Thanksgiving time.  It's a time to be thankful.  To spend time with your family and loved ones.  To cherish those around you and appreciate what you have.  Not to focus on the things you don't have.  I always choose to focus on what I do have rather than what I don't have.  I think it's important that we all try to do that.

-

"Just warning you guys you will meet most of my other family members," Alison told Mark and Lexie.

"No problem-" Lexie began to say but was cut off by Mark who began freaking out.

"What!  When were you going to tell me this?  This isn't something that you just randomly drop on me," he whined as he jutted out his bottom lip as he pouted at his girlfriend of seven months and she smirked.

"Don't act like a little kid," Alison tutted at him.  "Besides, you love my immediate family and I'm sure my extended family will absolutely love you," she told him as she stood on her tip toes and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.  "Who wouldn't love you?"

"Anthony Davis," he smirked at her making her gasp and hit his shoulder playfully.  "Only joking. Sort of."

"You're the worst, you know that?" Derek teased his best friend.

"Yeah, yeah," he sent a smirk his way but looked back down at his girlfriend.  "I love you and because I love you, I'll meet your family."

"I love you too," she looked up at him lovingly and leaned on her tip toes as she closed her eyes and kissed him quickly.  "But you technically have to meet my family because you're dating me."

She released her arms from around his neck and skipped to the car that would be driving them to the airport but realized no one else was following her and turned around.

"Come on you slow pokes!" She called out to them as she waved them to come along and they all looked at each other before Derek followed first, then Mark and Lexie.

*

When Alison pulled into the home she lived in through out high school, the place she called home, she felt as though she was calm again.  Like she could feel calm again and focus on her family.  It was a victorian style home and the reason why her parents bought it was because it was near base and the home had charm due to the victorian style.  

If Mark were being honest, he could picture Alison growing up here.  It was a beautiful historic home with charm and character.  It had a wrap around porch, curved front window, ornate woodwork, open staircase, maple floors, original doors/hardware.  Though it also had a modern touch to it on the inside as Alison showed the three of them around.  

Christmas lights were strung outside and a pathway full of candy canes led them to the porch.  Her mother had just baked fresh gingerbread cookies just as she did every time around this time of year and the scent filled the kitchen.  Garland was wrapped around the staircase and she could see the twinkling white lights on the fireplace mantle where their stockings were hung.  The front door was decorated like a present with Christmas wrapping paper that was white with a print of pink trees, a long line of red ribbon and a bow to finish it off.  Their neighborhood went all out for Christmas every year and every year people in the city and nearby would drive by the neighborhood and look at all the pretty lights.

"Your home is so beautiful," Lexie told the blonde as let a sigh and took it all in.  "It just feels warm and cozy and like home."

"Thanks, Lex," she gives the intern a small smile after showing them their rooms but Derek would be staying at Adam's house.  

Some family members would be staying here while others would be staying at Adam's or at her uncle's home.  They all made their way downstairs as Alison and Mark held hands.  

"You guys make me sick," Derek shakes his head at the couple and Mark smirks at him as Alison shoves him slightly.

"Yeah, yeah," she sticks her tongue out at him.

"What are you five?" He asks her shaking his head.

"Whatever," she mumbles and Mark kisses the side of her head.  

"Why are you so cute?" He asks her as he looks down at her and her cheeks blush.

"You're cuter," she murmured back to him and he pressed his lips to hers.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're both cute," Derek cut up the love fest going on making the couple roll their eyes.  "We get it.  Can we move on now?"

"Oh don't be jealous, Derek," she squeaked making Lexie cover her mouth with her hand as she held back laughter.

"I think the decoration looks even better this year, Madelyn," Derek told Alison's mom as she hugged him and she swatted his arm playfully.

Each room was decorated with a different theme.  The living room was decorated as classic cheer of colors red and green sprinkled with whimsical holiday decor and ornamentation, another room was decorated military theme with the armed forces of the Army and the Marines together but it was done in a classy way, cabin in the woods, elegant Christmas, farmhouse and lastly a winter wonderland theme.

"Oh thank you," Madelyn appreciated the compliment.

"See, I try telling her that and she tells me it's not done yet.  A good looking doctor tells her that and she melts like a snowman," her father, Gabriel, comes into the kitchen making all of them laugh as Alison moved around the kitchen counter as she hugs her dad.

"How are you doing, Ali?" Her father asks as he sways her from side to side.

"I'm good, better now that I'm home," she tells him as she closes her eyes.  "How've you all been?" She asked once they released from their embrace.

"Good," he nodded his head.  "Preparing for Katie and Adam's baby."

"I can't believe that she's going to be here soon," Alison said as her eyes lit up thinking of her little niece that she will get to meet soon.

Katie was now nine months pregnant and it could be any day now that she was due.  They already had a name picked out but hadn't told anyone yet what her name was going to be on either side of the family.  

"When will Katie and Adam be here?" Alison asked as she ate a gingerbread cookie after she dunked it in milk.  

"They should be here shortly," Madelyn told her daughter.  "Adam's just getting off work."

"It's like he works our hours babe," Mark tells his girlfriend.

"He really does," Alison nodded her head.  "He sometimes even works seventeen hours."

"Damn," Derek shook his head while he also ate a gingerbread cookie and he made a noise.  "These are great."

"You say that every year," Alison shook her head amused.

"Because every year they are," he shot back.

"Alright, alright, you two," Gabriel shook his head.  "I mean it's like having to stop grown children from arguing.  I thought my parenting days were over," he sighed dramatically.

"She started it," Derek let out a whine.

"Bite me," she fired back as she ate her cookie and did a little happy dance in her seat as everyone watched with amusement wondering what would happen next.

"Does this always happen?" Mark asked her parents.

"Oh every year," Gabrielle told him.  "And every year it gets worse and worse."

"That's because he's a kiss ass."

"Language," her dad chastised her teasingly with a small smile on his face.

"We're all adults here," she rolled her eyes.  "Says the biggest cusser I know."

"Who?" He looked around at all the adults and then put a hand on his chest.  "Oh, me?"

"Yes you!"

"She's right," Madelyn pointed out with a small smile.  "But you are also the biggest softy I know."

"Don't let all of my secrets out of the bag," he whined to his wife.  "I have a reputation to withhold with Mark.  Right?"

"Sure," Mark replied with a smirk, enjoying this family banter.  

Alison missed being home.  Though she loved her work and loved her patients, she missed not having to worry about anything and to just have fun.  Something she loved about Mark was his spontaneity and his ability to have fun.  She remembered when he surprised her to Canada when they were just trying to figure out what they were at the beginning and she wanted to do something special for him while they were in her hometown.

She was going to take him to Hill City for the day and while it was only going to be a twenty-four hour getaway from everyone, she was excited to see his reaction to the town and its festivities.  It was about a forty-six minute drive from her home to Hill City, so it wasn't too bad.  Alison just felt like she and Mark needed a twenty-four hour getaway to focus on them as a couple before he would be meeting the whole family.

"Are you sure you guys are okay with us going?" Alison asked everyone, feeling slightly bad for leaving especially Derek and Lexie behind.

"Seriously, we're fine," Lexie let out a hearty laugh as she stuffed her mouth with the best homemade sugar cookie icing cookies Madelyn had made.  "Seriously these are so good," she moaned making Alison let out a short laugh.  "I have to ask your mom how she makes these."

"She might even give you a baking lesson," Alison said teasingly.

"I would wuv fat," Lexie said mouthful as Alison brought a hand to her mouth to cover her laugh.

"My mom's baking is the best," Alison nodded her head.  "Thanks for being okay with Mark and I going away for twenty-four hours," she told the intern.

"Oh yeah, of course," she told her as she was full of expressions and shrugged her shoulders.  "Though I wish I could come.  Being around Derek for too long is like being in a room full of men full of testosterone," she told the fellow who let out an unattractive snort and covered her mouth as her eyes widened.

"Shit, I did not mean for that to come out," she told the brunette and both women laughed.  "I never snort, I swear!"

"It's okay," Lexie waved a hand.  "It was kind of cute.  So, any idea what you'll be doing in Hill City?"

"I got everything planned out," Alison grinned.

"Don't worry sis," her younger brother, James, spoke at the entrance way to the kitchen.  "I'll make sure these two aren't bored."

"James," Alison shrieked as she walked over to hug him and his wife, Sarah.  "You both are here, thank God!  But no punching this time.  Okay?" James rolled his eyes at his sisters comment.

"I only punched him once," he raised his hands in defense.  "And it was because I was defending you."

"Yeah," Derek spoke up as he winced, remembering the incident.  "I think I had that black eye for a month straight."

"Hope it didn't hurt your ego too much," James teased the brain surgeon and he laughed slightly and shook his head.

"I don't know," Alison tsk'd as she shook her head.  "You seemed pretty down for a couple months after that."

Everyone laughed at Alison's comment, knowing that Derek would never admit to it.  

*

The couple checked into their hotel room and they decided to stay at Alpine Inn and were staying in room three.  From what Alison had seen online, the room looked gorgeous with red and neutral tones of color.  It was spacious with a large queen size bed, a private bathroom that had a large vanity along with a tub/shower.  

"Are you two here for vacation?" The receptionist asked as she was being friendly.

"Just a short twenty-four hour one before going home to the family," Alison told her as she gave her the credit card.

"Meeting the family?" She asked gesturing to Mark.

"The rest of the family," he gave her tight lip smile.

"Well, I can tell you one thing honey, you won't have any problem," she winked at him which earned a laugh from the couple.  "You two are a gorgeous couple.  Have a good stay."

"Thank you," they told her and laughed on their way to the room.  "I couldn't tell if she was hitting on you at first or what."

"I was trying to figure it out too," he smirked at her.  "Think she's a cougar?"

"Mark, I don't think it works like that anymore when it comes to your age," she laughed at him as she swiped the card into the slot and opened the door to their bedroom.

"Are you saying I'm old?" He looked offended as he walked up closer to her and brought her closer to him which made her shiver.  "Want me to show you how old I am?" He asked her with a husky voice.

Alison turned around placed her hands on his cheeks as he instantly turned the kiss into a heated one by pushing his tongue in her mouth and she parted her lips as their tongues danced along each other.  Moans were heard through out the room as she tugged on his short hair.  Clothes were taken off in a hurry as he then picked her up and moved the both of them to the bed as she let out a shriek from the sudden movement.  

"Mark, Mark- wait," she stopped him as their hearts were beating fast and both were panting as she put her small hand on his chest and she could see his chest was moving up and down from breathing fast.

"Wha- what's wrong?" He asked as he grazed her cheek with his thumb.

"Let's go slow," she told him.  "We don't have to go fast.  Make love to me, Mark Sloan."

He nodded his head and she slid the condom down his dick and he slowly entered her as her head tipped back in pleasure as he pressed kisses and made hickey's down her neck as she scratched his back.

*

"Isn't it so pretty?" Alison asked her boyfriend as they walked down the street, bundled up in warm clothes and she hooked her arm in his.

"It's very nice," Mark nodded his head with a small smile as he took it all in.  "Thanks for bringing me."

"You're welcome," she smiled up at him.  "I figured it would be a nice little getaway before we have you meet everyone.  Which they will love you, by the way."

"You're just saying that to make feel less anxious," he joked and he playfully rolled his eyes.

"I am not," she bumped her shoulder into his slightly making him smile as he looked down at her with pure love.  "I'm serious.  My family already loves you and if they love you then that means the rest of my family will love you."

"I guess it'll be okay then," he nodded his head with a smile.  "So tell me about them again."

Alison let out a small laugh as she kissed his hand as she went on with the who everyone was again and what they did.  She knew it was to give Mark a peace of mind and if it made it easier on Mark, then she was all for it.

"Okay, so wait, it's your Uncle Ash who is also a military veteran and is now an engineer?"

"Yeah," she nods his head.  "And he has two boys named Davis and Ezra with my Aunt Molly."

"Damn, why are so many family members of yours in the military?" He asked and she let out a small laugh.

"It's like this - how I felt being a doctor/surgeon is my calling, they felt it was their calling to join the military.  That and the military schools are free tuition if they serve so that's part of it too for some of my cousins."

"Makes sense," he nodded his head.

"Do you want to go on the North Pole train?" Alison asked him and he noticed her hazel eyes shined bright even when it was starting to turn dark outside.  "They offer sugar cookies, candy canes and hot chocolate..."

"Are you trying to bribe me?" He asked slightly amused and wanted to keep this up to see how far she would go.

"Come on, Mark," she whined a little almost like a little kid pouted as she brought out her lower lip and gave him those eyes that made him melt at just about anything.

"Not the eyes," he whined back and threw his head back slightly and looked at her as he ran his fingers through his hair.  "Okay, fine," he gave in with a slight sigh and she did a little happy dance.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"You know I was just seeing how far you would go, right?" He told her as she looked at him and stopped dancing.  "I was going to say yes all along."

Alison was wearing a festive crewneck sweater she bought from Etsy online.  Every year she liked to buy new ones to support the small businesses, plus she loved the ones on Etsy and thought they were cute.  If they did secret Santa at their hospital with their friends, she always made sure to throw something in there from Etsy.  It was a Christmas theme one that was grey and felt it was appropriate for the day as she wore a beanie, sweatpants and her Uggs.

"Are you serious?  I hate you," she pouted slightly and punched him in the arm which made him laugh because it didn't even hurt.

"You love me," he teased her and brought her closer to him.

"Unfortunately," she told him and started walking off but realized he wasn't walking with her.  "I'm kidding!" She laughed and he did as well as he caught up with her.  

Alison bought the tickets for the train ride and Santa was on board as he took pictures with the kids.  They were sipping on their hot chocolates and eating sugar cookies as their candy cane melted into their hot chocolate.

"I know I asked you a while ago if you would be okay if the guy you ended up with didn't want kids.  I can't do that to you, Alison," he tells her and she frowns at his comment thinking he might break up with her.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't do that to you because I want to make you a mother," he tells her as he sucks in his breath and lets it out shakily.  "I know it's still pretty early on but I know I'm going to propose to you someday and I know we're going to have kids.  It might be an adjustment for me, but I couldn't not imagine you as a mom."

"I love you so much Mark Everett Sloan.  More than you could ever know," she tells him as she looks into his piercing light blue eyes that felt as though they pierced into her soul and it was like he could see all of her.

*

"What would you say your love language is?" Mark asked her as they were eating at the hotel restaurant and both of them had ordered steak.

"Hmm," she had to think about the love languages since it had been a while.  "Communication, expression of affection and love, and quality time.  What about you?"

"Oh physical touch obviously," he said after taking a bite of his steak and she rolled her eyes.  "What?  It doesn't mean just having sex!  Though that's great too.  If you haven't noticed, I always have to be touching you if I'm near you whether it's playing with your hair, tapping your butt, holding your hand or kissing you.  I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart," he told her as he put his hand over his heart.  "Now that you are in my life, I don't know what I would do without you."

"Aww," Alison leaned forward and pressed her lips to his in a short kiss.  "That was so sweet and I feel the same way."

"It's the truth.  I also think communication and words of affirmation are important in any relationship."

"Like did I tell how hot you look today?" She asked flirting with him slightly and he smirked at her as his strong hand rested on her thigh.

"Want to get out of here?" He asked her and she nodded her head as they paid for the bill and headed back to their hotel room.

*

Alison's phone vibrated and she opened the text message realizing it was from Addison which made her smile as she read it.

Addie: Is it raining there too?

Ali: No.... better.  It's snowing *sends pic of the snow outside with her and Mark*

She noticed the little bubbles on the screen appear which let her know that Addison was writing her back.

Addie: What the hell, Alison!  How is that better?  Also who is that insanely gorgeous couple?

Ali: *sends gif of Rihanna winking and smiling as she points at someone like they know something* stop itttt.  you're making me blush lol.  it's better because it's cuddle weather and beautiful!  But wait- it's raining in Los Angeles?!  Since when ?!

Addie:  Yes, thank you!  Everyone here thinks I'm crazy for thinking it shouldn't rain.  The snow is perfect weather for cuddling.  Also Happy Thanksgiving!  I miss you all, please let everyone know that. 

Ali: You are definitely not crazy!  When I think of Los Angeles I think of sunshine everyday.  Thank you and I'll let everyone know!  Happy Thanksgiving to you too.  We all miss you.  I miss you.

"They're almost ready for dinner," Mark comes over to his girlfriend with a smile on his face.  "You okay?"

"Yeah," she nods her head with a smile on her face.  "Just heard from Addison.  She says Happy Thanksgiving and she misses everyone."

"I haven't heard from her since she left," Mark pouted slightly.  "How is she doing?"

"Good, I think.  She says it's way different than being in an OR room but she says the other coworkers are warming up to her."

"It's not a regular hospital?" Mark asks, kind of shocked if he were being honest.

"Apparently not," Alison shook her head.

Alison had bought some newborn onesie's and some other things for Adam and Katie's daughter that was going to be born and she couldn't wait to see their reactions.  Though she hadn't always been close to Adam, with him having a baby on the way has helped their relationship and she couldn't wait to be an aunt.  She knew that they wouldn't last long since babies grow so fast but she was just excited to start shopping.

"I have something for you guys and I hope you like it," she told the married couple.

"You seriously did not have to get us anymore," Katie told her as she took the present from her sister-in-law.  "But we really appreciate it."

"I know but I wanted to," she smiles shyly at them as Katie took out the first clothing item.

She had bought them six unisex newborn clothes that were a grey and mint color.  It came with two pairs of pants one mint and the other grey with four different shirts.  One was white with a lot of elephants on it, the other grey with a lamb, a grey one with mint polka dots on it and lastly a mint one with an elephant that said 'mommy's cutie.'  She also got them some booties for the cold winter months of South Dakota along with a Baby Sound Machine that was like a night light and helped babies to sleep.

"I love these so much," Katie gushes and gets up to hug Alison sideways.  "Thank you again."

"Yeah, thanks sis," Adam gives his sister a smile before walking up to her to hug her after Katie did.

"Your welcome," Alison told them both.

"Everyone ready for dinner?" Her mother, Madelyn, came in and asked everyone.

*

"So Mark, what is it that you do?" Her cousin, Hailey, asked him.

"I'm a plastic surgeon," he tells her with his charming smile.

"Of course you are," she rolls her eyes as she looks at the couple and Mark tries to not look disappointed.  "I'm not saying that as a bad thing!  I meant because you are so good looking.  Seriously, Alison, good job.  If I were into men I would tell you to watch out," she says making Alison laugh at the look on Mark's face.

"Hailey is married to Natalia," Alison clarifies to him and he nods his head as Derek rolls his eyes as he eats his food.  Of course everyone would comment about how good looking Mark was. 

Stupid Mark.  Stupid Alison.  Stupid couples.

"Jealous?" James leans to Derek with a smile on his face.

"You know what?" Derek turned toward James.  "You shut up."

James knew that Derek was always used to being the center of attention at their family's Thanksgiving dinner.  All the women loved him and the men wanted to be him.  But James thinks that Derek just met his match.  James found the whole thing hilarious given Derek's past with Mark but he knew the two were trying to mend their friendship.  

"Well, thank you Hailey," Mark gives Alison's cousin his charming smile.  "What do you two do?"

"Well, I'm a pastry chef," Hailey tells him as she puts her hand on Natalia's arm.  

"And I'm a food critic," Natalia finished.  "That's actually how we met.  I was at her café to try some desserts and I asked for her number."  

"That's pretty cute," Mark said as his New York accent showed through making Natalia's eyes brighten up.

"Oh my God, are you from New York?"

"Yeah, Upper East Side and Carnegie Hill.  Are you?"

"Yeah," she let out a cute laugh.  "Buffalo."

"No way," he grins at her as his hand is on Alison's thigh and the other family members talk amongst themselves as Alison is talking to her dad.  "I feel like I never meet anyone from New York."

"Me neither," Natalia shakes her head with a laugh as they continue their conversation.

*

"Everything was so good.  Thank you mom," Alison tells her and the others agree.

"Your welcome," Madelyn smiles.  

"It was great, Madelyn," Mark gives her his gorgeous smile that makes her smile.

"Well, there's one little surprise.  Lexie helped me make the pumpkin and pecan pie."

"What?" Alison asked shocked.  "Mom, you never let anyone help you with the pies!"

"It was really fun," Lexie smiled.  "Thank you for letting me bake with you."

"Of course!  I'm glad you and Mark came this year for Thanksgiving," Madelyn told the group.

*

"You seem to get along with everyone," Alison told her boyfriend.  "Especially Ash."

"Yeah," Mark let out a small chuckle as he ran his fingers through his hair.  "I guess I was pretty nervous for nothing.  He's a pretty cool guy.  I think he's traveled to more countries than you have."

"Yeah, I think he forgot to mention the fact that he was stationed in more than half of those countries," she joked but he didn't fully understand as his eyebrows furrowed.  "When they're stationed in different countries they are there for work and don't get much time to sitesee most the time."

"That makes more sense," he nodded his head, understanding it more now making Alison laugh.

Alison couldn't believe that she was getting ready to turn thirty-one this year.  

--

this was pretty much a filler chapter but I hope you all enjoyed it!  For those that celebrate - Merry Christmas Eve & Merry Christmas!! 🎄✨