THANKSGIVING

===============================================================================================================================

It had been about a month since the arrivals of Hammy and William.  The new parents were adjusting nicely.  Harm and Mac had come to an agreement and they now shared the late night duties.  Ashlyn finally broke Gunny of his overnight patrols and actually convinced him that sometimes it was okay to let William cry.  Sam was two weeks from delivery and miserable.  

Webb was back at work, although he seemed to be doing a lot of paper work and very little investigating. 

AJ and Meredith were comfortable maintaining the status quo of their relationship while Bobbie and Sturgis were in the throws of wedding plans.  Tiner and Coates relished in the zaniness of their friends, believing that they were the sanest in the group.  With the holiday season officially beginning today, everyone was gathered at the Rabb home for an early Thanksgiving dinner.

RABB HOME

"Harriet, would you mind tossing the salad?" Mac asked while balancing Hammy on her hip as she checked the Turkey.

"Mac, give me the baby." Bobbie said. "I don't want you basting the wrong butterball."

"Thanks," Mac laughed handing off Hammy. "Just take him to Harm."

"Are the men watching football?" Harriet asked when Bobbie returned.

"They were, Sam made them put on 'It's A Wonderful Life'. " Ashlyn said walking in.

"How did she get them to change the channel?" Meredith laughed.

"She's faking a contraction every time the game is on." Ashlyn replied.

"Where does she come up with these things?" Mac laughed.

"She said if she is going to be stuck carrying to term, she might as well make the most of it." Ashlyn replied.

"I swear I am never getting pregnant again." Sam groaned as she waddled in.

"You look wonderful," Harriet said.

"Oh really, I'm now 135 pounds, my ankles are non existent, my boobs are going to explode and I think I have a hemorrhoid." Sam whined.

"You are a hemorrhoid," Webb said walking up behind her.

"Shut up," Sam said. "This is all your fault."

"I know," Webb smiled and kissed her cheek. "I can't wait to do it again."

"Mac, could I have a pair of scissors?" Sam asked sarcastically.

"Okay you two, separate corners." Meredith teased.

"Mac, we need more ice," Webb said.

"It's on the back porch," Mac replied.  Webb went to get the ice and then returned to the living room.

"You know I just realized Jason and Jen aren't here," Bobbie said. "Where are they?"

"They went to the Central Union Mission to help with set up," Sam stated.

"I thought we were going to go after dinner?" Harriet asked.

"We are, but they decided to go earlier," Meredith advised.

"I guess we should finish getting this dinner ready so we can get there too," Mac said.

IN THE LIVING ROOM

"Any chance we can put the game back on?" Gunny asked.

"Where's Sam?" Harm laughed grabbing the remote.

"So Webb, how goes impending fatherhood?" AJ asked.

"It's great, although Sam is crazier than usual." Webb replied.

"We all went through it," Bud smiled.

"Not all of us," Sturgis laughed.

"Your time will come," Harm smiled. "We missed two touch downs."

"Don't look at me," Webb replied to the looks from the group.

"Well, you married her," Gunny said.

"You introduced me to her," Webb replied.

"I barely knew her," Gunny laughed.

"Does anyone want something to drink?" Bud asked getting up.

"Thanks, I'll take another." AJ said.

"Gentleman, dinner is ready." Mac announced.

DINING ROOM

They gathered for the meal that was collectively prepared by everyone.  The sat around the table complete with a highchair, booster seat and baby swings.  It was a true family setting.

"Is someone going to say a blessing?" Harriet asked.

"I guess I will," Harm replied. "As we gather together for this celebration, I would like to give thanks for family and friends. I am thankful for a healthy baby and beautiful wife.  May we all be together like this in the future."

Everyone just smiled at each other.  They really were a family. 

"Are we gonna eat?" Little AJ asked breaking the silence.

"Of course we are," Mac laughed, "Harm, cut the bird."

"Actually, I was thinking that this is a job for Ashlyn." Harm laughed. "She does have the most experience cutting things."

"Not turkeys," Ashlyn laughed.

"Well, someone cut the bird," Sam said. "I'm hungry."

Harm sliced the turkey and suddenly there were conversations flying. 

"Harriet, the candied yams are wonderful," Sturgis said between mouthfuls.

"Thanks, it was my great grandmother's recipe," Harriet replied.

"I love this stuffing," Gunny told Bobbie taking another helping.

"Thank you," Bobbie smiled.

"Mac the turkey is perfect." AJ complimented.

"I actually can't take the credit," Mac smiled. "Harm did the seasoning."

"Meredith, the cranberries are interesting," Ashlyn said. "I've never seen them prepared like this before, where did you find the recipe?"

"I found it in a traditional cookbook.  It used only ingredients that could be found 1619, the year of the first Thanksgiving." Meredith smiled.

"That would explain the taste," Bud said.

"So, what are Ashlyn and Sam contributing?" Harm asked.

"Dessert," They replied in unison.

"You know with everything that happened, we missed our anniversaries," Sam said.

"Between investigations and babies, who had time?" Mac laughed.

"This is kind of nice, a traditional Thanksgiving." Harm said.

"What do you mean traditional?" Mac asked.

"Well, you women preparing food, us men relaxing. The way things should be." Harm smiled.

"What do you mean the way things should be?" Bobbie asked.

"I think he just means that in the beginning, women prepared and men ate." Sturgis said.

"Sturgis don't help him." Mac warned.

"I agree." Gunny said.

"Excuse me?" Ashlyn asked. "Just what do you agree with?"

"I was just thinking that it was nice to spend a day where I didn't have to cook." Gunny said.

"That's because you cook so much all the other days?" Ashlyn asked.

"I think I understand what the men are saying," AJ stated.

"And exactly what are they saying?" Meredith asked.

"Sir, if I may," Bud chimed in.

"No Bud, you may not," Harriet interrupted.

"I think that we are just trying…" Webb began.

"Webb, I think you should just try keeping your mouth shut." Sam said quickly.

"I was trying to give you ladies a compliment." Harm said.

"You know what amazes me," Sam asked.

"What's that?" Bobbie asked.

"I swear they get dumber in packs." Sam said shaking her head.

"Well, this pack is going to be cleaning up when we get back from the shelter." Mac smiled.

CENTRAL UNION MISSION

They had all agreed that after the year they had, they were going to give back.  They realized how fortunate they were. Serving food to those less fortunate was just a small way they could show how thankful they really were. 

"I never thought there would be so many children," Harriet said.

"It's sad," Ashlyn said. "It makes you realize how lucky we are."

"Let's find Tiner," Mac suggested.

Tiner and Coates where in the kitchen taking various items out of the oven and putting them in chaffing dishes, the group immediately began to help.  AJ and Meredith had set up a baby station and were watching the kids while the rest assumed positions on the serving line.

"Where's Webb?" Sturgis asked.

"A year ago, I would have suggested we look to see if Sam was missing." Harm joked.

"He'll be here soon," Coates smiled and served some stuffing to a guest.

The food had been served and the group was mingling with the guests.  They chatted and joked, trying to ensure that they had a Happy Thanksgiving.

"I just realized something," Bobbie said to Gunny. "Today they have a wonderful meal because it's Thanksgiving, what about the other days?"

"I know what you mean," Gunny replied. "This is just one day.  No one should have to live like this."

"So where is Webb?" Ashlyn asked.

"He'll be here," Tiner smiled.

They were in the process of cleaning up the dishes when the doors to the shelter flew open.  In walked a life size turkey.  The children all ran up to him and the JAG crew busted out laughing. "Happy Thanksgiving," Webb called out.

He then proceeded to give out little chocolate turkeys to the kids.  No one ever expected to see Clayton Webb dressed up like a turkey.  They all were sorry no one brought a camera. 

"I'm proud of you, Mr. Gobble," Sam said to Webb.

"You have no idea how uncomfortable this outfit is," Webb replied.

"Wanna trade?" Sam laughed. "You be pregnant for a while."

While Webb was handing out the candy, the rest went to the kitchen to start the clean up.

"What does labor feel like?" Sam asked clutching her stomach.

"Why?" Mac asked.

"Sam did your water break?" Ashlyn asked.

"How the hell should I know?" Sam asked, "Ahhh."

"Sam, how far apart are they?" Ashlyn asked. "Victor, go get the car."

"About five minutes," Sam said.

"What's going on?" Harm asked.

"We're about to have a baby," Bobbie said.

"Oh my god," Sam said.

"Sam have you been going a lot?" Ashlyn asked.

"Yeah," Sam said, "Why?"

"Have you had constant dripping?" Ashlyn asked.

"Yeah, why?" Sam asked.

"For how long?" Ashlyn asked.

"Since noon, why?" Sam asked.

"Your water broke," Ashlyn said.

"I thought it just breaks," Coates said.

"Not always," Ashlyn replied. "Sometimes it leaks."

"Wait, you have to stop this." Sam said. "I am not ready."

"Oh you're ready," Mac said.

"We need to get her to the hospital," Harm said.

"Car's here," Gunny said running back in.

"Someone go get that turkey!" Sam ordered.

"I'm on it." Sturgis said.

"Oow," Sam yelled. "This sucks!"

"Sam, that was less than two minutes," Tiner informed her.

"I don't think we are going to have time to get to the hospital." Ashlyn announced.

"Well, I am not having the baby here." Sam said. "What are you going to do put the kid in a roasting pan?"

"There is an infirmary in the back." Coates advised.

"Gunny, go get my bag from the car." Ashlyn advised. "Harm, help me get her to the infirmary." 

"Do you have drugs in that bag?" Sam asked as Harm carried her to the infirmary.

"Sorry, Lucy you are going to have to do this natural." Ashlyn stated.

"What kind of doctor doesn't have drugs?" Sam snapped.

"This kind," Ashlyn answered.

Sam was on the table and Ashlyn was examining her.  Everyone left the room but Ashlyn, Tiner and Mac.

"I'm here," Webb said running into the room.

"Can't we do something to stop this, until I get to a hospital?" Sam asked. "Where they have drugs?"

"Sam, I need you to relax." Ashlyn said. "The baby hasn't turned."

"What does that mean?" Webb asked.

"It means I am going to try and turn the baby." Ashlyn said.

"You're gonna what?" Sam cried out.

"Sam, do you trust me?" Ashlyn asked.

"With my life," Sam replied as a contraction hit again.

"Good, we're going to do this together, like we've done everything else." Ashlyn said. Ashlyn waited for the contraction to end and then carefully reached into the birth canal and turned the baby to the desired position.

"Owwwww," Sam hollered. "Watch it."

"That was the hard part," Ashlyn said.

"How the hell did you do that?" Sam asked.

"How do you write so well?" Ashlyn asked.

"I'm talented," Sam said through gritted teeth.

"Well, so am I," Ashlyn smiled.

"Weeeooooowwww," Sam yelled as another contraction hit.

Ashlyn instructed her to give a big push.

"Shit, that hurts." Sam said.

"Sam, watch your mouth, there's about to be a baby in the room." Ashlyn said.

"Remember your breathing," Webb said.

"What the hell do you know about my breathing?" Sam snapped. "You weren't here for most of the pregnancy, are you even sure you were there for conception?"

"Jason explained it to me," Webb smiled. "And I'm quite sure I was there when you got pregnant."

"Ok Sam once more," Ashlyn said.

"Come on," Webb said and then started breathing with Sam, "Hee Hee hoo, hee hee hoo." He repeated over and over again.

"Webb, you sound like an idiot," Sam stated. "I am not doing that stupid breathing, I flunked Lamaze!"

"It's a good thing.  That breathing makes you kind of light head…" Webb began.

"Oh jeez, would someone pick that jackass up off the floor!" Sam yelled.  Mac went to help Webb and Tiner went to Sam.

"Come on big sister, we can do this," Tiner said.

"Sam I need another push," Ashlyn said.

"I'll give you a push," Sam snapped.

"Sam, you're the toughest person I know." Tiner said, helping her sit up. "You can do this!"

"I wanna do this the 50's way, knock me out." Sam winced. "Use a sledge hammer."

"Samantha Erin Danaher Webb, I want you to push now!" Ashlyn ordered.

"You're such a bitch," Sam yelled and pushed.

Webb came to and stood up, Tiner started to move away from Sam and Webb stopped him.

"No Jason, stay there." Webb smiled. "You've helped her all these months, help her now. This is how it should be."

Surrounded by the people she loved, Sam gave birth to a healthy 5 pound 12 ounce baby girl.  From Webb's position, he got to see more of the birth then had he been standing with Sam.  Everyone left the three of them alone in the room.

"So, you want to tell me who the father is?" Webb teased as he took off the turkey suit.

"It's some jackass," Sam smiled. "I told you it was a girl."

"Another red head," Webb smiled, "I'm in big trouble."

"You're not disappointed are you?" Sam asked. "That it's not a boy."

"Are you kidding?" Webb smiled and kissed her. "I have two girls to spoil now."

"Clay you're the love of my life," Sam said and kissed him.

"You're mine, Samantha," Webb said and kissed her again. It was the first time either had called each other by their first names and it would probably be the last.

"Oh, Danaher," Webb smiled. "I'm glad you kissed me on that toll road."

"Webb, shut up!" Sam laughed.

"Can we come in?" The group asked.

"Come on in," Webb said.

"The ambulance should be here soon." Meredith advised them.

"Better late than never," Sam laughed.

The group gathered around the bed and admired the newest member.

"Mommy, where did Auntie Sam get that baby?" Little AJ asked.

"I think your daddy needs to answer that one." Harriet smiled.

"Well, AJ the baby came from.  You see it's like this." Bud stumbled.

"The stork," AJ quickly said.

"Oh, okay." Little AJ replied. "What's a stork?"

"A bird," They all replied in unison.

The ambulance came to take Sam, Webb and Baby Emma to the hospital. 

"Hold it, a second," Sam told the paramedics. "Hey Ethel, I had a girl. First!"

"Yeah you did Lucy," Ashlyn laughed, "And she's beautiful."