Continuing to follow Dawn's and John's paths ahead. For those who are familiar with my other tales, it is set in the same universe and has common characters. Reading all the other stories is not crucial to enjoying this one, but you should read Parts 1, 2, and 3 of this arc first. All people having intercourse are over the age of 18.
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Thursday, November 26, 2020, Thanksgiving, continued
John roused with a startled jump when he heard Dawn call down the hall from the base of the stairs.
"Mamma's gonna put your eggs and sausages in Gypsy's bowl if'n you don't get upstairs on the double!"
The dog lifted her head at hearing her name and cocked it, listening for more. When silence followed, she sighed and lay her head down atop John's hand again, contented just to be in his company. John gave the collie a few affectionate strokes, then levered himself to his feet. He pulled on sweatpants and a t-shirt and headed for the door.
"C'mon, Gypsy. Let's go see what's waiting for us upstairs, girl."
John found his usual place at the table already set with a plate of scrambled eggs, a couple of sausage patties, a biscuit, and a glass of OJ. He wasn't a big coffee drinker, as Emily had noticed, so it hadn't been served. The eggs may have been a little cooler now than he would have liked, but he said nothing and made quick work of breakfast. He noticed the dog had her bowls of water and kibble near the backdoor and she was quickly lapping up the water. He felt kind of bad for depriving her of his food, so he was saving one of the sausage patties to give her later.
Dawn glanced at him as she moved about from task to task. They had spoken before of how Gypsy seemed rather taken with him, something John found amusing. He had never had a dog before, so he wasn't sure what to make of Gypsy's affection. John had used one sausage patty to make a sausage biscuit sandwich and Dawn saw him place it and the other patty in a napkin and fold it all up. Excusing herself from the kitchen momentarily, she got his legs turned out from under the table and plunked herself down on his lap.
John was about to ask what was going on when his head was cradled in her hands and his mouth fully occupied with her passionate kiss. He gave back as good as he got from her and both quickly became breathless.
"I saw you putting that food away in the napkin. Don't give it to her. We never feed the dog table scraps. I was kidding when I threatened that Mamma would put your breakfast in her bowl. Now, finish your juice and let me take these dishes to the sink. I'll be busy in the kitchen all morning, so make yourself scarce. Go for a walk and take Gypsy with you," Dawn commanded.
John recognized an elemental force when he saw one, so he simply nodded his acceptance and lifted her off his lap. Spinning on the ball of her foot, Dawn wrapped him up once more, rubbed noses, whispered, "I do so love you, John," and stepped away to return to her kitchen duties. All he could do was watch her wonderful ass in those shorts, which she flaunted at him with a giggle and disappeared into the kitchen.
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John figured he had made himself scarce for enough of the morning as he started up the driveway to the Taggarts' home. Both he and Gypsy were well-exercised now with cold ears, noses, hands, and paws. They arrived at the front door panting from the climb up the small hill. Both were looking forward to plopping down in front of the fireplace.
Since this was the first time he would be entering their home unaccompanied by one of the Taggarts, he politely rang the doorbell. Dawn opened the door very quickly after the chime sounded, almost as though she had been waiting for them. She stood there with her hands on her hips, a bit exasperated with the pair of them.
"Where've you been John?" she demanded. "I was about to send the dog out looking for you before I realized the irony of that idea." Her irritation with his extended absence was very evident.
"You said for us to make ourselves scarce, as I recall, so we did."
"Get your tails in here. What have you two been doing for nearly three hours?"
Gypsy made a beeline for her water bowl as John hung up his coat and pulled Dawn into his arms. She quickly tilted her head up, awaiting his kiss, and she was not disappointed in the least. Once John had satisfied her immediate needs, she led him to the family room where a fire was lit in the fireplace.
"So, what did you two do outside?"
"We just walked around the block. At the end of the driveway, we turned to the right. We took the first road to the left four times and returned here," John explained.
"But that's eight miles!"
"Possibly. To quote John Wayne, it was a 'good stretch of the legs.' "
Dawn looked at John quizzically.
"What?" John asked, holding his chilled hands as close to the fire as he dared.
"I don't get the reference to the quote," Dawn tried to explain.
"We'll have to make time to watch that good American Irish movie. TBS will probably show it at least once on St. Patrick's Day. Just let it be. We're good. We both got our exercise in for the day." He glanced at Gypsy laying at his feet, already asleep in front of the fireplace.
"What movie?" Dawn asked, pulling him over to the sofa.
"'The Quiet Man', starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. It's regarded as a classic. My folks made us watch it while I was still in high school." He glanced at her blonde hair and thought to himself, "I'm glad Dawn's not a redhead."
Later, when the family gathered around the table for the big main meal, everyone joined hands and bowed their heads. John was a little slow catching on, but Josh waited until he saw everyone's head tipped down. Josh asked the communal blessing, then followed with his personal thanks for good health for himself and his entire family. Junior and then the twins added their thanks for various things. Then it was Emily's turn.
"Dear God, I want to thank you out loud for keeping Dawn safe while she's been away at school. Thank you for bringing her home to us safely, and in John's company. You continue to pour out blessings on top of blessings, and we are all truly grateful for each and every one of them."
Emily gave John's hand a firm yet gentle squeeze, indicating it was his turn. John was not accustomed to praying aloud and his voice cracked momentarily as he struggled to come up with an appropriate thanks. It seemed like nearly an eternity to him although it was only ten seconds before John was able to get out, "Thank you, God, for all the love I've received from this family during my visits." He gently squeezed Dawn's hand clenched in his left.
Dawn quickly expressed her thanks for making her life so complete by bringing John into it. Danny then gave his thanks for good neighbors and great friends in their community. John heard a soft snort from one of the twins at Danny's words before Josh concluded the before‑meal prayer with an 'Amen'.
John was amazed at both the variety and quantity of food on the table and the sideboard behind Junior. It seemed like every time he turned his head to speak to Dawn or Emily, the other one would put more food on his plate. There wasn't a lot of talk at the table as people ate, but John did hear Josh ask Junior about the NFL game in progress.
"Last I saw, Dad, the Texans were whooping the Lions' asses. The Detroit Pussycats are staying true to form."
That was the last comment John heard from the far end of the table. Once he was able to clear his mouth, John inquired of the twins, "What was with the snort at Danny's thankfulness?"
