Exton

Alise smiles as she watches the children play. She and Pandora had done some shopping for the baby, Pandora wanting to get some things in colors for a boy. When they passed a shop with wooden toys Alise caught sight of a small highchair, just the right size for the dolls that Tannr had given the girls. Luckily, they had four and were willing to deliver them to the tavern. A small nylon pop-up tent for Tomas was found and the women called it a day.

As Alise and Pandora watched Tomas was in his tent and Gracie walked over and called his name to get his attention. Tomas response was to stick Godzillas head out the flap and growl loudly. Startling Gracie so she lost her balance and landed with a thump on her bottom.

“Not nice, Tomi!”

More growls from Godzilla followed and Alise and Pandora tried hard to stifle their giggles.

Standing slowly, holding the chair next to her for balance, Pandora says, “I better check and see how Monty is doing in the kitchen. If we need to place any orders with vendors we should do it now, before the baby comes... one less thing to worry about.”

Alise nods, understanding exactly how she feels. Her head snaps up as she hears the girls squeal, seeing Stoney come downstairs. He lifts the three of them easily and they excitedly tell him of the highchairs for their dolls. As he sets them down, Gracie turns and says “Tomi, bad boy” and points to the tent. Alise sends to Stoney letting him know what happened. Stoney approaches the tent and squats near the flap, his greeting is met with Godzilla growling. Trying not to laugh he tells his son that he and Godzilla need to be nice to his sisters and he especially shouldnt startle the littlest one.

Silence from the tent and Stoney joins Alise at the table. She smiles and Stoney kisses her in greeting.

A few moments later Tomas sticks his head out of the tent. He waves to Gracie and she smiles and starts to head for the tent. Suddenly stopping, she turns and gets her doll, then hurries to the tent where Tomas is holding the flap open for her.

Stoney grins, “See? He can be a gentleman when he wants to be...”

“Hmph, it is a plot so that Godzilla can eat the doll. I have no doubt we will be hearing screams shortly.”

As Alise and Stoney laugh and watch their children and Chloe, Twillon enters the Tavern, a somber look on his face. Stoney waves him over and Patti brings a pitcher of ice water and glasses to the table.

Twillon takes a seat and takes a deep breath. “I have some something to show you. I got this as a tip today and I am hoping someone here recognizes it....”

Alise and Stoney watch as Twillon removes a small bag from his pocket. A noise at the front makes Alise glance away for a second, a group of college boys entering the tavern giving Jeb a hard time about the new girl he was seen flirting with. The smile on Alises face fades and her face pales as she sees what Twillon has in his hand.

“Where... where did you get that necklace?”

“So you recognize it? There are parts of a cell phone too, but they look as if they were run over...”

Alise exchanges a worried look with her husband and chokes back tears. “The necklace, it belongs to Ron. He is never without it, never. Where did you find it?”

As Twillon explains Alise takes the necklace and closes her hand around it. Her eyes close and she stills her mind. There are spirits in the tavern, but not Rons. I would know if he had passed. He would come to me, with his love, they would be together, I know they would...

The college boys move to take a table and see Alise, tears slipping down her cheeks. Not sure what to do they hesitate a moment and Marc watches as Stoney fastens the chain, Alises hand coming up to rest on the silver dolphin charm.