As she gathered her last bag from the carousel she looked around at the now almost empty airport. It was bustling full of people only minutes ago. She noticed in one area sat the nice guy she had sat next to on the plane. They had got on really well and chatted during the whole flight. was an antiques dealer and her antique shop had sent her to LA for a few days to buy some pieces at a few big name auctions. The haired man was now sat all alone with his bags. His head lay back against the chair. She walked over to him,

"Hey stranger, what are you doing here?"

He looked up and smiled, happy to see her friendly face again, "Oh, hi . Actually my flight has been cancelled and they weren't able to get me on another one until Saturday."

"I thought DC was only a stopover and then onto Ireland?"

"That was supposed to be the plan. But I think the forces-that-be are against me. I was just stalling until I had to go out into the freezing rain and try to hail a cab to the airport hotel."

She looked at him with raised eyebrows, ", its Thanksgiving morning in an airport...there's no way you're ever going to be able to get a cab."

"Ugh! I know." he threw his head back.

"Plus, that's no way to spend Thanksgiving..... Alone in a hotel room."

"Makes no difference to me," he shrugged, “I’ve never celebrated it before anyways."

"Well, this year you're on U.S. turf and I insist you spend it with me and my family. They'd love to have you."

"I'm not sure about that", he hesitated, "I would feel like such an intrusion."

"No way!" she insisted touching his arm. Even through his thick coat, he could feel her fingers ignite him. He had liked every since they met on the plane. She was full of life and energy. Her face was very expressive and lit up every time she talked. She made him feel very comfortable. And now that she was inviting him to her parent's home, he felt something else. An attraction to her was growing and he didn't want to say no, because he wanted to spend more time with her.

"Why not?" he smiled and grabbed his bags.

They walked to her small car and, by some miracle, managed to fit their entire combined luggage in. She paid the long term parking attendant and drove off.

In the car got a huge smile on her face and looked at , “So, do you have any of your music with you? After all you told me about Westlife, I'm dying to hear something."
He looked a bit embarrassed, but unzipped his carry on bag a pulled out a CD. “Actually, that's what I was doing in LA, promoting our new CD, so I just happen to have this with me."
"Put it in." she said excitedly. As he hit play on the CD player, the car was filled with amazing voices, she could pick his out immediately." Is that you?" she looked at him and he blushed.

“Wow." was all she could manage; now blushing with him.

He started to push eject.

"No, leave it in, I love It." she said, stopping him.

As they pulled up to her parent's house, started getting nervous. " I am starting to think this isn't such a great idea, . This is your family and what are they going to say about you showing up with a complete stranger. Before this morning you didn't even know me."

stopped for a minute as she was pulling out her last bag, and thought “Man, I guess that's true. It just feels like I've known you forever." she shrugged and started walking up to the house with behind her. As they reached the door she noticed 's apprehension, so she grabbed his hand. What was meant to be a gesture of reassurance shocked them both. When their hands touched they felt an electric shock that shot from their hands throughout their bodies. They both knew the other one had felt it too, so they just looked at each other and smiled, as she opened the front door.

's nervousness doubled when he saw the houseful of people. They were all shouting warm greetings and a few came up to hug . They shook 's hand as she introduced him. He instantly felt at ease in her home.

’s mom walked over to , after had explained about his flight. She took his coat and bag and said, " You poor thing, stuck alone in DC for 2 days and on Thanksgiving too. I insist you stay in our guest room." And before he could even answer she started up the stairs with his stuff. She brought him into a warmly decorated room.

"Make yourself at home. The bathroom's through here and let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks." he replied. "This is really very nice of you all."

"Don't give it another thought. We're happy to have you. Plus, I can see that has taken a liking to you." she said as she was walking out, closing the door behind her.

blushed, but inside her words made his stomach flip flop. He decided to take a shower and freshen up before he went back downstairs.

As he looked in the mirror, feeling clean and refreshed, he grabbed his watch and started to fasten it on. He heard a knock from the bedroom door.

"Come in." he called from the bathroom.

"Hey , It's just me." He heard call. He quickly rechecked his reflection in the mirror.

"Hi." He said stepping out to greet her. “I feel so much better after a shower. Your family is so nice to take me in like this."

smiled. She knew he was speaking. She could see his mouth move, but her ears had gone numb, her whole body had gone numb. She had thought he was attractive when she had first met him on the plane, even with his baggy clothes and hat pulled down. But here he was; hair spiked up, tight fitting jeans and a fresh dose of the most intoxicating aftershave she'd ever smelt. She noticed his mouth was no longer moving and in fact he was walking towards her. 'Snap out of it!' she scolded herself, shaking her head.

", you look beautiful!" he looked her up and down. She had changed from the sporty, casual looking girl with her hair pulled into a ponytail that he had met on the plane. She had put on some make-up; she had her hair hanging down perfectly framing her face and had put on a dark green dress that hugged every piece of her body.

"Thanks." she looked right into his eyes. “You do too."

"Really?" he teased, spinning around, smiling, “Wasn’t sure how to dress for my first Thanksgiving. Shall we head down now?"

"Love to." she said and nervously grabbed hold of his extended arm.

"," he stopped and pulled her back, “I am really glad I came. I like being here with you."

She just smiled and rubbed his arm she was holding, " Me too."

As they came down everyone stopped and greeted them for the second time. All the women were nudging and whispering a little too loud about how cute they were together. When they reached the living room, the men started yelling to to come join them in watching football. The women came and engulfed to enlist her help in preparing the rest of the meal. All of her aunts bombarded her with questions about . She smiled from head to toe. She loved to talk about him and hearing their names used together. When would bring a dish out to the dining room table, she'd notice watching her and then he'd wink. She'd just giggle and walk back into the kitchen. “Ok fellas dinner's ready - TV off!" ’s mom announced. The men all herded into the dining room. grabbed hold of ’s hand and squeezed it as they walked. It gave her tingles up and down in body. They walked in and grabbed seats next to one another at the end of the long table. While ’s dad was giving a beautiful blessing, let his fingers intertwine with hers and he rubbed his thumb across her hand. The meal was so much fun. Lots of food and everyone was talking and laughing. watched as she talked with her family. He knew what he was feeling. He had never understood how his married friends could give up their freedom. But they'd always tell him 'When you feel it, you'll understand.' They were right. Watching her he felt like being with her was the most "right" thing in the world, like he couldn't understand how he'd made it the last 28 years without her.

She caught him staring and squeezed his leg, “What?"

"I love watching you," he shrugged with a sweet smile and leaned in closer to whisper," and do you know how gorgeous you are?" he placed his hand over her hand that was still rested on his leg.

After everyone was stuffed, they all went into the family room. The woman all laid out the store ads and started planning out their shopping strategy for tomorrow morning. And the kids were screaming in excitement about going to watch the parade tomorrow. just laughed as he listened to the women who had decided to get up at 4 am to be in the front of the lines, while the men were telling them they're all insane. walked over and asked if he'd like to go on a walk and see the rest of their property.

"Yeah, definitely." he got up and grabbed his coat.

"My family owns an orchard." she told him as they walked through the bare apple trees. She told him about growing up in the orchard and he could picture everything she told him in his mind.

"," he said, as he finally got a perfect glimpse of her when the autumn moonlight hit on both of them.” This has been one of the best days I've ever had. I love being here. Your family’s great. And do you think I'm crazy if I said it feels so right being here with you?" He looked deep in her eyes, everything reflecting from them by the moonlight.

"No, I don't think you’re crazy at all," she laughed slightly,” I thought I was crazy for thinking that same thing."

He reached out and covered her cheek with his hand; he rubbed his thumb softly across her bottom lip. She closed her eyes and tilted her head to kiss his hand. Then grabbed her face with the other hand and kissed her strong and purposefully. As they pulled apart, he smiled and said," I think I may not make that flight back home in two days .I just might have to stay here a bit longer."

She kissed him again and said, “Oh, I'll make sure you miss that flight." They both laughed and leaned in again as she whispered on his lips, "Happy Thanksgiving ."


THE END



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