Notes: Can you believe this is the 8th Thanksgiving marathon?! Join us from now through Sunday for a new story every day!

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A Bigger List (A McRoll in the REAL World Story by Mari and Ilna)

"Hi Aunt Deb!" Kaitlyn and Grace waved at the screen.

"Hello you two." Deb sat up straight. "I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille," she joked. "You remember who that is right?"

"Yes." Grace chuckled. "The famous Hollywood director and it's from Sunset Boulevard. Mom, Gabby and I saw the play a few weeks ago."

Deb smiled at how Gabby and Rachel got along and did things with Grace. "Wonderful! What's my first question, darlings?"

"We know this answer," Kaitlyn said with a smile, "but tell us anyway. What job did you have when you worked?"

"I was a singer. Which means I waited tables in LA when I first moved to the mainland. Luckily I got work pretty quickly because…" she leaned closer conspiratorially, "I was a terrible waitress."

"Oh I doubt you were terrible," Grace said.

Deb laughed. "Trust me, it wasn't pretty. I dropped more than a few glasses and plates."

Both girls giggled. "Our next question is, what did you learn from your parents?"

Deb smiled softly. "Unselfishness. We lost my dad very young, as you know. He gave his life for our country. Mom raised John and I alone. And she was incredible. She always put us first and gave us the very best she could. John grew up to serve, then joined HPD and continued to serve on the force."

"And you gave up a lot to raise Aunt Mary," Kaitlyn was quick to point out. "That was very unselfish."

"Thank you, honey. There was never any question when my brother asked. That was something else I learned from my folks. We do for family."

"That's … just so sweet." Grace nodded. "Uncle Steve and Mary definitely have the same traits."

"They do." She beamed. "Their grandparents would be very proud."

Kaitlyn smiled and checked the next question. "What's your favorite thing to do for fun, Aunt Deb?"

"Spend time with our family. Volunteer to sing at the cancer center. And I love movies and live theater. My friends Victoria and Betty and I see a play every month and then have dinner out. Almost like a book club for theater people."

"That sounds like so much fun," Kaitlyn said. "We saw a few plays at UH, and at the community theater. They were great."

"We should all see one over Christmas when we visit."

"That would be awesome."

"Consider it done. I'll look into what's being performed there. What's our next question?"

Grace smiled. "What's the best thing about being an aunt and great aunt?"

"Watching the children blossom. We had a gap of too many years when Steve was serving, and seeing him and Mary become so close, in no small part due to Catherine, gives me great joy. And of course seeing all my little McGarretts grow up and give my niece and nephew a run for their money." Her eyes twinkled. "Joan, DJ and Angie being so close is just a beautiful thing."

"What's one thing you would want Angie, DJ and Joan to know?"

"That family is important. All our huge family that's there for them and are a part of what makes them who they are. That I love them very, very much and my brother would be very proud of them."

"If you could change one thing about your life, past or present, what would it be?"

"A few years back I'd have said to do a better job raising Mary. But now I see she needed to work some things out on her own and with professional help to become the wonderful girl she is."

"That's very true. You did a great job." Grace smiled. "Mary always says so. You gave up a career, were an instant parent to a ten year old who'd been through so much that had nothing to do with you."

"You are a thoughtful young lady, Grace. Thank you. I appreciate that."

"It's totally true," Grace said and Kaitlyn nodded her agreement.

"Next question, girls, before I tear up and spoil my makeup," Deb teased to lighten the mood.

"Okay, if you could choose one thing from your childhood to relive, what would it be and why?"

Deb smiled. "Spending time with my family when my father was alive. A cookout on the beach behind the house, playing with my little brother and eating homemade food."

"Awww, how beautiful." Kaitlyn was glad Aunt Deb had happy memories of her childhood. "What did you like to do as a child?"

"Sing. No surprise there, hmmm? And perform. Poor John, I'd dress him as characters and put on plays. And hang around with friends. Surfing, swimming. Until I left the island and started touring, I never realized what an incredible place it was to grow up."

"Here's a little bit of a different one," Grace said of the next question. "What characteristics do you most deplore in other people?"

Deb answered quickly, "Lying. Deceptiveness. Hurting people for your own end."

Grace shared a knowing look with her before she asked the next question. "Are you at peace with everyone?"

"I am. I learned to forgive, but not forget if that makes sense. When my family is hurt, I'm hurt, but I've moved past holding a grudge to enjoy my own life."

Kaitlyn smiled. "I like this one. What makes you happy?"

"My family. Feeling well and being healthy. Learning new things and having a few new adventures." She winked. "You can still teach an old dog a few new tricks. Nothing dangerous, because your uncle will have a heart attack, but within reason." She chuckled and both girls laughed.

"Last one, Aunt Deb. It's perfect for you. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?"

"As a young me ..." She tapped her fingers together. "Emma Stone. She's a redhead and can sing. As a … ahem ... more mature version of Deb McGarrett, I'd say Susan Sarandon."

"I can totally see that!" Kaitlyn said and Grace agreed. "That would be an awesome movie, they're both wonderful."

"Is the interview complete, ladies?" Deb grinned.

"Yes, and you were so sweet to answer all the questions." Kaitlyn smiled.

"Oh, honey, the one thing show biz people love more than anything is talking about themselves," Deb chuckled. "I can't wait to see all the interviews."

"We can send them to you or we can re-watch at Christmas when you guys are all here," Grace offered.

"Oh, I think waiting to see them with everyone will be fun. Let's do that."

"Consider it done." Grace beamed and waved. "Love you, Aunt Deb. Have a good rest of the day."

"Love you," Kaitlyn echoed.

"And I love you both. Hug everyone for me. And I'll see you soon!"

"That was awesome," Kaitlyn said once they'd ended the videocall.

Grace nodded. "I know, Aunt Deb is so great."

"I still can't believe she was a professional singer."

Grace grinned. "Isn't that the coolest thing?" She checked Deb off of their list of people to interview.

Kaitlyn bit her lip, looking over Grace's shoulder. "We still have a lot of people to do."

"I know," Grace said, a similarly worried look on her face. "And a couple people we could only schedule on Thanksgiving itself, which means we've gotta do a lot of the editing at Auntie Cath's and Uncle Steve's …"

"Yeah …"

Both girls stared at the list, minds racing.

"What if …" Grace began.

Kaitlyn looked over at her. "What?"

"Since we decided not to add the 'What are you thankful for?' question to the list, what if we wait and debut the video at Christmas?"

Kaitlyn's eyes widened. "Could we?"

"Why not? Actually, it makes more sense. Like Aunt Deb just said, it'll be better to watch if we're all together anyway." She gasped suddenly. "And Aaron's parents and sister and her family are coming for Christmas so we could do videos of them, too!"

"Oh yes! That would be amazing!"

They both squealed.

"I didn't think it was possible but now I'm even more excited!" Grace said.

"Me, too!"

Grace grinned. "I think we're gonna need a bigger list."

Hope you enjoyed!

Join us tomorrow for Part 2 of the marathon!

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