A/N: HERE IS A NICE FLUFFY CHAPTER, NOT TOO MUCH ANGST. WE'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH, ONLY ABOUT TEN MORE CHAPTERS LEFT. AS ALWAYS, ENJOY AND R&R. THE CHARACTERS AND SONG DON'T BELONG TO ME, BUT BAILEY THE DOG DOES.
CHAPTER 30: GIVING THANKS
As the weeks passed, Woody threw himself into his work, trying to avoid the rigors of therapy. He had convinced himself it wasn't doing any good. Jordan saw it as him giving up, resigning himself to a life in a wheelchair, which was a very real possibility, one that Jordan was not willing to accept right now. She wasn't about to let all of his hard work go to waste, so she pushed him harder and harder. Only when she saw how frustrated and upset he was getting, did she back down a little. Jordan didn't want to ruin their budding new relationship. Woody was becoming more independent and with that , more willing to let Jordan back into his heart. They were both starting to be happy for the first time in months.
Thanksgiving company started to stream into Max's house about mid-afternoon, all bringing a favorite dish. As they sat down to eat that evening, Garret arrived, "Sorry I'm late, I spent the afternoon with Abby, we've been getting reacquainted the last few months.", he stated, thinking of how ironic it was that it took almost loosing his job and a friend, for him to reconcile with his daughter. The group spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing , eating and drinking. Woody spent most of it quietly watching Jordan from across the table. Garret commented on how good the food was, Jordan chuckled and pointed to Max, Cal, and Woody, stating, "The boys did all the work." They all laughed at how nobody but Lily ate her fake turkey loaf. Woody bet Cal ten dollars to eat a piece, a whole piece. Cal drowned it in gravy and dressing, but only got down two bites before spitting the rest out in his napkin. Cal tossed the rest to Bailey who was laying between him and Woody, she took one sniff and ran around to the other side of Woody, for protection. "Pay up little brother.", Woody laughed, holding out his hand.
It was getting late and company was dwindling down. Garret was the last one to leave, first sharing a cup of coffee with Woody and Jordan. Cal was snoring, fast asleep, his long legs dangling over the edge of the couch and Max was dozing in his easy chair. "I wish Abby could have come.", Jordan stated, handing Garret a mug. "She's with her mother tonight.", he replied. When Jordan got up to answer the ringing phone, Garret asked Woody, "So how are things going?'. Woody looked down, "Well, work is getting better, therapy isn't.", he said with a sigh. "No, I mean, how are things with Jordan?", Garret asked, raising his brow. "I don't know Dr. Macy, I mean I love her so much and I know that she loves me, but I just don't think it's enough. I feel like I'm holding her back from having a normal life.", Woody replied, sadly. "Jordan's life is far from normal.", Garret laughed, and continued, "Have you told her how you feel?". Woody shook his head. "You wont know unless you try. Take a chance, Woody, she's worth it.", he said getting up to leave. "That was Lily, she called to say she got Nigel and Bug home alright.", Jordan chuckled, hugging Garret goodbye. After he left, she slammed the door shut and laughed.
Max and Cal jumped to there feet. "What was that?", Max asked. "Huh?", Cal muttered. "Okay you two, I've cleaned the kitchen, just go put the dishes away, we'll clean up in here.", Jordan said, handing Woody a plastic garbage bag. Woody turned off the football game and put the stereo on. Jordan swayed back and forth as she filled her bag, humming to the tune of Van Morrison's Brown-eyed girl. Woody tried not to watch her, but he couldn't help himself, she was just so damn beautiful. He wheeled next to her, took her hand and pulled her onto his lap. Before she could reply, he kissed her passionately on the lips.
Cal burst through the doorway, "Okay, were done in there...Uh guys, bedroom's that way.", Cal laughed, pointing to the den. Jordan jumped off of Woody's lap, who frowned at Calvin's bad timing. "Sorry to interrupt.", Cal chuckled. "Oh you didn't interrupt anything. We were just cleaning.", Jordan blushed as she bent over to pick up the bag she had dropped. She lost her footing, her head still spinning from the kiss and nearly ended up in Woody's lap again. "Sorry,", she apologized as she rose, pushing up on the crease of Woody's upper thigh. He looked down, a little confused, not sure if he actually felt that. "Well, I'm going home, night everyone. Happy Thanksgiving.", Cal called as he left. "You should be getting to bed too. You've got an important meeting tomorrow.", Jordan giggled. "Oh crap, Stiles.", Woody groaned, rubbing his head.