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Wonderfully Normal
Thanksgiving Marathon part 5

Steve leaned against the counter, half-listening to the hum of voices around him. The kids were busy stacking plates, their chatter rising and falling.

"You ate more turkey than me, it's only fair you carry more dirty dishes…" Danny was busting Steve on one of several trips to exchange empty plates for dessert ones.

"How did the protein in the cheese work out for you, again?" His best friend shot back with a grin.

Catherine shook her head, unable to suppress a smile. "You know, if you keep this up, you might find yourself in charge of the dishes next year."

Danny waved dramatically. "Bring it. Nonna had no dishwasher until I was out of high school. Who do you think did dishes every holiday? It wasn't our parents, I can tell you that. All the cousins were on dish duty."

The banter continued as everyone moved back outside for dessert. Still in the kitchen, Deb stepped up next to Catherine, leaning in close as if sharing a secret.

"Remember ten years ago?" Aunt Deb started, her voice soft. "That Thanksgiving, when I asked you to help Steve and Mary stay connected?" She nodded to the scene on the deck where the siblings were laughing together, heads thrown back, at something Joan was telling them. "Look at those two now. I knew you'd be the glue, sweetheart. Then and now. For them and our whole beautiful family. Born and chosen." Before Catherine could respond, Angie tore into the room, announcing, "Dessert time, come on, Mommy and Aunt Deb!" before turning on her heel and flying back outside. Deb kissed Catherine's cheek. "Let's go see what kind of trouble we can stir up over dessert."

Catherine smiled, linking their arms. "Let's do it."

Mary placed three pieces of pie into a cardboard bakery box and closed the lid. Immediately after Steve handed her another box and said, "This one can be for the Allens."

Without having to think or ask, Mary marked the name on the top of the box and added an entire leftover pumpkin pie. She knew it was a particular favorite of Jacob and Kaitlyn and with Casey now living back at home while she figured out her next move there was no doubt it would get eaten.

"Grace," Steve said as he passed her the next box. "Even though I know Grandma Josie is gonna send Linda home with a pile of food too."

Mary chuckled. "Those girls aren't going to have to cook for a month." As she went to write the names on the box she realized her pen had run out of ink. She shook and tried again to no avail.

As Steve assembled another bakery box Mary crossed the kitchen and opened a small drawer. She dropped the empty pen in a box to be dropped off later at Terra Cycle and grabbed a new pen.

When she returned to the island she noticed a small smile on Steve's face.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," Steve said but he couldn't hide happiness.

More importantly … he didn't even try.

"I just like that you know where we keep the pens," he said. "And what we do with the ones that are used up."

"And what kind of pie everybody prefers without having to ask," Mary said, her smile matching her brother's. "It's a great feeling, isn't it?"

"The best," he agreed.

As they finished up their task like a well-oiled machine, there was no need for words. They'd spent plenty of time over the last few years discussing the paths that had brought them to the happy and contented place they were now. As if documenting the past was the only way to make sure it didn't repeat itself.

But those days were behind them.

Now it was full steam ahead to the future. And both of them were eager to see all the amazing places it would take them.

Out on the deck, Joseph and Aaron had settled into a quieter corner.

"You know, being a girl dad as you kids call it, is something special," Joseph mused, a small smile spreading across his face. "And you are a wonderful one."

Aaron nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Coming from you that's one of the highest compliments anyone could give me."

"It's absolutely true. Lots of that going around, too. I love being Catherine's father. And watching Steve with Angie and you and Joan is an absolute joy. Not to mention Danny, who's somewhere between you two and this very proud grandpa."

"Joan has a way of making me feel like I'm discovering the world all over again," Aaron said, chuckling softly. "And I love every single minute."

Joseph nodded sagely. "Kids have a way of doing that. It's funny how it changes your perspective. I used to think I had it all figured out, but every minute with Angie and DJ teaches me something new."

"Daddy! Uncle Joseph! Do you want to try a pumpkin chiffon cupcake?" Joan's voice rang out from across the deck.

"Definitely, pumpkin," Aaron replied with a chuckle. Looking at Joseph as they stood, he grinned and raised an invisible glass. "To the adventures of fatherhood."

"To the adventures," Joseph echoed before responding, "Save me a cupcake, sweetheart," to Joan.

"Jess said she's gonna make Grandma's casserole recipe with her leftovers," Angie reported as she sat on the deck watching the stars sparkle in the sky.

She, along with DJ and Joan, had begged to be allowed to stay up a little longer than their normal bedtime. They weren't quite done discussing all the fun events of the day.

Angie sat straight up as an upsetting thought crossed her mind.

"How are you gonna get your leftovers home?" she asked Mary and Aaron. "Can you take them on the plane? You have to have leftovers. Me and Daddy think turkey sandwiches with stuffing and cranberry sauce are delicious."

Mary barked a laugh. "I'll pass on that culinary delight," she said. "But don't worry about us anyway. We have another Thanksgiving dinner to go to when we get home."

Angie looked confused. "Is there another Thanksgiving?"

"There is for us," Aaron explained. "Since Alyssa, Paul and Avery spent today with Paul's sister and her family, and we were here having fun with you guys, we decided to have another Thanksgiving when we all get home."

"Just like Uncle Chin and Aunt Kono had another meal at their auntie's," DJ said.

"And like Grace and Linda are having Friendsgiving on Sunday when Kendra gets back from her parent's house," Joan said.

Angie giggled. "That's a lot of Thanksgivings."

"It's what happens when you're lucky enough to have a lot of family and friends," Catherine said.

"Maybe tomorrow when we're eating leftovers we can call Nonna and we have Thanksgiving with her too," DJ suggested. He thought for a minute. "Would that be ok?"

"Better than ok," Catherine said. "I'll call Nonna in the morning and set it up."

Steve beamed. Nothing made him happier than the fact that DJ, Angie and Joan were all growing up thinking that juggling celebrations with a large circle of family and friends that loved them was perfectly normal.

# THE END Thanks for Reading

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