Thanksgiving continues in Springfield...

Bauer Home:

The Bauer family is together.

J is helping Michelle set the table.

She smiles, "You are the guest. You shouldn't be helping."

He laughs, "It's fine. It makes me feel like I'm contributing. Besides everyone knows doctors have the cleanest hands or at least they should."

Michelle nods, "You won't get an argument out of anyone here."

He looks at her, "In all seriousness, thank you for inviting me. I do think I would have been fine with just chilling by myself. But it's really nice to be invited."

She grins, "No problem."

He nods, "You really do look lovely."

She smiles, "Thank you."

Ed walks over, "You two getting the table set?"

They both turn away.

Michelle nods, "Yep. Almost done Dad."

Ed looks at both of them before he walks away.

Over in the living room.

Johnny and Roxie are talking.

Roxie looks at him, "I'm pretty excited now."

He nods, "I'm really happy that you're coming a long on this trip."

She sighs, "I know I come off and cold sometimes. But I wasn't always like that."

He nods, "I know. But you've been through a lot."

She nods, "I want to give something back. It sounds cliché but I think it actually would make me feel better if I could give back in some way."

He shakes his head, "It doesn't sound crazy at all."

She sighs, "And I'll have a good friend there."

He looks at her, "Will we always be only friends?"

She looks down, "I don't know if we could ever go back to the way we were."

He nods, "That's understandable. But as long as I have you in my life at all I am going to be happy. You've always been special to me Roxie."

She grins, "Same here."

The two hug.

Cross Creek:

Ava holds Little HB.

Shayne is standing behind her and Bill is standing in front of her.

Ava cries, "Oh it's so good to see you."

He smiles, "Hi."

She holds him close.

Bill looks at her, "He knows all about you Ava."

She looks up at Bill, "Really?"

Bill nods, "Oh yeah. He knows that Mommy was sick for a while and she was working on getting better just for him. Because she loves him very much."

Little HB looks at her, "Are you better Mommy?"

Ava cries, "Yes. Yes I am now that you're here."

Shayne smiles, "Your Mommy loves you very much and she missed you like crazy."

Ava nods, "It's true."

Bill grins, "Well you'll have a lot of time with him. Shayne and I have already gotten some legal papers drawn up and you can look over them and we can make things official again."

Ava looks at Bill, "Are you serious?"

Bill sighs, "Emma told me you had changed a lot. I wanted to believe it. But it was hard to do that. But Shayne told me everything that has happened since then, the good stuff and the bad stuff."

Ava looks at Bill.

Bill sighs, "I trust you Ava."

Ava grins, "You won't be sorry Bill."

Bill nods, "You have my cousin to thank."

Ava turns around, "You really did all of this for me?"

Shayne smiles, "I love you Ava. And I know that you are ready to be a Mom again. I would do anything for you."

Ava kisses Shayne.

The whole Lewis family is outside watching the special moment.

They all walk over to greet Bill and Little HB.

Spaulding Mansion:

Phillip stands with Zach.

Zach looks at him, "Marti's mother is trying to send her away. And it's because she's heard bad things about me and she doesn't want Marti getting into trouble."

Phillip sighs, "I'm not arguing with Trish Lewis over how to keep her daughter out of trouble. In case you haven't noticed I'm not skilled in that parenting area."

Zach sighs, "Marti is special to me."

Phillip nods, "A few months ago so was Leah Bauer."

Zach shakes his head, "This is different, I have a real connection with Marti."

Phillip sighs, "Well the two of you have certainly been causing drama together. Why don't you date an older girl? Someone who is in college like you."

Zach shakes his head, "I want to be with Marti."

Phillip looks at him, "What am I supposed to do Zach? Force Trish to keep Marti in Springfield so that you two can be boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Zach sighs, "Whatever. I knew it was stupid to come to you."

Phillip nods, "Can't you just enjoy this holiday with your family?"

Zach shakes his head, "Just leave me alone. I'll figure this out myself."

Zach walks away.

Across the room, Amanda stands with Alexandra.

Amanda nods, "I saw your conversation with Natalia. Didn't seem to be going very well, did she bring up Alan to you or something like that?"

Alexandra sighs, "What do you think Amanda?"

Amanda nods, "He's still your brother. Our brother."

Alexandra shakes her head, "I love my brother. But he got out of control. I helped Natalia get away from him and he punished me greatly for it. I was practically ran out of Springfield. And then Natalia comes back to him in the end and gets to look like the good person."

Amanda looks at her, "Maybe you should have said something to Alan before he went into prison. From what I hear he was pretty remorseful."

Alexandra sighs, "And how many times have we heard that? Please, Alan will find a way out of prison and he'll be back in Springfield making our lives hell again. This time next year he'll be sitting right there in his favorite chair and things will be back to the way they were."

Alexandra walks to the table.

Company:

Nola and Quint are in the diner.

All of the Reardons look over.

Nola smiles, "Happy Thanksgiving everyone."

Quint grins, "Hope you enjoy surprises."

Matt rushes over, "Oh my goodness. Look at you two. This is an incredible surprise."

Bridget walks over, "Why didn't you call?"

Nola smiles, "We weren't sure if we could make it. I didn't even tell J that I was coming because I didn't want to get his hopes up. Where is he?"

Matt shakes his head, "I think he is having dinner with the Bauers."

Quint sighs, "We should have called."

Nola shakes her head, "That would have ruined the surprise. We need to stop by there later anyway."

Quint nods, "We have a lot of people to catch up with."

Nola looks around, "This place certainly looks different."

Matt nods, "Yeah there have been a lot of changes made. But Buzz has me running the place now and it's nice to be spending my time here."

Nola grins, "Well that is really good to hear. It all comes full circle doesn't it? Now the boarding house is back in the Reardon family."

Dylan walks over with Baby Adam.

Nola smiles, "Oh my goodness. Look at this little guy."

Bridget smiles, "You have to hold him."

Across the diner.

Susan stands with Stephanie.

Susan sighs, "You need to tell Peter that you're pregnant if you're planning on getting into a real relationship with him."

Stephanie sighs, "I know. I just... I want to wait until after Thanksgiving. Let's just have this perfect day and then I will tell him the truth."

Susan smiles, "No matter what happens I'm going to be here for you like I promised."

Stephanie smiles, "Thank you."

Peter walks over, "You two talking about me?"

Stephanie laughs, "You wish."

Peter puts his arm around her.

Mallet and Dinah's House:

Clarissa stands in front of her family.

Everyone looks at her.

Clarissa looks at them, "Do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to give my son up for adoption? It tore my heart out! And not only do I not want to talk about it, but I don't want to think about it! I don't want you guys trying to comfort me. I just wanted one day where I could try and get used to my new life."

Blake walks over, "Honey we never meant to make you feel bad. Everyone was just so worried that we'd upset you and that's the last thing any of us wanted."

Ross nods, "We all love you sweetheart."

Clarissa sighs, "I just don't want to deal with this right now."

Blake puts her arm around her, "I know."

Dinah walks over, "I know what you're going through. I went through that when I gave up Belinda, and it's hard but sometimes you just have to remember why you did it."

Clarissa nods.

Kevin sits across the room with Jason and Vi.

Kevin looks over at everyone, "Clarissa is right. Okay, I'm aware that my relationship with Rocky is in trouble and everyone trying to tip toe around it makes it worse."

Dinah nods, "Okay, maybe we should stop trying to worry about upsetting you guys and just focus on the fact that today is Thanksgiving and we all have a lot to be grateful for."

Clarissa sighs, "Excuse me for not having the Thanksgiving spirit."

Ross nods, "Clarissa, today is about focusing on what we are grateful for."

Clarissa shakes her head, "I know what Thanksgiving is."

Blake looks at her, "It's been a long time since we had a real big family holiday like this. We can't let it get away from us, we never know what's going to happen, this could be the last chance for this."

Everyone looks at each other.

Spaulding Mansion:

Vicky walks over to Amanda.

Amanda sighs, "Happy Thanksgiving."

Vicky nods, "I saw you chatting with Alexandra. What was all of that about?"

Amanda looks at her, "Alexandra is my sister. Do I need to get your permission every time I have a conversation with her? That seems odd."

Vicky shakes her head, "I highly doubt you have no agenda."

Amanda stares, "Not all of us are power hungry."

Vicky nods, "We're Spauldings."

Amanda shakes her head, "Where are you going with this?"

Vicky stares, "We both know next year there will be an official vote for the CEO of Spaulding. And if Alexandra isn't named CEO it would be one of us."

Amanda grins, "I had almost forgotten about that."

Vicky shakes her head, "No you had not."

Amanda stares, "It's Thanksgiving. I'm not getting into this now."

Amanda walks away.

Across the room.

Phillip stands by himself.

Harley walks over, "What's going on with Zach?"

Phillip sighs, "The Marti drama."

Harley nods, "Still? God I worry about him."

Phillip nods, "Tell me about it. He needs to be focusing on school right now, not high school girls."

Harley looks at Phillip, "I hate this part. When they become adults and you have no control, you just sit back and watch them make mistake after mistake."

He sighs, "Well I got through it with Lizzie, and you got through it with Susan. Hopefully we can handle whatever Zach throws at us."

Harley sighs, "I hope so."

Phillip smiles, "Happy Thanksgiving Harley."

She grins, "Happy Thanksgiving Phillip."

The two hug.

PART TWO:

Bauer Home:

The Bauer family is sitting down.

Dalton looks at Ashlee, "You must be starving."

She shakes her head, "Nah, I'm okay."

He smiles, "You have barely ate today, just let yourself go. It's the holidays."

She sighs, "I try not to pig out anymore."

He smiles, "I'm gonna get you to pig out girl."

Ashlee laughs.

He looks at her, "I know you worry about your weight still, but I don't want you to miss out on all of the fun with everyone because you're worried."

She nods, "You raise a good point."

He grins, "Indeed."

Ashlee kisses him.

Mel walks in with Baby Freddie.

Rick walks over, "Hey, how is the little guy?"

Mel grins, "He's good. He just woke up from his nap."

Rick nods, "Just in time for Thanksgiving Dinner."

Mel smiles, "We're pretty lucky aren't we?"

He nods, "3 beautiful kids, a beautiful wife, my whole family is here. I'm probably the luckiest man in Springfield right now."

Mel sighs, "Thank you for being there for me today."

Rick nods, "This is your first Thanksgiving without your little brother. And your parents weren't even up for celebrating this year. I know it's tough for you."

Mel nods, "This has probably been the hardest year of my life."

Rick holds her hand, "We still have a lot to be grateful for."

Mel smiles, "I know. I love you."

Rick grins, "I love you two."

The two kiss.

Mallet and Dinah's House:

Everyone sits around the table.

Mallet looks at Dinah, "You ready to say something?"

She nods, "I think so."

The two kiss.

Everyone is seated around the table.

Dinah stands up, "Everyone, I would like to thank you for being here. When I was younger it was always my dream to host holiday parties and I'm honored that you all let me do that. We have certainly had a big year, this family has been through our share of ups and downs."

Ross smiles at his daughter.

Dinah nods, "Obviously this is the first Thanksgiving we've had with Daddy in a long time. And I think I speak for everyone when I say that we look forward to many more with you."

Ross smiles, "Thank you Dinah."

Dinah grins, "Jason and Kevin are both thriving in their careers. Clarissa has graduated from high school and blossomed into an amazing young woman."

Jason playfully nudges his little sister.

Dinah nods, "My daughter Belinda has found a great boyfriend in RJ, and my son Anthony is starting school. And personally Mallet and I are happy to be back together and to really be working on things."

Mallet takes her hand and kisses it.

Dinah looks at Blake, "We lost a good friend this year. Detective Remy Boudreau was a very good friend to our family and we miss him very much. And if anything this reminds us that our family has a lot to be grateful for, and it would be selfish of us to not appreciate that."

Blake takes a deep breath.

Dinah nods, "Happy Thanksgiving everyone."

Everyone smiles, "Happy Thanksgiving."

Company:

All of the tables are pushed into one big table.

The Reardons and friends are seated around it.

Matt stands up, "It's nice doing the big speech here, it reminds me that I'm not a young man anymore. But this place has a lot of meaning for our family."

Nola looks around.

Matt nods, "We are Reardons, and honorary Reardons. Our family didn't come from money, we were not given all of the advantages that some people have. We each had to build our lives on our own. And there is something very rewarding about that. It's a special feelings."

Bridget smiles at him.

Matt sighs, "I'm grateful that my family is back in Springfield and we can enjoy each other's company... in Company. And hope years from now the Reardons are still sitting here and calling Springfield home."

Everyone looks around.

Matt grins, "Happy Thanksgiving. Let's eat."

Everyone claps.

Bridget holds Adam in her lap.

Dylan smiles at him.

Bridget smiles, "You wanna go to Daddy?"

Dylan picks him up, "Look at you big guy."

Dylan holds up his son, "This guy is a Reardon. Adam Raphael Reardon-Lewis."

Everyone smiles at him.

Across the table Peter holds Stephanie hand.

Susan smiles at the two of them.

Nola holds Quints hand.

She kisses it.

The two smile at each other.

Cross Creek:

The Lewises all come back inside.

They all take their seats at the table.

Bill, Billy and Vanessa are now sitting.

Everyone is wiping tears and smiling.

Ava sits with Little HB.

Josh looks at his family, "I would stand but as you all know I'm a little weak these days."

Billy shakes his head, "Nothing weak about you Little Brother."

Josh grins, "It's great to have you back Billy. You two Vanessa."

Vanessa smiles.

Josh smiles, "I've never been so proud to be a part of this big, crazy Oklahoma family."

Everyone laughs.

Josh nods, "It's amazing how beautiful each one of you is on the inside and the outside. We all make our mistakes and we have our share of family drama. But at the end of the day we are all here for each other when we need each other. I can't imagine having any other family behind me."

Billy smiles, "Old HB would be proud."

Reva nods, "It's pretty incredible to be sitting with Harlan Billy Lewis the II, III and IV. It shows that our family is stronger than ever."

Ava smiles at Shayne.

Josh grins, "And only getting stronger."

Everyone smiles at each other.

Josh grins, "I really do love you all. And no matter what happens before next Thanksgiving, this was a perfect day for me and I appreciate that."

Reva gets choked up, "Don't act like you won't be here next year Bud, you aren't getting out of carving our turkey that easily."

Everyone laughs.

Josh smiles at his family.

Spaulding Mansion:

The table is finally set for dinner.

Alexandra sits at the head of the table.

Everyone sits around the long beautiful table setting.

The fancy name cards help place everyone in proper seats to avoid confrontation.

Alexandra looks around at her family.

Everyone is being quiet.

Alexandra stands up, "Right about now would be the time that someone stands and reminds us what it means to be a Spaulding. That we look out for ourselves. We do whatever we have to do to keep ourselves out of trouble and prevent us from losing the things we cherish most."

Everyone looks around at each other.

Alex shakes her head, "We all know what it means to be a Spaulding. But today I declare that we put that all aside for the evening and just enjoy the day."

Natalia smiles.

Alexandra sighs, "Publicity, business, money, possessions, titles, none of it will be discussed at this table. If you choose to discuss it then take it outside."

Phillip nods, "I think that sounds like a great idea."

Alexandra nods, "Most of my ideas are."

Phillip smiles.

Alexandra sighs, "People have reminded me what today is all about. And at the end of the day we wouldn't have anything if it wasn't for each other. Good and bad."

Alexandra sits down.

Everybody gets more comfortable in their seats and begins to eat.

Bauer Home:

All of the Bauers are enjoying their food.

Johnny looks at his watch, "Oh goodness, we'll have to be leaving soon."

Roxie looks, "Oh wow. I didn't realize how much time had gone by."

Rick looks at them, "You can't leave without a Thanksgiving speech."

Johnny nods, "That's right. Who is doing the honors this year?"

Ed looks at Rick, "I think it's your turn?"

Rick shakes his head, "No. I think you have at least one more in you this year Pops. Don't make me do it, it's too much pressure right now."

Michelle laughs, "Rick can only focus on food now anyway."

Rick looks at her, "Thank you for reminding everyone that I'm the funny person in the family."

Ed stands up, "Okay if it will satisfy everyone."

Everybody looks at Ed.

Ed sighs, "I know there are times when it seems silly to have a holiday like this. But sometimes we need to remember that we are all lucky. Every single person in this room is living right now and that right there is something that is very special and shouldn't be overlooked."

Everybody pays attention to Ed.

Ed nods, "I am very proud of Johnny and Roxie for the work they are about to be doing. This family has always expressed a desire to help others and I know how fulfilling it can be."

Johnny and Roxie smile.

Ed grins, "We all may leave Springfield at one time or another, but it will always be a home for this family and nothing will change that."

Michelle smiles at J.

Ed grins, "God bless Springfield, Happy Thanksgiving."

Everyone raises their glasses, "Happy Thanksgiving."

For one day all in Springfield was calm and people were grateful.

There is a destiny that makes us brothers, none goes his way alone, all that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own.

PREVIEWS:

Annie shocks Edmund!

Josh makes a decision

Zach confronts James and Leah

Liz is preparing to leave

Eden and Coop make plans