Randall

I would have never thought I would be with my family, actually enjoying each other's company. This year has been so different; I realized it's not going to end up the way I planned. My marriage to Marianna is in the process of being dissolved and I'll enter a co-parent relationship with her. Dion and I are now together and the family has fully accepted me coming out and that I'm in a real relationship with him.

I had gained a slightly older brother who I never knew existed. I looked around the house and saw smiles on everyone. There was such a comforting calmness in the atmosphere. This would have been so different if it would have been at the mansion. Everyone would have been so tense, they would be checking their watches to see if they stayed long enough before coming up with some sort of excusable emergency in order to leave the house.

That was Father's fault. He made this family like this. I'm glad Mother has decided to move on. She looked at least 10 years younger since she's moved out the house and has gotten with Michael. I smiled as I watched the two of them dance, he looked like he really loved Mother. He held her as they slowly danced together, Mother looking lovingly in his eyes. It warmed my heart to see them happy together.

"Congratulations Vicki." I said, giving my sister a hug.

"Thank you Randall." She squeezed me as hard as she could. "How ya' doing?"

"I'm good." Vicki tilted her head as if she didn't believe me. "I'm serious."

"How's it going with Dion?" She sang.

"Going great."

"You know he loves you right?" Vicki smiled as she watched Dion dancing with Mari having a good time. I

"How can you tell?" I smiled as they started bumping hips and laughing.

"After all of this shit you just went through, he's still with you." She was right. After everything, even him finding me with Fabian. He stayed with me.

I smiled thinking about how Dion wanted to fight Fabian back at the resort. He was willing to go toe to toe. He really did care for me.

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I think he's my person." I admitted. Vicki's eyes grew huge while she covered her mouth.

"Are you serious? Awww, Randall," She hugged me again, making me laugh. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks." I blushed. I hadn't felt happy in a long while. I believe Dion is my person because he was the one who I fell in love with.

"So when are you going to pop the question?" She asked.

"Are you serious? I haven't even gotten out of my first marriage. I don't know."

"Oh c'mon, you only live once dude!" She quoted.

"I just know you didn't just go there?!" We both laughed loudly, getting Mari's attention.

"Randall," she called out as she made her way over to Vicki and I. "Wassup?"

"Randall's gonna propose to Dion."

"Vicki!"

"Seriously?!" Mari got excited.

"I've thought about it. Once I get divorced from Marianna, I'll probably ask him."

"You'll need a ring." Mari quipped.

"I just picked one up today. I still have it in my jacket."

"Damn! Oh my goodness, Randall, you gotta do it here, tonight!" Vicki squealed.

"Oh hell naw! This is your moment, Vicki. I couldn't do that to you and Jacobi."

"Do what? We're already engaged. Mari was there when it happened. This is just a meal." I looked at both of them then down at my feet.

"But I definitely did not plan to propose in a pair of Chuck Taylor's and a Ralph Lauren jogging suit!" I pointed to my current attire.

"That's what makes it so special. He won't expect it." Vicki sang.

"No, he won't." I chuckled at the thought of my sisters trying to coax me into proposing to Dion.

"Aww, c'mon. Mother would love it." Vicki played her lowest blow and highest card. Mother would absolutely love it if I proposed to Dion. Mari nodded in agreement.

"I'll think about it. I'm not making any promises."

I watched Dion converse with Jacobi and a few people from the CFE group. There was no drama, no stress, just love, peace and happiness amongst us. A staff member exited the kitchen to make an announcement.

"Dinner is now served, if you would please take your seats, we will now present this evening's meal."

Dion quickly joined me, grabbing my hand as we walked to the huge dining room table. Mother went all out for Vicki and Jacobi. She had another large table set up on the patio for those who wanted to enjoy the fresh air. Dion and I sat inside with my family.

"I've never been to a dinner this fancy." Dion said, scooting his chair closer to the table. I chuckled and quickly kissed him on his cheek, staying close to him to whisper.

"Well, get used to it. As I think this will be a regular thing with family dinners." He smiled at me and gave me a peck on my lips.

"We should have a gathering at your place." He bumped my arm to give a hint.

"It's our place now, remember?" I said and he stopped. He nodded and smiled.

"Keep reminding me until it sticks."

"How about I stick you instead?" I joked.

"You can do that too."

I smiled as the staff members wheeled out prepared plates of food over to our tables, giving us options between carnivorous or vegetarian. Dion chose salmon, rice pilaf and garlic parmesan asparagus, while I chose ribeye, mashed potatoes and green beans. Mother and Michael pulled this entire thing together and it was absolutely amazing.

Mother sat at the head of the table with Michael sitting next to her on the left side. She was surrounded by children and bonus family members, Bryan David and his mother, Amanda. We sat chatting waiting for everyone to receive their chosen plates before Mother stood up to bless the meal. Mother tapped her wine glass to get everyone's attention.

"Let us bless the meal that has been placed before you all." Silence filled the air as Mother had the floor. "Lord, we come to you with open hearts and open minds. We thank you Lord, for this gathering of family and friends to celebrate the union of Vicki and Jacobi. Lord, we ask that you bless this food that has been prepared for our nourishment and bless those that have prepared as well. We praise and worship you always and forever Lord we pray, Amen."

"Amen!" Everyone replied and dug in. Chatter exploded as people began eating, the food was absolutely delicious. I was going to eat everything presented to me.

"I can't believe you guys did all of this so fast." Vicki said stuffing the cheesiest macaroni and cheese into her mouth.

"When you have the right people, with the right connections, things can happen." Mother said, smiling at Michael. He smiled and gave her a wink.

"Well, we thank all of you for this. This is remarkable. We weren't even planning an engagement party." Jacobi voiced looking at Vicki.

"Yeah, we were focused on having a grand reception." She mumbled with food in her mouth.

"Well this is the beginning of the festivities." Mother smiled at Vicki.

Mother was ecstatic about the upcoming nuptials. I wondered if she would be just as excited for me as well.

§

Jeffrey

I hadn't heard back from Mari about me speaking with Randall. It was getting late and I figured the dinner wouldn't still be going on, therefore she must have forgotten. Or she didn't ask altogether. She wasn't too keen on asking in the first place so she could have easily chosen not to do it at all. It frustrated me when I had been waiting all day to hear from her. No worries, with it being so late in the day, I figured I would take it upon myself and pay Randall a nice little visit.

I dialed Mari on the way over and as usual, she didn't answer her phone. Was she ignoring me now? All I did was ask her to see if I could just speak to Randall, I didn't ask her to save the world. The closer I got to the property, the more irritated I became. I knew I shouldn't have asked her to do shit for me. My phone rang in the car and I answered it on Bluetooth.

"Hello, Mari?" I answered hoping it was her.

"No, it's Fabian."

"Oh, I am still mad at you."

"Why? Don't be mad. Don't hate the playa, hate the game." He boasted. Ever since he was caught up with Randall, he has been gloating about how he slept with him several times.

"Well I'm still mad at you because you knew he was my person." I turned onto the road that led to the Worthington family compound.

"If he was your person, you definitely wasn't his!" The audacity!

"Bitch! Why are you calling me?!" I drove past the main mansion heading for Randall's home. It looked like his Father was preparing to leave the house himself as there was a car waiting in front.

"I called you to see if you were doing something stupid. Where are you?" Fabian might be an asshole sometimes, but he knew me too well.

"Fuck you, Fabian." I said as I rounded the corner with Randall's house in sight. I could see in the distance that there was something going on at the Lake House at the back of the property, as the lights glowed in the distance.

"Uh-huh, just as I figured. Bitch, where are you going?"

"Fuck you, Fabian!"

"Bitch, listen I know you betta not be going to Randall's place." He said just as I turned down Randall's driveway. The lights were on outside along with a few scattered inside. I pulled up directly in front of the house and parked the car.

"Why you always gotta stick your nose in my business?" I pouted as I turned off the car and looked at his place. I had never been inside, but I bet it smelled like him.

"Because I am your voice of reason, Bitch! Now where are you because I hear you have parked?!" Fabian uttered.

"Nosey ass!" I folded my arms in front of me as I sat in the car. "I'm in front of his damn house!"

"See, what'd I tell you? I knew it! Jeffrey, why? Why are you doing this to yourself?" Fabian asked.

I sat in the car thinking the same thing.

Why was I doing it to myself? Why couldn't I just let him go?

He was my person, I truly felt he was.

"Because I love him!" I yelled. I admitted it. I hadn't gotten over him. I hadn't moved on.

"But he doesn't love you Sweetie."

"Yes he does."

"No, he doesn't. If he did, do you think me and him would have gotten together?"

"You sleep with everybody." I snapped.

"Bitch, no I don't. Take that back!" He got mad. I knew how to fuck with him and push his buttons.

"A'ight. I take it back. But still,"

"Still nothing. Randall has moved on. His marriage is over and he didn't come for you. He went to Dion."

"That Bitch." I blurted. I couldn't believe after everything we had gone through, he let Dion pop his cherry, so to speak.

"Don't hate, appreciate. Randall cheated on his wife with this man."

"And he cheated on Dion with you!" I raised my voice. "How 'bout that?!"

"And you cheated on Randall with me Bitch! So now y'all even! How 'bout that, Bitch?!"

Fuck!   He was right.

§

Bryan

Finally the traffic onto the property had settled down which I could only assume, that everyone who was due to be in attendance had arrived. Angela was living her own life, the way she wanted it and Michael was right by her side. The two of them had to be behind all of this mockery that was going on which forced me to retire. I called down to the Lake House to speak with Angela, however no one answered. I figured as much, with all of the commotions going on down there, no one could hear the phone.

Just as I was about to head for the door, I received a random text. It was a story that had yet to run. It showed a picture of Natalia and I, in a heated embrace. I recalled the night the picture was taken. I knew it well. It was during one of our many dinner occasions in which we were on our way to the hotel. She looked ravishing and that night was magical. It left me wanting more.

Then I saw the headline, Is Bryan Worthington coming out?

"Coming out! Coming out of what?!" I yelled. I scrolled the story and were discussing Natalia's gender status and how he was now a she. They stated of all the women I had ever been seen or caught with, Natalia was the most interesting.

Within the article they questioned my physical ability, cognitive skills as well as my sexual drive. I was called a narcissist, a womanizer and bi-sexual man. Apparently, I was a sound man who loved sleeping around, no matter the gender. I was being attacked by the very same people who lived in my house!

I had had enough. I immediately headed for the door as I wanted to get to the bottom of this. Engagement my ass! There will be no engagement!