I Got You ~ C.B

TWENTY-SEVEN

When Thanksgiving rolls around, I'm super excited. I've never had a Thanksgiving before. I'm going to try my hand at cooking a turkey, yams, collard greens. It's going to be an adventure but I'm so excited. The only thing I have made before is a pumpkin pie, so I know that's going to kick ass. I'm compiling a grocery list for tomorrow, the day before turkey day, so I can start preparing for Diana's and my feast. Colby and everyone are going back to their families for thanksgiving, which I don't have a problem with- they should, so I'm doing a feast for two. Less work anyway.
"Hey chicken."
Colby greets, I didn't even hear him come in
"Hey!"
I grin, finishing writing 'evaporated milk' on my list. I turn my head to the side as he leans over the back of the couch to kiss me. He walks around, joining me on the couch
"What are you doing, felon?"
I scoff, ever since he found out I've been jailed overseas he hasn't been able to let it go. He's even convinced me to post a story time about it and release mugshot merch on the anniversary of it. As of nearly a week ago my mugshot was on t-shirts sold on Fanjoy, caps, sweaters, hoodies, long sleeves, backpacks. We even released mug mugs. Best merch drop by far, especially after the story time, which also became my most viewed video.
"Making a list."
He cheekily hugs me to him, pushing us over onto the couch
"A packing list! You're so prepared and organised."
I wiggle around to face him, eyebrow raised
"Packing list?"
He asks, smiling innocently
"Come to Kansas with me?"
I blink at him for a second, comprehending what he just asked me.
"Kansas?"
What he's really asking is 'meet my family?' He nods, informing me
"My family has been asking me to bring you home for months. I think they jut assumed Thanksgiving would be when I'd bring you."
I sit back up, asking him as he places his head on my lap
"But do you want to bring me home."
He smiles up at me, reaching up a hand to touch my cheek
"Of course I do."
I must look scared, because he laughs
"Baby, I promise you- no offence- it will go much better than meeting your family did."
My lips spread into a smile, and I laugh. He knows I wouldn't take offence to that. And I'm sure it will go so much better. His family seem so sweet. Assured, I lean down to kiss him
"Let's do it. I'm excited to meet them too."

On Thanksgiving, we fly out to Kansas. Landing at around mid afternoon. We catch an Uber to his family home, about half an hour from the airport in suburbia. It's a lovely family home, manicured garden out the front, porch adorned with patio furniture, big wooden front door- windows either side. Colby let's us in with his own key, I hold the door aside for him to let him through considering he's got both our bags. The first ones to greet us are the dogs, Koki and Foxy. Bounding through the house and through entrance to us and engulfing Colby first. Noticing he isn't alone, they break and jump up at me. I kneel down, patting them both
"Hello," I say in my cutsie voice "I've heard so much about you two!"
I hear an excited voice join us
"Oh hello!"
I look up, Colby already being pulled into his mother's arms, more family members coming up and joining them. After taking turns greeting their son and brother, they turn to me. His mother nudging him
"Oh, Colby. She's lovely."
His brother, who I know is named Gage, adds
"Yeah... introductions bro. Please."
Colby waves me to come closer, and when I'm beside him, places a hand on my back
"Mom, dad, bro- meet Alaska. You can call her Rey."
His mother draws me into a hug, which I naturally accept. I would have attempted a hug even if she didn't act first. She tells me as she does
"And you can call me mom. I can't tell you how excited I've been to meet you. I remember Colby telling me about you way back in 2016."
Gage adds
"Legit. He went on about you for an hour around the dinner table."
Gage stands what feels like two feet above me, and I feel like a child when he hugs me in a brotherly way. He pats my back
"He wasn't kidding when he said you were a shorty."
I laugh
"He was pretty spot on describing you too."
His father waits for me to turn to him, outreaching a hand to me when I do
"Lovely to meet you, Alaska. May I ask though, why is it that people call you Rey from Alaska?"
I state
"Oh- it's just from my last name. I guess people found it hard to find a nickname in Alaska."
"Allie?"
Gage offers with a smirk. I smirk back at him
"One that isn't basic."
Mr Brock, still holding the handshake, claps his other hand around the back of mine in a friendly manner
"Well- it's lovely either way. You seem as wonderful as Colby has painted you out to be."
Gage makes a sound and a little whip action
"Wah-Choo."
Colby punches at his brother's arm
"Okay, lets stop embarrassing me in front of my girl now."
Mrs Brock, or... Mom, assures him
"You aren't prepared for what's coming later if you think this is embarrassing," she turns to me "I've got the photo albums prepared for later, darlin'. But for now, you two go get settled in. Family should start arriving in a couple of hours."
I ask her before we leave
"Is there anything I can help with in the kitchen or dining room? Anything before they come?"
She smiles at me
"Nothing until you feel right at home. Now go on, you two."
Hugging his Mom again, he leads me up the stairs to the right of the doorway in which we stand. It's a lovely house. An almost Victorian feel to the architecture, the decorating bright and homely. Clean and warm and welcoming all at once. You can feel it's a family home, you can feel the love.