"Are you sure this is gonna be cool?" Eddy asked as Charlie rang Steve's doorbell.

"You come bearing a bottle of wine," replied Charle. "It's totally cool."

"It's just... I barely know them. I mean, sure, we met while you were in a coma or whatever, but I've... "

"Been too busy shagging every girl in Chicago to make friends? It's alright, Eds. You're my family, so... you're family. You know?"

Steve opened the door and embraced them both right away.

"Oh good!" they heard one of the Davids say from within the house. "They brought more wine."

*

Charlie could hear Eddy's cackle from all the way in the kitchen as she regaled the Davids with her latest indiscretion.

"Your sister is a hoot," Steve said, wiping the laughter tears from his eyes as he came into the kitchen. "They've already downed three bottles."

Charlie chuckled his appreciation. "Should we pull the turkey out?"

"Sure," Steve said, grabbing the potholders. The cry of welcome from the other room indicated that Edward and Tyler had come in from serving up Thanksgiving dinner at Haven. "Perfect timing. The bird will rest for a bit and then we can start."

"So, is it just us?"

"Well, what with the unpleasantness at Brad and Becka's engagement party... "

"Yeah, poor Tyler's still shaken up about it."

"Such a shame, really," Steve said, grinning mischievously. "I was dying for a fork dropping moment."

"A which?"

"You know, that moment at dinner where everyone's talking and chatting and someone says something or something happens that's so awkward or shocking that everyone drops their fork."

"That never happened with my family," Charlie chuckled.

"I don't know whether that's lucky or not," Steve laughed. "Growing up in a repressed WASPy Midwestern family, every holiday was full of ‘em."

*

"A lot has happened this year," Edward said seated at the head of the table as everyone raised a glass of wine. "Friendships tested over chicken sandwiches. Hurricanes running through the East Coast. And who knows if the Mayans are right and this is our last Thanksgiving. But even if it weren't, with everything that's happened, I just want to say I feel truly blessed to be surrounded with so many people that I love. That we are all in good health, that we are all relatively happy, and that we are all here together. So to old friends and new, to those present and those we wish were here, I say happy Thanksgiving."

Everyone echoed Edward's sentiments with a unison "Cheers," and began passing the dishes around. Tyler hated feeling so Tiny Tim about it, but he was the most grateful of all. Not too long ago, he was stuck in a life that wasn't his. Just a few short months later, he was living in a city where he could be himself, with a family of friends that were dearer to him than if they were blood. He still had a long way to go, but all in all, Tyler truly felt blessed. The doorbell rang; Steven and Edward looked at each other inquisitively. Since Tyler was the one closest to the door, he sprang up to answer it.

"Hi," said the familiar face as Tyler opened the door.

"Hi," said Tyler breathlessly.

"I didn't have anywhere else to go... "

"Um, guys?" Tyler called out. "It's Brad. Can he stay for dinner?"

The sound of five forks hitting plates echoed from the dining room.

###

Glad to be back for Volume 4! Just joining us? Catch up now:

Volume 1 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

Volume 2 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

Volume 3 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

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