Everyone ready to be thankful?

Mike: I hope so.

Peter: Sure! I love Thanksgiving! :D

Micky: I do too! How could I dislike a holiday that offers up so much food? :D ;)

Davy: Even Mick's stomach gives thanks on this 'oliday, usually in the form of a well-timed belch.

*Micky grins.* :D ;)

(Everyone laughs.)

(We open in Micky and Lauren's living room. Lauren puts out trays full of celery sticks, carrot sticks, sliced mushrooms, grape tomatoes, and broccoli and cauliflower florets. Micky comes out with a big bowl of dip and a large tray of various crackers. An orangey cheese ball and bowls of Chex Mix and olives are already on the table. The twins sit in front of the TV, watching Los Angeles' Thanksgiving Day parade.)

Micky: I think that's everything, babe.

Lauren: *chuckles at the kids* Good. I hope this is enough...

Micky: I'm sure we'll be fine. There's more trays in the kitchen if the kids eat everything before the guests arrive.

Lauren: The kids? ;)

(The doorbell rings, and we hear voices from behind the door.)

Voice 1 (Distinctly Texan): No, I ain't gonna drop the damn bird.

Voice 2: Mike, watch your language.

Voice 3: You're gonna wake the baby!

Voice 1: She already woke me up three times.

Micky: *rolls his eyes* I got the door, babe. *opens the door* Greetings and salutations!

(Mike, Emma, Katie, Davy, and Daphne stand behind the door. Mike carries a defrosted turkey. Emma has a casserole dish. Davy has a basket. Daphne has a tiny pink bundle that coos and is distinctly thinner than when we last saw her.)

Katie: Hi, Unca Micky! :D

(She reaches up to Micky for a hug.)

Micky: Hey, kiddo! *picks up Katie so she can wrap her arms around his neck*

(Katie does wrap her arms around his neck, then gives him a little kiss on the cheek.)

Katie: Happy Than'sgivin'! :D

Emma: Katie, you're starting to sound like your father.

Mike: What's wrong with that?

Davy: Well... ;)

*Micky laughs.*

Mike: Here. (Dumps the gigantic turkey in Micky's arms as he puts Katie on the floor; she runs to the twins) Do somethin' with this damn bird. And don't eat it. Em ain't cooked it yet.

Micky: Geez! *hefts it; heads off to the kitchen muttering something about damn strong Texans*

Emma: Lauren! (She goes to her) How's everything going?

Lauren: Great! Couldn't be better, actually. ;)

(Emma and Lauren follow Micky into the kitchen. Mike flops on the couch next to Davy and reaches for a bunch of olives.)

Katie: Shelly! Micky! Hi! (Joins them in front of the TV as Davy and Daphne sit on the couch and coo over their new baby)

Little Mick: Hi, Katie!

Shelly: Hi!

Katie: What'cha doin'?

Little Mick: Watchin' the parade!

Katie: Oooh! (Grins as marching bands and girls twirling batons go by) Pwetty!

Mike: (Picks up a remote control) Do we have to watch this? The Cowboys are playin' the Eagles, an'...

Katie: No! See parade!

Shelly and Little Mick: PARADE!

Davy: Let the kids watch their parade, Mike. You an' Em could watch football any time.

Daphne: Mike, why don't you go help in the kitchen?

Mike: I ain't no cook. Em said she could make the turkey, so...

Davy: Mike, has Em ever cooked a turkey this size before?

Mike: No. I tried to tell her it ain't easy, but she says she got her mom's recipe.

Katie: (Cut to the kids on the floor) "I love the parade! You get to see all kinds of great stuff, like people playing instruments and floats and dancers!"

Little Mick: "Yeah, it's lotsa fun!"

Katie: "Have you met the new baby? Her name is El-liz-beth. She cries a lot. She wakes me up at night, and she doesn't do much yet. The adults LOVE her."

Shelly: "We saw her once, but the adults say she's still too new for us to play with her."

Katie: "She's only a few weeks old. She's so small! She makes this funny noise, and she'll just barely open her eyes and wiggle around, and all the grown-ups just fall all over her."

Little Mick: *shrugs* "I guess they like that."

Katie: "I'm glad we get to be together this year. Mama said she didn't want to travel all the way over to New Jersey to see Nana and Pop Pop Jackman, since we'll be going away in a few weeks."

Little Mick: "Mommy said she'll miss not being with her parents for the holidays, but she's called Grammie and Grandpa almost every night to make up for it."

Shelly: "Wait'll Daddy sees the phone bill." ;)

(Katie laughs.)

Katie: "I wish we could be in a parade. Then I could be on a float and wave to all the people in a cool costume!"

Little Mick: "Maybe we will get to be in a parade someday."

Katie: "I like Thanksgiving! Mama told me about the Indians who helped the Pilgrim people make lots of food. That's why they wanted to share it, 'cause the Indians were nice to them and they wanted to have a party to thank them. (Smiles) That's kind of like what we're doing, too."

Mike: (Leans over Elizabeth) God, she's so cute. (Grins at Davy) How'd you produce somethin' that cute?

Davy: Bloody funny, mate. :P ;)

Mike: How you feelin', Daph? It’s only been a few weeks since you had her.

Daphne: Tired, a little sore, but otherwise fine.

Mike: She's got your hair, Daph, and she's unfortunately got Dad's eyes.

Davy: *shakes a fist* Watch it, Mike. 'Er eyes are pretty.

Emma: (Voice over as the door rings and Micky is almost literally pushed out of the kitchen) Mick, go do something constructive and get the door! :p

Mike: (Looks up) Mick, I wouldn't pick at the turkey. Em already threatened me with fifteen kinds of bodily harm if I touched that da...darn bird.

Micky: Alright, alright! Yeesh! *goes for the door*

(A beaming Peter holds a plate. Valerie has a casserole dish in one hand and a curious Jordan in the other.)

Peter: Happy Thanksgiving, Micky! (He gives Micky the biggest hug he can with a plate in his hand)

Micky: Ooof! Pete! Happy Thanksgiving, man!

Valerie: Peter, don't flatten the host. (Smiles and gives Micky a smaller hug) Happy Thanksgiving. We brought fresh whole wheat rolls and green bean casserole.

Jordan: Unca Mick!

Micky: Hey, Jordan! How's it going, little man?

Jordan: Ok! :)

(Valerie hands him to Micky, and he gives him a little hug.)

Valerie: Where's the girls?

Micky: Kitchen. They just threw me outta there.

Valerie: (Heads for the kitchen) Given what you eat on any given day and our powers, you're probably lucky you weren't thrown out a window.

Micky: Funny, Val.

(Cut to the kitchen. Emma leans over the turkey, muttering to herself. Lauren chops carrots.)

Valerie: (As she enters) How's things going?

Lauren: So far, so good on my end.

(Emma continues muttering to the bird.)

Valerie: (Puts her dish down) Here's the green bean casserole. Made it last night. Peter brought his whole wheat rolls, too. Claims it's his mother's recipe. I snuck one last night when they were hot and they're not bad.

Emma: Aren't we supposed to be having a couple of Micky's relatives swing by, too? (Bastes the bird yet again)

Lauren: *nods* Yeah. Aunt and uncle, I think he said.

Emma: I hope I made enough sweet potatoes for everyone. Mike kept snitching last night.

Valerie: Anything I can do?

Emma: Mash the regular white potatoes.

Valerie: No problem. (Goes to a pot boiling on the stove)

Emma: How did working on the snacks go last night, Laur?

Lauren: Well, when you consider that what you see for snacks are only about half as much as we should've had...

Emma: Please let Mick know that if he attempts to snitch anything from this kitchen while I am here, he will be knocked into the next century.

Lauren: *smirks* Oh, he got what he deserved from me, but I'll pass the threat along to him.

Valerie: Yikes! (Barely grabs the pot, which boils over)

Emma: Darn it! (She throws the baster down and helps Valerie get the potatoes)

Lauren: I'll grab the mop! *goes into the pantry; comes back out holding the mop*

Emma: At this rate, we'll get this out by next Thanksgiving!

Valerie: Oh, no harm done, Em. See? (Indicates the pot) The potatoes are fine. I just need to let them cool.

Mike: (Peers in) What's goin' on in here?

Emma: Just spilled some hot water.

Mike: We need more snacks. Micky ate all the celery sticks an' he and the kids have half the Chex Mix done.

Emma: That's all you're getting! You have to save room for dinner!

Mike: Tell that to Mick.

Lauren: *sighs* There are no more snacks! Mick ate half of them last night!

Mike: (Eyes widen) Excuse me. (Lets the door go, then, voice over) Mick, can we go talk? In the bathroom. I don't want the kids hearin'.

Emma: (Grins as they hear footsteps) I think Mick's about to get some more chewing out.

Lauren: I can't decide if that's good or bad. ;)

Valerie: Well, if it keeps him out of our hair, Mike can do whatever he wants to Micky. (Grins at Lauren) Within reason, of course.

Lauren: Of course. ;)

Emma: Ok, bird comin' through! (She puts the giant turkey in the oven, buckling under it's weight) Woo, that's one big turkey! I'll bet it couldn't stand when it was alive, it was so fat!

Valerie: What is that, an X-Turkey?

Emma: You've been borrowing Micky and Davy's comic books again.

Valerie: They're something to read in the office. ;)

*Lauren chuckles.*

Emma: Maybe we could drag Daphne in here. We need someone to work on the pearl onions and keep an eye on the pies.

Valerie: Peter could keep an eye on the pies. He could be our official pie inspector.

Emma: Brilliant idea! (Leans out of the kitchen; faint) Oh Peeettterrrr...

Peter: (Pops his head in again) Yes?

Valerie: We have an important job for you, dear. (Looks at Lauren) We were told last night that Lauren hid the pies in the laundry room. You need to keep an eye on the pies to make sure no one, especially certain Dolenzes, try to sneak slices before dessert.

Peter: (Grins) I could do that! :D

Emma: It's VERY important. If Micky gets to the pies, we'll have nothing left for after dinner!

Peter: I'll be in charge of saving our dessert. (Salutes the girls) It's a tough mission, but someone's got to do it. (He pops back out; cut to the living room, where Davy and Daphne coo over baby Elizabeth and the kids play with blocks in front of the TV. Peter cuts through, now dressed in black and carrying a bag.)

Jordan: (Looks up from making a tower) "What's Daddy doing?"

Katie: "I dunno. Dressin' up, I guess. Or maybe hidin'."

Little Mick: "I don't know, either, but his outfit does look kinda familiar."

Jordan: "What's going on anyway, guys? Why are the grown-ups making such a fuss?"

Katie: "That's right, you were too little last year to remember! Today is Thanksgiving!"

Jordan: "Huh?"

Shelly: "Yeah! It's the day we give thanks for, uh..."

Little Mick: "Family!" :D

Shelly: "Yeah!" :D

Jordan: "That's nice! I love my daddy and mommy, and I love you guys and all the aunties and uncles."

Katie: "Mama told me all about Thanksgiving! She told me 'bout people called the Pilgrims who lived a long time ago. They came to America and didn't know how to grow food, and a lot of them got sick and died before some nice Indians helped them make food. They got so much food, they decided to share it with the Indians and have a big party!"

Jordan: "That's so cool! What nice people!"

Katie: "Every year, people eat a really big dinner with all their family. They have turkey n' stuffin' n' pump'kin pie n' cranberry sauce n' sweet taters n' mashed taters n' green bean cass'role!"

Jordan: (Eyes widen) "Really? All that, just for Thanksgiving?" :o

Katie: "Yep! :D"

(Mike comes out with Micky as the door bell rings again. Mike has his arms crossed and looks annoyed.)

Katie: Hi, Papa!

Mike: Hi, little darlin'. Papa just had a nice talk with Unca Micky. He knows to lay off dinner now.

*Micky mutters again as he crosses to the door.*

(A tiny little old lady in a loud dress and coat, her hat tilted rather drunkenly over one eye, stands in the doorway. A taller elderly man in a simple suit with a very ugly toupee is on her arm.)

Man: Georgie! How's things? Ain't ya gonna help your Aunt Mae? Where's the food? I'm starving!

Micky: *grins, though it looks a bit forced* Aunt Mae! Of course I'm gonna help! Here! *takes her other arm and helps her in the door*

Aunt Mae: This house is bigger than your old house. Are you still dating Laurie?

Mike: (Goes up to Micky) Um, Mick, what's that?

Micky: *gives Mike a pleading look* Don't ask.

Katie: (Tugs on Micky's leg) Who dat?

Aunt Mae: Is that a mouse, Georgie?

(Mike and Davy snicker at the "Georgie.")

Micky: *sighs; turns a shade redder* That's Mike's daughter Katie, Aunt Mae. :P

Aunt Mae: I thought all your sisters were with your mother!

Man: No, Mae, that's someone's DAUGHTER. (Screams) THAT AIN'T HIS SISTER!

Aunt Mae: (As Micky sits her down on a chair) They're playing Twister?

Katie: Huh? (Turns to the twins) "What's with her?"

Jordan: "She's weird, and he smells funny, like smoke."

Little Mick: "She don't hear too well." :P

Katie: "Oh. Poor Auntie Mae!"

Man: (Leans over the twins) Well, are you gonna give your Uncle Eugene a big kiss?

Shelly: "Unca Eugie!" *plants a wet kiss on his cheek*

*Little Mick also give him a kiss.*

Uncle Eugene: (Grabs both twins and gives them a fierce hug) I've missed you brats! Ain't seen you in ages! Your pop ought to take time off from that rock junk and bring you and his woman over more often!

(The bell rings again as Peter passes through with rope and binoculars. He waves at Aunt Mae and Uncle Eugene, then goes on.)

Uncle Eugene: (Puts the twins down and leans over Jordan) And who is this young man?

Katie: He Jordan!

(Jordan nods, blushing. :">)

Micky: Jordan is Peter and Valerie's little boy.

Uncle Eugene: Blond guy who's kinda ditzy, right?

Micky: Uh, right.

Uncle Eugene: (Gives Jordan a hug) Cute kid. Was that his pop with the rope? What's he doing, catching the bird? ;)

Micky: Yeah, that was him. I have no idea what the heck he's doing.

Uncle Eugene: So, when do we eat?

Micky: Soon. Very soon. I hope.

Mike: I'LL get the door! (He opens it to find Nyles and Jack on the other side) Hi, guys! Glad you could make it.

Nyles: Thanks for inviting us, man! *uncovers his dish* I brought the pineapple crisp.

Jack: I tried to tell him, man.

Mike: (Takes the dish) Um, yeah, man, that's great! (Whispers to Jack) I'm sure Mick will eat it. If nothing else, we could give it to the kids.

Jack: True.

Mike: I'll just, um, put it in the back with the other desserts.

Uncle Eugene: Nice to meet you boys! What do they call you, when they can see around those rippling biceps?

Jack: *blushes a bit* Name's Jack. This is Nyles.

Nyles: *grins* How ya doin'?

Uncle Eugene: Just fine! (Indicates Mae, who knits slowly and quietly on the chair) Meet the wife. Mae, meet the boys.

Mae: No, honey, I don't want any toys.

Uncle Eugene: (Rolls his eyes) Honey, these are FRIENDS OF GEORGIE'S! THEY WANNA MEET YOU!

Aunt Mae: (Looks up) No, George died about ten years ago.

Uncle Eugene: The one who's alive.

*Micky slaps his forehead.* :P

Aunt Mae: Oh. (Looks up) Georgie's hair got awfully light. He shouldn't be out in the sun so much.

Mike: (Looks at Davy) Do you want to take the crisp to Pete or should I? He was walkin' around with rope and binoculars earlier an' wearin' his Mission: Ridiculous costume. I'm not sure I WANT to know what he's up to.

Davy: I'll do it.

*Davy takes the dish and goes to find Peter.*

(Cut to the dark laundry room. Davy walks into the room tentatively, still holding the pineapple crisp.)

Davy: Petah? Where are ya, mate? I got anothah dessert for...aaahhh! *trips over something, sending him sprawling to the fly and the dish flying*

Peter: Yipes! (We hear something swish, then the lights go on. Peter holds the dish in his arms. He puts the dish on the washing machine next to a pumpkin pie and goes to help Davy up) I'm sorry, Davy! I thought you were an intruder!

Davy: *brushes himself off* It's okay, Petah. No 'arm done. Wot'er you doing, anyway? Wot do your mean intrudah?

Peter: I have a special mission! The girls told me to watch the desserts and make sure no one sneaks slices until after dinner!

Davy: Well, as long as it gives you something to do, mate.

Peter: (Nods) You aren't hurt, are you?

Davy: Just a little dirty. I'm fine.

Peter: Good. (Thoughtful) I wonder if I could conjure up some feathers and peanut butter...

Davy: *puts a hand up* Petah, I think you've got enough 'ere.

Peter: (Shrugs) I don't think the birds would give up the feathers, anyway.

Davy: I doubt it. :P

Peter: Oh, well. Tell the others I have everything under control, and that their desserts are safe with me! ;)

Davy: I will, Petah, I will.

("The Party" begins as Davy rejoins the group. Uncle Eugene coos loudly over Baby Elizabeth, waking her up and making her cry.)

(Katie and the twins run around the living room, pretending to "shoot" each other with empty plastic water pistols. Jordan follows them, crawling.)

*The women fuss around in the kitchen. Lauren just tries to stay out Valerie and Emma’s way.*

(Valerie vigorously mashes potatoes. Emma adds marshmallows to the sweet potatoes. Her eyes widen when she realizes half of the second bag is missing.)

(Emma points to the missing marshmallows, then at the door. She wants Lauren to do something about her husband, because she knows who snitched.)

*Lauren motions that she will, but it'd have to wait until later that night.*

*Micky's aunt and uncle share embarrassing stories with Mike, Jack, and Nyles. The three grin while Micky makes a lacking attempt at suffocating himself with a throw pillow.*

(Jordan returns to the blocks as the twins and Katie run upstairs. He starts to make a little wall.)

(Emma pops her head out and motions to Micky. She hands him a pile of plates, a basket of silverware, and good cloth napkins, and tells him to set the table and get the kids and maybe Davy and Mike to help.)

*Micky thanks Emma for getting him away from the embarrassment.* ;)

(Micky calls the twins and Katie over to the table. Uncle Eugene kicks back and puts his feet on the living room table, pulling his shoes off. Mike and Davy get one whiff of his feet and run over to Micky, taking the silverware and offering to get the glasses and find the centerpiece.)

(Mike brings a small pumpkin out to the table. He and Katie push wooden dowels shaped like a turkey head and turkey feathers into it. They put the pumpkin turkey on a fall colored floral wreath in the center of the table.)

(Daphne puts Baby Elizabeth in her carrier to nap. She takes the snacks back in the kitchen, but not before Uncle Eugene grabs a handful of veggies.)

(Davy puts the plates on the table while Micky shows the twins how to fold the napkins.)

*The twins end up wearing the napkins as hats on their heads. Micky shakes his head, but he ends up with one on his head, too.* ;)

(Mike sighs as he and Katie put the silverware next the appropriate napkins. Katie laughs.)

(Jordan's block wall is now so big, we only see the tip-top of his auburn head.)

(Aunt Mae continues to knit, ignoring everyone else, including her husband, who snores very loudly on the couch.)

(Daphne emerges from the kitchen with silver bowls of cranberry sauce and dishes of butter. Micky and Davy immediately swarm around her, but all she can say is yes, dinner will be ready soon.)