Chapter Text
Kat, Alice, Del, Elliot and Jacob had already heard what became of the Alice who stayed in the 1800s with Nathan, and of the Alice who remained with Nick. But one piece of the puzzle was still missing: what had happened to the Alice who stayed in the 1970s with Rick Augustine?
Lisie – the Alice who had stayed with Nick – had lived through some particularly dramatic few years. But Kat was now interested in Ali, the Alice who had stayed with Rick, and wanted to know whether her life had been just as dramatic.
"Well, I haven't almost died," Ali remarked to Kat's curiosity, and Kat let out a breath. "Well, I guess we should start when we got out of the pond," Ali continued. "It was the day of Rick's funeral. We headed for Coyle's because Jasper seemed to know more than he let on when we were there with Alice 1 and Nathan. Interestingly enough, Jasper didn't remember the four of us coming into Coyles that day."
"We have theorized that because the timeline needed to smooth out my death and make a clone of me to die, that our interference in the timeline was also erased and forgotten," Rick added.
"That's when Jasper told us his many times great grandma was Alice Coyle. Our first hint at us always having been here," Ali explained, "and you read what Alice Coyle wrote: she asked Jasper to help us and he did. He always has," Kat gave a small smile; she had always liked Jasper. "We told Jasper what was going on. He didn't have the connections Evelyn Goodwin had but he knew other people who ran from the Vietnam War, and they managed to help us leave Port Haven, get identities, and get jobs."
"I was thankful I was able to keep my last name," Rick added.
"We decided to get married right away, though," Ali said. "Just us in Vegas with an Elvis impersonator."
"Still amazing," Rick said, kissing Ali's cheek as he said it.
"I had started investing and once I started getting money from stocks, I started building the business me and Lisie run together now," Ali said. "Honestly, I had no big mission to talk to you all about. I guess it's just my kids..."
Kat, Del, Jacob, Alice and Elliot waited, wondering what was up with the eldest that had been mentioned before.
"Might want to talk about your younger two first," Nick said, and noticed the looks from the ones not in the know. "Trust me… once you learn about Ali and Rick's oldest, things are going to get weird."
That made them want to know more but Ali simply said, "Good idea Nick!" The group was a bit frustrated but knew they had to listen in the way they were told. And Kat was curious about all the kids after all, not just the oldest.
Ali took out her phone to show the others.
"This is my Katherine; she was born a few years after you mom," Ali turned the phone around for Kat to see a woman near her age with another man. "Her husband, Jeremiah..." Ali swiped the photo to a young boy. "Their son, Jeremiah Junior or Jerry. He's 10." Ali swiped the photo to a teenager holding a baby, "and their daughter, Gabriella or Gabby with her newborn son Alec. She's 15, as I said before."
"Alec's causing Katherine a bit of drama with her husband. Jeremiah's not so supportive of the idea Gabby had a baby," Rick said. "Gabby doesn't want to give Alec up completely; Katherine wanted her and Jeremiah to adopt him, but there have been fights."
"That's too bad," Kat said.
"Yeah. But here is my youngest, Cole," Ali said swiped the photo to a man who had his arm around a teenager, maybe near her 20s. "That is his daughter Autumn. He had her with his high school sweetheart but the two never married. They co-parent nicely though. Cole just got married," Ali swiped the photo to Cole standing next to Asian American man and two kids who looked like the man. "His husband, Kai, and new step kids, Naomi and Kenji. And they just adopted a beautiful baby girl," Alice changed the photo to a baby girl photo. "Cindy."
"Beautiful," Del said.
"Very beautiful," Kat agreed.
"Now, what about your oldest?" Jacob asked.
"My oldest was born March 11th, 1983," Ali said, and her eyes moved to Elliot.
"That's… my birthdate," Elliot said.
"I know," Ali said softly. "When my baby boy was born on the same day as you," she went on, her voice thinning, "and I looked down at him… all those freckles… that fair skin…"
Rick drew in a slow breath before he spoke.
"We made a trip back to Port Haven," he said. "We thought we were going home for answers. Instead, we found out my brother and his wife were trying to have a child…" he swallowed, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond Elliot. "But Vic discovered he was infertile. During the accident – the one where I was meant to die – Victor didn't just break his arm. He was injured badly." Rick's jaw tightened, "badly enough that he could never have children."
Ali lifted her eyes to Elliot, tears brightened them, but she didn't look away.
"We knew," she said quietly. "The second we looked at him, we knew the baby we were holding was you."
Elliot stared at her, the color draining from his face.
"It was the hardest thing I have ever done," Ali whispered. "Giving up my son to Vic. But I had to. You needed to be here. You needed to exist in my past."
"No…" Elliot said, the word barely making it out. "No, I'm not…" He stopped, the room seeming to close in around him.
Del's expression softened with something close to regret. "You were a cute baby," she said, causing eyes to turn to her. "We all thought Vic and his wife, Tessa, would be good parents. When they were given the chance to take in a baby, it felt like a miracle…" at this she looked down at her hands. "Then Tessa ran off a few months later. We thought he might try to undo the adoption."
Continuing Del shook her head. "But he didn't. He wanted the Augustine name to continue, even if it wasn't by blood – and he forbade anyone from telling you the truth," her voice lowered. "I thought about telling you so many times. I thought maybe finding your birth parents would be good for you. But I didn't know if they would welcome you back."
Elliot was frozen, staring at the group as if they had all become strangers at once.
Alice's brow furrowed. "Wait a second," she said slowly. "If Elliot is Ali's son… doesn't that make him technically mine?"
Lisie let out a humorless breath. "Technically, he is all of ours," she said. "At least biologically."
Kat went very still.
The realization moved across her face before she could stop it; her eyes found Elliot's, and whatever had been left unsaid between them seemed to turn to ash.
"Wait…" Kat said, her voice unsteady. "That means… Elliot is my grandson?" She thought of the times she and Elliot had shared a bed, had had intercourse thinking everything was fine.
"Oh god," Elliot groaned. The same thoughts clearly coming through to his mind.
Kat pressed a hand to her mouth. "I think I'm going to be sick."
Lisie gave a small, bitter laugh. "I threw up when I found out."
"You knew this, Nick?" Elliot rounded on his friend.
"Why do you think I had you two sing a breakup song?" Nick asked. "This has been grossing me out for 20 years!"
"No… no…" Elliot said, shooting up. "I'm calling Vic," with that, Elliot went to the next room, taking out his cellphone.
Ali let the tears fall and Rick brought her close to a hug.
"Give him some time," Rick whispered rubbing his wife's back.
"Well… that's everything," Lisie said, sighing. "The pond screwing us up one more time."
"You two are staying, right?" Kat asked, not commented on the pond, more to get her mind off the idea she'd slept with her grandson. "I mean… Ali has a house. And you two…?"
"We have a house too," Lisie said. "The plan was always to move here when it was time," Kat gave a smile. "And we have big plans."
"Plans?" Alice asked.
"For you, for one," Lisie said, and Alice raised an eyebrow. Ali wiped the tears from her eyes as she turned back to the family, letting Lisie take the lead.
"Did no one look at the card I handed to mom before?" Lisie asked and Kat picked it up from where she dropped it earlier.
Alice leaned behind her mom and her mouth opened. She grabbed the card fast from Kat.
"This is one of the biggest music producers in the world! It would be my dream to work with them," Alice said, seeing the name of the company on the card.
"Dreams come true. Ali and I own it," Lisie smirked. "Along with a chain of music cafes and music stores. A little music empire. We are building a recording studio here in Port Haven along with making The Roxy not just a movie theater, but a place for concerts. You and your band will be our first talent out of Port Haven."
"My band?" Alice asked.
"We are putting it together," Ali smirked. "We got someone for keyboards and drums. But you will be lead guitar and vocals."
"We couldn't live the dream, we had to work in the shadows, but you, Alice, you can and we want to help," Lisie said, seeing the younger version of herself was stunned. "I have written songs over the years I have saved for you. And I can teach you how to write your own."
"That's amazing," Kat said.
"Don't think our plans are just for Alice," Ali said, and took out a stack of business cards held together with a rubber band and tossed it to Kat. Kat raised an eyebrow. "Publishers we have worked with and have contact with. Decide what you want to write: fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction... whatever, we can make it happen."
"And grandma," Lisie said, turning to Del. "Landry Farm needs to stay in this family for generations to come, but it needs to bring happiness – not be a burden. Which is why we think you should start breeding horses here."
"That's expensive," Del said, and Lisie tapped the folder she gave Del before. Del blinked, not having thought about the money she had now.
"Stormy will be a good first stud for you," Ali said. "We pushed Sam towards him."
"Sam knows you…?" Del asked.
"We might have interfered with him once or twice," Lisie said. "A good lawyer is hard to come by."
"Urm, no magical plans for me?" Jacob asked, raising his hand, and as a response Lisie took a post it from her person. Jacob took it. "Sharon White… and a phone number?"
"We keep some photographers on staff to take pictures of our artist for covers and posters and video tape their performances. She's expecting your call for you to go train under her," Lisie said.
"You need to get out of this town," Ali commented. "To heal from everything, to move on and live in this world – and going after a childhood dream will be good for you."
"I agree," Kat said, but fell silent as Elliot came back into the room.
"Unbelievable!" Elliot snapped. "Vic is in town; he and his bride are looking to have their wedding here. I am going to confront him in person!" With that, Elliot stormed out of the house before anyone could stop him. There was a moment and then group heard a car start and speed away.
"Urm, his car wasn't here. What car did he just use?" Del asked.
"Ah crap, he still has my car keys," Kat groaned.
"I think we should go, make sure he is okay," Rick said and Ali nodded, wanting more than anything to be there for her oldest son.
That was when Nick's phone binged again.
"We might want to go see what's going on with my moms and the kids," Nick mumbled, looking at the message.
"Yeah," Lisie said. "Mom, Alice, Grandma, Jacob… you coming?"
"I'll stay. You lot go. I need to think," Del said her hands on the folder with the money and the note from Colton.
"Actually, I need to think too," Jacob mumbled, moving off and up the stairs.
"Well, I'm coming," Kat said, getting up wanting to stay with her daughters – and maybe meet these grandkids.
"Me too, but are we going to have a problem…" Alice said, looking between her Lisie and Ali.
"Well, me and Lisie have been together for a while. People will think we look similar, but no one will think we are the same person," Ali said. "Their minds – and the age gap – won't let them," Alice blinked but nodded as they headed out.
"Oh, final question…. who's KC?" Alice asked as they exited, and then got to the car Nick, Rick, Ali, and Lisie had arrived in.
"Them? Not a clue," Ali and Lisie said together.
"But considering," Lisie took a necklace with a ring out from under her shirt; it was Kat's ring that had been given to Alice. "We all have one. They can be related to any of us..." Alice paused, not realizing that the ring had been cloned too. It made sense though since she was wearing it when she jumped. It seemed KC would remain a mystery as they got into the car and headed for town.
-The Way Home-
Parking near The Point, they immediately heard Elliot and Vic arguing out on the road.
"I'm going to keep an eye on that," Rick mused, Ali nodding, knowing Rick was the better person to handle this.
"I'll find my moms and the kids," Nick added. "Meet you four at The Point!" With that, he ran toward the spot his moms had texted for him, leaving the mothers and daughters to go inside.
Once inside, Monica instantly rounded on Kat.
"Kat, you have to give me the scoop," Monica said, excited. "Elliot and Vic are screaming, and apparently El just found out he was adopted because his biological parents showed up?! Tell me everything!" That was when she noticed the two extra women with Kat and Alice, then tilted her head. "You… seem…"
"Monica, you remember my friend Alice from '99," Kat said, resting a hand on Lisie's shoulder.
"Oh crap," Monica said, eyes widening.
"As elegant as ever, Monica," Lisie smirked.
"Turns out she's been married to Nick for almost twenty-one years, and they have three kids," Kat added.
"What?" Monica asked, stunned. "You're the mysterious Claire?"
"And this is my father's friend from 1974," Kat said, before Lisie could respond, still feeling strange saying it aloud. "She's Elliot's biological mother. Her name is also Alice."
"Seriously?" Monica asked.
"Nice to meet you," Ali said even though she obviously knew Monica. She had to pretend this was the first time meeting her.
Kat smirked. "Wait until you find out who her husband is." Kat knew the town gossip would be all over this and there was nothing they could do.
"Max!" Alice called, spotting her boyfriend studying in a corner. She hurried over and kissed him.
"Wow. Miss me?" Max asked after Alice separated from him.
"I did," Alice said. "Love you."
Max looked surprised. "Love you too." Then he glanced at Kat, Lisie, and Ali. "Aunt Ali? Lisie?"
"Hi, Maxy," Ali and Lisie said together as they took a nearby table.
"You know them?" Alice asked.
"Yeah. They were close friends with my grandmother," Max said. "I had the biggest crush on Lisie when I was younger…" Alice smirked at that.
Before anyone could respond, a little girl shouted, "Mommy!" Footfalls rushed toward them, and Lisie scooped up the little girl, kissing her belly. It seemed Lisie's children had arrived.
"My baby. Did you have fun with your grandmas?" Lisie asked.
"Yes," the girl, Olivia she must have been, said, glancing at Kat. "Is that…?" She leaned close to Lisie and whispered, "Grandma too?"
"Yes, but let's call her Aunty Kat," Lisie said. "Here," she handed Olivia to Kat, who smiled and settled the girl on her lap as Cassie came in, guided by her seeing-eye dog, Barney. "You okay?" Lisie asked.
"I'm fine, Mom. I've got it," Cassie said, easing herself into a chair.
"Hey, Mom," Nick Junior said, carrying his guitar. "Do they have open mic here?"
"We do," Monica said from nearby as the group found tables.
"Maybe we could do a mother-son song," Nick Junior said.
"Sure thing, Nick-Nack," Lisie said as he sat beside Max.
"Hey, Max," Nick Junior said.
Max smiled at him. "Hey, Nicky. This is Alice." Alice blinked. Seemed Max knew Nick as well. She didn't know why that surprised her.
"I know," Nick Junior said with a smile. "Maybe we can sing together too."
"Sure thing, Nick Nack," Alice said.
"Only Aunt Ali and Mom get to call me that," Nick Junior said. Alice tilted her head, and he sighed. "Fine. I guess you can too."
"Lisie," Kat said, nodding toward Nick as he came in with his moms. "You've got an awkward reunion."
Lisie stood and went to meet them.
"Hi, Joyce. Jude. It's nice to see you again," she said. "We… erm, met when I was a teenager."
"Nick explained," Joyce said, studying her quietly. "He said there was trouble that made it unsafe for you and the kids to come here?"
"My dad was mixed up with some dangerous people," Lisie said; to Kat, it sounded instantly rehearsed, and she figured it had been for many years, "because I'd been here as a teen, they could have tracked me back. I had to stay out of sight and work behind the scenes."
"I told you, I chose to go with Lisie," Nick said firmly. "Pretending my family didn't exist was the only way to stay in touch with you. It was my decision. Lisie told me I didn't have to stay, but I love her."
"And the trouble is over now?" Jude asked.
"My father died, and I made a deal with the people he owed," Lisie said. "I paid them off."
"Tell them about The Roxy," Nick said, quickly, his moms exchanged a look.
"We always planned to come back when we could," Lisie said. "Nick hated that The Roxy had left your family, so my business partner and I bought it," she nodded toward Ali. "We'll keep it as a movie theater, but we're also turning it into a venue for small concerts and our artists."
"Your artists?" Joyce asked as Lisie handed her a business card. Joyce read it, then looked up. "This is a major music production company! You work there?"
"I own it," Lisie said. "I did well for myself. Some lucky early investments, then a few good business decisions."
"She has millions, Mom. Well, we do," Nick said. Both older women looked stunned. Overhearing, Monica came over, took the card from Joyce, and stared at it in disbelief. "You never have to worry about anything ever in regards to money."
"We're also opening a recording studio here in town," Lisie said. "Alice Dhawan will be our first Port Haven artist," Alice gave a small wave as everyone turned to look at her.
"On one hand, you kept our son, his life, and his children from us," Jude said.
"On the other," Joyce added, "you've given us three beautiful grandkids, brought The Roxy back into the family, and invested in Port Haven in a way that could help the whole town."
"It'll be amazing for the town," Monica murmured, still staring at the card. "Welcome back, Alice," with that, she stepped forward and hugged Lisie.
"Hey, she's our daughter-in-law," Joyce said, gently nudging Monica aside. Lisie laughed as Joyce and Jude pulled her into a hug.
After the hugs, Lisie sat back down beside Kat. Olivia was still happily settled on Kat's lap.
"You got lucky," Kat whispered as Nick, Jude, and Joyce pulled up chairs and Monica offered to get drinks so they could celebrate.
"Hey, Max," Nick said as Max waved. "Alice is special. If you hurt her, Rick and I will be having words with you," Max raised an eyebrow, looking confused, while Alice rolled her eyes.
Before anyone could respond, everyone turned toward the door as Elliot and Vic walked in. "I cannot believe you!" Elliot shouted. "You always made me feel like I didn't belong. Like I wasn't really an Augustine! Now I know why."
"You should be grateful I took you in and kept you," Vic snapped. "Now the people who didn't want you all those years ago come back, and you speak to me like this?"
"Enough!" Rick stepped in, moving behind them. "I'm not letting you talk to my boy like that anymore."
"Stay out of this!" Vic said. "Who do you think you are?"
"Don't you recognize me?" Rick asked. "Funny… you were always standing in my shadow when we were young."
Vic paused, turned and really looked at the man.
"No… no, that's impossible. You're dead..." His voice faltered. "Rick?"
"Hello, Vic," Rick said.
"But… how?" Vic asked.
"That's a long story," Rick said.
Kat leaned closer to Lisie. "There's a story?" Lisie nodded. "A believable one?"
"If no one looks too closely," Lisie whispered.
Rick turned back to Vic.
"When my wife and I couldn't keep our son, we made sure he went to you – to family. And you mistreated him," Rick put a hand on Vic's shoulder. "I should hit you, but instead I'm telling you to stay away from him. He's my son again, not yours. And you're not the little brother I remember."
"Rick?" Vic said, sounding lost.
"Get out of my face before I really beat you," Rick said giving Victor a push. It didn't knock him over, but Vic seemed too stunned and lost to do anything but leave.
Elliot stood frozen as Vic walked out, as if the last thing holding him upright had gone with him. The noise in the room blurred. He tried to breathe, but the air caught in his chest, and then his legs gave way. He sank into a chair, one hand over his mouth, fighting a sob that broke through anyway.
Ali crossed to him at once and touched his shoulder. Elliot looked up at her through tears, searching her face like he still needed permission to believe it.
"Mom," he whispered, the word cracking as it left him. Ali pulled him into her arms, and he folded into her like a child, crying against her shoulder while Rick stepped in and held them both.
"Rick Augustine is alive," Monica said at last, her voice softer now. "And he's Elliot's dad?"
Kat watched Elliot cling to Ali, nausea twisting through her again as he called her daughter 'Mom' with the kind of heartbreak that made the room go quiet. As Monica set down the coffees, Kat said, "I think I'm going to need something stronger than coffee."
"Count me in," Lisie said, catching Kat's look. "I'm an adult now too."
"Drinks for the adults," Monica said, heading behind the bar for her secret bottle.
-The Way Home-
After a somewhat quiet dinner at The Point, where conversation was forced to stay light, Ali and Rick brought Kat and Alice back to their house so Alice could pick up her car. With Jude and Joyce nearby – and everyone in public earshot – Kat hadn't been able to discuss what was really on her mind.
"You washed it?" Alice said when she saw her car.
"Washed and waxed," Rick said. "Vacuumed the interior, too."
"That makes sense," Kat mumbled.
"When she hits 5,000 miles, bring her to me for an oil change," Rick said.
"I think I get a free one at the dealership," Alice said.
"Ugh," Rick said. "Don't you dare."
Ali giggled at the exchange. "Rick was a mechanic for years," she told them. "He even owned a little shop for a while. That's why we have a three-car garage," she pointed toward it, and Kat nodded. That was definitely not something her daughter would need. "I'd invite you in, but the house isn't ready yet. There are boxes everywhere."
"That's okay," Kat said, though disappointment tugged at her. She had wanted to see the inside given that the exterior was beautiful.
"Once we're settled, I'll have everyone over for dinner," Ali promised. "Then you can see the portrait of the Coyles properly."
"I'd like that," Kat said, crossing to her oldest daughter and pulling her into a hug. "But Ali, I need a word," with that, she guided Ali toward the porch while Rick turned back to the car, apparently lecturing Alice on how to care for it. Kat assumed they understood she needed a private moment with her daughter.
"Mom?" Ali asked, once out of range of the others.
"Do you regret it?" Kat asked.
"Regret?" Ali countered.
"Your choice," Kat said. "Going to 1974 with Rick."
"No," Ali said without hesitation, surprising Kat a little. "I'm not going to pretend my life is perfect. I had to give up my son, whom I love, because he was needed elsewhere – but I gained this big, wonderful family. For the last twenty-six years, that family has included Lisie, Nick, and their kids. I also built a business I'm proud of," Ali paused and looked over at Rick. "And Rick is a wonderful man and father. I never once doubted pulling him from that car. He deserved to live. We had an adventure together, and I can't imagine being happier with anyone else."
"So, in your own way, you feel sorry for the versions of you who didn't get him?" Kat said, of Rick. Ali chuckled, recognizing the words from Alice Coyle's letter.
"Yeah, I suppose I do," Ali said. "But I missed you terribly; now I have you back," she placed a hand on Kat's shoulder. "I'm happy, Mom."
"Good," Kat said.
"Ali," Rick called, drawing Ali's and Kat's attention as another car pulled up in front of the house.
The passenger door flew open, and a teenager Kat had seen in a photo not long ago rushed out.
"Grandma!" The girl, Gabby cried, running to Ali and throwing herself into her arms. Tears streamed down her face as Ali held her tightly.
"Gabby, sweetheart, what's wrong?" Ali asked, Kat stepping back.
"Wow," another voice spoke; Kat turned toward the driver, who had lifted a baby from the back seat. Kat knew this was her granddaughter, Katherine, named after her. Katherine's gaze settled on Alice. "You and Lisie got your third."
"Fourth," Ali said. "Alice Coyle is dead, but she still counts."
"And that makes you…" Katherine turned to Kat, "my grandmother."
"I guess so," Kat said to the woman who was barely younger than she was.
"Katherine, what's going on?" Rick asked, moving toward his wife and granddaughter as Kat stepped back toward Alice.
"Things with Jeremiah are a mess. It looks like we're heading for divorce," Katherine said. "I know you're just moving in, but I need you to take Gabby and Alec for a while."
"Of course. Come in," Ali said. "Mom, Alice, we'll see you later," Kat and Alice nodded as Ali and Rick ushered their daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandson inside, while Alice opened the driver's door of her car.
Kat climbed into the passenger seat as Alice started the car and backed out.
"A little slower down the driveway…" Kat said as Alice sped off. "Hey, watch it."
"Oh, calm down, Mom," Alice said as Kat grabbed hold of the car.
"Alice," Kat said as Alice pulled onto the road, "do you regret coming back here instead of following one of their paths?"
"What?" Alice asked, turning toward her mother.
"Watch the road," Kat said, and Alice faced forward again. "All three of them have had wonderful lives. Good husbands. Children. Ali and Lisie are rich. Do you wish you had one of their lives?"
"No," Alice said. "I mean, this is all still new to me but I'm not saying they haven't had good lives. Lisie having got extra time with Grandpa and Evelyn is tempting, but there's one thing they all missed: you. You weren't there for their biggest moments. I get you for all of mine. I get to see what happens with Max. When I get married, Dad will walk me down the aisle – not Rick, not Grandpa, and not no one. You'll be there when I have kids. And I still get to chase the dream, now with a headstart. Everything that used to belong to the four of us is mine now, too: this car, Grandpa's guitar. No, I wouldn't trade my life."
Kat smiled. "Stop sign!" She called, and Alice slammed the brakes, jolting them both. "I'm starting to think it's a good thing you got pushed into a pond instead of driving off on your own."
"I'm a fine driver," Alice countered, and Kat chuckled as Alice turned into Landry Farm.
An unfamiliar car was parked out front, with Lisie leaning against it. Kat and Alice shared a look as Alice parked, and they both got out of the car.
"Do you just lean on things now?" Alice asked as they got out.
"Only when I'm waiting," Lisie said, smiling at Kat. "Jude and Joyce asked to keep the kids overnight, and the kids were happy to have a sleepover. Now we're just counting down until one of them mentions time travel..." Kat frowned, wondering how long they could keep the family secret from Nick's parents. "Nick is taking Elliot out for a Boys' Night, partly to get his mind off everything and probably to help him forget he slept with his grandmother."
"Ugh," Kat said, pressing a hand to her head.
"I thought I could do the same for you," Lisie said.
"I'd love to, but Alice…" Kat began.
"Go," Alice interrupted, turning her mom toward her. "I have sisters now, albeit much older sisters; I need to share you, and they've missed so much time with you. Besides, she isn't only your daughter. She's your friend Alice from 1999."
"You're all my friend, Alice," Kat pointed out.
"No, I mean we all lived through it, but she's the closest you'll ever get to having that Alice back," Alice pointed out. "She can be your friend in a way Ali and I can't. You're the same age; your kids are the same age… she can be your best friend again. You can pick up where you left off."
Lisie smiled as if she agreed and held out a hand. Kat went to her, hugging her as she realized Alice was right: Lisie wasn't just her daughter, she was her best friend. "And I can…" Alice paused, then pointed to yet another car pulling up, "…take care of that."
It was Brady's car, all three women recognized.
"Crap. I forgot I told him he could come," Kat muttered as Brady got out of the car.
"Alice," Brady said, coming over to hug her. "I dropped Rachel off at the cabin I rented, then came here to see you."
"Hi Brady," Kat said.
"Hi, Brady," Lisie added, Brady looking to her, confused.
"Do I know you?" Brady asked, studying her. "You look so familiar," both Kat and Alice resisted the urgh to laugh at this remark.
"Do you know me?" Lisie countered. "I'd hope so, since you named your daughter after me!"
"Oh my God," Brady realized, stunned. "Alice? You're back?"
"Yes. I'm back and here to stay," Lisie said.
"Look, I'm going to catch up with an old friend," Kat said, patting Lisie's shoulder. "Alice, why don't you tell your father all about the opportunity Lisie is giving you?"
"Opportunity?" They heard Brady ask as Kat and Lisie got into Lisie's car.
"You enjoyed that a little," Kat said as Lisie started the car, to drive out of Landry Farm.
"Well, I can never be his daughter again," Lisie said, "but I can be your friend who never liked him." Kat smiled.
"You've never been a big fan of your father, have you?" Kat asked.
"He gave me a hard time sometimes, and he was pretty much an ass when you and he dated and I was your friend Alice," Lisie shrugged, Kat biting her lip at this remark.
"So… you're a better driver now, right?" Kat asked, changing topic.
"Of course," Lisie said as she pulled onto the road.
-The Way Home-
It seemed that manic driving was just part of who Alice was as Lisie pulled into the driveway, Kat's knuckles white on the dashboard as her heart thumped loudly in her ears.
"Okay, I'm driving from now on," Kat moaned, but taking in the house. They were still in town, but this was clearly the expensive part – larger homes, more land, and far more space than the other neighborhoods. "You're right on the water…"
"It backs onto the canal," Lisie said, ignoring her mom's comment on her driving as she got out of the car. "And I doubt Nick will stop bothering Grandma until she gives us that boat."
"After the money you gave her, she should polish it for you," Kat said, getting out of the car herself as they headed for the house.
"This is a great area," Lisie explained. "I'm just glad you're able to see it."
They reached the house and Lisie opened the door, letting her mom inside.
"Oh, you're already settled," Kat noted, seeing the place was nicely set out.
"Nick's been setting things up," Lisie explained.
"While he was here planning a wedding that isn't happening?" Kat asked.
"Isn't happening?" Lisie asked. "Oh, we forgot to mention, we're renewing our vows. That way, we can have a wedding with everyone here," Kat stared for a moment, then smirked. "Will you be my maid of honor?"
"Of course," Kat said.
"Thanks! The house has five bedrooms; four upstairs and one down here," Lisie said, continuing introductions of the property, pointing toward a sliding door. "The downstairs bedroom and the one upstairs have en-suites. There's also a half bath down here, another full bath upstairs, a finished attic, and a big backyard. This is the open-plan living area, and my office is over there. Past that is the professional kitchen and dining area. We'll have to invite everyone over for dinner one day."
"So… you and Nick get one of the ensuite rooms. Does… what do people call him if they don't call him Nick Nack?" Kat asked.
"Mostly Nicky," Lisie said.
"Does Nicky get the other one?" Kat asked.
"No, we're giving Cassie the other en-suite," Lisie said, and Kat nodded. "It's better for her to have her own space where no one will move anything. Nick Nack was a little upset, but we gave him a TV and a new video game system for his room," Lisie stepped away and returned with wine glasses and a bottle of wine.
"Nice guitar," Kat said, noticing it nearby.
"That's the one Nick played on the beach," Lisie said, taking a seat. "He gave it to me."
"I always wondered what happened to that guitar," Kat mused, sitting down and accepting the wine. She chuckled. "You know, before I knew Alice was my friend Alice from '99, I used to dream about this – my friend Alice turning up with some strange story about where she'd been, then sitting with me over a bottle of wine and talking it all through."
"Well, it's happening," Lisie said, holding out her glass. Kat clinked hers against it.
"I have to ask… Lisie, do you regret it?" Kat asked. Lisie tilted her head. "Going to 1999?"
"Hell no," Lisie said, surprising Kat again. "I got to live in a time I'd always wanted to experience. I had so much more time with Grandpa and Evie – and with you," Kat tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "There are moments from 1999 and early 2000 that Alice, Ali, and Alice Coyle don't remember."
"You…" Kat said, thinking back over her memories with Alice in 1999. "The weekend you slept over and went to the dance with Nick?" It made sense now. Alice had never been missing for a whole weekend, but Kat had never connected the two.
"That was when I first arrived," Lisie said as Kat kept thinking.
"And the time Brady and I ran into you and Nick in town," Kat realized. "You two wanted to try the new mini-golf place in the next town, but Nick's car was broken, so Brady drove us. We played several games, then got hamburgers and shakes," Lisie nodded. "That's one of my favorite memories with Alice in 1999. You and Brady weren't fighting. We were just having fun."
"I loved that night too," Lisie nodded.
"The day after Jacob disappeared," Kat mused, "mom and I came back from searching and found you and Dad in the living room. Dad was crying. You took his guitar and sang to him."
"Smile," Lisie said of the song.
"I'd never seen Dad let anyone touch his guitar before. Then you hugged him and whispered something in his ear. It felt strange at the time," Kat frowned. "But… you weren't acting like my friend with my dad. You were his granddaughter!" Lisie nodded. "And Dad's funeral... I left with Alice, but that night Alice came back. She hugged me and let me cry. By morning, she was gone, and I never saw her again."
"I figured if the funeral was the last time, you saw me, you'd never put it together," Lisie sighed.
"What did you do during the two months between Jacob's disappearance and New Year's?" Kat asked.
"I spent time with Evelyn, Nick, and Grandpa," Lisie said with a shrug. "I knew I couldn't change those two months. There are a lot of moments with us in the early 2000s, so I fit in as many visits as I could before I had to disappear for good."
"No wonder you gave me whiplash over Nick," Kat said, and Lisie giggled. "You and Nick… are you two good?"
"Are you… are you asking about my sex life?" Lisie asked. "Cos, we have three kids."
"No! No…" Kat said. "Just… are you happy with him?"
"Mom, I got my first love. Alice Coyle, Ali, and Alice had to settle for third, fourth, and fifth," Lisie said.
"What about second?" Kat asked, doing the math.
"Noah. No one wants him," Lisie said, making Kat chuckle. "My point is, I got my first love. It may not be a fairy tale, but we're very happy together. We always have been. He is every bit as amazing as I thought he was. I feel bad for the versions of me who didn't get him."
Kat smiled and shook her head. "Four daughters…" she said. "All starting from the same place, all choosing wildly different paths, and all happy – even after so much time apart."
"No more missed moments. I'm here now," Lisie said, raising her glass to Kat's. "I may have to travel for work sometimes, but you can come with me when you want. And we need to find you a man who isn't your grandson."
"Urgh, you had to bring that up," Kat said, draining the rest of her wine.
"Or maybe a girlfriend," Lisie added, amused. "I know some women who would definitely be interested." Kat raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you think I'd date a woman?" Kat asked.
"Mom, we saw visions of the past in the broken timeline. Thomas may have been your great love in the 1800s, but you and Susanna – those looks, those touches – it was more than friendship. There was attraction there. I think there's something about you even you haven't seen yet," Lisie mused; Kat considered it and couldn't deny Lisie had a point. "We have the rest of our lives, Mom. We'll be little old ladies on the porch at Landry Farm, yelling at our kids and grandkids together."
Kat smiled at the image, but then a thought struck her.
"Oh god, promise me I die first," she said, her breaths turning quick and sharp. "I already lost Alice Coyle, and I know Ali… oh, Ali…"
"Calm down. Ali is healthy. She has twenty or thirty years left," Lisie dismissed.
"But I'll still lose her," Kat said. "I can't watch three daughters die. I can't watch three of you go before me."
"Okay, okay!" Lisie said, moving over and taking Kat's hand. "You die first," Kat rested her head on Lisie's shoulder as Lisie held her.
After a moment, Kat said, "Lisie, this house has five bedrooms, but you only need four. What's the fifth for?"
Lisie giggled. "For you, Mom," she said, and Kat smiled, wrapping her arms around her.
-The Way Home-
Ten Years Later
Kat sat on the porch at Landry Farm with Ali in the chair beside her. They were chatting when Ali groaned.
"You okay?" Kat asked, reaching over.
"Yeah, Mom," Ali said. "It was minor surgery. Just a hip replacement. I'm fine."
"You're in your seventies," Kat pointed out, and Ali took her hand.
"So is Grandma, and she's out chasing horses," Ali said; Del had gone all in, turning Landry Farm into a horse farm and breeding operation. They had expanded the barn, and business was good.
"And you're raising your great-grandson," Kat pointed out; after divorcing her husband, Katherine had built a career in another city and didn't want to move to Port Haven permanently. She thought Gabby and Alec would be better off at Landry Farm, so Ali and Rick had taken them in. Gabby had been Alec's mother at first, but over time Ali and Rick took on more responsibility, eventually convincing her to let them adopt him so she could go to college without worry. Kat helped as much as she could, since Ali and Rick were older and chasing after a child again.
"I'm fine," Ali stated, more firmly now.
At that, the door opened, and a small woman with curly brown hair and bright green eyes stepped out.
"I'm heading out. Will you be by later?" She asked Kat.
"Sorry, Avery. It's a mother-daughter day," Kat said, leaning over to kiss her; Kat had started dating again, but she compared every man to Thomas. After Lisie suggested she give women a chance, Kat discovered she enjoyed dating women, too. Avery Lane was a local painter who loved the town's history. They had hit it off and married a few years later.
"You're lucky you're with the one person in town who understands this," Avery said, smiling.
"I have plenty of sons-in-law who jumped on board," Kat said as Avery headed toward her car.
Lisie passed Avery with a wave while talking on the phone. "Good, good. I'll send the contract tomorrow," she said before ending the call. "Sorry, work. Are you sure you don't want to come back, Ali?" Ali had retired several years earlier and given her shares of the business to Alice. But since Alice was the lead singer and guitarist in a band, most of the work she and Ali used to handle now fell to Lisie.
"I'm happily retired," Ali said. "And I have enough passive income from investments that I don't need to work."
"How are The Ponders doing?" Kat asked; the Ponders was Alice's band, and she had chosen the name herself.
"They're getting there," Lisie said. "They're becoming better known. In fact, I was just planning a tour for them. Adding Nick Nack as lead male vocalist and backup guitarist was a great move. He and Alice play well off each other."
"They are technically mother and son," Ali joked, making the two of them laugh as Del came out of the barn, leading a young foal.
"Grandma, have you sold that one yet?" Lisie called from the porch.
"No. I was just about to put him on the market. Why?" Del asked.
"Consider him sold," Lisie said. "Nick and I promised Liv a horse if she proved she was responsible enough, and she has. She wants one of yours. We'll pay to board him here, too."
"You think I'd charge my granddaughter for a gift for my great-granddaughter?" Del said, smiling. "Liv can have him. In fact, with your permission, I may be able to stud him in the future," Lisie nodded. "Maybe Liv will want to take over the farm someday?"
Lisie giggled as Del continued tending to the foal.
"How's Cassie doing in college?" Kat asked, turning Lisie's attention back to her.
"Good," Lisie said. "She's still deciding what she wants to do, but it looks like she may become a lawyer."
"Good," Kat said. "I also heard from Jacob. He and Sharon are coming to town with their kids to take pictures of the band. Mom will be happy to have her son back for a while. He doesn't come home enough."
"I figured she'd like that," Lisie said, and Kat smiled, knowing her daughter had arranged for Jacob and his wife to come.
That was when a car pulled up, and Alice herself stepped out, along with Max, to join her mother and sisters on the porch.
"Sorry. I was helping Max get the kids ready," she said; Alice had told Max the truth not long after Lisie and Ali arrived. He had accepted it without question, and they married a year later. They had twin boys, Kyle and Bavi, and a daughter named Evelyn, after Max's grandmother. All three children jumped out of the car, excited, while Max tried to keep them under control.
"Elliot sends his love," Max called.
"Platonic love," Alice added as she got the twins in line. "He and Tara are thinking of having a second!" It had taken Kat and Elliot time to get past the fact that Elliot was, essentially, Kat's grandson. Eventually, though, he moved on, left Port Haven, found a beautiful blonde, and really reconnected with his real parents. He and Tara had had a son, Ethan.
"Good. I'll call him later," Kat said with a nod. She had always wondered whether Elliot had always been her alternate-future grandson before Jacob broke the pond and its rules, creating the Alice clones. But since it was a theory they could never test, she had accepted this reality and its consequences.
"Come on, kids. Let Auntie Lisie get you something to eat," Lisie said, rising so Alice and Max's children could follow her inside. Max smirked and followed them, leaving Alice to take Lisie's empty chair.
"So… you okay, Mom?" Alice asked.
"Just perfect," Kat said with a smile. She loved having her three daughters together and couldn't imagine a better life.