Episode 1.22 [New Years Eve]

Maggie’s Apartment

The stereo was on as Maggie plucked the ornaments off the tree and packed them up in the plastic box she kept them in. Kevin had gone out on some last minute errands for their private evening they would be spending for their New Years Eve. He said he would be gone at least an hour, and with that Maggie decided she would take down the tree and get everything ready for a new year. A year they would spend together, as husband and wife.

Pulling out one of the kitchen chairs she removed the star from the tree and wondered how she had gotten to this point in her life. A Year ago she never would’ve imagined she would be married, and definitely not someone like Kevin Lane. As she climbed down she noticed a red gift bag next to the tree, almost camouflaged with the tree skirt. Setting the star in the box she then picked up the bag and saw it just said, “Maggie” on it. The handwriting told her exactly who it was from—Conner.

Taking a sharp breath in, she opened the package and found a heart shaped locket key chain with a skeleton key. She opened the locket and found a picture of Conner and Lysa. She smiled and then saw a note at the bottom of the bag.

Taking the paper out she slowly unfolded it and saw the familiar scrawl from his hands, “Maggie, you have the key to my heart. I love you always, Conner.”

A tear fell from Maggie’s eye as she folded the note again and put the key chain in her pocket.

Dan and Abby’s Apartment

Sam slammed the lid of his trunk closed and locked it, putting the key on his chain. Abby came into the room, part of her really wanted to tell him that Pam was moving too Ginger Falls to, hell she was probably packing as they spoke.

“Hey Bro,” she said before sitting down on the stripped bed. “I hate to be nosy, but I’m your sister and well, have you said good-bye to Pam yet?”

Sam looked down at his younger sister, “I haven’t talked to her since Thanksgiving. She hasn’t come by to talk to me so ya know it doesn’t matter.”

“You love her, right?” Abby asked.

Sam looked out the window and sighed, “Always, from the first time I saw her. She was my best friend for so long, but obviously it was never meant to be. I’m moving to Hawaii,” he said as he looked back at her, “And Pam’s gonna be here. What does that tell you sis?”

Abby stood up, “That you are a stubborn jackass!” she told him before storming out of his room and into the living room where Dan was playing Grand Theft Auto again.

“Let me guess he won’t say good-bye to Pam, right?” Dan said as he kept his attention on the game.

“Yeah, Dan what happens though if they never see each other in Ginger Falls?” Abby asked, the desperation of a hopeless romantic drowning in her voice.

Dan looked at his little sister, “They’ll see each other. I know they will.”

Carla’s Office

Carla was going over some patient files when the door swung open and Adel barged in. “Okay Charlene, its time you and I have a little chat, sister dear. I want the truth, and I want it now. Every single bit of it. From how the hell you’re still alive, to why you’ve been Chad’s therapist all this time if you’ve known you were his biological mother, to why the hell you felt the need to tell MY SONS you gave birth to them.”

Carla stood up and looked at her older sister Adel, she leaned against her desk and crossed her arms over her chest. “Adel, Chad and Kip as you so named them are my sons. They are Gerald and Marty.”

Adel shook her head, it had taken a week to get this calm and she wasn’t going to let her sister get away with this, “You might have given birth to them, but damn it Charlene! I raised them, so I wasn’t the best mother in the world. I never said I was. I just did what I knew how to do, I loved those boys more then anything in the world. I might not have always showed it but it was true. If you loved the boys where the hell have you been?”

“Adel, none of that matters now.” She said coolly.

“That’s where your wrong Charlene, it matters more then you would ever know. If you think that you could come in and they would accept you with open arms, my Lord you were so wrong. FYI sister, I might have been a bit harsh on both of the boys, Chad and Kip, but they love me. I protect them, I never wanted them to turn out like you. Jumping from one trashy relationship to another. You know Chad, but now he can’t trust you. Kip, well you’ll never get to know Kip. He’s leaving town tonight to heal from a broken heart caused by that awful Pam Mitchell.” Adel opened her purse and took out a picture of the boys from when they were very young, “This is all you’ll get of my boys.” She said as she put it down on the desk and walked out of the office.

Carla picked up the picture and studied it, “I might not get to know Kip, but I am going to get to know my oldest son Chad. Nothing my bossy sister says will stop that.” She said as she clutched the picture.

The Pool House

Kip opened the door to his brother’s home and looked around. He sighed; he really didn’t want to leave a note for Chad. Not about this, not about what he needed to tell his brother. Especially if he was going to marry Bethany McKay, he didn’t need any evidence of his confession. It was still early afternoon; he could sit and wait for Chad for a while. His packing was already done thanks to the servants so really all he had to do was wait until he had to go to the airport and leave for Heaven Beach.

He didn’t even want to think about that one, living with some friend of his mothers, that she hadn’t seen in probably two decades, didn’t thrill him, but it was better then sticking around and being around Pam or even worst ending up in jail for his crimes.

“Kip?” He heard Chad’s voice and looked up.

“Chad! Great your home, I need to tell you something before I leave, something big that I need you as my brother to swear you’ll never tell anyone else. Not Mom, Dad, not even Bethany.” Kip said as he stood up and looked at his older brother desperately.

Chad nodded and tossed his keys on the table, “Just tell me what’s going on Kip.”

Kip looked down at his hands, they were shaking as he let his mind release the memory of that hot July night. He then looked up and his eyes locked on Chad, “I killed Brighton Simpson, to protect you.”

It was a hot July evening as Kip walked down the stairs of Hallow Hills. He saw the closet door open and went to close it when he saw a picture of his older brother Chad kissing another man. He flipped it over and saw a note on the back, “I’m going to tell the whole world about your Chad’s secret. Meet me at Hallow Hotel in 115.” Putting the picture in his pocket he left the house.

Walking past the different rooms of the “hotel” most of the blinds were open and he saw that in room 115, was the same man from the picture. Gathering all his courage he knocked on the door and came face to face with Brighton.

“You don’t look like a Pizza boy.” Brighton said with a laugh.

Kip didn’t smile, “I’m not a Pizza boy, I’m Kip Davis, Chad’s brother. We need to talk.” He said pushing into the room.

“Listen Kid, I hate to break it to you, but your older brother’s gay.” Brighton said with a smile as he reached up to touch Kip’s face, “Some say it runs in the family.”

Kip slapped Brighton’s hand away from him, causing him to stumble back a few steps and knock over a bottle of cheap vodka.

“My brother is not gay, I know Chad better then he realizes most of the time. He’s a reporter, didn’t you ever think its probably some undercover scheme?” Kip asked as the cross breeze from a window slammed the door shut, “Just leave my family alone.”

“No way!” Brighton said as he went to pick the bottle of vodka up, “Chad’s my husband.”

That had been the last straw for Kip and he punched Brighton in the face causing him to fall back and spill the vodka all over himself.

Kip went back to the door and put his hands in his pockets as he looked at Brighton, it was then he found a box of matches and took them out. Opening it he found three matches left and he took each out separately and struck them, then tossed them on the vodka soaked body of Brighton Simpson and then left the room.

“Why did you do this Kip?” Chad asked as he looked at his brother intently.

“To keep him from destroying your image in Mom and Dad’s eyes. I know I’ve complained about you being the favorite, but you’re just the oldest. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be ten times more screwed up then I already am.” Kip said trying to hold back tears.

“Don’t worry bro,” Chad said as he took his younger brother in his arms for a hug, “No one and I mean no one will know what you did to Brighton. Just tell me, is there anything else you’re keeping locked up inside?”

Kip pulled back, his eyes puffy and red, “One thing, that I regret more then anything in the world.”

Chad stepped back and looked at his younger brother, “What is it Kip?”

Kip rubbed his face and let his hands rack his wild hair, before looking up at Chad, “I did rape Pam.” He said in slow staggered words.

Film Magic

Conner sat in the backroom rubbing his eyes; the store had been busy all day long. Everyone renting movies for the night, this town needed something to do on New Years Eve. His assistant Eric’s voice came through the intercom, “Boss, I need help!”

Sighing he got up and went to the floor and saw about twenty people in the small store looking around at the selection, including Kevin Lane who had several shopping bags from other stores in the mall. This was NOT the man Conner wanted to deal with today. Though part of him was curious as to what he had in the bags, probably some romantic surprise for Maggie that would make Conner look like an unromantic buffoon. Not that it mattered Kevin was married to her, not him.

As he slid behind Kevin in the aisle he glimpsed in the bag and saw Kevin had gotten a chenille throw and some crystal champagne glasses. But Conner gasped out loud when he saw that Kevin also had a pile of brochures for Nashville and two plane tickets.

Kevin turned around, “Oh Conner,” he said and realized that Conner had seen into the bag, “For New Years Eve, alone with my wife, Maggie.”

“Tickets to Nashville, you taking her there tonight?” Conner asked.

Kevin shook his head, “You’ll just have to wait to find out McKay.” He said as he picked a DVD and went to the front of the store.

Conner shook his head, “I hate that guy.”

Pam’s Apartment

Looking around you would never even realize someone had been living there for two years. The furniture was covered with tarps and being moved to the basement of the building, as word was the new tenant already had furniture. Pam zipped her third suitcase closed and looked around. It was so empty, so not her apartment anymore.

She took the hair elastic from her wrist and pulled her straight hair away from her face and into a ponytail; this was the last time she would look at her little studio apartment again. She took her bags into the hall and then did a final sweep of the apartment and grabbed her winter coat. She made sure the door was locked and then left turning off the lights and closing the door on her life in Pinõn Hallow.

She was about to pick up one of her bags when she saw Sam looking at her, “Hi, long time no see. How were your holiday’s?”

“They were wonderful, and yours?” he asked as his eyes took her in for one last look. He would never see Pam Mitchell again after this moment. He wasn’t going to let her know that though. “Are you going somewhere?”

Pam nodded, “Yeah, I got this amazing job at a resort. I’m going to be a social coordinator. It’s a wonderful opportunity. I have to leave Pinõn Hallow though.”

“Well you know sometimes we have to leave the places and people we love so that we ourselves could have a chance to, well you know become the people we’re meant to be.”

“So I guess this is good-bye then.” She said softly as she looked up into his blue eyes.

He smiled, “Not good-bye, so long. Once you say good-bye it could be forever, at least with so long there’s a chance we might meet again some day, when we least expect it.” He moved closer to her as he spoke, and they were only a few inches apart.

“So long Sam Adams.” Pam said as she held back tears, but tried to smile.

“And so long to you Pam Mitchell. I’ll never forget Thanksgiving morning.” He said before leaning closer and touching her lips with his, in a soft whisper of a kiss before taking a few steps back and walking away from her.

The Pool House

Chad looked at his brother, and didn’t know if he should punch him or hug him. After what seemed to Kip like an hour of silence Chad sat down on the couch and spoke.

“Why did you rape Pam, she was your girlfriend. You became engaged to her.”

Kip shook his head, “I don’t know why I did it Chad. I just did. I’ve always gotten every girl I wanted at the country club, even when they didn’t want me.” He sat down and dropped his head between his legs, “Chad, you know the guys at the club right? For years we’ve been doing this point system thing. How many girls can you get through the use of these.” He said pulling out his bag of pills. “I’ve been in the lead for so long, I needed a challenge and that was Pam. But I immediately regretted it. I hate myself for that, I think that’s why I stayed with her, I wanted to make it up to her, prove to her and myself I was a better man then I really am.”

Chad looked at his younger brother, and then at the pills. “Well I’m taking these from you.” He said as he stood up and went to the sink in the nearby kitchen. “If you want to prove you’re a better man, Kipland, then you need to forget you ever had these and start completely over in Heaven Beach. No one ever needs to know about this or Brighton Simpson.”

“Is that really going to work though?” Kip asked as he followed Chad into the kitchen.

“All you can do is try little bro.” He said before pulling him closer and hugging him, “I’m going to miss you, ya know that right? I mean who’s going to be my best man when I marry Bethany?”

Kip tried not to cry again, “Why wait to marry her, why not go get a justice of the peace and marry her tonight, before midnight. Do it before Mom starts planning some insane extravaganza wedding that’ll take years to get ready. You love Bethany right, so just go and marry her now.”

Chad pulled back and looked at him, “Deep down you are a good guy, never forget that Kipland Mortimer Davis. You are about to embark on an adventure, life away from Pinõn Hallow, a whole new world. A world where they call Pop, Soda.” Chad smiled, “A world where you have to make your own decisions, make your way, and follow your dreams. You now have to fit into the mold you create for yourself, you are not to follow the one Mom or Dad, or even I put you in. You are to go off into the world, and become whoever it is you want to be. You can do whatever it is that controls you, well not whatever, stay in control of your life, follow your heart. Find your muse little brother, and follow it and listen to it. Don’t let it eat away at you to the point you forget who you are and who you truly want to be. Think of your childhood dreams and what they were and what they still are. Become yourself Kip.”

Maggie’s Apartment

The Christmas tree was gone, and Maggie had set up a faux fireplace in its place. Tonight was going to be perfect for her and her husband. It was going to be a wonderful New Years Eve. She was sitting by the kitchen counter looking through her day planner when she suddenly realized something, and jumped back to the November calendar. “Oh wow, I’ve never skipped a month or been late.” She said to herself out loud and closed her eyes thinking of when she and Kevin had made love, the same night she and Conner had been together. She felt so dirty at the memory of it. She grabbed her keys and coat and left the apartment quickly.

Pacing back and fourth she waited impatiently for the test to be done, it didn’t take forever but it certainly felt like it. She heard the timer go off and she went and looked at the stick, it stated very clearly in the little window she was pregnant. It had to be Kevin’s child, besides she and Kevin had made love many times since that first time, it was his child no question about it at all in her mind. But how was she going to tell him?

Bethany’s Hospital Room

Chad opened the door and saw Bethany sitting on the bed watching the evening news, completely entranced in what she saw. He walked in, hiding the bouquet of flowers behind his back. “Hey Sweetie.” He said as he closed the door.

“Chad! Hi honey.” She said as she turned off the television. “Is everything alright?” she asked.

“Well, I was thinking, and what if we got married tonight? We have a license, all we need is someone to perform the ceremony, and we really don’t even need that. We just need to sign the papers.” He said as he sat down at the foot of the bed.

“That’s just so romantic Chad.” She said dryly.

“Well, that’s why I found reverend Jacobs, from the Methodist Church. He said he would marry us if you wanted it to happen tonight. Reverend, you can come in.”

He came in, he was probably the same age as Chad, with sandy blond hair and blue eyes. “Is there an agreement that you two wish to be married this evening?” he asked, his voice revealing a slight southern accent.

“Yes, most definitely.” Bethany said before Chad could respond, “But what about Lysa, I would want her here and Conner so he knows everything is legal now that the divorce went through.”

Chad handed her the bouquet and then went to the door and Lysa came running in, dressed in a powder blue party dress, followed by Conner in his normal jeans and t-shirt routine, and then Trista came in. “I’ve got it covered. We’ve got an efficient, and two witnesses, and Lysa. I think we’ve got it all.” He said as he reached in his pocket, “And these.” He then pulled out two platinum wedding bands, one for each of them.

Bethany smiled, “You thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“Well, blame it all on my little brother. When he was saying good-bye to me earlier he told me not to wait to get married if it was what I really wanted. And he’s right.” Chad said before kissing her on the lips for a fraction of a second.

Reverend Jacobs coughed, “Can we get started?”

“Of course.” Chad said as he stood next to Bethany’s bed and held her hand.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in this hospital room today, to unite Bethany and Chad in holy matrimony. If there is anyone here with just cause as to why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your piece.” There was silence before he began again, “Do you Bethany take Chad to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in the good times and the bad, until death do you part?”

Bethany smiled, “I do.” She said and gently squeezed Chad’s hand.

“Do you Chad take Bethany to be your lawfully wedded wife in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in the good times and the bad, until death do you part?”

“I do.” Chad said with the largest smiled he could possibly have.

“Could I see the rings please?” asked Reverend Jacobs.

Chad handed them to the minister who said a prayer and then handed the larger one to Bethany, “Please repeat after me, I Bethany thee wed you Chad with this ring.”

Bethany did so and placed the ring on Chad’s strong finger.

The other ring was then passed to Chad who did and spoke as told, placing the ring on Bethany’s hand.

“I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride.” He said and before he was even done speaking Chad was kissing his wife Bethany.

The Williams family House (Durango, CO)

Cassie and several of her friends had left to go to a movie down at the Abby Theatre, leaving Larry all alone for the time being. He walked around the house, straightening things here and there, getting lost in his own little world as he sang a long to My Sunset Girl on the radio, still not liking Kevin Lane. It was too late to think about that, Maggie had married him.

As this ran through Larry’s mind the doorbell rang and he went to answer it. Opening the door he saw a young woman, the same age as Maggie, but with dark, straight hair, and dark eyes. “May I help you?” he asked.

“I’m Ariel Baptista, I’m looking for Larry and Cassie Williams.” She said as she drummed her fingers against her leg.

“Oh! You’re the pageant coach! I’m Larry; Cassie is actually out with some friends right now. If we had known you were coming she would’ve been here.” He said as they stood in the doorway, “Oh come in.”

They moved into the living room and Ariel spoke, “I would’ve called but I was driving through Durango and thought I would stop by. I would like to talk to Cassie some time in the next few weeks and see if we could set up some training with her. I’ve seen her in competition, and she’s amazing. She could be Miss America, or Miss USA someday.”

Larry looked shocked, “Really? You think so?”

Ariel nodded, “Yes, if that’s what she wants I mean she could make it to the Miss Universe pageant. What will matter the most is if she really wants to be dedicated to this, and how far she wants to go.”

“When can we set up a meeting for you and her?” Larry asked as he sat down on the couch.

Ariel took out a day planner, “Well, I’ll be back down here on the 11^th to bring my younger sister back for the winter semester at Fort Lewis, We’ll probably get into town at four, so perhaps the four of us could go to dinner at say 5:30 and I could meet Cassie and see if I’m the coach she fits with and if not, I know several coaches through out the state looking for new girls to take on.”

“That’d be great, I’ll go put that on the calendar.” He said with a smile as he stood up and shook her hand. “Thank you Miss Baptista.”

“Thank you Mr. Williams, I need to be on my way. Have a Happy New Year.” She said as she put the planner back in her purse.

“Same to you.” He said as he walked her to the door, and watched what could be the person holding Cassie’s future in her hands leave.

Maggie’s Apartment

Maggie was pacing back and fourth in the living room, trying to figure out how to tell Kevin she was pregnant. Just as an idea struck her, he came into the apartment.

“Sweetie, is everything okay?” he asked as she looked up at him, worry dancing in her eyes.

“Well um, Kevin, everything is fine.” She said with a smile.

“Great!” he said as he set his shopping bags down, “I rented some movies for tonight, got some champagne and a few other things.”

“Champagne?” She asked, with a disappointed look on her face, though she realized he had no idea why it was a bad idea.

He looked at her confused, “Yeah, Champagne, for midnight. Oh and I stopped by the travel agent’s and got these.” He said as he pulled out two tickets for Nashville and handed them to her.

“Why did you buy one way tickets to Nashville?” she asked looking up at her husband, wondering if he had something he should’ve told her a while ago.

He nodded and unpacked the other things from his bags, trying not to make a big deal out of any of it. “Well, I need to get back to work, I’ve been here since the summer. Maggie I need to get back to Nashville, I figured you knew that. I need to get back there and it’s the perfect place for us to raise a family when the time is right. I have this great condo that’s three bedrooms, well two, I use one as an office and the other as a guest room.”

At the mention of a family Maggie went paler then she was from the winter weather.

“Maggie, what is it?”

“You want us to move to Nashville,” she looked at the tickets, “in a week? What about my job at the Imagination, and my apartment and my father and sister?”

“Its not a full on move at this, I figured we could go down there and you’ll see what a wonderful place it is. Also you don’t have to work anymore, I have more than enough money to support you and if we were to have triplets right now. I’ve been wise about saving money and such. How could I’ve been here for as long as I have with out working other wise? It’ll be great for us Maggie. We’ll be able to really start our lives together, the two of us.”

Maggie nodded, most of what he said made sense, and she smiled, “More like the three of us.”

“Three?” he asked and looked at her.

“Yeah, I’m pregnant.”

Dan and Abby’s Apartment

“Okay sis, you sure about this?” Dan asked as he looked at the bottle they had gotten at the liquor store.

Abby opened the bottle and smelled it, “Oh this is so good. You can smell the lime.” She said handing it to him.

Dan smelled it and smiled, “Okay, good choice sis.” He said as he took it to the kitchen area and took out to large glasses and filled them with ice before pouring some of the alcohol into the glass and then pouring in some cola.

Conner’s Apartment

Lysa and Conner were watching the Dick Clark special on television. Well Conner was Lysa was asleep, with her head on her father’s lap. Watching all the couples in Times Square was breaking his heart. Maggie was married to another man, who he hated. Bethany had just married Chad Davis, and everyone else seemed to be living these new lives, here he was the same he had last year, only now officially single.

A knock came on the door, it was soft and not too loud. He slowly got up and moved a pillow under Lysa’s head and answered it and saw Siobhan. “Hey Detective, what’s up?” he asked.

“I heard about the divorced and Bethany’s new marriage. And since I’m Kevin’s sister I know he’s of course with Maggie. I figured you wouldn’t want to be alone at midnight, and really I didn’t either.”

“Come on in, Lysa fell asleep about twenty minutes ago.” He said letting her in and then closing the door. “Have a seat, I’m just going to put her to bed.”

Conner went and picked Lysa up and carried her to her bedroom. Meanwhile Siobhan sat down on the couch and began watching the special. When Conner came back he sat beside her, “So is this how you imagined spending your New Years Eve?” he asked her.

Siobhan smiled and then looked at him, “Not one bit. Honestly a year ago I figured I would’ve found some guy to spend tonight with.” She looked down, “You know what I mean. Someone I’m not just friends with, it just has been a very long time since I’ve even had a date.”

“Don’t worry, I know what you mean. I know he’s your brother but I honestly thought Maggie and I would be together by now. I guess I was just wrong.” He said as he looked at the television.

“Yeah well at least you don’t have a boss that has a crush on you.” She said crossing her arms over her chest.

He laughed, “Come on now, Chief Becker? You think he has a crush on you?”

Siobhan looked over at him and looked directly into his eyes, “I’m pretty sure he does. Though all the stuff I have to do in this job, most of the time I don’t even feel like I’m part of the force. I mean my most recent assignment, I had to be on the committee to find a new Assistant District Attorney.” She rolled her eyes, “It was nuts, most of our applicant’s couldn’t even spell attorney. We found someone hopefully he’s good. I arranged for him to get Pam’s old studio apartment since she’s moving to Hawaii.”

“Wait Pam’s moving to Hawaii? Does she know that Sam is too?” Conner asked.

“I don’t think they’ve talked since she got engaged to Kip Davis on Thanksgiving, oh you should’ve seen that blow up.” Siobhan said trying not to giggle at the memory of Sam freaking out at the dinner table.

Conner shook his head; “Well I guess we’ll just have to wait for word from either Pam or Sam on if they run into each other in Hawaii.”

Siobhan sighed, “Yeah we will. So tell me Mr. McKay, what do you want to happen in the New Year?”

Conner thought for a moment looked at the TV and then back at his friend, “I guess I want what every guy wants, but normally wouldn’t verbalize. I want somebody, I want someone who could be a stepmother to Lysa, and who’ll be here when I get home from work. Someone I can have more children with.” He laughed, “Hell I’d settle for a nice one night stand at this point since the way things are going that might be all I get for a while.”

“You and me both.” Siobhan said as she uncrossed her arms. “But ya know McKay, you’ll get your girl. You’ll get the one you’re meant to be with, right when you least expect it.”

Conner smiled, “Yeah well you’re prince charming is gonna show up soon. Ya know us guys, we usually have really crappy timing.” He said as his mind flashed to when he and Maggie finally made love. “Sometimes we’re just too late. But you’re guy, I’ll bet he’ll be right on time. Or maybe its Becker, and you just don’t know it yet.”

“Yeah, cause I’m the kind of girl that falls for her boss.” She said sarcastically, but something else was in her voice and Conner picked up on it immediately.

His mouth was gaped wide open as were his eyes, “Siobhan Lane, you like Becker! You like your boss!”

“I do not.” She said, “Besides if you remember correctly, that psychic we went to when we were sixteen told me I would marry a guy named Shamus. A good Irish man she told me. You were close, but obviously not the one.”

“Oh I’m so hurt.” He said sarcastically, “Well what’s Becker’s first name?”

Siobhan looked away, “He won’t tell me. It’s some big mysterious secret. It’s probably something as simple as Joe.”

Conner looked at the TV, “Oh we only have a few more minutes, let me grab some ginger ale.”

“Oh you got the good stuff, huh?” she asked.

“But off course, you know it is a holiday.” He said as he got to the kitchen and got two cans of pop.

Pinõn Hallow Airport—Gate 7

Adel, Doug and Kip sat in the waiting area. Adel’s foot was moving back and fourth nervously, and Doug was looking around people watching.

“Mom, Dad, I’ll be alright. Besides, if things are too bad at there I can always come home. Right?” Kip said, with a sudden fear in his eyes.

“Of course you can son. If Heaven Beach is just too bad for you, just call and we’ll have a ticket waiting for you at the airport. All you have to do is pick up a phone, either call, leave a text message, e-mail, hell send smoke signals if you have to. Just let us know how you’re doing.” Doug said as he looked at his son, “We love you Kipland.”

Kip smiled, “You better giving me a name like Kipland Mortimer, there has to be some love somewhere.”

Adel just began crying, “My little baby is leaving home.”

Kip looked at his mother shocked, “Mom, its alright, remember I’m going to be living with your friend Phyllis.”

Doug rolled his eyes, “She’s a character, and you’ll be entertained, that’s for sure.”

“Flight 45 to Colorado Springs is now boarding.” One of the attendants announced over the loudspeaker.

Kip stood up and looked at his parents and took in a deep unsteady breath, “That’s my flight.”

Adel and Doug stood up and Adel immediately hugged him as if it was the last time she would ever see him. “I love you son.”

Kip smiled, the words he always wanted to hear at a moment of importance had finally come, “I know, I love you to.”

Doug pulled his wife off of Kip and then hugged his son, “Just remember son, this is the start of something new. This is your chance to shine, become who your meant to be.”

Kip pulled away and chuckled, “Thanks Dad, but Chad beat you to it. I got the speech earlier.”

Adel then looked around and then at Kip, “Speaking of Chad, where is he?”

Kip looked like the fox that just escaped with ten hens and then looked at the ground, “I think he was going to get married tonight. I might be wrong.”

Adel was speechless, “I love you guys, but I have to go and become the man that I’m meant to be.” He said as he picked up his carry on back and walked to the door, handing the attendant his ticket and walking away from his parents and from Pinõn Hallow.

Dan and Abby’s Apartment

Abby finished her fourth drink of the evening and looked at her older brother, “This is sad Dan. We need love lives.”

Dan got up and took their glasses to the kitchen and refilled the drinks. “Well it’s a new year, who knows we might actually get lucky for once.” He handed her hers and sat down, “but you better not get too lucky.”

Abby laughed, “Dan.” She said in what she thought was a whisper as she leaned closer, “I hate to break this to you, but I’ve already had fun.”

Dan covered his ears, “La la la la la la!” he sang to himself blocking out information he didn’t want about his baby sister.

Pinõn Hallow Airport—Gate 15

Pam and Sam were both in the waiting area, but on different sides, each hidden behind a magazine. Pam reading the latest issue of People, and Sam engrossed in the latest issue of Rolling Stone.

“Flight 86 to Los Angeles is now boarding rows 16-8.” Came over the loudspeaker and Sam picked up his carry on bag and got in line to board the plane. He was at the moment glad his brother and sister had made plans for this evening and that he’d been able to convince his parents not to say farewell in the middle of the airport. He was starting new, things were going to be different for Sam Adams from now on. He would no longer be one of the Delivery Boy’s, or one of the Twins. He would be his own person, even if people immediately thought of beer upon hearing his name. Life was going to be different now that he was starting his college education at the University of Ginger Falls. Besides, being in Pinõn Hallow didn’t matter anymore, not with Pam leaving to. She probably got some amazing job in Aspen, will fall in love with a ski instructor or another millionaire and get married and pop out a few kids.

“You’re ticket sir.” Asked the attendant.

“Oh sorry.” He said as he pulled it out of his bag and handed it to her.

“Have a nice flight sir.”

“Thanks.” He said before entering the tunnel and finding his seat.

Pam had put her magazine down and was starting to get impatient about boarding. She hated to fly, and this was just making things worst. Right now, all she wanted to do was get to Hawaii, and be away from Pinõn Hallow and Kip Davis, for forever. Even if it meant leaving Sam behind and what could’ve been between them.

“We’re now boarding rows 1-5.” Came over the loudspeaker.

Pam grabbed her bag and ticket and got in line. Thankfully it was moving quickly, and Pam was soon on the plane, finding her seat in row 3.

After stashing her bag in the overhead compartment she sank down into the middle seat and buckled her belt, and decided to immerse herself in the magazine.

As she read about the latest Hollywood break ups she had this urge to look around the plane and she unbuckled her belt for a moment and looked around. She didn’t see anyone she recognized so she sat back down and decided to ignore anymore of those feelings.

Yet just as Pam was sitting down, Sam was standing up to stash something in his bag before putting it away, and missed seeing Pam looking around.

Chad turned off the TV and kissed Bethany on the forehead, keeping her from waking up. He then pulled the blankets up over her and left her hospital room.

Don’t, you don’t have to save my life
No, you’re not ready I can feel it
Outside it’s raining, but I’ll just go home
Someday your heart will just let him go

Midnight struck for Pinõn Hallow, and the Mountain Time zone, as Kip left his home he saw the city growing smaller as he got higher in the air.

As soon as you get that feeling
You can start to live again
As soon as the worst is over
You can make it all make sense
Right now I can’t give you what you need
As soon as you get the feeling... run to me

Maggie and Kevin toasted to the New Year with orange juice as they sat on the floor, among a pile of pillows under the chenille throw, with a mass of candles creating a faux fireplace.

Hush, you don’t have to say a word
Trust, I’m not going to hate you for it
Feels like my touch only brings back the pain
Someday those memories will fade away

Adel and Doug entered the house just as the large grandfather clock struck twelve. Doug pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her passionately.

As soon as you get that feeling
You can start to live again
As soon as the worst is over
You can make it all make sense
Right now I can’t give you what you need
As soon as you that feeling... run to me

Dan and Abby lifted up their glasses of what looked like plain pop, but with how they missed when they tried to clink the glasses to toast the New Year, it was probably more.

I be brave enough to say good-bye
I’d die inside without you, oh
Can’t you see it’s hard enough to walk away
Don’t look at me you make me wrong,
I’ve been through this to make me strong

Conner and Siobhan watched the ball drop in Times Square and then opened the cans of ginger ale and toasted to a new year. Placing the can’s on the coffee table hey looked at each other and without thinking they let their lips connect like magnets as they kissed.

As soon as you get that feeling
You can start to live again, oh
As soon as the worst is over
You can make it all make sense
Right now I can’t give you what you need
As soon as you get that feeling,
As soon as you get that feeling… run to me

Pam looked at her watch, as the second’s drifted away and as it got closer to midnight, the pilot came on and did a countdown and the steward threw confetti and poured champagne. Sam brushed the confetti off, wondering if this was going to be a new years eve he would remember for the rest of his life, or if the only part of today he really remembered was the kiss with Pam before he left.