Wednesday night I had moved all the furniture and we had a few large tables brought up. This year, there were too many guests to fit at the regular dining table and I think Riles was thrilled. Nothing like entertaining to make my woman happy. God sakes, she's so easy to please, but pleasing her didn't always go so smoothly, especially in the 'family gathering' department.

In the past we'd had a ton of issues, my wife insisting that she do every fucking thing to make the day perfect, but with the baby and all the other additions to the family, she seems to have mellowed a bit … thank God. She'd asked everyone to bring something for the meal. She made the turkeys (yes, we needed two), cleaned the apartment and managed to arrange for all the tables and chairs. Shit, I didn't even realize we owned those eight foot folding tables.

"Jeeze, John," she teased as we set them up last night. "What do you think we do? Rent them every time we have a conference here?"

I shrugged. Sometimes I just don't think about those details, good thing someone does.

As she set the table I had the easy job, play with the baby, keep him happy and changed when he needed it. Piece of cake. "Who's bringing desert?" I asked, my sweet tooth tingling."

"Chef Chris' wife is bringing pumpkin pie, I made pecan pie and Mere's bringing a cake."

"Chocolate?" I looked up from little T who was chewing on one of those teething ring thingies.

"Of course." She placed plates and gathered flatware. "Go down the guest list, John."

I reached for the paper. "Dino."

"He's at the airport Hilton in Burlington. He'll be here at seven. Next."

"Zack and what's her name, uh, Debbie."

"Here already. Room 12."

"Max, Sophia and Pullo."

Riley sighed. She always did that where Maximus, Pullo or Antony are concerned, dammit. "Max called, their flight is on time, they'll be here at three."

"Jeff and Kelly."

"Mmm, the green bean casserole. Jeff promised they'd be here at seven. Kitchen closes at six so looks like we'll be having dinner on time at eight. Next."

Anything she didn't think of? Our new chef and his family were invited and Riles had arranged the public dining room for Thanksgiving Dinner from four to six, leaving more than enough time for them, Andy and Monna to be upstairs and relaxing before our eight o'clock dinner.

"Colin and Carrie, Hando, Mere and Ruthless Ruthie."

She just giggled.

"Kevin and LizBeth," I grunted, lifting the baby into my arms.

"On their way.

"Terry and Bridgid?"

"Yeah, they're bringing the mashed potatoes! Nat and Jack are threatening to bring drowned baby or spotted dick!" she laughed. "But I asked her to bring the salad. Antony and Claudia … that sweet woman is down in the big kitchen right now making a bourbon yam dish."

"Great." Anything with bourbon in it can't be too bad, ay?

"That's twenty-nine people, three of them children and the baby."

"We got a kid's table," I teased. She pointed to the far corner. "Who's gonna supervise?"

Her face went red. "Uh, Pullo?"

I fucking bust out laughing. But I guess it made sense, who else could handle Ruthless Ruthie and a mini barbarian horde?

COLIN

Carrie and I spent the early day with her family and the more I watched those conservative people, the happier I was that we'd chosen to stay with H and Mere until our new house was ready. Granted, the Tasmanian Devil that is Ruthie had us seriously thinking about putting off children, for like … ever, but at least at Hando's, me and my woman could sleep together.

Wednesday was tied up buying furniture for the house that would arrive on Friday, thank bloody God. I couldn't help but wonder about us and the life we were leadin'. Both Carrie and me, we're pretty simple people and we were caught in the craziness of the NASCAR circuit. I wondered how soon I could get my head back under the hood and out from behind the wheel, but I gotta admit I like racing. Maybe I'd quit, but not just yet. Not while I was winning, that's for sure. But I miss the family, miss the easy quiet life. I shrugged as I drove to the Inn, realizing that changes may come sooner than I'm planning. We wanted to tie the knot during the off season. Lots to think about.

When we got inside I grinned down at her. God Carrie's fucking gorgeous, so happy and satisfied with everything. Fuck all; I hoped I could keep her that way forever. "Race ya," I dared and we started up the four flights of stairs two at a time, squealing and laughing until we rounded for the third floor and were stopped. There, blocking the way sat Andy, panting and grinning ear to ear.

My fuckin' gut wrenched. He looked awful. Lost weight, pale but damn but his face was happy. He was wearing a chef's coat, opened to his tee shirt so he could cool off from the exertion. "Hey!" I forced a grin and he stood. Bloody hell, I hugged him close. My brother was fuckin' sick as hell and I hadn't seen him once since the diagnosis. Maybe I needed to change our lives a lot quicker than I'd been thinking. I pushed him back to look at him. "Thought you weren't working."

Andy shrugged and accepted a hug from Carrie. "Just overseein'. Nothin' to it, not with the new Chef. He's great." He lowered to the step again and looked up. "Fuck all, it's good to see you two."

"You too. So … how ya goin'?"

"Fine, fine. Just," another shrug and embarrassment on his face. "Too many steps. Might make it up there by dinner, huh?"

"Can ya stand?"

"Bloody hell yeah, I can stand."

Carrie slid and arm under his and I did the same. "Let's go."

We took the stairs slowly, watching him carefully and stealing concerned glances at each other the whole way. Yeah, things had to change and I think we both knew it.

CHEF CHRIS

Too good, almost too good to be true. Shit, I love the Inn and love the fact that Riley went out of her way to help me find a house quickly so my family could be here for Thanksgiving … and now … to be invited to dinner with the Biebes … that's just, well … almost too good.

Carol had brought me to work early that morning and was driving back with the girls at six. My girls, cutest little things on earth, I tell you. Elaine is almost six and little Lindy's four. I was hoping they'd adjust to the crowd of strangers once we got up to the Biebe's apartment.

The professional kitchen hummed and everything was moving just great. What a team they have here; nothing like the politics of big city hotel work. Some of the staff had been there since the place opened and no one seemed to have any issues with me at all. I wondered about Andy, even talked a little with Monica about him. He's a great chef as far as I can tell by the work he'd set in motion at the Inn. Creative, opened, always interested in ideas and suggestions. It was a shame he could only do a few hours a day but he'd recover. Chronic Exhaustion is nothing to fuck around with but he seemed to have a grasp on coping with it and finding the best ways to live with it. I'm hoping it all gets better soon, looking forward to working more with him.

I'd put together a few platters of grilled veggies and cheese for the dinner up in the apartment, just wanting to contribute something. Riley was a master at making everything work with her Inn. Instinctively she'd already set things up so that I can be part of a nice family dinner. I swear, I can't remember the last time I got home on a holiday to enjoy my family. Maybe this whole move to the country was going to work out just fine.

CLAUDIA

As happy as I was to have Antony in my life, my mind was spinning with all the possible obstacles. I really hadn't thought things through that well before just dropping everything and coming to Vermont. I thought I'd just be visiting for a while then go back home and make plans but guess what … ain't happening. I had enough money to do one of two things. Either get myself set up with my new business … or find a place to live and either pay rent or a mortgage. Both were out of the question so I had a dilemma.

Antony had his ideas. My staying in Burlington with Mere and H were unacceptable to him … I'd be too far away. His suggestion that I remain at the Inn, live in the small room with him … well, that just seemed impractical. He was positive things would work out, but I was starting to get those terror chills; the ones that make your hands sweat and your smile a little lopsided. He had so many hopes for us and already I was looking at the rough patches.

Fuck it. After all, it's Thanksgiving and we had celebrating to do; lots to be thankful for and for once in my life, I intended to set the worry aside and deal with it later. Just enjoy what I have right now and face any concerns when they presented themselves. And I so hoped the tough times weren't just twenty-four hours away and I could pretend everything was fine and perfect for just a little while longer.

JEFF

Once upon a time I had looked forward to the holidays, but as I got older and my path through life became twisted and complicated, I pulled away from the emotional ties to my family and childhood. As an adult my life became a convoluted mire of lawsuits, divorce settlements, and later I concentrated upon rebuilding my life and career. There were times that I would have given anything to be surrounded by the people I cared about and this year everything had finally come full circle. I guess it's better late than never.

I awoke before dawn on Thanksgiving morning, eager for a little quiet reflection and the chance to prepare my mother's recipe for green bean casserole, which had been a childhood favorite of mine. When Riley had send out the invitations for everyone to come and celebrate with her and John at the Inn, I decided it was time to touch base with my past and pay some proper respect to my mother's memory. Besides, 2007 was a year to be thankful for and for the first time in what seemed like a very long time I felt light, happy and dare I even say jovial?

I was careful not to wake Kelly as I crawled out of bed. Donning my sweats and gently closing the bedroom door behind me, I was greeted by Shalimar as she came sauntering out of the den and gave me a sleepy meow of greeting. She rubbed her cheek against my ankles and the sound of her purring reminded me of a small engine revving.

"Good morning, Miss Diva." Her green eyes sparkled as she flipped her tail in response to my voice and I had to laugh because Kelly had pulled a similar maneuver yesterday morning, attitude, tail swish and all when I told her that Hando had been instructed NOT to help her if she happened to drop by and ask for help installing her tire chains and I couldn't help but smile at the memory:

"Do we really have to do this?" It was beautiful - she gave me the sexy pout and even batted her eyelashes as she tried to deter me from my mission.

"Honestly? We don't, but you do." We were both standing on the porch looking at her car and her head snapped around as her mind absorbed what I had just said.

A look of panic came into her eyes. "Oh my God…you're serious, aren't you?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

"Well, you are smiling…" She gave me another sexy pout.

It was all I could do to not take her in my arms and kiss her, but I held my ground. "Won't work, missy. I'm impervious to flattery, bribery, or promises of sexual favors."

"I thought I'd at least give it a try…you thought of everything, didn't you?"

"I did, and you're stalling."

"Fine."

A wise man understands the implications behind that word when uttered by the object of his affection. I detected a bit of a hissy fit brewing but I was armed and ready for battle. Without another look at me, she made her way down the front steps and walked over to her car, shaking her hips in a way that I'm sure wasn't intentional, but full of attitude nonetheless. Grinning and trying not to laugh, I followed a few steps behind. When I caught up to her I handed over the plastic carrying case that held the tire chains and the look she gave me in response was pure hellfire, which I pointedly ignored.

"I've already inspected them, so all you have to do is follow the instructions." I was treading dangerous ground, but couldn't help but smile. Actually, I was still fighting back a chuckle and I'm pretty sure she sensed my amusement, which only irritated her more.

She made a clicking sound with her tongue to express her annoyance, but she didn't utter another word as she took the case from my hand and sat it down upon the hood of her car. She laid the case open and pulled out the instructions, her brows furrowed and lips pursed in concentration. Not wanting to hold her up by playing driveway superintendent, I went back inside to give her some space and finish reading my newspaper.

I tried not to check on her as I made my way through the sports page, but every so often I heard a finely chosen expletive come wafting in from the vicinity of the driveway. It was all I could do not to take a peek at her progress, but I managed to allow her the privacy of working it out on her own.

An hour and a half later, I was almost finished with reading the paper front to back when I heard the door slam shut. Kelly came over and stood before me with her hands on her hips and a look of triumph in her eyes. I put down the business section and smiled innocently. "All done?"

She seemed to be fighting back a smile. "Yes, unless you find something wrong and try to torture me further."

"You know it's only because I love you that I made you do this."

"Yeah, yeah. I love you too." She leaned over and grabbed my hand as I laid my newspaper aside and stood up, practically dragging me out the door and down the porch steps. She let go when we got to the car and I immediately went over and began to inspect her handiwork. I got the feeling that she was holding her breath in anticipation of my verdict.

She needn't have worried; the chains were all installed correctly and I gave her a wink and a smile. "Was it as hard as you thought it would be?"

"No." She gave me a scowl that could have scared skunks into hiding.

Uh oh. Maybe I had overplayed my hand. "Are you still mad at me?"

"Maybe."

This time, I detected the hint of a smile. "Any chance for redemption?"

"Let me think about it."

Needless to say, she didn't kick me out of bed last night.

I had just finished sprinkling the can of French fried onions onto the top of the casserole when I felt a set of arms encircle my waist from behind and the caught the familiar scent of Kelly's perfume.

"I hope I didn't wake you." Setting down the canister of onions I smoothed my hands over hers and smiled. Her body felt soft and pliant as it pressed against my back, yet also solid and warm.

She gave a soft hum in answer and I turned around to take her in my arms. She snuggled in closer and tucked her head beneath my chin. "The bed's cold without you." For emphasis she slipped her hands down the waistband of my sweats and placed her ice cold palms against my ass. "Mmmm…you're so warm."

"Warm heart, warm butt; you know me." I chuckled and we just stood there for several moments as her body began to absorb the increased heat coming off of mine. Just as I thought she might have fallen back to sleep as I held her, she tilted her head back and kissed me beneath my chin.

"I'm so glad you're here with me…Happy Thanksgiving, babe."

"I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be." I kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tight. "You ready to meet the others today?" I knew she would be. Maximus could charm any woman, and I was curious to hear how Colin and Carrie were doing. Hurricane Ruthie, on the other hand…

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." She pulled away just enough to where her eyes could look into mine. "I haven't really celebrated Thanksgiving in years. It'll be nice to meet all your friends and be part of a group. I've so missed that."

"Honey, you're part of the family now." I meant it.

Her eyes went all soft and she melted back into my arms. "You're the best gift a girl could get at any time of the year."

I fought back the urge to chortle a silly but heartfelt Ho Ho Ho…At that moment, once again, all was right with our worlds.

MAXIMUS

I settled my travel weary wife in our suite and left to locate those I was most concerned about. Pullo too was prowling the Inn, seeking Antony and we instinctively headed down to the pub. He wasn't gulping beer and frustrated as I expected, he was storing the shelves behind the bar and grinning. He looked up and laughed.

"The gods must love you," I chuckled and reached out. His hand grasped my wrist and we held tight, a soldiers welcome, a soldiers greeting. He embraced Pullo and we sat in a booth. The pub was quiet and I felt my concerns ebb away.

"You are adjusting well?" I asked and Pullo grunted.

"Look at his bloody face, Max. Antony is more than adjusted. He's got himself a fucking woman, don't you now." His hand shot across the table and slammed Antony's shoulder.

"How the hell would you know?"

"Seen that look on you before," Pullo grinned, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

My comrade was not happy and I was aware of this. It was a hard road, convincing Pullo to join us for the trip. He was lonely and he was displeased with himself and I could not understand why. Pullo had proven an uncanny vintner; his eye, his mind, his sense of timing and taste … remarkable. He would be a successful winemaker someday … and I wondered if he was not such right now; what it would take to encourage him further along that path.

But I grinned and chose to focus my attention on Antony; my other displaced brother. "The work is good?"

"The work is good, a little boring," he chuckled, "but after so long with war, it is a pleasure to rest and fuck and eat and be content. Have you brought Sophia?"

"She is resting," I smiled.

"And is she with child yet?" Antony teased.

"No, she is not. Tell us of your woman."

"She is not with child yet either. Perhaps I expect too much from the gods, as I have only had her as mine for six days," his laugh was loud and full.

PULLO

I admit, I was jealous. There sat Marc Antony, having found love. Maximus, with his vineyard and Sophia. John and his woman had the Inn. They all had something and what did I have? Nothing.

As pleasant as it was, living and working with Maximus in California, I couldn't help but feel the same way I had when living and working with Vorenus and Niobe. Lost, somewhat displaced. Unhappy. Something was destined to change and as I watched Antony talk of his new life and all the joys he'd found I realized that something had in fact been brewing deep in my belly for some time. I knew what I wanted. I wanted a vineyard of my own, a life of my own. Yes, I knew bloody well what I wanted, there was simply no way to have it and perhaps it was time to accept my lot and do the best I could for Maximus. After all, I owed him my life.

Enough. I had had enough of sulking and brooding. We were in Vermont and I was looking forward to the week. "I'm going upstairs to see the child," I stood and Maximus stood too. It was a holiday, a special festival of thankfulness and it was well past time to start being thankful.

RILEY

Wow. I was almost in tears seeing them all together. Our apartment is far from small, but with all those people and all that energy around, it felt full and ready to explode. I herded them to the long table, pointing to the name cards which were almost immediately ignored.

Nat was the first one to throw hers aside, plopping down next to Carrie and chatting happily. When I gave her a playful glare, she grinned.

"Go on," she giggled. "Try to move me, I'm a house!" She called to Jack who checked the correct name card for that seat and she simply snatched it from his fingers and tossed it over her shoulder. He sat, smiling at me. All my worries about Nat and Carrie were for nothing after all.

Pullo was the only one who didn't toss his place card away, settling at the head of the kids table and already in negotiations with Ruthie. John carried the turkeys to the and finally everything perfect. I looked around at them, realizing who wasn't with us and sighing to the memories of past Thanksgivings with Bud and Darcy. But those present talked and smiled and I knew we'd all done just fine. Gotten further than I ever imagined we would in fact.

THANKSGIVING DINNER

The aroma and sight and sound of a contented family drifted to fill the room. Conversations varied from politics to pleasantries and many who had previously felt uncomfortable, soon mellowed into the true family energy that enveloped everything.

Terry and his pregnant bride were blissful, leaning close and whispering to each other. Colin had glanced to the kid's table and begun joking about getting snipped and passing on having children, but of course Carrie had her opinion, expressed with a hard slam to his shoulder. Zack and Debbie looked as desperate as Antony and Claudia, hoping to complete the required festivities and return to their personal carnal celebrations.

And John Biebe? John nearly had tears in his eyes. It was what he had always hoped for where the Inn was concerned. A place for family and love and support. He reached for his infant son and leaned in to kiss his wife. John Biebe was certainly in his element and everything was ready to start the Thanksgiving meal.

But before a prayer could be uttered, Dino stood and cleared his throat. All eyes turned to him and even little Ruthie quieted … sort of.

"Happy Thanksgiving, everyone," he smiled, his blue eyes twinkling and a glint of silver caught by the lamps, blazing in his red hair. "I'd like to say a few words before we start eating this great meal. Won't take long, but I think it's real important." He glanced around the table, quiet aware that many there knew little or nothing of the uniqueness of the family around them and carefully choosing the words he'd use.

"We've all come a long way, gone through great times," he smiled, "and some pretty rough times." His eyes fell on Andy. "But we always make it through, don't we. Always manage to keep going and make things better.

"As some of you know, I kinda got some money," he shrugged at the wave of chuckles; most at the table having already benefited from the amazing amount of cash Dino had always been so generous with where his brothers were concerned. "Okay, lots of money. Got a touch for making it grow. I have a … habit … of giving it to those I care about … and this Thanksgiving, we have some new things to be thankful for."

He reached into his jacket and tugged out several envelopes. He tossed one to Antony, nudged for another to be passed over to Pullo, handed one to Riley, Natalie, Bridgid and finally one to Chef Chris Hopkins. When the man's brow curled Dino grinned. "Just gimme a minute to explain and you'll understand, buddy."

Dino backed away from the table and walked around it. "I care about everyone at this table, I listen and I hear and I kinda have my ways of knowing everything that affects this family." He shrugged, "it's my job. Starting with Mr. Hopkins there." All eyes turned to the new Chef and his wife.

"I happen to know," Dino started, "that you lost everything back in New York. I know about the fire that took your house, I know about your dad in the Twin Towers. I know why you felt so strongly about moving your family to a better place." Dino chuckled. "I'm the one who got the information to you that this Inn needed a good chef, Chris. I know lots of stuff and I want to help. That's for you and your family. No thanks required, nothing needed, just buy that bigger house you looked at last week and get the kids enrolled in the school. You've found your home, Chris and Carol." The man was speechless.

"Beautiful Natalie, you're radiant … big … but radiant my dear."

"Hey!" she laughed.

"That's for the twins. Same with you, Bridgid, get everything you need for the nursery. Riley, that's a little special, not a check but a gift certificate for a week of pampering at a spa. The Cayman's, baby. Enjoy. John can handle the baby, sweetie. Just wean little T first. Last I looked, John didn't have the milk."

Everyone chuckled, turned to John as he gripped his chest. "I don't?"

"And now on to the new reasons we have to be thankful." Dino had stopped walking, looked directly at Pullo, Ruthie straddled on the man's broad shoulders and the Hopkins little girls occupying each knee. "Titus Pullo. We're glad you're here, buddy, and I want to help you get a really good start. Pullo, I know what you want, could see it in your eyes last time I was in California and watched you work with the grapes. I've located several vineyards for you to look at, some in Sonoma, a few in New York, one here in Vermont."

Maximus had turned a look at Pullo then smiled and nodded agreement to Dino.

"I will miss you," Sophia sighed with sincerity and Max hugged her close.

"He will do well, very well."

Dino stepped close to Antony who turned in his chair to watch, the envelope in his hands and harboring full intentions of returning it, for after all, did he not already have everything he wanted.

"Don't even think about it," Dino took the envelope from Antony and handed it to Claudia. "You're taking it. She needs it and so do you. Money's a good thing, and I kinda know you already are aware of that. Do what you like with it. Now," Dino returned to his chair and lifted fork and knife. "Can we eat or what?"

Terry embraced his best mate and the table buzzed with conversation and excitement over what lay ahead. Dino had done what he came for, and now he'd bask in the comfort of having helped his family. He knew he wouldn't see Christmas with them. Was unsure if he'd see another holiday with those he loved at all. Life and work were getting crazy for him and he chose to keep all that quiet. In the scheme of things, what did it matter, as long as they were all taken care of? He raised a glass of wine. "Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!"