Of Witches and Warlocks: The Complete Series

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Thanksgiving finally rolled around, and I began to help my mom with the preparations. She'd invited the entire coven to come eat with us this year. Vance helped me put out some seasonal decorations in our formal dining room, and together we transformed the space.

The dining room table was laden with a beautiful cornucopia, flanked with tapered candles in crystal holders. We finished polishing all the silver from the china cabinet, carefully putting each one in its formal place setting. Vance carried the china dishes from the cupboard and helped me set them with a fancy folded napkin. The table glistened when we were done.

Vance went outside with my dad to bring in some wood to build a fire in the fireplace, while I went into the kitchen to help mom with the rest of the food preparations.

"Mom?" I walked over next to her, breathing in the wonderful aromas filling the air. "How come you never let us use magic to help you with things like cooking?"

"Cooking is an art," she replied with a smile. "It isn't something that should be thrown together. Besides, it's my own little type of magic around here. I need to be valued for some reason."

"Mom!" I laughed and hugged her. "You're always appreciated! Don't ever think you're not!" She patted me affectionately. "What can I do to help?"

"Well, I guess you're worthy enough to take on the relish tray this year," she replied with a grin.

"Oh! Thanks so much, your Majesty, for bequeathing me with such a noble assignment!" I teased back, and she laughed, shaking her head.

I got the serving trays and the cutting board and began to cut the vegetables. The two of us continued to visit while we finished making the last of the meal together.

The dinner ended up being a huge success, and it was wonderful having all of our "family" there with us. We ate until we were stuffed, and then everyone helped clear and clean the dishes. Continuing the fun night, we gathered around the piano for a sing-along.

While several members of the coven were certainly musically gifted, the singing got significantly wilder as the evening progressed. I thought it was due directly to how much wine was being consumed by the older members of the coven. Vance and I watched, laughing at some of their crazy antics. He finally stood and asked me if I'd like to take a stroll in the night air with him. That sounded like a fabulous idea, so we got our coats on and headed out the door.

"It's a bit nippy tonight," I said, when we stepped into the courtyard.

"Don't worry, I'll keep you warm." Vance smiled and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close.

I blew my heated breath into my cupped hands and rubbed them together briskly to warm them a little, then shoved them deep into my coat pockets. We walked slowly together down the dimly lit street, looking at the houses we passed. Many had their windows aglow with home fires burning while the families celebrated their holiday.

"Today was great," Vance said, breaking the silence.

"You really enjoyed it?" I worried that all the extra people around would make him feel nervous.

"This is one of the first Thanksgivings I can think of in a long time that I've had so much to be thankful for. I really felt like part of a family tonight."

"You are part of a family," I said. "You're my family."

"I know," he continued, trying to explain. "But I've never been surrounded by that many people, with that kind of warmth, for an occasion like this."