Post by Anabelle Grace Bryan on Nov 24, 2012 12:42:35 GMT -5
Anabelle gathered the curls of her hair over her shoulder and let them fall on one side as she sat in the passenger side of Luke’s truck. She was so glad that her family had agreed to come out to Tennessee one more time for the holidays. They were in Texas for their tour so it would have been easier to have Thanksgiving with her parents, but she also didn’t like the idea of moving his sister around too much. It just made more sense for everyone to go to Tennessee, where she could be at home, and where Wesley could be where he was familiar with. And while she had stayed at her and Luke’s place in town, how weird was it that she thought of his place as theirs now, she knew that her parents had stayed at his parents place. “ Baby, y’all be careful out there today,” she said as she unbuckled her seatbelt when he parked and crawled over in the seat to give him a kiss. Both their daddies were going out just to go hunting with Luke this morning. So she felt perfectly fine using as much hair product as she wanted to without feeling guilty about it. Wasn’t a chance she was ruining anyone’s hunting plans today. When she climbed out of the truck, she shut the door roughly so it would stick before she made her way towards the home. As she stepped inside, she stepped out of her boots. “ Hey mama,” she said with a bright smile, wrapping her arms around her own mama who was already up and having coffee with Luke’s mama. “ Mornin’!” she said just as happily to Luke’s mama, freeing herself to give his mama a hug. “ Y’all been up long?” she questioned as she situated to make herself comfortable. But not for too long cause her daddy was giving her a hug, and there was something about Mr.Bryan that just screamed for a hug every time she saw him. So many hugs. Anabelle ducked off into the kitchen to get Luke some coffee in one of those cups with a lid on them so he could wake up a bit more.
Anabelle looked down at her shorts and cardigan before she focused back on the coffee. She’d never worn shorts to a holiday in her life. But she had been so exhausted from tour that when it came time to start packing for their little trip here, she sort of forgot that it was Thanksgiving altogether. When she finished adding the cream and one packet of sugar she mixed it all together before coming out to Luke. He’d probably drink it all before they got outside so that whatever they were hunting wouldn’t be able to smell it. “ You come back in one piece,” she said at him with a faux glare, standing up on her toes as she held onto his shirt and gave him another kiss, offering the coffee out to him without moving away from his lips. “ Love you, sugar” she said, waving at the men as they headed out of the house. Anabelle watched the truck leave the drive and placed her hands on her hips before turning back around to face their mama’s. “ Well the rest of the family should be here soon. Anabelle why don’t you get on in there and get yourself some coffee,” his mama ordered. Anabelle smiled politely and lowered her hands from her hips. “ Any chance y’all got some iced tea?” she asked, following his mama into the kitchen. “ Well, I’ve got some brewing for supper right about now.. But sure, darlin’. Why don’t you go find the parade on the tv for Wesley when he gets here and I’ll get you an iced tea made up,” she said with a smile. “ Aw, thank you so much,” she said, giving her a quick hug before she went to the living room. She had never been one for parades but she knew how much kids liked them. Almost instantaneously as she found the right channel, she heard the little feet running into the home, followed by Luke’s sister. “ Gracie!” he called out as he ran hazardously into the living room like most children did. “ Where’s Uncle Luke,” he asked as he approached her and Anabelle lit up. “ What, don’t I get any points for being here? Come give me a hug you little stinker,” she said before she scooped him up in her arms and hugged him tightly.
“ Anabelle sweetie get in here and get your tea,” she heard from the kitchen and she let go of Wesley, turning to give Luke’s sister a hug. “ Hey you look great” she said, smiling over at her as she sat down on the couch with Wesley so that he could watch the parade. It was hard knowing everything that she had gone through, how it effected Luke. And she felt even worse about keeping Luke away from her, but he seemed to think it was the best thing to do so who the heck was she to argue? Anabelle made her way back into the kitchen, already seeing everything that was in preparation mode. “ Alright darling, we’re going to put you in charge of the pies. Here’s your tea,” Luke’s mama said and Anabelle bounced her shoulders happily, “ That was mighty kind of you, thank you,” she said before picking it up and taking a drink. “ You have no idea..” her mama muttered before both of them started snickering. Anabelle tilted her head in confusion slightly as she watched them and set the tea down. Well it didn’t taste sweet. Maybe she was saving the sugar for the meal, that made sense. And it was so nice of his mama to get her something to drink that she wasn’t going to fuss about it anyhow. Anabelle took the waist apron, tying it behind her back before she took another sip of her tea and moved over to her little pie making station. Well that was fine, she made pie for Luke all the time. And quite frankly she loved to cook herself, and she loved cooking for Luke, but she wasn’t about to pretend she was as good a cook as either of their mama’s. “ Oh Anabelle, I have been meaning to tell you how beautiful you looked. We turned the tv on the other night to watch that award show you and Luke went to.. you both looked so nice,” his mama said and Anabelle smiled as she looked up from slicing the apples for the apple pie.
“ Luke sure know how to clean up real nice,” Anabelle said with a small smile. She took down a bowl, separating some of the apple slices so she could give them to Wesley for a snack if he wanted one. “ Can you believe his award? He looked happier than an ant at a picnic. I couldn’t believe it. I mean I can believe it, he’s amazing. I was just so excited for him,” Anabelle said as she went over to get some caramel syrup for the apples to give to Wesley. “ Not to mention the little fact that you two lovebirds went public with your marriage,” her mama said and Anabelle puffed out her cheeks. “It was kind of in Luke’s court all along. I mean no one wanted him to be successful and have it be attached to me. Which is silly because he’s so much more talented than I am. But I guess.. I don’t know. He heard he won, turned around and just kissed me. Right in front of everyone,” she said as she stepped out of the kitchen to go take Wesley the apples. He was so focused in on the parade that he barely noticed her as she set them down before she came back into the kitchen, noticing their mama’s in their own conversation, snickering and having a good time. “ Anabelle honey I poured you another tea since you drank that last one so quickly,” his mama said. “ Aren’t you the sweetest thing,” Anabelle replied, going over to the counter. She took down some caramel and pet milk, getting ready to melt it down so she could make Luke a crumbled apple caramel pie. “ So how is the newlywed thing going on the tour bus?” her own mama asked, followed by a snicker from Luke’s. Anabelle made a confused expression as she looked up from the caramel on the stove. “ What do you mean, mama?” she asked.
“ Well how are things going as husband and wife?”. Anabelle turned the heat down on the stove in confusion as she turned to look at her again. “… Anabelle, how do you get alone time?”. Anabelle blinked as she looked at both of them, slowly picking the caramel up off of the stove. “ Well being on tour keeps us pretty busy..” she said, her tone clearly indicating she still had no idea what was going on. “ Good Lord almighty child,.. how do y’all have sex?!” she asked and Anabelle gasped and dropped her jaw and turned to look at them, both laughing as they held onto the counters. “ Y’all are grown women..” she said with a shocked expression on her face. “ And don’t you be worryin’ about such things. It gets taken care of…. Good lord almighty is right, mama.” she said, shaking her head as she watched the two of them. Anabelle brought the caramel over to the pie station, setting it on a heat pad before she picked up her drink and took a long sip from it. “ You know she was dating that boy that is going to be in Thor,” her mama said with a knowing look at Luke’s. “ I mean I grew up a Christian woman and I know my daughter is too.. but this track record she’s got going is not one I would’ve objected to at her age,” she said. “ Mama!” Anabelle yelled out, turning to look at her mother in embarrassment. “ Well if I was a betting man I’d say that Luke probably convinces the rest of the crew on the bus to head out for the evening,” his mama said. “ Oh well he does seem like a gentleman,” her own mama responded, clearly ignoring Anabelle’s look of plea. Anabelle took in a deep breath, figuring she might as well try to give up trying to make any type of impact on their conversation. Instead she turned back to her desserts, picking up her tea and finishing it off.
Time seemed to literally fly. It had apparently been an hour, but she had drank about three more teas, was starting her third pie to put in the oven, and little Wesley was making his way into the kitchen because he had spilled his juice on his shirt. “ Come here,” she said, picking him up so that his mother could visit with the two women cooking in the kitchen. “ Let’s get you cleaned up, handsome,” she said, picking up her tea. “ You want some tea?” she asked him. “ NO!... He um.. he can’t have caffeine,” Luke’s mama said and Anabelle pouted her bottom lip out at Wesley. “I’m sorry sugar bean” she said as she held him against her side and headed to find him some spare clothes. And boy did he look dapper. She got one of the tour shirts on him, a pair of his little cowboy boots, she even put a truck hat on him backwards. “ Well you look like your uncle made over,” she said, reaching her hand down so he could hold onto it while they walked back into the kitchen. “ Anabelle finish that tea so I can pour you another glass,”. Anabelle puffed her cheeks out as she placed her hand on her stomach before she did as she was told. “ Oh be right back,” she said, remembering the little guitar and strap left in Luke’s truck that they had gotten for Wesley. Well Joel learned to pay guitar when he was two.
Anabelle hooked the small strap up to the guitar as she made her way back inside and then kneeled down, placing it over Wesley’s small shoulders. “ Just like Lukie,” she said, feeling herself sort of tip to the side before she placed her hand on the ground and caught herself. She heard the laughter coming from the kitchen and tilted her head to look in. What on Earth had they been giggling about all day? “ Here, let’s take a picture of you dressed up like your uncle and send it to him,” she said, taking her phone out to take the picture before she sat indian style on the floor, sending it to Luke before she tossed the phone down onto the ground by her side. Just at that time she realized what time it had been when she looked at her phone. “ Oh my gosh,” she said, pushing herself up before she went over to Luke’s parents computer that they said she could use to skype Hunter. She hadn’t spent a Thanksgiving away from him since they became best friends in first grade. “ Here honey,” Luke’s mama said, setting another tea in front of her by the desk. “ Thank you.. these are seriously so delicious. I swear they get better with each one,” she said as she smiled up at her. “ Oh I’m sure they do..” Luke’s mama said as she walked away. Anabelle narrowed her eyebrows in confusion before she saw that Hunter was calling her and answered it quickly, waving into the computer. “ I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize what time it was and then.. it just got away from me,” she said with a little laugh, “ I think that exhaustion from the tour is getting to me cause I feel all sorts of funky..” she said as she crossed her arms on the desk and smiled into the screen to look at him.
Hunter was seriously one of the most amazing people she had the pleasure of knowing. And it was so exciting that he got to play in the Thanksgiving football game against their favorite football team growing up. “ I’m not even sure who to cheer for,” she said as she laughed quietly, taking some sips of her tea throughout the conversation. But eventually Hunter had to go. And she doubted highly he would eat a heavy Thanksgiving meal until after the game. But when she shut the computer lid she looked over at Wesley, biting the edge of her lip. “ You want to go outside?” she asked, giving him a small smile as he perked up. “ Let’s go throw the football,” Anabelle said, pulling her boots back on over her feet before she picked up her tea and brought it outside with them, setting it on the porch. Once she put her sunglasses on tied her hair back in a curly ponytail she twirled the football in her hands, walking a distance away from Wesley. She wouldn’t be able to throw it like she did with Hunter, but she’d be able to underhand it to him for a while until he got tuckered out. So they stayed out there for a good while, Anabelle running to pick up the balls that he couldn’t throw very far from himself. That cute little stinker. She had finished her tea, Luke’s mama had brought out a water and told her to drink that before she had another tea. She probably didn’t want her to get too much caffeine from the tea. And just like that she was being handed another one. “ Thank you!” she had called out, holding Wesley’s hand to come back inside. After taking her hair back down and her sunglasses off she peeled off the boots, heading back into the kitchen. “ I think the boys are home,” her mama said, setting the towel down on the kitchen counter before she made her way out to the mud room.
Anabelle smiled happily as she made her way into the mudroom. She took barely a second to take Luke in, determining that he didn’t have his bow and arrow on him, or a gun, wasn’t carrying anything bloody. “ Baby!” she said happily, jumping up against his body as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. “ I’ve been baking. And playing football. And drinking tea,” she said with a broad smile across her lips before she held both of her hands into the back of his hair and leaned down to kiss him. “ She sure has, baby” Luke’s mama said with a laugh as she kissed her husband on the cheek and ushered them all in. Anabelle kept her arms around Luke’s neck as he walked into his childhood home, “ Your mama’s been making it for me. Do you want some? It doesn’t taste like mine or my mama’s” she said as she smiled at him, sort of looking down at his lips. He sure was handsome. “ Oh I’ll just get him a beer, Anabelle. Why don’t you boys get leaned up? You’re back just in time to eat,” his mama said. Anabelle looked away from her and back at Luke, pouting out her bottom lip slightly before she leaned against his body to give him a kiss and the hopped down away from him. “ I’ll go make you a plate,” she said happily as she made her way into the kitchen.
Anabelle hummed to herself, getting Luke a beer as she took a sip from her tea and continued to make him a plate. Turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, Watergate salad, different types of bread and rolls, cranberry sauce, creamed corn; all piled onto one plate. Not to mention he still had dessert for later. Anabelle placed the plate at the table before making a small one for herself and sliding in beside Luke. She waited as everyone was up in the kitchen getting their own plates ready and smiled over at Luke. “ I am feeling particularly in a good mood, it’s the weirdest thing,” she said as she rested her side against the back of the chair. “ And I’m fairly sure when we get back home tonight, I am going to show you just exactly all the things I am Thankful for this year,” she said as she smiled like an idiot over at him. But quickly she realized he might not know what she was talking about so she leaned closer to whisper with her hand over his ear, “ That means sex,” she said before leaning away and giving him a nod of confirmation. A quick kiss on his cheek and she made herself comfortable in her seat, resting both of her legs over Luke’s right one. “ Well someone surely looks relaxed,” her mama said as she sat down, giving a smile over to Luke’s mama. “ What did y’all do to her?” her daddy asked and Luke’s mama placed on an expression of innocence, ] “ We’ve just been giving the girl tea is all,”. Anabelle nodded as she tore part of her roll apart, “ It’s super good,” she said before taking a bite from it.
Throughout the meal, since she hadn’t eaten as much as Luke and finished before him, she rested her arm behind his chair, tracing her fingernails against his back and joined in on conversation. Between his sister laughing at how Luke danced on stage and in his video, to the miniature pig, what life was like on the road, how cute Wesley looked dressed up like his uncle, whether or not they wanted kids, when the tour would be over so that they could come home and be with family, the awards show, whether or not they were still happy with the decision to get married, how they handled people thinking they were crazy, plus both of their parents were more than willing to tell stories about each of them growing up. It was hard to imagine Luke as a kid or a teenager, but by the end of the meal Anabelle was crying from laughing so hard at some of the stories. “ Anyone need anything else? Hunter’s game is about to be on baby girl, you better grab Luke some of that pie so you can sit down and watch him,” her mama said. Anabelle brought her fingers to her eyes, wiping away the tears before she leaned over to give Luke a kiss and got up to go into the kitchen. Instead of getting him a big piece of one of the pies she just decided to cut him up a small one from each of them before she brought it out to the living room so that they could start watching the game. It was so weird being away from Hunter, but she was thankful that Luke’s parents were making her and her family so welcome, letting them watch the game. Though what red-blooded American didn’t watch the football game on Thanksgiving? They probably would have done it whether or not she was there.
Anabelle found the channel for the game and sat down, scooping Wesley up so that he could sit between his mama and Luke before she sat down on the other side of Luke. Her eyes locked in on the television screen, not wanting to miss a single second of Hunter playing his game. In fact she knew that there were plenty of conversations going on the entire time, that his mama was bringing her more tea throughout the game. But aside from half-time, Wesley and Luke occasionally talking to her there wasn’t a damn thing that was going to distract her from watching his game. And what a good game it was. Hunter was so talented , and now he was without a doubt going to have a good Thanksgiving and be able to enjoy some turkey and fixings to eat. Anabelle picked up her phone before sitting down in Luke’s lap, focusing down on the phone as she sent out a congratulatory text to Hunter. He probably wouldn’t be able to get to his phone right away, but at least he would be able to see that she was thinking about him even though they were apart this Thanksgiving. Anabelle laid back against his chest, letting him wrap his arms around her as she watched everyone else deciding what they should do with the rest of their evening. General consensus? Once Wesley got down they’d take a baby monitor out and go have a bonfire. Anabelle brought her legs up against her chest and rested fully against Luke’s body, closing her eyes tiredly as she waited for everyone to just settle down. But with that she must have fallen asleep because a little while later, Luke was rubbing his hand gently against her arm and kissing the side of her hair to wake her up. When she opened her eyes and sat up straight, another glass of tea was being offered out to her by his mama, but this time it was in a more practical cup since they were going outside. “ Oh, thank you,” Anabelle said tiredly before covering her hand over her mouth and yawning, taking the drink from his mama before she climbed out of his lap slowly.
Anabelle set the tall coffee mug of tea down on the bench in the mud room as she pulled her boots on. After taking down one of Luke’s extra jackets, she pulled it on and picked up the tea, holding her hand in his as they walked out to the back to go to the bonfire. It looked like their daddy’s had set out some chairs in a circle around it and before she could sit down in her own, Luke was pulling her into his lap and wrapping his arm securely around her waist. She smiled over at Luke’s sister who was turning the volume up on the baby monitor before she settled herself. “ You know, .. It makes me happy that Luke found you. I’ve never seen him like this with anyone,” she said and Anabelle smiled, looking up at Luke. What could she say really? Anabelle sat up, giving him a kiss before she smiled against his lips. It was easy to forget where she was when she was around him. She brought her arm up around his neck, pulling herself closer against his body as she nibbled down against his bottom lip and placed her free hand securely against the side of his jaw. After she curled her finger tips towards his skin and traced the tip of her tongue inside his mouth her eyes popped open. What in the hell was she doing around his family. And that was when it clicked. Anabelle gasped, sitting up away from the kiss as she looked around at them and then back at Luke, “ Oh my gosh, I think I’m drunk,” she said with genuine shock before she looked around. But the laughter from her mama and Luke’s quickly followed. “ Grown women, y’all” she said at them while shaking her head. “ Luke , I think they got me drunk on purpose,” she said, looking back at him with her eyes widened. But what did she decide to do? If you can’t beat them, join them, and just a few moments later she leaned down to pick up her coffee mug and was taking another sip. Now that she seemed pretty aware of what was going on, the rest of the adults seemed to take that as the okay to start drinking some tea too, and then the music started. Every now and then Luke’s sister would hold the baby monitor up to her ear to check on Wesley. But the night was getting late, Anabelle was very aware of how drunk she was at this point, and she knew her parents would need to get to bed soon. “ Baby,” she said, setting the empty coffee cup down in the chair as she looked up at Luke. “ I drank all my whiskey.. and my money’s all gone,.. I hit on all the girls and I sang every song,” she sang out, before laughing to herself quietly, “ It’s time to take my drunk ass home,” she crooned out, climbing up on his tall frame before she flung herself over his shoulder so he could carry her. Anabelle reached her arms out to her mama and daddy so that they would come over and she could give them a kiss, all the while singing lyrics to Luke’s ‘Take My Drunk Ass Home’. “ I like that song, baby” she said as though it had just occurred to her as he carried her over to his truck.
So she sang it, the entire way home, the entire time he carried her up the stairs to his…their, apartment above the hardware store in town. And finally she was standing in their living room, taking off his jacket she had stolen, peeling off her own cardigan and boots before dropping them on the floor. It wasn’t really that often that Anabelle took things in her own hands and made the move. Usually her brain was thinking about baking, cleaning, pinterest type activities, trying to make someone’s day better. But every now and then, she couldn’t help but have one thing on her mind. She was a normal woman after all. So as she looked at Luke across the room a slow smile spread across her lips before she sauntered her way over to him. Anabelle brought her hands up to the sides of his jacket, pushing it off over his shoulder before she stood on her toes to kiss the side of his jaw and neck. “ Mr. Bryan.. I have every intention of showing you what I’m thankful for,” she said as she lowered her hand to his and walked backwards towards their room, pulling his arm with her so he would follow her. It was nice to be able to experience him off of the bus, and in somewhere that was their own home. The tour family might have been a “family”, but spending time with their actual family meant the entire world to each of them. And now she got to end the night perfectly, with the taste of his skin upon her lips. Anabelle kissed his chest softly before she pinned his arms down against the bed so she could climb over him and take control. Tomorrow might come and she might wake up, be back to her ‘Disney princess version ‘ of herself as Collin described her, make Luke breakfast, get back to the tour bus so they can hit the road after saying goodbye to their families. But tonight she didn’t have to be that girl, right now she didn’t have to sugar coat things. She didn’t just want to show Luke how thankful she was he was in her life, there was a part of her that just wanted him because of the way he smiled, how his skin felt, how he smelled. This side of her didn’t take over often, in fact it was pretty rare, but as she nibbled against the edge of his collar bone she was fully comfortable with letting it and pretending that she was going to love him like it was their last night together.
Outfit
Anabelle looked down at her shorts and cardigan before she focused back on the coffee. She’d never worn shorts to a holiday in her life. But she had been so exhausted from tour that when it came time to start packing for their little trip here, she sort of forgot that it was Thanksgiving altogether. When she finished adding the cream and one packet of sugar she mixed it all together before coming out to Luke. He’d probably drink it all before they got outside so that whatever they were hunting wouldn’t be able to smell it. “ You come back in one piece,” she said at him with a faux glare, standing up on her toes as she held onto his shirt and gave him another kiss, offering the coffee out to him without moving away from his lips. “ Love you, sugar” she said, waving at the men as they headed out of the house. Anabelle watched the truck leave the drive and placed her hands on her hips before turning back around to face their mama’s. “ Well the rest of the family should be here soon. Anabelle why don’t you get on in there and get yourself some coffee,” his mama ordered. Anabelle smiled politely and lowered her hands from her hips. “ Any chance y’all got some iced tea?” she asked, following his mama into the kitchen. “ Well, I’ve got some brewing for supper right about now.. But sure, darlin’. Why don’t you go find the parade on the tv for Wesley when he gets here and I’ll get you an iced tea made up,” she said with a smile. “ Aw, thank you so much,” she said, giving her a quick hug before she went to the living room. She had never been one for parades but she knew how much kids liked them. Almost instantaneously as she found the right channel, she heard the little feet running into the home, followed by Luke’s sister. “ Gracie!” he called out as he ran hazardously into the living room like most children did. “ Where’s Uncle Luke,” he asked as he approached her and Anabelle lit up. “ What, don’t I get any points for being here? Come give me a hug you little stinker,” she said before she scooped him up in her arms and hugged him tightly.
“ Anabelle sweetie get in here and get your tea,” she heard from the kitchen and she let go of Wesley, turning to give Luke’s sister a hug. “ Hey you look great” she said, smiling over at her as she sat down on the couch with Wesley so that he could watch the parade. It was hard knowing everything that she had gone through, how it effected Luke. And she felt even worse about keeping Luke away from her, but he seemed to think it was the best thing to do so who the heck was she to argue? Anabelle made her way back into the kitchen, already seeing everything that was in preparation mode. “ Alright darling, we’re going to put you in charge of the pies. Here’s your tea,” Luke’s mama said and Anabelle bounced her shoulders happily, “ That was mighty kind of you, thank you,” she said before picking it up and taking a drink. “ You have no idea..” her mama muttered before both of them started snickering. Anabelle tilted her head in confusion slightly as she watched them and set the tea down. Well it didn’t taste sweet. Maybe she was saving the sugar for the meal, that made sense. And it was so nice of his mama to get her something to drink that she wasn’t going to fuss about it anyhow. Anabelle took the waist apron, tying it behind her back before she took another sip of her tea and moved over to her little pie making station. Well that was fine, she made pie for Luke all the time. And quite frankly she loved to cook herself, and she loved cooking for Luke, but she wasn’t about to pretend she was as good a cook as either of their mama’s. “ Oh Anabelle, I have been meaning to tell you how beautiful you looked. We turned the tv on the other night to watch that award show you and Luke went to.. you both looked so nice,” his mama said and Anabelle smiled as she looked up from slicing the apples for the apple pie.
“ Luke sure know how to clean up real nice,” Anabelle said with a small smile. She took down a bowl, separating some of the apple slices so she could give them to Wesley for a snack if he wanted one. “ Can you believe his award? He looked happier than an ant at a picnic. I couldn’t believe it. I mean I can believe it, he’s amazing. I was just so excited for him,” Anabelle said as she went over to get some caramel syrup for the apples to give to Wesley. “ Not to mention the little fact that you two lovebirds went public with your marriage,” her mama said and Anabelle puffed out her cheeks. “It was kind of in Luke’s court all along. I mean no one wanted him to be successful and have it be attached to me. Which is silly because he’s so much more talented than I am. But I guess.. I don’t know. He heard he won, turned around and just kissed me. Right in front of everyone,” she said as she stepped out of the kitchen to go take Wesley the apples. He was so focused in on the parade that he barely noticed her as she set them down before she came back into the kitchen, noticing their mama’s in their own conversation, snickering and having a good time. “ Anabelle honey I poured you another tea since you drank that last one so quickly,” his mama said. “ Aren’t you the sweetest thing,” Anabelle replied, going over to the counter. She took down some caramel and pet milk, getting ready to melt it down so she could make Luke a crumbled apple caramel pie. “ So how is the newlywed thing going on the tour bus?” her own mama asked, followed by a snicker from Luke’s. Anabelle made a confused expression as she looked up from the caramel on the stove. “ What do you mean, mama?” she asked.
“ Well how are things going as husband and wife?”. Anabelle turned the heat down on the stove in confusion as she turned to look at her again. “… Anabelle, how do you get alone time?”. Anabelle blinked as she looked at both of them, slowly picking the caramel up off of the stove. “ Well being on tour keeps us pretty busy..” she said, her tone clearly indicating she still had no idea what was going on. “ Good Lord almighty child,.. how do y’all have sex?!” she asked and Anabelle gasped and dropped her jaw and turned to look at them, both laughing as they held onto the counters. “ Y’all are grown women..” she said with a shocked expression on her face. “ And don’t you be worryin’ about such things. It gets taken care of…. Good lord almighty is right, mama.” she said, shaking her head as she watched the two of them. Anabelle brought the caramel over to the pie station, setting it on a heat pad before she picked up her drink and took a long sip from it. “ You know she was dating that boy that is going to be in Thor,” her mama said with a knowing look at Luke’s. “ I mean I grew up a Christian woman and I know my daughter is too.. but this track record she’s got going is not one I would’ve objected to at her age,” she said. “ Mama!” Anabelle yelled out, turning to look at her mother in embarrassment. “ Well if I was a betting man I’d say that Luke probably convinces the rest of the crew on the bus to head out for the evening,” his mama said. “ Oh well he does seem like a gentleman,” her own mama responded, clearly ignoring Anabelle’s look of plea. Anabelle took in a deep breath, figuring she might as well try to give up trying to make any type of impact on their conversation. Instead she turned back to her desserts, picking up her tea and finishing it off.
Time seemed to literally fly. It had apparently been an hour, but she had drank about three more teas, was starting her third pie to put in the oven, and little Wesley was making his way into the kitchen because he had spilled his juice on his shirt. “ Come here,” she said, picking him up so that his mother could visit with the two women cooking in the kitchen. “ Let’s get you cleaned up, handsome,” she said, picking up her tea. “ You want some tea?” she asked him. “ NO!... He um.. he can’t have caffeine,” Luke’s mama said and Anabelle pouted her bottom lip out at Wesley. “I’m sorry sugar bean” she said as she held him against her side and headed to find him some spare clothes. And boy did he look dapper. She got one of the tour shirts on him, a pair of his little cowboy boots, she even put a truck hat on him backwards. “ Well you look like your uncle made over,” she said, reaching her hand down so he could hold onto it while they walked back into the kitchen. “ Anabelle finish that tea so I can pour you another glass,”. Anabelle puffed her cheeks out as she placed her hand on her stomach before she did as she was told. “ Oh be right back,” she said, remembering the little guitar and strap left in Luke’s truck that they had gotten for Wesley. Well Joel learned to pay guitar when he was two.
Anabelle hooked the small strap up to the guitar as she made her way back inside and then kneeled down, placing it over Wesley’s small shoulders. “ Just like Lukie,” she said, feeling herself sort of tip to the side before she placed her hand on the ground and caught herself. She heard the laughter coming from the kitchen and tilted her head to look in. What on Earth had they been giggling about all day? “ Here, let’s take a picture of you dressed up like your uncle and send it to him,” she said, taking her phone out to take the picture before she sat indian style on the floor, sending it to Luke before she tossed the phone down onto the ground by her side. Just at that time she realized what time it had been when she looked at her phone. “ Oh my gosh,” she said, pushing herself up before she went over to Luke’s parents computer that they said she could use to skype Hunter. She hadn’t spent a Thanksgiving away from him since they became best friends in first grade. “ Here honey,” Luke’s mama said, setting another tea in front of her by the desk. “ Thank you.. these are seriously so delicious. I swear they get better with each one,” she said as she smiled up at her. “ Oh I’m sure they do..” Luke’s mama said as she walked away. Anabelle narrowed her eyebrows in confusion before she saw that Hunter was calling her and answered it quickly, waving into the computer. “ I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize what time it was and then.. it just got away from me,” she said with a little laugh, “ I think that exhaustion from the tour is getting to me cause I feel all sorts of funky..” she said as she crossed her arms on the desk and smiled into the screen to look at him.
Hunter was seriously one of the most amazing people she had the pleasure of knowing. And it was so exciting that he got to play in the Thanksgiving football game against their favorite football team growing up. “ I’m not even sure who to cheer for,” she said as she laughed quietly, taking some sips of her tea throughout the conversation. But eventually Hunter had to go. And she doubted highly he would eat a heavy Thanksgiving meal until after the game. But when she shut the computer lid she looked over at Wesley, biting the edge of her lip. “ You want to go outside?” she asked, giving him a small smile as he perked up. “ Let’s go throw the football,” Anabelle said, pulling her boots back on over her feet before she picked up her tea and brought it outside with them, setting it on the porch. Once she put her sunglasses on tied her hair back in a curly ponytail she twirled the football in her hands, walking a distance away from Wesley. She wouldn’t be able to throw it like she did with Hunter, but she’d be able to underhand it to him for a while until he got tuckered out. So they stayed out there for a good while, Anabelle running to pick up the balls that he couldn’t throw very far from himself. That cute little stinker. She had finished her tea, Luke’s mama had brought out a water and told her to drink that before she had another tea. She probably didn’t want her to get too much caffeine from the tea. And just like that she was being handed another one. “ Thank you!” she had called out, holding Wesley’s hand to come back inside. After taking her hair back down and her sunglasses off she peeled off the boots, heading back into the kitchen. “ I think the boys are home,” her mama said, setting the towel down on the kitchen counter before she made her way out to the mud room.
Anabelle smiled happily as she made her way into the mudroom. She took barely a second to take Luke in, determining that he didn’t have his bow and arrow on him, or a gun, wasn’t carrying anything bloody. “ Baby!” she said happily, jumping up against his body as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. “ I’ve been baking. And playing football. And drinking tea,” she said with a broad smile across her lips before she held both of her hands into the back of his hair and leaned down to kiss him. “ She sure has, baby” Luke’s mama said with a laugh as she kissed her husband on the cheek and ushered them all in. Anabelle kept her arms around Luke’s neck as he walked into his childhood home, “ Your mama’s been making it for me. Do you want some? It doesn’t taste like mine or my mama’s” she said as she smiled at him, sort of looking down at his lips. He sure was handsome. “ Oh I’ll just get him a beer, Anabelle. Why don’t you boys get leaned up? You’re back just in time to eat,” his mama said. Anabelle looked away from her and back at Luke, pouting out her bottom lip slightly before she leaned against his body to give him a kiss and the hopped down away from him. “ I’ll go make you a plate,” she said happily as she made her way into the kitchen.
Anabelle hummed to herself, getting Luke a beer as she took a sip from her tea and continued to make him a plate. Turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, Watergate salad, different types of bread and rolls, cranberry sauce, creamed corn; all piled onto one plate. Not to mention he still had dessert for later. Anabelle placed the plate at the table before making a small one for herself and sliding in beside Luke. She waited as everyone was up in the kitchen getting their own plates ready and smiled over at Luke. “ I am feeling particularly in a good mood, it’s the weirdest thing,” she said as she rested her side against the back of the chair. “ And I’m fairly sure when we get back home tonight, I am going to show you just exactly all the things I am Thankful for this year,” she said as she smiled like an idiot over at him. But quickly she realized he might not know what she was talking about so she leaned closer to whisper with her hand over his ear, “ That means sex,” she said before leaning away and giving him a nod of confirmation. A quick kiss on his cheek and she made herself comfortable in her seat, resting both of her legs over Luke’s right one. “ Well someone surely looks relaxed,” her mama said as she sat down, giving a smile over to Luke’s mama. “ What did y’all do to her?” her daddy asked and Luke’s mama placed on an expression of innocence, ] “ We’ve just been giving the girl tea is all,”. Anabelle nodded as she tore part of her roll apart, “ It’s super good,” she said before taking a bite from it.
Throughout the meal, since she hadn’t eaten as much as Luke and finished before him, she rested her arm behind his chair, tracing her fingernails against his back and joined in on conversation. Between his sister laughing at how Luke danced on stage and in his video, to the miniature pig, what life was like on the road, how cute Wesley looked dressed up like his uncle, whether or not they wanted kids, when the tour would be over so that they could come home and be with family, the awards show, whether or not they were still happy with the decision to get married, how they handled people thinking they were crazy, plus both of their parents were more than willing to tell stories about each of them growing up. It was hard to imagine Luke as a kid or a teenager, but by the end of the meal Anabelle was crying from laughing so hard at some of the stories. “ Anyone need anything else? Hunter’s game is about to be on baby girl, you better grab Luke some of that pie so you can sit down and watch him,” her mama said. Anabelle brought her fingers to her eyes, wiping away the tears before she leaned over to give Luke a kiss and got up to go into the kitchen. Instead of getting him a big piece of one of the pies she just decided to cut him up a small one from each of them before she brought it out to the living room so that they could start watching the game. It was so weird being away from Hunter, but she was thankful that Luke’s parents were making her and her family so welcome, letting them watch the game. Though what red-blooded American didn’t watch the football game on Thanksgiving? They probably would have done it whether or not she was there.
Anabelle found the channel for the game and sat down, scooping Wesley up so that he could sit between his mama and Luke before she sat down on the other side of Luke. Her eyes locked in on the television screen, not wanting to miss a single second of Hunter playing his game. In fact she knew that there were plenty of conversations going on the entire time, that his mama was bringing her more tea throughout the game. But aside from half-time, Wesley and Luke occasionally talking to her there wasn’t a damn thing that was going to distract her from watching his game. And what a good game it was. Hunter was so talented , and now he was without a doubt going to have a good Thanksgiving and be able to enjoy some turkey and fixings to eat. Anabelle picked up her phone before sitting down in Luke’s lap, focusing down on the phone as she sent out a congratulatory text to Hunter. He probably wouldn’t be able to get to his phone right away, but at least he would be able to see that she was thinking about him even though they were apart this Thanksgiving. Anabelle laid back against his chest, letting him wrap his arms around her as she watched everyone else deciding what they should do with the rest of their evening. General consensus? Once Wesley got down they’d take a baby monitor out and go have a bonfire. Anabelle brought her legs up against her chest and rested fully against Luke’s body, closing her eyes tiredly as she waited for everyone to just settle down. But with that she must have fallen asleep because a little while later, Luke was rubbing his hand gently against her arm and kissing the side of her hair to wake her up. When she opened her eyes and sat up straight, another glass of tea was being offered out to her by his mama, but this time it was in a more practical cup since they were going outside. “ Oh, thank you,” Anabelle said tiredly before covering her hand over her mouth and yawning, taking the drink from his mama before she climbed out of his lap slowly.
Anabelle set the tall coffee mug of tea down on the bench in the mud room as she pulled her boots on. After taking down one of Luke’s extra jackets, she pulled it on and picked up the tea, holding her hand in his as they walked out to the back to go to the bonfire. It looked like their daddy’s had set out some chairs in a circle around it and before she could sit down in her own, Luke was pulling her into his lap and wrapping his arm securely around her waist. She smiled over at Luke’s sister who was turning the volume up on the baby monitor before she settled herself. “ You know, .. It makes me happy that Luke found you. I’ve never seen him like this with anyone,” she said and Anabelle smiled, looking up at Luke. What could she say really? Anabelle sat up, giving him a kiss before she smiled against his lips. It was easy to forget where she was when she was around him. She brought her arm up around his neck, pulling herself closer against his body as she nibbled down against his bottom lip and placed her free hand securely against the side of his jaw. After she curled her finger tips towards his skin and traced the tip of her tongue inside his mouth her eyes popped open. What in the hell was she doing around his family. And that was when it clicked. Anabelle gasped, sitting up away from the kiss as she looked around at them and then back at Luke, “ Oh my gosh, I think I’m drunk,” she said with genuine shock before she looked around. But the laughter from her mama and Luke’s quickly followed. “ Grown women, y’all” she said at them while shaking her head. “ Luke , I think they got me drunk on purpose,” she said, looking back at him with her eyes widened. But what did she decide to do? If you can’t beat them, join them, and just a few moments later she leaned down to pick up her coffee mug and was taking another sip. Now that she seemed pretty aware of what was going on, the rest of the adults seemed to take that as the okay to start drinking some tea too, and then the music started. Every now and then Luke’s sister would hold the baby monitor up to her ear to check on Wesley. But the night was getting late, Anabelle was very aware of how drunk she was at this point, and she knew her parents would need to get to bed soon. “ Baby,” she said, setting the empty coffee cup down in the chair as she looked up at Luke. “ I drank all my whiskey.. and my money’s all gone,.. I hit on all the girls and I sang every song,” she sang out, before laughing to herself quietly, “ It’s time to take my drunk ass home,” she crooned out, climbing up on his tall frame before she flung herself over his shoulder so he could carry her. Anabelle reached her arms out to her mama and daddy so that they would come over and she could give them a kiss, all the while singing lyrics to Luke’s ‘Take My Drunk Ass Home’. “ I like that song, baby” she said as though it had just occurred to her as he carried her over to his truck.
So she sang it, the entire way home, the entire time he carried her up the stairs to his…their, apartment above the hardware store in town. And finally she was standing in their living room, taking off his jacket she had stolen, peeling off her own cardigan and boots before dropping them on the floor. It wasn’t really that often that Anabelle took things in her own hands and made the move. Usually her brain was thinking about baking, cleaning, pinterest type activities, trying to make someone’s day better. But every now and then, she couldn’t help but have one thing on her mind. She was a normal woman after all. So as she looked at Luke across the room a slow smile spread across her lips before she sauntered her way over to him. Anabelle brought her hands up to the sides of his jacket, pushing it off over his shoulder before she stood on her toes to kiss the side of his jaw and neck. “ Mr. Bryan.. I have every intention of showing you what I’m thankful for,” she said as she lowered her hand to his and walked backwards towards their room, pulling his arm with her so he would follow her. It was nice to be able to experience him off of the bus, and in somewhere that was their own home. The tour family might have been a “family”, but spending time with their actual family meant the entire world to each of them. And now she got to end the night perfectly, with the taste of his skin upon her lips. Anabelle kissed his chest softly before she pinned his arms down against the bed so she could climb over him and take control. Tomorrow might come and she might wake up, be back to her ‘Disney princess version ‘ of herself as Collin described her, make Luke breakfast, get back to the tour bus so they can hit the road after saying goodbye to their families. But tonight she didn’t have to be that girl, right now she didn’t have to sugar coat things. She didn’t just want to show Luke how thankful she was he was in her life, there was a part of her that just wanted him because of the way he smiled, how his skin felt, how he smelled. This side of her didn’t take over often, in fact it was pretty rare, but as she nibbled against the edge of his collar bone she was fully comfortable with letting it and pretending that she was going to love him like it was their last night together.
Outfit
