It isn't long before Thanksgiving arrives. Everyone has made plans to meet at Olivia's since she's still rehabbing her leg. The only ones who aren't in attendance are Rick, Janet, and the kids, as they're spending their first Thanksgiving at his parent's home. While they're away, it gives Tara the chance to be the cook for the first time since Olivia has always maintained that she's the one who prepares the traditional meal.

Before the honey-glazed ham and buttery basted turkey are pulled from the oven and roaster, the house is filled with various aromas with cherry, apple, pumpkin, and banana crème pies in the refrigerator in the garage. The sounds of a football game can be heard from the living room. CJ plays in his mother's old bedroom on his Xbox until dinner is ready. Lorraine enjoys her plus one as Troy makes the trip to join the family for the day.

Cory sits at the table with a playbook in front of him. During one of the practices he attended with Joseph, the coach has asked them to study some plays to assess the team at a shot for the playoffs. All he can do is rework some of the ideas used to win the state title and work into the scheme of things, but Cory also knows this team doesn't have the same muscle they did years ago. The use of speed is the current team's biggest strength with a strong defense.

"Babe! Hey, babe!" Tara calls out when she stops to escape the heat from the oven, "Could you do me a favor and watch the food for a bit? I need to sit down and get something to drink."

Without thinking it over, Cory gets to his feet and holds the chair for Tara. Rather than get her a bottle of water, Cory pours a glass of tea and then checks the temperatures of the ham and turkey. The break gives Tara fifteen minutes to recover, then when she scoots Cory from the kitchen back to the table. Minutes later, she yanks the turkey from the oven and sits it on the counter over the glass protectors so it doesn't singe the countertop. Finally, the ham gets to temp, but the only thing left to bake is the self-rising rolls. Once those are done and stacked on an oversized plate, Tara calls out, "Dinner's done!"

CJ comes walking down the steps and takes Lorraine's hand to the table, where they wait for grace to be given by Olivia before they start digging in. After grace is said and everyone says, "amen," everyone takes what they want, but Lorraine gets CJ's plate, then she selects what she wants then takes a seat between Cory and Troy.

"I want to say something before we get too deep into our meal. First thing, Tara, this looks and smells delicious, you have outdone yourself, and you should be proud. Secondly, I want to give thanks for everything I have in my life," Lorraine stops long enough to take Cory's and Troy's hands, "It's been a rocky year. As bad as times have been, I look around this table and see how blessed I am with my son coming home, and I have a man in my life that makes me happy. Cory, you've overcome a lot. You've pressed on to make it to the other side when others would have given up. I'm beyond proud of you."

Troy doesn't say anything but smiles with a squeeze to her hand. Cory also remains silent, which allows Tara the chance to give thanks.

"My turn, I guess. There's so much that I am thankful for this year. First, Cory coming home and watching him with our son has filled me with so much more love than I ever knew was possible. Now this baby is growing, and we're close to getting married, which has doubled how I feel. Third, my best friends got married, and my adoptive sister has returned. My life is nearly perfect. I thank God every day for everything," she says with her emotions about to get the better of her.

"I'm thankful for my family," CJ mentions, then giggles as everyone around the table joins him in sharing the laugh.

With a glass of dark wine in the air, Olivia gets to her feet, "To everyone here and all those we've lost or can't be home with their loved ones."

Everyone raises their glass to toast those who aren't home as they celebrate their first family holiday. There's a brief moment of silence, but soon the feast is devoured as leaves Cory and Troy wash every dish, pot, and pan while the ladies and CJ get the first slices of pie on paper plates.

"Hey, I hope me being here hasn't been an issue. I've come to care about your mom, so the last thing I would want is to create a rift between you and her," Troy whispers while scrubbing the pans.

"Nah, you're good. To see my mother happy is what she deserves. I'm sorry for how I acted before because things could have been worse, but you saved my ass. I'm grateful."

Once the dishes are washed, dried, and put away, the boys join the others in the living room for a Rose family tradition, watching The Miracle on 34th Street in black and white. As the credits roll on the TV screen, exhaustion starts to settle over CJ and Tara. More than ready to go more to sleep off the turkey coma, Cory hugs and gives a handshake with Troy as he heads out to start the Jeep in the blistery cold early winter wind. After it's warmed up, he carries CJ out to his booster seat and straps him safely. Tara gingerly waddles her way to the passenger seat and nearly falls asleep on the short drive home. Parked beside the Mazda, they see Rick and the others are still out with his parents as they begin the early tradition of singing Christmas carols with a special service at church after dinner. Finally, the day comes to an end as Cory tucks Tara and CJ into bed so he can return to his task at hand of working on ways to help his coach's team.

Cory begins to feel nervous about being in the coaching box to serve as an honorary coach by the following Friday. Almost ready to leave, Cory walks out of the bedroom to a whistle from Tara, "Looking good there, coach. You look amazing in a suit."

Feeling out of place, Cory lets Tara adjust his red tie as he wiggles his neck until it's comfortable.

"Daddy, you look silly!" CJ teases and giggles.

"Yeah, I know, but it's required for anyone coaching to dress like this. What was I thinking? I feel foolish."

Attempting to settle his nerves, Tara places both her hands on his shoulder, "You look so handsome. Give it some time to adjust. Now, we'll be a few minutes behind you. Go and have fun, I know how much you loved playing, but now it's time to pay it back to help the next generation of players achieve their dreams. If anyone can help them, it's you."

The words of encouragement are what Cory needs. Then, with a deep huff, he picks up the suit jacket to make his way to the arena. Able to find a spot near the doors, Cory's stunned to see other teammates he hasn't seen in years. Taking the suit jacket from the back seat, Cory meets up with his old team inside the doors, where the coach has them form a circle mixing his former team with the current players.

"I am inspired to see the past and present here for our opening game against an old rival, the Twin City Dragons. As we stand here to honor the tradition of RiverCreek High hockey, let's take a moment to remember those who aren't here with us," the aged coach says as they all bow their heads for a moment of silence, "Now that we honored those before us, I have an announcement. Cory Dubois, Joesph Winters, would you please step forward."

Both men meet the coach in the middle of the circle, anxious to hear what he has to say, "Gentlemen, tonight isn't only an honorary chance to coach these talented young athletes. As a high school hockey coach, so will our historic arena and my career when this season ends. Tonight, I am taking a back seat to observe two of the very best that I've ever seen take the helm to choose a new head coach and assistant head coach. Tonight it's about coming into a new era, so bring it in everyone and give me a great big RiverCreek on three. Ready...One...Two...Three!"

"RIVERCREEK!" Everyone shouts and claps as Cory and Joseph shake hands.

"Let's give 'em hell!" Cory yells, causing the energy to swell.

Soon the current roster return to the locker room to get ready while the stands fill up and the Dragons arrive and change, hitting the ice to warm up before game time. When the announcer begins to call the lineup for RiverCreek, Cory sees his family and friends sitting in the front row. They wave at each other, but Joseph pulls Cory's attention back to the box.

"Alright! Let's stay focused, Cory. You remember how hard-hitting this game can be, and we're going to need every bit of experience between us to get the W."

"Right! Okay, starting lineup hit the ice after the national anthem. I want Pollock, Reid, Blossard, Hickenbottom, and Norsick on the ice. Remember, our best chance is to stay fast and loose out there. The Dragons always have two oversized defenders, but that means they're not as quick. So pass often and quickly like we've done in practice. You can do this; believe in yourselves! RiverCreek on three. One...Two...Three!"

"RIVERCREEK!" The team shots as the crowd begin to chant RiverCreek to help bolster the team's confidence.

Both teams lined up in position. The referee looks at each player waiting for the puck, "Let's keep it clean and fair; best of luck to both teams," she states, then drops the puck to back away as the Dragons win the face-off.

From the start, the game is already hard-hitting on both sides. At the end of the first period, the score is tied at zero. During that time, Cory and Joseph took notes and compared them to try to develop a strategy.

"Okay, Blossard and Reid, here's what you two need to do. You're the muscle out there. When they're on offense, pull back to stay close to the net. Get the rebound, and don't go past the second blue line. Norsick and Pollock, you have the quickest hands, so switch it up and go for the assists and rebounds on their end of the rink. Hickenbottom, stay close for the slapshot on the left side since they have a right-handed goalie. We'll switch it up throughout the final period. You're playing hard and well," Joesph educates while encouraging the team.

Back out on the ice, the team prepares for a face-off. RiverCreek takes the puck and then speeds into position. They use their superior speed and puck handling skills to outwit the Dragons and score their first goal.

"YES! That's the hustle we need!" Joseph yells and smacks the side of the box, "Line change!" He shouts as the coach sits back, observing the chemistry between his two picks to replace him while he takes notes.

The Twin City Dragons and RiverCreek Beavers duke it out throughout the second period with hard hits and a few penalties against each team. But slowly, fatigue settles over the team, allowing the Dragons to surge to a game-tying goal. After that, however, frustration begins to grip the team, and soon they're down three to one when the buzzer sounds. They make their way back to the locker room, where Joseph takes it upon himself to talk to the team.

"Okay, what happened out there?" He asks with one hand rubbing against his bald head as the other rests his slightly pudgy potbelly.

The team captain stands to speak on behalf of the team, "We're exhausted, sir. They're playing hard, and we don't have it tonight. No offense to you, Mr. Dubois, but we don't have the kinda talent you and Mr. Winters did when you played. We want a state title, but we're not that good."

Pissed off, Cory and Joseph punch the side of a pair of lockers, "Not good enough? NOT GOOD enough? NOT GOOD ENOUGH! That is utter horseshit if I ever heard it. You're lazy and entitled to want to dig deep and bring out that animal instinct. Our team wasn't the best by the Twin City Dragons or Minneapolis Minutemen standards, but we played with every ounce of strength and courage we had. That's how you bring a state title home!" Joseph screams, working his way into the team's head, hoping to elevate them.

"You heard him! Get to your feet, shut your eyes, and focus on the raging beast sleeping within. To win, you need to stay hungry, angry, and furious by any means necessary. Now stand up and get ANGRY!" Cory shouts, taking one of the player's sticks and pounding it against the cement floor.

The coach doesn't bother butting in while he allows the team to return to life slowly. Each player stands up and does as ordered with their aggression turned up a notch. Their second wind can be heard down the corridor as the crowd comes to life when they hit the team to get limber for the final period. When it's time, Blossard lines up with a look of intimidation in his eyes, "You're going down!" he growls with his nose wrinkled.

Blossard wins the face-off, and Hickenbottom takes the puck, pushing through the Dragon's defenders but ditches control to Reid right behind him, who uses a slapshot to bounce the puck off the goalie's pads and into the net.

"HELL YES!" Reid shouts with his stick in the air.

Upon face-off again, Pollock switches spots with Blossard but fails to secure the puck. Instead, he glides back toward the team's goalie to protect the net. When an opening presents itself, Blossard charges at the opposing player, smashing into him with enough force it forces the refs to stop play for a roughing penalty.

"Are you serious? C'mon, what kind of call is that?" Cory shouts, with the crowd agreeing with booing and heckling.

The Dragons attempt to utilize the opportunity with a five-on-four advantage, but it doesn't work when Hickenbottom stays back, ready to do his job when he's passed the puck. The shot misses, but when the goalie stretches to ice the puck from the rebound, Reid darts forward, slapping it into the net right before the power play ends. The crowd goes wild with the team. Everyone inside the arena is pumped up with chants of RiverCreek through the building.

Back at full strength, RiverCreek tries to end the game on a win, but the buzzer sounds with the game tied at three points apiece. A brief intermission gives the team a chance to recharge to prepare for a five-minute overtime period. Prepared for the face-off, Reid wins the dual to send the puck to Pollock while Blossard thangs back for defense. The puck is passed back and forth but nearly intercepted. Hickenbottom rushes the would-be play spoiler and takes the puck with a backward pass to Pollock, who slaps the puck as hard as possible. However, it ricochets from the goalie's stick spinning inside the net enough for the refs to call for the goal.

"THEY DID IT! THEY WON!" Tara screams with her hands over her mouth.

Janet loses her mind, hugging Tara, excited that the first game she attends is a win for RiverCreek. Rick grabs the glass to shake it, chanting, RIVERCREEK, with the crowd joining in as the team and former players join the coaches on the ice. Nothing is announced until the Twin City Dragons have cleared the ice and the visitor's area is empty.

"Wasn't that an exciting game?" the coach begins with his hands shaking, "Wow, after all these years, the showdown between these two teams brings out the best in our town! So now let's give these young men another round of applause."

The crowd gets louder with whistles, claps, and chants for the team. The former players pat the current roster on the back for a job well done. Cory and Joseph look around the arena with memories of their era replaying quickly in their minds.

"If I may ask all of you to bring it down a notch, there's something I'd like to share with our proud community," the coach and players wait for the crowd to settle down, "For more years than I can count this team has been my family. I've seen so many players come and go with scholarships or leave to serve. So it's a privilege to stand here with the last state champions I coached to inspire the next state champions with the team on the ice. Since this is the RiverCreek Arena's last season to host these games, it is also my final season as the head coach. So tonight, I had the honor to take a step back to watch two of the most passionate and talented players ever to play here take control of this team to make them earn that first win of the season. The future is bright for the Beavers, but also there is a vote coming up for the new arena, RiverCreek Legacy Arena, to change the team mascot. The options are the Knights, Norsemen, Beavers, and Kings, but the team will always be the Beavers if you ask me. Let's celebrate tonight and worry about the changes tomorrow! RiverCreek, we are forever!"

There are mixed reactions from the crowd after the team is dismissed. Then, free from the post-team meeting, Cory walks out to meet Tara and the others. CJ has a jersey on and pretending to play hockey, "Look at me! I'm as good as daddy is at hockey, cha!" His playfulness has everyone laughing, and Cory finds it amusing when he sees his son romping around.

"Hey! I'm all done; who's ready for dinner? I'm freaking starving!" Cory calls out, joining the others by the doors.

Rick reaches over to pat Cory on the shoulder to get his attention, "That game brought back too many memories. It feels like it's been decades since I watched a game."

On the other side of the doors, the wind brings a quick reminder of what's coming when winter hits, "Jeez, that wind can cut you!" Janet shouts, covering up her torso with her jacket.

Inside his car, Cory follows everyone to Cici's Pizza, where they invade the place and watch Rick and Tara tear it up, battling over who can eat more. It's a struggle for Rick at the end because Tara goes for more, plus dessert. Left in the dust, Rick lounges in the seat so his stomach can settle, but another contender has silently been competing. Janet follows but doesn't draw attention to herself from Rick. Finally, Tara picked up on her trend. Her eyes light up, and she asks, "You too?"

"I am. That's why I was late getting to the game. I went for a blood test. So we're going to do this together. It sucks you're a ways ahead of me, but oh my goodness, I can't wait to tell Rick."

Together they squeal, tipping off the group. Cory knows the smile, but he struggles to keep his mouth shut after noticing Tara shakes her head no. It takes all of his resolve to maintain his silence. Finally, knowing Cory can't contain it, Tara stops Janet and whispers in her ear. They smile and then take a seat at the table. That's when Janet spills the news.

"I'm glad you're full and tired because there's something you need to know," Janet doesn't give her opening words time to sink in before she finishes, "I'm pregnant!"

At first, Rick sits there with a puzzled expression. Then, when it hits him, the table nearly flips as he squirms and struggles to get out of the booth, "What! Wait? Are you? You are? We did... Do what!" He struggles and babbles with his big dark eyes as wide as an owl.

"Yup. I confirmed it today with a blood test. So congratulations, daddy, we did it; we're having a baby. My last one," Janet mentions before she hugs Rick to bring his mind back to reality.

"I couldn't be happier!" Cory expresses with a pat on the back and then drops the tip on the table so everyone can head home to celebrate.

Rick and Janet take a detour to inform his parents, and when Rick and Tara arrive home, they watch some TV with CJ before bed. While he lies there, Cory begins to think about the past and how things have shifted since then. His mind wanders to every possibility until it comes to finding a forever home for him, Tara, CJ, and the baby. As he imagines the life he wants once things are settled into place, Cory drifts to one of the most peaceful night's sleep he's had in months.