A/N: This concludes the story. Thank you everyone for the views and reviews. a couple more before the end of the year are in the pipeline. Stay tuned.
Epilogue
Frank and Henry's House
Bay Ridge, New York
The Reagan house was alive and well on Thanksgiving afternoon as the family set out the plates, silverware, glasses and such for the dinner that would soon be coming. Eddie and Jamie were working on finishing off the salad chatting about how their tours went during the parade. Henry was checking on the turkey as Erin, Nicky, and Linda were finishing the last of the side dishes for the dinner. Frank was out in the sunroom with the boys playing host to Eddie's mom Carla who was grateful for the invite and finally meeting the family. As for Andrew, he had been called in for an emergency surgery that morning and should be arriving soon.
"Frank are you sure there is nothing I can do to help?" Carla asked Frank as they sat on the couch not really paying attention to the blow out game that was on the TV. The boys were on their handheld gaming devices.
Frank smiled at her shaking his head. "Not at all Carla, you are our guest and you don't have to do anything today. Besides the wine you brought is perfect."
Carla smiled as the front door opened and in walked Andrew. He made his way towards the sun room. "Hey Frank."
Frank smiled at Erin's boyfriend and stood up with Carla following. "Hey Andrew, this is Eddie's mother, Carla Janko."
"Pleasure to meet you." Andrew said with a handshake and a smile.
"Pleasure is mine. You are dating Erin right?" Carla asked.
"Yes I'm ma'am." Andrew replied with a smile on her face. He turned to Frank. "Erin in the kitchen?"'
Frank nodded. "Yes she is. How did the surgery go?"
"Not too bad considering it was TA on the FDR." Andrew replied. He started to move towards the kitchen, then chuckled and turned to Frank. "Been around you guys too long. Now using the language."
Frank and Carla got a chuckle from that. Within a half-hour of Andrew's arrival everyone was getting seated at the table in their usual places except for Carla who now sat next to Eddie on her left. Frank looked over the table. "This bird looks amazing Pop. You and Linda did a great job as ever."
"Thank you Francis." Henry replied with a nod towards Linda.
They said grace and looked up. Frank looked at Carla. "It is customary for us to say what we are thankful for at Thanksgiving. So I am going to start. I am thankful for 48 dinners that we have had this year and for the almighty keeping Jamie with us this year."
Everyone smiled and looked at Jamie who was blushing. Linda's turn was next. "I am thankful for my family being understanding in the next step I am taking in my career."
"And we are proud of you babe for it." Danny stated giving her a squeeze of the shoulders. Danny looked around. "I am thankful for the fact that my family continues to be supportive of me being a cop."
Everyone nodded including the boys. Jack Reagan looked around the table. "I am thankful for mom and dad being understanding that I may not want to play soccer next year."
"And we understand Jack we totally do." Frank stated.
Sean shifted on his seat. "I am thankful that I passed most of my math test this year."
"That a boy Shawn." Henry stated giving his youngest greatgrandchild a fist bump. He then turned to everyone at the table. "I'm thankful for the same thing every year. Another year."
Everyone nodded. Jamie and Eddie's turn was next and they looked at each other and smiled. "Eddie and I are thankful that we became a couple and I am still here, and for everybody's love and support."
"How is the apartment searching going?" Frank stated looking down at the couple. Everyone's eyes went to Jamie and Eddie.
Jamie and Eddie shot a look at Erin who held up her hands in defense. "I didn't say anything I swear."
Carla smiled and chuckled. "I am thankful that Jamie and Eddie have each other and this family to be there for them, and I am thankful for your invite to Thanksgiving, and I am thankful for having my family as well."
Everyone at the table smiled and ahhed at the comment. Nicky looked around at everyone. "I am thankful that I am part of this family and that I made it through my first semester of college without pulling my hair out."
"Amen to that." Erin stated not so softly that got everyone chuckling.
Andrew looked around the table. "I am thankful for my family that I love, that Erin and I are together, and that you took me in to your family flawlessly as well."
"Yes indeed." Frank noted.
Finally Erin was the last one. "I am thankful that Nicky made it through her first college semester without pulling her hair out. I am also thankful for my family and Andrew coming into my life."
Everyone nodded in agreement and all turned their eyes to Frank. "Let me crave up this bird. Make sure Carla gets served the dishes first."
Everyone began to pass food around the table and started to discuss the events.
The Red Room
Manhattan, New York
Erin and Andrew walked into the crowed restaurant that was packed full of holiday shoppers. Andrew stood near the hostess. "Andrew Parker, table for four."
"Andrew." A female voice called out from behind them. Erin and Andrew turned around to see a couple of folks in the sixties walk up to them and gave Andrew a hug.
"Mom, Dad, this is Erin." Andrew said to his parents motioning to Erin. Andrew turned to Erin. "Erin this is my mom and dad. John and Silva Parker."
"Pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs. Parker." Erin said smiling but feeling all nervous inside. She shook both of their hands.
"Oh call me Silva dear." Silva stated as she gave Andrew a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She smiled a beaming smile at him. "I can see why you are so smitten Andrew."
"I agree with your mother son." John Parker stated as he shrugged his coat off. He shook Erin's hand again. "You can call me John, Erin, it's all right."
Erin felt more relaxed now because they seemed taken with her already. "Thank you both."
The hostess got Andrew's attention and motion for them to follow her. "They are ready for us."
"So Erin, Andrew tells us you are a District Attorney?" Silva said as they moved through the restaurant.
"Deputy Bureau Chief for the District Attorney, but I still prosecute cases." Erin remarked as they neared their table.
"Sounds really interesting." Silva said as her husband held out his chair for her and Andrew did the same for Erin. "I was a secretary for years, and John well….."
"I want to go to med school, but even with the GI bill, it was hard with the kids and school, and marriage." John stated with a smile as the hostesses handed them their menus.
Erin started to relax more and more as they began to talk about their family and Erin began to share her family stories.
