He raised a brow.His hands that were pouring coffee stilled."You haven't thought about it?"
"We serve a meal here, so I'll probably keep an eye on things, then enjoy dinner with Eve."Both of us were just hoping to avoid the entire day so we could pretend it was like any other weekday.
His brow furrowed."I get that you have to work, but you shouldn't be alone on the holiday."
"We won't be alone.I have guests checked in over the holiday weekend, and I need to ensure that their stay is comfortable.We're serving a meal here too, so I should make sure it runs smoothly.We wouldn't want to run out of turkey or pie," I said as cheerfully as I could.
He finished pouring the coffee and slid the mug across the counter toward me."Why don't you and your sister join my family for dinner after you're done here serving lunch?"
"Oh, I couldn't intrude."
"I'll help you with lunch, then take you to my parents."When I went to protest, he raised a brow."My parents will insist that you spend the holiday with us."
I made a face."We'll be fine."
Ford reached across the counter and took my hand."Please join my family for dinner.It will make me very happy."
"Oh, well, okay."If he was putting it like that, then I couldn't say no.I just didn't want anyone to feel sorry for us.I'd planned to stay busy and ignore the day, but Ford wasn't going to let us."Let me see if Eve is available."
I pulled out my phone and texted her.
Natasha: Ford invited us to his family's house for Thanksgiving dinner.
Eve: That's nice of him.
Natasha: Should I tell him you'll go with us?
Eve: It might make things easier to be with his family.
That comment made the fight go out of me.If I stayed home, I'd wallow in my grief.But if I went with Ford, I'd create new memories.It didn't mean that I didn't love the old ones."Eve said she can go."
Ford nodded."You two are always welcome at our house."
"I appreciate you including Eve."It might be the best thing for us.
"She's your family.Of course she's welcome."
My heart grew bigger at his kindness.He was giving me something I didn't know I needed, acceptance into another family, making new memories and traditions.
He stood eating his scrambled eggs while I sat at the island.It was a habit that we'd formed since we'd been staying over at each other's houses.We usually made breakfast before we parted ways, but we didn't have a lot of time.
The going back and forth was a bit of a pain.I was always forgetting something or getting to work late.I didn't want to leave Ford.I'd prefer to stay in bed with him all morning and get a slow start to the day.I was looking forward to our offseason.Maybe I'd get some much needed downtime.
"There's no need to bring anything.Mom makes enough food to feed an army."
"I remember all the prep she did for the big day."As much as I adored my family, I was envious of his large one.It was always loud and chaotic.
His house was more exciting, and back then, I was fascinated by the differences.
"We have a short work week.Then we'll spend the holiday with my family."
"That's sounds good actually.Thank you."Thank you for saving me from myself.I had a feeling if I was alone or just with Eve, I would spend the day crying.Not that there was anything wrong with that.But I wanted to look forward to the day, not dread it.
"We'll make new memories together."
That didn't sound like an arrangement or a way to spend the holidays.It sounded real and permanent.But I didn't want to assume anything.
"I'd better get to work."He rinsed his dish in the sink and put it in the dishwasher.
