A/N: Hello readers, welcome to my first Thanksgiving story! This story is a follow up to my Halloween story A Gift from the Great Pumpkin (in which Kate had baby number 3 and Johanna finally made some progress with her sister). I had this idea after finishing that story but held off on it…but now feels like the right time to put it out there. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Chapter 1

"Alright, Lizzie; mommy's here," Kate said softly as she lifted her crying newborn from the bassinet near their bed; the clock on the nightstand giving a glaring red reminder that it was only a little past two in the morning.

"We named her Sarah," Castle said groggily from his side of the bed.

"We named her Sarah Elizabeth," she stated quietly as she got back under the covers, the baby cradled in her arms.

"Yes; Elizabeth is one of her two middle names…her first name is Sarah; it's what we agreed on."

"I'm aware of that," she said as she picked up the warm bottle from the nightstand; "But you know I picked Elizabeth in honor of my grandmother…and Dad calls her Lizzie because that's what his mom was called…and I have to admit, I feel like Lizzie suits her as a nickname."

Her husband sighed tiredly. "I hate that name, Kate."

"It's just a nickname…you call her "button"…what kind of nickname is that?"

He shrugged a little. "One I thought up in the depths of sleep deprivation."

She smiled a little. "I believe that."

A reply died on his lips and was replaced by a grunt as a small foot kicked him in the stomach. "I take it that our son is once again in our bed?" he asked.

Kate gave a nod, pulling the covers down a little to reveal that their son had taken up residence in their bed once more. "He was crying for us on the monitor so I went up and got him awhile ago."

"Kate," he sighed. "We can't let him get in this habit."

"What do you expect me to do, Castle? I can't tell him that he can't be with us when he wants comfort."

Castle shifted in his spot, trying to find a more comfortable position. "Listen, I don't mind when the kids occasionally need to sleep with us…but this thing with Landen is becoming an every night thing. He's jealous of the baby…he knows she sleeps in here so he wants to be in here too and we can't keep letting it happen or we'll never get him back in his own room for the night."

She breathed deeply; her gaze focused on Sarah's delicate features as she drank her bottle. "I know…but he's mad at me. I brought this baby into his world and he's not liking it and he's mad at me. If I'm anywhere near the baby he doesn't want me; he only wants you."

"He's just jealous right now; it's only natural," he replied, his hand patting her knee beneath the covers. "Sarah's not even a month old yet; he's still getting used to things. In his little mind, you got a new baby so he's going to make up to everyone else to teach you a lesson. He wants to hurt your feelings for having another baby."

"It's working," she sniffed. "He's my boy and he only wants me now in the middle of the night when he calls for me on the monitor."

"Kate," he said softly with a hint of a laugh in his voice.

"I can't help it, Castle. I keep trying to make it better and he just wants you."

"He's a boy, of course he wants me…just like I remember you telling me it was natural for McKenzie to want you more because she's a girl."

"I know…but…I feel like he's pushing me away…as stupid as that sounds in regard to a soon to be two year old."

"It's not stupid and he's not pushing you away…he's just jealous of the baby; it's perfectly natural, you know that. Landen's always wanted me more than McKenzie did."

"I felt like it was more equal with Landen," she sniffed.

"It's still that way but he's a boy…he wants to be with the guys. Let's think about this. Landen loves your mom, doesn't he?"

"Of course he loves his grandmother; he can't wait to see her and hug her."

Castle nodded. "Right; he can't wait to see her, launches himself into her arms, asks for treats and gifts…and then, after he's been cuddled and spoiled…he wants Grandpa…he follows Jim around like a little shadow when they're together…just like McKenzie follows her grandmother. It's the same thing with us…it doesn't mean either one of us is loved any less…it's just the natural order of things."

"I remember you telling me that was a crock when I told you that about McKenzie."

"What can I say; I've mellowed," he said lightly.

She scoffed. "I don't know about that; I think's a bit of boy dad ego boost or something."

"I'm not sure I've ever heard of that but I'll take it."

"Of course you will."

Silence fell between them for awhile until she checked the baby's progress with her bottle and then burped her; their daughter emitting an offended wail at having her meal interrupted. "Hey, hey," Kate soothed as she rubbed her back; "I know you don't like this part but it's going to be fine."

"I never saw a baby get so mad about being burped," Castle commented; his eyes feeling heavy although he knew sleep wasn't in the cards as long as Sarah was awake.

"That's why Lizzie is the perfect nickname for her…she gets offended like her great grandmother Elizabeth," Kate said lightly as she settled the baby back into the crook of her arm and returned her bottle to her; a smile on her lips as her infant daughter gave her what looked to be an accusing glare.

He was quiet as he watched Sarah's tiny hand curl around Kate's finger as his wife dipped her head and kissed their daughter's tuft of soft chestnut colored hair. Their youngest was a feisty one; full of Beckett woman blood…she was going to be like her mommy…and she'd probably have a healthy splash of her grandmother in her veins too if the universe really wanted to make him suffer…and perhaps even those great grandmothers that he hadn't been fortunate enough to know personally but from what he had been told, he knew his girls were from a long line of strong, capable women who loved as fiercely as they could do battle. Landen mumbled in his sleep, breaking into his thoughts and drawing his eye to the little boy between them. His boy was still fast asleep, caught up in his little dreams as he huffed out a small breath.

Castle glanced up at the ceiling; a thought coming to mind that he had meant to bring up earlier but had forgotten in the melee in getting McKenzie and Landen ready for bed. He had been on bedtime story duty tonight and he had gotten caught up in his duty…and had been slightly disappointed when his audience fell asleep even though it had been his goal. But the thought had returned and it was one that needed to be brought up soon. "What are we doing for Thanksgiving?" he asked; making his wife flinch as his voice broke the quietness of the room.

"What?"

"Thanksgiving," he repeated. "What are we doing for Thanksgiving."

Kate shook her head sleepily as Sarah continued to drink her bottle. "I have no idea…I haven't even thought about it. I'm not even going to pretend that I know when it is because I don't…I'm so tired that every day just seems like a blur."

"It's on a Thursday."

She smirked at him. "I know that. Which Thursday?"

"The one that's less than a week away."

Kate's eyes widened. "What do you mean less than a week away?!"

The baby whimpered in her arms and Landen shifted in his sleep, landing another kick against his father's side.

"Shh," Castle shushed as he rubbed his side. "Not so loud or McKenzie will come down and cram herself in here too."

His wife scoffed. "Please. At the moment, with us being sleep deprived and off our A game; our five year old is the brains of the house. I mean think about it; she's up there sound asleep with the whole upstairs to herself while we're down here with a baby that doesn't like to sleep and our jealous, half ninja middle child."

Castle nodded as he caught hold of Landen's flailing fist before it could land a punch. "You're right…she is the smart one at the moment."

"And let's not forget that she kept telling us that she didn't have to go to school the other day and we didn't believe her. We told her that wasn't until next week…I had my mother come and get her and take her to school because you had your meetings that day and turns out McKenzie was right, school was closed and Mom ended up taking her to work with her because she didn't have time to bring her back."

"That can happen to anyone," Castle replied.

She gave him a disbelieving look. "I don't think so…I still feel like an idiot."

"You don't need to feel that way…I didn't double check the calendar either. We got the dates mixed up, no big deal. McKenzie always wants to stay home with the baby so we thought she was just trying that 'school's canceled' tactic that every kid in history has tried at one time or another."

"But I do feel stupid," she murmured as she cuddled the baby closer. "I mean we showed our daughter that we didn't believe her."

"She was fine, Kate. She got to spend the day with your Mom and that made her happy. She got to be apart of the mock trial your mother was doing in class…in fact it kind of worked out well since the mock trial involved a child witness; Johanna was able to teach her what she needed to say between classes instead of having one of the college kids take on that role. She couldn't wait to call Mother and tell her that she got to be an actress in Grandma's classroom…so you know this means McKenzie is either going to grow up to be bitten by Martha Rodgers acting bug or Johanna Beckett's legal mind."

"Knowing Kenzie, she'll want to be both."

"Then she'll probably have her own reality show," he quipped.

Kate shook her head. "No, I will not let that happen…my daughter will not be a next generation Kardashian. She's going to law school."

He chuckled softly. "Maybe she can do theater on the side with Mother."

"That I can accept…she did make her stint in mock trial sound like a cameo on Law and Order didn't she?"

"She did…and Mother praised it as if she was being nominated for an Emmy."

Kate smiled a little. "You've always said that McKenzie seems to be both of our mothers combined…and I think you're right."

"Of course I am," he quipped; "But see, us mixing up the school thing wasn't so bad. McKenzie had a great time being at Columbia with your mother and it helped Johanna out with having a real child for her students to question for their assignment…and afterwards they had their "fancy lady" lunch and you know how much McKenzie loves fancy lady lunch with her Grandma."

"I know…she was happy and Mom didn't mind…but I can't help feeling like we've lost control of things, Castle. We mix up the dates of when school is closed…Thanksgiving is coming and we have nothing planned or prepared, Alexis will be coming home…is Martha going to be home for Thanksgiving?"

He shook his head. "Since she has to be in L.A. to film more scenes for the show, she and Ben are just going to go to his daughter's in Arizona."

"Alexis is going to be disappointed."

"So am I…seems like ever since she got that reoccurring role she's hardly home anymore."

"I know…but she's so happy, Rick."

"I know," he said with a nod. "It's why I don't say much about it."

Seeing that Sarah's bottle was empty, she lifted it away from the baby's lips and put her up to her shoulder to burp her once more. Her daughter whined in protest until she burped and then Kate quickly settled her back in the crook of her arm, rocking gently to soothe her back to sleep. "I do feel like we've lost control of things around here," she murmured once more. "We had everything juggled and managed…and now Sarah's here and it feels like everything we had figured out is out the window."

"We're doing fine, Kate," he soothed. "We've only been the parents of three for a few weeks; I think we can cut ourselves some slack…I mean the kids do out number us now. We'll Sarah's routines worked in with the others and get back on a schedule. Your mom and dad help us out too; I know it feels messy right now but it felt that way with Landen too…and McKenzie. We'll get it worked out; I promise."

She flicked away a tear that she hadn't been able to blink away. "My hormones are still a mess."

"We expected that based on past history…but you're doing fine, Kate. We'll get settled into routines again and Landen will get used to things and adjust. You're doing everything you can to help him with that and to show him that you still love him just as much. McKenzie is doing better now that we got her class changed at school and she's dealing fine with a new sibling. It's all going to be fine."

"Keep reminding me of that."

"Always."

Kate sighed deeply. "But what are we going to do for Thanksgiving? As much as I hate to admit it…I just don't know if I have the energy for it."

"I feel the same way…but I also don't think taking a newborn, a two year old and a five year old to a restaurant for a holiday meal is going to go well for us either."

"Probably not…so I guess we need to go to the market and get what we need to make dinner at home."

Castle pondered that for a moment. "I've got an idea that would provide us with a meal and keep us from having to do all of this."

"Take out?"

"No; better…in fact it's the perfect plan."

Kate eyed him warily. "What is it?"

"We get invited to someone else's house for Thanksgiving…it's brilliant."

"Rick; I love you and I love Martha but I'm not taking the kids on a plane ride to Arizona to eat with people we barely know."

Castle shook his head. "No; of course not. We need to stay local."

"So what are you suggesting? Ryan and Jenny and their kids will be at his parents. Javi finally convinced Lanie to go to his family with him…"

"They weren't even an option…we have the most perfect option available to us."

"Which is?" she asked with a raised brow.

"We get your mother to invite us to Thanksgiving at her house."

Kate stared at him for a long moment. "You really are sleep deprived if you're volunteering to spend Thanksgiving with my mother. I mean you did make it known that you don't like spending holidays with my family."

"That was in the past."

"When you weren't sleep deprived and desperate?"

Castle pondered that for a moment. "I don't want to commit to that phrase…a few years ago I may have but not now. I feel like we're in a better place in our in-law relationship…don't you think?"

"It's better than it used to be…but she still gets a little uptight when the holidays come around in regard to you."

"I know…but it gets a little less every year…I think," he replied; "And besides, this is the perfect plan. She loves to cook. She loves being with her grandchildren. She loves you. She will give us leftovers. This is the perfect plan, Kate!"

"You keep saying that."

"Because it's true…but you don't seem as enthusiastic as I thought you might be given that I came up with this epic plan which will save us from holiday disaster."

Kate breathed deeply; her gaze dropping to the baby in her arms. "I haven't spent Thanksgiving with my mother since she's been home…I haven't had Thanksgiving with her since 1998."

"Maybe it's time…unless you want to keep it that way. I wouldn't pressure you about it if it's something you don't want."

She shook her head. "It's not that. I do think about it every year when it comes around…but you know she stopped inviting us a few years ago because we always tell her no so she's just stopped asking and we don't talk about it…so I don't know how you think we're going to get invited when it seems like we've been permanently uninvited due to our numerous refusals to budge on your traditions in favor of her table once in awhile. I can't just call her and ask."

"You could…I doubt she'd say no."

"Of course she wouldn't say no but I think it would be awkward given all those times we've rejected her…so…me calling her and asking doesn't feel like an option…and she's going to know we're asking because we're tired and lacking the energy due to our recent promotion to parents of three. Think up another epic plan," she said as she carefully got out of bed to put Sarah back in her bassinet.

Castle pondered the options as Kate settled back into bed, shifting onto her side and allowing Landen to snuggle up against her as he gravitated toward her. He watched as she brushed her fingertips over his forehead before dropping a soft kiss against his hair. His wife felt that her mother wouldn't say no but would feel awkward with them asking…so they had to find a way to drop the hint without it coming directly from their lips. His gaze drifted to the ceiling and then to the bassinet as he heard the soft sound of his daughter's breathing and then his gaze dipped to Landen, snuggled into Kate's side. All that was missing was McKenzie who as his wife had mentioned, was upstairs sleeping peacefully…the brains of their sleep deprived family at the moment.

Then it hit him…if they wanted an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner, they had to hit Johanna with something she couldn't resist. Her grandchildren…her grandchildren who could wheedle anything out of her with pleading eyes and the threat of a trembling lower lip. She was putty in their hands. Yes; this could work after all he thought. "I've got it," he declared.

"Got what?" Kate asked tiredly.

"The perfect way to get your mother to invite us to Thanksgiving dinner."

Her brow rose. "How?"

Castle smiled as he met her gaze. "We sic the kids on her…we plant the seed in McKenzie's mind, coach Landen a little…make sure Sarah's up from her nap and being her charming newborn self; dress them all in those shirts the proclaim their love for Grandma. We get your mother over here, we put the baby in her arms, we sic McKenzie and Landen on her with the idea of Thanksgiving with Grandpa and Grandma and one, two, three, we're invited and our problems are solved."

"You think that will work?" she asked, a touch of skepticism in her gaze.

"Babe, we're talking about McKenzie doing most of the talking. She is relentless when her mind is set on something…I mean she did get Johanna to change her plans for Christmas last year…and let's not forget that when our daughter wanted a very specific baby doll which was sold out online, your mother made your father take her first to New Jersey on the search and then Pennsylvania where she found said doll and brought it back and gave it to her for her birthday. This child has had her grandmother wrapped around her little finger since birth. Have you ever known her to deny McKenzie anything she's asked for?"

Kate thought for a moment. "No…you're right, she's pretty much wrapped around that finger."

"Then do you really see your mother looking at McKenzie and Landen while holding Sarah and saying that they can't come for Thanksgiving?"

"No, I don't see that in the realm of possibility…but it's a bit of a dirty trick isn't it? Setting the kids on her to make her invite us."

Castle shook his head. "No, it's not dirty at all. It's…creative engineering."

"Creative engineering?" she asked with a soft laugh. "Wow; that's a new one."

"Perhaps, but it's true…and, you know, the kids need to pull their weight around here," he said lightly. "This is the perfect plan…I say we give it a try. What do you say?"

Kate worried her bottom lip as she thought about it. It would be nice to have Thanksgiving with her parents…and it would take some stress off of them at the moment. "Okay we can give it a try…but how are we going to get her over here?"

Castle breathed deeply. "I'll think up that solution in the morning."

"All out of creative engineering for the night?" she asked lightly.

He nodded. "I need to recharge the brain cells but I promise, I'll have the rest of the plan by morning."

"We should try to sleep before the baby gets up again."

"Yes…we need to sleep while we're able…so we can think up our game plan for Operation Turkey Day at the In-Laws."

"Go to sleep, Rick; you're getting loopy."

"I thought you liked me loopy."

"Only for so long," she quipped as she tucked the blankets around her and Landen; her eyes growing heavy.

"Remember that when I finish planning the epic plan," Castle stated as he rolled over; draping his arm across her waist, Landen snug between them.

"Sleep," she murmured. "Plot tomorrow; sleep now."

He leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she said softly as sleep began to tug at her as thoughts of the holiday flicked through her mind. She didn't think spending the holiday with her parents would be a bad idea…she just wasn't sure if they could get themselves invited.

The next afternoon, Johanna jotted a few lines in the notebook that she kept in her purse as she sat across the table from her sister in a small café. She was still a little surprised that Colleen was being so diligent about staying in contact ever since she had taken McKenzie to meet her a few weeks before. She had half expected for Colleen to drop back out of her life after seeing her at the party for baby Sarah's homecoming…but she hadn't. Her sister had surprised her with texts and calls…asking to meet for lunch a few times. It felt good…that area of her heart feeling like she could start to heal even though a part of her remained cautious…waiting for the moment when she'd back peddle and abandon her again.

"What are you writing?" Colleen asked after swallowing a sip of her hot tea.

"Just a few things I remembered that I need for Thanksgiving dinner," she answered as she put her notebook and pen away. "Jim and I have to make our shopping trip soon…the only grocery shopping trip of the year that he volunteers for."

Colleen smiled a little. "He's always been that way."

She nodded. "He has…I'm glad some things never change."

"Who is going to be at your house for Thanksgiving? I assume Katie will be there with the kids."

Johanna shook her head. "Katie hasn't spent Thanksgiving with us since I came home. I invited her and Rick for the first three or four years I was home and I was always told no, that he has his own traditions and he wasn't going to budge on them to come to our house…so…I stopped inviting them and they both seemed a bit happy about that. I guess it takes the pressure off of having to go through the reason of why they aren't coming."

"I'm surprised she'd say no."

"Last year was only the second time we've had Christmas together. But it's alright, I've gotten used to how things are. As for who's coming; Frankie and Valerie will be there since their kids are all going to In-Laws this year. Sammi and Dylan are coming to," she said gently; knowing of her sister's fragile relationship with her own daughter.

"I thought they usually went to Lindsey's," Colleen remarked.

"Lindsey and her family are going to Florida to her husband's grandmother's home."

Colleen nodded. "As you can tell, Lindsey doesn't keep in the loop much. She's afraid I'll want to come visit."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"I'm sure it is," she replied. "I don't blame her…we never did have a close relationship."

That felt like a tricky subject and she wasn't sure she wanted to wade into it when they were finally starting to mend fences. "I've heard that you've seen Sammi a few times recently," she said carefully; switching the topic back to her sister's youngest daughter.

"Yeah…I've ran in to her a few times…well, her and Dylan. She let me buy them lunch last week when I ran in to them at one of the stores; it took some convincing though. I think if Dylan hadn't been there she would've been more firm on saying no, but he kept saying he wanted a burger while she was trying to decline."

"He likes you," Johanna said, a small smile on her lips. "Sammi said he likes when they run into you."

"She doesn't like it though."

"Oh I wouldn't be so sure of that…there's hurt from the past but she hasn't shunned you, Colleen; I think she's willing to work on it if you are. Besides, Dylan would like to have you around as his grandmother."

"I've never been good with kids," her sister said as she began to shred her napkin; a habit Johanna realized they had in common when topics became difficult and sensitive.

"You do fine when you let yourself," she replied. "And it's different with grandchildren, you know…Dad was a good example of that. He was hard on us at times and yet he was putty with his grandchildren."

"That's true," Colleen said with a nod. "He was a totally different person with them."

"Maybe it can be the same way for you…I mean you do fine with my grandchildren so there's no reason why you can't do fine with yours. You like Dylan don't you?"

"Of course," she replied. "He's a handsome little boy…very sweet…hugs me when he sees me. I just wish he wouldn't call me "grandmother"…that's so formal and matronly. I don't like that."

"Do you want him to just call you Grandma?"

Colleen's nose wrinkled. "I don't know…I don't really like that either…and I know, it's stupid, I am one…Mom never minded being called Grandma and you don't mind it, neither does Valerie…but I don't know."

"There are other terms. Katie always called Elizabeth Grammy."

She shook her head. "No…no granny either."

"What about Nana?" Johanna suggested. "That kind of sounds close to a regular name in a way."

Colleen thought about that for a moment. "That's not so bad…much better than Grandmother."

"Well next time you see him, suggest the name change to him…kindly. Just tell him you want him to have an extra special name to call you."

"I can do that…you don't think Sammi will take it the wrong way, do you?"

Johanna shook her head. "No…and if you want, I can tell her that I suggested it."

"We'll see how it goes first; if it seems like she's offended, I'll have you do that. I'd like to buy him something. I gave him money for his birthday the first time I ran into them…but I'd like to buy him something…I know Christmas is coming; but something he could have now."

"Well, Sammi bought him a Nintendo Switch for his birthday; he's been wanting one ever since he played it at our house with McKenzie…"

"You have one?" Colleen asked.

She nodded. "Yes…we bought it for McKenzie, and Landen when he's old enough…but I'm not going to lie; Jim and I play it ourselves sometimes when they're not there," she said with a laugh.

Colleen laughed with her. "I have no trouble seeing Jim playing with it but I didn't think you would."

"Yeah; I didn't think I'd be tempted either but I was…and it's actually a nice little stress reliever. But as I was saying; Dylan loves his Switch; he takes it everywhere but school."

"Yes, I saw him fish it out of Sammi's handbag."

"He doesn't have many games for it yet," Johanna went on; "So if you want to get him a little gift maybe you can get him a game…or you can get him a case to carry his Switch around in."

"I could get both," Colleen replied. "I don't mind buying both…they could be extra birthday gifts even though it's late."

"Or just special gifts from Grandma…or Nana, whichever name you choose."

"Yeah…that would be good too…just because presents. The only problem will be getting them to him…you know Paul isn't going to let them come over and I doubt Sammi is going to invite me to her home. I mean she texts once in awhile and sends pictures of Dylan recently…but I never know when I'm going to see him again."

"Well get it worked out," Johanna assured. "Go ahead and buy the gifts…and tell Paul to quit being an ass."

Colleen scoffed. "That's like telling the sun not to shine. I should've listened to Grandma."

"She did bring that up right until the end," Johanna replied after taking a sip of her tea.

"I know…she even put it in the will…you know, that part about how 'the weasel' as she called him wasn't to touch my inheritance from her."

Johanna laughed. "That was a Kodak moment in the lawyer's office."

"It was also a long night at home," Colleen remarked; "But I never let him touch a dime of that money."

"Good."

Colleen sighed deeply. "God I hate the thought of another Thanksgiving with his family. I could just rip my hair out thinking about it."

"Where will you be going now that Millicent is in the nursing home?"

"To Paul's idiotic brother…and they're checking Millicent out for the holiday; she'll go back to the home on Friday."

"I can't believe she's even still around," Johanna commented. "How old is she?"

"Ninety-seven…she says she's going to live to a hundred and fifteen. If she does, I'm glad she's going to be in the home for it instead of living with me…like Paul wanted."

"That's a terrifying thought."

"Tell me about it."

"Which brother will you be going to?"

"David Jr…and his gag me wife Connie…and of course Henry and his boring as hell wife will be there and who knows who else. I can't stand the thought of it. I'm thinking of faking sick so I don't have to go."

Johanna weighed her words carefully; preparing herself for what she was sure would be rejection but she'd make the offer anyway. "You could fake sick and send Paul off to his family…and then come have Thanksgiving with us…it could be the McKenzie siblings first Thanksgiving together in a long time."

Colleen met her gaze. "You're inviting me?"

"Of course, Bug…you're always welcome in my home. I'd be more than happy to have you come for Thanksgiving."

"What about Jim? Shouldn't you ask him?"

She shook her head. "Jim won't mind and he wouldn't expect me to ask permission. You're my sister and I said you're invited. We'll have plenty of food and a space for you."

"Are you going to make Mom's pumpkin pie? I haven't had that in so long," Colleen said wistfully.

"Yes; I always make it for Jim. Since we're having company this year I'll be making two. I'll make sure you get all the pumpkin pie you want."

Colleen worried her bottom lip. "What about Sammi though? She might not be comfortable with me being there…I don't want her and Dylan to be alone on Thanksgiving because of me."

"I'm sure Sammi will be fine with it…and you could give Dylan those little gifts then like you want."

"Maybe you should ask her though…I don't want to be in the way."

"You're not in the way," Johanna said as she picked up her phone and tapped out a text to her niece, asking her if it would be an issue if Colleen came for Thanksgiving.

"It would be nice to have all of us together again," Colleen commented. "It has been awhile since I've seen our brother."

"Then you need to come…we can all be together again for the holiday," she said as her phone chimed. "That's Sammi…she says she has no issue with you coming to Thanksgiving. Her only issue would be if Paul was to come but she figures he isn't going to entertain that notion."

"She doesn't have to worry about that," Colleen replied. "He doesn't like that we have lunch together let alone him coming to your house…and I'm not saying that to be mean."

"I know you're not; it's just how he is. I'm just glad you don't let him stop you from coming to our lunches…I enjoy them."

"I do too," her sister said with a small smile.

"I hope you come for Thanksgiving."

"I want to come," Colleen replied. "I just have to get out of the Weston Thanksgiving plans."

"You can do it; I have faith in you."

Her sister shifted in her seat a little. "It would really be alright if I came?"

"Yes, of course," Johanna assured. "You're my sister…I love you."

"I love you too," Colleen said softly. "It probably didn't seem like it for a long time…even at times in the past but I always have, you know?"

"I know," she murmured. "I think it's just the way of sisters sometimes. If you want to come for Thanksgiving, then you come. I'll let you know the exact time when I get it figured out but I'll be happy to have you there. Like I said; it'll be the first holiday the McKenzie siblings have spent together in a long time."

"It would make Mom happy."

Johanna smiled. "Oh yes, she'd be up there in heaven just beaming if we were all together on Thanksgiving; just the way she always liked it."

"I'll find a way to be there," Colleen replied.

"Good," she smiled. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too."

"Are you girls done gabbing or do I need to circle the block a few times?" Jim asked as he stepped up to their table.

"I thought you were going to call when you were on your way?" Johanna asked as he slid into the booth with her.

"I thought about it but then I decided not to…thought I'd just pop in and make sure you two hadn't picked up any dates to share lunch with," he said lightly.

"Oh please," she scoffed good naturedly. "You were just hoping I had something left on my plate so you could eat it."

"That too…but I see that it's empty so clearly I waited too long."

Johanna glanced at her sister. "You'd think I never feed him."

"Oh I know you do," Colleen remarked. "He just always has room for more somehow."

"I'm gifted like that," Jim quipped. "How are you, Colleen?"

"I'm fine."

"I invited Colleen to have Thanksgiving dinner with us," Johanna said before picking up her cup to take her last sip of tea.

"Are you bringing Paul?" Jim asked.

"God no," Colleen replied.

Jim nodded. "Good, then we'll have a good time…no offense."

"None taken; I don't have any good times with him either."

"Maybe you should trade him in," Jim suggested.

"Grandma told her that before the wedding," Johanna stated.

"I should've listened," Colleen said wistfully. "Is it okay if I come to dinner…if I can get out of Paul's plans?"

"Of course it's okay," Jim replied; "Why wouldn't it be?"

She shrugged. "I don't know…I guess because of how things were."

"They're not that way anymore…we've put the past away in most respects," Jim remarked. "We gave ourselves clean slates…we've given them to a lot of people…we can give you one too; you're family. If you want to come for Thanksgiving, come. If Paul gives you a problem, call and we'll come and get you."

Johanna nodded. "Yes, do that if it becomes a problem. We'll come pick you up."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Speaking of Thanksgiving," Jim stated; "I invited Andrew and Gabby."

"I thought they were going to Maine for Thanksgiving?"

"They were until they found out Tori was going to be there…you know Gabby doesn't want to be around her…especially after she invited her to graduation and Tori said no."

"I don't blame her," Johanna replied.

"I hope you don't mind me inviting them."

"Of course not; they usually come to our house when they don't go to Maine," she replied. "It'll be dinner for nine instead of six; that's not a big deal."

"Are you sure you'll have room for me?" Colleen asked.

"I promise there's room for you," Johanna told her. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

"She can handle dinner for nine," Jim said with a nod. "Your mother trained her."

Colleen laughed. "Yeah, she did."

Before Johanna could respond, her phone rang. "That's Katie; I better answer it," she said before accepting the call. "Hello?"

"Are you busy?" Kate asked.

"I'm just finishing lunch with Colleen," she answered. "Your father's here to get me."

"Why aren't you driving yourself?"

"Because he didn't have to be at the office long and I was only going to lunch so it seemed silly to take both cars when he could just drop me off."

"Oh…well…do you have plans after lunch?"

"No…do you need me to babysit so you can get a nap in?"

"No," Kate replied; "At least not today…soon though…but not today. It's just that the kids are missing you and they want you to come see them, don't you, McKenzie?"

"Please come see me, Grandma," McKenzie's voice said as it floated across the line.

"See me!" Landen exclaimed as he joined the conversation. "Gramma see me…bring Grampa."

"See, they're desperate for a visit from Grandma," Kate said; "They've been wanting you all day…so since you're out, why don't you stop by."

"Please, Grandma!" came more pleading from her eldest granddaughter, her cry echoed by her brother.

"Sarah's awake too and even though she can't say it, I know she wants to see you too," Kate added.

"What about you?" Johanna couldn't help but ask lightly.

"I always want to see you," Kate replied. "So come over when you're done…hopefully soon while the baby is awake and the house is mostly clean."

"Alright, Katie; we'll stop by for a few minutes. We'll be leaving here soon."

"Great," her daughter replied. "We'll be waiting on you. Love you."

"I love you too," she said before ending the call.

"What's up with Katie?" Jim asked; slightly on alert despite his wife's relaxed demeanor.

"The kids want us to stop by; they miss us," Johanna told him. "Your grandson specifically mentioned that I should bring you with me. I told her we'd stop by after we leave here."

"I think we almost have to since our presence has been demanded."

"Pretty much; I'm glad we're free for the afternoon or those kids would make us pay," Johanna replied.

"That's the truth."

"I wish I was free for the afternoon," Colleen stated; "But I have to get back to work. I'll pay the check on the way out, Jo; you paid last time. It's my treat this time."

"Alright," she said, sliding out of the booth as Jim got up so she could embrace her sister. "I'll let you know the details for Thanksgiving."

"Okay…I'll start working on getting out of the Weston horror of Thanksgiving," Colleen said as she hugged her tightly. "Go see your babies; I'll see you later."

"Have a good day at work," she told her. "See you later."

"You ready to go too?" Jim asked as Johanna reached for her coat.

"I'm ready; let's go see the kids."

"I wonder what our grandchildren want from us," he teased as he slipped an arm around her waist. "Barbies and Spiderman toys…or Happy Meals…or to show us a rough draft of their list to Santa?"

"It's hard to tell," she laughed. "It may be all of the above…but that's fine…because I miss them with Katie on maternity leave. I know I do some of the school runs but…I miss them running through the house."

"Me too, sweetheart; but they'll be back before we know it. Let's go see them and cuddle the baby."

Johanna smiled. "Katie says she's awake so that will be nice; last time she was asleep when we saw her."

"Then we better hurry before she goes to sleep again…and before her siblings start ringing the phone to ask if you're there yet."

She snuggled into his side as they left the diner and made their way to the car. "You don't mind that I invited Colleen for Thanksgiving, do you?"

"No, I don't mind," he assured. "I want you to have your sister around. It's fine…as long as Paul isn't coming."

"He's not invited."

"Then everything is fine. It'll be a slightly larger dinner than we had originally thought but it'll be fine…as long as I have my own pie."

"You will have your own pie as always," she laughed. "While we're visiting the kids we'll have to ask them if there's a treat I can make them for the holiday. I could drop it off to them the day before."

"I'm sure you'll think of something. We need to go to the store and get what we need for dinner in the next few days before the crowd starts wiping everything out."

"I know. I'll finish the list of what I need when we get home. First we have to see the kids and then we'll work on the shopping list some more."

"Sounds like a plan," Jim agreed as he opened her door for her; "But he couldn't help wondering if their daughter was up to something with the grandchildren suddenly requesting they visit. It wasn't that they never asked; they did…it was just that something about the call had made his suspicions rise but he wouldn't dare so. He was probably just being suspicious for no reason; the kids missed them. That was all this was about, he was of it…at least he hoped.