wildlife prints. The mahogany entertainment center was still present but now the doors
were open and Carol could see a stack of DVDs on the top of the TV. It had been
transformed from a cold stark room into a warm inviting retreat.
Riley noted her perusal. "What?" she asked with a smile.
"Nothing," Carol replied. I was just marveling at how much this room has changed in the last few months."
Riley looked around. "Yeah, now it's really a home instead of just a place to live."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Riley lay in between Sam's legs using her chest as a backrest. She had specifically
bought the oversized sofa so she and Sam could share it like this. Carol and Denny had
left shortly after dinner. Denny had an early schedule at the hospital, as did she. They
were both trying to get as many of their routine surgeries taken care of as possible before the holiday. She tensed unconsciously at the thought of the holiday. Sam felt the
stiffening of Riley's body.
"What's wrong Baby?" she asked in concern.
Riley was startled out of her thoughts and jumped slightly.
"Boy you are really tense tonight. I know something's bothering you, you've been quiet ever since dinner." Sam brought her hands up and began to massage Riley's tight
shoulders.
Riley sighed; Sam had just gotten too good at reading her. She knew there was no sense
in pretending nothing was bothering her. Sam would just press until she finally told her.
"I was just thinking about all the work I have to get done in three days this week." Riley tried lamely.
Sam wasn't buying it. "Uh huh...you've got lots of work every week and you already told me you normally don't work on Thanksgiving." At the mention of Thanksgiving, Riley
tensed. "That's it isn't it? You're worried about Thanksgiving. I thought we talked about this. There's nothing to be worried about. You know Jess and Kim and are comfortable
with them right?"
"Yeah, they're both great and I do feel especially close to Kim."
"So what's the problem? We'll have a great time. Don't we always have fun when we get
together with them?"
"Yes we do but...they're not the only one's who're going to be there."
"But you've met Frank and Cheryl. I've met Kim's brother. Don't worry you'll like him."
Riley didn't say anything. "Come on Riley tell me what the problem is."
"Frank and Cheryl must hate me." Riley whispered in a tight voice.
"What!" Sam exclaimed in shock. "What would make you think something like that?"
She couldn't believe it when Riley started to cry. She wrapped her arms tightly around
Riley trying to understand where all this was coming from.
Riley finally got herself under control and explained. "The only time I ever met them
was the day you were discharged. I treated you so badly Sam, how could they not hate
me. I just about ran Frank down when I rushed out of your room that day. I saw the look
on your face as they wheeled you out of the room. You looked so defeated and Frank
looked so angry."
Sam had forgotten about that day or more truthfully didn't allow herself to think about it.
It was in the past and best left there. She and Riley were together and that was all that
mattered. Her brother had been shocked when she'd first told him she was dating Riley
but once he realized the depth of her feelings he'd just wanted her to be happy and she
had assured him Riley made her happy.
She pulled Riley into her lap and cradled her in her arms. "That's in the past Baby. We're together now and that's all that matters. You can't keep feeling guilty about that; let it go.
Frank knows how much you mean to me and he's happy for us."
"But it's a family get together..." Sam put her fingers to Riley's lips stopping her.
"Stop right there. We've been together over two months. You're my family! If you don't want to go then I won't go either. This is our first Thanksgiving together and I for one
have a lot to be thankful for and plan on celebrating it with you."
Riley smiled brightly at Sam as her fears eased. "You're my family too Honey. I have a lot to be thankful for as well. I guess I just let my fears get away from me. I haven't been to a family Thanksgiving since I was 10."
"Well you're lucky at least you don't have to face my folks...this year."
Riley gulped. The implication was clear. She glanced up at Sam and saw the
mischievous sparkle in her eyes. She used her free hand to poke her in the chest.
Sam laughed. "See... made you forget all about Frank and Cheryl."
Riley stuck her tongue out at Sam. Sam quickly leaned forward and captured the offered
appendage. Riley moaned into Sam's mouth. Sam pulled way then stood up with Riley in
her arms.
"Come on let's see what else I can make you forget about." She told her huskily as she headed up the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam glanced over at Riley as she shifted in her seat again. It was Wednesday and they
were on their way to Jess and Kim's. Sam was driving Riley's SUV. The closer they got
the more nervous Riley became.
"It's going to be fine. I promise." Sam tried to reassure Riley.
Riley turned in her seat to face Sam. "Um... maybe we should stay in a hotel? I
mean...um... they're going to have kind of a full house."
"Sure...if you want." Sam said agreeably. She pulled her cell phone off her belt and offered it to Riley. "But... you call Jess and tell her we're staying at a hotel." Sam added with smirk.
Riley scowled and pushed the phone back toward Sam.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We're here." Sam announced as she turned into a long driveway.
Kim and Jess had always come to San Diego. They'd invited Riley to come to Los
Angeles with Sam but with her schedule and duty call, she'd just never made it. Sam
pulled up in front of the first house off the main driveway. The driveway served several
houses with each having a separate drive branching off the main one.
Sam leaned over the console and took Riley's face between her hands. "Relax everything will be fine." She kissed Riley until she felt her relax and start to kiss her back.
"Come on." Sam urged Riley toward the house.
Riley looked around as she got out of the truck. The house was on a good-sized lot.
Riley figured it must be almost an acre. She jumped when Sam's knock caused the
loudest barking she'd ever heard to come through the door. She looked up fearfully at
Sam.
"That's just Thor."
She'd heard all about Thor but had honestly thought the women had exaggerated his size.
If his bark was anything to go on he must be huge. It sounded more like a roar than a
bark.
Jess opened the door slightly. "Hang on a sec...Kim's going to put him out back." Jess pulled the door open. "Come on in." She said reaching out to pick up Riley's suitcase.
Kim came back and greetings were exchanged.
The hallway to the bedrooms led directly off the foyer so they headed for the guest
bedroom. Riley looked around the room. The walls were painted a pale dusty rose. There
was a queen size sleigh bed with a thick crème and rose color comforter. The furniture
was all contemporary wood.
Kim opened a door and showed Riley the connected bathroom. "You share a bathroom
with the other guest bedroom. Kim explained pointing to the door at the other end of the
narrow bathroom.
"Frank and Cheryl are already here, they flew in early this morning. Why don't we head into the living room?" Kim said. As they exited the room, she pointed to the door across the hall. "That's our room." When they got to end of the hall, she gestured to a door opposite the foyer. That's the other guest bedroom that connects to yours through the