CHAPTER 25: PATRICK

_ FAMILY, FOOD, mashed potatoes with a rich, creamy gravy; sweet potato casserole topped with toasted marshmallows; cranberry sauce that looked fresh and tangy; and an assortment of pies that made my mouth water just looking at them.

August walked up behind me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Patrick. We won't make you eat anything too weird. Well, maybe."

I laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. "Aye, I'll try anything once."

"Even Rocky Mountain Oysters?" Duke teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Rocky Mountain Oysters?" I asked, genuinely curious. "What are those?"

Before Duke could answer, August interjected, shaking his head. "Trust me, Patrick. You don't want to know. Let's just say you'd rather eat haggis than a Rocky Mountain Oyster."

I chuckled, but made a mental note to look up what exactly Rocky Mountain Oysters were. The name alone sounded suspect.

Finally, Kelly called us all to the table. "Alright, everyone, it's time to eat!"

We all took our seats, and Kelly insisted on saying grace. Her voice was soft and full of gratitude as she thanked God for the food, for family, and for new friends. I glanced at August, feeling a wave of affection for the man who had brought me into this warm, loving family.

As soon as grace was over, the chaos began. Plates were passed around, and everyone started piling their dishes high with food. The turkey was succulent and flavorful, the mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy, and the sweet potato casserole was a delightful mix of sweet and savory.

"Patrick, you have to try the stuffing," Presley said, handing me a dish. "Mom's recipe is the best."

I took a generous spoonful, and he wasn't wrong. It was rich and seasoned perfectly, with a mix of herbs and spices that complemented the turkey wonderfully.

"So, Patrick," Elijah began, a playful glint in his eye, "how does an American Thanksgiving compare to a Scottish Christmas?"

I thought for a moment, enjoying the banter. "Well, we don't have Thanksgiving in Scotland, but we do have Hogmanay, our New Year's celebration. It's a bit more raucous, with fireworks, street parties, and first-footing."

"First-footing?" Presley asked, curious.

"Aye, it's a tradition where the first person to enter your home after midnight brings gifts and good luck for the coming year," I explained. "Usually, it's a dark-haired man, preferably carrying coal, shortbread, or whisky."

Duke laughed. "Well, we might not have first-footing, but we do have Black Friday. Ever heard of that?"

I shook my head, bewildered. "Black Friday?"

August chuckled, leaning in close. "It's the day after Thanksgiving when people go crazy shopping for sales. It's... intense."

"Sounds like Boxing Day," I said, nodding in understanding. "Though probably with more chaos."

Cori, who had been quietly nibbling on her food, suddenly piped up. "Patrick, do you like pumpkin pie?"

I smiled at her. "I've never had it before, but I'm looking forward to trying it."

Her eyes lit up. "It's my favorite! You have to have a big piece!"

"Alright, I'll make sure to save room for dessert," I promised.

The meal continued with lively conversation and laughter. Stories of past Thanksgivings were shared, and I found myself feeling more and more at home with the Schuster family. They were warm, welcoming, and they treated me like one of their own.

After dinner, I was so stuffed I could barely move. August suggested we take a nap on the sofa, and I happily agreed. We settled in, with me lying back and August's head resting on my chest. It was a moment of pure contentment, the warmth of his body against mine a comforting presence.

When we woke, the sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the living room. August stretched and yawned, then smiled down at me. "You ready for some football?"

"Aye," I replied, feeling more awake. "Let's watch the game."

We joined the rest of the family in the den, where the big screen TV was already tuned to the Thanksgiving NFL game between the Buffalo Bucks and the Florida Raptors. The energy in the room was electric, everyone buzzing with excitement.

Kelly handed me a plate of leftovers and a beer. "Here, Patrick. You'll need sustenance for this."

"Thanks, Kelly," I said, taking a seat next to August.

As the game began, I found myself getting caught up in the excitement. The Schusters were all passionate about football, and their enthusiasm was infectious. They cheered, groaned, and yelled at the TV with every play, and I couldn't help but join in.

"Come on, Bucks!" Elijah shouted, throwing his hands up in frustration when they missed a pass. "You can do better than that!"

"Defense, defense!" Duke chanted, clapping his hands together.

Even little Cori got in on the action, jumping up and down and cheering along with the rest of them. It was a wild, chaotic scene, but it was also incredibly fun.

During a commercial break, Duke turned to me with a grin. "So, Patrick, what do you think of American football?"

I chuckled, taking a sip of my beer. "It's intense. But I like it. It's a bit like rugby, only with more padding."

August laughed, nudging me playfully. "Just wait until the Super Bowl. That's a whole other level of crazy."

The game was close, with both teams playing their hearts out. The Bucks managed to pull ahead in the final minutes, securing a thrilling victory. The room erupted in cheers and high-fives, everyone celebrating the win.

As the excitement died down, I found myself reflecting on the day. It had been a whirlwind of new experiences, but it was also one of the most memorable days of my life. August's family had made me feel so welcome, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their celebration.

As we settled back on the sofa, August turned to me with a soft smile. "So, what do you think of your first Thanksgiving?"

I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. "It's been amazing. Thank ye, August. For everything."

He smiled, resting his head on my shoulder. "I'm glad you're here, Patrick. It wouldn't have been the same without you."

As we snuggled together, watching the post-game analysis, I felt a deep sense of contentment. Being with August, surrounded by his loving family, was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Later that evening, as August and I sat on the porch, watching the stars twinkle overhead, I took his hand in mine.

"August," I began, my voice soft. "I want you to know that no matter what happens, I'm grateful for every moment we've had together. Ye've made me feel like part of your family, and I cannae thank you enough for that."

He turned to me, his eyes filled with emotion. "Patrick, you've brought so much joy into my life. I can't imagine it without you now. We'll find a way to make this work."

[Patrick] "What if I told ye I have figured out how to make it work?

[August] "What are you sayin'?"

[Patrick teasing] "Maybe yer bed here is better than mine in London."

[August] "

We sat there in comfortable silence, the cool night air wrapping around us like a blanket. In that moment, I knew that no matter the distance or the challenges ahead, our love was strong enough to withstand anything.