IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE to Cynthia that families actually got together to do something like play a game together and enjoy it. The only family she ever really spent time with was the Harrisons. They did things together like cookouts, dinners, and church. But this family played together like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. And they took it seriously. While she was upstairs in what was once Diamond and Opal’s bedroom changing clothes, the girls were strategizing on plays all the while watching to make sure she was not picking up on what they were saying. All of them were just as intense as the other, Ruby and Pearl were the main two talking, and she was sure their plan of attack involved her. She wasn’t worried, the guys had her back.
“Diamond thank you for the sweats and sneakers, they fit perfectly.”
“You’re welcome, but you are going down. I like you, I do, but you are on the enemy’s team and I’m afraid we have no choice but to bring you down.”
“I like you too,” Phire added, “but you going down.”
“This must be what they call intimidation. Well, let me tell you, better women have tried to bring me down, but I’m still standing,” Cynthia replied courageously.
“You talk a good game sister. I hope there’s enough of you left for Samuel to enjoy tonight,” Jade taunted. “Let’s do it.” The women begin filing out of the room.
“Pearl,” Cynthia called out. “May I have a moment?”
Ruby looked from Pearl to Cynthia, “You sure you want a moment alone with Pearl?”
Cynthia noticed the cold tone to her voice, “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
Ruby took an aggressive step in Cynthia’s direction but Pearl stepped in. “This is on me Ruby, I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“Ruby is not someone you want to go up against,” Pearl stated while staring at Ruby’s retreating back.
“I don’t want to go up against any of you. Look, I know you don’t like me and that’s okay. I’m sure you have your reasons and have shared that with your sisters. But I’m going to be around and we need to find a way to get along for Samuel’s sake.”
“For Samuel?” Pearl exclaimed sarcastically. “Let’s talk about Samuel. The last time I was with you it was to handle a press conference regarding your relationship with Prince LaVere’. Now you are in my home with my brother. How do you expect me to react?”
“Pearl your dislike for me has nothing to do with LaVere’ or Samuel. You made it clear long before either of those men came into my life that you did not like me. I’m not asking you why, because frankly I don’t care. I know I have never harmed you in any way. Hell, I didn’t even know you before you started working for JD. I have lived with being disliked all my life, I’m used to it. I’m asking you to take steps for Samuel not for me.”
“Why bother, you go through men like normal women go through a set of tampons: a new set every month. All I wonder is why Samuel. He’s not what you usually go after since he doesn’t own half the world. Why waste the time pretending to get along when this little fling might last all of one month.” She turned to walk out of the room.
“Has it occurred to you that I might be in love with him?”
Pearl stopped at the door and turned back. “No. Women like you don’t know how to love anything or anyone but themselves.” She continued out of the room and down the stairs.
* * *
In the snow-covered front yard, the game began. Ruby, Pearl, Diamond, Opal, Jade, and Phire were huddled at one end of the yard while Samuel, Cynthia, Matthew, Luke, Timothy, and Adam stood at the other. Joe and Sally stood on the porch and watched as the first play of the game begun. It was obvious who the girls were targeting. Sally feared Samuel, as hard as he may try, would not be able to protect Cynthia. She slipped her hand into her husband’s and whispered, “I hope for Samuel’s sake she survives this game.”
“Does she love him?” Joe asked.
“I believe she does.”
“Then he won’t let her fail. If he fights she will fight with him.” Just as he finished his statement, Pearl, Ruby, and Diamond rushed pass Samuel and tackled Cynthia, who had the ball to the ground with a thump. An imprint was left in the snow from the pileup. “Ouch, I could be wrong.” Joe shuddered.
Cynthia waited for the pile of cement bricks, better known as Samuel’s sisters, to move off her body, which was telling her to stay down. However, her mind was screaming at her to get up. Don’t let them take this man from you. And that’s what it was about. If she was not capable of handling this situation with his sisters, she did not have a chance at keeping this man. She had to fight to have what she was sure was the love of her life. When the last body was removed from her she opened her eyes and saw two pairs of eyes close to her while four pairs stared at her from a distance. “Are you okay?” Samuel asked.
She blinked back her body telling her to say no. “Yes. I’m good to go.” She grabbed his hand and jumped up.
“Why didn’t you throw the ball? I was wide open, Luke yelled.
“Don’t yell at her. You didn’t block off the line,” Matt yelled back and pushed him.
They huddled again and Samuel took the lead, “Look it’s clear they are aiming for Cynthia so let’s take advantage of that. I’m going to pretend to give the ball to Luke but Adam, you’re getting it. Run left then pass it off to Matt. The rest of us are going to hold the line.”
“I think you should pretend to give it to me. While they are gunning for me Adam can take it in.”
“You realize the girls aren’t playing, they are coming at you,” Matt stated.
“You’re willing to take a hit for the team?” Samuel proudly asked.
“Yeah.”
Samuel beamed, there was nothing she could have done or said that would have made him any prouder.
“What a woman,” Timothy proclaimed.
“I agree,” Matt smiled. “Luke, Timothy, and I’ll protect you. Adam, you’re running behind Samuel. That ought to confuse them.
The play went off without a hitch. The girls went for Cynthia while Adam scored. After the boys helped Cynthia off the ground, they all ran to the other end and celebrated with Adam and Samuel. Sally kissed her husband and returned to the kitchen to set up for dinner. Joe smiled with the realization that his oldest son will be granting him another daughter. Not that he didn’t have enough, but this will be the first of what he hoped to be a growing Lassiter family. He sat back and watched as the girls began to respect Cynthia while Pearl became more irritable. His Pearl was going to be a tough cookie, but something about the woman Samuel brought home made him think she could do it.
The men finally won the title back and they were not letting the girls forget it. Of course Diamond was the one to bring it all into focus for them. “You guys are forgetting one important fact about today’s game. It was Cynthia, a woman that gave you the game-changing play. So you guys may have won the game, but it was on the strength of a woman.”
“Oh please, she is not all that. Give it a rest,” Pearl said angrily and left the room.
“I don’t know what the deal is between your girl and Pearl, but whatever it is it’s not going to end well unless someone intervenes,” Diamond exhaled to Samuel.
“They will work it out,” he replied.
“I don’t know Sammy,” Jade dared to call him.
“Pearl is a very reasonable person. At least I always thought so. It’s hard to see her so unforgiving,” Opal added.
“To you. She is always rough on me,” Phire sighed. “I think she likes me less than she does Cynthia, who I like a lot, Samuel. I hope you bring her around again,” she smiled.
“Yeah she is real easy on the eyes, you know what I mean,” Matt laughed while giving Timothy a pound.
“I like her too,” Adam said. “She’s a definite hottie. Does she have a younger sister?”
“No, she doesn’t. I’m afraid she is one of a kind and she is mine.”
“Not a little possessive are you?” Luke laughed.
“A little, but you have to remember, I’m going up against a Prince. I can’t waiver on my position.”
“Wow, so she is involved with Prince LaVere’ Ashro,” Ruby stated. “I thought that was just a publicity stunt for her brother.”
“Who’s her brother?” Opal asked.
“Blake Thornton,” Ruby replied.
“The actor Blake Thornton is her brother?” Opal and Jade screamed simultaneously.
“Is there any law against marrying the brother of a brother’s wife?” Jade asked.
“It doesn’t sound too kosher,” Timothy laughed.
“What doesn’t sound kosher?” Cynthia asked when she walked into the family room.
Samuel reached his hand out and she took it. He pulled her down to sit next to him on the sofa. She opted to sit between his legs on the floor.
“Jade was wondering if she could marry your brother,” Matt stated.
“You and about a million other women around the world,” Cynthia laughed. “Blakie works constantly I doubt if he has time to date anyone seriously.”
“Would you introduce me to him?” Jade asked excitedly.
“Pearl and I already met him,” Diamond said.
“When?” Jade questioned.
“A few weeks ago when Pearl’s friend Brian took us all out.
“Well, now you have to introduce the rest of us, it’s only fair,” Jade continued to plead her case.
“Jade, give it a rest,” Samuel cautioned.
“It’s okay. I’ll be happy to introduce you to him the next time he is home.”
“Alright ladies, it’s time to put the dinner on the table. Has everyone finished washing up?” Sally asked as she entered the room.
“Pearl is still upstairs. I’ll go get her,” Diamond offered.
Twenty minutes later as all the family sat at the dining room table Joe at one end and Sally at the other, each member of the siblings expressed what they were the most thankful for. Cynthia wasn’t sure she would measure up until she heard Samuel’s words. “As always I’m thankful to be here with my family. But in addition, this year I am grateful to have parents that gave me the wisdom to recognize love when I found it.” He looked to his right into Cynthia’s eyes and continued, “I pray that person who has completely captured my heart will embrace and protect it from harm.”
Everyone at the table watched as the two stared at each other without a thought of anyone surrounding them. The girls were in awe of the expression of love from the usually very private brother, while the men were waiting to see if he scored. Joe and Sally looked to each other while holding their breath and silently praying their son would not be disappointed.
Cynthia blinked back the tears she felt were about to escape. No one has ever put the care of their heart in her hands so sincerely, so lovingly. The room may have been filled with twelve other people, but it felt as if only the two of them existed. She knew he was waiting for her reply and her fears of expressing her love for the man next to her dissipated. A small smile creased Cynthia’s lips. “I don’t know what I’ve done to be granted such an honor. But I accept it and promise to protect your heart with every breath I take.” She looked away from Samuel for fear she would throw herself into his arms and revealed in the love she knew awaited her. Looking around the table she declared. “I’ve never known what it was like to have a family. I’m thankful this year has granted me the pleasure of meeting yours. Thank you for having me.”
Sally smiled and glanced at her husband with loving eyes. Joe gracefully nodded his acceptance and stated, “You are welcomed into our family.” He then looked around the table and smiled lovingly at his family. “Well, let’s eat so these two can have the privacy it’s very clear they need.”
“I say let’s clear the table and watch them go at it,” Matt laughed. Opal smacked him on the head from one side as Ruby hit him from the other. “Ouch, Ouch… I just said what all of you were thinking.”
“Yeah, that might be, but you were the only one stupid enough to speak it aloud,” Timothy laughed as he reached for the macaroni and cheese. Everyone began grabbing different entrees and piling their plates, with the exception of Samuel and Cynthia. They continued to stare at each other with the promise of what’s to come.