Title: Special Day
Characters: Pete & Cady Townshend, Cliff, Betty, Paul, and Simon Townshend, John Entwistle and girlfriend
Word Count: 2,229
Rating: PG-13 [innuedo]
Warnings/Spoilers/Summary: Pete & Cady have over the important people in their life to celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving. The year is 1970. Contains spoilers




To those outside of their immediate friends and family, it might have seemed odd that the Townshends were preparing an elaborate meal for the American Thanksgiving holiday. It was just another Thursday in England. However, Cady was American and despite her desires and attempts to distance herself from her roots and family, they still did maintain housing in New York City and she could not deny her nationality. She and Pete had decided to not deny their daughter the traditions of both worlds when possible, and American Thanksgiving was one of them.

Really, Pete just loved her cooking and fully supported anything that meant she was going to cook for him, especially after extensive touring of England the month prior. While remaining on the British Isle certainly had afforded him the chance to return home to his wife and baby daughter most nights, it had still meant some nights away from them. In addition, under current circumstances, Pete disliked that more than normal – but could not explain to the band why Cady was not touring with them as per normal.

However, that was changing that day. Pete was almost as excited about their announcement as he was the delightful smells emanating from Cady’s kitchen. His parents and brothers were due to arrive any moment, as were John and his new girlfriend. He had invited Kit – despite Cady’s wishes against it – but figured the manager would never show, as he cared not for her either. It mattered not. The most important people in his – their life would be there soon. He needed to check on Cady’s progress.

Slipping into the kitchen, he leaned on the doorframe for a long moment as Cady fussed about the oven. He was not certain what was more beautiful: the way her hair was pulled messily from her face or the way he could just barely make out her voice singing softly. Glancing at Audrey who sat in her high chair nearby, he winked at the young girl before heading into the kitchen.

Sweeping aside her messy hair, Pete kissed Cady’s neck softly before wrapping his arms around her waist, “It smells delicious, baby.”

Smiling she leaned back against him, her fingers releasing the spoon for a moment, “I am so glad you think so.”

His hands flattened against her abdomen, pulling her dress taut, “Is there anything I can do?”

Covering his hands with hers, she turned slightly and kissed him, “We are doing fine. In about thirty minutes or so, you will need to lift the turkey out of the oven though.”

“Whatever you need, my love,” he kissed her again.

Before Cady could say anything more, the doorbell rang. Regretfully Pete pulled away after another kiss and turned to answer the call. Before he left the kitchen, Audrey squealed for him. With a smile, he swept the young girl out of her chair and deposited her on his hip. Throwing the door open a moment later, Pete’s smile froze, not entirely sure how to react.

“’ello, Pete,” John greeted with a smile, his arm around a pretty brunette. “You remember Marlene, yes?”

His brows rose, “Oh yes, please do come in.”

Audrey immediately squealed and reached for John’s girlfriend. Releasing his daughter to the woman, as she was vaguely familiar, Pete moved to close the door. Leaning out, his eyes settled on an approaching car. A block away, he knew it was his parents and smiled. Waiting for them to park, he smirked as his young teenage brother sulked up the steps to the house. Paul greeted Pete but Simon entered without a word. Shrugging them off, he greeted his parents, closing the door behind them.

As he made his way down the hall behind everyone, Pete could not help but smile. It was good to have family and best friends in the house. It seemed to change the very air of the house. He could not contain his low laughter as his daughter spied her uncles and wiggled out of Marlene’s lap, toddling over to them. This was the good stuff.

No one had drifted to the kitchen, except John, which saddened Pete some. His wife should not be ignored, especially as this day was hers. But he did not want to pull everyone into the kitchen to say hello to her, so instead he headed in to pull her out. However, he stopped at the doorway, his blue eyes focusing on his wife and his best friend. Cady had turned away from the stovetop, likely thrown her arms around John in a happy greeting. As Pete watched the bassist touch his wife’s abdomen, he knew she had already whispered their announcement to John. A touch jealous she would do so without him, he headed into the kitchen, his eyes a bit darker than they had been a moment later.

Looking up from John and meeting Pete’s eyes, Cady grinned happily. The sparkle in her eyes was enough to stop his jealous steps and make his heart skip a beat. He could not be angry or jealous at Cady. She was close with John as well, something that he knew, accepted, and even liked. Her smile made it all okay.

“Congratulations mate,” John grinned, reaching out to shake Pete’s hand.

“Shhh. Keep it quiet,” Pete responded though he was beaming. “We weren’t going to tell everyone until dinner.”

A timer dinged behind the three.

“Which would be soon,” Cady spoke up. “Pete, can you get the turkey out and John, will you help me take the rest of it to the table?”

“Sure, love,” they both responded in unison, causing her to giggle.

Within thirty minutes, the table was filled with food and family. Seated at the head of the table with Cady next to him, Audrey’s high chair pulled to the corner between them, Pete looked around as everyone filled their plates up. He waited until most everyone had been served and slowly began to realize they were being watched by their host. As everyone’s eyes turned to him, Cady reached over and grasped his hand.

“Before we eat this delicious meal prepared so thoughtfully by Cady, I would like to say a couple of things,” Pete announced. “We are honoured that you would join us on this special day. While it means little to us Brits, it is a day of giving of thanks and spending time with loved ones back in America. We could not think of a better group of people to spend it with. Thank you for joining us today.”

Everyone reached for his or her silverware, assuming Pete was finished, except John. His eyes sparkled and he leaned back in his chair, waiting for his best mate to really announce the reason for the meal.

“And we have an announcement,” he spoke up, instantly silencing the table.

Cady squeezed his hand and smiled.

“Cady is about four months pregnant. We’re having another baby,” Pete declared with a grin.

The table was silent for a long, tense moment. A bit surprisingly, Simon was the first to speak his congratulations, pushing everyone else to speak up happily. After thanking everyone for his or her well wishes, Pete encouraged everyone to begin eating. 

Leaning over, Cady kissed him briefly, “I love you, Pete.”

He caressed her cheek softly, “I love you too, Cady. If today is about professing thanks in your country, I have a million thanks for having you in my life.”

She smiled and kissed him again, “You’re still cleaning up after dinner.”



Lounging on the couch with Pete, Cady smiled softly. His family had left, leaving only John and Marlene still hanging around. As Pete had tucked Audrey into her crib, it was only the four adults in the living room. John and Marlene sipped on glasses of wine, their hands intertwined between them. Without even a thought, Pete’s hand pressed against the small swell of Cady’s belly and rubbed lovingly. He could not describe how happy he was to have created life with her once more. It was… unbelievable. Never before did he think he could love her more, but he did; a little more every day.

Cady’s hand covered the one on her belly, “Tell me what you’re thinking, baby.”

“That you,” he leaned over and kissed her, “are the most glorious mother in the world and I am very lucky to have you.”

“I’m grateful I have you, Pete. More than words can say,” she replied softly.

John cleared his throat, “We’re still here.”

Pete looked across the living at his best mate, “So… you want to explain this to me?”

“Explain what?” he finished the wine in his glass.

The guitarist merely looked at John.

“Your lovely wife introduced Marlene and I… four months ago, I do believe,” he stated.

Pete looked to Cady, “Am I completely out of the loop here?”

Cady kissed him quickly, “Yes.”

“Care to explain?”

“Some other time, Pete. Just be thankful that John is in a good relationship now.”

“I… of course,” he smiled, glancing back across the room to his best mate. “Well I do wish you all the best.”

Glancing at Marlene, John smiled slightly, “Want another glass?”

Her brown eyes glanced over at Cady and she shook her head, “I think we should be heading out. Cady looks exhausted.”

“No, I’m okay,” she claimed before stifling a yawn. “Actually I need check on Audrey. I didn’t nurse before Pete put her down and she often won’t stay asleep without.”

“You’re still nursing even though you’re pregnant?” Marlene asked.

She nodded and pulled away from Pete’s arms, “I’m letting Audrey wean herself. She pretty much only nurses now when she’s stressed or right before bed. Stay as long as you wish, guys.”

Waiting until she left, Marlene got to her feet, pulling John up as well, “We will slip out now, Pete.”

“But… why?”

She motioned to the doorway Cady had slipped through, “Go relax with your wife, Pete. She deserves it after today.”

Not about to argue with that, he showed the couple to the door, remaining on the step until John had slipped behind the wheel of his shiny car. Returning to the house, Pete locked the front door and headed to Audrey’s room. Reaching the toddler’s room, he leaned on the doorframe as Cady brushed their little girl’s hair across her forehead. Audrey gazed lovingly up at her mother, her little hands kneading Cady’s breast as she nursed. He wanted the moment to last forever, though knew it would not.

Looking up, Cady smile at him, motioning him closer with one hand. Entering the nursery as quietly as possible, he squatted before his two girls, his fingers reaching up to touch Audrey’s head. Smiling Cady eased the now sleeping girl off her breast, rolling the child into Pete’s arms. Carefully standing he laid their daughter in her bed, leaning down to kiss her as he pulled her small blanket about her little body. His blue eyes went to his wife as she tugged her dress back in place and got to her feet. With a smile, he laced his fingers with hers and led her from the room. She clicked off the dim overhead light and pulled the door mostly closed as they exited.

“John and Marlene–”

“Have gone home,” Pete interrupted. “She thought you could use the rest after today.”

She held his eyes for a long moment, “How thoughtful of her. Shall we go to bed?”

Seeing a sparkle in her eyes he recognized but a bit unsure if she truly meant that, Pete nodded. They crossed the hallway and entered their bedroom. Separating once in the room, both moved to their side of the room. Removing his shirt, Pete glanced over at Cady and realized how ridiculous it was to undress on opposite sides of the room. Dropping his shirt on the floor, he approached her, his fingers covering hers as she reached to unfasten her dress. Kissing her shoulder as he bared it, Pete slipped the dress pass her hips. She stepped out of it and turned to face him. His lips touched hers sweetly, his hands on her back, pressing her forward.

“Pete?” she whispered, her hands on his chest.

“Yes, love.”

“You remember how when I was pregnant with Audrey my… libido was off the charts?”

He swallowed and nodded, “Uh huh.”

“I think… I think… it’s returned,” she declared.

His eyes brightened and he kissed her passionately. Slowly he pivoted and guided her to their bed. As she sat, he gazed down at her. He loved her body, swelling with his child or not. Her breasts were the most perfect breasts in the world, heavy with milk or not. She was so beautiful.

And she was wearing his favorite pair of panties.

“Cady… did you…” he motioned to the panties with his eyes before stepping closer to the bed.

“Well there was a chance you were going to be too nervous about announcing our pregnancy to eat so much you would be comatose,” she explained, reaching for the belt on his pants.

He smirked, “And you bet on that chance?”

She shrugged, meeting his eyes, “If you were comatose you merely wouldn’t have seen the panties and I would have just curled up in bed with you, Pete. But you’re not, so…”