Thank you for the lovely reviews. Sorry it's been a while but I was waiting to post a Thanksgiving chapter. I hope you like it. Please review and tell me what you think, or what you want to see next for the characters.
Zola POV
As soon as I hear the tell-tale yelling of my Mother I'm reminded today is Thanksgiving. Every year she thinks it will be a good idea to host for our friends, and every year she spends the day freaking out.
Just like every year there is a knock at my door, and in walks my Dad with a hopeful smile. "Zo, would you mind going down and giving your Mom a hand?"
I smile and nod, the same as I do every year. My Aunt April and Aunt Arizona will help out as much as they can. My Aunt Cristina will say she's helping but in fact she'll just be sitting to the side and drinking wine.
"Happy Thanksgiving, sweetheart." My Dad says, kissing my forehead. I respond, and wait for him to leave the room so I can get changed. Oh what a happy Thanksgiving it will be.
It's like hell on earth when I walk into the kitchen. My Mom and Bailey are in the midst of a screaming contest, and Ellis is sitting in the corner on her phone. Before I'm dragged into the mess I make my way into the dining room where my Dad is setting up the table. He's in his favourite red shirt.
I go up behind him, and he turns to me on a smile. "What's up, ZoZo?"
I raise an eyebrow at him, like he didn't already know, and he grins. "Dad, its hell in there. You need to go sort them out. I think Bailey might be about to give Mom a heart attack."
He sighs, and signals for me to follow behind him. When we walk into the kitchen things seem to have escalated to all-out war.
"I am not putting my beautiful hands on that disgusting thing! No way in hell!" Bailey yells, standing opposite our Mother, a good few inches above her. His blonde hair is already damp with sweat from the heat of the kitchen. My Mom throws her hands in the air out of frustration, which is when my Dad decides to step in.
"Bailey, stop shouting right now. What is the problem?" He asks my brother, who might take after our Mom in looks, but his stance and personality is all my Dad.
"Mom wants me to butter the turkey, but I told her I'm not touching that thing. It's disgusting. Then she went all crazy on me!" He protests, shooting daggers at my Mom.
My mom scoffs, acting like she's the same age as Bailey. "I went crazy? You threatened to throw my turkey!"
My Dad releases a long breath. "Alright. Enough. Bailey, you're nearly seventeen years old but if you're still too immature to butter a turkey, I'll do it. You can go have a shower and get ready, then you can finish setting up the table."
Bailey groans, throwing his head back. My little brother is literally a walking stereotype. "I want to go and play on my PS4! Ellis can do the table, she's not doing anything else except texting her boyfriend!" He shouts, causing my little sister to throw an apple at him and yell her dismay at his comment, because as we've been told a billion times; Noah is not her boyfriend.
My Dad points a finger in warning over to my sister. "Ellis, do not throw things at your Brother. You finish helping your Mom with the vegetables." He then steps closer to Bailey, who now has a smug smirk on his face. "As for you, I won't ask you again to go have a shower and do the table. Go."
Bailey stands for a second, probably debating whether or not to argue but a swift glare from our Dad puts him off the idea and he storms upstairs.
He turns to me on a satisfied smile, obviously happy with the way he handled my teenage brother and sister. I move next to Ellis to help her prepare the vegetables, she's muttering things under her breath and I can't help but smile.
"Why can't I have just got a normal family?" She mumbles, rolling her eyes at me as we watch our parents joke about the turkey.
I smile sympathetically, but don't agree. Every day I'm thankful for my family.
Cristina POV
"We need to stop at the store on the way and get some wine to take," I tell Owen who is pulling on a shirt. He nods on a smile, and sticks his head out of our bedroom door.
"Theo! Lucy! You better be up and ready to go!" He yells, but we both know they probably aren't. My guess is Lucy is still choosing what outfit to wear to impress Noah Avery, and Theo is probably still asleep. The typical teenage boy.
Owen sits down on the end of the bed and looks at the framed photo of our family on the wall, then at me with loved up eyes. When I told Owen nearly eighteen years ago I was ready to have children I don't think I've ever seen him so happy. I know he always thought I wouldn't change my mind, hell I didn't think I would. But as soon as I held my little boy in my arms, I knew I had it all.
I guess I didn't take into consideration how much my kids would piss me off when they got to be teenagers, but then again neither did Owen.
"Mom, have you seen my black jeans?" Theo asks, appearing at the door wearing only a pair of sweatpants, his arms crossed over his thin frame.
I raise an eyebrow at him in response. "Have you checked your closet?"
"Obviously, they're not in there." He snaps, and I sigh in frustration. I put them in there yesterday, but whatever.
"If I get into your room and find them, there will be hell to pay!" I snap, pushing past my son and making my way into his garbage disposal of a room. My nostrils fill with a smell only describable as teenage boy, probably due to the unwashed clothes just laying around everywhere. I try to ignore the posters of naked women all over his room, there are far too many.
I shoot him a look which he ignores, and then dig through the clothes in his closet. All of which seem to look the same. My eyes land on a black pair of skinny jeans, and I hand them my son on a raised eyebrow. He snatches them out of my hand with a grunt as a thank you. I know for 11am that's the best I'll get out of him.
As I leave his bedroom, I'm greeted by Lucy trying out different hairstyles in the mirror. I go up behind her and smirk.
"Honey, if you think Noah is going to notice you've done your hair differently, you don't know men at all." I tell her, but she just rolls her eyes at me.
I'm not surprised when Owen walks in and stares us both down. "Noah? Why would you want Noah to notice your hair?" He asks, obviously dumbstruck.
I laugh and stoke his innocent face. "Have you not seen the way your daughter goggles at that boy?"
Lucy turns around on a huff and gives us both daggers. "Can you please both get out of my room?"
I grin and push Owen out of her room on the way out. Once we are in the hall way he looks at me with a perplexed expression. "Why is everyone in love with Noah Avery? He's a bad influence." He asks, and I shrug my shoulders, walking away to let him stew his dismay.
Arizona POV
The drive over to Meredith and Derek's house is quiet as Callie and I debate how to approach the conversation with our daughter.
"So how's college? Have you made any new friends?" I ask, and Callie rolls her eyes at me. Maybe I wasn't as subtle as I thought.
Sofia looks up from her phone and shrugs. "I guess so, I've started studying with a few different people."
Callie smiles at her in the rear view mirror. "Any boys?" She asks, and it's my turn to roll my eyes.
Sofia smirks, but doesn't answer because we pull up outside the Shepherd household. She jumps out and runs up to the house. Callie and I share an amused look but follow after her.
We knock on the door and are welcomed by a well-dressed Bailey. It still amazes me how grown up he is, well how grown up all the kids are.
"Good afternoon. Sofia you look rushed, don't worry I'll always be waiting for you." He teases on a wink, running a hand through his waxed blonde hair.
"In your dreams, Shepherd." Sofia jokes, shoving him lightly in the arm. Bailey grins and turns around when Derek grasps his shoulder from behind.
"Bailey, stop flirting and actually invite our guests in. Take their coats and put them upstairs." Derek instructs, and Bailey rolls his eyes at the order but does as he's told.
I smile as I hand over my coat. "Thank you, Bailey, and may I say how handsome you look today."
He grins at me. "You can say that as many times as you want, beautiful." He responds, and I roll my eyes on a shake of the head. He will always be a lady killer.
Derek groans. "Bailey, please go and put the coats away before you make me physically ill."
We all laugh and follow Derek into the kitchen, where Meredith and April are already cooking. I notice Cristina drinking her wine just like every year.
"Hey guys, would you mind giving me a hand?" Meredith asks, handing me a pot of stuffing to mix. I take over stirring and Callie assists April with the pumpkin pie making.
After some casual chat, I turn to my good friends on a raised eyebrow. "So, Sofia has a new boy in her life she won't tell us anything about."
Meredith, Cristina and April all nod in understanding. "Zola hasn't told me anything about her love life in years, for all I know she could be married." Meredith says on a shrug.
"I don't even think Theo has a love life," Cristina adds, taking a large gulp of wine.
April shakes her head and raises her hands. "No, I have it worse. At least none of you walked in on your son having sex the other day!"
We all turn to her with wide eyes and simultaneously exclaim, "Noah?!"
April gives us a look of disgust. "No! He's only thirteen! Thomas! They didn't even have any covers on so I saw everything." She explains, and we laugh for what feels like eternity.
Thomas POV
"So what was it like?" Harry Karev asks, looking at me with the eager eyes of a young teenager wanting to experience all things grown up.
I grin at him, and ruffle his thick hair. "Harry, man, it was insane. Alisha is smoking hot, and great in bed…until my Mom walked in." I recall, cringing at the thought of my own Mother walking in the room whilst I'm losing my virginity.
I don't know what is worse, the embarrassment or the look of disappointment she gave me. My Mom is a devout Christian, but my Dad not so much. So, it wasn't expected that I save myself for marriage, but I know my Mom was hoping I would wait until I found, in her words, my soulmate. I, unlike my little brother who has always despised the idea of all religion, have found some peace in Christianity and I know this pleased my Mom, but that didn't mean I was going to stop myself from sleeping with my girlfriend.
Bailey spits out his drink all over the floor as he laughs. "What? You never told me your Mom walked in! That is gold! It makes me feel better about you losing it before me!" He exclaims with laughter. I narrow my eyes on him. Bailey still hadn't found the girl he wanted to sleep with yet, and I respect him for it. Most boys would just want sex not love too.
Bailey and Harry stop laughing suddenly and I look behind to see my Dad walking over. We quickly discard of the beer bottles in our hands into the corner of the den, but from the look on his face we did it too late.
He stops in front of us on a glare. "If I catch you three with another beer in your hands today, I will not be as forgiving as this, but I'm in a rush. Thomas, do you know where your brother is?" He asks, and I shrug, reasonably happy to get away with something I'd normally be grounded for.
My Dad nods his head in frustration. "Alright. Seriously though stick to coca cola you three." He orders, shooting me a look before storming off in search of my brother who has probably done something wrong.
"Dude, your brother is an asshole. You know that, right?" Bailey asks, watching my Dad walk away. I punch him in the arm on a smirk.
"Yeah I know he is, but he's also my little brother so leave it out." I reply defensively. Noah is favoured by girls, I know that. He's popular too. But when it comes to the people he's grown up with, they're not the biggest fans because they've seen him act like a jerk countless times. Whereas I'm obliged to love and protect him, they're not. Still, I know they do, and for that I'm thankful.
Alex POV
"Seriously though, what the hell am I supposed to say to my kid when he has a knife in his hand?" I ask my best friends, as they rush around the kitchen preparing the finishing touches to our meal.
Meredith rolls her eyes at me. "It's not like he was going to stab you, Alex. He's just adventurous. Bailey used to climb tall trees, all boys are the same."
April nods in agreement. "Thomas bought himself a bow and arrow online last year. It's got to be something with their testosterone levels."
Cristina laughs. "Or teenage boys are just morons. Anyway, what did you expect? You're an evil spawn, of course your son would play with knives." She teases, and I throw a slice of carrot across at her. April slaps my hand away from the vegetables on a huff, and I smirk.
Even if it is normal for kids to do stupid things, which I know it is, it doesn't mean I'm not scared. Scared they're going to hurt themselves, scared they'll hurt someone else, and scared I won't do a good enough job protecting them. I barely had any parents growing up, man I was the parent, so how can I be expected to raise my kids into sane, healthy minded people.
"Is there anything we can help with?" A voice asks walking in, and I smile when I find my daughter smiling at Meredith, dragging along a grumpy looking Noah.
April holds out her hand as she finishes her gulp of wine. "Noah, your Dad needs to talk to you. He's in the other room with your Uncle Derek."
Noah frowns, "He's just pissed off because earlier, I'm not listening to him go on again."
April sighs tiredly, and narrows her eyes on him. "Noah, I'm not going to tell you again."
The short boy stands his ground, crossing his arms across his chest. We all look around at each other waiting for the tension to reach boiling point, but we're saved by my little girl.
Taylor places a hand on his arm. "Noah, just go and talk to him. It'll be easier, you don't even have to listen." April and I frown at the last part, but it seems to encourage Noah. He shrugs his shoulders and walks into the other room.
"Thank you, Taylor. You know Noah loves you." April tells her, and she smiles in return on a nod. Those two have been inseparable since they were kids, and always will be the best of friends.
Theo and Harry walk in, smiling widely when they realise all the food is done. "Harry, can I have a word?" I ask my son, who shrugs his shoulders and follows me out into the hall. I signal for Theo to go and sit down at the table.
My nearly fifteen year old son looks up at me. His soft brown eyes drill into mine, and his floppy fringe falls over his forehead. I can't help but think how much he looks like I did as a kid. "Harry, buddy, I've been thinking about the other day a lot. I know you were just messing about with that knife, but it's dangerous." I babble, but am interrupted by him.
Harry rolls his eyes. "Dad, I'm practically fifteen. I'm not a little kid. I know knives are dangerous but I was going to be safe."
I narrow my eyes on him. "I know how old you are, Harry. I was there when you were born. But being fifteen doesn't mean you get to go around with a knife, you realise that is against the law, and you could be arrested."
He scoffs, his teenage attitude shining through. "What? Are you threatening to report me to the cops? That's a bit of a low isn't it, Dad?"
I breathe out heavily, trying to compose my frustration at the boy standing in front of me. The boy whom I love more than words can describe.
"Lose the attitude Harrison," A voice snaps from behind me. I hide my smirk as Jo walks over to us. The full name always puts our son off, especially coming from his Mother.
She points a finger at him accusingly. "Getting a knife was a stupid thing to do and you know it. That's why we grounded you. Don't try and act like you're too cool for it, because I'll just ground you for longer. Do you understand me?" She asks, and our son nods solemnly. "Good, now go and wash up for dinner." She adds, pushing our son in the direction of the bathroom.
I grin down at her. Never have I been more thankful for my beautiful wife.
Noah POV
Ellis wipes the lip-gloss off around my lips and smiles seductively. I grin at her, leaning in closer to her and taking her lips in mine. As we kiss I feel my world stop, I've been in love with this girl for as long as I can remember.
She pushes me away when we hear someone walking up the stairs. There's a knock at her bedroom door and she shoves me down under her bed. I grunt but lie still as she moves to open the door.
I recognise her Dad's voice telling her to come down because we are playing some games. My least favourite part of Thanksgiving.
Ellis and I walk down the stairs together acting as innocently as possible, we walk into the living room and all eyes are on us.
Harry narrows his eyes on me as I take a seat next to him and Taylor. "Dude, have you got lipgloss on your face?" He asks loud enough for everyone to hear. I scrub at my face and shoot him a glare. Realisation dawns upon his face. "Were you two just making out?"
"No!" I protest, glancing over at Ellis who's blushing opposite me. I avert my eyes from the hurt expression on Lucy's face. I can't be dealing with the drama.
Bailey narrows eyes on me. "You better not have been. You might be like my little brother but I'll still kick your ass if you made out with my sister." He threatens.
I hide my face in my hands, for once in my life I don't want to be the centre of attention. "I wasn't, now let's move on. What stupid game are we playing now?"
"We're playing charades," My Aunt Meredith exclaims, and I listen to her organise teams, ignoring the glares being directed at me from my parents and Uncle Derek. I look over at Ellis and find her staring at me, I smirk in return, knowing full well we're being watched.