It was that special time of year, where autumn was nearing its end, yet still holding on with all its vibrant colours. The November afternoon was cold, but the autumn sun light still flickered through the window into the kitchen where Marco and Kelly were preparing for their Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving Eve always found the couple in a flurry of activity, as they hosted their family and friends every year for the holiday. Kelly had spent the morning decorating the house, polishing the silverware, and unpacking the special dish ware she kept for such occasions. Marco had left for the store to buy all the ingredients they needed. When he returned, he had finished raking up the leaves and had made lunch for the both of them before they started in on the main event.

With every passing year, the guest list had begun to grow, with siblings getting married and the arrival of nieces and nephews. Little by little, other family members had started to contribute, taking on parts of the meal. However, Marco and Kelly remained in charge of the centerpiece: Marco’s famous turkey.

Kelly had just placed the pastry dough in the freezer to chill and was pulling out the ingredients for the pumpkin pie fillings when Marco entered the kitchen with a fifteen pound turkey in hand.

“Time to rub the turkey!” He announced, as he set the thawed bird in the pan.

Kelly laughed, the bag of brown sugar falling over on the counter as she turned towards him. “’Rub the turkey?’”

Marco thought about it for a moment. “There are worst ways to say it.”

She looked at him quizzically for a moment before she realized what he was implying. Shaking her head, Kelly started to measure out ingredients. “You watch to many crime shows.”

It was his turn to laugh. “Well, it’s true!”

“It is,” Kelly conceded. “Just season the turkey and then get started on the stuffing.”

“Alright, alright!” Marco raised his hands in defeat while laughing.

The late afternoon hours gave way to early evening and the house smelled like pumpkin pie. As the sky became dark, it became even colder and so Marco built a fire as they waited for their pizza to be delivered. Kelly turned on the TV to pick out a movie. The rest of their evening was quiet, with just one small interruption when Kelly paused the film just long enough to take the pies out of the oven to cool.

“Can I have slice?” Marco said as he slid his arm around her waist.

“No!” She turned slightly, smiling as she tapped his nose. “Not until tomorrow, mister!”

“Fine, fine.”

“You ask the same thing every year.” She left briefly to clean up the remains of dinner out in the living room, and continued upon return. “Next year, I’ll make a third pie just for us.”

Marco wrapped her in a hug. “You know you’re brilliant, right?”

Kelly just laughed as she hugged him in return.

Thanksgiving Eve ending with a large mug of hot apple cider for each before they headed to bed, excited to see family and friends, trying to guess how the conversation would flow during dinner and hoping for a white Thanksgiving.

Outside, the night sky gave off a soft glow as snowflakes began to fall and cover everything in a pristine white.

by
silvacultrix

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TThank you Silvatrix for your submission! Thanks for celebrating the fall season with us!