He smiled as he and George set about carving the turkey while people began crowding around the table, piling on the delicious food Lara had prepared.  Logan knew Tina had the brunette securely wrapped around her finger.

Bette had a tell that he longed to tease her about.  Maybe sometime tonight.

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Chapter X

It was nearly midnight by the time the party at Bette and Tina’s finally ended, and only Shane, Alice, Dana, Helena, Lara, Logan, Kit, Luke, and George were left.

Everyone else began to leave a few hours after the mid-afternoon dinner ended, departing one by one, or in groups, with most agreeing they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves as they thanked Bette and Tina for hosting.  “Just the best Thanksgiving I have ever had,” Catherine, one of Peggy’s friends, exclaimed.  “And to think I had never even met you or Tina before tonight!,” she exclaimed, slightly tipsy, as she kissed Bette.  Peggy was shaking her head as she helped her friend out the door, thanking Bette profusely for the couple’s understanding and graciousness in welcoming she and her friends.

Rose was wondering out loud, as she and most of the guests that remained set about helping Bette and Tina clean up as the large crowd started to thin out.  “How is it that this is the first Thanksgiving I know of with no left-overs?  And we didn’t only have one turkey…we had two!”

John, Sarah’s brother responded, as he tied one bag of recyclables, which mostly had empty wine bottles, “Yeah..but we’re all super-stuffed, though!  All the food was just soo good ladies!” 

He was setting the various bags of recyclables and trash in a row by the entrance.  He and Mark had volunteered for trash and recycling duty, and they were preparing to take the bags to trash chute, and then the recycling area in the back of the building.

“Lara Perkins, ladies and gentlemen!,” Bette exclaimed gesturing towards Lara, who was perched, exhausted, on one of the kitchen stools.

Everyone clapped enthusiastically as Lara shook her head, covering her face, embarrassed by the attention.  “Aww, c’mon Lara,” Dana exclaimed, pulling Lara’s arm slightly, “Take a bow!”

Less than an hour later, the duplex was beginning to return to normal, given the willing hands that helped Bette and Tina clean up.  Soon, those that stuck around to help began to leave also, and now, as the smaller group settled around the main living area, after Bette had vacuumed the area, she and Tina arranged large, plump cushions around a low slung Noguchi-style table for the group to relax in.