Sloan was settling into her cabin after her time in Turkey. While she loved getting to spend time with the Kaya family, her conversation with Ece really stuck with her. She was putting a picture of her with the family in a frame when there was a knock at her door. She opened it up to find Charlie.

"How was your trip?"

"It was good. I hadn't seen Emir in a while." Sloan thought she saw a flicker of something on Charlie's face when she said Emir's name.

"I just wanted to come by and drop these off for you. I made copies of the pictures from the castle."

"Thanks. Want a beer?"

"Sure"

Sloan led him into the house as she went to the fridge to grab the drinks.

"You can put the pictures on the table. I was just updating a frame."

Charlie picked up the frame she was talking about.

"Who is this with you?"

"Emir and his family. Emir and I met a few years back, I saved his life then learned he was a wizard. We were able to stay in contact."

"That is amazing that you stayed in contact."

"Without magic, we wouldn't have."

The two of them were now sitting on the sofa with their beers facing each other.

"So what did you get up to?"

"Nothing really wrote home, read a book, I did head to the ministry and ordered my portkey for Yule."

"Sounds relaxing. When are you leaving for yule?"

"December 20 then I will be back on the 27th. Have you decided to take Yule or New Year off?"

"I haven't decided whatever is available, most likely Perks of being an orphan nowhere to go on Christmas."

"What about spending Christmas with me," Charlie said before he could stop himself

Sloan was frozen in shock beer halfway to her lips

"In England?"

"Yeah, no one should spend Christmas alone."

"I wouldn't want to infringe upon your family."

"You won't, the more the merrier, and besides I wouldn't be the first son to bring home an orphan."

Sloan and Charlie went their separate ways after finishing their beers and discussing their upcoming trip to the museum. Before Sloan and Charlie went to bed that night they both found themselves writing letters seeking advice.

Ece,

Maybe you are right. He invited me to spend Christmas in England with his family. I agreed. I honestly don't know what I was thinking. But it's obvious. He thinks of me as a friend only. Why else would he invite me home for the holiday? I just don't know.

Sloan

Bill,

I need some advice. I have a new partner, Sloan, started a little over a week ago. Bill… I am screwed. I invited her home for Christmas. She doesn't have a family and the idea of her spending Christmas alone made me feel some kind of way. We have been spending a lot of time outside of work together too and this last off-cycle she went to visit friends and when I heard the friend's name it was a man. Bill, I don't know what to do.

Charlie

Mom

Hey mom. I hope that you are doing well. I know I should have asked first but my new partner Sloan doesn't have family and was going to spend Christmas alone. I invited her to come to spend Christmas with us.

Love Charlie

The next day Charlie and Sloan were working with a Ridgeback who was expected to give birth any day now.

"I was talking to Aaron and we decided that we were going to host a traditional American Thanksgiving."

"What exactly does that entail?"

"Turkey, mac and cheese, potatoes, pie awkwardly going around the table talking about what we are thankful for."

"Sounds fun when is it?"

"Three weeks, the third Thursday in November"

"Sounds good."