Author's Note:

Sorry for the very delayed update! I was out of the country, then had family things to deal with, as well as being extremely busy at work. Hopefully things are calming down now! On to the story :)

Maggie

The seasons seemed to change so suddenly; before Maggie knew what was happening, it was freezing cold outside. She hadn't brought along a decent jacket for her shopping trip, and she was regretting it as she stepped into a delightfully warm store. She just needed a few essential items, but the idea of getting out of the house was so appealing that she decided to do a bit of window shopping, maybe get a head start on Christmas presents for her family.

"Oh, well, if it isn't Maggie Hale!"

She turned at the familiar voice calling out, eyes instantly landing on Faith's tanned arm which was thrust in her directed. Maggie's gaze traveled down the arm to the wiggling fingers, one of which was graced by an enormous diamond ring.

Surprised, Maggie glanced back up at Faith. "Well, I guess I should say congratulations!" She said, wondering who Faith had managed to tie down so suddenly.

With a sly grin, Faith turned to the man next to her. "Yes, yes, we're getting married! The sooner the better." She slipped her arm through his, patting it possessively.

"It's nice to see you again, Maggie," Watson said, looking a little sheepish at Maggie's surprised expression. She quickly schooled her features into something less incredulous, hoping she hadn't conveyed the extent of her surprise.

Faith giggled at Maggie's expression. "Sure, he's a little past his prime, I suppose," she said, cupping her hand around her mouth as if that would keep her fiancé from hearing. "But he's a very good fit for the Thornton family. He's even been trying to convince John to go in with him on an investment, a real promising startup situation."

There was no stopping the surprise from showing through on Maggie's face this time. Her eyebrows shot up to new heights. "A startup?" She said, hearing in her own voice the incredulity. She cleared her throat to cover her shock. "I'm sorry, I just didn't think John would be willing to participate in that kind of risky venture, especially not right now." The words still felt judgmental, but that was something she couldn't help.

Rolling her eyes, Faith smirked. "Oh, dear, everyone does it! All business is a risk, isn't that right, Watson?" The older man nodded in agreement, already used to agreeing with everything his young bride-to-be said. "John will have to be more modern in his business dealings if he wants to keep up with the world." She continued, noticing that Watson was about to pull out his wallet to pay for her purchases. "No, no, let me get it!" Faith pulled out a shiny new credit card. "We've got quite enough money to handle this, I can assure you." She winked in Maggie's direction before swiping her card, signing the receipt with a flourish. The couple left as suddenly as they had appeared, leaving Maggie staring after them.

John

In the winter, they tended to gather in the study where the fireplace created a cozy atmosphere every evening. Sure, the house had central heat, but there was nothing like a fire to help you unwind at night. That's where John and his mother were when Faith waltzed in, tossing her purchases on the floor with a huff. "Honestly, where do Maggie Hale get off on being so high and mighty?" The question grabbed John and Hannah's attention; both looked up from what they were doing.

Satisfied that she had her family's full attention, Faith continued. "She was in the store today while I was there with Watson. She seemed surprised when I told her of my engagement. So grave and disapproving, as if she didn't think we could afford a big wedding."

John frowned at the direction that this story was heading but couldn't get a word in edge-wise as his sister kept talking. "I set her straight, though. It's not like she'll ever get married." Her brother's frown deepened, the words setting his teeth on edge. Mrs. Thornton glanced at John, noting the tension in his brow. "She's already so much older than I am, and so severe! I told her about Watson's investment opportunity, and she turned up her nose at me. She said she didn't think you would be interested as if she knew you better than I do. What a joke!"

Bang! The sound startled Hannah and Faith as John slammed his hands angrily on his desk. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't discuss my business affairs in the street," he said coldly. "What do you know about money, anyway, except how to spend it?" He knew the words were too harsh as soon as he said them. Faith was not used to such unkindness, sheltered as she was from the world. If she knew little about money and business, it was no one's fault but his own, and his mother's.

"I know enough to know that if you would just join Watson in this venture, then you would be sure to profit!" She shot back angrily.

Shaking his head in disgust, John scoffed. "There is nothing sure about investing in a startup," he hissed, wishing he didn't know just how dangerous it was. "I will not risk the livelihood of my workers to follow Watson in this foolhardy plan of his." He paused, suddenly exhausted. "Besides, if I lost all our money, how would you expect me to pay off your wedding?" It was a low blow, but he knew it would end the conversation.

Faith was practically shaking in anger and embarrassment. "You'll regret this," she seethed before stalking out of the study. John just shook his head, resting his face in his palms with a sigh. Why did everything have to be so difficult?

His mother came to stand next to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Is it really so risky?" she asked.

"Do you really need to ask me that? Of course, it's risky!" He looked up at his mother with eyes that reminded her of when he was a little boy. "If it worked, it would solve all of our money problems, and no one would know any difference."

There was a but that wasleft unsaid. "And if it failed?" She thought she knew the answer but felt like she had to ask.

He suppressed a shiver at the thought. "If it failed, then we wouldn't be the only ones in trouble. Do you really want me to risk that?"

The answer was no, and they both knew it. "Tell me what I can do to help," Mrs. Thornton asked. John's heart felt the full weight of the question. He shouldn't have to be the one to tell her what to do. The enormity of his responsibilities made it hard to breathe sometimes.

"Pray for a busy summer. That there are plenty of tours, new albums, shows. Pray that everyone pays their bills on time. And that Faith doesn't have any more grand ideas for her wedding." His mother smiled at that, leaning down to give him a hug before going off to bed. John stayed up in his study for a long time, finally falling asleep on his paperwork.

Nick

The smaller children were blissfully asleep. Nick couldn't help but smile at the image in front of him, watching Mary help Butch's oldest son, Tommy, with his homework. She was an angel, stepping in naturally to the motherly role that was thrust upon her. He didn't think he would have made it through everything if she hadn't been right beside him. Most of the time, Nick tried not to dwell on the events that had led him to his current position.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. Nick glanced at the clock; it was only eight o'clock. It had been dark for hours, making it feel much later than it was. With a weary sigh, he pulled himself out of the chair.

He wasn't sure who he was expecting, but it wasn't John Thornton. They stared at each other a moment, both seemingly caught off guard. Nick noticed the shadows under John's eyes, the grim set to his mouth. "Well, come in, I guess," he said, motioning his former employer inside.

John still didn't say a word as they settled onto the couch. He was watching Mary and Tommy, both of whom were completely absorbed in their work. Mary glanced up and smiled politely, but didn't make a move to join the men. She knew that whatever the reason Mr. Thornton had come, Nick would want to handle it.

"This is one of the children you mentioned yesterday?" John asked without preamble, still staring intently at Tommy with equal parts interest and concern.

The boy noticed the attention; his eyes met John's, forcing the older man to look away quickly. "You didn't believe me?" Nick asked, crossing his arms.

He watched John carefully as he considered what to say. "The way I spoke to you was uncalled for," John said, looking down at his clasped hands. "You're right, I didn't believe you. I couldn't have taken in someone else's children like that. But I've asked around, and clearly, I was wrong. I'm sorry." He held Nick's gaze for a moment before looking back down.

Shrugging, Nick glanced over at the table where Mary and Tommy still sat hard at work. "Well, Butch is dead and I'm sorry for that," he said softly. "But what's done is done and we have to move on." There was more confidence in his voice than he felt. The reality was much less certain.

"Will you come back to work with me?" John asked quickly. "That's why I came here." Straight back, clenched fists, eyes as cold as ice. Nick knew that look. This wasn't easy for John to come and apologize.

That didn't mean he wouldn't make him suffer a bit. He stayed silent for a moment while he considered John's offer. "You've called me a no-good liar, a troublemaker. But for the sake of these children, you think we could get along?" Nick asked, finally breaking the awkwardness.

John cracked a small smile. "Well, I never said I intended for us to get along," he said.

"Any work is better than no work," Nick said, standing up. "I'll come back. In fact, I'll even thank you for the offer, and that's a lot coming from me."

Standing as well, John reached out his hand to Nick. "Good. Make sure you're not late, you know how I feel about that," he said as they shook on it. "And I'd better not find out about you using that brain of yours to cause trouble again."

Grinning, Nick walked with John to the door. "I reckon I'll have to leave my brains at home, then." His remark earned him a chuckle.

John stopped in the doorway, turning back to Nick. "Was it Maggie that told you to come to see me? You could have told me." The tone of his voice was full of emotions that Nick thought he understood.

"And that would have made you a bit more civil?" He asked, raising his eyebrows doubtfully. John just gave him a grim smile in response before walking away.

John

It hadn't been easy, swallowing his pride and asking Nick to come back to work. Walking to Nick's apartment brought up too many memories; the area was only slightly better than the one he grew up in. It was much simpler to forget that people still lived in poverty after he himself was able to overcome it. Though, who knew how long that would last.

Despite everything, he was looking forward to working with Nick again. He smiled to himself as he walked down the street towards the Hale's house. That smile faded quickly while he stood on the porch waiting for someone to answer the door, nerves taking over again. He braced himself when the door opened, revealing a calm and composed Maggie.

"Hi, John," she said quietly, motioning him inside out of the cold. They had crossed paths a few times since everything had happened, but it never got easier for John. Just seeing her was like a punch in the gut, making it hard to breathe. "Dad is waiting for you in the music room."

He took off his coat and hung it by the door before turning, noticing that Maggie was watching him. "I thought you'd want to know, I've given Nick his job back," he said gruffly, his voice sounding stiff even to his own ears.

A smile lit up Maggie's face like the sun. "I'm so glad," she said, the warmth of her happiness chased away the lingering cold of the entryway.

They were the first civil words they'd spoken to each other in months; John didn't want it to end just yet. "I wasn't aware that you were the one who asked him to come to me," he said, examining the faded carpet.

"Would that have made you more or less likely to take him back?" Her words made him glance up sharply, so similar to the ones Nick had spoken. She smiled, softening the blow.

John couldn't help but smile back, basking in the comforting feeling that settled between them. "I don't know," he said honestly, "but I won't take back the offer if that's what you're worried about."

Now it was Maggie's turn to look away, embarrassed. "Of course not. I don't think you would ever do something like that." She sighed, shaking her head. "It seems like I have a better opinion of you than you do of me, at the moment."

The sudden change in tone was like a blanket being ripped away on a cold morning. John wasn't sure what she meant by her words, but he didn't have an answer either way. It seemed like anything he said only made matters worse. So he said nothing, walking down the hall in silence, the feel of Maggie's sad eyes burning a hole in his back.

Mr. Hale noticed the weight on his friend's mind. John's heart wasn't in the lesson as he played piano with no joy or soul. The older man didn't mention it, though, knowing if John wanted to talk about it, he would.

Maggie

Why did every interaction between them have to end badly? Why couldn't they just be normal people, simple acquaintances? Maggie was mentally hitting herself as she sat curled up on the couch, listening to the music drifting out of the other room. John's playing had gotten significantly better throughout his lessons, even though Maggie was sure he couldn't have much time to practice.

She heard John leave, almost wishing he would stop in and say goodbye. It was a crazy thought, but she missed having him around. The sound of his voice, the comfort of his presence. She wanted that more than ever in the cold days after her mother's death.

Her father came in and settled into his chair, watching her carefully. "Magpie, love, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but..." he coughed uncomfortably. "Do you have any reason to think that John might have feelings for you?"

That got her full attention. "Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry," she said, the tears welling up behind her eyes.

"I guess you rejected him, then?" Mr. Hale looked solemnly at his sweet, kind daughter.

She nodded, unable to look him in the eye for fear of what she would see there. "I should have told you," she whispered.

There was a shift in the weight on the couch as Mr. Hale moved to sit next to his daughter. "No, no, it's okay. I guess that's why he hasn't been by as often." His voice trembled a bit, but he powered on. "Though I do appreciate his company, especially now… now that your mom is gone. But if it makes you uncomfortable to have him around, I'll ask him not to come over anymore." Maggie could tell that thought in particular pained her father, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything at the moment. "Anyway, I'm sure you were honest. That's what's most important."

"I didn't say anything I wouldn't say again," she said firmly, trying to convince herself it was the truth. Mr. Hale nodded, patting her leg before standing up and going into the kitchen.