Rachel's POV
"Friendsgiving? Whose idea was this?"
"Mine. We have this entire place to ourselves while my parents are in Aspen. Why not invite everyone over?", Olivia says with a gleam in her eyes.
"Liv I was kinda hoping to just stay home, get drunk and watch Pieces of April."
"You've seen that movie a thousand times. Come on, this will be fun", Olivia says tugging my arm.
"Fine who's coming?"
"Everyone."
"Who's everyone?", I question.
She smiles and walks away.
**********
Jennifer's POV
"Hi mother", I lean in giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Jennifer how are you my darling?"
"I'm doing well how-"
My mother brushes pass me to greet Greg,"Oh Greg lovely to see you. My daughter is treating you well isn't she?"
Greg and I meet eyes and he smiles. "Yes she treats me the best she can."
"Good because I know how her attitude is sometimes. She got that from her grandfather. Those two were thick as thieves you know."
Greg laughs, "I've heard stories."
"Is that my hot shot daughter I hear?"
"Hi dad. Good to see you."
"Likewise. We'll talk later about that bill you passed."
Oh perfect.
"Greg, have you seen my Wisconsin Badgers this year? They're looking mighty fine out there."
"Yeah I've seen them. My Chicago Maroons are going to kick there ass though", Greg says smiling.
"We'll see about that. Come on grab a beer. One of the games is on."
I roll my eyes. My family worships this asshole.
"Mom where is Jared?"
"Upstairs probably playing video games."
I go upstairs to find my little brother laying on his bed with his hair wild across his head.
"Jear Bear", I say grabbing his attention.
"Oh shit sis", he says getting up to wrap me in a hug. I look on his bed to see him FaceTiming someone.
"Who's that?", I whisper.
He turns around, "Oh shit sorry babe...uh this is my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?"
"Yeah say hi", he says pulling me into the frame.
I wave, "Oh hello."
"Told you she was really my sister."
Wow I'm definitely back home.
**********
Rachel's POV
Kennedy throws down a dish cloth,"Why are we the only ones in here cooking like the gotdamn help?"
I give her a look and she starts laughing.
"It's not like you're helping anyway."
"Taste testing is important. I have to make sure your taste buds are in check."
"Oh my taste buds are doing just fine", I say making a V sign with my fingers and pretending to lick in between.
Kennedy burst out laughing.
"Hey Rach", Avery says making me jump out of my skin.
I lean against the counter for support hoping she didn't just see that, "Hey Av."
Kennedy doubles over holding her stomach. "I wish I could have taped that." She says as she leaves the kitchen.
Avery furrows her eyebrow, "What was that about?"
"Nothing. Just ignore her she's an imbecile."
"Well can I help you with anything?"
"Yeah can you get a bowl out of the cabinet over there. I need to start making the sweet potatoes."
"Sure", she rolls up her sleeves and reaches up in the cabinet. "Here you go."
"Thanks."
"So friendsgiving?", she questions.
"Friendsgiving aka Olivia's crazy idea to have a party."
"It's nice we all get to hang out though. I feel like I haven't seen everyone in awhile,"
"Yeah it is nice. Usually don't you and your Mom go out somewhere?"
"Yes, but she's out of town meeting her boyfriend's parents."
"Look at Adrienne getting her groove back", I say laughing.
She smiles.
"Are you ok with it?"
"Yeah he's a nice guy, but-"
"He's not your dad", I reply.
She looks down, "Yep."
"I'm sorry Av. Your mom is really smart she just wouldn't jump into something that she didn't see through. And if she knew how it's really affecting you she would totally step away from the situation."
"I know that's why I'm saying I'm ok with it. I want her to be happy."
I stop what I'm doing to look at her, "One day I hope you stop putting people over yourself. You deserve to be happy too."
She looks down, "Yeah."
**********
Jennifer's POV
"Greg you handsome son of a bitch", my brother John shouts out.
"John how's it going man?"
"You know, just trying to keep up with you over here. Looking sharp, what is that a Rolex?", My brother says grabbing Greg's wrist.
I shake my head. "Mom where's Jo?"
"She's in the den with your nephews."
I walk downstairs to the den to see my sister stressed and panicked.
"Sush, shush, please be quiet", she tells my 7 month old nephew as she rocks him.
"Hi Jo."
"Ugh thank God you're here. I feel like I'm going insane."
"What's going on? What do you need?", I say as I examine the chaos that surrounds her.
"A new life."
I laugh, "Don't we all?"
"Not you, your life is perfect. You and Greg are perfect, your career is perfect", she says starting to cry...If she only knew.
"Jo come on pull it together. We don't want another Thanksgiving 2002 do we?"
"No."
"Ok so go upstairs, take a nap, freshen up and come back when you're rested", I instruct her.
"Are you sure? You just got off a flight."
I reach for my crying nephew, "Positive. Go"
"Thank you."
I sigh. I have a crying baby in my arms and a five year old running around the room reckless.
**********
Rachel's POV
"You're lucky my hands are occupied", I say to Olivia after she pops my bra strap.
"When has that ever stopped you?"
"Good point."
She leans against the counter with a gleam in her eye, "Well how's your bonding time coming along?"
"Bonding time?"
"Yeah it kind of worked out perfectly. Avery organically came in here, but I barred everyone for coming in to interrupt you two."
"Liv."
She smiles and walks away, "Love you tons." She told me she believes me when I say I'm not seeing anyone, but part of me thinks she's still wondering. Also she is obsessed with me being with Avery for some reason.
"I can't wait to taste everything. It smells amazing in here", Avery says walking back into the kitchen.
"Everything is almost done."
"What else is left?"
"Just the green beans and dinner rolls. Can you do me a favor and tie my apron tighter? It keeps coming loose."
"Sure." "Oh sorry", she says accidentally grazing my ass.
"It's ok." She finishes tying it and I see her cheeks flushed red.
Fuck was Jenn right? Is Avery not over us?
**********
Jennifer's POV
The baby finally fell asleep and I gave the other little rascal my iPad to stay quiet. It was a bit of a hassle at first, but I made it work.
I look down at my phone seeing that I got a text from Rachel.
I smile and put my phone away as I see my sister walk down the stairs. Ever since Rachel and I had that talk about not having expectations I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. For the past few weeks we've been thoroughly enjoying each other. Whenever I'm feeling a little down I turn to her and she's always there to make sense of it or say something that makes me laugh. She's really grown since our first encounter, and for that I'm glad. I just try to push the fact that she's one year older than my little brother out of my mind.
"Get any rest?"
"Yes thank you", she says seeing the baby sound asleep.
"Where's Ben? I haven't seen him since I got here?"
She shakes her head in frustration, "Outback with the boys while I take care of our kids..Why did I become a stay at home mom again?"
I grab hold her hand, "Because it's been your dream since we were kids. I remember you would walk around with your dolls everywhere we would go. You would say this is my family, I'll protect them."
She laughs, "I wish I could go back and tell old me to wake the f up", she says censoring herself in front of the kids. "Jenn can I tell you something that you have to promise to keep secret?"
"Yes."
"I think I want a divorce."
My mouth drops open. I knew her and Ben had their fair share of issues, but nothing drastic enough to call for a divorce. Ben and Greg are polar opposites, but then again no one knows what really goes on behind closed doors.
"Jenn it's bad I can't do it anymore. He's no help."
My sister is also not the most rational person. She goes ballistic over the littlest issues.
"Jo did he forget to take out the trash again after work or are these actual issues we're talking about here?"
"Not taking out the trash is a huge issue. Jenn just please listen. I need your legal advice. I need to know my options."
"You can get a divorce no problem. The issue is as someone who isn't employed I don't see how you want to make this life changing decision on the whim."
"Well can't I go for spousal or child support? If not I was going to ask you for a small loan to get on my feet."
"Jo I will help you in anyway that I can. I just need to know that he hasn't physically harmed you or anything like that. The way you are speaking is worrying me."
"He wouldn't dare lay a hand on me. He's too weak for that. He's just annoying the hell out of me."
I take a deep breath. Rational she is not.
"Dinner is ready everyone. Jenn can you go get the boys?"
I slide the backdoor open to see all the men in my family playing a game of football.
"Greg", I say trying to grab his attention.
He doesn't answer.
I clear my throat and he looks up. "Dinner is ready."
"Woah the infamous ice queen stare. You better get in there quick", My brother John pokes at Greg.
Greg smiles,"I know better than to piss this one off."
He comes inside and kisses me on cheek for show,"Thanks babe."
**********
Rachel's POV
"The food is ready", I yell out.
"Finally I'm starving", Olivia's boyfriend Sam says grabbing a dinner roll.
I roll my eyes and Olivia notices. "What Sam and everyone else meant to say is thank you Rachel. This meal looks and smells beautiful."
"Thank you Rachel", everyone yells out.
"Avery helped too", I say pointing towards her.
"Let's give it up for them", Kennedy says starting a clap session.
We all make our plates and just as we're about to dig in Avery speaks out. "Before we eat can we say a prayer?"
"Pray- nevermind. If it helps us eat sooner sure", Jacob says eagerly.
Everyone hold hands as Avery leads us in prayer, "God we want to thank you for this beautiful meal. We thank you for each other and the opportunity to all come together and celebrate this holiday. At times we may have our differences, but at the end of the day you guys are my family."
"Aww. Are we like the more attractive, racially ambiguous breakfast club?", Kennedy interjects.
We all laugh.
"Ok amen", Jacob says as he begins to stuff his face.
Over the next hour we all eat, laugh, and talk about everything under the sun. I was skeptical of Friendsgiving at first, but Avery is right. We are family. Today more than ever it's important to see who you are surrounded by.
Olivia hits her glass with her fork to grab our attention, "I think we should turn to the person next to us and say why we are thankful for them."
"Babe why do you keep trying to do sappy shit?", Sam questions.
"Just do it."
I look at who's sitting next to me and I roll my eyes at Olivia. She smiles knowing what she just set up.
"Ken you're first."
She turns to her boyfriend, "I'm thankful for you because you treat me like the princess I am, and you put up with my craziness." We all clap and he turns to Jacob, "You're hella cool for a white dude", he says giving him a shake hand. We all laugh and Jacob turns to Avery. "Avery you are the nicest one out of all of us here. You have a good heart." I look surprised at Jacob's kind words and we all clap.
Avery turns to me and she looks in my eyes a few seconds before starting. "Rach I'm thankful for you because you make me feel safe and that I can be myself. I'm thankful for you because you never let anything hold you down. You work hard and always come out on top. No matter what happened between us I'll always be thankful for you." I turn to her and give her a hug, "Thank you. I'm thankful for you too."
"I thought we said thankful for not fucking wedding vows", Sam calls out.
"Everyone let's clap it up for that", Olivia says making Avery look down embarrassed.
Next up is me, "Livy I'm thankful that I have such a great best friend. You're my sanity, you keep me in check even though I don't listen most of the time. I don't know if I would have made it this far without you."
"I love you", she gives me a hug and I kiss her on the cheek.
She looks at Sam, "Baby I'm thankful for your parents. For having you and also making you so well endowed."
Everyone laughs.
" Seriously though I love you so much."
I roll my eyes. Sam is terrible, but I do give him one thing. He really loves Liv.
Sam turns to Kennedy. "K-dog I'm thankful you're best friends with my girl. At least one of her friends is in my corner supporting us."
"I love you too Sam", I say smiling.
He sticks his finger up at me and smiles back.
"Ok since we're done I think the boys should clear up and wash dishes", I say rushing away from the table.
"See what I mean?", Sam says pointing at me.
We all laugh.
*********
Jennifer's POV
"The turkey is delicious mom."
"It's a long survived family recipe that I hope you all pass down to your children."
"Speaking of family I want to thank you again Jenn. You're a life saver. You're so good with kids."
I smile, "You're welcome"
"When are you and Greg going to have some of your own?", My father questions.
I look at Greg," I don't know. Greg when are we going to have kids of our own?", I say sipping on my wine.
He flashes his famous smiles, "We want that. We just have to find the right time. With her career and all things are always changing."
My dad shakes his head, "You're going to work your life away and have nothing to account for it."
Greg rubs my thigh as he sees me tense up. I move his hand away. "'I'll have my career and a legacy."
He throws his fork down, "Once you left town you turned into one of those snobby Hollywood elitist that only care about status and money."
"You keep accepting that elitist money every month don't you?", I bite back.
"You throw your money around like it's just nothing. You just ration out money to make yourself feel better about neglecting your family. You're probably using us as a tax write off."
"The money you send me is great I have no complaints ", my little brother says smiling.
"What dad means to say is were all grateful for all that you do for us, but we wish you spent more time here is all", my brother John tries to reason.
I look down, "I'm stretched out thin. I have a million things going on, And it has the potential to get worse."
"Passing that bill and fighting with Trant. What's gotten into you Jennifer? How could you say such nasty things to the president?"
I shake my head at my father. He doesn't understand and he never will. Besides being a republican he believes women should just sit there and take. Hints why I've always been considered the rebel of the family.
"You've lost your self Jennifer."
"Sis are you really going to run for President?", Jared questions.
"I don't know Jear. There's a lot I have to think about. Me running doesn't only impact me. It impacts Greg, it impact you all. Running will open all of your lives up for scrutiny. They will dig and just keep on digging until they find what they need to destroy me."
"Are you ashamed of us?"
I look around the table at all of them. Seeing there expressions and concern. I love my family, I do but for me to succeed in my career I can't have them in the picture.
*******
Rachel's POV
Olivia puts down her racket as I beat her in another round of ping pong.
"What?"
"This is boring. Come on lets turn the fuck up."
"What did you have in mind", I question.
"Truth or dare. Ken get the boys."
"Truth or dare? What are we 16? Nevermind mentally the boys are", I say making Avery laugh. "What do you think about this Av?"
She shrugs her shoulders, "I'll play."
I looked shocked, "Wow ok."
"Ok everyone here are the rules. Don't want to answer your question you have to do a dare. If you don't want to do the dare you have to take 3 shots of this lovely stuff here." Olivia caresses a huge bottle of Everclear which is 95% liquor.
"Who's first?", she says smiling.
"Fuck it I'll go. Dare", Jacob says throwing his hand up.
"Bro call that baddie from the party and say you want to smash."
He shrugs and calls her. As we listen to her on speaker it's clear that's she's more than willing.
"Omg I can't believe he did that", Avery says covering her mouth.
I laugh, "I can."
"Olivia truth or dare", Kennedy asks.
"Truth."
"Is it true you're never going to get a job?"
Everyone smacks their lips.
"Come on that's so lame. Let's turn this up a little bit. No more truth we're only doing dares", Olivia says. "Rachel your turn."
"Rachel I dare you to make out with Avery for 30 seconds", Jacob says smiling. What a dick.
"Woo now we're talking!", Sam yells out.
I look over at Avery searching her eyes. I know I can't do this. "Shots."
"What?", Olivia says.
"I'm taking the shots. Pour them up."
Everyone stomps and claps as I chuck them down.
I look over at Avery who has her head down. Fuck I didn't mean to hurt her feelings.
"Avery's turn", Jacob yells out.
"Avery, I dare you to make out with Olivia for 30 seconds", Kennedy's boyfriends interjects.
Avery gets up and we all gasp. She holds the back of Olivia's neck and begins to make out with her. I look away as it becomes more intimate.
Avery looks over at me and wipes her mouth.
"Fuck that made me kinda hard", Sam says still not believing his eyes.
"Wow she's a good kisser", Olivia chimes in.
"Olivia if you wanted an orgy you should have called for one", I say annoyed.
Jacob laughs, "Someone is jealous."
I roll my eyes. I'm not jealous. Avery just isn't salacious as we all are. I feel like the only reason she's participating in all of this is to not feel left out.
"Liv it's your turn", I say. "I dare you to blow Jacob."
Everyone looks around shocked. "I deserve that Rach", she says smirking at me. She knows I'm paying her back.
"Shots it is sorry Jake."
Next someone dares Kennedy's boyfriend to take a body shot off of me and he complies.
"Rachel I dare you to play the remainder of the game topless."
"Shall we get the shots ready again?", Kennedy says.
"Momma didn't raise no bitch", I say taking my shirt and bra off. "Oh yeah she did...Brandon."
Everyone claps and Avery looks me in the eyes.
"Since you all want an orgy so bad why don't we all just go skinny dipping and call it a night?"
The party moves outside as we all jump in the pool. I swim over to Avery to make sure we're ok. "About earlier. It wasn't that I didn't want to kiss you. I just didn't want to dread up any old feelings."
"Yeah no I totally understand."
I smile, "good."
******
Jennifer's POV
After that disastrous dinner I find myself in bed reading. They all got offended when I said Greg and I were staying at a hotel, so here I am in my childhood room that's barely been renovated.
"Hey", Greg says coming to bed.
"You're done getting praised for the day?"
"Jenn."
"What?"
He smirks, "Are you jealous?"
"No I'm not jealous of you."
He laughs, "Whats the problem? My family loves you the same. Most of the time I think they forget about me because their so busy asking about you."
"Do you know how hard it to sit there and hear them praise you after all the shit you've put me through?"
He strokes his beard, "I'll make it all up to you one day if you let me."
I scoff.
He takes his shirt off and I look over at him. He tries to kiss me.
"You're pathetic. You really think sex is making it up to me?"
"No but it's a start."
I take off my glasses and turn the light off, "Goodnight Greg."
He sighs.
********
Rachel's POV
I'm sitting by the fireplace inside drinking when Olivia comes to sit by me. "Did you have fun tonight?"
"For the most part. I was missing my family a little bit today even though they are all assholes."
"Your so stubborn I never thought you'd admit that. That's why I tried my best to get your mind off of it, even if I went a little overboard." She pulls out her phone to show me text from Brandon. "They miss you too. I wasn't hiding this from you. I just know you do stuff on your own time. No one can make Rachel Taff do anything right?", she says smiling.
I reach in for a hug, "I love you."
"I love you too."
She gets up and I pull out my phone to text my family Happy Thanksgiving.
********
Jennifer's POV
I get up in middle of night and I find myself in the kitchen.
"Can't sleep either?", my father says grabbing a glass of water.
"No."
"I'm sorry about dinner. I just wish you included us in your life more. People ask about you all the time, but I know as much as they do. Only time I know how you're doing is if I see you on the news."
"I'm sorry I'll get better at that."
"I know we'll never see eye to eye on politics, but I love you", My father says kissing my forehead.
"I love you too." He pats my shoulder and goes back to bed.
I grab my phone looking at the time. She's probably not awake, but I want to give it a shot.
"Are you awake?", I text Rachel.
Seconds later I get a FaceTime call from her. I accept the call and see a smiling Rachel with wet hair and a buzzed look on her face.
"Someone had a good time", I say smiling back at her.
"I did. What about you?"
"Not so much, but I'm taking steps in the right direction. I'll tell you about it when I get back...I'll probably stay out here a few more days. I need to repair some relationships here."
"Well I can't wait to hear...Speaking of repairing relationships I texted my family today."
"You did?"
She nods her head.
"I'm proud of you."
She smiles, "What time is it there?"
I run my fingers through my hair, "We're 2 hours ahead. I just can't sleep."
"When I can't sleep I listen to music. I'll make you a playlist for your future sleepless nights."
"I'd like that."
I hear someone stirring upstairs.
"Rachel I have to go."
"Jenn before you go technically I have five more minutes left of Thanksgiving here. I want you to know that I'm thankful you gave me a chance and didn't fire me or else we wouldn't have gotten this far."
I smile, "Me too. Goodnight Rachel."
Holy shit this was a long chapter!!!Whew. Drop some comments and let me know what you think.