There was a prompt about doing a Thanksgiving/ Christmas chapter! I think I'll do them as two separate chapters. Hopefully the Thanksgiving traditions are up to standard? Anyway, enjoy and happy Thanksgiving to the American readers! :)

The Blind Date AU pt. 6

Thanksgiving wasn't exactly Shelby's favourite holiday. She had associated the holiday with division and the erosion of her family. She could clearly remember sitting at the long table at her Aunt Mabel's house. Both her mother's and her father's families seemed to fight through snide remarks and comments about each other's political views. Even the taste of turkey had been ruined for her. It made her remember how angry and resentful her family had been. By the end of the night the arguments always escalated. She didn't like to remember the alcohol fuelled fights; both verbal and physical.

Shelby hadn't celebrated Thanksgiving with Matt. Not traditionally, at least. They had gone out of town for a wine tasting almost every year while they had been together. Neither of them made the effort to dine with their families. They called, but no more. Their usual excuse was that plane tickets were too expensive or one of them had fallen ill.

Shelby was more than happy to go another year not celebrating the Godforsaken holiday. Maybe she'd take Audrey out of town? Maybe they could spend another night in, relaxing in each other's company? Shelby took solace in knowing that Audrey had hardly any knowledge about Thanksgiving; which obviously meant she wouldn't want to celebrate it...right?

Audrey had celebrated Thanksgiving every year since she had moved to the United States. She hadn't celebrated properly, though. Every year she had gone to a bar and gotten drunk off her face. She was excited for this year. She had a hot, American girlfriend who could cook. Audrey couldn't wait to celebrate Thanksgiving properly. It had been so foreign to her yet it seemed so appealing. The warm colours of the autumn leaves, the smell of roast turkey and baked pies. She could practically taste it.

Shelby had been waiting for Audrey to return home after one of her last days on the set of the show she had been playing in. When she heard the door open she leapt off the couch and launched herself into Audrey's arms, nearly knocking her over. Audrey let out a surprised gasp, closing the door behind her and dropping the bags of shopping she was holding before hugging Shelby tight.

"Hi there, gorgeous." Audrey hummed as she held Shelby. "I have a funny feeling you missed me." She said with a gentle laugh.

Shelby nodded almost frantically against Audrey, squeezing her tighter. "I missed you so bad, you have no idea." Shelby said, pulling back to press a deep kiss to Audrey's lips. Audrey kissed back with a smirk. No one had ever wanted her as badly as Shelby did. As they spent more and more time together, they only got more attached to each other.

Audrey hugged Shelby a while longer before feeling herself become short of breath. "I can't breathe, dear." she said, tapping Shelby lightly. Shelby quickly loosened her grip, her arms still draped around Audrey. Audrey smiled happily, taking in a deep breath. "I went shopping and bought us a little something for tomorrow." Audrey hummed.

"Tomorrow?" Shelby half asked, forgetting it was Thanksgiving. She just wanted the holiday to pass her by like every other year.

Audrey pulled away from Shelby and picked up the bags, taking them to the kitchen table. She didn't mind towing Shelby along as the taller woman grasped at the edge of her shirt. "I bought us..." Audrey hummed, grabbing something from within the bag. She pulled it out, revealing a small turkey with an excited grin on her face. The bags were filled with other ingredients to cook the turkey and create side dishes.

"A... turkey..." Shelby said, her face falling when she laid eyes on it.

"What? What's wrong with it? Is it too small?" Audrey asked, noticing Shelby's expression.

Shelby was quick to adjust. "No, no, it's perfect." she said, plastering on a smile and kissing Audrey's lips.

"I've gotten the wrong turkey, haven't I?" Audrey asked. She didn't even know if there were different kinds of turkeys.

Shelby let out a small, almost forced laugh. "No, no. This will do just fine." Shelby said, taking the turkey out of Audrey's hands and putting it onto the table. Even looking at it brought back memories. She moved in closer to Audrey, nuzzling into her as she hugged her again.

"Are you sure?" Audrey asked. She could sense something was off.

"I'm sure." Shelby replied, her voice muffled by Audrey's neck. "I just hope it'll be ready for... tomorrow." she said, doing her best in forcing herself to exude a more positive energy.

Audrey seemed to buy it, pecking Shelby's temple. "It won't be too much work, will it? Making a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, I mean. I can help if you need."

Shelby pulled back and watched Audrey's eyes. She loved her. She truly did. Shelby knew that all that Audrey wanted was a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. She should have guessed, with her luck. All her wishful thinking from earlier had gone to waste. "I can do it." Shelby said, her voice soft as she draped her arms over Audrey's shoulders. "I'll give you the best Thanksgiving." she said, her voice trailing off into a whisper as she played with Audrey's hair absentmindedly.

Audrey bit her lip. Something was definitely off. "I'll start decorating." Audrey said, shooting a wary look at Shelby as she started to pull away. She was concerned. Shelby barely caught the look. She knew she had to put on a better act. Unfortunately, Shelby wasn't the actress here. Shelby quickly pecked Audrey on the cheek before taking the groceries to the kitchen counter.

She started on the turkey, preparing it so it would be ready for tomorrow. Shelby had improved in her culinary skills. She was quick when it came to chopping up vegetables. Shelby put the turkey into the fridge, along with the pecan pie she had made. Both would be cooked tomorrow. She made some gravy and cranberry sauce, stretching the cling wrap over the top of both dishes before putting them in the fridge as well. That should be more than enough for tomorrow, she decided.

Meanwhile, Audrey had set the table and put decorations everywhere. She was excited for her first traditional Thanksgiving. When Shelby washed up and went to find Audrey she was instantly hit by the smell of a pumpkin spice candle and the colours of an entire deciduous forest. She laughed to herself when she saw Audrey trying to hang a decoration just above the door. Shelby approached, hugging around Audrey's hips and lifting her slightly. Audrey let out a sound of surprise before hanging the decoration. She pulled Shelby in close when the taller woman put her down. "I never realised you could lift me." Audrey purred, feeling up and down Shelby's biceps.

"I told you yoga helps me stay fit." Shelby said with a giggle.

Audrey rolled her eyes. "Do you like the decorations? It's a little much, isn't it?" Audrey said, looking around the room.

Shelby giggled, nodding and kissing Audrey's lips. "I love it. I love you." Shelby said with a smile.

Audrey grinned, pulling Shelby in close and kissing her lips again. "I love you." Audrey whispered against Shelby's lips, the tip of her nose grazing the other woman's. "Have you finished preparing everything?" Audrey asked, keeping Shelby close.

"I did." Shelby cooed. "Why don't we order takeout? It's getting late." she hummed, nipping at Audrey's bottom lip while maintaining eye-contact. She blushed slightly.

Audrey stifled a moan. Shelby was yet to sleep with her, but Audrey didn't seem to mind as much now. Still, she would have loved to see what Shelby hid under her loose clothing. "Good idea." Audrey hummed, her voice a little huskier than usual.

...

Shelby and Audrey had eaten on the couch. Shelby had shuffled all the way up into Audrey's side, watching TV as they ate. When they were both full and content, they headed to bed.

Audrey covered them with the quilts, gently rolling Shelby over and spooning her. Shelby wriggled in a little closer and Audrey pulled her in further, her arms wrapped around her until their bodies were flush against each other. Audrey kissed the back of Shelby's head as they drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow would be the best Thanksgiving. Audrey could hardly wait.

...

Shelby had worked tirelessly on the turkey. She hated turkey and she hated Thanksgiving...but she loved Audrey. Audrey had gone out to get them some drinks. Shelby told her to take her time. She wanted everything to be perfect when Audrey came back. They had both snacked a little leading up to the dinner. Audrey didn't want to fill up on lunch. She wanted to try everything. By the time the turkey had finished it was dinner time. Shelby put everything on the table and covered the dishes to keep them warm. Audrey just arrived as Shelby set the cranberry sauce and gravy onto the table.

"That smells absolutely mouthwatering." Audrey said with a smile, closing the door behind her and setting the wine down on the table.

Shelby offered a smile. She focused on Audrey and her reactions. She didn't want to think about the familiar scents and how the side dishes looked just like how her mother used to make them. "Dinner is served." Shelby said, taking her seat across from Audrey. She lifted the covers of the dishes and carved the turkey, putting some for Audrey but not for herself.

"Aren't you going to try it?" Audrey asked, frowning slightly.

"Maybe later." Shelby replied, giving herself her share of mashed potatoes and roast vegetables. With the amount Shelby had cooked, they would be eating leftovers for the next couple of weeks. She wanted Audrey to try everything. She wanted to make this the best Thanksgiving for her.

As they ate, Audrey was clearly delighted by the food. She asked about every dish she tried, clearly pleased that she was learning so much. "Will you try the turkey now?" Audrey tested. She knew something was wrong but she couldn't put her finger on it. Did Shelby just have an intense loathing for turkeys?

Shelby bit her lip. "I'm already full." she said, watching Audrey. "Have you liked everything so far?" she asked, quickly changing the topic. "We still have dessert."

Audrey pursed her lips. "Everything tastes delicious." Audrey said, slowly smiling. "Why don't you tell me more about Thanksgiving." she said, leaning in slightly. "How does your family celebrate?"

Shelby felt her stomach drop. Most of the colour had drained from her cheeks. She knew the question was coming but she still couldn't stop herself from reacting. Audrey watched as Shelby went from rosy cheeked and somewhat cheerful to slightly pale.

"I'll...I'll bring the pie." Shelby said weakly before disappearing into the kitchen.. She knew what she had experienced wasn't a huge deal, but as a child, it had affected her greatly and she never really dealt with it.

Audrey sighed. She had finally figured out the problem.

When Shelby emerged with the pie she didn't speak. She served it up silently, keeping a smile on her face. She just wanted Audrey to enjoy herself. Why did she have to ask so many questions? Shelby sat and started on her pie. "This is pecan pie." she said, looking at Audrey and praying she wouldn't bring up her last question.

Audrey was definitely tempted, but she left it alone for the moment. She took a bite of her pie and smiled. "This is delicious." Audrey hummed with a smile.

Shelby visibly relaxed when Audrey didn't continue to prod.

...

At the end of the night, Shelby and Audrey wrapped up the leftovers and put them in the fridge. They did the dishes together.

"Thank you for a lovely Thanksgiving." Audrey said, scrubbing at the dish she was washing. "Usually I'd just get drunk at a bar. It honestly was the best Thanksgiving I've ever had."

Shelby bit her lip as she wiped and put away the dishes. "Me too." she replied, her voice quiet.

They continued to wash and wipe in silence. Audrey looked over at Shelby every now and then until her curiosity had finally gotten the better of her.

"You really aren't a fan of Thanksgiving, are you?" Audrey asked, her voice gentle. She could see how asking the question earlier had affected Shelby. She tried to make the conversation as painless as possible. She knew her Shelby was sensitive.

"Was it that obvious?" Shelby asked weakly. She had tried her hardest but despite her best efforts, Audrey had found her out.

"Well...I figured it was either that or you had some sort of vendetta against turkeys." Audrey said, relaxing slightly when she heard a soft laugh from Shelby.

"Do you want to know the truth?" Shelby asked after a pause. She stopped wiping and looked at Audrey.

Audrey stopped washing and wiped her hands, giving Shelby her full attention.

"I hate Thanksgiving." Shelby admitted. "Every year when my family got together they'd just fight and argue... I know it's no big deal, but..." Shelby bit her lip and shook her head.

Audrey raised an eyebrow. "And you can't eat turkey because...?"

"It's like...every time I taste it, I'm there again." Shelby said, not meeting Audrey's eyes.

"Let me get this straight." Audrey said as she took a step towards Shelby. "You hate Thanksgiving...but you went to all this trouble... you cooked all these side dishes and meals... for me?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly. No one had ever done anything like that for her before.

"You were just so excited. You wanted the traditional Thanksgiving dinner and you decorated the apartment and bought everything we needed." Shelby babbled.

Audrey pulled Shelby in for a gentle hug, resting her chin on the other woman's shoulder. "Thank you." she whispered, feeling her eyes well but blinking back the tears.

Shelby was surprised but she hugged back, relaxing into the hug. She hadn't realised how tense she had been all day. She held Audrey close, smiling to herself. This had been the perfect Thanksgiving for both of them.

...

When everything was put away and cleaned, the two of them curled up in Audrey's bed. They faced each other, looking over each other's features in the dim light of a streetlight through the blinds. The blinds had caused the light to come out striped, but they could still see each other. Shelby held Audrey's hand in her own as she looked at her. She felt so calm. She could have watched Audrey all day and all night. Shelby slowly moved her hand up towards Audrey's face, her movements gradual as if the slightest increase in speed would have startled Audrey. She delicately held the smaller woman's cheek, stroking it gently with her thumb. She moved her thumb along Audrey's lips lightly, admiring how beautiful she looked as she felt over her features.

Audrey watched Shelby's eyes, leaning into her touch. She didn't know how, but everything felt so intimate even though both of them were fully clothed. Audrey pressed a slow, soft kiss to Shelby's thumb, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

"You're beautiful." Shelby whispered almost breathlessly.

Audrey leaned in closer, brushing their lips together. "I'm so glad you're mine." Audrey whispered, matching Shelby's tone.

Shelby kissed Audrey's lips gently. The kiss was burning and unhurried. It was as if the two of them had all the time in the world. Their legs tangled together as Audrey deepened the kiss slightly, matching Shelby's pace. Shelby felt every detail of Audrey's lips against her own. They were soft and cushy. She smiled to herself as she barely broke the kiss, meeting Audrey's eyes. Audrey watched Shelby's eyes. She could see the baby blue where the light shone.

"I'm in love with you, Shelby." Audrey said quietly after some time.

Shelby smiled to herself. "I'm in love with you too." she whispered.

They both laid and watched each other, completely content. Audrey's arm slowly wrapped around Shelby's waist, pulling her in a little closer.

As the night went on, they both became weary. Shelby had slowly settled her cheek against Audrey's chest as Audrey stroked her hair. Eventually, they both drifted to sleep, the scent of pumpkin spice barely wafting into the room.

...

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