memories.

01. thanksgiving

"Ames - Ames, get your fingers out of my stuffing!" Sophia scolded her husband with the hand that didn't hold Gwen on her hip, swatting his hands away with a fond laugh. "Nana has this weird, sixth sense of knowing when food has been touched before its ready and I refuse to get in trouble because of you."

    Ames rolled his eyes fondly, taking Gwen into his arms and propping her on his hip. "Your mama's crazy," he murmured, kissing her cheek and earning a giggle in return.

    "I am not crazy. I speak nothing but the truth." Sophia declared, waving her spoon at her husband.

    "S't-true!" Gwen declared, winding her arms around her daddy's neck. "H-Her heart d-didn't skip s-so she's n-not lying." she told him, laying her head on his shoulder.

    "Yeah," Sophia said, sticking her tongue out at her husband. "Tell 'im, Gwen."

    Ames playfully glared at his daughter. "Who's side are you on?" he teased, tickling her tummy and earning wild laughter in return.

    Sophia smiled at her little family and turned up her Christmas radio, her heart swelling when "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" came on. "Oh, I love this song."

    "Me too," Ames grinned, tugging his wife close with his free arm and swaying them slowly to the music.

    Sophia smiled, reaching out to stroke Gwen's hair back gently as she wound an arm around her husband's shoulders. "So, I know it's a sore subject, but you think we'll be able to talk your parents into coming this year?"

    Ames bit his lip. "I kinda doubt it," he admitted in a murmur. "But Charity is coming."

    "Aunt Ch-Charity!" Gwen chirped happily with a grin.

    "And Uncle Simon," Ames told her with a smile. "And I think Simon's gonna bring his girlfriend this year too."

    "Oh, Amelia? That's great! I didn't realize they were so serious." Sophia tipped her head.

    "I didn't either until Simon asked if she could come. Apparently her family is worse than mine." Ames snorted quietly. "Didn't know that was possible."

    "Ames," Sophia scolded, nodding towards Gwen, who had busied herself with playing with the buttons on his shirt.

    "What? I'm not wrong." Ames murmured, turning his head to kiss his daughter's forehead. His daughter was almost six years old and his parents hadn't even bothered to meet her. That just solidified their broken relationship.

    "I know. I'm sorry." Sophia murmured, stroking her husband's cheek. "But hey, my parents love you. They're practically adopted you."

    Ames smiled, leaning his forehead on hers. "I know. And I love that. I appreciate it." he lifted his eyebrows.

    Sophia smiled, pecking his lips as she stroked Gwen's hair back gently. "You know, all things considered, I don't think we did too shabby." she told him, lifting her eyebrows.

    Ames grinned, cupping her cheek. "We sure didn't." he murmured. "I love you."

    Sophia closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. "I love you too." She looked over at their daughter and smiled brightly. "And we love you, little girl."

"That's right," Ames grinned, kissing her nose softly. "More than anything. And don't you ever forget it, no matter what happens."

Gwen giggled, cuddling close to her parents in their shared embrace. "L-Love you t-too."