Episode 4.19

Eric’s Bedroom

Eric stood in front of the mirror that hung on the door, trying to get his tie right. The blinds were still drawn as Cassie slept in his bed. He’d been up most of the night with her as she cried and sat in silence. He ran his hands through his short hair and put on his glasses since his eyes had dried from wearing his contacts too long.

The bedding rustled and Cassie sat up, she studied Eric for a moment. “Where are you going?”’

Eric picked up his jacket and looked at his friend, “Maggie’s funeral is today. I’m going. You should go to.”

Cassie shook her head and took a deep breath, almost choking on the air as she was once again reminded her older sister was gone.

Eric grabbed a bottle of water out of his mini fridge and ran over to her, “Cassie, I know she’s your sister but if you don’t go, then you’re going to hate yourself for the rest of your life.”

Cassie took the bottle of water from him and climbed out of the bed, “Eric, you just don’t understand.” She ran her free hand through her blond hair, and tried not to blink in fear she would start crying once again. “I can’t say goodbye to her. I can’t say goodbye to Maggie.”

Eric pulled Cassie into his arms, “Kiddo, I know its hard, she was everything, including your role model. But would Maggie want you to hold on, and act as though she was still here? I know this hurts, I know it sucks Cass, but you have to say goodbye. I’ll be right there with you.”

Cassie pulled away and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt, “I’m sorry Eric, trust me I really am. But I just cannot believe that Maggie’s gone yet. Part of me just hasn’t accepted it yet.”

He reached out and took her hand, “Then all the more reason to go today.”

She could feel him squeeze her hand in a sign of strength. “I still can’t go.”

Eric released her hand and sat down on the bed, “What about your father, mother, Ariel, you’re little brother Gary. They need you to be there.”

Cassie covered her mouth and began to cry again, “Little Hardy.”

“What?” Eric tried to cover his confusion as his friend burst into tears again.

“The baby, he’ll never get to know his oldest sister. He’ll never know Maggie.”

Eric reached out to Cassie and pulled her down onto his lap, wiping the tears away with a piece of tissue that lay on the bedspread. “All of them, they need you to go. They need you to be with them. You’re the big sister now. You need to be there for your parents, and for your little brothers. Both of them. I’ll be with you every step of the way. I promise.” He kissed her forehead and stood her up, “I’ll be down in the car. You’re dress is over there in the closet. If your not down in ten minutes, I’ll leave without you.”

Cassie said nothing, she just sat back on the bed and watched as Eric left the room, leaving her alone for the first time since she had found out Maggie had died.

She looked towards the door, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was messy, but workable. Her eyes puffy and red, which matched her blotchy skin from the emotional roller coaster she’d been on the past several days. School had started and she’d gone to class. Thankful that nothing really happened the first few days in freshmen classes.

She stood up, took the brush off the dresser and brushed her hair out.

Conner’s Apartment

Conner stood in the bedroom he’d had from the day he married Bethany. A woman he had loved as a younger man. They weren’t meant to be though; he was never really heartbroken when she left. The hurt he felt then was for his daughter Lysistrata. Then Maggie had come into his life. From the moment they met, she was the ray of golden sun in his dark, lonely world. He had loved her, lost her, and loved her again. Now he had lost her once more, and now he had no chance of getting her back. He didn’t have to win her heart from some musician, or a doctor. The cruel touch of death had claimed her for his own, so soon after they had married.

“Dad?” Lysa snapped her fingers trying to get her father’s attention out of his daze.

“What?” Conner looked down at his daughter who held two ties up.

“Which one?”

Conner studied each and reached for the pale blue one and began to put it on.

Lysa laid the other one out on the dresser. “Maggie gave you that one right?”

Conner just nodded.

“She’s still with you Daddy.” Lysa stood in the doorway. Her arms crossed over her chest. “Just like Mom’s still with Chad, myself and the twins.”

“It’s just not fair.” Conner’s words were barely audible, just as a breeze swept in from the open window, wrapping Conner in the summer warmth.

“Of course its not. You were just married a week ago. Its not right. Its not fair.” Lysa hugged her father and put her head on his shoulder, “Maggie was happy though Dad. The way she looked at you when you two got married. Her dreams came true. She got her prince charming.”

Conner looked down at his daughter, “Thank you Lysa.” he kissed the top of her head. “And your right. Maggie was happy. I was happy to. I just wish it had lasted longer.”

“We all do Daddy.”

Conner sighed and looked in the mirror, “I guess we should get going.”

Lysa nodded and pushed some hair behind her ear, “Yeah.”

Ethan and Abby’s House

Abby put the newspaper down on the coffee table as she looked around for her black pumps. She got down on her hands and knees, and found it under the nearby chair. As she pulled it onto her foot she realized that the obituary section laid open. She stood up and picked the paper back up. The one sentence that hit her the most was, “Last week, Maggie married Conner McKay.”

“Abby?” Ethan came down the stairs and looked at his wife.

“You ready?”

Ethan shook his head, “Not really, but funerals are never easy.”

Abby nodded in agreement and put the paper back down and then picked up her purse as she went to the door.

“Do you think my cousin will be there?”

“Kip?”

“No, Chad. I mean he and Conner were both married to Bethany. Plus they’re friends.”

Abby closed her eyes for a moment, “I’m sure he will be. But Chad isn’t someone I could ever really be sure about.”

Ethan nodded and let his wife walk out of the house. As long as Chad stayed away from her at the service today, he wouldn’t destroy the memorial for Maggie.

Abby came back inside, “Ethan, are you coming?”

“Yeah, I’m right behind you.” He grabbed his keys and the went out the door.

Hallow Hills—Pool House

“Fallon, get back here!” Chad chased after his young daughter as she ran around the living room, refusing to put the dress on. He finally caught her and looked at her, “Please sweetheart. Put this on for Daddy?” She shook her head, “Please, come on who else would be Daddy’s little girl?”

She smiled and as she stopped squirming, Chad started to get the dress on her. The light blue flowered summer dress had been one Maggie had suggested he get for Fallon, only a few weeks earlier. As he looked at his daughter, he couldn’t help but feel the pain he’d gone through loosing Bethany.

Now here he was getting his children ready to say goodbye to a woman, who’d been a friend. He knew Maggie was the love of Conner’s life. He might find love again, but it wouldn’t be the same. As much as Chad had loved Bethany, he knew that she wasn’t the love of his life, and he wasn’t of hers. Lysa, Fallon, and Del were. And here they all were without her, all being raised by their fathers.

Fallon began to squirm again and Chad put her down just in time to hear his cellphone ringing.

“Chad Davis.” His voice was filled with melancholy as he answered after hitting the speaker function.

“This is Bianca Francis the editor of Metro.”

“Yes, what can I do for you?” He asked just as he saw Del run into the room with his teddy bear.

“I’m calling to offer you a position here at the magazine. You’d need to move to New York of course. But we came across that old article you wrote about that cult. It was amazing, so we got a hold of some of your more recent columns from the Pinõn Hallow Herald, and I must say I am impressed. We’re looking for a monthly column on being a single father whose raising his children in today’s world.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Chad confessed as he kept his eyes on his children.

“Mr. Davis, this offer is only available now. This is what you’ve always wanted, right?”

Chad looked around the pool house this was his home. There was no way he could leave it right? “When do you want me there?”

“You’ve got by Monday to be here. See you then Mr. Davis.”

Chad sat down on the couch as he hung up the phone and looked over at the kids who were both looking at their father. He opened his cell phone again and turned if off, “Alright Kids, we’ve got to go say goodbye to Aunt Maggie.” He sighed, the kids wouldn’t even know her, and yet if Maggie hadn’t been in Conner’s life, these kids wouldn’t be with him now.

PHPD

Dan Adams glared at the computer screen for the Pinõn Hallow Herald as he sent in a classified ad, searching for a new roommate.

“Dan, let’s get going.” Siobhan Lane stood over his desk; her black pantsuit appeared to be too thick for the summer heat.

He pressed send and stood up, buttoning his coat. “How’s Conner doing?”

Siobhan shook her head as she picked up her purse from her desk before walking out the door. “He’s not well at all. But he just lost the love of his life.”

“Really makes you think huh? This is just stupid.” Dan kicked the wall as they waited for the elevator.

“I know, I really know.”

“First Pam gets murdered by her psychotic older brother in Hawaii and now Maggie got killed riding a jet ski, just day’s after Sean McKay and Brighton Simpson broke out of prison.” Dan sighed just as the doors open and they got on.

“Oh my God.” Siobhan pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number she had called more times then she cared to remember in the past few days. “I need you to be on the lookout for two fugitives, Sean McKay and Brighton Simpson. I think they might have rigged the jet ski that killed Maggie McKay.”

As she closed her phone Dan looked at her straight in the eyes, “You think they could’ve done this?”

“Brighton Simpson, faked his own death, kidnapped your sister, of course he could’ve. Sean McKay, you know what he was involved with. Both are twisted enough to do something like this.”

“And let me guess, no mention of this to anyone right?”

Siobhan nodded, “Not at all. The family has enough on their minds already.”

UMC of Pinõn Hallow

Ethan stood at the pulpit looking around at the sanctuary and how full it was. Conner sat between his daughter Lysa and his Mother Fiona at the right side. While on the left side sat Maggie’s father, mother, stepmother and younger brother. Her sister Cassie wasn’t there.

“At this time, I would like to invite Maggie’s family and friends to say a few things about her.”

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you’re far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure

Siobhan took a deep breath as she looked around, “Maggie was a great friend. At one point she was my sister-in-law, but even then I knew she belonged with Conner. You could always tell when he came to her mind, the way the sparkle in her eyes would change, or the smile would cross her face. When Maggie was planning the wedding, you could see just how happy she was. She had found the one, and she wasn’t going to let him go again.” She released a sigh and wiped her eyes, “I’ve learned from Maggie, love is out there and when you find it grab it and hold on tight.”

Don’t wanna close my eyes
Don’t wanna fall asleep
’Cause I’d miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing
’Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

“I remember the day Larry and I brought Maggie home from the hospital. We were in our first apartment still. We were so happy to have our daughter home with us. Larry and I stood over her crib all night watching her as she slept, catching her as she breathed.” Allie looked over at the large picture of Maggie taken a couple of months ago when she and Conner announced their engagement. “I’ll always love you Maggie.”

Laying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I’m wondering what you’re dreaming
Wondering if it’s me you’re seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we’re together
I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever

“I first met Maggie when I was eighteen, we were in a pageant together. I remember this girl ripped her hem on her dress and Maggie pulled out a sewing kit and helped stitch it up, not caring that this person was after the same crown. This was just the first of many times Maggie helped out the people around her. Over the next few years, I knew I had to be on my toes because Maggie Williams was around.” Ariel stepped down and sat back down next to her husband.

Don’t wanna close my eyes
Don’t wanna fall asleep
’Cause I’d miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing
’Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

Gary walked up the two steps and stood in front of the picture of his oldest sister. He placed a white rose next to the urn before turning to face everyone. “Maggie was my oldest sister.” He paused and looked around at the pictures of her, “But I didn’t get to grow up with her. When I first met her and Cassie, I couldn’t believe they were my sisters. Both blond and fair like my mother. But Maggie made me feel welcome, you could tell she was happy to have a brother. I just wish she knew how happy I was to have her as my big sister.” He looked over at the picture of her from one of her pageants and then he heard the back door of the sanctuary open.

I don’t wanna miss one smile
I don’t wanna miss one kiss
I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Cassie looked around at all the eyes on her. The graceful, quite entrance she had planned hadn’t worked out as well as she’d hoped. She just gave a simple nod and took the first seat she could find. Thankfully she was next to Eric.

Don’t wanna close my eyes
Don’t wanna fall asleep
’Cause I’d miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing
’Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
’Cause I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

“I only met Maggie a few weeks ago, she came to me asking to use the vineyard for her wedding day. She was so full of life, love, and dreams that I couldn’t say no to her. I only wish I would’ve gotten to know her better, and be able to call her a friend.” Elijah started back towards his seat, allowing his eyes to lock with Siobhan’s.

Don’t wanna close my eyes
Don’t wanna fall asleep
’Cause I’d miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing
’Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing

Ethan looked around once again, “Is there anyone else who would like to say something?”

Conner was pale, the grief had engulfed his being. Larry wasn’t much better. It appeared that no one else would speak up.

Just then Cassie walked forward, and then turned to the congregation. “Maggie was my sister, my best-friend, and my role model. When I was a little girl all I wanted was to be just like my big sister. I wanted to be a princess just like she was. I was too young to realize she was doing pageants, but I followed in her footsteps. I took her advice when I needed it. At times I tried to give her advice. The only thing that makes me smile right now is knowing that Maggie was happy. She was with Conner. She had found the man she loved. Her life was where she wanted it to be.”

Don’t wanna close my eyes
Don’t wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don’t wanna miss a thing

210 Shavano Court

The dining room of the house was filled with people looking at the different casseroles that had been made for today. Comfort food. Eric brought a plate over to Cassie who sat on the window seat watching the wind blow in the tree’s outside on the sunny July afternoon. “Eat something, please.”

“Okay.” Cassie took the plate of food and began to eat.

“Thank you.” Eric gave her a weak smile and then left her alone.

Larry stood at the entrance watching his daughter when his ex-wife came up, “I think this has hit her the hardest, besides Conner of course.”

“I know, I wish there was something I could do, but there’s not.” Larry just watched his daughter study the outside world. “I’m worried about her too since school just started.”

“I know but Larry I am here in town. She won’t be alone.” Allie reminded him as she turned her attention towards the living room, and she watched Gary holding baby Hardy.

“You’re right she won’t be. Ariel and I discussed it last night. We’re moving to Pinõn Hallow. We’re taking over the lease. I’m taking a leave of absence from Fort Lewis.”

Allie nodded, “Well I’ll be next door if you never need me.” She started to walk away when Larry took her hand.

“Thank you Allie.”

“They’re my children, I love them.”

Hallow Hills—Library

Doug handed over a file to Clay Sapp who stood across from him at his desk. “I want them found, I want to know where they are, why they’re there, what they’re doing there.”

Clay took the file, “Of course Mr. Davis.”

Doug stood up and looked at the young man, “You are to tell no one that Adel has left with Isabella. Is that clear?”

“Of course sir.” Clay nodded as he started towards the door.

“Mr. Sapp, if I find out you told anyone about this, I’ll hunt you down like the dirty dog I know you are.” Doug warned as he held his letter opener in his hand as a warning.

Clay gulped, “Not a problem sir.”

“Good, I’m glad we’re clear on that.”

Monroe Clinic—Dominican Republic

Adel looked around the office as she waited for Doctor Melinda Monroe to return with the test results. She wasn’t ready for this. Her stomach was in knots; she never should’ve allowed Jeff to talk her into this, any of this. She just wanted to be back with Doug in Colorado with Isabella, with Chad and his kids.

“Mrs. Davis, I just have a few more questions for you.” Melinda sat down as she went over the chart.

“Let’s get this over with.” Adel’s arms were crossed over her chest as she felt exposed because of this whole examination.

“You’ve been pregnant before, correct?” The doctor took out a pen to write the answer.

Adel closed her eyes for a moment, her breathing uneven, her palms sweating, her heart racing. “Yes, when I was sixteen years old.”

Melinda nodded as she made a few more notes, “And you carried to term, correct?”

“Yes.” Adel gave a short nod.

“A healthy child?”

“As far as I know yes, I wasn’t allowed to see her after the delivery. I gave her up for adoption.” Suddenly she felt better, less nervous having said it out loud for the first time ever.

“I see.” Melinda looked over the chart. “Well Mrs. Davis, you’re a healthy woman. Not at peak age to be having a child. You’re brother-in-law was so worried about you though. Obviously you haven’t told him about the child you did have. You should have no trouble conceiving, except with your husband.”

“Why is that?”

“You’re allergic to his semen.” Melinda shook her head as she stood up, “That’s why the two of you never had a child together.”

“That’s all, nothing’s wrong with me besides that? No complications from my pregnancy?”

Melinda smiled, “None at all. If you to wish to conceive, then all you need to do is find a sperm donor, just not someone related to your husband. Just to be safe.”

“Thank you so much.” Adel stood up and went to the door.

“You’re welcome Mrs. Davis, if you do decide to conceive, please know that I’ll do all I can for you.”

Siobhan’s Apartment

Siobhan picked up the phone for the fifth time and dialed the Nashville number. It rang several times before the machine picked up again. “Hi Ya’ll you’ve reached Ophelia and Kevin, we can’t make it to the phone at the moment so please leave a message and we’ll get back to you soon.” The female voice reminded Siobhan she needed to kick her baby brother’s behind at some point.

“Kevin, its Siobhan. This is the fifth message I’ve left you so call me back right away.”

“Hey sis.” Kevin interrupted the message, “What is so important?”

“Where have you been?” Siobhan’s voice was filled with anger and sadness.

“Ophelia and I went to Mexico.” Kevin’s voice was a stark contrast, filled with joy.

“What were you doing in Mexico?”

“Ophelia and I got married last week. It was a small ceremony, just her, me, her brother Alan, Mom and Dad. What’s wrong?”

Siobhan sighed, “Maggie and Conner got married last week as well, on Saturday.”

Kevin laughed, “Wow, same anniversary. Crazy world, is that why you called?”

“Not exactly, Kevin, its just that, um well.”

“Siobhan, what is it?”

“Maggie’s gone Kevin, she was killed on her honeymoon.”

For a moment Siobhan was sure that Kevin dropped the phone, “What do you mean Siobhan?”

“She was on a jet ski and it blew up. It’s gotten some national coverage so I wanted to make sure you heard it from me.”’

“How’s Cassie taking it?”

“Better then she was. She almost didn’t go to the funeral today.”

“And Conner, how about him?”

“He’s a shadow of himself.”

“Kevin, honey who are you talking to?”

“My sister, I’ll be right there Ophelia.” He paused for a moment; “I’ll call you soon Siobhan.”

Before she could respond she heard the dial tone. “Jackass.” She threw the phone down on the couch just as someone began to knock on her door.

“Elijah.” She almost gasped as she saw him standing at her door.

“Siobhan, may I come in?”

“Yes, of course.” She moved aside and watched as he walked into her apartment that seemed suddenly very small.

“I came to see how you’re doing. I know Maggie was your friend, and Conner’s been your friend since you were a child.” His voice was soft.

“Well as you can see I’m alright.”

“You look upset.”

“Oh I was just on the phone with my brother. He’s younger has the tendency to piss me off being the big sister and all.”

“Oh but of course. I guess I should leave.” He went over to the door. “If you need anything at all, come find me. I’m here for you.”

Davis Hall 817

Jack’s lips were on Amanda’s as they sat on her bed, his arms pulling her closer. His hands sliding under the hem of her shirt, touching her skin, feeling her warmth skin on his finger tips.

Amanda pulled back, “We need to slow down.”

“You’re right this is too soon.”

“Yeah, too soon.” Amanda stood up and looked out the window at the view of the soccer field, “Jack, I’m a virgin. I’m going to wait until I’m married to have sex with someone.”

Jack was quite for a moment, “I respect that. I do.”

“Thank you.” Amanda leaned against the wall facing the door, just in time to see Cassie walk in. “Hi, how are you doing?”

“Better.” Cassie went over to her closet and started to take out her pajama’s.

“Ya know what it’s dinner time. Let’s get to the union Amanda.” Jack got off the bed and went to the door.

“Yeah if you need anything just let me know.” Amanda picked up her book bag, “Jack and I are gonna be in the fish tank tonight studying, so you won’t have to deal with a roommate or anything.”

“Amanda, you don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but you need some Cassie time.” Amanda followed Jack into the hall.

Cassie quickly changed and went over to her laptop. She went straight to her e-mail and began to read through the messages, stopping once she saw Patrick Arnold’s name in bold. She clicked it closed before lying down on her bed, curled up with her teddy bear.

Moonlight Bar and Grill

Preston Layden sat at a table in the corner watching as people moved about drinking away the late afternoon, early evening hours. Pretending things weren’t as bad as they really were for them. He looked down at his cell phone once more at the text message Clay Sapp had sent him earlier. He didn’t like being here, not when he was trying to get custody of his daughter back.

Clay sat down across from him, smiling. He was a cat who just had a nice serving of canary.

“What the hell are you so happy about?”

“You’re getting your daughter back.” he picked up a handful of nuts from the bowl the waitress had placed there when Preston arrived.

“You know where she is?” Preston tried hard not to get excited.

The waitress was back, taking drink orders. Clay went for a Corona, while Preston opted for a soda.

“Well, what the hell is going on?” Preston asked again looking around to make sure that no one was listening in.

“Doug Davis hired me to find his wife and Isabella, not to mention his brother whose suddenly gone MIA after arriving at the house one day with a copy of the divorce papers Adel and Doug signed, and were finalized in the Dominican Republic. Jeff Davis then announced that he and Adel had gotten married.”

Preston rubbed his forehead, “Then go find them.”

“I’m not done, Davis handed over tons of papers. I also know that his brother is in love with Adel. What else would a man want then to make the woman he loves happy. The only thing Doug never did was get Adel pregnant.”

“I’m really not following you right now.”

“The Monroe Clinic, it’s in the Dominican Republic. It’s a fertility clinic.”

Kyle’s Office

Trista opened the door of the office, the blinds were drawn the lights off, the desk chair facing the window. She closed the door, and saw the chair start to twirl around.

“Kyle.” A female voice that didn’t belong to Trista spoke.

“Not so much.” Trista responded as she came face to face with a barely dressed Sally Payne.

“Ahh!” Sally covered herself with her arms as she glared at Trista, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see Kyle, what are you doing here? And why are you half naked in my boyfriends office.”

Sally stood up, “You’re boyfriend, he’s my boyfriend.”

“No, he’s mine. We’re back together.”

Sally laughed, “Over my dead body.” She got right up to Trista’s face.

“Do you want to test that theory?” Trista asked getting right close up to Sally.

“Oh really?” Sally asked before she pushed Trista away, and she almost fell over the desk.

A moment later Trista pushed Sally back, their hands clutched clumps of the others hair as they pulled, and scratched each other, knocking things over throughout the office.

Java Jet

“Yeah I’d like a Venti Carmel Frappucino.” Kyle ordered his drink from the barista.

“Name.”

“Kyle.”

The barista rang in the order, “3.67”

Kyle handed him a five dollar bill, got his change and went to the other end of the bar.

“Tall, mocha.”

“Name.”

“Carsyn.”

“Like in Daly?” The barista’s eyes lit up until she saw it wasn’t the former MTV VJ. “3.21”

Carsyn handed over exact change, and then tossed a few coins into the tip jar before finding himself next to Kyle in line.

“I’m surprised you’re here.” Kyle tapped his foot making small talk with Carsyn.

“Why is that?”

Kyle looked over at the man that he’d found Trista in bed with on New Years Eve. “I just meant I thought you’d be at the funeral.”

Carsyn looked at the ground, “I did go, I hid in the back. It was awkward for many reasons.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.” Kyle said just as he heard his name called, followed by Carsyn’s

“I know you didn’t.” Carsyn took his coffee and went over to a table.

Kyle followed with his and sat across from him.

“So what brings you to the mall, besides the Java Jet.”

Kyle reached into his pocket and took out a black box, “I’m proposing tonight, officially, finally.”

“Trista will be thrilled.”

“I know. I’m not going to make any grand plans I’m just going to do it.”

Carsyn laughed, “Probably for the best.”

Abby got up from the table with what was left in her venti sized up and started towards the door when she walked into Chad.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” Chad looked down at the ground, afraid to look into her eyes.

“How are you doing?”

“I’m good, actually just have to get a few things from the office before I leave for New York.”

“Oh, Vacation?’

“No, I’m moving there. I got offered a job with Metro Magazine. The kids and I leave tomorrow.” Chad looked into her eyes, searching for some clue to her true feelings for him. For a moment he thought he’d saw it but realized he was wrong.

“Wow, Congratulations.” Abby’s stomach tied into knots, her heart felt as though it had dropped to her feet. “Well I guess this is goodbye then.”

Chad shook his head, “You already said goodbye Abby. At the cabin.” He pushed past her and disappeared into the office.

For the first time Abby realized things were really over with her and Chad.

DI—Laura’s Office

Laura Davis looked at the card that came with the latest set of flowers Christian Quick had sent her.

“Laura?” John Adams stood at the door of the office. The light from the sunset painted him with an purple glow.

“John, did we have a meeting?”

“Not exactly.” He took a few steps into the office. “I wanted to bring you my latest manuscript personally.”

Laura looked confused; “You couldn’t drop this off with your editor?”

“This actually isn’t my normal book.” He stood in front of her desk, placing the stack of papers in front of her.

“What is it then?”

John blushed as she picked up the pages and began to flip through them, “It’s a collection of fantasy’s I’ve had over the years—about you.”

Laura stopped and looked at him, “John you went back to Lydia.”

“I know, and yet nothing changed. Except for one thing.” He moved to her side and spun her chair so she faced him. “I think of you every night before I fall asleep. Every time I take a shower I think you could end up there with me. I’ve always wanted you Laura. I’m an idiot for admitting it, but its true.”

“John, Christian and I are getting back together.”

“And I’m with Lydia.” John cupped her face in his hands, watching the sunset in her eyes, “There are ways around it Laura.”

“What are you suggesting John?”

“I’m suggesting that we take what time we can and be together. Like tonight, spend tonight with me.”

Laura sat there unsure she would even be able to speak and then she heard her voice, “Yes.”

John smiled before feeling his lips press against Laura’s, with all the passion and needs of over two decades releasing.

He broke the kiss suddenly and put a key down on the desk from the Shavano inn. “Tonight Laura, you and me.”