Ichabod's Thanksgiving

Katrina Van Tassel had been working in the kitchen since the very break of dawn. This was to be her first Thanksgiving with Ichabod– and Masbath– and she wanted everything to be perfect. To be honest, she had begun preparations two days ago, at least for dishes that wouldn't spoil quickly.

Masbath insisted on helping her. He was a servant after all, and he couldn't leave everything to the lady of the house all by herself. So he was preparing a gravy, and keeping the turkey roasting evenly over the fire.

"The turkey's almost ready, ma'am," Masbath said with a smile. "Perhaps you want to tell Ichabod to come down?"

Katrina was delighted. She put a hand on Masbath's shoulder. "It smells wonderful, Jonathan. You did a fine job."

"Thank you, ma'am. And thank you for letting me partake in the feast," the young teenage boy said politely. He had a lot to be thankful for on this day.

"Please, it's my pleasure. You're family," Katrina replied warmly. "And yes, I'll go fetch him. Would you mind bringing the last of the dishes to the table?"

Masbath knew that Katrina and Ichabod considered him family, but he never wanted to be presumptuous. Besides, he enjoyed being a servant and carrying on the tradition of his father, and his father before him. "Not at all, ma'am! I'll have it ready straight away."

Trusting that Masbath would have the spread all prepared by the time she came back with Ichabod, Katrina headed upstairs toward the bedroom, which she and Ichabod now shared. She had let him sleep in today, since he was fortunate enough to have the day off from his duties as constable, unless something truly terrible occurred– then he could be swept away at a moment's notice. But it seemed to be a rather peaceful day in New York, and Ichabod more than anyone deserved to rest and relax. And so he did.

Katrina was about to knock on the bedroom door, but before she could, she heard something amazing, something she had never heard before. Ichabod was singing!

"My days have been so wondrous free, the little birds that fly with careless ease, from tree to tree, were but as blessed as I…"

Ichabod's voice was impeccable– so full of warmth, joy, power, and precision. It was hard to believe that this beautiful noise was coming from a bedroom, and not from some grand stage at the opera.

Katrina placed a hand over her heart as she listened, and nearly swooned. She could scarcely fathom that this wonderful man was soon to be her husband.

She couldn't help herself, she needed to see him sing. She opened the door a crack and enjoyed the man's performance as he continued.

"Ask gliding waters if a tear of mine increased their stream. And ask the breathing gales if e'er I lent a sigh to them."

"Oh, Ichabod, you sing beautifully," Katrina said softly, stepping into the room now.

Ichabod jumped, startled by the suddenness of her voice. "K-Katrina!" He yelped, then cleared his throat and adjusted the ruffle of his shirt. "I didn't know you were listening."

She smiled and stepped closer to him. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I was just going to tell you that the Thanksgiving meal is ready. Jonathan is just setting the table now."

Ichabod's belly growled with hunger at the thought of food, and he grinned. "Wonderful! I'm famished. And with what better company than this, to celebrate all the blessings I've received this year." He took Katrina's hand, and kissed it delicately.

Ichabod was about to head out of the room with Katrina– he was very excited about the meal after all, and this man could really pack it away– but the girl paused. "Dearest, where did you learn to sing like that?"

Ichabod raised an eyebrow, and cleared his throat. He was humble, and didn't like to brag. He was also a bit mysterious, and didn't often speak in detail about his past. But he supposed that he might as well tell her, and leave out the gruesomeness of the backstory leading up to that moment. "Years of choral classes during my years in boarding school. Every boy had to take these lessons, but I… had a secret fondness for them in particular."

Katrina beamed up at him. Every time he shared a piece of himself with her, she only grew fonder of him. "I hope to hear you sing again soon, then."

Ichabod smiled, feeling his heart soften a bit. He always felt better after sharing things with Katrina. She had opened him up in ways he previously thought impossible– and he adored her for it. "Not to worry– I'm sure that you will."

The two of them headed downstairs together to find Young Masbath standing by the table. "Dinner is served, sir!" He exclaimed, presenting the table with arms outstretched and a toothy grin.

"Ah! Young Masbath!" Ichabod chuckled. He patted the boy heartily on the back. "It all smells fantastic. You've outdone yourselves, both of you."

Masbath pulled out the chairs for both Katrina and Ichabod to sit down, and then sat down as well.

"Now please forgive me for the man I'm about to become as I devour this… exquisite feast." Ichabod half-joked, a sly smile playing on his comely lips as Katrina and Masbath giggled.

They held hands and said a blessing over the food, before tucking in to the delicious meal before them. There was cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, turkey, gravy, squash, apple pie, apple cider, bread, and radishes. It was all so alluring, Ichabod had a big serving of everything.

After they'd all eaten their fill, Ichabod heaved a happy sigh and patted his tummy. "I think I could go for a second helping. Shall we start the fire again and cook some more?" He smiled, pleased with himself as the others laughed again.

Ichabod looked around the table at his family. His family. They had all found each other at exactly the right time. Each of them had been through so much hardship, but now they were here, together, and so very happy.

"I truly am thankful for both of you, Katrina, and Masbath. You are the greatest blessings a man could hope for."

"Likewise, sir. And ma'am. I don't know where I'd be without you," Masbath said. His eyes welled with tears; he was such a tender-hearted lad.

Katrina smiled, gazing at her boys. She loved them so much. "Let us pray that we should spend every Thanksgiving from now on, together."

And so they did.