Disclaimer: I don't own The Covenant.

Co-Author: SkyyRyder

A/N: So this chapter is out thanks to Skyy! I was swamped with starting classes so she took over the whole thing thank god! Enjoy!

Fallen Now is Babylon the Great

Chapter 17: Thanksgiving Part I

-Reid's POV-

Thanksgiving day, I pulled up in front of Babylon's house around ten in the morning. I didn't know why but for some reason I felt very nervous, too nervous. That wasn't like me at all.

I grabbed the flowers that I brought with me and headed up to the front door. I had been here enough times to know the intricate grain pattern of the wood door by heart. I lifted my hand and knocked twice, pausing, and knocking again, letting them know who was behind the door.

The door swung open, and a small bundle of brown hair tossed herself into my lower half. I let out a weird sound and chuckled, wrapping my arms around her much smaller frame. She beamed up at me with eyes that would soon rival her sister's.

"Look what I got my favorite little girl…" I held up the bouquet of flowers and she squealed in delight.

"Reid." Gen looked at me with those eyes and I swear I could have melted at the cuteness. God, I sound disgusting. Kill me, please.

"Yes Gen?" I asked her sweetly stepping into the house.

"Will you marry me?" She grinned a toothy smile at me.

I couldn't help but laugh. "But we're so young!" I told her dramatically.

"When we're older?" Her small voice inquired.

"Of course."

I couldn't fight the smile that tugged at my lips as I hoisted her in to my arms. I used my foot to close the door and toted Imogen in to the kitchen with me. I could smell the start of a wonderfully homemade Thanksgiving meal.

Imogen wiggled out of my grip and scattered over to her sisters who were battling with a very large mess of things. She held the flowers out to Shenandoah as if rubbing it in her face; I fought the smile on my lips and turned to the older woman watching them intently. Amma was sitting in her wheelchair supervising; she was the second to see me. She smiled warmly in my direction.

"Reid, I'm so glad you could make it," she chimed in that grandmotherly tone, her accent thick, but welcoming.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Amma."

I liked the term of endearment, it didn't make the woman feel old or outdated, something different. I couldn't fight the twitch in my stomach when Babylon turned around to look at me. I couldn't hide my chuckle at the sight of her.

She was in complete disarray but still, strangely, beautiful. She gave me a quite sour look before she tapped her sisters on the shoulder. "Do not let Reid anywhere near the… anything." She quickly corrected shooting me an amused grin.

I walked further into the kitchen and reached for a bowl and Shenandoah playfully slapped my hand, holding a wooden spoon to my chest.

"Didn't Babylon say no touching?" she asked a humorous glint in those stern eyes. Just like her sister's.

"You are too much like your sister," I mumbled gliding over towards Babylon. I hooked my arm around her middle and pulled her against me. "I missed you."

She smiled and leaned her head back against my chest, letting me kiss her cheek freely. I held on to her for a few seconds longer, liking the feeling of her there. I glanced over at Amma who was looking at us thoughtfully.

"Where is the other beautiful woman of the house?" I asked searching the cabinets for a vase to put the flowers that were still in the clutches of Gen in.

Babylon gave me a somewhat annoyed look; I was getting in her way. I mustered up the most innocent expression and pulled out a vase, shrugging my shoulders as I flanked her little sister into helping me fill it with water.

"Mother is still asleep; she had a late shift last night, and has to go back this evening…" Babylon's tone was dull, almost lifeless. I knew instinctively that I didn't like that tone and that I really didn't want to hear it again.

I placed the flowers on the kitchen table next to Amma, and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before turning to my girlfriend and her sisters, clapping my hands together. I voiced my willingness to help and Babylon turned to look at me with a smirk on her face, though it didn't reach her eyes.

"You'd set the house on fire, Garwin," she teased.

I shrugged my shoulders; all in all, she was probably right.

"Or maybe even lose a digit…" she winked, trying to lighten the air around us, but it wasn't working, I could see right through her.

"If I set the table, will that be of any help to you, Baby?" I asked her; a couple long strides and I was standing right behind her again. I placed a featherlike kiss on the nape of her neck and her skin rose with goosebumps.

She turned to look at me, her expression showing her obviously stressed state. I cupped her elbows in my hands and pulled her to me. It was a simple, innocent kiss but Shena was laughing and Imgoen was singing the 'Babylon and Reid sitting in a tree' verse and I could feel her body tighten.

"You setting the table would be an enormous help," she managed after a short round of silence.

I grinned. "I at least can do that without hurting myself, or endangering the lives of others," I mused with a wicked grin at her sisters and grandmother.

"Let's hope," I heard her mutter under her breath before I disappeared into the other room. I snickered and she heard me, letting out a reallaugh and getting back to her cooking.

I was alone for maybe a half a second before Amma came over to the nice dining room that I'm guessing they only used for certain occasions since we usually ate at the table near the kitchen. There was a small, elegant smile on her face. Something was so warm and trustworthy about this woman; you couldn't notlike her.

"Reid, I'm very glad that you've taken an interest in my Babylon." Her words were soft, just the way a grandmother spoke to her grandchild. Something that I haven't ever experienced.

I stopped placing the plates out on the table and looked up to meet her gaze. I felt an uncomfortable weight on my chest and I forced a smile.

"She's great, how could I not?" I asked chewing the inside of my cheek. I put the last plate out and went on to the silverware, taking more time than was needed.

"She's always been so serious about everything." Amma looked down at her hands that were folded neatly in her lap. I tried to avoid her penetrating gaze, but it was difficult. "She's taken on a lot of the burden since her... since her father left."

Weeks ago, I wouldn't have cared one lick about Babylon's reaction to her father's abandonment, but now... now it bothered me to know that this man had walked out on them, had left them with barely enough to survive. Left them so that Babylon couldn't lead a normal teenage life.

"She works and studies all the time…" Amma's voice was soft still, her eyes glassing over as if she were going to cry.

I fought the words that wanted to come out, telling Amma that she didn't need to cry. I wanted everything to be all right again. My stomach twisted in knots seeing her look up at me with hopeful eyes.

"I'm just glad that she's found you now." She rubbed her lips together thoughtfully. "I thought I'd say thank you for taking my little girl and showing her a good time. Showing her that not all men are like her father." She tilted her head to the side and started going back into the kitchen. "She really needed it…"

I watched her leave; I couldn't fight the impossible feeling like I was drowning. I don't' think I've ever felt like this in my entire life. I feel like a complete asshole.

How could I have seriously made this bet with Abbot? To hurt Babylon this way, ugh, the thought repulsed me. I felt like I had changed so much in the last month, the way that Babylon just let me in, and is okay with who I am.

But she doesn't know. She doesn't know the real dickhead I am for making this incredibly stupid bet with Aaron Abbot. How the hell did I get myself into this in the first place?

"Reid, are you done setting the table?" Babylon's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I couldn't think about this now. I can't ruin my time here, or our dinner. We're going to have a nice peaceful afternoon and I'm going to enjoy the time that I have with her, while I still can.

-Babylon's POV-

I don't think I've ever seen this much life in our house since my father left us. And honestly, I don't feel like I'm being over dramatic about that. My mother is even in a genuinely good mood, and it's been hard to wrestle one of those out of her in the longest time.

Though Reid's skills in the culinary arts weren't that great, he still had muscles and could manage to get the large turkey into the dining room while I came in with the dressings. I looked up seeing my mother come into the dining room dressed in her work clothes.

I couldn't help but feel a little down seeing her dressed in her scrubs while the rest of us looked like we should have just stepped out of a JC Penney catalog or something. It didn't phase her though, not much did anymore.

"Reid, would you like to sit at the head of the table?" she proposed to him.

I glanced over at Reid who was offhandedly teasing Shena; he looked up at her surprised. We hadn't had a man around the house in a long time. I guess I could definitely see why mom would ask him to do the 'manly' thing for Thanksgiving.

"Ms. Arnardottir, I really shouldn't…" Reid put a hand to his chest looking sincere. "This is your home."

My mother raised her hand. "That's nonsense, please," she pointed to the chair.

No one had sat in that chair for quite some time. It was definitely going to be interesting to have it filled, by my boyfriend no less. He nodded his head and we all sat down, I next to Reid, Amma across from me, my mother to my left, Shena and Gen across from her.

Mother took her seat and glanced across the table to Reid. "Would you like to carve the turkey?"

As soon as the words left my mother's mouth I couldn't stop the chuckle that erupted from within me. Everyone at the table looked at me, and I held my hand tightly over my mouth, Reid giving me a playfully bemused look.

"I don't think that would be a good idea, Ms. Arnardottir…" He grinned casting a penetrating gaze at me. "I don't have the best track record with kitchen utensils…"

I couldn't hold back anymore, I let out a throaty laugh and my mother shook her head taking the carving knife and doing the dirty work. I looked over at Reid and pressed my lips together.

"I'm glad you laugh at my misfortune, Babylon," he nipped at me, a playful glint in those amazing cerulean eyes.

"I'm sorry." I fought to contain my laughter. Shenandoah and Imogen were both laughing openly too, and Amma was looking down at her lap, trying to hide the fact that she was joining in. "I just—"

Reid lifted his hand and shook his head. "You better be glad I like you."

He held my gaze as he said this, making my heart beat faster than it would normally. I knew he liked me, but hearing him say it out loud like that... it did something to me that I can't even explain.

Mother finished carving the turkey and took a seat holding her hands out for Shena and I. She nodded her head looking at me directly and I cleared my throat, trying to grasp my restraints.

I let the words fall off of my tongue as if it were natural, just a simple Thanksgiving prayer for our family, our friends and the food we were receiving. Reid held my hand tightly as I spoke. I smiled saying Amen, and a chorus followed after.

"Let's eat!" Amma said dropping my hand.

I smiled and looked around the table. Seeing the girls happily exchange words with Reid while passing the food around the table made my chest tighten. They looked absolutely enthralled with him.

I couldn't blame them; I was just as excited to have Reid there with us, sharing a holiday with my family. It was exceptionally one of the better holidays I've had in a long time.

I was so deep in thought that I missed the joke Amma told that had everyone at the table laughing and looking at me strangely. Self-conscious I questioned what was going on.

"Your Amma was just saying that even when you're on break from school you still concentrate like you're in class…" Reid told me.

I blushed furiously, one because I was embarrassed and two because Reid had used the term we use for grandmother, and so effortlessly. I don't know why that made me feel the way I did, but it was nice.

After dinner we cleared the table and sat around idly talking while Reid and I did the dishes. At least he could operate a dishwasher; that was always good. He playfully splashed me with water and I gawked at him.

"You're going to get me all wet!" I declared and saw that mischievous glint in his eyes. Mine grew wide and my mouth fell open partially. He grinned leaning forward and placing a teasing kiss on my mouth. "You're nothing but trouble…"

He smirked at me, "And you're just nowfiguring this out Babs?"

Pursing my lips together I wiped my hands on the dishtowel. Amma shouted that she was ready for some desert and tea. I narrowed my eyes at Reid and started the teapot on the stove.

His arms wrapped around my middle as I pulled out a few teacups to make tea for everyone. I turned in his arms and wrapped mine around his waist holding him close. I could hear his heart beating rapidly in his chest; it was rhythmic and somewhat calming.

"Sorry," he mumbled in my ear. I looked up at him wondering why. The look on his face said it all. He meant for his obviously indecent thoughts a few moments ago. He let his lips linger on my cheek. "You just have no idea what you do to me Babylon. None," he confirmed.

Sighing I pressed my cheek against his firm chest and let him hold me. I know that guys like Reid were into the whole premarital sex thing, and for me that really wasn't an option. That's not the kind of girl I am, or will ever be. That doesn't mean I'm not bothered by the fact I can't bring myself to give him what he wants.

I looked up at him sadly. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "Don't be sorry." He cupped my face in his hands and pressed those pink lips to mine. "I respect you enough to not care about that," he grinned. "But it's a nice thought." I can't believe someone with his reputation was admitting something like that. Wow.

I smirked at him and slapped his chest playfully turning back to the stove to take the teapot off. He went to the fridge and took out the two pies then got the serving knife. I didn't bother protesting, figuring Reid could handle cutting pie.

I made six cups of tea and coffee and Reid helped me serve them to everyone. He assured me he could handle serving the pies on his own, confirming my previous beliefs. I nodded and took a seat in the living room.

Amma smiled at me taking a sip of her tea. "He's such a good boy, Babylon…" she reported shaking her head. "You're really lucky to find one like that at this age."

I blushed and looked down at my teacup. "Yeah, I am."

Reid entered seconds later his arms managing to carry several pieces of pie at the same time. He came out with four pieces, handing one to my Amma first and then my mother. The last two pieces went to Imogen and Shenandoah.

He held up his finger to me and rushed back into the other room. I couldn't help but watch him smoothly maneuver his way between the rooms. Everything about him is perfect. I wonder if he knows that?

He probably does.

He came back in with one plate and two forks with a rather large piece of pie. I lifted an eyebrow at him and he sat with me on the love seat, pulling me close with his free hand as he placed the plate on his lap.

"What's this?" I asked him suspiciously.

He smiled and used his fork to feed me a piece of the pumpkin pie. "I just needed an excuse to be ridiculously close to you," he announced nuzzling his nose in to my cheek.

I don't think I have blushed this much in a long time. He really knew how to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, didn't he? He was really good at this boyfriend stuff…

"You don't need an excuse," I replied to him, giving his lips a small peck before scooping up my own forkful of pie.

He looked pleased by this statement and settled in to a conversation with my mother and Amma. I joined in whenever possible and it seemed like the time just flew by when my mother gasped and stood up abruptly.

"What's wrong?" I asked alarmed.

"I'm running late for my shift," she scolded herself angrily.

I stood up as she leaned down and placed kisses on Shena and Gen's foreheads before she grabbed her bag and headed to the foyer. I followed behind her, trying not to let my sister's see me upset.

"I'm sorry Babylon," she whispered slipping her coat on over her scrubs.

I forced a small smile and nodded my head. I didn't want to make her feel bad for doing what I know she has to do. She leaned in and placed a kiss on my cheek before disappearing out of the front door. I couldn't help myself. I leaned back against the wall, utterly defeated.

I hated this. Now I remember why holidays were never good times for me. My family was never together. Not for long at least. Not since he left.

I winced hearing footsteps coming down the hall. I was trying to fight the tears but they weren't listening to me.

They were winning the battle.

"B?"

That voice made my entire body shake. If it were possible he made me fall for him more and more each day, just by saying my name, or some form of it. I looked up and met his concerned gaze.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I shook my head and ran my fingers under my eyes to wipe away any traces of the tears that had fallen.

His look read that he didn't' believe me and I don't blame him. I'm starting to not believe myself these days. He wrapped those strong arms around me and I melted into him.

"C'mon, you can tell me…"

I sighed and nodded my head. "It's just that…" I looked at the door sadly. "I wish my mother didn't have to work so hard, y'know?" I could feel my voice shaking and I tried to stop it. "Ever since…" I trailed off not wanting to bring up that topic. He knew what I was talking about. "She has to work on holiday's just so we can have extra money. and I hate it."

I could see the look on his face darken as he rubbed his thumbs against my hipbones, not in a way that would be alarming to me, and instead it was comforting. He leaned down and kissed my forehead, pulling me close to his chest.

I deviled in his embrace, happy to be there but still upset about my mother leaving.

He pulled me away at arms length about to say something when a smaller voice came barreling down the hallway. I looked and saw my youngest sister draping herself around my boyfriend. A small smile broke out on my face as he lifted her up in to his arms with ease.

"Movie, movie, movie!" She repeated the word like it was all she knew.

Reid smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. "Say, Imogen… do you wanna watch a movie?" he teased coyly.

Her startling gaze turned to me for a second and then back to Reid. "Yes!"

Reid laughed and held his hand out for me. "What do you say Babylon?"

"Sure," I answered, taking it and letting him lead me into the living room where Shena was just returning. I noticed Amma was gone; Shena must have helped her to her room.

I watched Reid plop down on the floor, Gen in his lap as she filtered through our small DVD collection. The two fought like a bunch of young children over what we were going to watch. Shena joined in and the madness ensued.

I watched them as Reid tried to crawl away as the two girls fought over the movie, and Imogen playfully tackled him. Soon Shena attacked him as well. I stood behind the couch, hand over mouth laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, but loving every minute of it.