The days went by and before they knew it thanksgiving was here. Delicious aromas, sound of pans falling, and occasionally screaming or singing filled the air, it was indeed Thanksgiving time. Gia had arrived only a few minutes ago, but B had yet to show up. The adults were in the kitchen, Niles making the food and the women, Fran, CC, and Gia, tasted the food. "Gee, Niles these cookies are delicious." Gia exclaimed as she took another bite of Niles' chocolate cookies, "You've got to give me the recipe." "Only if you give me your recipe for your pecan bars." Niles said smiling, "Deal." Gia agreed.
"Hey where's the pumpkin roll?" Fran asked as she finished eating something else "Check with the garbage disposal." Niles said gesturing to CC, "Hey I'm eating for two thanks to you!" CC said defending herself. "No way you're pregnant?" Gia asked surprised. CC nodded and smiled as she placed her right hand on her slightly swollen stomach, "Three months." she explained, "Wow you don't look it at all." Gia said meaning it. CC smiled as she asked, "Can we adopt you?" that caused everyone to laugh and then the doorbell rang. "Oh that must be Brighton." Fran said as she got up to answer the door.
And she was right, standing on the other side of the front door was a smiling Brighton. "Oh B it's so good to see ya!" Fran exclaimed as she took him in a tight hug, "It's good to see you too Fran." Brighton said as he hugged Fran back although probably not as tight as she was hugging him.
Fran let go of the embrace and walked back, "I've got someone here, who wants to meet ya. Gia!" Fran called and in few seconds Gia entered the room and Brighton started acting like…well how Brighton acted in front of girls. Gia walked over and introduced herself, "Hi I'm Gia." she said extending her hand out to him and he shook it while saying, "Hi I'm B. Well not bee like the insect… but like B from the alphabet… it's Brighton." Gia smiled, "I know. Um I'll be right back." she let go of his hand and went back into the kitchen.
Brighton looked at the hand that she shook, "She touched me!" he said in a squeaky like voice which caused Fran to laugh and shake her head.
Finally dinner was ready and everyone was sitting around the Babcock table giving thanks, it was Lauren's turn and it had been for awhile now, "And for the TV, and the stove, and hmm what else?" she started to think but her father interrupted her thoughts when he said, "Alright sweetheart, I think you've named every item in the house." he then turned to Jonah and said, "Jonah, you're next." Jonah bowed his head and began, "I'm thankful for my house, and Grandma Sylvia, Grandpa Morty, Grandma Yetta, my mommy and everyone else who's here."
"Aw how sweet Jonah, but what about your daddy?" Fran asked she wondered why he hadn't said anything about Maxwell.
"Nope not really, he's not here for thanksgiving." he explained and everyone, well the adults, exchanged looks and there was an acword silence until CC cleared her throat and said "Uh Niles why don't you carve the turkey already." "Right." he answered as he stood up and began carving
Later that night once dinner was over, and the children were in bed Gia and B had left, Niles, Fran, and CC were in the kitchen cleaning up. Actually it was just Niles who was cleaning up, while he washed the dishes the two ladies were sitting down eating leftovers. "I can't believe Jonah's not thankful for Max." Fran said as she walked over to the sink to put her plate in it "Oh come on Fran he's eight years old he doesn't really know what he's saying." CC stated, but Fran ignored her, "My son isn't thankful for his own father, meanwhile your daughter gave thanks for everything in you're house!"
"Exactly what CC was talking about, do you really think Lauren is thankful for the carpet?" Niles asked taking his eyes off the pot he was scrubbing and over to Fran, who sighed "I'll think of what to do while I pack." she then smiled "I can't wait to get back home." although Max wouldn't be there she was still happy to be going home, "Night!" she called as she left the kitchen "Good Night." both Niles and CC called back.
After packing some stuff Fran decided she'd get a cup of tea, but as she reached the swinging door, that led to the kitchen, she heard Niles and CC talking so being the yenta she was she stopped and listened at the door.
On the other side of the door Niles was finishing the dishes and CC was standing by him, having yet another piece of pie. "I can't believe Maxwell wasn't here for thanksgiving." CC said "I know." Niles agreed "I feel bad for Fran." he stated as he closed the door to the dishwasher and then wrapped his arms around CC's waist from behind, "You know I'd go crazy if I were separated from you that long."
"Me too." CC said as she leaned her head back and onto his chest, "That's why I've made a decision." Niles continued "Oh what's that?" CC asked as she finished her pie. " Well with the new book coming then maybe some book signing, I've decided I'm either going to only sign them here in Beverly Hills or not sign any at all." he explained, this shocked CC she knew she couldn't let him do that, "Niles," she turned around to face him "you can't do that. You love traveling and doing stuff like that."
Niles smiled at her, "I figured you might say something like that, so I have a back up plan. We, as in you, me, and the children, will go during the summer." "Oh that's a good idea." CC said as she slid her arms behind his neck and continued, "But do we really have to take the kids with us the whole time?" Niles chuckled softly, "I guess we could drop them off with my parents for a couple of days." his suggestion made CC smile and he smiled back. "I love you." he whispered as he leaned in his forehead so that it touched hers, "I love you." she whispered back and then moved in closer to kiss him.
Meanwhile outside of the kitchen Fran was still standing by the door, only now she looked depressed she sighed and walked back to her room.