Chapter 3
"Bye, Whit!" Theresa waved. She shut the door behind her and leaned back against it. Eyes closed wearily.
"Theresita."
"Mama! You scared me."
Pilar smiled slightly. "Mija.Matthew has already had his bath. I told him you would tell him a bedtime story. I must be going."
"Stay," she pleaded. Her face falling when Pilar shook her head 'no.'
"I love you, Mija," she uttered softly. "But it's your place to work things out with Ethan. Not mine."
Theresa's dark hair hung loosely about her shoulders, and her chin quivered. "Fate's not going to help me out this time, is it Mama?"
Sympathy shone in Pilar's brown eyes as she kissed her daughter's temple. "I'm afraid not, Theresita."
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Simone scanned the confines of the Lobster Shack for him. With no luck. Did she have the time wrong?
"Simone? Simone Russell? Is that you?"
Her mouth hung open in shock, and she piddled with the strap of her purse self-consciously. "Oh my god! Reese?!?! That cannot be you."
His bright smile dimmed somwhat. Showing only a hint of perfect white teeth. "Things change."
Simone was fixated on the well-defined muscles clearly visible beneath his casual tee. "Tell me about it," she muttered under her breath. Gone were the glasses. The nerdy clothes. Had Reese been switched with an alien clone? Hey.it was Harmony. Stranger things had happened.
"I'm sorry," Reese smiled. Pulling out a chair for her. "Did you say something?"
"No! Um.yeah. I like what you've done with your hair."
"Thanks," he said. His cheeks pink.
And Simone realized.the more things change, the more they stay the same.
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Lauren wrinkled her nose. Tucking a flyaway strand of her ash-blond hair behind her ear as she sipped her lemonade. "Who is that?"
Ethan smiled. Tabitha. She had spotted Tabitha.
Ivy's laughter rang out. So loud several of the Book Café's patrons turned to stare. "THAT is Tabitha. Truly an original."
"You better believe it, Dearie," Tabitha said sarcastically. Groaning as she hefted Timmy onto her hip. "Up you go, Lad. I do believe my ears are burning," she said with a benevolent smile. "Did I hear my name mentioned?"
"Yes," Ivy replied. Quite flustered. "I was just telling my daughter all about you. She hasn't been in Harmony long."
Tabitha shifted Timmy to her other hip. "Good things, I hope."
"Good things," Ethan grinned.
"Oh. I'm so sorry," Ivy apologized. "So rude of me. Tabitha Lennox.my daughter Lauren. Lauren.Tabitha Lennox."
"Ahem."
"And her doll Timmy," Ivy rushed.
"Nice to meet you, Dear," Tabitha said. Staring at her strangely.
"Hubba, hubba."
Lauren's hazel eyes blinked twice, and she went slack-jawed. "E-E-x-cuse me," she stammered.
"Yes, Dear?"
"Nothing," Lauren said. Shaking her head to clear the cobwebs. "Jet lag. It's just jet lag. Please forgive me."
Tabitha patted Lauren's shoulder. "All is forgiven. I'm afraid I have to leave now. Nice meeting you."
Lauren watched the odd pair until they disappeared from sight. "Did.did you hear it, too?"
"What?" Ethan chuckled.
"The doll. It talked. It said.oh god. You're going to think I'm completely crazy."
Ivy struggled to keep a straight face. "No, I won't, Darling. Tell me. Tell me what Timmy said."
Lauren was afraid she'd die from embarrassment when she put it like that. Her mother and brother were howling with laughter. At her expense.
"The suspense is killing me," Ethan smirked. "Go ahead, Lauren. Tell us."
"Wild horses couldn't drag it out of me," she said stubbornly. Hubba, hubba? Lauren.get a grip, she told herself. Cracking a smile. "Never."
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"Can you believe it? Can you believe this is really happening? Mom is alive. She's alive, Kay," he repeated. Hugging her close.
His excitement was contagious. Kay gave in to the uncontrollable urge. And smiled. "We have her back," she whispered. Propping her chin on her brother's shoulder and staring out at the waterfront. A mother and young daughter walked by, and it hit her full force. "I have my mom back," she said to herself. Dark eyes shining with unshed tears.
Noah grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Let's go."
"Go where?" Kay giggled lightheartedly.
"Deliver the news to Dad's fiancee. Tell her she's yesterday's news."
"Ooo. Ooo. Count me in. I want to do the honors."
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"Yeah, Sam. I'll get to work on it. First thing tomorrow morning. Sheridan."
"Luis. You don't owe me any explanations. Tomorrow will be fine."
"Tell Sheridan and Danielle I said hello," Hank waved. "So."
"What happens now, Hank? I don't know. I truly don't know. But that woman in there.she needs me right now. Telling Ivy can wait a few more hours."
Hank looked skeptical. "Your decision, Bro. I'm here for you. Whatever you decide."
Sam grabbed his little brother in a fierce bear hug. "Thank you."
"Anytime. Say goodbye for me."
"Will do. Will do." The door clicked shut behind him, and he took in the starkness of the room.
"Dad," Jessica smiled. Laying her mother's hand down and rising form the mattress's edge. "She's asleep."
"Did she.?"
"No," Charity answered. "She can't give us any details. Either she doesn't remember."
"Or she doesn't want to tell us," Sam finished. "That's okay. What she needs now is rest," he said quietly. Brushing her auburn hair from her forehead tenderly. "Then.then we'll get our answers."
"Charity. I think it's time we went home. Tessa can hardly keep her eyes open," Miguel said. Lifting his daughter easily in his arms.
"Okay," Charity smiled. "Tell Aunt Grace I'll see her tomorrow."
Sam nodded his head and leaned back into Jessica's embrace.
Tessa's head rested on her father's shoulder. Her yellow hair loose and wild. Her blue eyes drooping with fatigue.
"Tessa. Goodbye, Tessa."
Sam didn't notice Grace smiling in her sleep.
But Tessa did. And it frightened her. She buried her face in the father's neck and clung to his shoulders with pale fingers. The smell of her fear permeated the small, sparse room.
And the motionless figure on the bed smiled wider.
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Sheridan flung the whitewashed gate back. And stepped into paradise. Her paradise anyway.
A seagull cried, and a tiny crab scrambled for shelter. The waves lapped against the shore gently.
Their sound always brought her a feeling of peace. Well-being. Made her believe everything would be alright. Someday. But not today. For they couldn't disguise another sound. A sound that tore at her heart and left it in tatters.
A child was whimpering. It's pitiful cries making her heart fill with dread. Her palms sweaty.
"Who's there? Danielle? Is that you, Baby?"
The cries were soft. But they sounded magnified. Deafening to her ears. "Mama. Mama."
She scanned her surroundings frantically. Where? Where was the crying coming from? Her heart stuck in her throat when she saw it. Golden hair. And a tiny brown body. Cowering in the shadows along the craggy shore. "Don't cry," she pleaded. "Please don't cry."
The rocks were slippery, and she couldn't get a good foothold in her sandals. So she threw her shoes to the wet sand below.
"Mama. Mama," the little voice cried out in sorrow.
"Mom! Mom! What are you doing?"
A bothersome strand of blond hair fell over her forehead. In her eyes. And she blew at it impatiently.
Annoyed. "Danielle! Go get help!" She could hear the squishing noise of Danielle's sandals as she came closer. "Danielle," she cried. "I told you."
Danielle's blue eyes had tears in them. "Mommy.mommy, please. You're scaring me."
"Sweetie, don't be afraid. I just have to help him. Help the baby. He's frightened."
Her daughter's next words struck fear in her heart.
"What are you talking about?" she cried. "There is NO baby."
"There is." Her words died in her throat. Danielle was right. The realization made her dizzy, and she lay her head against the sun-warmed rock and cried. Gut wrenching sobs.
"Daddy! Help her. Please help her."
The concern and love in Luis's voice made her weak. The last thing she remembered was the comforting thud of his heartbeat and the warmth of his arms.
"Bye, Whit!" Theresa waved. She shut the door behind her and leaned back against it. Eyes closed wearily.
"Theresita."
"Mama! You scared me."
Pilar smiled slightly. "Mija.Matthew has already had his bath. I told him you would tell him a bedtime story. I must be going."
"Stay," she pleaded. Her face falling when Pilar shook her head 'no.'
"I love you, Mija," she uttered softly. "But it's your place to work things out with Ethan. Not mine."
Theresa's dark hair hung loosely about her shoulders, and her chin quivered. "Fate's not going to help me out this time, is it Mama?"
Sympathy shone in Pilar's brown eyes as she kissed her daughter's temple. "I'm afraid not, Theresita."
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Simone scanned the confines of the Lobster Shack for him. With no luck. Did she have the time wrong?
"Simone? Simone Russell? Is that you?"
Her mouth hung open in shock, and she piddled with the strap of her purse self-consciously. "Oh my god! Reese?!?! That cannot be you."
His bright smile dimmed somwhat. Showing only a hint of perfect white teeth. "Things change."
Simone was fixated on the well-defined muscles clearly visible beneath his casual tee. "Tell me about it," she muttered under her breath. Gone were the glasses. The nerdy clothes. Had Reese been switched with an alien clone? Hey.it was Harmony. Stranger things had happened.
"I'm sorry," Reese smiled. Pulling out a chair for her. "Did you say something?"
"No! Um.yeah. I like what you've done with your hair."
"Thanks," he said. His cheeks pink.
And Simone realized.the more things change, the more they stay the same.
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Lauren wrinkled her nose. Tucking a flyaway strand of her ash-blond hair behind her ear as she sipped her lemonade. "Who is that?"
Ethan smiled. Tabitha. She had spotted Tabitha.
Ivy's laughter rang out. So loud several of the Book Café's patrons turned to stare. "THAT is Tabitha. Truly an original."
"You better believe it, Dearie," Tabitha said sarcastically. Groaning as she hefted Timmy onto her hip. "Up you go, Lad. I do believe my ears are burning," she said with a benevolent smile. "Did I hear my name mentioned?"
"Yes," Ivy replied. Quite flustered. "I was just telling my daughter all about you. She hasn't been in Harmony long."
Tabitha shifted Timmy to her other hip. "Good things, I hope."
"Good things," Ethan grinned.
"Oh. I'm so sorry," Ivy apologized. "So rude of me. Tabitha Lennox.my daughter Lauren. Lauren.Tabitha Lennox."
"Ahem."
"And her doll Timmy," Ivy rushed.
"Nice to meet you, Dear," Tabitha said. Staring at her strangely.
"Hubba, hubba."
Lauren's hazel eyes blinked twice, and she went slack-jawed. "E-E-x-cuse me," she stammered.
"Yes, Dear?"
"Nothing," Lauren said. Shaking her head to clear the cobwebs. "Jet lag. It's just jet lag. Please forgive me."
Tabitha patted Lauren's shoulder. "All is forgiven. I'm afraid I have to leave now. Nice meeting you."
Lauren watched the odd pair until they disappeared from sight. "Did.did you hear it, too?"
"What?" Ethan chuckled.
"The doll. It talked. It said.oh god. You're going to think I'm completely crazy."
Ivy struggled to keep a straight face. "No, I won't, Darling. Tell me. Tell me what Timmy said."
Lauren was afraid she'd die from embarrassment when she put it like that. Her mother and brother were howling with laughter. At her expense.
"The suspense is killing me," Ethan smirked. "Go ahead, Lauren. Tell us."
"Wild horses couldn't drag it out of me," she said stubbornly. Hubba, hubba? Lauren.get a grip, she told herself. Cracking a smile. "Never."
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"Can you believe it? Can you believe this is really happening? Mom is alive. She's alive, Kay," he repeated. Hugging her close.
His excitement was contagious. Kay gave in to the uncontrollable urge. And smiled. "We have her back," she whispered. Propping her chin on her brother's shoulder and staring out at the waterfront. A mother and young daughter walked by, and it hit her full force. "I have my mom back," she said to herself. Dark eyes shining with unshed tears.
Noah grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Let's go."
"Go where?" Kay giggled lightheartedly.
"Deliver the news to Dad's fiancee. Tell her she's yesterday's news."
"Ooo. Ooo. Count me in. I want to do the honors."
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"Yeah, Sam. I'll get to work on it. First thing tomorrow morning. Sheridan."
"Luis. You don't owe me any explanations. Tomorrow will be fine."
"Tell Sheridan and Danielle I said hello," Hank waved. "So."
"What happens now, Hank? I don't know. I truly don't know. But that woman in there.she needs me right now. Telling Ivy can wait a few more hours."
Hank looked skeptical. "Your decision, Bro. I'm here for you. Whatever you decide."
Sam grabbed his little brother in a fierce bear hug. "Thank you."
"Anytime. Say goodbye for me."
"Will do. Will do." The door clicked shut behind him, and he took in the starkness of the room.
"Dad," Jessica smiled. Laying her mother's hand down and rising form the mattress's edge. "She's asleep."
"Did she.?"
"No," Charity answered. "She can't give us any details. Either she doesn't remember."
"Or she doesn't want to tell us," Sam finished. "That's okay. What she needs now is rest," he said quietly. Brushing her auburn hair from her forehead tenderly. "Then.then we'll get our answers."
"Charity. I think it's time we went home. Tessa can hardly keep her eyes open," Miguel said. Lifting his daughter easily in his arms.
"Okay," Charity smiled. "Tell Aunt Grace I'll see her tomorrow."
Sam nodded his head and leaned back into Jessica's embrace.
Tessa's head rested on her father's shoulder. Her yellow hair loose and wild. Her blue eyes drooping with fatigue.
"Tessa. Goodbye, Tessa."
Sam didn't notice Grace smiling in her sleep.
But Tessa did. And it frightened her. She buried her face in the father's neck and clung to his shoulders with pale fingers. The smell of her fear permeated the small, sparse room.
And the motionless figure on the bed smiled wider.
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Sheridan flung the whitewashed gate back. And stepped into paradise. Her paradise anyway.
A seagull cried, and a tiny crab scrambled for shelter. The waves lapped against the shore gently.
Their sound always brought her a feeling of peace. Well-being. Made her believe everything would be alright. Someday. But not today. For they couldn't disguise another sound. A sound that tore at her heart and left it in tatters.
A child was whimpering. It's pitiful cries making her heart fill with dread. Her palms sweaty.
"Who's there? Danielle? Is that you, Baby?"
The cries were soft. But they sounded magnified. Deafening to her ears. "Mama. Mama."
She scanned her surroundings frantically. Where? Where was the crying coming from? Her heart stuck in her throat when she saw it. Golden hair. And a tiny brown body. Cowering in the shadows along the craggy shore. "Don't cry," she pleaded. "Please don't cry."
The rocks were slippery, and she couldn't get a good foothold in her sandals. So she threw her shoes to the wet sand below.
"Mama. Mama," the little voice cried out in sorrow.
"Mom! Mom! What are you doing?"
A bothersome strand of blond hair fell over her forehead. In her eyes. And she blew at it impatiently.
Annoyed. "Danielle! Go get help!" She could hear the squishing noise of Danielle's sandals as she came closer. "Danielle," she cried. "I told you."
Danielle's blue eyes had tears in them. "Mommy.mommy, please. You're scaring me."
"Sweetie, don't be afraid. I just have to help him. Help the baby. He's frightened."
Her daughter's next words struck fear in her heart.
"What are you talking about?" she cried. "There is NO baby."
"There is." Her words died in her throat. Danielle was right. The realization made her dizzy, and she lay her head against the sun-warmed rock and cried. Gut wrenching sobs.
"Daddy! Help her. Please help her."
The concern and love in Luis's voice made her weak. The last thing she remembered was the comforting thud of his heartbeat and the warmth of his arms.