Author's Note: It's been awhile but I'm finally getting my stories back on track. Please be patient with me as I continue to work out my ideas. I hope this next chapter will keep you interested in this story.
Hayley stopped what she was doing and took a moment to look around her new business. She had only recently moved to Angel Grove and had bought the building that used to be the old youth center and had turned it into a new and improved version of Hayley's Cyberspace. The business in Reefside had been going so well that she had decided to expand it leaving the old cyberspace in the capable hands of Elsa Randall-Mercer.
"Ok, Hayley where do you want this?" Billy asked as he came in carrying a banner that read "Welcome Home Tommy!"
"Just hang it up over there, that way it'll be the first thing Tommy sees when he gets here," she said as she pointed to the wall opposite the entrance. Tommy had been away on a three month excavation and Hayley had decided to celebrate her opening by throwing a party for him.
"Hang on Billy, I'll help you!" Jason shouted as dropped what he was doing and went to help hang the banner.
"Hayley, this place is going to be great, thanks so much for deciding to throw this party," Kat said as she helped to set things up.
"It's my pleasure, though I do feel a little guilty having you here to help me, you should be at home with Tommy and the children," Hayley replied back.
"Oh I'm sure Tommy's handling everything just fine, besides we're just about finished," Kat told her.
"Still, it can't be easy adjusting to a new baby in the house, how's Patrick handling it," Hayley wondered.
"He loves his new little sister, though I do think he gets jealous of the amount of time I have to spend taking care of her, but I'm sure he'll get over it in time," Kat replied.
"Ok, we're all done here, I think I'm going to go home and pick up Kimberly and Jayne," Jason said.
"That's a good idea, the others will probably be arriving soon," Hayley told him.
"Yeah and I should run over to my folks and pick up Trini," Billy said walking towards the door but not before giving Hayley a quick peck on the cheek.
"Are you sure there's nothing else that needs to be done?" Kat asked reluctant to leave Hayley all by herself.
"Nope everything's covered, all that's left is for you to go home and get Tommy," Hayley told her.
An hour later, the party was in full swing. Tanya and Adam had arrived from Stone Canyon with sons Little Adam and Stevie who were five and three. Four year old Patrick was running around chasing Trini who was a year younger. Then there was Rocky who in a strange turn of events had brought Emily Smith as his date. Emily was the former girlfriend of Jason Scott and had recently moved back to town.
"I can't believe that Rocky brought Emily," Jason said as he took a seat next to Tommy who was holding his two month old daughter Susan.
"Does that upset you?" Tommy questioned his best friend.
"Not really, I mean Emily's a great girl and I think it'll be great if she and Rocky hit it off, it's just a little weird that's all," Jason told him.
"What's weird?" Kim asked her husband as she handed him their ten month old daughter Jayne.
"Rocky bringing Emily," Jason answered as she sat down.
"I still can't get over Hayley dating Billy and moving to Angel Grove," Tommy said as he looked to where Hayley sat with Billy.
"Weren't you the one who always said they'd be perfect for each other?" Kat asked as she joined them.
"Yeah, I just think it's funny that they waited until I wasn't in town to finally get together," Tommy said with a smile.
"Why are you all sitting down over there, I thought this was a party, we should all be dancing," Rocky called over to them.
"Spoken like a man who doesn't have kids yet," Adam replied.
"Oh I almost forgot, Aisha and Zack sent a letter for you, Adam you were supposed to remind me," Tanya said.
"Why don't you read it Tommy, this is your party after all," Rocky said as he and Emily joined the group at the table followed by Hayley and Billy.
"Here let me hold my goddaughter, hi there Susie Q," Kimberly said as Tommy handed her the baby.
"Ok, let's see what Zack and Aisha are up to," Tommy said as he began reading the letter.
"Hey guys, so sorry we weren't able to fly back from Africa to celebrate Tommy's homecoming. We know we're missing out on a lot not being there with you. We were so happy to hear about Billy and Hayley. It's about time you two got together. Give Trini lots of hugs and kisses from us both. Kat and Tommy, congratulations on the birth of your daughter. From the pictures, we can already tell she's going to be a beauty. Patrick's going to have his hands full but we know he'll be a great big brother. Tanya and Adam, we talk to you two the most so we'll just say talk to you soon. Everyone is wondering when Tanya's going to come home for a visit so they can meet those beautiful boys of yours. Hey Rocky, when are you finally going to settle down? That was Aisha talking by the way. Don't worry I'm sure the perfect girl is out there for you somewhere. Though you better tell me the minute it happens. Last but not least, Kim and Jason our two best friends. We send our love to you and to Jayne. We were planning on asking you to stand up for us at our wedding but we decided that we just couldn't wait and decided to elope instead. So by the time all of you read this letter, we'll be on our honeymoon. We miss you all terribly and remember there's always a place waiting for you here in Africa. Love, Zack and Aisha.
"I can't believe they eloped!" Kimberly exclaimed once Tommy had finished reading the letter.
"What was that crack about me finally settling down?" Rocky pouted but no one paid him any attention except for Emily.
"It could happen sooner than you think," Emily whispered into his ear.
"I'm so happy for them, I knew it was only a matter of time before they got married," Kat commented.
"Oh and just how did you know that?" Tommy asked teasing his wife.
"The same way I knew that you and I would eventually end up married and look at us now," Kat said as Tommy leaned over to give her a kiss.
"Well, now we really have something to celebrate," Hayley said.