The Breaking Wheel

Chapter 97: Thanksgiving

Billy reached out and tapped Dr. Collingwood on the shoulder.

"Hey, wanna hear a chemistry joke?"

No response.

"Hey?"

Still nothing.

"Molly!"

The researcher turned. "Oh, I'm sorry, were you expecting a reaction? "

John and Eddie started to snort-giggle, while Lawrence playfully picked her up and swung her around.

"I knew it! I knew you could pun!" he crowed.

She let out a hearty chuckle and nuzzled her nose into his neck, drinking in his sweet scent.

"I love you. So, so much," she whispered into his ear, a low, satisfied growl pulsing in her throat as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"Alright, alright, cut the cr*p, Billy," Simon said. "Today's Thanksgiving, isn't it? So what are we all thankful for?"

Billy's cheeky grin softened into a tender smile. "I'm thankful that I realized how much of a piece of sh*t I was."

John spoke up. "I'm thankful that I met Dr. Collingwood in the first place and that I didn't kill her."

Eddie let out a chuckle. "I'm thankful I met Molly too and that I have the brothers and friends I do." Charlie and Simon nodded.

Lawrence said, "I'm thankful for the fact that Molly here," he kissed her on the cheek, "is still alive and sane."

Dr. Collingwood cleared her throat. "Well, I'm thankful for... a lot of things, to be honest. I'm thankful for the fact that I'm still alive, that I'm not in an insane asylum, for my parents, for the life that I have, but most of all, I'm thankful for each and every one of you. You guys always talk about how I've helped you, but in reality, you guys helped me just as much. If you guys hadn't been there for me every day, I wouldn't be here talking to you right now. You guys are honestly the best friends I could've ever asked for." She looked up at Lawrence with a grin. "And I'm also thankful that I got lucky enough to be with Lawrence."

John clapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, what goes around comes around, doesn't it?"