Zora POV

I was holding the video camera. Will asked me to record a tape for him to send to his mom back in Philly

"It's Willsenio-o-o-o...Smith!" I yelled as Will ran inti the living room

"Tonight, on "The Willsenio Smith Show"
a boy making a videotape for his mama. Give it up for him" Will said as I began hooting

"Hi, mom, it's me. You know, Aunt Viv told me
that you finally came into the '90s, and you bought a VCR. So I thought I'd make a little tape for you. Well, I've grown a little bit
since you've seen me, about an inch and a half. Oh! Check this out, check this out." Will said as he unbuttoned his shirt and I zoomed in on his chest

"I got some chest hairs now. Look. See? Digger one there. Digger one.. Oh, that must have been sweater lint. Well, anyway, hold up. We'll be right back after these messages." Will said as he turned around then turned back around with a serious expression on his face

"Have you ever felt, you know, not so fresh?" Will asked as he started laughing

"No, just kidding, mama. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Check it out. Check it out. Check it out. Got an A-plus on my Spanish test. Zee. Helped me study. She's the smartest person I know." Will said as I smiled

"Say Hi Zee" Will said as he grabbed the camera and turned it to me

"Here is the beautiful and amazing and talented Zora Allen" Will said

"Hi" I said smiling and waving to the camera as I grabbed the camera back

"Man,muchos brainos en el cabeza, si?
Man. But, yo, yo, yo. I better vamanos 'cause you know how Uncle Phil gets if anybody hold up dinner." Will said

"'Will!'" Mr. Banks yelled

"Well.." Will said as he began speaking Spanish

"That means, "How much is the espadrilles?"
Hey, yo. I don't know how to say I miss you, mom. But I do. Alright. Adios." Will said as he ran out the living room then came back

"Oh, cut it, Zee." He told me as I turned off the camera

-----------------------------------------------------------

Ashley, Hilary, and I were all in the kitchen baking brownies I love spending time with Ashley and Hilary it gives me a break from the boys sometimes

"So how is your love triangle going" Hilary asked as my eyes widened and I turned to Ashley

"You told her" I asked

"Sorry it slipped out" Ashley apologized.

"It's okay" I told her. I know she didn't mean it

"It wasn't to much of a secret anyway" Hilary told me as Ashley nodded

"Come on talk to your big sister Hilary" Hilary said as I rolled my eyes smiling. Hilary was like my big sister now and Ashley was my little sister amd I always wanted sisters

"It's getting better. I mean I started writing my feelings down to control them a lot better" I told them

"You still have to talk about it. One way or another your gonna feel better" Ashley told me

"I know but baby steps" I told them when Will walked in with a giant box.

"Hilary, your makeup is here." Will said as Hilary rolled her eyes

"No, it's one of your friends from Philly
too cheap to buy an airline ticket" Hilary told him as Ashley and I laughed

"No, this is my new exercise bike. I'm gonna use it to develop my huge legs. You know, I figure I'll need 'em to support my massive chest and my 24-inch pythons." Will said

Carlton walked into the kitchen angrily as he put down his stuff

"This equal-opportunity thing has gone just a little too far. I can't believe they're letting girls play on my intramural baseball team." Carlton said

"Ooh. Next thing you know, they'll be letting us vote." I said sarcastically as Hilary amd Ashley laughed

"Don't even get me started on that issue." Carlton told me as I took his Bel Air Hoodie and Put it on

"Women have their place but men are the cornerstone of civilization. Not only are we good at men things but we're good at women things, too." Carlton said.

It started off a joke Now I'm mad I can't believe he's saying these things

"I can't believe you're serious. Hilary, Ashley and I could do a so-called man thing a lot better than either of you could do a so-called woman thing." I told him

"Would you care to place a little wager?
I bet you couldn't...Couldn't, um--" Carlton said

"Assemble an exercise bike. Oh, my goodness. We got one right here!" Will said

"Well, we could do that a lot better than you could--" Hilary said

"Sew a dress." Ashley said as we all give her a look

"I saw it on "The Brady Bunch." She told us

"You're on." Carlton told us

"Another planet, man. I ain't sewing no dress." Will said

"Ah, in other words, you can't sew no dress." I said

"Well, what? Are you crazy? We'd do a dress like that." Will said snapping

"And that includes a full smocking and smart pleat." Carlton said as we gave him a look how does he know that

"Then it's set. The loser has to help Alice in the kitchen. I mean, Geoffrey." Ashley said

"Okay you gotta stop watching the Brady Bunch so much" I told her when my grandfather walked in

"Hi, PaPa" I said

"Hi." Everyone else said as he came over and kissed my head along with Hilary amd Ashley and gave the boys a handshake as he walked outside to go look at the pipes

Since he retired from Bel Air Prep he's been working little jobs here and there to keep money coming in

"Well, is grandma here yet? How does she look?" Mr. Banks asked walking into the kitchen

"If I was 50 years old I'd definitely take her out
for a bucket of chicken." Will said

"Hi, sweetie." Mrs. Banks said walking in. I sat down on Carlton's lap and put my feet on Will's lap as I began eating grapes with Carlton

"Hi, baby. Oh, your mother loves her room.
She's been clapping the lights on and off
for the last 20 minutes." Mrs. Banks said

"Huh. Well, you know, ever since grandpa died last year I've been trying to get grandma
to move out here with us. So I want everybody to cheer her up. I mean, I don't want her moping around in some old housecoat all day." Mr. Banks said

"Zeke." Granny said as she came out in a track suit

"Mama!" Mr. Banks said as he ran to hig her

"Oh, it's so good to see you, baby." Granny said

"Oh, mama! Oh, you look so fluorescent." Mr. Banks said looking at her outfit

"Don't I, though? I am three pounds lighter,
a whole lot tighter and I'm dressed to chill." Granny said as I laughed as we all stood up to hug her

"Oh! Go, granny. Go, granny. Go, granny." Will yelled as they began dancing as Geoffrey walked in

"Come here." She said as they both hugged as I went over to her

"Granny" I said as I hugged her

"Zora. You look even more beautiful everytime I see you" she told me as ai smiled

"Well, mama, I've got a busy day planned for you tomorrow. They're having a solitaire tournament. out at the Bide-Away Retirement Villas and after that there's a pudding buffet." Mr. Banks told her

"Oh-wee! Sounds like fun, but I don't think
I can take all that excitement." She told him politely

"Hey, hold up. I don't know, granny. Last week, they served tapioca. Man, the cops had to break that joint up." Will told her

"Mrs. Banks, I bought all the fixings for a North Carolina dinner." Geoffrey said

"Oh! Geoffrey, I'm impressed. But while you're cooking it would you mind making me up a salad? I'm slimming." She said as we laughed at her

"Mama? You mean you're not cooking
at all?" Mr. Banks asked

"Well, you know." She said as we all gave her puppy dog eyes

"Oh, okay, you basset hounds. If you leave me to it, I can bake a pie and still get in a bike ride before supper." She told us as we smiled and all went up to hug and kiss her cheek

"Now, go on. Get out of here. Oh! Shoo. Get away. Shoo. Shoo." She told us as everyone began leaving

"Go, granny. Go granny. Go granny." Will yelled as she put on her headphones and began dancing

My grandfather walked in and saw Granny dancing as he chuckled to himself

"Yo, what up, Mr. A?" Will said as Granny looked behind her and took off her headphones and became embarrassed

"Hello James" she told him smiling

"Hello Hattie" he said smiling as Will and I looked between them

"Mr. A did you know she's A woman known far and wide for her mean sweet potato pies." Will asked

"Oh! Well, if it's half as sweet as she is maybe you might save me a slice." My grandfather said

Woah he got game. I know he was a ladies man when he was around Will's age but I didn't know he still had it in him

"Yo, that's a good line, Mr. A. I'll have to use
that one myself." Will said

"What are you doing out here" he asked her

"Since my Joe passed my son wants me out here. But I don't think so. Oh, don't let this jogging suit fool you. I'm no spring chicken." She told him

"Well, maybe not. But you a long way from the stewing pot. You know like my dad always said women are like Cadillacs
they don't even begin to rev up until they hit 70." He told her

Seriously my grandfather was a player in his past life

"Yo, Mr. A. Another dope line, man." Will said laughing

------------------------------------------------------------

The next day Granny and I walked into the living room we just got finished having lunch I saw Will sewing Carlton's dress as I started laughing

"How're you doing, granny? Wh-what do you think?" Will asked

"Six years of "Oprah," and this is still a shock." Granny said

"I-it's a bet, grandma." Carlton told her

"Don't tell me what happens if you lose.
In fact, I don't want to know what happens if you win. Oh, hell, just let's never
mention it again." She told them

"Son?" Mr. Banks asked walking in looking at Carlton's appearance

"And I use that term loosely. What's going on?" He asked

"Uh, dad, it's not what it looks like. Will and I are making a dress." Carlton told him

"That's exactly what it looks like." He told him

"Look, Carlton, let's just go upstairs and pick out some accessories, man." Will said as Carlton began walking up the stairs

"Hm. Work it, honey." I yelled snapping my fingers

----------------------------------------------------------

The next day I was sitting in the kitchen with Ashley and Hilary as we were about to start setting up the bike

"We can't lose this. We have to take their toxic masculinity and shove it down their throats" I told the girls

'Seat. Handlebars. Pedals. Hey, we're doing great." Hilary said

"Give me." I said as Ashley handed me the instructions

"Oh. "Tools needed. Pliers and a wrench
with a ratchet head." I read

"Sounds like somebody with a bad haircut." Hilary said

"What else?" Ashley asked

"Do not overexert yourself or work to exhaustion." I read

"We have to stop, Ashley, Zora." Hilary said as the boys walked in and began laughing as they both rolled onto the floor as we rolled our eyes at them

"Oh, no, Carlton. Carlton, man. Is this the saddest sight that you've seen, man?" Will asked as they got up

"Zee you looked better in biker shorts than you do right now" Will told me as I rolled my eyes as Carlton stopped laughing

"We are doing just fine, thank you." I told them

"As a matter of fact, as soon as we put it together we'll be done." Hilary said

"When did you see Zora in bicycle shorts?" Carlton asked Will seriously as I rolled my eyes at how stupid this is

"Last Thursday, while she was playing tennis.
Magnificent server." Will told him

"Why are you looking at her in bicycle shorts" Carlton asked

"Why does it matter you have a girlfriend anyway" Will asked

"Can we stop talking about me in biker shorts" I asked

"Speaking of serving your parents are expecting you on the patio for brunch." Geoffrey said

Later that night I walked down the stairs at my house and saw my grandfather and granny playing cards

"Hi Granny" I said

"Hello Sweetheart. Would you like to join us" she asked as I shook my head

"No thank you. I was just getting a glass of water" I said as I walked into the kitchen as my grandfather walked in

"Baby Girl, are you okay with this" he asked me

"Why wouldn't I be" I asked

"I don't its always been me and you" He told me

"You been alone for a long time of course I'm okay" I told him as I smiled

"I love you. You know that" He told me hugging me

"Yes I do. I love you too." I told him. I don't have a problem with my grandfather dating I know he was just having fun and he isn't gonna marry Granny so it wouldn't make me anyone's granddaughter in law or cousin by marriage

-----------------------------------------------------------

The next morning we were in the kitchen for breakfast when Will and Carlton walked out

"God, this dress-making is a breeze, isn't it, Will?" Carlton asked loudly making sure we heard him

"You said it, Carlton. Hey, man, what do you think of this for Cher?" Will asked pulling out a tiger print fabric

"It's a little formal, isn't it?" Carlton asked they both laughed

"Not only are men bad at sewing, they're also terrible liars." Hilary saud

"Let's not generalize" I said

"Hey, what do you know about men?" Will asked

"A lot more than you know about women." Hilary said hitting the back of his head

When was the last time you called a girl
for a date a week in advance showed up in a nice suit with a bouquet of flowers and took her out for a romantic, candle-lit meal?" Hilary asked

"Um, never." Will told her as we went sit down at the table

"Come on, look, women don't like that mushy stuff. They like a man to take control." Will said

"Yeah, control of themselves." Hilary said

"A guy's idea of an icebreaker is sitting next to me in the cafeteria and belching my name." Ashley said

"And they say Chivalry is dead" I said shaking my head

"But come women can spoil men too and pick up the check" I told them

"Are you sticking up from them" Hilary asked as I shook my head

"No the point of a relationship is everything is 50/50. He spoils me. I spoil him. It's a mutual relationship" I said

"There's nothing like love to build up a good appetite." Granny said as Mr. and Mrs. Banks walked in

"Oh, good morning, Mr. Slugabed. Hi, honey.
I fixed your favorite, pecan waffles." She said as she brought it to the table

"Well, no, thank you, mother. I'm not very hungry this morning for some reason." He told her as he sat down at the table

"How was it when you were growing up, grandma?" Carlton asked

"Oh, when I was your age, sweetheart
there was no hanky-panky." She said

"Not at my age, either." Mrs. Banks said as we all began making our plates

"Although I don't think there's anything the matter with a little hugging and kissing." She told us

"Could we change the subject, please?" Mr. Banks asked

"Zeke, are you feeling okay? Your face is longer than Arsenio Hall's." Granny said

"I'm fine." He said

"Well, he tossed and turned all night.
Or was that me?" Mrs. Banks said

"Look, I'm fine. Can we just eat, please?" Mr. Banks asked

"Oh, Hattie, thank you for making breakfast.
You know, you were out so late last night
I thought you would sleep in." Mrs. Banks said

"Oh, honey I've been going to bed
with the chickens all of my life. But, you know, when you're out having a good time the last thing you think about is the bed." She said

"Well, I'm glad to hear that." Mr. Banks said as he got up and walked away

"I don't know what's gotten into dad
but if he's dieting again, I'm moving to a hotel." Hilary said as we all finished breakfast

I was walking to the bathroom when Mr. Banks stopped me

"Zora did you know your grandfather and my mother went on a date last night" he asked me as I modded

"Yes" I told him as I tried to go to the door but he stopped me

"And did you know they were kissing" he asked as I pretended to be shocked

"Oh my god. Well the thought of a single woman and a single man kissing. We must alert the church elders " I said sarcastically

"Your seriously okay with this" he asked as I nodded

"Mr. Banks my grandfather is a good man and they both been alone for a long time plus their just having fun its not like their getting married" I told him but before he could say anything I ran into the bathroom

It was time for dinner as we all were going to the table and Mr. Banks was not talking to my grandfather

"Philip, James has been here almost an hour.
Eventually, you are gonna have to say something to him." Mrs. Banks told him

"Like what?" He asked

"Nice suit. Pass the salt. What's your favorite wrench? Anything. Honey, as long as it's to James. Can you do that for me, please?" Mrs. Banks said

"I'll try. Just wait until you've tasted Geoffrey's ham-hock souffle." Granny said as Will and Carlton sat on the right and left side of mr

"Why don't you sit here James?" Mrs. Banks said pointing to a seat

"Something sure does smell delicious." My grandfather said

"That would be granny." Will said

"So, James, uh, Hattie tells us that you grew up on a farm. We never knew thst about you." Mrs. Banks said

"That's right, a horse farm." He told her

"My daddy had a horse." Mr. Banks said as we all looked at him awkwardly

"Ah, um, Mr. Allen , what breed did you raise?" Carlton asked

"Appaloosas. They have the most beautiful spotted coats." He told him

"We're gonna own a horse farm when we get older" Carlton told me as I scoffed

"Please I'm a city girl. I ain't raising no horses" I told him

"My dad had a spotted coat, then he had it cleaned." Mr. Banks said

"Did you have any other animals on your farm?" Ashley asked

"Oh, of course, we had chickens, cows
and a great old dog named Brownie." My grandfather told them

"My dad loved brownies. He once ate a whole pan-full." Mr. Banks said

"That explains a lot." Will whispered to Carlton and I

"So what happened to your farm?" Hilary asked

"My nephew's there. It was for Zora's father before he passed but he was never really a country boy" my grandfather said as my eyes began watering at the thought of my parents as Will and Carlton rubbed my back

"I passed it on to him, like
my dad got it from his parents." My grandfather told him

"My dad had parents. We called them grand-mom and grand-pop." Mr. Banks said

"Ah, Zeke, honey, it smells like my dessert is ready. Would you go check on it for me, please?" Granny asked as he nodded

"My dad liked" My Banks said as we cut him off

"Sweet potato pie" we all yelled annoyed as he left

What was your father and mother like. You never talk about him

"My father had the hugest heart. He cared for everyone and everything. He had this laugh that was contagious and he never let anyone know he was struggling. He always kept the biggest smile on his face My mother was this beautiful confident dark skin black woman. She was classy but can always give you hood too." I said as tears started falling down my cheeks I never talk about them so its hard to talk about them after all this time

"They feel in love in New York. They were both on the subway and she forgot her purse. He tried to return it but she thought he was a thief and pepper sprayed him. When she found out he didn't she offered to take him to dinner" I said smiling remembering my parents telling me the story

"I can see a lot of her parents in her. They would be so proud of you" my grandfather told me as I smiled

------------------------------------------------------------

The next day we were all demonstrating the exercise bike we built. We did a good job if I say so myself. So in your face Will and Carlton

"This is perfection. You'll notice the smooth motion graceful lines and elegant style.
And the bike looks great, too." Hilary said

"Will, you have to admit Hilary, Zora, and I have built the perfect exercise bike" Ashley said

"While Carlton is probably upstairs
trying to unstitch your dress from some major body parts." I said as thr girls and I laughed

"Ah, she who laughs last.." Will said as he cleared his throat

"Carlton, if you please." Will said as he played
instrumental music when Carlton walked down the stairs in a dress as I tried to hold in my life

"Carlton Banks is wearing an elegant yet masculine cotton-silk combination.
Designed by Will St. Le Carlton." Will said as Carlton modeled the dress

"Well, what do you think?" Carlton asked as I wolf whistled

"Woah Hot Daddy. Come to mama." I yelled in a gruff voice

"You want some fries with that shake?" Hilary asked in a deep voice as Hilary, Ashley, and I laughed

"Honey, you can carry my lunchbox home anytime." Ashley told him as we started laughing harder

"Hey, man, you gonna let them talk to you like that?" Will asked

"Yeah, I kind of like it." Carlton told him as we kept laughing

I really do love this family. I have so much fun with them. I hope that never changes.

A/N So I lovr this chapter because I had the girls hanging out because by the end of this book I want them to feel like sisters. I also gave some backstory on James and Zora's parents