"For the love of god woman! I'm fine! Just let me do something!" Colton whines from his bed as I apply my mascara in the on suite.

A couple of weeks ago he was given the all-clear and we were able to go home, we decided it would be best to stay at his parents since we were coming for thanksgiving anyway and his mum practically forced us too. Lucky for him after his first few weeks in a cast they decided it would be best for him to move to a boot and a splint type thing since his bone was healing really well. His ribs too.

Tours practically over since Colton's going to have to take a lot of time off for physio and it'll be hard to get him out on the road for a while but I'm not thinking about any of that right now. I'm just focussing on my family and making new music.

"Stop whinging," I chuckle, I've been nursing him since he got back from the hospital, at first he liked it but with my strick bed rest orders, I think the novelty wore off by the second week. We've spent the days getting through numerous Netflix shows and making music, I've loved it, he's really helped take my mind off my mum and Luca, which we're still no further with.

I walk out of the bathroom to be met with a low whistle as Colton rakes my body with his eyes, nodding his head.

"You look, gorgeous babe. As always."

I smile at him, I'd stuck on a jacket type dress that was covered in little Pearl-like beads. Today was kind of big, it was my first thanksgiving... considering I'm British I don't have a fucking clue what it is or how to do it but Emma and Armaury insisted I invite my entire family from London and their flight gets in soon.

I perch on the end of the comforter to help him move out of the bed. Once he's on his feet he wobbles a bit but manages to steady himself.

"See I'm fine." He wraps his arm around my waist and kisses me gently.

"I know, I just worry. Sorry." I pout, I don't mean to smother him but in case he needs help I want to be there.

"Don't say sorry, I know. I love you." He hobbles us in a dance-like motion across the bedroom floor to the non-existent music.

"I love you too." I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down closer to my level, "But you need to get changed." I whisper.

He groans into my neck.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" He nods in annoyance.

"Alright well, I'm going to go and help your mum with the food, call if you need anything." I place one final kiss on his chest then leave in search of Emma.

I walk into the kitchen attacked with the smell of spices and the most delectable smells.

"Good morning Hunny!" Emma chirps, removing a tray from the double oven.

"Morning!" I call back, she walks around to hug me then busies herself with some more pans, "This all smells amazing by the way. What can I do?" She goes to protest but if she's learnt one thing about me living here is I don't give up on offering help, I pay my way like the rest and am always happy to help out, I love cooking anyway.

She gives me a few things to do and we spend the rest of the morning chatting over mixing and stirring.

"Thank you so much for having my family come again, we don't usually do thanksgiving so it's a foreign experience for all of us! I apologise in advance for my godfather."

"Nonsense, don't be silly. Your family is a part of our family now, my love!" She smiles warmly over a bowl of stuffing.

"Thank you," I say gratefully.

At some point in the afternoon, whilst I'm halfway through making a lemon meringue pie the front door flys open and my London folk stroll in brining a fuck tone of noise with them.

" Dov'è lei? Dov'è il mio bambino?"

Where is she? Where is my baby?

I hear Anto shout as Sofia comes barrelling towards me, Jade, Marcelo and Apollo not far behind her as they all jump on me.

"Mi sei mancato tanto" Jade wrestles through to squeeze me.

I missed you so much.

"Lo abbiamo fatto tutti" Marcelo adds.

We all did.

"Mi sei mancato anche tu piantagrane!" I smile into the massive group hug.

I missed you, troublemakers, too!

"I mean I missed you too but I don't know how to say it in Italian so..." Sofia chirps sarcastically making us all laugh.

Anto rushes into the kitchen and throws his arms around me, taking me off balance.

"Jesus dad don't smother the girl," Marcello says slapping him on the back.

"It's been too long Bambina." He squeezes me making me giggle.

I introduce everyone and they go and get settled in whilst we finish off the food.

"So you're half Italian?" Grandma T asks from her wine glass as she perches on a stool, she's joined by Sofia, Jess, Aunt Joan and Arlo who's sneaking bits of food when we're not concentrating.

"Yep." I nod putting a pie into the oven.

"I should have known with your naturally gorgeous skin and that wavy hair." She shakes her head chuckling.

"I also apologise for anything my godfather says or does... he's very... Italian." I wince thinking about Antos lack of English appropriate filter.

They laugh but they don't realise I'm being serious.

"Auntie Gigi?" Zada appears at the countertop next to Arlo.

"Yes?"

"When's Luca coming home? I really miss him and daddy won't tell me." The kitchen falls silent, and everyone seems to freeze.

"I'm not sure babe, but I know he misses you too." She nods at my answer, I can't decide if she's satisfied or not but when she gets up and hugs my legs she looks sad. I pick her up and rest her on my hip as her clammy hands wrap around my neck.

"I miss you as well, when are you coming home? I know auntie Sofia misses you too, she keeps going on about how she can't wait for you to come home and cook for her." I chuckle and shoot daggers at Sofia who's taking a leisurely sip of her wine.

"I miss all of you too!" I kiss her cheek and she giggles.

Truth is I don't know when I'm going home, I like being here at the moment.

"Ooooo something smells amazing," Colton says as he hobbles into the kitchen. He greets Sofia and everyone else before settling into a kitchen stool.

"How's your leg?" Sofia asks

"It's fine everyone needs to stop fussing." She chuckles at his annoyance but both me and Emma shoot him a disapproving look.

"Oh you've reminded me- Jacob still owes me fifty quid." She exclaims with her glass half in her mouth. I shoot her a questioning look, " We had a sort of deal, I said you and Colt would be together by Christmas, he said February so I win." She shrugs.

"Did everyone make bets on our relationship?" Colton and I both say in unison.

"Yeah." The entire kitchen says nonchalantly.

As I sit around the table next to the man I love and the family I couldn't live without and I understand what thanksgiving is about. I feel relaxed sat at this table, my anxiety isn't going haywire in the back of my mind, it's calm and tamed. Especially when Colton rests his hand on my thigh and squeezes with a reassuring smile. My family are getting along with Coltons like they've been family for years. As everyone takes a seat the once miles long table is full of at least fifty people.

Emma and Amaury sit and the top and raise a glass to gather the attention of the table.

"Firstly I'd like to thank you all for joining us today. For some of you, this is a complete first and for us, it's the first time we've had so many people around this table." Amaury chuckles, "It may take a bit longer than usual but I still believe in the age-old tradition that we each name at least one thing we are thankful for. I'll start- I'm thankful for... a second chance" he smiles down the table at Colton.

"I'm thankful for having so many wonderful people around this table today." Emma continues.

" I'm thankful for my two best friends who changed my life, along with my family." Sofia chirps.

"I'm thankful for cheese in a can." Jayden nods his head gaining a few groans and chuckles, "Joking I'm thankful I've met some pretty awesome people this year." His eyes wander over to Sofia who he's sat next to then across to me.

" I'm thankful for having a famous Godsister." Marcello says earning him a shove from Marsha, "Alright jeez, I'm thankful for having an amazing Godsister would do anything for us." He says burying his blushing cheeks.

"Awe Cello, " I pout, he's the sweetest.

A few of Colton's cousins and aunts pass the messages around the table until it gets to Grandma T,

"Alrighty, I'm thankful for my new granddaughter in law, we all know it's going to happen!" She winks at me and I choke on my sip of Diet Coke. Colton's just sat beside me laughing. At least the idea doesn't repulse him, he winks at me making my cheeks flame... okay I guess he likes the idea.

"Well, I'm defiantly not thankful for that one..." Anto sulks but then smiles, "No I joke, you're a bravo ragazza."

"Good kid." Jade translates for everyone else.

"I know you'll do right by her. I'm thankful for successo, la mio Bella famiglia and Mio Principessa for expanding our family with persone meravigliose!" He raises his class as Jade translates

"Wonderful people." They all let out an 'Ah' and join them in raising their glasses.

"Well, I'm thankful for the cattle market right now and my amazing LJ and family." Max smiles at the beautiful woman sat beside him, I met her earlier and she is so lovely, I can see why Max loves her.

"I'm thankful for my friends' acceptance." Jacob smiles at me and Sof.

Eventually, it makes its way round to Colton who takes a long breath and locks his fingers in mine,

"Okay, I am thankful for forgiveness and I'm thankful for your belief in me." He kisses my cheek and a deep blush rises onto my face.

"Well, I am thankful for every single person around this table, both present and absent... I really don't know what I would have done without any of you and I'm thankful for you showing me what real love is." I squeeze Colton's hand under the table, " I love you," I whisper.

"I love you too." He murmurs into my ear.

After I'd filled up on an incredible amount of food, some of which was rather peculiar- sweet potatoes and marshmallows... weirdest things I've tasted, we all came out to sit around the bonfire in the golf course like garden. Colton and I are huddled under a blanket watching the flames grow in the centre of our circle. Arlo's sat on my lap whilst I play with her honey blonde locks.

"God I'm so bloated," I moan letting out a huff, I feel so stuffed right now, "It's gross," I complain patting my stomach.

"Shut up, you're gorgeous," Colton peppers my stomach with kisses, making me giggle.

"Colton?" Arlo turns in my lap to face us.

"Yes, munchkin?"

"Where's yours and Gigi's baby?" She asks Curiously.

I look at Colton with furrowed brows,

"What do you mean?" Colton asks with the same confusion.

"Well that's what happens when you get married, like mommy and daddy, they have us and Jessy has her baby's and Auntie Joan and-"

"That's not always what happens sweetheart, firstly me and Gigi aren't married yet and not every couple has to have babies," Colton explains.

"Oh okay... but will you and Gigi get babies." Arlo moves on, I laugh at her innocence.

"One day." He smiles, Arlo looks happy enough with his answer and goes back to colouring in.

"Is that so?" I whisper to Colton.

"Yeah, of course, I want tones of mini Gigis' running about." His eyes light up, " I want it all with you."

I place a delicate kiss on his lips. I want it all with him too, I want the football team family and the family cars, the unbearable road trips and sibling fights, I want my life with Colton.

"Hey lovebirds, sing us a song?" Sofia shouts over the fire. I look at Colton and he nods as Elijah shoves us a guitar.

"Alright let me think of something quick," Then an idea fills in my head. I whisper to Colton and he grabs another guitar and lets me start.

"All the leaves are brown,"

Colton takes the harmony underneath

"All the leaves are brown"

"And the sky is grey "

"And the sky is grey"

"I've been for a walk"

"I've been for a walk"

"On a winter's day"

"On a winter's day"

"I'd be safe and warm"

"I'd be safe and warm"

"If I was in L.A."

"If I was in L.A."

"California dreamin'"

"California dreamin'"

On such a winter's day

Okay so this is the final upload of TTS 🥺 61 to the Epilogue are out now!! Imma let you read those last chapters but I'll write something in the epilogue so keep your eyes out at the end :)))