Sage

"Richard's famous pumpkin pie, don't mind if I do—"

Richard slaps Hudson's hand with a large wooden spoon. "I wouldn't tempt fate son."

I laugh, the two of them were always a comedy act for as long as I've known them. Tonight was especially humorous because Richard was not only preparing the dinner this Christmas Eve like a drill sergeant but he was wearing an ruffled apron that Scarlett supposedly bought for him last year. I'm not sure if it was intended to be a gift or not but either way it was quite the sight.

Dawn was in the Living Room with Scarlett, Hamilton and Heather. I'm not sure what that group would talk about but I haven't seen one awkward silence among them.

"Sage, dear, I'd appreciate if you'd remove this twit from my presence." Richard requests, as he returns to the stove and sauté's some vegetables. 

I nod my head, grabbing Hudson by the arm and pulling him out of the kitchen.

Hudson hesitates. "Wait I've got to taste test everything before it goes out, make sure it's safe for my pregnant fiancé."

"And the fact that your pregnant fiancés father is cooking it isn't enough?" Richard scoffs. "After this conversation the only one in danger of a splash of rat poison is you, son."

Hudson's jaw drops. "Richard, me, I understand Greyson and Hamilton but me? I'm your favorite."

"Sage, would you mind?" He turns back around.

I began to pull Hudson out and into the Living Room where everyone else was. Richards house was huge and I almost got confused on where to go when I first got here. It's been so long that Scarlett had to remind me about the locations of all the important rooms. 

We arrive with the rest of everyone else and are welcomed by an already drunk Hamilton. Over the years he lost an incredible amount of weight and Heather no longer looked like she was suffering being in his presence. In fact she was also a little tipsy next to him, laughing and smiling.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "You tried to taste test the pumpkin pie didn't you?"

"Woah, baby, I can't be at fault here." Hudson sits down next to her. "Have you tried it?"

She frowned. "He's my father, what do you think?"

"He was an absent father for most of your childhood if I'm correct." Hudson tells her.

"Only towards me." Suddenly I am kissed on the cheek.

With a gust of cold air with him, Greyson enters the room holding a few bags in his hands. Next to him my Dad and Gideon. I was surprised that Gideon pushed aside his hatred towards this family but I figure it was because my Dad was holding his mac and cheese and anyone would be an idiot to pass the chance to have some.

"Hello everyone, I'm just going to help Richard out." Dad smiles, then glances at me. "I don't know how you didn't get lost in this place Sage, its ginormous."

I giggled. "Trust me, Scarlett had to help me."

While my Dad and Greyson head to the kitchen, Gideon seats himself in the corner of the room. Clearly not trying to socialize with anyone in here.

"Hey! You!" Hamilton shouts at Gideon. "Stop being a weirdo and come take a shot with me and my beautiful wife!"

Gideon raises his eyebrows. "What?"

"You heard me, we don't hide from each other, we have fun in this group." Hamilton laughs, wrapping his arm around Heather. "I know what it's like to feel unwelcomed in this family. Shit I didn't even get invited to the last two Christmases."

Hudson scoffs. "That's because you would be to busy to pick up the fucking phone for us to invite you."

"Sage, is this normal?" Gideon asks.

I shrug. "As normal as it gets, I'd join him now before it gets worse."

Gideon does as I said and joins up with them, I watch as Hamilton pours shots all around even Hudson joins in. Scarlett just watched but she looked as if she was enjoying it instead of distancing herself from the pack. 

Greyson returns to the room and rubs his hand, I chuckle. "You tried to sample the pie too?"

"It's famous for a reason Sage." Greyson smiles slowly.

Hudson throws his arms up. "Thank you!"

Dinner was served, the food spread around the entire table like a buffet. All made by two men who I didn't think would ever share a kitchen in my entire life.

Everyone sat together and excitedly stared at the food, Richard and my dad basked in it. Clearly proud of what they made tonight.

"Listen children," Richard stands at the end of the table. "I've got something to say before we feast."

All of us quieted down and looked at the man still wearing his ruffled apron, Greyson grabs my hand underneath the table and wrapped his arm around Scarlett on his other side. I smiled at the small squeeze he gives me.

"It's been years since a family feast has been so, lively." Richard glances at me and smiles. "Not since you called my son a fat cartoon character."

Hamilton chuckles. "That was definitely one for the books."

"Hush, I am speaking you drunken twit." Richard glares at his son, then composes himself. "I am glad you all came tonight because I have to say it's hard to be the star when there's no one around to watch you shine."

Scarlett giggles.

Everyone else rolled their eyes with a smile on their face.

"Thank you Scarlett, that's why you're the favorite of the family." Richard shakes his head. "But putting that aside I am grateful for everything that happened for us to end up here. I didn't think there would ever be a world that I wouldn't want to disown all of my children at once, but you've all made this old man proud. Especially to Hamilton who for once isn't the most annoying creature of them all."

Hamilton's jaw drops. "I was your favorite!"

"Woah, relax there, I am." Hudson reminds everyone yet again. "Tell them Richard, they still haven't figured it out yet."

"Hudson you've got to stop telling my children that," Richard grins slyly. "they'll get jealous once they figure out it's true."

Hudson nods his head in approval. "Fair enough Rich."

"Can we eat now?" Scarlett joins in, placing her hand over her stomach. "I'm hungry."

Richard clears his throat. "Of course, my love, dig in everyone!"

Without another word everyone grabbed their plates and filled them with an assortment of foods that the two men cooked. I didn't even have to know what half of these things were to know this would be delicious.

All around you could feel the love and craziness of this family, I don't think I've ever celebrated the holidays like this. And after knowing that it probably won't be the last time I am delighted with the knowledge to move forward.

My apprehension about taking the next step with Greyson finally dissolved and I made the decision to get over all of the past obstacles. It'll be hard but I know in my gut that this family wouldn't let anything happen to my heart like before.

Because for as long as Richard is alive he'll be the first one to tear a new one on his children.

After dinner Greyson brought me up to the balcony of his old bedroom to relax a little while everyone else continued to drink and enjoy dessert. Scarlett took an early night cap and fell asleep in one of the guest bedrooms, which mean as far as Greyson's concerned daddy duty is officially done for now.

Greyson swigs his beer, staring at the hundreds of acres in front of us that his Father owned. It fascinates me that he grew up in a place like this where you're so far from humanity, as if they were in their own island.

"I've got to say the highlight of this night was my fathers apron and how he forgot he was wearing it and went through the entire dinner in it." Greyson laughs.

I chuckle. "Yeah I've got to say it oddly suited him."

"I know, right?" Greyson grins.

I lean into him and he wraps his arm around me. "On nights like this I can't imagine why so much drama enters your lives, you're all such great people."

"Perks of being wealthy, no matter what we do we'll be dragged into something ridiculous." Greyson kisses the top of my head. "Though I'm sure once this bachelor finally weds the love of his life things will calm down."

I grin and softly smack his chest. "Smooth, we've got plenty of time before that."

"No rush, if you're willing to put up with an entire night of my drunk brother and self-centered father then there's no way you don't intend on being with me through all of that bullshit." Greyson looks ahead towards the city. "I'll never take this for granted, Sage. I hope you know I'm serious about you and wouldn't jeopardize losing you ever again to something that could be prevented."

I cuddle more into him. "I know."

"Good." He kisses the top of my head. "I love you."

Looking up at him, I stand of the tip of my toes and kiss his cheek. "I love you too."

"It's like watching a chick-flick, Greyson, jeez." Hudson chuckles behind us.

Both of us whip around to see a group of people standing at the doorway, all of them smiling smugly to themselves. Even Hamilton managed to not only stay still but completely quiet, but as soon as we saw him he burst into laughter. Scarlett found her way through the crowd, rubbing her eyes sluggishly.

Richard shook his head. "Self-centered?"

"He's not wrong." Hudson chimes in.

Richard sends a side-eye towards him. "You are far too comfortable here to be bullying a man of my status."

"Relax, Rich, it's out of love." Hudson backs away, escaping Richards building annoyance.

Greyson sighs. "Privacy would be nice."

"There is no privacy in this home, son." Richard crosses his arms. "We actually came here because it's officially Christmas and I wanted us all to be together as I open my gifts."

Dawn rubbed her stomach, shaking her head. "Father, you're too old for them."

"Excuse me." Richard spins around. "Are you telling me the children I created didn't bother to get their father a gift on his favorite holiday?"

Hudson slides back into the conversation. "I did, Rich, I'm not ungrateful like the rest of your children."

"You have officially returned to being liked on my list Hudson," Richard pats his back. "unlike these fools."

Greyson and I looked at each other, then immediately began to laugh. Truly the patriarch of this family wasn't the average one. But at least we know no matter what he'll always crack a smile out of everyone.

Scarlett gazed sleepily around. "Presents?"

"Oh dear, how could I forget there's a child among us, please Scarlett accompany me as we open our gifts." Richard grabs her hand. "Come along everyone, we can drink that store bought eggnog my idiot of a son brought in."

Everyone followed after Richard, Greyson and I held hands as we watched the lively family speak amongst themselves.

Once we reached into the Living Room I stared in awe at the large lit up tree, it's amazing what money can buy you when you're this wealthy. It was as if I were at the Rockefeller center, staring at that tree people all over the world come to visit every year.

There were hundreds of gifts surrounding it and I felt insecure for only bringing so little, but with a budget like mine and a large family like theirs it was the best I could do.

Scarlett instantly wakes up and becomes fascinated, her eyes twinkled with excitement. At least she's not old enough to think Christmas is for babies and can be happy about it.

Richard starts handing out gifts to everyone, making a small pile next to each of us. Scarlett and Dawn seemed to have the most out of us all. Richard didn't seem happy about that but it made the most sense, given Dawn is with child and Scarlett is one.

"Sage why don't you open yours first." Hudson suggests. "You are the guest of honor after all."

I wave my hands in dismissal. "No, please, I'd rather someone else start."

"Fair enough," Richard doesn't hesitate to rip apart his gift. "which one of you bought me a mirror?"

Hudson grins. "What better gift than looking at yourself?"

"Son." Richard smiles. "You know me so well."

As all of us erupt into laughter, Greyson stands up. "I'm going to bring in some of those Christmas cookies for Scarlett, she loves them."

"Okay." I say.

We continued on to Dawn and of course her first gift was a series of expensive baby clothing, she wasn't surprised but extremely happy. Apparently Richard went into an actual store for babies and shopped around, the thought amused us all.

Hudson opened next and was welcomed to a matching set, one for adults and one for child. It was colored blue and he lit up in excitement. "I'm having a boy! Honey, we're having a boy, where's Greyson!? Greyson we're having a boy!"

Dawn smiled happily as Hudson gave her a big hug.

Hamilton handed Heather a gift and she opened it to find a beautiful diamond necklace in it. He explained that she's been eyeballing it everytime they've visited France when they passed this popular jewelry shop.

After Heather put it on, she hands Hamilton a gift, he drunkenly opens it to find a box set of Back to the Barnyard inside. The sight itself brought me back years ago and I started to laugh really loud. I didn't know Heather was a gag gift kind've girl, Hamilton stared in confusion at first then examined the front to see the boy I compared him too before.

Hamilton chuckles then works his way into full on laughter. "Well played!"

Gideon and my dad exchanged gifts amongst themselves too, they had been quiet for most of the night and was anxious once they were the center of attention. They opened the gifts I had gotten them. My dad beamed with joy to find a new baking set, he's been meaning to venture into the world of baking and hasn't yet mastered it. He's been begging for a set like this so he could truly immerse himself.

I watched as Gideon unwrapped his and found a stack of original Mad Libs books, he smiled in appreciation. When we were younger he used to always do these and make the most craziest situations with everyone. It was one of the things that comforted him when mom left us and when I saw it I had to get him a stack of them.

Scarlett didn't wait a second more after he finished and ripped apart her gift. All us watched as she froze and stared inside the box. Suddenly, I watch the excited girl begin to cry her tears out, I looked as she pulled out a paper that says 'From, Mom' and carefully put it aside.

She pulled out a vintage Olympic Barbie doll, it looks to have been made way before the 2000's.

"My grandmother bought it for her when she was a child, my mother used to love to figure skate and her dream was to be an Olympic Medalist." Scarlett caressed the box. "It was one of her treasured items, one of the few things that got her to smile whenever she was angry or sad."

I watched as Scarlett rubbed her eyes, trying her best to quickly compose herself. It's strange when you learn more about Bianca and wonder what kind've person she truly was. Scarlett holds no resentment towards her and there clearly was a reason for that aside from being her mother.

To find out there's layers only made me sad that I only saw the side everyone hated.

Scarlett takes a deep breath and places the doll carefully inside the box, then conjures her best smile towards me. "Your turn."

Wondering where Greyson was I hesitated to take a gift and open it without him.

"Oh no dear, you can't open those, not before the one behind you." Richard demands.

Behind me?

I turn around and watch as Greyson is on one knee, with a large smile. In his hand was a familiar ring I've been more than well acquainted with. One's that showed the phases of the moon, which he had correlated with his heart.

"Greyson." I breathed, my nose starting to burn.

Greyson smiled. "I know you want to take things slow, and I'm willing to wait an eternity to be with you. But why wait? Why waste anymore time not enjoying these things together? Why go home to separate places and miss a second without seeing the other? Sage Slade, I've asked you this before but this time there won't be anything to stop it from happening, will you marry me?"

"You idiot." I started to cry, completely shocked he would do something like this.

Scarlett nudged me and whispered. "Say yes, already. He's been down there since Uncle Hamilton's gift."

"No pressure, but the quicker you say yes, the quicker I open more gifts." Richard gives me a warm smile.

I looked towards Gideon and my dad, both of them sent expressions of approval.

So I turned to Greyson. "I told you I didn't want to rush this."

"Shut up, I'm not rushing it, you were always going to be my wife one day." He grinned. "I'd rather get to the honeymoon sooner than later though."

I took a deep breath and smiled. "Yes, yes I'll marry you—"

Greyson hoists me up out of my chair and spins me around, his smile large and bright. "Fucking shit, Sage, I almost worried you'd say no!"

"Children!" Dawn yells.

Greyson continues to hold me tight. "Nothing she hasn't heard before!"

"It's true I've heard much worse." Scarlett comments.

The entire family continued with the festivities and I happily joined in as a soon to be member of the Blackstone family.