Chapter 11: Thanksgiving
Lizzie was flying into Tahoe, so Cody borrowed Jesse's truck to pick her up at the airport. Cody went to the gate to meet her. He had a bouquet of flowers. He watched as each passenger left the plane. One by one the people got off. The more nervous and excited Cody got. Finally, Lizzie walked off the plane. Cody smiled and walked over to her. As soon as she saw Cody she got a big smile on her face. He walked toward her and they hugged and kissed.
"It so good to see you, I have missed you," Cody said.
"I missed you too. Are those for me?" Lizzie asked.
"No thought I give these to my other girlfriend, who is also arriving on this flight," Cody said with a smile.
"Your funny guy," Lizzie punched Cody playfully.
"So, are you ready to meet everyone?" Cody asked.
"Yes, I can't wait to meet your family,"
Cody and Lizzie drove up to Matt and Robin's place. Cody got out of the car and opened the door for Lizzie, "Ready?" Cody asked.
"Ready," Cody grabbed her hand, they kissed one more time before walking in.
Jesse, Robin, Matt, and Kelly were all hanging out. Kelly was giggling and laughing at all the faces her grandfather was making at her. She was constantly on the move. Never sitting for long. She would run from her grandpa to her dad. The front door opened with Cody and Lizzie. Cody was carrying Lizzie's bags. Kelly looked toward the door and saw Cody.
"Uncle Toad," she said and giggled more and ran over to Cody.
"Hello baby girl." Cody bent over and swept Kelly up in his arms. "Lizzie, I want you to meet my niece, Kelly. Kelly this is Lizzie."
"Hi Izzie," Kelly giggled some more, and she reached out to Lizzie. Lizzie grabbed Kelly in her arms.
"Hi there" Kelly's hands went on Lizzie's face.
Robin got up and introduced herself. "I am Robin, Matt's wife. It is so nice to finally meet you. Let me take her. She can be a bit of a handful at times."
"Nice to meet you, Robin." Lizzie said.
"This is my brother Matt and my dad Jesse." Cody said.
Matt came up to Lizzie and shook her hand. "So nice to meet you."
Jesse was on the couch with his bad leg up. So, Lizzie went over to him. "So nice to meet you, darling. Is my son treating you alright."
"He sure is Mr. Hawkes." Lizzie replied.
"Call me Jesse." Jesse said.
"Okay, Jesse." Lizzie said. "So glad to hear you are doing better. Cody was quite worried when he found out."
"Yeah… they shouldn't worry about me so much. I have lived a good life with only a few regrets," Jesse said.
The Hawkes family all sat around and got to know Lizzie much better. She seemed to fit right in. They told stories of Cody's childhood, teasing him. She talked about her family. What made her want to join the National Park system. She talked about her role of being a beekeeper. Cody helped Lizzie get settled into Kelly's room.
"You were a good sport today. Do you still love me?" Cody asked.
"Of course I do. I don't scare that easily," Lizzie placed her hands on Cody's cheeks and the two spent several minutes kissing.
"You know that was just the introductory course?" Cody said.
"Do you have more family members; besides your mom I have not met?" Lizzie asked.
"No, but now you need to make it past the rangers, especially Izzie Flowers and Frank Avila and his family. They may not be blood, but they are part of my family. The other rangers I don't know as well. Mom, you will have to meet on another trip. Or one day when you least expect it, she will just show up." Cody said.
"When was the last time you saw your mom?"
"I was at the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy. Mark, and I were getting ready for our finals and were down to the last few classes. She wanted me to skip class to spend time with her. I told her no and she was not happy with me. I have not seen her since or talked to her really. That was about a year and half ago. She has been here several times to see Kelly."
"Sorry honey. I can't imagine. I am so close with my parents. The rest of your family seems great."
The two locked in an embrace and just held each other for several minutes.
It is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Robin, Priya, and Lizzie are in the kitchen preparing Thanksgiving lunch for the Rangers. They also had a three-year-old, Jessica and eighteen-month-old, Kelly, in the kitchen with them. The two little girls were the best of friends and they played well together. All the rangers who are in town will be celebrating at the ranger station. It was a tradition started many years ago. Cody was taking his dad to Physical Therapy since he was in town. While Matt and Frank were working. The doctors had finally cleared Jesse to start walking. So, he was making his first strides. It was not going well. Jesse was exhausted by the end.
Matt and Robin were in their room getting ready to go to sleep, "How did it go with Lizzie today?" Matt asked.
"She is wonderful. She fits right in. I think she is a good fit for Cody. I think she is the one for him. I hope he realizes it and he does not wait to long."
"Relationship is still pretty new, year from now I will give him a push like he gave me." Matt said, "I have not regretted a day of it."
"Me either, glad your brother pushed you." Robin said.
"Do you think she is asleep," Matt asked.
"Oh yeah," Robin said.
"Do you think we can, if we are quiet?" Matt asked.
"I think so. Not to mention your dad, brother, and his girlfriend are all under this roof."
Matt smiled, "They can all be jealous."
Next morning the ladies began the final preparation and got the table set. The Ranger crew was outside playing flag football including Cody. Jesse watched from the side lines holding a sleeping, Kelly.
Robin came out to see how things were going. "Let me take her, it is getting cold out." Jesse handed Kelly to Robin. "Dinner will be ready in half hour."
Dinner time came and everyone sat around the table and said what they were thankful for.
Matt said, "I am thankful for my dad and Cody who were able to join us for the first time in years. For Lizzie, who I can see gives my brother much happiness. And especially my beautiful wife who keeps me calm and our little girl that is keeping us on our toes.
Kelly giggles, "Dada, mama, dada, dada."
Robin was next, "We know Kelly is obviously thankful for her dad. I am thankful for this community of friends that are our family. For Matt who is the best husband one could ask for and boss."
The Rangers shouted and hooted for their boss.
Then Jesse, "I am thankful for my two sons that came to my side when I was in the hospital. And despite my best efforts, convinced me to retire from bounty hunting. So, I could come back here and spend my time with my little granddaughter, and I can watch over all of you. I am grateful for the two wonderful women who are in my sons' lives.
Izzy was next, "I am grateful that other rangers can make the coffee and I am thankful for my beautiful lady here by my side." Izzy looked over to his girlfriend, Jerry. Jerry tended to fit in better with the men, she was very athletic, but feminine.
Jerry said, "I am so grateful for meeting my big teddy bear. And the future we have together." With that Jerry showed the ring on her finger.
"What?" Robin explained.
"I popped the question last night and Jerry said yes," Izzy said. Everyone got up and congratulated the couple. They all liked Jerry, and they were thrilled for Izzy.
After everyone settled back down, it was Priya's turn. "Wow, I am thrilled for the two of you. I am thankful for our friends we have made here. For my husband and another year of this man staying safe. And for our little bundle of joy Jessica. I am so thankful to be your mom. Jessica, do you have something you are thankful for?"
Jessica was sitting in Frank's lap, she got all shy and sunk her head in to Frank's chest, Frank whispered to her, "You can do it, just like we practiced."
Jessica sat up with a big smile on her face, "I am thankful for my Momma, Dadda and baby." Jessica leaned down and patted Priya's tummy.
Everyone started to cheer and shout and congratulated them.
Once everyone calmed down it was Franks turn, "I am thankful for my growing family. For my beautiful and loving daughter, Jessica. Every day she amazes me with what she learned that day and her zest for life. And for my wonderful, loving, caring wife, Priya, that keeps our family together. She such an amazing woman, I love you. And I am thankful for the new little baby that will be joining our family in the next six months. I cannot wait to meet you and to be your father." Frank leaned over and hugged and kissed his wife.
It was Cody's turn, "I have to follow that?"
Frank commented, "Sorry, man" everyone laughed.
Cody smiled, "I am grateful that I can actually be here this year with all of you. The first time in a long time. Thankful for my beautiful niece, who I love and adore. I am thankful for the changes in my life this year. A new job and especially thankful for Lizzie. She changed my world, and I am looking forward to what is coming next."
Lizzie was the final one to go. "So, the pressure of being the last person to go. I am thankful to get to meet all of you. Even though we just met, I feel like I have known some of you much longer. I am also thankful for bees."
Everyone laughed, "Bees, little brother, you rank below the bees and the rest of us."
Lizzie came back, "Matt, I was not done. I am grateful for the bees as if was not for them, I would not have spent a day with this guy. There was no one else around and nowhere else where we could go, so I got to know him, and I realized I had him all wrong. He was not a stuck up, arrogant man. I am so grateful we were able to get to know each other and that he is now part of my life." Cody leaned over and kissed her.
Everyone oohed and odd. Matt and the ladies jumped up and got the food and put it on the table. Before Matt carved the turkey. "Let's say grace. Heavenly father we want to thank you for all the blessing we have encountered. Year without any major injuries, year of growing families, couple starting their life together, new love and continuing love. New friends and old. We pray for peace on earth and those who were unable to join us. Thank you for this bounty before us. In your name we pray."
Next day the weather in the mountains was holding up. The weathermen forecasted temperatures in the mid to upper thirties with possible lite snow. Lizzie was going to borrow some of Robin's winter clothing. And they were going to borrow some horses and a radio from the ranger station to take up to the cabin.
"Matt, thanks for the equipment and the horses."
Lizzie packed some of the left overs to eat once they got up to the cabin and a little extra in case they had to spend the night.
"Cody, if the weather turns. Just stay up there." Matt said. "Little brother if you do. You may want some of these." Matt goes to hand Cody some condoms.
"Matt, I am all set, no worries." Cody smiled at his brother.
"Little boy scout are you." Matt teased.
"I love her, but not ready to be a dad yet." Cody said.
Lizzie knew how to ride horses, so they were able to make the trip up to the cabin. After a two-hour ride, they made it. It snowed a good portion of their trip, but by the time they got to the cabin, the snow was getting a bit heavy. Cody first got off his horse, then he helped Lizzie climb off the horse she rode.
"So, is this where you grew up?" Lizzie asked.
"Yes," Cody said.
"I love it. It is like a dream up here." Lizzie said. "I think my initial impression of you was correct. You are a rich kid. Not by how much you had but being able to experience this every day."
They got the horses in the barn, brushed them down, got them some food and water. Matt and Robin would spend time up at the cabin from time to time, so it was stocked. They went into the cabin and Cody immediately got a fire started so they could warm up. They got their coats; snow pants and boots off.
"Let me give you the grand tour of this place," Cody said. "So, we are in the living room. Through the door is my dad's room." Lizzie poked her head into the room. "Bathroom probably bit obvious. The kitchen is thru there."
"Nice and cozy." Lizzie said.
"It is a wood log stove, can be little tricky to cook on for some, but what I grew up on."
"So, what is upstairs?" Lizzie asked.
"Let me show you," Cody led Lizzie upstairs.
"Room to the right is Matt's room," Lizzie looked into the room. You can tell Matt and Robin were there with Kelly as there was a pack and play in the room. Cody was a little nervous. "And this is my room." Lizzie walked into the room.
"They say you can tell a lot about a person, by their childhood room," Lizzie said.
"So, what does it say about me?" Cody asked.
"Says you are simple man. You are not tied to belongings. You like things neat and tidy." Lizzie said.
"So did you need my room to tell you that?" Cody asked.
"No, already knew that about you after seeing your apartment." Lizzie said, "Burr, it is cold up here."
"Why don't we warm up by the fire," Cody said. The two went back down stairs and cuddled on the couch under some blankets. They both fell asleep." They woke up late in the afternoon. It was getting dark.
"Is it too late to go back?" Lizzie asked.
"We won't make it before it gets dark. Why don't I let the ranger station know and then I can see if I can catch us some fish for dinner."
"I will see what I can find inside," Lizzie said.
"We are getting a little domestic here," Cody smiled and kissed Lizzie passionately.
Cody got his gear on and grabbed a fishing pole. He went down to the water to catch some fish. He grabbed the radio so he could call the station. He let them know that they will be staying at the cabin.
Cody caught enough fish for dinner and breakfast. He checked on the horses and made sure they had enough food and water before heading back in.
"I can't figure out how to get this stove started." Lizzie said.
"Let me teach you." Cody said. First, he opened the flu and then got the fire going in the stove. He showed her how to control the heat. Lizzie made some rice and heated up some of the leftover sides from Thanksgiving. Cody cleaned and fried the fish. They sat down at the table and ate.
"So, what did they say when you called Matt and told him we were staying?" Lizzie asked.
"Matt said I planned it." Cody said nervously.
When they were done, they cleaned up the dishes. "Dinner was delicious" Lizzie said.
Cody responded, "Hats off to the chefs." The two sat back down on the couch.
"So do you know how much longer you are staying?" Lizzie asked.
"I am going to head back to Yellowstone with you. My dad is on the road to recovery and does not need me here anymore."
"I am glad. I was not looking forward to going back without you," Lizzie said.
"I did not want to be without you either." Cody smiled. "Lizzie. I know we have not talked about this. I have not been with many women, so does not come easy for me. I love you and I want to be with you. I don't know if you feel the same or not. If you are not there yet, I understand and I can wait."
"Cody," Lizzie got up and reached out her hand to him. "Come with me." Lizzie led him upstairs. "So, is that what these are for?" She pulled out the condoms that Cody had packed in his bag. The two spent the night together in Cody's bed.
In the morning, they woke up and made love again before they got up. When they looked out the window, they saw there was a new blanket of snow on the ground. They ate breakfast and then checked with the rangers. The temperatures were warming up and the snow was already melting. They packed up their stuff and closed the cabin. They took the horses back down to the ranger station.
"When we get back to Matt and Robin's place we are going to have to be hands off. My dad is a bit old fashion."
"You mean he would be mad if he knew we slept together?" Lizzie said.
"Yes, he would. Probably thinks I am still a virgin." Cody said.
"Have you been with many women?" Lizzie asked.
"Before you, only two others," Cody responded. "And you?"
"Just one other before you." Lizzie responded. "Did you love them?"
"One yes, the other one I regret. It was a one-night stand. I decided it was not for me. Cody said. "Last night with you was amazing and beautiful. I love you more today, than yesterday."
"Cody you are a wonderful lover. I love you too. So really, we can't tonight."
"No, my dad would kill me," Cody said.
They got back to the ranger station and put the horses in the barn. There was no one else around.
"Cody," Lizzie pointed to the hay loft and the pair went up into the hay loft and made love again.
Izzy and Morgan entered the barn to feed and water the horses. They cleaned out the stalls. "Looks like Cody and Lizzie made it back," Izzy said.
As soon as they realized they were not alone, Cody and Lizzie were laying very still in the hay loft waiting for them to leave. As soon as the men left. Both laughed and then continued to make love. Once they were done, they got dressed, and then crawled out of the hay loft. They made sure they got all the hay out of each other's hair and clothes. They kissed a bit longer.
"Ready to go back?" Cody asked.
"Yes, but you need to tone down that smile of yours or your dad will know," Lizzie said.
"Right now, I like the whole world to know, I want to scream it at the top of my lungs." Cody said.
"That is why you were so quiet when the rangers came in?" Lizzie laughed.
"I guess I don't want the whole world to know. But I love being with you, making love to you. I can't get enough of you. Matt will know as soon as he sees us," Cody said.
"Well, I have a reputation to keep. I want to stay in your dad's good graces. So, wipe that smile off your face." Lizzie teased.
They walked through the door. "Welcome back you too, did you get lost on your way back Toad? I know it has been a while."
"I could do it with my eyes closed. We just took our time," Cody said. Matt walked over and pulled a piece of hay from Cody's hair.
Matt said quietly so Jesse would not here, "I can see you took your time."
"You can probably heat up some left overs if you guys are hungry," Robin said.
"I am starving, I worked up an appetite today." Cody said looking at Lizzie. She quietly punched him. Jesse was oblivious to the teasing going on.
The next day arrived, and it was time for Cody and Lizzie to leave. Hawkes family said their goodbyes.
"Lizzie, it was wonderful to meet you. Now when Cody talks about you, we can put a name to a face. Hopefully we will see the two of you again soon." Jesse went and hugged Lizzie goodbye.
"Sir…. Jesse, I am glad you are doing so much better and glad to see you are healing. I have seen improvements since I arrived."
"Can't keep a good man down," Jesse said with a wink and a smile.
Matt, Kelly, and Robin escorted Cody and Lizzie to the airport. They walked them to the gate so they could show Kelly the planes taking off and landing."
Cody was walking round with Kelly at the gate and pointing out the planes to her. Kelly would just say "Pane… Pane…" and point at the planes.
"He is really good with her," Lizzie said.
"Very enduring quality in a man," Robin said.
"It sure is," Lizzie said. She smiled as she gazed over to Cody and Kelly.
"Lizzie it so good to meet you. You have made my little brother very happy." Matt said.
"He has made me very happy as well," Lizzie remarked.
Matt and Robin looked at each other and smiled. "Well, I hope he keeps making you happy, so the two of you will return soon." Robin said.
Lady on the loud speaker announces their flight is boarding. Cody walks over with Kelly in his arms. "I guess this is goodbye." Cody said as he gave Kelly one last hug.
"No, bye, bye," Kelly said. She held onto Cody tightly and started to cry.
"Kelly, I will miss you very much. You will always be my precious girl." He held her tightly.
Then he handed her back to Matt. Matt and Robin hugged Cody and Lizzie good bye. Cody and Lizzie got on the plane to return to Yellowstone.
Matt, Robin, and Kelly watched as Cody and Lizzie's plane took off.