Chapter 20 – Happiness Sneaks

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open."

~John Barrymore

Carly's visit had not only made Freddie happy and taken a weight from Tori's shoulders, it had also reinvigorated Cat. She was chatty and vibrant – more like herself than Jade had seen before her pregnancy. The following week, her movie wrapped and the next morning, she found herself with nowhere to go. She dressed and padded down to the kitchen to find Jade drinking a cup of coffee, absently bouncing Scarlet's chair with her foot while she read the newspaper on her PearPad. She looked up in surprise when she saw Cat.

"Hey. Good morning."

"'morning."

"I didn't think you would be up this early –"

"My brain made me," Cat told her simply. She poured herself a glass of juice and sat next to Jade. The brunette put aside the PearPad.

"I'm making an egg casserole for breakfast. It should be finished soon if you want some." Cat nodded, yawning. "Do you want to do something today?

"Can you?" Cat asked, skeptically. Jade kept herself fairly busy.

"Yes," Jade answered shortly. "What do you want to do?" Before the rest of the household had woken, they had planned a day out that included lunch, shopping, and a round of mini-golf that Cat was never allowed to mention to another soul. As soon as Beck had taken Violet and Lily to school, Jade called Ella and the grandmother was delighted to take the two younger girls.

Cat was excited about the attention and the chance to spend time with Jade without being surrounded by other people who needed her just as much. The shopping trip yielded several new outfits for both of them and by the time they reached their destination for lunch, they had been to more stores than Jade cared to visit in a year.

"What would you think about taking a break now that the movie is over?" Jade asked Cat, once their food was ordered. The redhead looked at her quizzically.

"I'm not working today," Cat reminded her.

"I know," Jade answered. "But how about a little longer? You've been working a lot – and I know the offers are coming in – but if you wait two months, the offers will still be there. New ones, even."

"I know you're worried," Cat said softly. "But I'm okay."

"I know you are," Jade responded. "I just think a break would be a good idea. I need one too. You haven't seen Dr. Winters in a while – "

"No," Cat said emphatically.

"—and we haven't been on vacation lately." Cat's eye lit up, her previous objection forgotten. "And with school almost over – it would be a good time to take off for a while. Beck's movie is wrapping next week – we could go wherever we want." Cat did not argue about vacation – she actually didn't shut up about it until they were home and Jade warned her not to tell Violet until the details were decided.

That night, once all of her children were in bed and Cat was happily ensconced in some movie in her bedroom, Jade found Beck. He was sitting in the dimmed living room, watching some sporting event. He wasn't big on sports, but he tried to keep up with the local teams. Jade stood in front of him, blocking his line of sight. He looked up at her, smiling slightly. "Yes?"

"I kind—have, might-have, promised Cat a vacation today."

"Not that I mind," Beck answered, taking her hands. "But isn't that something you're supposed to discuss with me first?" She nodded and gave him a half-smirk.

"That's why I said it apologetically."

"But you're not actually going to apologize?"

Jade shook her head as she straddled his lap, sitting against him, facing him. "No. Definitely not. We need a break." She teased him, her fingers wandering along his chest as she planted kisses along his jaw line. He sighed in something that sounded like agony and lifted her, seating her in a bridal-position.

He kissed her firmly before pulling away. "Don't start something I'm too tired to finish."

"Mr. Oliver, are you getting old?" She teased.

He laughed. "We're both getting older, babe. I promise, I will make it up to you this weekend – but right now, I can barely keep my eyes open." The studio had been putting him through the wringer all month – he had been putting up with 6am calls and 12-14 hour days several times a week – he would simply be satisfied when this movie was over- and he would never work for this director again. "Forgive me?" He asked, bringing on her hands to his lips to kiss it.

She rolled her eyes playfully. "I guess," she agreed. "But this does it – we really do need a vacation."

"Agreed." He kissed the top of her head and pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her tightly. "Where do you want to go?"

"Nowhere with the name Disney," Jade told him. "Ideas?"

"How about one of those beach resorts? They have things for the kids to do – but it's got to be more relaxing than Disney."

"I'll look into it," Jade answered. Despite her teasing him earlier, she was the one who fell asleep first – in his arms – in the living room. Beck chuckled to himself and lifted her, carrying her to their bedroom.

Within a few days, the details were settled. They were going on vacation the week after school let out. Although Cat and Violet rallied for Disneyworld, they were overruled. They were going to a resort in Mexico that was very family oriented. They offered milk and cookies at turn-down and three kiddie pools – one that included a jungle-gym pirate ship. Jade also informed Beck that they had salsa dancing lessons – and that he was definitely going to take a refresher and then take her dancing. "Whatever you say, babe," he answered with a smile. After dinner on the evening when the plans were discussed, Jade and Tori sat and made the final arrangements, placing the reservations for the three family suites.

Since the discussion of vacation had begun, Tori had been toying with the idea of inviting Freddie. But three weeks at a resort was a lot of together time - was she ready for that? She would find out. When he arrived that evening, he greeted Lily, hugged her, and listened to a small speech about her day. Then he began helping Tori with dinner. She slid a cucumber and tomato to him along with the cutting board and knife while she worked on the lettuce and spinach.

"We're going to a resort in Mexico for a few weeks," she said before she changed her mind.

"Really? That will be nice - relaxing."

"I hope so," Tori admitted. "I've never been out of the country before, so it should be interesting. Jade rented three suites. They have all sorts of things for the kids to do – she's paying Annie to come along so she and Beck can have alone time without me always being the keeper of the kids."

"That's good. You need a break too."

"It has a spa and a golf course – I can't believe they have so much in one place." She sounded slightly overwhelmed, which confused him. It was her anxiety flaring because she didn't know how to invite him.

Freddie laughed gently. "I'm sure you'll be fine. They probably have maps and signs – and from what I've heard of your affinity for the pool, you'll really only need to be able to find that. When do you leave?"

"June 15th. Do-you-want-to-come?" She spit the words out so quickly and close together that Freddie had to pause to be sure he heard her correctly.

"You want me to come?"

"If you want to," she answered.

"I would love to. Are you sure no one minds? I don't want to interrupt a family vacation-"

"They don't mind." She said quickly.

Jade laughed the next day when Tori told her what she'd done. "Are you angry?"

"Why would I be angry?" She asked, stirring the sauce she was making to go with their dinner.

"I should have asked you first."

"It's your vacation too," Jade reminded her. "Are you sure you want him that close for three weeks?"

"No," Tori answered. "But I guess I'll find out." She looked at Jade, her eyes wide. "Where is he going to stay?"

Jade laughed again. "You invited him without thinking about that first? Tori – ." She shook her head, still smiling. "I'll check with Andre. I'm assuming he won't be using both of the bedrooms in the third suite. You and Cat can share the second one – you'll just have to keep Lily in your bed. Unless you want Fr—"

"No!"

"Does he know that?"

"Yes," Tori answered. As it turned out, Freddie was well aware that Tori's invitation did not mean that he was staying in her room. He actually thought he should purchase his own room, so he called Jade for the details. She told him about the free room in Andre's suite and he agreed as long as it was okay with the other man. Trina was also invited on the trip but she was still starting out in her new career and going away for that long was not possible. And spending three weeks with Jade was not her idea of a vacation.

The plane ride to Mexico was hectic to say the least. Jade had her hands full, sitting next to Cat with Coral in her lap. Beck sat in front of them, next to Violet, with Scarlet in his arms. Lily and Tori were in the next seats over, Andre and Freddie in front of them. The little girl vehemently wished, like Coral or Scarlet, she could crawl into Tori's lap. She was frightened. Tori watched her as the coach passengers filed into the plane and walked past them. The little girl's skin was flushed.

Tori placed her hand against Lily's cheek; she was clammy. She looked up and saw that Jade was watching them. The mother of three handed Coral off to Cat and interrupted the flow of coach passengers to walk over and squat in front of Lily's seat. She looked carefully at the child. Tori leaned close. "Lily, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," the little girl answered.

"Are you worried about the airplane?" Jade asked, watching her eyes – they were a bit unfocused.

Lily nodded sheepishly, tears swimming to her eyes. "It's okay," Tori promised. "You could have told me, sweetie. Flying can be scary the first time – but it's going to be okay." Freddie turned around, noticing for the first time that something was wrong. He crowded in beside Jade, in front of Tori's seat.

"Lily, I have flown all over the place – and it can be really fun. And when we get to Mexico – we're going to have a great time. Remember those pictures we saw on the computer of the swimming pools and dances?" Lily nodded. "What are you looking forward to the most?"

"The pool with the big lily pads," she answered. She had been taken with pictures of one of the kiddie pools with lily pads you could float on – and toadstools that spewed water.

"That can be the first pool we check out," Jade promised. Lily nodded but she was still flushed and Tori could feel her trembling. A flight attendant walked by then and saw four people squished into a place that was meant to hold two.

"Is everything alright?" She asked.

"Could we have a bottle of water, please," Tori asked. The woman nodded and disappeared, returning with it just a few minutes later. Tori had taken a bottle of pills from her purse. She hesitated but Jade nodded, telling her to do it. Lily's doctor had prescribed her a handful of sleeping pills and anxiety pills in case she had trouble on vacation. It was all new territory for her and they had been worried that it wouldn't be easy. Tori hated to simply drug her when there was a problem, but the child hadn't given one clue about being worried about the plane – and now her choices were limited. She removed one of the pills from the bottle, slipped the rest back in her purse, and showed it to Lily. "Dr. Kate gave this to me in case you needed it. It will help you sleep – when you wake up, the plane ride will be over. Do you want to try?"

Lily didn't hesitate – she nodded. She took the pill quickly and Jade and Freddie returned to their seats. It took another twenty minutes for all of the coach passengers to be seated and in that time, Lily was able to fall asleep in Tori's arms. Violet fell asleep on her own once they were at cruising altitude and Coral and Scarlet were fairly well behaved on the flight. Cat became antsy towards the end of it, but Jade was able to distract her with a new movie she'd downloaded on her PearPad.

When they finally reached their destination airport, the adults were relieved. Andre got off first, shaking his head as he took his own carry on and one that belonged to Jade. "Man, these kids – they don't make travel easy."

"That's not why you have them," Beck told him with a laugh. Freddie stood and stretched and watched as Tori unbuckled Lily from her seat. He slipped in and lifted the child into his arms. Tori thanked him and grabbed the three carry-on bags; thankfully Lily's was small.

The drive to the resort was much less dramatic than the plane ride had been – and it was short. Violet and Lily both bounced round the family concierge lounge while Jade checked them into their rooms. The hotel had one suite with three bedrooms and Jade had booked it. She and Beck had their own room, Violet and Coral would share, and Scarlet would be with Annie. Tori and Cat shared the suite next store with Lily bunking with her mother. Freddie and Andre shared the next suite down the hall and eyed each other warily as they entered the spacious living room.

"You care if I take the ocean view? Andre asked, pointing to the bedroom on the right.

"Sure, go ahead," Freddie answered. He took his luggage into the other bedroom and began to unpack. He called Carly and his mother to let them know he had arrived. His mother was as annoying as usually when she felt he might be in any semblance of danger, but he was able to get her off the phone in under twenty minutes, so he called that a success. A few minutes after he was settled and had changed into fresh clothing, there was a faint knock at their door. Lily and Tori stood on the other side, wearing adorably appropriate sundresses, telling them it was time for dinner. They ate in one of the hotel restaurants – this one had beautiful ocean views.

Jade gave everyone an itinerary that was mostly free time, but gave the times and locations for dinner each night along with a few tours they had booked. The rest of the time was up to each individual. On the first day, Freddie found himself with Beck, shin-deep in one of the kiddie pools, watching Lily and Violet having a blast in the interactive soak zone. Coral was sitting next to her father, patting the water playfully, occasionally making a splash that startled her. Annie was nearby, keeping an eye on the older girls and holding Scarlet in the shallow end of the pool. The baby was happy; she kicked her legs and cooed, smiling toothlessly when Beck looked her way and called her name.

"So, what chance do I have?" Freddie asked finally.

"You're here," Beck told him. "That's actually more than I ever thought would happen."

"Thanks," Freddie said sarcastically. Beck laughed.

"You just don't know how far she's come to even let you into her life. So, if anyone has a chance, it's you. Just don't push it. And don't piss off my wife."

"I have been trying not to do that all along."

"So far, it's been working," Beck assured him. He laughed again and patted Freddie on the back. "Hang in there."

The vacation was relaxing for all of them with very few hiccups. Tori never regretted her decision to invite Freddie. He fit in seamlessly with the group, spending time golfing with Beck, playing in the pool with the kids, and he was even a good enough sport to go dancing with Tori, despite his insistence that he couldn't dance.

One thing that did worry Tori - as she observed her little family over the course of three weeks of sun, fun, and relaxations – was that she was not the only one become attached to Freddie. Lily was hooked. The little girl was as comfortable falling asleep in his arms as she was in Tori's.

On their last day at the resort, Tori sat next to Jade on one of the lounge chairs, watching as the girls played in the water with Cat, Beck, Andre, and Freddie. Tori had tanned very well throughout their stay, but Jade was shielded from the sun as usual with a large-brimmed hat, cover up, and lots of sunscreen. She was watching the scene as well and it was as though she could read Tori's mind.

"It's not just your heart anymore," Jade said softly.

"I know," the other brunette answered. "Any suggestions?"

"You're doing fine," Jade told her. "Just take it one day at a time." Their last night at the resort was fun but bittersweet; they were now headed back to the real world where things were always more stressful. But they enjoyed that last night with a private dinner on the beach.

Jade and Beck took the kids back to their rooms once the sun began to set while Cat and Andre decided to take one last walk on the beach. It left Tori and Freddie alone at the candle-lit table, close to the receding tide. "Did you have a good time?" She asked, staring out into the waves.

Freddie laughed. "You couldn't tell? I don't think I've ever had a better time." He caught her hand in his and squeezed it gently. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Thank you for coming," she answered. "And for – understanding – and for being patient."

"You don't have to thank me for that," Freddie assured her. "Last chance, I guess – do you want to take a walk?" She nodded, standing, her hand still clasped in his. They walked along the beach, splashing in and out of the tide, until it was dark enough to become eerie. They headed back then, their hands still intertwined, their hearts light.

Thanks so much for reading! Please take a moment to leave a review and let me know what you think.