The dark straight hair of the six yr old swished side to side as she glanced around the kitchen. Eying the pots she asked "whats this one?" pointing to a bubbling one on the stove.
"Its the giblets," Hannibal answered. Gently he took the little girls hand before she touched the hot pot with her small fingers.
"Where'd they come from?" she asked, letting hannibal lead her to the the island in the center of the kitchen and set her on a chair.
"They are from the turkey (#notarealturkey) in the oven," the older man answers.
"oh," she says looking thoughtful. Hannibal goes to the other side of the island to chop up vegetables. Suddenly Abigail says "my mother used to cook turkey for thanksgiving." Her adorable lisp taking the 'h' out of the last word.
"Did she? Did you like it?",he asked glancing at her fidgeting hands on the counter. She quietly replied "no," after a moment.
"Well I think you'll like mine," he says earning him a shy smile from abigail as she glances up at Hannibal. He hands her a bowl of different vegetables to mix up. He really needs her hands to stay out of trouble today.
"I like everything you make," she says head already bent intent on her task. The older man can't hide his pleased grin as he chops more vegetables. This is when the other man inhabiting Hannibals house walk in.
"What are you so happy about?" Will Graham asks snaking his arm around Abagail to grab a carrot from her bowl.
"Oh, just thinking about all the things i'm thankful for this holiday," Hannibal cheerfully replies. He looks at Will who's trying not laugh at the look of indignation on their daughters face as Will pops the carrot in his mouth.
"Dad!,' the tiny girl squeals, "thats for dinner." She tries to bat him away from her important work. "Papa, dad stole a carrot!" Abigail complains to Hannibal.
"We were going to eat it anyway, who says it has to be cooked first?" Will says in his defense.
"Abigail, remind you dad that's his only free bit before dinner " Hannibal replies smiling. Laughing Will wraps an arm around Abagail and pulls her to him so he can kiss the top of her head. Granting him back into the girls good graces. She tilts her head up to kiss his cheek before stating "last one before dinner, dad ," then turning back to her task. Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter both smile at each other over the top of Abigail Hobbs head. Both are marveling at the girl between them. She might not legally be there daughter yet but as soon as the forms are signed she will be. Abigail starts to hum quietly as she mixes.
Will slowly walks around the island coming to stand behind the older mans shoulder. "Is it a long list then, the things you're thankful for?" Will asks. His breath ghosting by Hannibals ear.
"Oh yes, dear will, much longer than last year," he says taking Wills hand in his to slowly lace their fingers.
"Mmm, me too," Will replies slowly squeezing their entwined fingers. Quickly Will turns and tries to puts a chaste kiss on Hannibals lips. But the kiss lasts just a bit too long to really be considered chaste. Pulling back Will leaves to go change for dinner. Leaving a surprised and content Dr. as well as a humming girl in his wake. As he turns the corner he calls "Happy Thanksgiving!" to the people in the kitchen. "Happy Thanksgiving!" they chorus back.