Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer I have nothing to do with The Agency and receive no compensation

Chapter 10: Thanksgiving

Terri woke up early and took her shower and went downstairs to make breakfast. She didn't want to wake up Stiles, she didn't want to talk about or think about last year. Today was a little better because early on Thanksgiving morning she found out he was ok and on his way home.

Stiles ran into his mother in the hall when he went to look for Terri. "Arlen, is everything ok?"

"Yeah, Ma everything is fine."

"Arlen Brennan! Don't you lie to me."

"Come on in here." Stiles and Hannah sat on the bed. "Mom last Thanksgiving, I was working on an assignment and was missing for a few days, I wasn't able to contact anyone. This year it really freaked Terri out. I don't know what to do for her." Hannah put her arms around her son.

"Arlen. She's just scared. She realizes what could have happened. I'm going to talk to her." Hannah kissed Stiles and went downstairs to talk to her future daughter-in-law.

Terri was down in the kitchen when Hannah walked in. "I was going to make breakfast."

"I won't turn down some help." Terri smiled at Hannah, but Hannah could tell that something was bothering her.

"You seem a little preoccupied the past few days, Terri is everything ok between you and Arlen." Terri just looked at her for a second, Hannah wanted Terri to be the one to start talking. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't intrude. It's just I know how much he loves you."

"I love him too. No this isn't about us. Well it is, but not about wanting to spend the rest of my life with him. I want that more than anything."

"Good. Then what's wrong."

"I guess I'm just tired and worried about him going back to work. I'm just afraid that something will happen."

"Terri, I know how you feel. I can understand that. When Arlen was just a baby, Frederick was shot down in Vietnam, 2 days before Christmas. Everything obviously worked out and he was fine, but Terri for years, I couldn't stop thinking about that, especially at Christmas. The first year was the worst. I think Frederick thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown."

"Last year at Thanksgiving, Stiles was missing. We had to track him down. I was so scared." Terri started crying and Hannah just held her as she continued. "I can't imagine how I would have made it without him. I need him so much."

"You don't have to worry, he made it and he's here with you now."

"Then I think about all the time we wasted. Time I should have been with him. I just."

"You start thinking about all the times you wished you had told him you loved him and didn't."

"Exactly."

"Terri, its normal. Just remember you have a lot of people around who love you. We'll all be here if you need us."

"Thank you." Terri and Hannah finished making breakfast just before Frederick and Stiles came downstairs.

Terri walked up to him and hugged him. "I love you."

"I love you too. Are you feeling ok?"

"Thanks to your Mom. Yes."

After breakfast they got ready to go to Kevin's house for Thanksgiving.

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When they arrived Rick opened the door. "Stiles Terri. You both look great come on in."

"Thanks Rick. I'd like you to meet my parents Fred and Hannah."

"Nice to meet you. We're so happy you could join us today. Come on in. Kevin is in the kitchen and Helen and John are in the family room."

John and Helen got up and said hello to everyone. Stiles, Frederick and John sat down to watch the game. Terri, Helen and Hannah went into the living room to discuss the wedding. "Mom, Stiles and I decided to go to Ireland with Hannah and Fred to see his grandfather."

"Well that's nice. You'll get to see the church and everything." Helen was worried about Terri, she knew how upset she was and thought she was doing this to get out of talking about what was wrong.

"Terri," Kevin called from the kitchen. "Can you come in here for a minute?" Terri went to see what he wanted.

Helen wasn't sure what to say. She wanted Terri to face her problems not run away to Ireland. "Hannah, I'm not sure this is a good idea for Terri. She has been stressed out the past few days."

"I know. Arlen told me about last year."

"I just wish Terri would talk to me."

"Well I talked to her this morning. Helen, what she is going through is really normal. I went through the same thing after Fred was shot down right before Christmas one year. I still have a rough time, and its been 30 years. It will get easier for her."

"I've never seen Terri like that."

"I think a few days away would really help her."

When Terri came back in, Helen and Hannah were talking about Ireland. "Kevin said that dinner is just about ready."

Everyone sat down for dinner, and John started the blessing. "Thank you for this time that we can be together as a family. Especially our new members this year. A. B. Hannah, Frederick. And our new one that will be here next year with us. This past year we have had some trying times, but we got through them. Terri and A. B. are just starting their lives together. I know that the two of you will have a long, happy and wonderful life full of love."

Dinner was great, and everyone had a good time. Kevin told them he would pick them up for the airport in the morning.

That night Terri talked to Stiles about what Hannah had told him. Stiles was a baby and didn't even know that was going on. "I always noticed she was just a little upset on Christmas, and a little more affectionate to Dad. I just never knew why." Terri smiled at him. "I don't mind the affection part, but I don't like that you're going to be upset every Thanksgiving."

"She said it gets better over the years. I really love you. I wish I would have told you that sooner."

"Terri, lets not think about the past. I wish I had been honest with you about my feelings. If I had," Stiles paused and looked down. He never admitted this out loud before, but it had bothered him since last May. "If you knew how much I loved you. Maybe you would have talked to me before confronting Joshua. Maybe I would have been with you. Maybe."

"Stiles all those maybes, things could have been worse if you were with me. You saved my life. You found me. If we handled things differently, maybe we wouldn't have been able to expose Quinn for all the things that he did."

"I guess you're right. I keep thinking about in Montreal."

"Let's not talk about that. It's in the past."

"Ok. One more thing from our past though."

"What?"

"I loved you that first day in the gym when you kicked my ass."

"I knew how much I loved you when you almost got yourself killed on that plane. I was so afraid I would never get to actually say it to you."

Stiles laughed. "Then what in the hell took us so long."

"We're both stubborn." Terri told him as she put her head on his chest. "We're gonna be in trouble with this one." Terri pointed to her stomach. "He or she could be more stubborn than the two of us." Stiles kissed her on the head. He really didn't care how stubborn the baby was. He knew he would love it as much as its mother.