Previously on KNOTS LANDING....
-----------As everyone gathered at Mack and Karen's for Thanksgiving, numerous old faces returned.
-----------Page shows up with her 18-year-old son.
-----------Dylan and Trevor are allowed to be released on a day pass from the youth detention center to spend Thanksgiving with their families.
-----------Molly was not happy when Bridgette Williams got a job working at the same department store as her.
-----------At the Thanksgiving gathering, Molly shocked her parents by telling them she and Scott were living together.
----------Meg returned with a surprised - her new husband!
-----------Page shows up with her 18-year-old son.
-----------Dylan and Trevor are allowed to be released on a day pass from the youth detention center to spend Thanksgiving with their families.
-----------Molly was not happy when Bridgette Williams got a job working at the same department store as her.
-----------At the Thanksgiving gathering, Molly shocked her parents by telling them she and Scott were living together.
----------Meg returned with a surprised - her new husband!
The Ewing home.......early afternoon
Betsy Ewing Avery opens the small gate and makes her way up the little walk way to her parents' home on Seaview Circle. Opening the door, Betsy walks in. "Mom?" She calls out.
"In here, Bets," Val calls from the kitchen.
"In here, Bets," Val calls from the kitchen.
Betsy walks into the kitchen and finds her mother checking something she has baking in the oven. "Hi, Mom. Is that what I think I smell?"
"Mmhmm," Val replies. "My apple fritters. Christopher loved them so good when I made some at christmas, I thought I'd make a batch especially for him."
"What time was Bobby supposed to pick him up at the airport?"
"They should be on their way back right now. Christopher's flight was scheduled to arrive at noon."
"I can't wait to see Christopher," Betsy says. "I think he's probably my favorite cousin on the Ewing side."
"Oh? And all this time, I thought John Ross was," Val jokes.
"Very funny, Mom. But, to John Ross's credit, he did send a very nice thank you card to Daniel after his sight returned, and gave a very generous donation to the hospital."
"Did he? Well, maybe that brush with death really did change him."
"Mmhmm," Val replies. "My apple fritters. Christopher loved them so good when I made some at christmas, I thought I'd make a batch especially for him."
"What time was Bobby supposed to pick him up at the airport?"
"They should be on their way back right now. Christopher's flight was scheduled to arrive at noon."
"I can't wait to see Christopher," Betsy says. "I think he's probably my favorite cousin on the Ewing side."
"Oh? And all this time, I thought John Ross was," Val jokes.
"Very funny, Mom. But, to John Ross's credit, he did send a very nice thank you card to Daniel after his sight returned, and gave a very generous donation to the hospital."
"Did he? Well, maybe that brush with death really did change him."
"I sure hope so," says Betsy. "By the way, how are you liking your new job as a teacher?"
"Oh, sweety, I love it. I really do. I've been happier since I've been teaching that creative writing class than I've been in, I can't remember when."
"Well, that's great. Maybe teaching is your calling in life."
"If it's my calling it sure waited a long time to find me," Val says as Karen walks into the house.
"Yoo hoo," Karen calls out.
"In here!" Val says.
"Hi," Karen says, walking into the kitchen. "You're making fritters."
"Yes I am. Gary's nephew Christopher is coming for a few days, you know his brother Bobby's son, and Christopher loves my fritters."
"They smell delicious. Listen, I just got a phone call and you'll never guess who's coming for a visit."
"Who?" Val asks.
"Erin Ward. Erin Molly."
"Oh, you're kidding," says an excited Val.
"Nope, I'm not."
"Erin Molly Ward?" Betsy asks.
"Oh, sweety, I love it. I really do. I've been happier since I've been teaching that creative writing class than I've been in, I can't remember when."
"Well, that's great. Maybe teaching is your calling in life."
"If it's my calling it sure waited a long time to find me," Val says as Karen walks into the house.
"Yoo hoo," Karen calls out.
"In here!" Val says.
"Hi," Karen says, walking into the kitchen. "You're making fritters."
"Yes I am. Gary's nephew Christopher is coming for a few days, you know his brother Bobby's son, and Christopher loves my fritters."
"They smell delicious. Listen, I just got a phone call and you'll never guess who's coming for a visit."
"Who?" Val asks.
"Erin Ward. Erin Molly."
"Oh, you're kidding," says an excited Val.
"Nope, I'm not."
"Erin Molly Ward?" Betsy asks.
"Yes, my goddaughter," Karen says. "My OTHER goddaughter."
"Sweety, you remember Ginger, don't you? You met her a couple times when you were a kid," Val says.
"She was at mine and Mack's 15th anniversary party. Ginger was, NOT Erin Molly, who is Ginger's daughter."
"That was so long ago, I don't remember," says Betsy.
"I can't believe Erin is coming here," Karen says. "God, I haven't seen her since she was a kid."
"How long is she staying?" Val asks.
"About a week. She's gonna be in town on some kind of business or something, and she said she wants to see us all, so I invited her to stay with us. After all, Meg's room is empty now."
"How is Meg?" Betsy asks. "I've barely talked to her since she got married."
"She's fine. I have to admit, when Meg showed up on Thanksgiving and announced that she was married, I was skeptical. Even a little distrustful of Shawn, but it's been over a month and a half now, and Shawn is really a very nice young man. And he and Meg do seem very much in love."
"I have to wonder about that," Betsy says. "After all, I don't see how Meg could've fallen out of love with Bobby so fast and fallen IN love with another man in just a couple of months."
Val and Karen exchange looks, silently agreeing with what Betsy has said.
"Sweety, you remember Ginger, don't you? You met her a couple times when you were a kid," Val says.
"She was at mine and Mack's 15th anniversary party. Ginger was, NOT Erin Molly, who is Ginger's daughter."
"That was so long ago, I don't remember," says Betsy.
"I can't believe Erin is coming here," Karen says. "God, I haven't seen her since she was a kid."
"How long is she staying?" Val asks.
"About a week. She's gonna be in town on some kind of business or something, and she said she wants to see us all, so I invited her to stay with us. After all, Meg's room is empty now."
"How is Meg?" Betsy asks. "I've barely talked to her since she got married."
"She's fine. I have to admit, when Meg showed up on Thanksgiving and announced that she was married, I was skeptical. Even a little distrustful of Shawn, but it's been over a month and a half now, and Shawn is really a very nice young man. And he and Meg do seem very much in love."
"I have to wonder about that," Betsy says. "After all, I don't see how Meg could've fallen out of love with Bobby so fast and fallen IN love with another man in just a couple of months."
Val and Karen exchange looks, silently agreeing with what Betsy has said.
Meanwhile....
Bobby's car drives up and comes to a stop by the curb in front of the Ewing home. Bobby and his cousin, Christopher Ewing, get out of the car. Christopher grabs his bags from the backseat of the car, then looks around the cul-de-sac.
"Well, here we are, Chris," Bobby says.
"Well, here we are, Chris," Bobby says.
"Feels good to be here," Christopher says. "I really need some time away from Southfork and Dallas."
"Well, sure is great having you here, man. And I can't wait to get Ewing Records up and running. I think we both need the distraction right now."
"You got that right, cousin," says Christopher.
"Well, let's go in," Bobby says. He takes one of Christopher's bags and the two cousins go into the house.
Hearing them walk in, Val, Betsy, and Karen walk into the living room.
"Christopher!" Betsy says, embracing her cousin.
"Hey, Bets, how's it goin'?" Christopher asks.
"Just great, how are you?"
"Well, could be better."
"Christopher, welcome," Val says, hugging him.
"Thanks, Aunt Val."
"Christopher, you remember Karen MacKenzie, don't you?"
"Of course," Christopher says, shaking Karen's hand.
"Welcome to Knots Landing," says a smiling Karen.
"Thank you. Glad to be here."
"Well, Val, I've got to be going," Karen says. "I have a LOT of cleaning up to do before our house guest arrives."
"Alright, Karen, I'll see you later."
"Christopher, while you're in town, you'll have to come over for dinner one night," Karen says on her way out.
"Thanks, I'd love to."
"Bye," Karen says as she leaves.
"Come on, Chris, let's take your stuff upstairs," Bobby says.
"Sure," Christopher says, following his cousin up the stairs with his suitcase.
"You got that right, cousin," says Christopher.
"Well, let's go in," Bobby says. He takes one of Christopher's bags and the two cousins go into the house.
Hearing them walk in, Val, Betsy, and Karen walk into the living room.
"Christopher!" Betsy says, embracing her cousin.
"Hey, Bets, how's it goin'?" Christopher asks.
"Just great, how are you?"
"Well, could be better."
"Christopher, welcome," Val says, hugging him.
"Thanks, Aunt Val."
"Christopher, you remember Karen MacKenzie, don't you?"
"Of course," Christopher says, shaking Karen's hand.
"Welcome to Knots Landing," says a smiling Karen.
"Thank you. Glad to be here."
"Well, Val, I've got to be going," Karen says. "I have a LOT of cleaning up to do before our house guest arrives."
"Alright, Karen, I'll see you later."
"Christopher, while you're in town, you'll have to come over for dinner one night," Karen says on her way out.
"Thanks, I'd love to."
"Bye," Karen says as she leaves.
"Come on, Chris, let's take your stuff upstairs," Bobby says.
"Sure," Christopher says, following his cousin up the stairs with his suitcase.
MacKenzie & Associates....
Meg is sitting at her desk at MacKenzie & Associates that afternoon, blankly staring into space, when Mack knocks on her door, then walks.
"Hey, what's up, daughter?" Mack asks.
"Hellooooo," Meg says. "I was just trying to get some work done on this Sullivan case, but, I can't seem to concentrate today."
"Got a lot on the old mind?"
"Yes."
"Well, listen, I just came in to see if you wanted to grab some lunch. I'm kinda craving the Subway downstairs."
"Hey, what's up, daughter?" Mack asks.
"Hellooooo," Meg says. "I was just trying to get some work done on this Sullivan case, but, I can't seem to concentrate today."
"Got a lot on the old mind?"
"Yes."
"Well, listen, I just came in to see if you wanted to grab some lunch. I'm kinda craving the Subway downstairs."
"Can't we go someplace else for a change?" Meg asks. "You ALWAYS wanna go to Subway."
"What's wrong with Subway?" Mack asks. "I love Subway."
"Nothing is wrong with it, but haven't you ever heard of variety?"
"Okay, we'll go someplace else," Mack says, his tone one of subtle complaining.
"No, it's fine, we'll go to Subway," Meg says as a knock comes at her door. "Come in," she says.
Meg's new husband, Shawn Kennedy, walks into the office. "Hi," he says.
"Well, hi, sweetheart," says Meg. "What on earth brings you down here?"
"What's wrong with Subway?" Mack asks. "I love Subway."
"Nothing is wrong with it, but haven't you ever heard of variety?"
"Okay, we'll go someplace else," Mack says, his tone one of subtle complaining.
"No, it's fine, we'll go to Subway," Meg says as a knock comes at her door. "Come in," she says.
Meg's new husband, Shawn Kennedy, walks into the office. "Hi," he says.
"Well, hi, sweetheart," says Meg. "What on earth brings you down here?"
"I just came by to see if my beautiful wife was free for me to take her to lunch," Shawn replies.
"Well, actually, I was just about to go to lunch with Dad."
"Oh, Mack, I'm sorry," says Shawn.
"Well, actually, I was just about to go to lunch with Dad."
"Oh, Mack, I'm sorry," says Shawn.
"Oh, no no, it's fine," Mack says. "You two go on to lunch, and I'll just grab a bite from Subway downstairs."
"Are you sure?" Meg asks, standing from her seat at her desk. She walks over to her husband and father.
"Of course, I'm sure. Go. Go have lunch with this husband of yours." Mack kisses Meg on the cheek, pats Shawn on the shoulder, then turns and walks out of the office.
"I'm sorry," Shawn says. "I didn't realize you had lunch plans with your Dad."
"It's fine. Actually, you rescued me. Dad never wants to eat anywhere but Subway lately, and now I get to go anywhere I want with my handsome husband."
Shawn smiles as he kisses Meg. "So where do you wanna go?"
"I'm kind of in the mood for Mexican today."
"Mexican it is," Shawn says as he and Meg leave the office.
"Are you sure?" Meg asks, standing from her seat at her desk. She walks over to her husband and father.
"Of course, I'm sure. Go. Go have lunch with this husband of yours." Mack kisses Meg on the cheek, pats Shawn on the shoulder, then turns and walks out of the office.
"I'm sorry," Shawn says. "I didn't realize you had lunch plans with your Dad."
"It's fine. Actually, you rescued me. Dad never wants to eat anywhere but Subway lately, and now I get to go anywhere I want with my handsome husband."
Shawn smiles as he kisses Meg. "So where do you wanna go?"
"I'm kind of in the mood for Mexican today."
"Mexican it is," Shawn says as he and Meg leave the office.
West Los Angeles Medical Center....late afternoon
In an examining room at West Los Angeles Medical Center, Greg Sumner is getting dressed after his physical, when his doctor walks back into the room.
"Well, doc ," Greg says. "What's the verdict? Am I gonna live, or am I gonna be pushin' up daisies soon?"
"Well, doc ," Greg says. "What's the verdict? Am I gonna live, or am I gonna be pushin' up daisies soon?"
"Greg, relax," the doctor says. "You're in surprisingly excellent health, considering the fact that you don't take care of yourself the way you should. All our tests aren't back yet, but, so far, everything looks great."
"Oh, clean bill of health, huh?" Asks a smiling Greg. "I coulda told ya that, and I wouldn't have had to spend a fortune on all these ridiculous tests."
"Greg, you haven't had a physical in over ten years, so you were long overdue for one. Now, as I said, all our preliminary tests did turn out okay. Your blood pressure is fine, your cholesterol is just a bit high, but it's not too bad. The only thing I'm a little concerned about is........." The doctor pauses a moment.
"Is what?" Greg asks.
"Well, your PSA test indicated a higher than normal level in your blood. It could be nothing, but, I'd like to run more tests just to be on the safe side."
"Isn't that kind of normal as a man gets older?"
"It can be. But, usually whenever there's a high PSA reading, we like to investigate further."
"I thought you just said I was in perfect health."
The doctor smiles. "You are. But, your PSA levels are high and we'd like to do some tests to find out why, that's all."
"Hmm," Greg grunts. "Well, when?"
"I'd like to do this as soon as possible. I'll write up the order, and you can have it done in a couple days right here."
Greg nods. "Alright then. Doc Wilson, I want ya to level with me. Is there any chance this could turn out to be prostate cancer?"
"Greg.......it's possible. It's always a possibility when a man passes the age of 45, and the chance of prostate cancer increases with age. But, I don't want you to worry until we do these tests and find out what's causing the higher PSA readings. Okay?"
Greg hesitates for a moment, then looks at the doctor. "You bet."
"Just make an appointment with the receptionist to come back in about two days for those tests."
"Will do." Greg nods, then leaves the examining room. Outside, he pauses for a moment as he thinks about what the doctor said.
"Greg, you haven't had a physical in over ten years, so you were long overdue for one. Now, as I said, all our preliminary tests did turn out okay. Your blood pressure is fine, your cholesterol is just a bit high, but it's not too bad. The only thing I'm a little concerned about is........." The doctor pauses a moment.
"Is what?" Greg asks.
"Well, your PSA test indicated a higher than normal level in your blood. It could be nothing, but, I'd like to run more tests just to be on the safe side."
"Isn't that kind of normal as a man gets older?"
"It can be. But, usually whenever there's a high PSA reading, we like to investigate further."
"I thought you just said I was in perfect health."
The doctor smiles. "You are. But, your PSA levels are high and we'd like to do some tests to find out why, that's all."
"Hmm," Greg grunts. "Well, when?"
"I'd like to do this as soon as possible. I'll write up the order, and you can have it done in a couple days right here."
Greg nods. "Alright then. Doc Wilson, I want ya to level with me. Is there any chance this could turn out to be prostate cancer?"
"Greg.......it's possible. It's always a possibility when a man passes the age of 45, and the chance of prostate cancer increases with age. But, I don't want you to worry until we do these tests and find out what's causing the higher PSA readings. Okay?"
Greg hesitates for a moment, then looks at the doctor. "You bet."
"Just make an appointment with the receptionist to come back in about two days for those tests."
"Will do." Greg nods, then leaves the examining room. Outside, he pauses for a moment as he thinks about what the doctor said.
The Ewing home......that night
Val places a plate of rolls on the table, then takes her seat at the dining room table with Gary, Bobby, Christopher, Betsy, Daniel, their kids Laura and Daniel, Jr. as the family sits down to dinner.
"Aunt Val, everything looks delicious," Christopher says. "Especially those fritters."
Val smiles. "Well, thank you, I hope you enjoy it."
"Christopher, how's John Ross doing?" Daniel asks. "He and that new bride of his enjoying married life?"
"Aunt Val, everything looks delicious," Christopher says. "Especially those fritters."
Val smiles. "Well, thank you, I hope you enjoy it."
"Christopher, how's John Ross doing?" Daniel asks. "He and that new bride of his enjoying married life?"
"Well, they seem to be very happy together, and believe it or not, John Ross really seems like a different person now," Christopher replies.
"I guess coming as close to death as he did can change a person for the best," Betsy says.
"Yeah, well, every now and then a glimpse of the old John Ross shows, but, over all, he's mellowed a lot since the hit and run."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Daniel says.
"Daniel, how's Jason doing?" Gary asks.
"Yeah, you should've invited him to join us for dinner tonight," says Val.
"My brother actually had a date tonight," Daniel replies.
"Really?" Val asks. "Well who with?"
"I guess coming as close to death as he did can change a person for the best," Betsy says.
"Yeah, well, every now and then a glimpse of the old John Ross shows, but, over all, he's mellowed a lot since the hit and run."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Daniel says.
"Daniel, how's Jason doing?" Gary asks.
"Yeah, you should've invited him to join us for dinner tonight," says Val.
"My brother actually had a date tonight," Daniel replies.
"Really?" Val asks. "Well who with?"
"A friend of Michael's," Daniel says.
"That's great."
"Yeah, it's good to see Jason getting out and having a social life," Betsy says. "The last few months have been so hard on him."
"Christopher, how long are you gonna be staying?" Daniel asks.
"About a week. I figure Bobby and I can get things going with Ewing Records. And I needed some time away from Dallas."
"Sounds like woman troubles."
"Yeah," Christopher says. "You could say that."
"That's great."
"Yeah, it's good to see Jason getting out and having a social life," Betsy says. "The last few months have been so hard on him."
"Christopher, how long are you gonna be staying?" Daniel asks.
"About a week. I figure Bobby and I can get things going with Ewing Records. And I needed some time away from Dallas."
"Sounds like woman troubles."
"Yeah," Christopher says. "You could say that."
The MacKenzie Home....later
After clearing the table following dinner, Karen walks into the living room and takes a seat beside Mack, who is watching television.
"Dinner was good," Mack says. "Always loved your roast beef."
"Yeah. It's just.......too quiet around here tonight, with Michael out on a double date with Jason, and Eric spending the night with a friend, AGAIN."
"That kid spends more time over at the Andersons than he does at home these days," Mack says.
"Well, it's good for him. Josh Anderson is a nice boy, and you know how hard it's been on Eric since Trevor and Dylan have been gone. I'm glad my grandson has found a good friend."
"Yeah, me too."
"Mack, is something bothering you?" Karen asks. "You seem, oh, I don't know......distracted."
"I'm fine. I just.........I'm worried about Meg, and about Paige."
"Why are you worried about Meg?"
"Dinner was good," Mack says. "Always loved your roast beef."
"Yeah. It's just.......too quiet around here tonight, with Michael out on a double date with Jason, and Eric spending the night with a friend, AGAIN."
"That kid spends more time over at the Andersons than he does at home these days," Mack says.
"Well, it's good for him. Josh Anderson is a nice boy, and you know how hard it's been on Eric since Trevor and Dylan have been gone. I'm glad my grandson has found a good friend."
"Yeah, me too."
"Mack, is something bothering you?" Karen asks. "You seem, oh, I don't know......distracted."
"I'm fine. I just.........I'm worried about Meg, and about Paige."
"Why are you worried about Meg?"
"Just a feeling I've got," Mack says. "About her and Shawn."
"Shawn is very nice young man. I thought you liked him."
"I do like him, and YES, he's a very nice young man. But, it's the way he and Meg got married. She goes off to get away from all the problems she had here last summer, and comes home two months later with a new husband."
Karen sighs. "I know. We've both felt that Meg rushed into this marriage with Shawn on the rebound. And that worries me too, but, so far, they seem very happy together."
"Yeah, they do, but looks can be deceiving, which is what worried me. Shawn's a good guy, and it's obvious he loves our daughter. It's Meg's feelings for him I'm not sure about. Oh, I know she probably cares for him. She may even THINK she loves him. But I don't think Meg's feelings for Bobby just faded away so fast."
"I feel the same as you," says Karen. "But, unfortunately, there's not a whole lot we can do about it. Meg and Shawn are married, and Bobby is doing his best to try and move on with his own life. And, we can only hope and pray that Meg and Shawn can build a happy life together."
"I hope so. But, like you said, there's nothing we can do about it."
"It's a terrible thing isn't it?" Karen asks.
"What is?" Mack asks.
"This feeling of helplessness when our kids grow up and start having problems and issues in their lives that we wanna help them with, but we can't."
Mack lets out a deep breath. "Yeah, that's how I feel about both Meg and Paige. Paige is so torn about telling Patrick that Sumner is his father. But, she knows she's not gonna be able to keep it from the kid very long now that Sumner knows."
"How she managed to keep it a secret for 18 years is beyond me," says Karen.
Mack grunts. "You wanna watch TV?"
"I really should go do the dishes."
"They'll keep til morning. How about we go upstairs, curl up in bed, and watch a movie?"
Karen looks at him and smiles. "Okay. You know, tonight was kinda nice. Just the two of us for dinner, and having the house to ourselves like this. It'll be the last night at least for a week or so that we'll get to do this, with Erin Molly coming tomorrow."
"You're really excited about seein' your goddaughter, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. I haven't seen Erin Molly since she was a teenager, and I can't wait to see what kind of woman she's turned into. I can't believe she's really 34. God, that makes me feel old. Hey, wait a minute!"
"What?" Mack asks.
"I just thought of something. Erin Molly is 34," Karen says.
"Yeah, so?"
"I think Gary's nephew, Christopher, is the same age. We should introduce them."
"Karen, wait a second," says Mack. "You're not gonna go tryin' to play matchmaker again, are you? Erin Molly lives in Tennessee and Gary's nephew lives in Texas. What kind of a match would that be?"
"I didn't say I wanted to set them up to be married. But, I think it would be nice for them to hang out together while they're both in town. Val said that Christopher recently had a heartbreak, so what better to make a man forget a woman than spending time with another woman?"
"Karen, let's go upstairs and watch that movie."
"Are you trying to distract me from my idea?" Karen asks.
"Yes I am," Mack replies with a smile. "Come on." He stands, takes her by the hand and the two head up the stairs after Mack switches off the light in the living room.
"Shawn is very nice young man. I thought you liked him."
"I do like him, and YES, he's a very nice young man. But, it's the way he and Meg got married. She goes off to get away from all the problems she had here last summer, and comes home two months later with a new husband."
Karen sighs. "I know. We've both felt that Meg rushed into this marriage with Shawn on the rebound. And that worries me too, but, so far, they seem very happy together."
"Yeah, they do, but looks can be deceiving, which is what worried me. Shawn's a good guy, and it's obvious he loves our daughter. It's Meg's feelings for him I'm not sure about. Oh, I know she probably cares for him. She may even THINK she loves him. But I don't think Meg's feelings for Bobby just faded away so fast."
"I feel the same as you," says Karen. "But, unfortunately, there's not a whole lot we can do about it. Meg and Shawn are married, and Bobby is doing his best to try and move on with his own life. And, we can only hope and pray that Meg and Shawn can build a happy life together."
"I hope so. But, like you said, there's nothing we can do about it."
"It's a terrible thing isn't it?" Karen asks.
"What is?" Mack asks.
"This feeling of helplessness when our kids grow up and start having problems and issues in their lives that we wanna help them with, but we can't."
Mack lets out a deep breath. "Yeah, that's how I feel about both Meg and Paige. Paige is so torn about telling Patrick that Sumner is his father. But, she knows she's not gonna be able to keep it from the kid very long now that Sumner knows."
"How she managed to keep it a secret for 18 years is beyond me," says Karen.
Mack grunts. "You wanna watch TV?"
"I really should go do the dishes."
"They'll keep til morning. How about we go upstairs, curl up in bed, and watch a movie?"
Karen looks at him and smiles. "Okay. You know, tonight was kinda nice. Just the two of us for dinner, and having the house to ourselves like this. It'll be the last night at least for a week or so that we'll get to do this, with Erin Molly coming tomorrow."
"You're really excited about seein' your goddaughter, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. I haven't seen Erin Molly since she was a teenager, and I can't wait to see what kind of woman she's turned into. I can't believe she's really 34. God, that makes me feel old. Hey, wait a minute!"
"What?" Mack asks.
"I just thought of something. Erin Molly is 34," Karen says.
"Yeah, so?"
"I think Gary's nephew, Christopher, is the same age. We should introduce them."
"Karen, wait a second," says Mack. "You're not gonna go tryin' to play matchmaker again, are you? Erin Molly lives in Tennessee and Gary's nephew lives in Texas. What kind of a match would that be?"
"I didn't say I wanted to set them up to be married. But, I think it would be nice for them to hang out together while they're both in town. Val said that Christopher recently had a heartbreak, so what better to make a man forget a woman than spending time with another woman?"
"Karen, let's go upstairs and watch that movie."
"Are you trying to distract me from my idea?" Karen asks.
"Yes I am," Mack replies with a smile. "Come on." He stands, takes her by the hand and the two head up the stairs after Mack switches off the light in the living room.
Knots Landing Beach......the next morning
Bobby and Christopher are enjoying a vigorous run on Knots Landing Beach the next morning. As the two cousins finish their run, they come to a stop on the beach, both breathing heavily from the run.
"Whew," Christopher says. "Boy, that was exhilarating."
"Whew," Christopher says. "Boy, that was exhilarating."
"Yeah," Bobby says, out of breath. "I love coming out here early in the morning, or at sunset and just running. I guess I get that from my Mom. Chris, it's really great having you here, man. I feel like I finally have someone I can talk to about stuff. Stuff I can't talk to my parents about, or even Betsy."
"What about Betsy's husband, Daniel?" Christopher asks. "He seems like a cool guy."
"Oh, yeah, Daniel's the best. But he's always working at the hospital and when he's not there, he's usually busy with Betsy and the kids, so I don't get to hang out with him that much. Just means a lot to me to have someone here I can really talk to."
"I really appreciate that, cousin. And, you know, I'm always just a phone call away. How are you dealing with the situation with Meg?"
Bobby sighs. "I don't. I try to avoid Meg and her new hubby at all costs, which is hard, since our families are best friends and live right next door to each other. I've seen them a couple times since they came back on Thanksgiving and announced that they were married. But, only briefly and in passing. That was one reason I wanted to go to Southfork for Christmas again this year. So I wouldn't have to deal with seeing Meg over the holidays."
"Well, I know that can't be easy," says Christopher. "And eventually you're gonna have to deal with it."
"Like you're dealing with your situation?" Bobby asks.
"No. I ran away from my situation."
"Chris, you didn't run away. You just.......took a little vacation to clear your head. There's a big difference."
"I'm not so sure, Bobby."
"Oh, yeah, Daniel's the best. But he's always working at the hospital and when he's not there, he's usually busy with Betsy and the kids, so I don't get to hang out with him that much. Just means a lot to me to have someone here I can really talk to."
"I really appreciate that, cousin. And, you know, I'm always just a phone call away. How are you dealing with the situation with Meg?"
Bobby sighs. "I don't. I try to avoid Meg and her new hubby at all costs, which is hard, since our families are best friends and live right next door to each other. I've seen them a couple times since they came back on Thanksgiving and announced that they were married. But, only briefly and in passing. That was one reason I wanted to go to Southfork for Christmas again this year. So I wouldn't have to deal with seeing Meg over the holidays."
"Well, I know that can't be easy," says Christopher. "And eventually you're gonna have to deal with it."
"Like you're dealing with your situation?" Bobby asks.
"No. I ran away from my situation."
"Chris, you didn't run away. You just.......took a little vacation to clear your head. There's a big difference."
"I'm not so sure, Bobby."
"Besides," Bobby says. "Maybe running away from a situation that's painful isn't all that bad, at least temporarily. I'm all for putting some distance between me and the pain I feel every time i see or think about Meg MacKenzie. Oh, excuse me...... Meg KENNEDY." Bobby pauses for a moment. "Chris, why the hell does loving someone have to hurt so damned much?"
Christopher shakes his head. "I've been wondering that question for as long as I can remember, Bobby. And whoever eventually figures that out, that person deserves a Novel Prize."
Bobby smiles slightly. "Come on, man. Let's get back home. After that run, I'm ready for a late breakfast."
Christopher shakes his head. "I've been wondering that question for as long as I can remember, Bobby. And whoever eventually figures that out, that person deserves a Novel Prize."
Bobby smiles slightly. "Come on, man. Let's get back home. After that run, I'm ready for a late breakfast."
Seaview Circle......a short time later
Bobby and Christopher jog up the little cul-de-sac at Seaview Circle a little while later, arriving back from their morning run on the beach. The two cousins race up the street from the end of Seaview Circle to the Ewing home, Christopher winning the case by a hair, both men again breathing hard from the rigorous exercise.
"Oh, man," Bobby says, gasping for breath. "Remind me never to race you up hill again. Where the hell do you get your energy?"
"Comes from working long hours on a ranch," Christopher replies, also breathing heavily. "You have to be in great shape."
As the two open the little gate in front of the house, Karen's van drives into the cul-de-sac. Bobby and Christopher watch as Karen pulls into her driveway and comes to a stop. Karen gets out of the van and waves to them. Then, a very beautiful young woman with dark, silky hair gets out of the passenger side of the van.
"Well, what do you think?" Karen asks her visiting goddaughter.
"It's beautiful, Aunt Karen," Erin Molly Ward replies.
"You don't remember living here do you?"
"Oh, I have very vague memories, but not many. This must have been a great place to grow up."
"Yes, but you grew up in a nice neighborhood in Nashville, too," Karen.
"Yeah, I did."
Karen looks over and sees Bobby and Christopher as they are heading up the walkway next door to the front porch. She smiles. "Hey, come on," she says to Erin. "I want you to meet someone." She takes the young woman by the arm and they walk next door to the Ewing home, where Bobby and Christopher are about to go into the house. "Hi, guys," Karen says to them.
The two stop on the porch and turn to her. "Hello, Karen," says Bobby.
"I'd like for you both to meet my lovely goddaughter, Erin Molly Ward."
"Hi," Bobby says.
"Hello, Erin Molly," says Christopher. "It's very nice to meet you."
"Oh, man," Bobby says, gasping for breath. "Remind me never to race you up hill again. Where the hell do you get your energy?"
"Comes from working long hours on a ranch," Christopher replies, also breathing heavily. "You have to be in great shape."
As the two open the little gate in front of the house, Karen's van drives into the cul-de-sac. Bobby and Christopher watch as Karen pulls into her driveway and comes to a stop. Karen gets out of the van and waves to them. Then, a very beautiful young woman with dark, silky hair gets out of the passenger side of the van.
"Well, what do you think?" Karen asks her visiting goddaughter.
"It's beautiful, Aunt Karen," Erin Molly Ward replies.
"You don't remember living here do you?"
"Oh, I have very vague memories, but not many. This must have been a great place to grow up."
"Yes, but you grew up in a nice neighborhood in Nashville, too," Karen.
"Yeah, I did."
Karen looks over and sees Bobby and Christopher as they are heading up the walkway next door to the front porch. She smiles. "Hey, come on," she says to Erin. "I want you to meet someone." She takes the young woman by the arm and they walk next door to the Ewing home, where Bobby and Christopher are about to go into the house. "Hi, guys," Karen says to them.
The two stop on the porch and turn to her. "Hello, Karen," says Bobby.
"I'd like for you both to meet my lovely goddaughter, Erin Molly Ward."
"Hi," Bobby says.
"Hello, Erin Molly," says Christopher. "It's very nice to meet you."
"Thank you. Nice to meet you, too. And you can just call me Erin."
Christopher smiles. "Alright.....Erin," he says.
"Well," says Karen. "We'd better get Erin's things in so she can unpack and rest up some from her flight. We'll come back over when Val gets home."
"Okay, Karen," Bobby says.
"Oh, listen, why don't you all come over to our house for dinner tonight?" Karen ask.
"That sounds nice. Just call Mom, I'm sure she and Dad don't have any plans."
Karen smiles. "Wonderful. Well, I'll see you both later."
"It was very nice meeting you both," Erin says.
"Very nice meeting you, too," Christopher says, smiling as he watches Erin walk away with Karen. Once the women are gone, Christopher follows Bobby into the house.
Christopher smiles. "Alright.....Erin," he says.
"Well," says Karen. "We'd better get Erin's things in so she can unpack and rest up some from her flight. We'll come back over when Val gets home."
"Okay, Karen," Bobby says.
"Oh, listen, why don't you all come over to our house for dinner tonight?" Karen ask.
"That sounds nice. Just call Mom, I'm sure she and Dad don't have any plans."
Karen smiles. "Wonderful. Well, I'll see you both later."
"It was very nice meeting you both," Erin says.
"Very nice meeting you, too," Christopher says, smiling as he watches Erin walk away with Karen. Once the women are gone, Christopher follows Bobby into the house.
Knots Landing Community College....
Val is finishing up one of her creative writing classes early that afternoon at Knots Landing Community College. "Now then," Val tells her class of 16 students. "For the weekend, I want you all to read chapter 7 in your text books and do the exercise at the end of the chapter. And don't forget, your essays are due next Wednesday. Hope you all have a good weekend. Class dismissed."
Immediately, the students gather their books and get up from their desks to leave the class. One boy in particular approaches Val as she gathers her own books from her desk.
"Mrs. Ewing," the young man says.
"Yes, Ben?"
Immediately, the students gather their books and get up from their desks to leave the class. One boy in particular approaches Val as she gathers her own books from her desk.
"Mrs. Ewing," the young man says.
"Yes, Ben?"
"I was just wondering........you said that if you could ever help any of us in any way, you would?"
"Yes, of course. What can I do for you?"
"I was hoping maybe you could read this," Ben says, handing Val a folder. "It's a story I wrote last summer. I'd just like your opinion."
"Ben I'd love to. I'll try to read it over the weekend and give you my thoughts on Monday."
"Thank you. Have a good weekend, ma'am."
"You do the same, Ben," Val says.
The boy turns and walks out of the classroom, passing Josh McKinley on his way out. Josh smiles at the boy, then walks up to Val.
"Well, good afternoon," Josh says.
"Hello, Josh."
"How's it going?"
"It's going wonderfully," Val replies. "I absolutely love this job and I love the students even more."
"Yes, of course. What can I do for you?"
"I was hoping maybe you could read this," Ben says, handing Val a folder. "It's a story I wrote last summer. I'd just like your opinion."
"Ben I'd love to. I'll try to read it over the weekend and give you my thoughts on Monday."
"Thank you. Have a good weekend, ma'am."
"You do the same, Ben," Val says.
The boy turns and walks out of the classroom, passing Josh McKinley on his way out. Josh smiles at the boy, then walks up to Val.
"Well, good afternoon," Josh says.
"Hello, Josh."
"How's it going?"
"It's going wonderfully," Val replies. "I absolutely love this job and I love the students even more."
Josh smiles. "Well, that's great to hear. The students sure seem to like you, too. And I don't blame them. I've listened at the door to a couple minutes of some of your classes here and there, and Mrs. Ewing, I have to tell you I was captivated, just the way I was when I was a student sitting in your class years ago."
"Thank you, Josh. Teaching here, and seeing all those bright young faces, and reading some of the work they've done, I can't remember the last time I felt this satisfied."
"I'm glad," says Josh. "Well, I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. Listen, umm, I'm done with my classes for the day, too, so, if you don't have to rush home, how about joining me for a cup of coffee?"
"Oh, Josh, I'd love to, but my husband's nephew is here visiting from Texas for a few days, and I really should be getting home."
"Alright, another time then."
"Sure," Val says.
"Good. Well, you have a great weekend."
"Thank you, you too."
Josh smiles at her, then turns and walks out of the classroom.
"I'm glad," says Josh. "Well, I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. Listen, umm, I'm done with my classes for the day, too, so, if you don't have to rush home, how about joining me for a cup of coffee?"
"Oh, Josh, I'd love to, but my husband's nephew is here visiting from Texas for a few days, and I really should be getting home."
"Alright, another time then."
"Sure," Val says.
"Good. Well, you have a great weekend."
"Thank you, you too."
Josh smiles at her, then turns and walks out of the classroom.
The MacKenzie Home......that night
Later that night, Mack, Karen, Michael, Eric, Gary, Val, Bobby, Christopher, and Erin are seated at Mack and Karen's dining room table having dinner, and various conversations are going on around the room.
"Karen, this dinner is delicious," Christopher says.
Karen smiles. "Well, thank you, Christopher."
"It certainly is, Aunt Karen," says Erin. "You're gonna have to give me the recipe for that chicken casserole."
"I'll do better than that. I'll not only give you the recipe, but I'll teach you how to make it while you're here."
"Well, thank you."
"Karen, this dinner is delicious," Christopher says.
Karen smiles. "Well, thank you, Christopher."
"It certainly is, Aunt Karen," says Erin. "You're gonna have to give me the recipe for that chicken casserole."
"I'll do better than that. I'll not only give you the recipe, but I'll teach you how to make it while you're here."
"Well, thank you."
"Erin, how long are you gonna be in Knots Landing?" Gary asks.
"About a week and a half," Eric replies. "I have some business to take care of, and if all goes well, I may actually be relocating to L.A."
"Really?" Mack asks.
"Well, honey, that's wonderful," says Karen. "It would be great having you here in town, and hopefully if you're here, we could expect a visit from your mother and father from time to time."
Erin smiles. "Maybe so."
"So you're gonna look for a job here as a lawyer?" Val asks.
"That's my plan. I'm just ready to get away from Nashville."
"Any particular reason?" Michael asks.
An uncomfortable silence follows Michael's question and a sense of awkwardness descends over the room as Erin looks across the table at him, the smile disappearing from her face. "Just........I felt it was time for a change," she finally replies.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," Michael says.
"About a week and a half," Eric replies. "I have some business to take care of, and if all goes well, I may actually be relocating to L.A."
"Really?" Mack asks.
"Well, honey, that's wonderful," says Karen. "It would be great having you here in town, and hopefully if you're here, we could expect a visit from your mother and father from time to time."
Erin smiles. "Maybe so."
"So you're gonna look for a job here as a lawyer?" Val asks.
"That's my plan. I'm just ready to get away from Nashville."
"Any particular reason?" Michael asks.
An uncomfortable silence follows Michael's question and a sense of awkwardness descends over the room as Erin looks across the table at him, the smile disappearing from her face. "Just........I felt it was time for a change," she finally replies.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," Michael says.
"No, it's fine," Erin says. "But, there's not a lot to tell. Actually, I needed a change because I needed more excitement in my life."
"More excitement than Nashville?" Christopher. "I'd think that would be really exciting living there where all those country music stars are."
"You'd be surprised how boring it can get. Anyway, I'm more interested in hearing about your record company you and Bobby are starting."
"Yeah, I'd love to hear about that myself," Eric says. "What type of music are you guys gonna specialize in?"
"All kinds," Bobby replies. "Rock, country, pop."
"Heavy metal?" Eric asks.
"Yeah, probably even some heavy metal," says Christopher.
"Sounds really interesting," says Erin.
"Erin, did you know that your father and Gary were once in the record business together?" Karen asks.
"No, I didn't. Really?"
"Yeah, well, I bankrolled Kenny after I inherited some money from my father's estate," Gary says.
"That's interesting. My father never talked much about when they lived here, but my Mom sure did. She still does."
"Ginger was always so sweet," says Val.
"Yeah, so what about your Dad?" Mack asks. "Did ol' Kenny ever marry again?"
"Yes, he did. After he and Mom divorced when I was 15, Dad married Susan. And then Rachel. And now, the current Mrs. Kenny Ward is Maranda."
"Kenny's been married three times since he and Ginger divorced?" Val asks.
"Yep. My Dad was never very good with marriage. And each time he went younger. Maranda is only a year older than me."
"So, Erin, you're how old? 34?" Eric asks.
"Yes, that's right," Erin replies.
"Wow, you sure don't look that old," the boy says.
"Well she is," Karen says. "I remember very well the night she was born."
"That was some night," Val says.
"It wasn't long after Sid died," Karen says sadly. "And Ginger asked me to be your godmother. An honor I am still very proud of."
"So Erin, since you're an attorney, Bobby and I just might need some legal help in getting Ewing Records off the ground," Christopher says.
Erin looks across the table and smiles at him. "Well, I'd be glad to help any way I can," she says softly. "Maybe we can talk about that after dinner."
"Yeah, I'd like that," Christopher says as he smiles back at the beautiful young woman, a gesture that does not go unnoticed by both Karen and Val.
"All kinds," Bobby replies. "Rock, country, pop."
"Heavy metal?" Eric asks.
"Yeah, probably even some heavy metal," says Christopher.
"Sounds really interesting," says Erin.
"Erin, did you know that your father and Gary were once in the record business together?" Karen asks.
"No, I didn't. Really?"
"Yeah, well, I bankrolled Kenny after I inherited some money from my father's estate," Gary says.
"That's interesting. My father never talked much about when they lived here, but my Mom sure did. She still does."
"Ginger was always so sweet," says Val.
"Yeah, so what about your Dad?" Mack asks. "Did ol' Kenny ever marry again?"
"Yes, he did. After he and Mom divorced when I was 15, Dad married Susan. And then Rachel. And now, the current Mrs. Kenny Ward is Maranda."
"Kenny's been married three times since he and Ginger divorced?" Val asks.
"Yep. My Dad was never very good with marriage. And each time he went younger. Maranda is only a year older than me."
"So, Erin, you're how old? 34?" Eric asks.
"Yes, that's right," Erin replies.
"Wow, you sure don't look that old," the boy says.
"Well she is," Karen says. "I remember very well the night she was born."
"That was some night," Val says.
"It wasn't long after Sid died," Karen says sadly. "And Ginger asked me to be your godmother. An honor I am still very proud of."
"So Erin, since you're an attorney, Bobby and I just might need some legal help in getting Ewing Records off the ground," Christopher says.
Erin looks across the table and smiles at him. "Well, I'd be glad to help any way I can," she says softly. "Maybe we can talk about that after dinner."
"Yeah, I'd like that," Christopher says as he smiles back at the beautiful young woman, a gesture that does not go unnoticed by both Karen and Val.
Meanwhile.....Meg and Shawn's apartment....
Meanwhile, Meg places a pot of stew on the table at her and Shawn's apartment, then takes a seat across the table from him as they begin their dinner.
"Stew sure smells good," Shawn says.
"I hope it will be," says Meg. "It's my Mom's recipe."
"Stew sure smells good," Shawn says.
"I hope it will be," says Meg. "It's my Mom's recipe."
"Ya know, since we got married and moved in here, you've become quite the little cook," Shawn says.
"Well, since my husband barely knows how to use the microwave, and we can't afford to eat out every night, it was either learn how to cook......or starve," Meg says jokingly.
"Haha, very funny."
"I thought so."
"So have you talked to your Mom today?" Shawn asks.
"Yeah, I did."
"What are they up to tonight? You wanna ride over there after dinner?"
"Well, since my husband barely knows how to use the microwave, and we can't afford to eat out every night, it was either learn how to cook......or starve," Meg says jokingly.
"Haha, very funny."
"I thought so."
"So have you talked to your Mom today?" Shawn asks.
"Yeah, I did."
"What are they up to tonight? You wanna ride over there after dinner?"
"No," Meg replies. "They're having company for dinner tonight."
"Oh, yeah? Who?"
Meg hesitates a moment before answering. "The Ewings."
"Oh, I see. Meg, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"How do you feel about Bobby Ewing?"
Meg puts down her spoon and looks at her husband. "Why do you ask me that?"
"Well, it's just that, every time the subject of the Ewings comes up, you start acting weird. I know you use to be very close to them. Betsy was your best friend. When we were dating you told me all about the good times you guys had together, and the two of you don't even talk anymore. is it because of Bobby? Or because of me?"
"Shawn, why would it be because of you?" Meg asks.
"I dunno. It just seems that most of your family and friends haven't been very happy about our marriage."
"Shawn, it's not that, it's just that......."
"It's just that everyone expected you and Bobby to tie the knot. Right?"
Before Meg can answer the question, the doorbell rings. "I'll get it," she says. She stands from her seat, walks into the living room and opens the door to find Greg standing in the hall. "Greg," she says.
"Hiya, kiddo," Greg says with a smile. "Did I come a a bad time?"
"No, not at all. Shawn and I were just having dinner, so you can join us. Please, come in."
"Thanks," Greg says, walking into the aparment. He looks around. "I love what you've done with the place."
"Thank you," Meg says as Greg follows her into the dining area. "Shawn, look who's here."
"Oh, hi, Mr. Sumner," Shawn says.
"Oh, yeah? Who?"
Meg hesitates a moment before answering. "The Ewings."
"Oh, I see. Meg, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"How do you feel about Bobby Ewing?"
Meg puts down her spoon and looks at her husband. "Why do you ask me that?"
"Well, it's just that, every time the subject of the Ewings comes up, you start acting weird. I know you use to be very close to them. Betsy was your best friend. When we were dating you told me all about the good times you guys had together, and the two of you don't even talk anymore. is it because of Bobby? Or because of me?"
"Shawn, why would it be because of you?" Meg asks.
"I dunno. It just seems that most of your family and friends haven't been very happy about our marriage."
"Shawn, it's not that, it's just that......."
"It's just that everyone expected you and Bobby to tie the knot. Right?"
Before Meg can answer the question, the doorbell rings. "I'll get it," she says. She stands from her seat, walks into the living room and opens the door to find Greg standing in the hall. "Greg," she says.
"Hiya, kiddo," Greg says with a smile. "Did I come a a bad time?"
"No, not at all. Shawn and I were just having dinner, so you can join us. Please, come in."
"Thanks," Greg says, walking into the aparment. He looks around. "I love what you've done with the place."
"Thank you," Meg says as Greg follows her into the dining area. "Shawn, look who's here."
"Oh, hi, Mr. Sumner," Shawn says.
"Hi, Shawn," Greg says. "Listen, if you're gonna be married to this little girl, you're gonna have to start callin' me Greg."
"Sure......Greg."
"Gee, somethin' smells delicious."
"Yeah, I made Mom's famous beef stew," Meg says.
"Karen's stew. Well, a pleasure I haven't had in many years," Greg says, taking a seat at the table. "You know, I'm not a regular name on Mack and Karen's guest list."
Meg puts a plate, fork, and spoon down in front of Greg, then retakes her seat at the table. She and Shawn exchange looks, Meg relieved while Shawn is annoyed that they didn't get to finish their conversation about Bobby.
Greg dips some of the stew from the pot onto his plate and takes a bite. "Hmmm, this is delicious," he says, smiling at Meg.
"Sure......Greg."
"Gee, somethin' smells delicious."
"Yeah, I made Mom's famous beef stew," Meg says.
"Karen's stew. Well, a pleasure I haven't had in many years," Greg says, taking a seat at the table. "You know, I'm not a regular name on Mack and Karen's guest list."
Meg puts a plate, fork, and spoon down in front of Greg, then retakes her seat at the table. She and Shawn exchange looks, Meg relieved while Shawn is annoyed that they didn't get to finish their conversation about Bobby.
Greg dips some of the stew from the pot onto his plate and takes a bite. "Hmmm, this is delicious," he says, smiling at Meg.
The MacKenzie Home.....later
Christopher and Erin walk up to the MacKenzie home later that night after going out following dinner. "Christopher, thank you," Erin says. "I had a wonderful time."
"So did I. I'm glad you suggested we get together and talk about Ewing Records after dinner."
"Well, we didn't actually talk about Ewing Records much. It was mostly talk about our personal lives."
Christopher smiles. "I'm sorry about that. I just wanted to get to know you a little better."
"Please, don't apologize. I'm very glad you wanted to get to know me better. I wanted the same thing. It's weird. I just met you this morning, and it feels like I've known you a lot longer."
"So did I. I'm glad you suggested we get together and talk about Ewing Records after dinner."
"Well, we didn't actually talk about Ewing Records much. It was mostly talk about our personal lives."
Christopher smiles. "I'm sorry about that. I just wanted to get to know you a little better."
"Please, don't apologize. I'm very glad you wanted to get to know me better. I wanted the same thing. It's weird. I just met you this morning, and it feels like I've known you a lot longer."
"Yeah, I noticed that, too," Christopher says.
"Christopher, what are you really doing in Knots Landing?" Erin asks.
"Excuse me?"
"What did you come here from Texas to get away from?"
"What makes you think that I came here to get away from anything?"
"I'm a lawyer, remember? It's written all over your face that you've recently gone through a rough time. And if I had to guess, I'd say it was a woman."
Christopher sighs. "Well you're good, I'll give you that. No wonder you went into law."
"Then I'm right?" Erin asks.
"Yeah. And what about you, Miss Ward? Exactly why are you here? Is a man the reason you're so ready to pull up stakes and leave Nashville?"
Erin looks at him and smiles. "I'd rather not talk about it."
"Okay, I won't pry into your reason for needing to get away, if you won't pry into mine anymore," says Christopher. "Deal?"
"Deal."
Christopher looks at her for a moment, captivated by the beauty of this new woman he has only just met. "I really did have a good time tonight," he says.
"So did I. First time I've really felt good in a while."
"Then I have an idea. Why don't we do this again tomorrow night? Maybe catch a movie, and have dinner?"
"Christopher Ewing, are you asking me out on a real date?" Erin asks.
"REAL date? I was sort of under the impression that's what this was tonight."
"Nope. Uh-uh," Erin says. "Tonight was a preliminary date. Sort of an.....interview, if you will."
"An interview?" Christopher asks with a smile.
"Yep. Or a test, whichever you prefer to call it. And, you passed with flying colors."
"Oh, I passed, did I? So, now that you've already been out with me on this preliminary date and interviewed me, you think I'm worthy to go out with on a REAL first date?"
"Yes," Erin replies.
"Well, I consider myself very lucky then. So, tomorrow night, dinner, and then a movie?"
"Dinner and a movie. But, what movie should we see?"
"Well, I still haven't seen Star Wars Episode 7 yet."
"What?" Christopher asks. "You're kidding. You haven't seen the new Star Wars? Okay, then it's settled. We are DEFINITELY going to see that one tomorrow night."
"Okay, cool," Erin says.
"And why don't we discuss plans for tomorrow night over lunch tomorrow afternoon?"
"No, because you see, if we did that, then that would technically be our first date."
"No it wouldn't," Christopher says.
"How do you figure?"
"Well, since tonight was MY interview, lunch tomorrow will give me a chance to interview YOU. Make sure I wanna take you out on that real first date tomorrow night."
"And if I don't pass?" Erin asks.
"I don't think you have to worry about that," Christopher says. "Bobby and I have some things to get done tomorrow, but I'll text you around lunchtime."
"Okay."
"Goodnight," Christopher says, giving her a quick kiss.
"Night, Christopher."
He smiles at her again, then turns and walks away. Erin watches him until he fades away into the darkness of the night, then she walks into the MacKenzie house. She startles Karen, who has been dozing on the couch, when she walks in.
"Oh," Karen says. "Erin, you're home."
"Aunt Karen, have you been waiting up for me?" Erin asks.
"No, I..........yes! I was just a little worried. It's almost 1 a.m. So, you had a good time?"
"Christopher, what are you really doing in Knots Landing?" Erin asks.
"Excuse me?"
"What did you come here from Texas to get away from?"
"What makes you think that I came here to get away from anything?"
"I'm a lawyer, remember? It's written all over your face that you've recently gone through a rough time. And if I had to guess, I'd say it was a woman."
Christopher sighs. "Well you're good, I'll give you that. No wonder you went into law."
"Then I'm right?" Erin asks.
"Yeah. And what about you, Miss Ward? Exactly why are you here? Is a man the reason you're so ready to pull up stakes and leave Nashville?"
Erin looks at him and smiles. "I'd rather not talk about it."
"Okay, I won't pry into your reason for needing to get away, if you won't pry into mine anymore," says Christopher. "Deal?"
"Deal."
Christopher looks at her for a moment, captivated by the beauty of this new woman he has only just met. "I really did have a good time tonight," he says.
"So did I. First time I've really felt good in a while."
"Then I have an idea. Why don't we do this again tomorrow night? Maybe catch a movie, and have dinner?"
"Christopher Ewing, are you asking me out on a real date?" Erin asks.
"REAL date? I was sort of under the impression that's what this was tonight."
"Nope. Uh-uh," Erin says. "Tonight was a preliminary date. Sort of an.....interview, if you will."
"An interview?" Christopher asks with a smile.
"Yep. Or a test, whichever you prefer to call it. And, you passed with flying colors."
"Oh, I passed, did I? So, now that you've already been out with me on this preliminary date and interviewed me, you think I'm worthy to go out with on a REAL first date?"
"Yes," Erin replies.
"Well, I consider myself very lucky then. So, tomorrow night, dinner, and then a movie?"
"Dinner and a movie. But, what movie should we see?"
"Well, I still haven't seen Star Wars Episode 7 yet."
"What?" Christopher asks. "You're kidding. You haven't seen the new Star Wars? Okay, then it's settled. We are DEFINITELY going to see that one tomorrow night."
"Okay, cool," Erin says.
"And why don't we discuss plans for tomorrow night over lunch tomorrow afternoon?"
"No, because you see, if we did that, then that would technically be our first date."
"No it wouldn't," Christopher says.
"How do you figure?"
"Well, since tonight was MY interview, lunch tomorrow will give me a chance to interview YOU. Make sure I wanna take you out on that real first date tomorrow night."
"And if I don't pass?" Erin asks.
"I don't think you have to worry about that," Christopher says. "Bobby and I have some things to get done tomorrow, but I'll text you around lunchtime."
"Okay."
"Goodnight," Christopher says, giving her a quick kiss.
"Night, Christopher."
He smiles at her again, then turns and walks away. Erin watches him until he fades away into the darkness of the night, then she walks into the MacKenzie house. She startles Karen, who has been dozing on the couch, when she walks in.
"Oh," Karen says. "Erin, you're home."
"Aunt Karen, have you been waiting up for me?" Erin asks.
"No, I..........yes! I was just a little worried. It's almost 1 a.m. So, you had a good time?"
"Best in a long time," replies Erin. "Christopher is really a special guy."
"You can tell that after only knowing him for one day?" Karen asks.
"Yeah, I can."
"He's very handsome, too, isn't he?"
"Oh, he definitely is that."
"Well, all I can say is, if I was about 35 years younger, and single, you'd have some pretty stiff competition."
Erin laughs. "I'm going to bed, Aunt Karen. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, sweety."
After Erin heads up the stairs, Karen switches off the light in the living room and follows her.
"You can tell that after only knowing him for one day?" Karen asks.
"Yeah, I can."
"He's very handsome, too, isn't he?"
"Oh, he definitely is that."
"Well, all I can say is, if I was about 35 years younger, and single, you'd have some pretty stiff competition."
Erin laughs. "I'm going to bed, Aunt Karen. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, sweety."
After Erin heads up the stairs, Karen switches off the light in the living room and follows her.
The Ewing home....the next morning
Gary, Val, and Bobby are sitting at the breakfast table in the kitchen the next morning when Christopher comes downstairs and walks in.
"Morning," he says.
"Well, good morning," Val greets with a smile.
"Morning," he says.
"Well, good morning," Val greets with a smile.
"Hey, what time did you finally get in last night?" Bobby asks.
"Around one. I hope I didn't wake anyone."
"Nope, I never heard a sound," Gary says.
Val pours Christopher a cup of coffee. "You and Erin Molly Ward really hit it off last night, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess we did. She's really nice. As a matter of fact, we're goin' out again tonight."
"Really?" Val asks with a smile.
"Around one. I hope I didn't wake anyone."
"Nope, I never heard a sound," Gary says.
Val pours Christopher a cup of coffee. "You and Erin Molly Ward really hit it off last night, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess we did. She's really nice. As a matter of fact, we're goin' out again tonight."
"Really?" Val asks with a smile.
"Christopher, ya know, it's none of my business," Gary says. "But is it really wise, getting so involved with Erin Molly? What happens when you go back to Dallas?"
"I don't know, Uncle Gary. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But right now, I really enjoy her company and she seems to enjoy mine. So, we're just gonna enjoy each others' company for as long as we're both in town."
"Fair enough," Gary says.
"You know, looking at Erin Molly, I see a lot of Ginger in her. She's got that same shy, sweet way about her."
"Well, better she have more of Ginger than of Kenny in her," Gary remarks.
"I don't know, Uncle Gary. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But right now, I really enjoy her company and she seems to enjoy mine. So, we're just gonna enjoy each others' company for as long as we're both in town."
"Fair enough," Gary says.
"You know, looking at Erin Molly, I see a lot of Ginger in her. She's got that same shy, sweet way about her."
"Well, better she have more of Ginger than of Kenny in her," Gary remarks.
West Los Angeles Medical Center....
Greg Sumner sits in a procedure room at West Los Angeles Medical Center that morning, dressed only in a hospital gown and bathrobe as he waits impatiently for his doctor to come. Finally, Dr. Charles Wilson comes in.
"Hi, Greg," Dr. Wilson greets. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"How the hell do you think I'm feelin'? I'm waitin' to get tested to see whether or not I have prostate cancer. How would YOU feel?"
"Hi, Greg," Dr. Wilson greets. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"How the hell do you think I'm feelin'? I'm waitin' to get tested to see whether or not I have prostate cancer. How would YOU feel?"
"Greg, I understand you're a little nervous, but there's no need to be," says Dr. Wilson. 9 times out of 10, an elevated PSA level is nothing to be alarmed about."
9 times outta 10, huh?" Greg asks with sarcasm. "Well it's that other 1 time that has me worried, doc."
"Just relax. And I appreciate you coming in on a Saturday morning to have this done."
"No problem, I cancelled my cruise to the Mediterranean just for this," Greg responds with one of his characteristic sarcastic remarks.
"Alright, well, just sit tight and then we can get started. A nurse will come in and take you down to x-ray. I wanna start off with a CT scan, and then an MRI and some lab work."
"And then what?" Greg asks.
"And then, if something shows on either the MRI or the CT scan, we proceed from there. We may need to do a biopsy, in which case we can do that next week, as soon as all your other tests are back, which I don't anticipate being any later than Tuesday or Wednesday."
"Sounds fine to me."
"Okay. Well, I will check on you again after you're done with everything. And again, Greg, try not to worry." Dr. Wilson smiles, then walks out of the room.
Greg lets out a deep sigh. "Try not to worry. Easy for you to say."
"Just relax. And I appreciate you coming in on a Saturday morning to have this done."
"No problem, I cancelled my cruise to the Mediterranean just for this," Greg responds with one of his characteristic sarcastic remarks.
"Alright, well, just sit tight and then we can get started. A nurse will come in and take you down to x-ray. I wanna start off with a CT scan, and then an MRI and some lab work."
"And then what?" Greg asks.
"And then, if something shows on either the MRI or the CT scan, we proceed from there. We may need to do a biopsy, in which case we can do that next week, as soon as all your other tests are back, which I don't anticipate being any later than Tuesday or Wednesday."
"Sounds fine to me."
"Okay. Well, I will check on you again after you're done with everything. And again, Greg, try not to worry." Dr. Wilson smiles, then walks out of the room.
Greg lets out a deep sigh. "Try not to worry. Easy for you to say."
Aventura Mall......later
Late in the morning, Molly is working at her job at a department store at the Aventura Mall, placing some men's shirts on clothes hangers, getting them ready to hang up in the men's department, when Bobby and Christopher walk into the store. Spotting Molly, Bobby walks over to her counter while Christopher looks at some men's watches. She doesn't notice him at first.
"Molly," he says.
She looks up. "Bobby," she says, surprised to see him.
"Hi. How are you?"
"Molly," he says.
She looks up. "Bobby," she says, surprised to see him.
"Hi. How are you?"
"I'm fine," Molly replies. "How've you been?"
"I'm.......okay, I guess."
"Bobby, I heard about Meg getting married. I'm really sorry."
"Thank you," Bobby says. "Listen, Molly, I know you probably don't wanna see me or any of my family right now, but, there's someone I'd like for you to meet." He motions Christopher to come over. "Molly, this is my cousin........OUR cousin.......Christopher Ewing, from Dallas."
Christopher smiles at the pretty young woman. "Hi, Molly," he says.
"Hello," she says, smiling.
"It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Bobby."
"So, Bobby told you that Gary is my father?"
"Yeah."
"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Christopher," Molly says, shaking his hand. "So, who's son are you?"
"My Dad is Gary's youngest brother, Bobby Ewing," replies Christopher.
"Yeah, I was named after Uncle Bobby, actually," says Bobby.
Bridgette Williams walks over to the counter at that moment, bringing more shirts for Molly to place on hangers. She and Bobby exchange looks. "I'm sorry, Molly, I didn't realize you had visitors," Bridgette says, then walks away.
"I'm.......okay, I guess."
"Bobby, I heard about Meg getting married. I'm really sorry."
"Thank you," Bobby says. "Listen, Molly, I know you probably don't wanna see me or any of my family right now, but, there's someone I'd like for you to meet." He motions Christopher to come over. "Molly, this is my cousin........OUR cousin.......Christopher Ewing, from Dallas."
Christopher smiles at the pretty young woman. "Hi, Molly," he says.
"Hello," she says, smiling.
"It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Bobby."
"So, Bobby told you that Gary is my father?"
"Yeah."
"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Christopher," Molly says, shaking his hand. "So, who's son are you?"
"My Dad is Gary's youngest brother, Bobby Ewing," replies Christopher.
"Yeah, I was named after Uncle Bobby, actually," says Bobby.
Bridgette Williams walks over to the counter at that moment, bringing more shirts for Molly to place on hangers. She and Bobby exchange looks. "I'm sorry, Molly, I didn't realize you had visitors," Bridgette says, then walks away.
"Brandon Williams's sister?" Bobby asks. "She works here with you?"
"Yep," says Molly.
"Isn't that like really awkward for you?"
"It is, but, nothing I can do about it. She and I just try to stay out of each other's way. But, she's a really good worker."
Bobby looks over at Bridgette, who is now behind the cologne counter several feet away. For a moment, Bridgette returns his gaze.
Christopher's phone rings. He takes it from his pocket. "Bobby, Molly, excuse me, it's Erin. I'm supposed to meet her for lunch."
"Yeah, sure," Bobby says as Christopher walks away to take the call. Bobby turns back to his half-sister. "Molly, look, I know that things have been very awkward for us the last few months. But I really miss you."
"I miss you too, Bobby."
"Molly, Dad misses you, too. And I know he'd love to see you. Maybe you could drop by the house one evening."
"Bobby, I really don't know about that," Molly says. "I'm trying to get my life together after everything that happened last summer."
"I know. We all are. Molly, you're family. You're my sister. I know we almost made a terrible mistake last summer, but we DIDN'T. I'd really like to get past that, and start over, fresh."
Molly fights back tears. "I'd like that, too, Bobby. But I'm just not sure that's possible."
"Well, I hope it's possible that we can get past it. Because......I have an older sister, and a twin sister. I think I'd really enjoy having a little sister, too." He smiles at her, then starts to walk away.
"Bobby," she calls.
He stops and turns back to her.
"I never did get the chance to tell you......to THANK you, for what you did for Trevor, and for Dylan. You almost went to prison trying to protect those boys. That was incredibly brave and totally selfless."
"Thanks," Bobby says. "Molly, I know you're still upset and angry with Dad, and with Brian and Kate for lying to you your whole life. But Dad's really paid for that, big time. He's your father, Molly. Please, just think about coming by to see him sometime. Take care." Without another word, Bobby turns and walks away. Molly watches him as he walks over to where Christopher is standing. Bridgette also watches Bobby.
"Yep," says Molly.
"Isn't that like really awkward for you?"
"It is, but, nothing I can do about it. She and I just try to stay out of each other's way. But, she's a really good worker."
Bobby looks over at Bridgette, who is now behind the cologne counter several feet away. For a moment, Bridgette returns his gaze.
Christopher's phone rings. He takes it from his pocket. "Bobby, Molly, excuse me, it's Erin. I'm supposed to meet her for lunch."
"Yeah, sure," Bobby says as Christopher walks away to take the call. Bobby turns back to his half-sister. "Molly, look, I know that things have been very awkward for us the last few months. But I really miss you."
"I miss you too, Bobby."
"Molly, Dad misses you, too. And I know he'd love to see you. Maybe you could drop by the house one evening."
"Bobby, I really don't know about that," Molly says. "I'm trying to get my life together after everything that happened last summer."
"I know. We all are. Molly, you're family. You're my sister. I know we almost made a terrible mistake last summer, but we DIDN'T. I'd really like to get past that, and start over, fresh."
Molly fights back tears. "I'd like that, too, Bobby. But I'm just not sure that's possible."
"Well, I hope it's possible that we can get past it. Because......I have an older sister, and a twin sister. I think I'd really enjoy having a little sister, too." He smiles at her, then starts to walk away.
"Bobby," she calls.
He stops and turns back to her.
"I never did get the chance to tell you......to THANK you, for what you did for Trevor, and for Dylan. You almost went to prison trying to protect those boys. That was incredibly brave and totally selfless."
"Thanks," Bobby says. "Molly, I know you're still upset and angry with Dad, and with Brian and Kate for lying to you your whole life. But Dad's really paid for that, big time. He's your father, Molly. Please, just think about coming by to see him sometime. Take care." Without another word, Bobby turns and walks away. Molly watches him as he walks over to where Christopher is standing. Bridgette also watches Bobby.
Arturo's Italian Restaurant.....that night
"Your orders will be up shortly," the waitress says to Christopher and Erin that night at Arturo's Italian Restaurant as she takes up their menus.
"Thank you," Christopher says with a smile. The young woman smiles back then walks away. "Well, this seems like a nice place. My Aunt Val recommended it."
"Yes, it's very nice."
"Are you looking forward to seeing the movie?"
"Yeah, I am. But, even more than that, I'm looking forward to your company."
Christopher smiles. "Same here."
"Thank you," Christopher says with a smile. The young woman smiles back then walks away. "Well, this seems like a nice place. My Aunt Val recommended it."
"Yes, it's very nice."
"Are you looking forward to seeing the movie?"
"Yeah, I am. But, even more than that, I'm looking forward to your company."
Christopher smiles. "Same here."
"So, since we're actually here on this first REAL date tonight, do I take that as a sign that I passed my interview today?" Erin asks.
"Oh, you passed with flying colors," replies Christopher.
"Good," Erin says.
"By the way, I wanna thank you for looking over those contracts and all that stuff for me and Bobby today. It helps knowing we have a lawyer advising us on how we need to go about getting Ewing Record launched."
"I'm happy to do it. Christopher, would you mind terribly if we skipped going to the movies to see Star Wars tonight?"
"Oh, you passed with flying colors," replies Christopher.
"Good," Erin says.
"By the way, I wanna thank you for looking over those contracts and all that stuff for me and Bobby today. It helps knowing we have a lawyer advising us on how we need to go about getting Ewing Record launched."
"I'm happy to do it. Christopher, would you mind terribly if we skipped going to the movies to see Star Wars tonight?"
"No, I don't mind," Christopher says. "You wanna call it an early night?"
"No, that's not it at all. I was just thinking, this being our first REAL date......maybe we could just spend it getting to know each other better. Maybe go down to the beach."
"That does sound better than sitting in a movie theater."
"We can go to the movie maybe tomorrow night. If you're free, that is."
"I'll have to check my social calendar, but I think I might be free tomorrow night."
Erin smiles.
"No, that's not it at all. I was just thinking, this being our first REAL date......maybe we could just spend it getting to know each other better. Maybe go down to the beach."
"That does sound better than sitting in a movie theater."
"We can go to the movie maybe tomorrow night. If you're free, that is."
"I'll have to check my social calendar, but I think I might be free tomorrow night."
Erin smiles.
Knots Landing Beach.......later
Christopher and Erin are walking along Knots Landing beach two hours later, holding hands. "There's no more peaceful place than the beach at night," Erin says.
"I agree. Just listen to those waves. And it's a warm night, for January."
"They say it never gets cold in Southern California. That's one reason I wanna move to L.A. To start fresh. You know, I was born out here. I wasn't quite 2-years-old when my parents moved with me to Nashville, and I always wondered what it would be like to live out here in L.A."
"I was born in L.A., too," Christopher says.
"Really? I thought you were from Dallas."
"I am. I mean I've lived in Dallas since I was just a few months old. But my biological mother moved from Texas out here to L.A. before i was born. In fact, she knew your father."
"You're kidding me."
"Nope. My mother, whose name was Kristin Shepard, stayed with Uncle Gary and Aunt Val for a while. Last year when I was doing some research trying to find out about my mother's life out here, I found all that out."
"Wow," says Erin. "Really is a small world, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is. Or maybe it's fate that you and I should meet."
"I like that........fate. Christopher, you know the other night when we were talking about why we both came out here?"
"You mean when we were NOT talking about why were both out here?" Christopher asks.
"Yeah, that, too. You were right. A man is the reason I'm here. At least, one reason."
"You wanna tell me about it?"
"His name is Jeff. He works in the law firm where I use to work in Nashville."
"Was it serious?" Asks Christopher.
"It was for me. I thought it was for Jeff, too. Turns out he was just stringing me along. He was married. Oh, he and his wife were separated at the time, but still legally married and with three kids. Then I found out he was sleeping with his wife and me at the same time."
"Oh, wow."
"Yeah, it hurt like hell when I found out. But, I was glad I found out when I did. So, I ended things with him, quit my job, and two months later, here I am in L.A., ready to start over."
"I haven't had the best luck either when it came to love."
"You wanna tell me about it, Ewing?" Erin asks.
Christopher stops walking and turns to her. "It's kind of a long story."
"We have all night. It's Saturday night, after all. Let's go somewhere and talk. It's getting a little chilly here."
Christopher nods. He and Erin look deeply into each others' eyes for a moment, then Christopher leans in and kisses her as the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore could be heard all around them.
"I agree. Just listen to those waves. And it's a warm night, for January."
"They say it never gets cold in Southern California. That's one reason I wanna move to L.A. To start fresh. You know, I was born out here. I wasn't quite 2-years-old when my parents moved with me to Nashville, and I always wondered what it would be like to live out here in L.A."
"I was born in L.A., too," Christopher says.
"Really? I thought you were from Dallas."
"I am. I mean I've lived in Dallas since I was just a few months old. But my biological mother moved from Texas out here to L.A. before i was born. In fact, she knew your father."
"You're kidding me."
"Nope. My mother, whose name was Kristin Shepard, stayed with Uncle Gary and Aunt Val for a while. Last year when I was doing some research trying to find out about my mother's life out here, I found all that out."
"Wow," says Erin. "Really is a small world, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is. Or maybe it's fate that you and I should meet."
"I like that........fate. Christopher, you know the other night when we were talking about why we both came out here?"
"You mean when we were NOT talking about why were both out here?" Christopher asks.
"Yeah, that, too. You were right. A man is the reason I'm here. At least, one reason."
"You wanna tell me about it?"
"His name is Jeff. He works in the law firm where I use to work in Nashville."
"Was it serious?" Asks Christopher.
"It was for me. I thought it was for Jeff, too. Turns out he was just stringing me along. He was married. Oh, he and his wife were separated at the time, but still legally married and with three kids. Then I found out he was sleeping with his wife and me at the same time."
"Oh, wow."
"Yeah, it hurt like hell when I found out. But, I was glad I found out when I did. So, I ended things with him, quit my job, and two months later, here I am in L.A., ready to start over."
"I haven't had the best luck either when it came to love."
"You wanna tell me about it, Ewing?" Erin asks.
Christopher stops walking and turns to her. "It's kind of a long story."
"We have all night. It's Saturday night, after all. Let's go somewhere and talk. It's getting a little chilly here."
Christopher nods. He and Erin look deeply into each others' eyes for a moment, then Christopher leans in and kisses her as the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore could be heard all around them.
The Ewing home......
A short time later, Christopher and Erin are in his bed together in the guest room at Gary and Val's
kissing passionately as they make love....
The next morning....
Erin wakes up in Christopher's arms the next morning, her head resting on his chest, his right arm around her as she listens to the sound of his heart beat while he sleeps. After a moment, she looks over at the clock on the night stands beside the bed. "Oh my gosh," she says. "Christopher. Christopher, wake up." She nudges him awake.
"Hmm? What is it? What's going on?" He asks, sleepily.
"It's 7:30."
"So?"
"So, it's time to get up. I have to get out of here before your family wakes up." Erin quickly gets out of bed and starts to get dressed.
"Ya know, you don't have to go," Christopher says. "It's not like we're a couple of kids here. We're both consenting adults."
"But, this is your uncle and aunt's house, and I just feel weird about them knowing we had sex in their guest bed last night."
"Sure was great."
Erin turns to him and smiles. "Great doesn't even come close to what last night was," she says, getting back on the bed and leaning over him. "Try........out of this world."
Christopher grabs her and pulls her into a kiss. "I can't believe this is happening. I came out here to forget, and to get over getting my heart broken, and then I met you, and it's like none of the stuff I came out here to escape from ever happened."
"I guess it's like we said last night.......our meeting was fate."
"Hmm? What is it? What's going on?" He asks, sleepily.
"It's 7:30."
"So?"
"So, it's time to get up. I have to get out of here before your family wakes up." Erin quickly gets out of bed and starts to get dressed.
"Ya know, you don't have to go," Christopher says. "It's not like we're a couple of kids here. We're both consenting adults."
"But, this is your uncle and aunt's house, and I just feel weird about them knowing we had sex in their guest bed last night."
"Sure was great."
Erin turns to him and smiles. "Great doesn't even come close to what last night was," she says, getting back on the bed and leaning over him. "Try........out of this world."
Christopher grabs her and pulls her into a kiss. "I can't believe this is happening. I came out here to forget, and to get over getting my heart broken, and then I met you, and it's like none of the stuff I came out here to escape from ever happened."
"I guess it's like we said last night.......our meeting was fate."
Christopher sighs, then gets out of bed. He looks back at Erin. "Y'know I'm really gonna hate leaving you when I have to go back to Dallas in a couple of days."
"I'm gonna hate it, too. But, it's not like we're never gonna see each other again. Dallas and Nashville really aren't that far apart. And if I do move out here to L.A., you have family here, so you can visit often."
"Well, if you're really interested in relocating from Nashville, Dallas has some of the finest law firms in the country. I could even put in a good word for ya with a few."
"If I thought you were serious, I might be tempted to take you up on that."
He looks at her for a moment. "I AM serious," he says.
"Thanks, Christopher. But L.A. is where I wanna be."
"I understand," he says. He takes a seat on the bed beside her and puts his arms around her. "So, we just have to enjoy this while we can."
"Definitely. But, right now, I do have to go, before anyone else wakes up."
"It's Sunday morning. Everyone sleeps in on Sunday."
Erin smiles, then she and Christopher begin kissing again.
"I'm gonna hate it, too. But, it's not like we're never gonna see each other again. Dallas and Nashville really aren't that far apart. And if I do move out here to L.A., you have family here, so you can visit often."
"Well, if you're really interested in relocating from Nashville, Dallas has some of the finest law firms in the country. I could even put in a good word for ya with a few."
"If I thought you were serious, I might be tempted to take you up on that."
He looks at her for a moment. "I AM serious," he says.
"Thanks, Christopher. But L.A. is where I wanna be."
"I understand," he says. He takes a seat on the bed beside her and puts his arms around her. "So, we just have to enjoy this while we can."
"Definitely. But, right now, I do have to go, before anyone else wakes up."
"It's Sunday morning. Everyone sleeps in on Sunday."
Erin smiles, then she and Christopher begin kissing again.
Los Angeles International Airport.....three days later
One Wednesday morning, Christopher's week long visit to L.A. was coming to a close as Bobby, Betsy, and Erin drive him to Los Angeles International Airport for him to catch his flight back to Dallas.
"Chris, sure gonna miss you around here," Bobby says. "Even though I DIDN'T get to see you that much while you were here."
Erin smiles at the comment. "I'm sorry, that was all my fault."
"It's okay. I enjoyed looking at your face a whole lot more than I enjoyed my cousin's ugly mug," Christopher says jokingly.
"Christopher, you take care," Betsy says, giving her cousin a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah, you too, Bets."
"Don't be a stranger, now."
"Don't worry, I won't. And you guys visit Southfork whenever you can."
"Sure will," Betsy says.
"Chris, I'll be in Dallas in a few weeks and we can see about getting some talent for our new company," Bobby says.
"Sure thing, man," Christopher says, shaking his cousin's hand. Then he turns to Erin. He smiles as he gently touches her face, then kisses her. "These past few days have been the best time I've had in a long time."
"Same here, Ewing."
"I'll call you, every night."
"And I'll text a hundred times a day."
"Chris, sure gonna miss you around here," Bobby says. "Even though I DIDN'T get to see you that much while you were here."
Erin smiles at the comment. "I'm sorry, that was all my fault."
"It's okay. I enjoyed looking at your face a whole lot more than I enjoyed my cousin's ugly mug," Christopher says jokingly.
"Christopher, you take care," Betsy says, giving her cousin a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah, you too, Bets."
"Don't be a stranger, now."
"Don't worry, I won't. And you guys visit Southfork whenever you can."
"Sure will," Betsy says.
"Chris, I'll be in Dallas in a few weeks and we can see about getting some talent for our new company," Bobby says.
"Sure thing, man," Christopher says, shaking his cousin's hand. Then he turns to Erin. He smiles as he gently touches her face, then kisses her. "These past few days have been the best time I've had in a long time."
"Same here, Ewing."
"I'll call you, every night."
"And I'll text a hundred times a day."
"Only a hundred?" Christopher asks. "Come on, we can do better than that."
"Okay, two hundred," says Erin.
"That's better. Y'know, a week ago when I first arrived here, I didn't even know you. But, these few days we've spent together, I feel like I've known you for years."
Erin fights back tears. "I feel the same. And I'm gonna miss you."
"We'll see each other again," Christopher says.
"I have no doubt of that. Besides, I'm not gonna give you a chance to miss me, because I'm gonna be texting and snapchatting all the time."
Christopher smiles. "I'm gonna hold ya to that. I'd better get going. You take care of yourself, Erin Molly Ward."
"You too, Christopher........I don't even know your middle name."
"It's Mark."
"Christopher Mark Ewing."
Christopher kisses her again, then looks over at Bobby and Betsy. "See you guys later. Bye."
"Take care, Chris," Bobby says.
Christopher picks up his small travel case, then walks away toward the boarding area as Bobby, Betsy, and Erin watch. Before disappearing through the crowd, he turns back and waves to the three. Then he turns and heads off to board his plane that will take him home to Dallas, as Erin watches, a tear streaming down her cheek.
"Okay, two hundred," says Erin.
"That's better. Y'know, a week ago when I first arrived here, I didn't even know you. But, these few days we've spent together, I feel like I've known you for years."
Erin fights back tears. "I feel the same. And I'm gonna miss you."
"We'll see each other again," Christopher says.
"I have no doubt of that. Besides, I'm not gonna give you a chance to miss me, because I'm gonna be texting and snapchatting all the time."
Christopher smiles. "I'm gonna hold ya to that. I'd better get going. You take care of yourself, Erin Molly Ward."
"You too, Christopher........I don't even know your middle name."
"It's Mark."
"Christopher Mark Ewing."
Christopher kisses her again, then looks over at Bobby and Betsy. "See you guys later. Bye."
"Take care, Chris," Bobby says.
Christopher picks up his small travel case, then walks away toward the boarding area as Bobby, Betsy, and Erin watch. Before disappearing through the crowd, he turns back and waves to the three. Then he turns and heads off to board his plane that will take him home to Dallas, as Erin watches, a tear streaming down her cheek.