APOV

"Dad are you ready" I called up the stairs. "It's thanksgiving, your not getting ready for a date. Or are you" I laughed.

"Behave young lady" he said, finally coming down to meet me.

"You look nice Dad" I told him.

My Dad and a suit was not something I saw very often. Thanksgiving and Christmas if I was lucky. It was usually his uniform or jeans otherwise.

"You look beautiful sweetheart. You look so much like your grandmother in that dress."

"Do you know how long I waited until I could finally wear this dress, until I was big enough to wear it properly." I said smiling, as I twirled around.

"A long time Ana."

I loved this dress and would play dress up when I was little. It was a vintage woollen dress in cream with a thin brown belt, that now fit me like a glove. My grandmother left me all her dresses when she passed away and I still love to wear them.

"How did your day go with Mr Grey" Dad asked, sipping the coffee I had handed him.

We were still a bit early for dinner and my tea was pushing the butterflies down.

"It was good. We spent the afternoon talking, before we had dinner with his family."

"Do I need to show him my police gun and have checks done on him."

"Dad no, I'm twenty four years old" I know he was laughing at me. The last thing I wanted, was for my dad to do a background check on Christian.

"Ana no matter how old you are, I will always be protective."

"I Know Dad. If I need you, you will be the first person I call."

We got our jackets on, making sure I had picked up the pie I had baked and headed for the door. We drove over to the diner from my Dad's house. He had told the station that unless it was an emergency, he was off today.

"It's a lot quieter in town since the press had packed up and left" Dad said as we went down the high street and passed the bed and breakfast.

"I'm glad, I don't mind visitors coming to town but the way they tried to get information about the Grey's were ridiculous."

"And you Ana, I wont put up with anyone invading your privacy. I know I can't do anything about them when you go back to Seattle but while you are here, If they come back. I will make sure they keep their distance."

"Thank you dad."

"I hope Jose isn't taking after Bruce. I could hardly get out of the restaurant last night without Lily trying to kiss me" Dad grumbled when we pulled up in front of the diner.

"So you do have a date, all dressed up. I'm kidding" I said holding my hands up to him, not able to contain my laughter. Lily is about 75 years old and like Mrs March, always has a soft spot for my dad "Christmas is coming Dad" I told him, "A kiss on the cheek isn't so bad."

"If it's from my daughter, then fine" he told me as we got out of the car.

I walked around to his side and kissed his cheek, before rubbing the lipstick mark away. Smiling, we turned to see who was approaching when our names were called.

"Happy thanksgiving" Grace greeted us both as she approached with the rest of her family.

"Happy thanksgiving" I said, smiling at my dad who was having his cheeks squeezed by Mrs March who then did the same to Elliot before heading into the diner.

"I don't think anyone has squeezed my cheeks before" he said shocked, having us all laughing.

As we moved closer together, my eyes met Christian's and like always the smile was there on both of our faces. It is like no one else is there in that moment, just us.

Everyone started to walk to the door when Jose opened it and told us all to come in side. I had only gone a few steps before my hand was pulled back and I was stood directly in front of Christian.

"Hey" he said, smiling down to me

"Hey, happy thanksgiving."

"You too Ana."

"Does this need to be heated" Dad asked interrupting us for a minute.

"Its dessert, so it can be heated later Dad" I told him but my focus hadn't left Christian.

He walked inside talking to Grace, leaving only Christian and I outside now.

"How are you feeling" I asked him. "what" I asked as his featured changed.

Christian leaned in closer as my breath hitched. I automatically closed my eyes as his lips touched my cheek.

"I'm fine Ana" he whispered, pulling back to look at the mistletoe above us.

"I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of mistletoe around."

"Good" I'm sure I heard him mumble as he opened the door and we stepped inside, feeling the heat immediately hit us.

"He hem" Elliot said pointing to above the door as he laughed.

I felt a kiss to my other cheek, before looking to Christian. He just smiled at me before we walked over to our seats. I hugged Jose and Leisa and introduced Christian and the Grey's to all the people who were sat around the table. My Dad hadn't escaped the kisses as he was trying to discretely wipe Leisa's lip stick from his cheek.

"Me kiss" we heard before Christian laughed at Elliot. He was very popular with the ladies in the room, young and old.

Cally, Jose and Leisa's eldest daughter was going around the table and wanting her kiss too. We waited to see what he would do, before he leaned down and kissed her cheek. She gave him a beaming smiled and happily skipped on to the next man in the room.

"She's fine at this age but if she starts doing that in her teens, then I'm putting my foot down" Jose told us as he kept an eye on Cally

"Has everyone arrived" I asked Jose.

"Yes we are all here now."

Christian pulled my chair back as I sat down and then took the seat next to me. Like when we have sat together before, he took my hand in his.

"Thank you everyone for coming to our table today, you're all very much welcome" Jose smiled around the large table, to friends new and old. "Mrs March would like to say grace."

That made me giggle as I remember the last time I had thanksgiving here, a few years ago. I just hope she hasn't been on the sherry yet.

"Anastasia" she admonished me before winking, which made me laugh more.

Hands were joined around the table as we waited for Mrs March to start

"Dear Lord, Thank you for all the food that is placed in front of us. Thank you for letting me continue to be a part of this wonderful town, I'm thankful for that more than you could ever know. We have new faces around our table today. Despite how you found your way here, we are glad that you could share thanksgiving with us. On one final note please stop the men from over indulging because I'm not rolling them home. Amen"

With that she raised her glass, as my laughter started again. I have known this woman, my whole life and she has never changed. Completely crazy but fun. I know her last comment was to my Dad who I was told, ate too much last year.

Everyone took a turn in saying what they were thankful for. Most of them were aimed my way from my Dad and the Grey's.

"I'm thankful for my Dad and the people of this town who make me smile everyday. I'm thankful that where ever I live, this will always be home. I'm also especially thankful that Christian was strong enough to get through the night and he is with us today" I looked over to Christian as he squeezed my hand, before kissing my forehead.

I expected Dad to say something as he was occupied earlier but he just smiled as we turned to Christian who spoke his thanks.

"I'm thankful for this amazing feast and to be able to spend it with my family and you. I'm thankful more than I can ever say for Anastasia talking to me through that night because without her, I know I wouldn't be here."

"Amen to that" Grace said to her son as she wiped a tear away.

When Cally had told everyone she was thankful for chocolate, we soon tucked into the food in front of us and as usual it was a feast. With the extra mouths, we might get through it all and my Dad isn't eating it for the next week.

"What do they do for black Friday shopping around here" Mia asked me as I could hear laughter around the table.

"You might get an extra nail at the hardware store or there might be a hat or scarf on sale in the outfitters but that is your limit here" my Dad told her.

"I will have to check it out, I could do with a new hat" she told him.

"My sister the shopper, I don't think she has ever missed black Friday before."

"The only thing in town that is usually on sale is if it's about to go out of date in the grocery store. Apart from that, she will have to go into Lewian. They have more stores there."

"Are you a shopper" he asked me as I shook my head.

"I get what I need and If I don't need it, it usually stays where it is."

"Usually" he asked me smiling.

"A girls got to treat herself once in a while."

"True."

My hand hadn't left his since we had finished eating and neither of us were in a hurry to pull away.

"Ana are you up for the bar" Elliot asked me when I had finished talking to Mia. She had been telling me about her job at a small fashion house in Seattle.

"Sure, Dad do you need a lift before I go" I asked him as I think he was heading into a food coma.

He will be on the treadmill tomorrow, cursing himself for eating so much but it was good to see him relax and have fun.

"No I'm fine, I'm not that tired yet. Bradley is going my way anyway so I will walk and get my car in the morning."

"I will drive it back later, I need to pick my car up anyway."

"Ok what ever time you go back, drive safe."

"I will Dad, goodnight" I kissed and hugged my Dad before I got my coat on.

Making sure we were all wrapped up, I said goodnight to Carrick and Grace who were heading back to the hotel.

Walking outside the cold immediately hit me, it wasn't even snowing but you could feel it in the air.

"Ana we came in the same way you leave, what's that way" Mia asked as she pointed up the high street to where the road snakes around the bend.

"There are a few houses, my Dad lives that way and once the road is out of town it snakes up to Elum Point. It's like the highest point around here that you can get to, where you can see for miles. It's the kids of this towns favourite place but you don't go up there this time of year, it's too dangerous."

"Make out point" Elliot laughed as I nodded.

The music came out of the bar as soon as the door was opened, along with the heat. It looked like most of the patrons had spent their time with their family and then escaped here.

We found an empty table next to the pool table. Taking our jackets off, we placing them on the back of our chairs and took a seat.

"What's everyone drinking" Elliot asked us.

"Wine" Mia asked but Christian and I both stuck to water, like at the diner. He was on his painkillers and I had a drive ahead of me.

"I'll give you a hand Elliot" Mia said leaving Christian and I alone at the table.

"I had a lot of fun today Ana" He said as he pushed a piece of hair away from my face.

"I did too" I smiled as I leaned into his hand that was still on my cheek. He was just about to lean in closer when we were interrupted by Mia who came back with some drinks.

"Who's he looking at" she said. We all looked over to where she was looking to see Paul staring at me. He looked angry and he had no right to be.

"That's him" Christian said as I turned back to face him.

"Yes, it is."

I refuse to let him ruin my night so I ignored him and I encouraged everyone else too. I had explained who he was to Mia and Elliot and I think they had the same reaction to their brother. Christian would look to him but I brought his attention back to me as it was my turn to kiss his cheek. There was no mistletoe over our heads but there was enough in the room to compensate for it.

"Does that mean I don't need mistletoe to kiss you" he whispered in my ear.

"No." I smiled feeling his lips there again.

I saw someone approach the table but my focus was on my conversation with Christian. Hearing her voice, I couldn't believe her cheek.

"How about buying a girl a drink" she asked Elliot.

"Go away Leila" I told her, not being in the mood for her tonight.

"I wasn't talking to you Ana" she said before getting cut off by Mia.

"If Ana doesn't want you here, then I doubt we do too so please move along" Mia told her.

She may be small but with the tone of voice she just used on Leila. If Mia wanted you to move, you move.

"I filed a complaint for assault against you for what you did" she spat at me.

"Leila if you don't want to get wet from a puddle in this town then don't stand at the side of the road. Also if you class assault as getting wet, then you seriously need help" Leisa told her, coming to take a seat at our table as Jose went to the bar.

Realising she was outnumbered, Leila quickly moved over in the direction of Paul. I hope they're happy together.

"Who was that" Elliot asked.

"The town bike" Leisa said making me choke on my drink. Christian patted me on my back as I barked out a laugh.

"Town bike" Christian asked her.

"Yes her legs are open for anyone to ride."

"Leisa Rodriguez I'm shocked."

"She hasn't changed since high school" she said before pointing to her. "See what I mean, always open for business" Leila was already wrapped around her next victim.

"She was the one you found with your ex" Elliot asked me, shaking his head when I told him yes.

We sat around laughing as Elliot and Jose played pool. There was more balls shooting off the table than on it at the moment so it was like target practice. The more they drank, the more we had to duck. While we watched them, Christian's arm had snook around my shoulder. He told me it wasn't hurting him as the pain was on the other side, so I was in no rush to move it.

"What's the Snowflake Festival" Mia asked when she had come back from the bathroom.

There was posters around the room and they always made me smile.

"Ana you have to be back for that" Leisa laughed.

"I was planning on it. That's when I'm back next."

"The Winchester Falls festival takes place every December and it's a lot of fun. The town all gets together and we usually have people come in from the nearby town. There are rides, stalls and the skating of course" Leisa told her.

"Why Snowflake Festival then."

"That's what the locals call it because like every snowflake is different, every festival is different too. Usually in the chaos that ensues. Last year we had reindeer brought in so the children could see them up close. The only problem was one of the younger children wanted to free them so they could go back to Santa. Well it was like herding kittens. Watching all the men who had obviously had too much to drink, try to round them up was hilarious. They spent more time face down in the snow than catching reindeer."

"How did you catch them then" Elliot asked over our laughter.

Leisa pointed to me and then everyone looked my way.

"I found a bunch of carrots, one sniff and they were following me."

"You should have had an elf outfit on Ana. She was walking past us with a line of reindeer behind her back into the pen."

"You would look good with elf ears and pointy shoes Ana" Jose said as he sat down at the table.

"Thanks I will keep some handy if anyone decides to free Rudolf again. I hope this year isn't as mad" I told them.

"Like that's going to happen" Leisa laughed.

I took a sip of my water before turning to Christian.

"Are you coming to my house tomorrow, when they move the helicopter."

"If that's ok and you don't mind everyone round. I would like to see the helicopter once it's moved. From what I remember, it might never fly again."

"It's fine, you're all welcome just wrap up warm. Flying in a helicopter was always on my list of things to do but I don't know if yours will ever fly again" I sighed.

"If it does or I replace it, I will take you up."

"I'd like that" I smiled..

I felt Christian's lips on my forehead every now and then as we talked to Elliot about his business. He had been talking about shelves for the diner with Jose when the room went quiet, once we heard a glass smash.

"Go Paul, you blew your chances. Now just go and sober up" Josh told him.

He was in front of Paul and pushing him backwards toward the door. The glass he had smashed was glittering in the light, on the floor.

Paul's eyes were on me and the man whose arm was wrapped around my shoulder. I could feel Christian about to stand and I knew that Elliot would too but the last thing I needed was Christian getting more hurt than he already was. Paul wasn't worth it.

"Paul, get out and come back when you can behave" Daryl told him as he held the door open.

He owned the bar and was a friend of my Dad's, so hadn't been happy when Paul did what he did. Closing the door after Paul had left the bar, he turned around speaking to everyone here.

"Ok shows over. I still have a cellar full of beer, so you haven't drank nearly enough" laughter could be heard, before everyone went back to their conversations like the last few minutes hadn't happened.

"Ana. Drinks are on me, what are you all having" Daryl asked us.

"You don't have to give us free drinks, it's not your fault" Mia told him.

"My bar, my drinks ma-am. Beside this little one is family so she don't have to pay. Water" he said looking to my glass.

"I'm not driving drunk up that mountain."

"You're probably about the only one from your year who's sensible."

"I take offence to that Daryl" Leisa told him with her hand on her hip.

"You can take the gate as well but you're still as crazy as the rest."

"I'm beginning to love this town" Christian whispered in my ear.

"Once it has your heart, it will never let go. You will never truly leave" I told him as I watched him nod.

We walked out of the bar and Jose, Leisa, Christian and I walked back to the diner. Everyone else had gone back home or to the bed and breakfast so it was just us now.

"Drive safely Ana" Jose said hugging me before Leisa did too. They both shook Christian's hand before going inside.

"I wish I could know that you got home safely" Christian said when we had reached Dads car.

"The bed and breakfast has a radio so just ask them to set it up for you and I will radio when I get home."

He opened my door but neither of us had taken a step to move.

"I borrowed something from the bar" he said smiling.

"What's that."

He pulled some mistletoe from behind his back and leaned in to kiss my cheek. I know from the little time that we had spent together that he wouldn't push me, and I know he would wait for me to make the first move.

As he went to stand back up again, I took the mistletoe from his hand. Cupping his cheek with one hand, I pressed my lips to his.

His hands moved up to cup my face as one tangled into my hair. My own were around his waist now as our lips moved together. Tracing his tongue along my lips, they opened to him as he deepened the kiss. It was a gentle kiss, and it was just what I needed from him.

"I didn't want to push" he panted when we broke apart.

"I know and I thank you for that. I like you Christian, really like you."

"Me too Ana, you're all I can focus on at the moment, all I can think about."

I smiled as he pulled me into a hug. I could feel his warm breath on my hair and in that moment I didn't want to move although I knew I had to soon. I needed to get home, I would see him in the morning and I looked forward to it.

As I took a seat in Dad's car, he leaned in the open door.

"When we talked yesterday and I said I didn't have a girlfriend, would you be mine" he nervously asked.

"I would love too Christian" he smiled, kissing me once more before he shut the door.

Driving home once I had swapped cars, I tried to focus on the road but Christian popped into my head. He was my boyfriend, the butterflies were there but not the scary ones I expected if I was someone's girlfriend again.

I could hear his relief when we spoke over the radio, that I had gotten home safe. We didn't speak long as we were both tired after the long day and he had just taken his medication. It was nice to say goodnight though. Once I had put the radio down, I walked over to the window so I could look out at the helicopter below. It had been covered over with a tarpaulin for now so if it snowed, they didn't have to dig it out tomorrow.

Climbing into bed like I did most nights, I turned to face the mountain in front of me. There was nothing better than waking up with that view in front of me in the morning.

As I fell asleep dreaming of Christian's lips on mine, morning couldn't come soon enough.

Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Until next time, take care

Caroline.