Family Portrait – Part 3

Hi everyone,
This part, along with the next, has quite a bit of setup and introduces a bunch of characters. I really hope it’s worth sticking through. The series is basically a mix of family saga, soap opera, comedy-drama, and lots of varying sexual encounters. Think Modern Family meets The Young and the Restless, but with way more inappropriate sex.

I’m also planning to add some visuals and a character map to make it all easier to follow.

Everyone in this story is 18+

The living room had been transformed into a makeshift studio, complete with lights, a collapsible backdrop, and an poor photographer who was already fussing over his camera. Everyone was dressed to impress—Gran’s orders, of course—Everyone with their polished suits and dresses.

I stood off to the side, adjusting my tie and watching the rest of the family file in. It was like herding cats, each person falling into place with varying degrees of resistance.

Gran, naturally, was the first to arrive, perched in the middle, like a queen on her throne. Her floral dress was pristine, her silver hair pulled back into its usual tight bun. She clutched her ever-present purse, resting it neatly on her lap as she tried to survey the room. “Everyone, come along now,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of generations. “We don’t want to keep the photographer waiting.”

Uncle Hans stumbled in next, a little too loudly, his tie knotted the wrong way and he had a beer can in one hand and his suit jacket draped over the other arm, looking more like he’d wandered out of a bar than into a family portrait.

Gran sighed, shaking her head. “Hans, your tie. Honestly.” She leaned forward, deftly unknotting and retying it with the precision of someone who’d done this too many times. “You and your silly pranks.”

The photographer cleared his throat, looking hesitant. “Maybe put the beer can down while I’m taking the photo?”

“Oh, of course,” Uncle Hans said meekly as he set the can on the floor.

Reece – My cousin appeared next, leaning against the doorframe with his usual disheveled charm. His suit was wrinkled, his black hair unkempt, and his tattoos peeked out just enough to irritate Gran if she noticed. He slid over to me, nudging my shoulder. “She’s telling the photographer her life story again, isn’t she?”

I glanced at Gran, who was already launching into one of her favorites. “It was in Bavaria, of course. I met my late husband at a dance. Such a handsome soldier.” She waved a hand delicately, as though brushing away an invisible compliment. “We married, and then he whisked me off to America. We started a family here and oh, how my husband worked—slowly making his fortune in stocks.”

Reece leaned in closer, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. “Didn’t she get knocked up first and then married him?”

“Yeah, but don’t say it out loud.” I chuckled softly at Gran’s dramatics but felt a pang of something quieter, deeper. She wasn’t really my grandmother. She was technically my great-grandmother, but after the accident that took my actual grandmother and grandfather, she practically raised Mom and Uncle Hans. For all her flaws—and there were plenty—she literally held this family together in ways none of us could deny.

Gran continued, to the totally oblivious, poor photographer fiddling with his equipment. “And then, of course, the cancer. Three times, I survived. Three!” She emphasized the number with a regal wave of her hand. “It’s a blessing to see this family together.”

While she spoke, Dad put his arm around Mom’s hip. Her smile didn’t falter—it was the perfect picture of poise—but she gently slid his arm away without a word. I caught the moment, but it didn’t surprise me.

“Everyone ready?” the photographer asked us.

“Just Lucian left!” Gran objected.

Right then door creaked open, and Lucian – My older Brother stepped in, looking as polished as ever in his dark suit and neatly trimmed hair. He had the kind of natural confidence that made it impossible not to notice him, even when he wasn’t trying. Gran’s eyes lit up the moment she saw him, her earlier focus on arranging everyone momentarily forgotten.

“Lucian, dear!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “Keeping busy with your studies, I see. Such a fine young man.” She motioning for him to come over. “Come, come. Meet someone cute in college yet? I want great-great-grandchildren before I go back to my Lord and Savior.”

Lucian managed a polite smile, crossing the room and kissing Gran on both cheeks. “Not yet, Gran,” he said softly. “I’m focused on other things right now.”

Gran waved off his answer with a chuckle. “Oh, there’s always time for love. A handsome man like you? It’s only a matter of time.” She leaned back, beaming with pride. “You are such a blessing to this family.”

I watched Lucian closely as he straightened, his shoulders stiff. He was always polite, always put-together, but something about the slight tension in his jaw caught my attention. He seemed distracted, maybe even bothered by something.

“Alright, everyone, places!” the photographer called, clapping his hands to get our attention. Gran reluctantly tore her focus from Lucian as the family shuffled into position.

Gran took center stage, of course, seated regally on the couch with her ever-present purse resting on her lap. Dad stood behind Mom, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder this time instead of her hip. Lucian moved to Casey’s side, standing tall and composed, but his smile was a little too tight. Uncle Hans stumbled slightly as he tried to get into place.

“Whoa there,” Reece said, stepping in to steady him. He flashed a quick grin. “C’mon, Dad, hold it together.”

Hans muttered something under his breath, his expression softening just slightly. Reece’s hands lingered to steady Hans before moving back to his own spot beside me.

I stood between Casey and Reece, flanked on either side like a prisoner between two rival guards. Casey nudged me as we lined up, leaning in close enough for only me to hear. “Good thing Gran’s half-blind. She doesn’t see all the stains,” he whispered, his voice full of teasing.

My cheeks flushed instantly, but Casey’s gentle nudge and the quick, reassuring smile he threw my way grounded me somehow. “Shut up, I changed. No stains” I muttered, elbowing him lightly.

Lucian shot Casey a quick look. “Hush,” he said softly but firmly, his tone enough to make Casey back off. He gave a half-hearted shrug, leaning back into position with his signature smirk.

The photographer began clicking away, taking shot after shot as Gran barked small adjustments. “Sit up straight, Hans. Warren, smile wider. Katherine, don’t look so tired.”

Mom’s smile stayed perfectly composed as Dad leaned in a little closer behind her. She didn’t push his hand away this time, but I caught the faint flicker of her eyes as though she were calculating the exact moment to step out of reach again.

The photographer gave a cheerful, “Perfect, perfect! Let’s get a few more, just in case,” and the camera flashed again.

The photographer adjusted his lens. “Alright, perfect!” he said, glancing up. “Wait—hold on. Is everyone here?”

Someone murmured, “Oh, Ramona isn’t in the picture!”

The photographer blinked, looking around the room. “Has she been here the whole time?”

Casey leaned in, his grin sharp. “She has a habit of matching the grey wallpaper,” he quipped, earning a few chuckles. Ramona – My sister, predictably, didn’t react at all. She stood quietly by the door, unbothered by the comment, until Dad noticed her and waved her over.

“C’mon, sweetheart. Stand next to me,” he said warmly.

Ramona walked over without a word, slipping into place beside him. Her expression brightened when Dad took her hand and gave it a squeeze. The camera clicked a few more times, the photographer snapping the last of the group shots.

As the group began to shuffle and relax, Dad spoke up. “Hey, uh, maybe we could do a photo of just me, Kat, and the twins? You know, for the memories?”

Mom’s smile froze, but her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why?” she asked, her voice perfectly calm but with an edge that was impossible to miss.

Lucian shifted where he stood, his usual composure faltering for just a moment. I caught the quick flicker of discomfort in his expression and frowned.

“I would only take a portrait with all my children or none,” Mom continued, her tone crisp and final.

Gran nodded approvingly from her seat. “Katherine’s right,” she said. “All or none.”

Even Casey and I chimed in, nodding in a rare show of agreement. “Yeah, same,” I muttered, and Casey gave a small, supportive grunt beside me.

Lucian’s face softened, a quiet smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I could tell the solidarity meant something to him, even if he didn’t say it out loud.

Dad blinked, flustered. “No, yes. I… that’s not what I meant. Forget it.” He waved a hand awkwardly, but his cheeks were tinged red. Ramona reached out, taking his hand again.

“It’s okay, Dad,” she said softly, smiling up at him. “I understood what you meant.”

With the last photos taken, Gran clapped her hands. “Well, that should do it! I’ll take care of the payment. Send the invoice to me,” she said to the photographer. “Make sure it’s addressed to Mrs. Schmidt. The address is…

The photographer nodded quickly, jotting something down in his notebook.

Reece leaned toward me, his voice low and conspiratorial. “Mrs. Schmidt? He could probably write Eva Braun, and it would still end up in her mailbox.”

I snorted, trying to cover it with a cough, but the giggle slipped out anyway. Casey followed suit, and soon even Mom let out a quiet chuckle. Gran, thankfully, didn’t hear it, and the photographer continued packing up, blissfully unaware of the running joke.

Confused about who someone is? Check the: Character Map