One month later...

"Nate, can you take the casserole out of the oven?" Elena calls from the bathroom. She's been cooking thanksgiving dinner all day.

"Sure, sweetheart," I call back.

She walks into the kitchen and says, "Please don't call me that when my parents arrive."

"Does it bother you?"

"No, but it'll bother them." She grabs the tray from me. "This goes over here." After she places on the table, I grab her arm and pull her towards me. "Nate," she giggles, "quit it. They'll be here any minute."

"So? We've got time." I lean in to kiss her, but she jerks away.

"Did you season the turkey?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Did you warm the gravy?"

"Elena…"

"Okay, fine." She pretends to flip her hair dramatically and says, "Kiss me." I dip her and lean in, but we're interrupted by the doorbell. "Oh, they're here." She wiggles out of my grasp and runs to the door. Elena turns to me and says, "Remember what we talked about?"

"Honey, I promise I'll be on my best behavior."

"And no pet names." She spins around and faces the door. "Showtime," she murmurs, then opens the door. "Mom! Dad!" Elena gives them both a hug. "Welcome!"

"Oh, my baby girl," her mother croons. "I haven't seen you in forever. How are you?"

"Great, I'm great." Elena steps back and allows her mother to greet me.

"Hi, Nate." Elena's mother shakes my hand.

"Nice to see you, son," her father says. I swallow the words I usually say after someone calls me that and shake his hand as well.

"Let's head into the sitting room for appetizers. We're waiting for one more," Elena explains. I notice she says sitting room not living room.

I get everyone drinks as they find their seats. When we sit down, Elena's mother comments, "I love the new house."

"Isn't it a little small?" her father asks.

"Well, it suits our needs," Elena stutters. "We don't need a lot of space."

"I'm guessing this is the only one you could afford with that teacher's salary of yours." He laughs at his own joke and slaps me on the back.

I almost choke on my drink. He laughs even harder at my reaction. "I'm only joking, son."

I force a laugh. "Funny," I say dryly.

Elena turns a shade paler and takes a gulp of her drink. "So, who is our other guest?" her mother asks.

Thankfully, Elena speaks up. "Uh, Victor Sullivan. You remember him right?"

"Ah, yes. Nathan's friend," her mother nods.

"He and I had a conversation at your wedding. Interesting man," her father says, sipping his drink. "He told me you've known each other for quite some time."

I nod and wipe my palms on my pants. Here we go... "Yeah, he took me in off the streets. We're pretty tight."

"Wow, that is amazing. I boggles my mind that a young child could live in such conditions."

"Dad, can we not talk about this. It's thanksgiving!" Elena snaps.

I shake my head. "No, no, it's okay. I'm kinda… used to it." The doorbell rings again and I nearly jump out of my seat to answer it. I need backup. "I'll get it."

I open the door and Sully smiles at me. He must have seen the harassed look on my face because he says, "In-laws getting to you, huh?"

"You have no idea," I sigh. I resist the urge to walk out the door and grab a beer with Sully. That's usually how I spend thanksgiving.

We walk into the living room together, then we head to the table and dig in. Elena and her mother talk about the baby for the first ten minutes or so, which is fine by me. But the Elena's father speaks up. "So Nate, what did your parents do?"

I take a sip of water. Well, I take a gulp of water. "I don't remember, actually. They died when I was very young."

"How did they die?"

Sully looks irritated. Elena looks like she might throw up. "Um…" I stutter.

"Really, Dad?" Elena hisses through her teeth.

"What? I'm just curious," he shrugs.

"They, uh, died in a car crash." This is the response I usually give. It's easier for people to understand. Besides, I really don't want to go into detail about my mother's suicide or my abusive father abandoning me.

"Did you know his parents?" Elena's mother asks, turning to Sully.

"No, I didn't," Sully growls. "How 'bout we don't talk about Nate's dead parents?"

"Does it bother you?"

"Yes, actually. Let's just say they weren't going to win any Parent of Year awards anytime soon."

"Oh, I see," she says.

"Let's change the subject. How did you and Elena meet?" her father asks me.

I clear my throat. "Her TV show." I thank Sully for backing me up by shooting him a small smile. He gives a slight nod of acknowledgment. I'm glad he didn't start getting super defensive. Sully can get a little overprotective when it comes to my past.

"Yeah, he was a consultant for an episode," Elena supplies. "He's a descendent of Sir Francis Drake. Hence the name Drake."

"Is that so?" her father asks.

I nod. "You know of him?"

"I took a European History course in college. He was the one who conquered the Netherlands, right?"

Nope, not even close. England never actually tried to take Holland. Elena's eyes sparkle with laughter. She tries her hardest not to giggle, so she presses her hand to her lips. Even Sully knows that's wrong. But I smile and nod. "Yeah, that's right. And soon after, he became the king of England."

"Ah, yes, now I remember," he says. "But he was quickly deposed."

"Yeah, by King George the Third." Elena nearly spits her water out. I can tell she's dying on the inside. God, I love her.

Sully shoots me a reproving look, but I just shrug. He sighs and asks, "Who's ready for dessert?"

After pie, we sit around the TV and watch football. Sully and Elena's father quickly bond over the game. I'm glad one of us is on his good side. I throw an arm around Elena's shoulders. "Nate," she protests and nods her head towards her mother. She's watching me like a hawk watches its prey.

I hug her tighter and whisper, "I don't care."

She blushes, but I see the smile on her face. Soon, the sun sets and we head off to bed. As soon as the door closes, Elena turns to me and says, "I'm so sorry, Nate. My parents are just so- so…" She sighs. "Well, you know."

"Yeah," I agree. "They're something alright."

"This is why I never invite them over. I knew something like this would happen."

"Elena, it's no big deal. People ask me things like that all the time."

"I just hate to put you through that," she sighs exhaustedly.

I give her a big hug and say, "It's not your fault, sweetie."

She looks up at me. "Are you sure Sully's okay on the couch?"

"I don't think he would let us give up our bed for him. He's a tough, stubborn old man. He'll make it through the night." Elena rubs her eyes wearily. "Has anyone ever told you that you worry too much?"

She laughs and smacks my arm. "It's not my fault you're Mr. Laissez Faire."

"Oh, fancy vocabulary. Did you take the same history class as your father?"

Elena starts to giggle, but it quickly spirals out of her control. It's a good thing I'm holding her, because her knees give out. She fights for a breath, then tells me, "It was perfect. He didn't even know what hit him!" Then she loses it again. I help her get onto the bed. Simple things like that are difficult with the baby bump. "Oh, Nate," she sighs. "I love you."

"Well, I love you more."

She rolls her eyes and smiles. "Not this again."

"Okay, fair enough, but the question is: are you tired of this yet?" I bend over and kiss her gently on the lips.

After I pull back, she says, "You call that a kiss?"

Elena reaches up and wraps her arms around my neck. The kiss sends waves of warmth though me, washing away all the crap that happened today. "How was that?" I ask when we reach a breaking point.

"Perfect," she whispers. "I love you."

"You said that already."

"I know. I just really want another kiss."

"God, I'm the luckiest man in the world."