Sheridan leaned down next to Joey McFarland and helped him scoop some mashed potatoes onto a woman's plate. "That's it. You've got it, sweetie," Sheridan smiled, standing up beside him. "Do you think you can do the next one yourself?"
Joey turned his head up to face her and gave her a big, toothy grin. "I do. Thanks, Ms. Sheridan!"
"No problem." Sheridan mussed his hair and then moved down the serving line. Everything seemed to be running smoothly, and there was a line out the door. Kay, Simone, and Jessica were leading the other teens and children at their respective stations, and Hank and Gwen were making sure that everyone received something to drink. Sighing happily, Sheridan smiled. This was going better than she had ever dreamed it would.
"This is quite the impressive event you've got going on here, Sheridan," Sam said, walking up with Luis. "I don't know how you and my brother pulled this off so quickly, but you really outdid yourselves."
"Thank you, Sam," Sheridan said, blushing and smiling back at him.
"My wife is wonderful, isn't she?" Luis hugged Sheridan from behind and tucked his chin into the crook of her shoulder.
"Yes, Luis, she is." Sam smiled. "I didn't know any of you Cranes had this in you."
Luis kissed Sheridan on the cheek. "She's a Lopez-Fitzgerald now."
"Yes, she is," Sam acknowledged, bowing his head and frowning. "I'm sorry I've judged you in the past because of your last name, Sheridan. It's very obvious why Luis married you."
"And now she's having my baby," Luis grinned, nuzzling his nose against Sheridan's cheek and cupping one hand over her belly.
"What's gotten into you today, Luis?" Sheridan laughed, clasping her hands over Luis's and turning back to face Sam. "And thank you for saying that, Sam. Your brother played a big part in this, though. And Kay and Jessica—they've been so helpful with guiding the other kids. We're lucky to know your entire family. I feel so blessed today."
"Well, thank you for saying that, Sheridan, but I still think this wouldn't have happened without you." Sam smiled softly.
"Sam's right, you know?" Eve said, walking up next to them. "You really did a wonderful job with this, Sheridan."
"Thank you, Eve," Sheridan smiled. "I'm glad you're here with us today."
"I feel lucky to be a part of this," Eve smiled.
Sam put one hand on Eve's arm. "Eve, may I talk to you for a second?"
"Of course, Sam," Eve said, turning back to Luis and Sheridan. "Would you two please excuse me?"
"Of course," Luis smiled. "Happy Thanksgiving."
Eve paused for a second to squeeze Luis's and Sheridan's arms. "Happy Thanksgiving, you two."
Eve followed Sam to one corner of the gym, where Grace was busy helping pack up food for people who wanted to take their leftovers with them.
Grace turned around, smiled, and embraced her friend. "Eve! Happy Thanksgiving!"
Tears sprang to Eve's eyes as she returned Grace's embrace. "Happy Thanksgiving, Grace."
Grace leaned back, tears in her own eyes. "It's been so long since we've seen you, Eve."
"I know," Eve said, hanging her head. "I'm sorry—I just couldn't face the world after I got those divorce papers from TC."
Grace smiled and stroked Eve's hair. "I understand. I'm just happy that you're finally back with us now. I've really missed you, Eve."
"I've missed you, too." Eve choked back a sob as she stepped out of Grace's embrace and glanced at Sam. "I've missed your entire family."
Sam smiled softly and clasped his hands in front of his body. "You're always welcome at our home, Eve."
Eve bowed her head. "You don't have to say that, Sam."
"I'm saying it because I mean it, Eve," Sam said. "Yes, TC and I have been friends for a long time, but Grace and I value your friendship, too."
Fresh tears sprang to Eve's eyes. "What did I do to deserve friends like you?"
Grace rubbed Eve's back and smiled. "You didn't do anything, Eve—you've just been you."
Eve's face lit up with a smile; a tear slipped down her cheek.
"We'd love it if you joined us for Thanksgiving," Grace smiled.
"But won't TC be there?" Eve asked.
"TC was supposed to join us," Sam admitted, "but Whitney was just asked to sub at a Thanksgiving tennis tournament. Their plans just changed this morning—TC and Whitney are already on a plane."
A bubble of warmth flooded Eve's chest. "Maybe I will stop by for a little bit then," she smiled. "I would love to spend Thanksgiving with all of you."
Eve stepped outside and flipped open her phone. "Happy Thanksgiving, Julian."
"Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Eve," Julian replied, the warmth in his voice swelling through the phone. "How are things going at the youth center?"
"Things are going wonderfully here," Eve beamed. "You should see the event your sister put together."
"Sheridan has always had a huge heart." Julian's voice softened. "I only wish our mother could be here to see her."
"We're going to find your mother, Julian," Eve insisted. "We have to for so many reasons."
"We will find our son, Eve," Julian said. "I promise you that."
Eve smiled sadly and glanced back at the door to the youth center. "I hope you're right about that, Julian. I can't lose another child. Especially now—when I'm finally getting one back."
"How are things going with Simone?" Julian asked. "Were you two able to spend some time together before going to the youth center this morning?"
"Not tons," Eve admitted, "but Sam and Grace just asked me to come spend Thanksgiving with them—and Simone will be there, too."
"Oh, Eve, that's wonderful!" Julian said. "I am truly happy for you."
Eve smiled softly, but then furrowed her brow. "I'm definitely going to go for a little while—I want to be with my daughter—but I promised you we'd spend part of the day together."
"Eve, you and I already agreed that if you got a chance to spend Thanksgiving with either one of your daughters, then that's where you would go."
"But, Julian, I don't want you to be alone . . ."
"Don't worry. I'm used to it, Eve." Julian paused for a moment. "Besides, there is something important I've been meaning to do, and today could be the perfect day to do it."
"What are you talking about?" Eve asked.
"Let's just say I'm hoping to repay an old debt—to help someone I've hurt."
Eve paused for a moment. "You've really changed, haven't you, Julian?"
"You make me want to be a better person, Eve."
Gwen glanced over at Luis and Sheridan as she poured another round of drinks. "They're really adorable, aren't they?" she smiled, nodding toward them as Luis turned Sheridan around to face him and placed his hands on top of her belly.
"Yeah," Hank grinned, "if you like sappy things."
"What?" Gwen raised her eyebrows and smacked him with a towel.
"Relax! I'm just kidding!" Hank laughed. "I'm happy things worked out for them. Just as long as they're not sappier than we are . . ."
Gwen laughed and started stacking some drinks on a tray. "Oh, please—we're not sappy at all."
Out of the corner of her eye, Gwen caught sight of Eve speaking with Sam and Grace.
Gwen's heart skipped a beat; she dropped the cup she was holding.
"Gwen? What's wrong?" Hank asked, following her gaze to Grace.
"Hank, I never should have agreed to go to your brother's house today," Gwen whispered, her breath catching in her throat. "I thought I was ready for it, but now, I'm just not sure. I don't think I can face her yet."
"Gwen." Hank squeezed her shoulders. "I told you—Grace isn't angry with you. Hell, it took her a while, but she's even forgiven Sam for his part in the mess that happened."
"Yes, but Sam wasn't the one who set everything into motion that night . . ."
"Yes, Gwen, he was." Hank turned Gwen around to face him and nudged up her chin. "If Sam hadn't kept the truth about Ivy from Grace in the first place, Grace never would have been as shocked as she was—she probably wouldn't have miscarried their son."
Gwen hung her head. "That doesn't negate my part in it, though . . ."
"True, but Grace has forgiven you," Hank said. "You just need to forgive yourself."
