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Hope you enjoy!
Prepped and Ready (A McRoll in the REAL World Story by Mari, Sammy, and Ilna)
"Joanie's here, Great Grandpa Steven," Angie said in a soft voice while holding her cousin's hand.
At the roped area of the USS Arizona Memorial, DJ and Joan flanked the little girl who was talking to the wall where Lieutenant Steven McGarrett's name was etched. "We came to say we're thankful for you," Joan whispered, and DJ nodded. "Very thankful."
Deb wrapped an arm around the waists of her niece and nephew, pulling Mary and Steve closer for a hug before she stepped up behind the children.
"Let's give Aunt Deb a minute," Mary told the kids, but their great aunt shook her head.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Dad, look at your beautiful family." Her tone was soft but without sadness. "I know you're very proud of your grandkids and great grandchildren." She kissed her fingers and waved them. "Hug mom and John for me, okay?"
"Oh," Mary wiped a tear and leaned her head against her brother's shoulder and when he hugged her to his side, Catherine and Aaron exchanged a look.
Catherine looped her arm through Steve's and leaned into his side while Aaron kissed his wife's temple.
"So," Deb addressed the children. "You have some wonderful people looking out for you from above. And I know I can speak for my mom, dad and your grandpa John when I say they're very proud of you. Let's say our goodbyes to your great grandpa and let the families waiting behind us have a chance to pay their respects." She straightened and smiled. "Besides, I'm definitely hungry and I don't know anyone who loved a good meal more than my father." She turned and reached for Steve's hand and squeezed it. "Except maybe his namesake."
"That sounds like a great idea," Steve hugged her to his side. "Breakfast at the O Club before we start the rest of our day."
"Daddy?" Angie said, looking up at him with soft eyes. "Great Grandpa Steven liked to eat, too?"
"According to Aunt Deb, he did." Steve lifted her into a hug. "And he was her daddy so she'd know."
"Then I'm like him and you. Cause I love food, it's yummy."
Deb McGarrett smiled and ran a hand over her great niece's soft curls. "You definitely are, honey. Do you kids want to know what his favorite breakfast was?"
"Yes!" They all chorused.
"Pancakes!"
"Really?" DJ beamed. "All three of us love pancakes!"
"Then I think that's what we should have." She held out a hand to Joan and DJ while leaning to kiss Angie's cheek who was in her daddy's arms.
"That sounds perfect," Mary said with a smile. "Let's go, I'm suddenly starving."
"If we get some of the side dishes ready today then we'll have more time tomorrow for fun things like football and playing games," Angie said, repeating what her mother had told her after breakfast at the Officers' Club.
"That's right, angel," Elizabeth said as she placed a handful of perfectly cut bread cubes into a bowl.
"Grandpa and me have been practicing and I can catch the ball very, very good now," Angie said excitedly. "I wanna score a touchdown."
The door to the deck slid open.
"DJ, you should help Daddy with the green beans cause those are your favorite," Angie announced when her brother walked into the kitchen with Cammie, fresh from a quick potty break for the dog. Ready to help with the food prep, he quickly washed his hands.
"I'm helping' Grandma and Grandma Ang with the stuffing," his sister said, not missing a beat, "and Joanie and Uncle Aaron are making a special pie they invented." She tossed a huge smile at her cousin and uncle.
"You guys invented a new pie? Is it a secret recipe?" DJ questioned, and took the spoon Steve was holding out to spread the mushroom soup into the green bean casserole.
Joan shook her head. "It's not a secret, it's salted caramel apple pie. It's so delicious. We got the idea when we went for ice cream with Aunt Deb, and Mama tried salted caramel."
"As the official taste testers, we can vouch that it's delicious," Deb said and waved to indicate herself and Mary.
"The salty/sweet combination is really awesome." Mary agreed, while placing a giant bowl of boiled potatoes on the island near where Danny had the mix master and butter ready. "Potatoes ready to go." She smiled when Grace entered the kitchen carrying a huge catering style tray of salad. "I'll dress the rest of the salads and put this one in the deck fridge," she told Grace, taking the tray.
"Thanks, Mary. Then I can start the turkey gravy. Auntie Cath, am I okay on gravy or is there something else you need me to do?"
"Gravy's great. The drippings are on the counter and you know where the flour is," Catherine lifted her chin towards the cabinet while deftly catching a carrot that slid out of Angie's hands before it hit the floor.
"Got it," Grace said, smiling at Angie before snagging a piece of the newly cut carrot. She popped it in her mouth before grabbing a sauce pan to begin her task.
Once all the turkey-related Thanksgiving prep was done the three kids walked onto the deck, eyes alight with their combined excitement.
"We're ready to make our dish," DJ announced to his parents, who were arranging the outdoor chairs and tables with Carrie, John, Mary, and Aaron.
"Okay," Steve said and rubbed his hands together. "Operation Side Dish. Let's do this. Ready, Aaron?"
"I ask this in all honesty because you know my cooking skills; what can two nine year olds make with a five year old?" Carrie asked.
"Trouble." Mary said with a laugh, making Catherine chuckle. "Make sure you're good listeners," she told the kids who all nodded enthusiastically.
"We will."
"What are you making?" John asked. "I can't wait to try whatever it is."
"We're making manicotti with Nonna's gravy," Joan said with a little hop of excitement.
"Wait, wait, from scratch? Because you all already out-cook me," Carrie joked.
"No, we bought the manicotti at Costco," DJ said with a giggle. "But we have to layer the pasta with the gravy just right." He looked at his mother. "That's what Nonna said, right?"
"That's exactly what she said." Catherine smiled. "You guys get started." Winking at Steve and Aaron she added, "We'll be around if you need backup."
"The first annual Joan, DJ and Angie side dish is under control," Aaron said, steering the children to follow Steve back inside. "We've got this."
"Aprons on and hands are washed, everyone?" Aaron asked, surveying the three kids in the kitchen who nodded back at him.
"We're ready!" DJ said.
"Very very ready!" Angie echoed.
"Uncle Steve, where's your apron?" Joan asked.
"I'm living dangerously," he replied with a wink, standing beside Aaron in a t-shirt and cargo shorts.
"Okay …" she said slowly with a look that reminded him so much of her mother that he had to laugh.
"Okay, what do we need to do here with this manicotti?" he asked.
"Nonna said we put some gravy in the bottom of the pan," DJ recited, "then we put the manicotti in a layer …"
"And then more gravy!" Angie said, throwing both hands into the air in her excitement.
"Yay for more gravy!" Joan cheered.
"I think I'm finally used to hearing 'gravy' for what I've always thought of as 'sauce,' " Aaron said as he put a large catering style pan in the center of the table. "The first couple years I was always doing a double take."
Steve nodded. "I know what you mean. Okay, you three get up on your chairs so you can reach the pan."
The three kids arranged themselves around the table. Steve opened the jar of homemade gravy and handed DJ a spoon. "Go for it, buddy."
DJ scooped out a large spoonful, eyes widening when some dropped onto the table.
"We'll clean it later," Angie immediately said, causing both Aaron and Steve to chuckle.
DJ deposited the gravy into the pan, then passed the jar and spoon over to his sister who did the same, followed by Joan.
"Do you think that's enough?" Joan asked.
"One more for luck," Aaron said with a wink. She grinned, and ladled another spoonful into the bottom of the pan.
"Now for the manicotti," Steve said, opening the large bag of frozen stuffed pasta crepes.
The kids again took turns carefully laying them in the pan in a layer.
"Now more gravy!" Angie said, reaching for the jar. She spooned more on top of the manicotti, then passed it on.
"This is looking delicious," Aaron said. "I can't wait to try some."
"You have to wait till tomorrow, Daddy," Joan reminded him. "It's for Thanksgiving."
"Oh right," he said with a smile. "Well, at least we'll get to smell the deliciousness while it's baking today."
"Yeah!" DJ agreed. As if on cue, the oven beeped to announce it was preheated. "Is it ready to go in?"
"Looks ready to me," Steve said. Aaron opened the oven door and Steve put the pan on the rack.
"Uh oh, Uncle Steve," Joan said, pointing at him when he turned around. "You got gravy on your shirt."
Steve looked down to where some gravy from the side of the pan had transferred to his shirt. He wiped at it with his finger and licked it off with a smile. "Tastes great," he said, causing the kids to giggle.
"Do you think everyone will like it?" DJ asked, eyes drifting back to the now baking pasta dish in the oven.
"It's manicotti with Nonna's special gravy recipe put together by you three awesome chefs," Aaron said. "Everyone's going to love it."
"I agree," Steve said. He winked. "In fact, I have a feeling it's going to be everyone's favorite side dish this year."
"I can't wait for Thanksgiving!" Angie said, practically vibrating with excitement.
"At least it's just one more sleep," Joan said, her own face beaming.
"One more sleep till Thanksgiving," DJ said, smiling broadly. "And we're prepped and ready."
Steve grinned, ruffling his son's hair. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Hope you enjoyed! Join us tomorrow for the big day!
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