DNA or Nurture

Family weekend part 1

The next morning when Harper and Harvey wake up, they walk out to the kitchen and find their grandma cooking breakfast.

"Where's mama?" Harper asked

"And mommy?" Harvey added "Did she leave us again?"

Carolyn looked up at her grandkids, "Oh no, no no she...your mom and Addison left about an hour ago. They're going to hang out together today just the two of them."

Harvey nodded and sighed softly relieved that he and his sister hadn't been abandoned again.

Though Harper corrected her grandma, "You mean mama, grandma."

"What?" Carolyn asked confused about what her granddaughter is correcting her about

"You said Addison, but she's mama." Harper explained

Carolyn nodded, "Right, of course. That's what I meant."

"What's for breakfast?" Harvey asked

"And what are we doing today?" Harped added

"For breakfast I'm making Fried Bakes, which are like biscuits." Carolyn replied "As for the plans today, I know we're having a dinner picnic under the stars, but other than that your aunts and uncle planned everything and their keeping it a secret until it's time to leave."

Harper and Harvey nodded, "Okay grandma."

After breakfast, Carolyn, Harper, and Harvey sit down on the couch in the living room while Liz, Nancy, Kathleen, and Derek explain the plans for the day.

"Okay so first on the agenda for today I...well..." Liz started

Derek shook his head, "The truth is we didn't know what to do so we wanted to spend some time getting to know you two." Derek explained

"What do you two like to do?" Nancy asked "To elaborate what are your likes and interests?"

Harper had to think about it for a minute, whereas Harvey knew right away.

"I like fish and all the sea animals." Harvey said "I also like crafts."

Kathleen nodded, "Okay. And how about you, Harper?"

"I like reading and writing. Mommy taught me how to sew a little bit. Oh and I also like cooking." Harper explained "Mama lets me help her cook sometimes.

"Amelia cooks now?!" Liz said confused

Harper shook her head, "No, Addison is mama. Amelia's mom or mommy."

"Oh okay." Liz replied with a small nod "I'll do my best to remember that."

Meanwhile with Added ison and Amelia, they're at the shopping mall just browsing and walking around.

"This is nice." Amelia said smiling "Just the two of us hanging out. Like we used to."

"And there are no kids. Until dinner we are childless." Addison stated. Then she added, "Although I kind of miss them."

Amelia laughed slightly, "Yeah me too."

Back at the Shepherd house, Derek and Liz are leaving to take Harvey to an aquatic center where there are lots of sea animals and creatures. You can also swim with dolphins there.

Upon entering the aquatic center, Harvey looks around in amazement as his face lights up like a little kid on the best Christmas ever.

"This is so cool." Harvey announced. Then he noticed the exhibit where he can swim with dolphins and looks back at his aunt and uncle, "Uncle Derek, Aunt Liz, can I swim with the dolphins?"

Liz nods her head, "Of course, Harvey."

Meanwhile Nancy and Kathleen are with Harper at a fabric store that is also offering a sewing class.

Harper is sitting in between her two aunts as the sewing instructor tells and shows them and how to do basic hand sewing. Harper is smiling and having a good time.

While Harper and her aunts, Kathleen and Nancy are working on their individual sewing project, Harper looks up at both of her aunts.

"Thanks Aunt Kat and Aunt Nancy. This is a lot of fun." Harper told them

Both Kathleen and Nancy smiled as the replied at the same time, "You're welcome, Harper. It's no problem."

"I'm havin fun too." Kathleen added

Later that night when the whole Shepherd family and Addison are sitting on a blanket under the stars eating a dinner picnic of fried chicken, biscuits, and homemade gravy.

Addison is sitting in between Derek, Harper, and Harvey. Amelia is sitting on the other side of her kids. Carolyn is sitting next to Amelia and her other three daughters are sitting next to her and on the other side of Derek. So they are sitting in the shape of a circle.

"So did you two have fun with your aunts, uncle, and grandma?" Amelia asked

"Yeah mom we did, but we missed you and mama." Harper replied

Harvey nodded, "We missed you a lot a lot." Then he asked, "Did you and mama have fun hanging out today, mommy?"

Amelia looked at Addison who nodded, "Yeah actually we did have fun. It was nice for the two of us to hang out without two kids, but we missed you both so much and are glad to be back with you and your sister." As she tickled Harvey's stomach

"Mama...mama...stop." Harvey laughed "Uncle Derek help me."

"Addie, stop torturing my nephew." Derek told Addison before starting to tickle Harvey himself

Harper smiled and then started to get up, but Amelia pulled her into her lap, "Where's my baby girl going?"

"I was going to sit next to Auntie Liz, mommy." Harper replied

Amelia held Harper on her lap and wrapped her arms around the girl, "You're not going anywhere. I've got you now."

Carolyn playfully slapped Amelia's arm, "Let the girl go. She doesn't see her aunts very often."

"Oh fine, mother." Amelia scoffed as she kissed the top of Harper's head, "Okay go ahead, baby."

Harper smiled at Carolyn, "Thanks Grandma." Then she turned to Amelia, "Love you mom."

Harper walked over and sat next to her Aunt Liz.

"Hey sweet girl." Liz said to Harper

"Hi Aunt Liz." Harper replied

Meanwhile with Addison, Derek, and Harvey after Derek stops tickling Harvey.

Harvey looks up at his uncle, "Uncle Derek?"

"Yes buddy?" Derek replied

"Do you and mama love each other?" Harvey asked

Derek, who is caught off guard by the question looks over at Addison who looks just as shocked as he is.

"Well do you?" Harvey asked

"Um well bud, why don't you ask Addi...I mean mama." Derek suggested

Then Harvey looked over at Addison, "Mama, can you answer my question? Do you and Uncle Derek love each other?"

"Well sweet boy, that's a really loaded question but at some point we did. We were after all married for eleven years and I think to some degree that we still have some feelings for each other, but I wouldn't say that we love each other."

"But we do care about each other and no matter what there will always be something between us." Derek added

Harvey gave a slow nod, "Oh, but then why do you look at each other like you're in love?"

"Why don't you take care of this one, Derek." Addison said

"Okay well we do still love each other, and we are going to try and make us work again but you can't tell anyone." Derek explained

Harvey smiled and nodded, "Okay, Uncle Derek. I can keep a secret."