Part 408: Impromptu Reuion

Kate slowly opened her eyes. She looked around the quiet living room. The TV was on the weather channel but it’s volume was really low. The wall were adorned with pictures and on the coffee table was various albums, and nick-knacks typical of a small home. Kate massaged her eyes and leaned up. She looked to her right and saw a cute framed picture on the nightstand. It was Mia, hugging on Seth and Shanna. Shanna had an excited face, and she was wearing a straw cowgirl hat. Seth had his typical crazy look; looking cross-eyed and sticking his tongue out. Kate giggled. If there was one thing she always admired about Mia, Seth and Shanna; it was their ability to remain close, practically like family.

Kate stood up and stretched. She paused when she smelled something being cooked. The brunette turned and looked into the kitchen. Mia was already up, and from the looks of it, she was cooking sausage. The Lakota was humming a tune to herself as she cooked. Kate slowly walked into the kitchen and smiled. “I remember when you were a skinny little nerd,” she laughed, “Die-hard gung ho Island mystery solver; taking notes like mad.”

“Oh, I’m still taking notes,” Mia grinned, “But I’m not skinny anymore.”

“It seems being a stay at home mom suits you, Mia.” Kate said, sitting down at the kitchen table.

“It does,” she smiled warmly, “I get to read a lot. I surf the internet, I make art on the computer, I play with Shelley. I often wondered what I will feel like when my little girl finally goes to school.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Kate said, smiling at the little cow salt and pepper shakers.

“Yes, I will. Now that you’ll be here to keep me company.” Mia looked at her.

Kate smiled back. She couldn’t thank John enough for what he had done. Not to mention Mia was more than willing to share her home with her. The brunette felt more relaxed at that moment than she had in years. For the first time since the Island, she truly felt free. Movement to her left then got her attention. Kate calmly placed back on her fake glasses. Then she paused when she saw the daughter of Mia and John for the first time. Little Shelley was rubbing her eyes, as she was wearing her pajama dress. “Morning, sleepy-head.” Mia giggled at her daughter.

“Mornin, mommy,” the girl yawned, “Who’s dat?”

Kate smiled back at her as Mia placed the food on the kitchen table. “This your Aunt Kate.” Her mother introduced her.

“Hey there, Shelley.” Kate smiled, slightly teary eyed, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Kate is your father’s sister. She’s been away for a long time but she’s going to live with us. Isn’t that cool?”

The little girl walked up to Kate. She looked at her with a curious glare. “Whare you been, Aunt Kate?” she asked.

“Oh, all over. I’ll be more than happy to tell you about it, if you want to.”

“Do you like cartoons?”

“I love cartoons.” Kate laughed.

“Kay. You can stay.” The girl said, sitting in her seat next to Kate.

“Oh, really? Well thank you, little missy. I wasn’t aware we needed your absolute permission.” Mia laughed, teasing her daughter.

Mia then walked place and placed the home-made biscuits onto the table. She calmly began placing the condiments of butter, jam and mustard for the sausage. Soon Locke came down from the stairs, tying his robe on. “Mornin, grampa.” Shelley said, waving to him.

“Morning, little one.” Locke said, helping himself to some orange juice in the fridge.

“Grampa?” Kate smirked.

Locke replied to her comment with a simple wink. After he sat down, John came down the stairs in his jogging pants and white tank top. Shelley giggled at her father’s appearance which consisted of severe “bed-head”. John winked at his daughter and rubbed his hair to the side. “You got the Sunday paper yet, babe?” the archer asked his wife.

“Not yet, honey,” she said, pouring his morning Diet Coke.

John walked over to the front door and opened it, walking out into the cool morning air. Kate just smiled at the warmth of the family before her; a family she was now apart of. So many things had happened and now, she was in a peaceful situation. Mia calmly passed the plate of sausage patties to her, and she helped herself. Kate then picked up the jam and butter for her biscuits. She had to admit she was unusually hungry this morning. Then the front door opened and John walked in. He had the Sunday paper in one hand and a Fed-Ex box in the other. “Package for you, sis.” He chuckled, dropping the box off at her side of the table.

Kate paused at her eating and looked at the box. She then picked it up and opened it. Inside were several documents. Her new drivers license, social security card, birth certificate, a used postcard and amazingly enough, a credit card bill. Kate was highly impressed with this Matador person. Not only did he provide her with the documents that proved she was now John’s sister; he also gave her an improvised credit history. Where was this man for her 8 years ago? She looked at John who just winked at her while he ate his sausage biscuit. “Aunt Kate?” Shelley asked, “Will you read to me the funnies?”

The little girl past Kate the section of the Sunday Paper. Mia and John smiled at her brightly. The brunette wiped her mouth and took the paper. “Of course I will.” She smiled.



Later in the morning, Mia had begun to clean up. She sprinkled the dish washing liquid into the sink and poured in hot water to clean up. Then she did a double take when Kate walked up and took the drying rag. “Go sit down, Kate,” the Lakota said, “I got this.”

“With all due respect, Mia,” Kate smirked, “Shut up and wash.”

“You don’t have to help me.” The Lakota smiled.

“I know I don’t have to, which is why I am going to.” She said, drying a glass, “ You and John have given me more than I can ever re-pay. So I am going to earn my keep here, and I’ll be starting by drying these dishes.”

“Fair enough,” Mia smiled, washing the pan, “But if you are going to live her as a member of our family and not a guest, then yes, I will put you to work.”

“I’m ready. Put me to work, sister-in-law.”

The ladies laughed at their personal jokes. They then started to wash and dry the dishes. Kate was looking forward to talking with Mia more and catching up with all their companions from the Island. Then John came into her field of vision, looking out the window next to the front door. “Mia, you expecting someone?” her husband called.

“No,” she told him, “ Whose car is it?”

“Hold on, I think . . . “ John then leaned up, wild eyed, “It’s . . .Seth.”

“Seth?” Mia nearly gasped, “What is Seth doing here?”

“Hey, Locke, did you call Seth here?” John asked him.

The bald man stood up and shook his head No. John then opened the front door. Kate felt her heart pounding at the prospect of seeing Seth again. The musician walked in, holding a small boy in his arms, followed by his lovely wife Tanya. Seth patted John on the arm and then looked into the kitchen. His eyes met Kate as she stood there holding the drying cloth. The musician put down the small boy and began to walk over toward Mia and the brunette. “Seth, I don’t mind you showing up,” Mia said, slightly flustered, “But what is the occasion?”

Seth stared at Kate and got slightly teary eyed. “I had one hell of a dream.” He whispered, “And when I woke up, I felt an overwhelming desire to come . . .here.”

Kate giggled and embraced him. Seth laughed as he held onto her. She kissed him on the cheek and parted from her. The musician then held out his hand toward his wife and escorted her over. “Kate, you didn’t get the chance to meet her,” he smiled, “May I introduce Tonya, my wife.”

Kate shook her hand and the blonde smiled; happy to finally meet her. Seth then picked the small boy with curly hair at his feet. “Now, let me introduce you to my boy . . .Brendon.” he said with pride.

Kate smiled, and stroked the boys hair. She was glad that Seth had a son, not to mention named him to honor his departed friend. John crossed his arms; amused at the display. He couldn’t comprehend what sort of reason brought Seth and his family to see Kate. Then as he saw another car enter his drive way, he couldn’t understand what would have brought Shanna here either.

The red-head skipped out of her car and up to the porch. John just smirked, opening the door. “ Hey, John,” she said, taking off her sunglasses, “Where is Mia? I got to tell her about this wild . . . . dream.”

Shanna paused when she saw Mia but then she saw Seth with his family and then see saw her good friend from the Island that she had not seen in five years. “Kate?” she gasped.

“Hey, Red.” The brunette laughed.

“AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!” Shanna screamed in delight, raising her hands and running toward Kate.

The brunette and the red head embraced with overwhelmed joy. They helped each other back at the Shark Tank, so it formed a bond that no one knew about. Shanna was so happy to see Kate she nearly fell holding her. The group laughed and cut up; happy there was an impromptu reunion. John then looked at the driveway, wondering who was going to drive us next. Then out of the blue a vehicle did arrive. The archer looked out and when he saw the occupants of the car; he knew what was happening wasn’t coincidence.

It was divine intervention.


“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” Jack grunted as he got out of the Ford Explorer.

“Lighten up, Doc,” Sawyer smirked, “You really should visit Mia and Locke more anyway.”

“And why are we here again? Because you had a dream?”

“Yes, I had a dream, Jackass,” the redneck said, tucking his jacket in, “I had a dream that I was supposed to come to Mia and John’s house, and I was supposed to bring you with me.”

“This is absurd,” Jack rubbed his forehead, “There is not logical reason for this-“

Jack stopped when he looked up to the porch. Up toward the doorway was a familiar brunette he and Sawyer bid farewell too a long time ago. Kate smiled as she slowly stepped down on the steps. Jack was flabbergasted and filled with great need to be speechless. Kate then held out her hands and raised her eyebrows. “You’re not dreaming, Jack,” she giggled, “It’s me. It’s Kate.”

“You’re . . .you’re here.” He stumbled, “But Kate . .is this . . .is this safe for you-“

“Yes, Jack, it’s safe.” She laughed, looking briefly back at John, “My new life wasn’t meant to start on the Island. It was meant to start here.”

The doctor laughed. He didn’t understand a single word of what she said but he was happy to see her safe and sound. He quickly walked up and embraced her. Kate laughed as she enjoyed hugging him back. Then she parted from him and looked at Sawyer. The redneck had his hands in his jacket and smiled at seeing a woman he had fallen in love with along time ago. “Well, well, well,” he grinned, “Do I call you Freckles . . .or Four Eyes?”

“Come here, Hillbilly.” She laughed, embracing him.


Mia looked out the window and then around to all her friends that had gathered at her home. Most of the people that had arrived were close to Kate in some fashion. They had had one reason to be there; they said they had a dream that told them to come. Jack wouldn’t have comprehended the dream; Mia knew that. Which is why it made all the more sense that Sawyer’s dream instructed him to bring Jack. Seeing the joy in Kate’s face, told the Lakota that only one person could have been responsible for the dreams. He looked out for them on the Island and he looked out for them still. Mia slowly looked up to the ceiling, holding her chest.

“Thanks, Brendon.” She smiled.