The Dunhams (Sequel to Better or Bad - Lizzy Walker)

More Holiday Tea

With a spoon, Bryce cooked the Turkey and I cooked the Mac N Cheese while Bella offered to do the dressing. The kids baked Pumpkin pies with Bryce's help. It was nearly 11pm when we finished. His family was coming for Thanksgiving and he felt different emotions. I would be if my family was arriving after such crazy drama. We completely don't know if anyone's gonna respond negatively or make sour looks. Whatever the reason, it's family and you love them through anything. I deeply hoped Mary and Edith sorted their issues. Having a team of sisters and sister in-laws is not only good for me, but so good for our daughters. But I'd be damned if our children witness more drama in front. The kids washed their hands and flunked themselves on the couches exhaustedly. I did the same while rubbing my hair. Bryce stretched, yawning. "Phew!" He whispered. Jace sighed and wiped his forehead. "I need a shower." He spoke. Breanna sniffed her shirt and pursed her lips disgustedly. "Me too." She agreed. Bella re-tied her messy ponytail into a bun. "We all do. I smell like everything from a kitchen." She said tiredly. "How about we take showers and rest for a little bit? They aren't coming until later." I suggested. They nodded and got off the couch. Bryce raised an eyebrow. "Remember to take turns." He reminded. Instead, they raced upstairs for whom to make it to the bathroom. I chuckled hoarsely. He smirked. "Should've said run." He joked. I hopped off the couch and wrapped my arms around his sweaty neck. "At least we don't have to race." I whispered sexily. Bryce caressed my hair. "Got any shampoo?" He muttered teasingly. We laughed, shushing each other and walked upstairs.

Whoo! We needed this. A shower, clothes, a resting nap after cooking the whole morning. The kids were practically sleep or watching TV in bed. I laid sideways and felt blankets covering my body. Bryce's arm was wrapped around my waist and kissed my neck softly. A few moments peace before entering the lion's den aka my in-laws is worth it. I inhaled a deep breath. Thoughts, though, overtaken my mind about what'll happen. I wondered if Bryce did or haven't worked things out with everyone. The relationship with his sisters seem alright but I can't be sure about Mary. She was a loose bullet anytime we visited including to Edith. She bullies her so much and makes her her punching bag. I mainly blame their parents because one, they clearly favor Mary, two they sugarcoated nearly everything she done to her over the years. Sybil remained one sweetheart who'd never do those things. I could only hope no one's a loose bullet during dinner or I'll bring all the bullets. I mentally shook off these thoughts and let myself sleep. Bryce snuggled behind me and fell asleep.

******

After freshening up, putting the food on the dinner table, gathering cups and plates with two soda bottles, the doorbell ringed. I mentally prayed this'll go well as we walked to the door. He opened the door and his whole family was here. We smiled. "Hi!" We spoke in unison. Mr. Dunham and Lena returned the gesture. "Hey, you two!" She squealed. She hugged me while he greeted him. The girls came in behind and smiled kindly. "Hi girls!" I beamed, hugging each before Mary. I fake smiled and hugged. She hugged back. The kids joined the greetings which made Bella happy to see Sybil. Edith sighed happily. "Happy Thanksgiving!" She said. We returned the gesture. "Happy Thanksgiving!" We said. "Why don't we eat now?" I asked. They nodded and walked to the living room where everything were. Lena smiled happily. "This food look delicious! Where's the cranberry sauce?" She asked, begging at the last part. Bryce chuckled and pulled out the bowl from the fridge. We grabbed our seats at the table and started making our plates and pouring drinks. Everyone was in full conversation including Sybil and Bella. Lena smiled. "Jace, I heard you're doing a TV show! What is it called?" She asked. He smirked. "Stranger Things!" He told her. Sybil gasped. "Please! You've got to introduce me to the cast!" She begged. We laughed. Edith chuckled. "She's a huge fan since the first season came." She added. Jace shrugged. "Maybe I'll tell them about you or take a picture." He said. She cheered quietly. Mr. Dunham ate a piece of dressing. "How do you manage with all your homework?" He asked. Bryce almost spoke until someone's phone buzzed. I was slightly confused but it turned out to be Mary's. She looked up while sighing. "Excuse me, I have to take this. I'm sorry." She apologized, getting up and going to the kitchen. The kids still continued eating. Mr. Dunham exhaled a deep breath. "What's going on?" I whispered in Edith's ear. She slightly turned and sighed. "Let's just say she is too snobbish to accept the fact her boyfriend's her match." She whispered. I nodded in understanding. If snobbish, probably stuck-up or selfish. Bryce chuckled. "Mary? Snobbish? An understatement." He joked. I nudged his shoulder. "How come?" I whispered. Edith shifted sheepishly. "Don't wanna say." She mumbled. Speaking of the devil, she walked back in and looked rather gloomy. Nobody noticed except Lena. "Who was it?" She asked. Mary inhaled a deep breath. "Just Henry." She muttered sadly. I looked at her weirdly. What is going through her mind? "I think it's time we send the kids up." Bryce whispered in my ear. Somehow my gut was agreeing to this. The last thing we wanted is them to witness anything crazy like before. I nodded and cleared my throat. "Kids, you're excused to go upstairs. Sybil, you can join them if you like." I told them. She smiled cheerily. "Thanks!" She beamed. They cheered while leaving the table. Lena sighed happily. "I believe Edith have amazing news to tell you." She said, smiling. She breathed nervously. "Mom...this isn't really the right moment." She spoke unsurely. I patted her shoulder. "Whatever it is, we'll still celebrate." I assured. Bryce nodded in agreement. Mary perked up and sat down. "Why isn't it the right moment?" She asked innocently. Edith lightly shrugged. "Well...Henry's abandoned you." She told her. "He didn't. I wanted him to go." She denied. "That's not what it looked like." Edith sassed. Mary fake smiled. "Well, that's how it is." She said meanly. Mr. Dunham sighed and backed his chair. "Excuse me. I have to make a call." He told us and got up. Bryce nodded. "There's no need for this. Edith, we're happy for you whatever your news is. Aren't we Mary?" He asked. She only shrugged after sipping her cup. I raised an eyebrow. Are you kidding me? Edith scoffed. "See? I told you. The one thing Mary can't bare is when things are going better for me than for her." She spoke. I hummed in response. "Gee. Isn't that a fact?" I asked sarcastically. Mary looked somewhat offended. Bet she know how it feels. Lena sighed. "Girls—she was cut off. "Babe..." Bryce trailed off. Thankfully, Edith didn't shy away from speaking. "Yup. You don't know her. I'm happily engaged and your man's left you and you just can't stand it." She said a bit rudely. Ok. Time to break the ice. I almost spoke until Mary caught up. "You're wrong. I'm very happy for you. Besides, you must have told them what happened." She said, fake smiling. Those words made Edith entirely silent. Me and Bryce shared confusion. "Told us what?" He asked. Mary didn't hide her devious smile. Edith gulped softly. "I...I had a miscarriage last year." She admitted. Our eyes widened. Mainly that she revealed a very personal experience during the holiday. Lena stared at her disappointedly. She went back to eating. Bryce huffed, glaring. My glare hadn't left my face since hugging her.

An hour later, the kids were occupied with Lena and Mr. Dunham. Apparently, Edith left after what her sea witch sister done. Mary was chilling in the basement. No doubt Bryce was gonna confront her and I'm not missing it. I crept up on the stairs and watched him come down. He sighed madly. "Well, you got what you wanted. It was a nice Thanksgiving but you ruined everything." He low-key growled. Mary sighed sadly. "Well that's not what I wanted. Can't believe she didn't tell you both. How was I supposed to know that?" She asked, adding sarcasm. I scoffed. "Don't play the innocent with me." He growled. Her eyes widened. "I didn't mean—he cut me off. "Don't lie! Not to me! You can't stop ruining things! For Edith, yourself! You'd pull in the sky if you could, anything to make you feel less frightened and alone!" He growled angrily. Mary huffed. "You saw what Henry did. High handed, bullying and unapologetic. Am I be expected to lower myself to his level and be grateful that I'm allowed to do so?" She defended. Hm. Those three words made me think of her. Bryce scoffed. "Listen to yourself. Lower yourself to his level? You're not a fucking princess of Buckingham Palace!" He growled. "You don't want to understand me!" She said through gritted teeth. He growled. "You ruined Edith's life so much! How many lives are you going to wreck just so smother your own fucking pain?!" He growled. Mary got up and sighed. "I don't wanna hear this!" She cried. Bryce inhaled a deep breath. "You're a coward Mary. Like all bullies, you're a coward." He spoke clearly. My jaw dropped. I mentally kissed the air. Hearing Bryce like this shocked me but refreshing. He told only truths. And that's why I love him. I snapped out of my thoughts and rushed upstairs before he could spot me. He's right though. Mary is a coward.