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Kat Landry was sitting in The Point when the seat next to her was pulled out and she looked over to see her friend Nicholas Oates taking the seat besides her. "What is going on with Alice?" Nick asked. "She seems mad at me."
Kat understood why Nick was asking. Alice had been off with the boy for a while and it confused Kat as well. "I don't know," Kat admitted. "She said you were unreliable at one point. What did you do?"
"As far as I know nothing," Nick said with a shrug. "I want to talk it out with her."
"You should," Kat agreed and looked at her friend who seemed to want more.
"Can you tell me where she lives?" Nick asked.
"No," Kat said shaking her head.
"Why not?" Nick asked. The look on Nick's face showed his disappointment and confusion. Made Kat feel a bit bad.
"I don't know where she lives," Kat told Nick. The look that came over Nick's face was clear he was surprised and wondering if Kat was lying. "I'm telling the truth. She has never told me where she lives. She always comes to me." Nick looked at Kat for a moment and then nodded clearly believing her.
"I'm concerned about her," Nick admitted and Kat waited for Nick to compile his thoughts. "She said her and her mom moved here after the divorce. I get she has to go with her dad but seems her mom has her very rarely. And the thing is there is no word of someone new in town. No one bought a house as far as I can tell that would match a mother and daughter."
"Maybe they moved in with family," Kat suggested. Kat had done the same thing as Nick once. Asking around town to see if the gossip pool could tell her where Alice and her mom lived. "Or her mom is working caring for someone ill or elderly and they live with them."
"Possible but her mother is never seen," Nick said. "I just can't help feeling something is off. Half the time she's in your clothes. And don't deny it. I recognize the outfits she's wearing."
Kat nodded, but was also kind of impressed that Nick knew what were her clothes. "She does usually take something from my closet and then leaves what she was wearing. I don't really mind," Kat said.
"I think she's in a bad situation," Nick said. Kat took a breath in. The thought had crossed Kat's mind as well. "And I think she's distancing herself from me because of this situation. And if she's in danger I want to help her."
Kat gave a nod. "Me too," Kat said. She might not have known Alice for long but it felt like she knew her forever. Alice was easily becoming her best female friend and if she was in trouble Kat would do anything to help her. "Should we confront her?"
"No, she will deny it," Nick said.
"Maybe we should bring Elliot in," Kat said. "They seem close too." It was true she often saw Alice and Elliot whispering with each other.
"Absolutely not," Nick said surprising Kat with the authority in his voice. "He is always making excuses. I think next time she shows up we should follow her back to where she lives." Kat seemed unsure. "I can't do it without you Kat."
Kat nodded. "Okay, just to make sure she's not in danger," Kat said and Nick held out a hand and Kat shook it.
"Partners in crime," Nick said and Kat gave a laugh at that.
"Partners in crime," Kat repeated the phrase.
-The Way Home-
It was a couple of days later Nick and Kat got their chance to follow Alice. Nick and Kat following at a distance and hiding behind trees as Alice walked the forest. Kat blinking as Alice went to the pond on their land. She stepped on a branch and then backed up lowering down as Alice turned around at the noise. Nick going down too not to be seen. The two holding their breath as if any move would make Alice detect their position.
Alice looked for a second and then seemed to shrug as she went to step on the rocks by the pond and then jumped in. "What?" Nick asked shocked at seeing Alice jump into the Pond.
"She's joking with us," Kat said walking over to the pond. The pond was where she first met Alice after all. Alice having fallen into the water and Kat dragging her out. Clearly Alice was messing with her because she saw them was what Kat thought. "Okay, Alice, we get it you saw us. Come on."
"Alice," Nick called coming and going onto the rocks. "I don't see her." Nick jumped into the pond and Kat went onto the rocks looking down. She could see Nick in the murky water but no one else. Nick came up for air sitting in the pond not far from Kat. "She's not here."
"What?" Kat asked confused as the two looked around the pond but there was no trace of their friend.
-The Way Home-
"Think this might be a little obsessive?" Kat asked as she came into a spot in the woods and handed Nick a snack. The two had found a spot near enough to the pond they could see and hear what was going on but had cover so they weren't seen. They had a blanket out on the grass to sit on, a cooler with drinks, and some food. They had a pair of binoculars for both of them, so they got an even closer look at the pond.
"I am not moving until I see her again," Nick said. Nick had even fallen asleep out here the night before. Kat having to call his moms and make up an excuse he had fallen asleep at their place. "I searched the bottom of that pond for hours that day. She's not drowned under there."
"Okay, hear me out," Kat said. She had been doing a lot of thinking on trying to make Alice's disappearance make sense. "She saw us following her and jumped into the pond and while we were distracted at her jump she swam to the other side, got out, and disappeared into the woods."
"And has not come back to confront us on why we were following her," Nick said.
"Maybe she went back to her dad," Kat said.
"Don't argue against my obsession with your logic,' Nick said and Kat had to laugh at that. They had spent a lot of time together the last few days since they saw Alice disappear and Kat was starting to see what Alice saw in Nick. He was sweet. Could be very funny and honestly wasn't bad looking. There was a good reason Alice had fallen for her friend. "Until she comes…" Nick didn't finish his sentence as they heard a noise from the pond sound like someone taking a deep breath. Nick lifted his binoculars up to take a closer look. "It's Alice and there's a guy with her." Nick lowered his voice.
"What the hell was that?" The guy was saying. His voice carried a bit so the two had no problem hearing him. "Does that happen every time?"
"Every time," Alice said back as Kat and Nick went closer hiding behind tree and some bushes to get a closer look. Kat taking her pair of binoculars as well to spy on them. The guy with Alice had light brown hair and blue eye with pale skin. Alice was climbing up the rocks and held out a hand to the boy.
"And you have done that more than once?" He asked Alice as he took Alice's hand for Alice to help pull him out of the water.
"More times than I can count," Alice said and Kat noticed how close the two were standing next to each other and the looks they were giving each other. The small smile on Alice's lips. Kat knew by the way Nick stiffen he saw it too. Alice and this boy were more than friends. "Congratulations Max, you are officially a time traveler."
Kat and Nick looked at each other with wide eyes as Kat mouthed 'time traveler' to him. Nick put a finger over his mouth and pointed at the two. They needed to hear more.
"So where are we? Or is the correct question when are we?" Max asked Alice.
"When," Alice said with a nod.
"So, when?" Max asked.
"No idea," Alice said and Max looked shocked. "The pond takes you where you need to go. Not where you want to go."
"That is extremely annoying," Max said and Alice gave a laugh.
"Welcome to my crazy world," Alice said and went to lean in clearly to kiss Max and Nick fist were tighten and Kat put a hand on him to get him not to react. Before Alice could finish the move they all heard a noise and some laugher. "What was that?" Max and Alice turning towards the noise.
Kat nearly sighed as she saw her little brother Jacob appear on in the clearing with his polaroid camera. The flash of the camera made Alice and Max blink as Jacob smiled. Taking the printed photo as it came out of his camera and shaking it so the print would develop. "Hi Alice," Jacob said with a smile.
"Hi, Jacob," Alice said seeming surprised to see him as her and Max stepped off the rocks. Max kept a hand on Alice's shoulder and Nick took three deep breaths to calm himself.
"Were you two swimming? Dad says we are not allowed to swim in there," Jacob said. It was clear the two were wet so the reason Jacob thought they were swimming was easy.
"My friend Max here fell in and he can't swim so I went in after him," Alice said and Max turned to look at Alice, but Kat saw from her angle Alice give him a nudge on the back. Obviously telling him to back her story.
"Yeah, Alice is a life savior," Max said. The tone to his voice was very sarcastic and playful and Alice tried to hide a smirk.
"I can teach you to swim," Jacob said clearly not understanding the tone.
"Maybe someday," Max said putting his hand in his pocket.
"Well, Kat has been looking for you," Jacob said changing the subject and turning to Alice as he spoke.
"Has she?" Alice said. "Um… well… I have plans with Max and his grandma today and then I am probably going back to my dads. I don't know if I will get to the farm. Maybe don't tell her I showed up. I don't want to hurt her feelings." Kat bit her lip as Alice seemed to effortlessly lie and she wondered how many things her friend told her was a lie.
"Okay," Jacob said tilting his head and then looked at the picture. "Not bad."
"Can I see the picture?" Alice asked going closer to Jacob and Jacob turned it around. "Oh, great photo of us. Right Max?"
"Yes," Max said looking over Alice's shoulder. "Very photographic. You would be an excellent photographer." That made Jacob happy as his smile got bigger.
"Can I have it?" Alice asked.
"What's in it for me?" Jacob asked and Alice paused but Max went into his pocket and took out some wet money.
"Yours for the photo," Max said holding up the cash.
"Deal," Jacob said giving the photo to Alice and Max handed him the money.
"Hey Jacob," Alice said before Jacob could turn around and walk away. "Can you settle an argument for us. We seem to have a disagreement on what the date is?"
"The date?" Jacob asked. "October 2nd."
"Told you so," Alice said giving Max a push.
"You were right. When the lady is right she is right," Max said. "Good lesson kid never argue with a woman. They always win." Alice giggled slightly at Max's playful tone.
"Your weird sometimes Alice," Jacob said but gave a wave and was running back towards the farm.
Alice held a handout to Max as she looked watching Jacob leave. "Okay he is gone," Alice said sighing in relief.
"That was Jacob?" Max asked pointing at where he had left.
"Yep," Alice said.
"Jacob Landry, your uncle," Max said and Kat had to put a hand over her mouth to stop herself from making a noise. Her eyes wide and Nick turned to look at Kat at those words, but the two turned back to Alice and Max not wanting to miss a moment of this.
"One and the same," Alice said.
"Hum," Max said tilting his head. "He didn't look like a future arsonist."
"Excuse me, attempted arson," Alice said back. "He didn't light anything on fire." Kat eyes were wide and now Nick was putting a hand on her to calm her down. They needed to listen to more.
"Oh sorry," Max said a smile on his face.
"He is a thief and a smuggler though," Alice said and Nick really did hold Kat back this time.
"How is he not in jail?" Max asked.
"Statue of limitations. Most of his crimes took place in the 1800s," Alice said and Max laughed.
"What type of family am I marrying into?" Max asked and now it was Kat's turn to hold Nick's back as Nick mouth fell open and his hand turned into a fist.
"You are the one who asked," Alice said stepping closer to Max and Kat took her binoculars to get a closer look at Alice's ring finger on her right hand. There was a diamond engagement ring on it.
"And you are the one who said yes," Max said and the two finally kissed. Nick had to bite his lip not to make a sound or shout at Max. That was his girlfriend he was kissing.
"Okay, October 2nd 1999," Alice said after the kiss. Seems she was back to business.
"How do you know 1999?" Max asked.
"Because Jacob knows who I am so it can't be earlier and the Fall Festival is at the end of this month so it can't be later," Alice said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"The Fall Festival?" Max asked and Kat and Nick themselves were confused on why Alice as using that to judge the year. There was one every year. "Oh, that Fall Festival." Max seemed to understand what Alice meant, so there was no further explanation leaving Nick and Kat in the dark.
"Good news and bad news," Alice said. "Good news is my past self will not be appearing anytime soon. I missed almost the entire month of October. Came through right before the festival."
"And the bad news?" Max asked tilting his head.
"I was really hoping we would be early 2000s or sometime in the 1970s or 1980s," Alice said. "Early 2000s mom is barely in town. Off with dad in the states. Grandma basically just stays on the farm, and I don't even know what Nick was up to." Alice paused shaking her head as Nick did give a low moan. Kat nudged him but thankfully Alice and Max hadn't heard. "We got to avoid mom, grandma and especially Nick."
"Why especially Nick?" Max asked.
"Because he would kind of think we are dating," Alice said.
"And why would he think this?" Max asked and Nick seemed annoyed and Kat put a hand on his shoulder. Shaking her head as if telling him no.
"Because we kind of sort of are in this time," Alice said and Max seemed amused.
"Nick, he's the old guy with the black leather jacket and blonde combed back hair," Max said and Alice nodded as Max gave a laugh. Nick seemed hurt at the words and Kat squeezed his hand for support. "You dated him? He's old enough to be our father."
"We were the same age in 1999," Alice said. "And from my perspective I broke up with him five years ago but that hasn't happened yet. So, we avoid him."
"Got it," Max said still finding it amusing and Kat saw how hurt Nick looked at this conversation and wondered if spying on them was a good idea. But she couldn't find it in her to move away. "What about Mr. Augustine and your grandfather?"
"Mr. Augustine?" Alice said giving a laugh. "First off, we have been out of high school for a year. You don't have to call him Mr. Augustine even in our time anymore. He's not our teacher anymore. Second off its 1999. He's not our teacher yet. He's just my friend Elliot and Elliot knows all about the fact I am a time traveler."
Now both Kat and Nick looked at each other in shock and anger. The betrayal coming through to them. Elliot knew and wasn't telling them. Worst yet they realized all the excuses he made was covering for Alice. "Although," Alice continued. "He thinks only I can time travel so yes add him to the list of people to avoid."
"And your grandfather. If I'm remembering correctly he's not dead yet," Max said and Kat let out a small soft cry but it seemed neither of the two time travelers heard her.
"He is not," Alice said. "But he's completely cool. Knows all about time travel. In fact, is a time traveler himself." Kat felt a sudden betrayal at this revelation about her father that she never knew. Her own father had kept this from her. "In fact, if we have time after seeing Evelyn maybe we can find grandpa. Love to see him again and introduce you to him. He'd love you. Although at this time he doesn't know yet I am his granddaughter."
"I would love to meet him," Max said and Kat kind of found herself liking this unknown boy for some reason.
"And one other good thing about this being 1999," Alice said and then went over to some bushes. Kat and Nick realizing she was coming close to them and silently moved back a little. Alice grabbed a backpack from the bushes and then went back towards Max and opened it. "Dry clothes for me. Sorry Max, but Elliot only leaves for me." Alice took out the clothes and started to take hers off.
As she did Kat put a hand over Nick's eyes. "No," Kat whispered not allowing Nick to spy on Alice changing. Kat had seen her change a couple of times and this Max who was smirking and watching Alice strip was her fiancée apparently. Nick was the only one not allowed to see her in her underwear.
"You are beautiful," Max said as Alice was in her underwear and he put his hands on her sides and went to kiss her neck. Alice moved her neck allowing him to kiss her and Kat was wondering if this was going to go too far but then Alice pushed him away.
"Not in 1999 in the woods," Alice said as she went to the dry clothes from the bag and put on the pants.
"More private than your room at the farm. Your mom walked in on us," Max said.
"Technically mom and I share that room," Alice said and Max seemed surprised. "Four people living at the farm and three bedrooms." Max frowned but gave a nod as Alice put her shirt on and hung her wet clothes on some tree branches. "They should dry before we get back and I can put these back for my past self. And you will dry on the walk. Lingermore might be walkable but it's not a short walk."
"How do we know my grandma will be there?" Max asked and at the mention of Lingermore, grandma, and Alice before mentioning an Evelyn Kat suddenly knew who this boy was. He must be Evelyn Goodwin's grandson.
"Trust the Pond. It brought us here for a reason, but Max you got to know what happened will always happen," Alice said. "Evelyn Goodwin will die from cancer in 2024. There is nothing you can say or do to stop that. And you cannot tell her who you really are or her own future. We are here for you to see her again. To get whatever closer you can."
"What will we tell her when we show up?" Max asked.
Alice seemed to pause for a moment thinking that over and then gave a smirk. "I'll pretend to be my own daughter," Alice said and Kat and Nick looked at each other confused. Max didn't seem to be less confused.
"I know I should get this but," Max said and Alice laughed.
"Remember I spent groovy summer of 74 hanging out with my grandpa and your grandma," Alice said and Kat took a deep breath in. It felt weird for Alice to say she had been hanging out with Kat's father. "We were quite the trio back then. We'll knock on the door and I'll introduce myself as Alice's daughter also named Alice and you will be my fiancée. I have the ring to prove it." Alice held up her hand to show off the ring to her fiancée.
"She will recognize that ring. It's a Goodwin family heirloom," Max said.
"Okay," Alice said, removing a necklace from under her shirt. She swapped the ring on her finger with the one on the necklace. "I got a spare."
Kat was a little curious why Alice had another engagement ring, but Max didn't ask. Seemed he knew as the two locked hands and started heading for Lingermore.
Kat and Nick waited until they were out of sight before moving over to in front of the pond. "It's just water,' Nick moaned. "But… time travel…. I almost…"
"If we hadn't seen and heard it all I wouldn't believe it," Kat said.
"She was calling Jacob her uncle and Colton her grandpa. Doesn't that mean," Nick said.
"She's my daughter," Kat said shaking her head. She had felt a connection to Alice right away and hadn't understood why. Was it because of this family connection Kat had been unaware of? A daughter she hadn't had yet. "Let's go."
"Where?" Nick asked.
"Lingermore. I got to hear more," Kat said and could see her friend pausing. "Come on Nick. We can't stop now. Partners in crime remember?"
Nick smirked. "Okay, let's follow them to Lingermore," Nick said and the two started in the direction. "But remind me never to use the term partners in crime to Jacob." Kat moaned and bit her lip as Nick reminded her of Jacob's future they heard Alice and Max talk about and couldn't believe her little brother would do the things they had said.
-The Way Home-
Evelyn Goodwin had barely been back in Lingermore an hour when she heard a knock on the door. It confused her. No one knew when she would be at Lingermore and when she wouldn't be, so the old mansion didn't get many guests. It was hers now since her parents passed long ago. Part of her had wanted to sell it but another part of her couldn't let go of it. It was a place to come to. A home base where she could rest in between travel and work. Plus, it was in the town and near Colton. She long ago gave up on ever being anything more to Colton than a friend and even now they were barely friends, but she couldn't just leave him entirely behind.
Whoever was at the door knocked again and this time harder and Evelyn swore if it was someone selling something or a Jehovah witness she would make them regret knocking. As Evelyn opened the door though she was shocked at the face that had greeted her. She hadn't seen this face in a long time, but she would know it anywhere, especially since it seemed like she had barely aged since the last time.
"Alice?" Evelyn asked.
"Um… yes," Alice said. "Although you must be thinking of my mom. I'm named after her. Are you Evelyn Goodwin?"
"I am," Evelyn said looking at the girl. Being the Alice she knew daughter would make more sense, but this girl was an exact clone of the girl she knew. Her eyes went to the boy standing next to Alice. She didn't know him at all, but there was something strangely familiar about him.
"Oh good, this might seem weird, but my mom passed recently and she was always talking about you and the summer she had here and this place," Alice said. "She always wanted to come back here but life got in the way. When she died, I wanted to come and see it all. I hope you don't mind."
Evelyn looked at the girl and the thought in Evelyn head was she was good. She put emotions in the right place, she sounded sincere enough, but Evelyn was a Goodwin. She had been around sneakily, manipulative, and flat-out horrible people her whole life. Since her parents' death she had taken control of the family business and while most people seemed to think she would crash it the Goodwin family was richer than ever under her. She knew a lie when she heard one and this Alice was putting on an act. In any other situation Evelyn would have shut the door in their faces with some type of witty remark, but this girl did look like her friend Alice from 74. Evelyn wanted to know more.
"I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I always hoped our paths would cross again," Evelyn said and moved aside to open the door. "Please come in." Evelyn gave a smile as the two walked into the house. "And who is this?" Evelyn looked at the man besides Alice as she closed the door.
"My fiancée, Max," Alice said putting her right hand on Max's shoulder in a way that showed off the ring she was wearing but not being obvious about that being what she was doing.
"It's um… nice to meet," Max said and he seemed nervous for some reason. His hands were moving back and forth and he was rocking on his feet. "You have a lovely home." Evelyn observed all of Max's movement and knew right away whatever this was Max was the weak link. It didn't surprise her. In her experience men usually were. Even her own son Lewis didn't have the confident and technique as Evelyn. Evelyn moaned for a second she never had daughter but let it pass.
"Lingermore has been in my family for over two hundred years now," Evelyn said. "Although it's less of a home now and more of a hideout. But how about I give you a tour."
"We'd love that," Alice said with a smile and Evelyn indicated for them to follow her. Whoever these two really were and whatever they wanted Evelyn would find out.
….
Kat and Nick had to keep their distance from the two especially when they got towards Lingermore with less trees and bushes to hide their stalking. They hadn't really been able to hear whatever Alice and Max said to Evelyn, but it got them inside the mansion on the hill.
"What do we do now?" Nick asked.
"Let's stalk around the back," Kat said. "See if we can hear or see anything." Nick gave a nod and the two were able to be less sneakily with their targets inside the house. Once by the mansion they crouch down below the windows and moved towards the back.
"Don't see anything," Nick whispered.
"They might be up the stairs," Kat whispered. "Let's wait." Kat wasn't sure how long they waited until they heard Evelyn, Alice, and Max. Evelyn seemed to be giving some history of the house and Alice and Max were commenting back. Kat leaned closer to the backdoor to get a better look and didn't realize she hit into a vase on the floor. The vase falling down and making a loud noise.
Kat and Nick exchanged glances, but before they could act, Evelyn said, "What was that?" as the backdoor opened. Suddenly, they were confronted by the Goodwin matriarch.
"Kat, Nick," it was Alice coming out from behind Evelyn. She seemed shocked and confused as Max came out behind her. "What are you doing here?"
"Um… we… um…. We followed you," Kat finally admitted. "From the pond."
"Pond?" Alice asked seeming to try to toss Kat off. "I don't know…"
"We heard everything Alice," Kat said and Alice must have seen her anger because she took a step back.
"Enough," Evelyn said having been watching the scene. "Katherine Landry? Cole's daughter?" Kat gave a nod at that. "And you… Nick… whoever you are. Get inside now." Evelyn pointed at the open backdoor and the two teens didn't dare disobey her. "Library now. I think Alice knows the way. Maybe Max too. I'll be there in a moment and don't you four even think about leaving."
"What do we do?" Max whispered to Alice.
"Library now," Alice said and Kat was surprised as Alice did lead the way into the room. Alice took a seat on a chair and gave a sigh.
"Nice portrait. She's pretty," Nick said looking at a portrait and Alice gave a laugh. It was the portrait of her mom from 1814 hung up here still
"Exactly how much did you hear?" Alice asked looking at Kat as Max went to the side of Alice and put a hand on her shoulder for support.
"Everything," Kat said.
….
Evelyn took a moment to see what damage had been done but overall, it was an old vase she didn't like much. She'd have the gardener get rid of it. She closed the backdoor and headed for the library hearing Alice asking Kat how much she heard and Kat saying everything.
"I'd like to hear everything too," Evelyn said appearing in the room. Max went to open his mouth, but Alice put a hand on his arm and shook her head. Max looked at her and nodded seeming to back down. "Okay, you don't want to say anything then let me tell you what I know. You are not my friend Alice from 74 daughter. I don't know how, but you are Alice."
"What?" Alice asked.
"You two are too familiar with Lingermore. On my tour you didn't really take in amazement at sights people usually pause to look at. You have seen it. You know it," Evelyn said. "Now you and Max are definitely together. I can tell that just from the looks and touches. As for you two." Evelyn turned to Kat and Nick. "You mentioned the pond. I know exactly which pond you mean. The one on your family land. Cole and I spent a lot of time by that pond when we were young. So did Alice and I." Evelyn turned to Alice as she said this. "As for you I really don't know how you fit in." Evelyn pointed at Nick as she said this.
"I'm dating her," Nick said pointing at Alice.
"No, no we are not," Alice said.
"Our time together meant nothing to you. You cheat on me," Nick said.
"She didn't cheat on you," Kat said suddenly defensive of Alice. She might be mad at her, but she wouldn't let Alice be accused of something she didn't do. "Remember what we heard Nick. She said she broke up with you five years ago from her perspective."
"Five years ago," Evelyn said.
"It's time travel," Kat said. "They use the pond to time travel, somehow."
Alice stood up from her seat looked at the three from the past and then groaned. She went and softly knocked her head against the wall. "Any chance the three of them will suddenly forget all this?" Max asked Alice.
"It has happened before," Alice said. "But unless somehow they all get a massive head injury in the next few minutes I highly doubt it."
"So, it's true," Evelyn said looking at Alice. "Time travel. You are my friend from 74. That's why you suddenly just disappeared. You went back to your own time."
"And you're my…." Kat paused almost not believing she would say this "daughter." Alice had turned trying to get Kat not to say it, but it was too late.
"Daughter?" Evelyn asked turning to Kat and then back to Alice. "That makes you Cole and Del's granddaughter. Which means…' Evelyn paused. "That whole time. Every conversation I had with you about Cole. About how I was in love with him. Everything…. You always knew I would never be with him." Kat turned to Evelyn in surprise at this revelation. "You must have thought I was such a joke. Was my heartbreak amusing to you?"
"What about me here now," Kat said. "You come in and out with stories of having to go see your dad. You made me believe we were best friends."
"Hold on. I'm the only one she has kissed here," Nick said. "What was it a game to you? Was everything a game to you?"
Alice looked at the three lost as they asked her questions she shouldn't answer but seemed to have no choice. "Well," Kat said as the other two also demanded answers.
"Nothing was a game," Alice said. "None of it. Let me just…." Alice paused not sure what to say.
"What explain? And why should we believe you?" Evelyn asked.
"Hey,' Max finally spoke up raising his voice. "You two be quiet." Max yelled pointing at Kat and Nick. "And you." Max turned to Evelyn. "You will listen to what Alice has to say."
"And why should I?" Evelyn asked finding it amusing Max seemed to get a backbone.
"Because grandma," Max said and Evelyn took a step back as she said it as Alice once against groaned. "I love her and we are engaged." Max gave Alice a nod and Alice took her necklace out from under her shirt showing off her real engagement ring. Evelyn seemed to pause at the sight of it. "We are getting married this weekend here at Lingermore in our time and a reception at the farm."
"Other way around," Alice said and Max turned to Alice.
"What?" Max asked seeming to be shocked by Alice's words.
"Ceremony at the farm, reception here," Alice said.
"Seriously?" Max asked.
"Yes, I told you I wanted to get married at the farm like my grandparents and symbolize my old life there. Reception here to celebrate the new chapter here," Alice said and Max seemed shocked.
"Remind me to call Monica when we get home to change the address of the food delivery," Max said.
"Seriously Max?" Alice asked. "I gave you one job."
Evelyn watched the scene amused and gave a small chuckle. "You should have spent more time with me in 74. You would know never to let the man do anything. Even a Goodwin man," Evelyn stepped forward and put a hand on Max's cheek. Max not stepping back. "You are Lewis' boy." Max nodded. "Well, Goodwins always give each other the benefit of the doubt. Always listen to each other. Since you are about to be a Goodwin." Evelyn turned to Alice as she said this. "I will hear you out."
Alice sighed. "Well since all the rules seem to be broken," Alice said stepping forward and noticing Kat and Nick seemed to let her explain to Evelyn first. "You are right on one thing Evelyn. I always knew you would never end up with Cole. And it killed me not being able to tell you. But us time travelers, we say the pond takes us where we need to go and the reason I went to 74 wasn't for Cole or to see my grandparents love story or to help them. The reason I was there was for you," Alice said and Evelyn remained quiet. "I was there to give you a friend. I was there to help you through the heartbreak and to make you see Cole wasn't going to fall for you. Help you move on and I was always on your side. I wanted the best for you. The worst fight I ever had with my grandmother was because I was defending you to her and she couldn't see pass her own love story. You were my friend Evie, and I hope what I said helped you because what you said back then has helped me. You convinced me to follow my dreams. Before you I was backing up afraid, but I realized how right you were. I have followed my dreams in love." Alice took Max's hand. "And in my life. I have record deal Evelyn. I'm going for the music career."
Evelyn looked at Alice for a moment before stepping forward and bringing her into a hug. "Your advice did help me in life," Evelyn said after parting from the hug. "If I couldn't be a Landry at least a Landry will become a Goodwin.'
"Great," Kat said before Alice, Evelyn, or Max could say anything. "All happy. You and Evelyn gave each other purpose. But you still messed with me." Kat didn't wait Alice explain before turning and marching out.
"Kat," Alice called and went to run after her, but Nick stepped forward.
"What was us?" Nick asked.
"I can't deal with you right now," Alice said put a hand on Nick chest to push him away before running after Kat. She found Kat was still at Lingermore in the backyard and she was balancing on the edge of the fountain. In Alice's head she was seeing 2007 when Kat fell into the fountain and hurt herself. "Kat, can you just back away from the fountain before you fall."
"I'm not going to fall," Kat said walking the edge of it.
"Kat please, let's talk," Alice said.
"I don't," Kat paused as she seemed unsteady on the edge for a second.
"Mom," Alice said her voice louder and sharper making Kat turn as she steadied herself. "Please, mom, please."
"You have an issue with this fountain or something?" Kat asked moving away from it.
"I am destroying it the first chance I get after I move in here," Alice said and Kat shook her head. "Please let me talk to you."
"What tell me why you were needed here or something like you did for Evelyn?" Kat asked.
"I can't really do that because you are still in the middle of it," Alice said. "But know things are about to happen and you need my past self. As much as she needs you."
"The way you talk about your mom," Kat said. "How can I be her?"
Alice sighed trying to remember what exactly she said about her mom to Kat those five years ago. She knew it hadn't been nice at first. "I was an angry teenager when I met you," Alice said deciding on this. "I was angry at my mom and dad for divorcing. I was angry at my dad for moving on and having a new relationship. I was angry at my mom for dragging me away from the city and people I knew to live in this small little town with a grandma I never met before." Kat titled her head at that but didn't ask a question on why Alice didn't know her grandma. "And what you didn't see from what I told you was how bad I was rebelling."
"Rebelling?" Kat asked.
"Before we moved here, I was expelled from school," Alice said wondering if she was giving too much, but decided to just continue. "I even had a nose ring at one point." Kat gave a chuckle at that. "And I was getting into a bad crowd and looking back they were bad. If you hadn't been my mom. If you hadn't dragged me kicking and screaming here and gotten me away from all that I'd probably be dead by now. You weren't awful you were just being my mom. A really good mom. And when I was 15 I couldn't see you inside my mom. The teenager, but you were still there. You were just grown up, been through a lot. We're closer than ever in my time."
"Really?" Kat asked.
"Really," Alice said coming up. "You know I'm getting married this weekend. My perspective of course. And I already asked you this in my time, but I'm going to ask you while you are closer to my age as well. Will you be my maid of honor?"
"You'd want your mom as your maid of honor?" Kat asked.
"You are my best friend," Alice said.
"You don't have friends your own age?" Kat asked.
"All my friends are either a lot older than me or dead in my time,' Alice said. "Curse of being a time traveler."
"Then yes, I'd love to be," Kat said and put her arms around Alice. Alice hadn't answered all her questions, but it was enough.
Alice took the photo Jacob took out of her pocket and held it out to Kat. "Keep it," Alice said. "Just hide it so no one sees it." Kat took the photo with a smile. "I think I need to talk to Nick now."
"Oh yeah," Kat said and the two went back into the mansion and found Evelyn, Max, and Nick still in the library. Nick was sitting in a chair and Max was standing before him arms crossed.
"Made sure he didn't follow you," Max said and Alice gave her fiancée a smile.
Alice going over to Nick and crouching down on the floor before him. "Nick," Alice said. "I didn't play any games with you. I didn't play any games with anyone."
"You dated me knowing you were Kat's daughter," Nick said. "You made me fall in love with you."
"And I fell in love with you," Alice said and that seemed to shock Nick. "And it was doomed yes. We could never really be together, but my 15-year-old self was living in denial. She didn't see it. She lost herself in this time. Wanting to be apart of it. Wanting to be Kat's best friend and your girlfriend. I wasn't an experience time traveler when I was traveling here. The day Kat fished me out of the pond was my first ever trip."
"Well next time I see you, past you, I'll end it," Nick said.
"You won't because you didn't,' Alice said and Nick looked at Alice lost. "And you won't because you are my first ever love. My first boyfriend. You showed me what a good man was. Gave me a measure to judge all men by. Got me to Max." Alice turned to give Max a smile at that. "So, please enjoy your time with past me. Kiss her, make this for her." Alice held out her wrist and showed off a bracelet she was wearing. Nick staring at it. "Ask her to be your girlfriend, and be heart broken when she breaks things off. But you have to let her do it. Let her realize and grow. Can you do that for me?"
"I'd do anything for you," Nick said looking at Alice. "Fine, just… I can do it." Nick got up and looked over at Max. "And I don't care how much older than you I am in your time. If you hurt Alice, I will beat you up."
Max backed up and gave a nod as Alice chuckled. "Okay, so all fixed now?" Max asked.
"Oh, not by a long shot," Alice said. "Every single rule is broken, and they know way too much about the future, but there's nothing we can do about that."
"If we hadn't gotten suspicious," Kat said. "And waited by the pond."
"Why did the pond bring us here?" Max asked. "To be caught by them."
"Kat just said it. They were waiting by the pond. My past self would have never been able to handle this," Alice said. "Nick has his marching orders and now it's you Kat." Alice moved closer to the younger version of her mom. "And it's going to be harder for you."
"Really?" Kat asked.
"You have to let some very bad things happen. To Jacob. To grandpa. To your relationship with grandma," Alice said. "You have to go off with dad after high school and yes dad is Brady."
"Ugh, seriously,' Nick said and Alice ignored him.
"In 2007 you need to pretend you are not sure about your future with Brady and come back here for a… well wild time," Alice said chuckling at the Lingermore party in her head. "And then you have to give me life. I grow inside of you. My life starts with you. You will feel me kick. Give birth to me. Watch me grow and bring me here for everything to start. At this point in time your entire future is pre-determined. Just like I did to Elliot."
"Yeah why does Elliot know?" Kat asked.
"I was a new time traveler and his future self sort of told me he knew," Alice said rolling her eyes at that. "And he cannot know either of you know." Kat and Nick nodded. "And Kat you cannot time travel until you follow me into the pond."
"I get to time travel?" Kat asked.
"Oh, come on," Max said and Alice sighed and nodded. Max lifted his finger and pointed at the portrait in the room. "My Katherine."
Kat turned to the portrait in shock. "That's me," Kat said.
"Long story," Alice said.
"How did a portrait of a Landry end up in Lingermore?" Evelyn asked. The Goodwin matriarch having been listening quietly until that time.
"A portrait of a Landry painted by an Augustine," Max added and Alice hid her face clearly laughing at the way he said it.
"Longer story," Alice said and they knew she wouldn't tell it.
"And what about me?" Evelyn asked.
"You get to live your life, but in 2007 make sure to give grandma a hard time about something. You will know it when it happens," Alice said and Evelyn smirked.
"Giving Delilah a hard time I can do," Evelyn said. "I think you two should go home."
"I didn't get to," Max said looking over at Evelyn.
"Whatever it is. The reason you came to see me. It's all alright," Evelyn said to him and brought Max into a hug. "You came to see me. That's all that matters." Max had tears in his eyes as he hugged Evelyn back.
"We should get back to 2028," Alice said after the hug. "The amount of time we're here equals the amount of time we are gone and we have a food order to correct."
"Before you go mom had to go to town today and was going to take Jacob with her," Kat said. "Dad on the farm all by himself." Alice turned to Kat at that. "Go introduce your fiancée to your grandpa. We'll meet you by the pond to say goodbye."
"Thank you," Alice said and gave Max a nod.
…..
Colton Landry was working on the farm and moved into the barn when he heard the familiar voice. "Cole," Alice said and Colton gave a smirk but didn't turn around.
"Hi Alice, Kat's not here. I don't really know where she is," Colton said.
"Not really looking for Kat, Cole, I am looking for you," Alice said and that confused Colton and then he realized something else strange. She was calling him Cole instead of his full name. Something the Alice currently visiting didn't do.
Colton turned around finally to see Alice standing there with an unfamiliar boy besides her. "You are not the Alice who has been visiting lately," Colton said and Alice shook her head. "You have lived 74."
"I have," Alice said. "And I want to introduce you to someone." Colton raised an eyebrow and figure it was the boy next to her. "This is my fiancée, Max Goodwin."
"Goodwin?" Colton asked.
"Evelyn grandson," Alice said and Colton smiled at that.
"Well, it's good to meet you," Colton said moving forward and holding out a hand for Max to take. "Alice is a special girl."
"I know that," Max said.
"You take care of her," Colton said
"I will sir," Max said. "It's an honor to meet you. I have heard so many good things."
"I'm sure it wasn't all good," Colton laughed as he said it.
"No it was," Alice said. "And Cole, thank you." Colton tilted his head waiting for me. "For helping my younger selves here and in 74. Without you and Evelyn I might have given up on music forever."
"So you are going for it?" Colton asked.
"In my time yes. People will finally hear Breathe," Alice said and Colton gave a smile.
"Don't tell me too much, but we have some time before everyone gets back," Colton said. "Let's talk a little."
…
Kat, Nick, and Evelyn were waiting by the pond when Alice and Max made their way over there. "Took a lot to convince Cole not to come see us off," Alice said.
"Good I got to see this," Evelyn said.
"When will I see you again?" Kat asked Alice.
"Not until just before the Fall Festival, but remember she doesn't know any of this happened," Alice said and Kat gave a nod.
"We'll put on a good performance. Right Nick," Kat said and Nick nodded as Alice went to hug the both of them goodbye. Max giving Evelyn one more hug. "I'll handle the clothes. Don't worry about it." Alice gave her young mom a smile glad she didn't have to change again,
"Come on Max,' Alice said going to stand on the rocks and held out a hand to her fiancée. Max went over and took her hand. "Remember we jump together. You need a Landry to be able to time travel."
"I know," Max said giving Alie a nod and then the two turned to look at the three watching again. They gave a wave and then both jumped into the water.
Evelyn after a moment stepped forward and looked into the water. "They are really gone," Evelyn said almost in disbelief.
"Second time seeing it and I still can't believe it," Nick said.
"Come on, time to go," Kat said and gave Evelyn a smile before the two teenagers left her.
-The Way Home/2028-
Alice and Max walked back to Landry Farm dripping water off them to find Kat and Nick waiting on the porch swing. Nick arm was around Kat and Kat was leaning into him. It was closer than Alice had ever seen them be with each other.
"You two deserve an Emmy," Alice said to them knowing they all knew.
"Trust us it was hard," Kat said smiling at her daughter. "And I already corrected the address for the food by the way."
"Thank you," Max said. "I'm going to go grab the dry clothes I left in the club house."
"I'm going to change too," Alice said going into the house as Max went towards the barn to the clubhouse over it.
Nick gave Kat a push and Kat followed Alice up to the room the two shared. "Ali," Kat said as Alice changed. "You know Nick and I never actually lost touch."
"Hum," Alice said.
"I mean we would constantly call each other over the years. I would send Nick pictures of you growing up. We planned his return to Port Haven including making up a fiancée to help you move on from him," Kat said.
"Okay, a little weird, but that is kind of what I told you to do," Alice said.
"And well… over the years… especially these last few we realized… well there is no easy way to tell you this but the two of us are in love Alice," Kat said and Alice paused what she was doing. She had gotten a dry pair of pants on and was standing there only in her bra as she looked at her mother.
"Is that why you broke up with Elliot a few years ago?" Alice asked.
"I never loved him. I knew that. I felt like I was cheating on him with Nick," Kat said. "We didn't mean to. My teenage self would never have went for Nick, but all these years. Sharing this secret. Just the two of us. Well three until Evelyn died."
"You were in touch with Evie before she died," Alice said.
"She was in the send the photo group too and I have a whole bunch of Max," Kat said and Alice just stared their shocked. "But Ali, I know this might be weird, but Nick and I…. we are the real deal. And I need you to be okay with that."
"Nick is a great guy," Alice said. "If he will make you happy, I'm all for it."
"This will move fast Nick. Honestly Nick is just waiting for my say go for our own wedding," Kat said.
"Then I guess I need a maid of honor dress," Alice said finally putting a shirt on and Kat smiled at what a great daughter she had.
"And he wants kids and it's something I want with him," Kat said.
"Is that still possible?" Alice asked and Kat tossed a pillow at Alice who giggled. "I'm not that old. Besides a few years ago when we realized we wanted to be together we decided to make sure kids could be in our future. There are several embryos on ice waiting for implantation into a surrogate once we find one."
"Okay my support of this ends at saying go for it," Alice said.
"I wasn't asking you," Kat said.
Alice went over to her mom and gave her a hug. "Be happy mom," Alice said and kissed her cheek. "As happy as I am with Max." Kat hugged her daughter When the hug was parted. "Maybe we will be raising our kids together. Max and I have said we wanted a couple of them." Kat blinked at the realization that yes she could be very well raising kids at the same time as her grandkids and gave a small smile at the image of that in her head.