Carrying on the Torch

Disclaimer: I don't own Good Luck Charlie

A/N:

Chapter 6 (Thanksgiving Day Begins)

Thanksgiving day had arrived and PJ the kitchen was currently the hottest room. Charlotte was helping out with some of the cooking, but even Skyler wasn't getting much done with PJ doing most of the cooking. His primary task was the Turkey, which was looked gorgeous. Charlotte wanted to sink her teeth into that turkey as soon as she could. Skyler was taking care of the ham, which was actually Charlotte's favorite part of the meal. Ham, it was the candy of the meat group, so delightful and delectable. She'd already taken care of the rest of the meal traditions, or well, 'helped' with them. The green beans were ready, the sweet potatoes were cooked to perfection, and the traditional honey buttered biscuits had a perfect aroma and puffiness that could be rivaled by no other bread. Then there was the cranberry sauce, another favorite of hers that had almost been forgotten this year, but luckily, Skyler managed to borrow a can from Mason's aunt.

Charlotte stepped into the living room and moved over to the couch where baby Teddy was crawling on the ground in front of. She smiled as Teddy started babbling and crawling towards her. "Aw, hey there baby. Come to Aunt Charlie." She knelt down and extended her arms, unaware of the nickname she'd used. Teddy giggled and crawled to her arms, smiling with wonder. Charlotte let out a grunt and lifted her up, holding her carefully and moving over to the couch. She sat down and cradled the baby close to her. "Guess what Teddy, a really cute guy is coming over. So, you think you can be on your very best behavior?"

The infant laughed and let some saliva drip onto her pink baby pajamas. Charlotte sighed and grabbed a napkin from the end table. "I'll take that as a no. Just try, and I'll see about turning on the Gurgles or something." She smirked and swiped the saliva off Teddy's chin. It was amazing that The Gurgles were still on the air, but then, they didn't produce a lot of shows anymore. Plus, the original Gurgles from twelve years ago were all gone and replaced now. It was sad, they'd been the heart and soul of the show. They only left when the Circle Gurgle had been murdered, one of the first crime scenes that PJ had to work on. Truly a depressing time for her, but she was just a kid then, not that able to comprehend deep emotions and understanding of death. Albeit, she understood abandonment rather well.

"You know Teddy, we will never leave you. I want you to know that." Family meant the world to her. If she couldn't be with them, then everything may as well stop and go to hell, because she wasn't going to take it. Skyler, PJ, her aunts, her grandparents…better known as Skyler's parents, and even the eighty seven year old grandmother in Palm Springs that nobody ever wanted to talk to, they all were important to her. "Dinner's almost done and Mason's not even here yet, I'm starting to wonder if his uncle figured things out and decided not to come." Teddy babbled. Charlotte smiled and lifted her eyes skyward. Here she was, talking to a baby that probably had no idea what she was talking about. "I have two best friends that I could call up right now and talk about all this, and here I am, talking to you. All you're thinking about is probably…well, what is it babies think about during the day?" She turned her eyes to Teddy's eyes and flattened her lips as she thought hard on the subject.

Teddy gazed back into her eyes and let her lips fall into a frown. Her eyes begin to glaze over and her limbs bent inwards. Charlotte started to worry and looked up from the couch to call for Skyler. That's when the rancid stench assaulted her nose and left a bitter taste in her mouth. Her ears rang with Teddy's cries and she fought hard not to run away. "I think we know what you're thinking about right now." She gagged and quickly stood up, holding Teddy close and avoiding the diaper at all costs. "S-Skyler! I think she just let loose!" Skyler's head poked out from the kitchen and her eyebrows rose. One day, Charlotte was going to need to learn how to change a diaper without throwing up.

"I got this!" Skyler ran out to Charlotte and took Teddy in her arms. She rocked the baby, swaying from side to side and trying to comfort her with a lullaby. As she did this, Charlotte ran to the bathroom, grabbed the diapers from the bathroom closet, and ran back to Skyler. "Thank you dear, now will you go help PJ while I change Teddy?" Did she need an invitation to get away from the tear-producing smell coming from the rear end of that infant? That carrot and green bean flavored baby food sure wasn't doing anyone in this house any wonders!

"Gladly!" Skyler laughed as Charlotte ran into the kitchen and gasped in the fresh air. PJ glanced back at her from the turkey and raised his eyebrows. Charlotte placed her hand to her racing heart and stared at her brother. "I'm telling you, five months in, and it does not get any easier whenever she poops." PJ chuckled and turned back to the turkey. Charlotte walked over and eyed the wondrous meat, only able to imagine the many flavors that would later grace her tongue. "Man, I'm already hungry."

"I know. Also, if you think changing diapers is bad right now, just wait until you're older and you have a baby of your own." Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her now grumbling stomach. The nightmare continues.

"Great…I think you just killed my appetite for about an hour." PJ laughed, an almost evil sounding laugh. Charlotte groaned and started to walk out into the living room. "I'm going to get you for this, PJ. I will…" She groaned a second time and sniffed, still trying to get the smell of feces out of her nose. Just as she stepped into the living room, the chime of the doorbell filled the house. She gasped and everything immediately faded into the distance. "Mason's here!"

"Let the guests in, I'll be out in a second."

"Okay PJ." She hastened to the door and felt her heart pulsating within her, she was excited to see what would happen. It was now or never.

"Wait!" Skyler's voice stopped her right as she was about to open the door. Her lips frowned and her eyes turned to see Skyler running out of the hallway with an aerosol lavender spray can. "Do not let them in, I have to spray the room and I do not want it smelling like a pile of rotting food that a baby just popped out of her rear."

"Yeah, no offense, but that's exactly what happened."

"I know!" She chuckled and moved to the window as Skyler began spraying the room with the sweet smelling scent. While she waited, she moved the curtains in the vertical side window and gazed out at Mason and his family. Mason smiled at her, so she gestured him to wait a moment. He shrugged his shoulders and looked to the door.

Mason was standing between his Aunt and Uncle. His uncle was tall, his chest popped out from his very broadened shoulders. He had a very sharp expression and deep brown eyes that gazed out over his long and slender nose. A mildly thick goatee framed his thin lips, which looked as flat as a flat-line on a heart monitor. His arms were folded neatly over his chest and his feet were spread apart about two feet. He was wearing a black pin-striped suit, blue dress shirt, black tie with a diagonal, silver line. His black slacks clung loosely to his legs and folded over his shiny black shoes. The man didn't look much like a music producer and choreographer to her, he looked like a bodyguard ready to jump someone! That, or he looked like PJ while he was staring down a potential suspect.

Mason's aunt was much more pleasant to look at. She had an olive shaped face with large brown eyes and puffy lips curled into a sweet smile. Her brown hair rested just over her shoulders, much like Skyler's hair. She was round and puffy like a marshmallow, not that Charlotte would say that aloud. She was surprised to see Mason's aunt was Ivy, but tragedy did have a thing for bringing people together. Ivy looked a lot like her mother, it was probable that she suffered from genetic obesity, which was a terrible thing to have to deal with. Ivy was wearing a blue sweater over a red v-neck shirt. She had long blue jeans that kissed her black heels.

The Heglins looked back to their car and Charlotte's eyes shot over. A small seven year old boy with very short curly hair and a blue striped shirt was leading a much older man with white curly hair. She suspected Emmett and Ivy's son, Tyler, and perhaps Ivy's dad, Henry. Mason said that his other grandparents, Emmett's parents, were pretty much out of their lives.

Henry had a very sullen look on his face and eyes that were devoid of whatever joy he might have held in the past. He had a slight humpback and a very frail figure. He looked a lot older than sixty-three. Mason did tell her that Henry never really got over his wife's death. Mary Lou Wentz passed away around 2012. All of Emmett's and Ivy's grandparents started passing away during the prior twelve years. Mason's parents being gone also would have derailed the Heglin family. Then the apparent abandonment of Emmett's parents, she could only imagine what this reunion with PJ would be like.

"Skyler, can I let them in yet?" She turned around to see Skyler patting her clothes down. Skyler nodded and quickly hurried back to the bedroom, returning with Teddy in her arms. Charlotte smiled and opened the door for the family. "Hey Mason!" Mason waved. She looked to Emmett and Ivy, mustering a polite smile. "Hi Mr. and Mrs. Heglin, how are you guys today? Happy Thanksgiving!" Emmett looked at her and raised a suspicious eyebrow. He turned to Mason, speaking in a husky voice.

"Mason, you didn't tell me, what is her last name?" Mason chuckled nervously and Charlotte's lips fell. Her heart began to sink. Mason didn't tell his uncle about the Duncans? This could not be good. The kitchen timer rang and her eyes shifted nervously to the room. "Either or…" Emmett turned back to Charlotte and extended his hand, giving her a slight smile. "Emmett Heglin. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"You too. Please, come in!" She walked over to Skyler and put her hand onto her back, pushing her forward. Skyler bounced slightly and started walking, smiling pleasantly. "This is my 'adoptive mother' and sister-in-law, Skyler."

"Skyler?" Emmett raised an eyebrow as he and his family walked into the house. Charlotte walked over and closed the front door behind them. Mason hung back and leaned against the door. She met his nervous eyes and swallowed hard. If anything, Emmett would likely remember Skyler. Emmett rubbed his chin and stared at Skyler. "As in Skyler Duncan?"

A noise came from the kitchen and Charlotte's eyes shot over. PJ was walking out, rubbing his hands with a rag. "Dinner's done. Skyler, did you call your parents and make sure they were on their way?" PJ froze and Emmett's gaze narrowed upon him. Charlotte flinched and quickly ducked behind Mason to avoid fire. Ivy moved next to Skyler and exchanged concerned glances. Henry and Tyler had already moved to the couch and were watching everyone with a growing confusion. "You?"

"You?" Emmett spun around and glared at Mason, pointing an accusationary finger at Charlotte. "You're dating Charlie Duncan?" Mason put his hand to his forehead and sighed. Charlotte flinched in reaction to the stabbing pain in her chest. She slowly lifted her hand and stared at Emmett.

"I-If it's any consolation, we haven't started dating yet. That, and I go by Charlotte now…" Emmett narrowed his eyes and locked his eyes with Mason's. PJ folded his arms over and stared at Charlotte, gently shaking his head. She bowed her head and tangled her index fingers at her waist.

"Mason, why did you keep this from me!" Mason rolled his eyes and Charlotte moved her gaze to the side. She felt him brush past her and quickly looked up to see him eyeing Emmett.

"Look Uncle Emmett, I respect you and I respect your opinion, but listen to me for once." Emmett raised his eyebrow and folded his arms over. His stern gaze made Mason and Charlotte flinch. Bad move, Mason. "Sorry, wait…no, I'm not…This is Thanksgiving, whatever problems you and Mr. Duncan have, consider putting them aside. The Duncan's have invited us over, the least you can do is be civil, right? I mean…you dosmell that turkey, don't you?" Charlotte smiled and PJ's eyebrows rose with pride. Emmett closed his eyes and sighed.

"I know I raised you right, Mason…your parents would be proud." He turned to PJ. The two men held an almost mutual glare. In order to curb her throbbing chest, Charlotte distracted herself by looking outside. "I suppose we can try…it's been a while, Peter." PJ rolled his eyes and walked off into the kitchen. Skyler sighed and hurried off after him while Ivy grabbed Emmett by the wrist and pulled him to the side to scold him.

Mason turned to Charlotte and looked outside with her. "What are you looking for?" Her eyes were misty and she really hoped that he wouldn't see that. She really needed to curb her emotions lately.

"Grandma and Grandpa Bosca." She called them Bosca for short, their full names were David and Amanda Boscarino. They were Skyler's parents and had done everything for Skyler and PJ during the last twelve years, including moving to Denver for them. They were the most highly involved relatives that she could ask for. "They should be here soon. I really don't want to focus on PJ and your uncle right now."

"Yeah, sorry about my Uncle…I don't get his grudge all that much…" She chuckled and looked at him warily.

"You realize you're going to get in trouble later for talking back to him, right?"

"Yeah, but you know, I really don't mind."

"Are you sure about that?" Her lips curled into a teasing smirk and his shoulders slumped. She knew him well enough to know he probably didn't want to have to face his uncle later. "Your uncle looks so intimidating."

"That's not his usual look, but he has been uptight lately." Mason folded his arms over and turned around, leaning against the wall. Charlotte looked back at Emmett and Ivy. Ivy was shaking a finger in his face. Emmett had his eyes skyward. Mason laughed and nudged Charlotte. "Look, Aunt Ivy's always scolding him when he acts up."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Charlotte raised an eyebrow and tilted her head as she listened in. Ivy was telling Emmett to keep his mouth shut and be respectful, that despite PJ cutting them off, it wasn't right to be upset with Mason over such an old grudge. In the kitchen, it sounded as if Skyler and PJ were having a similar talk.

"What a way to start out Thanksgiving…"

Well someone's bitter.