REAL McRollers thanks for being fabulous!


Turkey Talk (1/3)

Saturday - Undisclosed Location

Stakeouts were a necessary evil even on a day when it wasn't blisteringly hot, but that wasn't today. Currently sitting in the Camaro on surveillance, Steve and Danny were waiting for their target to make a move. Danny shifted to face his partner. "Distract me with Thanksgiving plans, before the Turkey's not the only thing getting roasted." He leaned forward to aim the air conditioner vent at his face.

Steve immediately smiled. "Catherine was talking to Nonna last night about what pasta dish to make and the kids are pretty excited."

Danny adjusted the vent again, his eyes never leaving the target's hideout. "I heard. Nonna was in her glory," he replied, "one of the biggest food-fueled holidays of the year and she gets to start discussing it with the kids already." He grinned at the thought of his grandmother. "I also know she's thrilled they're so excited."

Steve chuckled, "They're both really looking forward to it, especially DJ."

Danny nodded. "Of course," he said, knowing the reason.

Steve leaned back in his seat, a smirk on his lips. "Angie says she remembers it was on Thanksgiving when we announced DJ was officially joining the family, but it's really from hearing about it so many times."

"I get it. Grace always said she remembered being in my cousin Joey's wedding when she was about two. Same thing, she saw the videos and heard about it enough that we never corrected her." He grinned at the memory. "They have to be over the moon the California crew is coming."

Steve nodded, picturing all the chaos and love that ensued when their California family was there. "Your goddaughter's off the charts. She and DJ want to test out some new food ideas and they were busy suggesting a hundred different recipes with Joan. Angie can't wait to have everyone under one roof."

Danny rolled his eyes playfully. "A hundred? Is that all?"

"We'll narrow it down to fifty. Seventy five, max." He smirked. "Catherine and I promised we could try a test run on some of the new recipes they found. And Angie wants to make pumpkin pie cupcakes with Aaron and Kaitlyn."

"You can't go wrong with pumpkin. Unless you're my sister Angela when she decided to experiment with a pumpkin spice turkey. That was not a good day for anyone's taste buds." He grimaced. "At least she did a dry run and didn't try it on Thanksgiving."

Steve shrugged. "Angie and I would try it."

"Like father, like daughter," Danny said with a chuckle.

As the laughter subsided, Steve's expression turned to one of pride. "You know, she's already planning the Thanksgiving football game. She's convinced she can outrun all of us."

"Again, like father, like daughter," Danny smirked. "I hope you've been practicing, because I fully intend to win this year."

Steve raised an eyebrow, his competitive spirit bubbling to the surface. "You think so? Bring it on, my friend."

Before Danny could retort, Lou Grover's voice crackled over the car's speakers, "We have a runner!" and thoughts of the upcoming holiday were pushed aside while both men left the car at a run.


Sunday afternoon

The aroma of food filled the air as the McGarrett-Rollins family bustled around the kitchen. As promised, they were "testing" the recipes the children chose to try out before Thanksgiving. After a conversation with Nonna about the importance of not only honoring old traditions, but also creating new ones as well, both Angie and DJ were very excited about the idea of adding a few new touches to their holiday.

Steve, clad in a ridiculously festive turkey-themed apron complete with the kids' handprints, gave Catherine a smile as everyone gathered around the kitchen island.

Angie giggled. "You look very handsome in your apron, Daddy."

"We should make you a new one every year as our hands get bigger," DJ suggested.

"And we can get Cammie and Pumpkin and Luna to put their paw prints on it!" Angie said as she clapped her hands gleefully.

DJ smiled brightly. "A new apron for Daddy can be a new tradition."

"That sounds like a great idea," Catherine said.

"Alright." Steve cleared his throat and straightened his back, causing both kids to chuckle. "Operation: Thanksgiving Test is officially underway."

Angie, barely containing her excitement, announced, "We're starting with pumpkin chili, right, Mommy?"

Catherine, her hair tucked back into a messy bun, raised an eyebrow, unsure about the combination. "Pumpkin...and chili? Are you sure, baby girl?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "It's gonna be yummy. And we're makin' the kind with no meat in it so Kaitlyn will be able to eat it too."

"That's very thoughtful, baby girl," Catherine said as she double-checked the recipe.

DJ, the always supportive big brother smiled. "I think it sounds interesting."

Steve chuckled and gave Angie a salute. "Alright, let's see what we've got."

With the ingredients laid out before them, Angie and DJ set to work, guided by a recipe they found online and their parents' help.

"There's lots of beans in this recipe," Angie observed as DJ added first kidney, then pinto and black beans.

"Nonna said that helps make things taste hearty," DJ said. "That's good for people who live where it snows a lot."

Angie cocked her head. "We can still eat it here though, right?"

"Of course we can," Steve replied.

"And if it's really good we can make it next time we're in New Jersey and the weather is cold," DJ said as he stirred.

As they cooked, Angie's giggles filled the kitchen when DJ balanced a saucepan in one hand, pretending to be a chef on a cooking show.

"And now, for the secret ingredient," he said dramatically, holding up a jar of pumpkin puree.

Angie added it to the pot, stirring with gusto. "Our pumpkin chili could be famous!"

"If we put your two faces on the label it'll fly off the shelves," Steve predicted.

Once the chili was on the stove, the family moved on to the next dish. This time it was DJ's turn, and he proudly presented his first choice. "Next up, cream cheese biscuits."

# TO BE CONTINUED