I know everyone has been waiting a long time for this chapter, but it is finally here. This chapter I put a lot into and really enjoyed the final product. As always I appreciate any constructive criticism and feedback. As always thank you TIgersman for editing my work to make it look better and not such a mess.
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Scott sat anxiously on the couch at his grandpa's house. He was sitting next to his grandpa as he, his uncle Jayce, and dad watched the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game. He didn't care much for sports at all, but he would rather watch football with his family to somewhat distract himself.
"My god!" Scott's grandpa exclaimed. "Can't they stop the fucking run!"
"Typical SOL," uncle Jayce said shaking his head. Scott learned a long time ago SOL stood for same old Lions as they always seemed to find a way to suck and lose games in ways one couldn't imagine. All the frustration shown by his uncle and grandpa made him glad he didn't watch.
Scott didn't know how much longer he could handle watching the game when the doorbell rang. He immediately jumped up and said that he would get it. A few seconds later he was at the front door and opened with Katie and her mom standing there, each with a food dish in their hands.
"Happy Thanksgiving!" Scott greeted.
"Happy Thanksgiving!" Katie and Jillian greeted back in unison.
Scott guided them into his grandpa's house and into the kitchen where Jackie, Sarah, Andrea, and Scott's older cousin Shannon greeted them, although Andrea and Shannon gave them a less friendly greeting. When the rest of the family had heard that Scott and Katie were dating they were very skeptical of Katie's motives. Even after Jackie and Keith had told everyone that they had forgiven her and she was no longer the young woman who loved to bully Scott, they didn't want to believe it. They didn't think she would change so easily.
Katie was nervous meeting the rest of Scott's family. She had a feeling she would not receive a very welcome reception. Still she decided to go through with it because the other option was Thanksgiving back at her house with only her and her mom, something they had done the past few years.
"Where would you like us to put the pies?" Jillian asked raising the bowl.
"We have room in fridge," Jackie said. "I'll open it for you so you can put it on the bottom shelf." Jackie opened the refrigerator for Jillian and she and Katie placed the pies in it. "I'm really glad you two could come."
"Thank you," Jillian replied, "although I get the feeling only you, Keith, and Scott are actually happy we could join," she said loud enough so that only Jackie could hear.
"Hopefully after today they will come around to you and Katie. Bringing some pies definitely helped."
Meanwhile Scott and Katie went into the basement to be alone and also let Scott inform Katie of the situation. Once they sat on the couch, he began to tell her everything.
"So pretty much it is what I thought it would be and warned you about. Everyone is still questioning your intentions with me and my cousin even pulled me aside asking me if I knew what I was getting myself into."
Katie sighed understanding the situation, but smiled at her boyfriend. "I had a feeling this would happen, but I'm willing to suffer and try to change their minds."
"That might take a miracle."
"Well some would say us actually being in a relationship is a miracle," Katie said with a smile. That made Scott chuckle.
"Yeah, some would say that," Scott agreed, "but think the rest of my family giving you a chance might be more like an act of god."
Now it was Katie's turn to chuckle. "Well, we can either hide down here until dinner or we can go back upstairs and you can help me face your family."
"Let's go upstairs," Scott said without even really thinking about it. "We might as well face all the questions sooner than later."
Katie nodded in agreement and together they went back upstairs. They decided to hang out in the family room and watch the football game with Scott's dad, uncle, and grandpa. Scott's uncle Jayce left the couch and sat in another chair so that Scott and Katie could sit next to each other with his grandpa. The Detroit Lions looked like they could actually beat the Green Bay Packers, but the quarterback threw an interception and the Packers player ran the ball back to the other side of the field for a touchdown.
"Unbelievable," Jayce said throwing his hands up in disgust.
"Be glad you haven't been watching them for as long as I have," said Scott's grandpa.
Jayce shook his head and smiled. "Yeah, you've seen catch rule screw you against the Bears and watched the refs pick up the flag on the most obvious pass interference against the Cowboys to name a few."
"That and watching the disaster known as Matt Patricia as our head coach and before that Matt Milan as the general manager," Scott's grandpa added.
"Thank god I was a child during the Milan era," Jayce said. "That is something I don't want to remember."
Everyone continued to watch the game hoping that the Lions would pull something off, but it just seemed like they were trying to lose. Katie was getting bored watching and was thankful when Jackie asked her if she wanted to help set up the table. She more than happily accepted, and Scott didn't blame her. In fact, he wished he could have helped, but knew he would stay with his grandpa. With the recent passing of his grandma, it made him realize that he might not have a lot of time left with his grandpa so it might be better to spent as much time with him as he could.
During a TV timeout his grandpa poked him. When Scott looked at him he motioned for him to sit closer to him. When Scott did his grandpa started talking to him. "You didn't tell me your girlfriend was so beautiful."
Scott wasn't sure exactly how to respond to that. "Well, I didn't know what you would think of her actually."
"You mean because she used to pick on you?" his grandpa asked with a smile. Scott nodded his head. "You're a smart kid Scott. I know you wouldn't have started dating her unless you two were able to make peace and you actually forgave her."
"I'm trying to forgive her," Scott admitted, "and in a lot of ways I have. I mean...there are some days I worry that this is all an act by her."
His grandpa shook head. "Even knowing who her mother is and what she put your dad through, I can tell you nothing about what she is doing is an act. She has chosen to come to the lion's den. If anything, I think she truly cares for you."
"You really think so?"
His grandpa nodded his head. "I really think so."
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"So do we need to even ask who won?" Jackie mockingly asked the guys as they sat down at the table.
"The team not from Detroit," Keith answered just getting it out of the way.
"Maybe they'll win next year for you guys," Scott's aunt Andrea commented.
"Only if the team can actually get their act together," Scott's grandpa said, "which I don't see happening in my lifetime."
"But now we get to enjoy some delicious food," Jackie said.
"That we do," Scott's grandpa said smiling, "especially with so many gorgeous cooks making the food for everyone."
"Always one to charm the ladies," Andrea commented.
"How do you think I was able to convince your mother to marry me?" Scott's grandpa said. Once everyone was seated, he had everyone hold hands with the person they were sitting next to. This was easy for Katie as she was sitting between Scott and Jackie. Jillian on the other hand was sitting between Keith and Andrea. Andrea was more than apprehensive to be sitting next to Jillian, but with the way people sat down she didn't have much choice. Once grandpa said grace everyone let go of each other's hands and started passing dishes around. Once everyone got their food they began to eat, making idle chit chat with each other.
Everyone seemed to be getting along well, that is until Andrea decided to actually do more than just have small talk with Jillian.
"So Jillian," Andrea began, "how much do you have to travel for your job?"
"More than I'd like," Jillian admitted. "I'm hoping to cut down on the travelling sooner than later. It sucks not being able to spend time with my daughter."
"It must be really hard for Katie, you know, having a mother that is hardly there and a father that left her when she needed one most."
"Yes, it has been hard for Katie, but she has found a way to be strong."
"She has found a way," Andrea said with an insincere smile, "while bullying Scott," she continued under her breath.
Jillian knew she was being baited and expected this to happen. "So I've heard that your daughter goes to Michigan State University. What is she studying?"
"She is pre-med right now and hoping to be enrolled in their medical school in two years."
"You must be very proud of her."
Andrea nodded, "More proud of my daughter than you should be."
"That's enough Andrea," Scott's grandpa said sternly.
"What did I do?" Andrea asked, not understanding why she was being called out.
"You will be nice to Jillian or you will get no dessert."
"I'm not a child Dad," she defended.
"Funny, I thought only children made childish jabs at people they don't like. I guess maybe the way you're acting is more like a toddler instead." All heads turned to Scott's grandpa, shocked at what he just said. "So, anyone else have something they want to say to Katie or Jillian? Mind you it wasn't Keith, Jackie, or Scott that invited them to dinner here. It was me who told Keith invite them over."
Andrea was too furious to answer her father, but her daughter was ready with a response.
