Thanksgiving meant cooking, big-time. I was good with that and at that, mostly because I'd been doing it for so many years. Even Linda let me handle it all through our marriage, so I had it down to an art for the most part. It was good for my soul, too-let me be nurturing in a practical way, and gave me a chance to give back to the people I cared about the most.

Didn't mean they were off the hook, however. Everyone was expected to bring something, and enough of it to share in generous amounts. I had the main course and a few sides, so it was up to my team to fill in the gaps, and they did. Salad, a few more sides, and from Loretta, pies aplenty. I knew Simone was bringing the wine and I put out cider and water as well just to keep everyone hydrated.

By five, LaSalle and Percy had showed up, followed by Loretta and CJ; by half past Sebastian arrived and Gregorio after that. I kept checking to see if Simone had gotten here yet but she hadn't. I was starting to worry but finally I caught a glimpse of her coming through the sliding door, basket in one hand, packages in the other. Loretta swooped in to help her as did Christopher.

"Glad you made it, Miz Simone," he told her cheerfully. "Oh, you brought the vino!"

"Yes, six bottles from my vineyard," I heard her tell him as I came out from the kitchen to join them. "A good pinot noir in fact."

"Your vineyard?" Christopher asked, looking startled. I was too but Simone managed a laugh, shifting the bottles to him as she nodded.

"I own half of a winery in Napa valley—Blushing Cloud Vineyard-won it at a poker game several years ago and I've kept the investment," Simone replied, although she was looking at me.

"Sounds like you play for high stakes," I murmured with a smile.

"Occasionally," Simone replied. "And this is for the table."

She handed it to me and undid the package as Loretta watched and Christopher went to set the wine down. I opened it to find a gorgeous tablecloth of pale cream brocade with jeweled autumn leaves appliqued all around the border. I knew that Simone had hand-made the thing, along with the twelve matching napkins and the bread cloth.

"Oh geeze that's gorgeous," Gregorio murmured, looking at it. "Did . . . did you make this yourself?"

"Yes. I've had the pattern for ages but never had the time to do it. I hope it's all right."

Loretta smiled. "Oh I think it's time to re-set the table, Dwayne. This is lovely, Simone. Just lovely."

I was too stunned to speak, but Simone smiled back. "If you like it, I can do a Christmas one too."

Christopher had come back and was looking at the cloth as well. "Well damn that's almost too pretty to eat off of."

I started shifting settings off the table, which had the old plain white, and the rest of the team helped as well so before you knew it, the table was redone with the new tablecloth, looking even more festive. I wanted to hug Simone but people were in the way and I needed to get back to the gravy but I did give her a significant look that I knew she understood even as she shyly touched the centerpiece of orange, red and white carnations before turning to mingle with people.

"When can we eat?" CJ asked, shaking the bottles of salad dressings for me back in the kitchen.

"Pretty quick here; go take those and set them on the table," I directed him, and waved to Loretta to come help. She carried her wineglass in and took the basket of rolls from me. "Good vintage."

"Better than local?" I grinned. Loretta knew wines better than I did, so her approval meant a lot.

"Much," came the cheery reply as she sailed out. Sonja came in, waiting for me to hand her something—I did have my team well-trained at this by now. I gave her the sweet potatoes.

"Who made these?" She wanted to know, being the picky eater she is.

"I did," I assured her, waving her out. "You're gonna love 'em, same as last year."

That seemed to placate her. Next, Gregorio carried out the salad, then LaSalle managed the dirty rice and relish tray while I got a grip on the platter with the turkey, hauling it out myself and carrying it to the table.

It was only fifteen pounds but looked impressive and I set it down at the head of the table where I could carve it for folks. Most of 'em were already seated, with Loretta at the other end of the table. Simone was just on the right side of me with LaSalle opposite her, grinning at my show of manly strength.

"Whoah, that's a good lookin' bird, King," he told me.

"I agree," I replied, given that I'd been cooking it since five in the morning. "Bound to be worth it. Time to start the gratitudes, folks." To Simone I added, "Just mention somethin' you're grateful for that you don't mind sharing—gives the dishes time to cool down a bit."

LaSalle started, talking about personal growth and healing which was true; he'd done a lot of both in the last year. Next to him, Gregorio talked about startin' to love New Orleans, which made us all clap for her. CJ talked about bringing his math grades up, and getting letters from Danny.

We rounded the table with Loretta grateful about Danny doing well and loving our little family, then Percy talked about growing on the job, and Sebastian rambled on about training until Percy poked him with a fork to get him to finish. Then it was Simone's turn.

She talked about the warm welcome she'd gotten in coming to New Orleans and how much she appreciated getting to know us all. As Simone finished, Laurel showed up, cheerful as she hurried through the door and over to the table where Sebastian made room for her next to him. "Sorry everybody; traffic was crazy!"

We all greeted her as she settled in and looked my way, grinning a little. "Didn't mean to interrupt; are we on gratitudes?"

"Yep," I told her. "Go for it."

Laurel spooled out a list starting with easy classes, and ended with big thanks for everyone at the table before looking at me with an amused glance. I waited a beat and rose up, looking down the length of the table at everyone feeling nervous but damned pleased as well.

Holidays bring out the sentimentalist in me, they truly do.

"I'm grateful for every one of you," I told them quietly. "You're not only my nearest, but my dearest and having you at this table is a blessing. I'm also thankful for those who aren't here with us but whom we miss and wish well of too."

I shifted from my seat and took a step to my right, looking down at Simone, who was giving me a slightly panicked stare as I reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. "And on top of everything else, I'm grateful for you, Simone Celeste Angelique Hiver."

Before she could protest, I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her, putting every bit of appreciation and adoration I could into it. Those soft lips melted under mine, leaving me dizzy with joy as she responded, kissing me back with just as much pleasure.

Love kissin' this woman; want to do it as often as I can.

So when we finally broke apart there was a moment of silence; I looked around the table at more grins than I'd seen in ages. Percy reached in her pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill, slowly handing it across the table to Gregorio, who handed it to LaSalle, who passed it to Laurel, who handed it to Loretta, who held it up triumphantly before tucking it away in her cleavage.
Everyone began clapping and hooting, making me shake my head and Simone blush, but I wasn't going to let that twenty go.

"Care to explain the round trip of that particular Jackson?" I demanded, sitting down again.

"Jest a few wagers," LaSalle grinned. "Sonja bet Tammy that you and Miz Simone weren't officially an item yet. I bet Tammy you two were, and would announce it tonight at some point; and Laurel not only knew you guys were together, but bet me you'd mention it to us all before we even started eating."

I stared at Loretta, who looked as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. "And I bet you'd kiss her, Dwayne." She beamed. "Easiest twenty I've ever won, you romantic you."

Simone burst into giggles. "We're never going to live this down, are we?"

"Probably not," Gregorio smirked. "I mean geeze, the hormones comin' off you two were practically blindingus."

"Can we eat now?" CJ begged, and we all laughed again.

"Yes," I assured him. "All right people; start passin' plates and dishes."

We ate.

-oo00oo—

Comfortably full was a good place to be. Loretta's pies had been served up, and nobody was complaining about being hungry at this point of the evening. CJ and Lauren had offered to clear the table so I let them while the rest of us talked around the table. Sebastian was doing well in his courses and it showed; he was still as chatty but better at staying on topic nowadays.

Naturally both Percy and Gregorio wanted to know when we'd become a couple, and Simone told them the story of how we'd gotten discounted cookware under false romantic pretenses at Counter Productive.

"Of course," Sonja nodded. "Had to be something underhanded like that."

"Shameless," Gregorio sighed. "Seems to have been worth it, though."

"A hundred dollar discount on a set of Merveille du Chef and a man who knows how to use it," Simone mused. "Seems fair."

"Fair?" I pretended to be offended. "Just fair?"

"Well we haven't used every pan yet," Simone pointed out. "We'll see once you've broken in the big roaster."

"Christmas," I replied. "Count on it."

I excused myself to check on things in the kitchen and got a smirk from Lauren, who shook her head. "So she seems very nice; how serious are you about her, Dad?"

"We're . . . getting there," I countered, scraping scraps into the garbage before rinsing the plate.

"Wow, that serious," Laurel teased, bumping her shoulder with mine as we stood at the sink together.

"Serious but not in a rush," I murmured, not really wanting to talk about it. "She's good for me."

Lauren gave me an appraising look. "Yeah. I liked that she was there at Mom's wedding, supporting you." Her voice was soft, and pleased.

"Good for me," I repeated. "Want to hear the kicker?"

Laurel leaned closer and I whispered. "She. Plays. Cello."

When my grinning daughter high-fived me, we got dish suds all over each other.