Andrea and David were planted in the living room when Andreas and I returned from our shopping spree. David's eyes were slightly glazed, but locked on the TV.
"Try channel 33," I said as I walked past them and they both jumped. "It's an English channel. You might even enjoy it."
Andrea obligingly changed over to channel 33 and shouted gleefully at my retreating back that Graham Norton was on.
"Told you," I called back.
Andreas followed me into the kitchen to deposit the bags in his arms before heading outside to the car for more. My sister entered the room just before his return and immediately asked "why the hell" I had bought so much food. Her eyebrows creased together when Andreas retreated from the kitchen once more.
"Thought you were watching Graham Norton?"
"Commercial. So? Why so much food?"
"I'm going to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year."
"Thanksgiving in Germany?"
Our eyes locked over the pile of bread that I had just removed from a sack.
"This surprises you?"
"Well, as it's you we're talking about…not really."
"I'm glad we understand each other."
"I'm glad we understand that you're a nut case and a half."
"Not two whole nut cases?"
"At your height? Not ruddy likely."
"Thank you for clearing that up."
"You're quite welcome." And she departed to rejoin David on the couch as the sound of studio applause announced the end of the commercial break.
I jumped a little when Andreas suddenly reappeared at my side.
"Why is your sister smiling so big?"
"She always smiles like that when she's questioning my sanity."
"Ah." He muttered a sound of understanding, though his pursed lips and scrunched brow read clear confusion.
"She's my older sister. She's supposed to insult me."
"Of course she is…"
"Sometimes I forget that you're an only child. Then you have a moment similar to this one and I realize just how adorably naïve you really are."
"I don't know whether or not I should be insulted."
Reaching up, I patted him lightly on the cheek as condescendingly as I could manage. He slapped my hand away and rolled his eyes. As I turned to find a place for the turkey, he suddenly swept it out of my hands, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me passionately.
Gasping for breath I whispered, "What was that for?"
"I can't show affection to the woman I love?"
Woman he loves? My breath caught in my throat and my heart stopped. Andreas brushed a lock of hair behind my ear absently in a move that felt almost cliché.
"Love?"
His blue eyes were carefully steady as they locked onto my own.
"Yes. Love. I love you, Kirsten."
A few seconds felt like an hour while I worked up the nerve to breathe and reply.
"I love you too."
He beamed down at me.