Previously…
– Uncomfortable with the idea of selling his parents’ home so soon after his father’s passing, Trevor decided to rent the house to Finn and Jaq instead.
– Rosie and Claire cared for the baby who’d been left outside the KBPD, and the social worker assured them that the child would find a good foster home.
– Zane was irate after Tori had to skip out on a romantic evening to handle an emergency at the office.

“Now that’s what I call a turkey!”

Alex Marshall stands in front of the oven, gazing at the crisp, browned skin of the Thanksgiving bird. He pulls the meat thermometer from the turkey’s meaty thigh and sets it on a paper towel resting nearby.

“Is it cooked?” his husband asks from behind him.

“Yep, it should be good,” Alex says before using a pair of oven mats to lift the roasting pan out of the oven. He carefully moves it to an empty slab of countertop.

“It smells amazing in here,” Finn Campbell comments from his post on the other side of the island. The three men stand in the kitchen of the house in which Trevor and his sister grew up, the house that, until this past summer, was inhabited by Trevor’s father. 

“It feels nice to be here and have it feel like a holiday,” Trevor says. He wears a black turtleneck and holds a glass of red wine in one hand as he uses the other to close the oven door behind Alex. “Thanks for letting us host here, Finn.”

“It’s my pleasure,” Finn replies, “and it’s also technically your house. Jaq and I are just living in it.”

“And we’re very grateful for that,” Jaq Pearson comments as they float into the kitchen from the adjoining living room. “The turkey’s ready?”

Alex, who is busy folding a tent of aluminum foil over the pan, says, “It has to sit, but it’s cooked, yeah. Jaq, you can start roasting the Brussels sprouts now.”

“Perfect.” Jaq uncovers a nearby pan of halved green sprouts, drizzled with a dark balsamic glaze. 

The doorbell’s soft chime sounds through the house.

“That must be the Chases,” Trevor says. “I’ll get it.”

He hurries out of the room, as Alex finishes covering the turkey. He steps out of the way to allow Jaq access to the oven and joins Finn on the opposite side of the island.

“Thank you for doing all this work for dinner,” Finn says to him. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a Thanksgiving like this.”

“Is it not a big deal for your family?” Alex catches himself and hastens to add, “Sorry, I know that question can be rough for some people, especially around the holidays. I didn’t mean to–“

“It’s fine.” Finn underscores this with a nod and a held-up left palm. “I promise. But no, my holidays have never been very… family-oriented.”

Alex waits respectfully for him to elaborate and finally says, “Sorry to hear that.”

“It is what it is. I got bounced around a lot as a kid — from this foster family to this aunt to that group home, and then back around again. I never really had the typical family holidays. So this is… it’s really nice.”

“We’re glad you’re here,” Alex says. “It means a lot to Trevor to have people he knows in this house.”

“I wish I were better in the kitchen so I could help more.”

“You can help by getting me a glass of that wine before I start making the gravy,” Alex says with a laugh.

“Now that, I can handle,” Finn tells him as he heads to the dining room to do just that.

—–

At Paula Fisher‘s house, the same enticing scents drift out from the kitchen, as family and friends cluster in the dining and living rooms enjoying appetizers, drinks, and conversation.

“My mother wanted to make sure I thanked you for inviting her today,” Rosie Jimenez is telling Paula. “She wanted to go help my brother get settled in his new place in Seattle, or she’d be here.”

“Her mom is an incredible cook, too,” adds Travis Fisher, who is standing right beside Rosie, one hand casually resting on her back.

“You tell her that she’s very welcome, and we’d love to meet her any time,” Paula says. “I’m sure it will be nice for her to be with your brother, though.”

Rosie snickers. “If you knew my brother, you’d know that he needs her there if he has any hope of getting that apartment in order.”

“I should go see if Uncle Matt needs any help,” Travis says.

“I’ll check,” Paula tells him. “Enjoy yourself.”

“Are you sure?”

Paula nods emphatically. “I’ll yell for you if we need any more help.”

“Thanks, Grandma.”

As Paula slips off to the kitchen, Travis turns to face Rosie.

“I’m glad your mom is with Sebastian before he starts his new job,” he says, “but I’m excited for her to meet my family, too. Even if all this–” He gestures at the loved ones all around them. “–might be a bit much.”

Rosie cocks an eyebrow. “You think the Fishers are any match for a little Puerto Rican lady?”

“Okay,” Travis says through a laugh. “You might have a point there.”

“I always do.” She winks at him before leaning in to plant a peck on his lips.

—–

Down a short hallway off the dining room, Sophie Fisher skids to a stop at the entrance to the den.

“There you are,” she says to her older cousin, who is melted into the deep sectional sofa, his attention glued to his iPhone. “Come on. We’re playing Cards Against Humanity.”

“Pass,” Caleb Taylor says without even looking up.

“Come play! It’s Thanksgiving. You can’t just lock yourself away in here.”

“Watch me.”

Caleb’s twin brother comes up behind Sophie. 

“He doesn’t want to play,” Sophie tells Christian.

Christian lets out a sigh before addressing his brother. “Caleb, come on. Marcus is even trying to convince Tori to play.”

“Good for them.” Caleb waits a beat, and then his gaze flickers over toward them. “Go. Play.”

“Ugh. Caleb,” Sophie says. “Think about all the cannibal jokes we could make.”

Christian places a hand on her shoulder. “Leave him. He’s been like this all fall.”

“Fine, but you’re missing out,” Sophie calls across the den before following Christian back down the hallway.

Once they are gone, Caleb relaxes his tense shoulders ever so slightly. He can hear the chatter, the excitement and the laughter, from elsewhere in the house — and while he knows, on a logical level, that they aren’t doing it to annoy him, it somehow all feels like a dig, like they’re twisting the knife in order to remind him how unwelcome he really is here.

He switches over to his text messages and quickly types a message:

When’s your fam gonna be done with dinner?

He hits send and immediately begins awaiting Jasmine‘s response, his leg bouncing at the prospect of getting out of here and seeing her.

—–

“It’s nice to meet you,” Diane Bishop says as she shakes hands with Finn in the living room of the Brooks home. “I’ve been curious about Jaq’s mysterious roommate.”

“He isn’t mysterious just because you hadn’t met him yet,” Samantha says to her mother.

“I’ll take mysterious,” Finn responds. “Might have better luck on  my, uh, Tinder if I could harness that energy.”

Diane winks. “You don’t have to water things down — you can talk about Grindr in front of me.”

“Mom,” Samantha says.

But Finn laughs. “Okay, I assumed I’d like you because I like Sam, but that sold me.”

“I can be fun, despite my daughter finding me incredibly embarrassing most of the time,” Diane says. “Or maybe that’s why I’m fun.”

“You know my cousin Tori, right? From work?” Samantha asks him.

Finn nods, though he bites his lower lip uncertainly as he does so. “I get the impression Tori doesn’t like me much.”

“I think she’s a little stressed-out these days,” Samantha says. “I wouldn’t take it personally. Anyway, her mom is my mom’s best friend.”

“And that would be your… aunt, right?” he asks.

“See? You’re getting a handle on things already,” Diane says.

Samantha lets out a chuckle. “Maybe I’ll wait before I try and explain my brothers, though.”

“What about them?” Finn asks.

“The phrase ‘long story’ doesn’t even scratch the surface,” Samantha tells him.

—–

Back in the kitchen, Chase Marshall-Brooks sits on the tile floor, making roaring sounds as he pushes a small black-and-green truck back and forth.

“Chase, could you do that literally anywhere else?” Alex says as he steps over his son, a hot dish held between his hands.

Helen Chase stoops down to talk to the toddler. 

“What’s that you’re playing with?” she asks.

“It’s Grave Digger,” he says excitedly, holding up the truck. Its plastic wheels continue to spin in the air.

“That’s quite a formidable truck,” Helen comments.

Her husband stands behind Helen, looking down upon them. 

“Your dads told us Grave Digger is your favorite,” Don says.

“How we wound up with a son who’s obsessed with monster trucks, I’ll never figure out,” Alex says. “Would it be hypocritical of me to say that I hope it’s a phase?”

“If there’s one thing you’ll learn from being a parent,” Helen says, “it’s that your children will never, ever be who you expect them to be.”

Alex watches with a grin as Chase places the truck back on the floor and then sends it sailing across the room.

“I’m realizing that,” he says with amusement.

—–

Tori Gray stands in the dining room of her grandmother’s house, holding a small plate with sliced cheese, rosemary crackers, and a few red grapes on it. Zane Tanaka is beside her, finishing a mini-quiche in small bites as they talk to Tori’s younger cousin.

“You look like you’re back to your old self,” Tori comments.

Marcus Gray shrugs, and his right cheek crinkles in his usual bashful way. “I feel good. Mom even let me stop doing all the physical therapy exercises and stuff.”

“That’s great news,” Zane says. “We’re happy you’re doing so well.”

After a moment of hesitation, Marcus says, “I’m really, really sorry about the accident. Still. I keep going back and thinking–“

“That was not your fault,” Tori says. “I want you to give me an early Christmas present and promise me you’ll never apologize for it again.”

The teenager swallows the lump in his throat. “Okay. I just…”

“You’re good, Marcus,” Zane tells him. “If Tori and I can be in the same house as her parents after everything–“

“Zane,” she says.

“I’m just saying, if we can forgive your parents for what happened, there’s no way we’d be holding a grudge against Marcus.”

“Thanks, guys.” Marcus lets out the faintest sigh of relief.

Tori is about to ask him whether he’ll be playing football next fall when she sees her aunt emerge from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a red-and-green dishtowel. 

“Hi, boss,” Tori says with a grin.

“Don’t you have some work to do?” Molly teases, before addressing Zane and Marcus: “In all seriousness, Tori is doing an incredible job at Objection. She’s been an absolute lifesaver the past few months.”

Zane wraps his arm around Tori. “Of course she has. You’ve got a good one here.”

Molly regards him with narrowed eyes for a beat before responding, “Believe me, I know. And we’re really about to be in the thick of it, getting the spring/summer line into production. There might be some late nights.”

Tori smiles, a little uneasily, as Zane pulls her closer.

“I’m ready to do whatever we need,” she tells Molly.

“I’m sure it won’t be that bad,” Zane chimes in. 

“No, it might be,” Molly says. “At least through the holidays. We’re already a bit behind because of– because I was out, so I just want to warn you that I’m really going to need you on-call a lot for the foreseeable future.”

“I’m all yours,” Tori says.

Zane forces a smile as he holds onto Tori, his mind racing and his blood boiling at the prospect of Molly commandeering his girlfriend for the next few weeks or even months.

“I’m going to go grab a drink,” he suddenly says, letting go of Tori as he asks her, “Can I get you anything?”

“I’m okay for now. Thanks.”

Zane quickly moves away from them and over to the bar, doing everything he can to keep his rage in check for the sake of the holiday celebration — but he isn’t sure how much more of that he can do.

—–

In the Brooks’ dining room, Jaq fills an empty glass with white wine and tops off their own glass. They pass the fresh glass to Samantha. 

“It’s really nice having everyone here,” Jaq says. “Makes this place feel like home.”

“I’m glad,” Samantha says as she takes her partner’s free hand with her own. “And I’m glad we get to spend Thanksgiving together.”

“Me, too.”

“Are you sure your parents aren’t mad that you didn’t fly home?”

Jaq shakes their head; their short, edgy black hair moves softly back and forth. “I don’t think they even care.”

“That isn’t true.”

“It saves them the embarrassment of having to explain my pronouns to their hoity-toity friends. And I can’t say I’ll miss 20 different people asking me if I think of myself as a girl or a boy.” They squeeze Samantha’s hand. “No, I’d much rather be here, celebrating with you and your mom and our friends. What I’m thankful for this year is you, Samantha Fisher.”

“And I’m thankful for you,” Samantha replies before kissing Jaq on the lips.

—–

As Rosie is returning to the living room from the entryway, she nearly steps right into Brent, who is coming around the corner.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Jimenez,” he says.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Commander.”

He laughs. “You can call me Brent at family holiday parties.”

“Okay… Brent.” Her face screws up. “Even if that feels weird.”

“You’re off-duty. It’s okay to unplug every now and then.”

“Try telling my brain that,” she says. “I intentionally left my cell phone in my coat pocket, but I keep going out there to check it.”

He tilts his head curiously. “Anything you’re keeping tabs on?”

She hesitates before explaining, “I had a message from that social worker, Ms. Larridee, yesterday. They approved a foster placement for that baby who was left at the station.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Yeah. I know the baby doesn’t even know it’s Thanksgiving, but the thought of her being with a family for the holiday and not in some government home…”

Brent nods rapidly, and Rosie can tell that he is getting a little choked up at the thought, too.

“Any leads on where she came from?” he asks.

She shakes her head. “Nothing solid. The security cameras didn’t get anyone outside the station. It’s like they knew what to avoid.”

“I’ll tell you what: bring me everything you have so far, and we’ll go over it together.”

“Really? You’re the Commander–“

“I know, but this one feels a little more personal,” Brent says. “Maybe it’s because of what Molly and I are going through, but I feel like I — like we — have a real responsibility to make sure everything works out for that kid. She’s all alone in the world.”

Rosie finds herself nodding along. 

—–

Travis steps out of the kitchen and scans the gathering for Rosie. When he sees her talking with his uncle, he decides to get a glass of wine instead of interrupting them. He is pouring himself a glass of red when his father appears beside him.

“Everything under control in the kitchen?” Tim asks.

“Yep. Gets a little easier every year,” Travis says. “Although some of that might be due to Grandma and Uncle Matt starting before the crack of dawn.”

Tim grins. “That does sound like your grandmother. Did you and Rosie make it over to your mom‘s?”

“We’ll go there for dessert. I mean, I might have some pie here and there.”

“A man after my own heart.” Tim claps a hand on his son’s back and then glances around until he spots Rosie across the way with Brent. Then, in a much quieter voice, he asks, “Did you get the ring yet?”

“The jeweler is still doing… whatever they do with rings. But it’ll be ready in time for Christmas.”

Tim beams. “I’m really happy for you, son.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Travis sets down the bottle of wine. “How about you?”

“What about me?”

“I don’t know. Dating. Your social life.”

“Ow.” Tim grips his chest melodramatically. “Why do you have to bring that up?”

“Sorry. Just wondering if you’re, you know, trying to meet anyone.”

“I think that ship has sailed,” Tim says with a sigh.

“Oh, come on. It’s not like you’re ancient.”

“Tell that to my lower back.”

“Is it because of Sonja?” Travis asks. “What happened with her, I mean?”

Tim’s jocular veneer drops; his expression grows more serious. “I still don’t even know what happened with Sonja. One minute things were great, and then Loretta forced her to read those DNA tests and she was hightailing it out of King’s Bay.”

“I still don’t understand that. Why would Loretta pick her?”

“Because she was Spencer‘s nurse, and Loretta Ragan never lets anyone get close to her family without digging up every possible bit of dirt on them that she can. I don’t know. None of it made sense.”

“Well, you shouldn’t let Sonja’s weird-ass behavior keep you from dating,” Travis says. “We all want you to be happy — me, Samantha, probably even Spencer, though I can’t really guess what goes on inside his head.”

“I appreciate that. I really do. I’m just not sure it’s in the cards right now.”

“Dad–“

“I’d rather focus on the good things in life. The things I do have,” Tim says. “Like you kids, and my grandson, and my job, and the fact that…” He drops his voice to a whisper. “…I’m going to have a new daughter-in-law soon.”

“If she says yes,” Travis adds.

“She’s going to say yes.”

“I hope so.”

“She will,” Tim says. “You and Rosie have a long, happy life together ahead of you. That — that I know.”

—–

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Finn says as he shakes hands with Don and then Helen.

“You, too,” Don says.

Helen appraises him critically, scanning him up and down before finally relaxing into a smile. 

“I was a little nervous about a stranger moving into our old friends’ house,” she says, “but you seem like a nice young man.”

“Helen,” Don gently chides her.

“I like to think I am,” Finn says. “Besides, I work with Trevor and Samantha and her cousin, Tori, so I’m not a complete stranger.”

Helen claps her hands together. “Oh, dear Victoria! I have such a soft spot for her. I feel so awful about what she’s been through these past few years. I really should go see her — I could bring her a pot of my infamous five-alarm chili.”

Don watches Finn smiling politely and then simply says, “Helen…”

“You know, I nearly won a big chili cookoff with it a few years ago!” she continues, undaunted. “If not for that horrible Fee C.–“

She is interrupted by the clinking of silverware against glass.

“Could I have everyone’s attention?” Trevor asks from the other side of the kitchen island. Their guests quiet down and turn to face him, as Alex stands by his side and Chase continues to play with his truck on the floor. Samantha, Jaq, and Diane file in from the adjoining living room to listen.

“I just want to thank you all for being here today,” Trevor says. “It means a lot to spend this first holiday without my dad in his house, with such a great group of people. It makes the reality of him and my mom not being here that much easier to deal with — so thank you. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.”

The guests murmur their own Thanksgiving wishes to one another as they clink glasses and embrace with gratitude.

—–

Over at the Fishers’, everyone finds their way to their seats. Matt sets the large platter of sliced turkey down on the table.

Paula seats herself at the head of the table.

“I’d like to say a few words before we enjoy this meal,” she begins. All eyes turn toward her.

“This is always a difficult time of year, since we lost my Bill five years ago tomorrow,” Paula says, her eyes already growing misty with emotion. Tim, who is seated to her left, reaches over to place his hand over hers.

“But I’m truly thankful to have so many loving faces gathered around this table,” she goes on. “And the truth is, we are all so blessed to have one another. During the easy times and the troubles ones, we all have each other to rely on, to turn to. That’s the greatest gift of all. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.”

“Happy Thanksgiving!” her family and friends call out cheerily, and then the plates begin to be passed and the conversation and laughter resume, a loving flurry of activity that leads them all deep in the cold autumn night.

END OF EPISODE 1053

How will Zane handle Tori’s new responsibilities?
Should Tim give dating another shot?
Will Brent and Rosie find the baby’s parents?
Discuss all this and more in the comments below!

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