The Driving Force to Love (MXM) ✔

Chapter 42

Dean Axle Lance

I opened my eyes to Tonio's bedroom. I turned slightly in the bed to see him sleeping next to me. His back was turned to me as he slept deeply. A smile touched my lips at the sight. We had known each other for over a year now although we hadn't officially been dating for that long.

I shifted so my chest was against his back and put my arm around him to hold him close to me. He murmured something incomprehensible and scooted so his back was even closer to me. Then he settled and fell back asleep.

I was awake and wasn't going to fall back asleep, but I stayed there unmoving feeling his heat and his breath. I simply enjoyed this moment of holding the one I loved. I stayed there until nature's call grew too strong and I got up and went into the bathroom.

I went through my morning routine and got dressed into the change of clothes I had brought with me. When I came out of the bathroom, Tonio was now on his back, but still asleep. I couldn't help but smile at the sweetness of his face. I bent over him and kissed his forehead. Then I went downstairs.

My intent had been to make breakfast for everyone, but when I got to the kitchen I was surprised to see I wasn't the only one awake. Sarah was already sitting at the table. She was usually the last of us to wake up.

"Good morning," I said.

"Morning," she greeted. "I made coffee."

I was now familiar enough with the kitchen that I was easily able to find a mug and pour myself a cup of coffee.

"I was thinking I would make breakfast for everyone," I said as I sat across from her. There was a slice of pumpkin pie in front of her topped with whipped cream. She had just taken a bite from it. She paused with the fork still in her mouth.

When she pulled the fork out she said, "I decided since it's Thanksgiving and we are all just going to pig out anyway that I would have pumpkin pie for breakfast. Do you want a slice?"

"Sounds good," I said.

I had intended to get it for myself but before I could move, she had stood up and went to the fridge. She took the pumpkin pie out and the whipping cream. She brought it all to the table before she retrieved a small plate and fork. I dished myself up a slice with a generous dollop of whipping cream.

"We're not eating the pie Liz was going to take to her family today are we?" I asked. I took a bite. Liz had made the pie from scratch and it was so much better than any store bought pie I had eaten.

"No," Sarah said, "this is leftover from yesterday."

Today was Thanksgiving. We couldn't really celebrate it together since Liz and Tonio were expected to be with their families. The four of us had celebrated it yesterday. I planned to go to my brother's apartment today and we were going to have a small meal all of our own and watch the game. It was the first Thanksgiving I would actually be with family in a very long time.

"You're up early," I said.

A heavy sigh escaped her. "I'm going to my parents today. I told my mom I'd make a casserole so I need to go home and make it."

"Do you not like the idea of cooking for your family?" Granted, I hadn't known her for too long, but it seemed like she liked cooking and she was good at it. "Or is it the idea of going home you don't like?" Because that sigh had meant something.

"I like my immediate family," she said. "My parents and siblings have always been supportive. But my grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins are going to be there. They pretend to be supportive but they always make backhanded comments that I have to pretend don't bother me."