*Author's Note*

Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.

Thanksgiving, 1881

Nancy POV:

The one good thing 'bout havin' a baby that's only a few weeks old is that I don't have t'help Aunt Sally cook. I mean, I could if I really wanted, but usin' Harmony as an excuse not t'help wit' Thanksgivin' dinner was better off for me. Usually, I only dealt wit' her when I had'a feed her, changer her, or when Abel wasn't home. Today tho I was holdin' her as if she were glued t'my hands cause I didn't feel like helpin' cook a big holiday meal.

"Ya know, dear, I've got a crib set up in my room ya can place her in. She'll be fine on her own for a bit while you help out in the kitchen." My Aunt Sally had the nerve to tell me as she mashed some sweet potatoes to make a pie filling with.

"No, I'm not puttin' her down. I'm her mother an' I'm gonna hold her for as long as I see fittin'."

"Maybe ya can let Abel hold her?" Alifair suggested as she rolled out pie dough.

Abel always holds her. I'm sure he don't mind the break he's gettin'. Hell, he must be enjoyin' smokin' an' drinkin' out back wit' my brother an' cousins. I ain't botherin' him wit' the baby, 'sides holdin' Harmony's what's gettin' me outta kitchen duty.

"No, I'm holdin' her an' that's that."

Meanwhile On The Other Side Of Pike County, KY…

Tolbert POV:

I wasn't much of a cook. In fact, the only thing I know how t'make's stew. So, when Aunt Betty asked me t'help her wit' Thanksgivin' dinner I agreed t'peel veg'bles an' t'stir things so they wouldn't thicken up an' scorch. Aunt Betty seemed pleased by that.

"Y'know, sugar, I ain't gonna be 'round forever and since you're so sure you'll be a bachelor for the rest o'your days ya need'a learn how t'cook a decent meal." Aunt Betty told me as she chopped up some celery t'put in her stuffin'.

"I can make stew." I informed her, wantin' her t'know that I wouldn't starve while on my own, while choppin' onions for Aunt Betty's stuffin'.

My aunt shook her head at me. "Can't live off stew, Tolbert. Need'a et a variety of things."

"I'm fine wit' ettin' stew every nite." I shrugged, placin' some chopped onions into a preppin' bowl.

"If ya say so, sugar." Aunt Betty lightly smiled, dismissin' my attitude 'bout stew. "My goodness, this is the first Thanksgivin' in years I've had help let 'lone company."

Oh hell, now that just made me feel bad. Goddamn, nobody ev'r thought t'invite her down for dinner. Reckon everybody assumed she'd be fine. Seems that she got so used t'bein' alone that my presence was a godsend.

Eh, I'm just glad I'm gettin' a turkey dinner. One that I don't need'a deal wit' poppy's piss-poor stubborn godly attitude t'et, might I add.

Shaw POV:

Ah, it was Thanksgiving and I was stuck cooking the large meal since Jessa was on bedrest (well house rest since she'd leave our room to eat in the kitchen and lounge/nap on the sofa). I haven't made a large holiday meal since the year my mom died, so doin' it now felt a bit strange. Maybe I was just used to eating the holiday meal versus cooking it, who knows.

Mary was in the kitchen helping me cook. Eh, she was more or less just stirring the berry filling over the stove, but it was help in a way. She also helped with biscuit dough earlier too but other then that I was doing everything. Hell, my sister made me a nervous wreck when she was peeling potatoes since she was hackin' at the root rather than peeling it. So much so, that I tasked her with shuckin' corn (which she did so slowly that I ended up makin' her watch my berry pie filing, opting to finish shuckin' the corn myself once I was done rolling out my pie dough).

Todd, thank god, was outside with the kids. He was playing with them and keeping them out of my hair so that I could cook in the kitchen in peace. Well, as much peace as I could get with my sister helping me. Holy hell, how did Jessa put up with my sister's bullshit kitchen help's beyond me.

"Dad and Uncle Jim's comin' over for dinner instead of goin' to Anse's." I informed my wife while rolling out pie dough. Eh, I thought it'd be best to warn her that they were coming instead of her being blindsided by them showing up in a couple of hours. Oh, and if I know my dad and uncle, they'll be here soon cause they like to visit and social before dinner's served.

"Why? Cause I'm on bed rest?" She asked, her voice a bit flat. I think she had a migraine or was getting one by the tone of her voice, but I wasn't too sure. Poor thing was suffering from headaches every other day. God, I can't wait for our kid to be born so that Jessa'll feel better again.

"Yea. They're concerned 'bout ya." I answered my wife, pausin' my rolling and checking the thickness of the dough circle on the table.

"Of course, they are. Hell, it's just bed rest, not a quarantine for the pox." Jessa sarcastically scoffed from her place sprawled out on the sofa.

I went back to rollin' out the dough since it was still too thick to place into the pie pan. "Babe, bein' put on bed rest's serious. Means you're at risk for something."

"Oh, I just can't have easy pregnancies, now can I?" Jessa asked with a sarcastic tinge to her tone.

"No, but I'm thankful you're pregnant at all." I honestly told me wife before my voice cracked and trailed off with, "After the miscarriage…well…"

"I know, Shaw. I'm grateful for this baby too." Jessa told me with a sweet softness in her tone. I knew she viewed this baby as a miracle, she didn't need to tell me. I knew how she felt cause I felt the same way too.

"Um, Shaw, is this thick 'nough?" Mary asked, holdin' a berry goo covered wooden spoon above the sauce pot simmerin' on the stove.

I didn't say a word, just placed the rollin' pin on the table and went over to her side. Peekin' over her shoulder and into the pot, I saw that the berry fillin' was thick. "Let me see that." I told Mary, takin' the spoon from her and stirrin' the fillin' with it. "This is done." I nodded. "I'll put it on the counter. Just get started on the cranberry sauce."

"Okay, but how do I make it?" She asked as I grabbed a pot holder off of the nearby counter.

"I'll set it up. Just go outside and help Todd with the kids." I said thru slightly gritted teeth as I placed the pot full of pie on a counter.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure." I told my sister, causin' her to nod and rush out of the backdoor. Shaking my head, I grumbled, "She's useless in the kitchen. Can't make cranberry sauce.", while grabbing a pot and binging it over to the pumpsink.

"You know she's just tryin' to help." Jessa told me, causin' me to roll my eyes as I filled the pot up with some water. As I placed pot on the counter by a bowl of cranberries, I heard my wife suggest, "Maybe you should've just showed her how to make the cranberry sauce or at least told her."

"I don't got time to fuck 'round in the kitchen. I want to get dinner cooked, not make a project out of it." I bluntly remarked while placing the cranberries and a small handful of sugar into the pot. Dusting my hands off on my apron, I picked up the pot of cranberries and brought it over to the stove. "Hell, I don't need stressed out cause my sister can't hang."

"Shaw, she can cook good enough. She helps me plenty." Jessa defended my sister's lack of culinary skills as I walked over to the counter the pie filling was on.

Grabbing the pot of berry filling, I brought it over to the table while telling my wife, "Maybe you should teach her more 'bout cookin'. Hell, when I was her age, I was makin' full course meals and waitin' tables."

"Shaw, she doesn't need to know everything about cooking yet." My wife sighed as I went back to rolling out the pie dough.

Doesn't she? Hell, if she knew her way 'round a kitchen better the entire brunt of making that Thanksgivin' meal wouldn't fall onto my shoulders. I wasn't in the mood to argue with my very pregnant and sick wife, so I just shook my head and bit my tongue as I finished rolling out the pie dough.

I'd worry 'bout my sister learnin' how to properly cook later. Like after my wife gives birth next month. Right now, I need to focus on Jessa's health and making sure that she's comfortable.

Allie POV:

The Thanksgiving feast looked a bit sparse spread out on our kitchen table, but at least we had food. Things were still tight cause of Cap's bad lack at finding work. He still hunted for meat and played poker to raise money. Really it was all he could do to get us by. I was grateful for the little he brought it; we made it work. Was I happy about it? Of course not, but I counted penny's and managed to get us what we needed at the store. I cooked up filling suppers with game meat my husband hunted and the canned goods I bought at the store.

The turkey he hunted was nice and would have to last us a few days. We couldn't afford to waste anything, which was kinda tricky considering fridges weren't invented yet and meat (actually food in general) spoiled quickly. I also made biscuits, a few vegetables, and a pie. I wasn't able to make stuffing since I couldn't afford to waste a loaf of bread, sausage, and some other things on it. I had to make food stretch and a loaf of bread could last longer being sliced for sandwiches and toast versus being cubed up and made into stuffing for one day.

All in all, our sparse holiday dinner looked like it'd do a fine job of feeding my family. On this day we were thankful to even have food. It could be worse; we could be starving.

Cap carved the turkey and placed the meat on the plates. Once he was done, he fixed his plate up with sides while I fixed Captain W. up a plate. "Dinner's good, darlin'." My husband complimented me as I finished with our son's plate and moved onto fixing up my own.

"Thank you, honey. I'm glad you like it." I smiled at my husband as my son ate his food.

"Heard 'round the saloon that Johnse's a pa now." Cap informed me, his tone lacking any real joy or happiness, as I grabbed Levicy from her highchair and set her on my lap (so I'd be able to feed her some mashed potatoes and butternut squash from my plate).

"Oh, when did the baby come?" I asked, eating a small bite of turkey.

"Earlier this month, least that's what talk is." My husband shrugged as I fed our daughter a small spoonful of squash. "Talk's got it that Johnse an' Roseanna's named Shaw an' Jessa the godparents." Cap spat, sounding jealous that our manipulative cousin took his place in his older brother's life, as he shoved a large spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

"Oh…" I sighed, not knowing what else to say since the subject felt a bit awkward to me.

"Rumours got it that Shaw an' Jessa's honorin' Johnse when their son comes a few weeks by givin' the baby the middle name John 'long wit' makin' my brother godfather." MY husband ranted as I ate another small bite before feeding our infant daughter a mushy spoonful of squash. Levicy lit up as she ate the orange puree, so I decided to keep feedin' it to her.

"Oh…" I trailed off, giving Levicy some more squash.

"Y'know that bastard's got my old job? Patrollin' wit' Uncle Jim." Cap grumbled before taking a quick and jerky bite out of his buttered biscuit.

"That's what I heard." I tentatively replied, eating a small spoonful of mashed potatoes while my daughter eyes up the butternut squash on my plate.

"Seems like he's takin' my place in the family." My husband told me his mismatched eyes dull and full of pain, as he speared some turkey with his fork.

The look in Cap's eyes gutted me. Him being so hurt by the thought of somebody (Shaw) taking his place in his father's eyes was heartbreaking. Shaking my head, I softly told my husband, "No, Cap, he's not." Scooping up some squash, I knowingly told Cap, "Nobody could ever take your place." As I fed my daughter, I assured my husband he wasn't replaceable with the remark of, "He can try all he wants, but he can't fill the hole yur absence has left in pa's heart. Can't take 'way the pain of it either."

"If only pa would reason with us, see that my choice of standin' by ya's not a wrong one." Cap bitterly bit out in between eating his dinner.

"Perhaps in time he will. Maybe seein' his grandchildren in old clothes on Christmas Eve'll make him reconsider things?" I suggested while eating and feeding my daughter.

Cap's mismatched eyes roamed over our children, Captain W. and Levicy, before he looked at me and simply said, "Maybe."

Meanwhile A Couple Miles Up The Road…

Roseanna POV:

Thanksgivin' dinner was a happy one this year. Everyone was fawnin' ov'r lil Sarah Elizabeth. A new gran'baby seemed to lighten up Mr. Hatfield's spirits a tad bit too. He held her a few times 'fore dinner was ready. Just rocked her an' cooed ov'r her. It was strange t'see such a stern an' strong man melt ov'r his gran'daughter, but it was also heartwarmin' to see tho. All of the family just adored Sarah Elizabeth. So much so, that Johnse spent more time passin' her 'round then actually holdin' her. Wasn't til now, supper time, that my husband's able to hold his daughter.

Johnse was holdin' our baby so that I could et. He assured me that he could et an' hold Sarah Elizabeth at the same time; that it was me who needed an uninterrupted meal since 'fore long I'd be needin' t'nurse soon'nough. Oh, how I loved how attentive of a daddy Johnse was to our daughter. Also, how good of a husband he was to me. Poppy was wrong 'bout him. Johnse's a good man, loves me an' our family so much that I believe he'd keep us safe from harm an' happy all our days t'gether on this earth.

"How's she been sleepin', dear?" Levicy asked me, a soft smile on her face, as her eyes fell on the baby in my husband's arms.

"She's been sleepin' real good. Only wakes when she's hungry or wet." I told my mother-in-law 'tween eating my food.

"Oh, mama, Sarah Elizabeth's a real good baby. A sweet lil angel, rarely cries or nothin'."

"A baby so young sleein' so good's a rare thing. Be thankful for it, son, cause the next baby might not be so good."

"Anse, you're already counting on them givin' ya another grandbaby?" Ellison asked his brother with a teasing smirk on his red bearded face.

"Yes. Johnse needs a son to carry on the family name with, don't he?" My father-in-law replied to his brother while pickin' up his coffee cup an' takin' a sip from it.

"What if they only have daughters, Anse?" Lias asked as he ate his turkey.

"Lias, I think me an' my sweet darlin' Roseanna won't have that problem. Boys run heavily on our bloodlines." Johnse told his uncle while rockin' our daughter in his arms, keeping her soothed an' asleep.

"Well, son, any chil'ren ya'll have'll be much loved an' wanted by all of us." Levicy assured Johnse an' in extension me, with a soft smile before ettin' a forkful of stuffin'.

Oh, why couldn't by family be like this? Oh, if only they were more acceptin' of me an' Johnse; our lil Sarah Elizabeth too. Well, at least I had my in-laws' acceptance. Something I was grateful for since I nev'r truly expected it.

Jessa POV:

Everyone was gathered around the kitchen table, eating Thanksgiving dinner. Shaw made a nice meal, set the table up like a pro too. I think his past of helping his late mother in her diner was the reason why cooking and setting tables was second nature to him. I was thankful for his skills since it meant I didn't have to slave over a large meal while I was feeling bad. Yea, today was a bad day since I had a dull, lingering headache. I wasn't that hungry, cause of my dull headache, but I forced myself to eat since I'm pregnant. I couldn't afford to skip meals, my baby needed nourishment.

"Jessa, you're picking at your food. Are you feeling well?" Sully asked me with a concerned look on his face.

"I'm fine, just having one of my dull headaches." I waved off my father-in-law's concern, down playing my headache and how bad I was really feeling.

"Damn, girl, you're one of the sickest pregnant women I've ever met." Jim bluntly yapped, a slight chuckle of disbelief stuck in his throat, as he tossed some meat onto the floor for the dogs (Mr. Howles and Chewy) to eat. Yea, my uncle-in-law's feeding the dogs under the table. Such a hillbilly thing to do, right?

Shaw narrowed his honey eyes at our uncle and shook his fork at him while snapping, "Jim, be nice to my wife. Ain't her fault she's got a rough pregnancy."

"No, it's not her fault. Reckon it's yours." The crochety mountain man retorted cheekily, making my husband's nostrils flare and his cheeks flush with slight embarrassment.

"Ooo, he sure did tell ya, brother." Todd teased his older brother, a chuckle on the tip of his tongue, as he scooped up some mashed potatoes and gravy with his spoon.

Shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose, Sully sighed "Oh god…can't holiday dinners ever be normal?"

"I think this is as normal as it's gonna get." I seriously told my father-in-law before eating a small piece of turkey.

"Lighten up, Sully." Uncle Jim advised his nephew before shoveling a forkful of turkey and stuffing into his mouth. "Hell, don't gotta be so stuffy an' mannered all the damn time. Nobody 'ere to impress, just family." He remarked around a mouthful of food. Ick…some manners would do him some good.

"I gotta agreed with Uncle Jim, dad. You don't have to be so polite all the time." Of course, Shaw'd say that. God, I had to fight my urge to roll my indigo eyes at his remark.

"But I thought it's rude not to be polite." Mary piped up, causing Sully to smirk.

"At least your sister's got manners." Sully drawled out in a huff before taking a bite out of his biscuit.

"Don't see why she wouldn't." Shaw countered, picking up his flask and taking a sip off it.

Sully's clue eyes locked onto the flask in his son's hand. With a scrutinizing look, he asked with concern dripping from his words, "Son, you're not over drinking 'gain are you?"

"God, I hope not." Jim's gruff voice loudly sounded throughout the kitchen. Tilting his head, the mountain man bluntly told my husband, "Once lockin' your ass up in my room's 'nough. Ya better make sure you don't drink yourself silly no mores." His eyes got hard as he barked the veiled threat of, "No more drinkin' or else I'll tan your hide. Hear me, boy."

"I hear ya, Uncle Jim." My husband deadpanned. Setting his flask down, he assured his family he was fine with the simply remark of, "My drinkin's not out of hand. I'm fine, truly."

Sully and Uncle Jim shared a skeptical look before turning their attention to me. They didn't say a word, just raised their brows. I understood their silent question of 'is he being honest?'. I just nodded at them as I reached for my teacup.

Sometime Later…

"Hell, ya barely et supper, but here ya are on your third slice o'pie." Uncle Jim chuckled, shakin' his head at me, as everyone was gathered in the main room relaxing and eating desert.

"Shut up, Jim. I'm craving pie." I told my favorite gruffy in-law with a playful smirk.

Coming up to my side and handing me my pie, Shaw smirked, "Hey, it's berry pie so ya know that baby likes it."

"Oh hell…" The mountain man drawled out in an annoyed tone, rolling his eyes a bit dramatically, as I took my slice of pie from my husband.

"I like berry pie, daddy." Silas spoke up from his spot sitting at the coffee table, eating his pie, while Shaw took a seat in his armchair.

"Me too." Lydia added in from her spot next to her brother.

"It's a good pie, son." Sully complimented his son's baking skills as he ate his last bite of pie.

Yea, I was scarfing mine down while everyone else ate like a normal person. Oh well, guess that's what happens when you got pregnancy cravings.

"Goddamnit, stop actin' like ettin' only berry pie's normal. It ain't. Dear lord, can't even have a traditional pumpkin pie or even apple like most dessert counters got." Uncle Jim ranted and raved at everyone. He had a scowl on his face, on that was hard and made him look even more gruff then he was.

"I haven't eaten a non-berry pie since I've been with my husband. I wouldn't know how to act if I had anything else." I honestly giggled, eating my berry pie that tasted heavenly.

"Same 'ere, Uncle Jim." Todd spoke up, causing Uncle Jim to roll his eyes. Setting his empty pie plate onto the table, he added, "All Shaw makes is berry so reckon me an' Mary don't know no better either."

"Hell, this new baby better et some real pie or else." The mountain man grumbled loudly under his breath as he leaned back in his armchair.

"Else what, Uncle Jim, your gonna force it down my grandkid's throat?" Sully asked, his usually smooth and intellectual tone was a bit deep and hard, as he gave his uncle a narrowed look.

"Maybe. Or maybe I'll bribe 'im t'et it. Who knows?" Jim shrugged in a 'who knows who cares' type of way.

Placing a hand on my belly, I told everyone with a smile plastered on my face, "Well, Endor likes pie. He's starting to kick something fierce."

"He's active and moving 'round cause you'll be due soon." Sully said knowingly, a small smile on his face, as he sat next to me on the sofa. The baby wasn't coming as soon as everyone thought considering who I'm sure the father is. The baby's coming a couple weeks after the time Shaw's told everyone it'll come. Whoops…

A smirk crossed over Jim's face. "Just what the world needs, 'nother Vance in it t'rain hell down on 'em shit turd McCoys."

If only Jim Vance and everyone else knew the truth about Endor's father. I'm sure my son'd be public enemy number one if it was ever discovered that he was Tolbert McCoy's bastard. God, I really was thankful to be having my baby, but the circumstances I was having him in were anything, but ideal.

I just nodded and silently ate my pie while Shaw and Uncle Jim went on hateful rants 'bout the McCoys. Sully stayed out of it while Todd put his two cents in once or twice. Turns out that he was getting into spats here and there with Jim McCoy (Tolbert's little brother who was also a moody redhead) over the mailman's youngest sister. Seems that Jim McCoy viewed her as family since the girl's older sister was shacking up with his cousin, Jefferson. Oh dear…

"I swear, Billy McCoy's 'bout as crazy as his brother Tolbert. Acts like he's Mariah's lord an' master cause she's so-called kin." Todd snarled in a disgusted tone.

Mary, feeling a bit anxious 'bout the conversation, volunteered to wash up the dishes. She didn't get anxious til Todd started bad mouthing Billy, so I think that Mary might've had a little schoolgirl crush on him. I don't know if it's true or not, but that's what it seemed like to me.

"Go play with your toys." I urged my children as they sat at the coffee table listening to their uncles and dad say some hateful things about the McCoy family.

"Okay, mama." Silas simply told me before taking his sister by the hand and dragging her over to the corner their toy box was in.

"Course he's crazy, he's a McCoy." Uncle Jim scoffed as he took his flask out of his pocket and uncorked it.

"Says he'll stick me if he ever sees me or Robert E. talkin' to Mariah Wolford 'gain." Todd remarked, making my eyes widened with both shock and worry.

"I don't want'cha goin' nowhere unarmed. You hear me, Todd." Shaw sternly told his brother. I knew he was worried too or else he wouldn't be demanding that Todd pack heat everywhere he goes.

"Don't worry, I ain't stupid 'nough to leave the house without my gun." Todd told Shaw, letting him know that he was armed at all times. Hell, I don't know how to feel about that. A young teenaged boy carrying a gun, although for protecttion's, just an accident ready to happen. I suppose I just need to remember that I'm in the 19th century and not the 21st, but still it doesn't set right with me that a teen boy has to pack heat when he leaves the house cause of a feud. A feud he's grandfathered into cause of his half-brother.

"Good cause I don't know what I'd d if ya got yourself hurt or killed by a McCoy." I knew what he'd do. He'd enact a bloody revenge on them.

Well, this is a typical Thanksgiving. Food, kin, and talking shit 'bout the McCoys. I hope that Thanksgivings in the future have less hateful talk cand complaining, but I doubt it. I highly doubt it. My husband's too much like his crochety mountain man uncle not to bitch and moan 'bout the McCoys; Tolbert in particular.

AN:

So, that was a glimpse into all of the different Thanksgivings of the Hatfield & McCoy families. Oh, what do you guys think about Mary getting all flustered and taking off to do dishes when Todd's ranting about Billy McCoy? She's like 10 and Billy's 13 so does she have a crush? Will there be something between them in the future?

Anyways, next up is the birth of Endor John, yay!