Part 433: Twas the Night Before

The night was finally drawing to a close. John held his daughter as slept on his shoulder. Mia kissed Shanna good night, promising she’d visit her soon. Seth hugged her, telling her to have a great Christmas. The Riggs family began their walk back to their car, piling in their sleeping child and assorted gifts. Locke bid farewell to McKay, enjoying their conversations for the evening. John embraced Tony, wishing him a Merry Christmas. “You take care of yourself, bro.” the archer said.

“I will,” he said, patting him on the arm, “You take care of that family for us, all right?”

“Of course,” he then raised an eyebrow, “Speaking of family, where is my adoptive sister?”

Almost on cue, Kate was walking out of the mansion with Sawyer by her side. Judging by his constant laughter and glazed expression, he was drunk. The brunette winked behind her glasses as she helped the redneck toward Natasha’s car. McKay quickly ran over and helped her get him into the passenger side. “You never change, you know that?” the Australian told him.

“And that’s why I’m married and you’re not,” the redneck giggled.

“Don’t you mean . . .I’m married and you’re not?” the Australian asked him.

“I said that.” He laughed.

McKay just waved him off as Kate walked over. She kissed him on the cheek, making him smile brightly. “Merry Christmas, Sawyer.” She giggled.

“Ain’t you coming with us?” he said, with only one eye open.

“Uh . . .no, I’m not.” She patted him on the chest.

Before he could object, she closed the door on the car. The brunette then walked over past the hood where Natasha was bidding farewell to Ecko. As they parted, the stock trader turned and looked at Kate who just had a coy smile on her lips. “Go easy on him,” she smirked.

“I’ll be gentle,” she giggled, hugging her, “Welcome home, Kate.”

“Don’t be a stranger, Tasha,” the brunette whispered in her ear.

As they parted, Kate began her walk toward the awaiting SUV. Jack was bidding farewell to Jilly, as they stood in the front lawn. The deaf woman saw Kate coming and winked at her. She then quietly left Jack alone with the brunette. The doctor smiled down at her. “Merry Christmas, Kate.” He whispered.

“Merry Christmas, Jack.” She said, her eyes glowing in his direction.

“Kate . .I just . . .I just wanted to say . .”

Kate then stopped him by placing two fingers on his lips. She gently bit her lower lip and smiled at him. “Tell me when we’re alone.” She said with a gleam in her eye.

Jack smiled brightly. “Okay,” he agreed.

“Come on, Sis!” John laughed, “We got to get Shelley home before Santa arrives!”

Jack watched as she walked back to the family that took her in. The doctor fell in love with her on the Island. However, due to her fugitive status, she couldn’t return that love. Now that she was finally safe from the authorities, they were taking small steps toward each out. The doctor didn’t regret spending time with Jilly but deep down in their hearts; they both knew they weren’t truly in love. It was an attraction, nothing more. The doctor took another deep sigh. As he walked toward his car, he figured he’d get his spiritual awakening with women some other time.


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“Promise me, we’ll see you again soon,” Libby told Arizona.

“Oh, you can count it,” the Texan hugged the therapist, “You and Hal’s wedding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Where are you heading to after this?”

“Vegas!” Arizona laughed, “We’ve got the time and the money, so why not lose both?”

“Remember; what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” Libby teased her.

“God, I hope not.” Her friend laughed.

“I wonder what the hell they are conspiring about?” Chance said as he walked out of the mansion holding their presents.

“With certain women, who knows?” Hal patted him on the back.

“We’ll be heading down to Vegas to spend New Year’s Eve, Hal. Can we swing back up here and spend a week or so with you guys?”

“You’re welcome in my home any time, Chance. Libby and I would love to show you guys San Fransico.”

“I want to ride a train car!” Arizona laughed as she embraced her husband.

“Wait till you see Golden Gate Park.” Libby laughed with her.

The Spartans and the soon to be Mancuso’s bid farewell to each other in that event. Hal then walked over and gave Dutch a goodbye hug. He nearly made the older man get misty eyed when he informed him he would be the surfer’s best man in his upcoming wedding. Karliegh kissed Libby on the cheek as they parted from them in the night. They waved good bye as they went to get into their vehicle to return to their penthouse downtown.

Claire walked a sleepy Aaron to the car, helping him get into the backseat with his presents. The blonde Australian then looked at the front yard where everybody else was getting ready. Seth was carrying his sleeping son as Tanya got the presents into their car. Charlie was walking with his band’s singer as they slowly made their way toward her own car. As they walked closer, they finally got within range for her to hear what the two best friends were talking about. “I’m not telling you what to do,” Seth whispered to him.

“I know that, Seth . .but after everything that’s happened . . .” Charlie looked at the ground as he walked.

“Just . .just think about it, okay, man?”

“Okay,” the bassist patted him on the back, “I’ll think about it.”

“Okay,” Seth then started heading back, “ Merry Christmas, Claire.”

“Merry Christmas to you, Seth and to you too, Brendon.” The woman giggled.

The little boy on Seth’s shoulder made some sort of sound that sounded close to “Merry Christmas,” but Claire couldn’t make it out. She then got into the passenger seat of their vehicle as Charlie got into the driver’s side. The musician calmly put his seat belt on and cranked up the heater to get the car warmed up. “What were you and Seth talking about?” she asked.

Charlie looked into the distance. He calmly adjusted the rear view mirror. The musician then took a deep breath. “He suggested I invite Liam to our wedding.” He whispered.

Claire then reached over and rubbed his wrist. She knew was a sensitive subject Liam was. He left Charlie in a lurch to save himself and even nearly demanded that he join the reformed Driveshaft. However, the band shortly disbanded and then Charlie formed Turboshaft only to become even better than he was before. Liam resented it and Charlie never really forgave him for getting hooked on the drugs, not to mention not being there when he needed him. “Maybe it is time to let it go, Charlie,” she whispered.

“I want to,” he whispered, “But I’m afraid that Liam won’t be able to let it go.”

“Did you ever think that he might be thinking the exact same thing?” she raised an eyebrow.

Charlie then smiled and laughed slightly.

“What’s . .what’s so funny, Charlie?” Claire asked.

“Seth said the same thing,” he grinned, “I swear to God if Seth was born my brother, I wouldn’t have had such a rough life.”

“Well, he’s your brother now, and sometimes you should listen to your brother’s advice.”

Charlie looked toward his fiancé, knowing full well what she meant. Since it was Seth who suggested it, it was like another big brother giving his little brother advice. “I’ll think about it.” He concluded, “But tonight, we got to make sure Aaron gets home in time for Santa Claus.”

“Okay,” she giggled.

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Marita held onto Eddie for the longest time. He was so happy because it was so a wonderful evening. Marita had announced that she was pregnant and Tony had gotten his sight back. The Latina loved the boy like her own son and the bond they formed on the Island would never be broken. Eddie looked at her and smiled. “You thought of any names yet?” he inquired.

“It’s too soon, Eddie,” she giggled, “But remember, what sex this child turns out to be, you’ll be their big brother.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He agreed.

“Hey, Boy,” Tony patted him on the back.

“Hello, sir,” he smiled at his mentor.

“You take care of yourself and when your mom goes back to Japan, always remember you got a home with us too okay?” he hugged him.

“I’ll never forget it, Tony,” he parted from his hug.

“All right,” the doctor smiled, trying not to get too mushy, “Get your girlfriend home. Have a Merry Christmas.”

“You too. Both of you.” He waved to them.

Eddie walked back over to the porch, waving goodbye to his hosts. Hurley and Joscelyn smiled from the door, making sure everybody got to their cars and left nothing behind. The young man then saw his girlfriend talked to his mother. Barbara smiled and then laughed at something Bonnie just told her. “Oh, God, “ he told them both, “Do I even want to know?”

“I was just telling her about your romantic side, like our Turboshaft concert.” She said, taking his arm.

“I was raised well, wasn’t I, mom?” he said, proudly.

“Yes, you were,” Barbara kissed her son on the forehead, “Now get your girlfriend home. Her mother is probably worried sick.”

“I had the best time of my Christmas here,” Bonnie hugged the older woman.

“You are always welcomed here.” The woman told her as she walked over to her own car.

Eddie took Bonnie over to Turk, awaiting them in the street. He opened the door for her, allowing her to step into the cool vinyl seats. Then he slid over toward the drivers seat, got in, cranked the engine and began on their journey to take her home. At the front door, Hurley and Joscelyn waved to the final guests who finally left their mansion home. The woman sighed, as she rubbed the arm of her husband. “It was a great party.” She told him.

“Yes, I’d say it was one of our best.” He kissed her as they closed the door.

“Everybody else is asleep, right?”

“Yeah, mom past out a long time ago and your family went to bed early so the kids could enjoy Christmas morning.”

She looked at her watch and smiled, heading to the stairs. “Good, then we have time.” She grinned.

“Time for what, honey?” he said, removing his shoes.

“Christmas Sex.” She winked at him.

Hurley lurched up his head as he saw his wife disappear up the stairs. The large man coughed, then whispered, “Dude.”

Then made a beeline for the stairs as fast as his legs would take them.