- Taylor Kern and Aidan Jurado agreed to pursue a relationship.
- William Maverick moved back to Stone Creek.
- Marina Thurlow and Leia Joplin decided to go undercover.
- Rodney Burnett terrorized the Wilkinson family...
[.....]
[.....]
Scene One:
813 Crystal Hill St., Stone Creek. [Bayou Oaks Condos #21]
Aidan Jurado’s Condo; Bedroom.
Had he not been used to the way Aidan Jurado liked the temperature in his home, Taylor Kern, wouldn’t have felt as comfortable. But he had been practically living in the other man’s condo for the last couple of weeks and his body had adjusted to the frost that tended to occupy the space. The bedroom window rested open and a gentle winter’s breeze entered the room, the chill was enough to make Taylor draw the covers close to his boy -- but not enough for him to complain.
He knew Aidan’s body temperature was still -- even after being in Stone Creek for a year now -- stuck in his old habitat; Paris, France. Taylor rolled over and found his companion in mid-stir and groggily opening his eyes. “Good morning, sleeping beauty.”
The words had somehow left the warmth of his lips and made their way to Aidan’s ear because Taylor watched as his lips cracked into a smirk. How he loved to see the smirk that Aidan gave him, it was one of his favorite things about the man. That and how easy it was to curl up with him while he was exhausted; Aidan would let Taylor guide his tired body into whatever position he’d like.
“I was thinking...” Taylor started, he waited for Aidan to fully wake up. He knew that although Aidan was so willing to give his body to Taylor while sleepy... the younger man was hard of hearing while being half-asleep. So he patiently waited as Aidan woke up. A process -- Taylor learned could take hours if left to his leisure. “I really want you to hear me this time.”
Aidan moved his mouth around, which Taylor imagined his tongue was finding it’s bearings inside. “I’m listening,” the younger man protested, his eyes cracking open and shuttering closed. “What is it that you want me to hear?”
“Since neither of us have to work today,” Taylor started, he lifted his head up and off the bed, “how about we watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special this morning... it used to be a tradition for myself and Mac when we were little kids and I sort of want to share that tradition with you.”
“I have never seen it.” Aidan admitted.
This stunned Taylor who had jumped up in the bed and looked as if he were going to drop his jaw onto the floor. He reunited it with the rest of his face and frowned. “I... I really can’t believe that is true.”
Aidan kissed Taylor on the cheek and then leaned back in the bed. “But it is true... I know about the comic strips, when I was younger my grandfather used to read them to us when we would return here to Stone Creek for the Summer, but other than that -- the movies, I’m assuming those are what you are talking about... I have yet to see.”
“Then I guess we have no other choice...” Taylor trailed, he lifted himself off the bed and found the remote. It dawned on him how familiar he was with Aidan’s room... with his entire house, actually. If someone were to come over and ask for a specific item, Taylor would know exactly where it was. He smiled to himself at the thought and then climbed back into the bed, switching the TV on.
“We have to watch it now.” A cheesy smile -- Taylor curled up next to Aidan and kissed his cheek. “But I am going to warn you... I’m not really good at watching movies I’ve already seen. Especially this movie because I get really excited and I might ruin parts for you.”
Aidan laughed, he eye’d Taylor.
“I’m sure it is showing somewhere.” He switched the channels until he found the TV Guide and followed the instructions, finding the program almost instantly he turned back to Aidan. “Are you ready for this? Because my foreign lover--”
“Half of my family is from Stone Creek.” Aidan reminded him.
Taylor grinned. “But when you get really frustrated you start talking in french -- which is cute by the way, so don’t ever stop doing that. Besides, it really does sound sexier when I say the word foreign.” He placed his arms around Aidan’s shoulders. “It really turns me on.”
“I thought we were watching a movie?” Aidan asked.
But Taylor’s lips touched his and instantly he was distracted from their previous decision and found himself kissing Taylor back. They entangled their bodies and crawled around the bed. In the background the movie began, going unnoticed to either man.
[.....]
Scene Two:
549 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. [Wilkinson Cottage]
Gideon, Daphne & Penelope Wilkinson’s Home.
Penelope Wilkinson locked the front window in the living room and looked out at the snow. It was such a frivolous action to most people, but for Penelope -- she watched the front yard, almost guarding the place with her will alone. The months had passed by so fast that she felt like they had all become one great big month wrapped in a present and tied with a bow. She looked back in the home and found herself struck with the realization that Christmas was only three days away. The living room looked as if Christmas had thrown-up in it -- gobbled itself up and thrown-up once again. It was a mess of green’s and red’s with streamers and dazzling decorations. A tree stood sturdily in the corner of the room, Penelope felt as if she were in a magazine article.
But she knew it was her daughter-in-law’s way of coping with what had happened in this very room just three months ago.
“Penelope,” Daphne Wilkinson spoke, her tone calm and collected. “I didn’t hear you in here.”
The warmth of the room began to get to her as she tried not to read into Daphne’s words. They had felt as if Daphne was accusing her of something, as if Daphne -- too -- was on edge. “I just wandered in here not too long ago,” Penelope started, failing to mention how she had went through every room in the house to make sure the windows were all locked, “Gideon said he was going to the police station just to check-up on how things were going. I couldn’t help but notice that he has been gone for hours.”
Daphne looked at Penelope concerned. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?... I just wish I knew what to say or do, or think. It has been such a nightmare, Doc. Having that man in here and taking all of us hostage... he took so much! That bastard, he took so much and there’s not even a way for me to get revenge.”
“The best revenge is to live our lives.” Daphne explained, she wandered over to Penelope’s side, but the older woman shrugged her away. “Penelope, I know what you’re thinking but you can’t let him get to you like that... that man, that horrible man... I was the reason he came to harm this family. You should never take any blame onto yourself for what he did. We can’t keep living as though he has this huge significants in our--”
“He took it all away!” Penelope snapped, her mouth tightened up at the thought of her next sentence. As soon as it came to her mind she could feel her eyes start to water. Her body shook as she formed the next words. “He took everything away and then he... he brought my cancer back!”
“We don’t know that.” Daphne sighed, she shook her head. “We don’t know the specifics of it just yet. I already told you that yes, we think the stress of the situation contributed to your cancer coming back... but the specifics are very thin Penelope.”
Penelope turned away from her daughter-in-law. Instead of feeling closer during the holiday’s she was starting to feel so alone. “So you think I brought my own damned cancer back?”
“No!” Daphne protested. “We put the cancer in remission... which meant that at some point it could have come back. We all knew that... I didn’t think it would be this soon when it did come back, I thought we had more time so that I could find a way to get rid of it for good. But then everything started to happen and Rodney Burnett showed up!”
His name only made Penelope’s blood boil.
“I’m just saying that we can’t go back... I know this is hard for you to take right now but we need to stay united as a family and pray that we can get through this as a family. Rodney Burnett... that man, he tried to break this family apart but he didn’t succeed. We have to stay united in the fact that he didn’t succeed in that. So now we can focus on getting rid of your cancer.”
“But he did succeed.” Penelope angrily replied, she turned back to Daphne with tears in her eyes. “That son-of-a-bitch not only succeed in taking Emily Roscoe’s life... please don’t forget that Doc, because I know your son will not. Not only did he kill Emily, but he gave us something to be afraid of in our own home.”
Daphne gulped.
[.....]
Scene Three:
980 Cutler St., Stone Creek. [Faustino Cottages #7]
Charlie, Kirsten, Charlene & Megan’s Home.
For the third time, Kirsten Sutton hung-up her cellphone without leaving a message. It had been her fifth phone call to her assistant manager and the ninth time she paced -- in a circle, around the living room of her home. She stopped in one spot and looked out the frost covered window. Three days until Christmas and the person who was supposed to be running Alice’s Haven Cafe has not answered their phone.
So that just meant nobody was there.
Kirsten could only grow angry at the thought. She had spent so much of her money and time trying to build the cafe into a nice, friendly and available place for people to go to get their morning coffee; the key point being available, which it wasn’t today. She made her way over to her purse and placed her phone inside of it, then grabbed the bag and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” A voice asked from behind.
It was so subtle, so soft that she knew it was her little girl. Kirsten turned around to see Megan Sutton standing in the living room in her pajamas, she was standing next to her grandmother; Charlene Nelson. “I have to go to work for a little bit honey... it will only take a minute to sort things out.”
Megan’s face turned red. “But you said you were going to spend the day with me!”
The words broke Kirsten’s heart. She had indeed told her little girl that she would be spending the next couple of days there with her and her father, Charlie. But with the latest events unfolding she couldn’t just let the cafe go unopened for too much longer. “I did, didn’t I?” Kirsten bent down. “Megan, honey... I know I said I would spend the day with you but something has come up at the cafe and it is your mother’s responsibility to take care of it.” She looked up at Charlene.
“I will take care of her.” Charlene offered.
Kirsten smiled and reminded herself to thank Charlene later. “See that? You can spend the day with your Nana Charlene. I will try to get back here as fast as I possibly can, alright?”
“Christmas is supposed to be when my wishes come true.” Megan spurted, the little girl looked up at her grandmother and frowned. “Can we at least bake apricot cookies like mommy promised, Nana? Can I have one wish today?” She asked.
Charlene nodded. “We will make as many apricot cookies as you’d like and then when we are done we can share some with your mother and the rest of your family. Don’t forget that we still have to go to your grandpa James’ house later, Megan.”
“If I don’t get back to help make those yummy cookies then I will most certainly see you at grandpa James’ house, alright Megan?” Kirsten spoke, she grabbed her young daughter into a hug and kissed her forehead. “Can you go into the kitchen and grab the cookie trays for Nana?”
She nodded her head stubbornly and turned on her heel.
“Thank you for this, I know she is going to be mad at me for awhile but I hope that in time she understands that I can’t just give up on my responsibilities at the Cafe.” Kirsten gave Charlene a hug and noted how familiar their relationship had started to become over time. “I will give you a call when I have everything sorted out.”
“Okay.” Charlene nodded, she walked Kirsten to the door.
Before either could open it, however, they were interrupted by the doorbell. “I wonder who that could be.” Charlene spoke, she went to open the door to find Reichen Calbourne on the other end. “Reichen,” she chuckled, her face blushed at the sight of the man. “I didn’t think I’d see you today.”
“James gave us the day off so I thought I’d come over and see how you were fairing in this weather.” He said, he greeted Kirsten who shuffled passed him and informed him of her sudden departure, making sure that Reichen knew he was more than welcome to stay and help Charlene take care of Megan.
With that said, Kirsten went on her way.
“Come in!” Charlene chimed, she took Reichen’s coat and hung it in the coat closet and then turned back to him. There was a sparkle in her eye that she had tried to hide but knew it wasn’t going to happen. Instead she invited him into the kitchen and re-introduced him to her granddaughter. “We were just about to start apricot cookies.”
“Apricot cookies?” Reichen asked, confused. “Did she give you a choice to make whatever cookies you liked?” He asked Megan.
Megan shook her head. “I love apricot cookies.”
He chuckled. “Well, then... so do I.”
[.....]
Scene Four:
1525 Mauve Ln., Stone Creek. [Willow Glen Manor]
Emmet Thurlow & Iris Galloway’s Home.
It was this time of year. Emmet Thurlow had always been the one person in his family that everyone turned to when they needed an example of a completely stable, and easy-going person. He had always been so stoic in his personality that when he thought about the month of December as his biggest weakness -- it even caused him to be mystified. He climbed down the stairs in a business suit, complete with a new crisp blue tie.
The frost covered the windows of the home he rented from the Marlowe family. Although the warmth from the structure kept him forbidden from feeling the draft that most homes felt -- he knew the moment he stepped outside he would feel the chill from the December air.
He had always been one to celebrate the holidays in true form. Every year he would bring whichever girlfriend he was dating at the time -- for the past couple Christmas’ it was the lovely Iris Galloway... this year, he didn’t know if he should bring her. As they still haven’t developed the plan for the holidays. But he truly wished that he could. Being a simple person, a believer of black and white. Their relationship was now in a state of grey and it really bothered him. One one hand he wanted to just forget about what happened between the two of them and move forward, but on the other -- well, he really couldn’t and it was making it harder for them to move forward.
He wanted her there and stumbling upon her as she held a cup of hot cocoa to her lips Emmet Thurlow froze. “Good Morning, Iris Fowler.” He slurred in a drunken haze caused by her beauty.
Iris smirked, “Good Morning, Emmet Thurlow.” She cooed.
“I have to get going...” Emmet replied, shaking himself from being mesmerized by her. If there was one thing he missed the most about Iris Galloway, it was that she kept his bed warm at night. He wrung his neck as she stood in front of him in her deep red robe. “I should get going.”
She furrowed her brow. “It’s nearly Christmas Emmet, shouldn’t you be getting ready for the festivities with your family? Besides, I heard that your father had something planned later tonight... I talked to Caitlyn earlier, I hope you don’t mind that...” Iris looked at the wood flooring, then back up at him. “She was actually looking for you.”
“For me?” He asked.
Iris nodded her head. “Caitlyn said something about an old tradition that your family used to hold... I know it isn’t really any of my business anymore.” The words stung him harder than he anticipated the frost storm outside would be. He sighed, she continued, “Anyways... she said that your father wanted the family together for this tradition... this ceremony, do you know what I’m talking about?”
“I know exactly what you’re talking about.” He replied appreciative of her words, Emmet smirked. It had been five years, or so, since the Thurlow’s last lit lanterns for the ones they’ve lost... but he figured since they had been through so much lately it was nice to have the tradition re-introduced.
Emmet shuffled around the room so that he was closer to the door and Iris was further from it. He then turned back to her and placed his briefcase on the ground next to his leather boots. “And don’t feel like you’re intruding upon my life Iris... You’ve been a part of it for quite awhile so you shouldn’t feel like a stranger. Thank you for taking the call for me and telling me about the ceremony...”
“Of course.” She held onto her mug.
“Would you join me?” He found himself asking her and the light in her eyes made his heart skip a beat, although he tried to remain calm as she pursed her lips and thought a moment. “We don’t have to go together... if that is what concerns you. But like I said before, Iris, you are a part of this family as well. It would mean a lot to everyone that you showed up. Especially with Marina doing that undercover mission for the paper.”
“Just as friends?” She asked, her eyes locked with his.
Emmet licked his lips and nodded his head. “Of course.”
“Okay.” She said.
[.....]
[.....]
Scene Five:
Stone Creek; Now Town
Joplin & Maverick Law Firm; Lobby
Ruffling through her things, she placed her small briefcase on the table to be examined and removed any traces of metal that would cause any commotion, it was as if she were at the courthouse. But, of course, this courthouse was built with the help of trillions of dollars and this courthouse belonged to her family... and of course, this wasn’t a courthouse at all. It was the one and only -- Joplin & Maverick Law Firm, the one owned by her father.
Diem Joplin grabbed her things after going through the intense screening and smiled uneasily at the guard who allowed her to continue towards the lobby. She had to admit that the daunting building still felt like home after so many years of her not stepping foot into it. When she was younger, accompanied by her dear friend, Melinda Lombardi, Diem had walked these halls everyday while she won cases for her family -- and of course, his family.
Her eyes locked with the way he moved as he exited the elevators and caught sight of her. In that moment, Diem wanted to turn around and scurry away. But she knew that William Maverick would pursue her and he would then ask why she was so eager to see him, in the most sarcastic and smug way. Instead she pulled on a smile and shortened the distance between the two, wondering who would speak firs-
“Look who it is,” William cut her out of her thoughts and placed her on display in the lobby, his voice was loud and demanding, just like she remembered it to be. “the ever so stunning and crusading, Joan of Arc.”
“I was never a Joan.” Diem replied, giving him a look of daggers. She had hated the way William had always called attention to her when she didn’t want it. The various employees and residents of Stone Creek went on with their lives as the two stood in the middle of the lobby, eye-to-eye.
William tilted his head. “You need to give yourself more credit, I hear you have your own detective agency going and from what I’ve been told -- you’re really good at your job, Diem... Not that I’m surprised, after everything that we had been through...”
Diem could feel his warm breath upon her body as it moved its way down, she could feel his touch upon hers. But quickly shrugged the image away. “I didn’t think you’d stick around Stone Creek, nor did I take you for someone who listened to the small people... I would have thought you’d be bored with this town by now William.”
“I’m here for my daughter.” He reminded her.
She recalled how the two of them found their way back to one-another and how much she hated the story. As happy as Diem was that Leia was back in Stone Creek, she was not as thrilled when she heard that William had found his way back, as well. Diem shook her head, tilting it slightly.
“I’m glad that Leia has you here, William, I really am. But it’s not in the cards that we have to make contact with one another, nor do we have to share pleasantries. The moment you left Stone Creek behind I thought it was clear that our ties to one-another were cut.”
William chuckled. “Our families work together, Diem...” He held his hands out and looked around the lobby. “Our ties will never be severed, I thought you had grown used to that already. But then when I heard that you haven’t been here in quite some time-”
“I obviously disagreed with the way my father put business before my wellbeing.” She sneered, crossing her arms and recalling how her father had treated her after William left Stone Creek. Nathan Joplin called Diem a disgrace to a powerful union and blamed her for William’s departure. “Why would I stick around for an arrogant show like that?”
“There’s the Joan or Arc that I truly loved.”
His words sent chills down her back. “I have important business with my father, would you please excuse me?” She said, moving past the man she once considered to be her one true love. But his hands found a very familiar spot on her arm. Diem pulled away. “Don’t. Ever.” Her eyes grew daggers.
William put his hands up in mercy. “I just wanted to say, Merry Christmas.”
Diem gulped, she turned quickly away and fought back a tear before she continued towards the elevators and away from his sight.
[.....]
Scene Six:
Stone Creek; Sage Gardens
‘Open Arms’ Battered Woman’s Shelter; Living Room
For the past couple weeks, Marina Thurlow had known what it felt like to be cut-off from her family. She had never spent this amount of time without her cellphone, let alone without being able to contact her father when she needed someone to hear her out. It wasn’t to say she was desperate for death... but boredom did take it’s toll on her at times. She slinked into the Living Room and leaned against the doorway as she watched Leia Joplin interact with one of the girls.
The girl, who was in her late twenties and more of a woman than the both of them put together, sunk into a nearby raggedy chair. She had short black curls that Marina figured had once bounced so freely and with life. But now they hung low as gravity had took a hold of them. Her olive skin didn’t fare as well, either. The creases near her lips told stories that Marina didn’t want to recall and sometimes she would lay awake at night in the shelter as her stories play in Marina’s head. Her name was Livvi and she had dark brown eyes that were constantly foggy.
Marina entered the room and made her presence known. “I thought the two of you would like to join us in the dining room for breakfast?” It was her own way of distancing herself from the other women in the old victorian home that doubled as the women’s shelter.
Truth was, Livvi was the only one the girls had grown attached too. Everyone else in the home seemed like they were on some distant planet, like children who had experienced too much in their lives and remained shellshocked and mute. There were a few times when Marina would walk into the room and catch one of the women staring out the window, at nothing.
“That sounds nice.” Livvi croaked, she coughed a couple times and then smiled weakly at Marina. “Old cigarette lungs sure could use some breakfast. But first I think the two of you need a moment alone, after all, you both entered the shelter around the same time and yet neither of you actually seem to stand one another.”
Marina stepped forward in protest, but she locked eyes with Leia who insisted that they oblique. “That’s sweet of you,” Marina managed to pull on a convincing smile and touched Livvi’s hand as she exited the room and left them alone. She then turned back to Leia and scurried over to her side. “What was that about?”
“Livvi doesn’t buy you being an abused housewife... well, quite frankly, she doesn’t think you could be anybodies housewife.” Leia spoke, there was hesitation in her voice and Marina caught onto it with a smug grin. She folded her arms and knew that Livvi was right about her not being a housewife. But what interested Marina even more was the fact that Livvi didn’t mention Leia at all.
She knew about Leia’s ex. husband abusing her. Marina sat next to Leia and tried to come up with any convincing story but found herself frowning. It quickly dawned on her that Leia was once again becoming the star of the article. She was once again gaining everyone else’s attention and grabbing all the headlines.
Marina frowned. “How are you so convincing?”
“Because...”
“Just because?” Marina snarled, she leaned back in the dusty old chair and folded her arms. “I’ve done everything right so that these women would pity me and open up about their pasts and their husbands... but here you are, you pout and they all surround you ready to divulge their darkest secrets.”
Leia shifted. “I don’t pout.”
“You do Olivia!” Marina snapped.
She knew cutting herself off from her family was going to be hard. Marina also knew that she would be living in conditions that she was not used to. Even when she was struggling on her own with Cassie as a roommate she never lived in her current conditions. But the worst thing of all, was that she was knowingly putting herself in a position that made her rely on Olivia, of all people.
“Don’t call me that, someone will hear you.” Leia hushed.
Marina rolled her eyes. “Oh, Jessica, we don’t want anyone to know your true identity.” Marina replied, using Olivia’s alias this time around. She placed a hand on her heart. “But good thing you’re a great actress. After all, you’ve been fooling everyone in town. Making everyone believe you’re this put-together editor but deep down you’re just as fucked up as the rest of us.”
“You wanted to do this.” Leia pleaded.
“Yeah... I wanted to do this so that I could make you break, Olivia.” Marina sneered, she stood up form the chair in front of her. “I thought that maybe you would reveal this con of yours and stop hiding behind this fake persona you put off. But look at you... all you ever do is play a part. Will you ever show us who the real Olivia Joplin is?”
Marina could tell she hit a spot, so instead of going further she turned away and walked off.
[.....]
Scene Seven:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. [Thurlow Cottage]
James & Caitlyn’s Home
Caitlyn Thurlow walked over to her husband who looked out the window of their home. With her elbows, she leaned against his shoulders and placed her head next to his. “I haven’t felt this good in months.” She spoke, a truth that she had kept to herself until now. They sat as silence took a hold of them both, they watched as the snow started to slowly drift onto the lawn.
It wasn’t but a few months ago that Caitlyn had learned that Emily Roscoe was the daughter she had lost so long ago. In the months after that Caitlyn wasn’t able to catch her breath as one tragedy after another kept piling upon herself and her friends.. There wasn’t time to react to anything that happened and there certainly wasn’t time for anybody to sit by her side and walk her through losing Emily for the third time. Although she knew she couldn’t really count Abigail Jenkins leaving Stone Creek, as she really wasn’t her daughter... even if she was believed to have thought so for months.
She sighed. “I think it’s finally time for us to be together again as a family and I’m really proud of you James for re-introducing everyone to the lantern lighting ceremony.”
James nodded his head. “I can’t believe that so much time has passed since the last lantern lighting ceremony, so much time has passed us by. To think that my whole family would wait eagerly for the ceremony to start so that we could honor the ones we lost... then we just stopped waiting. That is a scary thought.”
“No more scary thoughts.” Caitlyn replied, she ran her hands through his hair. Then she ran her hands along his cardigan sweater and over his chest, where she locked them together and leaned against her husband’s frame. “There’s always time to re-start traditions, James. There’s so much time.”
“Not for everybody.” James said, grimly.
Caitlyn knew who he was referring to, so she found a place in front of her husband and tried to rely words of wisdom that he once told her so long ago. She moved his chin so that they could lock eyes and warmly, she smiled. “But that’s why your family started this tradition. Because, although there isn’t enough time for everybody to say goodbye... we can still say it.”
“She died nearly two years ago.”
The room grew dark as in the distant sky, clouds covered the otherwise useless sun. Caitlyn moved around, sniffled at the cold that seemed to sink in from the window seal. “But she lived for forty plus years, and that is what tonight is about. Remembering the years your sister lived.”
“You’re amazing.” James spoke, his words a low tone of gratitude. The doorbell wrung and both turned towards the sound that came through the hallway and from the front door. “I should get that... it looks like we are getting our first guest, a little earlier than we thought.”
Caitlyn nodded, she let her husband walk away and continued to stare out the window. She wondered when they had missed their mystery guest walking up the front lawn, noticing that there wasn’t a car out front she peered at the lawn in wonder.
In the hallway, James Thurlow walked towards the front door and opened it in astonishment, “Mother! What are you doing back in Stone Creek?” He asked, shellshocked. It had been so long since he had seen her in person and after his sister’s death he didn’t think that would change. But standing in front of him, like an angel in a red fleece peacoat she smiled handsomely with her hands tucked in her pockets.
“Truthfully, James,” She spoke as he invited her into the home. “I could not be away from my family for this Christmas... there was just something ominous about it that kept tugging me towards a flight here, home, to Stone Creek after all of these years.”
“It’s good to see you, mother.” He hugged her and didn’t let her go until Anita Thurlow mentioned Caitlyn’s presence behind them. “Caitlyn, look who decided to surprise us for the holiday’s!”
“I can see that.” Caitlyn chuckled, she gave Anita a hug of her own and found herself next to her husband as they gawked at Anita’s presence in the small city. She stood so collected before them, her presence too significant for words, the martriarch of the Thurlow family.
Anita smirked. “Now, where are all these grandchildren of mine?”
[.....]
Scene Eight:
813 Crystal Hill St., Stone Creek. [Bayou Oaks Condos #21]
Aidan Jurado’s Condo; Kitchen.
“Come with me.” Aidan spoke. The morning had turned into the afternoon in a blink of an eye, he found himself still barely clothed but showered and almost ready to meet the rest of his family at his uncle’s house. He lingered in the kitchen and in front of Taylor Kern who had a look that was between one of fear and tears. “I want you to come with me to my uncle’s house.”
Aidan placed his hand in Taylor’s.
It was a simple gesture that Aidan was finding easier to do while he was around his boyfriend. There was a time when he couldn’t even be in the same room as his first ex. boyfriend, Wesley Quinn, and now he was sharing a bed with Taylor Kern more often than not. He scooted closer to Taylor until there was nothing between the two men but the cotton of their briefs. “I want you to.”
“I get that.” Taylor finally replied, he licked his lips. “But you understand what this means, right Aidan? Having me over to your uncle’s house as your guest? It means that you’ll have a lot to answer to -- and I get it, I get that you want me there because we are now together and it’s romantic, but that also means they will have to know.”
“Then they will know.” Aidan replied, feeling this close to Taylor and sharing so many secrets with the other man. He was starting to see how bad he treated Taylor a few months ago at The Pit when all Taylor had wanted to do was show his affection towards the english man. He sighed, “My cousin Kirsten already knows about us and so does, Charlie. So what difference does it make if my uncle and cousins know? I just want to be comfortable around them... with you.”
Taylor pulled away. “You’re really going to make me cry, god damn.”
“Then cry.” Aidan snickered, he held his hold on Taylor’s arm. Which proved to be hard as the other man turned and shifted. Then when Taylor gave up on hiding himself from Aidan, did Aidan speak again. “I don’t care what you do or say as long as you say that you will go with me, tonight.”
“Okay, of course!” Taylor chuckled, his cheeks grew red.
Having his mother’s family know about him would be hard. Aidan had spent so long trying to hide this side of him from his father and rest of the family in Paris. Then Wesley Quinn came around and almost ruined everything. After his tumultuous relationship with the other man, Kirsten had stumbled upon his secret and later his sister, Imogene found out. But both managed to keep it a secret from everyone else.
Now he was here in Stone Creek and he had wanted to give himself a fresh start. So why not? Why not tell his cousins, Emmet and Marina? Why not tell his uncle, James Thurlow, and his wife, Caitlyn? Aidan pulled Taylor into a kiss and let all his worries fall to the wayside. He didn’t need to fight his feelings for the man who’s lips he was tasting. Everything was finally right. He smiled through the kiss.
“What has got you so cute and grinning?” Taylor asked, smugly.
Aidan looked him in the eyes. “I’ve never been anymore happier than in this moment.”
“Okay,” Taylor started, he frowned and then chuckled. “Enough of this cheesiness, we are grown men and we don’t sit here and cry about our feelings.” He half-joked and wrapped his arms around Aidan. “Why don’t we just get dressed and work-out how exactly you are going to 'come out' to the rest of your family.”
Aidan raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t quite think of that... I should cook something...”
[.....]
Scene Nine:
Stone Creek; Now Town
Sutton Enterprises; Gillian Sutton’s Office
“I thought you’d be here,” Damien Crenshaw greeted, he stood in the doorway to his wife’s office. With a simple smirk he watched as she looked up from her work, her flock of golden her falling to the side as she tilted her head and smiled at him. “Why don’t we go home and slip into something comfortable, darling? It is almost Christmas Day... shouldn’t you be resting right now?”
But Gillian Sutton Crenshaw had way too much on her mind, she shrugged and then looked back down at the workload on her desk. When she had found out Damien’s plan for a corporate take over of Sutton Enterprises, her only plan was to take the company before either Damien or her father knew what was happening; she succeeded. Gillian had no idea what she was getting herself into. Now, however, Gillian spent so much of her time trying to sort through the finances of the company. It was a gruesome task, since she didn’t like the way her father was running the company as if it was his own personal expense account.
“I can’t leave these papers for another second.” Her words felt stressed as they left her mouth and immediately she regretted even saying them as she knew Damien would pry. “Just give me a couple more hours and then I will meet you at home?”
He stepped closer to her desk. “I’d rather you not sound so stressed.”
“And you’re not stressed, Mr. Mayor?” She asked, mostly to get the attention off of herself, she placed the papers and the pen down and folded her hands in front of her before continuing. “I think the both of us need a vacation after the last couple months, but right now I need to focus on a few minor details here and then... then Damien, then we can slip into something comfortable and lock ourselves away from the world. But first, let me get through this work.”
“What is it?” He asked, perched over her shoulder now.
She shrugged him away. “I just don’t understand why my father would think it was right by hiring outside contractors... and yes, I’m talking about that Catalina woman. After everything she did, she ruined the reputation for this company. Not even counting the fact that she went ape-shit crazy and shot my father!”
“You just said ape-shit crazy.” Damien humored.
This garnered a chuckle out of Gillian. “I think I’m going to have to call in a certain somebody to help sort through all of this mess. I thought I could do it on my own... that is what the plan was supposed to be. Because frankly I am sick and tired of everything thinking I’m only going to fail my families legacy...”
“Can I help?”
She turned towards her husband and frowned. “You need to focus on your job, which means I need to do this on my own... or as I said before, with the help of a certain family member. I know you’re not familiar with my aunt Kimberly, but she was in-charge of the finances of SE for sometime so she knows what she is doing.”
“You’re handing the company off to someone else?” Damien asked, curious.
Gillian shook her head. Although Kimberly Sutton wasn’t exactly a full Sutton, the woman knew her way around their great-grandfather’s company -- and Gillian had to be honest with herself, she had no clue where to cut loses or corners, so she needed to call her aunt Kimberly. “I’m only asking her for some advice, nothing more... she doesn’t even have to set foot in Stone Creek. I just need her advice and then I can go home and enjoy the holiday’s with you, how does that sound?”
Damien leaned down a kissed his wife. “That sounds perfect.”
“I think I want to visit my father this year.” Gillian thought out loud, she turned to Damien.
“That doesn’t sound perfect at all.”
[.....]
Scene Ten:
Stone Creek; Sage Gardens
‘Open Arms’ Battered Woman’s Shelter; Backyard
After her conversation with Olivia and how explosive it got towards the end, Marina made it her mission to get some air after dinner with the women at the shelter. It hadn’t been much to cool down her anger with the other woman. Although, quite frankly it was more frustration than anything else. She sat on the back porch and gazed up at the stars; how simple and elegant they looked in Sage Gardens and away from all the busy lights of Now Town where most of the hustle and bustle city life took place.
She was so mesmerized that she didn’t notice Livvi walk up to her until she was sitting right next to the younger woman on the steps. “You don’t get to see the stars at night, I reckon?”
Marina looked at her, surprised that she had actually spoken to her. She was sure that Olivia had cried to the other women about how awful Marina had been to her. It was always the fact that Marina was this awful human being and poor -- innocent Olivia, was a victim. But Marina tried not to dredge up their fight and instead smiled. “He wanted us to live in the city, said ti would be everything I wanted it to be.” She talked about her false husband.
The other woman simply nodded her head. “I know you’re not married, and I know you’re not like the rest of us... do you even know what it feels like to be the one person a man loves and hates all in one, Andrea?” The sound of her false name sent chills down Marina’s back as she tried to stay alert. She fell silent, tried to protest with Livvi but knew there wasn’t any fight in her. “Why are you here?”
But Marina stood silent, she just watched the stars and tried so hard not to cry tears. She knew that being here was going to be hard on her -- if not just on Olivia -- but what she was crying about, it had nothing to do with Livvi finding out that this was a cover. Marina wanted to cry because she couldn’t convince herself that she was strong enough to withstand whatever these women had been through.
“When I was your age,” Livvi continued, she sunk lower on the steps and looked at Marina, “when I was your age I thought I had it all, you know? The gorgeous long and flowy hair, smooth, tan skin. There wasn’t a man who didn’t look twice at me while walking down the street. Oh honey, I had it all.”
She chuckled slightly, if only to relieve a past life.
Marina sniffled. “How did it happen?”
“I knew you weren’t one of us from the second I saw you.” Livvi spoke, she side-stepped her own story so that she could continue her conversation with Marina. “There’s a fire in you, honey and I don’t think anyone can put it out... but that doesn’t mean I trust you, or that I can forgive you for lying to us all.
“I’m so sorry-”
“That doesn’t matter now.” Livvi spoke, her voice stern. “Just remember how strong of a woman you are, Andrea. Just remember that because one day... I don’t know when... but one day, a man is going to test that strength and if you don’t push back... well, then maybe you were one of us after all.”
The conversation was deep and awkward and hard for Marina to decipher all at the same time. It wasn’t enough to stare off at the stars anymore and nor was it enough to ignore Livvi’s words. So she turned to the older woman and frowned. “My real name isn’t Andrea.”
“I know that honey.” Livvi cooed.
Marina bite her lip and shook her head. “I just wanted to help you.”
“Does it look like I need any help?” Livvi asked, she tilted her head back and chuckled. “I might not be the woman that I once was -- these cigarettes might have taken my life as much as my deadbeat ex. husband had -- but I don’t need your help. If anything, you need mine from the looks of it.”
“You need to go apologize to that friend of yours... I figure her name really isn’t Jessica.” Livvi continued, there was a tinge of betrayal in her voice. “I don’t know if you know this... but I have a strong hint that you do. Jessica has been through a whole lot of mess... things that you wouldn’t be able to comprehend and it doesn’t suit you to be a bitch towards her.”
Marina’s eyes bulged.
“You don’t like that I called you that... do you?” Livvi spoke, she shook her head. “Well, guess what. You my dear -- cute as a button as you are -- you are a ‘Class A’ bitch. So I think you owe your friend an apology for whatever it is that you said to her earlier.”
“My name is Marina.”
Livvi chuckled. “Well Marina, the bitch, go on. I’ll keep the stars company out here until you get back. Maybe after the two of you bury the hatchet we can get started on the real reason you are here. Maybe we can be friends after all? Who knows...”
[.....]
Scene Eleven:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. [Thurlow Cottage]
James & Caitlyn’s Home
The warmth of the room sent chills down Caitlyn Thurlow’s spine as she flashed back to the warm summer night the lights went out in Stone Creek. Which also happened to be the last night she saw her daughter alive. She shuddered at the thought and tried to refocus her mind on the joyous occasion before her. After spending so much time trying to find a daughter she thought was dead, only to end up finding her and losing her again -- Caitlyn leaned against the counter in the kitchen and lit a vanilla scented candle.
She had went out and bought a new pack of scented pine, cinnamon and gingerbread scented candles but then decided to throw them all out because they made her feel out of sorts. Made her feel like a shell of a woman she had built herself up to be. But the mere thought of changing herself was so foreign for so long that it sent her into shocks. So she stuck with the simple smell of vanilla.
It scent filled her nostrils as she moved around the room, getting things ready for the arrival of the family she had come to embrace. The family that belonged to James Thurlow. She knew there was nowhere else she would rather be, not grieving Danielle, or spending time with Damien.
Behind Caitlyn, in the doorway, Anita Thurlow lingered and watched her daughter-in-law for a moment before she spoke up, “I never was able to bring myself to thank you,” She startled the younger woman who jolted up and spun to meet the older woman’s grin, “and I apologize for not doing so. But you saved my son from that god awful woman he was married to.”
Caitlyn looked down, a smile on her lips. “He saved me.”
“Either way,” Anita stepped into the room and looked around. It was never the same after Helen Tyree moved in and renovated the entire structure. Everything that Anita had held so dear about the home was ripped out, gutted and left to rot. Now, although it feels like home to some, it was a sore reminder of what was. “Either way, I have’t seen James any happier than when he is with you.”
Before Caitlyn could respond, the doorbell wrung. “I should get that. If you’ll excuse me,” she spoke, her voice grainy with a chance of tears. She moved past Anita and the older woman held out a hand for her to take, to find comfort and trust in.
“Charlie!” Caitlyn greeted, she hugged her son-in-law, “I’m so glad to see the three of you here, I heard that Kirsten wasn’t going to be making it tonight... I have to say, James is a bit upset but I think he’ll be happy to see that his granddaughter is here.” She rubbed Megan’s cheek.
Charlie moved into the house with a tray of cookies in his hands. “Well, we are happy to be here Caitlyn. In fact, we are so happy to enjoy this tradition with our family that we invited one more person along for the festivities, I hope that’s alright?”
“Of course it is.” She replied, she watched as both Charlene and Reichen Calbourne walked up the steps and into the house. Each greeting each other warmly. How time had flew by so fast and where Charlene had once been so separated from her son and his small family, she was now glued to them. But Caitlyn wouldn’t protest her absents from before, instead she invited them all in.
“What is this?” Anita called from the kitchen, she made her way into the hallway and clapped her hands together in joy upon seeing Megan. “Is this my great-granddaughter? The gorgeous and elegant Megan Sutton?” The last name, one could tell, was still hard for Anita to say. Her facial features not missing a beat of happiness, however.
Charlie insisted Megan go give Anita a hug and cautiously the little girl did as she was told. The group watched as the youngest member of the Thurlow clan was finally introduced to the oldest member. The matriarch of a family that was so structured on family.
Anita hugged the little girl tightly as Caitlyn watched from behind. Without anybody noticing, James Thurlow had found his way into the hallway and he grasped for Caitlyn gently -- a gesture in which she responded nicely too. Charlie gripped the cookies in his tray and looked to his mother who leaned into Reichen Calbourne. Everyone was so wrapped up in their greetings that they failed to notice Aidan Jurado enter the home with Taylor following behind him.
The english man stopped in his tracks.
He had been preparing to tell his uncle and his uncle’s family about his romance with Taylor this whole morning. But the one thing he hadn’t expected to happen was his grandmother being present while he confessed this secret of his. He gulped as the moment began to fade and everyone’s attention turned towards him, in the doorway. He smiled wearily, unable to catch his breath.
[.....]
Scene Twelve:
980 Cutler St., Stone Creek. [Faustino Cottages #12]
Diem & Olivia Joplin’s Home
The house was lonely with her daughter gone. Diem Joplin lit a couple candles as she found it easier -- and a little more calming -- spending the night in candlelight as opposed to turning on the lights throughout the house. Plus it helped her think about the candle lit dinner she had with Seth Keeler months earlier. A smile found it’s way on her troubled face. Diem stepped into the kitchen and found something to snack on.
With her daughter gone on that undercover mission of her’s, Diem thought about joining the Thurlow’s for the family tradition of lighting the lanterns tonight, but then remembered her exchange with Caitlyn after Emily’s death and the arrangement she made with James after that. That meant she had to stay away from the Thurlow’s to keep the peace, although she found it strange that Caitlyn would think Diem -- of all people -- would be trying to steal James away. Finding what she was looking for, Diem found herself famished with thought.
Then the doorbell rung.
She placed the container down and frowned, who would be here at this time of night? She would soon find out as she made her way through the candle lit halls and stopped in front of the front door. If it were Seth, then she could have someone other than her throw blankets to keep her warm tonight. He had been so busy at work that the few days they did get to spend together only left Diem cold again.
“I was worried I had the wrong house.” William Maverick spoke, he rubbed his gloved hands together.
Diem eye’d him, she grew stern. “You know where I live, William.”
“I do, you’re right.” He replied with a smug grin, then he leaned against the doorway and kept his attention on his former girlfriend. “Look, about earlier, I really didn’t mean to piss you off so much Diem... I messed up all those years ago, I know that. But like I said, I want to get to know my daughter.”
She nodded along. “And like I said William, we don’t have to exchange pleasantries.” She said, closing the door on the man. But before she could close it all the way he had stopped her. This angered Diem as most things did about the man. How persistent he always was. How self-righteous he always had been. She opened the door and folded her arms. “Why aren’t you leaving?” Diem pleaded.
“Because...” He stepped back, giving her the chance to close the door on him once again. But this time she didn’t, instead she stood there in the doorway and listened to him explain himself. “Because... all those years ago I left you alone here in Stone Creek and you were pregnant with my child. You didn’t deserve that--”
“I don’t want your apology, William and I certainly don’t need your sympathy.” She retorted.
William shook his head. “I just wanted to give you this.” He spoke, reaching in his pocket and giving her a box wrapped in green ribbon. He smiled weakly, long gone was his smug attitude. “When I saw you today -- I’m not saying that I fell back in love with you --”
“Oh joy.”
“But!” William rolled his eyes. “I remembered that at one time we were in love and that I promised you that I would get you this gift... so I did. For old times sake I went out and I bought it for you and you don’t have to open it and you certainly don’t have to fall madly in love with me -- although I heard that it is really hard not to--”
Diem smiled, if only to hide her irritation with William. “Merry Christmas, William. Now good night.”
[.....]
[.....]
Scene Thirteen:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. [Thurlow Cottage]
James & Caitlyn’s Home
“Oh, Aidan,” Anita Thurlow spoke first, the silence in the room was too strong. She made her way over to her grandson and -- with tears in her eyes -- she placed a hand on his cheek. “To you, I owe the deepest apologies for the way things had to go. I didn’t want you to leave Paris.”
His mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Instead he looked back at Taylor and then right at his grandmother. The woman who had helped raise him since he was a young child. The very woman who had worked at Thurlow-Jurado Overseas alongside him and one of the people he had deceived by forging a signature that ultimately led to his mother’s death. It had brought up feelings that he had buried for so long.
“Who is this?” Anita asked.
Charlie stepped forward. “This is Taylor Kern, he is a local book writer and has been teaming up with us at the Lakeside Inn,” he spoke, hoping to help cut-off suspicion. “It’s really nice to see you, Taylor.” Charlie greeted, he shook the man’s hand and let him into the house.
The other’s followed suit and fell into small talk with Taylor.
But Anita’s attention fell back onto her grandson, she pulled him to the side and let everyone carry on. “I haven’t seen you since you left Paris, but I have so much to tell you. There’s so much that I wanted to tell you before you left... but I didn’t know how to say it.”
“You don’t need to say anything, grandmother.” He replied, he stole glances at Taylor and made sure that he was fine with his family. “Actually, there’s something that I wanted to say, I wanted to tell everyone,” He moved towards the center of the room and called everyone together. “I have been wanting to say this for quite some time.”
Taylor stepped forward in intrigue and support.
The others circled around, lingering close together. He gulped and looked at his grandmother. “Leaving Paris was extremely hard for me to do. But I took a chance, I took a short and I found myself here in Stone Creek and it has been a huge change... things have happened here for myself and for someone else.”
He locked eyes with Taylor and smirked. “I think I’m in love.”
Charlie looked between the two of them knowingly.
“I am actually glad that you’re here to hear this grandmother and you can do what you please with this information, Imogene already knows about it. She has known for quite some time,” He moved past his grandmother and found a spot in front of Taylor. “I’m in love.”
“With who?” Anita asked, curiously.
Aidan turned back to her. “With him. With Taylor Kern.”
There was silence in the room and Aidan could feel the various opinions growing within his own mind. He knew that Charlie and Kirsten were okay with his relationship. Aidan had spoken to both on different occasions about taking his feelings for Taylor to another level. So he knew he had supporters in the ranks of his family. He looked at his uncle and Caitlyn and he could read their expressions clearly. So he knew he had their full support.
But then he turned back to his grandmother.
She was a woman who had survived so much in her lifetime and he grew up on the love stories she used to tell him as a young boy. The stories, poems, letters that she locked away in a purple chest in the back of her closet. She would take them out to read to Aidan when he was having a bad dream.
This woman. He knew her so well, but in that moment, when it was only her opinion that mattered the most. He couldn’t read her expression. Instead she stood there, stuck in an expression somewhere between fear and shock -- her eyes, a light blue, were glazed over. She stepped back, so he did the same.
Then she tilted her head. “Aidan...”
“I couldn’t tell anybody before I was sure.” He spoke, he wanted her to reach out and touch his hand and tell him that everything was alright. But she didn’t do that. She didn’t move a muscle, Anita Thurlow just sat there and he could tell her mind was puzzling everything together. Trying to make sense.
Then Anita spoke. “I cannot tell you what to do with your life.”
The words, although they weren’t awful, still stung. “But do with your life as you will. I’m sure that you are a wonderful man... Taylor,” Her glossy eyes began to tear. “Standing here in front of my family... you are obviously appreciated amongst them. But this boy -- this man -- he is one of my most prized possessions, so don’t hurt him.”
“Grandmother...”
“I mean it.” She spoke so forcedly. “I’ve learned that I cannot stop you from doing what you want to do. I learned that my children have all been so strong and I expect their children and their children’s children to be strong as well. I raised you as if you were my own child, Aidan. I will always love you.”
“I love you too.” He spoke, his voice shaky.
Anita smirked. “Now, lets all go into the living room and spend sometime together, shall we?”
He knew that within that moment, although she didn’t give her whole blessing that things were alright. There was an understanding that meant more to him than anything else. So he lingered in the hallway with Taylor Kern in front of him and leaned in to kiss the man. They showed expressions of relief before joining the family.
[.....]
Scene Fourteen:
Stone Creek; Sage Gardens
‘Open Arms’ Battered Woman’s Shelter; Front Porch
Marina wrapped her thin white sweater around her body as she stood at the front porch. The young brunette cursed herself for not bringing a heavier sweater for this very reason, but Marina had thought that she would be spending more time inside the gallant old victorian home and not outside trying to make truces and hide her cover. The irony wan’t lost on her and instead it bit her in the face just as the cold wind had done every time it passed. She had spent so much time trying to make Olivia feel out of place and alone, instead Marina isolated herself.
She stepped to the edge of the old wooden steps, they gave out an old worn-out screech and alerted Olivia Joplin to her most recent companion. Marina smiled faintly before joining her on the steps. “What are you doing out here all alone? It’s freezing.”
Olivia instead took a long pause, she looked out at the street before them. Her light mocha skin caught the headlights of a passing car and Marina could see Olivia’s grey eyes glisten with tears. This only caused Marina to feel worse, so she opened her mouth to say something, but her companion cut her off.
“I was just thinking...” She turned to face Marina, wiping her tears in the process. “You were right, about everything... but I wasn’t trying to take your place Marina, not entirely. I was just trying to escape what had happened to me back in San Francisco. I was just trying to prove mostly to myself that I am stronger than the woman I left behind.”
Marina gulped. “You are really strong, Olivia...”
She could hear the other woman chuckle even before she opened her lips to let out the wounded sound. Olivia shook her head and then looked at Marina stunned. “I let my ex. husband hold so much power over me... I let Richard make me feel so weak. If I would have stayed with him this could have been my future. Being here like Livvi, or Theresa or... Deb. Did you know that Deb has been here three different times?”
“I didn’t.” Marina admitted.
Olivia sighed. “I tried ending things with Richard three different times before I finally left him and even then I wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision. I kept thinking about our life together and how I could never find something like us. How I was going to have to face our friends that we had made together, how I was going to have to give-up my career working beside him... how I was going to face my mother.”
There in the darkness of the front porch, on a cold and windy night in late December did Marina start to see Olivia as a human being and not just an obstacle in her way. Her shoulders slumped and the biting cold began to melt away, her eyes locked on Olivia. “But you’re here now, Olivia.”
“Yeah... and look where you put us.”
“I didn’t mean -- well, I sort of did.” Marina sighed. “If I had known everything that you went through Olivia, I swear that I would have--”
“Would have what?” Olivia asked, she scoffed. “You can’t play innocent where I’m concerned Marina. There’s no point in trying to cover your tracks at this point. You wanted me gone because you felt threatened by me and in most cases I would be flattered... but I don’t admire the way you chose to battle for the junior co-editor position. In fact I feel sorry for you, for having felt this was the only way to beat me.”
“Olivia--”
“It’s getting cold Marina.” Olivia spoke, standing up. “We need to find a way to work together, the both of us. I’m not saying that I forgive you for what you’ve done but for the sake of the newspaper and for Mr. Keeler, I think we need to find a plausible way to work together.”
“I’m sorry for what I did, wether you want to believe it or not!” Marina replied, she rushed to Olivia’s side and held her back from going inside the shelter. She stood there, trying to find the words that she had practiced on her way to find Olivia. “I know that we are not there yet. The two of us working together... but you’ve tried on your part so now it’s my turn. It’s my turn to make things right between the two of us and because of that, I apologize. I apologize for everything.”
Olivia shook her head. “That’s a start.”
[.....]
Scene Fifteen:
1507 Mango Ln., Stone Creek. [Holly Oak Manor]
Patrick Sutton’s Home.
He stood in the foyer clad in an Armani suit and leather boots, a glass of bourbon in his right hand and a piece of paper in his left hand, extended in front of his body. Patrick Sutton was immersed in his thoughts that he didn’t even notice the woman behind him. Her flowing red hair reached her bare shoulders, a tight black dress hugged her body -- she looked at him in wonder.
There was a time when she had envied his ability to threaten his family into compliance. How no matter how awful he was to everyone around him, Patrick was able to get his family under one roof for the holiday’s and make them sit and listen to his ridiculous infatuation he had for himself. An infatuation that turned the red head on. But all of that had changed, this holiday season he was left in a huge empty mansion; there would be no ex. wife to entertain his insults, nor would he have his two dotting children lingering around the Christmas tree. Hell, there wasn’t even a Christmas tree this year.
Helen Tyree wandered into the room and found her arms wrapped around his waist. “I didn’t take you for a stone cold internal depressant.”
“There’s still a lot you don’t know about me, Helen.” Patrick turned to face her, he placed his bourbon on the closest surface, which happened to be very bar he once thrashed while in the presence of his ex. wife, Charlene. He smirked at Helen, the lines in his face strained. “Surprisingly, there’s still quite a lot we don’t know about each other.”
A statement she knew was true, she however had another plan for their conversation, Helen slinked over towards the bar and poured herself a drink. The taste of the Whiskey and Honey satisfied her taste buds and she let the glass linger in front of her. “I think you know enough about me.”
She could see him thinking. Not many people had the privilege of seeing this side of Patrick Sutton. The way his facial features pulled when he felt like he was being quizzed. Helen was sure that at one point Charlene Nelson understood what Helen could see in her companion. At one point Charlene Nelson was the second most powerful influence in Patrick’s life. But now that was Helen’s position, and one she wouldn’t give up for the world.
“So are you going to be spending the holiday’s alone?” She asked, her eyes locked upon his.
Patrick smirked. “Are you asking that we spend them together?”
“How do you know that I don’t already have plans of my own, Patrick? I mean, we all know that this is the first Christmas you are going to spend without that ex. wife of yours and those children -- when’s the last time Charlie or Gillian has even stepped foot in this house?” Helen cooed.
He shrugged. “Just because Marina came to you for advice doesn’t mean you’re any better at being a parent than I am Helen. I think we’ve both rode in on the same horse where our children are concerned. Besides,” Patrick chimed, “I don’t see them rushing over here to see you. So maybe I already know what your plans are.”
“Do you?”
She waited for an answer, her hands pulled the glass closer to her lips and the sweet scent of honey filled her nostrils. Helen couldn’t take her eyes off the man in front of her. Over the past couple of months she had the honor to feel his power. Through his arms, and his body.
“Your plans are to spend Christmas with me... just like you spent Thanksgiving and how you will most likely spend New Years, as well. Unlike you, Helen, I have accepted that my children don’t want anything to do with me. I’ve moved on from trying to pry Charlie away from that daughter of yours -- no offense, of course.”
“What about Gillian?” She asked.
His eyes averted hers. “I’m not trying to get Gillian on my side... I’m just trying to destroy Damien Crenshaw. If she decides that she wants to jump ship and join her father in taking down that ludicrous --”
“Ludicrous?” She gasped, teasingly. “I didn’t think Damien was anymore ludicrous than he is charming. But I’ll let you slip with that one word. Why would Gillian leave him? He has power where you have none --”
“And yet here you are,” He lifted his bourbon from the bar. “Here with me, the man with no power.”
“Quite the contrary, I think you have all the power,” Helen slinked closer to him and bashed her eyes, a smile found it’s way to her lips. “Besides, power is far more indulgent when it comes in the form of two. You and me, we can go a long ways ahead of the competition if we let ourselves.”
Patrick pulled away, but found himself turning back to Helen. “I thought we had already solidified this partnership, Helen? I thought that we were already a team on taking down Damien Crenshaw? Why do you keep drafting out proposals for me?”
“I’m not.” She protested.
He took Helen’s drink from her. “You are.”
She had been caught. Just like a bird in a winter storm she had been stranded in her thoughts and left to answer to Patrick. So she did so as seductively as she could, Helen placed a hand on his chest and reached for her whiskey. He pulled it away and they found themselves mere inches apart. “Forgive me.”
“Forgive me for not finding trust where it hasn’t been practiced.” Helen spoke, she reached out and took her glass from Patrick and noted how easily he let her slip away with it. “I have let myself fall into marriages with men who I thought had the balls to use their power in the right ways and yet... here I am...”
“You don’t get to pick or choose.” Patrick scolded.
Helen sighed. “I chose you, twice.”
“And yet here we are, alone for the holiday’s and neither of us can settle into the arrangements that we have both made for each other. If we are so powerful then why are we sitting here alone? We should have all the power here in Stone Creek but we have let everyone else take it from us, why?”
Helen smiled deviously. “Because, my dear... we are waiting to strike.”
[.....]
Scene Sixteen:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. [Thurlow Cottage]
James & Caitlyn’s Home
Emmet Thurlow looked up at the dark blue sky, it had been over an hour since the last snow fall and the sky started to clear up. The air tasted crisp and cold as he breathed it into his blood warm body. Finding his target, Emmet made his way over to his step-mother and Dr. Daphne Wilkinson.
“My grandmother thought it would do everyone good if we cooked up a pot of hot cocoa.” Emmet spoke, he handed each woman their own cup and smiled. “It’s nice to see you Dr. Wilkinson.”
The older woman smiled warmly, she took a sip of the cocoa and chuckled. “It’s really nice of you to come back and settle into Stone Creek, Emmet. Having your whole family here in town has been really positive on your father. I can just tell how happy he is.” Daphne motioned across the yard at James Thurlow as he held a conversation with Chief Gideon Wilkinson.
“I was just telling Daphne that nobody knew Anita’s plans to travel here for the Holiday.” Caitlyn spoke, she rubbed Emmet’s shoulder. “I’m actually going to head back into the Kitchen and see if Anita needs any help in there. She shooed me out earlier, but she’s our guest.”
“She also was the first woman of this house. “Emmet reminded her.
Caitlyn nodded. “I promise not to step on her toes.”
The younger Thurlow turned back to Daphne. “I think after the year we had, my father was right to bring back this tradition, you know? Christmas is about being together. To think that I tried to make Sunset Valley my new home is sort of laughable. No matter what I did... everything led me back here, to Stone Creek.”
Daphne clutched his hand. “How are things with Iris?”
“There’s still a lot of grey areas.”
“That’s life for you.” Daphne replied, thinking about Rodney Burnett. There was a part of him that she still felt bad for, a man -- although buried deep inside -- was very sweet and caring. Daphne sighed, "How about we get back to the group... it looks as though the tradition is starting.”
Emmet nodded.
“Alright, everybody,” James Thurlow spoke. He motioned for everyone to gather in the backyard, next to him were small paper lanterns with candles ready to be lit. There was a time in his life when he couldn’t understand the meaning of this simple tradition. Family gathered outside in the freezing cold to let lanterns drift into the skies. But today... after his sister’s death... after nearly losing Thurlow-Jurado’s Overseas... the murder of Emily Roscoe... and the hostage situation at the Wilkinson home, he new exactly why they continued the tradition.
He caught his mother’s eye as she stepped into the backyard with Caitlyn by her side. “Growing up, I was taught from a very young age that family is only about those who raised you, or who share your blood... family is about those who have grown-up with you...”
Gideon Wilkinson nodded along as his wife, Daphne, hugged his side.
“Those who we work along side every single day and those that we care about very much. But being a family is also about remembering those that we have lost along the way.” James spoke, he grabbed his own lantern and a lighter. “So tonight as we are gathered around family, I’d like to honor the ones that we had lost.”
He lit his candle. “To my father, Henry Thurlow, a man who I have had the honor to look up to for many years of my life. A man who brought great strength to this family and although he didn’t build Thurlow Enterprises from the ground-up, he did -- in many ways, help solidify it’s standing and the standing of this family.”
James let his lantern go and watched as it drifted into the sky.
“To my daughter, Shannon Thurlow Jurado,” Anita Thurlow spoke, garnering the attention of those around her. The older woman caught eye of her grandson, Aidan and smiled lightly. “She was stronger than I could ever imagine her to be. When she was a baby I spent so long trying to protect her, and to teach her how to be strong... I had no idea that she could teach me the same.”
Aidan lit a candle in honor of his mother alongside his grandmother’s and they let them go in-sync. Taylor Kern held Aidan in his arms and kissed his forehead.
It was Caitlyn’s turn to lit her own candle as she lit it for the daughter she never got to know, Emily Roscoe. How that in the years Caitlyn had known Emily as her husband’s secretary she never took the time to know the woman personally. The Wilkinson’s lit a candle for Emily as well, and for Grady Wilkinson -- although he was still physically alive, his spirit and drive for life had been diminished.
Kirsten Sutton grabbed her daughter close and gave her husband a kiss as she was just thankful to have made it back home in time for the tradition. Hearing about all the loss around her only made her even more thankful for having her husband and her daughter around.
The group looked up into the dark blue sky and watched as the lanterns disappeared into the night.
[.....]
Next Time, On Concrete Shelves
+Frank and Deborah Nelson face their problems.
+A Sutton arrives in Stone Creek.
+Cassie has to face a future without her brother in it.
+Caitlyn Thurlow moves forward with her life...
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