“It sure is,” Michael stated as the wineglasses and beer bottles were passed around the room.
“Okay, it looks like we had enough tables and chairs to pull together a gathering for twenty-five people. Phew!” Ava said, sounding relieved, and they all complimented the appearance of the table.
“Honey, can I get you a glass of wine?” Steven asked Sally.
“No thank you. Not yet. I want to help Elise finish the stuffing,” Sally stated.
Elise gave her a look.
“What’s going on with you?” she whispered to Sally just as Tommy and Vic Ollsen entered the room carrying bottles of wine and multiple foiled platters of food.
“Oh, I bet that’s their sweet vegetable pies and veggie dishes. Yum,” Sally stated as she rubbed her hands together.
Elise looked at them and immediately both men zoned in on her. She felt her chest tighten as she took in their attire while they shook hands and greeted everyone. Both men were nearly identical. They each sported large, wide shoulders, and muscles and stood at six feet three inches tall. Their black crew-cut hair and tan complexions made them appear lethal and mysterious. Throw in those large hazel eyes with the specks of green, and yeah, they were yummy.
She placed her hand over her belly as her eyes lingered longer than they should have. Vic wore a fitted dark, hunter-green button-down shirt with black pants, and Tommy wore a dark, burgundy button-down shirt with dark dress pants.
They greeted everyone, and as they came closer to her, she turned to keep an eye on the stuffing she’d just finished making. She was covering it with foil as Vic kissed Sally hello and then Sally kissed Tommy. Her entire body tightened and warmed just knowing they were mere inches behind her and looking so fine. She pulled at the bodice of her dress. It was a bit snug on her breasts and waist, but not too revealing. It was burgundy and festive. She had placed her hair up on top of her head in a fancy hairstyle then curled some stray pieces that cascaded down her neck and shoulders. The dress was an off-the-shoulder and cut low in a V in the back.
She immediately felt the large, warm hand against her skin on her back, and she turned right as Vic was leaning down greeting her hello. Their lips touched, and as she went to pull away, the hand on her back pressed deeper, allowing Vic to kiss her a few seconds too long.
She
pulled away and he smiled.
“Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart.”
She touched her fingers to her lips, surprised at how they felt and how the feel of Vic’s lips still lingered.
“You look gorgeous,” Tommy told her as she turned away from Vic, only to have Tommy do the same move as Vic. He kissed her on the mouth then ran his fingertips from her shoulder down her arm to her fingers.
She took a deep breath. Then they heard the laughter as Virgo began to tell jokes about turkeys and stuffing.
* * * *
Sally stood by the doorway, feeling queasy. She had to tell Mason and Steven that she was pregnant. She couldn’t hold off much longer. Especially since she declined alcohol three times in front of them, and they seemed suspicious.
She was bursting with joy.
She felt the large hand against her lower back and she tensed up.
Mason wrapped his arm around her waist and she shivered.
“Hey, are you all right? You’ve been acting funny the last few days.” He kissed her cheek.
“I’m fine, just a little cold,” she told him.
“I can fix that.”
He turned her toward him and kissed her deeply as he held her in his arms. She instantly became pliant in his embrace.
“Hey, you two, take a seat. We’re starving,” BJ teased, and everyone chuckled.
“I can’t believe that there are twenty-five of us here, celebrating together. I’m not sure about the rest of you, but Alexa, Sally, and I never experienced the holidays before. This means a lot,” Susanna stated.
Sally felt the tears reach her eyes.
“It’s extra special because of all of you,” Sally said.