A/N: This chapter – the last of the three-chapter arc – depicts Gabby's and Harley's first Thanksgiving together, along with Violet Sweeney, twins Annabelle and Malcolm, and Kenneth's aunt and uncle.

Gabby and Harley Part III – Thanksgiving

Donnelly Ancestral Home, Edinburgh, Scotland – 25 Nov 2191

Gabby and Harley, along with Violet Sweeney, had spent a portion of the previous day cleaning, dusting and picking up around the house – not that it truly needed it. Gabby had awakened to the slight amount of daylight seeping into the room past the heavy drape covering the window and knew without looking at the bedside chrono it was about 0805 to 0810. She grinned, enjoying the feeling of protective love – the arm over her side, large hand gently clutching her right breast through her sleepshirt, along with the bulk of his body pressed tightly against her back – gave her. She realized with crystal clarity this feeling of familiarity was no doubt caused by her memories of Kenneth, who had also slept in the exact same position with her, including his handhold. Men, she thought. When it comes to the female body, they're pretty much all the same.

Moving just her head, she peeked back over her left shoulder at the man she had so recently married. Harley, apparently still sound asleep, scrunched his face just a bit in response to the shifting of her hair on his cheek. She repositioned her head and simply remained still for a bit, reveling in the sense of inner peace and contentment brought on by having this loving man spooning her back. I didn't realize how much I missed this, came the thought. She used her left hand to caress his forearm once, before palming the back of the hand emulating half of a bra.

Her touch brought forth a sigh, his breath rustling the hair at her neck. A whispered, "I love you, Gabriella," was all the impetus she needed to pat the hand on her breast as she whispered back, "I can tell." Pressing the hand a bit tighter to her chest, she added, "I love you more, Harley."

"0815 or so?" came the whispered question.

"Pretty close. Guess we should climb out… get our day started." A slight noise in the next room drew the comment, "Sounds as if one or the other of the twins are stirring. I'm sure Violet's up by now… probably about ready to go in to get them up."

Gabby carefully rolled over to face her mate. "I can't even begin to describe the level of utter joy and happiness you've brought me, my darling Harley." She placed her lips against his and gently but thoroughly kissed him. He hugged her tightly while returning her kiss with equal passion, until the sound of a pair of small feet running along the hallway brought forth a chuckle. "Sounds as if one of them has already escaped Violet," came the snarky comment.

Gabby sighed. "Let me up. I have to pee, get cleaned up and dressed. May as well get our day started."

Harley chuckled. "What if I'm not quite ready to let go of you, Missus Creath?" He jumped as the fingers of her free hand grabbed his side just above the hipbone, allowing her to make good on her escape. "Oh, you don't play fair, Ma'am! Not at all!" He moved to grab her, but she was already away and headed for the bathroom, leaving Harley to flop over on his back in defeat.

"We cannot leave poor Violet to do it all, ya know," she called out past the door. The sound of the toilet being flushed was followed by that of water running and being splashed in the basin. After a couple of minutes, the water was shut off, and the door reopened to reveal Gabby blotting the moisture from her face. "Come on," she said. "On your feet, Sir."

With a quiet groan, he complied with her request. Before moving to the bathroom, he folded the covers and sheet over to lie on the foot of the bed. "I'll make it up after my shower, sweetie." He shed his skivvies and, after turning on and testing the water temperature, stepped into the shower.

Gabby pulled on a pair of panties, followed by a bra, a camisole, and a pair of dark blue tights; outer wear today was a blouse and a wool skirt. She set her necklace on her dresser, saving it for Harley to fasten around her neck after his shower.

She opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, greeting Violet as the woman exited the kids' room, followed by Malcolm. "Good morning, Violet. Did you sleep well?"

"Of course Ah did, Missus…" a sly grin eked its way onto her countenance as she asked, "… 'n' howfur aboot you… yer foremaist week hame wi' yer husband?"

With the slightest hint of a blush coloring her cheeks, Gabby replied, "It was almost as if…" she paused to get her voice under control. "The way Harley spooned me, it was almost as if he was channeling my dear Kenneth." She shook her head slightly as she recalled that time in her life. "Since Kenneth's untimely death, I have never felt more… loved… as I have since Harley came home with us this week."

Violet's smile became a teeth-baring grin. "That's barry tae hear, Missus." Looking around at the pair of children milling about by the upstairs gate, she declared, "Noo, it's aff tae th' scullery fur some breakfast. Efter that, Ah'm needin' tae see tae mah posh salmon appetizer, efter Ah whip up a magic horseradish dip tae gang wi' it."

"Sounds like a capitol idea, Violet. I'll join you for a few minutes – I want to have a spot of coffee, then go back up for Harley; he's taking a shower – should be out and dressed by the time I return to the bedroom." Gabby turned and moved the few steps needed to join an impatiently waiting Belle at the gate across the stairs, which she opened before preceding the twins and Violet down, then strolled into the kitchen.

Gabby returned to her bedroom and, after slipping inside, closed the door behind her. Of some surprise, the bed had been made, and Harley was just picking up her topaz necklace by each end of its gold chain. He grinned, "Figured you were coming back up to get me. Allow me the privilege of placing this around your neck again, my dear."

Gabby returned his grin with one of her own as she placed the heavy mug on a coaster sitting on her dresser; turning her back to him, she pulled the collar of her blouse slightly away from her neck to give him better access. Unlike the first time he had placed the necklace around her neck, he accompanied the task with a heartfelt kiss, just ahead of her left ear, then encircled her with his arms and whispered, "I love you, Gabriella."

At this, she turned around within his arms and placed a quick little kiss on his mouth. "I love you more, Harley. Come on… let's go downstairs and have some breakfast."

After breakfast, Harley entertained the children while Gabby read and replied to the numerous messages she'd received overnight from various members of T'Sere's powerplant assembly teams. Pressing SEND on her console, she smiled as the computer flashed an acknowledgement that the queued-up replies had been transmitted across the light years to Thessia.

Rising from her chair, she picked up her beverage mug and carried it into the kitchen. After washing and drying it, she placed it beside the coffee maker, then turned in response to hearing footsteps behind her. Violet grinned as she held out a small dish in invitation. "Have a bite o' posh fish, Missus… alang wi' a taste o' mah horseradish dipping sauce. It's richt gusty, if Ah dae say sae myself."

Gabby picked up a bite-sized portion of salmon, tentatively dipped it in the sauce and popped it in her mouth. Upon chewing and swallowing, she declared, "I was expecting your sauce to have more of a bite, but it's absolutely wonderful, Violet, as is your cured fish." She helped herself to another, larger slice of fish, dipped it a bit deeper into the sauce-filled bowl and ate it a bit more slowly, savoring the flavors as she chewed. Nodding her head, she commented, "Really delicious, Violet. The sauce paired with the cured fish is delightful, and I must say, you don't need to wait for a special occasion to make this for us."

Violet's face colored slightly at Gabby's lavish praise. "That's real crakin' o' ye tae say, Missus. Ah wisnae sure – you huving come fae a different land 'n' all – if ye wid lik' th' taste."

Gabby laid a hand on the woman's shoulder as she replied, "Violet, I have enjoyed every meal and every bit of food you've prepared for us. The flavors of some of your native dishes take a bit of time to get used to, but they're always tasty." She looked at Harley – who had just wandered into the kitchen for a sample – with a raised eyebrow. "What do you think, darling? Was it worth the early morning foray to the fishmongers?"

He held up a finger while he chewed and swallowed the bit of fish – generously coated with Violet's special sauce – he had chosen from the dish held by Missus Sweeney. He smacked his lips and replied, "Now I'm really sorry we didn't bring home more fish, Gabby. I know that's an appetizer for our meal, but honestly?" He turned towards Violet and, teeth-baring grin firmly fixed on his face, admitted, "I think I could happily make a meal of the entire dish; it's unusually good tasting."

Violet grinned as she set the dish and small bowl on the table. "Just mynd ye don't spoil yer appetites fur dinner, either o' ye. 'N' juist sae you kin, Ah dae hae mair posh fish 'n' sauce … juist, huv a go 'n' save some fur th' Matheson's." She checked the wall-mounted chrono and added, "Who shuid be arriving ony time."

Harley smirked. "No promises, Violet. Best chase me outta here if you see me hanging around the table."

"Don't worry, Violet," Gabby interjected. "I'll keep him in line for you." With a chuckle, she added, "Your salmon will be a tasty accompaniment for before dinner beverages. I really don't see us having any leftover after tonight."

The sound of knuckles rapping on the front door grabbed their attention; Violet said, "Must be th' Matheson's. I'll gang let thaim in."

Gabby and Harley trailed behind Violet as the happy woman, having looked out the front window and confirmed that it was their guests, flung the door open wide and cried, "Welcome! Fàilte! It's sae guid tae see ye again. Come in oot o' th' waither, 'n' let me tak' yer coats."

She hugged each of them as they entered, then closed the door and took their coats, which she hung in the closet as Gabby first greeted them, then introduced them to Harley. "Aunt Heather… Uncle Eadan… this is my husband, Commander Harley Creath." As the couple shook hands with Harley, Gabby brought the twins over to stand with her, saying, "And these are Kenneth's and my children," she placed a hand each on the heads of her little boy and little girl, "Malcolm Kenneth, and Annabelle Edine. Kids, this is your Great-Aunt Heather and Great-Uncle Eadan."

Each of them looked at their mom for a few moments, then turned towards this newly introduced pair of adults; their greeting was nearly simultaneous. "'Ello."

Heather, arms spread wide, crouched in front of the kids; this was all the invitation they needed… both moved into the woman's embrace, with each returning their aunt's earnest hug. "Oh, Gabby!" she exclaimed. "I can see Kenneth in each of them… and you, as well. What a bonny pair of children you have!"

After greeting the twins, Eadan spoke up as well. "Kenneth would be thrilled, Gabby – not only with these beautiful kids, but that you chose to raise them here, in this city… and in this house. I believe it is a wonderful tribute to his memory."

Gabby returned his grin as she quietly asked, "Would it surprise you to learn that Kenneth actually does approve? Not just that I'm living in this house with our children, but that I have found love again, and remarried?" Her grin widened as she responded to their incredulous expressions. "It's true. He came to me in a dream… told me to keep him in a corner of my heart, but to move on with my life. He approved of my love for Harley, and…" speaking about her late husband brought additional moisture to her eyes, such that she had to blink repeatedly to keep the tears in check as she concluded, "I truly believe he is watching over me, and our children."

"I'm not surprised at all, my dear. Love as strong as that between you and Kenneth doesn't simply disappear overnight. That he would urge you to move on with your life is just what I would expect him to say." She nodded in agreement as she released the twins and retook her feet.

Gabby split her attention between the Mathesons as she asked, "Would either of you care for something to drink? We have local beer, or Violet can brew some tea?"

Eadan replied, "A glass of beer for each of us would do nicely, lass."

Gabby and Harley had each shared some of the history of their short time together, with Gabby speaking a bit about giving birth to her twins, while sitting completely nude in a large pool of warm water and reclining against – and being embraced by – an Asari matriarch, completely nude herself. This brought forth expressions of amazement from the Mathesons, as did her telling of how she had applied for a position as a research and design engineer with T'Sere Shipwrights. "Working with an alien firm, designing powerplants for their space vessels?" Eadan had asked, shocked that she hadn't applied for a position with any of the human-owned firms on Earth.

She managed to mollify their amazement, and Eadan's slight feeling of her disloyalty to her own people, by explaining the family aspects of T'Sere's business. "In order to remain in business, the very few Earth manufacturers that survived the war were forced to merge their operations. They became bigger, and I didn't wish to do design work for some soulless conglomerate; I want my contributions to the success of the business to be recognized." Gabby paused to consider her words before concluding, "T'Sere Shipwrights is a family run business; they have considered me a part of their family since my very first day, Uncle Eadan… just as if I had been born with blue skin and head crests. It gives me such a feeling of belonging." Gabby swallowed hard as she thought of her Asari family on Thessia. "I cannot begin to describe how happy I am – to be able to live here, raise my children, and design sublight and FTL powerplants for the Asari, all while living in this house."

Speaking about being part of a family, even if that family was Asari, met with enthusiastic approval from Heather. "If they truly place so much value on family, I cannot imagine a better place for your employment, Gabby."

As for Harley, he spent some time telling of his meeting an extremely pregnant and very shy Gabriella at the T'Soni estate on Thessia, while he was serving as the executive officer on a Krogan captained stealth frigate. "I made a point of joining her for lunch anytime the Huli made landfall there."

Gabby's heart clenched at the look of utter devotion in his eyes as she added, "He was just so… patient, and respectful of my feelings for Kenneth." With a small grin, she added, "With all the Asari living there, it was nice to enjoy the company of a human." The blush appeared before she could finish her thought. "That he was so darned handsome was icing on the cake!" Eadan and Heather both laughed at that, with Heather looking at her husband while commenting, "Aye, enjoying the company of a handsome jimmy is certainly one of life's little joys."

If Harley was embarrassed by his wife's description of him, he didn't let it show as he refreshed the liquid in everyone's glass. Retaking his seat, he took a long pull from the glass, then eased into a sanitized retelling of his participation in the mission to put a stop to the piracy being perpetrated by rogue Quarians under the leadership of Daro'Xen and Han'Gerrel, out on the galaxy's Far Rim.

They both listened in rapt silence as he described – in the most general terms – the team's assault on the Moreh, right up to the explosion that had ripped apart the body of an envirosuit-clad Daro'Xen on the bridge of her ship. That her intent was to take as many of the people that had cornered her on the vessel's flight deck was not lost on their guests; Eadan observed, "It's a miracle any of you survived to tell the tale!"

Harley chuckled. "I would completely agree with your assessment, Eadan, except we all were still wearing our armored suits, and we all had our kinetic barriers cranked to their max. Still, the pressure wave did toss everyone right across the compartment into the rear bulkhead. There might have been more serious injuries among us if Spectre Shepard hadn't been standing right in front of Xen when she detonated her little surprise – she took the brunt of the blast – and lived."

Eadan's mouth dropped in amazement. "Woman must be made of steel to have walked away from an experience such as that."

"Titanium, actually," Harley chuckled. "Anyway, with their leader gone, virtually all the Quarians left alive on the Moreh gave up peacefully… most of them had no desire to follow Admiral Xen, or Gerrel, in the first place… they were simply the unfortunate victims of their ship postings."

Eadan shook his head, commented, "Simply amazing," and polished off the last of the beer in his glass – his second since arriving. Looking up at Violet, he added, "Your cured salmon and dipping sauce is amazing as well, my dear lady. Ach, how I have missed sampling your skills with creating such treats!"

Violet blushed at her former employer's praise. After inspecting the serving dish, she replied, "Looks as if mah appetizer wis a skelp wi' a'body! It's unfortunate thare wull be na leftovers."

Gabby chuckled as she replied, "Probably a good thing, Violet. It wouldn't be such a special treat if we could have it anytime we wished," to which everyone else heartily agreed.

As if on cue, a knock at the front door interrupted their conversations. Harley checked the chrono and said, "That will probably be Missus MacEalair with our dinner delivery," as Violet moved to greet their visitor.

Harley's guess proved to be accurate as Violet enthusiastically greeted the woman. "Máiréad MacEalair! Guid efternoon, 'n' fàilte! Shuid Ah presume ye hae a delivery fur us?"

"I dae indeed!" came the cheery response. "Dae ye hae a back door that Ah kin uise tae bring everything ben fur you? Ah pure don't wish tae hae tae trek back 'n' forth in yer living room."

Harley, having anticipated the question, had already moved to the mudroom; opening the door, he stepped out into the back yard and strode around to the front of the house. After offering his own greeting, accompanied with a sincere thanks for her service, he led her – hovercart in tow – around to the back door, then helped transfer a number of containers into the kitchen.

Turning to Harley, she said, "I'll return oan Monday – retrieve a' th' containers." Gabby had appeared at the door to offer her own thanks, to which Máiréad replied, "Very nice tae mak yer acquaintance, Missus Creath. Ah hawp everything is tae yer liking, 'n' ye 'n' yer fowk enjoy yer meal."

Gabby grinned with her reply. "I'm sure it'll be a meal long remembered, Missus MacEalair."

With that, Máiréad returned to her X3M and departed, leaving Violet and Gabby to set the table and put the feast – consisting of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce, all accompanied with a couple of bottles of fine Liebfraumilch, along with pumpkin pie for desert – out for all to enjoy.

Harley had saved a small surprise for Gabby, stopping her while she was helping Violet clear the dishes and leftovers. He handed her a small glass and said, "As I recall, we toasted Kenneth's memory at our very first dinner out in December 2190." With a grin, he nodded towards the Mathesons, who each held a similar glass; they all reached in and touched the rim of their own glasses to those being held by Gabby and Harley, who raised his glass and solemnly said, "To the memory of Alliance Navy Engineer Kenneth Donnelly! Loving, caring husband, and father of two beautiful children. May he reside forever within our hearts and minds, and rest in eternal peace." Having previously counseled everyone that the Lagavulin 16 in their glasses was meant for sipping, he did just that as Gabby, Heather and Eadan followed suit.

There were unshed tears in Gabby's eyes as she reached around with one hand to embrace her husband. "Thank you, Harley. That means more to me than I can say." She placed a chaste kiss on his cheek, then polished off the last bit of whiskey in her glass.

Heather moved to assist Gabby and Violet with the dishes; once out of Harley's earshot, she spoke in a soft voice. "That young man is the perfect companion for you, my dear. When you told me you'd remarried, I wasn't sure, but after meeting and talking with him… seeing the way he looks at you… I have no doubt he loves you, infinitely. And that toast! Gabby, I don't believe I've ever met a man with such a sensitive soul. You hang onto him tight, my dear."

Gabby grinned. "Thank you, Aunt Heather. And I will… hang onto him tight, that is. I love him with all my heart, and he loves me just as much… of that, I am sure."

Donnelly Ancestral Home, Edinburgh, Scotland – 27 Nov 2191

Gabby watched with a touch of sadness as Harley packed his travel bag in preparation for his next day, early morning departure for the Villa. Fortunately, there was more than enough room in the dresser and closet for the winterweight civilian clothes he had purchased during his outing the previous week, so there was no need for him to pack them off to Rio, only to haul them back again for Christmas.

Finding her voice, she said, "You're haven't even left and I'm missing you already. Dammit, Harley… I never imagined I'd be married again, yet, here I am." She heaved a heavy sigh as her husband paused to look at her. "At least, you'll be on the same planet… mostly."

"We can still chat, as often as you like, Gabby. Well, when I'm not on a mission, anyway."

"There is that. When the Normandy was deployed, they were almost always comms-silent, and I never knew where in the galaxy they were… where Kenneth was. And dammit, that shouldn't have been a problem! It was peacetime, or so we all believed."

Harley dropped his travel bag on the floor in order to take Gabby in his arms. "It's still peacetime, Gabby." He kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly. "I promise I will take a great deal of care during any op I have to lead, my darling. I want nothing more than to return to your arms! And… I want us to have children together."

At that, she pulled back slightly. Staring into his eyes, she stammered out, "We… never discussed that; I never brought it up. You know Belle and Malcolm were a happy accident, don't you?"

"I remember you telling me about that. But we can plan for children of our own… we don't have to leave it to chance." Placing another kiss on her cheek, he released her and returned to packing. "And don't forget… Christmas is only a month away. I'll be back in your arms before you know it." Closing the fasteners on the bag, he set it near the door, then turned to look at his bride. "Come on. Let's crawl in bed and snuggle."

With a slightly wicked grin lighting up her face, she quickly replied, "Snuggling will be a great place to begin the night, Love."