Christmas past to present!

3- Town

After breakfast the next morning we are watching a Christmas movie with the kids when my mother yells from the kitchen. "Holly." I pat Claire's head and lift her off my lap in order to stand from the couch, making my way into the kitchen. 

"Ya?" 

"I need a few things from the store. Can you run for me?" She asks, flipping through her recipe book. Her glasses on her head.  I glance back at the living room, unsure. "Come on take the truck we have the kids." She urges tossing me the keys. 

"Alright. If your sure." i check

"Oh please those two are angels compared to our batch." She grins "Now go get ready, and I'll write you a list." 

Running up to my room, I spray some perfume and put on some mascara and a long cream colored sweater dress, thick black leggings, and my Uggs, making sure my ponytail wasn't falling out. Before grabbing my coat from the front closet. "Where are you going, Mommy?" Daniel calls from the couch.

"Granny asked me to make a run to the store. Do you guys wanna stay here and hang out with Pop and Granny?" 

"YES yes yes mommy I do!" Claire cheers excited.

"Okay." Daniel agrees, looking back at the tv. 

"You two going to behave yourselves?" I check, and both nod in understanding. I cross over to them and kiss them both on top of their heads. "I love you. Be good. Be back soon." My mother passes me the list, and I am out the door. 

Driving to the store is easy. I'd been all over this city when I was a lot younger. putting in my headphones, I grab a basket and then start making my way to the back so I can work my  up to the register. 

I always listen to music while I do my shopping. lightly dancing my way around. After a good fifteen minutes, I feel a tap on my shoulder. "Oh, sorry, can I help you?" I ask, pulling one headphone and turning to face none other than Keaton himself. 

"Well, I live and breathe. It's Holly Greene." He smiles. I feel my legs get a little wiggly. 

"Keaton Brown." I greet and smile. 

"I hadn't heard you were in town." 

"Oh ya in for the holidays. Just got in yesterday." 

"And your daddy let you out of his sight already?" 

"Mama needed some things, and Daddy is so wrapped up in the kids he didn't mind."

"Right kids, I heard you had three or four, right?"

"Only two. Daniel's 5 and Claire is 3."

"Oh god, sorry, you know the gossip around here; always getting their information all mixed up. what about your husband? He around here somewhere?" he asks, glancing around.

"Divorced, actually." I admit blush creeping over my cheeks as I watch his head snap back to me. 

"I hadn't heard. I'm sorry. " his apology sounds more like a question.

"Thanks. But really, I'm fine. What about you? I heard you were getting married a few years back. To Shanna right the tuckers daughter?" his eyes stare into mine as I wait for his reply.

"Oh ya no... That was... A... Ya, I'm divorced. Three years now." he admits, and I hate that his awkward ramble has my heart beating. 

"Im sorry to hear that." I try shaking my head a little to clear it.

"Don't be. It wasn't good from the start."

"How so?" I quiz before realizing that was too much "Sorry you don't have to tell me, tha..."

"No, I don't mind. But maybe we can get coffee after this? Actually, catch up?" I know I should say no, but I'm so curious and find myself agreeing. His smile is radiant, and I can't help but smile back. "Great, so Abby's in 20?" He asks

"Sounds good." I nod, melting further by his warm green eyes. 

"See you then." I smile before stepping away slowly. Before turning back to my shopping. 

Twenty minutes later, I put the groceries in the truck and made my way across the street to Abby's cafe. Where I spy Keaton leaning against the wall and tapping his foot. Was he nervous? 

"You came!" He greets leaping from the wall and meeting me at the curb. 

"I did. I miss the coffee here." I grin as he opens the door for me. "Thanks." We get in line, and I glance over the updated menu. When it comes to our turn the cashier is looking at the register. 

"Black coffee and a blueberry scone, please." He orders and looks to me."What about for you?" 

"Oh, you don't have to." I try 

"Of course not; but I'd like to." He tells me with that half smile I could never forget. 

"A hot peppermint mocieato. And a warm cranberry scone." I order

"That comes to $8.50. cash or card?" The lady asks 

"Card." he answers, passing it over the counter.   

"By god, is that Keaton Brown and Holly Greene?" Thee miss.Abby calls walking over to stand behind the young cashier. I smile at the older woman.

"Looking good, miss.Abby! How is Jen?" 

"Oh, she is great. Just opened her own shop down the road. Now, if she could just find a man before I die!" She states dramatically 

"That's great! I will have to swing by and check that out." 

"Dahlia, give that back to the man. It's on the house today!"

"Now miss.Abby..." He tries

"Don't start with me, young man. This is quite the day to see you two standing here  like this. I swear I could just faint."

"Thank you." i smile the blush creeping back. When we had been younger, we had been inseparable, and everyone knew it. To see one of us without the other had been rare. Especially once we were dating. 

"Now tell me my girl, how is the work going?"  She asks, moving on as another barista takes care of our order. "Your mother tells me you work with kids?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm head of pediatric medicine at the UCSF medical center out in San Fransisco." 

"That's great! I always knew you'd do great things. But becoming a doctor for sick kids. Well, you're an honest to god hero around these parts!"

"Oh stop its not that great of a deal. Very sweet, though." 

The barista hands us our items, and I wish miss. Abby is farewell, promising to come by and visit again soon. "I haven't seen Miss Abby light up so bright in some time." Keaton tells me as we walk outside. "The park?" he asks, and I nod in agreement.