Eliot is up with the sun in anticipation of the day. The thought of himself being attached to a child let alone children is still so foreign to Eliot but the more he says it in his head, the more he loves the sound of it. He never thought the possibility of children existed in his life. Life has had other plans and Tess would never miss the trek into the woods to harvest Christmas trees with the Hannigans. It is tradition and it was Tess' favorite part of the holidays. Eliot realizes why Paddy invited him to the Inn for this particular weekend. Tess would have shared the love of this ritual with her children, children would have only made this tradition more magical for Tess. In this mood, Eliot knows that he is better occupied than idle as he heads to the barns with Padd. As they feed the livestock, Paddy knows that it is time to bridge the distance between he and Eliot since Eliot has been a little too silent this morning.
"You talk to Tess last night?" Paddy takes a seat atop the railing of the corral. Eliot gives Paddy a sidelong look before joining him. "When were you going to tell me about the boys?" Paddy knew that this question was coming from the look on Eliot's face when he returned from Tess' house the night before and was the reason that he went back. "I was getting around to it… I promised Tess that I wouldn't, Eliot… I didn't know how to tell you." Paddy was torn for a long time but a chance meeting with Eliot changed his mind about sharing the news of fatherhood. When he saw Eliot, he knew that Eliot had returned from the darkness a changed man… everyone deserves a second chance and he owed Eliot that second chance.
"That is a hell of a detail to leave out for the last eight years, Patrick." Paddy was a brother to him and to Tess. He would have always known. Eliot cannot fathom how he never managed to hear about his pending fatherhood. He knows that his life got complicated but... Eliot lets that particular thought escape his mind. It is too painful to constantly relive right now. If Paddy had not asked him to come, he may have never known about Tess and the boys.
"Eliot, when I saw you… you were different. Trust me, I was on the threat of death from Tessie and, frankly, I am more afraid of her than I am of you, brother." Paddy pauses to sort his thoughts into the right words. "She held out hope for a long time Eliot... a really long time. There really has never been anyone else in her life... just the boys." Paddy ends the statement by digging into some of the work feeding the livestock.
Eliot is not sure how to react to Paddy's comment. For him, there have been countless women maybe not countless but enough. He wonders for a moment if Paddy is exaggerating but raising twins as a single mom would leave Tess with less than a lot of time for a life outside of the children and making a living running her own businesses. Tess is too stubborn or proud to ask for help. She would have bullied through on her own. A wave of guilt passes over Eliot at the thought and of how he could have helped her. It is not like he has not thought of Tess. He has thought of her often since they parted. Eliot acknowledges that what he had with Tess was love. Eliot did not offer a ring lightly, he saw forever with Tess but life got in the way. Now, he has the financial ability to cure any problem that Tess would have. Eliot shakes the thoughts of the past out of his head. He now has the knowledge and he has time to make this right which starts with just getting through today.
In town later in that morning:
Sophie and Nate arrive in town in response to Parker's call. Sophie made Nate drop everything for this trip into Eliot's past and fortunately, they were already on the East Coast. Sophie loves New England especially around Christmas. She has missed their Boston adventures and true to the name, New England reminds her of home. Nate and Sophie take in the sights of the town preparing for the holidays. Parker and Hardison have already given them the rundown of the situation surrounding Eliot. Parker had told her about Tess and her shop. Sophie wants to take a sneak peek at the shop and especially a peek and the mysterious lady love from Eliot's past that Parker described in astonishing detail." The thought of Eliot being a father makes Sophie smile from a place of pure joy.
Sophie walks into the quaint shop. She is charmed by the old world elegance of the displays and the lavish old fashioned decorations decking out the window displays. The confections remind her of European shops. The shop is crowded but Sophie spies Tess among her staff based on Parker's description. Sophie watches the interactions to get a sense of who this woman is. Sophie lingers for enough time to see the school bus drop off the twins in front of the shop. Sophie marvels at them under Nate's watchful gaze. "Wow." Sophie is almost giddy at the sight of Eliot's offspring. The boys are the spitting image of their father. There is no mistaking those blue eyes and tousled blond locks. Sophie walks around to see the boys each steal a cookie from the display before kissing their mom. Nate wrangles Sophie out of the shop and to the car before they are spotted. If they are going to make an entrance, it is time to head to meet Parker and Hardison at the Inn.
Parker and Hardison are waiting for Nate and Sophie in the lobby with anticipation as Nate and Sophie pull into the parking lot . Mrs Hannigan is thrilled to have more guests in time for the holidays. Eliot and Paddy walk in through the kitchen as Sophie and Nate arrive. The inn is full of customers and family given the scheduled events of the day. Some would assume that the Mrs Hannigan would want to close the inn to keep the holiday party for family but that was never her way. At holidays, she would throw open the doors of the inn for anyone in need of a place to be. The Christmas tree harvest an age old celebration of the whole town starting with the bonfire tonight.
Sophie and Nate had been chatting with Mrs Hannigan and the Gunny as Eliot notices the arrival of Tess and the boys. Eliot knew Parker would have shared that news immediately and is not shocked by their appearance. It has been a long while since Mrs Hannigan hosted a full house at the inn during the holiday season, the added company should make the bonfire and decorating party even more delightful.
Sophie greets Eliot with a warm hug still wrapped in the vision of Eliot's children. "You don't know how happy I am to see you." Sophie can feel the apprehension radiating off of Eliot as the phrase leaves his lips. Nate follows Hardison to the rooms giving Sophie a few minutes to talk to Eliot alone. Eliot walks outside with Sophie in tow. "Handsome boys, Eliot." Sophie leans against the railing with her eyes fixed on Eliot.
"You saw them?" It suddenly occurs to Sophie that Eliot walked into a situation that has completely blindsided him. Eliot is obviously unsure how to process it and Sophie realizes given the story conveyed by Parker, she doesn't know how deep Eliot is in. Sophie can tell from his reaction that he truly did not know about his children. "On our way into town, the boys were getting off of the school bus in front of the sweet shop, my goodness are you nervous?" Sophie touches Eliot's shoulder in an effort to comfort him. "Sophie, this has been surreal. They are coming here. I talked with Tess last night, she is going to let me meet them."
"You haven't met them?" Sophie can see it his eyes. Eliot Spencer has met his match. She is slightly amused at her fearless warrior faltering over a couple of seven year olds. Even Superman has his kryptonite. "No… not yet, in a little while." Eliot's attention drifts to the activity going on nearby in the room.
"So who is mom, Eliot?" Sophie's question is intentionally vague and leading as she brushes shoulders with Eliot. Sophie knows what Parker and Hardison shared but there is obviously layers to this story out of Eliot's past. "It's complicated." Eliot runs his hands through his hair with an pensive look down at Sophie. Sophie smiles at Eliot, a vulnerable Eliot is definitely uncharted territory. Hardison has shared the engagement announcement and with what she knows about Eliot. Eliot must have loved this mysterious woman, Eliot would have never offered a ring if he didn't mean it but there is quite obviously more to this story and a less than happy ending.
Eliot excuses himself from Sophie to help Paddy and to keep himself occupied over the idle time with his thoughts. As Eliot's departs her company, Sophie spies the arrival of familiar faces through the window. Tess has arrived with her sons and so it begins. Sophie can see Eliot's glance over his shoulder, monitoring Tess's every move with a softness that she has never seen in Eliot's expression.
Sophie has never seen her Eliot so vulnerable. Eliot stops in his tracks to taking the sight of the boys as they follow Tess to the barn. Each of the boys are dressed in Carhartt overalls, with layered flannel shirts boots and watchman caps. The irony hits Eliot, he is dressed in a near identical outfit. In his heart, he knows Jack from Jake based on pure instinct. He just knows. The waves of emotions that come over Eliot are so foreign to him. Eliot lets the emotions crash upon him to maintain his composure. Sophie watches Eliot with fascination from her vantage point.
The boys instantly take off from Tess' towards Paddy and Connie's kids who are gathered near the barn amusing themselves with play until the hay ride. Tess heads to the back of her Jeep opening the tailgate as she begins to unload boxes of treats for Mrs Hannigan for the pending party. Eliot immediately walks over to help Tess. He leans against the back of the Jeep. Some things never change. Tess has had this vehicle since they met. It is a coveted Jeep Wagoneer Woody Wagon that Tess has kept in pristine condition for decades. "Hi." Eliot offers with a gentle smile as he takes a box from Tess's hands. Much to his surprise, Tess gives him a warm smile in return. Tess can see the nervousness in Eliot which she finds a bit intriguing and sweet. Eliot helps her carry in the boxes to Mrs Hannigan. Eliot heads back out to help the Gunny as Tess lingers in the kitchen with Mrs. Hannigan to allow Eliot a few minutes to take in the boys and Paddy can make the introductions.
"I am proud of you Tessie." Mrs Hannigan nudges Tess. "I know this is not easy for you." Mrs Hannigan lovingly rubs Tess' shoulder. Tess smiles again. Smiling is the only reaction she can muster with all of the emotions running a muck in her head and heart. Tess had hoped for Eliot's return for so long. She longed to have Eliot there on so many sleepless nights. She missed everything about Eliot. As the years passed, she learned to accept that Eliot had made his choice and it was hard to accept that his choice was not to be with her. Tess watches Eliot through the window. The kids are hopping into the wagon with assistance from Paddy and Eliot. Paddy introduces Eliot to the children. He learns that his instincts were right. Jake is in red watchman's cap. Jack is in a blue one. Eliot can feel Tess's watchful gaze upon him which he answers with a wave and a smile as big as the outdoors. Sophie watches the whole situation manifest from a safe distance.
Mrs Hannigan pushes Tess out the door so that she does not miss riding with the Gunny at the front of the wagon. "You are burning daylight child." The others will follow. The Gunny taps the seat next to him. "All aboard Momma Bear." Tess hops into the seat next to the Gunny. Parker and the others have taken seats among the hay bales in the back. All are enjoying the holiday activities bound in obvious long standing tradition.
The horse drawn wagons head down the path and into the woods in the bright afternoon sunshine. The air is cold and crisp with sunlight twinkling in the late afternoon sky. Everyone is headed to the Christmas tree farm owned by the Gunny for a bonfire and the harvest of trees for the Inn. It has been a family tradition for as long as any of them can remember, it has always been a part of their visits at this time of the year. It is predictable and joyful. Eliot remembers with fondness the assorted holidays that he spent in this town and with these families. He watched his brothers become fathers. New additions were seemingly added year over year for so long ago. As they approach the farm, memories flash in Eliot's mind. He glances back towards Tess as the vivid flash of his proposal to her seems as if it was yesterday. It was a day so much like today. The near constant irony is not lost on him.
When the wagon stops, the kids scatter among the trees running in and out of them like a giant maze. Eliot is nearly knocked over by the pair of barreling seven year olds. Eliot scoops up Jake before he starts to tumble to the ground. Jack grabs Tess's hand as Eliot rights Jake on his feet. The twins break away, darting in and out of the trees to find their Christmas tree. Paddy hands Eliot a saw as he joins Tess. Eliot and Tess walk side by side trailing behind the boys. Sophie catches glimpses of Eliot's side long looks at Tess. She wonders what memories are stirred up in Eliot's mind. The boys run back at the pair shouting a mile a minute about how they have found the tree. The boys physically drag Tess to their find as she inspects it. With a nod and without a thought to the pain in his shoulder, Eliot takes to the ground to cut the base of the tree. He places the boys on the back of the tree as they take the tree back towards the wagons. The moment has Eliot almost giddy. It is a moment that he could have only dreamed of having. With the choices in his life, he had never once thought that he could ever have a family and now he is having a family moment with his sons.
Sophie and the others observe Eliot and Tess's first adventure as they sip hot chocolate near the bonfire which offers the best possible vantage point. Sophie watches intently, she is overjoyed to be able to see this sight first hand. Though this moment is going well… there are many more moments to come and this is something that her darling Eliot is not prepared for. Ironically, the only one of them with any experiences in this situation is Nate and this is likely hitting close to home.
The twins again physically drag Tess through the woods in their search to find roasting sticks. Eliot smiles as Tess falls into her rituals for making the proper smores. Eliot gives the marshmallows a once over as he blows out another flaming lump of sugar before handing over a finished smore to one of his sons. With a nod, Tess tells the boys that they can go off to play flash light tag in the evergreens. The boys look at Eliot announcing. "Come on Eliot!" Eliot is now in tow with Parker and Hardison joining in. Eliot fights the pain in his shoulder and leg as they rough house and play with the biggest smile on his face that any of them have every scene. Tess notices the winces pass across Eliot's face from moment to moment. To Eliot the smiles on the faces that surround him are worth any ache in this world.
After the rousing game, the kids wonder over to wagons to return back to the inn. Tess's perfume wafts in Eliot's directions as they maneuver everyone into the wagons. The scent of Tess' perfume is warm, familiar and French. She still wears the same signature scent. They say that scent is the closest tied to memory. What they say must be true as Eliot's mind wanders into the shared past with Tess again while he gazes at his sons sitting on the hay bales across from him and Tess.
Sophie notices how Eliot looks at Tess. She hopes it is the way that Nate looks at her. Parker walks up behind Sophie. They both watch Eliot with affection. Sophie has never seen a look of love on Eliot. The love is painted across Eliot's features. Sophie is intrigued as to who this woman is that would have this much of an impact on her Eliot. She can only wonder as to what happened that this was not meant to be from the start.
Sophie is also taking a trip into some of her favorite moments from her past. Everything about the traditions is oddly familiar and comfortable. It reminds her of fox hunts and festivals back home. Once back at the inn, Eliot helps the boys out of the wagon. He is thrilled when the boys ask Tess if they can take Eliot for some cocoa after they unload the trees. Tess nods as Eliot takes her hand to help her down before he walks off hand in hand with the twins. The sight of them tugs at Tess's heart strings in good and bad ways. Be careful of what you wish for… your wish might just come true.
Sophie walks up behind Tess as she heads inside the inn. "Handsome boys." Tess turns and takes in what she knows is another friend of Eliot's. She had noticed Sophie earlier in the day at her shop. She found it a bit strange to see the woman browse for so long without a single purchase. "Thank you. You picked a lovely time of year to visit."
"Yes, this is quite lovely reminds me of home." Sophie hands Tess cup of cocoa. From everything she has seen; Tess is everything Eliot would have wanted. Tess is earthy and hardworking. She has the qualities that Eliot values. Sophie cannot figure why Eliot would have walked away. "So am I to assume that you are also a friend of Eliot's?" Sophie smiles at Tess's quick summation of all of them. "Yes, yes I am Sophie." Sophie walks with Tess to the fireplace. Telsa Baines is someone she would genuinely like to get to know better.
Eliot looks over at Sophie and Tess as they continue to chat. He knows the topic of conversation and is quite certain Sophie is trying to get a read on Tess. Parker, Hardison and Nate are chatting with the various guests. The evening wears on at the Hanngian harvest party. Tess was gracious and kind standing back to socialize and allow Eliot all the time he wanted with the twins today. After several hours, Tess sits on the couch with two sleeping children laying over her as the boys cuddled into their mother. Eliot watches as Tess mindlessly and lovingly twirls blonde curls between her fingertips. Eliot cannot take his eyes off the scene before him. This trip has been a wonder in two days. He cannot take his eyes off of Tess. It does not yet seem real. Tess glances down at her watch as she tries to wiggle out from beneath the boys with out waking them. She will have to figure out how she will navigate two sleepy children to the car.
Eliot excuses himself from Nate and Sophie walking towards the couch where Tess is. Eliot offers his hand to gently pull Tess free from the tangle of limbs. "Can I help?" Eliot gently brushes a wayward curl on Jake's face. Tess accepts the help as they bundle the twins in blankets and carry them out to Tess's Jeep under the watchful eye of pretty much everyone in the room. Tess is not quite used to having the attention of the whole room and is feeling quite the spectacle.
Tess and Eliot gently tuck the twins into their seats. Eliot opens the driver's door for Tess. Eliot leans his forehead against Tess' as he whispers so that only Tess can hear. "Let me drive you home." Eliot lingers so close to her face, Tess fights every instinct to kiss Eliot. Eliot is so very close, Tess can feel the heat from Eliot's skin. The Eliot effect is upon her. She needs to resist him. Tess is not ready for another round of Eliot Spencer and she cannot figure out how he does this to her. This was what she wanted. All she wanted was him. She was head over heels for Eliot Spencer from the day that they had met.
Tess wants to be angry with him. She wants to hate him but she doesn't. It is not within her heart. Eliot had given her the greatest gift even if he didn't know it and that love always rises to the surface within her. "Eliot." Eliot puts a finger to her hush any potential protest. "I promise. I will just help you get them into the house and I will leave. Please, Tess, you don't know what this has meant to me." Eliot's gaze is intense as Eliot slides his finger from Tess' lips placing his fingertips under her chin raising her gaze to meet his own.
Tess again looks into those blue eyes and relents. The boys are out cold and she was not looking forward to hauling them up the staircase. She holds up a finger "Just to bed. Okay." A huge smile crosses Eliot's face. "Scouts honor, I promise Tessie." Eliot's words trigger emotions within Tess. Eliot calling her Tessie. There is something about that name from his lips. It sounds so different than when others call her by that name. "You were never a scout." Eliot gives Tess a wicked wink as Tess drops her keys into Eliot's open hand before walking around the back of her Jeep and gets in the passenger's side. "I know."