Part III: Family Matters

Chapter: Family is Everything

End of November, was the time of the all-American, everybody's favourite holiday: Thanksgiving. Being a European, Margot didn't really know too much of that particular celebration, nor did she want to (mainly because she had always found the idea of millions of dead turkeys more than a bit disturbing). But Myers was about as American as anyone could be, so Thanksgiving bore special meaning to his Kansas-borne soul.

He had missed last year's holidays after being shot to pieces in Prague, so now that his big sister Sue-Ellen called to ask if he could come over for the Thanksgiving weekend, he wasn't about to refuse.

"Yeah, I'll make it this year." he promised on the phone. "I'm sure I'll get the weekend off, I haven't really had a holiday since last year."

"Still as busy as ever? You sure you're not working too much?" Sue-Ellen's voice sounded concerned. She had a habit of worrying over John.

"I'm fine, really." Myers replied.

And he truly was - after Jay had healed his gun wounds. He still found it weird, being able to move his arm like nothing had ever happened to it, all the muscles and nerves functioning perfectly. The nagging pain in his shoulder was gone too - no more painkillers to be able to sleep at night.

It had totally been worth it, even if he'd had to lay shirtless on a bed, Jay's hands on his bare chest - and the blue bastard winking at him as if they were about to do something else entirely.

The memory made him uncomfortable, and he forced himself back to the moment.

"Hey, Sue… can I bring someone?" he asked. "A guest for the Thanksgiving weekend."

"Oh!" her voice was instantly interested. "You've got a date?"

"Yeah, you could say so. I've got a girlfriend. Actually, we live together."

"You have a girlfriend who lives with you, and you didn't tell me?!"

Her voice was shocked, which made him feel more than a bit guilty.

Not the only thing I haven't told you, sis.

"I'm sorry. I know I've been distant. It's just… It's been ages since we've seen, and you know I'm not good at picking up the phone."

"Yes, it's been too long. My kids won't recognize their uncle soon. You'd better not miss this Thanksgiving! Besides, I'm dying to meet your girlfriend. She's the first one since… since Jessie, right?"

"Yeah, that's right." Myers noted. "Haven't had that much time for social life after getting this job."

"So, this new girl, she's your colleague then? Or are you going to be all secretive about her?"

There was laughter in Sue-Ellen's voice, and Myers couldn't help but to answer it. He could clearly see the image of his favourite sister in his mind; her blue eyes, her dark chestnut colour hair, her round face, that always seemed to have a smile on it.

"Her name is Margot." He replied, to ease her curiosity. "She's from Europe and yeah, we work together."

"That's all you're going to tell me?"

"You'll meet her in two weeks. I want you to get to know her yourself."

"Fine, have it your way." Sue-Ellen laughed. "Just tell me, you're living together, so it must be pretty serious, right?"

Myers was silent for a short while.

Serious? Hell, yes. Living with Margot had made it even more clear to him - that he belonged to her, he needed her like he needed the air he breathed. He still hadn't asked the big question, but he had a plan on how to do it already. And so far he had even managed to keep it all a secret from her.

"Yeah, it's serious." Myers paused for a few heartbeats. "Sue, she's The One."

"Really?" His sister asked, her voice suddenly emotional.

"Yes, really. I've never felt like this in my life."

"Oh, John." Sue-Ellen said, a smile in her voice. "I'm so happy for you. You know how I always worry about you, and this past year… I've hardly heard from you. So, it's good to know there's someone watching your back."

"She most certainly does that." Myers chuckled.

Saving his life two times in a year. A bad habit, Margot had called it, but a habit, nevertheless. Not that he could tell about it to his sister, though.

He hang up, feeling conflicted.

Yes, it was great to see the family again - truth be told, he had missed them. But seeing them was also a painful reminder of the life he knew he would never have. A normal life, without being in constant danger of losing one's life, without all the paranormal stuff that sometimes was too exhausting and nerve-racking. Besides, he didn't like lying to them about his work, but there really was no choice. If they knew what he really did for living… well, he just wanted for his niece and nephews to be able to sleep their nights in peace.

It turned out it was surprisingly easy to get Manning to give them a weekend off - something Margot might have helped, just a bit. But convincing Margot, that it was a good idea to spend their surprise vacation with Myers' extended family in Boston, proved to be more difficult than he had expected.

"John, I get it that it means a lot to you, but do I really have to go?" she said, nervously walking around their small kitchen, her arms tightly hugging her slender form. "What if you went by yourself?"

"Come on, I already told my sister about you. What is she supposed to think if you never show up?" Myers replied from the bar stool.

"I dunno! But I'm so not ready to meet your family."

"Yes you are."

"No, I'm not! What am I going to say to them? I have no idea how to deal with a family like yours. I've never had a big family myself."

Myers gave a sigh, and placed his coffee mug on the kitchen counter top.

"Just be yourself. It's going to be fine, they'll love you, how could they not?"

"I doubt it." Margot shrugged and made a face. "You're so in love with me, that you forget what I am. A freak. Even my own family didn't love me, so how is yours going to?"

Myers stood up, and walked to her. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, to comfort her, for he knew just what she was thinking about.

She still hadn't opened up to him about what had happened when she'd been 14 years old, and her family had abandoned her, but he had never pushed it. She'd talked about it when she was ready. But he had held her in his arms, shared her mind and her feelings enough times to have caught glimpses of it, of the things that always haunted her. Fear, pain, and doubt.

He knew Margot still found it hard to believe someone would actually love her, just as she was. Myers had every intention to prove her wrong, though.

"You have a family, Margot, and they love you." he said with a gentle tone. "And I've met them, even if I most certainly wasn't ready at the time."

Margot wrapped her arms around his waist, and pressed her head on his shoulder - his newly healed one.

"Yeah, I know." she sighed. "I'm super lucky to have Mom and Dad. If it wasn't for Dad… I don't know what would've happened to me."

"He seems like a great father." Myers agreed. "Even if he does hate me."

"He doesn't hate you!" Margot replied, with a small smile. "He's just a bit overprotective."

"Uhhuh." Myers raised an eyebrow. "He thinks I'm a monster who enjoys breaking your heart over and over again."

"That reminds me… You know what Dad said when I called him to tell that I was staying here?"

"Do I wanna know?"

"Probably not." Margot laughed. "But I'm gonna tell you anyways - that he'd personally arrange your execution if you ever hurt me again."

"See? I told you, your family loves you." He gave her a reassuring smile, even if he knew Dr. Heinemann had probably not been joking. "And my family will love you too, if you just give them a chance."

"Oh, fine." Margot finally agreed. "But we're so spending the Christmas in Hamburg."