The Duffy-Karinski residence is a bustle with the sound of clattering pots and pans on this fourth Thursday in November, better known to most Americans as Thanksgiving Day. This marks Caroline and Richard's first holiday gathering as a married couple in their new place, which conveniently, only happens to be a block away from the old loft apartment. Leaving the place she'd once called home for so many years had been difficult for Caroline, but it became evident rather quickly that they were going to need more bedrooms to help accommodate their new life together, which she was excited for.
All of that is in full effect today as a busy Richard dashes about the kitchen, and Caroline instructs him on what to do from her seat at the counter, while she pets Salty to help keep the feline from sticking her nose into any of the food.
"I still think it would have been easier if we just made frozen TV dinners this year." The artist voices, much to his wife's displeasure.
"Richard! It's bad enough we had to do that a few years ago when Del bought a frozen turkey, I am not about to do that again."
He shrugs, still not really seeing what the big deal is. "Eh, suit yourself. So what do you think of the bird?"
Trying her best to peer into the open door of the oven from her current position, the petite woman soon realizes that she can't, so she carefully slides down off the bar stool and pads her way over to get a better look. Squinting her eyes and pursing her lips together as she examines the twelve pound turkey, she quickly shakes her head.
"Nope, not ready yet. It should be more golden. I think it could use another basting."
With a nod of his head, he retightens his apron and follows her directions.
There's something attractive about Richard in the kitchen, Caroline finds, so while he's bent over in the oven, she can't help giving into the urge to discreetly pinch her husband's tush, causing him to jump slightly in surprise.
"Caroline!" He scolds in a hushed manner, frantically looking around the apartment. "We have company over."
The redhead briefly glances back at Del and Charlie, who are sitting on the sofa watching football, before quickly waving off his concern. "Oh please, those two are so absorbed in the game that the oven could blow up and they wouldn't even notice."
Letting out a faint hum as he concedes to his wife's point, the artist proceeds to shut the oven door and place his mitts down on the counter before turning to face her with an arched brow.
"Need I remind you, this sort of behavior is how you wound up with a bun in your oven." Richard remarks slyly, as he points at her pregnant belly, causing Caroline to bashfully tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I don't exactly remember you complaining at the time." She replies innocently, taking another step towards him.
The corners of his mouth twitch upward slightly at the reminder, knowing all too well that she isn't wrong in that regard, as his hands lightly settle on her hips. "No, I guess I didn't. But you know what I really want right now?" He murmurs lowly, bringing his face down towards her ear, ready to whisper something in it.
Caroline's eyes widen in surprise, a bit caught off guard by this sort of brazen behavior from him in public, making her more keen than ever to hear what he has to say as she leans in closer. "What's that?"
"I really want..." She shivers in anticipation. "For you to sit down and rest." He proclaims with a small smirk as he pulls back, causing the Midwesterner's face to scrunch together in confusion, certainly not expecting that answer. "Huh?"
Folding his arms over his chest, her husband stares at her earnestly. "The doctor told you to try and stay off your feet, remember? Hence why I'm the one running around the kitchen like a chicken with its head cut off. You've been overdoing it far too much lately. It's not good for you or the baby."
As Caroline's brain becomes acutely aware of the little stunt he just pulled, her jaw drops, flustered by the fact that he used her overzealous pregnancy hormones against her. She should have realized he was up to something by how openly flirtatious he was being, seeing that he's always preferred to do that in a more private setting.
Despite his trickery though, she can't bring herself to really be mad, because deep down she knows he's right. Her people pleasing need had only gotten worse these past few months, causing her to take on way more than she should. This was also confirmed by the doctor during her last checkup, who echoed Richard's well meaning concerns.
Briefly shutting her eyes for a moment, Caroline has to remind herself that she and the baby need to come first right now, and that is nothing to feel guilty about.
"Fine. You win." She replies, comfortable with admitting defeat in this particular instance, though there is still something else that she's rather disappointed about.
Leveling him with a narrowed stare, the next word out of her mouth isn't one he anticipated. "Tease!" She accuses with a firm pout, earning her a dry laugh from the blonde, and a quick peck on the cheek as an apology, just as Annie walks through the door.
"Speaking of someone who certainly isn't..." Richard remarks dryly, exhaling a drawn out sigh as he goes to check on the green beans.
"Caroline! I brought reinforcements!" The brunette calls out, as her mom, Angie Spadaro, trails closely behind her. "Remo and Johnny are on their way up too, after they finish whatever argument they're currently having in the lobby."
As the cartoonist comes around the counter to greet her guests and wish them a happy Thanksgiving, Angie can't help marveling at the expecting mother's appearance.
"Oh, wow! Caroline, would you look at you. You're absolutely glowing." The older woman gushes, as she hands the pie she's carrying to her daughter, so that she can get a better look at the redhead.
"Thanks Mrs. Spadaro, though in all honesty, I'm pretty sure that's just sweat from how warm it is in here." She justifies, fanning herself with her hand to help cool down, but the Italian woman isn't having any of it.
"Nonsense! That is the proud glow of a mother right there! I would know, I went through it three times myself. How far along are you now?"
A gentle smile forms on Caroline's lips as she briefly glances back at the man she loves and cradles her swollen belly in her arms. "Our baby girl has been cooking in here for about 8 months now."
Angie awes sweetly at the news, happy for the young couple. "It won't be long now, huh? The last two months are always the hardest though, which was especially true when I was pregnant with Annie, here. With the way that girl could kick, I should have known she'd grow up to be a cat dancer. So, how ya feelin' at this point?"
"Like I could be a float in the Macy's Day Parade." Caroline admits with a hardy chuckle, swishing her billowing maternity dress back and forth for emphasis.
The sight of her daughter's best friend in the family way, causes Angie to ask her daughter a question that she personally finds rather pressing. "Annie, when are you gonna give me grandchildren?"
"She's certainly had enough practice trying to make them." Richard quips from the kitchen, causing the exasperated brunette to shoot daggers at him before turning her attention back to the blonde haired woman. "Ma, can't we go one holiday where you don't bring that up? Or even a normal day for that matter."
"I'm the only one in the neighborhood without any!" She cries out with her usual dramatic flair. "Do you know how embarrassing that is when they're all showing off pictures of their grand-babies, and I have none?"
"No more embarrassing than having your mother broadcasting your business to all of Paramus." She mutters under her breath, rolling her eyes.
"What was that?" Her mom inquires sternly, causing Annie to abruptly straighten up as she sets the pie down on the counter. "Nothing, ma!"
"Good. But this conversation isn't over." Angie declares as she wags her finger, then heads into the kitchen to help take charge of dinner.
Noticing that her best friend could use a bit of space away from the matriarch of her family, Caroline finds the perfect excuse that'll satisfy all parties involved. "Hey, Richard." She calls out. "I'm gonna go rest on the couch for a bit with Annie. Are you gonna be okay?"
Her spouse hesitates a moment, knowing the kitchen is about to become a battleground between two very stubborn Italian's once Remo arrives. But if it means his wife would sit down and rest, he'll just have to suffer through it. If anything, all the fighting just reminds him of his Thanksgivings growing up, making him strangely nostalgic in some messed up sort of way.
Eventually, he manages a less than convincing 'yes' in reply.
"Make sure you help her, Annie!" The brunette's mother adds, only pouring more salt onto the wound. "She's carrying precious cargo."
The cartoonist then links her arm through her former neighbor's, and they begin to leisurely walk (or in Caroline's case, waddle) over to the other side of the apartment.
"I wish she was that excited about something I did." Annie murmurs disappointedly, looking back at her mom, who's already bossing poor Richard around the kitchen.
Caroline frowns, feeling a bit guilty for all the attention that Angie's giving her. "I'm sorry, Annie."
"Nah, forget about it. It's fine. You enjoy all the attention you want, little mama." She teases fondly, reaching her other hand out to pat the redhead's growing belly. "You've certainly earned it after having to carry around Richie's demon seed inside of you all these months."
"Annie..." Caroline chides, causing the other woman to grimace remorsefully. "Sorry. That was too mean, even for me. I'm just in a mood right now."
As the duo reach the living area, they head over towards Stefano, who's sitting on the floor with crayons and paper, drawing festive pictures. Smiling at the sight of the little boy, Caroline affectionately ruffles the child's hair before easing her way onto the lounge chair beside him, while Annie joins the toddler on the ground.
"So are you ever gonna tell your mom?"
"What, that I don't want kids? Of course not! You heard her, it would break her heart. I can't do that. She just doesn't understand that's not the sort of life I want for myself, ya know? I'm far more content on playing the role of cool aunt to you and Richie's kids instead. Isn't that right, Stefano?" Annie grins, hugging the little boy from behind, and sending him into a fit of giggles as she tickles his sides.
The sentiment warms the heart of the expecting mother, making her a tad emotional in the process, knowing that her children will absolutely love that.
"And in the meantime," Her friend continues. "I'll just have to wait until Donna or Petey have one first, so it'll help take the pressure off of me."
"Didn't you tell me once that Pete got a girl pregnant when you guys were younger?"
"Oh, that? It turned out not to be his. Apparently she was also having s-" Annie pauses a moment, quickly censoring herself because of the little one sitting a few inches away. "some late night fun with our other neighbor, Jimmy Amato."
Caroline's mouth forms a small 'o' as the Midwesterner in her comes out. "Well, now."
"Speaking of which," She waggles her eyebrows. "I should probably go say hi to my boyfriend." Annie announces with a cheeky grin, and a plan to snap Del out of his football induced trance. "You all good?"
Taking a moment to glance around the apartment, the cartoonist sees that practically everyone she loves is gathered here. Across from her, Charlie and Del are high-fiving after the latest touchdown, while Stefano is hard at work on his next fridge bound masterpiece, and in the kitchen, Johnny is helping himself to a beer as Angie and Remo bicker over spices, while Richard is trying to sneak away before either of them notice. It's all a bit messy and chaotic, but at the same time, wonderful. And she honestly wouldn't have it any other way.
Turning her attention back to her best friend, Caroline rests a hand on her stomach and smiles blissfully. "Yeah, I'm good. I'm really good."