Leila's palms were sweating as she stood outside on her parents' front porch in the cold November air. Weeks prior, she'd shown up in tears after her fight with Mia, but now, Mia was accompanying her to Thanksgiving dinner. It was amazing to think how much had changed since that time.

Leila glanced to her side where Mia stood. Under the glow of the porch light, she didn't appear nervous. Her gaze was focused on the door, and any worry she had was masked by her neutral expression.

"Something wrong?" Mia asked, noticing Leila's stare.

Leila shook her head and, with a deep breath, pushed the front door open. Immediately, she was greeted by the comforting scent of Thanksgiving food - turkey, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts. Leila couldn't wait to begin digging in.

As Leila shrugged her warm, winter coat from her shoulders, she turned to Mia.

"I can take your coat," Leila offered. Mia nodded and slid her coat off slowly.

With both coats in hand, Leila briefly turned the corner to lay them down beside the others in the office, but hearing footsteps, she turned, noticing Mia was following her.

"You can go out and say hi to my family, you know," Leila said. In the living room, she could already hear friendly chatter among her relatives.

Mia lingered awkwardly. In a low voice, she uttered, "What if they're mad at me?"

Leila paused. She supposed it was foolish of her to think Mia wouldn't be nervous. However, Leila knew her family, and she knew that despite all that had happened, they'd continue to welcome Mia was a guest.

"They won't be mad," Leila assured her.

"But last time you were here...it was because of me," Mia murmured. She shuffled her feet nervously. "I have to be honest, Leila. I don't feel like I deserve to be here. That's the reason I was so hesitant coming here tonight."

"Stop," Leila said. She gently rested her palm on Mia's shoulder. "You've apologized. I've apologized. We've forgiven each other. We're fine now. Besides, it was my mom's idea to invite you anyway. Let's just go enjoy the food and company, okay?"

Mia nodded slowly, and together, they left the office and headed into the living room. Leila's father was occupied in the kitchen as he made the finishing touches on dinner, but her mother, Gavin, and Shannon were all seated around the television as the Thanksgiving football game played in the background.

"Oh! I didn't even hear you come in!" Leila's mother exclaimed when they entered the room. She quickly stood up and wrapped Leila in a tight hug, as if she hadn't seen her only a few days earlier at their usual family dinner.

Leila's mother turned, extending her arms to hug Mia now.

"Mia, it's so good to see you!" she exclaimed. Leila watched the fear reflect in Mia's eyes as she was dragged into Leila's mother's arms, but Mia settled into the hug a moment later.

"Thanks so much for inviting me," Mia said. "You really didn't have to—"

"Nonsense," Leila's mother said, waving her hand.

As Shannon stood, Leila could clearly see the small bump beginning to form underneath her sweater. She was once again met with excitement over the fact that she would become an aunt soon.

"So glad you could come," Shannon said, giving Leila a hug as well.

"You're looking great!" Leila told her. "Are you feeling better now that the first trimester is over?"

"Much better," Shannon assured her. She looked past Leila to Mia. "Hello, Mia," she said, moving to give Mia a hug as well.

As they pulled away, Mia stared at her awkwardly. "Congratulations. I didn't know you were pregnant."

Leila suddenly realized that with everything that had happened, she'd never shared the news.

"Thank you. It's been awhile since you've joined us, hasn't it? I guess you wouldn't have heard," Shannon said.

"Are you going to give me a hug too, Gavin? Or are you just going to sit there?" Leila asked, noticing her brother had remained seated on the couch, his eyes glued to the television.

"I'm just going to sit here. Do I really have to hug you every time you walk in here?" he asked. "I saw you every day for eighteen years anyway."

"Fine. I didn't want to hug you either," Leila snarked. 

"Nice to see you, Mia," Gavin said, shooting her a quick glance.

"Same," Mia replied with the same enthusiasm he had shown her.

"Dinner in fifteen everyone," Leila's dad announced from the kitchen. He untied his apron and set it on the counter as he went to grab some appetizers from the living room. "Good to see you, Mia," he said.

"Same to you. Thanks for inviting me," Mia repeated.

As they took a seat on the couch, Leila took ahold of Mia's hand and squeezed it before letting it go. Mia stared at her, but she didn't say anything in response. Leila hoped Mia understood what it meant; that everything would be okay, and there was no reason to worry that this dinner would be painful. As Leila glanced up, she noticed Shannon making eye contact with her. Leila quickly looked away before Shannon could question her on the gesture.

For a while, they both exchanged small talk with Gavin and Shannon. Despite the nerves Leila had once faced arriving to dinner, she now sat relaxed against the couch, happy to see Mia engaging in normal conversation. 

It wasn't long before Leila's mother waltzed into the room to announce that Thanksgiving dinner was ready. As they navigated to the dining room, Leila began to march toward her usual spot at the head of the table. She was broken from her trance when Mia took a seat on the right side of the table. Leila's mother quickly gestured for Leila to take the seat next to Mia. 

Oh, that's right. I'm not alone anymore, Leila thought.

As they gathered their seats, Leila glanced around the dining room. Mia was seated to Leila's right, Gavin and Shannon across from them, while both of Leila's parents sat at the opposite heads of the table.

"Why don't we go around and share what we're thankful for this evening?" Leila's mother suggested

Leila stiffened. She always forgot her mother liked to ask this question each year. As each went around the table, sharing various gratitude for each other and for those they would soon meet, all eyes fell on Leila.

"I suppose I'm grateful for a lot of things that happened this year. I got my new apartment and Fuji, and I got to reconnect with Mia," she said, quickly exchanging a glance with Mia beside her. "And I'm grateful also for this new job opportunity I may have."

"When do you hear back?" her mother asked again.

"Early next week," Leila replied.

Everyone's gaze then fell to Mia. Mia was quiet for a few moments, clearly pondering, but slowly, she spoke.

"I'm grateful to be back here in Maine and to reconnect with all of you," she said. "I wasn't really sure how it would be living here again, but it's peaceful and nostalgic. I'm enjoying it."

"We're so glad you're here to join us," Leila's mother told Mia. "All right! Let's eat, everyone!"

Light chatter was shared around the table as everyone dug into the turkey and mashed potatoes. Mia ate ravenously and even went and got seconds, much to the pleasure of Leila's father, who took getting seconds as a compliment to his cooking.

"I made plenty, so everyone have a few plates!" he had exclaimed.

After they'd finished stuffing themselves, both Leila and Mia sat on the couch with unfinished pieces of pie in their laps. It had been a long time since Leila had eaten so well. She'd never been able to cook quite like her father, and since she had returned to her apartment, she missed eating her family's homecooked meals. 

"So full," Mia groaned, her hand rested on her bloated stomach.

"Me too," Leila complained. "It was such good pie too, and I can't even finish it."

"I'll send you home with extras," her mother said, taking the dirty plates from them. "You look tired, girls. There's nothing keeping you from staying here."

Leila glanced at Mia. "Are you ready to head back, then?" she asked.

Mia nodded. "I think so."

Once again, they thanked Leila's parents for hosting and were sent off with farewell hugs. The drive back to the apartment was relatively silent. Leila thought Mia might be sleeping, but when Leila glanced her way, she noticed Mia was looking out the passenger window, still wide awake. Leila wondered what was on her mind.

"Is it okay if I use the bathroom first?" Leila asked once they got home.

"Fine with me," Mia replied.

Leila readied herself for bed quickly. Though it wasn't late, something about Thanksgiving always made her yearn to crawl into her bed and fall fast asleep. Leila spent the next few minutes wiping off her make-up and brushing her teeth. As she stepped out of the bathroom, she called for Mia. 

"Bathroom's free," Leila announced as she stepped out of the bathroom.

She was met by silence.

Leila glanced ahead curiously at Mia's bedroom. The lights were on, and the door was open, but when Leila peeped her head in, no one was inside.

When Leila walked into the kitchen and living area, Mia wasn't there either. Her heart began to pound intensely, wondering where Mia had went.

"Mia?" she called.

As Leila turned to go check Mia's room one last time, she caught a glimpse of someone out on the patio. Leila felt herself sigh in relief.

Leila tried to open the patio door quietly, but it made a large sound that appeared to slightly startle Mia as Leila stepped out. Mia's forearms were rested on the patio railing, and her gaze was directed toward the horizon. As Leila shut the door behind her, she hugged her arms and shivered some.

"The bathroom's free whenever you want it," Leila told Mia.

"Okay, thanks," Mia replied, her gaze still turned from Leila.

"Everything okay?" Leila asked.

Mia nodded. "Just smelling the ocean breeze, that's all."

"It's cold out here. You sure you don't need a jacket?" Leila asked. Mia had on the thin sweater she'd worn to Thanksgiving dinner, but her heavier coat had been left inside, strewn on one of the couches. Leila wouldn't be surprised if Fuji was resting on it right about now.

"I don't need it," Mia said. 

Leila stood close beside her and gazed out into the distance with her. The chilly air nipped at her skin, causing her discomfort. Leila opened her mouth, ready to tell Mia she'd be heading inside, when suddenly, Mia's head fell against Leila's shoulder. Leila stiffened as she felt Mia bury her head deeper into Leila's coat.

She's lying. She must be freezing, Leila thought. She wasn't sure what to make of Mia's unexpected affection, but she embraced it anyway and wrapped an arm around Mia, bringing her closer to her body. For a long moment, they both stood there in silence as the wind tousled against their hair. Mia felt warm snuggled against Leila's side. Leila was thankful the darkness was hiding her faint blush.

"That was the first time in years I've felt like I had an actual family holiday," Mia said at last. Her fingers were playing with the buttons on Leila's coat as Leila embraced her.

"Was it really?" Leila asked. "But you must've celebrated with your family in Missouri, right?"

"It wasn't as nice," Mia explained. "Tonight, with your family...I felt happy."

"I'm glad—"

"I've felt much more happy these days. Maybe because Julian's gone, maybe because I decided I want to stay in Maine, but I think...I think also because of you," Mia said.

"I'm happy too. I'm happy you're living with me," Leila said, tightening her grasp around Mia.

For a little while longer, they both stood there under the moonlight, savoring the silence and each other's company.

...

The memory of standing with Mia in the moonlight was etched into Leila's mind for the entirety of the weekend. They never mentioned it again, but it felt like something had changed between them, like the intimacy they once shared before their fight had returned, but in an even deeper way.

Monday morning, shortly after Leila got settled into her cubicle, she once again thought over her decision to apply for the job. The closer she and Mia got, the harder she knew it would be to leave her in a month's time.

I know Mia can take care of herself, but I worry, Leila thought.

Just then, her cellphone rang. She quickly picked it up. "Hello?" she asked.

"Hello, Leila. It's Jill. I've got some great news for you. The company would like to advance to a panel interview. What's your availability to fly to Connecticut in the next two weeks?"