Notes:

Additional Cast:

Nick Zano as Alex Summers

Robin's POV

I run around the house getting the table ready for the annual Summers Thanksgiving. This year though things are a bit different. For starters, Sam's family won't be joining us tonight, and neither will Kira, but unlike the previous years, Soph, Joss, Nathan, Vanessa, and Alice, will be joining us. It was Alex's idea to give the guys an open invitation, 'cause he wanted to get to know the guys better, and by guys I mean mostly Sophie, 'cause he wants me to call her over for dinner once a week to get to know her better, but I refused of course. I barely got through an awkward dinner once, I aint doing that once a week.

Sam is invited over at Nicky's and busted my ears 3 hours ago being hella nervous over meeting her future mother in law (kidding). She is not the person to wear girly dresses and probably doesn't own any, so she was freaking out, wanting to look presentable to Cara, Nicky's mom. No father. The guy left them when Nicks and her brother were little..

Kira is visiting her family so she can't make it, which is a bummer 'cause I would love for her to meet Sophie. But I guess there's time for that in the near future.

Anyway, Sophie called earlier to ask what the dress code was so that she won't be underdressed, if that's even possible for miss 'Preppy', and told me she is very nervous over it, which of course is not a surprise, so I tried to calm her down the best I could.

I feel really honored that the others opted to have Thanksgiving with us. Alice's dad had to cancel, Nathan didn't wanna go to his house this year and Vanessa being her lovely self didn't want to leave Alice alone, Sophie wanted to spent our first Thanksgiving together as well, and Joss had to stay for academic reasons, so they took my invitation. I hope everyone has a good night and enjoys the food as well. Alex has been cooking since morning, being over excited over this. We both love having people over, we hate an empty house, 'cause in the silence, we both know that it's just me and him. 2 instead of 4 or maybe 5...I wonder sometimes if my parents were alive..would I have a little sister or a little brother? Sometimes it sucks to think of the things that could have happened if the other car hadn't lose control. I usually have this need to picture of a different version of myself, during the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter...it's the time families get together, but for me and Alex it's just another reminder that we are the only Summers left. All four grandparents are dead and I have no other uncles and aunts. Alex is the only one I have.

I was 9 when I realized how small my family was, so after a semi serious conversation with Alex, we invited Jake and his family over for the first Summers Thanksgiving. The amount of people joining us grew bigger every year ever since. This one time, 3 years ago we hosted up to 20 people, and it was a big of a trouble for us, but we both loved it.

We, Summers, love a crowded place. It breaks the silence.

"Hey, kid, get the turkey off the oven, it's almost time, your friends will be here soon." Alex yells from the living room, so I run to the kitchen and turn off the oven. The turkey smells fantastic! Thank God we didn't burn it like last year. Last year we ended up eating burgers, and Sam had a food poisoning. Epic moments.

I run back up to my bathroom to grab my shoes and after a quick look at the mirror, I go downstairs and join Alex on the couch, relaxing before the gang gets here.

"The house looks good, well done kid" he kisses my cheek and hugs me.

"I can clean when I want to." I mock him. "Thank God you didn't burn the food this year." he laughs.

"Well this year is different, I got better. I think your friends will love it. I used Cristina's recipe this time." he says and I turn my face to look at him.

"Last time you did that was to impress Kira's family, 4 years ago." I remark.

"I know, I want to impress your friends as well, kid. Sophie will be swooned. Besides, it's an important day for you, your and Sophie's first Thanksgiving. I had to use the best recipe." He turns off the TV and looks at me sweetly.

"Your parents would have liked her, you know. She is a very interesting person. And very smart too, and a Jazz lover. Peter would have gone crazy over her. I can imagine him showing her his collection or playing the piano for us, bragging about his musical talent. And your mom would definitely throw the cushions at him. Your mom used to do that a lot. A regular day at the Summers house." He smiles at the mental picture and I smile too, even if I don't know what a regular day at the Summers house used to be. Absentmindedly I look over at the piano, the one that's be untouched for years, 12, I think...I saw uncle play once, 12 years ago, I heard the music and went downstairs, to see what it was, and I saw him, back turned on me, pressing the piano keys, for only a few times before he stopped, grabbed the glass that was on the piano and drank it all at once. He turned around moments later, glass still in his hand while the other wiped the tears off his face.

No one has touched the piano ever since. We tell people it is broken, but it really is us the ones that are broken..maybe not me to a great extent..I don't remember them...but he certainly is. He lost his brother..my dad was the only family he had left. Now he only has me. That is why I want him to get married and have a family with Kira..he shouldn't have just me.

"I wish we knew for sure, sometimes. Like today..with my friends coming over, my girlfriend..I wish they were here." I shrug and he takes me in his arms again. I wish I didn't have to picture a full house..I wish a lot of things during the holidays, but the need gets biggers during birthdays. Birthdays are bittersweet.

"Me too kid, me too." we stay like that for 5 more minutes, talking about past Thanksgivings and laughing at the memories, when the doorbell rings.

I get up, forcing myself to go back to my cheery self, and run to the door.

The moment I open it, Sophie's smiley face lightens up the mood. She is the first to be here along with Joss and Nathan.

"Hello pretty girl." she approaches me and I give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey Ro." she smiles back and goes to the living room, making herself at home.

"Hey dudes, welcome!" I hug Joss first.

"Hey beautiful! Thanks for the invitation!" Joss smiles at me.

"Hello Ro, yeah thanks for that." Nathan gives me a nod and then goes for as hug as well.

"Hey don't even mention it guys, follow me." I walk with them following me. Sophie is already talking with Alex who is smiling brightly at her. "This is Alex. Alex these are the guys." I point at them.

"Nice to meet you, Alex." Nathan stretches his arm for a handshake. "You've done a good job with this blondie. I am Nathan."

"Oh, yes the basketball star! And yes, I raised her well...the child services were called only 3 times, tops!" Nathan frowns for a second, 'cause Alex looks dead serious....till he cracks up. "Kidding." He laughs hysterically. And Nathan looks relieved, relaxing his posture.

"Nice to meet you too Alex! I am Joseph, the best man." Joss grins and goes for a handshake as well. Sophie eye rolls.

"Hello, you are the computer guy, Sophie's best friend...you took a shot off my niece's stomach at a party. Sam showed me the picture." He narrows his eyes. I eyeroll.

"I think the first time should be with someone familiar and not a stranger." Joss smiles playfully and Alex laughs wholeheartedly.

"I agree, nice one, computer nerd." He pats Joss's shoulder, and Joss grins.

Then the doorbell rings again. I excuse myself and run to the door and open it.

"Hey guys! Welcome to the Annual Summers Thanksgiving." I announce and bow in a ridiculous gesture for Alice and Vee.

"Hi Robin! We are extremely honored to be here! Happy Thanksgiving!" Vanessa beams at me and waves her hands in the air with enthusiasm.

"Hey sweet Vee, Happy Thanksgiving." I hug her tightly.

"Hey chica caliente! Thanks for having us!" Alice says with a wide smile.

"Hey sexy, welcome a casa mia" I hug Alice as well.

"We brought ice cream!" Vanessa points at the bag she's holding. "Are the others here yet?" She tries to take a glare inside.

"Yes Sophie is here with the guys, always punctual. Come on in, let me get that ice cream for you." I take the bag and mention to them to follow me. Alex is standing in the living room smiling like a goof while the guys sit on the couch. "Girls, this is the famous Alex the cool Uncle." I point at him.

"Hello cool Uncle! I am Alice." Alice flashes a smile, stretching her hand.

"Hello Alice, the gym slash strong and independent girl, according to Ro. I am a hugger." Alex of course goes for a hug instead of a handshake. "And totally not a weirdo." He comments when the hug is over. Alice's eyes are wide open and her cheeks are red. Oh boy, that always happens the first time I bring girl-friends over. It's the Summers' gene.

"I swear you don't look like Ro's uncle. I would have thought you were an older brother or a cousin." Alice remarks and the smile never leaves her face. I hear a scoff from Joss though, so I turn to look at him. He is eyeing the scene from the couch very intensively.

"Well, thank you Alice, I like you already. Very perceptive of you, young lady, you are indeed wonderful." Alex knows the effect he has on the female population. Another scoff.

"Uncle, you are taken." I chime in joking and Alex waves his hand.

"A true gentleman always compliments a pretty lady." He continues winking at Alice. Alex has his version of courtship rules, which he of course passed on to me. Complimenting a beautiful woman is a must, and apparently works, since Alice looks more than swoon. She is eyeing Alex from head to toe, smiling widely. I look at the guys on the couch and they both have their eyes narrowed.

"Hello Mr Summers! It's so nice to meet you! Robin has told us so much about you!" Vanessa smiles politely at Alex and stretches her hand for a handshake. Alex shakes his head, takes Vanessa's hand and kisses the back of it.

"Sweet Vanessa, the aspiring and beautiful reporter. Charmed." Alex bows his head as well. I notice Nathan look away at that and his jaw clench. Dear Gods, give me strength.

Now that Alex's show is over, the guys get off the couch to greet the others.

"Oh, um, thank you for that." Vanessa tucks her hair behind her ear. "I mean the compliment!" Her cheeks are red. "Hey guys, Happy Thanksgiving!" She hugs Sophie first. Then she goes for Joseph who raises her up slightly making her giggle. At the end she approaches Nathan waving awkwardly at him until he shakes his head and gives her a brief hug. Colder than Alaska. Idiots.

"Happy Thanksgiving everyone!" Alice says after Vanessa. She hugs Sophie first as well and after her she greets Nathan with a wide smile. Finally she goes to Joss, who hugs her warmly for an instant, which Alice accepts. That's unexpected, these two have a turbulent friendship, but the hug and the scoffs say something different.

"Ok, ok, enough with hugs, let's move on to the dining area. I am starving." I interrupt them and point at the dining table.

Let the annual dinner begin!

Vanessa's POV

The food is more than delicious! I can see that Robin and her uncle have put much effort into this. I can't believe her uncle is so young! He's still a little bit older than my parents but I always assumed he was in his fifties since Robin refers to him as the old man. She is so lucky to have him. I am glad she does. As it seems he did his best to give her all the parental love she was missing. The dinner goes really great as everyone is in a great mood. Alice is definitely missing her dad but she is laughing with Alex's jokes which is a good sign. Sophie is praising constantly Alex's cooking skills while Robin looks at her smiling. This must be a big thing for them both, spending Thanksgiving together. Joseph is telling us about all the Thanksgiving that went wrong at the Fords and Nelsons' houses, something that makes Sophie blush while Robin confronts her by squeezing her palm. And then there's Nathan. He isn't talking that much. He nods and laughs from time to time just to take part in the conversation. I think the most he speaks is when Alex asks him about some NBA stuff which makes us girls move to the living room as the guys keep talking about sports.

Robin brings a pile of board games from upstairs and calls the others to join us. We try to convince Sophie to play since she insists that she is not in the mood but all it takes is for Joseph to tell her that she's still not over her big fat loss on the game night. Sophie raises her sleeves up and we get separated into two teams, boys VS girls, as Robin begins to asks us the questions. Alice and Sophie are answering correctly question after question while I give my help everytime it is needed. Joseph is really into the game trying to make Alex and Nathan be passionate about it. Alex is struggling when to answer and when not to, since Robin is giving him some meaningful glares. Nathan seems pretty indifferent since he had only answer some questions at the first round. He might be here but his mind is definitely somewhere else. After a while, he stands up and gets outside from the french door. I think I'll follow him. Things didn't go well between us yesterday since he left my room with quite a bad temper. Sophie and Alice will be fine without me, we are already way ahead of our opponents.

I stand up as well and take Robin's blanket with me. It's chilly outside.

"Hey you." I pull my head outside of the window unsure if he wants me to keep him company.

"It's cold outside." he gives me a warning look.

"That's why I am wrapped in Robin's blanket." I show it to him as I step out.

"This is a hideous blanket." he remarks with a smirk.

"No, it is not." It might have buritos printed all over it but it is warm enough. "And it does its job." I stand next to him.

"Whatever you say." He is holding his cellphone in his hands, passing it from his left to his right and then back again.

"Do you want to make a phone call?"

"I guess I have to call home but that's the last thing I want to do now." he sighs. What could be so wrong to keep him away from his family on such a day? Nathan is always bitter talking about it but he has never explained the reason why. "I'd rather sit here with you and even answer your non stop questions." I smile widely at him. It might be just a figure of speech but he did say he'd rather sit with me and that made my heart almost jump out of my chest. "Oh, I just signed for my conviction, didn't I?" he pretends to be frightened.

"So..." I raise an eyebrow at him.

"I am doomed." He leans his back on the wall so he can face me.

"Did you like the turkey?"

"I wasn't expecting that for sure." He laughs. "Did I like the turkey? That is your question?"

"Yes, I asked if you liked the turkey." Of course there is a million other things I would like to ask him but something tells me he is not willing to let me in just yet. Or ever? Why do I want him to let me in so bad? This might have less possibilities than Brienne and Jamie ending up alive and together when Game of Thrones ends.

"It was good. Certainly better than my mom's. Everytime she goes for it, it ends up burned." He points out. I had the impression he didn't want to talk neither about home nor his family and now he is the one driving the conversation to those two things. Maybe he really doesn't want to talk about it but he desperately needs it.

"And she goes for it often?"

"Nah, she is a terrible cook. Most of the times it is my grandma's duty or we end up arranging a catering for the big Thanksgiving events at the Parkers' house." He tells me in a mocking way.

"Hm, I see... So that's why you lied about having to study and being busy. You were seeking for a better turkey offer." I say playfully and push him with my shoulder.

"Easy you." He smirks. "What can I say, you caught me." He looks down at his shoes and raises on his toes. "Well, there is more reasons actually." His eyes are still on the ground. My suspicions were right after all. Still, I wasn't expecting him to admit it. He looks up to me and I give him an encouraging smile. "I..." he pauses. "I just didn't want to go home." He puts it simply.

"And I imagine there is a reason behind it as well." I tell him bringing the blanket closer to my body.

"Make it reasons. One main reason which causes a bunch of other fucking reasons."

"I am sure there is nothing that can't be fixed. Things will work out." I squeeze his arm to reassure him for it. If it was up to me, I would do anything in my power to make this sad look on his face disappear forever.

"You're not gonna ask what it is? How can you be so damn optimistic?" I can feel his muscles relaxing under my touch.

"No, I am not going to ask. You can tell me by yourself when you feel you're ready. All I want you to know is you can talk to me. I am here to listen. Dealing with things on your own might seem hard sometimes but maybe together we can figure something out." I say every word looking straight into his eyes so he understands I mean all of it.

"You're too damn good for me." He exhales and takes my hand that rests on his arm to bring me closer. "How did you end up here on Thanksgiving? I thought you were going home."

"Change of plans. This turned out to be fun too." He puts gently my hair behind my ear and begins to play with my ear lobe. I close my eyes for a second, letting myself get lost under his touch. But only for one second. I need to show some self control.

"It had nothing to do with Alice then?" He keeps rubbing my ear lobe with a huge smirk on his face. He knows exactly what he is doing. I am breathing heavily and I can hear my own heartbeat. Can he hear it too?

""Or..." He doesn't finish his sentence.

"Or what?" My voice comes out as a whisper despite my big efforts against it.

"Or..." He pauses yet again. "I don't know. I can't read you out. You're such a mystery to me." He stares into my eyes forcing me to stare into his as well.

"Is that a bad or a good thing?" I narrow my eyebrows.

"That's the problem. I don't know that either." He giggles and releases my ear lobe to caress my cheek. My eyes are now stuck on his lips and I find myself struggling not to think about what happened last week. No, no, no. I shake my head trying to keep this memory buried at the back of my mind. Somehow it always finds its way back as the first thing consuming my thoughts.

"Hey, guys." Sophie calls for us and I instinctively take a step back from Nathan. "Um... Joss is driving me nuts. He insists that you come inside, Nathan. You too, Vanessa. Alice said you should join us for the victory dance."

"Nate, get your ass in here!" I hear Joseph screaming from the living room and I laugh. Nathan on the other hand eyerolls.

"Coming." He yells back at him and we go back inside with Sophie.

Joseph's POV

I am going with Alice, in Robin's kitchen to wash the dishes, as we are taking on this part of the chores. Robin and her uncle were amazing hosts and they had prepared an awesome and delicious dinner. The least we could do is help them with the cleaning. The turkey was very tasty, almost as good as my mother's. Robin's uncle Alex is very cool and I think one of the greatest uncles I've ever met. She is very lucky to have him. Alice almost lost her breath the moment she saw him. Like seriously Alice? Ok he's cool... I give him that, but he's old and sort of good looking, but not something to leave her breathless.

Speaking of Alice, her mood wasn't so hyped as usual at the start. She was friendly and smiley, but something darkened her characteristics and her expressions. That was until we decided to play a quiz game, aka World War IV, in which we were girls vs boys. The girls won, so Sophie finally tied our war, and Alice's slight gloomy mood changed. Since the moment of victory, she couldn't stop mocking me, but I have to say I didn't mind it, as much as I would normally do, because it made her genuinely and widely smile. It's established! I am a sucker for her smile and there's no going back.

"You're cleaning the plates from the leftovers and I am washing them!" Alice says in a commanding way, the moment we enter the kitchen. All I do is raise an eyebrow.

"Who put you in charge?" I ask her with an annoyed voice,without lowering the eyebrow.

"The winner is in charge! It's pretty obvious." she answers, like she's addressing to a retarded person. Her mockery never stops.

"That's not an excuse!" 

"It has to hurt a lot, right? You won't be able to recover after this. So humiliating!" she keeps on teasing me. She will keep going until eternity. This gives her life.

"It was a set up! There's no other excuse for this question! You were supposed to suck at athletics!" I yell, like I do when my favourite basketball team loses a game.

"The game was pretty fair! You just can't stand that I knew the last question,which happened to be an athletic one, while three boys kept gawking each other like fools." she says smugly and it's getting irritating.

"I insist on the set-up! The quiz master, Robin, dates a member of your team, so it was in her best interest to have Sophie in a good mood for their after 'interactions'" I remark with wide eyes.

"Bullshit, Loser!" she exclaims laughing shaping an L on her forehead. "You just suck! Admit it!"

"Never! How the fuck did you know the first country that won the FIFA World Cup?" I support my body on the fridge. "I had no idea it was Uruguay! My money was on Brazil!" I admit, because my knowledge on soccer is not so wide as NBA, tennis and baseball.

"I've lived in Europe! Soccer is very popular there!" Alice brags with a smirk.

"Cut the shit!" 

"Fineeeee! I've read it in a disney comic, that had a feature on that and it stuck on my mind." she admits and my eyes widen in surprise.

"I was expecting something like my dad told me, because he's a soccer fan, or maybe your japanese best friend, but not that!" 

"Gotcha!" she giggles. "Let's get done with this!" She points to the stack of dirty plates and I exhale. They are too many! I hate washing the plates, but what can I do? My mother used to struggle to teach me and Dan having the basic manners, when visiting a house. She still face palms sometimes.

"The sooner the better" I start, taking a plate from the stack. I throw the leftovers in a trash bag and I give it to Alice, who stands next to me in front of the sink, to wash it.

"So how is the big project of yours going?" Alice asks me, looking at me with the corner of her eye. I have to admit a small wave of contentment passed through me, because of her interest in my project.

"I started yesterday, but it looks pretty intriguing. The team is very welcoming and polite. I was at the lab this morning, but the professor left us earlier due to Thanksgiving!" It's still pretty soon to express a complete opinion, but the start was optimistic.

"Great! I am sure you will give your 110%." She grins and her faith gives me more confidence.

"Be sure of that!" I wink at ther. Then, I start telling her what this project is about and how much I enjoy creating innovative things with technology. I love keeping my mind busy and let the ideas flow. What I hate the most, is occupy myself with something stiff, ordinary and repeatable, with no room for progress. I would be miserable doing that. Alice listens to me intrigued and she makes questions every now and then, about different stuff and I like how I share my passion for something that I enjoy.

In the meanwhile, we keep on washing some more plates. The water is warm and the sink is already full of spuns.

"I wish Ren was here! He would do the washing without bleating!" Alice sighs, while washing the plate.

"He has a thing for washing dishes?"

"Kind of! Well he can't stand dirty dishes, so he has the urge to wash them! Do you know how many times have I called him, under the form of an excuse, just because I was bored to wash the dishes?" Alice smiles mischievously at me, as I give her another plate and I can't help it, but laugh. She's so sneaky! I never hear something ordinary from her.

"So he just sees the dishes and washes them?"It's so strange to hear that.

"Exactly!" 

"Without complaining or groaning?" It's so hard to believe.

"Yup! He just does it! And after that, we used to watch a movie or play video games!" she states and I give her another plate.

"That's jackpot! I wish Sophie could do that, without the groaning or the scolding part!" I confess to Alice and she chuckles.

"I think it's the worst of the housework. Me and my dad hate it, so we exchange places every time! My mum used to do it and my dad used to do the sweeping, which she hated."  

"But your mum realised how awful it is now, and she stopped the sport." I chuckle,stretching my hand with another plate. 

"Actually...My mother isn't alive. She passed away."  What did she say?I stop at once what I am doing. Her mother is not alive?

"Your mother is..." I don't know what words to use. It's such a subtle matter. I am speechless right now. I didn't know her mother has passed away. That's why she never mentions her. That's why, she was a kid in the photos with her mother. And what did I just blurted? The stupidest thing ever. I should have become aware of it somehow. I am so dumbass. 

"I am sorry!" It's all I manage to say and I squeeze her wet hand, at the edge of the sink. I want to show to her that I really mean it, by that gesture.

Alice looks at me condescendingly and she smiles slightly.

"Thanks! It's been a lot of years, so don't worry!" she says in a soft voice and she tries to sound cheerful, but I think a lot of pain is hidden behind this sentence.

"The quote on your wall, under Machu Picchu picture, is your mother's?" I ask mildly and then, I do an inner facepalm. What are you asking, you dumbass, instead of changing the subject? "Sorry, stupid question!" I do a goofy grimace and I have to look pretty lame right now. Alice's face is bleak, but her characteristics are tight and tensed. She forces a smile and it's the first time, I see her like this. She looks so fragile and this is one word,I have never imagined, I would use for her.

"Joseph, don't worry! It's not a forbidden subject!" She says calmly, but I can tell, it's a very sensitive issue. I don't want to put her in any awkward position. "Yes, that was my mother's quote! Machu Picchu was her favourite place, so my father took her there for their honeymoon!" she answers me and her face softens a bit. Her father must be a very good-hearted person, not to mention romantic as well. On the other hand, mine is so cold towards me, but I can't comprehend how a person, who shows such an affection towards his wife, as he adores mum; he is so cruel towards his son.

"But you have never been there!" I say to her, remembering the red pin on the map. My voice is mild and she takes another plate from my hands.

"No! I want to go, but when I feel it's the right moment." she confides and then she makes a grimace. "How cheesy does it sound?" she chuckles akwardly.

"I would put a 6 or a 7 on the cheesy scale !" I beam at her, cleaning another plate.

"I think it's decent!" she smiles and I think her whole posture loosens up. That's good! Maybe, I should keep saying gibberish to take her mind off of that. I don't like seeing her agitated. She helped me, when I was furious, from my father's phonecall. I didn't want to talk to anyone, but she came like the storm she is, and took everything away. I was very annoyed, that she didn't listen to me when I said, that I was not in the mood for chit chat, but her stubbornness took my mind of it. I want to make her feel better, like she did with me.

"I would like to go Maldives!" 

"You know people go for honeymoon there, right?" she let out a chuckle.

"That's not the reason! I can guarantee you that!Me on a honeymoon? Married? In a relationship in general?" I try to look scared.

"That's a calm island. You're going to horrify the couples there!" she sassies back and I am glad she's back in being Alice. My strategy worked. The cloud that was on her, moved, and her face is shiny again.

"I don't know about horrifying, but I am sure a lot of marriages are going to be ruined, by my presence there.Now that I am thinking about it, I have never banged a newlywed." I put my hand under my chin, pondering.

"Your condition is incurable!" she exclaims and she tosses me the suds from the sink.

"Playing dirty, Alice!" I remark and I toss her suds as well.

Then, a small suds war begins. We keep tossing it to each other, without stopping. While we're doing that, we can't stop laughing. It feels so nice, that I am the cause of her laughter. It's so easy being childish with her. I am not like that with other women. Actually, other women haven't ever seen that part of me, not that they stick around long enough to see it.

Suddenly, Robin enters the kitchen and she freezes instantly watching us covered in suds.

"Are you guys washing the dishes or yourselves?" her eyebrow is raised. "We have a bathroom for that, in case you missed it, it's upstairs." she points at the ceiling. Her humorous mode is on, but I can understand her blue eyes examining us.

"Tell that to your friend! She started it!" I point at Alice with a smirk, behaving like a toddler.

"Traitor!" she hits me lightly on the arm. "And you continued!" she argues, but her face doesn't show any anger at all. It's lit and a bit red, from the laughing and the movements' heat. I think she's enjoying every moment of this.

"Hmm..ok, just be careful with the dishes. We still need them." Robin mocks us, smiling cockily.

"Thank God you mentioned that! She is capable of breaking a plate on my head!" I exclaim and Alice eyerolls.

"I won't break other people's stuff on your head! I know it's not my property!" Alice tries unsuccessfully to yell at me, but I can discreet the laughter underneath it.

"Yeah, ok..why don't you two leave my dishes alone and go to the living room? The others are getting ready to leave. Just step away from the sink slowly." We both look at Robin and chuckle.

"Thanks for letting us know!" Alice smiles at her. "Are you sure you don't want us to wash the rest? There aren't many left." She shows the dirty plates. There are only 3 left.

"Nah... don't worry. I will just throw the rest away." she laughs at her own joke. "Seriously, just let them be. Thanks for helping. I hope you had a good time." she shrugs. "It was my mom's recipe, we only use it when we want to impress people." Robin has grown without her parents, like Alice without her mother. Robin, as Alice, is very cheerful and optimistic. I wonder how both these people have the brightest of smiles.

"My stomach is impressed!" I declare,beaming at her.

"Mine too!" Alice says after me.

"Great! Good thing you weren't here last year. It was a disaster." she chuckles.

"Did the turkey escape?" I quip at Robin and Alice tries to hold her laughter. Robin chuckles as well.

"Let's just say some people, and by that I solemnly mean Sam, had a bad case of food poisoning." she winks.

"Don't worry about Joseph! He is used to eating junk!" Alice pokes my arm, smirking. I know what she means. She's talking about the women I sleep with. I admit I didn't see that coming.

"My taste demands only gourmet if you want to know!" I shot at her, trying to look offended.

"Yeah right!" she puffs whipping her hair towards me. Her scent is overwhelming me. "Robin, don't worry! Everything was excellent!" Alice grins.

"Judging by Sophie's cooking skills, I don't think you eat gourmet all the time." she sticks her tongue out, teasing me. Yeah, she's right! Sophie and kitchen don't like each other. "Thank you Alice. You are welcome anytime. Alex liked you very much!" she turns to Alice,making her giggle and her whole face shine at once. What the fuck? An old man average looking man liked you, Alice! Not Chris Hemsworth. Get yourself together! You're acting like a 15 year old!

"I guess he liked the whole gang!" I say indifferently.

"You know how it works with people. Some people you like more than the others. Beats me, dude. But if you feel left out, then fine, you are welcome for dinner anytime." she pats my shoulder. "Now get out of here." she points at the living room.

"Yes sir!" Alice does a military salute.

"Screw your hospitality, Ro!" I joke to her,while me and Alice get to the living room, where everyone is ready to leave.

Ro gets our coats and after we thank her and her uncle for the millionth time, we leave the house.

A/N: Sooo, we know it's the 1st day of the New Year but it's Thanksgiving into the What Life Holds universe! Hoped you had a wonderful time on New Year's Eve! Also hope you scatter joy and happiness wherever you go all 365 days of the upcoming year and get the same in return! Happy New Year 2018! xx