Baby It's Cold Outside

"You're not heading for the hills already are you? The night's still young." He followed her out onto the terrace jacket in hand.

"Thanks," she accepted the jacket with a small smile slightly disappointed that her subtle exit did not go unnoticed.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah yeah. I just needed a little air I guess. You know, I knew Dante would be here tonight I just didn't realize how hard it would be. I mean it's not like we haven't run into each other since we broke up but tonight's just different I guess."

"It probably doesn't help that he came with Brook either."

"You know I think it's best that we not discuss Brook. She's part of your family and I really don't want to put you in an awkward position."

"Fair enough. So what do you want to talk about?"

He understood why Lulu didn't want to discuss Brook. From what he knew she had been a real sore spot in her relationship with Dante. He wasn't aware of all the details but he was sure that it wasn't good.

"Um why don't we talk about you? How have you been doing out in California?" she asked him glad that he wasn't going to pressure her about her relationship with Dante.

"I'm doing really awesome actually. I love it. It's absolutely incredible," he said unable to keep the goofy grin that always cropped up on his face whenever he thought about his life in California.

"Yeah I can tell, your face just totally lit up. Are you still working as an assistant director?"

"No, actually I just opened my own production company."

"Oh wow that's incredible. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you." she said as she embraced the first boy she had ever loved.

"Thanks. It's nothing big but at least it's mine."

"Sounds wonderful," she said wistfully. "You need an assistant?"she asked jokingly.

"Are you serious? You'd move out to LA?"

"Maybe. I mean I could definitely use a change of pace. So, what do you say?" she said as she realized just how appealing the idea was.

"I say welcome aboard I could use all the I can get."

"Really?"

"You bet. Now let's get back inside before they send a search party."

"Yeah I guess you're right," she agreed as they made their way back inside. "Dillon."

"Yeah?"

"I'm really glad you came home for Christmas."

"Me too."