Chapter 14: The First Holiday**
Thanksgiving arrived with a flurry of activity. The house smelled of roasting turkey, sage stuffing, and cinnamon. For the children, the concept of a holiday centered around abundant, guaranteed food was entirely foreign.
Peter gave them important jobs. Drew stood on a stepstool at the counter, meticulously mashing potatoes with an oversized wooden spoon. Lily was in charge of placing napkins and silverware on the dining room table, a task she executed with intense focus.
When they finally sat down to eat, the table was groaning under the weight of the food. Peter watched as Drew piled his plate high, a habit he hadn't quite outgrown from the days of not knowing when his next meal would come. But unlike the first weeks, there was no panic in his eating.
"Alright, before we dig in," Peter said, raising his glass of sparkling cider. "I want to say what I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for this house, for good food, but mostly, I'm thankful for the two bravest, best kids in the world."
Drew raised his glass to clink against Peter's. "I'm thankful for the new paint in our room," he said softly.
They looked at Lily. She thought for a moment, her blue eyes scanning the feast. "I'm thankful for Uncle Peter," she chimed in, her voice clear and steady.
May you like
It was a simple holiday, just the three of them, but as the house filled with the sounds of clinking silverware and quiet laughter, it was the most perfect Thanksgiving Peter had ever known.
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