||Hello Neighbour: A Better Timeline||

||Chapter 114: Boxing Day||

"You go on."
Diana turned to her husband,"I'll catch up, I just. . . Uh.", she nods, taking his hands and turned to the kids as they put a cane next to the flowers of Franklin's Grave,"Kids, let's head on and get dinner started for Boxing Day and the Roths.", they nod, saying bye to their dad as he stays back.

He just stood in silence.
"Ah, Theodore."
Mr Peterson turned around, Mr Murtaugh walking over,"Mr Murtaugh; What a surprise.", he nods,"Yeah, I sometimes come by to visit and think. . .", they stood in silence, the wind filling in the silence.
"I'm sorry, Theodore. . ."
He looked at Mr Murtaugh,"I feel. . . Like I was at fault for what happened, or at least in preventing it.", Theodore folded his arms,"What do you mean.", Mr Murtaugh shook his head,"I don't know what happened, you don't have to tell me, but. . . I overheard Valeria and Leonard talking about The Weather Station and a prank, I always thought they had something to do with it, but never had the evidence and. . .", Mr Murtaugh sighed, taking his glasses off and rubbing his eyes,"I feel like if I had paid attention more in the past, then. . . Maybe I could have done something.", Mr Peterson nods, then rests his hand on his shoulder,"It wasn't your fault, you couldn't have known and nobody could have. . . Don't blame yourself.", he nods, he smiled and turned to him,"You've grown a lot; Happier, stronger both mentally and physically, you're in a better place.", Mr Peterson nods,"Yeah. . . It took some time, but yeah; Easier to live with and come to terms with.", Mr Murtaugh nods,"You know, you can call me Edward; No need for my title.", Mr Peterson nods, turning to him,"But yeah, it's odd because you use to teach me.", Mr Murtaugh chuckled.

=

Back at The Petersons.
Diana and Luanne were talking in the kitchen as the dinner was cooking, Ike, Norman and Saul were chatting about stories, and Mr Peterson and Jay were talking as the kids were playing new games.
"I'm glad you all had a good Christmas, and thanks for having us over."
Mr Peterson nods,"Not a problem, it's always a delight to have your family over and yourself, I was worried the events of The Fair my have affected them but it seems like they're in high spirits. Though I'll definitely still take them to see a professional and check up on them.", Jay nods,"Definitely, doing the same with Nicky and he seems fine, he still has nightmares about it but, it's not as bad I think because we were able to handle it quickly and his friends were there.", Mr Peterson nods, he turned to Jay,"You didn't mention it to. . . Your family did you?", Jay his head,"No, no; They would have had heart attacks and. . . I don't even know where I'd begin to explain.", Mr Peterson nods,"Yep.", "And he managed to evade the traps, but he set off the camera and see! Right there, our proof of Santa!", now Mya was holding a photo to Nicky, showing him proof of Santa.
"Woah! Really??"
"Yeah! Next year we'll definitely get him."
Jay looked at Mr Peterson, who just smiled and Jay smiled.
"No words. . . But very clever."
"Thank you."

=

Ike stepped out of the house for a moment, Norman following.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, just need some air."
. . .
"Have you seen them?"
Ike sighed,"No. . . I don't hate them, but it just. . . Hurts they kept it a secret for so long, if Nicky got hurt or, if something happened to them and we wouldn't know.", Ike took a deep breath, adjusting his hat,"I just need time. . . Some time away from them.", Norman nods, patting his shoulder.