Chapter 4

Turkey Ice Cream

Sydney walked in to the warehouse and immediately smelled the food. There was a small table set up with all the Thanksgiving favorites in small containers. Everything was still hot. There was a folding chair and a place setting for one and a note folded over on the plate with the letter "S." written on it. A huge smile lit up her face and she looked around for any sign of Vaughn. She sat down and opened the note.

Please start eating. I'll be right back.

Happy Thanksgiving.

V.

She picked up the serving spoon and started to fill up her plate. This is just about the sweetest thing anyone's done for me, she thought. Tears began forming in her eyes. She was touched by this gesture from Vaughn. He took such good care of her. She didn't have the right to be angry at him about Alice. He deserved a normal personal life even if she couldn't have one. But where is he, she wondered. Why did he set this up and leave? She tasted the turkey and stuffing, she had a big piece of pie and a scoop of corn pudding. She was starving and this really hit the spot. Should I save some for Vaughn, she wondered. When the hell is he coming? She couldn't wait to see him.

She heard his footsteps before she saw him. She stood up and gave him a 1,000 watt smile. Vaughn walked in carrying a brown paper bag. He was smiling back at her from ear to ear. They just stood there like that for a moment, happy to be together. The air was electric. His heart was pounding wildly. He broke the silence first.

"How's dinner?"

Sydney gave him a look of pure love and said, "It's delicious. I haven't had a home cooked meal like this in ages. And this," she said gesturing at the table and food, "is so thoughtful and sweet. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. Or how much it means to me." She slowly walked toward him. "I feel very thankful this holiday for good friends and for moments like this of absolute happiness that make up for the rest of my crazy life."

He didn't break eye contact with her for a moment as he relied, "And I'm thankful for my health and the person who risked her own life to restore it to me."

They drank each other in with their eyes. She blushed from the intensity of the moment looked down just for a second. She noticed the brown bag.

"Where were you? What's in the bag?" she asked curiously trying to sneak a peek inside.

"Did you eat everything on your plate like a good girl?" he teased.

"Yes, your mother is a fantastic cook!" she said honestly.

"Then you can have dessert." He removed a box marked Baskin & Robbins from inside the bag. "I didn't want this to melt. And I didn't know what flavor you liked so I brought a dozen so you could choose." He opened the box to reveal 12 little ice cream turkeys inside made from a scoop of ice cream, frosting and cookies.

"You're crazy!" she squealed happily looking at the adorable ice cream treats. "Do we have to eat all 12??"

"Be glad I narrowed it down from 31 flavors, Syd!"

"Well, just for the record Vaughn, my favorite is Prailines and Cream," she said as she excitedly located a turkey in that flavor.

He filed that precious information away for later. He hoped he would need to use that "intel" again someday soon. He watched her lick off the turkey's face and laughed as she made a mess of herself. He pulled out the extra napkins and handed her a bunch.

"Thanks," she said embarrassed that she had red frosting on her cheek. Oh, how he wanted to lick it off...

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A/N Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Please read and enjoy. I love to hear reviews Thanks!