AN-I counted and it has been 19 days since I last updated and I'm am sooooooooo sorry. It was just horrible, I had finals and I got sick, blah, bad weeks. So, enough with the excuses, here it is the next chapter of AytR

Maine

Julie Gaffney entered the familiar home she had grown up in. The walls were the same shade as before, and the carpet had the exact same mud stains on it. It truly was home.

With her hand entwined with Adam's she brought him into the living room. Her family quieted down and in an instant were surrounding the couple.

''Oh Julie, he's gorgeous.''

''No wonder you brought him home.''

Julie introduced Adam to all her relatives. Once that torture was over, it was dinner time. Julie and Adam had to sit at the kids table, with all her cousins.

''So Adam, you play hockey?'' asked Jacob, Julie's favorite cousin.

''Yeah, that's how Julie and I met actually.'' he said.

Julie smiled softly.

''What's Minnesota like?'' Amy asked.

Adam shrugged. ''Kind of boring, unless you have outrageous friends.''

''Any siblings?''

''Yeah, one. A sister, she's a year younger.'' Adam said.

''Do you know her?'' Jacob asked Julie.

She nodded. ''Yeah, Katie is awesome.''

''She's probably having the best Thanksgiving.'' Adam said.

In truth, Katie wasn't having the best Thanksgiving. Her mother's harsh comments had sent her running into her room in tears. Why couldn't she have a normal Thanksgiving, just one time.

Charlie's arm were wrapped tightly around her as he tried to comfort her, even somewhat.

''I'm starting to hate Thanksgiving.'' Katie muttered, wiping away her tears.

Charlie have a soft chuckle. ''How can you hate it? We had our first kiss on Thanksgiving.''

Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. ''You remembered.''

''How can I not.'' he whispered.

She smiled softly and leaned in to kiss him. He pressed his tongue against her lips and she opened her mouth, inviting him in. She moaned softly as he explored every inch of her mouth, and she slowly started leaning backwards. Her head his the pillows as her arms wrapped around Charlie's neck, trying to bring his body closer.

What started out as a simple kiss, turned into so much more, as they began grinding against one another. Breaking the kiss, Charlie blazed a path down her jaw and neck. She sat up quickly and together, they removed her shirt. His eyes traveled down her body and she blushed as he took her in. He reached a hesitant hand over to touch her...

A knock on the door brought them back to reality.

''Who is it?'' Katie called, as Charlie quickly handed her the article of clothing, not looking at her.

''It's Casey, may I come in?''

After making sure her and Charlie didn't look too bad, she agreed. Casey entered the room and smiled at her son.

''Why don't you go back to eat. Vicky is gone.''

Charlie nodded, shooting Katie an uneasy smile before leaving. Casey closed the door behind him and sat down next to her.

''How ya doing sweetie?''

''How should I be doing? I'm so sorry Casey, I didn't know she was going to show up and ruin everything.'' Katie said.

Casey smiled, tucking a piece of hair behind the young girl's ear.

''Katie, don't apologize. Your mother probably felt...threatened.'' Casey said.

''What do you mean?''

''Well, she sees an unfamiliar woman eating in what was once her chair. Her daughter had invited her, her once husband had defended her. I probably wouldn't have acted much differently.''

''You would have. You would actually care about not hurting your daughter or embarrassing her.'' Katie said.

''Maybe you're right. I can't see how she could have reduced you to tears, and not cared about it. How can she not she what an amazing daughter she has.''

Katie smiled, her eyes watery, and she hugged Casey tightly.

''Thank you Casey.'' she whispered.

''You're welcome Hun.''

Charlie and Phillip were currently sitting at the table, both eating whatever was left. Phillip cleared his throat and Charlie looked up.

''No more making out in the kitchen.'' he said.

''Yes sir.'' Charlie said.

They went back to eating. A few minutes later, he spoke again.

''Your mother makes good pie.''

''Yea, she does.'' Charlie agreed.

They went back to eating. A few minutes later...

''No making out anywhere else either.'' Phillip warned.

''Yes sir.'' Charlie said.

Phillip nodded, satisfied. See, he could be a good dad.

Casey and Katie entered the dining room, each smiling.

''Hey Kit-Kat. Feeling better?'' Phillip asked.

Katie nodded. ''I was actually hoping if Charlie and I could go wish Connie a happy Thanksgiving.''

Charlie looked up at the mention of his name. He glanced over at Phillip, waiting for his answer.

''Be back before.'' were his final words on the subject.

Charlie smiled, wished his mother goodbye and went to get his coat. Katie kissed her father's cheek and followed Charlie.

They walked down the street together, yet there was a distance between them. Finally Katie stopped, sighing.

''Charlie we have to talk.''

He too stopped and nodded. ''You're right, we do.''

Katie opened her mouth to speak, but he held up a hand.

''Kat, you know I love you. What happened in your room, that's the farthest we've ever gone.'' he took her hands carefully. ''I'd love to go farther.''

Katie tore her hands away. ''You want to have sex with me.''

''Yes. Kat, I'm not ashamed to admit it. Are you?'' he asked.

''Sex is a big step Charlie. I mean, what if I'm not ready?'' she asked.

''Then we don't. Kat, I would never pressure you to do something you didn't want to do. When and if you're ready, then so am I.''

''But you've done this before.'' she reminded him.

He sighed. It had been the summer before sophomore year. Linda would be leaving soon, and they had decided to spend the night together. It had been weird, uncomfortable, and he was sure she had regretted it. He didn't regret it, but that morning after with Linda had been so awkward.

''Yea I have, and I know what it's like to do it before you're ready.'' he said. ''I would never want to do that to you.''

She hugged him tightly. ''What if you get sick of waiting.''

''I won't. This isn't about sex. We're together because I love you. If sex is thrown in somewhere then fine. If not, it doesn't matter.'' he said.

She sighed. ''I want to have sex with you too. But I'm not ready.''

Charlie smiled softly at her. ''Then we won't.''

She leaned up to kiss him, and smiled. ''I love you.''

''I know.'' he said.

Tammy, Fulton, and Portman were walking the halls of Minnesota General.

''Not only do you ice skate and play hockey, but you volunteer at hospitals during the holidays too. Damn Fult, this girl is perfect. You sure know how to pick em.'' Portman said.

Tammy blushed and Fulton glared at Portman.

''Why don't you go find the Cafeteria.'' Fulton suggested.

Portman hated hospital food, but the look his friend was giving him just screamed get lost, so he did. He didn't find the food court though. He just walked down the halls, taking random turns wherever. He was walking by one room when a very familiar red head just popped out at him. He double backed and sure enough, Maddie was in the room, sitting in a chair by the bed of an elderly woman.

''Mads?'' he asked, walking inside.

She looked up, and smiled at the sight of him. She was wearing a large sweatshirt and sweat pants. Her hair was pulled up into a messy pony tail and she didn't have a trace of make up on.

She had never looked more beautiful to him.

''Dean? What are you doing here?'' she asked.

He walked over to sit in the chair next to her. ''I'm here with Tammy and Fulton. We're volunteering.''

Maddie perked up. ''Tammy's here? I wanna see her.''

''We can go find her.'' Dean offered.

He saw Maddie glance down at the woman before shaking her head. ''I can't.''

''Your grandmother?'' he asked.

Maddie nodded softly. ''That's Gran.''

''What's wrong?'' he asked.

''Something with her kidneys. I don't know the details but.'' she sniffled. ''they say, she doesn't-''

Dean's heart broke as the tears started falling and he quickly wrapped an arm around her. He didn't care that her tears would soak his shirts, all he cared about was making her smile again.

''Maddie?'' a weak voice asked.

Maddie quickly untangled herself from Dean and wiped her eyes. ''Hey Gran, how are you?''

Gran yawned and tried sitting up. Maddie was at her feet at once, helping her.

''I'm fine. I wish these crackpot doctors would let me outta here.''

Dean laughed and her attention turned to him. ''Who are you?''

''Gran, this is Dean Portman. He's a friend of mine.'' Maddie said.

''He's cute.''

''Gran!'' Maddie exclaimed, blushing. Dean grinned.

''Say honey, what do you say to sneaking me up a chocolate milkshake.'' Gran asked.

''I'd say you're not like any grandmother I know.'' he said.

Gran winked at him. ''Don't you forget it.''

Dean chuckled as the doctor walked in the room, followed by Maddie's parents.

''Uh, maybe I should go Mads.'' Dean said.

''Take my granddaughter with you. She's been spending too much time in this room.'' Gran said.

Dean held out his hand, which Maddie took and led her out the room. Maddie's mother turned to Gran.

''Mom, who was that?'' she asked.

''Your future-son-in-law.'' was Gran's reply.

Tammy and Fulton were currently in the Sun Room of the hospital. They had an awkward silence going for about 5 minutes and they were both wondering who would be the first to break it.

''I'm really glad-''

''Thanks for inviting-''

They both laughed, the ice broken and Fulton nodded at Tammy to begin again.

''I'm really glad that I met up with you in the store, and that I invited you.'' Tammy said.

''I'm really glad you did you. I've missed you Tammy.''

She grinned. ''I've missed you too Fult.''

They both leaned closer, eyes closing. But of course, as most kisses go, they were interrupted.

''Tammy!''

Tammy looked up and saw the familiar girl and screamed joyfully.

''Maddie!''

The girls hugged tightly, talking a mile a minute trying to catch up. Fulton glared at Portman, who was too busy starting at Maddie to notice.

The Banks Home

Casey and Phillip were cleaning dishes. Phillip had insisted his maids could handle it, but Casey was a stubborn woman and wouldn't listen. So, he swallowed his pride and helped her.

''See, this isn't so hard.'' Casey said.

''Whatever.'' Phillip muttered.

''You didn't have to help me, you know.'' Casey told him.

He put a newly cleaned dish on the rack to dry and turned to her. ''It would have been rude not to help. Plus, this is more time we can spend together, before you leave.''

Casey smiled softly.

''Excuse my bluntness, but are you over your ex yet?'' he asked.

Casey chuckled, shaking her head. ''Have you ever been just friends with a woman?''

''Yes. But, I've never felt such a pull to someone before.'' he said.

''Phillip, we barely know each other.'' Casey said.

''We can get to know each other. Casey, no matter how many reasons you have for us not to be together, I have just as many as to why we should.'' Phillip said.

''What about our kids?'' Casey asked.

He shrugged. ''We let them date. They can extend the same curtsey.''

She smiled. ''Phillip, we really shouldn't-''

Before she knew what was happening, he had reached over to cup her face, and kissed her. It was strange feeling another man's lips on her. She hadn't kissed anyone since...him...but this was nice. It wasn't needy or desperate. It was new, adventures and she found herself kissing him back.

They didn't hear the front door open, or the laughter coming from the hallway. They didn't see their kids enter the kitchen, and they didn't see the faces of disbelief on Katie and Charlie as they witnessed their parents.

AN-WHOOT, I'm back! I'll try not to stay away this time guys, I'm sorry about that. 19 days, dang. Hopefully never again, so enjoy this chapter and please

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