Title:  Reunification

Author:  Lisbeth

Disclaimer:  I do not own these characters

Feedback:  It makes my day.

Rating:  R

E-Mail:  strangefruitgirl@hotmail.com

Chapter 16:  Turkey Day

            "That looks so disgusting." Grace said as she observed her mother stuffing the Thanksgiving turkey. 

            "Well, this is how it has always been done." Lily said.

            Even though it wasn't going to be as big a gala as usual, the family was still going to come together for the special occasion.  Judy and Sam decided that they would stay in Australia for Thanksgiving, but return for Christmas.  Judy told Lily and Rick that Eli was going to spend Thanksgiving with them in Sydney.  Karen and Henry were invited, but kindly declined the invitation.  Henry's cousin from New York was in town so the two decided to spend the holiday with Henry's family.  Jessie and Katie were planning on coming over, along with Jake and Tiffany. Barbara was even given a day release from Shady Side in order to spend the day with her family.

            Rick had just left to pick up Barbara from the home.  Grace had arrived just before he left to help out her mother.  As Grace was kneading the dough for the piecrust, her apron covered in flour, she was beginning to give up on it.

            "I am not meant to be the next Betty Crocker." Grace said frustrated.

            "It looks fine to me." Lily said as she continued to stuff the turkey. "Besides, they're going to eat it all up anyway.  I don't think they'll take into consideration if the piecrust isn't perfect.  So, Mr., uh, I mean, August is going to come today right?"

            "Yeah.  We forgot the cranberry sauce, so he said that he was going to stop by the store.  He's been kind of nervous these past few days."

            "Nothing yet from the publishing company?"

            "Nothing, but for about three days it's been heightened a bit.  Maybe it's because this is going to be his first dinner over here.  I know that we're going to make him feel very comfortable right?" Grace said sarcastically.

            "Grace Brooks!" 

            "The semester is almost over also, so that could have something to do with it.  He says that I worry too much."

            "Well, he's right about that.  You do worry too much."

            The two continued to prepare everything for the dinner when the phone rang.  Lily gave Grace a look that told her she would get the phone.  Lily rinsed off her hands and wiped them dry on her apron as she walked to the phone.

            "Hello.  Hey Judy! Happy Thanksgiving.  Well, Grace and I are slaving away in the kitchen. Rick and Simon went to pick up mom and Zoe is somewhere around the house.  Grace, your Aunt Judy says hi."

            "Tell her I said hi." Grace said

            "Grace says hi." Lily said as she walked out of the kitchen and climbed upstairs. 

            Grace finished up the crust and carefully placed it into the plate.  It was then that Zoe walked into the kitchen. 

            "Hey, where's mom?" Zoe said as looked at the disfigured crust in the plate.

            "She's on the phone with Aunt Judy.  You don't have to tell me, I know the crust is more than hideous.  I guess this is my sign that I will never be a housewife.  Lucky me."

            "Well, it's not that bad.  Ok, you have a lot of batter to cover it up right?"

            "Of course.  Would you mind chopping up those carrots and cucumbers over there?" Grace asked.

            "Sure.  Let me guess – vegetable medley platter!" Zoe said with fake enthusiasm. 

            It was then that the doorbell rang.  Zoe ran to get the door.  She could easily overhear Zoe welcoming them in the house.  She automatically assumed it was Jessie and Katie.  A few seconds later she heard the footsteps approach the kitchen.  She looked up to see August looking at her, a huge grin on his face.  He was holding onto a bouquet of flowers with Zoe standing a few feet from him holding on to a grocery bag.

            "Now I know why you don't like to cook at the house.  Happy Turkey Day!  I brought flowers for the table."  August said as he slightly laughed at her. He kissed her.  "I bought three cans of cranberry sauce; I hope that's enough.  You wouldn't believe the line at Rushdie's."

            "You would think that everyone would get what they need a few days before a major holiday." Zoe blurted out as she emptied out the bag and placed the sauce off aside.  "Let me put those in water." She then offered.  As she grabbed a vase and filled it with water, she grabbed the flowers and then walked into the dining room.

            "Do you need help with anything?" August offered.

            "Would you mind cutting up some vegetables?"

            "No problem." August said as he rolled up his sleeves. 

            Grace poured the pumpkin pie batter into the dish and put the pie into the oven.  Grace then moved onto the stuffing. 

            "How do you want these cut?"

"Oh, just in pieces where it will be easy to grab."

"I received a letter from Terrence Hill the other day but I never opened it." August said as he started to cut the cucumbers.

            "Why not?" Grace asked as she looked up at August.

            "I don't know really, I guess I was just nervous.  I opened it after you left this morning."

            "And?" Grace continued.

            "They're going to give me a three book deal with a fifty thousand dollar advance; one of the books being the poetry collection.  I also sent off some of my short stories and they are interested in that too." August said modestly.

            "AHHHHHH!" Grace screamed as she jumped into August's arms.  "I'm so proud of you!"  Then she noticed the white powder on his clothes.  She began laughing as she started to pat it off of him.  "I'm sorry; I guess I got carried away.  I put flour all over you."

            It was then that Lily and Zoe walked into the kitchen.

            "Hey, I heard a scream and I thought something was burning!  Is everything ok?"  It was then that Lily saw August was present.  "Hello August.  Thanks for helping, but you don't have to do that.  So, what was the ruckus about?"

            "Nothing much really." Grace said as she tried to hide her excitement.

            A few hours later, everyone was at Manning Manor.  The turkey was soon going to be done, with the table was being set by Zoe.  The conversation and wine flowed between everyone, excluding the minors.  August even struck up a conversation with Tiffany about E.E. Cummings. 

            "So, you will not believe who just happened to walk into the law firm the other day as a first year lawyer." Jessie said.

            "Oh yeah, this is good." Katie replied.

            "Who?" Grace asked out of curiosity.

            "Tad Lafferty."

            "Tad.  A lawyer!  I think I'm speechless."

            "He was actually working in Los Angeles, but he moved back to Chicago.  Apparently, he has a reputation as this kick ass bankruptcy lawyer who takes no prisoners." Katie said.

            "Take no prisoners I can understand, but bankruptcy lawyer." Grace said.

            "Oh yeah, we all went to lunch the other day.  He is still in contact with Russell also." Katie said.

            "And how is he?"

            "He's in San Francisco.  I think he's doing something with marketing; at least, something in that area."

            The girls continued chatting until Rick came into the living room to announce that everything was ready. 

            The table had enough seats to fit just about everyone.  Simon and Maddie sat at a smaller table that was moved into the dining room to accommodate everyone.  The conversation never ran dry at the table as just about everything from politics to current events.  A little while later, Grace stood up from her chair and everyone quieted down.

            "I would like to make an announcement."  Grace said, noticing the look of slight worry on her fathers face.  "I am so proud to break the news that……..I'm pregnant!  I'm joking!" Grace quickly retorted.

            Lily's hand went to her heart as she tried to catch her breath. 

            "I'm joking!  Dad, you can take that breath that I know you've been holding in." Grace said as everyone laughed.

            "No, but, I am proud to say that August received a fifty thousand dollar three book deal with the Terrence Hill publishing company."

            "Congratulations!" Katie and Jessie said. 

            Everyone else continued with the congratulations and well wishes for August.

            "It's nothing big really." August said.

            "Nothing big.  They're going to pay you fifty thousand dollars to write three books!  I'm in the wrong field here." Zoe said.

            "What is your field of interest?" August asked.

            "Photography." Zoe said.  "I'm into black and white especially."

            "That's true!  We were discussing a few weeks ago about how maybe merging his poetry with a little bit of photography in the book.  At the time he didn't think he would get published, but I knew you would." Grace said looking at August.

            "That's a good idea." August said.  "I would love to look at some of your stuff."

            "Well, I guess I should propose a toast." Lily said.  "To August and his deal with Terrence Hill.  Congrats!"

            A few hours later, everything was finally cleared up.  The dishes were being done, the take home plates were fixed, and the guests were beginning to leave.  Zoe was showing August her portfolios of photographs at the kitchen table while Grace was helping Rick save the dishes.  Lily had left to return Barbara to Shady Side.  Jessie and Katie had left to visit Karen and Henry for a little while.

            "I like these." August said.  "I don't know exactly what direction I would like to go in for the book, but I know we would be able to work around it."

            "Well, I know my skills need a little bit of polishing, but this photography class I'm taking right now is really helping me out with the craft."

            "I think Zoe is more excited about the book that August is." Rick said to Grace.

            "I think he may be just a little nervous about it.  He considers his first publishing experience to be an embarrassment today.  But he's grown since then."

            "So, things are going well?  If you aren't at school, you're at his house.  We're beginning to think you don't live here anymore."

            "He asked me to move in with him." Grace said.  "I'm ready, but I just think it will be better to wait until after Christmas.  The semester is almost over, and then after that there's going to be shopping, and it just wouldn't be a smart time to pack my things up and move in."

            "He holds you on a pedestal.  I noticed how he would look at you with awe."

            "I wish my father could tell me what you've just said."

            "He will one day." Rick said.

            Grace and August walked into his house ready to collapse.  As she put on her pajamas and crawled into bed, August was still in the bathroom getting ready. 

            "I think it went alright, don't you?" August asked as he turned off the light and walked into the room.

            "Yes.  I think my father needs a little more work though."

            "He'll come to one day.  I never noticed any 'I'm going to kill you' glances coming my way." August said as he set the alarm clock.

            Grace laughed as she settled in next him. 

            "We still have Christmas." He said.

            Grace grabbed his hand and started with her habit of examining his fingers with her touch.  "I've been thinking about what you said – about me moving in with you."

            "I don't want to you to feel like you're being rushed into things.  I'm sorry if it has come across like that." August said as he began to run his hands along her back.

            "It's not that, it's just that I think it would be better if we waited until after the holidays.  There is going to be so much to do in the next few weeks, and I don't want the added stress of me moving in."

            "It won't be stressful.  You being here is stress relieving."

            "We're still in the beginning stages though of our relationship."

            "I don't look at it like that.  I think I've been with you for five years."

            "We're going to get there one day though."

            "We're already here." August whispered as they kissed each other goodnight.