Aspen's gaze swung toward Cooper."Are you kidding me right now?"
"Now.Now.No fighting," Mom said, completely oblivious that Cooper offered to dirty up their daughter, which was decidedly a sexual comment.But maybe I just had sex on the brain.I couldn't think how else anyone would interpret that comment.
The rest of my brothers were joking around, finding a place to sit, so maybe not everyone had heard what he'd said.
"Sit down before you knock over a lamp.How many times do I have to tell you not to wrestle in the house?"Mom continued to chide, her voice exasperated.
My brothers sat on the remaining furniture.Morgan got the last open chair, Maverick sat on the floor, and Hudson perched on the arm of the couch, pushing Aspen closer to Cooper.She looked decidedly uncomfortable.
"What are we watching?"Hudson asked.
Dad nodded toward the TV."It's a classic.I thought it would be nice to have it on in the background."
It was a long movie, one that I wasn't particularly fond of.It always seemed kind of negative to me, even though it had a positive ending where everyone came together.
Natasha leaned forward as if she was going to get up."We're going to head out.I have a parade to get ready for tomorrow."
I stood with her and waited while she said her goodbyes to my family.They accepted her as if she'd never left, and for that, I was grateful.When I enlisted, I wasn't running from my family, just the small-town kind of life, and now that I was back, there was nowhere else I'd rather be.
Mom hugged Natasha."Thank you so much for coming.We can't wait to see the parade."
"Thanks, Maria.Dinner was delicious as always."Then Natasha turned her attention to my father, who said, "You're welcome here anytime."
"That's very kind of you," Natasha said, tears welling in her eyes.
I hugged Mom and Dad, promising to stop by again soon, and we headed out.My brothers were involved in some argument over which holiday movie was their favorite and barely noticed us leaving.
"Your family is something else," Natasha said as I helped her into the cab of the truck.
"I missed them."
She smiled softly."I bet they missed you too."
I closed the door and walked around to my side of the truck, wishing that this was the first of many Thanksgiving holidays spent with my family because we were a couple, and this was the beginning of our new relationship.One we'd have as adults who knew what we wanted and wouldn't let anything get in our way.
On Friday morning, Natasha was up early meeting with Eve in her office downstairs.I'd dozed in bed, not wanting to get up, but finally deciding I should get some work done on my bathroom.
I showered and got dressed, stopping by Natasha's office on the way out.
She looked up at me with a smile."Where are you going?"
"I thought I'd tile my bathroom today."I was hoping to finish it soon.Most of my spare time had been monopolized by Natasha, not that I was complaining.But I wanted a functioning bathroom sooner rather than later.
Natasha flashed me a smile."That sounds nice."
I patted the doorframe."Let me know if you need any help."
Natasha exchanged a look with Eve."I think we have everything covered, but thank you for offering."
Natasha wasn't great about asking for help, but I wasn't sure what I could do other than my assigned task for the parade, which was man the toy drive.Besides, I'd see her tonight.
I waved to her, not wanting to kiss her in front of her sister.Eve knew something was going on between us, but I wasn't sure what she thought.I hadn't asked.
I headed home to tile the bathroom, happy to have some free time to work on it finally.In the afternoon, I threw together a sandwich and ate standing up.
My phone buzzed.It was my friend in the army, River.
"Hey, man, what's up?"It was rare for someone to call instead of text, and I was worried something was wrong.
