~11~
With four new additions at the dinner table, there weren't enough seats, even with the extra settings for Theresa, Little Ethan, and Jane, who remained notably absent.
Planting himself in Sheridan's lap, Marty quickly found the perfect solution to the dilemma and enjoyed sampling pumpkin and pecan pie from the warmth and security of her embrace.
Watching them both, Luis couldn't help but feel cheated of the family they could have been. He reluctantly tore his gaze away from the bittersweet sight when he realized Hank was speaking to him.
"Sam tells me you've been catching some night classes over in Castleton."
"Luis is going to be a lawyer," Paloma joined the conversation mid-stream, great pride for her brother in her eyes and smile.
Sheridan turned surprised eyes to Luis, resting her cheek against Marty's silky blond head.
"That's great, Man," Hank congratulated heartily. "It looks like your dream's finally coming true."
Only part of it, Luis thought to himself with a half-hearted smile. The other part of his dream seemed as unattainable as the stars that burned in the far-off sky.
"For as long as I can remember," Hank reminisced fondly, "this guy dreamed of being a hotshot attorney. It was all he could ever talk about at career day. When I grow up…"
Luis rolled his eyes at his longtime buddy. Not much had changed about Hank over the years; he still possessed a propensity for exaggeration.
"What about you, Uncle Hank?" Maria piped up. "What did you wanna be when you growed up?"
"A circus clown, of course," Hank replied with nary a twitch of his lips. His dancing brown eyes, however, gave him away.
Maria giggled when Marty cried, "Bozo!"
"Bozo the Clown," Hank pretended to be deep into consideration. "Has a nice, catchy ring to it."
"I never knew you were so ambitious, Uncle Hank," Jessica found herself joining in the children's silliness.
"Don't encourage him anymore," Sam warned, helpless to keep his own smile at bay. After a moment of welcome shared mirth with his family and friends, Sam sobered, turning his attention once again to Luis, "Seriously, Luis. I'm proud of you. We're all proud of you at the station, down to the newest rookie."
Noah rolled his eyes and ducked his head to hide the sheepish grin on his face at the arm Sam threw around his shoulders. "Dad."
Searching out Kay's twinkling eyes with his own, Hank heaved a mock-disappointed sigh, "That leaves me and you as the lone black sheep in the family."
"I won't let you down, Uncle Hank," Kay vowed.
"Good to know," Hank took her answer in stride, chuckling at the expressions worn on each and every member of the Lopez-Fitzgerald family's faces. "I just wanted to say thank you again, Pilar, for making us refugees feel so at home."
"Uncle Hank," Jessica blushed.
"You're welcome," Pilar replied warmly.
"Thanksgiving is for friends and family," Martin lifted his glass in a toast.
"To friends and family," everyone around the table echoed.
His eyes on Sheridan again, Luis wondered, not for the first time, where she fit in.
Where do *you* think Sheridan fits in?
Forget Luis.
Tell me. ;)
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