A Dangerous Game •Jon Moxley•

27; The Warning & Happiness

Christmas Day

"Gosh Kathie, I remember your Christmas Day French toast..it tastes the same!" Mom giggled, taking a bite.

"Well it's the same recipe." She retorted.

I gave her a look, "I feel the same way, mom. It brings back a lot of memories."

She shook her head, "Y-Yes dear..but let's not talk about that, let's talk about what activities are going on today!"

"Activities?" I raised an eyebrow.

"If I remember correctly, there's always a few different things to do in town on Christmas Day," Mom looks to Kathie for confirmation, and she nods.

"Libby told me she was going to be open, we have to stop in so she can see you!" I gasped

"Of course!" She grinned. "I was there the first day she opened that diner..gosh I'm so proud of her,"

Kathie slammed her glass down. "Don't act all high and mighty, Rebecca. You have never cared about this town and now that my brothers dead you no longer have to pretend to!"

She stormed off, leaving me, my mother, and Jacob sitting there in silence.

"I'll go check on her..but you guys feel free to head into town, we'll catch up later." Jacob says, walking off to go find her.

I looked at my mom, seeing her face frowned. "You alright?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine honey," She sighed, "Let's head into town!"

She took my arm and led me out of the house.

- - -

"Wow, I can't believe your mom is here.." Olivia shook her head as we watched Libby and her catch up.

"It's still a shock to me too. I'm glad to have her here but there's a lot for us to work it as well." I shrugged.

"I was imagining you to look like her, but you don't.." She stated.

"That's because I look like my dad.." I bit my lip, "People used to tell us all the time."

"Geez, I-I'm sorry Astrid, I didn't mean it like that-" Liv stuttered.

"I know what you mean't." I cut her off with a small smile. "Don't apologize."

"Is it weird having Kathie and your mom under one roof again?" She asked.

"A little..especially because my mom wants me to go back with her after New Years.." I revealed.

"She WHAT?!" Olivia screamed, silencing the whole diner.

"Shhh!" I hissed.

"Sorry," She said sheepishly, "But your not going back are you?! Things are finally drama free between everyone, you can't leave!"

"I was thinking about it earlier, then I realized..this is my home now." I beamed.

"Yes it is, here we always got your back." She squeezed my hand.

"I just have to figure out a way to tell that to my mom." I glanced towards her, seeing her and Libby chatting with one another.

"I'm sure she'll understand once you guys talk in private about it all.." Olivia assures.

"Yeah, I'm sure." I nodded, not believing myself as I did.

- - -

New Years Eve

I had put off having the talk with my mom about me staying in Ohio, until finally realized my time had run out.

She was leaving tomorrow, and I had to tell her I wasn't joining her.