November 25 - 26, 2020
Jordan, Dana, and Mabel were all visiting for Thanksgiving and would be staying at the manor for about a week and a half, although Edward was certain Mabel would be staying even longer than that. They were going to be doing Christmas early next week with Jordan and Dana, as they were planning a vacation out to the Caribbean this year. Gabriel had been, once again, very kind and let them have their own rooms to sleep in.
Last Thanksgiving was also held at Edward's house, only it was much more unpleasant. Edward was hoping that this year would be better.
"Welcome, welcome!" Edward said as his brother and sister in law exited their vehicles and made their way to the doors.
"Oh my god, it's so amazing!" Dana said.
Edward took some of the presents out of Jordan's hand and helped take them to the Christmas tree that stood tall and wide in the center of the entry hall. Edward had gone out with Gabriel to a place a little bit down the hallway and hacked the beast of a tree down and hauled it back to the manor. They needed a eight foot tall ladder just to get the star on it but, in all of the years Edward had set up a Christmas tree, this one was by far the most magnificent.
"Wow..." Jordan said. "You guys really went all out for Christmas this year."
Edward followed his gaze to the numerous amounts of lights decorating windows, hallways, door frames, and even the ceiling. Gabriel said that instead of fixing the place up, they would focus more on decorating it. Apparently, Gabriel had loved Christmas just as much as the Porters.
"We wouldn't have been able to if it wasn't for our gracious host." Edward said.
Gabriel had entered the room with his usual bright and wide smile.
"Ahh, you must be Jordan and Dana!" Gabriel said cheerfully. "Edward, here, had told me so much about you!"
Jordan dropped the suitcase and duffel bag in his hands and extended his hand out to Gabriel. "Likewise," Jordan said. "All I've heard is good things."
"I'd certainly hope so, less I give Edward some overtime." They all laughed, before quieting down to an awkward silence.
"Listen, I've got to head out and do a few things. I trust Edward and Sarah will show you around and help get you accommodated?"
"We certainly will," Edward replied.
"Excellent!" Gabriel said. "Well then, I will see all of you very soon. I hope you enjoy the place."
Edward and his family watched as Gabriel exited the manor. "Well then, let me help you with your bags and we will show you where you will be staying."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lillian sat on her bed, listening to her dad and mother chat with Jordan and Dana. She didn't hear Aunt Mabel, so she assumed that she hadn't yet arrived. However, she wasn't focused on them. She was focused on Tabitha, who was sitting right across from her with a wooden duck in her hand.
"Have to told them yet?" Tabitha asked.
"No."
Tabitha looked at her with concern. "Lillian, you need to tell your parents before the snow comes. They..." Tabitha was trembling. "Bad things are going to happen if you don't leave."
"My mommy and daddy like it here though," Lillian replied.
"But it's bad here!" Tabitha yelled. "They will hurt you and your family if you don't leave. I've seen them do it before and they're going to do it again."
"To Mr. Matthews?" Lillian asked.
"Yes. They twisted his mind and made him do bad things."57Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbRlUOqqmh
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"I heard he dug holes in the house, he didn't do anything bad."
Tabitha's face went white. "No..." She said. "Not that Mr. Matthews..."
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Everyone gathered around the dining room table. They didn't need to extend it or add more tables to it because it was already so massive that it could still fit eight more people. Edward couldn't imagine why the Matthews would ever need to fit so many people at the table but, Jacob was a popular man.
Gabriel sliced up the turkey and everyone took turns spooning different assortments of food onto their plate. Edward wasn't a fan of olives or beets, however, so he wasted no time passing it on to Sarah, who sat next to him.
"Well, Edward, I know you are a religious man. Would you do us the favor as say grace?" Gabriel asked.
Edward couldn't deny it; he felt honored. Gabriel made it clear he didn't believe in God but he was still respectful of Edward and his family's beliefs.
Everyone bowed their heads, including Gabriel and Rebecca, and Edward began.
"Heavenly father..."
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Sarah muttered the words of her husband as she looked underneath the table at her phone. It was a message from Aaron. She hadn't talked to him as much since their little get together last month but found herself wanting to text him more and more.
Hey Sarah! I hope you're doing well. I just want to let you know that everything has been going along as far as the custody thing is concerned. Quinton is going to be with his mom for a few weeks so if you'd like to catch up at all, just let me know!
Sarah looked up at the table and looked at everyone around her. Everyone was bowing their heads with their eyes closed, all except Gabriel. He had his head bowed but his eyes were looking at Sarah. He smiled at her before looking back down at the table.
She couldn't help but feel like she was being watched but hurried and wrote back.
That sounds great! Maybe we can get coffee next week. Whatever works for you."
She hit send and waited only like ten seconds before a message popped up on her phone again.
That's sound great! Wednesday would be a good day for me!
Perfect, I'll see you then :) Sarah sent back.
"In Jesus's name... Amen."
"Amen," Sarah and most of the rest of the table said.
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Isaac roamed around the hallway upstairs, feeling his stomach bloat from all the food he just ate. He wanted to play some music but a nap sounded really good right now. Plus, his Aunt Dana was already playing the piano downstairs and singing some church songs so, perhaps, playing his guitar wouldn't fit the mood quite so well.
He pushed open his door, acting as if he was already drunk, and fell to his bed. As far as most Thanksgivings were concerned, that one went exceptionally well. Nobody fought, or threw the table over - like his father did one Thanksgiving - and everyone just, generally, had a good time.
As he laid on his bed, staring out the window, he saw the first snowflake of the season glide down. It had been a, surprisingly, dry fall, but he knew that that just meant Mother Nature was saving to go all out.
The wind picked up outside and howled against his window. The walls began to creak inside the house and it seemed like the temperature took a quick plummet inside of his room.
Already, Isaac knew that this winter was going to be exceptionally terrible.
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