Founder.

Mercedes groaned slightly, a heavy sigh leaving her lips as she grabbed her robe and put it on. She lazily pulled her pressed hair into a ponytail before she exited her bedroom. She against her better judgement descended the stairs in her matching pjs, her slippers scuffing the marble floors. As she navigated through the large estate towards her kids, she took her time despite having held everyone back an entire hour as she slept. When she reached the massive living room where everyone was huddled she said “Merry Christmas” faking the biggest smile as she found an open seat and plopped down against the couch lazily. 

Samuel lounged. Feet propped on the foot rest. He had been skirting the area between being awake and sleeping for nearly an hour.  One arm wrapped around Sage as she sat close to his side on the couch.  Even with a tree overflowing with gifts, she still hovered close to him, as they waited for Mercedes. He popped one eye open as his wife joined them.  He grinned seeing her little wattle and simmering disdain for him just under the surface. All fake happiness for the kids on this Christmas morning..  “Merry Christmas baby.” He muttered sitting up in his seat. “Alright.. Let’s do this.” For the life of him he didn’t understand why or how there were so many gifts under the tree.  Their kids had literally everything.  Spoiled brats.  He thought, grinning. 

Sierra sat with her phone in her hand texting away at her friends. Her mother was taking an awfully long time to get up with everyone and he was confused as to why. Well outside of being pregnant typically her mother was a holiday junky and Christmas happened to be her favorite. Something to her however, it had a lot to do with her father. When the woman did she show she said “finally” exasperatedly “Merry Christmas” she added as she moved to climb off the couch. 

Sage sat waiting impatiently for her mother to join them downstairs. She was ready to open a gift, or something at all. She bit her lip looking up at her father as he fought tooth and nails to keep himself awake falling back into his arms. When her mother showed she said “yay” happily hopping up “Merry Christmas mommy” she said as she ran for the tree. 

Mercedes’ did not reply back to Samuel instead she pecked Sage’s forehead gently before she scurried off. Mercedes pulled her feet up on the coffee table and leaned back into the couch, her hands cupping her belly. She watched as the children moved towards the massive amount of gifts she had to thank her friend for wrapping. Because she sure as hell hadn’t. 

Sean did his  best nonchalant Samuel impersonation, while also keeping a close eye on the tree.  He had adopted the I don’t care attitude but truly he would be devastated if nothing under the Christmas tree was for him.  He stretched elaborately, when his mother finally showed up. “Merry Christmas,'' he mumbled once his mom made it downstairs.  Standing, he moved over to the tree stride deliberate, trying to be the last person to find a place closer to the tree. 

Seth pointed to the biggest box under the tree, “that’s mine.” He told SJ,  with a grin. 

SJ looked up from his phone and shook his head at his younger brother, “Only if you ask for a Barbie Dream house.” He mouthed, chuckling.  He looked up to his mother, God she was huge. “Morning mom.” He said, getting to his feet, he moved over and kissed his mother's cheek. God, his father was annoying.  It was crazy but seeing his mother tired and sick all the time and knowing the cause of it only made him more and more aggravated with his dad. Dropping down next to Sean, “Sierra has to hand out the first round of gifts.” He smirked at his oldest sister.  

Samual moved over closer to Mercedes, as Sage vacated the couch, leaning over he kissed her cheek. “You better talk to me, woman.” He fused. Hand going to her belly as he leaned in close “Merry Christmas… when are you guys coming to meet us?” He asked with a smile kissing her belly too. Hearing SJ cracking voice, he added to the den, “You heard the man, Sierra.  Hop to!” 

Samaria sat near the coffee table, her arms resting on it as she observed her spoiled siblings using every inch of the entitlement they obtained from their father’s strands of white genes to obnoxiously and insensitively greet their mother. She looked to her mom and said “Merry Christmas Mama” softly. Her mother could sleep the whole day and still look like a zombie, the only thing she was left to gather is that children sucked the life out of you. She slid closer to her mother near the other end of the couch curious to know what more they all could need. 

Sierra looked at SJ and before she could protest and assert her dominance her father chimed in. She looked at him and then SJ “yes sir” she said reluctantly and she grabbed what she knew were watch boxes for all six of them and she handed them out. “This is from mom and dad of course” she told them all. 

Mercedes raised a brow at Sierra, how ungrateful could the brat be. Shifting against the chair, she stretched her back lightly as Samuel approached her, looking at him she cut her eyes playfully. She offered a smile to Samria and SJ, as Samuel leaned down. Smirked, she answered for the children “when they are ready” with a confident tone. Though she doubted that inwardly as she caressed her hand against a spot someone was kicking. 

Sean leaned over and elbowed SJ, chuckling as their dad told Sierra to hand out the gifts.  He looked up at Sierra with feigned innocence and took the box she offered. “Thank you big sis. You are a real one.”   

SJ’s chest stuck out. He rubbed his hands together Birdman style, eyeing his sister.  “You heard dad. The man.” He said, popping his collar, “has spoken.” He chuckled as Sean did his bit, slapping him with both hands. For his part, he bit his lip and just took the box. Sierra wasn’t going to take too much more teasing from them. He could see that much in her eyes. 

Samuel looked up when his wife answered for the children she was yet creating, “Stubborn. They get it honestly. Don’t they?” He chuckled, leaning back to  watch the kids antic by the tree. It reminded him of growing up in Georgia.  There were never this many presents under their tree. Hell from the time the twins were born he rarely remembered getting anything.  The silly, fun family stuff. Was always his present. He brought his hand to rest on top of Mercedes. After a hundred years of marriage she was still the apple of his eye.  “Love you.” He said quietly. But meant the words to cover everyone in the room.

Sage hopped up and down accepting the gift thankfully and she ripped the paper from it immediately. Opening the box she saw the watch and said “nice” sitting it on the ground she began to bounce on her toes again. “Daddy I wanna open this one, please!” She stressed pointing towards the big box she didn’t care about a Diamond watch; she couldn’t tell time anyway. She wanted toys! 

“Yep” Mercedes said watching her children “it comes from their father” she said bitterly at the thought. Licking her lips she continued to rub a circle against her belly, smirking at Sage. Mercedes looked at Samuel and said “I love you too”, it wasn’t a lie despite her annoyance with him lately and sometimes nasty attitude. He was still and would remain the love of her life. 

Sierra squinted at SJ as she sat down on the ground. She unwrapped the box and opened it to see a new Rolex “ooo” she said as she pulled it out and put it on her wrist. “Thank you Mom, thank you Dad” the materialistic Evans said happily. 

Seth ripped the paper off the package.  “Yeah!” He said, opening the box. “The ladies are going to love this one.” He put the watch on closing the clasp. “Now all I need is a new Gucci hat.” 

Samuel chuckled, “Yeah, all me. Right.” He peeked Mercedes cheek again, shaking his head. “Alright.” Samuel entoned, willingly ready to give into Sage’s request, “y'all know the drill. Get to unwrapping! Samaria, your mom will be fine for a second.” He told the girl, reaching for her hand. “You can bring her gifts over to her.” He pushed off the couch, towing Samaria along and moving to help Sage open her gifts. 

It was a new watch, and she gathered that much. Samaria looked at it and then quietly closed the box sitting it on the coffee table. At her fathers words she looked up at him “but” she said softly, she wanted to tell him she was fine right where she was at. But bringing her mother her gifts wasn’t a bad idea at all. So she moves her body, crawling through paper and around her knuckle headed brothers as she looked for gifts with her mothers name on it. When she found something she said “here mom” at the nice sized box, bringing it over to her. Her father really always gave their mother the best Christmas gifts. 

Sierra looked to her father and she moved, reaching under the tree again, “this has the twins on it” she said to her dad, confused. “Can I open it?” She asked curiously. How did the two people who didn’t even have a room set up have gifts? 

Sage gleamed happily as she continued to bounce, her doll long gone and covered in palate somewhere. “The big one, the big one, the big one” she chanted as her father moved closer for her. 

Mercedes’ pulled her legs down from the coffee table and she sat up on the couch once more. Sitting upright she looked at Samaria and smiled as the girl brought her a box, “thank you” she told her mini-me lovingly. She looked at the tag and it was from her husband. She unwrapped the box and opened it to observe a confusing gift. “Sam?” She questioned picking it up “why did you buy me a UM hat?” She said looking at him oddly, it was a kind gift. Not what she expected. She would always love her Miami family. But he knew she rarely went to a game these days. She preferred to send in a donation in their name much more. 

Sean and SJ dove head first into the presents, both sat back on their heels only to realize both the gifts they retrieved were for Seth. Sucking their teeth at the same time, they pushed the box at the youngest Evan’s male.  And went back to find gifts for themselves.

“Thank you peasants.” Seth said, waving his brother off. He grabbed for the bigger box and started tearing off paper with abandon.  

Samuel moved around to the tree grabbing the big box Sage had requested.  Weaving around the mass of children, careful not to step on anyone, “Yeah. Go ahead, I’m sure they won’t mind.” He told Sierra with a toothy grin.  Sitting the box down in front of Sage. “Here you go.” Samuel looked back toward his wife, noting what she had in her hand. “I was thinking we haven’t been to a game in a while. We need to change that.” Holding up his hands, “Hey everyone grab those boxes and open them up.”  He smirked knowing full well all those boxes contained University of Miami ball caps and season passes. 

Sage smiled up at her dad and happily began to rip at the paper covering the large box. As what she wanted appeared before her she screamed “yay” she didn’t care about anything else. Especially not what everyone else was talking about, she hugged the box before she dropped to her knees beginning her task of boxing the box. 

Sierra smirked, opening the box and she pulled out matching outfits for the twins. “How cute,” she said with a small smirk. She could never place her emotions about her mother and father having more children but seeing the awfully cute little outfits did warm her heart. At her mothers words she looked up and then over at her dad, she opened the box he directed them to. “Dad, how did you get these?” She asked shocked, maybe her dad really did have that much pull. They didn’t graduate from the school after all. “My friends are not going to believe this” she said arrogantly as she snapped a photo of her pass and sent it into a group chat. 

Mercedes looked at Samuel and smirked, it was. Sweet idea. That was the sight of the beginning of the rest of their lives. And truthfully it had become the location of the place that made Miami home for her. “That’s sweet” she said resting the hat back in the box, she looked at their children and smiled again. “For you guys he’d do anything” she replied back to Sierra with a dimple creasing smile. 

Samaria sat next to her mother opening the box and revealing the ball cap. “I like this” she said as she put it on her head. She combed her fingers through her hair, rarely strengthened but when it was, couldn't help but to do so. She then picked up the pass and showed her mom “look” she told her. 

Sean put down the new video game he wanted and grabbed the box his father pointed to. It was stupid, and would make them look ridiculous but it was Christmas and for a change Sean stored his egotistical side.  He looked around at his brother and sister, then up to his Dad. Placing the cap on his head.  “Where's yours pop?” 

SJ put the season pass lay around his neck and then put the Miami hat on. Holding his phone up he snapped a few pictures, then looked over at his father.  “Dad doesn’t need one, he will be working.” He told Sean, pushing him playfully.  

Samuel waited for everyone to get their boxes open, he’d prepared this speech for a moment and grin, clearing his throat.  His thunder was taken slightly as his oldest son casually brushed his absence off with work… Rude! He reached down and pushed the boy's head, “You mother is right as usual. I would do anything for you guys.” He rolled his eyes at his son, “Samuel Jr.” He stressed, “Is also right. I’ll be working.”  He turned to his wife.  “Baby, I hope you won’t be upset but I took a little bit of a pay cut. To be fair, they did double their normal starting salary for head coaches.” He smirked watching the woman’s face. 

Mercedes looked down at the pass, she smiled “your name is on it” she said thoughtfully. Looking at SJ she gave him a not too pleased look before her eyes moved to Samuel. “Wait” she said confused as she looked at him “you are coaching UM football?” She said, confused. She stared at him waiting for a proper confirmation as she went through an array of emotions internally. There was “no way” she said shaking her head, that her husband would give up his job for her? He loved his job, despite her begging he left every time. 

Sierra's mouth dropped “what?” She responded to his father. Did they all know what this meant? She would now be the coolest kid on campus? She would be UM royalty even the more. “Oh my God!” She said happily as she opened up her Twitter app and began to type away. That entire campus was beneath her feet now.

Seth’s eyes went wide, without considering his actions he jumped up and threw himself bodily onto his father. “You’re gonna be home.  From now on?” He asked, hugging the man around the midsection tightly.

Samuel grimaced  his hand patting Seth on the back. Confused. He never really thought the kids noted his absence. “Yes.” He said to his youngest. Then looking at Mercedes. “Yes.” He stressed, “I mean there are away games but for the most part I should be home for dinner. I figured we could make up for the salary drop with investments.”

Mercedes' eyes moved from Seth back to Samuel, “are you joking?” She asked. She was still a bit shocked and unbelieving. His last statement made her eyes drop to the floor “I don’t know what to say?” She chuckled lightly, her chuckle masking her true emotions. She sniffled lightly, wiping a few tears away. She was happy of course she was, she wanted him home. She wanted him in Miami. And she needed him near rather he knew that or not. “Are you sure?” She sniffled as she wiped more tears. 

Well shit, Samuel thought as Mercedes started to cry. He moved over to her, pulling a still attached Seth right along with him. If he hadn’t been sure he was now. “Yeah. The deal is done. The ink is dry.” He reached for Mercedes face wiping the tears away. “Say you love me.” He smiled with sad eyes.  He’d really been fucking up it seemed. 

Mercedes' chin quivered lightly as he wiped her tears away. “Of course I love you” she said as she leaned in to hug hug tightly. She squeezed him tightly as she began to cry a little more “thank you babe” she told him, she didn’t give a fuck about a difference in salary. She dreaded him being away, and loved him for giving up what she knew he didn’t want to. 

Seth stepped back and pushed his father forward.  “Hug my mother.” He ordered with a slick grin. 

Samuel gave his child a happy apologetic smile then stooped gathering his heavily pregnant wife in his arms.  “Don’t thank me.” He said, into her messy hair, voice tightening. “I don’t deserve it.” He should have done this years ago. The guilt of his delay twisting his stomach. It was like a drug, being a public figure. Only selfishness made him put it off.  A character flaw. Yet, this woman loves him anyway. He hugged her even tighter. 

Mercedes continued to hold onto Samuel as she sniffled, she pulled back watery eyes staring at him as she kissed him deeply. “This is an amazing Christmas gift,” she told him seriously. “I love you so much” she said, filled with pure joy and peace finally. She could worry less knowing he’d be closer to her, to the children and that she didn’t have to live in fear for the rest of her pregnancy.