Author's Note: This is a sequel to "We Don't Hug" and "Two Way Street." This is also sort of a prediction of what I think will happen in the Thanksgiving episode, jazzed up a little bit, naturally.

Disclaimer: I don't own, you don't sue, everybody's happy.

Title: Keeping It Together

By: Marion

Chapter 1

Alex Eames grabbed the last can of cranberry sauce from the top shelf at the crowded bodega and practically whooped in victory. This was store number five on her quest for the canned good and she'd been about to give up.

Everyone in the Eames clan loved her mother's homemade cranberry sauce, which was probably simmering away at her parents' house at that very moment. Everyone except for Caleb, her almost three-year-old nephew, who loved nothing more than the gelatinous goo that plopped from the can with a slurp and never lost its shape.

In her nearly epic quest for the elusive canned cranberry sauce she'd accidentally ended up blocked by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, been shoved by pushier store patrons, and nearly twisted her ankle climbing the shelves to reach the last can on the top shelf. The snow flurries, though pretty, did not help matters, only serving to make the already hectic New York City traffic that much more erratic.

But it was hers now. She joined the crush of people in the only checkout line and waited to pay for her prize.

Her cell phone rang. "Hi mom," she said, answering it. "Yeah, I got it. I'll be there in about forty-five minutes. Love you, too. Bye."

She reached the counter and paid for the cranberry sauce. She was pretty sure the price had increased with the demand. Anything for Caleb.

She ran to her car and hopped in. After checking to make sure the green bean casserole she'd so carefully prepared the night before was secure, she pulled out onto the street.

Eight blocks from her parents' house in Queens a speeding SUV cut her off. She had to slam on her brakes to avoid an accident. The green bean casserole dumped out all over the front seat of her car. "Damn it! If I wasn't already late I'd go lights and sirens and give you a ticket, Asshole!"

She pulled into her parents' driveway and surveyed the damage to the sloshed casserole. Unsalvageable. And her car would have to be cleaned. Yuck!

She trudged inside and hung up her coat and scarf, damp with snow flurries. "I'm here," she called, heading for the kitchen with the can of cranberry sauce. "Hi Mom," she said, pecking her mother on the cheek. "Here you go."

Annette Eames took the proffered can of cranberry sauce and stuck it in the fridge. "Thanks honey. Happy Thanksgiving."

"You too. It smells great in here, Mom," said Alex, surveying the array of cooking food. "I'm afraid the green bean casserole had an accident all over the front of my car on the way here. I couldn't save it and my car may never smell the same again."

"Well I'm sorry about your car," said her mother. "But don't worry about it. There certainly won't be any shortage of food. I'm just glad you managed to get Caleb's cranberry sauce on such short notice."

"Me too. Am I the last to arrive?"

"They're all in the den with your father watching the end of the parade," said Annette.

Alex went to the den. Her sister, Elizabeth, was sitting on the couch with her husband. Her son, Caleb, was sitting on her lap watching the TV intently. Alex's older brother, Ted, was sitting on the loveseat with his wife, while Ted's two daughters sat on the floor with her little brother, Sam. Johnny Eames was sitting in his big comfy recliner. Alex went to perch on the arm of his chair.

"Good morning, Daddy," she said.

"Morning, Sweetheart," he said. "How are you?"

"Aside from the green bean casserole all over my car … great," she said, flashing him her trademark sardonic grin.

"Do I want to know what happened?"

"Some jerk cut me off. I slammed on brakes and the casserole went flying. You should have seen it. It was like cream of mushroom soup fireworks."

Johnny chuckled. "Is Bobby coming to dinner?" he asked.

"No. He's visiting his mom today. I figured I'd take him a plate (or five, knowing Mom) when I leave tonight."

Author's Note: So that's the first chapter. Future chapters will be longer. I still haven't decided how shippy this will be. Or how long this will be. I will warn you, updates in November will be sporadic at best. I'll be busy with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Google it for more info. As always, do something nice for your fanfic karma and review.