It had taken well over an hour of Chris, Lori, Sheryl and even Jessi to calm her down and convince her to go along with her parents' house rules.
"It's only one night, tomorrow we'll be back home in our own bed." She kissed her on the cheek and thanked her for not taking it up with her father as she'd stormed downstairs threatening to do. "Remember what we're here for."
"I know, but it's bullshit..."
"It is, but they're in their 70s Stevie, it's a lot for them to take in without the thought of what we actually do in bed."
Stevie smirked.
"My god, if they knew the reality of that I think it would finish them off. That reminds me actually, I've got -"
"Aunt Teedee? Dinner's ready!"
They followed Jessi through to the dining room, where Barbara had prepared enough to feed a military base, and took their places at the table.
Before they ate, Jess stood to make his usual thanksgiving speech.
"Now, as you all know, I'm not a big one for words, I leave that to the women in my family," Stevie and Barbara shook their heads at the joke they'd heard every thanksgiving since Stevie had learnt to talk. "Suffice it to say, I'm thankful we're all together here today. I'm thankful that despite some upheaval in the past year, Lori is still with us. And I'm thankful to have a new face at the table this year. Sheryl - welcome to the family. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone make Stevie smile the way she smiles at you. And there have been a lot of people -"
"Daddy!"
"- sorry. Anyway. I'd like to toast this year: thank you for family. Whatever that looks like."
They all raised their glasses. Sheryl smiled as she watched Stevie tipping a splash of champagne into an excited Jessi's orange juice and placing a finger to her lips.
"Family!"
~
They had spent hours at the dinner table, laughing and sharing increasingly raucous stories. Stevie was sitting between Jessi and Sheryl. It was the first time Sheryl had really seen her around a child and she was falling even more in love with this new side of her. She played like an actual child herself, full of excitement and wonder at Jessi's games and stories.
Eventually, the night wore on and the mood became more relaxed. Jessi had fallen asleep, her head in Stevie's lap. Everyone started to make moves to turn in for the night, Chris lifting Jessi off of his sister and carrying her out. Barbara and Jess followed, kissing all the girls goodnight before heading up to bed.
"I still say it's bullshit you have to sleep in the guesthouse."
"She'll be fine, I'll take care of her," said Lori. "Not like that. I'm not into that, you might have turned her but I'm not so easy!"
"We'll see," winked Sheryl.
"Stevie, I like this girl. I like her."
"So do I. Goodnight, baby." Stevie kissed Sheryl gently, deliberately holding it a second or two longer than she might have done knowing that Lori was watching.
"Damn, I'll give it to y'all, that is kinda hot." Now it was Stevie's turn to wink at her. "Well, come on lover girl, grab that bottle of hooch for a night cap. Stephanie Lynn, I love you endlessly, see you in the morning."
She gave Stevie a huge hug and jokingly kissed her smack on the lips before grabbing Sheryl's arm and leading her out the back door and down to the guesthouse.
Stevie was the last to turn in, climbing into bed in an old nightshirt and staring at the ceiling. The house was silent.
She was about to drift off to sleep when she heard the familiar chime of her phone. She opened her eyes to see it glowing on the nightstand - she would never have bothered to put it there, and once she saw the name in the screen she knew who was behind it.
U coming down here to play? X
