A/N 1: All the players are taking the stage. Emma, Molly and Sarah are ready to join the others, and Ellie, Devon and Clara are on their way.
A/N 2: No Chuck, No Money.
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Ellie's pies were stowed away safely, in the back, as Devon drove himself, Clara, and Ellie to Thanksgiving dinner at the Bartowski family home. Most of the cooking would take place there, but Ellie wanted to have her baking done in advance.
So, she now has a moment to breathe, and think, and be hit by the surrealness of the whole situation. We're going over to Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving? What the hell? After a decade of no contact, bam, we're packing up pies and heading to my parents. My spy parents. My drop off the face of the earth, to go on secret missions, and then just come home, spy parents. And now we're heading to have Thanksgiving, all together, like it is the most normal thing in the world.
But, I guess that is what I want. Despite all the anger and hurt of the past, I really do want a chance for a normal future for us. Clara needs all of her grandparents. I never would have guessed what Chuck was calling about, all those weeks ago. Let alone that it would lead to this.
"You doing Okay, Babe?" Devon asks, looking to the back seat, where she and Clara are seated. "You look like you are worrying about something."
Ellie barks out a laugh. "I'm just thinking about how this is the weirdest thing in the world, is all. Just going to visit my secret agent parents in a house that I haven't been in for years."
Devon chooses to laugh with her, at the absurdity of life, and avoid thinking about how she didn't know the half of it. "Yeah, Babe. It is pretty wild. But I think they are trying to make up for things."
"I was just thinking about when Chuck called with the news, that night." she recalls. "I could tell he was nervous about something, but I wasn't prepared when he told me that he had found our parents in Europe. And, while I was digesting that bombshell, he asked me if I was ready to meet them."
Devon nods along with her, remembering that night.
"Then, when he revealed that they were in L.A., so we could get together, it was too much. You saw how I lost it. If you hadn't been there, I don't know what I would have done. Probably sat in the bathtub, with a bottle of wine, babbling about pancakes." They both chuckle at that.
"I will always be there for you Ellie." Devon, reassures her, offering what support he can, as she relives the moment.
"I know, and I love you for that, honey." Ellie confirms, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "You were there with me the next day, when I agreed to meet them. And, that's why I insisted that you would be by my side to hear their story."
Devon's eyebrows raised slightly, as he considers all of the Bartowski family secrets that he is privy to.
"Mom being a spy, and then being pulled away to some secret mission overseas. Then dad chased after her, trying to save the day. And somehow that was also to protect Chuck and me?"
I mean what the hell!"
Clara begins fussing at her mother's agitated state, so Ellie plays with her, to distract both Clara and herself, from the tension she has built up.
Ellie looks down at Clara, eyes soft and loving, and softly murmurs, "They were parents. They had a family. Kids. How could that not come first?"
Looking back up at Devon, through the rearview mirror, she continues, more loudly, but keeping a softer, sing-song, tone to her voice, so as to not upset Clara.
"I mean, sure, we weren't infants, but we still needed parents. It's like they just set our family on autopilot, while they went and did their thing, and just trusted that everything would work out for Chuck and me." Tears fill her eyes, and her voice wavers, "They just left me to handle everything, when I didn't really know how to do anything."
"It just shows what an amazing woman you are, Ellie." Devon offers, trying to lift up her spirit. "And, I find you more amazing everyday."
Ellie wipes her eyes, "Oh Devon, you are so sweet." She offers him an attempt at a smile. "Sure, we made it through, but it would have been nice to not have had the struggle. But they said it was for the 'Greater Good'. That their leaving was like soldiers being sent overseas. Even the Army doesn't send both parents at once!", she harrumphs.
Her shoulders sag, as her anger flags. She returns to soothing Clara. "But here we are. What's done is done. And I would rather have them back in our lives, than stay mad at them."
"Yeah Babe, I think you are right about that." Devon agrees, happy to see that she was calming down.
"And it is so good that Chuck is going to be back." Excitement built in her voice. "And Sarah is coming too. I'm glad they worked things out. It will be so good to have a little normal back around here, rather than all my parent's spy drama."
Devon slightly chokes at her comment, but keeps his composure, and keeps his eyes on the road.
Ellie stares out the window, thinking about Chuck and Sarah. "You know, it's kind of odd, but thinking about Chuck and Sarah made me think about Casey, too. It was weird how he showed up as part of our group. Now, there is someone who could definitely be a spy."
Devon laughed abruptly. "Casey! A spy! That's a good one babe. I don't think he's James Bond." And he kept laughing, to avoid any further discussion of that subject.
Ellie just lets the subject drop, as she stares out the window, in contemplation. Hmm… Mom and Dad are spies. Could there be other spies in my life? Ellie was lost in thought for the rest of the drive to the House of Spies, the OG Casa de Bartowski.
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After parking, Sarah quickly jumps out of her car to help guide Emma to a spot near the house.
She can't resist giving her Mom a hug, once Emma steps out of the car. " I am so happy that you are here. That we are here together. Our family." With that thought Sarah can't keep some tears from falling.
Emma's chest tightens, hearing those words, and manages to choke out, between her own tears. "It's a dream come true for me, honey." They hold each other, for a moment, then Emma pulls away and claps her hands. "Enough of all this crying. This is a happy day. We need to enjoy it."
She moves to open the back door and looks in at Molly, who is a bit uncertain about this whole situation. Emma claps her hands, and with a happy sing-song voice, asks Molly, "Baby-girl, are you ready to go have some fun?" Molly perks up a little, hearing "Fun", and hesitantly nods her head. "We are going to have a big dinner." Emma explains, as she unbuckles the car seat. At the word dinner, Emma starts kissing Molly's face while making Nom, Nom sounds. Molly giggles in response.
Sarah looks on in awe. She makes it look so easy, taking care of a kid, being a mom. I don't know how to be a mom. How am I ever going to do this?.
Emma pulls Molly out of the car, sits her on her hip and tells her, in the same sing-song manner, "And, we are going to meet some nice people." At that she turns so Molly is facing Sarah, points to Sarah, and re-introduces them. "And, this is your big sister Sam. Molly, can you say Hi?"
Molly turns her face into Emma's neck, shaking her head, no. "Come on baby-girl, don't be shy. Don't you want to give Sam a hug?" Emma prompts her, pulling Molly back out of her neck.
Molly looks at Sarah, with wary eyes, then shouts, "No!" before burrowing her way back into Emma's neck.
Kids hate me! They must sense what a terrible person I am. Sarah's eyes are wide and her jaw is trembling.
Emma gently strokes Molly's hair, cooing into her ear. "It's okay, baby girl. It's okay. There's nothing to be scared of, Sam is your family." Then she looks up at Samira, and is distressed to see her other daughter on the verge of tears. "Oh, Sam. Come here." She reaches out with her free arm, pulling Sarah in for a comforting hug.
Sarah melts into her Mom's arms, finding comfort that she hasn't had for years. "She hates me." Sarah sobs, sharing her concerns.
Emma pats her back, "No, no. That's not true. Just hush about that. Molly is just not sure what to think about everything." Emma chuckles, "We've been crying, almost non-stop, since I got here. Even though they are mostly tears of happiness, it has to be unsettling for her. Just give her some time to get used to everything. And to finally see you when you are not crying."
"Okay?" Emma asks, pulling back so she can look at Sarah's face.
Sarah sniffles, wipes her eyes and nods her head. "Yeah. Yeah. I'll be okay."
They separate and Emma returns to stroking Molly's hair, calming her down. "Hey Sam. Can you grab her bag?" she asks, indicating a small bag, on the floorboard of the back seat.
Happy to be useful. Sarah picks up the bag and helps Emma lock up the car. She shakes out her arms, takes a deep breath, preparing for her next ordeal, dinner with the Bartowskis. She leads the way, filling Emma in on the basics about the members of Chuck's family.
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Sarah knocks on the front door, but quickly lets herself into the Bartowski home. Stephen had instructed her to do so when she left, as he stressed that their home was her home. His comment touched her deep inside. Still, she is nervous as she leads her Mom and Molly into the house.
Standing in the living room, Devon is showing Stephen one of his exercise gizmos, so they are the first to notice Sarah, Emma and Molly's entrance. "Sarah! Awesome! So good to see you!" Devon calls out, as he crosses the room, sweeping her up in a hug.
Stephen crosses the room, close behind Devon, and steps up to welcome Emma. "You must be Emma. Welcome to our home." He greets her with a handshake. Then he looks down, and bends his knees to greet the little girl who is halfway hiding behind Emma. With a soft voice, he welcomes her, too. "And you must be Molly. I am very happy to meet you Molly."
Emma graciously accepts his welcome. So far so good. These seem to be happy people. And Mr. Bartowski seems to have a gentleness about him. I think Sarah has found some good people.
Suddenly a squeal pierces the room. "Sarah!" Ellie calls out in excitement as she comes out of the kitchen, where she had been working with Mary. She rushes across the room to hug Sarah. "I thought I heard Devon call your name." After hugging her, Ellie steps back to look Sarah over.
Oh my Gosh! You look amazing. You look so healthy and happy. I swear you are glowing." It's like she is a lamp, finally turned on.
Sarah blushes at the compliment. "Things are a lot different with me than before. And much of it is thanks to your brother. We are together now. And it isn't complicated." Sarah adds with a smirk, recalling how that was the excuse they were always giving to explain away the mess that they were in.
Ellie laughs out loud, getting the joke, then pulls Sarah back into another hug. "I am so happy about that, and I am so happy to have you back in my life."
Sarah relaxes into Ellie's hug. "I am so happy to have you back in my life, too. And thank you so much for sending me those recipes. I am sure that Chuck appreciates it too." They share a laugh at that.
Sarah realizes that she hasn't done the introductions. Everyone has just kind of stopped to watch her and Ellie. "Oh my gosh! Mom, let me introduce you to everyone." She takes Emma's hand and presents her to the group, each in turn. This is Stephen and Mary Bartowski, their daughter Ellie, and her husband Devon Woodcomb. Everybody, this is my Mom, Emma Nowak, and this little one is Molly." They all nod in greeting, as Sarah had briefly explained about Emma and Molly, before she went to retrieve them.
They are standing around exchanging pleasantries when Chuck steps into the room, from the back bedrooms, announcing "She's all dry now." He nuzzles the little brunette toddler on his hip. "We're all dry now aren't we?" Smiling, he looks around the room, now filled with the people he loves.
Sarah's breath catches and she finds herself struck still by the sight. Chuck is just standing there smiling. Standing there holding a curly haired brunette little girl. Curly brown hair like his. She is disoriented, feeling like she is looking into the future. A future where Chuck is holding his own daughter. Their own daughter. Is that what is in store for us? Our own baby girl? My own baby girl? Her eyes are drawn to Molly, as she remembers the little girl's reaction to her. And children hate me. Tears well in her eyes, her shoulders slump, and her head drops as a profound depression comes over her.
Chuck can't help but notice Sarah's condition, and he hurries to her side. "Sarah, honey, what's wrong? Is there a problem with your mom?"
Sarah looks up at him with tear filled eyes and a trembling jaw, as she whispers through a tight throat, "Babies hate me." Then she starts sobbing. Chuck reaches out to her, pulling Clara and himself closer. Clara starts fussing, being pulled into the emotionally turbulent setting. Sarah sees Clara's reaction to her, and her sobbing intensifies. "See. See. Babies don't like me."
Ellie watches the drama unfold, and quickly swoops in, taking Clara out of Chuck's arms.
Chuck immediately pulls Sarah into an embrace and stifles his chuckle. "Oh honey it's not you.", he assures her. "It's just your emotions at the moment. You are feeling distraught, and Clara picked up on that. It is not you."
It takes a moment for Sarah to settle down and Chuck's soothing words to sink in.
In the meantime, Mary and Stephen return to the kitchen to check on the food. Ellie and Devon move to the couch to sit and calm Clara.
Molly clings tightly to Emma, unsettled by the whole situation. Emma even feels a little overwhelmed by everything. Sam seems to have gone from having no emotions to being overwhelmed by emotions. I guess she has a lot to work through considering what she said her past was like. Damn Jack, for taking her away from me. This Chuck guy seems to be just what she needs. The way he swooped in, as soon as he saw her in distress, and immediately started soothing her. He seems to have a lot of compassion and patience. Just what she needs. I can now see how he must have been a great support as she was recovering from whatever hell her old life was.
Molly, brushing up against her leg, breaks her out of her ruminations. Oh my gosh, it looks like Molly needs some soothing. Come on Emma, you need to take care of both of your daughters, now. She reaches down to pull Molly up into her arms and begins the task of easing Molly's mind and helping her adapt to this new circumstance. A new sister and it looks like a new family will be part of their lives from now on.
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Chuck guides Sarah back to their bedroom, holding her close. He closes the door and sits them down on the bed, never ceasing to offer her words of support and reassurance. "Sarah, my love, trust me. Children don't hate you. You are lovable and sweet."
"But. but, Molly! And then Clara! They both don't want anything to do with me," she manages to explain, between sniffles and hiccups.
"Love, if your reunion with your Mom was as emotional as mine was, it was probably a cry-fest. And of course that is going to freak a toddler out. Just like Clara's response to your crying. It was the crying. It's not you." Chuck tries to explain, consoling her.
Chuck kisses the side of her head, then kneels on the floor, in front of her. He looks up at her face, gently taking it in both hands. He uses his thumbs to wipe away her tears, finally getting her to meet his eyes. "Sarah, what you are going through would be emotionally overwhelming for anyone. Seeing your Mom after so long, and with your difficult history, has to be a shock to your system."
Sarah nods, slowly accepting the truth of his words. "It just feels so intense."
"Of course it does. It is intense. It's just that you suppressed your emotions for so long, that it is like going from zero to one hundred. You only learned how to ignore your feelings. You never learned how to manage them, while still experiencing them." He reminded her.
Sarah laughed wetly, "And boy am I experiencing them. Since we got here, it seems like I have been doing nothing but crying."
Chuck moves back onto the bed to sit next to her. He takes her hands in his and slowly strokes the back of them with his thumbs, doing everything he can to make her feel better. Because that is his life's mission. Make sure Sarah feels loved.
"It's normal. This is normal. You saw me cry when we got here. You have nothing to be embarrassed about." he reassures her.
"I just feel like such a mess. And, I am not used to that. I don't think I like it," she confesses.
"Hey, Hey. Like I said, you are allowed to be a mess, in circumstances like these. But you can also learn to control your emotions without completely suppressing them. It doesn't have to be zero or 100. Maybe you will get comfortable at 50. But, remember this is your first time out, and you are getting the double whammy of your family and my family, after being used to having no family. Just give it time. Things will settle down. You will get used to dealing with regular life and all of its ups and downs. And, we will be happy. Trust me." Chuck breaks out his most potent tool, and gives her the Bartowski smile.
Sarah can't help but respond with her own slightly broken smile. She twists her lips to the side, trying to control it, but fails. She gives him a big smile of her own. "You're sure about that?" she asks, with a teasing tone.
"One hundred percent." He guarantees with a light laugh. "I know that we can deal with anything. And I know that you are completely lovable. So, give it another chance, and I know Molly and Clara will warm up to you."
Chuck stands, still holding her hands. "Are you ready to go back and jump in the deep end of family life?"
Sarah pulls herself up with his hands, and laughs deeply at his joke. "As long as you are my life guard, I'm ready to dive in. Just let me get cleaned up a little." She gives him a peck on his cheek, then excuses herself to the bathroom.
Chuck's eyes lovingly follow her as she exits. What an adorable mess. He shakes his head. I can't imagine what it would be like to completely suppress my feelings, let alone what it would be like to then suddenly experience them. She is so strong to face that head on as she reclaims the life that was stolen from her. I don't know if I am that strong, or if I would have broken down. All I can do now is support her and help her learn how to deal with life. So how do we deal with her and the kids?
When Sarah returns to the bedroom, her face is cleaned up and her attitude is improved, which she displays with a smile.
"Sarah, I have an idea." Chuck steps to her and takes her hand. "Little kids like Clara and Molly get over things pretty quick, especially if they are distracted and you change things up on them."
Sarah looks at him quizzically, but with interest.
"I want you to change your clothes. It will kind of give you a fresh start with them," he explains.
Sarah brightens at the suggestion. "That kind of makes sense. And, I want to do anything to make things better with Clara and Molly. What do you suggest?"
"I don't know exactly. Kids like bright colors, and you want to look soft and approachable. I know! What is your mom wearing? Some kind of blue pantsuit?" Chuck asks.
Sarah furrows her brow in thought. "Yeah, it's a blue pantsuit and she has a white shirt on, under the jacket."
"So what do you have that is kind of similar?" Chuck inquires.
"Well, I do have some blue slacks and a white shirt." She grabs a few things out of her closet, and proceeds to strip out of her dark outfit and put on the new clothes and some blue flats..
Chuck sits on the edge of the bed, watching mesmerized.
Sarah's outfit makes her look brighter, and her presence seems lighter. She even twirls in place to show off to Chuck.
"As always, you look incredible." Chuck praises her as he takes her in his arms, lifts her off her feet and swings in a circle.
Sarah giggles, her mood improved dramatically. How does he do this? How does he make everything better? He always finds some good in so many bad situations. Maybe this will work. I just want the kids to like me.
Chuck sets her back down, and takes both her hands in his. "Are you ready to rejoin the party?"
Sarah raises up on her tiptoes and kisses him. "Let's do this." She leads him back to the living room and her newly expanded family.
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Devon looks up from where he is playing with baby Clara, Chuck and Sarah's departure to the bedroom catching his attention. He notices that Emma has sat in one of the armchairs, doing her best to comfort Molly. Inspiration hits him. "Teletubbies."
Ellie and Emma stare at him, momentarily confused. Molly and Clara perk up, recognizing that name. "How about we put on some Teletubbies. Emma, do you guys watch Teletubbies?" He turns to Clara, and in a sing-song voice asks, "Do you want to watch some Teletubbies?" Clara excitedly claps her hands and babbles.
Likewise, Emma turns to Molly. "Baby girl, you want to watch Teletubbies?" Molly, recognizing the name of a favorite show, and picking up on Clara's excitement, timidly nods her head in assent.
Devon retrieves a DVD from one of Clara's bags, and gets it started on the living room's flat panel TV. They all settle back to enjoy the toddlers being happy and entertained.
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Chuck and Sarah return, arm in arm, to the living room, and take in the now calm scene.
Emma looks up and is surprised to see the changed Sarah. Changed in both dress and attitude.
Wow! She looks transformed. Renewed. Chuck must be an incredible man. When I got upset, Jack just got frustrated, always thinking the solution was more money. So, it made us fight more. He never comforted me like that. Well, I can't relive my life. I can just hope Sarah has found someone to have a healthy relationship with, and it looks like she has.
Devon and Ellie also notice their appearance, prompting Ellie to jump off of the couch and join them. She hugs Sarah, looking into her eyes to check how she is doing. "Are you doing okay? Everything better?"
Sarah tucks back into Chuck's side. "Yeah. I'm okay. All of this family reunion stuff just got to me. I've been estranged from my mother, so you guys family reunion hit me hard. It pushed me to reconnect with my mom, which was a whole other level of emotional drama. It all just overwhelmed me."
"We are all so happy to have you here. Never doubt that. Do what you feel like you need to do. We have your back." Ellie reaches out and squeezes Sarah's hand, a tangible demonstration of her support.
"Thank you so much for everything," Sarah responds, squeezing back.
"Okay, now you guys need to come help prep this feast we are going to have," Ellie informs them as she leads the way into the kitchen, where Mary and Stephen were busy. After a quick greeting, everyone gets busy helping however they can.
Ellie leads Sarah to the cutting board, where apples are waiting to be diced. The apples and some walnuts destined to be sprinkled over the tossed green salad. Ellie then joins her mother at the stove. Stephen turns his potato mashing duties over to Chuck. He then locates a serving dish, and starts scooping the cranberry sauce into it.
A companionable silence settles over the room. Everyone is happy to be where they are, doing what they are doing, with the people they love. Sarah soaks up the feeling, letting it calm her nerves.
Soon most of the food is prepared, so Chuck, Sarah and Ellie head into the living room, where Devon and Clara, and Emma and Molly are focused on the TV. Ellie takes Sarah's hand and leads her to Devon and Clara. Ellie picks up Clara, settling the little girl on her hip, and turns her to face Sarah. "Clara honey, this is mommy's friend Sarah. Can you say hi to Sarah?" Clara snuggles close to Ellie, looking side-eyed at Sarah, but she tentatively and adorably waves her hand in greeting.
Sarah chokes up. Oh my! That is the cutest thing ever. "Hi, Clara," Sarah softly says, and wiggles her fingers back at Clara.
Chuck reaches out for Clara, and Ellie gladly passes her over.
"Hey Clara. Did you watch some Teletubbies? Huh? Was it fun?" Clara nods her head and with a big smile babbles at him, in reply. "Uh huh. Good, good, good." Then Chuck boops her nose, and she giggles in response.
Chuck turns them towards Sarah. "Oh, lookee here. Here's Sarah. I bet she loves the Teletubbies, too."
Sarah can't help but giggle at Chuck's antics.
Chuck reaches out with his free hand, for Sarah who happily allows herself to be pulled closer. In a sing-song voice, Chuck questions her. "Sarah, do you like the Teletubbies?"
This prompts another giggle, then she answers, with a lilt in her voice. "Oh, yes. Yes, I love the Teletubbies." What the heck are the Teletubbies?
"Yay, Teletubbies!" Chuck cheers. Clara claps her hands in delight, giggling and bouncing in Chuck's arms.
A warmth fills Sarah, as she allows herself to be drawn into this intimate, happy little interchange.
"Clara, can you give Sarah a kiss?" Chuck prompts Clara, as he leans her in towards Sarah.
Sarah stands stock still, with wide eyes, as Clara leans in and places her puckered lips on Sarah's cheek.
Chuck straightens back up and encourages Sarah, "Sarah, do you want to give Clara a kiss?"
Sarah flushes and a smile bursts upon her face. "I sure do." She leans in and nuzzles Clara's cheek, while making popping noises with her lips as she peppered her with kisses.
Clara rolls her shoulders up and giggles in delight.
Emma watches, with growing amazement, as this scene unfolds. Is Chuck a psychologist, or is he this good with people, naturally? He created a situation, where Sam, who was just crying about babies hating her, now is trading kisses with one. He just totally diffused a situation, that I was still trying to figure out how I could resolve. Either way, he is going to be so, so good for my Samira. Or I guess it's Sarah, now. Whichever, she is my daughter, and it is going to be so good to have her back in my life.
Chuck turned back to Devon, who was still sitting on the couch, taking in everything. "Here you go bro. Thanks for renting me your toddler. You can send me a bill."
Devon laughs as he receives Clara back into his arms. "Anytime Chuckster. I'll even let you have her for a whole evening some Saturday night. I wouldn't feel put out at all."
Chuck laughs along with Devon. "Don't be surprised if I take you up on that, when we visit next."
Chuck is still smiling broadly, when he turns to Sarah. "You doing Okay?"
Sarah's smile lights up her whole face. "Better than OK. That was amazing Chuck. Thank you."
"See, kids like you just fine," Chuck assures her. He turns her towards her mother and Molly. "I need to go help Ellie set the table. Why don't you go talk with your mom, and give Molly another chance?"
Sarah looks at Chuck with her eyes sparkling and her face aglow. "I love you so, so much, Chuck."
"I'm always here for you, my Love." He kisses her forehead, as punctuation.
Sarah walks to her mother. "Hi Mom. Sorry for ignoring you, after inviting you to join us. Everything just kind of overwhelmed me. Chuck says it's not surprising, considering it all. I just hope you can forgive me for being a mess." Tears well, again, in her eyes.
"Now hush you. No more crying. No more apologizing. You are my daughter, and I am part of your mess. And I am overjoyed at the opportunity. Like you said, we will be together, from here on out." Emma gives Sarah a hug. "No bad days, from now on. Okay?"
Sarah nods her head as she wipes her eyes. "No bad days. Thanks, Mom." Sarah takes a moment to savor that word, then gives her mom a kiss on the cheek.
Emma looks down at Molly, who has been taking in everything, including Chuck and Sarah's interaction with Clara. "Hey Molly. How are you doing? Did you like the Teletubbies?" Emma asks her, bringing her into the conversation. Molly absentmindedly nods her head as she looks back and forth between the two women. Both are wearing blue slacks and white shirts, with blond hair topping their heads. They are like two peas in a pod.
Emma picks up Molly and settles her on her hip. Molly's head is on a pivot, looking from Emma to Sarah. "See how much Sam looks like me? I'm her Mommy, too. She is your big sister."
Molly parrots, "Bihg sis'er".
Sarah giggles and covers her mouth. Now, that is the cutest thing I have ever seen. She tentatively reaches out with her hand for Molly's. When Molly grasps it, Sarah lightly shakes it. "Very nice to meet you Molly."
Molly pulls her hand away, so she can reach up and touch Sarah's hair. "Does she have hair like Mommy's?" Emma asks. Molly turns back to Emma and touches her hair. "Mommy 'air." Emma laughs in delight. "Yes, Mommy's hair. Just like Sam's hair." With that she leans towards Sarah so Molly can touch her hair again.
Sarah instinctively reaches out to catch Molly, as if she was falling. Molly instinctively reaches out for Sarah's extended arms, and that is how Sarah suddenly finds herself holding Molly. Sarah chokes out a nervous laugh and Molly laughs in response. Molly grabs a handful of Sarah's hair. "Mommy 'air." That prompts a full throated laugh from Sarah.
Tears start flowing from Emma's eyes. I never imagined that I would see this. My two babies, together with me. She pushes her sobs down into her chest. Come on Emma. You said it. No more tears. No more bad days. Composing herself, she steps forward, to interact with the loves of her life.
Sarah's laughter also attracts the attention of Chuck and Ellie, who have been busy setting things up for dinner. Seeing Sarah holding Molly causes a hitch in Chuck's chest while his eyes moisten. See I told you babies didn't hate you.
Ellie slips her arm around Chuck's waist and whispers up in his ear. "That is going to be one of your own some day."
Chuck shivers at the thought. "And, I am going to be the happiest man in the world, El. Who would have thought?"
Ellie squeezes him close. "I always did. You're Aces, Charles, Aces. Now, maybe you will believe it."
Stephen steps out of the kitchen and announces. "The turkey is ready." He holds up a glass of wine. "Let the feasting begin."
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A/N 3: Sooo much crying. It gets better, or worse, as we continue on with Thanksgiving at the Bartowski's.