After work, He dropped Tea off at her apartment to start working on the choreography for the upcoming ball. He had Mokuba calling all of Tea's friends to invite them to dinner as well. Kaiba wasn't particularly excited to see them, but he wanted to surprise Tea. Then maybe just maybe she would give him a second chance. Seto wasn't really sure what was needed for a traditional thanksgiving, so he handed his credit card to his long time maid, Angela, and sent her to the store while I finished the last piecing together the last several pieces of the photograph. After it was completely together, I placed another piece of cardboard on top and VERY gently flipped the photograph on its back to put the tape. With the tape holding it together, I looked at the final result. It was no masterpiece, but at least it will look decent. He slipped it into a beautiful silver frame he saw in the window of an antique shop a few weeks ago and wrapped it up nicely with gift wrap.
By the time all that was done, Angela was back with the groceries. I didn't know much about cooking, but I had a few cook books around the house that could l browse through. I knew for a fact Angela couldn't boil water, so there was really no point in asking her for help. He managed to get a few things such as stuffing, a few frozen pies, and macaroni and cheese that could just be heated up tomorrow before everyone arrived. He planned on waking up early to prepare the turkey and a few minor things.
Mokuba walked in the door and was drawn to the kitchen by a heavenly scent. He saw his brother wearing a white apron, being covered from head to toe in flour. "Hey Mokie," Seto greeted. Mokuba waved back and stated, "First, you have me invite her friends over. And then instead of ordering the food from somewhere you are doing all this cooking for Tea?! You really must want to make amends with Tea."
"I love her." It came out as a whisper, but Mokuba heard it.
Mokuba eyes got wide. He then asked, "Big brother, you were telling the truth when you said Miho kissed you, and not the other way around. Weren't you?"
Seto nodded and Mokuba felt horrible. How could he have thought Seto would just discard Tea like yesterday's toy? He knew Seto better than that. With a heavy heart he said, "I am sorry for not believing you Seto. I was just so upset to see Tea hurt like that, I guess I just didn't want to believe in the possibility that you were innocent. I should have known better."
Seto kneeled down to his little brother and pulled him in to a hug. "It's okay Mokuba. How about you help me get her back by helping me cook tomorrow? "
Mokuba nodded and after the last pie came out the oven, the two Kaiba's went to bed.
THANKSGIVING DAY
Seto got up right before the sun started to rise to put the turkey on. He had printed out a recipe and started to read the instructions. He did a double take and mumbled "You want me to shove things up it's what?!" Realizing he didn't read that wrong, he continued to stuff the turkey. "Of all the people I hire every year, why didn't I hire a chef" he asked no one in particular. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Who could be here this early, he wondered. He looked out the peep hole and didn't see anyone, so he opened the door and found Rini looking up at him. "Rini, what are you doing here so early? And where is Tea?" He asked confused.
Rini walked past him and said, "Tea is still at home sleeping. I snuck out the house so I could help you and Mokuba cook."
"You walked here?!" he asked fearfully.
"Well I certainly didn't fly here." She replied sarcastically.
Seto sighed and said, "Rini, it is dangerous for someone as young as you to be walking around by yourself; especially, when the sun isn't even up. If you ever want to come over, just call and I will have someone pick you up. Don't try to walk here like you did today. Okay?"
Rini nodded and as if Tea had ESP my cellphone rang, "S..Seto, I need your help! When I woke up, Rini wasn't in her room. I looked everywhere and I can't her!" She worriedly cried out.
"Relax Tea, she is here. Literally seconds before you called, she showed up at my doorstep wanting to help cook. I was just about to call you when the phone rang." He explained.
"I will be there in a few minutes." She replied angrily.
"No Tea, I will have someone pick you up." He replied as He hung up the phone. Kaiba smirked, looked at Rini, and teased, "Somebody's in trouble!"
Rini rolled her eyes and headed for the Kitchen. I made my way over there also after I sent a text to my driver to pick Tea up.
About 15 minutes later someone pounded on the door. Knowing Tea would be furious, I let the maid answer the door. "Where is she?" I heard her yell. Rini tried to hide herself behind me. I reached around and said, "Oh no you don't! This is all you."
Tea stormed into the kitchen and immediately started screaming, "What were you thinking Rini?! Do you know how dangerous our neighborhood is, not to mention the world! You could have gotten hurt or killed. Do you realize how much of a nervous wreck I would be if something would have happened to you?!"
Mokuba walked in the room to find out what all the commotion was. Rini's lip started to tremble and she started to cry. Tea's face immediately softened knowing she was much too harsh with her little sister. She pushed a strand of hair behind Rini's ear and whispered, "I didn't mean to yell at you Rini. It's just, are my greatest treasure and I would be devastated if I would have lost you."
Rini threw her arms around Tea still crying and mumbled, "I'm sorry." It was muffled as she was crying into Tea's shirt. Tea pulled her tighter and said, "I am sorry to disturb you Mr. Kaiba."
Seto frowned and thought to himself, 'back to Kaiba I see.' He simply replied, "It is not a problem. You might as well stay if you don't have anything else to do today." Besides, he could sure use the help…
She nodded and they walked to the kitchen. Tea looked at the turkey incredulously and asked, "Kaiba, why did you shove pineapple and cherries up the turkey's yoo-hoo?"
He showed her the recipe and she read the title, 'Stuffed turkey with pineapples and cherries.' She started to giggle uncontrollably. Kaiba looked at her curiously and asked, "What's so funny?"
"It is a good thing I did come over here today. You are supposed to stuff the turkey with stuffing. Pineapples and cherries are placed on the outside for decoration." She explained.
Knowing she was desperately needed, she helped Kaiba with finishing up various dishes. It was about 4:30 when the first guest had arrived, it was Doctor Rob and his beautiful wife Emelda. Emelda's eyes seemed to shine bright with vibrancy and were highlighted by her short brown hair. "Happy Thanksgiving son," He greeted as he entered. He carried in a Chocolate Cake Emelda had decorated with fondant leafs.
Tea blushed when she realized she didn't bring anything. She had planned on bringing cookies, but that went down the drain when Rini decided to disappear off the face of the earth. Tea then introduced herself, "Good evening, Dr. Rob, and Ms. Emelda. My name is Tea. It is truly an honor to meet you Ms. Emelda. Dr. Robert is always talking about his perfect wife."
Tea was shocked when Emelda came up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She whispered in Tea's ear, "Welcome to the family my dear." Tea was turning red from embarrassment.
Kaiba smirked and asked, "Since Emelda kissed you does that mean I am off the hook?" Doctor Rob shot Kaiba a questioning look and Kaiba signaled he would tell him later.
"Not a chance, Mr. Kaiba." I replied with a cheeky grin.
The doorbell rang and Tea turned towards the door. She wasn't planning to see the doctor and his wife tonight and she certainly wasn't expecting anyone else. Who could it be she wondered? The maid opened the door and revealed all of her friends: Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Mai, and Serenity. "What are you guys doing here," Tea asked feeling completely shell shocked.
"Nice to see you too Tea. Mokuba invited us." He answered.
Yugi started blushing madly and asked, "Tea, why are you in your pajamas?"
Tea looked down and realized she was in fact wearing baby blue ducky pajamas with a shirt that read 'I am a Lucky Ducky.'
Tea rattled her brain for a plausible excuse that didn't make it seem like she was sleeping with the infamous CEO.
Kaiba explained, "I … called her over to… help me cook. Realizing the house would probably burst into flames if she didn't come, she didn't bother to change out of her night clothes before she came over."
Seeing that her friends seemed to accept that answer, except for Mai and Joey who already knew about their complicated relationship. In a very Joey like fashion, Joey screamed, "I am starved! LET'S EAT!"
The kids ran towards the dining room where Seto and Tea had carried all of the delicious food. The rest of the gang followed them knowing that the munchkins were leading them to food at the end of the yellow brick road. Tea softly grabbed Kaiba's sleeve to let him know to stay. When everyone had left the room he asked, "What's wrong Tea?"
"Why?" She questioned.
"Why what?" he continued.
She looked down at her shoes guiltily and asked "Why did you do all this? We had a huge fight and you still took the time to invite my friends over."
Kaiba lifted her head so he could look in her eyes and explained, "Just because you're angry with me, doesn't mean I will stop caring about you."
Tea smiled, and Kaiba reached into his jacket to pull out the gift. He handed it to her and she said, "Kaiba, this is Thanksgivings not Christmas. I think you have your holidays mixed up."
"Just consider this a gift to express how grateful I am to have you in my life." He explained.
With that she opened the wrapping paper and saw the photograph of her fishing with her father. Tears started forming in her eyes and she threw her arms around him crying in his chest. For a second he thought he did something wrong. But he heard her mumbled, "Thank you." He leaned in to kiss her forehead when he heard a booming noise and the sound of glass shattering. Instinctively, he pulled Tea behind him and looked towards the source of the noise. Outside the window stood Yami holding a hand gun. Yami quickly took off.
