A/N: My writer's block is in the process of leaving so this chapter was able to develop much smoother. I hope to have the next chapter up this Saturday/Sunday. Sorry about the delay! Oh, and I might wanna warn you about some kinda sorta PG-13 material at the end of the chapter..


"Sam, I don't know if I can handle this," I cried into his chest.

"Shh... It'll be okay. You can handle this." He comforted, running a hand through my hair.

"I'm trying so hard to keep myself for Selena, but it's always hard this time of year. I mean, recent events have made it more bearable, but it's still not easy."

"Trust me, I understand. I know that it never really gets easier, but you have me to help you through this. Hell, you have Bobby and Dean, too." He leaned down and kissed me softly. "C'mon, we gotta get out there." He started to turn to leave, turning back and holding out his hand. I laid my hand in his and we walked out of the room together. We entered the kitchen and were greeted with the savory scent of bacon.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" Bobby cheered. He stood at the stove in a small apron, wielding a spatula.

"Morning, Bobby. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too." I forced a smile.

"I know you wanted Selena to have a normal life, so I went out and bought a turkey and all the other important food items. I've convinced Dean to ignore the hunting side of our screwed up lives and he has promised to be on his best behavior."

"Oh, Bobby, you really didn't have to go through all the trouble. Selena's still too young to even understand what we're doing." My eyes started to tear up; I had to stop talking, out of fear that my voice would crack.

"Lucy, we're celebrating Thanksgiving this year. It's our last year all together." Sam gave my shoulders and small squeeze and looked me in the eyes.

"Don't say that," I sniffed, wiping away the tear that spilled over. I suddenly found myself lost in my memories.

~FLASHBACK~

"Morning, Leila. Happy Thanksgiving!" I sang as I ran into my sister's room wearing my pilgrim hat.

"It's too early," she growled in response and threw the pillow over her head.

"It's almost noon. Now get your lazy butt out of bed! Mom and Dad said they'd be home tomorrow so we have to get this place cleaned up! And, if you're really good and helpful, I'll let you invite your boyfriend over this evening for our little dinner."

"Jeremy?" She popped her head up, grinning from ear to ear.

"Wait, I thought his name was Joe? Anyway, yes, he can join us. If he passes all my tests, I might just let you invite him to spend the night."

"Aww, Lucy you're the best!" She jumped out of bed and threw her arms around me.

"I know." I smiled and walked out of her room.


"So, Jeremy, how do you meet Leila?" I sat down at the couch next to Jeremy while Leila excused herself to the bathroom.

"Uh, we were sitting in history and she fell asleep. I woke her up in time so she wouldn't get in trouble. That's pretty much it," he shrugged.

"Oh, well, that was very thoughtful of you. Would you excuse me, I've got to go check the turkey." I ran out of the room to avoid saying something stupid. I could always count on a weird story about how Leila and her boyfriend met.

I went to check the oven but was interrupted by the phone.

"Hello?" I answered, not recognizing the number.

"Is this the Carter residence?" A deep voice asked.

"Uh, yes. Who is this?" I answered, a sinking feeling creeping up on me.

"My name is Gordon Walker. I'm calling to tell you that your parents have been killed."

"Excuse me?" I gasped.

"Your parents, Carly and Jason Carter, they're dead."

"How?"

"I killed them. They were hunting vampires and were turned. It had to be done. They were monsters."

Rage overcame me and my blood felt like it was boiling, "Mr. Gordon Walker, I will find you. I will find you and kill you. I vow to never hunt another vampire and focus on hunting you. They aren't the monsters; you are."

"I understand. One more thing, they wanted to say goodbye. They practically begged to call you. I told them they didn't deserve it since they were-" I hung up the phone before he could continue talking.

Once again, I was left without parents. My family kept dying and I was losing all the people I loved. I just hoped to God that I'd never lose my sister.

~END OF FLASHBACK~

Bobby and I stayed in the kitchen for the majority of the day. He knew, from experience, how distant I could be on Thanksgiving, so he tried to give me as much space as possible. Part of me was grateful that he was willing to go through all this trouble just so Selena could have a normal life, but another part of me wished we could just ignore what day it was and move on to the next hunt.

~FLASHBACK~ ~3 YEARS AGO~

"Luce, it's good to see you!" Bobby smiled when he opened the door.

"Hey, Bobby. How's it going?" I forced a smile as I entered the house.

"Pretty good. How about you? You seem kinda dow- oh. Tomorrow's Thanksgiving."

"Yep. Do you mind if I stay here? Leila's celebrating this year with her latest significant other and I really don't wanna ruin all her fun with my negativity."

"Sure, sweetie."

"Actually, do you have any hunts nearby? Honestly, it doesn't even matter if it's nearby."

"I don't think hunting is such a good idea right now."

"Why? I go almost every year on Thanksgiving."

"How do they usually go?"

"Fine, well, I get a little more scratched up than usual, but otherwise normal."

"Exactly. Trust me, Lucy, it's a bad idea to hunt on the anniversary of someone you love's death, birthday, or any day that triggers their memory."

I sighed, "I guess."

"Good."


The next morning I went straight to the living room and curled up on the couch with a random book I pulled out of Bobby's book shelf. I sat there for majority of the day with Bobby coming to check on me. He kept trying to entice me to go work on a car in the junk yard or bake something; he knew me so well. I would smile, and kindly refuse. I only left my seat when absolutely necessary. I ended up falling asleep there and just staying.

~END OF FLASHBACK~

"How are you holding up?" Sam asked as I sat down next to him at the dining room table.

"Well, I'm not huddled in a corner, so I'd say I'm doing pretty well." I smiled at him.

"Good for you." He took my hand in his and gave it a small squeeze. "I'm proud of you."

"It's still early." I reminded, "I could snap any second."

"I have a pretty good feeling you won't," he smiled and lightly kissed me, sending waves of chills through me.

"Hey, now, tone it down, there's a child entering the room." Dean laughed as he walked in carrying Selena.

Sam and I pulled apart. "Sorry," I giggled.


"Wow, it all looks great!" Dean smiled in delight as he took in the sight of all the food, glancing back in the kitchen to find three different types of pie set out to cool.

"Thank Luce; she did most of the work." Bobby grinned, nodding in my direction.

"Oh, don't be so modest. We did an equal amount of work." I corrected, struggling to hold back a mixture of laughter and tears. My emotions won the battle and a lone tear ran down my cheek.

"Don't cry, Auntie Lucy." Selena said softly.

"It's all just," I sighed as my voice cracked. "It's all so beautiful. I just miss the rest of the family, all of ours, and wish they could be here celebrating with us." Tears started streaming down my face and I fought to regain my composure.

"We miss them, too." Sam said, placing his hand on the small of my back.

"But you've got to remember that they're in a better place now." Bobby piped up.

"I hope." Dean and I looked at each other as we both said these words. We nodded at each other in understanding and then looked away.

I sniffed one last time as I finally stopped crying, "Well, let's start eating. Don't wanna waste any of this food."


After the dishes were done and Selena was tucked safely in bed, her new demon-proof bed, I headed out to the workshop and sat on the hood of one of the old busted cars and just stared at the moon and the stars.

"It's beautiful." I spoke, when I heard footsteps getting closer.

"Sure is," Sam's voice replied. He sat down next to me and I could feel his eyes on me.

"I've always loved stargazing. That's why I have the tattoo of stars."

"Where is it?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"The lower left half of my stomach. Would you like to see it?" I asked, finally looking over at him and meeting his eyes with mine.

"Please," he smirked.

I lifted the hem of my shirt and pulled down the edge of my jeans to reveal the full tattoo.

"Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever," he read. "It's beautiful."

"Thank you."

"So, where's your protection symbol?" He said, trying to suppress a smile.

"Well, if I told you, I'd have to kill you." I winked.

"Oh," he blushed.

"I'm kidding." I laughed, "It's over my heart, just like yours."

"Oh, good to know." He laughed.

"Did you really come out here to discuss tattoos with me?" I whispered, leaning closer to him.

"Well, not exactly." He smiled, closing the gap between us and softly meeting his lips with mine.

My hands flew up, almost instinctively, to his cheek and inched their way to his hair. I ran my fingers through his soft hair. We parted for a moment and I took that time to take a breath and memorize this moment. The way our bodies were flush against each other, my fingers entangled in his hair while his were exploring my sides and back, the smell of Old Spice and gun powder emanating from his skin, and the wonderful sensation I felt when our lips touched.

"Maybe we should, uh, change locations, you know, to somewhere more comfortable." Sam offered, bringing me from my thoughts.

"My car is really comfy…" I trailed off.

"Works for me," he smirked and took my hand and led me to the front of the house where my car was parked.