Holy smokes. I've been completely blown away by your response to this story. Thanks so much for all the incredible feedback!

Thank you also to Nicffwhisperer and the ladies over at The Lemonade Stand. I really appreciate being included in your Monday fic rec's.

I received quite a few requests for continuations or future-takes. I already had a handful of ideas for outtakes but I really didn't have a conflict big enough to extend this story. Instead, I'll be posting a few scenes that I feel should address the most common questions:

How will Charlie react?

When will she meet Edward's family?

Will she ever be free of Gary's evil clutches?

Thanks again for reading!

Be Thankful

It looks like an awful lot of food for two people. Am I helping my case or hurting it? I step back and evaluate my packing job. Two coolers plus a cardboard box are tied snugly beneath the tarp in the bed of my truck. I keep telling myself to act normal. Not make a big deal. Treat this like any other Thanksgiving. Of course, I've never shown up at my dad's and dropped a bombshell like the one I'm planning to drop today.

I swat your hand when I notice you picking at a flake of rust on the tailgate. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck. But I don't think you're going to need it. Remember, I am quite a catch." You strike a Captain Morgan pose with your foot up on my bumper and your hands on your hips.

"You are one smug bastard."

"Yeah. I can't really help it. My fiance came four times last night and I'm feeling all kinds of cocky."

My cheeks instantly turn fire-truck red and I feel a rush of heat in my panties as blood flow to that area surges. About last night. . .

"That's exactly why I'm nervous. My father is not going to be a fan of me dating again let alone getting engaged with zero warning. Obviously he's going to know sex is part of the equation. He still likes to believe I could be a virgin. He's going to give me the third degree, then the first time he sees you he's going to interrogate you at gun point. Depending on his mood, it may even be loaded."

You shrug with a devil-may-care expression that is incredibly hot but also makes me want to slap you. Your complacence is giving me heartburn. That and the four cups of coffee I drank this morning to compensate for the hours of sleep I lost to your remarkable stamina. Not that I'm complaining.

Okay, maybe my hips are. A little.

"We have a severe deficit to eliminate. Plus you'll be gone for the next two nights. Abstinence now is not going to make your father accept me faster but it will make me tense and cranky. That won't make me likeable to him or you or anyone else."

Well, when you put it that way. . .

I worry my lower lip with my teeth. I run through my mental list for the 50th time. I think I have everything I need. If not, I should be able to get it from Thriftway now that they are open from 6 am to noon on Thanksgiving Day. Corporate America's lack of holiday spirit makes up for my scatterbrained tendencies.

I toss my jacket, overnight bag and purse onto the passenger seat and meet you at the back of the truck. "So I'll see you Friday evening?"

"Mm hm." You grab my hands and pull me against you. I rest my forehead against your chest and inhale. Your scent has become home to me. Warm and sweet and safe. After only four nights, I can't imagine not waking up to the feel of your hands against my bare skin and the heat of your body pressed up against mine.

I allow my fingers to drag slowly down from your shoulders to your stomach. I wrap my arms around your waist and squeeze. Hugging you feels amazing. You rest your lips against the crown of my head and kiss me gently, lovingly.

I pull back, hook my fingers through your belt loops and rise up on my toes to kiss you good bye. It feels like hello. Your lips moving in time to our breaths, accelerating along with my heart rate. Your tongue brushing against my lips, teasing but not quite forcing its way inside. I mirror your movements. The tip of my tongue flicks across your upper lip and you gasp against my mouth. You lower your hands to my hips, moving me away from you slightly.

"You better get going. Traffic."

"Yeah. You're right." My mind is telling me to get in the truck. My body wants to pull you down to the ground and climb on top of you. I look down and notice several old gum spots and what appears to be chew spit. That does the trick. I am officially turned off. In my perfect world, all floors will be immaculate and sterile so we can hump anywhere we feel like it.

Your eyes follow the direction of my gaze. "Gross."

"Yeah." We laugh and it feels comfortable. The sexual tension eases just enough for me to climb into the cab without my knees giving way. You stand at my open door, your hand on my left thigh and your other arm resting against the roof of my truck.

"Drive safe, babe. I wish I could come with you."

"I will. And it's better this way. He can get used to the idea of you without a gun in his hand. Finish your work so we can have the weekend. We need to get the plane tickets and start our Christmas shopping when I get back."

"It's a date." You kiss me one more time on the lips and step back, shutting my door firmly on the first try. I grin. You're a fast learner.

Driving away from you creates true physical pain. I feel it in my heart. I feel it in the tightness of my ribs with every breath. I feel it in the tension that runs like a cord from my too-tight shoulders to the ever-present knot of molten desire that possesses my core. I crank up the radio and the heater, singing along to Pearl Jam as I creep up the on-ramp to I-5 along with thousands of other holiday travelers. It's a long way to Forks and every mile that I put between us hurts a little more.

I pull into my dad's driveway before 5 o'clock. Our traditional arrangement is that he handles dinner (take-out pizza) on Wednesday evening, and I make Thanksgiving dinner. It works for us.

Charlie isn't big on words. His eyebrows and mustache do most of the talking. Maybe that's why I chose to major in Communications. His eyebrows are twitching far more than normal as he helps me unload the truck and then watches me cram food into every available inch of refrigerator and cupboard space. The turkey is too big and remains in the cooler with a couple icepacks to finish defrosting overnight.

"I brought some freezer trays. I thought it would be nice and convenient for you to have meals in the freezer that you can just pop in the oven for half an hour when you get back from your shift."

"I hope you brought a lot of trays."

"I did."

We don't talk much. We share a pizza and a couple beers and watch sitcoms on his new flat screen. I'm tired from driving and decide to go to bed early. I give my dad a hug goodnight, feeling thankful for the familiarity of his arms around me, his gruff 'Good night, Bells.' and the coarse tickle of his mustache as he kisses my forehead.

I feel his eyes on me as I climb the stairs to my old bedroom. He hasn't said a word about the ring. Maybe he didn't notice.

Phone sex is absolutely off the table for tonight. I would die if my dad overheard that. But I'm hopeful that we'll at least get to talk for a few minutes before bed. I change into pajamas, brush my teeth and then sit on the edge of my bed. I'm crushed when I call your cell phone and you don't pick up. I send you a picture of my bed. It's a twin sized mattress on a pine frame. The sheets are purple and show sharp creases from sitting in the linen cupboard since my last visit several months ago.

I miss you, but it's not like I have space for you anyway. Sweet dreams, Edward.

I turn out my light and snuggle under the covers, feeling young and sheltered the way I always do when I'm sleeping under my father's roof. I'm heartbeats away from dreamland when my phone vibrates with an incoming reply.

Plenty of space. We're stackable and fully interlocking. Like LEGOs.

I giggle and send you a sleepy reply.

Rain check. But yeah.

Thanksgiving morning is barely controlled chaos. My dad acts as my sous chef, chopping and mixing per my instructions. The turkey is stuffed and in the oven by 10 o'clock. He occasionally stops to answer the phone, trading Thanksgiving greetings and well wishes with several of the neighbors and Mark, his deputy. I'm humming under my breath and measuring out pumpkin pie spice when my dad breaks in with an observation.

"This looks like enough food to keep me straight through to Christmas."

"Um. Yeah. About Christmas. I'm going to be out of town so I won't be able to visit until New Year's Eve."

"Meeting the parents, huh? When are you planning to introduce me to this guy?"

"Wait. What? How did you know?"

"You mean apart from the engagement ring you're wearing? Some guy in a fancy car has been casing the neighborhood since 8 PM last night and someone with a remarkably similar profile has been walking his dog up and down our street for the last two hours. I've already gotten five calls about him. Seriously Bella, I'm not blind or senile."

"He what?" I drop the whisk into the bowl and run to the front window. Sure enough, a man in dark jeans, a jacket and a gray beanie is watching his puppy as it sniffs a mail box post. I would recognize you two anywhere. Something about the site doesn't meet Barkley's approval and he tugs on the leash to keep walking without leaving his normal mark. "That son of a bitch," I mutter under my breath. I thought all those phone calls were friends wishing Charlie Happy Thanksgiving. I was wondering why he was so popular all of a sudden. The phone has been ringing all morning. I'm oddly amused and a little irritated. Your big Thanksgiving plans involved stalking me, wasting gas and wearing holes through your shoes. I have half a mind to leave you out there.

"You gonna invite him in?"

"Naw. He enjoys the outdoors." I bite my lip to hide my smile as I finish mixing the pumpkin filling, pour it into the waiting crust and slide the dish into the oven.

"Bells. . ."

"Yes, dad?"

"Talk to me."

I continue wiping down the counter in preparation for rolling out a crust for the apple pie. I let my hair fall across my face to hide my blush of embarrassment or pleasure or confusion. . . I don't even know.

My dad is still watching me silently, leaning against the counter with his arms folded and his ankles crossed. He looks comfortable enough to stand there all afternoon.

"How long have you known him?"

"See, that's the complicated part. We've been dating for three years. But it was kind of a long distance thing and I didn't know for sure how it would play out so I wasn't comfortable advertising it."

"Oh. You met him on the internet."

I freeze and look up in shock. Charlie doesn't sound surprised or even bothered.

"Yeah. It started out that way."

"So how long have you been dating in the real world?"

"He moved to Seattle five months ago." Something in my tone clues him in to my misdirection. He raises his eyebrow and waits. "We met for the first time last Friday. But it's not how it seems. It's been exclusive for both of us from the start. Edward's really an amazing man. And he wants to meet you. Well, obviously he wants to meet you since he followed me down here, but he wants to be a part of my life here. I'm meeting his family in Chicago this Christmas." His mustache twitches twice. It might be a smile. It might not.

"Edward. Kind of an old fashioned name, isn't it? How old is he?"

I kind of choke on my words, no longer able to maintain eye contact. I always think of Charlie as old because he's my dad. The truth is he only turned 49 over the summer. He's still pretty young and fit. Not ripped like you, but he's no slouch either.

"Please tell me he's not retired."

"Eww. No! Gross, dad! He's 43, okay?"

Charlie narrows his eyes infinitesimally while I squirm. "Well, it could be worse. This at least makes my news easier to share." He clears his throat and looks away, at the ceiling, at the floor. He's suddenly pale and unable to talk.

"News? What news? Is something wrong?" My brain shifts immediately from my discomfort to concern for my dad.

"No, no. But I wasn't sure how you would react. See, I met someone, too."

I do choke this time. I'm coughing and sputtering while my dad pounds on my back when the doorbell rings. I take a few wheezing breaths, trying to force air past the painful clog in my throat.

"Don't worry, Bella. I'll get it. It's probably just Sue and the kids."

"Kids?" I squeak out in alarm.

I escape up the stairs and hide in the bathroom like a coward. I feel completely blind-sided. It's not a bad thing. I'm happy for Charlie. But I can't process everything at once like this. He's dating again? I don't recall him ever being romantically involved with anyone. Not since my mom left.

I'm a grown woman. Lots of women my age have kids so I don't know why I'm terrified. Maybe because I could be about to meet my future step mother and step siblings and my fiance is roaming around my street like a vagrant. And now it's starting to rain. Again.

I stare at my reflection until my breathing returns to normal and I can no longer feel my pulse in my eyeballs. I wait a few more moments until the half-crazed look fades from my eyes, wash my hands and exit the bathroom. There are voices in the living room as I descend the stairs.

"She's just upstairs. And we've got another surprise, too. Her fiance drove down from Seattle to join us. And he brought his dog."

A woman's voice says, "Fiance? How exciting!" at the same moment that a boy's voice pipes up with, "A dog! Awesome! Mom, can I have a dog, too?"

"No, Seth. We live in an apartment. You know that would never work."

I step into the living room and see Sue for the first time. She is beautiful, with black hair cut in a short bob and smiling eyes set in a round, youthful face. Seth appears to be about eight or ten years old. His older sister is sitting on the couch scrolling through her phone. Her hair falls in a thick, silky black veil around her shoulders. She looks up and catches my gaze before dropping her eyes back to her phone shyly.

"Bella, there you are. I would like you to meet Sue and her kids, Leah and Seth."

"It's wonderful to meet you." I hold out my hand to greet her. Her fingers close around mine, cool but firm. Her smile is genuine and I feel some of my nerves dissipate.

Seth bounces on the couch excitedly. "You have a dog?"

"Actually, Barkley is Edward's dog. He's out walking him right now. Do you want to go with me and find him?"

"Yeah! Can I, mom?" Seth's eyes are huge and pleading. That kid is going to be a heart breaker.

Sue agrees readily. "Make sure you wear your jacket. It's raining again."

Seth grumbles but shrugs into his jacket and wedges his feet back into his shoes. I check the oven timer, turn the temperature down and leave the pumpkin pie to finish cooking. The apple pie will have to wait until we come back. I hope you haven't gone too far. I still have several other side dishes to finish.

Seth bounds down the front steps ahead of me and I pull out my phone to text you.

Busted!

My phone buzzes a couple seconds later.

I had no choice. Barkley missed you.

I laugh out loud and pick up my pace. We turn in the direction I last saw you walking, kicking our feet through soggy leaves and pine cones. Seth and I only make it a block before we see you in the distance. You are jogging toward us but Barkley is still pulling at the leash. Seth chatters beside me. His gait is closer to skipping than walking. He can't contain his excitement. He reminds me a lot of a puppy himself.

Watching you running toward me is thrilling. Like a scene from a movie without the cheesy soundtrack. You slow to a brisk walk when you get within shouting distance but Barkley continues to drag on the leash until he's joyfully bouncing and licking and snuffling me. Aw, hell. My pants are covered with filth now. But I can't help the grin that takes over my face or the impulse that makes me crouch down and hug him, ruffling his fur and loving on him like he's my best friend, not yours.

Barkley quickly turns his attention from me to Seth, bouncing and cavorting like, well, like a four month old puppy. Seth's eyes practically pop out of his face when you hand him the leash. We link arms and follow behind the boisterous pair. You smell like Edward plus sweat, wet dog and leaf mold. I can't say it's an improvement, but I'm so glad you're here.

"So, that's Seth."

"I was wondering. He's not yours. Whose is he?"

I laugh as the preposterous idea of me having a 10-year-old kid. "He's Sue's son. My dad's girlfriend," I say by way of explanation. "She has a daughter, too. Her name is Leah."

"Is this new?"

"New to me. Actually, once I got over the shock, I was grateful. It took a lot of the pressure off. My dad can be a hard ass but he's no hypocrite. I think we lucked out."

"So does that mean I can come in?"

"Please do. My dad's phone has been ringing non-stop. All the nosy neighbors were trying to figure out who you were and what you were doing here. You know, you should have just told me you wanted to come."

"I did. You said no."

"I didn't mean 'no'. I meant that I wanted to tell my dad about us first instead of shoving it in his face without warning. I wanted to ease him into it."

"It sounded like a 'no'."

"Fine. Thank you for ignoring my wishes and showing up at my dad's house like a psycho stalker. I owe you."

You laugh with your head back and your mouth wide open, white teeth on display. I love that sound.

I run into the house and grab a towel for you to clean Barkley up a bit before we go inside. My dad's backyard isn't fenced and I don't want to risk losing him to his roaming curiosity or a passing cougar.

The three of us tramp into the house with Barkley, pink cheeked and damp from the ever present rain. My dad and Sue are standing close together in the kitchen, their heads inclined towards one another. I catch Leah's eye. She is watching them, too. We trade a smile. I think we'll get along fine.

I introduce you all around. Seth has already attached himself to you. Leah blushes and avoids looking at you. She's old enough to find a handsome man attractive, but still innocent and embarrassed by her reaction. Sue is as open with you as she was with me, shaking your hand and meeting your gaze boldly. She's a no nonsense kind of woman. I see why my father is attracted to her.

Sue helps me prepare the apple pie while you and my dad share a six pack of cheap beer-in-a-can. I chuckle to myself. You don't fit in here but you're trying. And I love you for it.

An hour later the turkey is ready and we all chip in setting the table, placing serving dishes along the counter and pouring drinks. I didn't plan to feed six people today. I only planned on overfeeding two. Somehow it balances out perfectly.

Charlie and I usually pile our plates high with food and migrate to the living room. Today we sit around the dining table, shoulder to shoulder, elbows bumping. My dad clears his throat and I watch his mustache and eyebrows dance in preparation for a big speech.

"I didn't really know how today would turn out. I'm grateful that Bella drove all the way down here to cook Thanksgiving dinner for her old man. What's more, I'm so happy that she has found a man who she loves and who cares about her like she deserves." I look from my dad to your face. You two were talking about me. I can tell. Oh well, you must have said something right because my dad is smiling, not cursing. And his shotgun is nowhere in sight.

"I'm also very thankful to have Sue, Leah and Seth in my life. You make Forks a brighter place, that's for sure."

Leah breaks in, "Like that's hard."

Her mom scolds her with a stern look and she subsides with a smirk. My lips are twitching, too.

Charlie clears his throat again. "Like I was saying, I'm very grateful that you are part of my life. I can't imagine not sharing my future with all of you. That's why I'm thankful most of all that Sue said yes yesterday when I asked her to marry me."

Our jaws all drop. Except yours. Apparently my dad told you before he told me. Whatever. I'm thrilled. Now I see the plain white gold band on Sue's right ring finger. Her wedding band and engagement ring from her deceased husband still adorn her left hand. Sue catches my eye and I smile even bigger. She doesn't need my approval to marry my father, but she has it anyway.

Sue continues what my father started. "I'm thankful for you, Charles. You taught me how to smile again. And I feel so blessed to be able to watch my daughter grow into such an amazing young woman. Seth, you make me proud each and every day. Thank you both for supporting me and welcoming Charles into our family."

There are tears in Leah's eyes when she begins speaking. "I'm thankful that we're all having dinner together. I feel like today is better than Christmas because now I know I'm going to have a father and an older sister." She looks at me and we both blush. "And I'm thankful for my iPhone."

We all laugh. She has barely put her phone down all day.

"I'm thankful that Edward is going to let me help him train Barkley."

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. Barkley has you wrapped around his over-sized paw. I wonder who is going to be training whom. The puppy in question is lying under the table, wedged between six pairs of feet, most likely wishing we will hurry up and get to the good part. Food.

I realize it's my turn and I'm a bit tongue tied. I look around at the faces of my family, old and new. "I'm thankful that I have the coolest dad in the world. I'm so glad he found you, Sue, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know you guys. I'm already excited about next Thanksgiving. And I'm also so relieved that Edward is obnoxiously persistent." My gaze settles on you, green eyes glassy with emotions as strong as my own. "Thanks for not giving up on me. Thanks for fighting for me."

You squeeze my hand under the table and I lean in to kiss you, a fleeting peck on the corner of your smiling lips. You silently mouth the words 'never and always' and smile the very same crooked smirk that I first fell in love with.

It's your turn.

"I'm thankful for Barkley. Best bargaining chip ever." You wink at me and I grin. He really is.

Here's a toast to all the Barkley lovers out there! *cheers*