The much-dreaded Thanksgiving was here.

Somehow, Mom convinced everyone to show up. That was one thing my family always did. We always got together for holidays—even Carl took a bus to get here. We had it at my place since Mom didn't want to travel, which meant I had to do a bunch of running around to get everything set up. Emmalynn and her family came early to help me out; Langdon's family arrived right on time; Delilah and Aaron came almost the same time Carl showed up, which was a little late.

When I finally got a moment, I sat in one of the kitchen chairs, giving the legs I have been standing on a break. My phone made a noise, so I dredged it out of my pocket. It was a text from Viveca.

Happy Thanksgiving!

You too :)

She was spending Thanksgiving with her family in France. A lot of the Ashdown employees were. Her boyfriend was with her. They made up two weeks after being separated, had a great talk to sort out their problems, and seemed happy now as ever before. I hoped they were. Viveca seemed pretty dead set on marrying him.

I had gotten a lot closer to Milly since I started working with her. She was very pleasant and sweet, constantly checking in on me and making sure I didn't need anything. She was very devoted to Damon, they were close friends, but happily married to another vampire named Hector. She and I had gotten coffee at lunch break a few times. She was a great storyteller, so I was always eager to hear another tale from her past.

Damon had actually left me alone for the most part. He still flirted when he saw me but didn't intentionally seek me out unless he actually needed something. I missed his company more than I thought I would, but still didn't know if I could handle anything beside a friendship with him at this point.

But how will I know when I'm ready? Will I just feel it? Will there be a sign, like Langdon gets a new job, or Del declares a truce? How will I tell Damon if that moment comes? Will he still want to date me? What if I've already missed my chance?

Kendal, Emmalynn's husband, touched my shoulder. "You ready to eat? It's almost done." It sounded like he was passing on the news, not actually reporting it for himself.

I glanced up at him and nodded, forcing myself to stand on my weary legs. "Let me see if I can dredge up some potholders." It only took a moment to find them and space them around the table so the hot dishes could rest without hurting the wood. Mom, Em, and I put the food on the adult table—we had another one set up for the kids—, then set out plates and silverware.

"Dinner!" Mom called when we were done.

Carl was the first one up over to the table. He looked just like Dad: brown hair, brown eyes with a hint of green, weak jaw but an endearing smile to make up for it. Too bad his personality wasn't nearly as endearing. "Is it still hot? Took forever to make."

I closed my eyes to take in a slow breath. Annoying as ever. None of us said anything though. He was the oldest, despite never acting like it. There was a certain, invisible hierarchy in place that none of us really wanted to cross, despite Carl being a lacking older brother. I wonder what it's like to be the oldest. Did he used to feel a burden from that when he was younger before his conscience took a trip down south? Did he feel protective? Having a big brother seems like such a great thing until they're not there for you at all.

We made unimportant, strained conversations around the dinner table. Carl tried to sit at the couch to watch the game, but Mom put her foot down, so he stayed with the rest of us. I couldn't hardly look at Delilah still. I hadn't forgiven her for trying to convince Mom to join a retirement home. I wouldn't be surprised if one day she called an assisted living or something to take Mom sometime. I just hoped I would be home if that happened because Mom might not tell me about it. She absolutely wouldn't go with them, but she wouldn't want to cause more trouble between my sister and I.

We were all surprised when the doorbell rang.

Everyone's here. Who could that possibly be? I glanced at my family to see if maybe one of them had called someone, but they seemed as caught unaware as I was. I guess I should go answer that. I scootched my chair back and walked over to the door.

"Who's that, Aunt Andi?" Jordan asked. He was Langon's youngest at nine-years-old. At least I was pretty sure it he was nine. It sometimes got hard to remember everyone's ages as they steadily grew older.

"I don't know." I shrugged at him, then unlocked the door and opened it.

Damon was the last person I expected to see. "Hello," he said right off the bat. "Sorry to interrupt, it looks like you're busy. I realized when I was halfway over here that it was Thanksgiving. My apologies for intruding."

"Uh... no, that's fine." I could feel my family staring at my back, curious. "What's up?"

"Milly said you had some tenant forms. I wanted to look over a couple of them this weekend, since they're odd ones." He wasn't wearing his usual suit, but a dark blue button-up and casual white pants. Casual for him, anyway. He still looked like he just stepped from a board meeting, although under his eyes was darkened slightly. I had never seen him look... tired. He was always sharp and clean at work, but today his face was almost haggard. Almost.

"Oh, yeah. I have those. Do you want to come inside for just a minute while I get them?" I stepped back from the door.

He entered, slipping out of the way so I could close the door. "Thank you."

I glanced at my family, who were still watching me, waiting for answers. "Uh, Damon, this is my family. Everyone, this is Damon Ashdown, my boss. He just needs a few things." I shifted my eyes to him. "I'll be right back." When he nodded, I scurried to my bedroom, digging through my satchel for the papers he wanted. I couldn't find them the first time I checked, which led to a second, panic-induced search. Luckily, they were still in there, I had just missed them.

I can't believe he's here on Thanksgiving. I honestly can't believe he's here. I mean, he's already been to my house, and we all know how that ended... A blush crawled up my cheeks as I remembered the way he had hovered over me. I like him more than I should. I mean, I told him I didn't want to date him when I know I do. It would just be so stressful, but maybe it would help me worry about my family less. I mean, they're all adults with their own lives. I don't think any of them worry about me like I worry about them. I went back out to the living room to find Damon having a pleasant conversation with my mother about Thanksgiving traditions.

"Felix always had a puzzle on the table for holidays," Mom was saying. "He loved doing puzzles as a family. He wouldn't go to bed until the puzzle was finished, even if everyone else had left."

"That's a lovely tradition," Damon replied. "Do you still do it?"

Mom sighed a little. "No. It's our second Thanksgiving without him. I had a hard time last year, and I haven't even thought about it this year."

"I understand. Holidays are hard when you lose your loved ones." Damon glanced over at me, red eyes shining in the artificial light. The sun had gone down not too long ago, so most of the house lights were on.

I dropped my gaze to his neck—it was better to look anywhere other than his eyes. "Here's your papers."

He gently took them from me. "Thank you. Could we step outside for a moment?"

I knew he wasn't here just for the papers. There's always something else. Is it about him and I? "Sure. I'll be right back, Mom." I brought him out to the front step, making sure the front door was closed behind me. "You didn't come here just to get some papers," I observed, raising my eyebrows slightly at him. "What else is there?"

Damon ran a hand over his tired face, then locked his dark red eyes on me. "I know you've been struggling with your family recently, and that has been causing you a lot of stress, so you don't wish to deal with anyone else right now, and I've tried to respect that, but I've been thinking." He hesitated, studying my face as if unsure whether I would let him continue or not. When he spoke again, he breezed through his words, as if I would interrupt him at any moment. "If you would let me, I want to take you out just once. Noncommittal. I just... I want to show you what it would be like, just for a night. I think it will be more stress-free than anything you've done in months. If you don't enjoy it, I won't bring it up again, but I want you to judge for yourself. I don't want to add stress to your life, rather I want to take it away, but I can only do that if you give me a chance. Please, Alessandria, just one chance."

I should have said no immediately. I should have found the speech stalkerish and desperate. I shouldn't have looked into his eyes. They were worried, pleading, reaching towards me for some hint of returned feelings. The red color I once found so unsettling was familiar now, and endearing.

I told him no. One part of me growled. No means no. Why doesn't he understand that?

But what could one date hurt? Another part whispered. He's been patient and kind despite your rejections. He doesn't want to hurt you. He loves you.

A third piece of my mind fretted. What if I can't handle it? What if I get too stressed out and take it out on someone else? What if he breaks my heart? What if I break his? What if rejecting him again hurts him so much he throws himself off a balcony? How would I live with myself then?

Damon's not stupid. He won't go crazy if I say no. I've already told him no before. I don't want to again.

Damon let me silent for several drawn-out seconds, then whispered, "Alessandria?"

Another look into his eyes cleared away the chaos in my mind. I want to go out with him. Why shouldn't I? What harm will one date do? If I don't enjoy it, or it makes me more anxious than ever, I'll just tell him. If I do enjoy it... who knows where that road will lead. I've made him wait for long enough. My family is going to be all right without me fussing over them every second of the day. I took in a slow breath. "I would like that." Oh my gosh I just said yes.

His eyebrows pinched up and together, creating a surprised/concerned expression. "Really? Are you sure? I don't want to force you into anything."

"I want to go, Damon." I said it again! "It's time for me to stop worrying so much."

"Great! When would you like to go?"

"Any time after this weekend."

"Monday?"

Someone is eager. I stifled a giggle. "Sure. Where are we going and what time?"

"I know a lovely club. How about... six?"

Enough time to get ready after work, but not so late as to keep out too long so we can still get plenty of sleep. "Perfect."

We were both quiet for a moment, smiling, then he stepped towards his car. "I'll... see you Monday then."

"See you Monday," I echoed, raising a hand slightly in farewell. I stood on the front step as he got in his car, then turned it on and drove away, waiting for the regret to hit. But it didn't. I really do want to go out with him. I like Damon. A lot. I wonder what our night is going to be like? I haven't been to a club in a really long time. They're always super loud. Will I have fun? I get to spend time with Damon. Just Damon. Outside of work. That will be weird. I think I'll like it though. I giggle a little, then slapped a hand over my mouth, surprised by the noise. I hope no one else heard that. Everyone is still inside. Probably waiting to find out what's happening. Should I tell them? They might ask a lot of questions. Or they might not care. I can already hear the ridicule Del will have. "Trying to sleep your way to the top? Vampires have no taste." Em will be excited. Langdon might be interested. I don't think Carl will care much, although he might have something spiteful to say. I don't really want to talk about it to them. I should call Viveca. She'll be angry if I wait until Monday to tell her. The smile that hadn't faded yet stretched as I imagined my friend's excitement. And Naomi. I should tell Em later too. I did my best to contain my smile and slipped quietly back inside.

"What did he want?" Emmalynn asked lightly, making conversation before my family could just stare at me in silence.

"He just had a couple of things he wanted to talk about," I replied, making my way back to my seat. Delilah raised an eyebrow at me, but I didn't acknowledge her, returning to my meal.

As we were cleaning up after supper, Mom made an unexpected announcement. "I want to do a puzzle."

I glanced at her. "Like, one of Dad's jigsaws?"

"Yes. He would like that."

"He would," Em agreed, sliding a handful of silverware into the sink. "We can put it together right after we finish cleaning."

Delilah sidled towards the door. "Aaron and I should be leaving."

I opened my mouth to draw out her name, but Mom beat me to it. "Just fifteen more minutes, Del," she implored. "We're almost done cleaning. You can even start getting the puzzle set up. Stay for a little while longer."

My oldest sister didn't look happy, but Aaron glanced at her, and she caved. "Fine. I can't stay until it's done though."

She picked out a puzzle while we finished cleaning up and spread the pieces on the dining table. The borders were sorted from the innards just before the last dish was put away, so with the help of Mom and my four siblings and their spouses, we pieced together the outside bits. The picture was a quaint farm with lots of animals scattered around. Dad liked scenic houses the best.

It was a strange feeling to be surrounded by my family while doing a puzzle again. I still felt the strain in our relationships, but it lessened as we worked together. Maybe we'll finally be able to work things out.

"Did you think about any of those options I showed you, Mom?" Delilah asked nonchalantly.

Or maybe not.

I didn't want to name the chapter "Thanksgiving" but I couldn't think of anything else. 🙈 I almost didn't even post, but I managed to get this chapter done yesterday. Be sure to follow if you are enjoying this story and want to read more like it!

Stay happy!

~AJ.