Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story besides Pete and his son.

Notes: Thank you for all who let me know I made a mistake in writing Monica and Edward as Cassadines when they are in fact Quartermines. That mistake has been fixed and please let me know if I make any other Boo Boos like that.

Also I don't know the real story of Ethan's adopted parents, if they did ever go into detail about it, opps, I couldn't find it. And in the end of the chapter Kristina sends a text message her messages are like this and the reply is like this

XXX

Everyone looked around the table as they could hear Kristina's retreating footsteps echo out of the house. Ethan moves to stand up and go after her, however, Sam holds out her hand to stop him.

"Just give me a couple minutes to talk to her first. Please?" Sam asked softly to Ethan who was surprised to see Kristina's older sister be somewhat polite to him. It's no secret that Sam, like mostly everyone else in Port Charles, judged him for spending so much time with Kristina when she made it clear her feelings were never platonic.

It was people like her that made him get so defensive about not having inappropriate intentions and not wanting to hurt her. He can't fully blame her though, when him and Kristina became friends, it was during Keifer and she was also still underaged.

He nodded in agreement and watched as Sam kissed Jason's head before following her sister.

Kristina was outside on the side of the house where her punching bag was. She bought it after her first session with Pete and uses it frequently in between sessions. She was in the process of wrapping her hands when she heard Sam come closer.

"You going to come back inside anytime soon?" Sam asked her. She sees so many traits in Krissy that she's never seen before. She sees a lot of her father in her and that worries her a lot. Sonny was a good man, a good father; if you asked the right people. Yet, there was no denying that man could be cold and ruthless. Unfeeling when he felt the need to be. Kristina never used to be like that. She used to feel things so strongly; it was one of her biggest strengths if you asked her. Now she was colder, more calculated in not showing anyone emotions. It was a path she wanted to take her sister off of if she could.

Kristina shrugs. "Haven't decided yet." She answers truthfully because while she feels a duty to her family to at least make an attempt to have this holiday turn out better; she feels her mom and her sister's betrayal dig deep.

Sam walks in closer to her and watches as her little sister hits the bag. Her form was excellent; she definitely absorbed what she learned in her training. She was a natural.

"You remind me a lot of myself." Sam tells her and Kristina doesn't even slow down her punches.

"Oh yeah? That's hard to believe." She says somewhat sarcastically. She was biting to make a comment about how she doesn't plan on having an affair with Sam's father, but even she knows that would be crossing a line she doesn't really want to get into.

Sam could see that she wanted to say more. She gets it; while they are sisters now; there was a time they weren't; a time where Sam hated Alexa and was suspected of kidnapping Kristina out of jealousy. They had their unresolved issues; however, she doesn't think today was the day to really get into them. One problem at a time.

"Yeah, I do. Even before I knew you were my sister; there was always something about you that reminded me of myself. You are smart; obviously in school, but also in a way people don't expect from you. You're creative to get yourself out of situations; or into situations." Sam laughs thinking of some of the things she remembers Kristina doing.

Kristina stops hitting the bag and looks at her.

"According to you and half this town I'm nothing but a spoiled and sheltered brat who needs to grow up. And that's fine with me, I've learnt to bury what immature fantasies I've had but don't you dare lie to me. We are not alike. No one has ever underestimated you." Her look was blank yet there was a hint of anger beneath her eyes that Sam was saddened to see. She knows this town hasn't been that great for her. During and after Keifer, Kristina was so lost and no one noticed or seemed to want to help her in a way that really mattered. No one except Ethan. He gave her friendship when she so desperately needed it. Ethan helped her until he hurt her.

She also remembers all that she herself went through when she was pregnant with her daughter Lila. Jax. How Sonny promised her the world, only to run back to Carly. How Jason tried to pay her to leave town. Thinking she was trash. Alexa trying to pressure her for her baby's stem cells to save Kristina.

"Well, regardless of what you think, that's not true. I just wanted to tell you that I do understand you. I get why you think burying your heart is safer than facing what is really going on." She pressed and Kristina snorted.

"Oh yeah and what am I not facing?" She asked not really wanting an answer.

"The fact that Ethan fucked up when it comes to you two and is now trying to fix his mistakes." She tells her bluntly and Kristina can't help but be shocked at her language. She can't remember Sam ever cursing like that in front of her. Guess she was tired of treating her like a child.

"Trust me when I tell you I know what it's like to royally fuck up a relationship and do whatever I could to try and fix it. I fought my way back into Jason's life after we broke up and I know to a lot of people, I was nothing but a pathetic heart broken woman who couldn't accept it was over. But I knew deep down it didn't matter who I tried to move on with, who he moved on with; we were meant for each other and we would always come back to each other. I don't regret my choices because those choices led me to where I am and right now, I'm the happiest I've been." Sam tells her sister seriously because she wants her to really understand where she was coming from.

That's why she joined Molly's "Operation Ethina" She really did know what it was like to look like the pathetic lovestruck girl and she knows that's how Krissy felt for a long time.

Before Kristina could say anything in reply, Ethan walked over to them sheepishly and coughed awkwardly.

"Sorry to interrupt. Can we just talk for a minute? Then I'll get going. I don't wanna ruin your holiday." He tells her and gives Sam a smile in thanks when she nods and starts to walk away. Before she left, however, she turned back to her little sister.

"Just remember what I said Krissy. You and I are a lot more alike than you think and look where I am now." She says her final peace and went back to join her family for dinner. Hopefully things there were going smoothly. Maybe Jason was having a nice conversation with Monica.

SIlence hung in the air between them. Ethan was desperately trying to make eye contact with her, while she was trying not to look at him. Sam's words echoing in her head as well as something she herself told him almost a year ago.

"I'm going to marry you someday."

In her heart she always knew that there was something going on between her and Ethan. She felt it the second she saw him on stage at Jake's singing. Her heart never felt something that strong before. It didn't matter that she was with Keifer, to her it felt like her heart was finally waking up. It only got stronger when she thought they were friends.

"I'm sorry luv. I didn't mean 'ta mess up your Thanksgiving." He breaks the silence and she finally looks over to him. He was sitting on the container where she puts her equipment; his elbows resting on his knees and his hands tangled in his curly hair. It was still weird to see him with short hair. She almost misses the long hair, and yet this look seemed to suit him. There was something about him that was different though, she couldn't put her finger on it. Maybe it was the fact he looked so broken up and for once she didn't run to try and make him feel better.

"Why did you come here?" She asked him softly as she walked closer to him. She sat in the chair across from the bench but they were still close enough that their knees were almost touching.

Ethan laughs humorlessly. There was so much he wanted to tell her and yet he didn't know where to start. He just knows he won't lie to her; not again. He was done lying about how he felt.

"I went to talk to your mum a couple weeks ago. She invited me if I was interested. Don't blame her, I kind of begged her for a chance to speak to you." He says and a part of her is still upset that her mother, who made it clear she didn't like Ethan, deceived her.

"Plus, I've never really had a real Thanksgiving before. I'm not counting whatever it was I went to at the Quartermine's last year." He laughs a little more sincerely and his heart feels so much relief that he's finally able to talk to someone he knows truly understands him.

"You don't have Thanksgiving in Australia?" She asks him softly. She can't help but remember all the talks they used to have before this all went to shit. They would talk about everything and anything. For her, she felt that she could tell him anything and he would never judge her.

But that was before she was proven wrong. Before she heard his words to Skye about how he really felt about her.

"We do. I just never had one." He answers. She nods, knowing he didn't want pity; one thing they always shared; their hatred for being pitied.

Silence once again loomed over them before he coughed again.

"Look, I'm going to get going so you can spend time with the people you want to spend time with. I just want to leave this with you." He stands up and takes a small box out of his jacket pocket.

She takes it in confusion and stands up next to him. They were so close. She can't remember the last time they were so close to each other. The park swings a couple months ago? Her heart desperately longed for him and yet she was afraid to move even an inch. She was afraid to let him back into her heart.

Breath in. Breath out. Let the emotions bury deep.

Ethan sees that she's trying not to let her emotions show and is saddened by it, but he understands. They aren't there yet.

"Can we have coffee sometime soon?" He has to ask her and she just looks at him.

"I don't know." She tells him honestly in an almost desperate voice and he nods in acceptance before walking towards the front of the house.

"Wait." She calls out to him before he leaves the house for good.

"Yeah?" He asks softly. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and stay there for as long as she let him. To tell her how much he cared about her and missed her. Just this one little talk made him the happiest he's been since they stopped talking.

"Those flowers...were they from you?" She had to ask. She had to know.

He gives her the sweetest smile he can muster.

"You knew as soon as you saw them, they were from me. I know you as well as you know me. Me and you will always understand each other luv and I'm always going to be there for you." He says softly. He was playing with the friendship bracelet on his wrist, showing her that he had no intention of taking it off.

"Whenever you're ready Krissy; I'll be here." He tells her before he walks to his car.

Kristina watches him go as a lone tear makes its way down her cheek. She did know him.

She just wishes she didn't.

XXX

As tempted as she was, she didn't open the box he gave her. She puts it on the kitchen counter as she makes her way back into the dining room. She will open it later.

Everyone was laughing and joking with each other and she couldn't help but give a little smile as she got closer.

"Sorry for being gone so long." She says softly as she sits back down. She couldn't help but glance at the empty seat next to her but she knows it's for the best. Him coming by is doing nothing but confusing her and she needs to focus on herself. She can't fall victim to her emotions.

"It's okay honey, I'm glad you're back." Alexis says and gives a small smile. She feels bad for not telling her about Ethan, but in the end she thinks this will do more good than harm. She just misses her baby girl happy.

Kristina gives her a nod in acknowledgement before joining in on the table conversation.

Thanksgiving ended up being a nice day after all. Once she returned to the table, everyone was talking, laughing, eating, and having an all around nice time. There was no more awkwardness or backhanded compliments; it was a Thanksgiving to remember.

When everyone went home, or in Spinelli's case, to go Black Friday shopping, Molly expressed her happiness in how the day went.

"I'm glad everyone had a nice time. And that pecan pie was amazing!" Molly says in a sleepy voice. It's definitely been a long day for them all. She really wants to talk to Kristina but she may have to wait until tomorrow; she's way too tired to try tonight.

"Yes, I think it was a nice day too. Jason and Monica were even having a nice talk about Emily. I know how much they both miss her." Alexis says, thinking of how far she has come with her now son in law. They may not exactly love each other but that was okay. They both love Sam and that's good enough for her to care about Jason.

"It's too bad Ethan didn't stay, he probably would have liked being a part of a real Thanksgiving." Kristina said in a low voice, Molly almost didn't hear her.

Molly, a little more awake now, sits up in surprise.

"Really?" She asked her big sister and even their mom looked at her in surprise.

Kristina looks at her family and is almost surprised herself. Is she expressing weakness but admitting she wants Ethan to be happy? Does that mean he still holds power over her?

She doesn't answer at first, but she looks at the kitchen counter where the small box Ethan gave her lays. She needs to know.

"Yeah, I guess I do. I mean, I'm not completely heartless. Today isn't a day to be alone." She tells them as she walks over to retrieve the gift. She hears something move inside.

"We don't think you're heartless sweetheart." Alexis starts to say but Kristina interrupts her.

"I know, I know that. I'm just going to get ready for bed. I have some plans tomorrow." She tells them and wishes them a goodnight before going upstairs to her room.

When she closes the door she makes her way towards her bed and sits down. As she holds the box, she can't help but examine it. The box was about the size of a paperback book, it wasn't wrapped, it looked like a random black box with a lid and whatever is inside is a heavy material; it sounded almost like keys.

She gently opens the top and sees a folded piece of paper. With almost shaking hands, she takes out the paper and opens it up.

Dear Krissy,

In all the time we have been friends, you have always been honest with me about everything. About what you think, what you do, and especially how you feel. It's time for me to do the same with you; because I'm done lying to you luv. I promise if you let me, I will tell you everything you wanna know about me. All the things I've done, even the things that I'm ashamed of. I will tell you anything because you're the only one in the world that has never judged me. I have always valued your opinion of me, always. Even in the beginning.

I'd like to share the important stuff with you in person. Whenever you're ready; I'd be happy to meet with you. But for now I want to share this:

My adoptive parents' names were Frank and Carol. They were good to me, they were just unconventional. We didn't have holidays or even birthdays; it was as if everyday was an adventure and I loved it. I adored them growing up. I always knew I was adopted but they never made me feel as if I wasn't their son. When they died a big part of me died as well. I was 15 and on my own; alone for the first time but I was raised to survive wherever I had to. Before they could put me in the system; I grabbed whatever I could carry and whatever I could sell, and made my way to my new life.

I don't have much from my old life. A photo, my parents' wedding bands, my old house key, and something I want you to have.

I've worn this around my neck since I left home. It was one of my mother's favorites. She told me it was the first thing my dad ever gave her. He made it for her after their second date. This is how much you mean to me Kristina. I want you to have a piece of my old self, just like you have given me a piece of your old self so many times. I have never lied about caring about you and I hope by giving this to you, the doubt you have about me and our relationship starts to fade. Please just give me another chance.

Yours,

Ethan

With shaking hands, she lifts the metal necklace from the box. She remembers wondering about this necklace when she first started hanging out with Ethan. It was a chunky metal with a circle in the middle. The circle wasn't perfectly shaped but that's what she always liked about it. Beauty in the imperfections. Just like Ethan. Just like her.

She couldn't stop the sob from escaping her as she clutched the necklace to her chest. The fact that he gave this to her meant so much and she had no idea what to do. The flowers and now this? Was she really going to hear him out? Should she?

With one hand still holding the necklace, she reaches for her phone and types out a text message.

Hey, are you available for breakfast tomorrow? Really want to talk to you.

Almost a minute later she gets a response.

Yeah of course. Is everything okay?

She pauses before she types out her reply.

I'm not sure.

She takes a deep breath when she puts her phone down. Staring at the necklace as if it had the answer to all her problems, she makes the decision and puts the necklace around her neck.

At least for tonight.

TBC