Chapter 14: A Proper Thanksgiving
The farmhouse in the valley was filled with the rich aroma of roasting turkey, fresh herbs, and warm apple pie. Outside, the first light dusting of winter snow was settling on the branches of the maple trees.
Declan stood by the carving board, proudly slicing the turkey while wearing a comical "Kiss the Cook" apron that Lily had picked out for him at a local fair.
"Hey, Boss—I mean, Vincent," Declan called out. "If I make this gravy any better, the state’s gonna tax it!"
"Just don't burn the rolls like last year, Declan," Clara laughed, carrying a large bowl of mashed potatoes to the long wooden table.
Lily ran around the table, carefully placing handmade name cards at every seat. When she reached Vincent’s chair, she set down a folded white index card.
Vincent sat down and unfolded it. Inside, drawn with crisp, bright markers, were four figures standing in front of the farmhouse in the snow: Vincent, Clara, Lily, and Declan holding a spatula. Across the top, written in Lily’s beginner handwriting, were the words: *OUR FAMILY TABLE*.
There were no purple stars anywhere on the card.
May you like
Vincent reached out and pulled Lily onto his lap, hugging her tightly as she giggled and buried her cold nose into his neck. Clara sat down beside them, taking Vincent’s hand under the table, her thumb tracing the ring on his finger.
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