Stalker

Chapter 38- Giving Thanks

Maria

I woke up to the entire house smelling like warm bread rolls, wondering who the hell has ordered food already. Marco said he wasn't going to order in any food until 30 minutes before people were supposed to arrive so it would still be warm.

I put on some slippers and grabbed my robe, covering my skimpy pajamas as I wandered half-awake into the hallway and downstairs.

I followed the smell all the way into the kitchen, where I felt like my eyes were betraying me. Facing away from me was Aiden with a black apron tied around his waist, currently combining something in a bowl while a hot tray of rolls sat on the stove.

"I- huh?" I rubbed my eyes as I wandered towards Aiden, who chuckled as he met me halfway. I felt his kiss on my forehead and his arms around me, burying my head into his chest. "You cook?"

"I made you coffee." Aiden offered, voice gentle. "And yes I cook."

"But-" I frowned in confusion, finally looking up at my boyfriend. "I always cook thanksgiving dinner."

"I didn't think you were planning on cooking this year?" Aiden was now frowning in confusion, brown eyes meeting mine.

He had pretty eyes.

"Just I-" I groaned, pulling away to sit down on a barstool against the kitchen island. "Coffee please."

Aiden smiled as he poured me a cup, the black apron still tight around his hips. He looked good like that, hair messy and flour coating his left brow. He handed me the warm mug and grabbed the creamer from the fridge, letting me pour it myself before putting it back for me.

He knew me too well.

I took a sip and then another, letting the caffeine wake me up as Aiden continued mixing. "I'm not cooking this year. Before it was just me and Marco and I wanted to relax this year because of how many people are coming."

"So it's okay that i'm cooking?" Aiden raised his flour covered eyebrow, making me smile.

"Absolutely." I nodded and sipped slowly on my coffee, holding it close to my chest with both hands and savoring the warmth. "What all are you making?"

"I'm working on stuffing right now." Aiden showed me the contents of the large bowl he was mixing, cornbread and sausage and vegetables. "You have a massive oven so I'll make another tray of corn bread later. Rolls for breakfast, mashed potatoes, ill prep the sweet potatoes-" Aiden was thinking in between each item, sighing slightly at everything he had to do. "Greenbeen casserole, stuffings prepped so i'll put it in the fridge heat it up before people come, and turkey. I think that's it. There's canned cranberry if you want some."

"I'm gonna be so fat." I sighed, thinking of how bloated I would be later. It was always worth it though. "Where did you learn how to cook all this?"

"Mom taught me how to cook, but I hope you don't mind that I used a cookbook that I found while unpacking." Aiden lifted the thick book, which I don't remember ever seeing before. Maybe on the rare occasion that my dad cooked something.

"I dont mind." I said as Aiden covered the bowl of stuffing with a plastic lid and sliding it into the fridge. He then headed to the pantry, carrying out massive cans of sweet potato. "Where did you get all the ingredients?"

"I had to pick up some things pretty early this morning that I forgot, but i've had most of it for a few days now. I wanted it to be a surprise." Aiden smiled at me, searching the kitchen drawers for a can opener.

I couldn't help but smile at the thoughtfulness. "This year I decided i'm thankful for you. You're my thanksgiving blessing."

Aiden paused at that, brown eyes staring into mine. "I love you more than anything Maria."