A Sweet Thanksgiving, Part Three, the Conclusion

Danny woke up with a crick in his neck. He straightened and sat up. Jason had rolled over and now had his back to Danny. Soft snores came from his lover. For the first time since returning to Sutter’s Bay, Jason had told him he loved him. Finally...progress.

He stretched and sniffed. A burnt smell, but what? He inhaled…crust.

Oh shit.

He shook Jason. “Jas, the pies.”

“Unh.”

He grabbed his jeans off the floor and pulled them on and ran out to the kitchen without waiting for Jason. Thankfully, no smoke billowed out from the oven. He scooped up a potholder and opened the oven. The apple pie was black on the top and the crust all along the outside of the pumpkin had also turned black.

“Ah, crap,” Jason said coming in behind him. He laughed and looked down at the apple

Danny groaned and looked at the clock. “The big grocery store is still open.”

Jason shook his head and grinned. “Um, well maybe we can eat the middle of the pies.”

He stifled a laugh. “Yeah, that might work. Are you sure you don’t just want to go back to the store?”

Jason winced. “Definitely not. I think we have plenty to eat even without the pies, don’t you?”

“Turkey, potatoes, yams, broccoli, and cranberry sauce. Yeah, that’s probably enough. Unless we burn those, too.”

“We won’t.” Jason embraced him. “I may not be the greatest cook but I can manage to make food without burning it.” He eyed the pies. “Most of the time. In my defense, someone distracted me.”

Danny threw his arms around Jason’s neck and drew his face down for a kiss. “I think maybe it was worth it.”

“Hmm. I have something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

Danny looked into his eyes. “What?”
“You think, maybe, we ought to just…” Jason shifted, looked away, his cheeks turning pink.

“Hey.” Danny kissed his jaw. “What?”

“Want to live here?” Jason blurted out.

Danny’s heart leaped. “You mean it?”

“Yeah. I know I love you. It makes sense for us to live together. Don’t you think?”

“Oh, I think. We’re practically together every night anyway.”

Jason smiled. “Good. Then, you can maybe sell your house. I’d kind of like to live here. My mom’s garden is here and I like the idea of continuing it. Is that okay?”

Danny figured his house was just a house. He didn’t care where he lived as long as Jason was with him. That’s where home was. “It’s more than okay. I love you, Jas.”

“I love you, too.” His face lit up. “Wow, it seems to get easier to say that every time.”

“That’s good to hear because I’m going to want to hear it often.” He yawned, feeling suddenly very tired. “God, I’m exhausted. And we’ve got some cooking to do in the morning.”

Jason nodded. “Yeah, let’s go to bed. Happy Thanksgiving by the way.”

Danny hugged him tight. “I have a lot to be thankful for.”

Damian's Feast, Part Three, the Conclusion

Some hours later, Damian smiled as one of the two cars he’d been waiting for, pulled into the driveway. “They’re here,” he called out.

Jake walked into the living room, fully dressed in loose fitting jeans and a burnt orange button-down shirt. He smiled a little nervously. “I thought the color would be perfect for Thanksgiving,”

“You look good enough to eat.” Damian hugged him and gave him a quick kiss before heading to the front door to open it for Chris’s parents, Greg and Lily, and his brother, Jeremiah, and finally his sister, Mary. They all had bolted for the door in the pouring rain. He flung open the door. “Happy Thanksgiving!”

He was instantly folded into a hearty wet hug by Jeremiah.
“Jeremiah, at least get out of your wet coat,” his mother scolded.

Jere laughed and peeled his raincoat off his slim body and then hugged Damian again. “Happy Thanksgiving,” he said, and then released Damian to turn to Jake, who stood just outside the front hallway. “Hi, Jake.”

Jake smiled. “Hi, Jere. Happy Thanksgiving. Same to you, Mary, and Mr. and Mrs. Hutchens.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Jake. Thanks for inviting us,” Chris’s mom said.

“It’s our pleasure.” Jake took her coat and scarf.

After they exchanged more pleasantries and their wet outer wear was taken care of, Damian led Chris’s family into the dining room, offering them whatever they wanted to drink. Everyone was talking at once. His gaze went to Jake, who stood to the side, although with a small smile. Someday, Damian thought, he’d feel more comfortable. It was all too new to Jake. He wished he could take away the bad memories from Jake, even though he knew it had all worked to shape the man he loved.

He heard the sound of the other car arriving and he gestured to Jake. His lover came over. “What?”

“There’s someone at the door, want to check for me?”

Jake nodded, looking confused. “Sure, okay.”

Jake walked out to the front hall and Damian followed him, watching as Jake opened the door. Standing on the doorstep were Jake’s aunts, Suzy and Caroline. He smiled at the stunned look on Jake’s face.

“What are you doing here?” Jake blurted out.

Suzy laughed. “We’re here for Thanksgiving, of course. Could you let us in? It’s wet and cold out here.”

Jake stood back. “How?”

Caroline handed him her coat. “Damian invited us, Jacob.”

Jake’s startled gaze flew to his. “I—that’s great. H-happy Thanksgiving.”

Suzy embraced him and Jake awkwardly patted her back. And then, to Damian’s somewhat amusement, Jake sort of patted Caroline’s head. He suppressed a laugh. “Welcome to our home. We’re glad you came. Come into the kitchen and meet everyone. We’ll be eating soon.”

Damian let the ladies walk ahead toward the kitchen. He grabbed Jake’s hand. “Okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I just…can’t believe you did this. Even my aunts.” Jake looked away, unable to meet Damian’s gaze. “Aunt Caroline…the way she’s been…”

Damian pulled Jake against him. “Everyone deserves another chance. Don’t you think? If we didn’t give each other a second chance we wouldn’t have what we have.”

Jake’s blue eyes finally turned back to him, love shining from them. “You are so amazing.”

“They’re family. Your family. And I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Jake hugged him and then kissed him, a long lingering kiss. “Now, let’s eat this feast of yours.”