Rocket yawned. He stretched his small arms as far as they could go, cracking the bones in his body. He made sure he was feeling good before he left his bed for the day.

Unlike any other day, there was actually commotion going on in the Milano. Everyone usually slept till the late hours of the morning, just when the afternoon would begin.

Today was different-- there were noises. He wanted to know why.

Still weary from such heavy sleep, he closed his eyes as he walked out of his room and into the hallway.

"Holy shit," He muttered when his eyes adjusted to the light.

Decorations were hanging from the insides of the ship. Little turkeys sat on the counter, white fairy lights hanging around the edges of the kitchen, even a sign that said, "Happy Holidays." with a turkey on it.

"Happy Holidays?" Rocket read.

"Yes!" Charlie exclaimed.

She poked her head out from around the corner, absolutely beaming.

Rocket was surprised. She was never happy in the morning.

"Am I missing something?" Rocket asked, glancing around.

"No. Charlie just really enjoys holiday celebration," Peter said.

He was sitting at the kitchen table, keeping her company in the early hours of the morning.

"I might be a few days off. Kind of hard to keep track of Earth days when you aren't actually on Earth," Charlie pointed out.

She shook her head, like she was shaming herself, then disappeared into the kitchen.

Rocket scurried into the kitchen behind her for breakfast. Drool almost fell like a waterfall from his mouth.

Mountains of food sat on the counters. The entire kitchen was filled with bowls or trays of food.

Charlie had been cooking a massive meal all morning. But for what?

"Thanksgiving is a holiday back on Earth. You share what you're thankful for.." She explained, "And well.. I'm thankful for all of you. So I'm cooking."

Peter took a spoon from the drawer beside her, but she slammed the drawer before he could grab one. She waved her wooden spoon in his face.

"Absolutely not, Peter Jason. You will wait to touch this good until I say so," She demanded. "Got it?"

"Got it," He said, his eyes wide. He'd never been threatened by a wooden spoon before.

"Now take Rocket and find something to do while I finish up. And wake up the rest of the loons, will you?"

Rocket shook his head as he scurried off. She was seriously taking the role of Mother Hen. She was cooking, cleaning, wearing an apron! What was next.. Kids?

----

Charlie rubbed her temples. She felt like she didn't cook enough. Sure, there were piles of food taking up the entire kitchen, but the five of them altogether ate massively.

She just prayed that she followed the recipes correctly. She wanted their first Thanksgiving to be memorable.

Charlie set up the kitchen table all by herself. Forks and knives, plates for everyone. Drink cups were on the counter, five for each Guardian. She placed the trays of food onto the table.

"Does everyone know their table manners?" She wondered to herself.

She hesitated, but then grabbed a full box of napkins and set them right in the middle of the table. She had a strong feeling they would need them.

"Alright, kids! Get in here!"

Rocket and Groot ran around the corner. They reminded her of dogs, how fast they came when they heard anything to do with food. Drax and Gamora came in next, smiling graciously at the food.

"Smells delicious, Charlie " Drax complimented. He sat down beside Gamora.

"Ditto, babe," Peter said. He turned her head and pecked her lips before he pulled out a chair.

"You sit, I've got an announcement to make," She whispered.

Peter's face turned a bit red, but was mostly covered by his scruffy beard. He quietly took a seat, Charlie leaning on the chair once he was situated.

"Alright, everybody," She called, gaining their attention, "Happy Thanksgiving. This is a day where we are thankful for what we have."

"Really? 'Cuz it just looks like there's delicious food to eat.." Rocket said. He licked his lips, staring intently at the pot of roast beef.

"This is an Earth holiday?" Drax questioned, "Tis now my favorite!"

"Wait until Christmas," Peter said, "Christmas music: all through the house."

Charlie rolled her eyes. "I just want to let you all know that I'm extremely grateful that not only me, but Peter, were fortunate enough to be apart of this kick ass group. To many long years of this, and to happy times. Dig in."

Drax and Rocket immediately dove for food. The two ate at the same time they poured more food on their plates.

For a while Charlie observed the other five, sincerely wishing she would have taught them how to properly eat at a table.

Gamora was the only well behaved alien, sitting up straight and eating with her fork-- not her hands.

"You look as if there's another subject on your mind," Gamora observed.

Charlie raised her eyebrows at Gamora. She crinkled her nose, shaking her head.

The last announcement could hold off until their stomachs were filled.

Charlie sat down, helping herself to what was left.

No words were spoken besides Charlie muttering reprimands like, "Chew with your mouth closed," or "Don't put your elbows on the table."

"You're such a mom," Peter said. He laughed, nudging her with his elbow.

"Yeah, well, if I wasn't here to mother you all, who would?" She retorted.

She waited, staring at him with her eyebrows raised and a slight frown on her lips.

Peter tossed a roll of bread at her head. Charlie gasped, punching his shoulder.

"That is no way to act at the table!" She scolded, half joking/half serious. "Just because we're engaged doesn't mean you get to ignore my rules!"

The clinks of forks scraping against plates and sounds of jaws chomping ceased.

Charlie's eyes widened, Peter mirroring her. The two sheepishly turned towards their awaiting teammates.

"Engaged?"

"Wait, weren't you two already married?"

"Congratulations, Quill and Charlie!"

"I am Groot."

"Uhm. Thanks," Charlie said, giving each member a small smile. "I don't think we're having an actual wedding for a while."

"I am so lost," Rocket groaned, his head falling into his hands. A second later, he stared at Charlie, "I could have sworn you two were already married."

"No, Rocket," Peter sighed.

"Why did you think so?" Charlie asked.

She rested her elbows on the table, folding her hands, creating a head rest for her chin.

"You two made me sick with the love crap. Almost puked," Rocket clarified. He picked stray food from the cracks of his teeth as he spoke. "That qualified as 'already married.' Guess I was wrong."

"I am Groot!"

"Giving Tree saying congrats?" Peter guessed.

Groot grew a flower from his hand and stretched his hand across the table, setting the purple flower behind her ear.

"Thank you, Groot," Charlie said. She grinned and patted his hand before he grew it to his normal size.

"Anyone else got an announcement? Pregnancies?"

Charlie made a choking noise, "Oh my god. Kids running around with Rocket and Drax? The first thing they would learn would be how to build a bomb!" Charlie said.

"And that's a bad thing?" Rocket asked.

Maybe one day Charlie and Peter would grant the Guardians with children, but that day was not any time soon.

For now, Charlie and Peter would practice their parental abilities with the four troublemakers around them. That was more than enough.