A/N None of the characters belong to me. They belong to Shonda Rhimes and Private Practice. Although, I might attempt to give names to some of the characters (either previously unnamed or I might not know what their names are).

The timeline of this story is a few months after Charlotte and Cooper get married from my previous story "Baby Steps"Homeward Bound

HOMEWARD BOUND

Chapter 1 - Plans

Charlotte wakes up to the sound of her husband rummaging through the refrigerator. Still can't get over calling Cooper that – her husband.

Cooper pads over to the bedroom to see if Charlotte was awake. Catching her staring back at him, he leans over to kiss his wife of 3 months. He's still amazed at how those 2 words still brings thrills through his body.

Charlotte deepens the kiss and pulls Cooper towards her. Cooper tumbles into the bed and ends up on top of Charlotte.

"Whoa, did you sleep well?" Cooper asks.

"I would have slept well but someone kept me up all night and into the wee hours of the morning".

"Anyone I know? Because, you know, I 'm a charming person. Bet I can convince him to leave you alone.".

"Name's Walter. Pesky little feller. But I've taken a likin to him so don't you dare.", Charlotte drawled, enjoying the repartee.

Cooper laughed and said "Well, Walter's up and about and feeling randy. Want another round before breakfast?"

"Maybe later this evening? I have an early morning meeting at the hospital. " , Charlotte replied as she got up from bed and got ready for the day.

A little while later, as they were having breakfast, Cooper asked "What do you think about telling our families that we're married? It's thanksgiving weekend in a few weeks. Maybe we can go to Monroeville &/or Akron and make the announcement ?"

"I'd rather not. I know my momma will be too indisposed to be interested, so what's the point? Can't you just call you momma and tell her over the phone. " Charlotte answered with her chin held high and her jaw clenched. "Hey, this is good. What is it Coop?", Charlotte continued, trying to change the subject.

"Well, I know for a fact that my mom is excited to meet you and while I don't know your momma at all, but isn't it at least the polite thing, the southern thing, to do - to go and meet her?", said Cooper, refusing to be distracted.

"I'm not daughter-in-law material, Cooper. Mothers don't like me so I'm sure your mother won't too."

"She'll love you, Charlotte, because I love you. And if she doesn't, there's always my dad.", Cooper teased, "He loves everybody.".

"I'd much rather have a root canal than go home to Alabama, especially now that Big Daddy isn't there anymore!"

"Look, how about a compromise. We just stay for 1 night with our families. We can spend Thanksgiving Day in Alabama then we catch a plane to Ohio the next morning and spend the day with my folks. We can be back in LA on Saturday and have our own thanksgiving celebration for 2 days." suggested Cooper, mentally keeping his fingers crossed.

"Besides, I'll be with you the whole time. I'll take care of you, I promise."

"Cooper, you do realize that tickets are more expensive during the holidays. You sure you want to pay that much?", Charlotte tried one last time.

"I checked the internet and there are still reasonably- priced tickets, if we booked today. Or we can use our rewards points and fly for free. ",Cooper answered.

"Fine! Don't say I didn't warn you. If your heart is dead set on going, then go ahead and book the damn flights. But one night in each place is all I'm agreeing to.", Charlotte conceded.

"Great, I'll make the travel arrangements when I get to the office", Cooper replied.

Later that evening, Cooper talked to Charlotte about the arrangements that he's made so far.

"We're all set. We leave LA for Alabama on Wednesday on the red eye. We arrive in Alabama at around 7 in the morning of Thursday. Then we leave Alabama in the morning of Friday and arrive in Akron before noon. We fly home on Saturday, reaching LA at noon.", Cooper read the printed itinerary.

"Also, I hope you don't mind staying at my parents place? My mother will never forgive me if we stayed anywhere else. So that leaves our accommodations in Monroeville. Do you have any preferences? "

"I'll call home and ask them to prepare a room for us." Charlotte sighed. "You've been there, lots of room. Besides, my southern hospitality won't allow us to stay in a hotel."

"Okay then, I'll call my mom up right now. She's going to be so excited. I haven't been home for the longest time and now I'm bringing you home.", Cooper said, almost bouncing with excitement himself.

"Call later", Charlotte said. "I think we should continue where we left of this morning", she added while lifting her eyebrows suggestively.

Cooper replied "Sounds like a plan" as he pulled Charlotte in for a kiss. Then he scooped up Charlotte and headed towards the bedroom.