Forbidden Love

Chapter 38: Thanksgiving

Pov y/n

Driving home with Natasha is so much better than driving home by myself.
The car ride takes between four and five hours, depending on the traffic.

I've sat in a car that long before and I know I could have done it again but it's just so much better this way. Instead of listening to a podcast or music, I can talk to my girlfriend.
There's still music playing as we don't talk the whole time but it's still different. If I am tired of driving, I can switch and I can easier take a sip of water because she hands me the opened bottle of water.

We decided on taking my car because I wanted to show my parents the new car and because it's new and therefore checked. Natasha's car is great and has more room but the last check-up is a while ago and for this road trip, we wanted to be sure.

I picked her up this morning around 9. Our parents don't expect us before noon and it felt unnecessary to get up early in the morning for this. Getting a good night's sleep felt important and with starting at 9, that was given.

Natasha was on a call with Maria when I came to pick her up, smiling at me. Maria is doing a lot better and recovering greatly.
She was released from the hospital on Monday and Nat drove her a part of the way home, before a colleague of her came to pick her up.

With Nat missing Monday, I took over her classes, which was a little nerve-wrecking but okay.
The students didn't seem to mind it very much, all ready for the holiday.

Standing in front of the lecture hall or class without Natasha in the same room felt weird but I managed and I realized how much I enjoy it. I definitely want to keep teaching.
Since Maria is taken care of and well, Natasha has calmed down fully again and is now looking forward to Thanksgiving as well.

Our parents agreed to celebrating together. It might get a little crowded at my parent's apartment, but we will manage.
Mom was actually glad to have Irina help her with cooking. She insists on making this dinner, but a little help is gladly appreciated.
When Wanda heard about the change of plans, she called me to ask how we will handle it. That's the big question. I told her not to say anything until Nat or I did and she agreed.

This is my decision now and I thought about it thoroughly.
Nat hasn't asked me about it again, which I am glad about because I couldn't have given her an answer then. Now I can, or at least I think I can. It depends a little on how everything goes and how the general mood is.

"We're gonna have Thanksgiving together tomorrow," I start the conversation, catching Nat's attention.

She turns to look at me and I can see her nod in my peripheral. I take a deep breath, readying myself for this conversation. If I don't feel comfortable with this decision, I can pull back at any time, I know that, but this still feels important.

"There will be some chaos before we eat but once we're all around the table, it's probably going to quiet down," I continue, dragging this out longer than I have to but I can't stop myself from rambling.

"I think that would be a good moment to tell them because everyone is around and we don't have to tell them one by one." I exhale, keeping my eyes on the road because that's easier than seeing Nat's reaction. It would surprise me if it was bad but there is still a chance.

"You want to tell them about us?" She asks, excitement swinging in her voice and I am relieved she didn't change her mind on this.

I nod, relaxing my hold on the steering wheel. It took me a long time to get to this point and this decision but I got here. I thought a lot about the pros and cons of telling our families and how they could react.
Wanda did react rather calm and was just happy for me. I don't think my parents will react differently but there is a chance.