When Fate Steps In

Chapter 19 Thanksgiving. Drama free

Chapter 19 Thanksgiving. Drama free?

Logan, Rory, and the crew stayed around the house Wednesday getting everything prepared for Thanksgiving. About noon, Billy and Melissa arrive. The boys were glad to see them. After Billy and Melissa got settled in the Pool house, Rory rode with Logan to the Hartford office so she could see the improvement and extensions for the Hartford move. This gave Billy and Melissa time to be with the boys. Rory texted Billy that they will bring pizza back, wanted to know if there is anything else they needed.

Rory and Logan returned with the pizza just as Karson drove up. She was visiting her parents so she could be with the Huntzburger-Gilmore crew on Thanksgiving. When Billy can downstairs from putting the boys to sleep, he found Rory, Logan, and Mellissa in the kitchen drinking coffee. After a cup of coffee, Billy and Melissa left for the pool house as Rory and Logan headed to bed.

Logan rolled over Thanksgiving morning and snuggled up to Rory. He whispered, "It's Thanksgiving Day, and I have a lot to be thankful for. Get up Ace, it's 5:30. You wanted me to wake you up." Rory groaned. "Too early" Logan laughed. "Yeah, I agree, but in about an hour Luke will be here with the turkey to put in the oven. We still have to feed everyone breakfast, clean up the kitchen all before Luke gets her with the turkey."

Rory and Logan get up and went to the kitchen to start a coffee pot. Logan goes to unlock the patio doors so Billy and Mellissa can get in when they get up. Rory made a Blueberry Pancake Casserole* for breakfast last night. She was putting it in the oven when Mellissa came into the kitchen to asked if she could help. Rory tells her the Blueberry Pancake Casserole is in the oven and there are fruit and pop tarts on the table. She tells her that she is going to get dressed and should be back before the timer goes off. "I will wake the boys when I go up. They will probably want milk with the casserole. They know where their cups are. If you don't mind, pour them some milk and help them with the fruit. Karson will not be up yet, but if she is she can help you."

Rory went upstairs and woke the twins, told them to go to the bathroom, wash their hands, and Mellissa is in the kitchen and will help them with breakfast. Rory heads to the master bedroom to change. Logan was just getting dressed. He looked good in his black pants and green polo. She liked it when he dressed down. This Thanksgiving was not going to be formal. It was casual. They had made that clear to all the guests.

Rory kissed Logan and headed to the closet to get dressed. She told him that Melissa was with the boys in the kitchen and the casserole would be ready to remove from the oven in about 10 minutes. Logan told her he would head down.

Rory heard the doorbell ring. Luke was here to put the turkey in the oven. She hurried down the stairs to meet Luke. Karson and Logan were helping Luke get stuff out of the truck. After Luke got the turkey in the oven, he left to go get ready and pick up Lorelai.

The rest of the morning passed about the same. Around 11:00 the caterers arrived as well as Luke, Lorelai, April, and her family. Rory put out hors d'oeuvres for everyone to snack on. Lunch would be ready at 4:00. About 1:30 Honor and her family arrived along with Mitchum. By 2:00 all the guests had arrived. All but Shira. Logan wasn't surprised. She will be fashionable late, or not come at all. Besides, no drama.

They were all in the sitting room involved in different things: playing games, Mitchum, Billy, Luke, Christopher, Collin, Finn, and Josh are playing poker. Steph, Lorelai, Mellissa, and Honor are on their laptops, probably Christmas shopping. April and Jamie had the kids in the basement playroom watching movies. Gigi and Louie went for a walk. Karson was rocking April and Jamie's baby to sleep.

Rory got up to put out more hors d'oeuvers and refill drinks when Logan got up to help. "Ace, let me help you." "Thanks, Logan" Rory and Logan just stood around observing their family. Rory leans into Logan and says "This is what family is all about. Look, your dad, Luke, my dad, Collin, Finn, Billy, and Josh are playing poker. Did you ever think you would see that? Hey, when did Will escape? Your dad is teaching him to play poker, oh no. he is sitting in his lap." Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves." "Yeah, look, the ladies are on the laptops, are they playing games or shopping?" Rory said, "I believe they are shopping. Christmas is just around the corner. Probably shopping for the kids. Don't want duplicates."

As they stood there smiling, the doorbell rings. Logan looks at Rory as she looks at her watch 3:30 "Well we have had a pleasant Thanksgiving so far. Now for the drama. "Remember I Love You." He walks to the door, "Mother, so nice of you to come. Happy Thanksgiving" he tells her as he kisses her cheek. "well, I was invited" "Yes mother, you are invited. Everyone else has been here for a while. I thought maybe you had changed your mind" "Now Logan, you know I love spending time with my family." Shira says as she hands Rory her coat and heads to the sitting room. "Logan," "Yes, Mother" "What is going on. I thought we were invited for Thanksgiving, drinks, and food?" "I'm sorry Shira, what would you like to drink?" Rory asked. Shira looked at her like she was seeing her for the first time. "What have you got on." She said looking at Rory, she couldn't believe the host would be in leggings and a tacky Thanksgiving sweater tunic. "And Logan, you too. Did you forget to go to the cleaners, where is your suit?" then she mumbled, "I knew she would not be able to keep up." Logan just rolled his eye. "Mother we told you it would be causal." "you did no such thing." "Mother everyone else got the memo. Just look around." Shira just made a noise that they had begun to notice she does sometimes without answering. Logan quietly walked up to his mother and whispered in her ear. "Mother, remember what is at stake here" he warned her. Shira just nodded her head.

At 4:00, Logan, Luke, Rory, and Lorelai began sitting the food out on the bar in the kitchen. Logan had brought up a card table from the basement playroom to sit the desserts on. Rory had decided that this Thanksgiving was going to be buffet still. In the remodel of the house, Rory had partially opened up the kitchen and dining room. She wanted to be able to watch the boys as she cooked or did dishes. The caterers left several tables and chairs. They had set them up in the kitchen and the dining room. Logan went to get the kids.

As everyone gathered in the dining room, Logan cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "To start with today, I want to thank you all for gathering with us to give thanks on this day. We are happy to have all our family with us today. We are sorry that Jess and his family and Ronnie and her family are not able to be with us today. If everyone would bow their heads, I have asked Josh to bless the food. When he finishes Joshua will say grace for the children. This is the way we want to celebrate Thanksgiving with adults and the children. After Joshua's grace everyone helps themselves. Adults, please help the children. Josh go ahead and pray."

"Dear Heavenly Father. We thank you today and all days for this wonderful family that we are a part of. We thank you for all your wonderful blessings. We pray that you will bless this food and all the hands that prepared it. Keep everyone safe on their way home. We ask this in your name. Amen

"God is Great, God is Good, let us thank him for our food. Amen"

Everyone got in line to fix their plates. You could tell that Shira was not too happy, but she didn't say anything. At least that Rory or Logan could hear.

Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. Enjoying the meal and the company. Complimenting Rory and Luke on the food. Business was discussed, the upcoming Christmas plans were discussed. Various adults helped with the children. It was a drama-free, enjoyable Thanksgiving. Rory and Logan had their finger crossed. Honor or Logan intercepted Shira several times as the day went on. She seemed to be drinking a lot more than Logan and Honor remember. As the day came to a close, Logan called Shira a car to take her home. Mitchum offered, but Honor didn't think that would be a good idea.

As Rory and Logan lay in bed discussing how tired but happy, they are. Logan was thinking that he wished he had proposed today. He cannot let the opportunity slip by again. Today, this is what he wants.

BLUEBERRY PANCAKE CASSEROLE

3 Cups of Pancake Mix

2 Cups of Water

½ Can of Blueberry Pie Filling.

Combine pancake mix and water and stir. Then at Blueberry Pie Filling. Put in a casserole dish and put in the oven for 25 mins at 350.

Serve warm with the remaining Blueberry Pie Filling. This is also great because it can be set out and warmed up at any time.