The table was set and full to bursting with all types of food. The crowning piece, a huge twenty-pound turkey, held court with all the trimmings placed around. It was a hodge-podge of regional favorites varying from garlic roasted carrots to six cheese mac and cheese to oyster and chestnut stuffing. There were a lot of desserts as well. It was going to be an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.

All of the team had managed to make it; even Railroad had put down his furniture creativity long enough to bring his mother's buttermilk pie. Bruiser and Olivia appeared early with Auntie Nat and Jayden in tow. The older woman immediately commandeered the kitchen saying she was going to take care of everything and sent the rest of the crew out. Hick backed out with his hands in the air stating how Nat reminded him of his grandmother and he knew better than to argue.

Hick had also invited Wolf, his team, and their women. The team had only returned from their mission yesterday. They bowed out but thanked them for the offer anyway. Digger and Demma were in Chicago, visiting her family. They sent their regards and promised to catch up soon.

The topic at the table centered around the news that had broken this morning. The gruesome remains of a man were found floating in the Everglades not too far from the area that was used for dumping all those years ago. He'd been gnawed upon by alligators leaving barely enough to be identified as Loran Hoxha. There was a lot of speculation as to what exactly had happened. Rumors included a fishing accident, mugging went wrong and suicide. However, thanks to Digger's dark web access, the team knew the truth. Kreshnik Bushati had no intention of forgiving the Hoxhas for their disloyalty no matter how much money he was promised. Loran thought Basim and his thugs were coming to escort him and Miley safely to his place in Utah, but they were actually a hit team, there to bring Loran back for punishment. The conditions Bushati had placed on Loran's return were a ruse to keep him in place and placated until Basim could get to him. According to Bushati, there had been no amount Loran could ever pay to forgive the embarrassment, cost, and loss he had suffered after the split. That had been what Digger had shown Bruiser that day before setting out to get Miley back. The plan was to get Miley away before the team arrived. Thankfully, it seemed the gangsters were hesitant to get into a gunfight with the US Navy. They were lucky to get out of there as easily as they did.

"So, have you made any decisions?" Annabeth asked Miley.

Miley swallowed the bite of pie. "I talked with Pop-pop a couple of days ago. I finally came clean about how I felt about the practice. He never knew I didn't want it and apologized for as he put it, 'trapping me.' So, we made a deal. Jessie's going to take over running it with Pop-pop helping out part-time. Then, he's going to withdraw completely and resume his retirement. In the meantime, I'll be a silent partner until Jessie is ready to buy me out. I promised it would be at a wonderful price he can't refuse."

"Does that mean you're staying?" Livy grinned big. "Please say it means you're staying in California."

Miley smirked and looked at Cowboy. "Yep, you guys are stuck with me."

Annabeth and Livy squealed and jumped up, ran to the other side of the table and hugged Miley. Beside Cowboy, Railroad chuckled. "I think they are as happy as you."

"Not even close." Cowboy pulled Miley into his arms and hugged her tightly. "We're going to Wyoming for Christmas and grab the rest of her stuff."

"Fan-freaking-tastic," Bruiser told them. "About time too."

Cowboy pushed his chair back and pulled Miley into his lap. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he hugged her tightly. "Yep," he agreed. Pressing a kiss to the nape of her neck he growled softly. "Best decision she ever made."

Miley snorted and looked at him over her shoulder. "You sure about that?"

He gently cupped her neck with his hand. He captured her lips in his, nipping them with his teeth while cat-calls echoed around the table. The dazed look on her face made him grin. "Absolutely."

Miley's hand touched the necklace that hung around her neck. When she told Cowboy about how she had used the quarter to get out of the cabin, he had praised her for her brilliance. He knew she was sad at ruining her first prized coin, but it was worth it. The next day, while she slept, he swiped the quarter and had it made into a necklace so she would always have her good luck piece with her. It was warped and bent, but she cried that morning when he presented it to her.

"Are you going back to the clinic in town?"

Miley shook her head at Livy. "I don't have time, unfortunately."

"Why's that?"

"I'll be too busy getting my own practice up and running. It's time I chased after my original dream of a small animal clinic near the beach where I could see the ocean. I've got my eyes on a couple of possible locations and will be talking to a real estate agent next week. I don't know if I'll be able to afford my ideal spot at first, but it's a goal I'm ready to work toward. For now, it'll be enough."

Again the girls descended on her, talking rapidly and asking her for details. Cowboy watched with a smile on his face. This was what being a member of a family was all about.

Finch sat on one side of the table staring down at his cell. As the others talked among themselves, Bruiser caught his attention and motioned toward the backyard. Letting out a held breath, he nodded and slipped out the back. When they were alone, Bruiser turned to him.

"Any word?"

Finch shook his head. "Not much. I heard about another possible sighting north of Sacramento. I was going to go check it out this weekend since we have time off for Thanksgiving."

Bruiser nodded slowly. "When are you going to tell the others?"

"About her? I don't know. Everyone has had so much going on; I didn't want to bother them with my problems."

Did I bother you when Livy went missing? Was it a bother when Annabeth needed us or Miley?"

"No, but," he started.

"No buts," Bruiser stopped him. "You're a part of this team. You're a brother, and that means you're family. We take care of each other, Finch. Let them know. Tell them about her."

Finch glanced up at the sky and drew in a deep breath. "I keep hoping that I'll find her and then everything will be all right. I don't want them to think less of me because I couldn't keep her safe."

"They won't. Listen, you asked me to keep your secret, and I have. However, they deserve to know what you're going through. Let them help you."

"Maybe later. I don't want to bring down their day."

"Today would be a perfect day. It's about family and what better time than when the family is all here?"

Finch mulled it over in his mind. He knew he owed them for everything he had put them through. He'd been a right moody bastard since the summer and the team didn't deserve that. With a resigned sigh, he nodded. "You're right."

"Good. No time like the present."

The two returned to the table. Livy looked up at Bruiser with a question on her face, but he smiled and shook his head. Everything was all right - or would be once Finch came clean.

"Hey, settle down," Bruiser barked. "Finch has something to say."

All the eyes at the table turned to him with an air of expectancy. Slowly he drew in a breath and let it out.

"I know you guys have been bugging me about where I go all the time, and I keep sidestepping. I haven't told you what was going on because I wanted to take care of it myself. Bruiser has convinced me that you need to know, so I'm going to come clean."

"About time," Hick called out. Beside him, Annabeth elbowed him harshly. "What? He's been a pain in the ass."

"Take your time," Livy told him.

Finch steeled himself to tell them the truth, to tell them about her.

"I've been searching for someone. Someone very special to me. Her name is Lorelei."

"Ah, man, you have a girl?" Toad pretended to wipe his eyes. "I'm so proud of you. I was beginning to think you were never going to date."

"Finch has a girlfriend," Cowboy grinned. "Awesome, man."

"She's not my girlfriend." He pulled out his cell and pressed several buttons. Turning it around, he showed them a picture. It was a child with big blue eyes, light brown curls and Finch's smile. "Lolly's my four-year-old daughter. She's missing. I think... I think I need your help."