11
Daisy:
I stared at all the meat lined up in front of me, having a hard time deciding what to get. Catherine and I will be cooking for thanksgiving tonight. We have invited the few friends we have which are Adam, Gertrude, and Martin. I've been acquainted with Martin too. He's a nice guy and Gertrude has a thing for him. I'm happy that they hit it off the first time they met each other from when we were invited to his house warming party.
He left the apartment he rented with his ex-wife and bought the house he dreams of having since he was young and Adam and I are happy for him. I brought Gertrude with me that night and they've been good friends since then.
"Do you think Martin will like me with this baby bump?" Gertrude asked beside me, looking down on her belly.
I glance at her for a minute and stared back at the meat "You're beautiful and sexy with or without it. Stop being paranoid."
"Aww thanks, Dee, but have you decided what to get?" she asked.
I shook my head "Nope. And I guess I'll leave it with Catherine. I'm not a great cook anyway." We started walking, pushing the cart filled with baby things for Gertrude. We turned another corner and our cart bumped a guy on his back. "Shit I'm so sorry," I exclaimed.
The guy turned around and I almost fainted when I recognized him. "Shit, Daisy is that you?" It was Jake. Of all places, do I have to see him here? "What's up?"
"Jake, what are you doing here?" Gertrude asked the question I can't. She looked pissed and ready to smack him in the face.
"Whoa! What's wrong with you? I'm here to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. You're pregnant?" he looked in her belly.
I still can't find my voice. I am so shocked to see him again and the pain I felt back then started to evaporate.
"Who's the guy who knocked you up this time?"
"Don't you dare talk to her like that!" I finally managed to find my voice. No one can talk to my best friend like that. No one can ever degrade her in front of me. Not now, not ever.
"Or what?!" he threatened. He never changes, he's a jerk before and he's a jerk now and I wonder why I fell in love with him in the first place.
"Or I'm sure you won't see another day coming." a rugged and deep voice cut through.
We all look in the direction of the voice and was even more shocked when we saw Adam. Both hands inside his pockets. Head held high and looking at Jake like he can devour him in a split second. No doubt, Adam is larger and taller compared to Jake. Jake was trained to womanize when Adam was trained for combat. If I were Jake, I'll back away right now.
"Who the hell are you?" Jake asked.
"I'm Daisy's boyfriend. You got a problem with that?" Adam started to walk towards us and we just stare at him as he walks confidently "Remember this kid, no one gave you permission to talk to these two ladies, or any other ladies for that matter the way you just talked to them. Understood?"
They stared at each other for a long time before Jake hold up both of his hands and smirk. "Hah, fine." and he back away slowly until he disappeared into one of the aisles.
"There you go! Run asshole!" Gertrude shouted.
"Are you two okay?" Adam asked.
"Yes, we are now." I looked at my knight and shining armor and my admiration for him just leveled up some more. I gave him a questioning look "What on earth are you doing here? We aren't supposed to meet till 5 pm."
"Yes, what are you doing here detective?" Gertrude followed up.
"We had an incident report in the gasoline station in front, then someone tipped me over that there might be a commotion here so I take a look and I saw the two of you."
"Great timing!" Gertrude chimed.
"Did he hurt any of you?" He asked again, looking worried so I rolled my eyes.
"No, we're fine. I'll beat the shit out of him if he tried something." I said.
Adam smiled broadly "That's my girl." and he messed up my hair.
Adam went back to his work so Gertrude and I decided to head home. We helped Catherine prepare for thanksgiving. Gertrude is busy assembling the table and I started assisting Catherine in her cooking. "If Malcolm is here, he would be happy for you," she said out of the blue.
I smiled to myself and remembered how he always teases me to my crushes back then. "I know. And I'm sure they'll get along pretty well."
"Sure is. Adam is a great guy and I can see how much he loves you."
I nodded and smiled at her "I love him too. He's easy to be with. I am happy that I can be who I am with him."
"I can see that. Hold on to it my girl. You deserve to be happy." She touched my chin and I grinned.
We finished preparing the food and they started to arrive. Martin arrived first and followed by Adam just a few minutes after.
We started to eat dinner and had a few good laughs. Martin is a natural joker. So far from the first time I met him. I can see now that he made the right choice when he decided to let go of his ex-wife. And like Adam, Catherine is very fond of him too. And of course, I wouldn't miss the few glances he throws in Gertrude's direction. I think my best friend finally found a love interest.
After dinner, the three of them gathered in the living room for ice cream and to watch a movie. I am happy with how it went well tonight. It's been a long time since we celebrated this. For the past years, it was gloomy, with only Catherine and I, and sometimes, Gertrude to celebrate thanksgiving.
I washed the plates and Adam helped me by drying them. "Why are you smiling?" he asked.
I shrugged and my smile widens "Why do you think?" I asked back.
He leaned against the sink and looked at me intently "There's a lot of things that make you happy, so It will be very hard to guess."
"Fine. I'm happy because Catherine is happy to have all of you here tonight. I'm happy because Martin and Gertrude seem to like each other. I mean, look at them. And.." I stopped and looked at the man beside me.
"And what?" he asked curiously.
"And I'm happy because I have you. Thank you for standing up for me and Gertrude earlier."
He vacated his spot and stood in front of me. I can smell his wonderful scent. He touched my face and continued to look at me intently. I look up at him and he smiled "I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise to protect you the best I could Daisy."
"I know. And I'm grateful." I hold onto his arm and he enveloped me with a hug.
"Before I forget, my family wants to meet you. So, how about going with me tomorrow? We can stay there for the rest of the weekend."
I removed his arms around me and looked at him "Are you serious?!"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" he asked back.
"I'm anxious! What if they don't like me?" I turned around and continued washing the plates.
I felt his hands on my shoulders and he gave it a gentle squeeze. "Relax. You're the most likable person I've met in my entire life, you know that already don't you?" he kissed the top of my head and I relaxed in his touch.
"That's in New York. That's far!"
"Are you serious right now? Baby, that's only 3 hours away."
"Well, that's far to me already, period."
He started laughing and I despise him. "You're really something! It's about time you leave your shell and enjoy other places. It's just New York. Time will come I'll bring you as many places as possible, so you got to be ready."
I thought about it. We've been dating for months now; he met my family and my friends willingly. He was so eager to enter my world and he didn't hesitate for once. It's only fair I do the same. Yes, I want to meet his family too. I want to know more about his life growing up. I wanted to spend the weekends with him where he grew up.
"Fine. But on one condition." I said and crossed my arms over my chest.
"What? Anything!"
"I'll drive." I smiled broadly and his shoulders slumped.
"No baby, no way." he shook his head "Have you forgotten the last time I allowed you to drive my Maserati? You hit a pole and I spent so much money to fix it."
"It was an accident!"
"And it's still your fault. So, I won't let you. I'll take you home with me even if I have to carry you. But no driving."
I ignored him and started walking away from him. He continued blabbering behind me as he follows me back to the living room to join the others.