Winter's Faith | Ongoing

24 | Thanksgiving

Be thankful for what you have.
You'll end up having more.
- Oprah Winfrey

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"Your tummy's showing."

I snorted while Sky gasped dramatically from the front seat. Sitting up straight, he put a hand on his stomach. "Not anymore!" he defended.

"Meaning it was at some point?" I pointed out with a laugh. Which caused Sky to pout.

"Heath! Tell them to stop," Sky whined and our oldest brother sighed, maneuverering the car. "Guys, stop."

"And you think that's going to stop them?" Sky scoffed and Heath huffed, "What else am I suppose to do?"

Sky slumped his shoulder in defeat. "I don't know."

Reaching over, I pulled Sky's cheek. "Aw. No worry. Be happy," I sang and he swatted my hand away.

"You're not cute," he mumbled.

I settled back, and I looked out the window to hide my smile, as I remembered Roman saying something quite similar, the day I went over to his place after Halloween.

And now it's Thanksgiving already.

These past few weeks, I've noticed the small changes in Roman's behaviour. Sure, he would have the same stoic look he did when he was around people, but he would acknowledge me in public.

He had even started to warm up to my friends, often roasting Declan and Jake with Miley.

Of course, I hadn't told my friends about Allison. Because it wasn't my story to tell. But the looks Roman's friends gave me, told me that they knew that I knew.

"Is it just me or is she spacing out and smiling more than usual?"

I yelped in pain when Arden pinched me, to get me out of my daydreaming. Thinking quick, I blurted out, "I helped Heath make food without burning anything. I deserve to smile."

"You let her in the kitchen?" Sky incredulously asked Heath, and Arden chirped in with a laugh, "Hey, we weren't the one who almost burned the kitchen last time."

"Stop. God I'm surrounded with kids," Heath muttered, and Arden threw him a look.

"Says the guy-"

"We're here," Heath interrupted, before another argument started, as he parked the car outside Ericson house.

Jumping out the car, we all followed Arden to the door. Not two minutes after Heath knocked, the door opened and Camilla ushered us in before hugging us all.

"Oh how I missed you all," she gushed, placing a sloppy kiss on Arden's cheek. Wiping it off, Arden whined, "Camilla! I'm not ten anymore."

However, mama bear only laughed. "Oh and here I was thinking you'll love the bell shaped cookies just like you did when you were ten," she teased and Arden brighten.

"Cookie?"

"In the kitchen," Camilla pointed and Arden didn't waste anytime taking off.