- Charlene began to develop a drinking habit.
- Mac confessed his feelings to Cassie.
- Leia arrived in Stone Creek.
- Clifton threatened Cassie with marriage or a custody battle.
[.....]
[.....]
Scene One:
980 Cutler St., Stone Creek. Faustino Cottages #7
Charlie, Kirsten & Megan’s Cottage.
“Mommy, Mommy!” Megan Sutton screamed as she jolted out of bed and down the stairs of their warm little cottage. It had been a long couple of hours as she tried desperately to hold her excitement in waiting for Santa Claus to leave her presents under the tree.
The echo of the little girl could be heard bouncing off the walls and into her parents bedroom, where Kirsten Sutton rolled over and wrapped her arm over her husband’s bare chest. “Good Morning,” she whispered as he basked in the winter chill.
“Good Morning.” Charlie replied. “Merry Christmas.”
Kirsten leaned up and kissed her husband as they shook the slumber from their eyes. Laying next to her husband made Kirsten realize how thankful she was to be sharing pillows and cold feet with him. Snuggling into his chest she giggled lightly.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Can you believe it has already been another year?” Charlie asked, lifting his head up.
He pulled his wife closer, feeling the warmth of her body entwining with his own. “I can hardly believe it has been another month.” Kirsten replied.
“I’m the luckiest man alive.”
Kirsten thought back to when she would run into Adrian Stone and wish that she could share another moment with him. How she would feel like she could be herself around him and he wouldn’t judge her one bit. She then looked up at Charlie. “I think I’m the lucky one.”
There was a break in their routine.
Charlie pulled Kirsten into another kiss as their daughter could be heard shuffling around downstairs. They knew that Megan must have started opening her presents by now. But neither wanted to get out of bed. Not until they heard the ringing of the doorbell.
“I’ll get that.” Charlie spoke, moving in the bed.
His wife patted his chest. “Let me.”
Pulling her nightgown on, she turned to Charlie who smiled back at her.
“Merry Christmas!” Chimed the voice of her mother, Helen Schmidt. Her voice was so loud and demanding that it traveled all the way up to their bedroom and still gave them the chills. The couple shared worried looks as they realized that having Helen around would be similar to getting coals for Christmas.
Kirsten gulped, moving towards the door to distract Helen from bursting into their bedroom.
[.....]
Scene Two:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek “Thurlow Cottage”
James, Caitlyn & Aidan’s Cottage.
Looking at the tree, Caitlyn Thurlow couldn’t help but tweak the little things that bothered her. She was never one to be considered a perfectionist, but the holiday’s had always brought the nitty-gritty out of her. Caitlyn held an ornament in her hands.
It was a little brown bear glued into a golden rocking chair with the name ‘Danielle’ etched into its seat. Hanging it on the tree, Caitlyn stepped back. Finally happy with the way it turned out, Caitlyn smiled. “Now everything is perfect.”
“It has been perfect for hours.” James Thurlow chimed, causing Caitlyn to jump a little at his arrival into the Living Room. She turned to him and walked over for a hug. “I’m glad that you were able to recover that ornament from your belongings.”
“Me too.” Caitlyn replied.
She then looked at her husband and noticed the worry marks that ran along his face. Caitlyn knew that James had been getting little sleep lately, quite frankly after the call from Frank. She found it her duty to ask the question she had been wondering all day.
“Have you found Lucy yet?”
James pondered the question. “I don’t think she’s in Stone Creek.”
“But if she is?”
Caitlyn had no invested interest in Lucy Hahn, being a home wrecker. But if there was indeed a child involved she wanted to know the details. Caitlyn sighed. She had always had a fondness for children. Especially children who didn’t know both of their parents.
“The important thing we need to focus on right now is our family.” James told her, he looked at the tree that Caitlyn had decorated. “Having all my children here with us today will boost our spirits. I cannot wait until Emmet arrives with Iris.”
“They’re coming?” Caitlyn asked, excited.
James nodded.
“Good.” Caitlyn looked at the tree as it glimmered in the room. There wasn’t any other holiday that made the Thurlow Living Room glow with warmth, not like Christmas. “Having Emmet here will complete the family and having Iris here will only bring more joy!”
“I’m glad that we don’t have any more secrets in this family.”
Caitlyn flashed back to when she saw Damien Crenshaw on halloween. Her breath caught in her throat, looking at her husband she knew she couldn’t tell him about the incident. Although nothing ever came of the predicament, she knew that James would make a big deal out of it.
All Caitlyn wanted to do was keep Damien out of her life, she knew a restraining order would only make things worse.
[.....]
Scene Three:
745 W. Lavender St., Stone Creek. “Old Granger Manor”
Damien & Gillian’s Home.
From an outsiders perspective, The Old Granger Manor looked exactly like the haunting piece of real estate that had always caused uneasiness of the citizens of Stone Creek. The old garden’s of dark Iris’, reddish black in pew day-lilies littered the lawn up to the giant brass gates.
A broken water fountain, void of the life it once held snuggled under an old willow tree.
The stories of the families that lived in the estate, before Damien Crenshaw moved his schemes into it, were picture books of resources on the chiseled stone of the building.
But inside the Manor things were different. Gillian Sutton had found time to decorate the place in pastels and creams, just like a summer home the family had owned when she was a little girl. While Damien was away she had brought in some old oak furniture to brighten up the place and give it more of a cheery history.
“Open it.” Gillian Sutton insisted, her laughter uncontrollable.
Damien eye’d his fiance carefully, unaware they were getting each other Christmas gifts this year. “I thought you said no surprises?” He spoke.
Her lips creased, forming a smile. “I know. My mother is off making Thanksgiving appearances and Christmas cookies with my brother and his family but she hasn’t once come to see me. You’re the closest thing I have right now Damien and I just wanted to show you.”
“You already do.”
The duo looked down at the box that Gillian had carefully wrapped. A glowing red ribbon on top. “Well then, lets see what it is, shall we?”
Both thumbs slipped under the edges of the wrapping and began to open the present. It had been years since he actually celebrated a Christmas, especially after his marriage with Caitlyn fell apart. A watch. Damien Crenshaw pulled the titanium Rolex out of the box and held it in his hands.
“Gill, it’s stunning.” She smiled proudly. “I’m just disappointed that I didn’t get you anything this year. How about we go out for dinner tonight? Maybe to Sisypean’s and buy out their entire stock of wine for old times sake?”
Gillian remembered when the two of them met and how exhilarating their courtship had been. “That sounds like the best idea I’ve ever heard.” Then she remembered what today was. “But it’s Christmas and I doubt that Sisypean’s is open today.”
“Then another day?”
She agreed. Gillian dived into her pocket when her phone alerted her to a text message. It was the message that Gillian had been waiting for, looking up at Damien she tried to hide her troubled look. A contrived smile on her face, she texted back and then slipped her phone back into her pocket.
“Another day for sure. But today, lets get that Rolex on your wrist so that you can always be on time for dinner.” Gillian shuffled over to her fiance’s side and helped him with the watch. Slipping into his embrace and trying to make sense of the text message from earlier.
Scene Four:
2634 W. Parker St., Stone Creek. Callahan Condo’s #29
Taylor & Dizzy’s Condo.
“Tell me again how you got out of that mess?” Dizzy Roberts asked from her position in front of the stove. She had spent all day with Taylor and Mac Kern celebrating the Holiday. It was almost enough to keep her from missing her family back home.
Taylor Kern walked into the kitchen and rubbed Dizzy’s shoulder. “Mac ended up telling our mother that he was the one who wet the bed. I don’t know if she believed Mac since human pee doesn’t normally smell like cat pee, but it was enough to get her to leave us alone.”
“We kept Mr. Cuddles until his leg was healed properly and our mother never let on that she knew.”
Dizzy smirked. “The two of you seemed like a great duo back in the days. I’m sure you’re glad to have Taylor back in town? I know how hard it is not to have your best friend around when you need them most.” She thought about her recent relationship with Gail and how it has smoothed out.
“Anyways, how are things with Cassie?”
Her name caused Mac to frown. A frown that Taylor noticed. “What happened?”
Dizzy Roberts turned the stove off and placed her hands on her hips. “Who are you guys talking about?”
“Cassie Lakhani.” Taylor informed, he locked eyes with Mac. “She was with him the night I came over for Thanksgiving and they seemed to be in the middle of something intimate--which I’m terribly sorry for by the way. I don’t really want to be known for the cock-blocking type.”
“Always so subtle.” Dizzy chimed. “So what happened? You finally tell Cassie that you care for her and she just blow you off? Maybe you should just forget about her. A lot of times, Mac, somethings just aren’t meant to happen you know?”
He turned to Dizzy. “So what? Just stop pursuing Cassie?”
“You obviously don’t know my brother like I do.” Taylor looked at Mac. “What Dizzy is trying to say is that maybe right now isn’t the best time to keep trying with Cassie. She told you that she didn’t want to take things to the next step? Maybe you should respect her wishes.”
“I don’t think Cassie wants this.” Taylor and Dizzy both looked at Mac, intrigued on his revelation about Cassie. “She didn’t tell me any specifics but I don’t really think Cassie wants me to stop pursuing her. The last couple of months we’ve been getting closer.”
“But you said-”
“I know.” He dropped onto his brother’s couch. “On Halloween night when we took Lucian to the hospital Clifton Briggs found us there together and although he didn’t really say much. He was angry about the fact that she didn’t tell him about Lucian’s accident.”
“So you think it was his idea?”
Mac nodded.
“Well then maybe you should try to win her back.” Dizzy knew how it felt to have to be keeping a secret from someone else. She knew that everything with Gail and Adrian was mostly because she thought it was the best to go with Gail’s wishes. “There’s going to be a New Years Eve Party, maybe we can go together?”
Taylor smirked. “That’s sweet, but we’re sort of in the middle of something right now.”
“Not you!” She snipped. “I’m talking to Mac. I heard a couple people talking about the New Years Eve Ball being hosted at the Lakeside Inn. If I can get us on the guest list how would you like to accompany me? We can make Cassie Lakhani jealous.”
“That’s a desperately terrible idea.” Taylor replied, rubbing his forehead.
Mac smirked. “Lets do it.”
[.....]
Scene Five:
2121 Mason St., Stone Creek. Hoffman Village Apartment #34
Ian Kiefer’s Apartment.
Marina Thurlow thought back to the present that Ryan Bauer had gotten her. It was extremely thoughtful of him but at the same time made her think back to when they were together and their only problem was Natalie Marlowe. Now Ryan was off spending vacation with her?
She sighed.
“What is it?” Ian asked, looking at the present that Marina had brought over. It was big enough to need his help bringing it up that his attention had only fallen all day on the present itself and not Marina. Which was probably for the best since her attention had locked on Ryan.
Marina pulled it over. “How about you open it and find out?”
He agreed and began to tug at the unevenly wrapped present. Inside was a beautifully painted picture. It had reminded Ian of the one he had at home before his mother had deserted him. Actually, it had looked exactly like the picture he left behind. “How did you-”
“I had one of my sources look into it. There were only a handful of these made and I dipped into my pocket to buy this one.” She stated, watching as Ian’s face grew with excitement. “I know it’s not the original but I remember you telling me how important it was to you.”
“It still is.” Ian chuckled. “Marina, this is amazing. Thank you so much!”
She thought back to Natalie and Ryan who were probably off in a cabin somewhere drinking hot cocoa, getting ready to go snowboarding. Natalie was probably laughing about how she had finally succeeded in snagging Ryan away from Marina.
Ian pulled Marina in for a kiss, which she graciously accepted. “Now for my present?”
The girl perked up, with all the things going on in her head she had almost forgotten about Christmas. It was the holiday where you give and receive, her intrigue only got the best of her. “What did you get me?”
“Just wait.” Ian replied, jumping up and walking over to his bedroom door. “It is sort of a present for Lucian as well. I couldn’t help myself while I was at work. His chubby little legs walked over to me and looked at me with beady little eyes.”
“You bought me Santa Claus?” Ian chuckled.
“No!” He opened the door and out ran a little baby Yorkshire Terror. Marina looked at Ian surprised, her words caught in the back of her mouth as the puppy waddled towards her. He had definitely been eating well, which caused him to lose his shape.
“A puppy?” She gasped, keeping her disappointment under-wraps. “Oh Ian, you shouldn’t have! You really, really shouldn’t have.”
[.....]
Scene Six:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. “Thurlow Cottage”
James, Caitlyn & Aidan’s Cottage.
“How was the flight in?” James Thurlow asked his only son, Emmet Thurlow. The two had made small talk for the past hour, talking about everything and anything. James had even tried to get information on Lucy Hahn to see if she had been thinking about coming to Stone Creek.
But Emmet seemed helpless to James’ crusade.
Iris Galloway took two fingers and moved her bangs out of the way, walking over to the father and son. She, along with Caitlyn Thurlow had been in the kitchen preparing the rest of the holiday dinner before the whole family arrived to celebrate.
“You should tell them about the good news.” Iris urged excitedly, taking her fiance’s hand.
“Good news?” Caitlyn asked.
She found her place beside James and smiled at the couple intrigued. “What good news do you have to tell us?”
Emmet licked his lips and ended with a smile. “Iris and I have given it a lot of thought and decided that we wanted to spend the New Year home, with the family.”
“So you’re coming down for the first?” Caitlyn asked.
But Emmet shook his head. “No, we’re coming down for good. We want to find our own place here in Stone Creek and settle down for good!”
“That’s brilliant news!” James basked, finding joy in all his children being in Stone Creek. He pulled Emmet into a congratulatory hug and then did the same to Iris, a ritual that was continued by Caitlyn.
Beyond them, in the Living Room. Kirsten Sutton looked out the frosted window. It had been a morning full of headaches as she had to explain to her daughter Megan that Helen Schmidt couldn’t come with them to the Christmas party.
Charlie wrapped his arms around his wife. “What are you thinking about?”
Startled, Kirsten clung to him. “Just that after we visit your mother at the mansion, we might as well go visit Helen at her house. For Megan’s sake that is. This morning after we pretty much kicked my mother out of the house, did you see the look on Megan’s face?”
“She was disappointed, that’s for sure.”
Kirsten bit the side of her lip. “As much as I hate to say it, Megan has surely become attached to Helen.”
She had never wanted to admit it out loud, but having Helen around was actually not such a bad thing. Although she botched the babysitting gig, it was nice to have someone around that Megan had taken a liking towards, Kirsten sighed. Hoping she was doing the right thing.
Cassie Lakhani pulled Lucian onto her hip and found Emmet Thurlow in the hallway talking to his father. She waited a couple minutes before she asked to bother him, making sure that the father and son got to spend time with one another. She thought back to Clifton and Lucian.
How would they interact in a couple of years?
“How have you been Cassie?” Emmet asked, taking a hold of Lucian’s hand and the both played a version of tug-of-war. “His grip is impeccable! I can’t believe how big he has been getting! I want you to know, now that Iris and I are moving back to Stone Creek. We will make all the baseball, basketball or football games he has!”
“You’re staying in town?” Her eyes widened in excitement. “James must be so excited!”
Emmet nodded. “He is.”
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Emmet asked, sensing that something was bothering his sister’s best friend. She looked at Lucian with a worried face. Then locked eyes with Emmet. “Is everything alright Cassie, you’re not in some trouble are you?”
Cassie took a moment, trying to think of a different way to get around involving Emmet in her troubles. But then she just spit it out. “Since you are staying in town, I was wondering if you would be able to represent me in a custody case against Clifton Briggs.”
[.....]
Scene Seven:
980 Cutler St., Stone Creek. Faustino Cottages # 12
Diem & Leia’s Cottage.
“You should have been there mother!” Leia Barsky exclaimed, she had been telling Diem Joplin about her semester overseas and her internship as a reporter. “I was able to visit Asia for a couple days and Africa! The wildlife out there was my favorite.”
“I always knew you should’ve been a veterinarian.” Diem replied in her motherly voice.
Leia rolled her eyes, jokingly. “If I were to have been a Vet, I wouldn’t have been able to travel as much and see these amazing animals. I loved Africa. There is just something about the whole continent that screamed homeland. I felt like I was learning about a part of me.”
“I’m glad.” Diem took a hold of her daughter’s hand. “I know growing up without your father was tough on you Leia. I know that I haven’t always been there to help you understand both of your heritages.”
“It’s alright.” Leia eye’d her mother.
Diem smiled. “How is your father doing?”
She had been trying to get information out of her daughter for hours, but Leia had been clever on how to avoid the subject. It must have been her knack she got from William after all. Taking a long drawn out breath, Leia replied. “William Maverick is doing well.”
“That’s good.”
Leia smirked. “Honestly mom, he has changed. I know the two of you have your own issues that you need to work out. But my father is a changed man and I would love for you to acknowledge that that is possible. That people can change who they are.”
“People can most definitely change, but have they truly done so?” Diem asked. “Or is it all just an act that they put on to encourage others into the lie?”
“Mom!”
Diem looked at her daughter. She had grown up to be a remarkable young lady and having her home was the best present that she could ever ask for. So Diem sighed, giving in to Leia’s needs. “Alright, we will just leave it at that. I do hope that William has indeed changed. Now lets get some things together, Uncle Jeremy wanted to see you while you were still in town.”
“I told you that I was staying for good.” Leia called, grabbing her coat and her mother’s as well. “Why do you keep insisting that I’m going to just decide to leave again?”
Diem shrugged. “I’m sorry, I’m just getting used to the fact that my baby is actually back in Stone Creek. It feels like it had been so long since I’ve last seen you Leia. I’m sort of scared to have you back.”
“Don’t be.” Leia pulled her mother into a hug. “I’m home for good.”
[.....]
Scene Eight:
341 Wallow St., Stone Creek. “Schmidt Home”
David & Helen’s Home.
As Adrian Stone brings in the gifts that they bought, Gail Schmidt waddles into the nearest couch. It felt like she had been out all day today. Although they only went to see how the house was coming along since Adrian had promised her they would.
“So, how long until you desert your father?” David Schmidt joked, a bit of sincerity in his tone.
Gail eye’d him. “You know I’d stay here forever if we didn’t have a baby on the way daddy. But now we need a bigger place and quite frankly, Adrian and I need to be on our own now as well.”
“I know baby.” David kissed her forehead, he then turned to Adrian. “How does the house look so far?”
“Good.” Adrian replied.
Gail noticed how the two men seemed to be getting along lately now that they had the scare with the baby over. She smiled inside as she took everything in. Soon they would have their own home and maybe next year they could celebrate Christmas in it.
Have hot cocoa and a big green Christmas tree. A couple logs in the fireplace and family to surround her. Gail even thought of inviting Helen to her home for Christmas next year. Then she scrunched up her nose, doing a mental count of everyone in the room.
“Daddy, where’s Helen?”
David shrugged. “I haven’t seen her in hours.”
“That might not be such a bad thing.” Adrian replied.
The three of them thought about how peaceful it was to just enjoy the holidays and not have to worry about any fuss. Now that Gail seemed to be healthy, although, every now and then she would feel a slight wooziness. Dizzy had informed her what to do, so Gail wasn’t too worried about it.
She slipped her shoes off and began celebrating the holiday with her father and Adrian by her side.
[.....]
Scene Nine:
Stone Creek; Now Town.
Sutton Enterprises; Patrick Sutton’s Office.
Helen Schmidt walked into the office, her curiosity had gotten the best of her after she left Kirsten’s home. Patrick Sutton had called and asked her to meet him here and since she didn’t have any better, more appetizing plans, Helen had decided that this was the place she would be.
Although she found it weird that Patrick had only one security guard manning the whole building on Christmas Day. But then she remembered that most people actually spent all day celebrating and hardly any of them would be at work. She made a mental note to give her security guards the day off next year.
If she remembered.
Patrick looked up from his paperwork when Helen entered the room. A dangerous smirk plastered on his face. “What do I owe the pleasure this time Patrick? Are you going to awe me with another fantastic speech written by your underpaid lackey?”
He chuckled. “I need you to do something for me.”
The intrigue began to sit in.
“Damien Crenshaw needs to be taken down.” Helen sighed, she looked around Patrick’s office and noticed it for the first time. He was definitely all about himself. The cockiness drooled from the wallpaper. “I cannot have that man running Stone Creek.”
“When are the two of you going to stop playing sword fights?” Helen snipped, her eye caught on a glass dolphin. Taking it into her hands she played with it. Eyeing Patrick, she smirked. “What do I get if I agree to help you take Damien down?”
Patrick walked around the desk. This caused Helen to place the dolphin back in its place, her attention now caught on something else. Something more intoxicating she tried to stand up straight and not stare at the unbuttoned shirt that Patrick was sporting.
How could he get any work done with half his clothes off? Helen gulped as he approached her, a mere inches away. “I was thinking of money, but you have enough. So I thought about your offer from a couple months back. If you help me take down Damien, Helen, you can have me.”
She bit her lip. “You always know how to keep me interested.”
“So what do you say?”
Helen placed a hand on his chest. His skin was radiating heat and it was causing her not to think straight, trying to control her breath Helen smirked. “Lets take down that son-of-a-bitch.”
[.....]
Scene Ten:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. “Thurlow Cottage”
James, Caitlyn & Aidan’s Cottage.
Aidan Jurado slipped in next to Kirsten and Charlie as they began to serve Megan her Christmas Dinner. They had spent most of the afternoon talking about the Lakeside Inn, developing appetites as they waited for dinner to be served by Caitlyn.
“I’m so glad that you’re back!” Marina hugged her older brother, lifting herself onto her tippy-toes to do so. “Having the whole family in Stone Creek is going to just what the new year needs. Just think about all the things we can do. Maybe we can have lunch tomorrow?”
“Sure!” Emmet chuckled, greeting Ian Kiefer as they made their way inside the house. He looked at his fiance, Iris and smiled. “I’m just glad that Iris was able to make the move happen. It was mostly her idea to move closer to the family, you know?”
Before Marina could thank her, Iris’ phone began to ring. “I have to take this, excuse me one second.”
She slipped out of the crowded hallway and into the Kitchen where she put the phone to her ear and made sure nobody was around. “I’m actually really glad that you called, I’ve been here at the Thurlow Cottage all day that I almost forgot that you were arriving in town.”
Caitlyn Thurlow made her way towards the Kitchen, she was going to call out to Iris as soon as she heard her voice but stood back in the hall when she overheard the conversation.
“Merry Christmas to you as well Luce.” Iris replied, she shuffled over to the stove and looked at the soup they had made earlier. It was definitely not her favorite dish, but she would endure it if she had to. “Don’t worry about a thing, nobody knows that you are in Stone Creek. If Frank saw you, I don’t think he made a sound.”
“Why would he anyways?” Iris asked, a small chuckle. “Then he would have to admit that it was possible for you to be carrying his child. Especially after he saw Sebastian with you at the Airport. Just settle into your hotel and I’ll be by soon to see the both of you. I bought Sebby a little Christmas present.”
Caitlyn gasped, covering her mouth.
[.....]
Scene Eleven:
507 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. “Wilkinson Cottage”
Gideon, Daphne & Penelope’s Cottage.
“I’m glad that you were able to get the day off to enjoy with the family.” Gideon Wilkinson spoke, his attention directed at his son Bentley Wilkinson and his fiance, Emily Roscoe. Having his family around him for Christmas was the one thing he always demanded.
It was a tradition.
Bentley smirked. “You know James wouldn’t even let me in the office if I wanted to.”
“Having Emily here is a good thing as well.” Daphne Wilkinson chimed in, patting the other woman’s arm as she held her glass of Chardonnay to her lips. The two woman had spent much time together, discussing Emily’s dream wedding. It was as if the family was finally pulling back together after Penelope’s diagnosis.
Emily leaned against Bentley. “I’m glad to be here, to be celebrating another Holiday with your family. I will admit, the thought of family was daunting to me at first. But now that I am surrounded by yours Mrs. Wilkinson, I don’t think I could feel any less loved.”
On the other side of the room, Greta Wilkinson played with her dessert. Forking the chocolate remains of her cake and feeding it to her boyfriend, Miles Fowler while he strummed a couple cords on his guitar. She had asked him to bring it so they could sing Christmas songs as a family.
But the duo have since been keeping to themselves this evening. Trying to bask in the fact that they have each other for Christmas. Gideon eye’d his daughter, he smiled at the fact that Miles seemed to have come to his senses and joined the family.
He made his way over to them. “Are we going to hear a song from you today?”
“Only if you join in.” Miles replied.
Gideon chuckled. “I’m not much of a singer, but my daughter surely is.”
Greta looked up at her father, bashfully. “How about we get the family together for some Christmas carols, you do know how to play Christmas songs on that thing, right?” His words seemed harsh coming from his mouth as he tried to sound as inviting as ever.
Miles nodded. “I know a couple.”
“Then lets gather everyone around.”
Penelope Wilkinson looked over at her son and downed her glass of Chardonnay, she leaned into Bentley and Emily. “Your father has had a few too many beers. If you haven’t noticed before, Gideon gets protective of Greta whenever he gets tipsy.”
“Be nice.” Daphne scolded, she walked around the couch. “We are all here to have fun.”
Bentley and Penelope snickered to one another, then both began to sing ‘Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer’, which received a scolding glare from Daphne Wilkinson.
[.....]
Scene Twelve:
1507 Mango Ln., Stone Creek. “Hollyoak Manor”
Patrick & Charlene’s Home.
“Hello?” Charlie Sutton called as he opened the front door to his parents home. It had been awhile since he had been inside the building, but no matter how long he went without seeing it. The place always came off as cold and deserted. Charlie turned to Kirsten.
Today the house seemed even more so than usual.
He had carried his daughter into the house, careful not to wet her new shoes. But when he didn’t receive an answer from either of his parents, Charlie put Megan down and explored the home. “Patrick, Are you home? Mother where are you? We brought Megan over to see you!”
Kirsten Sutton turned on her heel, her attention falling onto the Living Room door that was ajar. “Maybe she’s in here? Maybe she just passed out or something? We did tell her that we’d be by earlier, Charlene probably just fell asleep.” She insisted, opening the heavy doors.
The three of them stopped in their tracks, there before them was a mess of bottles. Liquid drenched the Holiday feel of the room more than ever before. In a pile on the floor lay Charlene Sutton, unconscious.
“Mother?” Charlie called, he rushed to her side, turning Charlene over and feeling for a pulse.
Kirsten covered Megan’s eyes. “Oh my god! Oh my god Charlene!” She shrieked, she ushered Megan out of the room and into the Hallway and to the nearest house phone. Dialing 9-1-1 as quick as her trembling fingers would let her, all the while trying to calm down her daughter.
“She has a pulse!” Charlie shouted, he looked down at his slumber mother. “She has a pulse, its faint but it’s here.”
How could this have happened, he looked around for any sign of foul play but only found the bottle of liquor she seemed to have collapsed onto. Throughout his life, Charlie knew that Charlene had favored her liquor but it had never been a problem before.
She would never be an alcoholic and surely, Charlene would never collapse due to alcohol poisoning. Kirsten returned to the Living Room, but Megan was nowhere in sight. He watched as Kirsten kneeled down next to him, her face a mess of tears.
“They’re on their way!”
“Okay.” He panicked, looking back at his mother. “Make sure Megan is alright, make sure Megan is okay.”
Kirsten nodded her head, dashing back into the Hall to check on their daughter.
She looked at piece, Charlie noticed as he looked down at his mother. As if all the stress and pain she had been pushing herself through had finally broken and left her body. Even her age didn’t shine through, her face seemed young again. Like the woman she was when Charlie was growing up.
Charlie kissed her forehead, hoping that the ambulance would get there in time to save his mother. To save the woman who helped him survive the wrath of Patrick Sutton.
[.....]
Next Time, On Concrete Shelves
- Aidan asks for advice from Charlie.
- Gillian goes down memory lane.
- Greta makes a shocking move.
- Lucy puts her plans into action...
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