Page 55 of Under The Greek's Protection

“Let’s see what's going on over here,” I grin as I walk over to the large stove with pots and pans on it.

Lifting lid after lid, I hum, fanning the smells in my face. The ladies have outdone themselves with the mixture of traditional Thanksgiving staples, but also with soul food and Greek dishes as well. Two large turkeys in pans of stuffing greet me when I open the oven door. With my back to the ladies, I reach in to get a nip of the dressing.

“Owww,” I hissed, pulling my hand back. GeeGee stands next to me, holding that damn wooden spoon.

She points it at me. “Someday you will learn, but until then, I’m going to keep popping those knuckles every time you try to be sneaky with our food. Now, go on in there with the other men. We’ll call y’all once the food is ready.”

Rubbing my knuckles, I state, “I just wanted a taste.”

“And I want a million dollars wrapped around Idris Elba,” she blurts, putting her hands on her hips, causing the ladies to crack up. Even I had to laugh at that.

“I’m done! But one day GeeGee, you won’t catch me,” I vow as I leave the room.

“When that day happens, I’ll be six feet under the ground,” I hear her yell behind me.

I laugh harder as I make my way to the den, still rubbing my knuckles. That was it, after today, I’m removing all the wooden spoons from me and Zar’s house.

“What’s up fellows,” I greet. “Father, Grandfather.”

They greet back, holding up various glasses or bottles.

“What’s wrong with your hand,” Zar asks. He chuckles when I smirk at him. “I swear you’re a glutton for punishment.” He calls Xander’s name, getting his attention. “GeeGee got his ass too!”

The room falls into a fit of laughter when Xander holds up his red knuckles. Well, damn.

We sat around for about an hour before Devyn came in and told us it was time to go to the dining room. Finally, our feast was ready.

To make sure there was enough room for everyone, Zar ordered a table that seats twenty people. As a sign of respect, Zar has Grandfather sitting at the head of the table, and Father on the other end, surrounded by me, Hailey, Devyn, Mother, GeeGee, Zar, Nina, Xander, Frankie, Hendrix, Janae, Mike, Tech, Lethal, Blade, and Venom. Family and friends.

After Grandfather blessed the food, we dug in, and since Zar is the man of the house, GeeGee gave him the honors of carving the first turkey.

As we started to pass the serving plates around, Nina jumped up from her seat, holding her hand over her mouth.

“Nina, baby,” Zar called with worry, running behind her. Mother and GeeGee followed, telling us to continue eating.

Ten minutes later, they came back in. Zar had a crazy smile on his face, while Mother and GeeGee fawned over Nina.

As she sat down in her chair with Zar, Mother, and GeeGee standing behind her, Nina said, “I’m sorry for that guys. I wanted to wait until after dinner to tell everyone, but I guess now’s a better time than any...I’m pregnant!”

“We’re having a baby,” Zar boasted as we yelled with happiness.

An uncle, I’m going to be an uncle!!

“Congratulations! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me, girl! I thought we were better than that,” Janae fussed as she hugged her best friend.

“You don’t know how bad I wanted to tell you, but I had to keep it a surprise. Since everyone was going to be here for Thanksgiving, I thought it would be perfect timing,” Nina stated.

“And what an excellent surprise it is,” Father said as he stood, coming to hug and kiss her. He then shook Balthazar’s hand. “Congratulations, Son. This is truly a day to be thankful for.”

Zar’s eyes watered as Father pulled him into a hug. After they had their moment, I hugged and congratulated him too. I couldn’t have been more proud of him at that moment.

The clinking sound of a fork hitting a wine glass, pulled our attention to Grandfather at the head of the table.

“This has been one of the best Thanksgivings I’ve had since the passing of my dear sweet Hermione. Our family has grown with Nina, Hailey, and my little one Devyn, becoming a part of it, and now to find out there will be another addition soon, makes my heart swell. I know Hermione is looking down on all of this smiling with glee. This news makes me happy to announce that our main headquarters will be relocating here, to Dallas. With the coming of my first great grandchild and Yiannis and Althaia’s first grandchild, I want our family to be closer...together.”

Our mouths drop. I looked over at Zar, who had the same surprised expression on his face. Never in a million years would I have thought Grandfather would ever leave Chicago. He has been there ever since he and Nana came over from Greece back in the day so he could take over running the city after his uncle was killed. I always assumed Chicago is where he would live out his years, then be buried next to Nana.

“Who’s going to run Chicago and what about Nana,” I asked.

---