Happy Thanksgiving from the Folklore Trilogy gang! Unfortunately, they couldn't spend it together, as most of their families wanted them at home, but they enjoyed themselves regardless.

Sierra was welcomed back by a very excited Wyatt and a slightly teary-eyed Patrick. They had missed their big sister, even though she had been home for Halloween a few weeks ago. The Clagets went full out for Thanksgiving. Aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins, fiancées and pets were crowding the Claget house and running around the back yard. Sierra, the oldest of all her cousins, was the designated babysitter. It was exhausting, but she didn't mind. The joy of the children helped remind her why she fought.

Ravi's family wasn't big on Thanksgiving, as his parents were native to India. In fact, they found the holiday somewhat offensive, especially given the "pilgrims and Indians" thing. But they had a meal nonetheless, traditional Indian food Mrs. Jindal had prepared all day. Ravi hadn't had home cooked Indian food in a long time. It was definitely worth it. Even if Aasha poured applesauce on his face to wake him up and Shreya tried to buy him a whole new wardrobe. Still worth it.

Audrey spent her first Thanksgiving with her parents at the castle. She definitely didn't tear up when Natasha started talking about how thankful she was that they had found her. Definitely didn't happen.

Isaac invited Amarie to come home with him since she didn't have a family to go to. She nervously accepted.

Deynan wasn't sure what to do. He hadn't been in contact with his parents for a long time. So Isaac invited him too.

When Sophie told her dad she could come home for Thanksgiving, he told her not to bother. He was going with his new girlfriend, and he hadn't thought about Sophie. He sounded drunk. So Sophie told him she wouldn't be coming after all.

Isaac found her crying. Then he invited her to come home with him and the others.

And that's how Isaac, Amarie, Deynan, and Sophie showed up at the Tretter household. They were warmly welcomed, and his mother insisted they all call her Mami Anita. The house was full of laughter, music, and so much food that it seemed impossible that they could eat it all. Isaac's older brother Elliot bonded with Deynan instantly, and they played Grand Theft Auto for hours. Isaac's younger sister, Cadence, was in awe of Amarie. She thought she was a princess. Amarie wasn't quite sure how to react. Cadence also adored Sophie's curly hair, and she loved nothing more than to pull it and watch it sproing back into place.

Mami Anita took a special liking to Sophie, and taught her how to cook some of the traditional Mexican dishes she was preparing. The quiet girl had a strange knack for remembering recipes and guessing spices.

In the evenings, the whole family would gather and play music together. Elliot and Isaac switched between piano and guitar, their father would play a large bongo drum, and Mami Anita and Cadence would sing. On some of the more familiar songs, the whole family would join in, and even if they weren't the best singers in the world,  the sound was full of love and happiness. Most of the songs were in Spanish, so the three onlookers couldn't even understand the words. But they understood the feeling. That was enough.

One night, Isaac found Amarie pacing in the kitchen because she couldn't sleep. She ducked her head and explained she couldn't sleep a lot of the time, so she walked around to try and help calm herself. Isaac dragged her outside to look at the stars. There weren't as many as there were out in the ocean, but they were beautiful nonetheless. Isaac sat out there with her for hours until he fell asleep. She smiled and carried him back to bed, which surprised Deynan (who was sleeping in Isaac's room and awoke when she entered). He was awestruck by the ease with which she carried the larger boy. And maybe a little afraid.

The day they left, there were hugs and tearful goodbyes, with Mami Anita insisting that they come back as soon as possible. Elliot punched Deynan on the shoulder and gave him an official "stamp of awesomeness", which Deynan vowed to use for bragging privileges as much as possible. Cadence gave Sophie a picture she had drawn of a fairy (which Sophie thought was adorably ironic) and Amarie a small plastic tiara, claiming that "all princesses need crowns".

It was the best Thanksgiving any of them had ever had.

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Happy Thanksgiving, you guys! I thought it would be fun to do this again. Hope you all enjoyed!

Love,
Margot