All this has happened before, and it will all happen again. Every year is the same, the extended family gathering at my parents' house. We used to all gather at my grandmother's house until she simply got too old and hosting thanksgiving became too stressful for her. Our house however was acceptable. We had plenty of seating and place settings at the main table and the kids table was a perfect fit for the younger children in the family. The seating in the living room was rearranged to all face the television because of course many of the family members are going to want to watch the football games. The backyard was large and had a swing set that the younger children could play on while the older children usually started a game of touch football. Most of my aunts and uncles were already there. We were still waiting on Shane and my aunt Carolyn to get there. Draya and I were currently sitting is some wood patio chairs on the back deck keeping an eye on the younger cousins when we heard Shane’s loud pickup rolling into the driveway. I go over to the side fence to great him. “Hey Shane.” I greet him with a smile. He smiles back at me and says “Hey, hang on a minute I just got to let the pups out.” then he opened his passenger side door and out bounded three large dogs; I mean ok they were all only a year old so 7 in dog years and still considered puppies, but still quite big. “If those are puppies God help us.” I said opening the side gate to let him and the dogs in. “So do these beasts have names?” I asked. “Well, the German Shepherd is Maximums, Max for short, the Mastiff is Fang, and the Great Pyrenees is Falkor.” “Isn't Falkor the name of the good luck dragon in The Never Ending story?” “Yeah, but I always thought Falkor’s head looked kind of like a dog, and I think it's a good name for a dog.” “It fits too, since he’s so large and all white like the good luck dragon.” I said watching as the cousins previously playing on the swing set were all now far more interested in the dogs and were now running and playing with them. The dogs were being exceptionally good with the kids no mouthing or jumping up they were all behaving perfectly. The kids were also being very good, they weren’t pulling or hanging on the dogs or teasing them with toys or harassing the dogs in any way they were being very good kids and they were all just running around together. That’s when we heard a car pulling into the driveway and we saw my aunt Carolyn’s mini coupe. Within a few moments she stepped out and with a wave and a smile began walking towards us, a white and rust colored puppy fallowing her. "Carolyn! I am so glad you are here, there is someone I want to introduce you too." I say letting Carolyn in through the gate. The pup was cautiously wandering over to the other big dogs who were clearly curious. They all sniffed at each other and then the little pup play bowed and then the playing resumed. I led Carolyn over to Draya who was now standing leaning against the deck railing. "Carolyn this is my wonderful girlfriend, Draya." I say. "It's a pleasure to meet you Draya, I am Sarah's aunt Carolyn. Truth be told her mother has actually told me quite a bit about you, you know how girls like to talk." "I do. It was all good I hope." "It was, however, I do look forward to getting to know you in person." "I look forward to it as well." "Hey Carolyn, what is the name of your new pup?" Shane asked. "Oh, its Rusty." she answered. "How about we all go inside for a while, it's starting to get a bit colder out. Do you think the dogs will be ok staying outside?" I asked "They'll be fine for a little while well bring then in later." said Shane. We called the kids inside too. The adults were already watching football in the living room, so we took the kids down to the finished out basement, sat them all down in front to the projector screen and put on Finding Nemo for them to watch until our thanksgiving meal is ready. Draya and I decided to watch it with them; partly because, yet again Draya had not seen it and partly because it gave us an excuse to cuddle together under a blanket. We were just finishing the part with the sharks when we were all being called up to eat. Everyone shuffled upstairs the little kids taking their seats at the kids table while everyone 13 years or older gathered around the main table. Shane went to let the dogs in and got them their meals with some help from Carolyn before taking their seats at the table. Draya was seated between me on one side and Carolyn on the other. "Ok as usual let's go around and say what we are grateful for. Sarah sweety why don't you start." said my mother. "Well, I am great full that I get to spend this time of year with my family and the woman I love" I said. "I am grateful that I found you darling the love of my life." Draya said. "I am grateful for the good food and even better company." Carolyn said. “I am grateful that my dad is no longer in pain” Shane said a bit somberly. The week we had visited my cousin his father was visiting his brother and had recently died of pneumonia and a heart condition. We continued to go around the table, people said the typical things, good health, good fortune, the simple and beautiful things in life. Even the little kids found something sentimental to be thankful for. After that we sat down my father said grace and then began carving the turkey and we all began to fill our plates and small talk began. Carolyn began to practically interrogate Draya. "So do you do a lot of traveling Draya?" "More than someone my age would normally get to." "What's your favorite place you've ever visited?" "I think I would have to say New Orleans, I love the culture and the music and well, all of it." "Do you collect anything from the places you travel?" "Only memories." "If you were left on a deserted island with either your worst enemy or no one, which would you choose? Why?" "In many ways we are our own worst enemy and isolation can drive a person mad, so I would rather be on the island with my worst enemy than alone." "Are you a morning person or a night person?" "I am definitely a night owl." "What is your favorite time of the day, and why?" "3AM the witching hour. In folklore, the witching hour or devil's hour is a time of night that is associated with supernatural events, whereby witches, demons and ghosts are thought to appear and be at their most powerful. Definitions vary, and include the hour immediately after midnight, and the time between 3:00 am and 4:00 am. The term now has a widespread colloquial and idiomatic usage that is associated with human physiology and behaviors to more superstitious phenomena such as luck. I went through a phase where I was rather fascinated with this stuff."

After the meal most of the adults gathered around the television for the football games and we took the kids back downstairs to finish the movie. After Finding Nemo was over, we put on another movie, this time the live action Aladdin. The older cousins aged 10-12 lost interest quickly and gravitated to the pool table and electric dart board.

It wasn’t long before they were calling us all back upstairs again for pie. I had a slice of pumpkin pie with lots of whipped cream. It was my absolute favorite. Draya decided to have apple. After pie the younger cousins all wanted to go outside and play with the dogs again. Draya and I volunteered to keep an eye on them.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, family members slowly began to bid us farewell and go home. Shane and Carolyn left around the same time as they were staying with a family friend together and after lots of hugs and kisses eventually everyone except for my mother and father Draya and I was gone.

Draya was staying the night one more thing I had to be grateful for today. I am truly blessed to be with someone like her. I smile with the awareness that, of all the things I had to be grateful for in my life I know that I am the most grateful for Draya, for the love and happiness she had brought into my life. Before I met her, I thought my life was complete and it’s almost hard to believe that there was a time that I was without Draya because now I can’t imagine my life without her.

When I crawl into bed and Draya's welcoming arms, I immediately snuggle into her, tucking my head under her chin and nuzzling her like an overgrown cat. "You are exceptionally affectionate tonight." "Sorry, I am in a snuggly mood." I say stopping in my nuzzling for the moment. "It wasn't meant as a complaint darling, I actually quite like you like this.” “Good, because I am feeling very snuggly, and I don’t think it’s going to change any time soon…or at least not tonight.” Draya giggled as resumed my nuzzling and she traced intricate patterns on my back. When I finally drifted off to sleep, I thanked God for my angel my Draya.

THE END next story is titled Snow

I had trouble trying to end this one I don't know why, but lately I seem to be hitting a lot of creative blocks and have been under a lot of stress so, maybe that is affecting my writing and causing the block, I don't know, but I will get through it one way or another. I have tons of stories started and a couple finished so I hope to be posting every 1-2 weeks. I won't make any promises that I'm not sure I can keep though. My other worry is running out of steam, I don't want to write myself into a corner and have nowhere to go with it because I will not abandon this series I won't, I won't, I won't!!!!! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this story sorry for any spelling, punctuation, and grammatical mistakes if there are any and let me know what you think or at least give it a like thank you! 🖤💜😃

“So, we took a look at your CT scans.” The nurse starts, a long pause afterwards while she looks at the folder. “I want to be honest with you, Mr. Morelli. We found a tumor that is rapidly growing.” Another long pause.

“What’s that mean?”

“It’s around 8 centimeters right now.”

“I still don’t understand. Is it a cancer one?”

A very long pause. She flips some papers, clicks her tongue, and looks at me. “It seems to be.”

I sigh. “Alright, how long have I got?”

“I’m sorry, sir?”

“Just tell me. It can be a rough estimate if you don’t know the exact date but I’d like to know in advance so I can cancel my appointments. I don’t need any late fees following me to the grave.”

The nurse smiles and closes the folder. “There are many treatment plans and support for you.”

“I know that I’m going to die.”

“Surgery might even be the best option in this case—“

“I don’t want surgery. I’ve been alive a long time, ma’am, I don’t have time for that. The recovery is the hardest part, I already know. My dad died from cancer. It was from his smoking, though, but still.”

“Mr. Morelli, do you have anyone I can talk to? Any close family or friends?”

“My closest friend is death and I don’t think he wants to hear it.” I laugh, feeling a sharp pain in my head. “Can you kill me?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Don’t be sorry, I just want to know. Like, euthanize me?”

“Not that I know of. I want to suggest that you go home and think about your options. Here’s Dr. Scott’s number if you have any questions.”

I sigh. “Thanks anyway.”

You know in some movies how they have a dream sequence only they don't tell you it's a dream? This is so not a dream. It felt like a dream but I know this is real. My angels arms around me are real, our legs tangled together are real, and last night, god last night was definitely real. I feel cool lips against my ear and then a whispered “Good morning my beautiful amazing darling Sarah.” “Good morning my wonderful gorgeous angel Draya.” I said angling my head to look at her. “How are you feeling this morning?” She asked. “Honestly, I’m a little sore.” Draya begins to message my shoulders and I lean into the touch even though that wasn’t the place I was sore. “God I wish I could just stay here with you all day.” I said letting my eyes slip closed. “You can.” My eyes open again “Draya it’s a school day!” “You’re not going; I already called you in sick and I called Tracy and told her you were taking a personal day…also you slept in, it’s already 10:30AM so you would be late by now anyway.” “Oh thank god! I was sort of dreading getting out of bed and going to school. I hate school anyway and I know Hallie is going to bombard me with questions about last night. She’s my best friend and I love her like a sister but I am so not ready to answer some awkward questions; besides I really don’t want to be away from you right now.” “I don’t want you away from me right now either, but as for your friends…I have a feeling that they might try to call you after school.” “I’m sure they will and they are going to want every single detail the little pervs.” “They are just being hormonal teenagers.” “You know technically we’re hormonal teenagers too and we don’t go asking them about their sex life.” “True but we don’t have a best friend who just spent the night with the girlfriend she just recently got back together with. Even if nothing had happened I think they would still be curious.” “That is a valid argument. Even if I tried to lie about it Tracy is extremely perceptive almost on a supernatural level, and Hallie has a knack for finding things out. She says its one of the perks of being a gossip.” "You're not a very convincing liar anyway." “Not true, I’ve had to tell all kinds of lies and half truths to my friends about you and David and Celeste to keep the whole vampire thing secret and they all seem to believe me!” “That’s a bit different princess, most of those times I told you what to tell them so it doesn’t really count.” I sigh “Oh well at least I don’t have to deal with it right this second. I have all day to relax with you.” I say tilting my head back so I can look at her. She smiles at me and says with a sigh “Every time I look at you, I think I fall a little more in love.” I reply with “You’re an angel in disguise. It’s not even that good of a disguise. You pretty much look like an angel.” That made Draya laugh a little. I have officially decided that I like making Draya laugh. It always sounds so pretty and musical to me. I absolutely love it. “You hungry Princess? Because I could go down stairs and make us some breakfast.” She offered when she was done laughing. “I would say yes but if I did that would mean you would have to leave the room not to mention the bed and I don’t so much like that idea.” “You could get dressed and come with me.” “Yeah I suppose I could, expect I forgot to bring extra clothes and everything I wore yesterday is still on the floor of your motor home.” I say with a small smile and blushing a little at the memory. “You can just borrow something from me, I should have something that will fit.” “Yeah okay.” I said. Draya got out of bed and I sat up in the bed and I watched her go over to the dresser and get out a sports bra and a pair of girls boxers for me and a pair for herself as well then she went into her walk in closet and after a few seconds emerged with a long sleeve red flannel plaid shirt and black jeans. She brought the clothes over to me and I got out of bed and got dressed as did Draya. The outfit she chose was a blue flannel plaid shirt and blue jeans.

After we were dressed we descended down the stairs and went into the kitchen. Despite having been inside the house many times I have never actually seen the kitchen. It was both modern and yet not, it had hard wood floors and natural wood cabinets and granite countertops, the appliances were all stainless steel with an island in the center shaped like a upside down side ways P with four chairs set around it. I sat down in one of the chairs while Draya went to open the fridge “You okay with a veggie and cheese omelette with some warm crescent rolls and orange juice?” “Sounds good.” I said I just sat in the chair and watched Draya cook. I liked watching her. Somehow everything she did seems to fascinate me, now more than ever. Everything seemed different and yet the same just better. It didn’t take long before breakfast was done and Draya came over with two plates both with an omelette and two warm buttered crescent rolls. The food tasted excellent as it usually did when cooked by Draya. I ate in quite contemplation when Draya suddenly asked “What are you thinking?” “I’m glad, so glad that you came into my life.” I said without hesitation. ‘I'm so glad you chose me.Being with you feels so right.I don't know what I'd do without you.You mean the world to me.” I smiled and we finished our breakfast in silence. After we were done eating Draya put our dishes in the sink and we went into the living room and snuggled up on the couch together. “So where’s Celeste?” “Probably in her room debating whether it’s safe to come out.” “You think Celeste heard us last night?” “Actually I am certain she did. You weren’t exactly quiet last night.” Draya said a look of amusement on her face. “Not my fault!” “True as that may be I thought you might have shown a little more self restraint.” “I was a bit to preoccupied to be concerned with that kind of thing.” Draya chuckled then said “Well I think I am safe in the assumption that you certainly, thoroughly enjoyed yourself last night my promiscuous little minx.” “Minx maybe but I am not promiscuous.” “You’re right promiscuous is not the right word to describe you.” “What do you think is the right word to describe me?” I asked “Perfect”. she stated simply “Aw, you’re sweet but I’m not perfect.” “You are to me, and for me.” “Will you love me like this forever?” “I will love you forever and when ‘forever’ ends, I’ll love you some more.” “Thank you for loving me, I couldn’t have been more lucky.” I say smiling at her “People like me aren’t supposed to have someone like you, I think fate was being harsh on you.” “Harsh? Draya Royal how many times am I going to have to convince you that you are the best thing that has ever and will ever happen to me! I love you and I happen to consider myself lucky to have someone like you and if I believed in fate which I’m not entirely sure I do then I would say it wasn’t being harsh at all in fact it was being all to kind I love you.” “I shouldn’t be allowed to be this happy.” “You are too harsh on yourself my angel. Maybe you should try to give yourself a break and be kind to yourself instead.” “God broke the mold when he made you I never had anyone who understood me like you well ok Celeste and….” She trailed off and for a split second it seemed like her mind was someplace else but it only lasted for a moment “…but she doesn’t count you seem to get me on a whole other level…better in some ways.” I wanted to just take the compliment and smile and be happy but the odd pause bothered me just a little to much “Who else?” “Who else what?” She asked but I could tell that the innocence she was trying to portray was an act “Don’t play dumb with me, you said ‘Celeste and’ but never said the name of the other person and for a second it was like you’re mind was someplace else so please just be honest with me.” “Princess I’m sorry but I cant…at least not right now so can you please let it drop?” “No not this time I won’t allow you to keep things from me that’s not how a relationship works. I get that there are things that might be hard for you to talk about but I want to help to make it a little easier but I can only do that if you let me.” “Remembering hurts…” “Is it Shaylyn?” I asked. I haven’t forgotten about the brown haired blue eyed girl in the pictures. Honestly I was curious about her. She was like a mystery I wanted to unravel, but the only person who held all the clues, who knew Shaylyn’s story was Draya. Draya is usually open about most things but when it comes to anything involving Shaylyn she has trouble and tends to shut down a little. I only knew a few things about the girl I knew that she was a hunter and that she died in Draya’s arms but that was it. I don’t know how she died, or how long she and Draya had been together, or what kind of relationship they had nothing. Draya hung her head and nodded. “She was the only other person aside from Celeste and myself who understood you?” Draya nodded again. “Tell me about her Draya, please.” She was silent for a long time then spoke very softly “Why does it matter so much to you?” “She was important to you and that makes her Important to me too but I know next to nothing about her but I want to and the only person who can really tell me about her is you.” She let out a big sigh and said “Alright, I’ll tell you everything not all at once but I will tell you everything…from the beginning.”

THE END to be continued in story titled To Love A Hunter

What we did on our holidays movie starring billy Connolly

mickey have a pee before you go come on get out this house your too slow off too the seaside wish it were me mickey please remember to go have a pee cause it’s nearly a four hour drive there and i know you don’t like to do the loo in the fresh air don’t tell me you don’t need Micky i dont want to have to plead you will be complaining the whole way i really don’t need this today there won’t be a toilet on the road go to the loo and drop off a load that’s it good boy go to the car well done mickey you ar a star