Chapter 7: Thanksgiving Toast
It was now Four o'clock the next afternoon. Calleigh and Eric had spent the day helping his mom prepare for the other guests who were supposed to arrive at four thirty. Eric's three sisters were all coming over. Eric's younger sister Maria was bringing her boyfriend Josh, his older sister Annemarie was bringing her friend Anthony, and his sister Sophia who was sixteen months older than him was coming from all the way from Texas with her husband Ted and five year old daughter Emily. Eric introduced Calleigh to everyone. Emily was immediately drawn to Calleigh. Eric smiled as he watched Calleigh and Emily playing on the floor in the loving room with the dolls that Emily had brought with her. A little while later they all moved into the kitchen for dinner. Eric sat at the head of the table and carved the turkey while the ladies passed around the side dishes.
Towards the end of the meal when there seemed to be a break in the conversations, Eric tapped his glass lightly with the back of his knife and stood to address everyone. "It's a tradition in the Delko household that at Thanksgiving dinner one member of the family gives the Thanksgiving Toast." He glanced at Calleigh out of the corner of his eye. He could see her cheeks beginning to turn a light shade of pink and her eyes widen. "Whoever said that life isn't always easy, I would first like to say to them that, that is an understatement." Everyone laughed." But there are those in our lives that are always there for us no matter what the situation. They are there for us in our weakest, most powerless moments and they are also there to celebrate all of the success, not matter how small they may be." Calleigh could see Eric's eyes being to get glassy as he continued. "They are there for us when we want to talk or just when we need someone to listen to us. They are there for you when those who are closest to you can't be with you." He looked up at his mom, who was already dabbing her eyes with a napkin. "They are family. Though not related by blood they are there when you need them the most." He turned and looked straight at Calleigh as he tried to blink away tears. "Calleigh has been there for me through it all." He paused talking a deep breath. "Words can't even begin to describe how thankful I am to have her in my life. She is not only my partner and my colleague; she is also my best friend. She's the best partner a person could ask for. If you asked me what I'm thankful for this year I would say I'm thankful for my family. To family!" Eric looked straight into Calleigh's eyes. Everyone applauded and touched glasses as Eric went to sit down. Calleigh stood and stopped him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him softly on the lips. "I love you, Eric." She whispered. "I love you too, Cal." He smiled. For the rest of the evening they couldn't take their eyes off each other. This would definitely be a Thanksgiving to remember.