Episode 4.07

210 Shavano Court

Maggie walked away from the door and found herself sitting on the stairs. “You’re moving here? But why?”

Allie sighed, closing the door behind her as she went to the stairs where her daughter sat, “You really don’t get it do you Maggie?”

“Obviously I don’t. You walked out on us, you didn’t let us know about Gary, Cassie grew up without you, and why because you were afraid you wouldn’t have Gary?”

“There was more then that.”

Maggie threw her hands in the air, “explain it then.”

“I wanted to help others who’d been through this. That’s why I would go and talk to patients in Nashville.”

“That’s the only reason your even here now isn’t it? You want to use me as a case study?”

Allie took Maggie’s hand, “No, I’ve spent the past year trying to figure out how to make things right.”

“It’s too late.” Maggie stood up, shaking her hand free from her mothers. “I’m all grown up, I’ve been married, I have a home, a great job, and the love of the most wonderful man on the planet.”

Allie smiled, “That’s wonderful, I’m happy for you.”

“Save it. You and I are not going to be friends, its too late for that.”

“It is not!” Allie stood up and looked at her daughter, “I know I’m a pretty crappy mother, but I love you, Cassie, and Gary. I’m here now, at least I’m trying. I’m going to be here for you and Cassie.”

“What about Gary?” Maggie crossed her arms over her chest, staring her mother down.

“I’m here for him to. He’s happy in Durango with your Dad, I’m not going to pull him out of that situation when he’s doing so well.”

Sighing she leaned against the banister, “Where are you going to live?”

Allie smiled, “I rented a house, on this street.”

“No, no, no way.” Maggie became flustered as she knew exactly what house her mother was speaking of.

“I’m afraid so, I’ll be right next door.”

The Boys Apartment

The last few minutes of Pretty In Pink played on the television. The room was filled with the buzz of people talking. Cassie stared at the television as that last moment between Andie and Blaine played before her. She took a last sip of her third beer and placed the bottle on the table.

She went over to the sliding glass door and opened it, stepping out onto the patio and breathing in the fresh, Durango night air.

“Hey, you feeling alright?” Patrick stood in the doorway, a bottle of water in his hand.

She turned and smiled, “Just a little dizzy.”

“Here, drink this.”

Cassie took the bottle and cracked open the lid, “Thanks.”

“I know none of what’s happened could be easy on you Cass.”

“I’m fine, really.”

Patrick leaned against the green wooden banister, “Cassie, we’ve known each other for how long?”

“Nursery school, I remember when you cried because you didn’t have your blanket one day.”

“Yeah, but the point is we’ve known each other forever, well almost.”

“So what about that?”

“Jeff was my best friend, I know he cared about you. He was over the moon for you.”

Cassie cringed, knowing this was the last thing she wanted to talk about tonight, “Patrick, I know all that.”

“But what you don’t know is that I knew it made him so happy to go to Prom with you. It was his dream come true.”

“I feel guilty.” Cassie finally said as she looked out towards the Fort Lewis College campus, “I mean I lived, and he died. I know I shouldn’t but I do.”

Patrick reached out and took hold of her hands, “God wanted him, he needed him for something.”

Cassie sucked in a breath, “You know don’t you?”

Patrick nodded, “That’s what was in the letter, right?”

Cassie sucked back a sob, before breaking down.

Patrick pulled her into his arms and held her close to him as she cried, “You made his dream come true though. He had the moment he wanted.”

Cassie didn’t answer, she just cried as Patrick held on to her.

Pinõn Hallow Park

Abby took her pace and slowed down as she entered the park. The cool evening air was refreshing after being by Dan’s bedside for a few days. So she took her father’s advice and got out. A run sounded like a good idea at first but she didn’t realize how much she needed this time to herself until now.

She stopped at the water fountain and took several gulps of water.

“Look, those are fireflies.” The haunting voice of Chad Davis filled her ears as she looked around and saw him holding his younger sister Isabella as they sat on the park bench.

Isabella giggled as she reached out for them, and then began clapping.

Chad smiled, and Abby realized it was probably for the first time all day.

“Chad, how are you?” Abby stood in front of him, her heart racing—and not just from the run.

“Abby, what are you doing out this late at night all alone?” Chad placed Isabella back in the stroller between Del and Fallon.

Abby turned her attention to the children, “I was running, I had to get out of the Hospital for a while. I was getting cranky and bitchy towards Dan. And there’s no fun in that if he’s unconscious.”

“I’m sorry about that. I know how close the two of you are.”

Abby smiled, “Yeah, but you know he’s going to be fine. I believe it, I know it, I trust God that he will be.”

“That’s great.” Chad stood behind her, “I heard you’ve been put on the prosecution’s witness list.”

“I can’t really talk about that. But I think it’s more of a character thing then anything else.” Abby kept her eyes on the kids, “I should go.”

“You’re happy with Ethan, right?”

“Yeah I am.” Abby turned and smiled, hiding her true feelings, “I gotta get running. Good Luck Chad.”

Before he could say anything more, she ran off toward Main Street.

Conner’s Apartment

Lysa sat on the couch watching a rerun of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, she couldn’t get away from it. TV Land was airing an episode, as was Nick-At-Nite, so she gave in and watched it. Really not caring what was happening to whom.

“Lysistrata, may we talk?” Conner sat a plate of chili cheese fries on the coffee table.

“About what?” She sighed before taking a fry.

“Why this happened. When did you and Sean start talking online?” Conner’s heart was like a horse racing the Kentucky derby, his palms felt like damp wash cloths.

Lysa chewed on the fry and then put the pillow she’d been hugging aside. Her eyes were glued to Will Smith on screen before she answered, “While you were gone.”

Conner nodded, “I’m sorry about that, I was trying to get out.”

“I know you were, but things happened. Grace locked you in her basement, and Sean tricked me. I was so vulnerable I fell for it and ya know I kept going with it. Then before I knew it, I couldn’t get out. I was convinced it was right, that it was normal.” She sighed and looked up at the popcorn style ceiling, “Then I met Brent, and what he said made sense. Now I have nightmares, but not about Sean or Doc, but about what happened to Brent.”

Conner nodded, “I wish I could erase this, but I can’t. I’m sorry, but together we can make this better.”

“How Daddy?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know yet, but we’ll find something.”

Lysa reached for another fry, “So when do you and Maggie plan on telling me your engaged?”

Conner smiled, “How did you know about that?”

“I was only half asleep when you asked her.”

“Well then why haven’t you said anything until now?”

Lysa smiled and cocked her head to the side, “I could ask you the exact same thing. Along with why you haven’t gotten her a ring yet.”

“We wanted to make sure you were alright first.”

“Daddy, I’m fine, and I’ll be better with each day. And I’ll be even better if you and Maggie finally stop beating around the bush and get together.”

Conner hugged her, “You really are a good kid, and I love you very much.”

“I love you too Daddy, how about you go and get Maggie a ring tomorrow.”

“Only if you help me pick it out.”

“I promise!”

Pinõn Hallow Jail

Sean McKay tossed and turned on his bed as he heard the footsteps of the guard coming towards the cell next to his. “Back in there Simpson.”

The door opened and quickly slammed behind it Brighton.

Sean rolled over, “How was court?”

“Bad.” was all Brighton replied, “Davis is gonna get off Scott free, especially if that cop that arrested him doesn’t wake up from his coma.”

Sean sighed, “I just shot the jackass, he hit his head on the way down.”

“How’s your problem?”

“My mother hates me, my brother wants to kill me. Things aren’t as bad as I thought, at least not until the trial starts. I just wish I could get out of this. I didn’t do anything wrong.” Sean believed everything he said to Brighton.

Brighton looked out towards the hallway, “Listen, I know some people who can help you out. Just say the word and it’ll all be taken care of.”

“Really? How?”

“However you want them taken care of.”

The Boys Apartment

Cassie looked up at Patrick, his crystal like eyes spoke for him as he leaned down and his lips pressed against hers.

Patrick lifted her off the ground slightly as the kiss deepened, Cassie’s fingers raked through his night sky hair.

Music came from Cassie’s right pocket but she ignored it, knowing now was not the time to talk on the phone.

“Patrick.” She murmured against his neck as his lips tasted the sweetness of her neck.

“We should stop.” His hands slid to her waist, inching towards her bare skin.

“Yeah but I don’t want to.” She kissed him again, her body pinned against the green, wooden banister.

“But not here, everyone’s here.”

Cassie pulled away, “You’re right. But I know a place where no one is right now.”

“Where?” he pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.

“You still have that blanket in your car?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Grab it, and I’ll show you.”

Memorial Hospital—Dan’s Room

John Adams sat next to Dan as he read from a mystery novel he’d found laying around Dan’s living room.

Lydia Adams stood in the doorway, watching her husband with her son. Her husband had come back to her, and now she just had to wait for her son to return as well.

After a few minutes she stepped into the room, “Dr. Raleigh informed me that there’s been more activity in his brain, things are looking better.”

John looked up, “Now he just needs to open his eyes, you hear that son?”

“He does, he’s just being stubborn. I think Abby chewed his ear off earlier. He probably has to rest from that first.” Lydia stood at the foot of Dan’s bed, “You’re gonna wake up soon, right Daniel? I mean you wouldn’t keep us waiting too long, right?”

John stood up and hugged his wife, “Want some coffee?”

“That’d be wonderful, thanks.”

“No problem.” John kissed her forehead before leaving the room.

“Come on Daniel, you can’t leave us you know we love you, and we need you.”

Middle of the Woods

Cassie held Patrick’s hand as she led him into the woods, a flashlight guiding their way.

“Cassie, where are we going?”

“Some place with the best view of town.” She told him before they reached a clearing that gave way to a view of the town.

“This is awesome, how did you find it?” he looked out at the city line, seeing only a few lights from downtown on.

“After pageants I come out here to think, to decompress.”

“I can see why.” Patrick began to spread the blanket out.

Cassie sat down next to him, looking up into his eyes once again before feeling his lips on hers.

“Are you sure about this?” He asked as his hand slid her shirt up.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” She reached over to kiss him once again, before she took the step.

The Garden’s Hotel—Elijah’s Room

“Nigel, could you tell me where’s that new vineyard located?” Elijah asked the man who looked over a file.

Nigel looked up and smiled, “I believe it’s just outside of a town called Pinõn Hallow, Colorado.”

Elijah walked around his room and smiled, “Perhaps I should reconsider buying it. I think a trip to Colorado is in order, don’t you?”

Nigel looked at his boss, “Sir, I think that perhaps this isn’t just about the vineyard, but about the young lady you met and have been spending time with recently.”

“Nigel! Would I really do something as chase after a woman in this manner?” Elijah acted shocked.

“Sir, I’ve known you since you were in prep school, you would. Especially if she’s captivated you the way Miss. Lane has, in fact I’ve seen you captivated before, but nothing like this.” Nigel began to put the files away.

“I’m more then captivated Nigel, but it doesn’t matter. Siobhan is returning to her life. We come from very different worlds, and in all honesty I think I was just a vacation fling for her.” Elijah opened bottled water, “Besides, what would she want with me? She’s a police detective and I’m, I’m a—“

“A prince Sir?”

“With out power Nigel. It’s a title, that’s all.”

Nigel watched his boss pace around the room, “But you expect she’ll think differently if she knew the truth, correct?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“Sir, I’ve always known the truth. I think if you are more then a vacation fling as you put it, her feelings for you won’t change just because of a title.”

Elijah took a long sip of water, “Then we’ll find out soon enough. Get the jet ready for a flight to Colorado.”

“Very well sir.”