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, despite the fact that she is a new mommy again! :) This is most likely the last part, unless I decide to do like a short epiloge. Thanks to all those that reviewed the previous parts and those that added me to their alert list. Please please please review...I don't really mean to beg, but I'd love reviews that maybe say something specific you liked or didn't like for that matter. I hope you enjoy reading!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except maybe some of the idea for this story...
Turkey Trouble - Thanksgiving in Tree Hill
Part 4:
Nathan tapped silverware on stemware to make a ringing sound alerting the guests. "Family," he began as he looked around the room. Lucas with his arm draped around Peyton; Deb sitting on the edge of the sofa; Lydia and Jimmy James standing wine glasses in hand; Dan alone in the crowded room; Jamie perched atop the barstool in front of him and Haley standing with her right arm on his shoulder. "Friends," He looked at Skills sitting on the couch; Mouth who was starring at Millie; and Brooke sipping on a glass of wine eyes on Mouth and Millie. "I just wanted to say a few words. I'm not a big speaker like my brother, but I just wanted to let everyone know how happy Haley, Jamie and I are to share Thanksgiving with all of you. Dinner is ready. The misses would love for everyone to have a seat at the table."
"There are place cards!" Haley added.
"Yep and I colored them!" Jamie announced.
There were chuckles at the kid's cuteness, and everyone made their way to the large dinner table that had been set up in the family room. The glasses were filled with water portions of all the food were arranged on the long table. This was no buffet style dinner, despite the large crowd – they were doing things family style. Nathan and Jamie squeezed at the head of the table, while Haley's place was the opposite – but she was not sitting just yet. Lucas took his seat next to Haley on one side of the long table, and next to him Peyton. Larry was to Peyton's left almost right in the middle of the table. To Larry's left Jimmy James had been assigned, and next to him his wife Lydia. Rounding out the end of that side of the table was Dan, who sat next to his grandson's end of the table. After all Jamie was kind of the reason Dan was even invited to this family gathering. Directly across from Dan sat Skills. Thanks Haley! Skills thought as he took his seat, at least he was near Nate and of course Deb who was sitting next to him putting her across from Lydia James. Mouth sat down next to Deb, just a seat away from Millie, in between the former couple: the lucky girl – Sam. On Millie's other side sat Brooke at the end of that side, next to Haley, and across from Lucas. When everyone was seated Haley finally took her chair, smiling and waving at her husband and son all the way at the other end.
"So just grab something and start passing." Haley explained, not that it needed to be.
Dan had started forking turkey onto the plates of those nearby. When he asked Jamie to pass his plate the little boy said, "No thanks Gramps!"
Lucas started serving slices from the turkey platter on his end. Mashed potatoes were passed, as well as a gravy boat. Corns on the cob, cranberries, stuffing all were passed around the table. Brooke encouraged everyone to have some of the sweet potatoes that she'd brought. Haley served the green beans to those who passed their plates to her, while Nathan spooned some onto plates at his end. Food was coming and going eventually plates became full and the guests started to dig in.
"Wait!" Jamie shouted, and everyone stopped talking.
Haley's eyes went wide. What is he going to say now? She thought, because you really never knew with her son.
"We need to thank him for our food." Jamie said with that matter of fact tone of voice.
"Okay little man you do the honors." Nathan encouraged.
Some heads bowed and eyes closed, while others remained on Jamie. Peyton's head was bowed but her eyes were open she was looking at the food on her plate, which wasn't much; she intentionally had filled it with very small servings, including an extremely small serving of turkey since the scent had sent her running to the bathroom earlier.
Jamie recited, "God is great. God is good, let us thank him for our food," it sounded memorized, but then he hesitated like he couldn't remember the rest.
Oh God! How am I going to eat this? Peyton thought to herself. At that second, as if he had read her mind and knew she needed encouragement, Lucas took Peyton's hand in his, and gave it a squeeze.
A second later Jamie continued, "Thank you…and thank Mama for making the food." He peeked up at her from across the table, "Amen. Let's eat!"
There were a few chuckles and some whispered 'amens.'
"Well said Jamie!" Jimmy James cheered giving his grandson a thumbs up.
It was quiet at first, the sounds of silverware on porcelain echoing in the large room. Peyton had a bite of mashed potatoes, and a tiny bite of stuffing. She sipped her water. So far so good. She avoided the turkey and tried some cranberries. Lucas kept an eye on her, as he ate. Stop looking at me like I am so fragile! She thought frustrated at the situation.
Conversations started to sprout up. Some centered on the subject of the food.
"Sam, can you ask Millie to please pass the salt?" Mouth asked.
The teenager looked at him strangely, "Dude, ask her yourself?" she replied.
Millie couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Hey Little Man, why no turkey?" Skills asked Jamie.
"Well Grandma read me a story…" he began.
Maybe I can just use Jamie's excuse for not eating the turkey. Peyton thought briefly.
Other conversations were about work.
"Brooke, Peyton tells me you are starting from scratch with the fashion stuff." Larry mentioned.
"Yeah I signed everything over to Victoria. Bigger and brighter things are on the horizon." She explained the short and sweet version.
"Like being the costume designer to the movie," Lucas piped in, "Julian informed me you were on board."
"Well I guess, I mean costume designing is something completely different from anything I've done before, but he has this wild idea that since I was there I'm the perfect person for the job." The brunette rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure you'll do an excellent job." Larry offered. "You always have succeeded in the past, why would this be any different."
"I like Julian." Sam noted.
Peyton stopped worrying about her food long enough to look up and simply say, "Don't" to Sam.
Haley observed her guests conversing and eating. Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves. Lydia was talking with Dan. He had been a very difficult person to seat, since most of the people attending didn't like him. However her mother could carry on a conversation with anyone, so she was the lucky duck. Her dad was talking with Mouth and Larry about sports. Jamie was entertaining Deb, Skills and Nathan. All was going well and this was pleasing to the hostess. She hopped up from her chair and headed to the fridge for more water.
"Refills anyone?" She sing songed as she came back to the table with a pitcher.
"Thank you, Hales." Lucas expressed as she filled his and Peyton's glasses.
"Haley, the turkey is delicious!" Deb praised. "Moist and just perfect."
The James' nodded in agreement. "I second that!" Larry announced. "I haven't had turkey for Thanksgiving that tasted this good since… I don't know when!"
Peyton had still avoided the turkey. She had been pleased with the progress she had made on her plate though; she had ate a little of everything except corn which she had passed on completely and the offensive poultry. The overall conversation moved on to compliments on the sweet potatoes, but Larry glancing at Peyton's plate urged her to eat some of the turkey. "It's just like your mom used to make. Remember how much you used to love Thanksgiving because of her turkey?" he reminisced. It wasn't like him to talk about his deceased wife, Anna.
Stupid hormones! Peyton thought, as his words made her eyes begin to feel misty. She consented and took a bite of the moist white meat, nodding her head in agreement just to appease him. This does not taste like Mom's! She thought tears still threatening falling from her eyes. She hoped no one noticed that she was on the brink of tears. She finished chewing and swallowed the bite of turkey and took a drink of water. Good, she thought, I have conquered the bird! Then just seconds later, or not! Peyton got up and made a B line to the bathroom.
Not everyone immediately noticed, most guests were busy getting seconds, or too involved in conversations. Lucas noticed, of course, but so did Brooke and Haley, who had almost collided with Peyton in her rush away from the table.
Damn, she was doing so well. Lucas thought, should I go after her?
Brooke was eyeing Lucas, when he turned around. Haley took her seat again. "She ok?" Haley questioned. "She didn't look like she was feeling so hot."
He kind of shrugged at both of his friends, "Um, I'm not sure. I'll go check on her."
"No Luke. Let me, I have barely gotten the chance to speak with her today." Brooke offered standing. She placed her napkin on her chair and walked off toward the bathroom.
"Mama!" Jamie called from down at the other end of the table, "Can I have dessert now?"
The young mother laughed, rolled her eyes at Lucas, "He's wanted a piece of that pie since I made it last night!" She then got up to head to Jamie's end of the table.
***
Brooke knocked on the door softly. "Hey Peyt, can I come in? I saw you run off back there. Are you ok?" She asked concerned for her friend. However, Brooke had a suspicion as well.
The door opened. It was a small bathroom, but Brooke entered anyway. Peyton was swishing water from a tiny paper cup around in her mouth. Brooke perched on the edge of the tub arms folded. The blond spit the water into the sink, tossed the cup in the trash and wiped her hands on a towel. Brooke pulled a tissue from the box on the sink and offered it to her friend. Peyton cleared her nose and tossed the used tissue in the trash as well.
"So either you have a stomach virus, or you're pregnant." Brooke stated. "And I really think you probably would have stayed home if you had a stomach virus…"
Peyton looked away, nodding a smile creeping on her face.
Brooke jumped up and squealed in excitement. She was thrilled she was right about her suspicion but more thrilled that her best friend was going to be a mommy.
Peyton put her finger to her lips signaling her friend to keep it down.
Brooke nodded and then whisper squealed, "You're having a baby! How long have you known? And why didn't you tell me!" She gave her friend a hug.
"Uh. We've only known a week or so, not very long and we haven't told anyone." Peyton explained.
"Oh. Well I can keep a secret." Brooke promised.
***
Lydia and Deb helped clear plates of those who were finished eating. "
"Oh where did that fiancé of yours run off to?" Lydia asked Lucas.
He shrugged. "Ladies room I think…"
"Do you think she's finished with her plate?" the woman asked.
"Oh definitely." Lucas replied.
Haley had cut and served pumpkin pie to Jamie, while Nathan had uncorked some wine for the adults.
"If you don't want wine I have coffee," Haley mentioned as Nathan filled wine glasses and she passed them out.
Brooke and Peyton returned to the table. "Just in time for the toast, and thankful thoughts," Millie chimed as the two ladies sat back down.
"Oh ok!" Brooke replied eyeing Peyton. "What are 'thankful thoughts'?" Brooke asked.
Sam answered, "We are all going to go around the table and share what we are thankful for this year."
Peyton took Lucas hand in hers. Their eyes met and she nodded slightly. No words were required he understood. You sure? His eyes asked hers. She glanced at Brooke and nodded again.
Haley handed Peyton and Lucas wine glasses, and breezed away before they could protest.
"Psst!" Brooke whispered. She slyly pointed to the wine glass in Lucas's hand, and crooked her finger in a "come here" motion.
Lucas looked confused. "Give her the glass!" Peyton whispered to her dense fiancé.
Lucas slid the win glass across the table to Brooke. Peyton handed her glass to him and picked up her glass of water just as Haley arrived at the end of the table with two glasses, one for Brooke and one for Millie. Millie took hers graciously. Brooke already having a glass stumped Haley for a second. Puzzled she looked at all the others, making sure everyone had something in their hand. Ok then, this one is mine! She thought and took a seat.
Brooke grinned pleased with the coo they had pulled. She winked at Peyton.
Haley spoke up loud enough to get everyone's attention, "Ok husband of mine, what are you Thankful for this year?"
"You of course!" he smiled, "And my son," ruffling the top of Jamie's head. "Our comebacks!"
"Here! Here!" Dan called raising his glass.
The rest did as well although some hesitantly, like agreeing with Dan was agreeing to something evil, but in this case it certainly wasn't.
"Ok Jamie it's your turn." Nathan nudged.
"Hmmm, I'm thankful for my Wii!"
Everyone laughed. "Hey now don't laugh! That was a gift from me!" Skills shared.
"I'm also thankful for Grandpa Dan, and for Mama and Daddy letting me get to know you." That really hushed up the room. "And Chester, and making friends with Q. I guess all the people I love really." He acknowledged, then he asked, "Who's turn is it now?"
"I'll go." Dan spoke up. "I'm extremely grateful to Haley for having the heart let me in my grandson's life. Nathan as well, I know we aren't close and probably never will be again…but I hope I can somehow make up for my past misdeeds through being a respectable granddad." He admitted.
Lucas was trying hard to restrain himself from blowing a gasket. This man murdered Keith! He could never make up for murder! Peyton patted his arm, trying to call his nerves.
"Oh now me!" Lydia piped up. "I'm just happy to be with all of Haley and Nathan's friends. We love being back in Tree Hill."
"I'm thankful for our health and happiness." Jimmy James declared.
"I'm thankful for new found love." Deb admitted kind of sheepishly, but since Dan had been so honest she figured she should be.
"I'm thankful Bevin and I never worked out!" Skills cracked.
"I'm glad I got my job back!" Mouth shared.
"I'm grateful to be on land." Larry Sawyer joked, "I'm also very pleased that my girl is happy, and successful. I'm so proud of you Peyton." No more joking completely serious.
She teared up at his words. He gave her a peck on the forehead. "Love you." He whispered.
"Awww." Haley and Brooke cooed.
Oh god is it my turn! Peyton thought dabbing at her eyes, with the napkin.
Suddenly Brooke spoke up, "Ok, well I'm thankful for being rid of my controlling mother, and for new beginnings." She raised her glass. Others followed suite.
Millie spoke, "I'm thankful for Brooke, who is a pretty good boss, but an even better friend."
"Yeah me too." Sam added kind of non-committal.
"Hmm, what's that Sam?" Haley prodded.
"I'm thankful for Brooke, and well you too I guess." The teen added, but did not elaborate much.
"Ok, I guess it's our turn." Lucas spoke up. "Obviously I'm thankful for Peyton. I'm thankful she accepted my insanity when I called her that night asking to fly with me to Vegas and get hitched." A few polite laughs from his friends and he continued, "I suppose I'm also thankful for this movie stuff that is happening, especially since my last book isn't doing so well and especially now…"
Brooke gasped a little too noticeable, when she realized what they were doing.
Peyton looked at her dad, and asked, "Hey, so how do you feel about being a grandpa?"
Haley gasped connecting the dots on Peyton's odd behavior, "Oh my God! You're pregnant!"
Brooke started squealing again, and jumped up go join Haley in hug of the expectant couple.
"No way man!" Nathan exclaimed getting up to go hug his brother.
Lucas and Peyton both had the biggest smiles on their faces, as family and friends shared congratulations. Comebacks, new love, new beginnings, and new life everyone had something truly special to be thankful for this Thanksgiving in Tree Hill.