''He was also the only Head Elf''says Avery to her son, wondering if Hazel has mentioned to him yet about going to a Grief Group for Widowers. That way, he can talk about what he is dealing with physically and mentally the past year. After the tragedy of losing Zoey, and this is only something that he can feel & explain. The way that no one else can, which kills her inside as a.Mother, to the matter of fact, there is nothing that Avery can do to fix all of the pain that Liam is going through& dealing with. However, she wishes that her baby boy would open up to any pain buried deep inside him. Doing this will rip his heart in half if he doesn't express how he is truly feeling. The heart will explode instead of in half.
''Very true, momma ''says Liam picking up Thomas in his arms.''Dad not here ''says Thomas embarrassed about being seen in his dad's arms once again. In front of his friends & classmates, it was okay from when he was a baby to age five, but now it's unnecessary. On why his dad continues to do this. However, Thomas has yet to express how this bothers him.
''Why? You used to love it when I picked you up before? questions Liam? Thinking back, if there was anything that he did or possibly missed? ''Can we talk? asks Thomas wanting, to talk privately away from everyone else. To prevent other input from his grandparents, his Aunt Holly & possibly from Hazel.''Sure is everything okay?'' asks Liam as they head outside in the front of the school.''Can you not pick me up in front of my friends ''tells Thomas to his dad being open on what has been bothering him lately.''Why? Does it bother you that much? asks Liam wanting to know what's truly bothering him? To mend things between the two of them. To prevent his relationship with Jeremiah ''Jeremy'', Tom nods, ''yes, it makes me feel like a baby'' admits Thomas. He is being honest about what's racing around in that little head of his.
''Why didn't you tell me that. I would've understood. I need to accept that you are growing up and getting older for stuff like this, 'says Liam. Wishing that man didn't take his beloved Zoey & Lily with him that night. Otherwise, he would be looking at that precious baby girl who would be six months old now if he stayed home that weekend. The guilt of that night is dawning on him all over him, even though there was nothing that he could have done. It happened, and he needs to stop blaming himself for that night before it eats him alive.
''I didn't want to hurt your feelings, ''says Thomas quietly, not knowing the second reason other than losing his mom. That's something Liam can't get himself to unfold the secret of the sister Tom never got to meet? Seeing that he breaks down on the daughter he never got to meet, it ripes him up inside when his family was torn In half that night. That man is going to pay for what he did to a Sheriff's family behind bars. It won't bring them back, but now he can suffer the way they are each day without them.
"Oh buddy, you could never hurt my feelings, so from here on out. When something is bothering you, tell me; that way, we can talk about it together and figure out a solution," tells Liam wanting his boy to be honest with him. From here on out, because they are all each other has left.''I will. I promise you just have been so happy these past few days; I didn't want to make you sad. Since mommy died, the way you have been since mommy died ''tells Thomas noticing the change in his dad since Hazel came into town.''You couldn't make me sad; seeing you happy makes me happy ''says Liam relieved that his little boy told him the truth about what else was bothering him. He knew that something hasn't been right with Thomas couldn't figure out what it was. Hopefully, that was the end of secrets on Thomas's end; however, there is one that Liam has yet to tell his son, and it is about Lily, the sister he never got to meet?
''Okay, and can we head inside now, because I'm freezing ''says Thomas shivering in only an elf costume, not even a jacket. With quickly heading outside the Cafeteria,'' yes, let's head inside and then head to the cafe for some Peppermint Hot Chocolate''says Liam. Rewarding his boy for his excellent job and giving him what Tom was asking for this morning. When Liam said no, that way, he could have it tonight after his performance instead.'' Yes, let's go ''says Tom, ecstatic about having some delicious warm hot chocolate with whipped cream piled high topped with crushed-up candy canes in a Red & White mug making his whole body nice and warm from the icy cold weather. Although this time he won't have his mommy on his side while drinking his Peppermint Hot Chocolate, she will be here in spirit. Probably having a cup of her own, to join the rest of them at the cafe. These are the moments that Liam & Thomas wish she were still a part of, and Liam wishes Lily could be a part of it as well. That is a conversation he will have to tell his boy eventually; he isn't sure is now the right time or not?
''After you, it's so cold let's head inside and get warm, ''says Liam, as Tom heads inside first and they then walk back into the school. Then make their way to the cafeteria,'' Who wants to go to Aunt Holly's cafe for some Peppermint Hot Chocolate?'' asks Thomas with a big smile as those three words are music to his ears.'' That's a great idea, ''says Avery smiling at her grandson, glad that everyone was able to be there for his big night. As they are heading out of the cafe, she looks up at the clear night sky and smiles at one of the stars as; she sees Zoey and smiles, mouthing the words ''Thank you for watching over my boys'' before she disappears.
Hazel then goes over to Liam,'' can I talk to you?'' asks Hazel, finally telling Liam what Avery asked her at the Christmas Cookie party about convincing him to attend a Grief Group for Widowers.''Yeah, of course, as they walk away, so what's up?'' asks Liam curiously on why she pulled him aside? Is she going to ask him out? Did he miss his chance as the guy to ask him out?
''Have you ever thought about talking to someone?'' asks Hazel easing her way into mentioning the idea of him going to a Grief Group for Widowers.''What do you mean?'' asks Liam, unsure where she was going here with this?''Possibly attending a Grief Group for Widowers; that way you can be around people who have has been & going through the same as you are ''says Hazel. Wanting to help him on what he is going through.''You know what? You are just like everyone else, ''says Liam walking away from Hazel.