I'd been back about a week when we had Thanksgiving dinner at Natalia's restaurant. The kitchen still wasn't suitable for cooking, and she didn't want to cater in. I helped her a bit in the kitchen as Edgar and Kaiser and Atticus fawned over Ella in the dining room, the big men making faces and shaking things to get her attention. She was a good baby, happy and largely content. She slept through the night and only occasionally cried when no one paid attention to her.
Natalia sat on a high stool in the kitchen and waved a spatula like a baton, directing most of her family in what to do when. Carter hauled two enormous turkeys out of the oven, Ruby monitored a vat of gravy, and Sophia mixed up cornbread stuffing. Eloise pretended to stir cranberries but paid more attention to the heavy cream I whipped to top off the pies. It was controlled chaos, but it felt like family. Especially when someone forgot about the potatoes and there was a rush to get them boiling in time to mash.
It was a small miracle when food ended up on the table and not eaten halfway from the kitchen, and as the long table groaned under the weight of the turkeys and a couple of hams, side dishes, rolls, wine bottles, and all the other accoutrements of a Thanksgiving dinner, Edgar pulled me close for a kiss. I flushed but leaned into him, not even caring when Eloise said, "Get a room!" and tried to steal the pie.
Before I could respond, the baby started fussing and Kaiser carried her over. She looked doll-small in his hands, and I sighed as I took her. Edgar pulled out my chair and dragged the highchair around so I could put her down, but every time I tried, Ella started to wobble and fat tears spilled down her cheeks. I laughed and bounced her on my lap instead, shaking my head. She was definitely mine. It still took some getting used to, and every now and then I would look at her and feel completely overwhelmed. At least a hundred times a day, I had no idea what I was doing. Luckily Natalia was never far away and could usually come up with a reasonable answer for whatever ridiculous question I had, but if not, I called Edgar and he dropped everything. He loved her as much as I did.
I had to clear my throat a few times when he gave me a quizzical look, but I only smiled. "Happy Thanksgiving."
"Happy Thanksgiving," he said, and brushed his lips to mine. He poured wine for me and helped pile all the good stuff on my plate. He even moved it back from the edge of the table as Ella reached for something tasty.
Natalia, seated next to Logan at the head of the table, stood and surveyed the assembled crowd. Ten and a half Chases, Kaiser and his four guys, plus Ruby's brother Rafe and a couple of their pack. A full house for sure. Nat cleared her throat and raised her hands to get everyone's attention. "Before we eat, I thought it would be nice for everyone to share what they're thankful for. I am incredibly thankful for my wonderful husband, Logan, and for the new family we've built. I'm grateful for all of you being part of our lives."
Whistles and clapping greeted that, and Nat kissed Logan as she sat. He raised his wine glass. "I'm thankful, obviously, for the beautiful woman next to me and the friends and family at this table."
They went around the table, Eloise saying under her breath, "I'm grateful for the Constitution, which says you're innocent until proven guilty," and Atticus grateful for each sunrise and his snow leopard. Some were funnier than others, with a great deal of laughter as Kaiser's bears grumbled and mumbled their way through a few sheepish declarations of thankfulness. I smiled along with them, distracted by Ella as Sophia, on my right, whispered she was thankful for being able to remember the past, live in the present, and dream of the future. Even if she couldn't actually remember the past. She squeezed my hand and tried a smile.
And then it was my turn. I stared around the table, heart in my throat, and tried to meet everyone's gaze. Nat looked a little teary already, resting her head on Logan's shoulder, and Edgar held my hand under the table. I jostled Ella in my lap as she banged her hands on the table. "I don't know where to start, to be honest."
I took a deep breath. "I know your family has grown a lot in the last few months, and I'm grateful to be included. I didn't think I would have the second chance for a family."
Edgar's arm looped around my shoulders and pulled me close to his side. I smiled and rested my head on his arm, careful of Ella as she reached for my fork. "So I'm thankful for each of you, and mostly for Edgar. I'm not sure I'd have the courage to still be here, to be doing all of this," and I lifted Ella a little to make my point, which garnered a few laughs around the table. "If not for him."
He smiled as he kissed me, palm warm against my cheek, and I closed my eyes. He barely broke the kiss to say, "And I'm thankful that you stayed," before kissing me again. I laughed against his mouth but didn't mind a bit.
I hardly heard what everyone else said, so lost in Edgar's kiss and the feel of his hand on my neck, but it seemed like only a blink and then everyone applauded, raised their glasses in toast, and started eating. I juggled Ella in one hand and my fork in the other, laughing as Edgar actually cut the turkey for me, and tried to take Sophia's advice. Remember the past, live in the present, dream for the future. Everything would be okay.