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Breakfast with Wes and his siblings was nothing special nor exciting. Parker made faces at Wes and I while Aubrey babbled on about how nice it was of me to help in the kitchen, though, all I did was beat the eggs and I probably couldn't do any more than that when we made dinner for tonight.  

After breakfast, Aubrey gave me a grocery list of things she forgot at the store so she sent Wes and I set out together to get the last minute things. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of shopping on a holiday, for one, it would be busy and two, I didn't support stores that made their employees work on big holidays. I wasn't about to protest Wes' family thanksgiving, though.

There was a whole list of different spices, vegetables, and other ingredients she and Brenda would need. After picking out a handful of different bottles of smashed seeds and crushed leaves, I had to find a bunch of dairy products.

What the hell is evaporated milk?

"How did your sister and aunt miss all this food when they went shopping yesterday?" I asked, grabbing a random brand of canned tomatoes.

"I don't know, but I don't know why we have to do this."

"We aren't doing anything. I'm checking things off their list while You are following me around, stealing 'samples'."

"And what a good job you're doing." 

"Shut up. And I don't know if you know this or not, Wes, but taking a bite out of an apple and grabbing a handful of nuts is not sampling, it's stealing."  

"Stealing, shmealing. What are you going to do, tell on me?"

"What if I do," I teased.

Wes' smirked, tossing an arm over my shoulders, squeezing me into his side as I pushed our cart down the isle. "Then what would you do without me?"

"I mean, you're kind of annoying sometimes and you tend to piss me off but I guess it'd be kind of boring without haveing you to talk too... and maybe a little lonely"

"Aww," Wes cooed, nudging his nose against my ear.

"Ew," I scrunched up my nose, pushing his away.

After we pick out a bunch of cans of various contents, some fruits and vegetables like squash, the last two pumpkin pies, an apple pie and a crushed cheese cake that Wes insisted on because it was half off, I made my way over to the beauty products. I needed to find a lotion for myself because I ran out.

"This one smells good." Wes shoved a bottle in my face that smelled too fruity and made me nauseous. 

I groaned. "Yeah, smells great and all, but I was hoping for something a little more subtle."

"Aren't girls supposed to like all that sort of smelly stuff?" He asked as he set it aside. I watched him pull out a granola bar from his pocket.

I swatted his arm. "Shut up."

I saw a light green bottle at the top and reached for it in vain. Wes' grabbed it easily and handing it to me wordlessly along with another bottle, this one blue. "I like this one." He held the blue bottle to my nose. 

"Yeah, I like that." I went to grab the bottle but Wes tapped it against the tip of my nose, purposely smearing the lotion. He grinned triumphantly, moving the bottle away from my nose and I saw the brand. "Oh, I can't use that brand, not with my tattoo. I usually have an allergic reaction to-" I said moving my hand to wipe the lotion off my nose but before I could, Wes was frantically rushing to wipe it off himself. 

Wes grabbed my neck, tipping my head back with a thumb under my jaw. "Seriously? Why didn't you say that before?" 

I stared at him wide-eyed and embarrassed. My head was tipped at a perfect angle for him to be able to look up my nose. "It's fine, Wes," I rushed, grabbing his wrists and trying to pull away.

"No, it's not if you're allergic to it. I just got it o your face and then your stupid ass was going to spread it by wiping it off with your hand." He used a corner of his shirt sleeve to delicately wipe it off the underside of my nose, careful not to spread the lotion.

I rolled my eyes, grumbling under my breath as Wes over reacted. I looked back at him when he stopped but didn't drop his hand from my neck. "Are you done yet?" He watched as I raised my eyebrow defiantly waiting for him to back off. When he finally let me go and took a step back, I wiped my nose with the back of my hand. 

"Yeah, sorry."

"It's fine. It was just a little, so nothing's going to happen. Don't worry about it," I brushed off his worry as I opened the other, pink bottle of lotion.

"But what if it causes an allergic reaction like you said?" 

"If I thought it would, do you really think I'd be this calm?" I smiled, bringing the other bottle to my nose. "Oh! How about this one?" I held out the green bottle for him.

He gripped the wrist of my hand that held the bottle, bringing it under his nose. "It sort of matches your shampoo." He pulled away, releasing my wrist but the skin where he'd touched me still felt hot.

With my other hand, I brought my hair to my nose. "My hair doesn't smell like that." I gave him a weird look. "And why are you sniffing my shampoo?"

"We slept really close last night." He looked at me sheepishly, his ears and cheeks tinting pink as he took another bite of the granola bar he had in his car.

"So... when do I get to see your tattoo again?" Wes stepped in front of me, blocking my view. He was so close I was staring at his chest now and when I looked up at him, my chin nearly brushed his chest. "You still haven't shown me."

"Another time."

"You keep saying that." He pouted. "Do you have any other tattoos?"

"Not yet."

"Yet? Do you have an idea of what you might get? Oh, I know. You're going to get a tramp stamp of my name."

"I don't have a tramp stamp, Artwood, nor will I get one," I said a bit too loud, causing a lady to turn her head. "Especially not of your name."

"You'll definitely have to show me that one," he grinned.

"Shut up." I shoved his arm, going to put the bottle back.

"No." He stopped me. "I like that one."

I blushed but obliged, setting the bottle in our cart gently as he nudged me on.

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"I can't believe you bought them flowers." Wes rolled his eyes.

"They're for you and Dennis," I ignored Wes as I handed Brenda a bouquet of purple Carnations.

"Kiss ass," he murmured.

"No, the girl has manners, Wes. You could learn a thing or two from her."

"I have manners!" Wes defended as Brenda thanked me. 

"It's not a problem." I smiled before she turned around. I patted Wes' shoulder. "Don't worry, I know you have manners... usually."

"I like this girl, Wes," Brenda said as she walked into the kitchen. "Denis look want Valley bought."

My cheeks warmed as I darted my eyes from Wes, who grinned proudly down at me, making Brenda laugh heartily. I swatted Wes' hand away as he poked one of my cheeks. 

"Who buys flowers for people? That's so old." Wes crinkled his nose.

"It's what you're supposed to do, buy people flowers."

A larger smile wormed its way onto his face. "So should I buy you flowers then?"

"No."

"Why?" He grinned. "You just said it's what people do."

"Yes, but flowers are stupid."

"Are you just saying that so I don't buy you flowers?"

"If I say I am, will you buy me flowers?" I asked skeptically crossing my arms.

"Absolutely," he said with a teasing grin and a proud nod of his head.

"Then no," I shook my head, "I'm not just saying it." It was a blatant lie, but it led to Wes sticking his tongue out at me childishly, enticing laughter from the both of us. "Come on," I elbowed him, "let's go help make the food."

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We all sat at the table with the food we prepared together. I had no idea why there was so much food when there was only six of us. There were several different fixings of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese with gourmet cheese. There were green beans and fruit plates. A turkey and a ham were prepared by Brenda. On top of all the food I helped prepare with them, Aubrey and Brenda, who assumed charge of the whole operation, insisted I make something of my families. The only recipe I remembered was a salsa with avocados, eggplant, and cucumber. They helped me as I showed them how to make the dish.

I was actually having a great time with them all. The Artwoods were a warm, welcoming family, and it felt good to be around them. They didn't ask many questions of me either. I had a feeling that was because Wes must have said something to them but I didn't confront him about it because I was trying not to be as sensitive or insecure about the relationship anymore, though I still was extremely.

"Okay everyone," Brenda said clapping her hands together. "Before we start eating let's give thanks."

The boys groaned in annoyance that their dinner would be further prolonged while I momentarily panicked. What would I say to them? What would I be thankful for?

Just don't make it personal and you'll be fine. When it's your turn, just thank them for their hospitality.

"I'll go first," Brenda offered. "Although my husband should be here this year, I'm so very thankful to have the love of my family surrounding me." She turned to Aubry.

"I'm thankful for my brothers. You two are the biggest pests this world has ever had the displeasure of knowing, but I love you." Aubrey turned to Parker who groaned.

"Okay," Parker started. "I guess I'm thankful all of you, and for Wes, and," he paused, thinking hard. "The future."

Everyone nodded and Parker punched Wes shoulder, silently telling him to go. "I'm thankful I didn't actually have to cook anything tonight."

"You and your brother are doing the dishes," Brenda said.

Wes sighed. "Well, then I guess, I'm glad that Vienna-"

My heart dropped at the name and my eyes widened. I kicked Wes under the table, hard, scolding him for using my name. I may have given it to him, but I didn't give it to his family.

"Ow!" He looked down at me and reached under the table to rub his leg. "Why'd you-" 

I'm sure the look on my face was enough because immediately his scowl dropped in understanding, and shame overtook his features. It wasn't that I didn't want his family to know my name- I didn't- but they had already assumed my name was Vally and a sudden revelation would call for questions, just as Wes had started asking during the car ride. It was simply embarrassing.

"I'm sorry," he immediately said. It was quiet but it was firm and sincere, that's all I needed. I nodded and he continued awkwardly as his family watched our displaced conversation intently. "I'm glad for the city of Vienna, it's a beautiful place-"

I rolled my eyes and sighed at his poor redirect.

"-and that Val came with me because I didn't want to go back to living with you two," he looked at Aubrey and Parker, "even if it's only for a couple nights."

"Wow," Brenda said flatly. "That was worse than your brother's."

"Hey," Wes and Parker said in unison.

I laughed at the brothers. They may have had their differences but they were no doubt brothers.

"Valley," Aubry said. "It's your turn."

"Oh, um," I blush shyly. I don't know what to say. "I'm thankful you're letting me spend Thanksgiving here with you all." It was hard to leave behind everything I knew but this isn't all that bad.

"It's been lovely having you," Brenda said.

"You're always welcome," Denise assured. I smiled gratefully at them both. "Well, I'm grateful for my family and Valley joining me tonight. Thank you, girls, for preparing what looks like an amazing meal, let's hope it tastes as good. Now, let's eat." He raised his glass, before taking a sip of wine and turning his attention to his meal.

With that, we began shoveling food onto our plates, piling them high with all the amazing dishes.

"This turkey is amazing, Brenda. My family hardly ever made turkey because it always came out dry, so we had the chicken, ham, and tamales usually. But this, this is delicious." I said after I had gotten over stuffing my mouth and chewing.

"Oh, thank you."

"I love this salsa dish you made, Valley. I've never had anything like it." Aubrey commented.

"Thanks. I hope it's not too spicy; I tend to over do it with the chilies. The Mexican in me I guess. It's also the only thing of my mother's I remember how to make"

"Oh, I'm sorry about your mother," Aubrey comforted.

I looked up from my plate smiling. "My mom's not dead. She's still going strong."

"Oh, my bad, I thought when you said-"

"No, no. I just meant I haven't made any food with her in a while. Her being on the other side of the country and all."

"Oh, okay. I understand."

"See, we don't know any of this, because Wes told us not to ask questions, and wouldn't tell us anything," Parker said, looking as Wes and Wes doesn't look pleased.

"Parker," Brenda chastised, "leave them alone."

I look at Wes with a small smile and a nod reassuringly, letting him know I wouldn't have an outburst like last time. "It's all right. Wes has this whole idea that he needs to help me whenever he can. I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself, though." I lean over to my right nudging his with my shoulder. "As I recall, you were the one calling me for help on your English paper the other week. I'm I right?"

"I shouldn't have invited you." He shook his head, putting a hand on my back as everyone laughed.

"You two are adorable," Aubrey mused, only to have Wes throw a green bean at her.

The rest of dinner was spent like that. I dodged questions as everyone picked on one another. It was kind of perfect.   

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a/n

shout out to friesandcries for being such a loyal reader and most of all, a fucking goddess. Hands down, your writing is art <3