."
"What's wrong with that guy's face?" Summer asked, pointing to the TV. On the screen showed Jackson with half his face resembling a reptilian lizard
"He looks scary and ugly." Belle adds with a head tilt
Andrea grabbed the remote to quickly turn off the TV, "Let's get going kids."
The group began making their way back upstairs. Summer and Belle chatted with each other and Kim watched them fondly. When they entered the main hallway they could hear voices from the living room floating down. Kim heard Chuck's the loudest, talking excitedly to a female. Andrea walked towards the living room while Kim briefly thought about following Summer and Belle to her sister's room upstairs. She decided against it.
"I'm going to see if your mother needs help in the kitchen." Maddy informs her before taking off towards the kitchen
When Kim entered the living room she saw Chuck talking animatedly to Janine. A man who Kim assumes to be her husband stood next to her while a young boy and teenage boy stood next to him. Kim recognized them from the wedding and pictures Chuck showed her. From what she remembered at the wedding Grant seemed like a douchebag. He kept glancing at his phone and his face had a clear expression of 'I'd rather be anywhere but here'. Kim tried to talk to him but he basically blew her off. Caleb on the other hand, she liked him. He was a bit shy and standoffish but not maliciously like Grant.
Kim debated with herself if she really wanted to go over there and it was leaning to a no. Sadly the choice was taken from her when Chuck turned around and spotted her. He waved her over, "Kim! Come here."
She internally sighed but plastered on a smile as she walked over to them. When she reached them he laid a hand on her shoulder, "You remember my sister Janine,"
Kim nodded, glancing at the woman in front of her, unfortunately she did. She was pretty, Kim would give her that. Pale skin with brunette hair that compliments it and a slim body. Her outfit of choice was plaid knit pants, a grey sweater, green wool coat, and black chelsea boots. "Yes, nice to see you again."
Janine flashed her a too wide smile, "Same to you." It sounded anything but. Good to know they were on the same page
"This is her husband Gordon," he gestures to the bearded man, "and her two kids Grant," the teenage boy, "and Caleb," the younger boy
"Yeah I remember you guys at the wedding. It's nice to see y'all again."
"You too." Caleb says. Grant just nodded disinterestedly at her. He gave her a forced smile then looked away
Well alright then. He's still the same douchebag, good to know.
"Lovely home," Janine says, her eyes scanning the room, "it has very...unique decor."
Kim narrows her eyes at that.
"Hey Kim why don't you introduce Grant and Caleb to your cousins?"
"Sure," the girl in question agrees, "follow me."
Caleb obeys but Grant idles by his mom and asks something that sounds a lot like, 'do I have to?' and she hisses back a 'yes.'
Maddy was in the kitchen but Andrea was in the living room along with Papa and Landon. The latter two were deeply invested in the football game taking place on screen. Andrea was half heartedly watching the game and occasionally checked her phone.
"Hey guys this is Caleb and Grant. Caleb and Grant this is my grandpa, my uncle Landon, and cousin Andrea."
Papa and uncle Landon gave a distracted hello and wave without ever taking their eyes off the TV screen. Both men were too invested in the game and Kim rolled her eyes at them. Andrea smiled at them.
"Hello, it's very nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too." Caleb
"Yeah." Grant shoots back without looking at her. He walked to the far end of the couch where nobody was sitting and then sat. He pulls his phone out and promptly ignores them
Kim and Andrea both looked at him in shock then gave each other a look. Without outwardly saying it, they both knew what the other was thinking and it wasn't pleasant.
Andrea fixed a smile on his face, "Well isn't he precious?" The classic Southern response when they meant the exact response
Kim mutters, "Yeah, that's the word I would use," as she sat on Andrea's left
"He doesn't want to be here. He wanted to stay at home and spend Thanksgiving with his girlfriend." Caleb shares as he sat next to Kim
Andrea turns to the younger boy in interest, "Oh did he?"
"Yeah but mom made him come. She said that it was important but he doesn't think so. Especially since she didn't really want to come either," Caleb pauses as an alarmed look crosses his face. He looks down, "I wasn't supposed to say that."
"It's fine. I'm honestly not surprised." Kim tries to assure him but he still looked uncomfortable and he started nervously twisting his fingers
"My mom just really wanted uncle Chuck to marry Lizzie."
Kim's brows furrowed, the name was unfamiliar to her, "Who is that?"
Caleb once again looks alarmed that he shared something he wasn't supposed to. He rolls his lips into his mouth and looks away again. Kim wanted to press him for information but her mama chose that moment to walk into the living room.
"Dinner is ready." She announced
Author's note: Please leave a review and tell me what you think
