4 days before Thanksgiving
Cooper's sitting at the center island in the Oceanside Wellness kitchen, eating a yogurt and flipping through a patient chart.
Sam walks in and opens the refrigerator, taking out a water bottle.
Addison follows and stands at the counter, looking between Sam and Cooper. "Ahem," she clears her throat.
Cooper turns his head and raises an eyebrow. "What?"
Sam nods. "Yeah, what, Addie?"
"What are your plans for Thanksgiving?"
"Um, we usually all hang out at Sam's—drink beers, watch football, and stuff our faces. Why?"
"I was thinking of starting a new tradition."
"Ok?"
"Thanksgiving dinner at my house."
"Oh, sure, why not? You live right next door to Sam." He turns his head when Violet walks into the kitchen. "Violet."
Violet stays silent, makes herself a cup of tea, and walks back out.
Cooper grunts.
"What was that about, man?" Sam asks, biting into his granola bar.
"I've been busy doing other things, so I don't have time to spend every second with her. She's mad at me."
Sam raises an eyebrow. "You bringing some hot chick to Thanksgiving dinner?"
"I wish." He looks down at his phone when it beeps. He picks it up and opens the message. He swallows hard as he reads it: 'How fast can you get here?' He replies: 5 min if I break the law, 10 if I don't. He waits a few minutes, glancing up at his colleagues. "What?"
"Who are you texting?" Sam asks.
"My doctor. He's texting me about my colonoscopy results."
Sam makes a face.
Cooper stands up and throws his yogurt away. He tucks the folder under his arm and looks at Sam. "We still on for drinks tonight?"
"Yeah, man."
Cooper nods and disappears down the hallway. He glances at his phone when it vibrates. He opens and reads the new text: Make it 5. He smirks. Any reason? The phone illuminates immediately and he reads the message: What do you think the reason is? He laughs and presses the elevator DOWN button. He thinks about what Sam said. 'You bringing some hot chick to Thanksgiving dinner?' He has a hot chick, but there's no way she would come to Thanksgiving dinner. They're nowhere near holiday status, and she hates his friends, still wants their relationship to remain secretive, plus she has a reputation, and none of his friends like her either.
Three days before Thanksgiving
Cooper's lying on his side in his bed, his arm draped over Charlotte's stomach. He's placing soft kisses on her glistening shoulder as she basks in the afterglow. He's brushing his hand against her skin and mumbling against her neck.
She nods, letting out a soft giddy laugh.
He tickles her a little with his fingernail and sucks on her shoulder. "So what're your plans for Thanksgiving? I'm going to Addison's house—."
Charlotte blinks, rolling onto her side. "Does it look like I care 'bout Thanksgivin' right now or what your damn plans are? I came here to screw, not to talk about Pilgrims, Indians, and corn."
"You must have plans though, right?"
She rolls on top of him and runs her fingers through his hair, pressing her lips against his. She tugs on his hair and sucks onto his upper lip, grazing it with her teeth. "Still wanna know my freakin' plans?"
He shakes his head, sliding his hand down her sweaty back. "No."
"That's what I thought." She cups his face in her hands and angles her chin, pushing her lips against his, kissing him.
Two days before Thanksgiving
Charlotte's standing at a nurses' station in the ER, looking through a chart. She looks up and Cooper's standing there with a goofy grin on his face. "What are you all smiley 'bout?" Her eyes fall back to the file as she scribbles her signature on the pages. "I'm kinda busy." She hands the chart over to the nurse and starts to walk away.
Cooper grabs her arm and catches up to her.
She yanks her arm back and looks around. She leans into him. "What do you want?" She whispers, getting a little annoyed.
"You're busy—that's too bad."
She rolls her eyes. "Get out of my way 'fore someone sees me talkin' to you."
"We're both doctors."
"So Dr. Freedman, what's the issue?" She asks, tucking herself into a deserted hallway.
"Well, Dr. King—." He leans close to her, pressing his palms into the wall. "In the mood for a quickie?" he whispers in her ear, his breath hot against her skin.
She swallows and pushes him away. "Not here."
He laughs. "You should come to Thanksgiving dinner at Addison's."
She rolls her eyes. "Why are you so damn interested in Thanksgivin'? What's so special 'bout a giant bird bein' carved?"
"It's not about the food. It's about friends, family, and celebration. Duh. You're my friend."
"I'm busy and keep your trap shut, Cooper." She pushes him out of the way and disappears down the hallway.
He sighs and collapses against the wall.
One day before Thanksgiving
Cooper's sitting at his desk when there's a knock on his door. "Come in."
The door opens and Violet's standing there, her hand on the door. "Do you want to come over tonight? We can order pizza, watch some ridiculously crappy dubbed Kung Fu movie."
He sighs. "Sorry, Vi. I have plans."
"Who is she?"
"Who's who?"
"Your girlfriend."
He laughs. "I don't have a girlfriend."
"We used to be friends."
"Oh come on, don't be like that."
There's a knock on the door and Charlotte appears in the doorway.
He looks at her and puts his pen on the desk.
"I'm here about that patient—."
"Hailey Grangerfield?"
"Yes."
Violet rolls her eyes, and brushes past Charlotte.
Charlotte shuts the door. "What's her problem?"
"What do you think, Char?"
"I don't care. Just take off your pants."
"Yes, ma'am." He smirks and pushes away from his desk.
Charlotte starts to unbutton her blouse as she walks over to him.
He fiddles with his belt and then clears everything off the surface of his desk. He brushes his jacket off his shoulders, and looks at her. "You really don't like Thanksgiving?"
She rolls her eyes. "Do you want me to leave? 'Cause I will if you keep talkin' 'bout that dumb holiday."
He swallows. "No, ma'am. Thanksgiving? I hate that stupid holiday."
"That's better." She wraps her hands around his shirt and pulls him closer to her. She pushes him against the desk and presses her lips against his. She lets out a breath and presses her body flush against his.
"Are you grateful for anything? 'Cause that's what—."
She separates from him and buttons her shirt. She runs her fingers through her hair, smoothing it down, and adjusts her skirt. She walks over to the door and turns her head. "Goodbye, Cooper."
"Wait!"
She turns around, resting her hands on her hips. "Hmm?"
"I won't talk about Thanksgiving anymore—promise. Just come back over here."
She rips off her shirt, thankfully the buttons are still intact, and walks over to him, engulfing his mouth in a few lingered kisses. "You know what I'm grateful for?"
"What?"
"Orgasms. Now shut up about Thanksgiving."
He nods. "Yes, ma'am." He kisses her hard on the lips, running his hands through her hair, sucking on her mouth, his tongue sliding against the inside of her cheek.
She smirks, holding his hips against hers.
Thanksgiving
Charlotte's sitting on her couch, wine glass in hand with her favorite red wine and a plate of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, string beans, and mashed sweet potatoes, all of which she picked up already made because she can't cook. She looks around and lets out a sigh. She looks at her pager when it goes off and rolls her eyes. "Can't a gal enjoy dinner without bein' interrupted?" She downs her wine and sets the plate on the coffee table. She picks up her phone and scans the message. "Another reason I hate holidays—stupid people." She stands up and walks down the hallway, opening the door to the bathroom and slipping in. She walks back out, grabs her keys and purse, and walks out of the front door. Her stomach growls as she gets into her car. She grunts and heads back to the hospital. So much for my day off.
Cooper's sitting at the table on Addison's deck with Violet and the rest of his colleagues. He takes a swig of his beer and digs into his meal.
Addison stands up, hitting her glass with her fork. "Before everyone eats, I just want to say that I'm thankful that you all could come and we can start this new tradition. Friends will come and friends will go, but I'm thankful that we're healthy and happy and get to spend Thanksgiving together." She sits back down. "Let's go around the table and say what we're thankful for."
Cooper groans. "I'm hungry. My food's gonna get cold."
"It'll be quick."
"Fine. I'll go. Do I have to stand up?"
"If you want," Addison answers.
Cooper clears his throat. "I'm grateful for women, food, not being impotent, and the fact that Addison has a giant, flat screen TV."
Pete laughs. "I have to second that."
"I don't wanna get in trouble, so I'll say I'm grateful for family," Sam adds.
Naomi stands up. "I'm thankful for family, friends, my job, and all this wonderful food—oh and chocolate."
Violet takes a sip of her wine and chokes when she notices everyone is staring at her. She coughs, Cooper offering a helpful pat on the back. She swallows and lets out a breath. "Oh, right. I'm thankful for my life, friends, the mentally unstable people that keep me employed, and alcohol."
"Amen to that," Addison chimes in.
They all share a laugh.
"We can eat now, right?" Cooper asks, a forkful of turkey halfway to his lips.
Addison nods. "Yes, Cooper."
"Good." He bites off the turkey and closes his eyes. "Mmmm."
"It all looks delicious, Addison," Violet says.
"It is," Cooper says with his mouth full.
They all laugh again and eat their dinner, faint conversation buzzing around the table.
Charlotte walks to her office after a long, exhausting day in the ER. She takes out her key and glances up at her door as she puts the key into the lock. She looks around and takes the yellow envelope that's taped to her door. Hmm? She opens the door walks inside. She looks at the envelope and rips it open with her nail. She's a little scared of what's inside. She pulls the card out and scans the front. She reads it to herself: There's so much to be thankful for...
She opens the card and reads the message: Blah, blah, blah, we can talk about that after the pie. Happy Thanksgiving. Love, Cooper. Except the word pie was crossed out, and the word sex was written above it.
She lets out a hushed laugh and walks over to her desk, sinking into her chair. She takes a deep breath, a faint smile on her face. She puts the card in her top drawer and leans back on the chair. She closes her eyes and relaxes. Maybe Thanksgiving isn't so bad after all.