Autumn

It was extremely cold out now though not as bad as it would get. You kept going because you didn't really know what else to do and each day it got easier. Nyx joined you each morning for chores. Everyone had breakfast together. Kylie joined you for a hike after breakfast, everyone had lunch. You did any chores around the house and tried not to be consumed by the dread. Everyone had dinner. You settled in for the night and Sara either sent you nudes or came by to get a "taste of cummy wummys." Sara was a little strange even for you.

Outside of meals you didn't see Amy, she wasn't doing spicy content and you couldn't bring yourself to watch her streams for more than a few minutes.

Nyx was talking to Erica and it seemed like she might be coming to visit soon.

Kylie joked around with you more and it seemed like you might be getting back to where to were before everything.

Thanksgiving was coming up, you'd completely missed Halloween but given everything you thought it might be nice tondo something. Of course you couldn't really cook anything but mashed potatoes but you assumed it couldn't be that hard.

As you sat at a quiet breakfast you finally spoke up.

"I was thinking of doing a Thanksgiving dinner, if that's ok with everyone."

"You can't cook," said Kylie, "well other than mashed potatoes."

"He can cook," said Amy, "he does breakfast and he makes really good chicken parm?"

"Him?" asked Kylie, "no way."

"Well I can't cook," said Nyx, "but I think that's cool."

Eventually everyone agreed to your idea and you set out towards your truck making a list of things you needed.

"Chicken parm," said Kylie who had apparently followed you, "that was Anna's comfort dish."

"Well," you said, "I knew she liked it so I learned so I could make it for her."

"And breakfast," said Kylie, "I remember you almost blowing up a microwave trying to soften butter."

"Well sometimes Anna wanted to sleep in, or I'd surprise her with breakfast in bed."

Kylie smiled shaking her head, "you really loved her."

"I really do Ky," you said.

You turned away, Kylie looked so much like Anna, the look she was giving you reminded you of when you first cooked something edible for Anna and how surprised she was.

"Dipshit," said Kylie walking over to you, "I'm coming with."

It was a long drive into town and there wasn't much radio signal so you drove in silence.

"Dave," said Kylie, "do you remember Blake's wedding?"

"Your best friend," you said, "I went with you because that asshole you were seeing dumped you like two days before."

"Yea," said Kylie smiling, "Anna asked you to take me and you just said yes no questions went out and rented a tux."

"You were so upset," you said, "I had to help."

"I was so nervous then because we'd never spent any one on one time together," she fidgeted with her fingers, "I had so much fun at that wedding."

"I did too," you said smiling thinking about it, your awful dance moves, Kylie in that red dress.

"Anna was right Dave," said Kylie, "after that night I knew I had feelings for you."

There it was, the reason Kylie had been so hurt, the reason she'd come out here.

"When Anna told me you two were engaged I was so happy," she said, "I loved both of you so much and if anyone was going to be with you I was happy it was Anna."

You weren't sure how to respond.

"When Arnold proposed I wasn't nearly as happy, I said yes but honestly when he called it off I was relieved."

"Ky," you offered realizing you'd autopiloted all the way to the supermarket.

"Don't say anything Dave," she said, "I needed to be honest with you and myself. I would take Anna back in an instant if it meant we never had a chance together. But that's not an option, you," she reached out and took your hand, "us, that is, could be, real."

You felt like she'd just crushed you under all of this, what about Amy, Kylie had always been like a sister to you. But that wedding, that almost kiss with Kylie, that romp after she arrived here. Kylie was throwing herself at you emotionally and you knew if you turned her down again this would probably be the end of any relationship between you. You also knew that if you gave her a chance you would lose Amy.

"Come on," said Kylie, "it's packed here."

Kylie shopped like Anna, flitting around the store with no real plan, the opposite of how you would have done it. What was the point of making a list if you were going to shop on vibes. Eventually you got a cart full of everything you needed and a cart full of other stuff.

"Anna was right you're so uptight when you shop," said Kylie.

"It's very peopley here, I prefer to get in and out. That and everyone thinks I'm a cult leader."

"I can see that," said Kylie, "you've got four women living in the woods with you, how many of whom have had sex with you."

You went to speak but thought better of it. The drive back involved less of Kylie pouring her heart out to you but a few times she would rub your arm or your thigh only to catch herself and stop. As you pulled in and started to unload Kylie started off towards her place.

"Just think about what I said, I know what I said after... but I'm serious."

Being a big manly man you almost killed yourself trying to carry everything into Amy's place in one trip.

"Do you know how to follow a list?" asked Amy.

"I do," you said.

She helped you unpack and put things where she would need them for the big day.

"I got stuff for Nyx, since she's vegetarian. I was hoping we could bake the pies together."

"Really?" asked Amy.

"Yeah," you shrugged, "I miss spending time with you."

Amy smiled, "I'd like that, just a heads up I'm kind of methodical in the kitchen so."

"I'll follow your lead," you said.

The day before the big day you and Amy baked and prepped. The two of you worked really well together, everything had stations, it worked like an assembly line. As the pies went in you started on dishes.

"I can take the pies out later," said Amy.

"I don't mind waiting," you said, "unless you want me to go."

"No," said Amy taking your soapy hand, "no I'd really like you to stay."

"How have you been?" you asked handing her a dish to dry.

"Better," she said, "a little. Lonely."

"What about Sara?"

"Not that kind of lonely," she said, "I miss the way you look at me."

You turned to her and she smiled putting a hand on your cheek, "that's the look."

You wanted so badly to kiss her in that moment but she turned back to the task at hand and so you did the same.

"You and doctor Paige," said Amy, "spending time together?"

"We hike a little," you said dwelling on what Kylie had said to you in the car, "we're definitely in a better place."

"Well she's the complete package," said Amy, "smart, beautiful, had money."

"You're smart," you said turning to Amy, "and you're beautiful," you put a hand on her cheek and she gave you that look, you were her whole world, and then just as quickly she pulled away dropping the dish she was drying and leaving you alone in the kitchen.

Thanksgiving morning you got up extra early and after chores you went to help Amy.

"Turkey is already in," she said as you entered, "most of the sides are ready."

"Oh," you said looking around at everything.

"I left the mashed potatoes for you," she said.

You went about making them, it didn't take all that long. Late that afternoon you all sat down together, Kylie had apparently brought a dress that hugged every curve. Amy was in a turtleneck and jeans. Nyx was in her usual jeans and flannel and Sara was buried under what had to be a 4xl hoodie.

"Let's go around and say what we're thankful for," said Nyx.

Goddammit Nyx, you thought.

"I'll start," she said, "I'm thankful to have a place to live, to not be scrounging for food, and for Dave because he's great."

Subtle you thought.

Sara went next barely speaking above a whisper, "I'm glad I got away from him and I'm surrounded by friends."

Kylie went next, "I'm glad to have met all of you, and," she took your hand, "I'm glad we reconnected."

Nyx gave you a look that told you to look at Amy, you could tell she was upset.

Amy went next, "I'm thankful," she paused, "that I've been able to explore my love of cooking."

Awkward.

It was your turn and you decided to go full on sappy.

"I'm thankful for new friends, reconnecting with old friends and the woman who saved my life."

Amy squeezed your hand under the table but at the same time Kylie squeezed your knee on the opposite side. No one really talked during dinner, Nyx and Sara kept whispering to each other and shooting looks at you.

"Well this was nice," said Kylie, "but in my family tradition I now need to go blast Christmas music."

She left giving you a look over her shoulder.

"We'll do the dishes," said Nyx.

"We?" asked Sara who was yanked into the other room by Nyx.

"I'm," Amy didn't finish her thought but disappeared into what had been your room.