Just a Soldier

Chapter 63 - Thanksgiving

Y/n's POV:

It's Thanksgiving! Not that I really understand it all that much, but Scarlett is really excited and I can't wait to spend the day with everyone. Scarlett had offered to host a couple of months ago so we've got a full house. We've got the Downey's, Melanie, Evans, Sophie and Matt and Tom and Zendaya.

This is my first time celebrating Thanksgiving. I didn't realise there are so many traditions that came along with it. For example, we absolutely had to be finished with dinner in time for the Football. There was a Parade or something on the TV which started at 9, which was on every TV that has someone in the same room. There is even specific dishes that have to be made. It's weird as it basically feels like an early Christmas, but I'm excited to experience it.

I am up super early with Scarlett to start preparing the turkey, much to her arguments for me to rest. It is the biggest turkey I've ever seen, but I guess it's got to feed a lot of people today. Once it's in the oven, we go through everything that we need and make sure we're not missing anything. Thankfully it looks like we've got everything that we need.

Whilst we have a minute, we go and shower and get ready for the rest of the day. I head to wake Ava, who is reluctant to get out of bed, until she remembers that we're having everyone over today. She gets ready as quickly as she can and is running downstairs to join us for breakfast in no time.

Knowing we've got a big dinner ahead of us, we just have a small breakfast. Just as we're clearing up, the doorbell goes, which Scarlett answer. Lizzie, and the Downey's have arrived! Exton and Avri run in and greet me, before going to Ava. Pleasantries out of the way, they rush off to play together.

Lizzie and Susan come straight through to the kitchen with bags of food and I can already sense the stress radiating off of them. So I focus my attention on my dad. "Hey." I greet, pulling him into a hug. "Hi sweetheart. How are you? Excited for your first Thanksgiving?" He asks. "I'm good. Tired from being up to periodically baste a turkey but otherwise good. I am, though I'm more excited to just be having quality time with you all." I reply and he smiles.

Whilst Robert goes to check on the kids, I rejoin the others in the kitchen and start to peel some potatoes. I have to hide a smirk as the three of them are rushing around getting things they need. I can only imagine it'll get worse once Melanie is here. "Oh shoot! Put the parade on!" Susan says, realising the time.

Scarlett grabs the remote to the TV that's in the kitchen and they all smile as they notice they've not missed the start. Between the three of them, they start to explain the traditions behind the parade. I must admit, some of the floats are pretty cool.

After a few minutes, Susan looks up at me and frowns. "What are you doing?" She questions. I look down to the potato in my hand and then to the peeler. "Uh, peeling potatoes? Am I doing it wrong?" I ask confused. "You should be resting." She scolds, causing me to roll my eyes. "Really? It's been 4 weeks. I don't need to rest." I argue but she's not having it and to add to it, Lizzie and Scar are also joining in.

"You need to take it easy with your shoulder." Lizzie adds to the argument. "It's literally peeling potatoes. It's fine. I want to help." I reply, realising that I'm on to a losing battle. "You can help by playing with the kids. Carefully!" Scarlett suggests, placing a kiss on my cheek. "I don't need babying." I say frustrated, but I'm getting three head tilts. "Fine." I mumble, placing the peeler on the side and leaving the kitchen.

I do as I'm told and join the kids in the lounge. They're currently watching the parade, so I take a seat on the sofa with them. I have Ava tucked into one side, Exton on the other whilst Avriis sat in my lap, her back against me. Ok, I'm happy with this moment right here.