Forever: Eternity of Insanity

Episode 17- Endings Bring Beginnings

"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ~ Carl Bard

2015

Henry was sitting in the chair drinking from a mug of hot chocolate while music played quietly in the background. Christmas day was here and he was off work, no murders to solve today luckily. He had invited Jo to join him and Abe for the holiday so she wouldn't be alone but it seemed she was in preference of that and had politely declined his offer. This meant Henry was just spending a peaceful day with his adopted son, Abe. It was nice to say the least and he was just relieved Adam hadn't shown his face.

The now dead man's face rose up in his mind, telling him to kill him, to prove he was immortal... that he was Adam. Henry had killed that innocent man... After believing Abe had been in danger, after that man had attacked him, Henry had killed that man. The police had understood it was self-defense, no charges were put on him, in fact there had been sympathy. Later that night the real Adam had shown up, had called him, and Henry had decided he'd never felt so much hatred for one single person in his life.

"You're thinking about it again." Abe commented as he came into the room and sat down in his own chair.

Henry glanced over at him. "I can't help it, I ended that man's life... I help people, not hurt them."

"It was in self defense, you would have been killed and your secret exposed. There wasn't anything good that could come from that."

"I know." Henry agreed, tossing the images from his mind. "Today isn't a day to remember that anyway... I'll get a game, that should help."

"That's the spirit." Abe replied happily as Henry got up to find the old card deck, which was probably covered in dust at the moment.

Henry smiled as he let Jo into the shop for a pre-party get together. She had decided to come this year and Lucas had told Henry they should just have a party to celebrate the season and a new year, which would hopefully bring a solution to finding Treen and Sladen after their prison escapes. Of course since Henry had already told Jo where to meet he had allowed Lucas to come over and help decorate the shop... which in his opinion, Lucas had a bit too much fun doing... though it did look very nice.

"Am I early?" She asked as she noticed the only other guest there was Lucas.

Henry shook his head. "Not at all, I believe Hanson is having a bit of a problem getting his children ready on time. They'll be here a bit late but not by much."

"Where's Vetis?" Lucas questioned as he noticed her guest was missing.

"He's having the same problem as Hanson." Jo sighed with a slightly amused smile. "It seems his son is a bit nervous about meeting everyone again."

Abe walked into the room as he hung up the phone. "That was Lewis, he said he'd be here with Cyrus in about ten minutes once he picks up the kid from their old house."

Henry shook his head. "He needs to stop going back there, he'll get in trouble again for breaking and entering."

"Loosen up Henry." Lucas grinned. "It isn't like anyone's there at the moment."

Henry sighed lightly before nodding. "Right, well, would you like to help me pick out some music?"

"Abe and I took care of that already while you were putting away some of the fragile antiques." His assistant replied before turning to Abe. "I'll let you do the honors."

Christmas music started playing softly and Henry led the others to the living space upstairs before going into the kitchen to help Abe with the rest of the food while Lucas and Jo settled into the chairs.