“I can’t stand the thought of you being alone today, and as you insisted I spend it with my family, then you’re coming with me.”
I can see the hesitation in her eyes, her mind coming up with a million and one excuses of why not to come with me. “Dwight, I... I don’t think this is such a good idea, I don’t want to intrude or anything.”
I step closer, taking her hands in mine. “You won’t be intruding. It won’t be a problem, I’ve mentioned to my parents that I’ve met someone and they all but forced me to bring you to meet them. Look, I know you don’t like Thanksgiving, but sitting here alone isn’t the answer. Today, maybe we can make some new memories. It would mean the world to me if you came.”
I see her face change, and a calmness wash over her at my words. “Okay,” she smiles, reaching up and pressing her lips to mine. She gasps and pulls back suddenly, her eyes wide with horror. “Shit! I need to go get ready, I can’t meet your parents looking like this!”
I chuckle, and she scampers off to her bedroom, tugging at the rubber band in her hair and shaking her hair free, a mass of shiny black hair cascading down her back. I don’t care what she’s wearing, if she were dressed in a brown paper bag with hair like a mad scientist, she’d still be the most beautiful girl in the world to me.
∞∞∞
“Uncle Dwight!” The second I hear those words, as the front door swings open, my heart instantly warms. A tiny body crashes into mine, wrapping her arms around my waist.
I lift her into my arms and press a kiss to her cheek. “And how are you today, Shortie?”
“I. Am. Not. Short,” she protests, speaking each word clearly. “I’m a big girl. I’m the tallest girl in my class!”
“Is that right?”
“Yep, I’m even taller than some of the boys too!” Her eyes catch sight of Quinn who is stood to the side of me a step or two back and she smiles sweetly. “Who’re you?”
“Quinn, this is my niece, Lissy. Lissy, this is Quinn,” I introduce, placing my hand on Quinn’s back.
“Hi there,” Quinn says with a smile.
“Hi! I’m Elysia Lynn and I’m five years old! Nice to meet you, Quinn.” Lissy holds out her hand to Quinn, who takes it. “Do you wanna be my new friend?”
“I would be honoured to be your new friend, Elysia.”
“All my friends call me Lissy. You’re my new friend so now you can call me Lissy too!”
“Thank you,Lissy.”
Lissy wriggles out of my arms and grips Quinn’s hand. “Come on! I want mommy and grandpa and grandma to meet my new friend!” She tugs Quinn into the house, and I follow, closing the door behind us.
I follow them into the living room where my dad is sat in his armchair, his eyes glued to the football game on the TV, my mom and Tori are sat on the couch, looking at something on my sister’s phone.
“Mommy mommy! I gots a new friend!” Lissy shouts, releasing Quinn from her grip and jumping onto the couch beside Tori.
They all look up, their eyes zeroing in on Quinn and I can see the anxiousness in her face. I step forward, wrapping an arm around Quinn’s waist and pulling her into my side.
“Mom, Dad, Tori... I want you to meet Quinn.”
My mom brings a hand up to cover her mouth. “Dwight, is this the girl you were telling me about?”
“Yeah.”
My mom stands up from her seat and comes to a stop in front of us. “Quinn, it is so lovely to meet you. I’m Mandy,” she glances over at my dad, “and that there’s my husband Peter.”
“Great to meet you, Quinn,” he smiles, tipping his can of beer to her.
“And over there is my daughter, Victoria.” My mom gestures to Tori who’s face has lit up as she peers around my mom at Quinn. “I see you’ve already met Lissy.”
“It’s really nice to meet you. I hope you don’t mind me being here, I’d hate to think I’m intruding, but Dwight is very persistent.”
“Nonsense, sweetheart. The more the merrier, Happy Thanksgiving,” my mom says before turning to me and pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Come, both of you, take a seat.”
Quinn takes a seat on the armchair in the corner of the room and I perch on the arm.
