What to Be Thankful for
by Linda Schwartz

Part 1

"Pop, Pop, ya here?" Peter called out to his father.

"Peter, do you always do that when you visit your father?" Annie said to him in motherly amazement.

"He never answers me, I think it's just a habit."

"I don't blame him, I wouldn't answer you either if you came into my house shouting like that."

"I wouldn't have to do that, you know it's me even before I come into the house," he slowly guided Annie down the hallway towards the Apothecary room.

"I, too, wished my son would not cry out like this." he was standing at the entrance to the balcony garden.

"Hi, Pop," Peter greeted his father.

"My son," he returned the greeting with a look of joy expressed in his eyes. Then, his attention went to the woman standing next to Peter.

"Annie," his face lit up with a smile. "It is so good to see you," he took both of her hands in his. He guided her to the worktable and helped her sit in the chair.

"I'm so happy to see you, too, Caine," Annie's smile lit up the room.

"How are ya doing, Pop?" Peter crossed over to stand over by his father's worktable.

"I am well, my son. You wanted to ask me something?"

"Well, um, yeah, I wanted to," Peter glanced over at Annie, "I mean we wanted to ask..." he stammered.

"What our son is so eloquently trying to say is would you like to join us for Thanksgiving?" Annie asked him.

"I would be honored, Annie," he smiled. He was very touched by the invitation. The very thought that this gentlewoman had opened her heart and her home to his son during their lengthy separation, making Peter feel like a vital part of their family was something he would always be grateful to the Blaisdells for.

"Great, Pop!" Peter was overjoyed that his father would be joining in the Thanksgiving celebration. This was only the second Thanksgiving without Paul. Last year Caine was not in town, he had left for six months and finally came back when the Shadow Assassin returned.

"Dinner will be at seven," Annie said with a smile. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday, reveling in the occasion when her small, beloved clan all gathered together at the same time. There would be an empty seat at the table, along with an empty place in her heart where he always lived. Somehow, she knew wherever he was, he was safe. She wished more than anything he could come home, perhaps next year.

At least, Caine would be gracing their table this year. She was hoping he would accept her invitation. She knew it would make Peter very happy and she enjoyed his company as well. He'd become a member of their family.

"Don't, worry, mom, I'll make both of us aren't late."

"Okay, I'll see you day after tomorrow," she kissed Caine on the cheek and took out her cane and went out into the hallway to wait for Peter.

"I'm glad you're coming over, Pop, it means a lot to Annie," he paused as his eyes met his father's before he added, "and to me."

"There is no other place I would rather be than with you and your family, my son."

"Our family, Pop," Peter wrapped his arms around his father's shoulders and pulled him into an embrace. "You're a member of the Blaisdell clan, too. I'll see you on Thanksgiving," Peter said then left to take Annie home.

"Yes, my son," he as he watched Peter's retreating form his loft.

Part 2

The day started out to be a hectic one in the Blaisdell home. Annie had been up since eight AM to start her cooking, the phone started ringing at nine, Carolyn was calling to let her mother know that she and Todd and the baby would be over at 2:30PM and that she'd be bringing dessert. She made a wonderful apple pie that everyone always raved about. She'd also be another hand to help with dinner. Todd got firewood duty, he'd cut some logs for the fire and roast some chestnuts.

Peter had gone out with Kelly a few days earlier and got all the food they needed. He'd be by around 1PM. In the meantime she and Kelly started on the Turkey and the stuffing.

Annie heard the familiar sound of the car pull up in the driveway. She felt the watch on her wrist and smiled.

"Mom," Kelly came into the kitchen.

"I know, honey, Peter is here. Why don't you let your brother in?" He was right on time.

Kelly got to the door just as Peter was about to put the key in the door.

"What? Hey, Kel, how did you know I was here?" Peter came through the door carrying a bundle in his hands.

"Mom." Kelly said simply.

"Oh," that one answer explained everythingto Peter. Annie could hear a pin drop, she had a sixth sense that rivaled his father.

"Hi, Mom," Peter said as he put the package on the kitchen counter. He went to hug Annie, then kissed her on the top of her hair.

"Hi, honey, did you pick up the wine I asked you to?"

"Of course."

Annie began to unpack the bundle Peter had brought with him. Just some seasonings, bread, and milk. She felt around the package for one other item.

"Peter?" Annie called out to her son.

"Yeah, Mom?"

"Did you remember to pick up the cranberries?"

"Um, no. You needed cranberries?" Peter knew there was something else his mother had wanted.

"Peter," she admonished, " you know I need them for my homemade cranberry sauce. Please go out and get them."

"But, mom," Peter didn't want to go back into that mob at the supermarket.

"Don't, 'but Mom me', young man." She gave him a look that he knew she meant business.

"Okay, I'll go out into the cold, cruel world to get cranberries," Peter lamented, but by the tone in his voice she knew he was only playing with her.

"Peter!" Annie exclaimed as she shook her head with the sound of the door slamming, then and she laughed with the joy of having her dear son around the house again.

As the day wore on, other members of the family started to arrive.

"Hi, Mom!" Carolyn came in through the front door carrying a tin of cookies and a pie container. She was followed by her husband who was carrying their baby in his arms.

"Carolyn," her mother greeted her after she deposited the items on the coffee table, then she felt her daughter wrap her arms around her and give her a big hug.

Todd came over and kissed his mother-in-law reaching over the squirming baby in order to do so.

"Annie, it's so good to see you."

"It's good to see you, too, Todd." She paused as she heard the giggling soundsbetween them. "And how's my grandson doing?" she stretched her arms outward to take the baby from his arms.

"Jacob, my sweetie, come to grandma." She gently took the baby from his father. "I can't believe how big he's gotten."

"Just turned seven months last week," Todd beamed proudly.

Annie sat on the couch with the baby. Carolyn brought the cookies and pie on into the kitchen, then checked the turkey which was in the oven.

"Hey, Carolyn," Kelly popped up into the kitchen. She'd come down the stairs as soon as she heard the voices of her sister and her family. The two sisters hugged and began to catch up on events.

About an hour later, Peter came in. "Well, I made it back alive," he said breathlessly. "It's nuts in the supermarket. You'd think they were giving stuff away."

Peter put the bag containing the cranberries down and took his coat off. "Hi, Todd." He shook hands with his brother-in-law and gave him a hug.

"Hi, Pete," he said warmly.

"Mom, I got the cranberries."

"Good, Peter, put them in the kitchen."

Carolyn had come back into the living room. Annie passed Jacob to her and went to the kitchen to start making the cranberry sauce.

"Hey, Peter, would you come out and help me with the firewood?" Todd asked.

"Sure," Peter slipped his coat back on and went out to help chop the wood. They started talking about the usual guy stuff of sports, cars and work.

They didn't realize how long they'd been out there until Annie came out onto the deck.

"Peter, isn't it time for you to pick up your father?" Annie came out to remind him.

Peter quickly looked at his watch, it said 6:10. "Oh my God, I completely lost track of time," Peter helped Todd bring in the logs and put them next to the fireplace.

"He must be wondering where I am. I'll be right back," Peter shouted as he ran out the door and climbed into his Stealth to streak away. ******* Caine checked his appearance in the mirror. On such special occasions, he usually wore his best silk clothes. Today, he wore a black pair of pants, a white silk dress shirt with a design of small cranes embossed into the material, and a black jacket. This was a very special night. He was looking forward to spending time with his son's family. *No*, he corrected himself, *as my son said, it is our family,* he smiled at the joy his son had expressed at his decision to join the Blaisdells for their feast.

He had been alone for too long, fifteen years of endless wandering. Even though it was not unusual for a Shaolin to walk alone, he had been different. He had found a woman that he loved so deeply and she gave him a son, who he loved with all his heart. When he thought he lost his son he had felt a loneliness that no man should ever have to live through. But that was all in the past. Now he awaited his son to pick him up.

Caine stepped out onto the balcony and breathed in the crisp air. It had grown dark about an hour ago and he wondered where Peter was. Then, as if on cue, he felt it. The famliar stirring inside his heart that told him Peter was near, then he heard the familiar sound of the engine of his son's car being turned off down below. The pounding of rapidly moving footsteps followed by, "Pop! I'm here,"

He smiled and turned from the balcony. "I know, my son," he smiled.

"I'm sorry I'm late, are you ready?" Peter asked him.

"Yes, I am ready," Caine took his pouch, slung it over his shoulder and followed his son down to the Stealth.

It didn't take them long to get to Annie's. They made it just in time to join everyone else at the table.

"Hello, Caine," Carolyn was the first to greet him, followed by Kelly.

"Hi, Caine," Todd was in the fireplace, stacking some logs on the rack. "Now comes the fun part, trying to light this thing. I just hope the wood isn't too damp."

Before Todd tried to light it a few times, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Caine standing over him.

"Please, allow me." Caine said to him. Todd stood back and allowed the priest to kneel next to the fireplace. Everyone in the room looked in astonishment as Caine waved his hands over the logs and they ignited into a small blaze.

"How did he?" Todd was shocked.

"That's my Pop," Peter said as he smiledknowlingly. Most of the Blaisdells had never witnessed his father's 'Shaolin magic' firsthand. Peter was very proud of his father.

Annie came out of the kitchen at the sounds of surprise in her living room. The awestruck group confirmed who was in her house.

"Caine, I'm glad you made it." She came over to him and they hugged.

"I would not miss it."

They all pitched in to help getting dinner to the table. Kelly and Carolyn had worked together to set the table, placing the fancy plates and glasses only used for holidays on the table.

Caine and Peter helped Annie in the kitchen with the last of the food preparation.

"Please, everyone sit down and we will begin." Annie asked the family to take their seats at the table. Peter was the last one into the room and he carried the turkey out into the dining room and placed it at the head of the table, right in front of the seat that had always been Paul's.

"Now, it's been a tradition in our family before we start to eat that each of us says what they are thankful for. Why don't you start, Carolyn?" she asked her eldest daughter.

"Well, I am thankful for my wonderful husband and our beautiful baby," she said giving them both a look through smiling eyes. "And for my mother, sister and brother. Of course that Caine was able to joined us this year."

Kelly went next, "I'm thankful I don't have to go back to college for another week." She smiled.

"Kelly," Her mother chided her.

"Okay, I'm glad for my wonderful family."

Peter was next and he took a deep breath before beginning. "I'm grateful for having my father back in my life. He's taught me so many things and has so many more lessons to push in," he cringed at the memory of all those slaps. "I'm grateful for my sisters, my brother-in-law and my nephew. And of course, my mother who has the patience of a saint to put up with all of my nonsense. I love you all." Peter actively avoided mentioning the one person who was noticeably absent from this gathering.

It had grown silent, then Caine cleared his throat. "I feel fortunate to have my son back in my life. There are no words to express the joy that I feel with that gift. Also, I am honored to be invited into a home filled with such love. I feel very thankful indeed."

Annie thought for a long moment before trying to speak, because she wasn't sure if she could get the words out. "I am thankful for my family gathered at this table," she felt for Caine's hand since he was sitting next to her and squeezed it. She did so toemphasized that he was indeed a member of this family. "And for this opportunity as we pray together for the his safe return, wherever he might be."

As Caine's hand suddenly stiffened, Annie felt something happening too.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Peter sensed something wasn't right, not only from his parents' expressions, but he too could feel it.

Suddenly, the front door opened up. "I hope we're not too late for Thanksgiving dinner."

"PAUL!" Annie stood up quickly from the table. She was trying to calm her suddenly pounding heart, thinking the sound of her husband's voice was too good to be true. It had to be her imagination or a dream.

"It's me, Annie." Paul took her into his arms as he came into the dining room.

"And me," Kermit was standing next to him. "I told him he had better haul his butt back here and join his family for Thanksgiving. Or else." The ex mercenary's tone sounded ominous, but everyone knew how he felt about Paul.

"Oh Paul," Annie walked over to where she heard Paul's voice and he wrapped his arms around her.

"How? No, never mind how. I'm just so happy you're here. I was praying for a miracle."

"Well, they do happen from time to time." Paul took his coat off and the rest of the family greeted him.

"I hope I didn't miss anything?"

"No, you made it just in time. We were saving the carving of the turkey for you." Peter hugged his foster father tightly.

Caine bowed to him.

After the shock wore off, they all gathered around the table. Paul carved the bird and handed out the dishes to each member at the table.

Caine said a Shaolin version of a Thanksgiving grace and they all began to eat.

Something never uttered, but each thought in their own way that this Thanksgiving they, had something extra special to be thankful for.

Fini