Chapter 7: The First Thanksgiving
November 24th, 2033 6:30 p.m.
The smell of Thanksgiving has bought Rachel in a brighter mood. Even though, it is her first Thanksgiving without Emily, she still seems very cherry. She loves to cook around the kitchen. She loves making turkey, mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, banana bread, sweet potatoes, and all the tradition recopies.
She had leaves decorated around the house. She had flowers and all the children looked amazing in their Holiday outfit. As family, it's always her fathers, Carol, Burt, The Hummel-Andersons, and the Puckerman's.
The children had their table while the adults sat together. They were happy when they saw fresh homemade apple pie from Grandma Carol.
They all gathered at the dining table.
"Wow. This smells delicious." Leroy spoke up. He loves the smell of everything that's on the table. He's grateful to be with his family after what they are going through.
Rachel smiles at her wonderful family. Just like Leroy, she's grateful. Very grateful. Her family keeps her strong. Her family is the reason she's happy and smiling.
And why she decided to go on with the Holiday without her baby girl. "May I have everyone's attention?" She asked grabbing a glass of white wine.
The kids had apple juice instead. "Let's say Grace and make a toast." She said and smiled. "Lauren? Would you like to say Grace?" She asked her daughter who's wearing a black floral dress.
"Yes mommy." Lauren said feeling honored. "Dear God, thank you for bringing us all together at this Thanksgiving day. Thank you for the food, thank you for all that we have, and the warmth of our beds, and clothes, and thank you for Mommy, and daddy. Please God, pray for those who are not able to celebrate with their families. Please God, watch out for Emily, and keep her safe. Please God, have her return to us." Lauren's sweet voice has been heard all around the room.
Everyone's eyes is closed until she said Amen. "And now let's make a toast. To being happy." She said cheering. They all cheered with their glass.
Finn smiled at Rachel. He can't remember the last time he has ever seen Rachel this happy.
The night was just filled with happineness. Laughter, cheers, children being happy, and talent shows. Lauren sang for the very first time.
She felt as if Emily was singing next to her.
"Would anyone like some coffee?" Rachel asked. They gave out dessert and she knows how well coffee goes well with pie or cake.
"Me!" Mike yelled out.
"Ha, ha." Rachel gave Mike a warning look.
"I'll have some Rach." Kurt responded.
"Anyone else?" Rachel asked before she leaves.
"I'll come with you." Quinn stood up. The two friends leave the family as they are being entertained by Leroy and Hiram's jokes, and stories about their past.
"This is such a beautiful evening." Quinn said grabbing mugs from the top cabinet.
Rachel nodded and agreed. "I came up with the idea of how we should write a note to Emily about this day. She's not going to remember it since she's not here. And she'll have something to look back too...I..it's just a thought."
"I feel her presence here. She didn't go anywhere. She's here." She holds her hand on her heart.
Quinn gives Rachel the biggest warmest hug. "You're the strongest mother I know."
"I'm trying." Rachel said. "I don't want to be sad today."
"It's okay." Quinn tried not to show any emotions.
Finn entered the kitchen to see if anything is wrong. "I have sensory paper and pen. We can get started."
"Started on what?" Finn asked wrapping his arms around Rachel.
"Writing a letter to Emily about how we thought of her."
"And then we save them?"
"Yes." Rachel responded. "She will walk into that door. I have fatih."
"I love you." Finn said kissing Rachel passionately.
"I love you too. So much." Rachel said.
Quinn turned around holding and jokingly felt grossed out. "Some things never change."
"Quinn!" Rachel cried. "You're horrible."
"Nothing makes me happier than seeing you so cheerful. Don't ever forget how amazing you are. Happy Thanksgiving, hon." Finn said as kissed her.
"Okay, I'm going to go..." Quinn grabbed some cookies. "It looks like you don't need my help anymore, Rach." She quickly left the room.
"Start the coffee." Rachel demanded. Finn nodded getting right to it. They have a moment to themselves for a while.
For once, it was great.
Back in the living room, everyone took their time to write the letter.
"Would anyone want to share?" Carol asked concerned of what her family wrote about her granddaughter who she misses terribly.
The living room is silent. No one is sure if they want to read.
Most of it is personal.
Lauren didn't want to be sad today. Not in front of her family, or in front of the little ones. She wanted to be a big girl. She just couldn't hold it in. "I wrote." She announced looking at every single person surrounded her.
"Go head munchkin." Puck gave Lauren the courage to talk about Emily.
She stood up and held Rachel's hand. "Five months passed since I last saw my big sister. My big sister, my best friend, everything, and my role model. Anything she wanted to do, I wanted to do. Mommy asked me one time, what do I want to be when I grow up? I want to be Emily, this is what I told her. It's the truth, actually. She's funny, loving, thoughtful, and caring. She's an amazing singing. She makes people cry." Lauren let out a laugh. "Emily and I never fight. Maybe if I we did, we always told each other sorry. I miss Emily. I miss her smile, her laugh, her voice, singing with her, playing outdoors, and hearing her read me a bedtime story. Thanksgiving is not the same without you." She paused to show Puck what she had next to say.
For approval if it was okay to say a bad word. "Munchkin? I'm not so sure if it's..."
"You always say that bad word." Lauren spoke up.
"But you're five. I'm an adult."
"Am I going to go there if I say it?" Lauren asked nervously.
"Do you want me to read it out loud for you?" Puck asked helping out.
"Yes, please." Lauren said. "I'm sorry." She apologized. She knows if she ever says that word in front of her parents, she'll be in the biggest trouble of her life. Puck stood next to Lauren and rubs her back gently up and down for comfort. "To the monster who stole my sister, I hope you go to are found, and live a sad life. I hope you go to hell." Puck ends Lauren's letter.
Kristen, Shawn, and Jasmine all covered their ears. Finn and Rachel gave each other a concerned. Lauren immediately ran upstairs. Finn and Puck follow Lauren to her room.
She's crying with her face buried on her pillow. She has all her favorite stuffed animals surrounding her. Puck continues to rub her back as Finn is speechless. He isn't sure how to talk to his little girl.
Lauren knew why the two important men in her life are in her room. They were going to tell her she'll have her toys taking away, she won't be able to have playtime, or do anything fun. Grounded is the word. She thinks.
She can't believe she let her parents hear her expressions. "You didn't do anything wrong." Puck started talking. "You wanted to share how you feel." Guilty is the word and he knows it.
"Where did you here the bad word?" Finn asked concerned. He isn't going to ground his princess. Lauren shook her head. She doesn't want to speak. She wants to be by herself. "Princess?" Finn asked waiting patiently. He gets on Lauren's bed. He carefully sits her up and has her on his lap.
She's crying on his shoulder. Finn rocks her back and forth. "Uncle Noah." It took her within seconds to answer. Maybe he will be the one grounded. She thought.
Finn would have a talk with Puck after.
"I'm proud you are expressing how you feel. It's what we're told to do. Just remember, not to use that expression." Finn said calmly. He isn't going to raise his voice. "You are not in trouble, my princess."
Lauren looks up at her father. "I'm not?"
"No." Finn kissed Lauren on her wet rosy cheeks. "I really am sorry." She apologized trying to feel better
"Let's stop being big babies." Puck joked around. "Let's go back and enjoy the rest of the night."
"I like that idea." Lauren said. She hugs Finn and Puck. They go back downstairs where the family is met by playing twister and candy land.
Rachel walked up to Finn. She rests her head on his chest. "Is she okay?"
"She's fine. We spoke to her."
"Thank you." Rachel said. She observes the fun around the atmosphere. "Happy Thanksgiving, hon."
"Happy Thanksgiving, gorgeous." Finn said kissing Rachel.
They turn around to the last family photo of Emily. "Happy Thanksgiving Emily." They whispered. Emily is never forgotten.
The next few chapters will be about Holidays without Emily, and more of the investigations!
Thank you guys! Keep R&R
