Happy Good Witch Halloween Movie Day…

Yellow cake with chocolate frosting. It was one of the few treats that Cassie knew would be a welcome delight for her husband as well as her two youngest children who had apparently inherited an affinity for it as well, they both ate their bits as enthusiastically as their father, and the other three members of the family watched the scene grinning amongst themselves.

"Uh, Dad" Nick said after finishing his dessert. "I know Mom still tends to contact you sometimes so I thought you, well everyone, should know that I won't be going back to see Mom at New Year's or any other time. She called and I told her how I felt, how…how I don't want to see her anymore." Sam was about to challenge his son, but Nick cut him off, "You all know more or less why. Please don't try to change my mind. I know you all care, but this is my choice." He got up and cleared his plate.

"Nick," Sam attempted.

"Dad please," Nick pleaded.

Cassie looked at her husband and he nodded in understanding, "Ok." And, without another word, Nick went back to study. "For now," Sam finished.

The weather turned colder, the snow would soon fall. Days passed and things seemed to return to normal. Nick and Grace began their classes at the university again and, while it appeared as if he had gotten past the break with his mother, his family knew better. Grace felt her step-brother was only putting on a normal front, while Sam and Cassie stayed in a general state of concern.

Finally, winter had arrived. Middleton was covered in snow. Sam and Cassie walked out of the Bistro, thankful for the date night and the offer from Nick and Grace to baby-sit their brother and sister. The underlying issue, however, continued to linger in the Radford household, Sam and Cassie both at somewhat of a loss of how to make it right again.

Zipping his heavy coat and making sure his wife was equally warm, Sam said "Well, Stephanie did it again. Another wonderful dinner and one we certainly needed." He grabbed Cassie's hand and held it tight.

They began to walk along Main Street, just as they had since they had begun dating; a way to relax and stay connected. It was something they tried to do often, but admittedly got harder and harder.

"Any inspiration about our little problem," Sam asked hopefully.

Cassie shook her head, "Some things take a bit of time to work out, Sam. This will too…eventually."

"But in the meantime…" said Sam tilting his head the way that Cassie loved.

"In the meantime, I hate seeing a member of our family so clearly troubled."

Sam nodded in agreement. He had seen it too. No matter what Nick said aloud his decision had continued to weigh heavy on him. They walked together and the snow fell silently, Middleton quietly buzzing around them. They were pulled out of their thoughts by familiar voices.

"Sam, Cassie!" Brandon and Tara called from behind them. They both turned around to find the young couple running to catch up to them.

"Brandon, Tara. How are you?" Cassie asked. "I know I see you at the shop, Tara, but we hardly ever see you together."

"Well, the same could be said about you and Sam," Brandon said.

"Yeah," Sam agreed. "We need to do better about seeing everyone apart from birthdays and holidays."

Cassie looked at Sam and nodded. "Well, the past week or so have been a bit…worrisome for Sam and me."

A look of worry and concern flashed across Brandon's face. "Grace, Nick, the twins?! They're alright?"

"Oh yeah, physically everyone's fine. It's just…" Sam struggled at how much to say. "Nick is having a bit of a hard time with his mother. That's all."

"Ah, sorry to hear that."

"Yeah, we're just trying to help as much as possible."

"Let us know if we can do anything," Tara said.

"Thank you, both," Sam said moving back and forth to keep warm. "We'd all better move before we freeze."

"That's a good idea," Cassie agreed. The girls hugged and Sam patted Brandon on the shoulder, and all four continued their way home.

The January snow continued to fall in Middleton and Cassie's afternoon tea was a popular offering with Grey House guests. In her kitchen, she happily talked with her youngest children while baking and boiling water for tea. It was one of those days where everything passed like a whirlwind. Departing guests were already missing their days in Middleton, newly arriving ones eager to see what awaited them and two one-year old twins causing mischief for their family. With Sam at the hospital and Nick and Grace still in class, Cassie was grateful the Tara had returned to working part-time at the shop as well as George's ever continual and steady help in running Grey House.

Alexander and Elizabeth Radford, though they were fraternal twins, were still quite different. Physically they both had their father's sparkling blue eyes, which Cassie adored looking into every day, but otherwise there weren't two kids who were a near physical mix of both their mother and father. And, although their personalities were still forming, Cassie could tell she had two very different and unique children on her hands. Alexander could sit quietly with his stuffed dog and play with books, puzzles, or anything that consisted of concentration. Elizabeth was an explorer; like her mother and Aunt Joanne, she could not sit still and was constantly curious in discovering her new surroundings. Cassie knew early on that this particular Merriwick would be a mover. So, it didn't surprise her when she cried, "Ma, out!"

"Alright Lizzie, one moment," she said taking out the last of her baked goods from the oven and then picked up her daughter, who had been eagerly waiting with her arms up high. Putting her down for a moment to check on Alex, Elizabeth took the opportunity to dash towards the foyer of the B&B.

George came in at the instant and Cassie, just managing to see the little girl toddle away, said, "Oh, George, there goes Lizzie again! Alex?" George, understanding immediately, watched as she chased after her youngest daughter. She caught up with her just in time to see a silhouette at the door.

Elizabeth noted it as well and stopped in her tracks, pointing to it. "Howse?" she said.

Cassie was sure all the guests who were expected today had already checked in. "Yes, it looks like we have an unexpected visitor to Grey House," she said, picking up her daughter. She opened the door, prepared with her greeting, "Welcome to…" The visitor turned around. "Linda."

"Hello, Cassie."

"Welcome to Grey House," she finished, opening the door further to welcome her in.

"Thank you. I was hoping that you might have a room. I don't have a reservation," she asked a bit uneasily.

"Of course there's room. Do you know how long you plan on staying?" she answered, going behind the desk to check her in.

"Until I fix things with my son?" she said almost hesitantly.

"I think that can be arranged."

"I take it this is Nick's sister," remarked Linda, her weak attempt at small talk. Nick had told his parents about his telephone conversation with his mother, but Cassie still found Linda's behaviour slightly uncharacteristic from the woman she encountered when her husband first came to Middleton.

"Yes, this is Elizabeth."

"She has Sam's eyes," Linda remarked in awe.

"Yes, she does. Her brother, Alexander, does too."

"That's right! Nick told me his brother and sister are twins," Linda remarked as if it was some great revelation.

"Yes, just like Sam and Joanne are," Cassie replied calmly.

"Right," Linda replied with a touch of smugness in her voice. Cassie had never asked her sister-in-law what she thought of her brother's ex-wife, but she now considered that perhaps Joanne and Linda were not the closest of relations. "I suppose Nick could have had a twin." Linda's eyes grew wide and Cassie could see that that would not have been a good scenario for her.

"Maybe he could have had," she said with a small grin, finishing up the check in and giving keys to Linda.

"Well, it's nice that your schedule is so flexible to work around two young children especially with Sam having such a workload between patients in Middleton and being Chief of Staff at Hillcrest." There was the Linda with whom Cassie was so familiar.

"Sam balances his family life and work schedule just fine," she said sternly and confidently. After giving her directions to her room and the welcome she would give any guest, Cassie added, "You came just in time for tea. I will be here for a few more hours, if you need anything."

"Thank you," Linda said. Sensing she could not rattle Cassie, she took the keys and headed upstairs.

"That, my girl, is Nick's mommy. She makes Daddy a bit crazy and even gets on Mama's last nerve, but if I teach you anything, it will be kindness," she whispered to Elizabeth.

"Howse." Elizabeth repeated.

"Yes indeed, my darling, Grey House will be a very interesting place the next few days," she said, walking back to the kitchen.

That afternoon Cassie had returned to the Bell, Book and Candle, with both Lizzie and Alex in tow. The bell above the door rang constantly as customers came and went through the shop all afternoon. Tara watched with fascination as Cassie tended to her children and the shop all with seamless ease. Currently, she was bouncing Elizabeth in one arm, selling tea with the other, and bringing it all to a close by directing her sale back to Tara at the register.

A wave of relief and happiness ran through Cassie's face when she got a familiar feeling and Sam walked through the door. "Sam," she said leaning in to kiss him.

"Hey," he said lingering in the kiss, then stroking his daughter's cheek. "How has your day been?"

"Busy. Grey House is fully booked and, as you can see, the Bell, Book is quite busy as well."

"I have the afternoon off from the hospital and no patients at the office. Do you want me to take Alexander home?" he asked glancing at their son quietly playing behind the counter.

"Please. Our poor boy has been a gem this afternoon," she said with a tinge of guilt. "But, Lizzie has demanded so much of my attention. Daddy-time would be a wonderful reward for him."

Sam grinned. "Ok, I'll take him home. We'll shoot some hoops or something." With kisses for the road from his wife and daughter, he went to his young son and took him into his arms. "Hey sport, your Mama tells me you've been a good boy today."

"Mamama," Alex replied.

"Yeah, Mama's sorry she is busy today, but that means I get to teach you what all Radford's need to know—how to hit the perfect jump-shot." He waved good-bye to his wife and daughter, making his way back to Grey House. Pulling into his garage, Sam searched for the basketball.

"Baball," said Alex.

"Sorry son, we are going to have to find the basketball at Grey House.

"Howse," he repeated.

Sam flew through the Bed and Breakfast, conversing with his son about names of the bones on his small hand, when he was brought to a halt by a familiar voice.

"Sam?" the voice questioned. He stopped in his tracks and turned around slowly as if the person might not actually be there. She was.

"Linda, what are you doing here?" he asked, clearly surprised at her presence in Middleton and Grey House. "It's been awhile."

"Yes, it has," she agreed. "Last time I was here you weren't married to your neighbour with two more children." Sam bit on the urge to snap back at her. He knew it would do no good.

Instead he sat down, Alex on his lap and replied, "You're right. And, my wife owns this place, so what are you doing here?"

Linda's demeanour suddenly changed. "I'm here to see Nick, of course," she explained. "Did you know he told me he doesn't want to see me anymore?" Tears beginning to form in her eyes as she continued, "I came here to speak with him, to fix things, to make sure he stays in my life."

Sam nodded. "Nick told us about his decision. I'm glad you've come to fix things with him. As much as he doesn't want to admit it right now, he needs you and loves you."

"Thank you, Sam, for understanding."

"Of course. You are part of his family." Alex played with his father's tie catching Linda's attention and curiosity.

"So this is…" she paused, looking at the scene before her.

"My younger son, Alexander," Sam answered.

"Right. Yes. Your other son."

"Younger son," he responded firmly. "There is no one or the other in my family. Only older and younger."

"Of course. Sorry," she apologised and after a moment added, "You always wanted more kids. I am glad you got the chance to be a father again."

"Thank you," he said, bouncing Alex on his knee. "Alex and Elizabeth were…unexpected surprises, but Cassie and I sure can't imagine our life without them."

"Then, I am happy for you, Sam. Really."

Sam studied his ex for a moment. "Thank you, Linda," he finally said. "Nick usually gets back from university pretty late. I would try to catch him on campus, if I were you. He has a 10am anthropology class three days a week, but stays there for lunch."

"Ok, thanks for the info."

"Sure, and I hope you're able to make things right with our son."

"I plan on it."

"Good," Sam said getting up. "Now, I need to continue teaching the next generation all there is to know about basketball." Linda smiled and waved good-bye as he continued his search for a ball.

Quietly he said to himself, "I forgive you, Linda."