~ Andrea

“So, that’s it,” I say as I pop another morsel of apple pie inside my mouth. “That’s how Clay and I got back together.”

Of course, I didn’t tell my family the whole story. Basically, I left out the parts after we returned from our road trip, simply saying that we fell in love during the road trip and decided to get married when we returned. End of story.

“That’s it?” Rachel pouts as she sets down her glass of wine. “And here, I thought it would be much more romantic.”

“Oh, shush,” my Mom scolds her. “You know as well as I do that life can get only so romantic. That’s why we read books and watch movies.”

That shuts her up, making her go for another sip of wine.

I frown. I’m glad that my Mom seems to be on my side now, especially after all that time in the kitchen we spent together and all the disasters we averted to come up with this feast that’s now mostly in our stomachs, but I do feel sorry for Rachel. I can tell from the rings under her eyes that she’s been crying.

“I can’t believe you went to so many places,” Tom says as he eats a spoonful of the turkey stuffing, which is his favorite part of Thanksgiving.

He arrived only a few minutes before dinner but it’s alright. I’m just glad that he’s here and that the family is complete again for Thanksgiving.

“Well, we all thought we needed a break,” I answer.

“A break from life and plenty of time to spend with each other.” My Mom munches on a pear. “It sounds like a honeymoon. No wonder the two of you fell in love all over again.”

“I do think traveling brings people together,” my Dad says as he sits back in his chair. “Unless the person you’re traveling with is carsick, then it’s just disgusting.”

My Mom narrows her eyes at him. “Fred.”

“Oh, don’t worry, darling.” He grabs his glass. “I wasn’t talking about you.”

“And who else did you travel with, hmm?”

I chuckle. Everyone knows Mom gets carsick. I’m glad I didn’t inherit it.

My Dad leans forward. “I remember there was one time when we drove all the way to Texas and she…”

“Fred, we’re eating.” My Mom puts her hands on her hips.

“Sorry,” my Dad mumbles.

“And just so you know, I was pregnant that time,” my Mom says as she finishes the rest of her slice of pear. “Mind you, your stomach turns against you when you’re pregnant. Heck, your whole body turns against you.” She points at me. “Just you wait and see.”

“Oh, Clay and I aren’t thinking about having a baby just yet.” I glance at him.

So far, he’s been mostly quiet.

My Mom snorts. “And you think we were thinking about having any of you three? Why, you just came along when you wanted.”

“It can’t be all fun, sis,” Rachel tells me. “Enjoy it while you can.”

I frown.

“You will tell us when you’re expecting a baby, won’t you?” My Mom looks at me.

“Of course,” I assure her. “I already know I can’t keep anything from you.”

“Mommy Andrea is having a baby?” Rose asks.

She’s been mostly quiet, too, just grabbing a bit of food here and there.

“No, darling,” I tell her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Well, not now.”

“You’re sure?” Rachel asks. “Maybe that’s why the two of you got married so fast.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “Yes, I’m sure I’m not having a baby right now.”

“But she might have one soon,” my Mom tells Rose. “Would you like a baby brother or a baby sister?”

“A baby sister,” she says at once, smiling.

My Mom smiles, too. “Well, it seems like Rose is open to the idea.”

I roll my eyes. Can’t we just talk about something else?

“Rose seems fine now,” Tom says. “So, is she cured?”

Thank you, Tom.

“She’s coping,” I answer. “I have every belief that one day she’ll be every bit like other children are but still more special in our eyes of course.” I run my hand through Rose’s hair. “I’m really thankful that she came into our lives.”

“Hear, hear.” Clay raises his glass as he looks at me. “It’s one of the things we are most grateful for, though I’m sure we would have found each other again nonetheless.”

I smile.

Rachel coughs. “Save all that for later when you’re alone, alright?”

“Save what?” I ask her curiously.

“Nothing.” She gets off her chair. “I think I’m going to go take a breath of fresh air.”

---

After dinner, Clay and I enjoy our breath of fresh air in the patio, Rose already asleep. Mom and Dad probably are, too, Mom tired from all the cooking she did and Dad having had a bit too much to drink. Tom and Rachel, on the other hand, are doing dishes and likely catching up in the process.

Finally, Clay and I have some time alone.

I rest my head on his shoulder. “So, how did you find Thanksgiving dinner?”

“The food was good,” he answers. “The company was great. Maybe the topics weren’t all to my liking.”

I chuckle. “Yeah. They were asking questions about you and me, weren’t they?”

They asked Clay a lot of questions about himself, too, curious to find out what he had been doing and what he’d become.

“Too many questions.”

“Yup. They can be a little nosy.”

“They almost put Gavin to shame.”

I laugh. “Gavin, however, asks questions for his own purposes. My family usually asks questions only because they’re concerned for me.”

“I know.” Clay places his arm around me. “I can see how much they love you.”

“And they can see how much I love you,” I tell him, sneaking in a kiss to his cheek.

“You call that a kiss?” he asks, turning his head.

I just grin.

He kisses me next, firmly on the lips and longer. As he parts his lips and our tongues mingle, I taste the wine that Rachel bought as well as the spices from the turkey and some of the sweet-sour cranberry sauce. None of those, however, are as good as the taste of him.

I pull away. “You know how thankful I am for you, right?”

“As I am,” he says, smiling.

We’re about to kiss again but Tom shows up.

I frown. “Done with the dishes already?”

“Rachel offered to finish the task.”

“She did?” I give him a look of surprise. “She must have drunk too much wine.”

“Give her a break,” Tom says. “She’s going through a tough time right now.”

I nod. Tom, the older brother, has always looked out for both Rachel and me.

He sits beside me. “I was surprised when I found out the two of you were married.”

Uh-oh. Here it comes.

“But I can see you’re happy so I’m happy for you, for both of you.”

“Thanks, man,” Clay says.

“Just keep her happy, okay?”

I hold my breath. Is that a warning?

“That is my life’s mission,” Clay answers. “After all, Andrea deserves all the happiness in the world.”

“Yeah. She’s an amazing woman.” Tom looks at me.

I blush.

“For a moment there, I thought you’d never marry,” he adds.

I shrug. “I was waiting, I guess, for the right guy to come back.”

Tom grins. “I’m glad he did.” He stands up and pats Clay on the shoulder. “Make this second chance count.”

“I will,” Clay promises. “And I’ll make it last.”

Tom yawns. “I think I’m going to bed now. I’m still tired from my trip and you know, Mom’s food always makes me sleepy.”

“That’s because she’s such a good cook,” I say.

“Hopefully, you picked up a few tips and tricks?”

“Well, I’m not the world’s best cook but yeah.” I nod. “I’m getting better.”

Tom nods then gives me a hug. “Good night.”

“Good night,” I tell him.

He waves a hand at Clay who gives him a salute and then he’s back into the house, probably headed to his old room in the attic.

I look at Clay. “Well, that wasn’t so scary, was it?”

Clay nods. “Maybe being out there on the field has made him…wiser.”

“Maybe,” I agree. “I was really scared that he’d punch you.”

“I thought he was going to.”

“I wouldn’t have let him do it, though.” I touch Clay’s cheek. “You know I love looking at your perfectly handsome face.”

Clay’s eyes gleam with mischief. “Are you sure that’s your favorite part of me to look at?”

I frown, giving him a slight push.

“There you go, teasing me again.”

“Well, you really do look pretty when you blush.”

I stick my tongue out at him.

“If you do that again, I’ll kiss you again,” he says.

Hmm. Shall I do it again?

“And this time, I might not be able to stop,” he warns, leaning towards me. “What are you going to do if Rachel and Tom hear you scream?”

I shake my head. “That is not funny.”

Even so, I can’t help but feel a shiver of excitement go up my spine. How would it feel to have sex with someone, trying to suppress your sounds of pleasure? Will it be even more exciting?

Just when I’m getting tempted to find out, though, Clay’s phone rings.

He takes it out of his pocket and answers it.

“Gavin,” he greets. “We were just talking about you, you know.”

I lean closer to him so I can hear the conversation.

“I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving,” Gavin says. “And I’m sorry to interrupt your fun but I’m afraid there’s some bad news.”

“What?” Clay asks.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, my mind racing to predict what the news could be.

“It’s about Nora,” Gavin says. “She’s found out something that could change everything.”