Author's Note: Possible spoilers...although what do I really know!? Shout out to Shu for reading this story before I published it, and beta-ing. Also congrats on becoming a mommy again Shu!!! :) I hope you enjoy reading the story, even more than I enjoyed writing it! :) Thanks to all those that reviewed the previous parts and those that added me to their alert list. I love reading the reviews! They mean so much!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except maybe some of the idea for this story...

Turkey Trouble - Thanksgiving in Tree Hill

Part 2

"Mama, is Grandpa Dan coming to Thanksgiving?" Jamie asked as he dunked his cookie in the glass of milk.

Haley looked at Lucas to gauge his reaction. "So there was one other person that I forgot to mention was coming."

"Haley…" Lucas started.

"We're hereee!" called Haley's mother, Mrs. James as she entered the house. "Where's my little Jimmy Jam!?" She knelt down and flung her arms open ready for a hug.

Jamie exclaimed, "Grandma!" He popped down from the stool and ran into her arms. "This is going to be the best Thanksgiving ever! You and Grandpa are here and then Grandma Deb and Skills, and Grandpa Dan, and Uncle Lucas and Aunt Peyton are all coming! Aunt Brooke is too, and she's bringing Sam her foster kid, who is in high school. Oh Sam is a girl, by the way." He rattled on filling in his grandma.

"So we'll see you tomorrow Lucas. Dinner is at 4, but actually you'll be bringing the turkey over much sooner." She winked, patted him on the back, and glided across the room to greet her mom.

Nathan and Mr. James were unloading the luggage in the driveway as Lucas showed himself out. "Hey!" he nodded hello to guys as he passed them.
He walked down the drive, head down thinking of what the day tomorrow might bring. Be careful what you wish for. He reminded himself.

***

Cleared of the stress of attempting to make a perfect Thanksgiving dinner, Peyton decided she'd just curl up on the couch for a few until Lucas returned from wherever he had ran off to. That was where she was fast asleep, when her soon to be husband returned. He tried to be quiet because she looked so peaceful sleeping, smiling, with her hand unconsciously resting on her still very small belly. She must be dreaming pleasant dreams. He was pleased with himself since his mission was accomplished. He didn't want to think of dinner tomorrow with Dan, the worst father in Tree Hill and possibly the world. He wanted to spend the rest of the evening cuddled up with Peyton and dreaming pleasant dreams of their future; his own family.

He set his keys on the table in the hall. The quiet rattle of the keys must have awoken his precious Peyton because she stirred, and slowly opened her eyes. "Hey you! When did you get home?" She stretched her arms above her head still waking.

God, she is beautiful, he thought. "Just now. What happened to making a turkey?" He asked, after all he had to play like he had no knowledge of the conversation she had with Haley on the phone.

"Oh!" She sat up and waved her hand dismissing that idea, "that's not happening. In fact, I'm so glad you're home, babe!" She smiled mischievously, and stood up making her way over to him with that devilish glint in her eyes.

"Why's that?" He smiled. Apparently Peyton was in a much better mood than when he'd left.

She was standing directly in front of him, her lips inches from his, and she whispered. "Because you…" She kissed his face, half on the lips half on the cheek. "…need to…" She kissed the other side of his face again half on the lips half on the cheek. "…take…" Then she moved to his right ear nipping seductively at it. She then withdrew from his arms, walking towards the kitchen. Of course he followed, she knew he would, "this bird over to Nathan and Haley's." She said as opened the fridge revealing the turkey wrapped haphazardly in aluminum foil.

He stifled a laugh, and just nodded. "So, we're having Thanksgiving dinner with them?"

"Well apparently Jamie just had to have us at their Thanksgiving dinner. And well, you know I'm a sucker for the kiddies these days." She winked.

***

Haley had been up since 4 a.m. She had finished preparing the two turkeys; then began roasting both; started the green beans in the crock pot to slowly cook (as per the family recipe,) mixed the stuffing and set it up in another slow cooker; rinsed the corn, wrapped it in aluminum foil, placed it back in the fridge for the time being; hand washed the china so it was sparkling clean; did the same with the silverware; checked the turkeys; wiped down the kitchen table, since they would need to use it and the dining table to accommodate all the guests; and as she finished her second cup of coffee she wrote the names of those guests on little cards shaped as turkeys, which Jamie had colored. She downed the last drop of coffee from her cup and looked at the clock on the microwave. 9:00, the parades were starting, I should wake Jamie. She sighed. She loved her little man to death, but she didn't know if she could handle his energy at that moment with all she still had to do before people started arriving. She poured another cup of coffee from the carafe.

Cup in hand she made her way to her bedroom, and quietly placed the cup on the nightstand. She knelt down and gave her husband a peck on the cheek. She then crossed the room pulled back the curtains to let the bright morning sunshine stream into the room.

Nathan squinted at the bright light, and saw the silhouette of his wife emerge from the light. "Happy Thanksgiving!" She sing-songed, then added, "Put on some clothes, you have chairs to find!" She smiled as she left the room. "Oh and coffee is on the nightstand." She added popping her head back in the door.

***

Sam had once again made breakfast for Brooke. She was trying to make up for what she felt responsible for, Brooke knew that. Sam knew it wasn't possible to really make up for it, but she had to try.

"Do you like the eggs?" Sam asked. "I put cheese in them this time."

Brooke smiled and nodded. They had reached neutral ground, for now Brooke wasn't pressing charges against Sam's friend, Jack. She didn't know what to do really. She just wanted to put that behind her and move forward. She had just started to feel like she was moving forward, pressing charges would be like sliding backwards. She didn't blame Sam that she was certain. "Are you excited about Thanksgiving?"

Sam shrugged. "I suppose. I mean I guess I actually do have things to be thankful for this year," admitting something she hadn't before.

"Yeah me too." Brooke admitted. "I'm glad you came home, Sam."

The young girl blushed. "Home," She looked up questioningly. "But for how long? You can't adopt a baby with me here, and isn't that what you wanted – to be a mom?"

Brooke had suspected Sam had overheard the phone conversation a few weeks back. She stood up and began clearing the table. "Sam, I don't have to adopt or foster a baby to be a mom. I do want a baby…someday." She put their dishes in the sink, and returned to the small table, "But right now, I have you." She placed her hand over the teens on the table, "This is your home, as long as you need and want it."

Suddenly Brooke's cell phone started ringing. She answered, "Hey Millie, Happy Thanksgiving!"

The sobs from the other end of the line could be heard in Brooke's kitchen. Brooke frowned. "Oh um, well…come to Haley's with Sam and I." There was a pause on Brooke's end of the conversation, and then she said, "No! Why would Mouth be there? I mean he's probably spending Thanksgiving with his parents." That was truly what Brooke believed at the time.

***

Haley sat down on the couch to relax for just a few minutes. It was about 10:30. Nathan was gathering up chairs. She'd soon have to get up and help him move the tables. She closed her eyes for just a second reveling in the calm before the storm.

"Mama!" Jamie said as he pounced on her. Haley's eyes sprang open. "Happy Thanksgiving!" She tickled him for a few seconds and then they cuddled, and watched a bit of the parade together. Suddenly Jamie spoke up, "Mama, you know what?"

"What's on your mind Jimmy Jam?" Haley asked rubbing her hand over her son's head.

"I don't want to eat turkey for Thanksgiving. Grandma read me a story last night and…" Oh good lord, was all Haley thought. Earlier as she had made out the name cards she had briefly worried about Lucas going crazy on Dan, but now… I may just kill my mother…

***

Nathan had scoured the house for extra chairs he found them in various rooms and closets. He followed his wife's orders well. They had even moved the tables, so they were both in the family room/kitchen area. Now as the football game started he sat down to watch it with his father in law. He dreaded later when his own dad would arrive. Nathan wasn't much for football really, he suspected that his father in law wasn't either, but both me knew they needed to stay out of Haley's way, especially when she appeared to be slightly ticked at her mother for a reason unknown to them.

Jamie hopped up in between the two men. "So can one of you explain this game to me?" he asked innocently, looking back and forth between his dad and grandpa.

"Uh, well… you know they try to get the ball from one end to the other, like in basketball," His dad began.

"But in football they can tackle the other team, in effort to get the ball away." His grandpa added. "And that's not allowed in basketball?" he said half questioning.

Jamie nodded, "I get it!" then changing the subject completely he asked the older man, "Do you want to hear my jokes?"

Nathan just laughed.

***

Peyton looped the tie around and fixed the perfect knot to Lucas's collar. "So, are you going to be civil to your dad today? It is a holiday and all." She reminded him.

"Are you going to let us tell everyone our wonderful news?" He countered back to Peyton.

She glanced up. "I want to Luke I do," She walked across the room and sat on the edge of their bed. "I just worry…its how I am. I can't help it." She was staring at her hands in her lap. "I feel like this is all too good to be true sometimes."

Lucas immediately went to her and knelt down in front of her. "Hey Blondie, nothing is going to happen to ruin this." He placed one hand on her belly and the other in her hands. "This is perfect. Our baby is perfect. I just want to share it with the world."

"Luke, things happen all the time…"She started a tear escaping from her eye.

He wiped the tear away with his thumb. "Not to us, Blondie. Our baby is perfect, remember?" He kissed her cheek.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, "I'll get it. You finish getting ready." He said and exited the room.

Lucas opened the door to find his soon to be father in law. "Mr. Sawyer. You made it!"

The older man, engulfed Lucas in a manly hug and said, "It's Larry, son."

Peyton heard him and rushed from the bedroom to see if it was true. "Dad!" she exclaimed and jogged over for a hug. As she released the hug she frowned and her eyes started to tear up, Damn hormones, "Oh, Dad I'm not cooking. We're going to Nathan and Haley's for dinner." She turned to Lucas, "Do you think Haley will mind if he comes?"

"Oh hon, I don't want to impose." Larry spoke. "I just wanted to see you and Luke. I can…"

"I'm sure she won't care. I'll just give her a call and let her know." Lucas explained he stepped away from the father and daughter so they could catch up, and to make the phone call.

"Yes!" Haley barked into the phone.

"Hales! So Peyton's Dad is here, is it ok if he comes to dinner too? I know I already asked one favor of you, but well Peyton doesn't get to see her Dad often you know…you should see how lit up she is right now." He said glancing at his soon to be wife, who was definitely glowing.

"Sure. I'm busy. Can't talk!" She hung up.

Lucas stared at his phone surprised at the abruptness of how the call ended.

Five minutes later, as he sat with Mr. Sawyer waiting for Peyton to finish getting ready his phone rang. Before he could even say 'hello', Haley was spouting off her question, "His name is Larry right? Larry Sawyer?"

"Yes." Lucas said, he was going to say more, but she had already hung up.

"Haley. I think she's a little stressed hosting Thanksgiving…" he explained to Larry Sawyer.

***

"Wait, Dan is coming?" Deb asked her only son Nathan. They were setting the table, as per specific instructions from Haley. Nathan nodded. "Has Haley lost it? I mean of course we're thankful that he helped take care of psycho Nanny Carrie, but inviting him to Thanksgiving dinner? I mean her parents are here. Antwon is coming, Mouth, and Jamie said Lucas and Peyton are coming as well right?"

Nathan nodded, and continued arranging the place settings.

"Well it won't be a dull evening that's for sure!" She commented.

The doorbell rang and Jamie a tornado of energy spun from around the corner "I'll get it Mama!" He raced to the door sliding in his sock feet, and opened it. "Grandpa Dan!"

"Oh look! Let the fun begin!" Deb deadpanned.