Episode 3.06

Pinõn Hallow Mall—Adel’s Office

Adel watched the thirteen-inch television and couldn’t believe the morning news. This was going to make the holiday season just that much worst. Already she had to find a new Santa Claus for the Christmas village, and three new elves as well. She had barely even started her own shopping and now she had to deal with one of the managers getting arrested! She never really liked Grace Waterside, but felt it was only right to give the young woman a chance. If she had only waited a couple of weeks she could’ve given Maggie the store back.

Adel pressed the buzzer on her desk for her secretary, “Could you leave a message at the Java Jet for Maggie Williams to come see me as soon as she has a moment? Thank you.”

Everything would be fine, she would have it all in order and then she could think about Isabella’s first Christmas, and how Kip would miss it. She drummed her fingers on the desk as her eyes set on her address book. A smile crossed over her determined face as she picked up the book and began looking up Slater.

“Slater residence, how may I help you?” answered the young female voice on the phone.

“I’d like to speak with Phyllis, or Kip.”

“Mrs. Miller the phone’s for you.”

Adel cringed when she heard the verbal back and fourth between Phyllis and the younger woman. “Hello Darling, this is Phyllis.”

“Phyllis, its Adel. I hope I’m not interrupting anything. I just wanted to extend an invitation for your family and Kip to join us here in Pinõn Hallow for the holidays. I understand this is short notice of sorts, but better late then never I assure you.”

A friendly chuckle came through the other end, “Well Darling, I believe Kip and I will most definitely be there. I’ll have to get back to you on the others, they have all gotten so busy with this or that lately.”

Adel nodded even though Phyllis couldn’t see her, “Could I talk to Kip?”

“Oh darling, he’s off in classes I believe right now. He’s been studying like crazy, though if you ask me I think it’s the girl in his history of language class has caught his eye.”

“Well that’s good I think, if you could just let him know he’s expected home. Besides I would really like for him to meet his new baby sister Isabella.”

“Don’t worry Kip and I will be there with Bells on.”

Methodist Church—Ethan’s Office

Ethan went over the list of families signed up for the advent candles, and a list of carols for the upcoming services. He was lost in his work, except when his mind would fall upon Abby. Especially when he saw her family was signed up for the Christmas eve service, which meant one thing. Lydia Adams was trying to show the whole town how close her family was, with one son gone and her other children living away from home. It was also probably a way to remind the single young women that Dan was available. Sometimes he had to wonder how Lydia could be their mother.

“Ethan, I hate to interrupt but I found something.” Clay Sapp stood in the doorway, his khaki pants with a crisp line, and the white linen shirt, with the cuffs rolled up.

Ethan felt his heart pounding, his hands shaking as he looked at the man who had found his father, and could have perhaps just found out who his mother is. “What did you find?”

Clay took a nervous few steps into the door, “I found out who your mother is. I know where she is, all of it, except of course why.”

“Who is she?” Ethan’s eyes pleaded for the information.

Clay took out the envelope and put it on Ethan’s desk, “Make sure you’re ready for this information.”

PHPD—Becker’s Office

“Adams, McKay I just want to say thank you for responding last night before you were actually on duty.” Becker told them as he leaned back in his chair almost hugging his coffee cup.

“It’s our job.” Dan replied, as he got the feeling something major was going to be asked.

Becker leaned forward, “Social Services is short staffed right now, I need you to do me a huge favor.”

“What’s that?” Dan folded his hands on his lap.

“I know you just got back into town. However Grace Waterside had a child. A two year old daughter named Jasmine. With Grace in holding with out bail thanks to ADA Roberts, the child needs to be sent to her father.”

“Where?” Sean McKay scratched his head.

“Ginger Falls, Hawaii.” Becker said reading the piece of paper, “To a Max Waterside. Apparently he’s the local weather man down their.”

“No problem at all sir.” Dan smiled.

“This isn’t a vacation. You’ll get their, turn the child over to her father, and fly back the next day.”

“Oh I understand, it’s just my brother is their and it’d be great to surprise him.”

“Good, then your going Adams. Besides I think it’ll be better for McKay and his family if he sticks around town considering it was his brother.”

Hallow Hills

A light snow from the night before had left a few inches on the ground as it began to snow again. Chad had both Del and Fallon bundled up in little snow outfits and he took them to enjoy the first real snowfall of the year. Abby stepped out from the house, her jeans only visible from under the thick winter coat, and high snow boots. Chad looked up and for a moment he felt whole. A smile graced his face as she snapped a picture of him and Del. Fallon was crawling towards her father, and Abby snapped another picture.

“Are you just going to be camera happy?” Chad asked of her before being blinded by another flash.

“Do you want them to have no visual representation of their first snow? I didn’t think so. Besides they’re just too cute.” Abby clicked a picture just as Fallon reached Chad and he picked her up.

“I guess you have a point, but you’re here too. They should have proof of that as well.”

Before Abby could object Chad was standing next to her taking the camera from her as he put Fallon in her arms. They stood staring at each other for several moments before she and the kids went over into the snow. Chad started to snap pictures finishing off the roll of film.

Pinõn Hallow Airport

Laura stood off to the side, watching as John raced into the arms of Lydia in the terminal. She took a long slow breath as they walked away and she walked out. Yes, she knew breaking up their marriage was wrong but John was pulling himself towards her as well. She hadn’t set up the kiss the night before, but she couldn’t have dreamed of anything more special, or perfect in her life.

Pinõn Hallow Mall—Adel’s Office

Maggie walked in to the open office, “Mrs. Davis, you wanted to see me?”

“Oh Maggie, good come in.” Adel stood up and motioned to the chair across from her. “As I am very sure you know the manager position for Imagination Clothing is open, and I’d like you to take it. I know you have the Java Jet.”

Maggie nodded, “I would love to be back at Imagination, but what about the Java Jet. If I leave who’ll take over?”

Adel looked at a pile of applications, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll find someone. Just be back at Imagination tomorrow.”

“Thanks, I need to get going. My father and Step-mother are picking up my siblings today. Thank you again Mrs. Davis.”

Home Cookin’

Jeff Davis stood in the almost finished restaurant looking at several styles for the uniforms. He heard the bell over the door open and didn’t look, “I’m sorry we’re not open yet. come back the day after Thanksgiving.”

Ethan cringed, “Father.”

Jeff turned around, Ethan had never called him that and the tone told him this wasn’t good. “Ethan, what can I do for you son?”

Ethan sat down at the counter and put the piece of paper the Clay Sapp had given him earlier, “Tell me about my mother.”

Jeff looked down at the paper, and looked at the name he was so sure he was going to see. “All I’m willing to say is I loved her, she was married though and well she let me go before I knew about you Ethan. I’m sorry, that’s all I can tell you.”

“Do I have any siblings?” Ethan’s eyes seemed to be trimmed with tears.

“A sister and a brother, both younger.”

Hallow Hills—Isabella’s Nursery

Doug held his cell phone to his ear, “Yes I need an eighteen pound turkey, you were suppose to have delivered it yesterday.” he demanded as he walked into his daughter’s room and saw Kathryn standing over the crib. He glared at her for a moment, “Get it here in an hour.”

“Hello Doug, I’m surprised Adel hasn’t called me about my note.”

“Get away from Isabella, now Kathryn before I have you thrown out.”

She laughed, “It’s going to end Douglas. I mean my gosh Adel is going to freak out when she finds out you had a child with me.”

Doug quickly put a hand to Kathryn’s throat, “Adel is never going to find out, do you understand that? I will kill you before that happens, trust me I can do it.”

She started to cough, and gasp for air.

“Now get out before I call the police.”

Kathryn quickly ran to the door, and Doug could hear her go down the front stairs. He picked up Isabella, “Don’t worry darling, no one is going to keep you from me or Mommy. Just like no one could do that with Chad and Kip.”

Hallow Hills—Chad’s Room

“Mr. Davis, I have the pictures from earlier. I dropped them off at the one-hour photo. I figured you’d want to see them soon.” Abby said as she placed the paper packet on the night stand.

Chad smiled, and for a moment noticed how beautiful she looked with the light from the moon and snow from outside his window behind her and the soft glow of his bedroom light, “Thank you Miss Adams.”

“Have a good night, I should be leaving. Del and Fallon are all tucked in and fast asleep.”

Chad looked outside once again and jumped off the bed and stopped her at the door. His face just a few inches from hers, his heart racing like a horse at the Kentucky derby, “I don’t think its safe for you to drive. That’s the last thing any of us need right, you’re brother the new cop finding a way to accuse me of purposely injuring you if something were to happen out their.” Chad ran a nervous hand through his dark hair, “You can use the room next door. I promise it’ll be fine.”

“Alright that sounds fine. Besides Dan has to go out of town this evening cause of that Waterside woman they arrested last night. He won’t even know so you don’t have to worry about his temper and any accusations that something is going on here.” Abby smiled and nodded.

For a moment Chad wondered if this was her telling him nothing romantic could never be, between them. He wasn’t sure but when she smiled he had a feeling it was actually a sign that she was aching for him to kiss her, as much as he was aching to do so.

65 Princeton Drive

“Grandma, why won’t you tell me where Dad was all this time?” Lysa asked for what felt to Fiona to be the millionth time as the young girl went for the television remote control.

Fiona grabbed it from the teens hand and shook her head, “I told you no television, you’re father will be here any moment.”

Lysa rolled her eyes as the front door opened. She looked up and saw her father, Conner standing in the doorway, covered in the falling snow. “Daddy!” Before she knew it she was running towards her father.

“Lysa!” He said with joy as he held his daughter in his arms, “I swear you’ve grown!”

“Just a little Dad. I’m just so glad to see you.”

“I never thought I would see you again.”

Lysa pulled away and looked at her father, “Dad, where have you been all this time?”

Conner looked over at his mother and then back at his daughter, “Lysa, honey. I was kidnapped, Grace locked me in her basement and threatened my life, your life, and Maggie’s. Last night though, Maggie went to the basement window and saw me inside. So she called Siobhan, and she along with the Chief, and you’re uncle and Dan Adams rescued me and arrested Grace.”

“Oh Daddy, I’m so glad you’re alright and you’re back. Don’t ever leave again.” Lysa held onto her father for dear life as she held back tears.

“Don’t worry honey, I am never leaving again. I promise.”

Hallow Hills—Guestroom

Abby lay in bed, watching the snow fall outside. She reached over to the empty spot next to her, and it wasn’t Ethan she was thinking of. It was Chad. She sat up and pulled her socks on her feet and went to the door, putting her hand on the knob, but unable to turn it.

Chad stood outside Abby’s door. His hand ready to knock, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. All he could think of though was look at the door longingly.