Thank you for your reviews! I'm again so sorry for taking so long to update. I could probably fill too much space with why I've been gone so long, but you don't need to know all of it. Just know that I'm trying my hardest to bring this story to you and that I love writing it so much. I love this story more than words can say, and I'm glad that I have so many loyal readers who have been with me from the very beginning. I can't list you all, but if you've been here from the first few chapters, or even my previous story, know that I love and appreciate you. So, yeah. Sorry again, but here's to a great chapter for all. ;)

Follow me on twitter! theredheadariel

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!


"I love you to death, but I really don't want to be sleeping in the same room as you right now." Ally snorted at her friend's statement, folding a blanket over the bed in which she was about to lie on. She turned her head to the sound of her friend's humorous yet also serious tone and paused, "And it sounds bad, because we've been apart so long – but here's the thing. Ryan doesn't let us sleep in the same room as each other. It's ridiculous! We're not stupid, young teenagers. I think he's convinced we're going to do something stupid and we're not but—"

"Cass, stop." Ally finally had to make her friend pause mid-ramble. She couldn't take anymore. "I get it, believe me. I know how it feels." She turned to face the door, peering into the hallway. "And honestly? I don't think Dez's family really cares." She let a gentle, mischievous smile cross her face. "Besides, Trish already switched with Casey so that she could room with him. I'm fine with switching."

"Oh, thank God!" She covered her lips quickly. "Oops. It's late."

"Yes, it is," another voice chuckled. Austin stood in the door, clad only in a pair of boxers. Ally swallowed thickly. Time had done so much good to her boyfriend's body. Hell the army put their men through, but it did have its benefits for her. "Hey, Ally."

"Hi, Austin," she squeaked.

He chuckled again, turning to Cassidy. "Tyler's waiting for you. If you don't mind…" His voice trailed off, looking to his girlfriend. The other girl didn't waste a moment and was out the door, thanking the once long haired soldier as she closed it behind her. Once alone, Austin crossed the distance to where Ally stood, trying not to shake in anticipation and excitement. Sure, they were in a house with several others, but it didn't mean they had to be completely innocent. She was absolutely positive the others weren't, so why should they?

He smirked at her lusting eyes, taking his fingers to tug her chin upward. "Miss me?"

"Stop it," she whimpered, shifting on her feet. "You're killing me."

"It's only fair," he murmured back, gently leading her to the bed. "You've done to same to me all day long."

"Not on purpose," she disagreed. "You're a plain tease."

"Guilty as charged." A tiny smile of the sexual kind danced through his lips and up to his eyes. "What's my punishment?"

She put on her own pout. "I don't know, but I'm sure I'll figure out something for you."

And with that, they fell onto the bed.

Ally woke to warm, firm arms around her the next morning and a sense of love surrounding her figuratively. She had to remind herself she was not dreaming for once, and that the real, living, breathing Austin was asleep next to her. His warm, tender skin was against her bare back, holding her close to him while he dreamed. She breathed in deeply as she realized this a second time, a smile dancing through her sleep hazed lips as she felt his breath tickle her neck. Oh yes, she could get used to this.

She craned her neck to steal a glance, finding his peaceful expression relaxing her, too. She decided she would not move yet. She did not want to wake the overworked man, and she definitely did not mind that his arms were so tightly bound to her. Again, she could get used to it. Still, from where she lay, she could hear voices and it reminded her that they were not alone. If she listened closely, she realized the voices belonged to Trish and Dez. Little surprise, they were arguing about what the other should wear on that holiday evening.

Another thought jumped at her. It was Thanksgiving morning! She eagerly thought about spending the holiday with her boyfriend and her friends, sharing a dinner that would leave her feeling five pounds heavier, and then adding more when it came to dessert. It wasn't often they had celebrations like this and she lived for them. Holidays were magical and beautiful where she came from and she was glad this time around, she was not far from her loved ones.

"So, how long have you been awake?"

His voice, quiet didn't make her jump, but still surprised her. She finally turned to face him, grinning at his half closed eyes as he mirrored her expression. "Not long. You?"

"Not long either," he murmured back. "Happy Thanksgiving."

"Happy Thanksgiving," she giggled back. "It's finally here."

They were up and with the rest of the group soon after. It was hard to get alone time, much like they expected. Still, Ally was pleased to be with the others and eagerly looked forward to helping Dez's Aunt Kathy bake while Uncle Ethan would steal the boys for a bit. No one knew where they were going, but it was promised they'd be home in time for the holiday dinner. Ally knew the boys were excited, but curious and a little apprehensive about the outing. And sadly, Tyler was banned from it.

"But why?" he asked, rolling his eyes. "I don't want to hang out with a bunch of girls!"

"Excuse you!" Trish pointed. "We are fantastic. Now shut it."

Cassidy nodded her head, "I knew there was a reason I liked you."

Ally rolled her eyes as the boys went off to find Dez's Uncle. Meanwhile, Ally found his Aunt standing by the sink, a list of ingredients in front of her. Being separated from Austin for a bit felt odd, but she knew it wasn't long, she so prepared herself for some girl time. "What are we baking?"

"Everything," his Aunt announced. "We're feeding five boys alone. We need a feast."

"And you're feeding three soldiers," Cassidy pointed out. "So it's more like feeding double that."

"Good point," Aunt Kathy agreed. "Actually though, Cassidy, it's three soldiers and a former Marine."

"Really?" Trish asked, surprised. "Dez never mentioned that."

"His Uncle doesn't talk about it much," she admitted. "He was in Vietnam. It was a different generation. You boys are much more welcomed and admired than the former generation of soldiers. It's a shame," she said, looking directly at Tyler who was stirring some ingredients together. He quietly looked away. It was clear it was not the first time the injured soldier had heard of this. "But yes, he is a former Marine, though in most cases, you never stop being a Marine."

"Was he infantry?"

"Yes," his Aunt smiled. "At one point, it was all he could talk about. I remember being quite scared during those years he was gone. It was much different back then, besides the war and who supported it. We didn't have the bonus of the internet or the luck of a leave—I didn't see my husband for over two years at one point. Sometimes, the letters would come months in between. We feared for POW and MIA soldiers. You never knew if you were next. Many of the other military wives around me weren't as lucky." She put down a bowl of flour and smiled sadly at the girls. "I don't mean to upset you, but war never has and never will be pretty. We're a special breed, I know what you've all been through."

Ally gave the older woman a thankful smile and then turned her attention to her friends. Sans Clara, who looked a bit uncomfortable to be the only one who was not directly involved with someone in the military, everyone seemed to be a bit on edge. Ally did know that the Vietnam war was another brutal hell zone for so many, but the death toll and wounded was much higher than the one from the current wars. Even now, with dozens of soldiers coming home injured every day, she couldn't imagine what it was like back then. Somehow, they were lucky with the modern advances they were given—how would she have survived after the attack on the boys without the technology she was given?

"Anyway," the older woman stated. "Enough sadness. Let's bake our butts off, ladies!"

"I am not a woman!"

"You sure do complain like one!"

"Do not!"

"Shut up, and maybe I'll let you lick the spoon."

"I'd rather lick something else."

"Tyler! I can't believe you just said that in front of everyone."

The others giggled, even Kathy.

"It's Thanksgiving," Kathy smiled. "I think he's forgiven, for now."

The twinkle in her eye suggested at one point, her husband had been a similar man to her.

"Wonder how the boys are doing?" Ally wondered.

Letters from Home

Austin wasn't exactly thrilled to be apart from his girlfriend with the little time he had with her. It wasn't like he minded being with the guys – he loved his brother, and Dez was his best friend, but he truly would rather be with her, at least for right now. But much to his surprise, the older man, Dez's Uncle led them to what he finally realized was a shooting range. He paused, giving the others a few looks as Uncle Ethan also froze in step, giving them wide smiles.

"My boys," he said, slapping a hand on Dez's back. "I know at least two of you have shooting experience."

"Three," Casey stated.

"Is that so?"

Casey shrugged like it was nothing, "My father was a former SEAL. I picked up a few things over the years."

The older man seemed impressed. "Well then, we all have experience, it seems."

"Uncle Ethan, where did you learn?"

The man's eyes twinkled for a second, "Oorah, my boy."

"Wait, what?"

"You're a former marine," Casey was first to point out.

"Never former, once a marine, always a marine."

"You never told me that! I never knew that." He seemed to be in shock, almost as if he were betrayed by his relative. "It makes so much sense now." Austin wondered if military blood ran in the family for many people. He thought about his father—his real father, and his Uncle, the one who truly was not. One died in battle, the other he wasn't too sure about when it came to where he was. Did the will to serve run through generations?

The group silenced momentarily as the redhead took in the news.

"Do you boys want to practice your shot? I've got some pretty diverse weaponry here."

Austin was a bit unsure. It'd been a while since he held a gun, and he didn't exactly jump at the memories in which he had used it. He waited for the others to answer before apprehensively nodding himself. Various guns were handed out between the four and Austin felt the heavy metal of a medium sized barrel in his hands. He swallowed hard as he held it, staring down at the black object. It certainly was no where as large as the military issued gun he used, but it certainly did pack power.

His friend's Uncle began to speak in detail about each gun and its history, but he zoned out, staring at the weapon in his hands. His eyes closed as he sailed back to the war zone he was in a few months previous, various other guns pointed his direction and also toward the enemy. By the time the flashback ended, all the others were staring at him.

"Why don't you go first, Austin?" Ethan suggested carefully. He didn't miss his cautious tone. Casey seemed to, too. He tried to shrug and then nodded, turning to make sure the protective gear he wore against the sound and such were in place. Then, he glanced one more time at his friends and pulled the trigger, nailing the target far away square in the chest. The recoil from the gun through him back, as if out of practice and he had to blink several times to get rid of the haze. He handed the gun to his brother, having enough.

"Nice gun," he mumbled.

"You good, bro?" Dez was first to ask, though Casey's gaze was fixed on him. He nodded, shaking the feeling out of his head.

"Yeah, it's been a while. Didn't expect what came with it."

Casey's hand went on his shoulder. "Maybe we shouldn't shoot today."

"You guys go ahead," he disagreed, trying to smile. "I'm going to find Ally."

He quickly excused himself before the others could protest and went back toward the house where the girls and Tyler were. He didn't want to be at the range anymore. At one point, the thought of it might have excited him, but now the thought of guns reminded him of deployment and all that had gone wrong there. Sure, there were good times but the bad outweighed the good these days, it seemed. He was glad to be far away from it all right then, to be with people who brought the good and kept it there, away from bad influences and people who were looking to harm him.

The laughter that filtered through the door was proof of that. He smiled from where he stood, watching Ally chase after Cassidy with powder all over her hands, of which he assumed was flour. She shrieked as Clara came up beside her, cornering her between the other girls as Tyler poured some over her body. It flew in the air, a cloud of baking smoke taking over. More shrieks came about and giggles after. They seemed to have more baking ingredients on the floor, the walls, and them than in the baking bowls. He assumed they were done, as Dez's Aunt was nowhere to be found.

"Guys, Kathy is going to kill us! This place is a mess!" Trish shrieked. "Oh my God."

"Oh, please," Cassidy laughed. "I'm sure she understands."

"Still, let's clean up now anyway," Ally suggested. "We don't want to seem like we don't care in someone else's home."

He made his entrance then, pausing to give his girlfriend a raised eyebrow at her white-covered clothing she now wore. Thankfully, they had not yet changed into their holiday outfits. Upon closer inspection and scents, he could see several done pies in the corner out of harm's way, and a variety of cookies cooling in the other room. As Trish put away some ingredients, he saw cupcakes and a cake in the fridge. He'd only been with the boys for a couple of hours outside, between the range and another tour of the grounds, but the girls had been busy, it seemed.

"Well, don't you look delicious," he murmured, planting a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm a mess," she giggled. "Sorry."

"You are fine," he assured her. "The kitchen might've taken a few hits, though."

"More than a few," Tyler snorted.

"I don't see you helping us clean!" Trish playfully snapped.

"I have no legs!" he defended with misplaced bravado.

"Likely story!" Cassidy teased, shoving him on the chair in which he sat. "Excuses!"

Ally rolled her eyes, finally kissing her boyfriend back. "We're all crazy."

"It's okay, I like crazy."

Letters from Home

Sometime later, Ally was showered and standing in front of a mirror putting on the dress that Trish and Clara had helped her pick out a few days prior. It was simple, but somehow elegant and very her. It was black and white with designs through it, and hugged her every curve. Fitting for the holiday, fitting for her hopes to both impress and tease her boyfriend. Which, she realized, she had not seen since she left him an hour ago to get ready. Beside her, Cassidy was curling her hair and somehow also applying make up at the same time, both effortlessly. She snorted quietly, shaking her head. Trish was also beside her, playing, or maybe fighting with her hair. She had a brush in one hand and an arsenal of hair products beside her. Her eyes seemed business and she knew she didn't want to mess with that. Finally, Clara sat on the bed, in a simple skirt and shirt combo, giving them a smile.

"No time for pampering of that kind," Clara admitted. "It's too much work and I get tired easy these days."

Ally nodded and then got up. "I'm going to look for the boys. It's too quiet up here."

"Don't be surprised if you walk into a room of them all naked," Cassidy announced, not moving an inch from where she was and somehow never missing a single step. "Actually wait. If that's the case, I want to join you!"

She snorted a second time, closing the door behind her. She made her way down the hallway to the room that Trish and Dez had been sharing and peeked her head in. All of the boys were in dress clothes of various colors, all looking sharp and handsome. Hers the most especially, of course. A tiny smile graced her lips as he adjusted a tie around his neck. She was surprised that he wore one, but her heart thumped at the same time. It was probably the first time she'd seen him this dressed up and she was excited.

"Hi boys," she finally greeted. "Don't we all look handsome?"

"Thanks, Ally!" Dez yelled, giving her a wink. "I know I look hot."

"You're a moron," Tyler snorted, rolling over in his chair. She noticed the length of his pant legs tucked under where he sat. "Are you girls almost ready?"

"Believe so. Kathy wants us down in a few minutes, so I hope so."

"We're ready," Austin murmured, coming up to greet her. His eyes were not on her face though and she watched as he appreciated the dress as much as she did. The boys beyond her snickered as he admired. She felt her face heat up as it was clear: he checked her out.

"Austin, wait for later," Dez laughed. "You'll have plenty of time for that then."

"Shut it, Worthy," he snapped back, playfully glaring at him.

"Let's go see the rest of our stunning ladies?" Casey suggested, giving both boys a look.

"Yeah," Austin stated, glad for a subject change. "Let's go."

Ally never had big celebrations with her parents as a child. When she got older, they often invited her extended family to the holidays, but as a child, it was just them. She remembered them fondly and would always cherish them, but she much preferred to be with a large group of people this time of year. The start of the holiday season meant the world to her and she could only hope they could do this for years to come.

They had finally finished garnishing the table with the various dishes that Kathy had prepared, the table full to the brim with tasty foods. The turkey, the last remaining dish, was brought to the table by Ethan, who smiled at the group seated before him and then set the bird down in the middle. It was nearly a thirty pound bird and somehow, she had a feeling that there would not be many leftovers by the time the dinner was over.

"Well, it's time," Kathy stated.

"I know not many of us are religious, but does anyone want to say anything before we eat?" Trish asked.

Much to her surprise, Cassidy nodded. A part of her wanted to warn the girl not to say anything stupid, but somehow, she knew she wouldn't. After all, it was not the same Cassidy who just stood before her. She rose elegantly from her seat, her sparkly dress catching the candles lit beside her. She ran a hand through her curls and then smiled lovingly at the group of people before her.

"I'm really happy to be here," she said first, setting her hands down on the edge of the table. "I never thought I'd make such an interesting, though sometimes weird group of friends. Ally and I have been together much of our lives. I met her in kindergarten when she told me that I was coloring wrong—that I needed to color in the lines. I then told her that life was much more fun when you did the opposite. In retrospect, it describes us both well. I've always been a bit of a rebel while Ally is someone who follows the rules.

Until now.

Ally met Austin a little over a year ago and I've watched her blossom into this fiery, passionate girl who worked for what she wanted. Does she still follow the rules? Oh yeah, but sometimes she bends them now, too. Anyway, it was because of her that I got to meet the idiot who I adore beside me, who has not only shown me what it means to have a relationship, but our circumstances that have made me grow as a person. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have and remembering that you should be thankful year round—and I really can't think of another year where that meaning has reigned so true for me.

All of you at the table have mattered to me this year and the support we give each other is truly an amazing, beautiful thing. I know this sounds more and more sappy as I go along, but I wanted to say it, because it's true. One soldier visiting our diner changed both the world of my best friend and the lives of everyone around us, including me. I'm so thankful it happened, and I can't wait to see what the next few months bring. Happy Thanksgiving, guys."

Ally was blinking back tears when she felt a kiss brush her cheek. She raised a hand to touch the boy next to her, bringing his face close to hers. The words of her best friend played over and over in her mind as he stared at her, love all over his face. She finally closed the distance between the two, pressing her lips to his.