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Chapter 6 Thankful


A/N: Sorry its been so long since the last update. I get really self critical when it comes to this book because out of all of my fanfictions, this one is the most real. It deals with some pretty tough things. This chapter is entirely Killian and Andie getting to know more about each other and it gets kind of deep in spots. But being that its almost Thanksgiving, its also a seasonal chapter. I really hope you guys enjoy this Chapter. Its almost 4000 words. I'm actually proud of it.  Let me know what you guys think! 

Andie

2 months later

"Don't tell me you are staying in that apartment all by yourself for Thanksgiving." My older sister Krystyn sighed through the phone.
"I'm not alone, I have Zar, Krys." I said. "I just don't think me coming back to Seattle is a good idea.."
"Andie, I promise you you'll be safe. Come on Mom is going to lose her mind if you don't come and if you think Dad is letting Jason anywhere near you after what he did..."
"I just don't want to take the chance Krys. Please respect my decision..Maybe you and Matt can come out here sometime?..I miss him."
"He misses his auntie Andie too." Krys sighed.

I cleared my throat.
"Have..you seen him? Jason?" According to my lawyer he still hadn't signed the divorce papers, and they were having trouble locating him. Which wasn't unusual for him, he sometimes went missing for weeks at a time when I was still living with him.
"Not since he pestered mom asking where you went. Of course she didn't tell him. So don't worry. I still can't believe they let that asshole out of jail.." Krys grumbled.
I felt anxiety bubbling in my chest.
"Hey.. I gotta go." I said. "My uh..neighbor is at the door." I lied. "He borrowed something from me yesterday."
"Ooo He?" Krys said and I couldn't see it but I knew she was grinning ear to ear.
"Bye Krys.." I mumbled.
"Wait what's his name?!" Krys asked before I hung up the phone and rolled my eyes.

I got up from my couch and went to the window looking out at the little snow flurries coming down and smiled. I looked down at the sidewalk. Killian was walking up the sidewalk he looked up at the sky with almost adorable un-amusement. He clearly did not like the snow. He then turned and his eyes fell onto mine. I gasped and ducked out of the window
Oh great Andie, hes going to think you are a stalker. I thought.

Killian wasn't an asshole to me anymore, we didn't really talk much because we both had things going on...well he had things, I had anxiety, but when we did talk, it was friendly. Sometimes when he would talk to me, he'd do this thing where he would scratch behind his ear and laugh nervously. I thought about that laugh often.

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Thanksgiving Day 

There was a sudden loud knock on my door that woke me from my sleep. I looked at the clock It was four in the morning. The knocking continued, only louder this time. Balthazar scrambled off of the bed and under the bed.
"Gee, Thanks I'll handle the possible serial killer on my own." I sighed and shoved the covers off of me and got out of bed, walking to the door. I looked out the peephole and saw Killian standing there.
Please don't be drunk.

I opened the door and rubbed the last bit of sleep out of my eyes and blinked at him. He looked rough. His eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"Killian...are you okay?" I asked.
"I need your help with something." He said. "Please. I know it's early and I'm sorry."
"O..Okay. What can I help you with?" I asked.
"Come with me?" He asked but before I answered he turned and walked back to his apartment opening the door.

I walked out of my apartment and closed the door before walking into his apartment with him. It smelled like he had been deep cleaning for hours. There was a heavy bleach smell.
"Please..tell me I'm not helping you hide a crime scene...because I will crack under pressure if I am questioned." I said.
He chuckled softly.
"No.. I uh..." He sighed. "I've been cleaning for the last four hours because I'm trying to distract myself. Holidays have been harder since Liam and Milah." He said and his eyes welled a bit and he turned away from me to wipe his eyes.
"I'm really sorry Killian." I said.
"Its..okay.." he said and walked into the kitchen. I followed him and the first thing I noticed was he practically had an entire liquor store on his kitchen counter.

"This is what I need your help with." Killian said.
"I don't drink, Killian." I said.
"No..No, I know. I need your help getting rid of it because I don't trust myself to do it and last time I called Robin to do it, I talked him out of it but I know you won't let me talk you out of it. I..just can't live looking for the solution to my problems at the bottom of the bottle anymore Andie and I know you don't really know me, and you have no reason to help but I'm scared that if I don't get rid of it that after dinner at Davids tonight when I'm alone..really alone, I'm going to start drinking." He said and cursed to himself as his eyes watered over again and a couple tears slipped out and he turned away from me again.
"I'm sorry.." he mumbled.

"Of course I'll help you Killian." I said softly. "You don't have to apologize to me for being emotional." I said and walked over to the collection of liquor. I turned to him.
"Is this all of it?" I asked and turned to look at him.
"Yeah." Killian replied, but it wasn't very convincing.
"Killian I can't help you if you aren't honest." I said and crossed my arms. I was surprised by the sternness in my own tone. I was usually quite the pushover, but Killian needed someone to be strong for him, and I was not going to let him down.
"That's all I have Andie." He said.


I raised my eyebrow and walked past him to begin searching the apartment.
"What are you doing?" Killian asked, hot on my heels.
"Killian, I lived with an alcoholic for 6 years. I know how it goes." I said and searched all the common spots I would find alcohol hidden around my house. The living room was clear, Under the sink in the bathroom was also good. I made my way to the bedroom and he stepped in front of me which set of a big red flag.

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes.
"Killian, unless you bring me whatever liquor you are hiding in there. I'm not doing this. I'll go back home."
He sighed and walked into his bedroom and got down on the floor and reached under the bed retrieving a bottle of rum. He stood up and handed it to me.
I took it and then walked over to the dresser and opened the middle drawer and dug into it retrieving a travel size bottle of vodka.
"You..are good." Killian said. "I swear to you that is the last one. I swear it on my brother." He said, and I could tell this time he was sincere.

I spent the next 30 minutes pouring liquor down his kitchen sink while he sat on his counter and watched me.
"Thank you Andie.."
"For?" I asked.
"Seeing through my bullshit and making me give up the ones I had hidden."
"Oh.. you're welcome." I smiled and poured the very last bottle down the drain and put the empty bottle in the box of all the others to take it down to the recycle bin.
"That alcoholic you mentioned living with for 6 years must have been difficult." He said. I froze for a minute but nodded.
"You could say that." I said and swallowed thickly.
"I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to bring up something to upset you."

I shook my head.
"No.. Its okay." I smiled. "How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Well...I suppose in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm feeling Thankful for having someone like you who cares enough to show tough love to get things done." Killian smiled.
"I'm sure Robin and David care Killian."
"Oh! Of course they do but.. I've known them for ages I know how to..." He trailed off.
"How to manipulate them into doing what you want.." I said.
"Yeah." He sighed. "I'm an asshole."
"I used to think so." I said. "But not anymore. You aren't an asshole, you're just a man who has been dealt shit cards but, the way that you are willing to push back and not let life run over you...that's admirable...inspiring even." I said. "And if you are willing to take this first step to change for the better then I applaud you."
He smiled.
"I should let you get back to bed."
"Oh, no I'm up now." I shrugged. "I'm going go make some coffee. Would...you like to come over for some coffee?"
"Oh. Uh...yeah sure." Killian shrugged and with that we left his apartment and went to mine.

Killian looked around.
"You've been here for months and you still don't have anything besides what came with the apartment." He chuckled.
"Thats not true." I said and gestured to a toaster on my counter like I was showing off a grand prize.
"Whoa, slow down there. A toaster is just a little too wild for me." He smirked.
I smiled and went to the coffee pot to start some coffee.

"Honestly though, this place just needs something that makes it...more you." Killian said.
"I think a plain jane apartment like this screams Andie Baker." I laughed.
"There is nothing plain jane about you Andie." Killian said as he sat down at the table. "Seriously..what do you like?" He asked.
I just shrugged.
"I don't do a lot. Not anymore." I said and turned to face him leaning on the counter.
"Well what did you used to do?" Killian asked.
"I used to write." I said. "Until someone told me I couldn't."
Killian frowned.
"If I listened to everyone who told me I couldn't write, I'd be out of a job." He said.

"You write?" I asked.
"Well.. its not my first love, but yes." Killian said and picked up a newspaper from the table and opened it to a certain page and then pushed it towards me.
I looked down at the page and gasped. The only reason I really read the paper, was for this page. Every week there was a new short story under a page titled Hook's Nook. The author of the short stories went under the name J.T. Hook.
"You are NOT telling me that you are J.T. Hook." I said in disbelief.
"Not many people know its me. But..yes. I am."
"Killian! I love these stories! These stories are the whole reason I buy the paper!" I exclaimed.
"I'm glad you like them." Killian chuckled.
"Like them? I love them!" I said and walked back over to the coffee pot to pour us some coffee.

I brought his coffee to him and sat down with him.
"Don't let one person dictate your whole life with their words Andie. If you like to write, then write. If you like to paint, paint. Do what you love on your terms. Not anyone else's" Killian said.
I looked down at my coffee smiling before taking a sip.
"Every now and then, I open up the page for local writers to showcase their work..write me something and I'll put it in. Use a pen name if it makes you feel more comfortable." Killian offered.
I looked up at him my eyes widened "Oh.. No I couldn't." I said shaking my head. Killian smirked and finished his coffee.
"Sure you can. You got two weeks Baker." He said standing up from the table.
"Two...weeks?" I mumbled to myself and stood up following him to the door. "You're giving me a deadline? I don't even work for you!" I exclaimed.
Killian opened the door.
"Thank you for the coffee, and the help. Really, I appreciate it."
"Y..you're welcome Killian." I said. He then winked at me.
"Two weeks Baker." He said and shut the door.

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

That evening, I looked through my freezer at my microwave dinners.
"What do you think Zar? Turkey and Gravy for Thanksgiving or..should I go against the grain and make a pizza?" I asked and looked down at my cat. He just blinked at me.
"I know you're just a cat and can't answer me. Don't give me that look." I mumbled and there was a knock on the door.

I raised my eyebrow and went to the door and opened it to see Killian, again.
"K. Jones. I'm starting to think you have a crush." I smirked. A small pink blush formed on his cheeks, and tips of his ears.
"Just.. uh...being neighborly and all." He said and did that adorable nervous laugh of his.
"What's up?" I asked.
"I was at The Nolan's just now and David asked me if I had invited you have dinner with us and I realized I had forgotten to invite you. SO here I am..inviting you to Thanksgiving down the hall...if you don't have plans that is."
"Oh! Well.. actually I was asking Zar if we should have Pizza..or turkey and...well of course he didn't answer me because hes.."
"A Cat.." Killian said and scratched behind his ear and smirked at me. "Mary-Margaret told me to tell you that he is invited too."
"Oh.. well..then okay." I said and turned back into the apartment and picked up Balthazar.
"Change of plans buddy." I said and carried him out the door.
"Are you sure this is okay?" I asked Killian.
"Of course." Killian nodded.

"Is it just us?" I asked.
"Oh, no. The Nolan's daughter Emma and her boyfriend are in. Ruby and her Grandmother, and Robin and his son are there. That's okay right?"
"Yeah. Its fine." I said. It was a little anxiety inducing, but I had already met The Nolans, Ruby, and her Grandmother, and I'd seen Robin a time or two and having Balthazar with me would make it less worrisome.
We walked into the apartment, The Nolan's were in the kitchen, with a young blonde woman, Robin, and another man I hadn't met were in the living room watching a football game while a little boy pushed his toy car around the floor and Ruby and her Grandmother were starting to set the table.

Mary-Margaret looked up at me and smiled.
"Andie! Hey!" She said and waved for me to come to the kitchen. Killian walked into the living room and to look at the game, so I walked to the kitchen.
"Hi." I smiled. "Thanks for inviting me. And Zar." I said holding the cat close to me.
"Oh of course!" She smiled.
"Andie this is our daughter Emma." David said.
The blonde with the red leather jacket smiled and extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you." She said. I shook her hand and nodded.
"Nice to meet you too."


I felt something tug at my jeans and looked down to see the little boy smiling up at me.
"Oh! I'm sorry." Robin said as he walked into the kitchen "Roland be polite." He sighed and picked up his son.
"Can I play with the kitty?" Roland asked.
"I don't know if the Kitty wants to play." Robin said and looked at me.
"Oh! Balthazar loves kids actually." I said and smiled leaning in so Roland could pet him.
Balthazar purred in my arms.
"If you push your car to him, He'll play." I said to the boy set the cat down. Robin put Roland down and he giggled and ran back into the living room with Balthazar in tow.

Dinner went better than I thought it would, I wasn't as nervous as I usually would be. I think oddly enough sitting next to Killian helped with that. I'd gotten to know Robin a little more and his adorable son Roland who Balthazar made a quick friend with.
And I'd also gotten to know Emma, and her boyfriend Neal a bit. Emma was nice, but with parents like hers that was no surprise. This was apparently Neal's first time meeting her parents so he was a little awkward.
I thanked the Nolan's again for inviting me, as Killian and I were leaving.
"Anytime sweetie!" Mary-Margaret smiled and hugged me and then pat Balthazar on the head.

"So that wasn't too awful was it?" Killian asked.
"No, I actually had a good time. Sometimes its nice to get out of my comfort zone." I shrugged.
"Well I was not about to let you sit there alone and eat a frozen pizza on Thanksgiving. When my brother and I came here from Ireland, Thanksgiving was just another Thursday to us and because we were new to the complex, David and Mary-Margaret invited us to theirs and We joined them every year, Liam loved the holidays. He loved how everyone came together, so even though he's gone, I try to keep up with it..for him."
"Are there any holidays like Thanksgiving in Ireland?" I asked.
"There were Harvest festivals and such." Killian smiled. We stood our apartments and I opened my door and set Balthazar down so he could go in and make himself comfortable. I closed the door and turned back to Killian.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Honestly...like I need a drink." Killian sighed. "So its a good thing we got rid of all that."
"Yeah." I nodded. "Um.. if you'd like, I could come sit with you for a bit. I know..you don't want to be alone."
"Aye.. but you do." He chuckled. "After all that socializing I don't blame you either."
"No..Killian really, I don't want you to be alone. We'll have coffee and just chat." I shrugged.
"I've had you up since four this morning Andie, you should sleep."
"I'll sleep later. I just..." I sighed. "I want to make sure you're okay. Because we may have started off hating each other but I kind of care about you."
"Only kind of?" Killian smirked and his eyebrow danced up. "I'm starting to think you have a crush. A. Baker." He said paying me back for my comment earlier.

He opened his door and I followed him inside. He gestured to the couch.
"Have a seat. I'll make us some hot chocolate. I don't think either of us need anymore coffee." He chuckled and walked to the kitchen.
I sat down on the couch waiting scrolling through my phone reading my sisters texts.
It wasn't long before Killian walked back in the living room and handed me a mug before sitting down next to me.
"Thank you." I said and sighed putting my phone up.
"Whats up?" He asked.
"Oh.. just my sister, pestering me making sure I ate something. She was worried about me spending Thanksgiving alone."
"Not much of a family person?" Killian asked.
"Oh, I love them. This is my first year not spending the holidays with them. My Nephew is very upset about it." I frowned.
"So why didn't you go? Other than them being all the way in Seattle?"

I tucked my feet under me and sipped at the hot chocolate. I felt tears stinging my eyes.
"Andie..are you okay?" Killian asked.
"Its just not a good idea for me to go back there right now." I said.
"What's stopping you?" Killian asked.
I sighed heavily. Eventually he was going to know and It was such a pain to keep it to myself.
"My husband." I said softly.
Killian sat back and blinked at me.
"You...are married?" He asked.
"Separated..actually. Divorce pending, and before you say you're sorry, don't be. I left him. If you have wondered to yourself, why it is that Andie Baker, is such a fucking mess...and don't lie, because I know you have.. Everyone does. He is the reason." I said. Finally getting it off of my chest. 


"Andie..I.." Killian started but I shook my head.
"Its okay, really."
"No.. its not. I don't know what he did but I get the feeling, if I ever met the guy I'd knock his teeth down his throat." He said protectively. His tone caught me off guard.
"Um.. you won't meet him. He doesn't know where I am. He's sent me letters, but he gives them to my lawyer and my lawyer sends them. I have a stack of letters in my kitchen addressed to Andrea Moore, all from him. All unopened." I sighed.
"Why haven't you opened them?" Killian asked.

"Because I'm afraid that he'll have just as much power over me with his writing, that he does when he talks to me and I'm afraid that I'll go back because he will make me feel like I have no other choice. Like he always does." I said and looked down at my hands that had started to shake. It had been a while since I spoke about Jason to this extent. Archie hadn't even gotten me to open up about him yet. But something about Killian made me feel like I was safe.
"Can.. we watch TV or something?" I asked. I expected him to press on about Jason, like mostly everyone did but he didn't. He just nodded and smiled.
"Yeah..we can." He said and picked up the remote off the coffee table turning on the tv. I set my empty mug on the table beside the couch.
"Oh, look A Christmas Story is on." He said.
"Oh! Put it on!" I beamed. I loved Christmas movies.
He chuckled and put the movie on.

Halfway through the movie I felt my eyelids getting heavy and I was having a hard time keeping them open. But I still didn't want to leave Killian by himself, so I tried to power through it but the more I tried to fight it, the sleepier I became, until I found myself leaning against his shoulder, closing my eyes and letting sleep take me, reassuring myself that as long as I was still here, Killian wouldn't be spending the rest of the night alone. 

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