Page 59 of Searching for Thanksgiving

“James Trelon Reykill, don’t you dare!” Cara shouted just before James followed Leo in a magnificent dive off a very tall branch in the tree near the tables of food.

Trisha, Devon, and Crystal turned to watch with dismay as Leo, then James, hurtled toward the ground. Viper’s loud curses mingled with Tina’s as they watched their son ‘test’ James’s new invention. A split second before Leo would have hit the hard ground, and a bubble appeared around him. He bounced across the ground before rolling down the garden path like a bowling ball out of control.

“Sorry, I’d better help before the boys reach the end of the path and end up in the ocean,” Trisha mumbled, taking off after the group of parents.

Devon watched the mass of yelling parents with an expression of dismay. Crystal laughed. She remembered some of the crazy and stupid things that she and Stacy used to do without their parents knowing. For the first time, she realized the memories weren’t accompanied by pain, but by a melancholy mixture of joy and sadness.

“Crystal, there is something I would like to ask you,” Devon said, clearing his throat.

“Yes?”

“I would like… Would you care…?” he stumbled.

“Yes.”

He paused and frowned. “But… I haven’t asked you anything yet?” he muttered, running a hand along his jaw in frustration.

“Devon, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night? At my place?” she asked.

His expression cleared, and he nodded. “I would like that very much. I know it is ridiculous, but Morah has been giving me courting lessons. They are very confusing.”

Crystal laughed. “Coming from a seven-or-so-year-old, I imagine they are! Why don’t we fill up our plates before the others get back and find a spot where we can talk?” she suggested.

“I would like that. I would like that very much,” he said.

High above, Arilla sighed with contentment just as her sister appeared. Arosa stared down at the parents, rolling two clear, round balls containing Leo and James back up the path. Laughter filtered up from the garden.

“What have I missed? Has anything exciting happened?” Arosa asked.

Arilla chuckled. “Just another dragonling adventure,” she teased.

“Oh! What were they looking for this time?” Arosa asked.

“They were searching for Thanksgiving,” Arilla replied.

“Thanksgiving? Did they find it?”

Arilla looked down on the young couple, settling onto a blanket under one of the large trees. They were both so young and had been through so much, yet they had discovered the magic that can happen when they were surrounded by love, family, and friends. Their journey was just beginning—the future was not set in stone, but if their bond was strong, they would be alright.

She turned to study Morah. The little girl was in deep conversation with the group of symbiots that surrounded her. Morah would make a true and wonderful Priestess one day. Morah tilted her head and waved to Arilla.

Arilla blew Morah a kiss in return. Yes, she will make a powerful Priestess one day—after a few more adventures.

“Yes, sister. I think they discovered the magic of Thanksgiving,” she murmured with a smile.

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