Thanksgiving at the Witt House

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

It wasn’t easy being Mrs. August Witt. Though Maxi had been in that role for several years now, it never seemed to get any easier. She loved being married to August and it wasn’t August that was the real problem—it was his parents. They still hadn’t accepted their relationship even after all of these years. They were kind and courteous when they were around and she and Gwen always had long conversations, but there was always a feeling that they disapproved. She knew they came around for one important reason, though—the kids. Emily and Sean were always the highlight of family get-togethers. Those two little angels brightened every occasion and it was impossible not to love them. At five and two they were energetic and sweet, though Emily was much shier around people she didn’t know than Sean was. Since she knew her grandparents, she was just as excitable and inquisitive as she was when she was alone with her mother and father. The girl was full of questions, ones that even caught Maxi off guard. Sean, though only two, was already showing signs of being a social butterfly. He said hello to random people in the market and on the street and smiled for everyone. With his big blue eyes and his dark hair he charmed all the ladies into gushing over him. Yes, he was also showing early signs of being as big a flirt as his father. Emily was much more protective of her smiles, like her beloved papa, but she gave them freely to those she knew. Her curly, flaming red hair and stormy blue-gray eyes could melt anyone’s heart, and she’d certainly done so with her papa. It was thanks to her calming influence that Maxi was able to bring Sean into the world; August had been very resistant to even have Emily, but seeing that it wasn’t as bad as he feared, he hadn’t huffed quite as much when Maxi turned up pregnant a second time. Still, she wasn’t going to tempt fate a third time, and her two were quite enough.

Now that it was Thanksgiving, it was time for the kids to ease yet another family get-together. Abraham and Gwen were coming over at Maxi’s invitation and August was stressing out more than he needed to. Maxi was stressed that his parents didn’t accept them, but she knew the kids would ease them. Even so, she was going to make the best damn Thanksgiving dinner ever! After dessert, she planned to pack everyone in the Volvo August had bought her all those years ago and go over to her sister’s. Maureen was pregnant again, this time with twins, and Maxi wanted to be around to help with her clean-up, even though Drew was there, and she wanted to give Emily some time to play with her cousins. It was up to August whether he wanted to come or not, but she hoped he would. It would be nice to have some grown-up time with other adults while Emily and the other two were playing in the next room. Perhaps Maxi would bring some wine to loosen him up…

She popped open the oven to check the turkey and shrunk back from the blast of heat she got in the face. That was one thing she never learned to expect…It was almost perfectly brown, but she would let it stay in there for another thirty minutes or so. She still had potatoes to mash and green beans to sauté…With her hair tied up and an apron tied about her waist and tight jeans and red sweater underneath, she looked the stereotypical 1960s housewife. She planned to get into something nicer before August’s parents arrived and hoped one of the kids wouldn’t mess it up. Looking over at Sean painting his face with the chocolate pudding from his lunch put a damper on that hope. When he caught her eye, he grinned from ear to ear and she couldn’t help but laugh. Emily was giggling too and Maxi had to wonder if this was her idea since she had pudding all over her mouth too. Maxi playfully put her hands on her hips. “Are you teaching Seanie to play with his food, Emmie?” she asked, her eyes narrowed in mock suspicion, a little smile on her face to show she wasn’t serious.

[AUGUST WITT]

August was never fond of the holidays. Sure he loved the food and the warmth it brought, and he certainly liked how excited Maxine and the kids got, but this year they were going to his parents house which was an instant downer. Not only would he need his kids and wife to be on their best behavior, but he would be expected to sit silently throught his fathers subtle passive aggressive comments. Then again most everything his father said these days August took as an insult, even when it wasn't. He and his dad had gotten along well enough growing up. August had been the jewel of his dad's eye, getting into politics, going farther than he himself had gone, and according to Abraham he threw it all away the day he walked into that liquor store and met Maxine. No one could deny Maxine was kind and good to August. She treated him well and she was what every parent wanted their son to end up with; attractive, intelligent, caring.. but she would never, in Abraham's opinion, reach the intelligence August or any other Gargoyle could. It wasn't in her wiring and August felt judged ever since. He knew Maxine was sharp and he knew the thing she lacked most was the wisdom that had come with him being so much older than her, but even then as they grew it was really pretty matched. But when it wasn't about Maxine, it was about the children.

August had caught a lot of flack from his parents when Maxine had turned up pregnant. It was bad enough he'd married outside his species, but to breed? The children wouldn't be accepted as either Gargoyle or Blurr, unable to shift into either form that made each specie what it was. They were expected to be sickly, sensitive to the sun and not smart enough to be Witts, but as the years ticked by Emmie disproved every fear his parents had for the girl. Yes, she burned easily and wasn't fond of playing at the beach, but her ring made her able to go out during the day without too much pain. And no, she couldn't turn invisible, but she was able to make herself semi transparent, like a ghost. An interesting little party trick. But she had never been any sicker than any other child and she was right on track mentally where she should be. She walked earlier than expected and by one owned ten words. By the time Maxine was pregnant with their second, their daughter had already begun dance lessons and piano, and was a true natural at both. She was sharp and beautiful, and she put all of August's worries to bed. Well, most of them. There was still the bit about her not fitting into either race, but there was little they could do about that. Hopefully the Blurrs would be more understanding of her situation than the Gargoyles who were still a little old school when it came to that sort of thing.

Sean had proved to be similar to his sister, though he was far less reserved. The wild child that had the ability to drive August up the wall with anger and laugh at the same time. And he was only two. August knew some day he would get along better with his son, but for now Emmie was his truest pride and joy; the child he preferred to show off since there were far more things to show off. Plus she didn't wear diapers.

Needless to say, despite how proud of a papa he was, he was tense and a little agitated. He didn't want to spend time with his family, and worse he didn't want to spend time with Maxine's afterwards. The Solomon's were nice and all but four children screaming wasn't something he cared much for, and the thought of Maureen being on the verge of popping two more out frightened him. He was sure Maxine would get it in her mind the second she saw those scrunched up newborn faces that she would need to have another of her own. Knowing his luck she would follow her sister's lead and pop out twins, thus making August consider the idea of suicide.

“Are you teaching Seanie to play with his food, Emmie?” It was exactly what he didn't want to hear, and the pet name Maxine had chosen for their son made him outwardly cringe. Emmie was one thing, it was a name in itself, and it was endearing but Seanie was not so much. "His name is Sean." August corrected coming into the kitchen, dampening the mood immediately with his own. He went to the oven and pulled the dishtowel from the handle and ran it under the sink. He moved with ease to his daughter, kneeling down to get on her level. "You're old enough to know better." He scolded softly as he wiped her face clean. "You're the example. I expect you to show your brother the proper way to do things." She had his pout and his sad, stormy eyes, her face cradled with her mothers flaming red hair. She was certainly a strikingly beautiful child. "But.." The look on Augusts face hushed her immediately, and though he knew she probably had a good excuse for the behavior, she was smart enough to know not to talk back to him. "Sorry." She grumbled so softly under her breath it was barely audible, but August heard it from his close proximity, turning on his son next. "Pudding is food. We do not use it as paint. You're done." He said firmly to the toddler who was clearly not done. "NO!" Sean screeched at the top of his lungs, flailing and kicking, but August was a skilled father and managed to wipe his hands and part of his face clean, having taken the pudding away already. His brooding eyes then landed on his wife. "I'd rather they didn't need baths before we went, Maxine." He grumbled, tossing the cloth in the sink and rinsing off the children's things. "There's enough to get done today without that added chore." He was obviously sulking, though of course August never saw it that way. To him he was telling his wife he was upset, oblivious to how amused she was when he got in this sort of mood.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi saw the kids’ eyes shift behind her before she even heard August’s voice. “His name is Sean.” She turned to see her husband’s sour face and she pouted out her bottom lip with furrowed brows. Of course she knew her son’s name—it was her father’s name first. But like her father, she liked to make up nicknames for her kids and she thought Seanie was sweet. Still, she wasn’t about to argue with him when he was in a mood, and definitely not in front of the children. Though she moved back to the stove to move the potatoes from the burner, she kept her eyes on August as he moved to their daughter first. She was still feeling pouty for being chastised, but she had to smile at how her husband knelt in front of their daughter to wipe her face. Silently she moved the boiling pot of potatoes and water to the sink and pulled the strainer into the sink so she could dump the whole thing out. August had turned out to be a very good father after all of his worrying that he wouldn’t be. Yes, he was firm with the kids, but he was warm too and he read them a story every night before they went to bed, kissed them good night and told them he loved them, and he was even known to play with them a few times a week. He wasn’t being playful now, though. “You’re old enough to know better. You’re the example. I expect you to show your brother the proper way to do things.” Maxi was more focused on watching the water and potatoes spill out of the pot and into the strainer, but when she heard her daughter protest, her deep blue eyes looked her way. Emily was smart enough to know not to argue with August when he had that look on his face, and though she couldn’t hear her daughter’s apology, she saw her pout little mouth formed the word. She turned her eyes back to the potatoes and set the pot down on the granite countertop so she could shake the water out.

“Pudding is food. We do not use it as paint. You’re done.” “NO!” Her son’s shriek drew her attention again and she frowned as he flailed and kicked while August tried to clean him up. She knew August didn’t like it when the kids screamed so it always made her jump. When their eyes met, Maxi knew she was going to get a scolding, as if their children’s behavior was her fault. “I’d rather they didn’t need baths before we went, Maxine.” He walked up to the sink next to her to rinse off the kids’ plates and she gave him a mildly exasperated look. She didn’t get PMS and she figured that might be because August got it for her. “There’s enough to get done today without that added chore.” Even when he was upset, though, he was cute and Maxi had to fight back a smile at how similar his pouting and Emily’s pouting were. She linked her arm in his so he would look down at her with those sulky, stormy eyes. “It’s just pudding. I’ll clean him up.” Her voice was soft and calming and to pacify him further, she got up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips. Even after all these years, the effect of their kisses hadn’t cooled—softened, but not cooled. When she pulled away she smiled for him warmly before Sean’s voice caught her attention. “Pudding!” he demanded and she sighed as she looked at that pouting face. She looked to Emily and smiled softly. “Emily, go wash your face please. Then you can help me make mashed potatoes.” The little girl slid out of her chair and scurried from the kitchen, her soft red curls bouncing as she went. “And don’t make a mess!” she added, knowing her daughter had a penchant for mimicking the face wash commercials she saw on TV where the women splashed water on their faces.

Next she moved to her son who again yelled, “Pudding!” Maxi shook her head, which only elicited a bigger frown from her little boy. “Papa said no more.” Her voice was soft but firm so her son would know that wasn’t going to change. “Noooo…” he whined, big crocodile tears forming in his big blue eyes, their color a mix between his father’s and mother’s. It was hard to be stern when he gave her that look, but she persisted with a frown, grabbing his little hands before he could start flailing again. She leaned down low so her face was right in front of his. “Hey, hey. Look at me, Sean.” His eyes came to hers, upset and teary. “No crying. Big boys don’t cry. Are you a big boy?” Slowly he nodded, sniffling and she nodded back with a small smile. “Then no more crying.” She kissed his forehead, smelling his thick mop of soft, dark hair that still smelled the same way it did when he was a baby. Maxi lifted him from his booster seat and he immediately wrapped his little arms around her neck tightly, sniffling into the crevice of her neck and shoulder. She couldn’t help but smile and she rested her head against his, one hand rubbing up and down his back. Emily snuggled with her, but not the way Sean did—she was daddy’s little girl and Sean was definitely a mama’s boy. August thought she was too soft with him, but she couldn’t help it; Sean was her baby. That wasn’t to say she wasn’t firm with him when he deserved it, though—she just didn’t think using pudding as paint warranted a whole lot of scolding. She carried Sean over to his father and nudged him back when they got there. “Tell Papa you’re sorry for talking back.” He sat up off her shoulder and looked uncertainly between her and August. She raised her eyebrows expectantly at his brief hesitation. Sean looked at his dad and offered a soft, “Sorry.” Really, how could anyone stay mad at him? She kissed his soft, chubby cheek and was met not only with the sweet smell of chocolate but also with him burying his face in her neck again. She laughed softly and looked up at August. Hopefully they could now get past this and move on with the day.

“Can you put the potatoes back in the pot for me while I clean him up please?” She gave her husband a big, hopeful smile, obviously trying to sugar him up. Really, he was too tense. Would dinner be a chore? Yes, but that didn’t mean he had to be in such a sour mood. She peeled Sean from her neck and set him on the counter before dampening a paper towel in the sink and turning back to her baby. “Look up,” she instructed and Sean followed instruction, jutting his chin out as he did so. His eyes squeezed shut as Maxi wiped all around his face, freeing the soft, rosy skin from the sticky pudding and salty tears. Next she grabbed his hands and wiped at them, wrinkling her nose playfully at how sticky they were. “Yuck!” she exclaimed in a mocking voice which made Sean giggle a little. That was more like it. She grinned back, finishing the job before she tossed the paper towel in the trash can under the sink. Leaning into her son again, she buried her face between his neck and chubby cheek, blowing a raspberry against the too soft skin, which made him shriek with laughter and squirm away from her. With a laugh she picked him up and put him down on the floor. “Alright, go find Emmie and tell her to come here.” He toddled away with a big grin, completely forgetting pudding. With a sigh she leaned against the counter and looked at August. “You still grumpy?” she asked, a playful smile on her lips to show she was trying to cheer him up. “I could make you some cookies and cheese.” She bit her bottom lip as she smiled wide, teasing him about his favorite childhood snack. Maxi never forgot those funny little tidbits she could tease him about later.

[AUGUST WITT]

“It’s just pudding." August's eyes were blazing as they looked down into his wife's as she made excuses for the children and their behavior. "I’ll clean him up.” Her voice was soft and calming and he knew she was just trying to pacify him. Over the years he had become very aware of what she did to get her way and how she eased his mind. He knew all her tricks, but the problem was she knew his, too. He often liked to pretend she didn't, but Maxine was smarter than he had ever imagined she would be. It was one of the things he genuinely loved about her. As if to seal the deal she stood on her toes to peck his lips, and August didn't bother bending to meet her, letting her reach for the affection she wanted and he was reluctant to give though he desired it just as much. “Pudding!” August huffed in Maxine's lips, once again irritated at how the children got in the way of their adult time. Grabbing Maxine and turning her around roughly to teach her a lesson was strictly forbidden these days, even after the children were asleep. Unless they were spending the night at the Solomon household. Maybe he could weasel a night out of them that evening. Drew was a sucker for the kids, and once the twins arrived they would have a tough time getting them to take the brats for a night with their own brood to handle.

August pulled away to let Maxine deal with the children, sending Emily off and then dealing with the baby. August hated the way she coddled him, certain that she was making him weak and that his own father would have never tolerated such conduct under his roof, but Maxine found it difficult to change her ways and he found it easier to allow her to do what she wanted instead of undermining her in front of Emily and Sean. “Hey, hey. Look at me, Sean. No crying. Big boys don’t cry. Are you a big boy? Then no more crying.” August watched on with mild disgust at the display. A smack on the rear would burn the message into his mind, not a verbal tap on the nose. He didn't recall Emily being like this as a toddler. “Tell Papa you’re sorry for talking back.” August gave the boy a firm look and it annoyed him that the boy looked back to his mother instead of doing as she commanded. “Sorry.” The boy mumbled and August grit his teeth looking at Maxine for a moment and catching the hopeful look in her eye and then nodding begrudgingly to the child. Did she think that halfhearted apology was sufficient? They boy would learn to walk all over her by the time he was Emily's age. They needed to be firmer with him. He was too soft.

“Can you put the potatoes back in the pot for me while I clean him up please?” He set his teeth in a firm line and turned away to do as he was asked. Had she not given the children pudding or had watched them more closely, he wouldn't need to be her little slave boy in the kitchen. Domestic didn't sit well with August, and often he felt trapped at his role of husband, father and provider. He missed the days before the children when they had separate homes and separate lives. He loved Maxine, and he for the most part enjoyed the life they had built together, but most of it had been forced upon him and there was mild bitter resentment that laid deep within his gut. He didn't ask for this life, and though he did at times enjoy it, he missed the days before Emily and Sean came into the picture. He loved them, and his life was certainly more fulfilling with them in it, but he missed the freedom to do as he pleased whenever he pleased especially when concerning their mother.

Finally Maxine got the boy cleaned up and set him after his sister. He turned his head slightly to watch as she leaned against the counter, a playful sort of grin on her lips. “You still grumpy? I could make you some cookies and cheese.” August regretted ever telling her that. "You're too easy on the boy." He insisted, his voice low and firm. "He does what he pleases with no consequences, and the baby excuse will work for only so long. Emily was never like that as a baby." Not that he remembered, anyway. Or maybe she saved that behavior for her mother only. He turned his eyes away from her, looking down at the potatoes. "Why don't we pretend the kids are vomiting and stay in tonight." He suggested softly. "That's always a good excuse. We can order take out. Surely something's open this evening."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

"You're too easy on the boy." Maxi almost sighed that August was starting this discussion again. It was Thanksgiving for goodness sake! "He does what he pleases with no consequences, and the baby excuse will work for only so long. Emily was never like that as a baby." She raised one well defined red eyebrow at him. Emily was still like that, just not for her father. The little girl practically worshipped the ground her father walked on, but she showed more of her true colors to her mother. She loved Emily, but both of their children had a defiant streak in them. "Why don't we pretend the kids are vomiting and stay in tonight? That's always a good excuse. We can order take out. Surely something's open this evening." The soft way he said it made a gentle smile form on her lips and she moved to squeeze herself between him and the counter, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Didn’t we use that excuse last Christmas? Or was it Easter?” She smiled a little more, trying to get him to lighten up. Shrugging her shoulders, she looked down at his chest for a moment, considering his proposal. “I suppose we could, but then your parents would be without a turkey and we’d have a lot of it to ourselves. I could make a Thanksgiving feast out of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and stuffing, but I don’t want your parents to be upset that they don’t have a centerpiece for their meal. It’s up to you.” She didn’t want to start a fight, but she didn’t like August being in a bad mood either. Either way, she would follow his lead. She had a feeling he would be running off to make the call soon, though. But she had something else to settle first.

“And I’m not too easy on Sean. I discipline him plenty, just like I do Emily, but only when they deserve it. It’s a holiday and I don’t think pudding painting warrants a harsh punishment.” He was just too tense and she knew the perfect way to get him to calm down. Her hands slid from his shoulders down to his firm chest, her smile turning kittenish. “How about I ask Maureen if she and Drew can watch the kids tonight? We could use a night to ourselves.” That seemed to raise his spirits some and she giggled a little before standing on tiptoe to kiss him. Even though they had plenty of sex, she knew he didn’t like how inhibited they were with the kids around. With the way they used to have sex whenever and wherever they pleased, it had been a drastic change with the kids in their life. The promise of the kids being away for a night, though, left anything and everything open again and how could he not be happy at that prospect? Their kiss was heating up quickly this time, her fingers weaving into his hair as she was pressed more firmly into the counter. Her heart was beginning to race, but the sound of two pairs of little feet pattering their way snapped her out of it and she slid her hands across August’s jaw before pulling away just as the kids appeared in the doorway. She smiled at August once more, admiring his ever handsome face before she turned her gaze to her children. Both had breathless smiles on their now clean faces and she let her hands slip down August’s chest as she smiled back.

“You guys ready to make mashed potatoes?” Emily nodded and Sean grinned at her before mimicking his big sister. “Yeah!” Emily piped before rushing over and August moved aside so the kids could swarm her. First she picked up Sean and placed him on the counter and then she moved to the table to pull a chair over for Emily to stand on. She picked her up and placed her on it which made her giggle a little. “Now be careful, Emmie. I don’t want you to fall.” “I won’t!” she insisted and Maxi had to smile at her confidence. “Okay.” She pulled the pot of potatoes in front of her so both of them could see into the pot as she reached for the masher. “The first thing we’re going to do is mash the potatoes like this.” Placing the wire masher in the middle of the pot, she pressed down and watched as the tender tuber squished beneath her hand. “It’s so squishy!” Emily giggled with a wrinkled nose and Maxi giggled back in the same fashion. “I know.” “Squishy!” Sean echoed, giggling too. No one could deny their kids were adorable and she grinned wide. “Do you want to try, Emmie?” Before the girl even answered Maxi knew to hand her the tool. “Yes!” the little carrot top replied and she pressed the masher down with a bit of a struggle. Her scrunched up little face revealed how difficult it was for her to squish the potato, but she didn’t give up; she was as persistent as her parents and Maxi had to smile at her effort. When she did one potato she beamed at her mom. “I did it, Mommy!” she announced and Maxi nodded. “You sure did! Very well, too.” Sean reached out. “I wanna try!” Maxi took the masher back from Emily and shook her head at Sean. “No, it’ll be too hard for you, baby. You’ll get to help me with something else, okay?” “Okaaay.” Her little boy sighed, but he didn’t throw a fit and she smiled warmly at him. The two of them watched, mesmerized as she squashed the potatoes into a smooth mash. She wasn’t sure if August was still watching or not, but her kids and the potatoes had all of her attention now.

[AUGUST WITT]

“Didn’t we use that excuse last Christmas? Or was it Easter?” Her smile did little to cheer him, but it silently warmed his heart as she pushed her way between him and the counter. His head cocked gently to the side, her face dangerously close to his. He knew her games and she played them well, not that he was complaining, nor would he. The close proximity eased him as it often did, but knowing how limited he was with what he could do irked him slightly. "It was Easter, and if memory serves, Emily did have a tummy ache." He reminded coyly, but that was because she had eaten too many sweets that morning. “I suppose we could, but then your parents would be without a turkey and we’d have a lot of it to ourselves. I could make a Thanksgiving feast out of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and stuffing, but I don’t want your parents to be upset that they don’t have a centerpiece for their meal. It’s up to you.” There were many things August loved about his wife, but her constant eagerness to please him topped the list. She was just the right amount of pushover without being obnoxiously so. She stood her ground when she felt strongly about it, but she chose her battles well, and August liked it that way. They both knew they were going. August knew Maxine was aware of the fact that he would sooner sit through a meal he didn't want to than to hear his mother bitch for the next decade about the Thanksgiving they missed, even if it was because the children were sick. His mother would know in a moment he was lying.

“And I’m not too easy on Sean." It was August's turn to raise a brow. She most certainly was too easy on the boy! "I discipline him plenty, just like I do Emily, but only when they deserve it. It’s a holiday and I don’t think pudding painting warrants a harsh punishment.” He smirked a little at how defensive she had gotten. "I never suggested a harsh punishment." He reminded. He simply wanted the boy to realize what he'd done was wrong and Maxine hadn't been firm with him, which meant he would repeat the action. He was still watching her intently as her hands moved down to his chest, the look on her face turning sultry. “How about I ask Maureen if she and Drew can watch the kids tonight? We could use a night to ourselves.” He felt the suggestion all the way down in his groin. August let his hands slide from the counter to her waist, pulling her into him as she reached up to kiss his lips. "I think that's a wonderful suggestion." He offered, letting her feel how much he liked the thought as his hips ground into hers, his lips pressing firmer against his wife's, There was no denying their spark was still there as he pushed her against the counter, one arm slipping around to the small of her back..

As always the sound of little feet came between them and August felt himself grow irritated once more. Maxine moved her hands to his face and pulled away and August sighed, moving back so he wasn't pinning his wife to the counter. He hung his head, feeling Maxine slip back into mom mode. “You guys ready to make mashed potatoes?” The man slid away from his wife, running a hand through his mussed hair. He loved the children, but he sure hated their timing. He moved aside as the kids rushed to their mother, mussing his sons hair gently as he moved past them. Helping in the kitchen wasn't something he was interested in doing.

The day ticked by and the evenings festivities were moving closer. While the children helped their mother August took it upon himself to make up their overnight bags in the hopes that his in-laws would take his children for the night. He knew They would, they were suckers for his kids and for Maxine, so only some weird plans would prevent the children from being able to stay. Once finished he relaxed in front of the computer for a while and then finished readying himself up. When the food was prepared and ready to go he took Sean to his room to get the boy ready, dressing him and fixing his hair while the boys mother did the same with his sister. Naturally Sean was finished first and August loaded the car with the bags and food, making Sean carry his own bag out. August found it important to let the children know they had responsibilities, plus it kept him out of Maxine's hair.

"Maxine we need to leave." He called up the stairs, looking down at the copper haired child at his feet. "I'm loading Sean in the car." August looked down at the tyke and nodded to the door. "Come on, in the car." Sean looked up with his big, pale eyes, pouting a little. "Can I bring my bear?" He pleaded and August heard the nervous reverence in his tone. "Yes." He said softly. "Go grab him quickly please." The boy took off and was back in but a moment, darting out the door to the car, his father in tow. How typical for the men to wait for the women.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

The kids had a blast helping Maxi prepare dinner. Sean got to slop the sour cream in the mashed potatoes and even helped stir a little bit while Emily helped with the finer details like pouring in ingredients. Overall it was a successful afternoon spent with her kids and August even got some time to himself. She even found time to take a quick shower and fix herself up before they left while August watched them in front of the television. They didn’t watch TV often, so when they did get to watch, they were glued to the screen and quiet except at the funny parts. Maxi always wanted to look her best around her in-laws. She blow-dried her long red hair and gave it soft curls before putting on light make-up that smoothed her pale skin and accentuated her blue eyes and plump lips. As always, around her neck she wore the elegant sapphire and diamond necklace August gave her long before they were married and the matching earrings adorned her ears as they often did. The dress she wore was a simple plum-colored wrap dress with delicate, white embroidery at the ends of the short sleeves and the end of the skirt that fell just above her knees. She wore simple black stockings and black, gently platformed pumps that clicked across the hard wood floors as she escorted Emily upstairs to get ready. Maxi always liked to take her time dressing her little girl, fussing over her hair and eager to make her look as adorable as possible. Emily, of course, was not nearly as patient during this process as Maxi would have preferred. Maxi had picked out the most adorable dress[/u] for Emily, but she had some critiques of her own. “Mommy, what’s this belt for? It doesn’t come off! Do I have to wear tights? Oops! I broke the string right here…” Maxi was forced to grip her daughter’s chin lightly as she picked at the lace on her dress. “Emily Margot, stop picking at your dress. You’re going to undo all the strings and then you’ll have to Grandma and Grandpa’s naked.” Though she had been pouting just a moment before, now Emily’s smile broke out on her precious little face as she giggled. Even Maxi couldn’t stay frustrated when she looked so cute and she gave a small smile back, though she raised her eyebrows to indicate she was serious. Her daughter nodded and she went back to adjusting the girl’s tights. She was small for her age, as would be expected for a half Blurr, half Gargoyle child, so she barely fit into the “big girls’” tights and it took some finagling to make them not appear baggy in places.

“Maxine we need to leave. I’m loading Sean in the car.” What time was it? She glanced to the digital clock on her daughter’s nightstand and realized it was indeed time for them to go. Her lips parted and she gave a frantic little frown to Emily who laughed in return. “We’ll be there in a minute!” she called back, turning Emily around. “Sit down and put your shoes on, okay?” she instructed while she quickly ran a brush through the soft red tendrils that so matched her own. “Ow!” Emily protested as the knots untangled themselves beneath the teeth of her brush. “Sorry, honey. I’m almost done.” Even with brushing them, the curls bounced right back into place and Maxi got the tiny hair tie ready to put Emily’s hair in a neat half and half. She sat still like a good girl for as long as it took Maxi to get it right and then Maxi got to her feet quickly and waved her hand to her daughter. “Okay, come on M&M. Let’s go get your coat on.” Emily was quick to bounce after her mother, trying to keep up with Maxi’s long-legged pace. In no time they were at the door and Maxi helped Emily into her bright red peacoat before slipping on her own long black one that fell to the middle of her thighs. With a big smile, she placed her hand on Emily’s upper back and guided her to the door. “Alright, off to Grandmother’s house we go!” Emily was excited since she always got a chance to show off her prowess on the piano when they went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Maxi liked it because she got to see August and Emily play together, something she always loved to witness.

Outside the boys were waiting in the car, Sean snuggling with his teddy bear in the backseat while August looked less content standing next to the passenger side door. Even irritated, he still waited to open Maxi’s door for her, a quality which she found quite endearing. “Daddy, do you like my dress?” Emily called out as she skipped to the car. Maxi smiled broadly and knew that would soften August’ attitude. Who couldn’t smile when such an adorable and beautiful little creature was skipping your way with pure delight on her face? Maxi came behind her and when August opened the door she helped Emily into her booster seat. “Mommy, how long do I have to sit in a car seat?” “Until you can reach my waist without standing on tiptoe.” This was not a satisfactory answer and Emily wrinkled her nose at it. Maxi kissed her soft little cheek. “It won’t take all that long, love.” Emily remained unconvinced, but Maxi didn’t linger and let August shut the door before he opened hers and she slid in. When she turned around she saw Sean smiling at his sister while she would get close to touching him and then snatch her hand back quickly. He laughed as she got really close and then took her hand back, grinning too. While it was cute to see them play together, Maxi could see this game of, “I’m not touching you,” end up badly. “I don’t want any fighting you two.” Both of them just noticed her watching and Emily hid her hands in her lap with a big, innocent grin, trying not to laugh. Sean mimicked her, grinning too and Maxi had to give a soft laugh as August got into the car and they started on their way.

When they got to his parents’ house, Maxi was a little nervous that they wouldn’t think the food was good enough or the kids weren’t behaved enough. They wouldn’t discipline the children themselves, believing August and Maxi were in charge of that, but if the kids got out of line, there would be some dirty looks thrown their way. Those dirty looks would no doubt end up on her in the end since she spent every waking moment with them and was presumably in charge of their behavior. Maxi slung the diaper bag over her shoulder and carried Sean on her hip and the mashed potatoes in her free hand while Emily dutifully carried the green beans and August grabbed the turkey. They were an orderly little family but they paused a moment before getting to the door as Maxi looked between her children. “Okay you two. Remember to be on your best behavior at dinner. I mean it. If you don’t behave then we’re not going to Uncle Drew and Auntie Maureen’s. That means no playing with Tristan and Lottie and no dessert. Understood?” There were double threats in that statement; no playing and no dessert all rolled into one? The kids were sure to heed that threat. Not to mention if they didn’t get their night alone like they planned, both parents were going to be pretty ticked off. With that weighing in their minds, they went to the door and Maxi let Sean push the button, trying to ease her nerves as they waited for August’s parents to come to the door.

[AUGUST WITT]

August started warming the car up so his son wouldn't get cold in the cool November air, and their daughter could be greeted with warmth once she and her mother got out. He got out of the car when he saw Maxine exit with their eldest child, moving around to open the back door for the girls. He didn't like waiting, but he supposed they weren't terribly long. "Daddy, do you like my dress?” Emily called, skipping his way. August allowed the gentle smile to crease his lips. "You're a vision, sweetheart. Like your mother." His eyes moved to his wife as she passed him, still holding the door. He waited patiently as she buckled the girl in and then he shut the door behind her before moving to let Maxine in before going back to his side to get into the driver's seat so they might take off to his parents.

The ride wasn't terribly long since the Witt family wasn't going that far. August's parents were just in the city and fortunately for him the kids were well behaved. They listened to classical music as the drove and fifteen minutes after they left they pulled up in front of his parents home. August parked the car and with Maxine's help got the children and the food out of the car. He could feel his stomach twisting anxiously knowing these sorts of events always included a pitying look from his father and that was only on the better trips. Often those looks were accompanied by words of disappointment.

“Okay you two. Remember to be on your best behavior at dinner. I mean it. If you don’t behave then we’re not going to Uncle Drew and Auntie Maureen’s. That means no playing with Tristan and Lottie and no dessert. Understood?” Normally it was August delivering the harsh threats, but Maxine obviously wanted tonight to go smoothly for them. Perhaps she needed some alone time as badly as he did. August could clearly see the looks of terror on their faces in the dim light and he was satisfied with it. No need to threaten them further. Sean rang the doorbell with Maxine's help and August stood there holding the turkey waiting for his parents to answer. He turned and offered a sad sort of look to his wife who offered an encouraging smile back. With a heavy sigh he turned forward just as the door opened.

"Grandma!" Emily shouted, rushing forward and nearly dropping the green beans to see her grandmother. August looked at his mother who was grinning in return, opening her arms for her granddaughter. At least she accepted the children, even if she didn't necessarily agree with their existence. It didn't make her love them any less. "Hello darling." She greeted warmly, reaching down and taking the bowl the girl was carrying and wrapped a hand around her while bending over. "My, you get bigger every time I see you!" She gushed and August moved inside the house knowing his mother would fawn over the baby next. "I grew two whole inches!" Emily insisted which was what the doctor had said at her check-up nearly two months prior. August didn't bring the children there often but his mother did make a point of dropping by now and then. "That's a lot of inches for a little girl!" She insisted kindly before August stepped forward. "Hello mother." He greeted softly, coming forward and pecking his mom on the cheek who smiled sweetly back. "Hello sweetheart. Happy Thanksgiving." She kissed him back and then ushered him further in. "Your father's in the study, why don't you go say hello?" August felt as though he once had a great relationship with his father, but he dreaded seeing him these days. He nodded and moved to Maxine, reaching for the bowl of potatoes while balancing the turkey in his other arm. "I'll take that to the kitchen." he said softly just before his mother went in to attack his son.

August could hear the voices in the front room grow more distant the further into the house he got. He dropped the food into the kitchen and then made his way to the small study where his father was reading. It aggravated August slightly that he had to go find the man instead of him coming to greet his family at the door. Did he mean that little to him? "Happy Thanksgiving." He said softly, rapping on the open door. His fathers gray eyes moved up to meet his and a forced sort of smile pushed on his face. "And to you." He said, not moving but looking down at the paper in his hands. "How's work?" He asked and August could feel the tension in the air. After all these years he still hadn't completely accepted his union with Maxine. "Just fine." He offered softly, trying to think of something else to say when the sound of feet rushing towards them made him turn his head. "Grandpa!" The ever excitable Emily gushed as she stormed into the room. She smiled but stopped a few feet away from the man, waiting for his invitation. He wasn't always the warmest person, but the little girl had a great deal of love in her heart and adored her grandparents. August stood expectantly, waiting. "That's not little Emily, is it?" He asked, obviously teasing her. For Emily he put down his paper, offering her his attention and August let out a breath of relief. "It is!" The man shook his head. "Let me get a better look at you. You're much too tall to be my granddaughter." She shook her head moving towards him. "No, it really is! It's really me! I grew two inches!" She bubbled and August couldn't stop the smile on his lips from inching up. "Well I'll be damned." Emily gasped and put her hand on her mouth. "Grandpa you said a naughty word.." For a second August thought he saw amusement in his fathers eyes. "Oh, you're quite right my dear. I'm terribly sorry." He said gravely, offering his arms to her. "Come give me a hug, wont you?" Emily fell into his arms letting out a soft "I missed you, grandpa." Abraham's eyes moved up to meet his sons and August looked back, almost daring the man to say a harsh word. "And I you, darling. Come, show me that brother of yours." "Okay! He got bigger too, but I promise it's really him!" August stepped aside to allow them to leave the room, his father meeting his gaze as he left with his granddaughter tugging at his hand. Maybe this would be a good visit after all..

August followed the pair out back towards the kitchen where his mother, wife and son had all congregated. He moved to Maxine's side and offered a hint of a smile. "I'm going to go make us some drinks." He said softly, moving away from the group and heading to the liquor table. He would need a few drinks to get through tonight.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

As they stood waiting for the door to open, Maxi caught August’s head turning toward her out of the corner of her eye and she looked at him curiously. He looked so forlorn, his face very much like the little boy’s in her arms when he was scared. Why did he have to look like that? She offered a warm, encouraging smile, hoping it was convincing with the twisting going on in her stomach. He heaved a sigh and they both looked forward again, as prepared as they would ever be for his parents—actually, they were both more nervous about seeing his father than seeing Gwen. Thankfully it was Gwen who opened the door, a bright smile on her face as she was greeted with Emily’s enthusiastic, “Grandma!” Maxi jumped a little to see the green beans almost fall out of her daughter’s hand, but the little girl caught herself as she fell into her grandmother. Gwen had always been pleasant. Even when expressing her displeasure at August and Maxi’s marriage and her initial protests to Emily’s birth, she had been much more civil and delicate about it than Abraham had. Now Maxi hardly ever felt outcast by Gwen now and she had certainly fallen under her grandchildren’s spell. That was the biggest difference between Gwen and Abraham: even if she didn’t accept their lineage, Gwen always showed her grandchildren how much she loved them. To Maxi’s relief, Gwen took the green beans from Emily as she pulled her into a one-handed hug. “Hello darling. My, you get bigger every time I see you!”[/b] “I grew two whole inches!” Maxi grinned wide at Emily’s bragging, following her husband into the house and closing the door behind her. “That’s a lot of inches for a little girl!”[/b] Emily was smiling wide and Maxi admired how beautiful her little girl was. August pulled her eyes away as he leaned in to kiss his mother on the cheek. “Hello Mother.” It always warmed Maxi’s heart to see August interacting with Gwen. “Hello sweetheart. Happy Thanksgiving. Your father’s in the study; why don’t you go say hello?”[/b] Maxi’s eyes studied her husband’s face, knowing every subtle emotion there, and right now he was nervous. She was reluctant to let him walk away like that, but she couldn’t go with him. It was always better to let August and Abraham have their time together first. He approached her and reached out for the potatoes, balancing the turkey with one arm. “I’ll take that to the kitchen.” She carefully handed him the potatoes. “Are you sure?” she asked, prepared to help him, but he was already moving away. For a moment she simply watched him go.

“That can’t possibly be Sean.”[/b] Gwen’s voice called her back and she smiled brightly between her mother-in-law and the little boy on her hip. Sean was grinning between the two women, though his bright blue eyes were fixed more on his grandmother. “It’s him!” Emily piped, looking up from her grandmother’s legs with a big smile which only made Maxi smile wider. “He’s too big to be Sean! Sean’s just a baby.”[/b] He shook his head poking his chin out a little in indignation. “Uh-uh! I’m a big boy!” Her son’s insistence made Maxi and Gwen laugh. “Yes you are, dear.”[/b] Gwen leaned in and kissed the little boy’s forehead which made him smile wider. Then Gwen turned her smile to Maxi and the redhead returned it graciously. “Happy Thanksgiving, Maxine. How are you?”[/b] Gwen asked as she leaned in to peck Maxi on the cheek. If her mother-in-law didn’t like her, she would never have guessed from the way she was always greeted by the woman. “Happy Thanksgiving, Gwen. I’m doing fine, how are you?” The older woman gave a small shrug and a sigh. “Well, it’s just much to quiet around here without these two coming around.”[/b] Maxi smiled wider, tilting her head to the side. “I keep telling August we should come by more often!” she insisted. They made their way into the kitchen when Sean suddenly tapped Maxi on the shoulder and she looked down at him curiously. “Yes my love?” she asked playfully. “I want Gamma to hold me.” She smiled between her boy and her mother-in-law who was smiling proudly and Maxi relinquished Sean to his grandmother. Not a moment later Emily was tugging on her skirt and she looked down at her daughter’s stormy eyes. “Yes sweetling?” “Can I go find Daddy?” Maxi nodded with a soft, “Yes, but be careful. Just go down the hall there, you’ll find him.” And just like that her daughter was off like a flaming shot.

When she turned back to Gwen her son was giggling and Maxi automatically smiled at the sound. Her mother-in-law was tickling Sean’s belly over and over making him giggle and then shriek with laughter as she moved to tickle his neck. Maxi found herself laughing with them and wondering if Gwen had been the same way with August when he was Sean’s age. Had he shrieked with laughter like that? The thought of it warmed her heart and she found herself reaching out to run her fingers through the sweet, soft hair on her son’s head. It drew Gwen’s eyes back to hers as she smiled pleasantly. “How are Emily’s lessons going?”[/b] “Wonderfully. She has a real talent for the piano and ballet. Her teachers say she’s very advanced for her age. She’s reading too and very well. I found her reading all on her own the other day.” Maxi had surprised her daughter by walking in unexpectedly while she was reading to her stuffed animals. The sound of her daughter’s voice had drawn her to Emily’s room and seeing her reading so well almost brought tears to Maxi’s eyes. All she could think about was when had she grown up so much? Her eyes shifted to Sean and she smiled wide at him. “And this little guy learned his colors this week and he can count to fifteen!” Gwen gasped enthusiastically and looked at Sean who giggled a little at her wide eyes. “You know your colors?”[/b] Sean nodded and the next few minutes were spent congratulating him as he properly identified the colors of various objects in the room with only one mistake.

Finally Emily returned with her grandfather in tow and August not far behind. Maxi was glad August returned with them. Her stomach always clenched when his father came into the room. He was quite handsome and August took after him in the looks department, as Sean took after August, but Abraham’s gray eyes were usually very cold towards her. At this point she was well aware that Abraham Witt regarded her as some seductress who had led his son astray from the path that had been chosen for him, even though it had been August who had initially seduced her. She was glad August distracted her as he came close and said softly, “I’m going to make us some drinks.” It was like he could read her mind and she smiled softly at him, reaching out to squeeze his arm gently. “Okay,” she replied softly, watching him go once more. When her eyes came back to the grandparents and her children, Emily was pointing at her little brother. “There’s Sean, Grandpa! Grandma didn’t think it was him either, but he’s just bigger.” Abraham leaned down as if to get a better look at the boy who was smiling brightly at him. “So he is. Did you grow two inches too?”[/b] Apparently Emily had told her grandfather she’d grown two inches too and even Maxi had to smile warmly at the interaction between grandfather and grandson. “Hi Gampa!” Sean chirped happily reaching out his little arm to hug Abraham’s neck and to Maxi’s mild surprise the old man let him, patting him on the back. “I don’t know if he grew two inches.” Emily’s eyes turned to her as she hurried over and threw her arms around Maxi’s legs, her chin rested on her thighs as she looked up into her mother’s face. “Mommy, how much did Sean grow?” Maxi’s hands gripped her daughter’s arms gently as she smiled down at her. “The doctor said he grew three and a half inches.” Emily’s jaw dropped open and her pretty eyes widened. “Three and a half? That’s a lot!” Maxi laughed softly, running a hand over her daughter’s head before looking up at Abraham whose eyes were fixed on her. She felt her stomach jolt quickly but her smile remained the same. “Happy Thanksgiving, Abraham.” He forced a smile for her, obviously big on the pleasantries today and he nodded gently. “And to you, Maxine.”[/b] Well, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad today. She could only hope it would stay so civil.

August came back with their drinks and she breathed an inward sigh of relief that he was back to break the tension a little. He handed her a drink and she didn’t care what he had mixed up as long as it eased her somewhat. “Thank you, honey.” Her voice was soft as was her smile and she brought the cocktail to her lips. It was sweet mixed with some juice but definitely strong enough to help her heart stop racing. Just what she needed…Gwen set Sean down and he made his way over to August, grabbing his pants leg and leaning against his father’s leg which made Maxi smile. Sean may have been a mama’s boy, but there was no denying he admired his father too and he did this from time to time when he wasn’t sure what to do but wanted to be close to someone. Usually it was Maxi’s leg he leaned against, but she was always glad to see him reaching out to his father too. Emily hardly seemed to notice and she looked up at her grandmother with big eyes. “Oh, Grandma, I forgot to tell you! I was in a Thanksgiving pageant for ballet! I was the Indian chief and I got to wear face paint and feathers and beads in my hair!” It had been the highlight of Emily’s life for the past three weeks that she got to be the Native American chief in the pageant and Maxi was surprised this hadn’t come up sooner. At least they would have something to talk about for the next several minutes as Emily gushed about her prowess on the stage.

[AUGUST WITT]

August tried to ignore the banter between Emily and his father as he went to mix drinks. He knew he was being sulky when really he out to be giving the man the benefit of the doubt. Then again, how many years had he done that before simply giving up? His father wasn't that bad, really. He just disapproved of every decision August had made in the last seven years or so. No big deal..

August came back over just in time to witness the pleasantries exchanged between his wife and father. Abraham didn't sound like he was mocking her, which pleased the man. He passed Maxine her drink and nodded as she thanked him. He took a sip of his own drink and then felt the familiar touch of his son at his legs. He peaked down and was met with wide, blue eyes. "Hello, Son." He greeted, a hint of playfulness in his tone. "Hi daddy." The boy squeaked back in his gruff, baby voice. August reached a hand down and ruffled Sean's hear, messing it up a little. Sean giggled and pushed his hand away playfully and August grinned gently at the tyke.

"Oh,Grandma, I forgot to tell you! I was in a Thanksgiving pageant for ballet! I was the Indian chief and I got to wear face paint and feathers and beads in my hair!” August looked to his mother who seemed pleased with this news. She had always been good with kids. Even when August was a boy he remembered his mother listening to him. She was firmer with August than she was with his kids, though. His father was the one August wanted to impress, and Abraham seemed unimpressed with the information Emily offered. He moved away from the group and got himself a drink. August didn't know what to say to the man these days. Once upon a time they would sit and have long winded conversations about politics and the current leadership and how they were either royally screwing things up or they were what the Gargoyle's had needed. Though they still shared this common interest, August didn't feel the desire to approach the topic anymore and Abraham didn't seem interested in it either. Even August's career had come to a standstill. He didn't want to go further than he had. It had never been his desire to make it to the top, though he knew it was what his father had always wanted of him, August had, in many ways, failed his father but it had taken them both until now to truly realize it and for August to come to terms with the fact that he could never please the man he had so desperately wanted to his entire life.

"I wish I could have seen!" Gwen gushed and shot a mildly dirty look in August's direction, and he was suddenly aware that he should have extended them an invitation. "It wasn't the recital." He said softly as though reading his mother's mind. Her lips pursed and she gave her attention back to Emily who was now going on and on about the ballet, and how Devin had tripped and nearly messed the whole thing up. August had the suspicion that his perfectionist daughter disliked Devin for her failure.

The family continued talking for a bit in the kitchen, Sean now in Augusts arms and pulling his sweater up a little so he could get a better look at the picture sewn into it, though his view was upside down. Suddenly the timer went off and August looked to the oven. "Oh, that will be the pie! Why don't we all go into the dining room and get settled in. Abe would you begin cutting the turkey?" She asked as she pulled the oven mitts on. August already knew his mother hadn't baked the pie, but had bought it from a bakery and thrown it in the oven to make it look like she had made it from scratch, baking it just long enough to get hot inside and need cooling. Did he think they weren't keen to her tricks? "Can I help, Grandma?" Emily asked as August brought Sean into the dining room. The old antique highchair from when he was a boy was already at the table and though Sean was getting big for it and preferred the booster seat, at Grandma's he knew he had to sit in the seat. "Of course you can, sweetheart. That would be wonderful. Here, would you bring the rolls to the table please?" "Okay!" Maxine followed August in carrying the potatoes just as he was finishing strapping Sean into the highchair. "Having fun yet?" He teased Maxine softly once she was close enough. Sean's eyes were up on them and he smiled big and nodded, "Yeah, but when can I play wif Tris?" August raised a brow and looked down at his son, realizing he thought the question had been directed at him. For once he was almost looking forward to seeing his in-laws. He needed a break.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi sipped her drink as Emily went on to talk about the Thanksgiving production she was a part of, smiling at how excited she was and by seeing Gwen’s apparent approval. “I wish I could have seen!”[/b] Gwen shot August a mildly dirty look and Maxi busied herself with another sip, looking at her husband with raised eyebrows. It was nice to not be the one getting dirty looks. “It wasn’t the recital.” The soft and slightly defensive way August said it made Maxi bite back a smile and she was glad Emily went on with her story. It gave Maxi an excuse to laugh at something else, chuckling softly as Emily berated her classmate for tripping on stage and nearly messing the whole thing up. Her daughter was as much of a perfectionist as her father tended to be and she couldn’t help but find it endearing. There were so many similarities between August and Emily and every time she was reminded of that, Maxi had to smile. As Emily continued to titter on about ballet, Maxi finished her drink and set her glass on the kitchen counter, taking August’s too once he was done so he could hike their son up into his arms. The boy began to inspect his sweater, trying to get a better look at the turkey knit into it when the buzzer went off, startling Maxi a little. “Oh, that will be the pie! Why don’t we all go into the dining room and get settled in. Abe would you begin cutting the turkey?”[/b] Maxi had been keen to Gwen’s trick when it came to pie for a few years now. She knew the woman just bought a pie and heated it up for a little while, but Maxi never said anything. It was just one of Gwen’s quirks. She’d seen the woman cook before, but apparently she just didn’t go to the trouble of making a pie from scratch like Maxi and Maureen did. “Can I help, Grandma?” “Of course you can, sweetheart. That would be wonderful. Here, would you bring the rolls to the table please?”[/b] It was sweet how much Emily adored her grandparents and how eager she was to help them out. Maxi often wondered if she would be the same with her own parents, a thought that left her with a bittersweet feeling in her stomach.

She grabbed the potatoes and Sean’s small practice silverware and small plate from the diaper bag and followed her husband into the dining room, leaving Emily to bounce around impatiently waiting for the basket of rolls. Sean was being good there in his father’s arms, his little hands gripping August’s shoulders gently and turning to look at the highchair Maxi knew he didn’t like. At least he wasn’t kicking and screaming this time and she was grateful he was behaving himself. August was strapping him in as Maxi placed the potatoes on the table. “Having fun yet?” Maxi looked at August and grinned, about to make a smart comment back when Sean piped up. “Yeah, but when can I play wif Tris?” Her deep blue eyes looked to her son and she giggled softly. “After dinner, sweetheart, as long as you stay good.” With that she moved behind her son and pressed her hands over his ears so he wouldn’t repeat her. “I’m having loads of fun. When can we go home?” she asked very softly with a big smile to indicate she was kidding…sort of. Her in-laws walked in a few seconds after she was done speaking, oblivious to her jape, and she leaned down to plant a kiss on top of Sean’s head and fix his hair before taking a seat. She sat between her son and her husband and Emily was perfectly content to sit next to her grandmother and diagonally from her grandfather at the end of the table just across from August. Maxi was as far as she could get from Abraham and happy to be so. It also made her much more comfortable that she was right next to Sean in case he started to freak out, which she hoped was unlikely.

“Mommy, are we going to say Grace like Uncle Drew and Auntie Maureen?” Emily’s question surprised Maxi and she looked across the table at her daughter with a mildly surprised expression. “I don’t think so, Emmie. That’s something special that they do.” She’d never thought to ask how August’s parents felt about religion, but she had a feeling they weren’t too keen on it. Either way, she wasn’t going to tempt fate by offending them. She half expected a disapproving remark from Abraham in regards to how much time they were spending around Blurrs, but then she remembered the man thought their children were inferior anyway and probably wouldn’t care very much. Maxi was expected to become second in command among the Blurrs within the next few years anyway, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if her children mostly associated with her kind. She had learned a long time ago that nothing she or her children could do would please the man. Patiently she watched as Abraham continued to carve the turkey precisely, hoping he wouldn’t have some negative comment on her cooking. To her it looked perfect and she felt very proud of her handiwork. “Turkey!” Sean gasped excitedly as Abraham chose his slice from the plate, making Maxi laugh softly. “Yes, I’ll get you some in a minute.” The boy grinned and took his little silverware in hand, obviously eager to chow down. As Abraham dished out a slice of turkey for Emily, she smiled wide at him and swung her legs under the chair excitedly. “Thank you, Grandpa!” At least they couldn’t say anything about her manners. Maxi had made sure her kids knew when to say please and thank you just so her in-laws wouldn’t say anything. Would they have anything to comment on tonight? Could it be that her kids would be perfect little angels for the rest of the evening?

[AUGUST WITT]

“After dinner, sweetheart, as long as you stay good.” Maxine said, amusement in her voice and August's gray eyes moved up to meet hers as she slid behind their son, putting her hands to his ears to keep him from hearing her true answer. “I’m having loads of fun. When can we go home?” She was smiling and he offered his own in return, though it was a little forced. August was looking forward to leaving, but he knew he had to get through this meal first, and dessert. His parents came in and August took his place at the table with a final glance at Maxine who joined him a moment later. August gave his daughter a firm but caring look as she chose her seat across from him, serving almost as a warning to continue her good behavior.

“Mommy, are we going to say Grace like Uncle Drew and Auntie Maureen?” Grace wasn't something his family really did. Religion had never been important to them, though they celebrated most of the big holidays. What surprised August the most about his daughters question was that she had never bothered to ask before. Maybe they were letting the kids spend too much time at his sister-in-laws. “I don’t think so, Emmie. That’s something special that they do.” August instinctively looked to his father who seemed to almost ignore the comment and August wasn't sure what his feelings on the subject were. Was he annoyed? Did he not care? Had he found it endearing at all? It was a tough call, one he didn't care all that much about in the end. His father simply continued to slice the turkey silently and that was good enough for August.

“Turkey!” Sean gasped excitedly as the food was being passed out. “Yes, I’ll get you some in a minute.” August sat quietly and patiently waiting for the turkey to be passed around to him, watching his father give some to his little girl. “Thank you, Grandpa!” Emily chirped and August gave a nod of approval. He could usually count on her to behave, despite what Maxine said. Maybe she acted up for her mother, but for him she was a saint. Well, maybe not a saint, but at least a good girl. August's father nodded and passed the food on. Everyone got some and August took a little stuffing and then cranberries before passing them on as well. "You know," August looked up at his mother as she began to speak. "I think grace sounds like a nice idea." August and Abraham offered identical looks of shock and apprehension. Grace at their table? "Emily would you like to lead us in grace?" The little girls eyes lit up and August felt mildly disturbed. They were definitely pushing their children on the in-laws too often and August would need to have the religion talk with Emily soon. Very soon.

"Yes!" Emily said, her chest openly swelling with pride. "Okay, everyone hold hands." She insisted and with a sigh August slid his hands into those of the family beside him. "Shut your eyes and bow your heads." August bit his tongue and did as his young daughter commanded. "You too, grandpa." August had to bite his cheek now to stop from grinning. Emily cleared her throat and then began her little prayer. "Dear Jesus, we thank you for each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends. For happy hearts and sunny weather; we thank you that we're all together. For this yummy feast we give our thanks to Thee, and pray that other families may be as blessed as we. Amen." "Amen." August said softly as did everyone else around the table. "That was beautiful, dear." August's heard his mother say and he could tell she was saying it to be polite. Though Emily beamed, August knew deep down how disgusted his parents were with the way their children were being raised, but they were kind enough to hold their tongues while at the table.

"Odd," Immediately August felt his stomach drop as his father opened his mouth and he second guessed his parents keeping their thoughts to themselves. "I didn't realize religion had become so important to you." He offered, and August looked up to find his fathers eyes on him. It began. "It's important to Maxine's sister and her family and the children spend time there. It's only natural that they would be curious about it." He offered in his defense. Abraham nodded, taking a bite of his supper. "Interesting you would choose for them to spend more time with Maxine's family than your own." August didn't need to look at Maxine to know she would be offended by the comment. His hand slid under the table and he placed it gently on her knee as he poked at his supper. "I don't think this is really the time or place to be discussing this." He said firmly, catching his fathers disapproving look. "Agreed. You did a wonderful job, Emily." Gwen suggested and August looked back to his supper, suddenly feeling less hungry. "Thank you." The girl squeaked, obviously feeling the tension in the room but staying quiet. Sean, on the other hand, could care less about the tension and grabbed a fistful of potatoes, giggling as he squished it in his fingers. "Icky!" He laughed, opening and closing his fist. Abraham cleared his throat. "Do they learn their table manners there as well?" The man asked condescendingly and August bit his tongue, knowing if he said anything it would all end well. Couldn't they have one nice meal together?

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi began to load up her plate as the food was passed around and made sure to get Sean his food and arrange it neatly on his plate, cutting the turkey into bite size pieces for him. When she passed his plate to him, he gave a soft, “Tanks!” She smiled and was spreading her napkin in her lap when Gwen’s voice caught her attention. “You know, I think Grace sounds like a nice idea.”[/b] The shocked looks offered by August and Abraham were echoed by Maxi as she looked across the table at her mother-in-law. Religion wasn’t big in either Witt household, but Maxi certainly wasn’t one to refuse. “Emily would you like to lead us in Grace?”[/b] The way Emily’s eyes lit up made Maxi smile at her warmly, though she was wondering if maybe Maureen and Drew might be pushing their religion on her daughter. It wasn’t that she minded necessarily, but Emily had been baptized in the Catholic Church, as had Sean, and if they were going to be any religion she would hope they would follow in their grandparents’ footsteps. Mostly what bothered her was the fact that if her children were going to be religious, she wanted it to be because of her faith and guidance, not their aunt’s. Perhaps she and Maureen would have to talk about this sometime in the future, but for now she would follow her daughter’s instruction to hold hands. Maxi took her husband’s hand and her son’s. “Shut your eyes and bow your heads.” It was hard for Maxi to keep the smile off her lips as she lowered her head and let her eyes sink closed. “You too, Grandpa.” Maxi tucked her lips into her mouth to hide her smile and laughed inwardly at Emily chastising her grandfather. Her little girl was so bossy, just like her father. “Dear Jesus, we thank you for each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends. For happy hearts and sunny weather; we thank you that we're all together. For this yummy feast we give our thanks to Thee, and pray that other families may be as blessed as we. Amen. “Amen,” Maxi said softly, her heart swelling with pride at how well her daughter had memorized the words and seemed to understand every one of them.

Looking around the table, it seemed she was the only one who really appreciated her daughter’s prayer. “That was beautiful, dear.”[/b] Even though her words were nice, Gwen was obviously only saying them to be kind—she hadn’t actually enjoyed it at all. Maxi lifted her fork, prepared to begin eating, which signaled to Sean that he was free to do so as well. “Odd. I didn’t realize religion had become so important to you.”[/b] The turkey in her throat seemed to stick as she glanced over to her husband and his father. “It’s important to Maxine’s sister and her family and the children spend time there. It’s only natural that they would be curious about it.” It was a solid explanation and Maxi hoped that would be the end of it though in her gut she knew it wasn’t, not from the slow nod Abraham gave. Maxi put some potatoes in her mouth to wash down the turkey caught in her throat. “Interesting you would choose for them to spend more time with Maxine’s family than your own.”[/b] Was he seriously questioning why that was? Maxi’s brows lowered over her eyes as she slowly lowered her fork and turned a warning look to Abraham. It appeared he didn’t notice. Just as she was going to speak her mind, August’s hand came to her knee under the table and she looked at him with a frown before she was eased. She had to remember these were his parents and she should just swallow her bitter resentment. “I don’t think this is really the time or place to be discussing this.” Maxi could just kiss her husband right now for diffusing the situation. There was a long pause before Gwen spoke up. “Agree. You did a wonderful job, Emily.”[/b] “Thank you.” Maxi’s eyes moved to her daughter and she hated that Abraham was causing this tension in front of her. Emily didn’t need to be witness to family feuds. She never wanted her daughter to know how Abraham felt about Maxi and August marriage or her very existence.

With the tension in the air, she forgot about Sean sitting on the other side of her, which meant she forgot to watch him. Consequently it didn’t take long for her to hear him giggling and when she looked over he had a fistful of mashed potatoes dribbling through his fingers and down his palm. She was mortified that her son should do that right at that very moment. “Icky!” Normally this would make Maxi bite back a laugh, but right now she could feel the color draining out of her cheeks. It was the last thing she needed: another reason for her in-laws to disapprove of her. Luckily there were paper napkins on a sideboard in the room and she stood to get some before she slid back into her seat beside her son. “Do they learn their table manners there as well?”[/b] Maxi froze once she had Sean’s arm between her fingers. It was the last straw. Abraham could insult her all he wanted, he could doubt her intelligence and her ability as a mother and he could verbalize his disapproval of her relationship with his son to his heart’s content, but he would not insult her family. Her eyes burned as she turned back to look at him, her pretty mouth set in a hard line. There was only one other time she had ever gone off on Abraham Witt. He called Emily an abomination within earshot of Maxi not long after she was born and he learned that day that Hell hath no fury like a mother whose child is scorned. It took over a year for them to start talking again. Abraham would learn today that her protective nature did not end with her children.

“No, obviously I’m to blame for my children’s behavior. They spend most of their time with me and I should be held responsible, not my sister or her husband. Evidently I’ve failed at teaching them propriety, as I understand that two-year-olds should have impeccable table manners.” Her voice, though quiet, was hard and heavy with sarcasm, very unlike her usual tone. She didn’t even notice any looks she was getting other than the one she was receiving from Abraham. His cold gray eyes bore into hers with warning, but she returned the look without faltering even as her heart pounded in her chest. As they glared at each other, she continued. “I would appreciate if your scorn were reserved for me and did not extend to my family, especially while we try to enjoy the holiday.” Maxi was well aware her main offense against the Witt family was not being a Gargoyle. It wouldn’t matter if she was a Blurr, a Therian, an Avisaille, a human, or even a mix of these—she would never be a Gargoyle and was therefore a disgrace to the Witt name. Even well on her way to the top of Blurr politics she couldn’t satisfy Abraham Witt or even Gwen. She would never be truly welcome there.

She finally caught her daughter’s eye and seeing how frozen she was and her stormy eyes wide with confusion and dismay, Maxi suddenly felt guilty. Her face slid into a bitter and sad mask as she turned back to her son and methodically wiped the potatoes from his fist. Even he could see that she was upset and his big eyes looked at her uncertainly, not used to seeing his mother upset. When his hand was clean, she picked up his fork and placed it in his hand, looking him in the eye and trying to be firm. “Don’t eat with your hands.” He nodded slowly before turning back to his food and dutifully picking it up with his fork and placing turkey in his mouth. She balled up the napkin and rose from the table, her face flushed with both anger and embarrassment for losing her temper. It felt like she was back in grade school being disciplined in front of the classroom and now as then her eyes stung with tears. But even more than the embarrassment was the anger—she was so frustrated that the only way she could release it was to let out the tears threatening at the back of her blue eyes. “Please excuse me while I throw this away.” Her voice was back to being soft and she swiftly left the room to go into the kitchen to swallow back her tears long before they fell. The last thing she wanted was for any of them to see her cry.

[AUGUST WITT]

August looked ta his wife as her eyes bored into his fathers. The man turned his head slightly and watched as his father did the same. She was going to say something. August already felt the tension in the room increase and it was as though the air got a little thicker and heavier. A dark, storming cloud was settling over the dinner table and August wasn't sure who he would be more upset with in the end; his father or his wife.

“No, obviously I’m to blame for my children’s behavior. They spend most of their time with me and I should be held responsible, not my sister or her husband. Evidently I’ve failed at teaching them propriety, as I understand that two-year-olds should have impeccable table manners.” Though Maxine had a strong point, her voice was heavy with sarcasm and he knew it wouldn't go over well with his parents. August sighed as his beautiful wife continued, likely making things worse than they already were. “I would appreciate if your scorn were reserved for me and did not extend to my family, especially while we try to enjoy the holiday.” August turned his head slightly to look at Maxine, unsure if he should try and defuse the situation. Honestly he couldn't think of anything to say. He disagreed with his father and he understand where his wife was coming from, though he wished she had held her tongue until they had gotten back home for the evening. He couldn't fault her for what she said though, or how she was feeling. He might have said something similar if he wasn't so concerned with keeping his parents snide comments to themselves. Instead of doing anything August glowered at his parents, his father in particular. Gwen looked like a mixture between shocked, embarrassed and annoyed. Was she angry with Maxine or her husband? It was hard to tell. Abraham was clearly disgusted with the outburst but for the moment seemed lost for words. August turned back as Maxine scolded Sean for eating with his hands, and he knew better than to remind her she shouldn't allow the kids to do that at home if she didn't want them to do it outside of the home as well. Sean was too little to really understand the difference, and it wasn't an issue at home.

Maxine stood suddenly and August saw that hurt, angry look on her face and knew tears were close. He'd seen her get to this point over the last few years, even at his own hands, and knew she was about to cry and the last thing she would want would be to let her in-laws see. “Please excuse me while I throw this away.” She said almost meekly and August sighed, finally dropping his fork which clattered gently on the china. August looked over at Emily who seemed distraught, knowing her mother was upset. He could see the confusion in her eyes and the way her body seemed almost tense, like she was about to flee. She was thinking about leaving the table, following her mother, and August could tell by the longing look in those storming gray eyes that mirrored his own.

"Emily, please go see if your mother needs help." He commanded softly and her eyes met his. The child looked to her grandparents and then slid nervously from her chair, obviously still torn. "I don't think it takes two people to throw garbage away." Abraham all but growled. "We're trying to enjoy our Thanksgiving supper and we hardly get to see the children as it is." August felt almost certain his father could care less about the children, and the comment was more for his mothers sake, but Emily surely didn't know what to do, standing frozen at the table with wide eyes. "I don't think I was asking your permission." August snapped back and received a death glare in return. "Emily, please go check on your mother." He said again a little more firmly, his eyes set on his father. The little girl scampered away to the kitchen without looking back, and Sean was beginning to wiggle in his seat, the tension all too apparent to him now.

"I think we've lost our appetites." August said, standing up now and placing his napkin on his plate. "August, don't do this!" Gwen snapped though her tone was pleading. "Sit down, let's just finish our supper." The scowl on Abraham's face suggested he felt differently. "Why, so dad can pick apart every little thing our children do wrong? Are you enjoying this mother? Because it's evident that no one else is. If I wanted to be viewed under a microscope I'd go to a laboratory, not my parents home for supper." He offered, not one to stand up to his parents too often but he'd had enough and it was clear Maxine had as well. The children had been on their best behavior and so had Maxine, at least until her little outburst, but it was a well deserved outburst. He moved to the highchair and pulled the tray off, scooping Sean up who seemed grateful to be in someone's arms. "August, sit down. You're upsetting your mother." The look offered to August was one that would have frightened him into behaving as a boy. August had seldom crossed his father, knowing full well what the man was capable of doing. Plus he liked his fathers approval, but he didn't fear the man anymore and in the past five years he had slowly stopped caring about the man's approval as it became increasingly more evident that there was little he could do to obtain it, especially now. "Perhaps you should have considered mom's feelings when you upset my wife." He defended. "Emily, go get your brothers coat for me, please." He called out louder so the girl could hear him. Surely the Solomon's had made enough for four more mouths.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

As Maxi walked out of the room, she could hear August sighed and drop his fork which made her wonder if he was more upset with her or with his father. He had a right to be upset with her, she decided. Yes, his father had insulted her and her family, but she was used to it and should have held her tongue. Was she a little indignant that August would be upset with her? Of course! But by the same token, they were his parents and therefore part of her family too. She would certainly be scolded for it, but she had a feeling it wouldn’t be as harsh as it could be. Her husband would most likely be irritated with his father too. That was comforting as she leaned against the counter and let out a deep, shaky breath, her eyes misting as she just let her gloom pass through her. Why couldn’t his parents just accept her? Nothing was going to change. She loved August with every inch of her body, heart and mind and yet that wasn’t enough for them. Even Gwen sided with her husband and refused to accept her marriage to August. They had two beautiful and brilliant children, both of them were successful politicians and Maxi was a good mother and wife. What did she have to do to gain their respect? And it was all because she was born a Blurr and not a Gargoyle. She felt so hopeless in that moment as she had several times in the past ten years and it made her wonder why she still tried so hard. A tear slipped down her cheek and she sniffled as she wiped it away.

“Mommy, are you crying?” The soft voice of her daughter surprised her and she looked over with wide blue eyes. Emily was so little and sweet, her stormy eyes fixed on her mother worriedly. Just her concern and her presence filled Maxi’s heart to brimming and there were tears swimming in her eyes again as she forced a smile. “Yeah…” she answered softly, looking down at her hands. The skittering of little feet caught her ear until Emily was clinging to her legs and gazing up at her with those beautiful eyes. “Is it because Grandpa hurt your feelings?” She and her daughter didn’t always see eye to eye, but Maxi was glad that didn’t stop her from reaching out to her. There was very little more comforting than those little arms around her. Gently she took her daughter’s skinny arms in her hands and ran her fingers along the length of them as if to warm her up. Words caught in her throat but she nodded, swallowing back more tears. She didn’t want to tell her daughter exactly why her father’s parents hated her; that wasn’t something a five-year-old needed to know. Emily was smart enough to know when something was up, though, and she tightened her grip around her mother’s legs and pressed her soft little cheek to her thighs. “Don’t cry, Mommy. I like going to Auntie Maureen’s and Uncle Drew’s house. I love you no matter what Grandpa says. Daddy and Sean do too.” Maxi had to hold back her sobs as she ran her hand over her daughter’s hair. She swallowed hard and then brought her smile back to her face, kneeling down to be eye level with her daughter. Her hands brushed away her tears before she ran her fingers through her daughter’s flaming red hair. “Thank you, Sweetie. That makes me feel a thousand times better. Even with Grandpa being grumpy.” Emily giggled a little and so did Maxi, beginning to let her emotions subside. She could get through dinner if she had to because in the end, she had the better end of the deal. Maxi had a wonderful husband and two wonderful children and a wonderful family she would be visiting when she left here. All Abraham had was his mean spirit and intolerance to comfort him. The Blurr pulled her daughter in for a tight embrace and she buried her face in the lovely red locks as she did so. “I love you so much,” she sighed softly. Emily’s little arms squeezed around her neck in return, her little face pressed against Maxi’s hair. “I love you too, Mommy.” Maxi smiled gently and then stood to go back into the room, warmed to her bones by the big grin her daughter gave her.

Just then there was a commotion in the dining room and Maxi lifted her eyes to the doorway with concern and curiosity. “August, don’t do this! Sit down, let’s just finish our supper.”[/i] “Why, so Dad can pick apart every little thing our children do wrong? Are you enjoying this Mother? Because it's evident that no one else is. If I wanted to be viewed under a microscope I'd go to a laboratory, not my parents’ home for supper." Maxi’s heart was beginning to race as she stared intently at the door, pulling Emily close to her as she felt the girl flinching back. August was defending her… “August, sit down. You’re upsetting your mother.”[/i] "Perhaps you should have considered mom's feelings when you upset my wife." Maxi gulped but she felt so much love for her husband in that moment that she could have raced in and kissed him right in front of his parents. He was defending her against his father, a rare moment indeed, and she felt vindicated and protected. “Emily, go get your brother’s coat for me, please.” Maxi looked down at her daughter as the little girl’s eyes lifted to hers. She smiled wide and nodded her head as she let her go and Emily raced off to get her brother’s coat. In the meantime she followed her and scooped up the diaper bag before moving to the foyer to get her own coat. By the time she had slipped it over her shoulders and collected Sean’s things, August had appeared in the foyer too. Sean was buttoned up in his coat and Maxi took her son from her husband as he put his coat on and helped Emily with hers. Gwen was protesting but there was no sign of Abraham. The old man would sit and stew in his anger for a good long while, Maxi was certain of it, but God forbid he should apologize. Gwen threw her a dirty look before they walked out the door, tears glistening in her icy eyes, but Maxi only gave an apologetic look in return.

The small Witt family shuffled from the house and to their car, the children obedient as they were buckled into their car seats. But once the doors were shut and before they climbed into the car, Maxi hurried to her husband and threw her arms about his neck in a big hug of gratitude. She knew he was upset, but she wanted him to know his rebellion hadn’t been for naught. “I love you, August.” Her voice was soft as she spoke into his neck, but it was loud enough for him to hear. Before she pulled away completely, she pulled him in for a sweet kiss, her hand rested on his jaw. She could never love anyone like she loved her husband. When they separated, she gave him an almost timid smile and hoped he wouldn’t scold her too harshly.