Giving Thanks (fwd-dated to Thursday -gathering)

[notarailrdstory]

This wasn't the life Cullen ever foresaw for himself. Of course, there was no way to predict he'd find himself in the future, working in a "drag" bar with an adopted kind of family (and a special someone he might or might not have been courting...). With the week off, he took it upon himself to make sure those near him had a meal to celebrate

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[pinesprgteacher]

Elizabeth wouldn't admit it to herself but she'd felt a little homesick when the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday came and went. When Cullen invited her to have the American holiday meal with his family, the people he lived with, she'd been honored. It helped to relax that homesick knot somewhat as well and she was grateful for that.

She wasn't sure what to bring so settled on making fresh bread and rolls. Elizabeth came bearing a basket of two sour dough loaves and some rolls.

[notarailrdstory]

When he pulled open the door, Cullen might have been really hoping it was Elizabeth.

So he might have been nearly smiling when it was truly her. "You made it here," he said, stepping aside so she could come in. "Good to see you."

[pinesprgteacher]

Elizabeth stepped inside and was immediately hit with the warmth of his place. There were voices and laughter, it was nice.

"Thank you. I wouldn't have missed it. You have a lovely place" She held out her basket to him with a smile. "I come bearing gifts."

[notarailrdstory]

"You didn't have to." But he took it anyway, pulling it closer to his nose to smell. It smelled real good. "C'mon in. We got wine and water and soda."

[pinesprgteacher]

"I was glad to help out." Elizabeth smiled sheepishly, "It took me a long time to learn how to cook in the modern ovens. I burned a lot of loaves before I figured out how long to bake."

She didn't know there were such a thing as cookbooks. Elizabeth had learned by someone teaching her and watching.

[notarailrdstory]

"That's a trick, ain't it?" he said with a rueful near-smile. "I was more used to campfires than these boxes, prior to comin' here."

[pinesprgteacher]

"Did you have someone teach you here or did you learn by trial and error as I did?" Elizabeth learned to cook by necessity when she'd moved to Pine Springs but at least there, someone had taken pity on her and taught her.

[notarailrdstory]

"Carl - the boy I live with - he found me some moving pictures of people." Videos, Carl had called them. "There was this one tall, broad woman who talked fancy and she talked about makin' the turkeys with a lotta butter. I figured I'd try that. We'll see if it worked," he admitted, his mouth quirking.

[pinesprgteacher]

"I'm sure that it will be very good. I think the butter will make the skin crisp." At least she assumed so, she'd never made a turkey. "Maybe I'll look into the moving pictures of people cooking." Elizabeth flashed a smile, "Or I'll continue with my trial and error like a science experiment."

[notarailrdstory]

She had a real pretty smile. Cullen found himself smiling back. "If you ever need a guinea pig, I'll be happy to give it a try. I can guarantee I've had worse."

[pinesprgteacher]

That made Elizabeth laugh lightly, "well if you're brave enough to try my cooking when I don't know exactly what I'm doing, then I'd be happy to have you sample it."

[notarailrdstory]

Well, that was something to look forward to. Cullen grinned and gestured for her to come further into the house. He pointed out the others there: Carl, Daryl and Carol, the baby, of course, Carl's little sister, and Michonne. And whoever that was that Michonne invited.

"What can I get you to drink?"

[pinesprgteacher]

Elizabeth didn't drink alcohol but she did like the taste of the sugary fizzy water. "I think I'd like to try a soda." She glanced around at the people gathered, and mentally filed away their names.

"You have a baby in the house, now." She couldn't help the grin, though she'd never been around an infant. Her sister was younger but not by much.

[notarailrdstory]

"Carl's little sister," he noted, leading her toward the kitchen, pointing to Carl, the boy who was playing with her. "Somebody else from his world showed up with her. They thought she was dead."

He poured her a soda in a glass.

[pinesprgteacher]

[ooc: sorry, holiday stuff got in the way of play! ]

"They thought the little sister was dead or the person that arrived and brought her?" Elizabeth couldn't imagine either one. To suddenly have the second chance again, must be emotionally overwhelming.

[notarailrdstory]

"Both maybe? Not quite sure. Little girl for certain." Cullen handed over a glass for her, with ice and everything. He knew that he had a houseful, that was for certain. "Pretty good reason for Thanksgivin', all told."