It's the fourth Thursday of November. Roshni arrives around ten in the morning upon our agreement to have the Thanksgiving dinner here at my house. I had to talk to her last night, for I couldn't get a wink of sleep thinking of my hospital visit and the news I got.

"You sounded so worried last night. Is something wrong?" Roshni stares at me and our brown eyes collide smoothly.

I usher her into the kitchen where I've been busy with the grocery bags, helping Mrs. Prescott to arrange everything to their rightful place. I gave her and Lisa an early leave today so they can celebrate Thanksgiving with their families.

"I can't say everything is fine. I'll be lying to you," I answer with a sigh.

"Why?" Roshni whispers carefully while taking a seat on the barstool.

Again I take a deep breath, unable to proceed with my task. Eventually I put the grocery bags away and take a seat on the barstool next to Roshni.

"I need to tell Liam something serious but I don't know how to. I'm so scared of his reaction, and I'm so afraid of what will happen to us afterwards." I'm twiddling with my fingers, eyes on my hands on the countertop.

"Is it something you did? Some kind of a mistake that you think he won't forgive?" Roshni asks cautiously.

"No." I glance at her with a feeble smile. "Apparently it's something I can't do. It's something he wants so badly but I can't give it to him . . . even if I want to." I bite my upper lip, a smooth mechanism to repress my pricking tears.

I want to tell her everything, but I believe it's my husband who should know about it first.

Roshni takes a soft sigh, squaring her shoulders. "I don't know how serious that is, Kira . . . but if you can't do it, then it means it's out of your control, right?"

"Hmm." I bob my head.

"Well, you should tell Liam about it," Roshni says suggestively with a hopeful smile. "I'm sure he'll understand."

Indeed I should. But I do hope he'll understand. I surely hope so.

"You're right," I remark, thinking of the many mischances my husband and I have pulled through together. "I'll talk to him. He needs to know even if I'm scared to death." My chest tightens.

"Exactly. Give him the chance before making your own assumptions," Roshni stipulates.

I breathe soundly, meditating this conversation in silence. It's like no matter where I go, something bad will always find me.

I thought maybe this time I'll have a normal flow of life events. Marriage, kids, and a happy motherhood. But no! It's always a bumpy route for me.

Just why? Why am I such a bad luck?

"Just this once I thought it could work," I think out loud, tears escaping my eyes at last, freely, for I can't hold it anymore.

"Hey, it's going to be fine." Roshni wraps me into a warm hug despite the confusion on her face. "I don't know what it is that you're going through, but there's nothing without a solution. Trust yourself, Kira. Trust Liam."

I wish it was easy.

"Okay." Sighing, I try to pull myself together. I dry my tears and mutter, "Let's forget the sadness and begin cooking. I ordered the boys to be here early so we better not disappoint." I force a laugh while dropping off the barstool.

"Right." Roshni smiles. "So what are you planning to cook? And it looks a lot!" Roshni peers through the scattered grocery bags on the countertop.

"I haven't decided yet." I open the fridge door, trying to put my mind onto something. "I'm thinking of some fried rice and roasted turkey for the main dish. The boys love that. And we're cooking plenty enough for everyone, including the security team outside." I glance at Roshni, who's now pouring herself a cup of cinnamon tea.

"You're indeed the mama bear." She chuckles. "So, what should I help you with?" She reaches for the banana bread, and I'm happy she's feeling at home now.

"How about the appetizers? I'd love some Indian taste and you mentioned you love making finger food more than any other."

"Oh yeah! That's my specialty." Roshni grins with excitement.

In such a style we begin our day, and I somehow manage to put my mind off things. Roshni updates me about her life with her housemate, and I can't stop laughing at all the events taking place through their involvement.

"At least we don't argue too much lately," Roshni says while peeling the garlic.

"That's good." I smile jubilantly. "Now hurry up and make it real! You like him, Roshni, why don't you admit it already?"

"Well, I do like him but it doesn't need to be that kind of liking." She's blushing.

"Sure. Sure. If you say so!" I'm on the verge to laugh, but I do respect her feelings.

The boys arrive home some hours later. Malik drops by the kitchen while muttering something regarding the aroma flying in the air. Roshni huffs in response while dealing with her spicy corn and turkey kebabs.

"Hey." I smile at Malik, my hands busy with plates to set on the dining table.

"Hi, Professor." Malik strides over and gives me a kiss on my cheek. "Lightness." His grin turns impeccable toward Roshni.

This is definitely something.

"Excuse me." I smile softly and walk past them, heading out of the kitchen so as to set the table. "Did Liam go upstairs?" I ask Malik.

"I guess he did. He was on the phone when we arrived," Malik answers, his full attention on Roshni.

Setting the table takes a few routes to and from the kitchen until I'm done. In the meantime, I call Cyborg—the head of security—to send someone from his team to fetch the food.

"Um, okay, ma'am. Thank you." He sounds surprised.

"Pleasure. Happy Thanksgiving." I hang up.

As I return to the kitchen I hear "What are you doing, Malik?" followed by a sound of giggles.

Roshni? My eyes widen, a smile lingering in my lips. I'm debating on whether to go in or not, when Malik's response hits my ears.

"I wanna kiss you," he replies in a husky voice and I fail to keep my manners.

I move near the doorframe and peep inside. What I see makes me want to squeak, but I block my mouth.

"I wanna kiss you again. Right now." Malik is holding her tightly by the waist, right near the breakfast table.

"In here? Malik we can't—"

And he gives her no chance to utter a syllable. He starts kissing her on the mouth. And she lets him without any objection.

Woah! I quickly rush back and pump into Liam's chest. He holds me firmly, eyes narrowed quizzically.

"What's wrong?" he asks, confused.

A fit of giggles escapes me. I pull Liam aside and it feels childish on my part.

"Malik and Roshni are kissing right now!" I whisper.

"Are they?" Liam huffs a laugh and I can tell he's as pleased as I am. "Well, I hope it's the beginning of something good." He strokes my hair.

"Me, too. How was your day at work?" I ask casually, back to Mrs. Darcy's mode with difficulty.

Mentally I'm still cheering for the royal couple inside my kitchen.

Liam leans over and lays a soft kiss on my lips. "It was good. Yours? Do you still have a lot to do in the kitchen?"

"No, I'm done." My hands clutch the collar of his untucked linen shirt.

"I see. No wonder the security guards were excited a while ago. They told me to send their regards to you."

"Oh? It's Thanksgiving so everyone should enjoy it."

"Well, they seem to enjoy it better since the house has someone to spoil everyone," Liam jokes, and my little giggle is a sign of contentment I'm feeling inside. "I love you." He finally kisses me deeply, and my emotions shift instantly.

Will he love me even at my worst? Will he be this sweet to me when he realizes that I'm not a woman enough to give him children? Will he love me still despite everything?

"We're having dinner pretty soon," I say, shaking my thoughts off. "But for that, I'll have to interrupt the lovebirds first—that is if they're ready to leave their little nestle anytime soon."

Liam chuckles. "I better stay out of it. I'm going to watch the news in the meantime."

"Okay." I sigh.

As Liam leaves I decide to flounce into the kitchen door while clearing my throat. Malik and Roshni pull a quick distance from one another, and a cheesy smile reigns on my face as I walk in.

"Have I missed something?" I try to act normal.

"Um, no. Have you been here long?" Roshni asks urgently.

"I just walked in. Why?" I head straight toward the fridge to get the chilly mango juice I made this morning.

"Um, nothing." Roshni sounds relieved.

I grin.

"Good. Oh, I hope your stuff is ready now," I tell her, and like a cue she gets back into the appetizers she was setting on the tray.

"Malik, how about helping her instead of standing there distracting her?" I tease, grabbing a tissue to hold the moisty bottom of the juice jug.

"What?" Malik laughs nervously, flustered.

I got you both! I walk away with a victorious smile.

I have plenty of things to be grateful for, including this moment I'm sharing with my husband and friends. Evidently problems will always prevail, but I don't want to think my life is devoid of colors for that one particular reason.

At least not today.

During dinner I watch everyone laughing, talking of the past and present, and my smile accompanies their reactions, my thoughts scattered from here and there. I pray to God that I never lose this one. Just this one sweetest part of my life.

My husband.

"And that stunt you pulled about forgetting the rings?" Liam says while rolling his eyes, talking about some events on our wedding day.

"Ah, that moment." Malik grins proudly while slicing some steak from his turkey leg. "Bro nearly got a heart attack!" He booms into laughter and I join him instantly.

God, it's funny now that it's just a memory.

Roshni shakes her head to the sides, laughing along. "And you're so proud of it, aren't you? What a baby boy you are."

"Are you okay? You're not eating." Liam holds my tense hand on the table.

"I am now." I smile with a sigh and take a bite of Roshni's spicy kebabs—so perfect for my lack of appetite. "We should call Eleanor. I wonder how things are at the ranch."

"That's right." Liam smiles back.

With Malik regaling the moment, time flies in a whiff. At nine o'clock he and Roshni announce their farewells.

"Hey, don't drag it, okay? Talk to him," Roshni whispers in my ear as we walk them to their car.

"I will. Thanks for listening," I return gratefully.

"Goodnight, Professor. Dinner was spectacular and I'm so thankful to have another Eleanor in the family!" Malik shouts through the car window, already seated behind the wheel.

"You're crazy! Drive safe, huh?" I wave my hand at him.

A minute later Liam reclaims my body with a smile, trapping me behind the main door. I relent with ease, snuggling onto him as he kisses my tempo, seemingly happy.

"Today's meal was splendid, Mrs. Darcy. You're an amazing cook," Liam utters.

"Mmm. My pleasure, handsome. Malik's Lightness deserves the credit, too. But I'm glad everything went well so I can plainly say that it was a success." I release a soft sigh, gripping his neck tightly, running my fingers through his hair.

We stare at each other quietly.

"Are you tired?" Liam asks, and his spontaneous smile makes me feel like he's got something planned.

"Um . . . Not much. Why?" I'm curious.

He grins widely. "Come."

"Okay." Chuckling, I hold his hand and follow his lead.

We head back to our bedroom where he takes me straight to the dressing room. I stay patient, waiting for the mystery to unfold, and at last he reaches for my wardrobe, searching for something.

He checks the racks, picking and turning my clothes, and I wonder what he's looking for. My eyes squinch inquisitively, but my queries remain unspoken. I wait for a few moments until he finds his search.

"Let's see," he mutters, his gaze shifting between me and the open wardrobe filled with my coats and sweaters.

What is he up to? I wait patiently.

"I think this will do." He plucks a red, classic belted trench coat, his gaze scanning for confirmation through my eyes.

Well, it's my favorite coat and I'm pretty sure he's grasped it by now.

"Put it on," he instructs in an imperious manner.

A smile crosses my face as I take it wholeheartedly, ready for the unknown awaiting me.

"Okay. Are we going somewhere?" I fail to hold my tongue any longer.

Taciturn, Liam fetches a cream scarf from one of the chest drawers in his wardrobe, and my eyes stalk his every move until he's back to me.

"This will do." He wraps the scarf around my neck, gently, placing it beautifully. "Don't wear high heels. Put on some warm boots," he adds.

"Oh wow! Boots? I see you are really determined to put more intrigue in me, huh, Mr. Darcy?" I cajole him.

"I always do. And you're such a fine sight to behold, Mrs. Darcy. I'm hardly maintaining my civility at this particular moment." He regards my look with gallant.

I blush profusely.

"You and your perfunctory politeness. If it weren't for this over-demanding curiosity about the perfect plan you already have, I'd be damned," I reply.

Liam smiles innocently. He puts on a mid-length brown coat over the white linen shirt he's already wearing inside. With his blue jeans and grey scarf, he gets too handsome to say the least.

"We're set." He grabs the car keys and we're good to go.

"Where are we going, Liam?" I'm intrigued.

"Somewhere fun, baby." He winks playfully.