Thanksgiving 1999

Summer - "Dad I don't see what the big deal is.  Its an American holiday that we never celebrate, why are you getting so mad."

Hugh - "It just seems that recently every time I turn around you are running off to see Alex.  Is something going on between the two of you?"

Summer laughs, "Me and Lexy.  Oh dad that's really funny."  She comes around the kitchen table to kiss his cheek.  "I'm just going to visit for a few days over break.  I'll be back by Sunday."  She skips out of the kitchen.

"You know it wasn't that long ago that you would ask for my permission to go on a trip."  He yells after her.  "Summer do you hear me?"

She pops her head back in the kitchen.  "Daddy, may I go see Alex for a couple days."

Hugh - "Its too late for me to say no now, you're already packed.  Go have fun, but don't think your disappearing on Christmas."

Summer - "I wouldn't do that.  Well atleast not the whole holiday."  She runs back out of the room and upstairs.

She goes through her suitcase one more time.  Sure she was staying with AJ but she really was going to meet the rest of Nick's family.  The one time she had met Jane didn't really count, but it was enough to make her extremely nervous.  She packed one of her nicest and most wholesome outfits to wear to dinner.  Her flight was in the morning, AJ was going to pick her up, because she was still staying with him whenever she went to see Nick.  Staying at Nick's house would just be too much, she liked the distance that staying with AJ gave her.

Summer wasn't the only one nervous this Thanksgiving.  Kevin was in fact on his way to his mother's house right now nervously rolling a ring box around in his hand.  He walked in the door like he always did.

Kevin - "Ma you home?"

Ann - "In the den sweetie."  Kevin walked back the hall to his father's den.  It looked much like it did when he was alive.  The only thing that his mom had changed was the desk, she had replaced the heavy dark wood one with a light one more her style.  Also gone was the old typewriter and in its place was a top of the line computer.

Kevin - "What are you doing?"

Ann - "Oh just going through some of these old documents and pictures.  Did you get it?"

Kevin - "Yeah."  He shows his mom the ring.

Ann - "Oh Kevin its beautiful.  Loren will love it."

Kevin - "I just hope she says yes."

Ann - "And why wouldn't she.  You are a very handsome man, with a lot of love to offer her.  Now I absolutely adore her but if she turns you down, I'm seriously going to question her sanity."  Kevin laughs.  "What I'm serious.  When are you going to pick her and Tristen up?"

Kevin - "In a few hours."

Ann - "When are you going to ask her?"

Kevin - "I haven't figure that out yet.  But I'm sure it will come to me."

Ann - "Oh I can't wait, I so love weddings."

Kevin - "I know but just remember its her wedding.  And its all still depending if she even says yes."

Ann - "I know I'm getting ahead of myself but so you think she'll carry your Great Grandmother's handkerchief."

Kevin - "Mom you'll have to ask her but she'll probably say yes.  Now I got to go.  What time is dinner tomorrow?"

Ann - "Everyone's getting here at two and the birds going on the table around three."

Kevin - "Okay see you tomorrow afternoon."  He kisses her cheek.

Ann - "Kevin."  She gets up off the floor and hugs her son.  "I'm very proud of you and I know your father would be too."

Kevin - "Thanks ma.  I love you."

Ann - "Love you too, drive safe."

Kevin - "I will."

Summer got off the plane and AJ was there waiting for her.  He waved and she ran over.  Her hug almost knocked off his disguise.

AJ - "Easy Lily.  You'll knock off my wig and then we'll have to run out of here."

Summer - "Sorry.  Guess what?"

AJ - "What?"

Summer - "All of this traveling has made me a better packer I've only got this bag."

AJ - "Well its about time.  Come on lets get out of here, airports make me nervous."

They walk quickly through the airport and to his car.

Summer - "So what are your plans for today?"

AJ - "Dinner with my mom and grandparents, nothing as thrilling as meeting Nick's family."

Summer - "I'm so nervous.  I know his mom is going to hate me."

AJ - "Sum everyone loves you."

Summer - "Yeah but Nick's mom just seems so, I don't know, controlling and protective."

AJ - "She's actually mellowed out a lot.  You'll see everything's going to be fine.  When's Nick picking you up?"

Summer - "I'm not sure I haven't talked to him since two days ago."

AJ - "You're kidding."

Summer - "No why?"

AJ - "Its just I thought you guys like talked everyday."

Summer - "Well we normally do but since Halloween we decided to cut back on the calls.  My cell phone sure was thankful."  AJ gets a weird look on his face.  "Is something wrong?"

AJ - "No.  Well I don't think so.  I haven't talked to Nick in like a week."  Summer starts to get a little worried.  "Hey he's probably waiting at the house for you."

Summer - "Yeah probably."  Well Nick wasn't waiting at the house, there wasn't even a message.  "I guess I can just go ahead and get ready.  That way I'll be ready to go when he does call."

AJ - "He's probably just running late don't worry Lily, he'll call."

Summer - "And why wouldn't he.  Stop talking like he's going to stand me up."

AJ - "I didn't say anything like that.  Look you're tripping, I'm going to go get a shower and get ready to go to my mom's okay."

Summer - "Okay."  Summer took her bag up to her room and changed.  Then she sat downstairs watching TV and waiting for Nick to call.

About twenty minutes later AJ came downstairs ready to leave.  "Still no Nick."  Summer shakes her head.  "Do you want me to wait with you?"

Summer - "No get going.  Give your mom and grandparents a hug for me?"

AJ - "Are you sure?  I really hate leaving you like this.  Look here's the Carter's number and address.  If he's not here by two, give them a call.  He probably started playing a game with Aaron and lost track of time."

Summer - "Yeah you're right.  He's done that before."

AJ - "I'll give you a call later."  He kisses her forehead.

Summer - "Okay, bye."

Loren - "Kevin I think you made a wrong turn."

Kevin - "No I didn't."

Loren - "But the store's back that way."

Kevin - "This is a short cut."

Loren thinks for a minute.  "How is this a short cut?"

Kevin - "Loren who's lived here for most of their life."

Loren - "You."

Kevin - "So you think I might know where I'm going?"

Loren - "Normally yes."  They ride in silence for a few more minutes.  Then Kevin again makes a wrong turn.  "You know you can admit you took a wrong turn."

Kevin - "I know I can.  We've got a stop to make before the store."

Loren - "Oh.  Well why didn't you just say something?"

Kevin - "Because Loren it was suppose to be a surprise."

Loren - "Sorry."

Kevin - "I swear woman some times you are impossible."  He says jokingly while reaching across to bump her knee.

Loren - "I don't try to be."

Kevin - "Here we are."  He pulls in to a little park that is desert because of the holiday.  "Usual this place is swarming with kids."

Loren - "Its nice."

Kevin - "Come on."  He reaches out to take her hand.  They walk towards the picnic tables and shade trees.  "I played a lot of ball here.  Almost broke my arm three times sliding down the hill after a ball."  He points out a small hill that leads to a creek.

Loren - "I can picture that.  Between you and you brothers I'm surprised your mom isn't more gray."

Kevin - "And see that tree over there.  That's where my first girlfriend broke my heart."

Loren - "Really how old where you?"

Kevin - "Ten.  She started liking a 12 year old.  I was crushed."  He leads her to a table.  "Here sit."  Loren sits on one of the benches.  "And this is where I proposed to my wife."

Loren - "What?"  Kevin gets down on one knee and takes the ring out of his pocket.

Kevin - "I love you Loren.  A day doesn't go by that I don't thank God for putting you in my life.  Will you marry me?"

Loren - "Oh Kevin.  Of course I'll marry you."  She hugs him tight and then kisses his lips.  She crying as he slips the ring on her finger.  "I love you so much."  She kisses him again.

Kevin - "I love you."  He stands and pulls her to him in a tight hug.  "Was I too cheesy?"

Loren - "No just the right amount of cheese.  The little girl breaking your heart was a nice touch."

Kevin - "Well I was thinking that if you were going to say no that might change your mind.  You know not wanting me to get my heart broken twice in the same place."

Loren - "You thought I'd say no."

Kevin - "It crossed my mind."

Loren - "I've never been better then I am with you."  They stand there holding each other.  "We should get to the store."

Kevin - "We don't have to go to the store.  I just used it as an excuse to get out of the house.  But my mom's probably dying for us to get back."

Loren - "Okay."

He takes her hand and leads her back to the car.