Hello, my lovely readers. It's that time of the year. Time for a Friendsgiving episode with turkey, stuffing, laughs, and most importantly: friends! On with the show...
What We're All Thankful For:
Another Thanksgiving day had begun at The Salvatore School. And during many of the previous years to date, Lizzie Saltzman would not able to handle both of her parents being out-of-town, but this year was different. This year Hope Mikaelson lay in Alaric's "secret" weapon's closet. While the tri-brid slept half a year away, Lizzie felt it her duty to take a stand. Someone had to be in charge. This meant watching over Jo, who was still rehabilitating after her Darth Jo stint, lead The Supper Squad (although there were far less monster attacks since Landon had yet to wake), and keep an eye on Rafael, who really wanted to be left alone... Yes, Lizzie worked very hard to take care of their friends with Hope...not quite ready to come out of hibernation. So, Friendsgiving would be extra specially friends this year. And, no, it had nothing to do with Ethan Fell becoming their newest lupine resident and his eyes and muscles and smile. Okay. Okay. For Lizzie, it might have had a little bit to do with the new wolf in school... Just a little bit...
Standing at the podium in the assembly hall, Lizzie squared her shoulders, and offered the gang a winning smile. MG was attentive. Josie tried to look like a perky puppy, but she was still a little bit scared of herself. The brunette's light had dimmed, just a fraction. With any luck, this celebration would make her glow, again.
"Thank you all for coming," Lizzie said. Her eyes fell on Rafael. He was staring out the window, slumped down in his seat, with his arms folded over his chest. Well, he would not be too happy about the plans for the day. Too bad. He needed to stop sulking, and start living. This did not honor Landon, or Hope, wherever they were.
Inhaling, Lizzie began again: "Today, is Thanksgiving. One of our mother's," she shot a smile Jo's way, "favorite holidays. So, today, with your help, we're going to honor my mother's tradition of having Friendsgiving!"
Kaleb nodded his head with a smile. This cheered Lizzie up, until she realized he was listening to music, not her. "Kaleb!" she shouted, giving the vamp a murderous glare.
"Yes, your highness?" Kaleb replied, tugging an earbud out of one ear. His expression was bland. He was so lucky that she was the new and improved Lizzie, because the old Lizzie would tear him a new one.
Fingers digging into the wood of the podium; Lizzie took a slow, deep breath. "I was telling everyone about our Friendsgiving plans!" she announced with a wide smile.
"Yeah?" Kaleb nodded. "You mean after Ric sent the dinning staff home for the holiday?"
Lizzie placed a hand on her hip. "We have everything we need to make the perfect feast. I ordered turkeys. Jo's been gardening, like Martha freakin' Stewart, for months now, which means we have an assortment of fresh veggies to choose from. Plus, one monster pumpkin-"
"No, Lizzie! You can't have Mr. Orangey!" Jo cried, eyes going wide.
Kaleb cracked a grin. "You named your pumpkin?"
Jo blushed. "He's my favorite." She clutched her collar and looked away.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Fine. I am giving Mr. Orangey a pardon. So, if anyone hoped to save a turkey this year, too bad. That was my last pardon." Smirking, Lizzie continued, "We can also thank Jo for helping pick out some fine cranberries, and other fruity goodness, for our cornucopia-"
"You're making cranberry sauce..." Kaleb's eyebrows rose.
"Yes, Kaleb. We're making cranberry sauce. How else would it get to the table?" Lizzie wished they could move onto the actual prep work. This would take until midnight, at the rate they were going.
"Some people like the canned stuff," Kaleb said. He popped his earbuds back in before Lizzie could reply. She knew Kaleb was pissed because Alaric had gone on a mission and told Kaleb to stay behind to help keep an eye on Hope. That's also why Raf was not with his dad. Hell, even Jed stayed behind to help.
"Who is doing all of the cooking?" Wade called. He sat behind Jo, and Lizzie had forgotten he was there. Oops.
Lizzie smiled. "Kaleb is on dining room preparations. MG and Jo are on cooking duty. Jed. Raf. They can help with prep."
Wade pushed his glasses up his nose. "What should I do?"
"Um?" Lizzie thought on that one. "Can fairies make cornucopias?" Wade looked weary. "Let's find out." She would love to see him sprinkle some fairy dust and make something cute happen. They really needed it. "Okay, everyone, you have your duties! Let's go!"
Rafael sat forward, his elbows on the chair in front of him. "Why?"
"Why: What?" Lizzie froze.
Rafael let out a mirthless chuckle. "Why should any of us give a damn about 'Friendsgiving?'" He turned his head to the side. "Our friends may be dead. And you want to act like it's just another holiday. Pass the pie!"
Frowning, Lizzie moved around the podium. "Rafael!"
"No! Don't!" Rafael got to his feet. He held his hands up in front of him. "Don't try to give me some kind of pep talk, Lizzie. Try it on the newbies. Hell, give them my place in all of this!" He waved a hand. "Just leave me be!" Turning, he jerked his hood up and took off.
Lizzie looked at the others. It took a lot to keep her cool, but she managed. "Okay. Well, everyone who is still in the mood to celebrate, follow me."
~0~
Rafael Waithe had not meant to put Lizzie on the spot. He also did not mean to bring the mood down. They were all suffering. And they were all coping, in their own ways. He'd caught Jo crying into her carrots, more than once, but he had walked past her, every time. Shifting to his wolf-form and running around the woods on full moons was one of his ways of coping with losing Hope and Landon. Melting into the almost always crowded Salvatore School was another. But with the holiday upon them; he no longer had anywhere to hide.
Still feeling growly, Rafael turned a corner in the dorms. He was going to check the secret cubby where Landon... Where Landon slept... Yes. He was just sleeping. See, Rafael could play the denial game with the best of them. He would go and check on his brother. Then he would check on Hope. After that, Rafael might walk into town and check out the holiday decorations. But he would not be taking part in "Friendsgiving."
Head down, Rafael walked up to his door. He grabbed the knob, and twisted it, pushing it inward. A cry of pain came from the other side of the door. "Ow!" Rafael froze. No. He did not just hear what he thought he heard.
The sound of footsteps backing away from the door told Rafael someone was in his room. With his fingertips, Rafael eased the door open. His frown changed to a look of wide-eyed shock at the sight before him. Landon stood a few feet away. His head was tilted backwards. "Raf?" he said, nose clutched in his hand.
"Landon!" Rafael let out a laugh and crossed the floor. He threw his arms around his brother. "How? When? Are you okay?"
Hand moving in front of his eyes, Landon nodded. "Just a little bit of blood. No big deal." He offered Rafael a wide smile. "So, I've got a question?" He walked over to grab a tissue while Rafael watched him, trying not to run around the room and howl with delight.
"Hit me," Rafael replied.
Landon wiped his hand. "I woke up in a cubby. In the closet. A cubby that did not used to be there. And I do not remember how I got there. Is this about one of the monsters?" Landon watched Rafael.
Rafael's brows rose. "You don't remember?"
"Not a thing. I mean, I remember...you thought the Necromancer did something to you... You were dead?" Now, Landon looked concerned.
"It's okay. I was. But Dr. S made a deal. And I came back. You were supposed to come back, too. When you didn't," Rafael saw the puzzled look on Landon's face, "we thought you were gone. For good. I mean, we hoped you weren't. So, I suggested keeping you here. That way I could guard you-"
"So, Malivore couldn't have my body." Landon smiled. That lasted a minute. "How long was I gone?"
"Six months."
Eyes widening, Landon shook his head. "What's today?"
"Thanksgivng!" Rafael said. "Boy, you better believe I have something to be thankful for, this year." He walked over to hug Landon, again. "Come on. The others are going to be so happy to see you!"
"I can't wait to see them, too. Hope must have been so worried."
Rafael felt his stomach lurch. What was he supposed to tell Landon about Hope?
~0~
"No wonder Hope was in such a big hurry to come back here." With a smirk, Maya Fell ran a hand down the bannister, leading toward the front door of the boarding school. "Can anyone say: Lux life!" Her twin brother, Ethan, walked just ahead of them. He seemed to be taking the whole turning into a wolf thing in stride, literally. Josie Saltzman might even like the twins: if they were not a walking, talking reminder of Jo's initial turning towards the dark side. It felt like breaking Ethan Fell's arm had been a pivotal point in Josie's life. She made a decision to hurt someone, again, and she had enjoyed it. What's worse, no one knew. Not even Lizzie. Actually, Landon knew, sort of, but he wouldn't be telling anyone soon.
Of course, Lizzie would be angry if she found out. She'd developed a crush on Ethan in the two minutes he'd been at the school. He seemed nice. He'd probably be good for Lizzie, but if he and Lizzie did get together-and Josie's secret came out-drama, drama, drama would ensue.
"Hey!" Blinking, Josie's lips rounded in an O of surprise at the sight of Maya standing in front of her. Maya's eyes were narrowed. She had one hand on her hip. Did Josie just say something aloud? Or did Maya develop telekinesis?
Josie played dumb. "Yes?"
"Are you bored?" Maya peered into Josie's eyes. Josie felt like the black-haired girl was staring into her soul. "'Cause if you have somewhere to be, or something else to do, Ethan and I can find ways to entertain ourselves." A mischievous grin spread across Maya's face.
Ethan paused at the end of the stairs. "Yes... Where is Hope?" he asked, peering around the end of the bannister, as if the tri-brid might appear at the end of the hallway. Josie wished she would. Hope might be one of the only people she could talk to about what happened with Ethan. Well, Hope, and Landon. But there was little chance she would be talking to either of them, any time soon.
"Josie!" No. It couldn't be.
"Hope! There you are!" Maya called with a grin. "We were planning on sending a search party out for ya!" Maya passed Josie. "You look good."
Turning slowly, Josie inhaled sharply at the sight of Hope Mikaelson. She'd had this dream. Where Hope just woke up one day. Usually, it involved romantic music and dancing.
Hope stood at the top of the staircase. And it was true. She did look good. Apparently, sleeping for six months left her with glowing skin. Lizzie would be jealous. The thought made Josie laugh. Glancing at Jo, Maya gave her a quizzical look before looking back at Hope.
Tucking her hair behind her ear with one hand, Hope smiled. "I've been around. Just really busy with exams."
"Exams?" Ethan came up the stairs to stand beside Josie who took a step back. She had to grab the railing to stop herself from taking a tumble. "Jo, you don't look so good. Do you need to sit down?" Hope hurried down the stairs to place a hand on Josie's hand. Josie just wanted to hug her friend. But, again, Maya and Ethan might become suspicious and they had not been at the school long enough to be included in Super Squad info.
Cocking her head to the side, Maya nodded. "You do look kind of pale." Coming down the stairs, she took one of Josie's hands. "Why don't we find you a nice, comfy chair. Ethan can get you a glass of water." She nodded at Ethan.
"No!" Josie cried out.
The other teens stared at her. Lizzie would not be happy if Jo gave up her secret, but it looked like she would have to. "Lizzie's planning this 'Friendsgiving' surprise party for you." Ducking her head, Josie sighed.
"Friendsgiving? Already?" Hope looked shocked.
Ethan and Maya traded looks. "Hope, you need a glass of water, too?" Ethan asked. He placed a hand on Hope's shoulder. Oh, yes. 'Cause this holiday needed another complication like Lizzie liking Ethan, and Ethan liking Hope, and Hope liking Landon who was... Bad. Very, very bad.
"Yes!" Hope nodded. "Thank you, Ethan. I can get Jo to a chair. Meet us in thr dinning room?" She offered the twins a smile.
"Wouldn't miss it!" Maya strode off with Ethan, her ponytail bouncing behind her.
The minute the twins were gone, Hope turned to Josie, "I've been asleep for six months?" she demanded.
"Um..." Jo had no idea where to begin.
~0~
"Don't forget to baste the turkey, Milton!" Lizzie called. "Jed, they're mashed potatoes, not bashed. We shouldn't be able to suck them through a straw. Wade, how is the cornucopia coming?" She checked her list and Jed grumbled at the side item.
Wade coughed and Lizzie looked up to see a cornucopia that literally glowed. "Now, this is Insta-worthy. Sigh." She walked over to pat Wade on the arm. "Good job. Now, can you help with the stuffing? We're falling behind since Raf-"
The door to the kitchen swung open and Rafael walked in. "Hey!" he called out. His mood seemed to have improved, quite a bit. Maybe he could be helpful after all.
"Rafael, what good timing. Wade was going to help with the stuffing, but his decorating skills would be much better in the dinning room. And I'm sure someone needs to keep Kaleb on-task. He's probably hosting a private, one-person dance party, instead of setting out cutlery."
"Lizzie!" Rafael cried.
"Yes?"
The door opened, again. "Hey!" Landon came in and Lizzie dropped her clipboard on the floor.
A sudden smile appeared on Lizzie's face. "It must be Christmas, because our favorite elf is here!" She strode over and threw her arms around Landon. "If anyone of you mention this moment; I will stuff you, fry you, and plant you in Josie's garden."
"Jo has a garden? What else did I miss?" Landon asked.
"Where's Hope?" Lizzie backed up to stare at Landon with a smile.
Landon looked confused. "What do you mean? Isn't she's here-not here-here-but around?" He frowned, looking back at Rafael who looked guilty.
"You didn't tell him?" Lizzie snapped, hands going to her hips. She shook her head at Rafael.
Rafael's head drooped. "I just found him. In our room. I was just so happy to find him. That he was back. I couldn't tell him. Not yet."
"Tell me? Tell me: What, Rafael?" Landon's voice was rising. This was so not the Friendsgiving Lizzie had planned.
"Hey, Landon!" MG moved to stand beside Lizzie, interrupting the beginning of an argument between the brothers. "You just woke up?"
Landon nodded. "Yup." He kept staring at Rafael with an unhappy look.
"Um. Raf. A moment." MG wrapped an arm around Lizzie's shoulders and tugged her a few feet away. "What if he's not Landon? What if one of the monsters got in?"
"No!" Rafael shook his head.
Lizzie cringed. "I hugged him!" She shivered.
"Look, all I'm saying is: We should put him in one of the cells. Find a way to make sure he's our Landon. Then we can let him out." Rafael folded his arms over his chest. He did not look happy about MG's plan. But he did not continue to argue, either.
"Alright." Lizzie turned to Landon. "Sorry, Sleeping Weirdo, it's time for a little Time-Out." She crossed the room and took him by the arm, dragging him toward the door.
"What are you doing!" Landon struggled.
"Don't make me send you back to the land of perpetual bed head!" Lizzie snapped.
"He'll go willingly," Rafael said, moving in front of them. "Look, Land. They want to make sure you're, well, you, and not Malivore. Can you blame them?"
Sighing, Landon shook his head. "No. But can you at least tell me where Hope is, first?"
"Landon!" Okay. This was just becoming freaky.
Looking upward, Lizzie found Hope Mikaelson racing down the stairs. Her face was tear-streaked. "You're awake!" She threw herself into Landon's arms. "Jo told me you were-" Hope let out a sob. "But you're okay!"
"He might be Malivore," Lizzie pointed out.
Hope turned to give Lizzie a horrified look. "I'm not!" Landon added.
"Which is what Malivore would say!" MG quipped until Hope turned to set her horrified gaze on him.
"What's a Malivore?" Maya Fell came sauntering up to them with Ethan. She handed Hope a glass of water and the tri-brid drained it as Maya gave them all long looks. "Well?"
"An evil mud man who is also Landon's father," Josie blurted before she slapped her hands over her mouth. "Sorry."
Now, Ethan looked confused. "Who is Landon?"
"Hope's epic love!" Lizzie told him with a smile. "Also a walking talking advertisement for the 'before' of so many hair product commercials."
"Hey!" Landon and Hope cried.
"See. Only love could make you see past all that." Lizzie waved a hand at Landon's hair. "Sorry to interrupt the epic reunion, but we have to be going." She nudged Landon forward.
"Lizzie?" Hope moved in front of Landon; so he couldn't go anywhere. "Where are you taking him?"
"To a nice place." Lizzie offered Hope a smile.
Landon said, "They're planning to lock me up, until they know I'm not Malivore."
"What? No! Rafael?" Hope looked to Rafael who did not look any happier than she did. "You're not helping them, are you?"
Rafael shook his head. "I don't agree with it. But, Hope, we gotta find out. For sure."
Hope stared at Landon, taking his hand, it looked like she would not let him go, but then she did. "We'll figure this out."
Landon nodded. "I know."
Lizzie tried not to concentrate on what Friendsgiving would look like with one of their friends locked up downstairs.
~0~
"And all I wanted was some turkey and pie," Landon muttered to himself, moving to lean his head against the bars of the cell. He still hated small spaces, but he knew Hope and Raf would fight to get him out of here. He just had no idea how soon they would break him out...
"Hey, Land," Rafael said, coming toward the cell, with a key.
"Hey!" Landon called. "Feels like it's been ten minutes. They find a way to prove I'm not Malivore that quick?" He laughed until he saw Rafael was avoiding his gaze. "You don't know, do you?"
"Yes. I do," Rafael said, looking Landon in the eyes as Landon's fingers wound round the cell door. "Now, go. Get some food. If you run into anyone, I'm not the one who sprung you." Grinning, Rafael opened the door.
"Cool. I'll just blame Jed." Landon headed back upstairs. He snuck down the hall and towards the kitchen.
"What are you doing out of your cell?" Kaleb called out.
Groaning, Landon turned to smile at his friend. "Kaleb, man, it's been months. How's things with...Alyssa?"
Kaleb scoffed. "Lizzie sees us talking, she's gonna lock my ass down there with you. And no way did I work this hard not to get a slice of Jo's pecan pie tonight." Shaking his head, Kaleb moved to stand in front of Landon. "Down to the cells we go."
~0~
Sighing, Landon laid on the cot in the cell. He closed his eyes and imagined the stars Hope once made appear in this very cell. It made him smile. "Good dreams?" Hope's voice made his eyes open. The cell door opened and she stepped inside. "Hi," she called. "Come on!" She waved for him to get up and follow her.
"Am I going to end up back in confinement?" Landon asked.
"No." Hope shook her head. She led him upstairs and to the dinning room.
Landon pulled out a chair and took a seat. Hope leaned down and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "I'm going to go see how dinner is coming. I'll be right back."
"What are you doing out of your cell?" Perfect. This was Landon's new, favorite line. And he could not think of a better person to utter it: Jed.
Rising to his feet, Landon said, "Hope let me out." He hoped invoking his powerful girlfriend's name would make Jed back off. But that did not look to be the case as Jed moved ever closer with a not-very-Friendsgivey look on his face. This felt like so three years ago. "Come on, man! Just let me eat. Then I will go back down..." Landon reasoned, running into a chair, and he fell on the floor.
Jed let out a sarcastic laugh. "You know, I've got a pack to protect. So, no."
"Isn't Hope pack?" Landon struggled to his feet.
Shaking his head, Jed took a final step, so that there was less than two feet between them. "Have you ever crossed Lizzie Saltzman on Thanksgivng day?" Jed's brows rose and he shook his head. "Trust me. This is easier than dealing with a Lizzie Saltzman Thanksgiving meltdown." He moved to grab Landon's arm when a new voice interrupted the action.
"Excuse me. Did we walk in on something?" The new girl came striding forward. Her head tilted upward as she looked from Landon to Jed. Her eyes flashed as she looked at Jed.
"Just taking our guest back to his cell." Jed's hand moved to take Landon when the new guy crossed the floor and stood in front of Landon. "What are you doing?" Jed ground out.
"Not sure. But it feels right," The new guy said. Landon liked him already.
"I am your alpha. Now, stand down!" Jed snarled.
"Whatcha gonna do about it?" Maya demanded. She moved to stand beside her brother.
Landon took a few steps to the side and made a run for it. Like a flash, Jed grabbed him and began to haul him off. "You wanna help. Lizzie's got chores for everyone!" Jed called before Landon grabbed a plate and smacked it over Jed's head. A snarl came out of the wolf and Landon gulped before someone pushed him from behind.
"Run!" The new girl called.
"Thanks!" Landon called, waving.
~0~
Landon got as far as the dorms. Then he ran into someone who would not let him get away. "Lizzie..."
"MG told me he saw you take off." She held up her phone. "Don't worry. I'll bring you a plate. But if you think you're ruining this whole day by possibly being Mali-don, think again." She shook her head. "Let's go."
"Tell Hope 'I'm okay?'" Landon said, turning and allowing Lizzie to take him back down.
"I will." Lizzie replied. She even looked sad when she closed the cell door behind him.
~0~
Sitting down to the perfect dinner, Lizzie tried to smile. She could see the pain on Hope's and Rafael's faces. Even Jo looked unhappy. Or maybe she wanted to sit next to Hope and not next to Maya who was totally flirting with Jo. It made Lizzie smirk. She turned to Ethan. "So, how do you like our school?"
Ethan hadn't really touched his food. He took a moment before turning to look at Lizzie. "I used to think the kids at the human school were wrong about you. That this wasn't a school full of rich, entitled brats. But today I saw you lock up a man, without real cause. Where's the evidence that Landon is anything other than a man who wanted to spend Friendsgiving with his friends? So, yeah. I'm not too sold on the experience." He picked up his napkin and tossed it on his empty plate. "If you'll excuse me." He stood up and strode out of the dinning room.
Lizzie set her fork down. Looking at the others, she felt like she was in the middle of a hostage situation. "Just go..."
"Lizzie-" Jo began.
"I said: Go!" Lizzie shouted. The table shook. Plates skittered on the table and the lights flicked on and off. When the last person left, Lizzie's head fell forward and she wept. She'd tried, so hard to make this a good day.
~0~
Making two plates. Pouring two glasses. Adding two slices of pie and napkins; Lizzie kept her promise. Picking up the tray of food, she carried it out of the dinning room, down the hall and down the stairs.
There was a surprise waiting for her. As Lizzie turned the corner, she became aware of happy chatter. To her dismay, she found that there was a Friendsgiving feast going on in the basement. Quietly, she tried to turn, and leave, but MG heard her. "Hey! Lizzie's here!" he called.
"Lizzie!" Jo called out. "Come sit with us!" She waved for Lizzie to come and sit between her and MG.
Making her way down the hall, Lizzie looked inside Landon's cell. Hope and Rafael sat with Landon. He seemed happy enough. "I brought you dinner. But it looks like they beat me to it."
Landon got to his feet and moved to the bars. "No! This is good! I feel like I haven't eaten in a month. Thanks, Lizzie." He flashed her a smile and Lizzie nodded, relinquishing the tray, with her dinner on it. But this holiday was not about any one person. So, she took a seat next to her sister and her...MG.
"Hungry?" MG asked. "I got extra." He held up his plate.
"Starved!" Lizzie said.
"Yeah. All that bossing people around all day takes it out of you," Kaleb said before taking a bite of pecan pie.
Shrugging, Lizzie took a bite of turkey. Honestly, she had no idea how hungry she was. Jo poured her a drink and Lizzie took it. "To friends?"
"To friends," Hope got up and clinked glasses with Lizzie who smiled. "It's good to have you back, Mikaelson."
"It's good to be back." Hope nodded.
"Why do you think you woke up, today?" Ethan called.
Jed jumped in. "So, her boyfriend could smack me over the head with a plate!"
"You what?" Rafael let out a laugh and then chocked on his pie. "How could I miss that?"
"Phoenix combat!" Hope cried, nose wrinkling as she looked at Landon. They seemed to know what that meant.
"You broke one of my mom's plates!" Lizzie demanded.
Landon gave her a look. "You locked me up on Friendsgiving."
Lizzie sighed. "Fine. If she asks, Jo: It was a monster attack."
Jo nodded. "Does that happen a lot?" Maya asked, siphoning mashed potatoes and gravy. Yup. She was a wolf alright.
Shrugging, Josie said, "Not lately. But we did have a battle between Santa and Krampus, last year."
Maya let out a shocked laugh. She slapped Jo's knee before letting her hand linger. "No way! Santa's real. Well, I know what I'm asking to find under my tree, this year."
Flushing, Jo looked at her plate, and Lizzie bumped into her shoulder. Eyes going to Ethan, Lizzie sighed. She might not have gotten what she'd been hoping for this Friendsgiving, but, as she looked around at her people; she felt like she had a lot to be thankful for. "Happy Friendsgiving, everyone!" she cried, wrapping her arms around Josie and MG. Hopefully, they had many more to come.
The End
Thank you for reading, faving, following, and reviewing. :)
Be safe,
-J