Flash Fic Friday

**Something Like Want is out! And now, here are Alex and Spencer to show us a snippet of their life. This takes place after the epilogue. Enjoy!**

I stared at my boyfriend in utter shock.

“Excuse me, what?”

Spencer just grinned. God, I loved his smile. It was the first thing that caught my attention, and there had been many times over the past year I’d been glad my punch to his face had not damaged it. It was all heat and charm, and really, all he had to do was flash it and I was at his mercy. I’d do anything for that smile.

Well, really because I loved him completely. But I blamed his smile.

“We’re going to host Thanksgiving here.”

Nope. It didn’t make any more sense the second time he said it. I shook my head. “Why?”

“Because it’s our first holiday since we moved in together. And we have this big gorgeous house. That you bought just because the kitchen and dining room were one huge open space, I might add.” Spencer sauntered closer, swagger in his walk, and his grin grew even wider. “So it makes sense to invite your family up. And a couple members of mine. And just celebrate here.”

“But…no. That’s not how it goes. My dad hosts. He does it. We go there. My dad would never allow it.”

“He already said he’s fine with it.”

I narrowed my eyes. “When?”

“A couple of weeks ago when I asked him what he thought of us doing it here.”

“What?”

Spencer grew concerned, and wrapped himself around me from behind, pulling me back to rest against him. I relaxed almost immediately, settling into his embrace. He kissed the side of my head and I let out a sigh.

“What’s the matter, baby?”

I took a breath. “Nothing, exactly. Just…you know. There’s a tradition. And my dad was big on it, so I’m just surprised.” I let out a laugh and turned around. “Plus, you know, Thanksgiving is fucking tomorrow and you haven’t said anything!”

Spence laughed, and smoothed a thumb along my jaw. His eyes were warm and soft as he looked at me and I couldn’t help but melt under his gaze. He loved me and that’s all I needed.

“I knew you’d freak out, so your dad and I decided to keep it quiet. And since you just proved me right, well….” He waggled his eyebrows and I laughed. When he pulled me back into his embrace, I let him. I breathed him in, soaking in his scent. He always smelled so good.

“There’s nothing for you to do, Alex.” His voice was soft in my ear. “The house is clean. Your dad and I are cooking. Let’s create our own tradition, hm?”

“Well, when you put it like that…” I pushed into his arms and kissed him.

***

I walked red carpets in designer tuxes. Kissed my boyfriend in public. Starred in a Steven Spielberg film and met Martin Scorsese without embarrassing myself. And never had I been as nervous as I was watching my boyfriend and father laugh and cook together in the kitchen. Dad was a practiced cook. He’d been creating meals for longer than I’d been alive. Spencer was much better at ordering take out than he was boiling water. A meal as big as this was something far beyond his abilities. But that never stopped Spencer from asserting himself. And this meal, more than any others, was my father’s pride and joy.

My sister, Rachel, had warmed up to Spence, though like a good sister, she still held a bit of a grudge. I’d forgiven him completely, and took responsibility for my part in it. Rachel said she didn’t have to let it go. I secretly kind of loved that she was still a little wary. But my dad and Spencer hit it off the moment they met. Once Dad had established that Spencer wasn’t going to hurt me, that is. I liked that they got along.

So despite their camaraderie, and in the midst of the chaos of our combined families, I hovered just out of sight and kept an eye on things in the kitchen. Because even though it was my house, I didn’t want my father to think that I, or Spencer, was trying to take away the holiday from him.

“Was…was that laughter?” Rachel’s voice was barely a whisper as she popped up beside me. She peeked around the corner, then quickly ducked back. “I’m pretty sure that was laughter.”

I nodded solemnly. I couldn’t believe it. “Go steal an olive or something. See what’s going on in there.” The space was huge, even if it was open concept, so I couldn’t exactly hear what was being said without risking getting too close.

“Okay.” Rachel nodded good-naturedly “You cause a diversion and then I’ll run in and–”

“Alexander!”

“Oh shit,” I whispered. My dad’s bellow never failed to get my attention and make me come running. It was ingrained.

I entered the kitchen just as Spencer lifted the platter of turkey and headed toward the table. He gave me a wink as he passed. I would have grinned back, but I was making a beeline for my father. Because his expression was stern, and I was well trained.

“‘Sup, Dad?”

He held the scowl for a moment longer, then his face broke out in a grin. Relief surged through me. He only grinned like that when he was truly happy.

“Thanks for hosting this year. I get to cook, and then leave the mess.” He clapped me on the shoulder, and then leaned in a little. “It’s wonderful being here. Your man is a good one. I think you’ll be very happy for a lot of years to come.”

“I think so, too.”

He shoved a bowl of mashed potatoes into my hands, then reached for the corn. With a head tip, he led the way to the table. “Call everyone in. The food’s ready. And I think we all have a lot to be thankful for this year.”

I followed him with a nod and a smile. We sure did.