Thanksgiving

Chapter 1

"Mrs. Grey, are you sure you and the other ladies can do this?" pleads Mrs. Taylor. Letting our housekeeper's well organized kitchen in the hands of Mia, Kate, and I to make a Thanksgiving dinner for the family is enough to make her obsessive compulsive instincts twitch uncontrollably. She knows I know my way around the kitchen but my sisters-in-law? Not so much. With 3 of our children running under foot, and Mia's baby so young (6 months), we had arranged our 3 nannies to watch them when the actual cooking began.

"Mrs. Taylor, we've got this under control! We have our list and we've checked it twice - thanks to your help, we're going to be fine! You, Jason, and Sophie deserve a vacation and I don't want you to be worrying about anything while you're gone! Go to Maine, enjoy your Thanksgiving, and leave the kitchen to me. Everything will be put back just the way you left it. You won't even be able to tell we were here," I promise with a smile.

"I trust you, it's your sisters that make me nervous," she says, shaking her head as she walks past me with a frazzled look on her face.

As if on cue, Mia (my sister-in-law) and Kate (my best friend) burst through the front door in a fit of giggles followed by Ethan and Elliot – both carrying a child on their hip. Elliot (my brother-in-law) is holding his and Kate's daughter - Ava - who is now two and a half.  Ethan (the newest father) with his and Mia's son, Grey - or little G for short. The site of the dads with their children warms my heart. The men in my life have all blossomed because of fatherhood. Such love as is in their eyes and hearts for their families is nothing short of breathtaking.

I hear a stampede of elephants running down the upstairs hallway to the top of the grand staircase. A copper haired boy with the most beautiful gray eyes and his brown haired, green-eyed sister fly down the stairs to meet their cousins. Bringing up the back of the pack is my handsome husband. "Hello, Mr. Grey. I see you've corralled the beasts." I give Christian a sweet peck on the cheek before turning to Ted and Phoebe. "What have I said about running in the house?" I scold. The beautiful, curving staircase has on more than one occasion sent a child (and once their clumsy mother) down to the first floor on their behind.

"I'm sorry mama, but daddy was chasing us!" says Ted eyeing his father innocently.

I look at Christian sideways. "Was he now?" I saunter to my husband who puts his hands behind his back, kicks the floor and begins to whistle innocently at the ceiling. "So, you're the one to blame?" I goad trying to hide a smile.

"I cannot tell a lie, Mrs. Grey. But the only way I could get them to come down was to bet them who could get here first." he says with a sly smile.

I lovingly swat at him on his chest and turn to Mia and Kate who are discussing decorations for Thanksgiving. "Are you two ready to hit the grocery store?" I ask with excitement. "I have Gail's list in my phone. It's organized by aisle so we can't miss anything." I say to indicate that we need to stay on task at the store. I have a pretty good feeling that that won't be possible with these two.

"Ok, dads – you're on deck!" I smile to Christian, Ethan, and Elliot. They had agreed to work together to watch the kids while we shopped. It would be a good bonding time for all of them. The men are excited to get to spend some time together and the kids would keep each other entertained. If we are quick about our shopping we should get back before lunch.

Just as I touch the handle of the door to leave, I feel a vice like grip on my upper thigh. "Don't go mommy," cries Ted as his arms tighten. He has always been clingier to me than Phoebe. She could be entertained by, and go to anything and anyone, but Ted was much like his father in that he dreaded letting me out of his sight.

I kneel down to my son's level "I'll be back soon. Your aunts and I are just going to the store. We'll be right back," I promise. "We'll be getting all the goodies for Thanksgiving dinner! Aren't you excited for us to cook for you?"

"Yes," Ted sniffles. "But I want to go with you. Can I, please?" The look on his face and his ability to give me the 'puppy dog eyes' melts me every time. I look at Mia and Kate and they shrug, look at each other, and motion Ted to the Audi SUV parked outside. Ted jumps at the invitation before anyone can change their mind and he's out the door heading to the car. Taylor has been leaning against the side of the vehicle dressed leisurely in black jeans, white t-shirt and a brown leather jacket. This is his 'blend into the crowd' outfit. He is our driver and security. While he and his family are in Maine, Sawyer (another member of our security team) will be stepping in to help out.

"Welcome aboard, young Mr. Grey," Says Taylor without hesitation and opens the back passenger side door for Ted and helps him into his car seat. I hope he has let Sawyer know how Ted likes to do things because he is as particular as his father.

I look at Christian who is giving me his recently patented 'you're going to spoil that boy' look. "Hey, it's one less child for you to chase!" I say to comfort him. He walks to me, grabs me by the waist and pulls me to him hungrily.

"I think I might have to chase you when you get back." He whispers as he kisses me on the forehead. His words still melt me to the core – even 5 years after we first met.

"That better be a promise." I smile and kiss him on the lips.

"Taylor is going with you."

"I know."

"Do you have your phone?"

"Yes."

"Watch for paparazzi."

"I know."

"Don't go through that Jones guy's register line."

"What?" I stop. How does he know about Jones? He flirts on occasion but it's completely innocent.

Christian's eyebrows get closer together. "I know about Jones."

"You only know about Jones because you own the store." I say – Christian, in a fit of insanity bought out the store when he learned it was about to foreclose. He knew it was Gail's favorite store and it was the only place within miles that sold his favorite foods, beer, and wines. "Besides, Jones is innocent."

Christian's lips press into a flat line as his gray eyes survey mine. "He's not 'that' innocent. No man is innocent when he's looking at my wife," he says as he kisses me on the lips. "Now, go! Get the biggest turkey you can find!" he says as he spins me around and taps me on my rear as I head to the door.