Chapter 34: Friendsgiving

November – Age 19 – College Freshman

Surviving was what they were doing... and doing well if they said so themselves. Santana was maintaining 22 credits and Finn 20, raising Char, and maintaining a reasonable level of sanity. They had too much work on their plate to go home for Thanksgiving dinner. Too many projects due, studying for finals. They had two more weeks left, less than, before the end of the semester. So Santana invited a few people from their classes – who lived far and couldn't go home – to their little house for a Friendsgiving dinner.

Susan Ellis was a native Texan. She was also a nursing major, so in most of Santana's classes. Since she was more of a traditional student, she wasn't taking as many classes. But the girls got along and often tried to study together when they could. Sarah thought Charlotte was adorable and they interacted fairly well. She was also their super enthusiastic clapper as they began potty training.

George Myer was in Finn's Spanish class and was from Pittsburgh. He was going for a degree in business management and felt like Spanish could help him in this day and age. They got along fairly well. It was quite shocking to him that Finn had a child, but he accepted it. Santana also invited John Higgins from her science classes. He was a biochemical engineering major and was from New Jersey. He was not real keen about spending time around a small child, but Charlotte eventually won him over. She made him sit her in his lap during a study break. He accepted Charlotte as his lap ornament from then on.

Finally Finn invited Amanda Simpkins, a teaching major from his intro to Psychology and Sociology classes. She was smitten with Charlotte at first sight – a picture on Finn's cell phone – and was super excited to be spending Friendsgiving with the little family. She didn't really have much family back in Florida, so this suited her just fine. Santana really liked Amanda, and she came over early to help cook and study with Finn.

They were giggling as they chopped up vegetables and mixed the stuffing when Finn got up. He came out of their room with sleep pants on and no shirt. He was greeted by some wolf whistles. "Good morning handsome," Amanda teased.

"Morning, Panda," Finn muttered sleepily.

"Panda?" Santana questioned. Amanda shrugged.

"S too early for full names," Finn grumbled. He had been up all night because Charlotte had a nightmare. "I need coffee."

"A mug or an IV?" Santana teased.

"A mug for now," he replied. She made him a very large mug of coffee, just the way he liked it. Then she popped a bagel in the toaster for him as well. After a few sips of that liquid gold, Finn was more coherent. "She just wouldn't go back to sleep."

"I know. Hopefully she'll sleep a while longer," Santana commented.

"I hope. And hopefully with all the excitement and turkey, she'll go to sleep around normal time tonight," Finn replied.

"I'll make sure she is good and tuckered out for ya," Amanda chimed in.

"I'm sure she'll be thrilled," Finn agreed.

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Their friends trickled in, each bringing a side dish along with them. John brought some sweet potato casserole, Susan brought all the fixings for a salad, George brought rolls. Since Amanda brought some supplies and helped Santana cook, she was off the hook. They had the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. While things were cooking, the would take turns studying, and entertaining Charlotte.

Finn said grace before they all got their food buffet style and sat on whatever available place that they could get to and have their food comfortably. Charlotte decided that she wanted to sit with Amanda, which gave Finn and Santana time to eat their meal without a child interruption – quite a rare occurrence these days.

"I'm thankful for friends like you guys that decided to have Friendsgiving for all of us sad sacks that couldn't make it home to our families," Amanda said as she undid the button on her jeans. "And I'm thankful that we are all good cooks."

"I will second that," John said. "I'm thankful that I've survived this far into college without crashing and burning."

"I'm thankful that this food is so delicious," Susan said, also undoing the button on her jeans.

"I'm thankful you've included me in this little gathering," George said.

"I'm thankful that you all took the time to make something and come celebrate with us," Santana said.

"I'm thankful for the little family that I have made here," Finn said. Finn had a family, both blood, relationship, and friendship; this made him a very wealthy man indeed.