Author's Note: Here's the real reunion and Thanksgiving—I tried to portray the holiday in the manner that it used to be celebrated and the way it was portrayed in the episode "Manolo". And it has some sweet fluff as a precursor to the citrus fluff coming in the next chapter. Thanks for all the support from the readers and the faithful reviewers.
THANKSGIVING
Thursday, November, 27, 1980, 11:30 PST
The air was crisp Thanksgiving morning at the Bennett ranch, but the atmosphere was festive as the final preparations were being done for the dinner. Hannah had risen early to dress the large turkey and put it in the oven. She also went into the basement freezer to retrieve butternut squash casserole, green bean salad, turnips, onions in cream sauce and apple, pumpkin, and mincemeat pies. The dinner was scheduled for about two thirty and chances were that there would be plenty of food for a group that consisted mostly of males with very healthy appetites.
Hank and Hannah had embraced the return of Julie and Melissa from their harrowing ordeal Saturday evening, with much joy. Hank apologized to Julie and told her all about David's embezzling, ashamed that he had been so misled that he allowed the crime to go on. Julie, gracious as always, forgave him for his indulgence of David, knowing Hank's affection for David went back to the day he was taken into the Bennett home.
After they met Melissa and Jason became fast friends. Melissa had Hank pick out a horse for Jason to ride and he was a quick study, riding as expertly as she did. Pete and Linc both joined the youngsters in riding all around the ranch during the week while Julie concentrated on helping Hannah prepare the food for the Thanksgiving feast. The near tragic events of the previous Friday were almost completely forgotten as Linc, Jason, Pete, Julie, and Melissa all were busy enjoying the anticipation of a pleasant holiday, even in light of the loss of Dan.
Lou Rafferty had incarcerated David Slade until his arraignment the week after Thanksgiving. The district attorney in Salinas informed Julie and Pete that they would both be called to the trial when it finally took place. Pete suggested that he could remain at the ranch until the trial, but Julie was concerned about him being away from his business. However, Pete reassured her that he could work a reduced schedule at the Beverly Hills office so he could be available to her during the trial. Julie was glad to know that he would be around if she needed him. Linc and Jason would be flying back to Chicago on Monday. So it appeared that the only thing that was important at the ranch this week was the Thanksgiving dinner.
Julie and Pete were strolling along the bridle path hand in hand, taking their morning walk that had become an everyday event. Linc had taken Jason and Melissa riding in the Far Corral in the western part of the ranch property so they were alone.
"Have you fully recovered from the ordeal on Friday, sweetheart?" Pete asked solicitously as they walked along.
"Uh-huh. I was more frightened than hurt, really," Julie replied, patting his hand reassuringly. "I was just shocked at how he had planned it all, wanting to take the ranch away, and believing that he could make me and Melissa into his family."
Pete looked outraged. "What did he say to you?" he wanted to know.
They stopped walking and Julie turned to face him. "He was talking like I was his wife and Melissa was his daughter. He was really convinced that his fantasy was reality. It was so unreal I was petrified," she informed him, shuddering slightly.
Pete's eyes narrowed as he shook his head, "That guy was definitely not playing with a full deck. It's fortunate that we found you when we did," he said with alacrity.
"That reminds me, how did you find us at that cabin?" Julie inquired, head cocked to one side. The only one I know who would know about it was Dan...he took me by it when he first brought me here."
Pete began, "Well, Lou took me and Linc over to Slade's house. We did some investigating and we found the map of the ranch in the desk in his study. We also found a brochure from Lattimer/LaRocca then put two and two together and came up with his wanting to sell the ranch to Gino LaRocca. Then Hank confessed to Slade threatening him, so we knew he hadn't taken you and Melissa far. Something told me that the cabin, which was on the map, might be where he had you both stashed so that's where we first started looking," he finished.
Julie smiled sweetly as she observed him demurely from lowered eyelashes. "Must have been that radar of yours. It always saved the day before and it did the job again."
Pete smiled affectionately at her, running his knuckles gently along the contour of her cheek, "It sure did."
His smile faded and he looked at her seriously, "Julie, I have to tell you something. When we came back from Chicago and found out that you and Melissa had disappeared without a trace and nobody knew where you were or where you could have gone, I was terrified."
Julie gazed at him with soft eyes...listening, as he revealed his own ordeal.
"I mean, really I had never been so scared in my whole life about anything. And when we found that it was Slade who took you, I never wanted to put a hurt on someone more. When we got to the cabin I saw him choking you and holding that gun against your forehead, it was like I had tunnel vision, all I could think of doing was getting you away from him then letting him have it."
She nodded, recalling a few other times his fury had been provoked to that extreme...
Running his hand through his hair, Pete continued, "God forgive me, I swear I never wanted to end someone's life more. And if Lou and Linc hadn't stepped in, I'd have gladly killed the bastard with my bare hands." he stated passionately.
Julie chided gently, "A lot of good that would have done. The owner and CEO of the largest insurance provider in the state, an ex-undercover cop, and the heir to a fortune on Death Row in San Quentin for murder."
He nodded. "Yeah...but you know as well as I do that it would be brought down to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. After all, I was a law-abiding citizen doing my civic duty, assisting in the capture of an armed and dangerous criminal… A kidnapper who was attempting murder. I was just being a good Samaritan."
Smirking, Julie shook her head trying to stifle a chuckle.
Pete grinned, "Once they found out that I was a former cop I'm sure that they'd have gone easy on me. Remember, my police record's about twelve years old and I haven't even had a traffic ticket since then."
She raised a dubious brow.
He added, "Besides, my cousin Karen's husband Marc's an attorney. He would've defended me and based on my prior employment with the LAPD, he'd have got me a reduced charge. I'd have pleaded guilty to manslaughter, stating it was in your defense, and probably gotten a six month suspended sentence," he informed her a bit smugly.
Julie shook her head, "You've got it all figured out, don't you? No wonder you've done so well in the business world, Pete. You're quite a planner," she declared saucily.
Pete threw his head back and laughed as he took her hand and they resumed walking.
"Actually," he said enigmatically, "I am planning something but I can't say now what it is. But I will tell you when the time is right."
Julie glanced at him and shook her head with a sigh...
He consulted his watch and deftly changed the subject, "Wow, look at the time! We're getting close to dinner time and I'm starving. We'd better head back," he added quickly, pulling Julie by the hand in the general direction of the house.
Julie followed silently but was glancing at him; contemplating, wondering what he was planning. She played with the idea of getting him to reveal his plan to her but she gave up, knowing that Pete could be very closemouthed when it suited his purposes.
When they arrived at the back yard, they ran into Linc, Jason and Melissa, all returning from their ride. Melissa scooted over to Julie and Pete, greeting them with her usual exuberance.
"Hi Mommy! Hi Pete! Guess where we went?" she gushed, out of breath.
"Where?" Julie asked.
"To the North Field. I took Jason and Linc to see the brook and the mountains, then we raced back," Melissa said.
Jason came up right beside her and Linc, who was rubbing his posterior, followed them. Julie couldn't help giggling at his blatant discomfort and Pete tried to suppress it but he too was snickering as Linc joined them. Linc cast a jaundiced eye at Pete.
"Go ahead, laugh it up, pal. I guess it's pretty obvious that I didn't spend my childhood in Beverly Hills riding polo ponies," he said with mild sarcasm.
Pete tried to feign earnestness. "No one could ever tell, man," he responded, losing his control in an explosion of mirth and guffawing heartily.
Linc made a face at him then turned to Julie to change the subject. "Julie, this place is outta sight. Melissa showed Jason and me the mountain range and it is something else."
"We had a race to see who could get back first," Melissa said.
"Uh-huh and I beat you," Jason chided Melissa.
She stuck her tongue out at him, "I let you win. I could have won if I wanted to, but you're a guest and my mommy says we should treat guests special," she sniffed, holding her head up primly.
"Okay, you two," Julie admonished. "Let's head back to the house for dinner."
Jason grinned at Melissa, "I'll race you to the house. One, two, three go!" After a quick count, he was off like a shot.
"Hey no fair...you're cheating!" Melissa raced after him.
Linc, Pete, and Julie chuckled indulgently as they watched the two youngsters scamper toward the house. Linc grinned at Pete and Julie who had been holding hands all through the duration.
"How 'bout you two, huh? Did you have a nice walk?" Linc asked with a knowing twinkle in his eyes.
"It was lovely, Linc," Julie said softly while Pete grinned and squeezed her hand gently.
"Yeah. We take walks together everyday. We were just heading back, it's close to dinner."
Linc nodded, "Yeah, but I get the feeling that you two ain't just hungry for food." He leered slyly much to Julie's embarrassment and Pete's irritation.
Pete scowled at Linc warningly, "Watch it, pal. You're treading on thin ice now."
Linc apologized, grinning. "Sorry, man. When I'm hungry, my mouth flies off in all directions till it's filled with food."
"Yeah, but that's still no reason to get crude. I'm starving and I'm still a gentleman," Pete scolded.
Julie looped her free arm through Linc's. She giggled, "Okay boys, let's go inside so you two hungry vultures can get fed." They walked to the house three abreast like old times. . . .
2:45 PM PST-THANKSGIVING DINNER
The dining room table was set with the good china, the finest linens, and best silver and crystal. In addition, it was laden with steaming serving bowls heaped with traditional Thanksgiving fare such as turnips, yams with mini marshmallows, corn on the cob, fresh made cranberry sauce, cornbread, biscuits hot from the oven, green been casserole, and onions in cream sauce. The main course, the huge turkey with the dressing would join them as soon as everyone was seated.
Since Hannah and her family were guests, Julie insisted on helping her in the kitchen, ignoring Hannah's protests that she could do the meal alone. Melissa and Jason were up in her room playing a game and all the men were gathered in the parlor before the TV watching the first of two football games. Every now and then one could hear the shouts and groans of the men as they rooted for their teams, which drew smiles of amusement from Julie and Hannah.
"The guys are really into the game aren't they?" Julie said giggling.
Hannah smiled, "It's an every Sunday afternoon event during football season at the bunkhouse Miss Julie. Hank and the boys never miss a Raiders' game if they can help it."
"Hannah, I don't know how you do it. With all those men, you must have your hands full."
Hannah reached into the oven to baste the turkey. "Sometimes, but I love it. But you used to tend to a group of men yourself. When you were in Los Angeles, you used to take care of Mr. Pete and Mr. Linc, didn't you?"
"Uh-huh. I used to feed them all the time. They were at my place constantly, or I cooked for them at their places. I was always playing den mother," Julie said, as there was a roar coming from the direction of the parlor. Julie and Hannah looked at each other and laughed as they continued to get the dinner ready.
Soon the dressing was spooned into serving bowls and Hannah had the turkey out of the oven. Julie wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing.
"Pete said that he'd carve the turkey so I'm going to get him and the rest of the men. So, Hannah, you go alert the kids." Hannah nodded and both women headed in opposite directions...
The parlor was filled with members of the male contingent at the ranch. The sofa had Hank, Linc, and Pete seated, eyes glued to the action on the TV. Jim and Josh were sitting on the floor in heated discussion about the game. This was the scene Julie came upon when she entered the room. She cleared her throat to get their attention.
"I hate to interrupt, guys but dinner's ready."
All five men looked at her briefly and then back to the TV. Julie sighed and took action, she went to the TV and turned it off. Josh and Jim Travis groaned in an adolescent manner and the three men on the sofa looked at her almost reproachfully.
"Sorry boys, but dinner's waiting," Julie repeated.
"Just when the game's getting good," Josh grumbled. He drew a frown from his father as the three of them got up and headed toward the dining room.
Linc and Pete courteously got to their feet. They headed toward the doorway but Julie put her hand on Pete's arm to detain him. He looked at her quizzically.
"You volunteered to carve the turkey so you're on, buddy," Julie reminded him.
Linc raised his eyebrows, "You're carving the turkey? Man, you never cease to amaze me."
Pete ignored Linc's amused expression. Taking Julie's elbow he said, "Your wish is my command so lead the way."
They went out to the foyer to head into the dining room. They entered the room together where everyone was busy seating themselves around the table. Hannah wheeled in the serving cart, which bore the twenty-six pound turkey, then took the empty seat next to her husband. Linc took a seat to the left of the empty place at the head of the table and Pete strode to the serving cart where the golden-brown bird awaited. Julie sat to the right of Linc leaving the place to her right free for Pete sit in when he finished carving. Pete picked up the knife to commence slicing but Julie stopped him by taking a fork to lightly tap her glass in order to get everyone's attention. He put the knife down and waited patiently for her to speak.
"May I have you're attention please, everybody? Everybody?" The room became silent.
Julie continued, "Since today is Thanksgiving, I'd like to take a minute to thank God for everybody in this room. Each and every one of you is dear to my heart and I am glad that you're all here with me, especially at this time. There is a person missing here today but I know that he's watching from Heaven and is as grateful to all of you for being here with Melissa and me today as I am. So I'm thankful to God for all of you," she finished, wiping a tear from her eye. She then sat down.
Pete reached over and squeezed her shoulder. He then spoke up.
"I know that I speak for the rest of the room when I say that we all wouldn't want to be anywhere else today." A chorus of affirmative responses answered him. Julie scanned the faces at the table and smiled her thanks.
She gently addressed Melissa, "Melissa, would you like to say Grace?"
Melissa bowed her head and everyone else followed suit. She began, "Dear God, thank you for the big beautiful turkey, the stuffing, the other food and especially the pies. And thank you that Pete and Linc found Mommy and me and brought us home. And thank you for everything else. Amen."
Everyone else answered, "Amen."
Pete picked up the knife and began carving the turkey while everyone else passed around the side dishes. Although it was his first time doing it, Pete was carving the turkey efficiently and Julie began passing plates to him to have pieces of the succulent bird served. Between the two of them everybody was served in no time at all. Pete then took his seat beside Julie.
While the room started to hum with conversation and eating activity, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "So, how'd I do?"
Julie grinned up at him. "A real pro. Chalk up yet another skill that you possess."
Pete grinned back, "Glad to help any time, angel." He squeezed her hand.
The group at the table busied themselves with enjoying the Thanksgiving dinner. Conversations flowed, sprinkled with compliments to the two ladies who prepared the dinner, since the majority at the table was made up of hungry men. And being so, first portions were rapidly consumed followed by second helpings and in some cases, third. Julie and Hannah exchanged glances as they observed their men making short work of the meal it took so long to prepare. In practically no time, the meal was over and the dining room cleared except for Pete, Julie and Linc. Jason and Melissa had returned to their game upstairs and the Travises had retired to the bunkhouse.
The threesome was engrossed in conversation about the past. The last time they had gotten together, they had been too involved in the reason for their first reunion to spend time reminiscing which was finding the person who was threatening Chief Greer. His absence from this reunion was felt but they knew it was due family obligations. Pete had called and invited him when he informed Chief Greer about the death of Julie's husband but he had regretfully declined, saying that he and his wife were going back east for the holiday.
They were seated at the dining room table, drinking coffee and lingering over pieces of pumpkin pie. Julie pushed her half-eaten plate aside.
"I'm stuffed. I won't be able to eat again, at least not like that. I made a real pig of myself," she declared.
Pete remarked, "Are you putting me on? This is the first real meal I've seen you eat since I got here, honey. I think you ate just fine." He took another forkful.
"Yeah, right. Pete, if I ate like you guys do, I'd be three hundred pounds," Julie scoffed. "But don't let me stop you."
Linc grinned, "What was it you used to call us, Julie? Ah, yes—'the Last of the Red Hot Eaters.' Some things never change, eh?"
Julie smiled sweetly, "Thank goodness for that." Linc winked at her and Pete reached over and squeezed her hand.
She continued earnestly, "If I didn't say it before, I just want to thank the two of you for being here." She lowered her head as her smile faded, "I was afraid of how the holidays were going to be for me and Melissa now that Dan's gone. You guys made sure that Thanksgiving at least was nice." Julie sighed contentedly as she leaned back and stretched.
Pete and Linc exchanged glances. Pete gazed at her affectionately, "You should never be afraid to call us when you need us, sweetheart. It's like I said to you before, we're family."
Linc nodded, "That's right, we're family and we should reach out to each other when we need to. And that goes for all of us. It's something that we've all neglected to do over the years but we can rectify the situation." He declared, "From now on, we keep in touch, no matter what."
Pete agreed, "Uh-huh. No matter what." He looked at Julie with a funny but meaningful glance, which puzzled her.
"What?" she wanted to know
Pete shrugged and said noncommittally, "Nothing."
Linc caught the exchange and smiled secretly. It looked like an old flame had rekindled and was burning bright between Pete and Julie. Several times during the days preceding Thanksgiving, he noticed that they were exhibiting an affection for each other that used to be commonplace between them when they all were still on the force.
He couldn't forget how overwhelmed Pete was while Julie and Melissa were missing; he was so distressed, Linc had felt sorry for him. And since Julie and Melissa were now safe at home, Linc had noticed the soft look in Pete's eyes whenever they rested on Julie and hers were just as tender when they gazed on him. Linc glanced at Pete and remembered he had that look he had when he and Julie were so close, just before the three of them had decided to quit the Squad.
Since they reunited last year it was no secret that Pete had been miserable in his marriage and felt it was a mistake. And up here at Julie's, he was showing all the signs of a man in love. Pete had just about declared himself when they had that talk on Saturday before they rescued Julie and the fact that he rushed up here as soon as he found out about her husband proved his intentions. Linc began wondering how soon it would be before the two of them made a move toward something permanent. From the way they were acting, it seemed to be just a matter of time.
Julie said matter-of-factly, "Well, you guys will be able to get back to your normal everyday lives in a few days, which I'm sure will be a big relief to you."
Pete looked at her questioningly."Wait a minute, Julie. Didn't we discuss this before? I told you that I would be splitting my time between here and the office in Beverly Hills," he protested. "Remember, the D.A. in Salinas called and wants us to be available for Slade's arraignment for next week."
"Yeah, but how long, Pete? You know Christmas is coming and you'll have to spend time with your mother," Julie pointed out.
Pete opened his mouth to speak but they were interrupted by the sound of Melissa and Jason bickering. Julie sighed and made to rise but Linc got to his feet and said, "It's okay Julie, I'll go referee." He headed in the direction of the stairs.
Pete looked at Julie askance and asked in a slightly hurt tone, "You getting tired of me being here?"
Julie shook her head vigorously, "Of course not! I just don't want you to neglect your business."
"You and your safety are my business."
"You have other obligations."
"You are now my top obligation," he insisted.
Julie was as insistent. "You can't neglect your life for mine."
"Julie," Pete said softly. "Don't you realize it yet...you are my life."
She shook her head. "You can't constantly put me ahead of everything else...It's not fair to you."
Seeing that she wasn't pushing him away just trying to be considerate of him, Pete looked somewhat relieved. "It's a question of priorities. Priorities, baby, and right now you're my priority. Phil and my mother can handle anything that comes up. Phil became invaluable to me when I was going through all the crap with my divorce, I was barely functioning. I trust him implicitly." He added, "Besides, I gave them both this number in case they really need me. So I'm all yours. That is if you want me around." He gave Julie an expectantly hopeful look.
Julie reached and took one of his hands in both of hers and whispered, "I want you around. I'm just getting spoiled. When you finally do go back, Melissa and I are going to miss you terribly."
Pete's eyes were gazing at her fondly. He lifted her hands and turned one to place his lips on to plant a kiss, "I'll miss you too, angel. But my house on Monterey Bay's only thirty miles to the west. I can come out here on the weekends. And I will," he promised. He got up and still holding her hands, pulled Julie to her feet.
"How do you feel about walking that dinner off? We never got a chance to finish our walk before."
Julie said, "What about Linc and the kids?"
"I'm sure he won't mind staying with them. As a matter of fact, I think he went to check up on them purposely so we could be alone. So come with me," Pete insisted.
Julie smiled and followed him out.
NEXT…REUNITED