Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter. We have another chapter of 100% new material. The rewrite of the Thanksgiving arc was a massive undertaking, but we are nearly done.

Mood music: save tonight by Eagle Eye Cherry and Caught out There by Kelis

Chapter 55: Thanksgiving is over

After a very emotional parting with Taylor at TSA and grabbing some additional snacks for the plane ride, Ryan found his way onto his flight home. He was in economy this time which was the whole reason why he got snacks. Ryan disliked airplane food, and it was worse in economy. He was planning to spend most of the flight preparing for classes Monday. That was until the flight attendant sat Natasha next to him. The universe really hates him.

"You know, I thought by switching flights, I would avoid an uncomfortable plane ride to New York. I'll go see if I can switch seats." Natasha said as she tried to get the flight attendant's attention.

"It's OK. I'd rather you than Kelsi. Where is she actually?" Ryan asked.

"Kelsey left like six hours ago. So, you won't have to deal with her. Hopefully, by the time I get home, she'll be in another room." Natasha sat down in the seat next to him. "Or all my stuff will be out in the hallway. I really don't give a fuck at this point. I'm just thankful that our majors are different, so I will not have to see her in classes."

"So, I assume you broke up?" Ryan asked.

"That's too soft of a word for what happened. I don't like people that lie to me. I definitely can't stay with somebody who couldn't even tell me the truth about their last relationship." Natasha sighed. "There's no way they're going to serve me alcohol, is there? I could use a drink right now."

"Probably not, but I brought chocolate," Ryan said, handing her a piece from his stash. "Those are all valid reasons to break up."

"Although I found out that she showed the almost-sex tape to our floor because Darby asked her to. Something about you being hurt by it and hastening your sister's break up with Chad. I really didn't feel like listening to her bull shit excuses." OK, Ryan now regrets not being able to get alcohol on this flight. Thankful he has three more candy bars. Because they're going to need them. He might have to get more on the layover.

"I am not even surprised at this point. How did you even find this out?" Ryan asked.

"I overheard a conversation I wasn't meant to because Jackie knows all the best listening places. Zack is such an upgrade. Oh, I have a card from Jackie to give you congratulating you on your new relationship." He isn't surprised about that at all.

"He is. Although you should know that I'm also dating Taylor. I don't know if you saw us saying goodbye to one another in front of TSA." Ryan felt it best to tell her now since she knows he's with Zack, and Taylor will probably be around campus next semester when possible.

"I don't judge. As long as everybody knows and consents to it ahead of time and doesn't lie about that consent. Good for you." Natasha smiled at him.

"Taylor is in charge of negotiations," Ryan added. Natasha chuckled at that.

"From what I've heard from Kelsi, she's probably good at that. Although I don't think I can trust anything I heard about Taylor from our mutual ex-girlfriend."

"I decided to downgrade her from girlfriend status and update Chad to ex-boyfriend status. At best, the relationship was transactional. It doesn't count." Ryan tells her.

"In that case, I'm downgrading her to my roommate I was stupid enough to fuck." Natasha's spat out bitterly. "I still feel guilty."

"You didn't know."

"I know now, and I am sorry," Natasha told him genuinely.

"That's a good first step. I should have talked to you instead of pretending things weren't happening." Although that strategy helped him survive his childhood, it wasn't the best for his adult life.

"The same. I mean, I know you were upset when I kept showing up when you two were meant to hang out, but I didn't realize I was actually crashing dates." Natasha said just as their captain came over the loudspeaker. It was time to get ready to depart.

"So, do you want me to spread the existence of your boyfriend around to distract everybody from stories of your mothers' abuse? Or would you prefer me to spread stories of your girlfriend?" Natasha asked once they were in the air and allowed to take their seatbelt off again. "Or both. I think both together will sufficiently distract everyone. I don't know how much of your personal business you want out there."

"My personal business is already out there even though I wish it wasn't. I rather have our entire building talking about my dating life. However, because Zack is on the U of A basketball team, he is stuck in the closet until the last game of the season next year." He knew Zack wasn't happy about that. But it was just something he had to deal with for the moment. Although his father promised to help smooth things over.

"Sports have a tendency to be highly homophobic, so I get it. If someone can send me pictures of you and Taylor making out, I will spread all the appropriate rumors."

"Thank you. Zack, my sort-of boyfriend, actually sent me several." He will text The pictures to Natasha during the layover.

"Whatever works for you. Unfortunately, your mom being an abusive bitch is a heavy conversation topic on our floor's Facebook page. And Twitter. Please don't look at Twitter right now."

"Kristen already warned me." He's received several warning texts from her.

"Oh, good. I'm glad you have Kristin as a friend. She's super nice. We have a couple of classes together." That makes sense because they were both performing majors.

"You also know that Kristin has the only opening on our floor. I think she rather live with you than Kelsi."

"Glad to know I'm preferable," Natasha remarked.

"You actually realize the video thing was wrong," Ryan retorted.

"Before I realize that your mom was using Kelsi for psychological torture. Your mom is a bitch." Natasha spat out. "Oh, wait, I'm not supposed to call her the M-word."

"However, feel free to call Darby the B-word."

"I will. How did you turn out as good as you are?" Natasha asked. "You should be furious at me."

"I don't know. Although probably my sister. She protected me from most of what was going on." He said as he played with the bracelet Sharpay got him earlier in the day. He can't believe she replaced with Darby destroyed. But he appreciates it.

"As a big sister, I can tell you that is what we do."

"Good to know."

Xxx

A little bit later, in a different part of the country

Saying goodbye to Kim at the airport was just as hard as the departure in Vegas. Although at least he had Madison to pass him tissues on the flight back to school. As promised, Yolanda was waiting to pick them up. How she managed to have a car on campus, he would never know. But Troy is very appreciative of it right now.

"Welcome back. I would ask how things were, but there was an entire interview with your girlfriend's biological mother this morning that ran in The New York Times. You all deserve so much better."

"I'm just thankful that the interview aunt Julie did hasn't been fully picked up by the media outside of Albuquerque just yet. I barely kept Kim from throwing her laptop when she read it. She's going to have to do her own interview earlier than we thought." Troy said as he got into the front of the car.

"It's been rough. Troy and Kim's house was also crawling with reporters this morning because they couldn't get enough of the Romeo and Juliet of Albuquerque." Madison explained as she slid into the back seat of the car.

"They're calling you two that?" Yolanda asked.

"Yes. I just want to forget this week ever happened. It was all too much."

"Completely understandable. How is Gabriella?" Yolanda asked.

"Do you know this is the first time I've heard you not refer to her as crazy bitch." Troy remarked.

"Well, now that she's actually in the hospital for mental health issues, I feel really horrible for that language. It was inappropriate and somewhat ablest." Yolanda remarked.

"We got to talk to Gabby this morning. She's good or as good as she can be under the circumstances. Although pissed off at him for not telling her about Kim the entire time they were dating. He's going to be groveling for a while." Madison supplied for him.

"OK, that was a mistake, but I was trying to forget about my heart getting carved out. I had no idea my mom was responsible for it because money was more important than me." Troy responded darkly. He is still so hurt by what Lucy did.

"If we didn't have classes tomorrow, I would so take you to a bar right now," Yolanda remarked.

"It's OK. I just want to get to the dorm and sleep." Because not only were these last few days mentally exhausting but physically as well. He needed Kim.

"Just think only a few more weeks in the dorms, and then you'll get to move into whatever mansion Kim gets you."

"At most, it's going to be a big house," Troy remarked.

"You and I will also be moving in at times. So you and Kimberly are going to have to get something in between the two campuses and probably a few cars." Madison commented.

"She's just going to get like everybody new cars, isn't she," Yolanda asked.

"Well, Kim already got everybody cell phones. You'll probably get yours soon." Madison said, holding up her phone.

"I look forward to it," that was the last thing Troy heard because he promptly fell asleep. Thankfully Madison texted Kim for him.

Xxx

A few hours later

Ryan: Hey, I'm back in New York. We are riding back to campus now. I may have time for about a three-hour nap before class. Traffic sucks right now. I didn't want to text you any later than this because I know you have to go to sleep soon.

Sharpay: I'm glad you're back. Although I still think you should've left this morning.

Ryan: I needed to see Gabriella before leaving. It was good, even though I only got to talk to her for a few minutes. I think it would've been harder to go back without seeing her.

Sharpay: I get that but don't expect me to see her or try to make nice. I'm still mad about the video, but I'm taking my vengeance out on Mercedes for the sake of Maria. Madison and I have plans.

Ryan: Thank you for that.

Sharpay: Who is "we," by the way? I thought Taylor was going back to Boston directly.

Ryan: She is. Theoretically, her plane will land in 30 minutes. So she's probably going to be getting home even later than me. I ended up flying back with Natasha.

Sharpay: Oh God, seriously? Was Kelsi sitting on your other side?

Ryan: Kelsi was on a different flight because they broke up the day before. Also, Natasha is Kristen's new roommate. We all agreed that it would be way too likely for Kristen to strangle Kelsi in her sleep. Natasha never wants to see the lying witch again.

Sharpay: This is why you shouldn't sleep with your roommate.

Ryan: Thankfully, our building is being super accommodating about it. We managed to straighten out everything on the way over.

Sharpay: That's good.

Ryan: Also, Natasha told me to tell you that she is sorry that she believed anything Kelsi told her about you. Also, it wasn't right for her to judge you without knowing you.

Sharpay: Tell her thank you. Although I am still pissed at her for what she put you through the last month. However, she dumped Kelsey faster than you did, so I forgive her.

Ryan: I dumped her eventually.

Sharpay: You did, and I like the upgrade.

Ryan: I'm still in the test drive phase.

Sharpay: I'm sure you'll get both cars. I'm happy about that, even though that meant I didn't get to spend that much time with you.

Ryan: Hey, some of my time was spent buying your engagement ring. You also ditched me for Aunt Claudia. How did that go?

Sharpay: Nowhere near as painful as I thought it would be. Although she's upset that we didn't bring Alex with us. We are going to have to bring him next time along with Zack and Kim. Chad still thinks he's going to find out Zack is an uncle.

Ryan: Or maybe something similar.

Sharpay: Like half-brother, but I'm not going to float that idea in front of Chad right now. He's kind of in this half denial phase about the twins. I'm not adding anything else just yet.

Ryan: That's probably best.

Sharpay: Although what does it say when Chad's aunt likes Jack better than her own nephew? She sent him home with a whole Apple pie that she made just for him.

Ryan: That Charles Danforth is an absolute shit person.

Sharpay: OK, Chad says I need to go to sleep, which means you really need to go to sleep. If the traffics that bad, you should get a nap in the car.

Ryan: I'm not going to sleep till Taylor lets me know she's home. Besides, I need to also text Zack.

Sharpay: Glad to know I'm first.

Ryan: You're always first.

Sharpay: I won't always be. Fingers crossed, Taylor and or Zach will take my place eventually.

Ryan: I kind of hope that happens too.

XXXX

December 1, 2008, 4:45 AM.

"You know you could've stayed asleep," Carolyn said as Jack walked into the kitchen, still dressed in sweatpants, a.k.a. his usual sleep attire. Thankfully Liz brought everything over. Most of it was now at Kim's house in his new bedroom.

"But then I couldn't kiss you goodbye." He leaned over to do just that. He's going to miss having her with him. He's only been able to survive the implosion of his marriage because of her. "Besides, classes start at 7:30 AM, so I have to get ready for the school day anyway." And he wanted to drop off his things at Kim's house as well.

"I wish I didn't have to leave, but it's only for a couple of weeks. I will be back on the 23rd, and I am seeing if maybe I can negotiate a few more days off." That made Jack smile

"I will be counting down the days." Possibly literally. Three weeks seem like a very long time at the moment.

"In the meantime, I will only be a phone call away. Also, Liz is going to be here. I know your mom is coming back to spend her winter break with you." His mother flew out the day before. But she promised to come back as soon as she could to help him with the divorce.

"You will get through this." Carolyn leaned over and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

"I am still trying to decide if that's a good thing or not. I think my mom still waiting to say I told you so. She never liked Lucy." Jack really wishes somebody would've told him that before the wedding.

"I'm just going to kiss you again." Before he could respond, her lips were on his again.

"Yep, that makes everything feel better." He remarked once Carolyn reluctantly pulled away.

"I'm glad. You will keep an eye on Chad for me? I know the situation with Charles hurt him a lot. And he doesn't even know about the Zack issue yet." After David's joke Saturday, Jack put all the pieces together. His hypothesis was confirmed by Carolyn and Zack himself.

"We won't worry him with the Zack situation until after we get the DNA results back. The test isn't even happening until later in the week." Jack agreed to help with that.

"You're right."

"As for Charles, Mariah, Teresa, Zachary, and Chris took Chad aside Saturday and gave him the pep talk. They understand the situation more than we ever will." A part of Jack is grateful that Lucy's brother took Chad under his wing. He's even more grateful that Chris and David were still speaking to him after this weekend. Thankfully they are reasonable.

"I'm thankful they were there." Carolyn smiled at him.

"It went better than I thought it would. Only Julie hates me and believes we are all lying about Lucy." Even Carolyn was exhausted by Julie's denial.

"She'll come around. Sibling relationships are complicated." Carolyn said just as her phone chirped.

"OK, Vince says our car is upfront and ready to drive us to the airport."

"Vince is leaving with you?" Jack asked as he grabbed her suitcase.

"Yes. Vince still has to go to New York for the week. Although he actually has two days of meetings in DC first. So, we're traveling back together." Carolyn explained. "Although I think he did this just so he could upgrade me to business-class without me complaining about it. Apparently, he hates flying alone."

"You can work on wedding plans together." Jack joked as he started to make his way towards the door of the guest house.

"I've negotiated 2012 unless something catastrophic happens," Carolyn explained.

"And the last week has been filled with catastrophic," Jack added.

"This is true. I didn't think Wednesday that finding out about my ex-husband's children with his mistress would be the least disturbing thing this weekend."

"Well, I didn't think my soon-to-be ex-wife would conspire to murder my grandkid, but here we are." And that's not even touching Gabriella.

Per Maria, she's going to be in the hospital for at least two more weeks. Vince is allowing her to take over the guest house. Which is another reason why Jack is up so early. He wants to clean up before leaving for Kim's home and work.

"We don't know if that's the case. The witch could've been lying in her letter to Karen and her tell-all interview yesterday." Which was just as bad as the personal letters but worse since now the whole world knows about her abuse. Jack was barely able to convince Troy to go back to school. It was that bad. "She seems like the type of person that will throw everybody under the bus out of pure spite."

"Especially now that she's probably hiding somewhere without an extradition treaty. She apparently put enough money away before she was cut off." Jack said angrily.

"OK, I'm kissing you one more time so our last memory of this weekend can be something happy." He's not arguing with her. He doesn't want to stop kissing her even though he knows she needs to leave.

"Yes, this is a much better memory. Text me when you get home?" He asked instead of crying like he really wanted to.

"I will. I'll even take video of Margarita when I tell her what happened this weekend. I think she ships us." Carolyn said as she buttoned her jacket.

"I'm glad we have one shipper." Jack joked.

"Your mom ships us, your sister does along with David and Chris along with their spouses. Actually, Maria does too. I think Julie is the only one who hates me." Carolyn remarked.

"Julie hates everybody but Alex right now." He's pretty sure she only sent Kim an apology text message so she can see Alex again.

"He is a lovable baby," Carolyn said, grabbing her purse.

"Let me walk you to the car."

"Which I am OK with since you can carry my bag." Carolyn joked as she opened the door.

"I live to serve," Jack said as they walked out the door to find Chad waiting on the other side.

"I told you yesterday that you didn't have to wake up to see me off."

"I want a goodbye hug," Chad said, wrapping his mom in a hug.

"I'll be back on the 23," Carolyn told both him and Chad.

"I know."

"It's going to be OK."

"I hope you're right," Chad said, pulling out of the hug.

Moments after they managed to get Carolyn's luggage in the car, he stood next to Chad as they waved goodbye.

"She will be back in a few weeks." Jack wondered if he was saying it more for himself than Chad.

"I know. I just hate that my good parent is leaving."

"I'm sorry you had to put up with Charles being a bigot. You deserve better."

"That's not your fault."

"True, but I still didn't do enough for you to be comfortable being who you are. I should have given Ricky more detentions last year for the shit he put Ryan through." Jack really regretted that.

"You give him as many as you could without the principal getting suspicious. If it wasn't for Sharpay using her dad's connections on the school board, Ricky would already be back at school," Chad remarked darkly.

"I am not even surprised. I just wish I could make things easier for you. I'm trying to do better with Jimmie, but it's difficult."

"At least you're trying. Which is more than I can say for my biological father. So you are the good stepdad." Chad joked.

"We are not there yet."

"Well, you have to finish your divorce first." And Jack already feels like that's going to be extremely painful.

"True."

"I think you will be. I'm OK with that. Just give me some time to adjust."

"Of course."

"Also, no more half-siblings for at least a year."

"I'll do my part, but Charles is an ass." And you might already have another half-sibling who's older than you.

"That's all I ask."

Xxx

"You'll be back in a couple of weeks," Vince said, passing a tissue to Carolyn. She started to cry the moment the town car pulled out of the driveway.

"I know. Honestly, I cried last time I said goodbye to Jack, and we weren't actually dating. I should've realized what was going on back then." But she was too much in denial.

"But he wasn't someone you could be in love with," Vince said pointedly.

"Which is why I ended up in DC in the first place, although my brother dying didn't help things either." Fall 2007 was such a disaster.

"Last year was rough for you?" Vince asked, genuinely concerned.

"It was a very rough year. I buried my brother and my marriage within about two months of each other. I'm hopeful that all of this darkness will be over for a while." She had to get to the sunshine soon.

"I wish that was the case. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to bring some more darkness into your life." That sounds very ominous. "I'm not actually going to New York for business meetings. Or at least that's not the main reason."

"From your tone, I don't think it's a spend more time with Ryan either."

"That's a secondary benefit which I'm grateful for. My cardiologist is in New York. He's one of the best in the country. It's the reason why I am planning to move there in the new year. I'll only come to Albuquerque for work things and to see Sharpay." This is definitely not good.

"Just tell me. I'm already crying. Why do you have a cardiologist in New York?" Carolyn asked.

"Congestive heart failure," Jack told her.

"What stage?"

"Well, it was three, but now it's four. I might have a year, maybe a little longer." Shit, this was not good at all.

"That's why you were smiling at the engagement. You won't have to worry about Sharpay's trust fund if they're married." Vince explained that over drinks Saturday night. She may have screamed at him.

"Does Chad know? He mentioned the possibility of having to move up their wedding for an emergency."

"He doesn't know. Actually, until I told you, only Darby and Jay knew the truth outside of my cardiologist. I haven't even told the kids. I am afraid to. I don't want me being sick to rush anything." Now Vince is almost on the verge of tears.

"We agree there. I already told you I would help you undo the trust fund situation. We're just going to have to work on it a little faster than I initially thought. Besides, there should be an equal provision for Ryan if we can't eliminate it altogether. It shouldn't all be on Sharpay. Maybe we could turn it into a long-term relationship or adopting children together."

"I hope we can fix this. I don't want to leave my children behind with Darby hanging over them." She knew he would get no rest with that.

"You won't. And I promise I'll be here to watch over both of them." They both need someone to watch out for them. Since Vince did not have much time left, it was going to be her.

"Thank you."

To be continued…

Congratulations, you have survived Thanksgiving weekend 2008.