An authors note...I know the beginning may seem a little familiar with reoccurring themes first mentioned a few chapters back. I did this intentionally to show how while Art and more specifically Alicia are slowing accepting what happened, dealing with it will always be a struggle. Plus I always love showing the boundless love the Abrams have for Artie(and all of their children).

Disclaimer-Glee is the property of FOX, the creators and the writers.

Let It Be

Bittersweet was the best word to describe the first Thanksgiving after the accident. While Art and Alicia were both beyond grateful that she and their son survived that horrific crash, and without either of them sustaining even more serious injuries than they had...there lives were and forever would be irrevocably changed in ways they could have never imagined.

There were so many things they could have, should have, been angry about. The senselessness of drunk driving, the pain, both physical and emotional their son was forced to endure, his reality, being so young and innocent yet having to live the rest of his life with a disability and everything that went with it.

But they knew Artie wouldn't want them to dwell on that, or feel guilty. For just having him with them...in any way, shape or form...far outweighed the alternative.

Pulling up to her parent's house, Alicia was grateful for her offer to invite Art's family to their annual Thanksgiving day dinner. This way, Artie would be able to celebrate with all of his family members just like every year, without having to make the almost two hour trip to Columbus.

She was a bit surprised to see that her in-laws had already arrived, but even more so to see her mother's sister, her Aunt Bonnie had made the trip all the way from Chicago to be there with them as well. Carrying Artie's chair into the house, Alicia couldn't help but notice the sympathetic expression her aunt was wearing, the tears that began pooling as she watched Art lower the boy into the seat, the embrace that was so strong it nearly cut off Alicia's oxygen supply.

"They've gotten so big Leesha," Bonnie gasped, trying discretely to dry her eyes as they broke apart.

"I'm gonna be six in eight days," Andy announced proudly while shrugging out of his coat.

"That's what I hear," Bonnie returned playfully as she reached over to grab a stack of packages sitting on the side table in the hall. "So I came prepared and brought you something," she added, handing him the top, rectangular gift. "And Artie, this one is for you."

"But it's not my birthday," the little boy replied determinately.

A soft buzz of laughter erupted at the innocent response. "I know that," Bonnie returned, still holding the present out to him, "But Grandma told me how brave you were while you were in the hospital and I wanted to give you a little something since we weren't able to come visit you."

Artie glanced from his great aunt, to his grandmother, then over to his mother. He blushed slightly as he grinned and humbly accepted the package. "Thanks."

"Can I open mine now?" Andy anxiously asked his mother.

"You both can," Alicia stated, smiling warmly at both of her sons before following the procession to the back of the house to greet those who hadn't initially converged on them in the foyer.

"Mom, look what I got," Andy called out, running up to her mere seconds after he'd torn open the packaging."A real football."

"Just what you wanted," she replied playfully while trying to sound surprised.

"I know," he squealed with delight. "Mark said he'll teach my how to play...and Dad said I might be big enough to play in the game this year, cause Uncle Tom says Ian is..."

As Alicia's eyes met Art's, the flicker of recollection hit. Last Thanksgiving was Artie's first, and only, time participating in the annual flag football game the men and boys of the family played while the women were fixing dinner. He was never really into sports, and he'd only played for two passes, but the memory of their little boy running around the back yard, pink cheeked and grinning...

Alicia's chest tightened painfully as Art looked away guiltily.

"I'm gonna go get my coat." Andy was gone and back in a flash, leaving little time for their emotions to catch up with his parents...especially when a second later, the youngster was tugging on his fathers sleeve, "C'mon Dad."

The slightly wistful gaze of Artie's that followed after his brother and father, wasn't lost on Alicia. But before she could trust herself to say anything, Aunt Bonnie walked into the room, a warm smile on her face. "Are those okay Artie?" she asked, motioning to the set of books sitting on his lap.

"Oh yeah, they're great," he beamed, still slightly preoccupied, but without reservation.

"Your Grandma told me exactly what to get..."

"There's a whole series. I have the first two," he cut in to explain, "and I really, really like them." As happy as his gift made him, it was a natural reflex to follow the sound of excited chatter...Artie glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the last of the group file out to the backyard. Even Lucas, who wasn't turning five until January was going...

"Hey Artie, I'd like to hear about those books," a sweet voice called out from the corner, after witnessing the second longing look...though she would have offered no matter what. "Or we could do something else together."

Snapping his head back around, Artie's eyes went wide with surprise as he stared at his oldest cousin. "You wanna play...with me?"

"Of course I do silly," the girl returned incredulously after first letting out a small giggle. "I always want to play with my favorite cousin."

A huge smile began to spread across his face, and if at all possible, Artie's eyes grew even larger. "We can look at these, but I know my Gramma has a lot of games and stuff too we can play with too..." There was a pause for only a quick intake of breath as his hands flew to the rims of his chair and he turned himself around, "but I don't know if they're in the closet down here or upstairs..." He started to move, then glanced back over his shoulder, "I'll go ask her...I think she's still in the family room..."

"I don't think I've ever seen him so excited," the words tumbled out over another pulsing giggle.

Alicia regarded her niece for a moment. Thirteen year old Jessalyn was Art's sister Jayne's oldest child. A compassionate, wise beyond her years, fun loving girl who'd always had a soft spot for Artie. "I think you may have just made his month Jess."

The teen's expression turned from casual to questioning, "What do you mean?"

"It's just...," Alicia started out hesitantly, "well...he really hasn't received a lot of invitations like that lately...I mean...to play..." The words died in her throat, emotion nearly choking her. The reality that he hadn't had any offers at all, in school or out, was painful at best...but even more so was the possibility that he was starting to accept that, maybe even expect it.

Alicia tried to maintain her composure. She'd spend much of the past four months crying on the shoulders of her family members, and she really didn't want to break down in front of them again. Not today anyway. Managing a watery smile that was completely genuine, Alicia softly muttered, "Thank you Jess."

"Aunt Leesha?" the girl nearly sobbed out, her own eyes misting quickly.

"I know it's a lot...," Kathleen called out, rounding the corner with Artie.

"But I couldn't decided," he added sheepishly, but no less excited as he glanced up at his cousin. "And I didn't know what you wanted to play..."

"We can play them all Artie," she cut in certainly, "...whatever you want to do."

"Really?" he gasped out in surprise, as if he couldn't believe his luck."

"Really," Jess assured him, beaming back.

...

ANx2...I'm going to stop here, because if I go any farther, this snippet will no longer be considered a snippet, and I REALLY wanted to get this story updated. I did have more planned for this one, featuring more of the family. It would be about the same length...a bit of angst, mixed with a bunch of fluff, and topped with some pretty cute(IMO)moments between Alicia and Artie. I would love to continue it in the next chapter, but only if it's something you think you might like reading about(I already know how you feel Megan:), otherwise I'll just continue with my previous schedule.