Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Thanksgiving: Part One

Y/N POV

The sounds of voices meet me as I'm halfway down the stairs, causing me to smile brightly.

It's our Thanksgiving of firsts. It's the first holiday Lizzie and I get to experience together. The first time our families are meeting. Our first dinner at our new house. There's a lot of things that's going to make this day special, and I'm super excited for it.

I round the corner once I'm off the stairs, making my way into the living room where most of the guys are settled on the couches, a few of them with beers already in their hands. We made sure to invite everyone, and I'm pretty sure that we have like twenty people coming today. "Hey, guys."

I'm greeted by everyone in various different ways, from hugs to claps on the back and each one makes me smile. It's nice to have everyone here, all together like the big mushed up family that we are.

Walking past all the guys, I eventually arrive in the kitchen, my eyes searching for one person in particular. I manage to find who I'm looking for and make my way towards where she's currently peeling potatoes, stopping to say hello to everyone also present. Once I reach Lizzie, I place a hand on her lower back, so not as to startle her. I've learnt my lesson on that, with the last time almost ending up with Lizzie cutting her thumb off with a knife.

My girlfriend smiles before she ever looks over at me, pausing her efforts as she turns and stands on her toes to press a quick kiss to my lips, her arms wrapping around my neck. "Hi, baby."

I return the smile, settling my hands on her lower back. "Hi, my love. I was just letting you know that I'm heading out to get Liv. And I'm taking Scar with me."

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

Shaking my head, I lean forward to give her another quick kiss. "I'm sure. I know you'd rather stay here and dictate to everyone in the kitchen."

Before I can move away Lizzie's arms tighten around my neck, and I instantly notice the way her face falls, her smile replaced by the same look of worry she's been giving me for a while now. I know she's internally freaking out, because this is the first time I'm leaving the house since the attack without her by my side, but that was part of the reason why I wanted her to stay here. "Promise me you'll be safe?"

Nodding, I pull her a little closer, giving her a tight squeeze in the hope that it will comfort her a little. "I promise. I'll be okay, Liz."

This time she lets me pull away from her, the brunette clearing her throat as she crosses her arms over herself, her green eyes meeting mine. "I know."

I duck my head back down to kiss her forehead a few times before stepping back and away from her, knowing that if I don't leave now I'll cave and let her come with me. And we both need this. "We'll be back in half an hour. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Giving her a wink, I make my way back towards the front door where Scarlett is already waiting for me. The blonde gives me a smile before pushing herself off the door. "Are we good to go?"

"Yeah. I was just telling Lizzie we were leaving."

Scar raises an eyebrow as she opens the door and I follow her out of the house and down towards her car. "Did she try to convince you to let her come?"

I let out a sigh, sliding into the passenger seat with relative ease. As more days pass, the less pain I feel and I'm looking forward to the day where I don't have to worry about these fucking wounds anymore. "Obviously."

"You know she's being so overprotective because she loves you, right?"

My heart lurches as I remember Scarlett telling me about Lizzie's reaction when she first arrived at the hospital. I feel immensely guilty for putting her through all of that, for putting everyone through that. "I know. Thank you for taking care of her while I couldn't."