The thought of Thanksgiving

 

Vanna didn't like the idea of going to her sister's for Thanksgiving. After all, her mother wouldn't be there. What was the point?

"But your sister's married now. And she's pregnant," Koda sighed. What did she want? He didn't want to make Thanksgiving dinner all over again. He was doing that at the Senior Center without Brandon. 

His life felt to be a full load. Brandon had gotten on at the base hospital. It was a government job. He'd left him hanging.

"Look, bro, I'll get you on, as soon as possible," Brandon had said about the matter. They had been partners now for so long. He hated to work with anybody new.

"What if I'm.I'm the one who's pregnant," Vanna's words startled him to reality.

"What?" Koda felt himself holding his breath. He practically backed into the kitchen counter. He smiled, yet was so light-headed. "What are you trying to tell me?" He did his best to grin. Although, he knew he wasn't the best actor in the world. He thought she'd be on birth control for the rest of her life.

"I don't like being on the pill," she shrugged. Did they say that word anymore?

"Oh," Koda nodded. He kept smiling. Perhaps a fool, yet Vanna's fool. "When?"

"I dunno." Vanna winced. "I just took the test." She was being so testy. She went to the fridge for some juice. She set out two glasses as if it might be a celebration. She poured the orange juice.

"Are you sure?" He looked at her blankly, looking at the juice in the wine glasses they never drank wine in.

"I took the goddamn test five times!" She snapped as she took her wine glass. He picked up his glass, and they clinked as if they were in unison of the matter.

Koda coughed a laugh. Instantly, he wondered how they'd get through this. Thankfully, they did have a two-bedroom apartment. Jay's old place. Still, it was so life-changing.

"You better make an appointment," Koda told her as he sipped his orange juice. He watched her rake her blonde hair back and it fell perfectly over the right side of her face. He knew that frightened look, but she was his brave girl. She'd managed at the grocery store this long. She'd even taken to making jewelry with her new bestie Maisy.

"I already have," she gave him an intense look as she pressed an even lip. Koda nodded. He put down the glass on the kitchen counter and went to her. He hugged her as if somehow they would get through this.

"Don't tell Jay and Slater," she said right into his chest.

He sighed.

"But, they are family," Koda told her.

"Not yet," Vanna was crying. "I just want to give it, some time."

He hugged her and nodded ever so quietly.

Em wrapped her arms around Yuki as if she needed her more than ever. She kissed her longingly as if they needed to be together.

"What's going on?" Yuki pulled away and looked down at her soul mate. Em was not the kind to be so clingy, but she'd come to her as if something was wrong. Perhaps, very wrong.

"I asked Remi and Wolf to come to Thanksgiving," Em mumbled near Yuki's ear.

"Oh, did you now," Yuki didn't want to alarm her. "How did that happen?"

Finally, Em looked up at her as if she was sort of sad about it, but not really. "She brings me things from the drugstore," Em shrugged as if she knew she should have told her sooner. 

Yuki sighed, but she wouldn't hold it against her. 

"I think, Remi's changed," Em told her as he fat bottom lip stuck out, while she looked up at Yuki.

Yuki pressed her lips tight.

"You have to tell me, everything," Yuki insisted. She didn't like being left in the dark.

"She's with Wolf and..and I dunno, I guess everything is OK. He's..he's like her child or something." Em still looked sad about the matter.

"I doubt that," Yuki let a laugh slip. She knew how Remi worked.

"She doesn't drink anymore. I don't want any alcohol here, you know," Em told her

"I know," Yuki stroked the top of Em's head and put a lock of hair behind her ear. "We have so many people coming. Do we really have the room?"

"We'll make room," Em promised. Yuki kissed the top of her head. She felt the baby kick then and it made Yuki smile all the more.