Author's Note: Happy Thanksgiving from me to you! This will be the last update for awhile unfortunately. I hope to return soon and when I do the last few chapters will return with me. For now I want to thank you all for reading and keeping with this story. And I promise not to disappoint. I've got a lot of personal stuff going on, and hope that this chapter will suffice for the upcoming hiatus.

Thank you so much.

Chapter Fifty-Six: Count Your Blessings

"And just a little more there..." Kenny groaned as Karen swiped her finger on his eye lid. "And... what do you think?!" Karen held up the mirror and the strawberry blonde gawked.

"Dayum," Kenny blurted, touching his makeup-covered face. His little sister pulled his hand away and slapped it. "I like the eye swoopy thingy."

"I'm so jealous of your eye lashes, I'd give anything to have them. You have the perfect eyes for cat eyeliner. They're so round..."

"Yours are the same, Karen," Kenny replied, furrowing his eyebrows as he looked at his sister's reflection. She huffed and shook her head.

"I have almond eyes, yeah. But yours are like... rounder. I want them."

"Next time I die, take 'em, I won't be-"

"That's not funny!" She cried, but laughed a little nonetheless. Kenny beamed and rested his head on her shoulder. "This reminds me of when you were Princess Kenny. And thanks for letting me practice makeup on you. I'm super nervous to do this for the recital." He shrugged and turned to face her.

"Well obviously you did a really good job. Like, amazing. So you'll look a thousand times better than your brother in drag."

"You're just wearing makeup, that's not drag." He lifted his shoulders once more. "I'm glad you had the day off, but it sucks Butters is working..." Karen trailed off.

"Well, dearie, it gives us time to chill too. So, what would you like to do?"

"I've done your makeup, it's your turn." She then lowered her eyes and smiled a little, "you're really happy to be spending your day off with me?"

Kenny stared at his sister for a moment, then shook his head. He enveloped her in a hug and sighed as she squeezed him tightly. No matter how old she was he would always see her as five years old. But as he pulled away from her he saw his beautiful fifteen year old sister, and he couldn't be more proud of her and how she had done so much with her life already.

"I couldn't be happier. I'm in a girly mood." Karen lifted her eyebrows, "hey, Lee isn't the only one who has questioned the fluidity of his gender."

"You're kidding," she deadpanned in shock. Kenny shrugged.

"No, not really. I mean it's not like I see myself as a girl or anything. Like, I dunno, I've never really talked about this."

"Not even with Butters," Kenny just gave her a look and she grinned, "I can so imagine you two dressing up like girls and then doing your-"

"That's not gonna happen," she rolled her eyes and rested her head on Kenny's shoulder as he leaned back on her bed. "No, I mean it's not like genderqueer or trans or anything. And I definitely know I'm a guy... but this is more than drag too. Like... it's me, in a sense. I don't do it for fun. I do it 'cause it's me. I can't believe I'm telling you I have a girly side."

"Why?" Kenny shrugged and closed his eyes. "I'm your sister and we tell each other like... everything. Hell, you were the first person who knew I got my period, we crossed the awkward barrier long ago, brother. All this does is prove you're even more motherly than I thought."

"I'm not motherly!" Kenny exclaimed. Much to his dismay, Karen burst out laughing and he rolled his eyes as he grumbled under his breath.

"Okay, fine... but can you help me with something?" Kenny looked down at her and absentmindedly ran a hand through her hair. Sometimes he wondered if it was weird that they could cuddle, usually slept in the same room, and he held her like this. But he figured it was because of the circumstances they grew up in; this was familiar for them.

"Sure, Kar-bear," she smiled a little and looked up at him.

"Will you help me practice a dance? It's contemporary," she quickly added. Kenny sighed heavily, then nodded.

"Yeah..." he didn't know anything about dancing but he knew how nervous Karen was for her recital tomorrow. So, with his makeup on and being comfortable in sweatpants and a t-shirt, he led Karen down the stairs to the living room. She put a CD into their DVD player and turned the volume up halfway. An upbeat techno song with a violin played and she shrugged.

"You're gonna get tired of this song. It's the only one on here. This is my duet with Ruby. You will be Ruby." Kenny nodded slowly, "and she knows how to do the dancing you do, but I don't... but I need to know."

"Why don't you have her teach you?"

"She's grounded," Kenny nodded slowly and looked at his sister, waiting for her to explain the dance more. "I just need you to teach me some things."

"I don't even know what I do, Kar... I learned when I was stripping and you shouldn't-" he stopped himself; this was her decision and he needed to respect it.

"I don't even know names of anything, I just move."

"Well, show me."

So she danced for him, to show him the basic steps and the little intricacies that she knew he would be able to do. And they were laughing as they did it; and she snorted when he stepped on her foot. To them this was having fun, and pretty soon they had forgotten about her recital and the necessary moves and were just showing each other different moves. They were just dancing, letting everything else fall away into things to do later; for now this was their time.

"And then with this it's like a one and beat and two and turn..." Kenny trailed off as he pivoted, then rolled his hips as he did a half-spin, "and down and back, then pound and stand," he said in a rhythm. He lowered his body to the ground, keeping his torso up and his hips down as he repeated the moves four times, then stood up.

Kenny put his hands on his hips and smiled as Karen gave him a look.

"For someone who has never danced you got the lingo and stuff down really well," Kenny scoffed and took his sister's hand.

"Well, I've been helping you for years, haven't I, missy?" He replied with a grin. "Now, you try. It's easy, just loosen up, you're kinda stiff."

"Says the one who's never taken a day of dancing."

"I was a stripper, I was all up on them poles. My thighs are stronger than fucking Beyonce's, bitch!" he retorted, then burst out laughing with Karen, who couldn't believe the statement that had just come from her brother's mouth. "I do have a question though." Karen tilted her head, "Miss McCormick, may I have this dance?"

"You can't slow dance to this song," she quipped, then laughed as he took her hands and put them around his neck. Kenny rolled his eyes and chuckled along with her.

"You can slow dance to any song, you just might look funny," they both giggled and Karen followed his over-dramatic movements. He was just trying to play around rather than actually dance, and both of their stomachs hurt from laughing so hard.

"Well..." Kenny and Karen both jumped in surprise and spun around to find Butters smiling at them as he leaned against the entryway. "You two having fun?" Both McCormicks snickered and looked at each other with bright grins.

"Kenny was helping me for my recital," Karen said, linking her arm with her brother's. Kenny nodded and wiped his brow, which was damp from moving around so much. Butters just smiled adoringly at them both and shook his head.

Moments like what he just witnessed were few and far between. Kenny was hardly home, and if he was they were all working on homework or asleep. Butters was thankful he got off work early, because if he hadn't he probably wouldn't have come across this scene. It was enough to warm his heart and remind him that happiness couldn't get better than this.

"How was work?" Kenny asked, sidling up to Butters and kissing the corner of his mouth. Butters smiled up at him and wiped a smudge of eyeliner.

"Pretty hectic, everyone is buying last minute groceries. It's snowing pretty hard too so I'm sure people are preparing for the weekend." Karen watched them and couldn't contain her grin when she caught the adoring looks they sent each other.

"Well, we can have a cozy night then..." Kenny murmured as he rubbed his nose against Butters'. The bright blonde smiled and captured his lips in an innocent kiss.

"Mm, you got that pumpkin coffee." Butters laughed and nodded, then pecked Kenny's mouth once more.

"So, what do we want to make tonight?" Butters asked, "most of the stuff will taste better fresh."

"Duh," Kenny teased, "I have Norbert in the tub, he's been thawing all day." Butters raised an eyebrow, "yes, we named the turkey."

Butters had been cold, but after just a couple of minutes in the house he was completely warm. He laughed as Kenny put on a Christmas radio station and blared it loud in the house. Karen was busy sorting through the Christmas decorations Kevin had given them from their house; they were little things they had all made when they were younger, and ornaments passed down from generation to generation. It was their tradition to prepare for Christmas the night before Thanksgiving, even if when they decorated with their mom it was a tiny tree they illegally cut, and paper snow angels they made at home and in school.

But now they had the home and the money to make it a decent Christmas; one they all knew Carol dreamt of. Kenny and Karen knew that if their mom was with them she would be crying as they decorated the house with bows, a tree Kenny had cut and decorated with the various ornaments, and strings of garland, tinsel, lights, and pine cones.

Kenny wore a red and green pointed hat with a large white poof ball at the end. It was slanted, with the tip of the hat hanging on one side; Butters swore Kenny belonged in a Christmas-only world. He looked like the picture perfect elf, and with his shining eyes and gap-toothed smile he looked happier than Butters had seen him in a long time.

This was exactly how he imagined this house would be; it was even more incredible to see in real life. Although it was bitter outside and the house did creak from the howling wind, inside it was warm. It was full of happiness, love, and pure joy as they all prepared for Thanksgiving, as well as Christmas.

It was just a McCormick Thanksgiving this year. Not that any of them minded, and of course Butters was included. Kyle and Stan were going to show up after their families were done with their meals, and possibly Cartman as well. It had been decided to be at Kenny's because Kevin knew his little brother could cook, and figured it would be nicer than at their house.

Butters and Karen sat at the table as Kenny prepared three different pies- each homemade. Most of the dinner would be cooked the next day, and Butters knew Kenny was preparing to wake up early so it would be done- and done perfectly.

"Can I ask you guys a question?" Karen asked, out of the blue. Butters nodded and Kenny turned around to face her; his face was speckled with pasty flour. "What if you knew someone was a boy, but then you found out he was actually transgender?"

"You mean like... male to female or female to male?" Karen sighed.

"Female to male."

"So we're not talking about you?" Kenny asked, Karen blushed and shook her head. "Okay, I didn't think so but I had to ask. So, what's wrong? Wouldn't you just treat him as you normally have?" Karen nodded, then shrugged.

"Yeah... but I want to help him too. I mean, it's gotta be difficult living here in South Park with Mr. Garrison being the only person who has ever identified as transgender and he pretty much made a mockery of it. So I'm sure it's tough wanting to feel comfortable and eventually coming out. Plus it's not like the guys' bathroom has tampons or anything."

"Okay, so it's not Ruby either..." Kenny trailed off. Karen glared at him and he raised his arms, "what?! I'm just curious!"

"Has he ever talked to you about it?" Butters asked as he popped a piece of popcorn in his mouth. Karen took a handful and shook her head.

"Not me, but... someone else. And I've noticed my tampons go missing sometimes, and so has Ruby."

"Who else is in your class?!" Kenny exclaimed, Butters sent him a look and shook his head.

"Well, maybe you should confront that person about it and say that you're open to talking to them if they ever need someone to listen." Karen shrugged.

"This person isn't much for talking about feelings. Well, he's opened up a little since being friends with Ike and-" Karen clamped her mouth shut at that, and Kenny looked at her knowingly.

"It's that little goth kid!" Kenny cried, "Kyle says he and Ike have been hanging out a ton. Holy... wow. I never would've guessed."

"His name is Firkle," Karen mumbled, Kenny nodded slowly. "Not even Michael, Pete, or Henrietta know about him... so you guys can't go around saying anything." Both Kenny and Butters nodded.

"I still think you should talk to him," Butters said with a smile. "Even if he doesn't take up the offer at least he knows you're supportive and... aren't such a conformist." Karen snickered and Kenny smiled a little as he wrapped the pies in tin foil and put them in the fridge.

Karen went to her room shortly after their discussion, leaving Kenny and Butters on their own. Once Kenny finished preparing for tomorrow, he and Butters went to the living room and curled up on the couch. The bright blonde lay warm and comfortable in Kenny's arms, and smiled adoringly up at the younger boy who still wore the hat and the happiest smile.

"So here we are..." Kenny trailed off, "the first McStotchkick Thanksgiving," Butters giggled and wrapped his arms around Kenny's back. He felt his lips press against his forehead, and he shivered as his fingers brushed his hair back.

"What are you thinking?" Butters asked, grazing his fingers over Kenny's chest. The taller boy heaved a sigh and looked at the lights blinking on the tree, then back at his boyfriend.

"Just... this feels like a holiday. Like, it's so festive and stuff, I'm not used to it but we pulled it off really well I think. But I liked our little tree and our snow angels." Butters tucked a lock of Kenny's hair behind his ear and rested his chin on his chest.

"We can go find a little tree, we can take this all down and-" the darker blonde hushed him by kissing him, and he felt himself melting into the forceful touch. It was enough to send shocks through his nerves, and he felt his cheeks heat.

"No, this is our Christmas... we did this," Kenny murmured, then looked at the living room, "look at it. This is what we'll have for the rest of our lives, and for our kids, and grandkids... can't you just imagine setting out cookies and milk for Santa?"

"And carrots for the reindeer," Butters mumbled. Kenny chuckled at that, and nodded.

"Course, m'dear... but just imagine it. If we have kids they're gonna have to coolest Christmases ever. They might not get all the presents they want, but we'll sure as hell try. And I mean, we can start out well with your baby sister or brother. Just imagine that, he or she is gonna be so excited." Butters smiled and lazily caressed Kenny's arm.

He liked to listen to Kenny speak with his ear pressed up against his chest. He heard his voice as well as his heart beat, and felt the rise and fall of his chest. He knew Kenny was getting more and more excited over this idea, and he couldn't help but laugh. It was endearing.

After awhile they lay in silence, curled into each other as they stared out the window. Both of them watched with tired eyes as snow danced from the sky, to fall in a blanket that covered the ground. The house creaked with the howling winds, and Butters felt uneasy as the bare tree limbs cast looming silhouettes on the wall.

"My dad is coming tomorrow," Kenny broke the silence. The bright blonde snapped his head to face Kenny, who gazed at him, waiting for some kind of answer.

"I know you've been talking more... a little..." Butters trailed off, "but do you really think that is a good idea?" Kenny shrugged and rested his head against the smaller boy's. He couldn't help but smile as the darker blonde burrowed his nose in his hair. "If you feel it's okay, and Karen's okay with it... I can't stop you..."

"I just want to move on," Kenny whispered finally, "I need to put everything behind me... we all do. And I'm not gonna move back home. I'm not... but I just can't keep carrying all this around. Something has to change." Butters nodded and gently kneaded his fingers into Kenny's neck. He felt him relax in his hold, and they both lay back down on the arm of the couch.

"You deserve that," he felt Kenny smile against his skin.

"You do too," he whispered, then pressed his lips against his cheek.

There was so much Butters wanted to say about his; his father couldn't be trusted. Stuart was violent, a drunk, a drug dealer, an addict... He didn't see how this was the right decision; Kenny had worked so hard to get away from that life. And now here he was, potentially letting it all get thrown away.

But he stopped himself. How could he think such a thing? Butters never assumed anything of anyone, never judged them for past mistakes; after all Kenny had been a prostitute, and here he was... Butters shook his head. Perhaps Stuart McCormick had changed; it seemed like years since he had seen him. And most of all he had to trust Kenny's judgment. He was his son; if Kenny trusted him... he should.

"Kenny?" Butters whispered as they had both began to drift off on the couch. He felt the younger boy's fingers graze over his back in that lulling way; trying to get him to fall asleep. And it was working. He heard a quiet moan of acknowledgment, then rested his head on his chest once more.

"I love you," a soft chuckle rumbled in Kenny's throat and Butters smiled softly. He felt his lips kiss his forehead and his legs wrap around him.

"I love you too," was the darker blonde's response, "sleep well."

And Butters did.

So well, in fact, that he slept through half of the morning.

He woke up to find Kenny and Karen talking and preparing food in the kitchen, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the television. He watched for a little bit, then pulled the blanket off and stumbled out on tired legs to find Kenny and Karen laughing as they looked at a can of green beans.

"-gonna think this is it, huh?" Karen asked. Kenny nodded.

"He'll be proud. No more leftover turkey legs. No more stealing. No more food drives for the McCormicks. We have our own food... Look at that, Kar. That's our turkey in the oven."

"I'm proud of that turkey," Kenny smiled and pulled his little sister closer.

"I'm proud of us."

And Butters was too. He was so unbelievably proud of the two siblings standing there, looking at that opened can of green beans. They made their lives the best they could for being two teenagers. They worked hard, they all did, and this moment was the pay off. In this moment, Butters knew why Kenny worked so much; because he just wanted this moment. He wanted the proof that it was worth it, he was worth it.

It was the most beautiful thing Butters had seen in a long time. His heart swelled and he couldn't help but sniffle as he watched Kenny turn the can in his hands.

They both turned around and smiled at him. Butters put his arms around each of them, and held them tight.

"Thank you," he whispered. They simultaneously tilted their heads, and he couldn't help but laugh. "Thank you for letting me stay here, for letting me help you, for you helping me... and for this. I'm so grateful for you both. And I love you."

With the mood lifted, Butters decided he needed to give Stuart a chance. Perhaps this would be what they all needed. As long as he knew no harm would come to the McCormick children, then Butters would forgive Stuart. He couldn't bear to see them with bruises and aching hearts as a result from trying to capture some form of false hope.

And he would have that chance sooner than he thought. Karen perked up when she heard a truck rumble in the distance, and in a flash she was outside. Butters gawked momentarily, then shook her head.

"Do all of you have powers or something?" Butters teased; Kenny shrugged. He could believe it. The strawberry blonde teen just smiled and put his arm around Butters, then led him to the front door. "I'm kind of scared." Kenny's eyes flickered to him for a brief moment, and his smile faded.

"Me too."

It was enough to cause Butters to wrap his own arm around Kenny's waist and pull him closer. That face, that beautiful face that looked down at him with a worry line in his brow had been void of bruises and cuts for months. He was healthy and happy; and potentially in an instant it could all be thrown away.

But it couldn't, could it? At the end of the day, no matter what happened, he and Kenny would go upstairs and cuddle in their bed; Karen would possibly join them. They could all laugh, or they could all cry. But Kenny would have this house, they would have their jobs, and they would have their own lives away from Stuart McCormick. Kenny wouldn't let them go back to that life.

"Hey there, baby girl."

Kenny froze as he heard the voice, and Butters looked up to him, waiting for the taller boy to do something. To walk out the door, to run to his room, to fall on the floor, scream at his father, anything. That was their mother's nickname for Karen. Hearing it on a grizzly voice was heartbreak; Butters could see it on Kenny's face.

"Daddy..."

And Kenny closed his eyes as he heard his sister's teary voice. Had he been wrong for keeping her from their father? No matter the pain, the starvation, neglect, and abuse... he was their father. She deserved the best dad in the world, and Stuart surely wasn't that... but could he make up for lost time? Was it Kenny's fault for that absence?

"You don't have to do this," Butters whispered, putting his hand on Kenny's shoulder. "You can send him home... I'll... I can even-" Kenny shook his head and pulled his hand away from his face.

"I have to do this," Kenny replied in the same gentle tone, then hesitantly opened the front door.

They were greeted with the sight of Karen, in her over-sized sweater and pajama pants, being squeezed in a tight hug by Stuart McCormick, who shook as he held her close. Kenny blinked and turned to Butters, who wore a shocked expression as he looked at the scene. Kenny turned away, and shook his head.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, folding his arms over his chest. Butters froze, unsure of what to do, as Stuart looked up with dry yet red-rimmed eyes and a shallow face, and caught sight of his son.

"Kenny," Stuart spoke, clearing his throat with an arm around his daughter, who looked to Kenny with shining eyes and blotchy cheeks. She missed their father. She missed her family.

"...dad." Was all Kenny said, then flinched as Stuart took two looming steps toward his son. Kenny was the shortest out of the men in his family, Butters realized. He had never seen their father up close; he stood at least two inches taller than Kenny.

And that was mildly terrifying to the 5'10" blonde.

Kenny flinched once more as his father raised an arm, then stiffened as he was brought into a loose, one-armed hug. He hesitantly put an arm around his dad, all the while shifting his eyes nervously, as if he expected a punch to the ear.

"This is yer home?" Stuart asked as he pulled away from his son, who nodded as he folded his arms once more. "All this land... this is whatcha did with yerself?" Kenny gave another nod and silently pleaded for Karen to come back to him. She remained between Kenny and Stuart, however, and Butters took his boyfriend's hand for reassurance. "I'm..." the brunette man trailed off, then shook his head, "I'm mighty proud o' ya, Ken."

Butters looked to the blonde, who had his jaw clenched and stern eyes as he looked to his dad, who wore a genuine expression in his features. The silence was deafening, and Butters felt Kenny try to clench his hand. He knew what that meant, and squeezed him tighter.

"Thanks." His voice was tight and sharp, quite unlike how he usually sounded.

"I wanted ta thank ya fer invitin' me today, it's been awhile since I seen my kids, y'know." Kenny nodded again and kept his mouth shut, "an' I'm sorry fer... fer everythin'. I wasn't in my right mind, but I'm clean now. These veins o' mine are purer than water."

"Cool," Karen shot Kenny a look at his apathetic tone. Stuart, however, shook his head and smiled.

"I know I did a lot o' terrible, terrible things. Things I wouldn'ta done in my right mind. We were all fucked up, yer mama just died an' I shouldn'ta blamed ya. Ya did all ya could and ya saved my baby girl. Ya tried yer hardest, Kenny. An' I'm awful proud o' that. Proud of you." The dark blonde boy lowered his gaze. "An' when I kicked ya out... I didn't mean it. I thought I did... but I didn't. I realized then I lost my reasons to live an' be a good person. I definitely ain't a good person an' never have been, but I knew I needed to try. For my kids, for yer mama. I just wanna see you grow up, I wanna see my grandbaby... I'm a grandpa, an' I never met my granddaughter."

"What..." Karen trailed off, "why didn't you call? Why didn't you let us help you? How did you decide to... get better?" Stuart looked at her, and ruffled her hair. Kenny stiffened at his quick movements, and Butters put an arm on him.

"I was out o' my mind the night you an' Ken left. Pretty sure I was gonna die, an' then I seen 'er. Yer mama. I dunno what was said, I dunno if anythin' was said, but I stopped shootin' up for awhile. Then a little later I knew what I had to do... I got a job. It... it took losin' everythin', but I ain't sellin' no more. I'm an electrician with a company in Fairplay."

"You were always good at that," Kenny mumbled, Stuart nodded, and Butters bit back a smile.

"An' I tore down our home," Karen's eyes widened, "an' Skeeter an' Jimbo an' Ned are all helpin' me build a new one. Same spot. I'm not expectin' you to leave this beaut," he nodded to the house, "but... I wanna make it up to ya. Show ya I've changed. I ain't touched the rock in three months, an' I ain't a saint, I still drink an' smoke, but... I'm tryin'. I'm tryin' for ya.

"I didn't call 'cause I didn't wanna make ya feel obligated or nothin'. I didn't want ya ta feel ya needed ta help yer old man. But I'm better, an' fer the first time in years I can say I feel better. All thanks ta yer mama. She's been lookin' after us all, y'know. Ain't a day goes by that she ain't here with us. If I ever get the thought, I hear her... 'don't be a stupid sonofabitch!'" Even Kenny laughed at his father's imitation of Carol, "an' she ain't ever been righter. I ain't throwin' my life away. If ya let me... I'd like ta see ya again. Be a part o' yer lives. Let me help ya out with things an' go to your recitals an' watch yer games... I'm sorry. Fer everythin', an' I hope someday ya can forgive me."

Three pairs of eyes turned to Kenny, who stared at Stuart, who had just poured out his entire heart and mind in attempts for a semblance of understanding from his children. Karen instantly nodded and couldn't help but cry as she hugged her dad. Kenny, on the other hand, wore a stoic expression and calculating eyes as he observed his father.

But he saw nothing. No track marks, the bloating in his face had gone down significantly, his eyes were no longer yellow from alcohol intake. He even looked healthier, younger, and in that instant Kenny saw it. Himself.

He had never seen a resemblance to either of his parents in himself, but there it was. He had his father's features. And he shared his father's determination to prove everyone wrong.

"Okay," Kenny finally mumbled, "but if you fuck up one time you-"

"It ain't gonna happen, I swear on the bible, Kenny." They all knew how religious Stuart and Carol had been. And the dark blonde gave a soft sigh and nodded.

"Let's..." he trailed off, "we should go inside. It's cold. Karen, you can show dad around if you want, I have to check on the food and find out where Kevin is." At that, Kenny quickly disappeared into the house. Karen, in a buzz of emotion, grabbed her dad's hand and dragged him off of the front porch, to show him around the property before the inside.

Butters watched them for a few moments; he heard Karen's excited voice as she filled him in on her life. Honestly, he believed Stuart and found himself longing to hear the same thing from his parents. Perhaps if Stephen knew Stuart put everything in the past and bettered himself, then maybe his dad would as well. The discussion of Kenny being "queer" hadn't come up yet, but he knew it was just another can of worms waiting to be opened. But considering the way Stuart presented himself, he may accept them. He just didn't know.

At that, Butters entered the house and shook off the snow. The Christmas music played softly on the stereo, and he couldn't help but bask in the warmth for a few moments. It was perfect.

And then he heard the quiet sniffle from the kitchen, and his heart fell. Suddenly it wasn't so warm, and Butters bit his lip before he entered the small kitchen. He sighed as he saw Kenny hanging his head, bent over the sink with water running, as his shoulders shook.

"Ken..." Butters trailed off; immediately, Kenny shut off the water and the light blonde sighed as he saw the rubbed skin. "Ken, you can't do thi-"

"He... he can't just walk back into our lives l-like nothing ever happened," Kenny said, covering his mouth with his hand as he shouted; he didn't want Karen to hear. The fingernail-sized abrasions on his hands began to dot with blood. "He can't do this to us... t-to me! I've... I've worked so God damn hard to get away from h-him. To better our lives... he's g-gonna ruin everything, Lee! I-I can't... I can't let this all go. I'm so f-fucking tired, a-all to say he saw a fucking hallucination of m-mom and that s-s-supposedly saved him?! N-not Karen... not Kevin... he d-doesn't care about his kids. He... it's all about s-saving face. He... he m-murdered me. I c-can't even stand n-next to him without being scared he's g-gonna beat me 'til I die... I've worked too fucking hard to let this all go. I-I can't do this..."

Butters took Kenny's hands and put them on his chest. He then wiped Kenny's eyes and brushed back his bangs, then pulled him close.

"I know," Butters whispered, his heart ached as he heard Kenny let out a quiet sob for the first time, "I can't imagine how..." Kenny shook his head against him.

"I-I'm such an asshole... m-my dad is here, asking for my f-forgiveness, when yours is-" Butters put his finger on Kenny's lips, and shook his head.

"This is not a competition. Your dad is here right now, and you're right. He killed you. He beat you and your siblings. He let you starve and go weeks without clean clothes and a bath. And here he is, after all these years, asking for your forgiveness. You can tell him to leave. You're an adult, Kenny. This is your house."

"I..." Kenny trailed off, "I have to give him a chance... don't I?" Butters shook his head, "...I should. For Karen... d-do you not see how happy she is?" they both looked out the window and saw her laughing as she continued to talk to their dad, who was smiling as he listened to her. "I... I'm not enough, I can't... I can't do that. I'm her brother, not her fa-"

"You raised her," Butters whispered, "you made her into the smart kid she is right now, that wasn't your dad. You're the reason she is here today. You're more than enough... she might want her dad back in her life. But he isn't gonna be the one to get her ready for prom, or help her on her first date, or give her boyfriend the talk... and he's not gonna be the one to walk her down the aisle when she gets married. That's you. You've been there for the tears and the happiness and the weirdness of The Misfits. You were the one to pick her up after her date with what's his butt went bad. And you know what?" Butters whispered, "you're the reason you are so successful. You changed your life for yourself. You've coped with more than one person should ever have to cope with. I don't even know how I'd feel right now... so it's okay for you to feel however you are. It's up to you to decide what you think is best, but I think he means it..."

Kenny nodded as he watched his father and sister walk toward the house, and scrubbed a hand through his hair.

"We'll see," he mumbled, then pulled himself away from Butters and distracted himself with cooking.

"-this is our living room, we don't have much but..." Karen trailed off. Kenny bit down on his lip as he put two dishes in the oven. It's more than their father could ever provide for them, at least. Wasn't that enough?

By the time Karen finished showing Stuart around the house, most of the food was ready to eat, and Kevin and Shelly had arrived. The squirming bundle that was Caroline squealed happily when seeing Kenny, and upon hearing the baby's cry, Stuart entered the room.

"She's happy to see you," Shelly murmured to Kenny, who smiled as Caroline grinned up at him with two teeth poking through her gums.

"Dad..." Kevin said with a gruff voice, shaking his father's hand once. "There's someone I'd like you to meet." His voice sounded guarded as well, and his piercing hazel eyes kept watch on Kenny like a hawk. It was reassuring for the younger brother to know he wasn't the only one who was cautious.

Stuart took Caroline from Kenny, who whimpered and reached for her uncle. She then turned to look at her grandfather and grimaced as he held her and bounced her in his arms.

"She's beautiful," he whispered, running his hand over her head, that was covered in light brown curls. "Ya done good, Kev, real good," he looked to Shelly, and saw the ring on her finger, "I'm happy fer ya." Kevin gave a thin smile and put his arm around Shelly, who remained silent; unusual. "I always thought ya had somethin' goin' on," Shelly's eyes lowered and Kevin cleared his throat, then looked to Butters.

"Hey dude," he said, relaxing as he sent him a genuine smile. Butters sent one back. although it was uneasy, and took a step closer to Kenny, "did you hear back from CSU yet?" Butters nodded.

"I was accepted," Shelly sent him a smile as Kevin let out a boisterous whoop of pride that seemed to shake the house. But it was nice. Until Stuart's eyes finally settled on him.

"You an' Kenny're livin' together?" The man asked with a hesitant voice. Butters nodded.

"We're dating," Kenny finally said, "his dad kicked him out." Karen looked between her brothers and her father, and suddenly things weren't as great as she thought they were. She recognized the expressions on their faces; they were in protective mode.

"That..." Stuart trailed off, looking between Kenny and Butters, "yer... ya always wanted a big ol' tittied woman," Butters looked up at the ceiling and Shelly gave Kevin a look before she took Karen into the dining room to set the table.

"Things change, sometimes I am a big ol' tittied woman," Kevin bit back a grin and Butters' cheeks grew dark, "but Butters has gone through so much hate for being who he is, so if you're gonna tell us we're a bunch of faggots and kick the shit out of me for being happy, then you need to leave. Only acceptance is allowed in this home. Mom knew... she knew before you had me on the streets." Stuart was quiet as he looked at Kenny, then at Butters.

"Yer datin' my son...?" Butters nodded. "An' yer parents kicked you out 'cause you're..."

"Because I'm gay," Stuart nodded with his hand over his mouth as he took in what was happening.

"I did the same thing," Kenny looked up.

"But I'm not gay. I wear makeup, I'm dating a guy, I wear girl's clothes sometimes, but I'm not gay."

"Wait, what?" Kevin asked, raising an eyebrow at his younger brother. Butters winked.

"I don't get it," Stuart said, looking at Kenny and Butters, "I don't get... you. I never will. But this is yer house. And if yer happy then... I'll accept it. But... I just don't get it."

"Good, good..." Kevin trailed off as the tension was slightly diffused. "Now that we're all hunky dory, I'm really fuckin' hungry and Kenny promised a turturkeykey." Stuart burst out laughing at that, and Kenny blushed.

"What the fuck's that?!" he asked, Kenny grumbled under his breath and Butters snickered.

"It's a little turkey stuffed in a bigger turkey!" He mumbled, taking Butters' hand as he went to the kitchen. As soon as they were out of sight, Kenny captured Butters' lips in a kiss. "Thank you," Kenny whispered. Butters tilted his head.

"For what?" Kenny just smiled softly and pressed their noses and foreheads together.

"For believing in me."

They sat at the table and dished out the food that Kenny, Karen, and Butters had worked on for hours. Stuart was amazed; it was the biggest Thanksgiving dinner any of them had had, and it probably was painful for him to realize that he wasn't the one to provide it. His son was; the son who he had kicked out, murdered... the son who made a life for himself when all odds were against him.

"Kenny," Kevin said with his mouth full of turkey, "this is really fuckin' good."

"Language," Shelly warned, eyes glancing to their daughter who was playing with her mashed potatoes. Shelly sighed, then wiped the little girl's hands on the napkin, then held up the small baby spoon.

Butters couldn't help but feel happy. He knew there was heavy tension in the room, specifically between Kenny and Stuart, but this was happy. This felt right. Karen was practically glowing as she told her father about her dance recital coming up and how well she was doing in school. He just nodded and smiled, his eyes were twinkling as he realized his children were successful. All of them had made it, somehow; Kevin was working two jobs, had a fiancee, and a daughter. Karen was a straight-A student who jumped a year of school and was a constant lead in the school plays, choir, and captain of the dance team. And Kenny allowed her that chance; he worked two jobs, went to school, and was taking college courses as a senior in high school. Of course, Stuart didn't know the details of Kenny's life; he didn't even know how he managed to afford this place, let alone work and go to school at the same time. But he was proud.

And Butters could see that as his hazel eyes cast over his three children. Karen talked animatedly for much of dinner, Kevin was laughing as she spoke, and as he took turns with Shelly to feed Caroline, and Kenny was silent as he watched Karen and held Butters' hand under the table.

"So... you have a job now?" Karen asked Stuart, who nodded as he wiped his mouth on the napkin.

"Yup, I work with the electric company. I'm a repairman." Kenny toyed with the fork in his hand and remained silent. He just knew Karen was beaming. "I've been goin' to these meetings too. I needed to pick myself up somehow."

"AA?" Karen pressed. Stuart chuckled and shook his head. Kevin and Kenny shared a look.

"Nah, with some old friends... they saw me on the curb one night, took me home, and got me on my feet. They gave me purpose, ya know? Told me to find faith again, and a way to connect with yer mama."

"So like... with the church?" Butters asked. Stuart was hesitant as he looked at the bright blonde. Then he shook his head.

"Nah, nah..." Stuart trailed off, "with Nelson and Richard. They were the ones who found me." Kenny's eyes darkened and he peered at his dad. For a moment, Butters stared in awe; did Kenny's eyes glow yellow? It appeared that Kevin noticed this as well.

"You mean the Cult of Cthulhu?" Kenny asked darkly. Stuart laughed and shook his head.

"No, no... it's a group to help people. To make a difference and change their lives." Butters glanced at Kenny, expecting a furious expression knitted on his face. However he was met with a look of resignation; sadness, almost. It appeared as if Kenny had simply given up; and that was far worse than anger. Fury meant Kenny cared. But considering Stuart belonged to a group that may or may not be trying to kill him, among a vast multitude of other reasons not to care, he could understand. It was just a surprise for Butters; he had never seen that expression on his boyfriend's face before. He looked lost.

"How?" Kevin asked with furrowed eyebrows and a look of distrust painted as stone on his face.

But it didn't matter how; Stuart McCormick was brainwashed.

Kenny suddenly lost his appetite and set down his fork. He felt Butters' eyes practically burn his skin as he watched him carefully. He felt like he was expected to be an eggshell. His father belonged to a cult; a cult whose purpose was to put an end to his life? Did he know? Was that the reason he joined? Kenny realized he needed more information; he needed to know everything about this cult in South Park.

He just wouldn't get his answers from his father. There was no way that man could think without a bias for the group. What hurt the most was Kenny realized his father may simply be too messed up and desperate to realize whatever cult he got himself into was actually a cult. Perhaps he thought it was actually bettering the world. That's what bothered him the most.

Kenny knew something needed to be done. Not here, and surely not now. He had time, but as he gazed at his dad he realized his potential cause of death was close. Nearly too close. It was enough to send him into a defensive mode; his body was tense and waiting in anxious suspension for any trigger, any alarm to sound in his brain. The only question he had was: When?

For now he would have to wait. For now he would have to bite his tongue in silence and let his warped father feel some semblance of family as he sits in what was the best thing to happen to the McCormick family. For now he should be celebrating Thanksgiving with the ones he loved; Kenny did love his father. There just wasn't an ounce of respect for him in his bones.

Butters squeezed his hand gently and Kenny smiled weakly at him. He knew Butters would see right through that terrible attempt at showing he was fine. And that was okay. Because late at night when they were alone, when it was just them and the quiet ticking of the clock, and the soft music Butters had to play in order to fall asleep, Kenny would be able to share his worries, vent, and possibly even cry as he considered the possible outcomes.

How could someone wrap their mind around the fact that their father belonged to a cult who wanted to kill him? It was baffling. However, he realized it was the same as accepting the fact that someone's mother had been crazy enough to try to kill him. No one could grasp it. No one could accept it.

But they learned to cope and deal. And as Kenny gazed at Butters, he realized that's all either of them really knew. Neither of them knew how to live... only survive.