THANKSGIVING

DISCLAIMER: DON'T OWN THEM

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Thanksgiving

The sun was just starting to rise and Simone was still sleeping peacefully. He turned over to look at her face. He loved watching her sleep and hearing the little sighs when she was having a good dream. Gunny knew that Simone was a little sad that she couldn't get home for Thanksgiving this year. And, truth be told, so was he. They were snowed in and couldn't get a flight out of D.C. He hoped that what he had planned for Thanksgiving would make her happy. Looking at the clock he knew that if the turkey didn't go into the oven soon it would never be ready on time. He slipped out of bed quietly, trying not to wake her. After the turkey was in the oven, Gunny headed off to take a shower. The sound of the water woke Simone and she looked at the clock. It read 7:30.

She groaned, "Can't he even sleep in on Thanksgiving?" She dragged herself out of bed thinking that she had to put the turkey in herself but was pleasantly surprised when she walked into the kitchen and found it already cooking. Just as she was walking back to the bedroom,

Gunny stepped out of the shower and said, "Good morning sleepyhead." She tried to smile but wasn't quite awake so Gunny offered to make coffee.

"Go take a shower", he told her "It will help wake you up." He kissed her on the forehead and headed off to make coffee. After a shower Simone indeed felt better and went to see how Gunny was doing in the kitchen. He was making breakfast; chocolate chip pancakes. Since he didn't hear her come in, she tiptoed up behind him and put her arms around his waist. He turned around and pulled her into his arms and gave her a proper good morning kiss.

After breakfast, they started working on getting dinner ready. They were having guests that night. Mac and Harm were coming, as were Bud, Harriet and little AJ. It wasn't the entire gang but the others already had plans. Before they knew it, time had flown by and it was time to get dressed for dinner. They told the others to dress casually so everyone would be comfortable. Gunny wore jeans and a dark green flannel shirt. Simone also wore jeans and her favorite purple sweater. Luckily being on the second floor, they had a fireplace. Gunny started a fire and put on some music.

Simone walked out and he said, "Would you like to dance before the others get here?"

"I'd love to", Simone replied stepping into his arms. She felt complete here.

They danced for several minutes before Gunny broke the embrace.

"Simone, I know that we have been together for a short time. But these have been the best months of my life. I never want them to end. I knew the night I bumped into you at McMurphy's that you were the one for me."

Simone's heart was pounding in her chest. Gunny, being very traditional, got down on one knee, took her hand and asked, "Will you marry me?" And then he held his breath.

Simone started to cry but then she realized she hadn't answered him and he looked so worried.

"Victor, I love you so much. Yes, I'll marry you." She continued, "I fell in love with you on our first date in the National Garden".

Now it was his turn to cry. He slipped a modest, princess-cut diamond onto her ring finger. She looked at it and watched it sparkle in the firelight. Just then the doorbell rang. They kissed one more time, dried their eyes and went to greet their guests.

It was Harriet, Bud and little AJ. They carried a box full of goodies with them.

"Harriet, let me help you with that", Simone said. "What's in here?'

Harriet replied, "I was feeling incredibly domestic last night and baked a pumpkin pie. I also picked up some little tarts and petit fours at the market before I went home yesterday."

Simone loved chocolate so she was thrilled. The doorbell rang again. It was Mac and Harm. Gunny opened the door and Mac's radar went off.

"Hi Gunny" Mac said eyeing him.

"Hello ma'am, Sir. Please come in"

"It's Mac and Harm", Mac reminded him. Gunny was having a hard time calling them by their first names. Harm handed Gunny two bottles of sparkling cider.

"Thank you, sir" and when Harm cocked an eyebrow at him, Gunny corrected, "Harm. I'll go put these in the fridge." He disappeared in to the kitchen.

Mac turned to Harm and said, "Harm, there is something going on with Gunny and Simone. I can't put my finger on it yet but I knew the minute he opened the door".

Harm groaned but knew she was probably right. She had that odd intuition. They all sat around in the living room drinking hot apple cider and talking about nothing in particular. The timer rang and

Simone excused herself to go look at the turkey. She brought it out and announced, "Dinnertime everyone". Everyone took their seats around the table.

Gunny at the head of the table and Simone at the opposite end. Harriet and Bud sat on one side of the table with AJ between them. Mac and Harm occupied the other side. Mac was watching Simone and Gunny with interest.

Gunny stood up and said, "In my family, we always go around the table and say one thing we're thankful for from the past year. I was hoping that we could do that today as well." They all agreed and Harm said, "I'll start".

"I am thankful that Mac and I found our way to each other this year".

Mac "I'm thankful that Harm and I are going so strong and have such supportive friends"

Harriet "I'm thankful that little AJ is going to have a brother or sister in the next year".

Bud "I'm thankful my deployment is over and I can enjoy this time with my family. AJ, what are you thankful for son?"

AJ "I'm thankful for my mommy and daddy." That brought a tear to everyone's eye.

Simone "I'm thankful that I was in McMurphy's the night of Bobbi and Sturgis' engagement and that Victor wasn't looking where he was going. If he hadn't bumped into me, we might never have met."

She had a smile in her eyes only for him.

Gunny waited to go last on purpose. "I am also thankful for that night at McMurphy's. But I am even more thankful for this afternoon." Everyone looked at him puzzled. "This afternoon Simone made me the happiest man alive and agreed to be my wife". Mac looked at Harm with a knowing look and was the first one to raise her glass.

"Congratulations to Gunny, er Victor and Simone. I know you will both have a long and happy marriage". They all raised their glasses and Gunny walked over to kiss Simone. Mac and Harriet let out a sigh and the next thing you heard was little AJ.

"Mommy, I'm hungry. Can we eat now?" That sent everyone into gales of laughter. Simone looked at AJ and said, "That's a great idea sweetie".
And Gunny began to carve their first Thanksgiving turkey.

After dinner AJ was a little sleepy so Bud put him down for a nap and the grown ups gathered in the living room. Harriet and Bud were on the couch with his arm around her. Harm was sprawled out on the floor with Mac lying on her back, her head on his stomach. Their hands were linked. Gunny and Simone were curled up on the love seat together; her legs over his and her head on his shoulder. They all sat in companionable silence together for quite some time when Harriet shot Bud a look.

Bud cleared his throat and said, "Harm, Gunny, why don't we go down and get some more firewood. There isn't any left in here." They both looked at him like he had lost his marbles but they took one look at Harriet and knew it must be time for "girl talk". They each kissed the woman they loved, sighed and headed out the door.

Harriet began, "I know that it's not very nice to send them out into the cold but we need details Simone".

Mac continued, "I knew something was up the minute Gunny opened the door but couldn't put my finger on what".

Simone giggled and began, "I can honestly say I didn't see it coming. I knew that we were in love and that we might think about moving in together but I didn't know this was his plan", she finished looking at her ring.

Harriet beamed. She remembered that feeling well and Mac looked on pensively. She knew that she and Harm were in love but not ready to take that step. She was truly happy for her friend. Simone had begun spending time with the gang a couple weeks after meeting Gunny and they accepted her as one of them.

The door burst open and the guys were each carrying some twigs.

"This is the best we could do on short notice", Bud said sheepishly.

Harriet, Mac and Simone just laughed. It had been a couple of hours since dinner and little AJ was beginning to stir.

Mac said, "Didn't I see some dessert in the fridge earlier?"

Harm rolled his eyes not believing that she could possibly be hungry. But Harriet and Simone got up to put out the desserts. They spent the rest of the evening watching old movies laughing and joking. Gunny and Simone's guests left around ten.

Gunny looked at Simone and said, "It was a wonderful afternoon but I'm glad that we're alone now".

Simone gave him a smile that sent shivers down to his toes. She held out her hand and led him to the bedroom. They spent the night making love and reveling in each other and the love they shared. The future held a wedding and a life together but tonight there was only the two of them. And they were content to fall asleep holding each other dreaming of the future.