A/N: Thanks as always for reviewing! I appreciate it! I'm trying to cut down on chapter lengths, though it's not going so well! Anyway, here's this one!

Disclaimer: I own nothing


Chapter 49: Giving Thanks

Tammy giggled pulling the covers over her mouth Steve looked at her. He twirled a lock of her hair around his finger.

"I wish I didn't have to go," he whispered. She smiled as he sat up.

"So don't," she said and kissed him. "Come to Connecticut, Julie will understand."

"Julie will, yeah," he nodded. "But Mikey and Steph won't, and I doubt Dave would like it if I was there." He kissed her.

"Mm," she said. "I'd like it though." He laughed.

"I really gotta go," he said. "I have to get on a plane and go to California and miss you like crazy." She laughed.

"Fly right back on Friday morning?" She whispered.

"Even you don't have enough money to pay me to stay away," he whispered. She kissed him. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she said. "Do you have a question to ask me?"

"Tam," he said. "Last time I was going to ask you we were in a suite of a luxury hotel after the biggest night of your career and you really think that now I'd ask on my way out the door after a quicky?"

"That was not a quicky!" She said.

"Trust me," he kissed her after pulling his pants up, "compared to what I wanted to do to you, that was a quicky." She giggled.

"In that case I look forward to Friday," she said and kissed him.

"Good then," he smiled. "Stay as long as you need to, eat Jimmy's food if you're hungry." She laughed. "I'll call you later."

"OK," she said and flopped backwards into the bed when he left. She pressed her hands against her mouth and giggled. "I'm going to marry him." She sighed contently and got out of bed to get dressed.


Late that night Julie stood in the kitchen peeling potatoes. Jaime walked in and saw her.

"Honey, go to bed," Jaime said. "Get some sleep, finish in the morning."

"I can't sleep," Julie whispered and wiped her eyes.

"Are you crying?" Jaime sat down.

"No," Julie mumbled. Jaime looked at her. "It's just the potatoes."

"That's onions," Jaime said.

"Oh so now you know about cooking?" Julie tried to joke. Jaime smiled weakly. "I miss her."

"I do too," Jaime said. "It just doesn't feel like the holidays without a big fight with Cal and Elyse brokering peace with a bottle of wine." Julie laughed. "You're doing an amazing job with those kids."

"God," Julie groaned. "Not at all. Mikey's still mad at the world, although he's better." Jaime nodded. "He's so much like Dad, and that really freaks me out."

"I've noticed that," Jaime said. "Are you and Jimmy good?"

"Yeah," Julie said. "I mean, except that for that we never have sex anymore." Jaime looked at her. "Which you don't care about, and you'd rather never think about right?"

"Julie, I am aware that you and Jimmy have sex," Jaime laughed. "I often facilitated it if I recall."

"Right," Julie said. "There's just no time."

"Yeah, why do you think I left?" Jaime teased. Julie rolled her eyes. "You'll get it back, how long's it been?"

"Four weeks," Julie sighed.

"That's it?" Jaime said. "God, you're fine." She kissed her. "Go to bed."

"In a little while," Julie said. "Night Mom."

"Night baby," Jaime said. Julie finished peeling a potato and Steve walked in.

"Hey you," she said. "What kept you?"

"Me and Tammy got back together," he shrugged. She looked at him and smiled.

"Did you ask her?" Julie said. He shook his head. "God, Steve-o, what are you waiting for? You know she wanted you to!"

"Yes, I know she did," he nodded. "But she's really vulnerable right now." He stopped. "Have you been crying?"

"It's the first holiday without my father I'm allowed to be a little weepy!" She said.

"God, defensive much?" He said, grabbing an apple and taking a bite. "I meant to ask if you're OK. Are you?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she said softly. "Just a little sad." He nodded. "And on edge."

"You haven't gotten laid in a while," he said. She nodded. "Bummer." She rolled her eyes. "Where am I sleeping? Poolhouse?"

"You're a grownup," she said. "You're in the guest room. Mikey's in the poolhouse."

"Cool," he said. "I'm totally sick of the Ryan Atwood thing anyway."

"You're an idiot," she shook her head and stood up. "Night, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Cat," he smirked. "Casey and I can distract everyone tomorrow night while you and Jimmy get a quick one in."

"Aiding and abetting my sex life?" She said. He shrugged and kissed her softly. "That's a new one."

"We've gone over this," he said. "I want you to be happy. And I like Jimmy."

"Since when?" She laughed.

"Since we were about twenty one," he laughed. She smiled. "You don't have to be strong all the time Cat. You get to be upset for a while."

"I know," she said softly. "But I do have to be strong most of the time, for Steph and Mike." He nodded. "I'm doing better I swear." She kissed him. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," he smiled and stood up.


Tammy stood at the bed in the extra bedroom in the Vanderbilt house that she was staying in.

"Hey you," Dave said knocking on the door frame.

"Oh," she turned and smiled awkwardly. "Hi."

"Hi," he said.

"This place is amazing," she said, "I can't believe you grew up here." He laughed.

"Claire's made it a whole lot more homey," he said. "Growing up here it was more like a museum." She nodded. "How are you doing?"

"Good," she said softly. "You?"

"Good," he nodded, "I just wanted to come by and make sure we were on the same page for this weekend."

"Same page?" She frowned.

"Yes," he nodded. "See, I didn't exactly tell my family that we weren't together anymore."

"Oh they all know anyway," Tammy said. He looked at her. "I told Kelly."

"Oh," he said. "Right." She smiled.

"You're not going to manipulate your way into my bed," she said. "Our bases are covered. Now if you'll excuse me, I told Claire I'd make the sweet potatoes." She walked past him. He grabbed her wrist.

"I'm not giving up," he said softly and kissed her.

"I'm back with Steve, I didn't want to have to tell you that this weekend," she said. He looked at her. "I have to go." He sighed and followed her as she walked away. "Dave!"

"Since when?" He asked.

"Since last night," she said. He laughed. "What?"

"You're not back together," he said. "I mean if you are where is he?"

"He's in California," she said. "He promised Mike and Steph. Some men care about you know not making children cry."

"Uncle Dave!" Connie came running over.

"Hey Cons," he picked her up. Tammy bit her bottom lip. "How's my best girl?"

"Good," she said. "I missed you. Is Aunt Janet here?" Tammy crossed her arms and looked at him.

"Um, no," he said. "Aunt Janet is in Italy."

"Oh, OK," Connie said. "Hello Tammy."

"Hi sweetie," Tammy said. "I was just going to help your Mommy, want to come?"

"I'll go and tell her you're coming," Connie said as Dave put her down and she ran off.

"Do you forget that I'm a dedicated Uncle?" He smiled.

"That was way too convenient!" She crossed her arms. "Did you pay her?"

"Twenty bucks, to be especially affectionate and adorable with me whenever you're around," he smirked. "I'm not ready to be a father Tammy, but I could come around to it."

"I don't want you to come around to it," she shook her head. "That's not how it works Dave!" She walked away.

"Tammy!" He said. She held her hand up and kept walking. She got downstairs and wiped her eyes.

"Aunt Tammy! Aunt Tammy!" TJ ran over and hugged her.

"Hey buddy," she said. "When did you get here?"

"Few minutes ago," he said. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too," she said.

"Hey Tam," Rick said, "TJ, buddy, go get your bag." Tammy smiled as the little boy ran off. "Happy Thanksgiving." She kissed him on the cheek.

"Happy Thanksgiving big brother," she said. "Where's Cass?"

"Were my ears buzzing?" Cassie said walking over. "Ricky, pay the cab?"

"I'm on it," Rick said walking outside, Cass balanced Bella against her hip.

"Oh there's my goddaughter," Tammy said taking Bella. "Oh, she's so big, when did that happen?"

"God, I don't know," Cass laughed. "Honey, you look great. If my ex boyfriend got married and was having a baby, and I was still single I'd be a wreck."

"What?" Tammy laughed. Cass looked at her. "A baby?"

"I thought you knew," Cass said. "Lisa just mentioned it in conversation. I figured he would have called you."

"Right," Tammy whispered. "Tanya's pregnant?" Cassie nodded. "That was quick."

"Apparently they found out on the wedding night," Cassie said. Tammy nodded. "Are you OK?"

"Sure," Tammy said. "Good for them. I have to help Claire in the kitchen." She handed Bella back and walked in to the kitchen in a daze.


Diane smiled seeing her parents sitting talking to Ana and Tom. Tommy came behind her and hugged her.

"I'm glad they get along," she said softly.

"Me too," he said and kissed her. "Ready?" She nodded and they walked in.

"Diane," Ray Smith said. "Baby, about time."

"Hi Daddy," she said and kissed him on the cheek. "Hi Mom," she said. Beth smiled. "Um, Tommy and I want to say something."

"Dear God, Di, you can't be pregnant!" Beth said.

"No," Tommy said, "No, God no, we just um, we've decided to postpone our wedding."

"Oh no," Tom said, "I'm not doing this again."

"Just by a year Mr. Riley," Diane said. "I want to be healthy when we get married."

"I think that's a great idea," Ana said. "It certainly makes it less stressful." Diane nodded.

"That was kind of the point," Tommy said. "We just wanted to let you all know."

"Hello Rileys and Smiths," Elena bounced in. She looked at them everyone sitting in a row and gasped. "Oh my God! Di, you're dying aren't you?" She hugged her. "I love you so much."

"Lena," Tommy said, "she's not dying."

"Oh," Elena said. "Thank God."

"They're not getting married for another year," Ana said. "How are you sweetie?"

"I'm great Ana," Elena said straightening up. "Especially because I still win now." Tommy rolled his eyes. "Hey, it took cancer for you two to give your relationship a title I could stay engaged for another three years and still win."

"Ellie," Tom said. "Why aren't you at your mother's?"

"Oh, she doesn't care about anyone but her grandson lately," Elena shrugged. "So I'm off the hook."


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