Pumpkin Pie Kisses
Thanksgiving Day snuck up on Warrick as he headed out of the lab to go home. He usually prepared a little something to celebrate the day, but this year, he'd been so busy at work, that he could hardly find a moment of peace.
He rather liked Thanksgiving, but over the last couple of years, he's spent it alone, which he didn't mind too much. He valued his privacy and being alone. He was through with the late nights and rowdy friends. He'd grown up. His job was important these days, and he hadn't had much room for anything else…well, almost anything else.
Warrick and Catherine looked into each other's eyes again and they both smiled as they prepared a small Thanksgiving dinner at his house to honor the holiday. Lindsay was snacking on a few pieces of ham. She was the designated food taster.
Catherine's mother had cancelled her dinner unexpectedly, leaving Catherine with no plans.
Everything they made for dinner came from a box, and they were both used to home cooking. Feeling like they had broken enough traditions, Warrick decided to make his grandmother's recipe for pumpkin pie. Of course, he had to travel halfway across the city to get fresh pumpkins, but it was a journey he didn't mind.
Catherine assisted him, if somewhat messily and uncoordinated, and when they were done, they let it sit in the fridge until it was chilled.
Lindsay was watching some Thanksgiving specials on television, leaving the two of them in private in the kitchen.
Catherine looked into Warrick's eyes with appreciation.
"Thanks for having us over," she said with a smile.
"You're welcome," he said.
Blue eyes met green eyes for seconds longer than either of them initially planned before Catherine broke off their gaze.
They moved around each other warily, cleaning this or that and preparing dinnerware to set the table. Catherine took the courses prepared and set the table. She looked truly homely with an apron on, and Warrick chuckled to himself.
He took out the pumpkin pie and set it on the counter.
Catherine came back in, smiling.
"Everything's set," she said.
"Good," he said, cutting a piece of pie and holding it to her lips. "Taste."
"You'll ruin my appetite, Warrick," she giggled as she leaned in and took a bite, looking into his eyes the whole time. "Mm," she started. "It's delicious," she whispered, inching closer to him.
"Really?" He asked placing one hand at the small of her back, pulling her closer to him.
She licked her lips.
"Mmhm," she muttered before their lips met in a soft, sweet, tender kiss.
They pulled away and smiled.
"I think we just started a new tradition," Catherine quipped.
Warrick grinned.
"Happy Thanksgiving," he whispered.
"Happy Thanksgiving," she whispered back.
They kissed once more before heading to the table.
Catherine, Warrick, and Lindsay sat down to dinner together like family.