AN: Thanks for the incredible response to this Snowing story! See previous chapter for important authors notes on characters and story notes.
Important note: Milah is not Neal's father in this universe. Cora is I've taken some liberties again with characters and back stories. :)
Special Note: The characters of Anton and Trina Vasik are Manifest characters.
This one will update bi-weekly on Wednesday nights now. Please consider leaving a review, it is much appreciated. Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Yeah, Killian made a big mess. He was doing his job, but probably abused the power of his badge a bit. Yep, the death date seems to be a dark, looming cloud. Glad you're enjoying it!
Jennifer Baratta: Yep, Killian messed up. Glad you're enjoying it!
Milo-8852: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Grace5231973: Yep, it's very exciting and scary at the same time. That baby will have some scary attention on it. Glad you're enjoying it!
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, they remember the late night cravings and David is ready for it. Yeah, that Calling was a doozy and all while she had a bullet in her. Yeah, Killian kind of messed up big here though. No, Neal isn't dangerous and we know the gun was for Griffin, because he was such a huge threat. Yep, Belle is now a part of the group. Yeah, David and Margaret are pretty much her parents. Unfortunately, Killian is insistent on arresting Neal when they find him. Yep, Sidney is slithering around like a snake and going to tell Cora. Yep, Margaret is so happy to be having a baby and thought it could never happen again. Yeah, unfortunately, Regina has no idea that her therapist is really the Major. Yep, Olive wants a sister and Henry wants a brother, lol. Yep, Robert has come a long way. Yep, I think this one time, Margaret knows they can break the rules and eat dessert first. Glad you're enjoying it!
AnonSnowing: Yep, Emma got a Calling after getting shot. Save the passengers will probably become a theme. Yeah, Killian really screwed things up here. Yep, first sonogram and a flashback. It is definitely a miracle. Unfortunately, Sidney is lurking, as always. Yeah, Fiona is shady and Regina has no idea yet. Yep, I'm thinking it might be a girl. We shall see. Yep, time for ice cream. Glad you're enjoying!
Lightning in a Bottle
Chapter 50: Fasten Your Seatbelts, Pt 2
After finishing their ice cream, Henry went off to play, Olive went to do homework, and Margaret started dinner. David sat down in the living room with Emma.
"Still having the same Calling?" he asked. She nodded.
"Save the Passengers," she replied.
"I can't help but think that it might mean the death date," she added. He nodded.
"So far…I think we're the only ones that have figured it out and I don't even know how I would explain this to the other passengers," he said.
"Maybe we won't have to…I know you, you'll figure this out," Emma replied. He smiled slightly.
"Thanks…but I have no idea where to even start, Em," he said.
"I know you though…you're never going to leave Margaret again if you can help it. You'll do anything and go to the ends of the Earth if that means beating this death date," she replied. David looked at Margaret in the kitchen, watching her move and memorizing everything about her, as usual.
"You're right…I'll be in the garage. But are you sure going back to work this soon is a good idea?" he asked. She nodded.
"I'm not back on duty yet…I'm just going in to do a little desk work and try to convince Graham to drop the charges against Neal," she replied.
"Okay…but stay a few days and let Margaret keep taking care of you. It will make her feel better," he said.
"Just her?" she mused.
"Fine…it will make us both feel better. You had a serious gunshot wound…you need to take it easy," he fussed.
"Yes Dad," she teased, as he went to the kitchen and kissed Margaret, before heading out to the garage. Truthfully, Emma was most anxious to get back to work so she could attempt to clear Neal's name. Killian was insisting that he had shot her, but she knew there was more to it than that and he had left out the part where he had instigated the entire thing.
Cora read the newspaper, as she waited for Sidney at the coffee shop and he soon arrived and sat down at the table.
"Enjoying my latest hit piece on Neal Cassidy?" Sidney asked. She smirked.
"A man disappears for a year and re-emerges, only to become involved with a passenger from Flight 828. He goes ballistic on her ex-boyfriend, who is going through a divorce, which was obviously caused by said returning passenger, and shoots her," Cora said.
"I'll be honest…it reads like a soap opera," she said.
"Oh, but the public is eating it up and the passengers are becoming pariahs by the day," Sidney said.
"You better have something better than that," Cora mused.
"Oh…I do," he replied, as he produced photos of David and Margaret Nolan coming and going from the hospital.
"Why do I care about this? They are always at the hospital with their little boy," Cora replied.
"Except on these last few visits, they weren't with their son and I found out that they are seeing an obstetrician," Sidney said. Cora smirked.
"So she's pregnant," she replied. He nodded.
"With the first 828 baby…I don't think I have to tell you what a story that is," Sidney said.
"Yes…and Leopold will certainly be interested. Margaret didn't let him be a part of the other children's lives. Perhaps we can be insistent that we be a part of this one," Cora said.
"So run the story?" Sidney asked. Cora smirked.
"Not yet…first I want you to contact them and tell them you want to do a puff piece about the first baby born from a returning passenger," she replied.
"They'll hate that idea," he said.
"Yes…and when they reject your story, you can still write it from that angle. They will look like they have something to hide," she replied.
"Or that they just want privacy," Sidney countered.
"Perhaps…but most want to believe there is something sinister about the passengers so the same people will be leery of a child born of one, especially if they believe that the passengers are no longer the same people that got on that plane six years ago," Cora explained.
"I don't understand your game with Margaret Nolan," Sidney said.
"I don't pay you to understand…but I want Margaret to suffer. When her family was gone, she was all but destroyed, just like her mother. Then she just gets her happiness back like a bolt of lightning. No…that's unacceptable," Cora said.
"Why do you hate her so much?" Sidney asked curiously.
"Because she exists," Cora responded simply, before getting up and walking away.
Sidney considered that for a moment, before contemplating on making the call. But first, he was very curious at what exactly went on between Cora and Margaret's mother. Cora never gave any details and though he was being paid to run hit pieces on the Nolan family, the curious reporter in him wanted to know what was really behind Cora's vitriol against the beautiful, sweet, Margaret Nolan and as a reporter, he decided to do some digging.
Emma walked back into the station and received a bit of applause, as she made her entrance.
"Welcome back…but you're not supposed to be here yet for a few days," Graham said.
"I know…but I need to talk to you about my case," she replied. He sighed and showed her into his office.
"Emma…" he started to say.
"Just hear me out," she requested. He nodded and sat down behind his desk.
"Emma…after that whole fiasco, I barely kept my job at this precinct. They wanted to transfer me to a different division, because of my close friendship with your family," he said. She sighed.
"I know…and I'm not going to ask you for any favors, Graham. But this whole thing with Neal is a huge misunderstanding," Emma replied.
"You said that you didn't remember any details of the shooting," Graham reminded her.
"I don't…but I know that Neal would never hurt me. I don't want to press charges," Emma said.
"I'm sorry Emma…it's not up to you. The district attorney is pursuing this case. Mr. Cassidy is an addict that disappeared for an entire year and then came back, only to illegally purchase a gun, for who knows what intent. It's out of my hands too…and I'm being watched very closely," Graham said. Emma nodded in understanding, as she got up and walked out of his office and to her desk. She sifted through a few things on her desk and looked up to see Killian standing there.
"What is that look for?" she asked.
"You wouldn't even let me visit you in the hospital and you want to know what this look is for?" he countered.
"You ignored me when I told you not to go after Neal, you didn't trust me enough to handle my own life, and then I got shot," she said.
"Neal shot you," he replied.
"It was an accident and you know it. He would have never pulled that gun if you had just left him alone," she argued.
"That's not how it looked from where I am. He bought a gun illegally," Killian argued in return.
"He bought the gun, because he was going to sacrifice himself and take Griffin out for me and my family," she said, as she shut her desk drawer.
"If you had listened to me, I wouldn't have gotten shot," she added, as she stormed out. There was no use in talking to him. Killian would testify against him if Neal was caught and arrested, so Emma had to make sure that didn't happen.
"Where are we going?" Olive asked her little brother that afternoon. He needed to find Neal and he knew his parents would flip out if he went off by himself again. So instead, he told Olive and she agreed to walk with him.
"I told you…we have to find Neal, but we can't lead the cops to him," Henry replied.
"And how do we know where Neal is when the cops can't even find him?" she asked. He showed her a drawing he made of a door and she looked up to see that they were standing in front of a brownstone with the same number. They went up to the door and knocked, only to see an older woman answer the door.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"We're here to see Neal," Henry replied.
"I'm sorry…there's no Neal here," the older woman said.
"It's okay…I know he's here and we won't tell anyone," Henry said, as he saw Neal appear behind her. She stepped away and let them talk.
"How did you find me?" he asked. He showed him the drawing and he smirked, before shaking his head.
"That's impressive," he said.
"Who is that woman?" Olive asked curiously.
"Everyone calls her Granny…she kind of runs this Inn slash halfway house and I've been here a few times over the years when trying to get clean. She agreed to let me hide out here," he answered.
"You better come in," Neal said, as he showed them in and closed the door.
"You need to be with Emma…" Henry blurted out.
"Henry…" Olive scolded.
"It's true…we might not have much time and you might not either," Henry argued.
"What's he talking about?" Neal asked and they exchanged a glance.
"We sort of discovered something after Griffin died," Olive replied.
"Does this have something to do with the headstone Calling that you were afraid to tell your parents about?" Neal asked. He nodded.
"It's a death date," Henry replied.
"Griffin died after the exact time he had been back…and Dad thinks that the passengers have this too, which means you might as well," Olive said. Neal sighed.
"We don't really know that…and I'm not sure I'm the best thing for Emma right now," he said.
"You two need to go home, before your mother worries," he added, as he ushered them out.
"We have to work together on the Callings or it's going to be a disaster," Henry insisted.
"He has to avoid getting arrested first, Henry," Olive reminded him.
"He didn't do anything wrong…it's not supposed to be like this," Henry said irritably. Olive sighed and followed him home.
"Hey…" Emma said, as she stepped into the garage.
"Hey…how did it go at the station?" he asked.
"Graham is being watched pretty closely…he can't ask the district attorney to drop it. Neal has a criminal history, so they're pursuing it and Killian refuses to testify that the whole thing was an accident," she replied, as she noticed a couple of passengers on his board.
"I'm sorry…" he said.
"Yeah…who are they?" she asked. He looked at the couple and then looked at his tablet.
"Anton and Trina Vasik," he answered.
"They're on the missing persons bulletin board at work," she revealed.
"Really?" he asked. She nodded.
"Yeah…but then a lot of passengers have left New York and are trying to keep a low profile," she replied.
"I don't think that's the case with them," David said.
"Why do you say that?" she asked.
"Because I remember talking to him on the plane, briefly. He and his wife were on a second honeymoon, but he confessed that they didn't have as much fun since they missed their kids so much," he replied.
"This is not a couple that would just up and leave their kids behind," he added.
"You think foul play?" she asked. He shrugged.
"I don't know…but if they're missing, I think they might be in trouble. Passengers seem to have a target on their backs," he mentioned. She nodded and he looked for an address.
"This is their last known address," he said.
"Let's go check it out," she replied, as she grabbed her keys.
Margaret opened the attic hatch and stepped up inside, looking around at the dusty tubs and the disassembled cribs. After the plane disappeared, Robert had once suggested that she should donate all the baby stuff since it had been a painful reminder. But she could never bring herself to do so and now she knew why. David wasn't really gone and they weren't done having children. She smiled and caressed her stomach, before looking inside the tubs. Tears filled her eyes, as she held up some of the baby clothes.
"Well, I think you'll definitely get some use out of some of these, sweet pea," she cooed, knowing that it was probably too early for the baby to hear her, but that wouldn't stop her from talking to him or her.
"The question is will it be some of these cute dresses or pants," she said, as she found a pair of tiny overalls.
"Hmm…you can wear these either way," she mused, as she found some of the toys and it brought back such wonderful memories of their first time around as new parents. She had been scared to death at first, insisting that she had no idea how to raise children, since she had lost her mother so young. She knew David would be a natural and he had insisted the whole time that she would be a wonderful mother as well.
Flashback
Margaret looked around the nursery with a soft smile. She had just had her baby shower and it was filled with gifts and items for the babies. At first, it was all overwhelming. After all, what did she know about bottle warmers and diaper genies?
"Looks like we made quite the hall," he said, as he arrived home from work and she turned, revealing her very pregnant stomach. It absolutely took his breath away and he gently scooped her up, as their lips met in a tender kiss.
"We did…these little ones made out like bandits and their mommy is lost on how to use half of this stuff," she said, with a bit of uncertainty.
"That's okay…so is their daddy, but I know that we're going to figure it out together, because we always do everything together," he replied, easing her worries instantly and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"You think we can do this?" she asked.
"Of course…I mean, Emma was kind of our practice kid. We've got this," he replied. She giggled and kissed him again.
"Practice kid? Really?" she asked, trying to act offended.
"You know it's true…she still tries to get you to eat your vegetables," he teased. Emma rolled her eyes.
"See? That will be exactly what our future children do to us when they're teenagers. The Emma eyeroll…she's practically trademarked it," he said, as Emma fished the rocky road out of the freezer and grabbed a spoon.
"And you've trademarked the worst dad jokes ever," Emma teased back.
"And you did great, MM," she added.
"How do you figure that? You still won't eat your vegetables," Margaret replied.
"Exactly…if your kids do what you tell them then obviously you're doing it wrong," Emma joked, making them chuckle.
"She's probably right," he said.
"Seriously though…those are two lucky kids and while you guys have to be bossy and tell them no, I will get to be cool, fun Aunt Emma," the blonde replied.
"Well…don't eat too much of that ice cream before dinner, cool, fun Aunt Emma," Margaret warned.
"See? Telling me not to spoil my dinner. You're already a world class Mom," Emma replied.
Margaret smiled, as she put the lid back on the tub. It was nice to know that some of this baby stuff was going to be in use again and she couldn't wait to have a baby around again. She knew David felt the same as well.
"You have the best Daddy in the whole world…we can't wait to meet you, little one," she gushed.
A woman answered the door at the Vasik residence and looked at the pair with questioning eyes.
"Hi…my name is Emma Nolan and this is my brother, David. We were on the plane," she said.
"Oh…well, I'm sorry if you're here for Anton and Trina. I'm afraid they're gone," the woman said, as she let them in.
"Gone?" David asked. She nodded.
"After the plane disappeared, I took the children in and when they came back, they insisted that I still be a part of the children's lives," she explained.
"I used to live next door…anyway, they were strangers to the children when they came back and they weren't comfortable with their parents anymore," she added.
"So they left?" Emma asked. The woman looked troubled.
"They were…different when they came back," she mentioned.
"Like hearing voices and things like that?" David asked. She seemed surprised.
"Yes…exactly like that. I think there's something you need to see," she said, as she motioned them to follow. They did so and went down into the cellar with her. She flipped on the light and they became faced with a wall covered in Bible verses.
"Whoa…and I thought your wall was freaky," Emma muttered.
"They became obsessed…especially with the book of Revelation," the woman said.
"This verse repeats a lot," David mentioned.
"Revelation 20:14," Emma said.
"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death," David replied, which seemed disturbing for them to be focusing on.
"Why focus on this?" Emma wondered.
"Second death…maybe they think we died on that plane," he suggested.
"But we didn't…right?" she asked. He sighed and shrugged.
"After seeing what happened to Griffin, I'm not sure we can rule it out. But I don't know why they would think they deserve something like the lake of fire," he replied.
"Anton and Trina love their children…but they are troubled. Can you help?" the neighbor asked. Emma nodded.
"We'll do everything we can," Emma said. David nodded.
"We'll find them and sort this out," he promised, giving her hope and easing her fear…