Thanksgiving by LindaG

(greatly inspired by 'The Wedding Speech' by LunaFlower)

Screeches and footfalls echoed off the walls and high-domed ceiling as several small balls of energy and one rather large one raced past the group chatting and laughing in the living room.

Heads were shaken in mock disbelief and tongues clucked in mild disapproval before calling out in an attempt to calm the group.

"Abbi!" "Colin!" "Tyler!" "Darren!"

"Mom!" "Dad!" "Dannnnny!"

Another wave of laughter spilled from the living room.

"Darren, you know we just had the floor waxed. It's too dangerous to be running on."

"But Danny! That's what makes it so fun! They're mountain climbers, and I'm the Abomb-abombin-you know, the big white monster guy!"

Daniel grinned broadly and shook his head at the cheeky grin on Darren's face.

"Darren, our kids will disown us if you set aside rules arbitrarily."

"But Dannnnyyy!" Darren pouted, his whine as woeful as ever.

Looking at his life mate, Daniel was held momentarily by the sparkling azure eyes. A slight flush colored cheeks that were now paler than at any time in all the years he had known the singer.

Apprehension crossed Daniel's features as he remembered how close he'd come to losing Darren just a handful of months ago. He gasped when Darren's arms wrapped around him suddenly, a gentle smile returning to his face.

"Danny... I'm okay now. My heart is strong again and this little bit of excitement is good for me, I think. You remember the doctor told me I could begin exercising moderately now. No tours. No interviews or appearances for at *least* a year. Let me play with my grandkids. We're *supposed* to spoil them rotten and then give them back to our children. That's what grandparents are for."

A single tear broke free from glittering emerald eyes. A thumb gently brushed it away, and moments later lips met in gentle reassurance and promise.

"Oooohhh," four-year-old Abbi crooned in the way of young children who see such things.

Daniel's blush quickly matched Darren's cheeks, as their sons and daughters gathered round for a group hug. Grandchildren tittered, while the adults looked on with warm affection.

Darren put his hand behind Daniel's head and gently pulled him down, letting his head rest in the crook of his neck when the taller man began crying in earnest.

"I'm sorry," Daniel choked out.

"That's okay, baby," Darren reassured him, his fingers running through the hair on the back of his love's head. "It's okay. Let it out. You were there for us, now we're all here for you."

Daniel's arms went around Darren's neck and his body shook. Their children pressed closer. Touching. Stroking. Murmuring tender assurances. Small arms soon wrapped around Daniel's leg.

"Luv 'ou Gampa."

One of the children raised Abbi up and she quickly put her arms around Daniel's neck.

"Luv 'ou Gampa," her tiny voice repeated before she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Sniffing loudly he slowly raised his head, blinking heavy eyelids. He saw Darren's loving smile, understanding radiating from the azure eyes of his soulmate.

He returned the smile, slightly embarrassed by his breakdown. Taking his youngest grandchild in his arms, his smile widened and he softly kissed her forehead.

"Thank you, Abbi," his low voice whispered. He shifted her to one arm and hugged each of his children in turn. Peter. David. Cynthia. Shelly.

"Thank you," he said simply.

"Hey, people! Food's ready!" Shelly's husband Mark called from the hallway.

Darren tilted his head, gesturing sharply toward the hallway. Children, grandchildren and family disappeared quickly. All except Abbi, still in Daniel's arms. Tightening his hold, Darren looked deeply into the green gaze he knew so well.

"Feeling better?" He asked with a compassionate smile.

Daniel dropped his gaze, nodding, still somewhat uncomfortable.

Darren put his hand under Daniel's chin, bringing their eyes together once again.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Eat!" Abbi demanded before their lips could meet again.

"Okay!" Darren agreed cheerfully, grabbing his granddaughter from his love and swinging her onto his shoulders.

She giggled and shrieked merrily as he whinnied like a horse and bounced her to the dining room.

Daniel closed his eyes and snorted, shaking his head as he followed after the pair. He was smiling brightly when he entered the room. The homemade dining table, freshly polished, shone in spite of the surface being filled with plates, bowls, glasses, and trays.

Peter and David, their twin sons, had gotten their whole senior shop class to help design and build it. Between their parents' business ties, and the numerous friends they had brought home over the years, the boys had recognized the need for a larger-than-normal table. And it was always full when everyone was home.

Shelly and her husband Mark sat at the foot of the table. Peter and his partner Philip sat to the left near the head of the table. David and his wife Krystal sat across from them. Cynthia and her husband Matt sat next to them, while the grandchildren sat between Philip and Mark.

He joined Darren at the head of the table, Darren giving his knee a comforting squeeze as he sat down.

"If we could all join hands, please?" Darren spoke softly.

Everyone took the hand of the person on either side of him or her. The children shrugged their shoulders and wiggled, but sat quietly otherwise. Darren closed his eyes, feeling the love move from person to person. He smiled lightly.

"Dad?" David said before Darren could continue.

He smiled warmly and nodded.

"I just wanted to give thanks to God for letting you stay with us longer."

A murmured chorus of "Amen"s went around the table. Daniel gripped Darren's hand a bit tighter.

"And silly as it may sound, I just want to thank God for making you the caring people he did." Cynthia spoke next.

"Not many people take the older kids for adoption, but I thank God that you did." Shelly added.

"And I thank God that both of you were strong enough to show us, and everyone else, that love and compassion are what's most important." Peter glanced quickly at Philip and squeezed his hand.

Darren smiled at everyone around the table, pausing his gaze on his partner. Daniel gave him a little nod, and his smile widened.

"And we thank God for blessing us with children able to understand that a loving family is more than the outer package of a stereotype. That, and the strength to get through all the temper tantrums!" He finished, grinning cheekily.

Their children chuckled, while their mates looked on with raised brows.

"Now," he lowered his head. "Please, Lord, bless this food, and thank you for already blessing this family. Amen."

"Amen."

He and Daniel carved the turkeys then, while potatoes, rice, and vegetables were passed around the table. Colin made a face when Shelly insisted her son eat some of the peas. Tyler and Abbi each begged for a leg. After they had been served, Darren quickly excused himself to run for the camera.

He chuckled as he snapped the picture of his granddaughter, Abbi's face nearly hidden behind the huge turkey leg as she took a bite.

Easy talk of sports, happenings, and hobbies filled the air during the meal. Soon it was time for pie. Colin and Tyler argued over who would spray the cream, and ended up spraying each other, of course.

Darren laughed, wiping tears from his eyes, while his daughters half-heartedly scolded their boys, trying to keep a straight face and failing miserably.

Before long, the table was cleared, leftovers were put up, and coats were brought out. Promises were made to come back during the ensuing days because their parents obviously couldn't eat everything all by themselves.

The house fell quiet as the last echoes of goodbyes and childish laughter faded.

A deep sigh. A soft kiss.

"I think one of those cans still has whipped cream in it." Darren's voice was thick with anticipation.

"Really?" Daniel asked, on eyebrow rising as a small smile replaced the sad frown of moments before.

Darren nodded slowly, a lust-filled grin on his face. "Help me empty it?"

Daniel took Darren's face in his hands and lowered his head, kissing the singer's full lips passionately.

"I'll be waiting." Was his husky reply when they broke the kiss.

Darren sighed, silently thanking God once again for bringing them together. Picking up the spray can, he hurried upstairs for the *real* Thanksgiving dessert.