Cadence had feared Elliott might baulk at having to drive the minivan. She even offered to let him ride in the back. But he was not only a good sport about it, he actually took it a little too far, insisting on jamming to what he called "mom music," which happened to be Lionel Richie, and even took them through a drive-thru for ice cream, despite the cold weather. Cadence wondered why he had "mom music" on his phone but the only answer she got was, "Because I'm a groovy mom," in his best impression of their own mother's voice.
They had arrived home only a few minutes before her parents got back from the reception. Sitting around the living room finishing their ice cream, Cassidy laughed at all of Elliott's jokes, and Cadence was very happy to see her sister's mood improve. When they heard their father gunning the Lamborghini engine rounding the corner, they all ran to the window. Her parents came to a jerky halt in front of the house, and her dad ran around the back of the car to open the scissor door for her mother. They were both laughing and holding hands as they approached the house.
"That was the most amazing thing I've done all year!" Eli proclaimed, leading his wife into the house. Seeming to reconsider his statement, he clarified, "I mean, driving the car, not the reception."
"We knew what you meant, honey," Liz said shaking her head. She enveloped Elliott in a tight hug. "Thank you so much for letting us borrow the car," she gushed.
"Yes, ma'am," Elliott replied. "I'm glad you had a good time."
"I'm going to get me one of those," Eli proclaimed, knowing he could probably never afford it but daring to dream.
"Well, I need to head back to the hotel. I should see how things are going," Elliott said, placing his hand on the doorknob.
"Do you have to?" Cassidy asked, disappointment in her voice.
"'Fraid so, lil girl," he replied, stepping over to give her a hug. "I'm sure I'll see you soon, though," he promised.
"Okay," she said. Then added, "Don't leave without saying goodbye, okay?"
"I promise, I won't," he confirmed, making a cross on his chest. He took the Lamborghini keys from her father and reached for the door again.
"Don't be a stranger," Eli said, patting him on the back.
"Stop by anytime!" Liz agreed.
"Any messages for anyone?" Elliott asked, turning back to Cadence.
She shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I'll talk to you soon," she added.
"'K," he said, winking at her. Cadence realized, he wasn't just being friendly; he was also reminding her that her IAC was off and that he wouldn't be able to reach her if he needed to.
Despite knowing her entire team was out of contact unless they used her cell phone, Cadence didn't turn the IAC back on. Not yet. She was still upset at Aaron, and she didn't want to talk to him. Or anyone else. Not right now.
"Well, you seem to have had a good time with Mr. Elliott," Liz said, straightening Cassidy's hair as they walked over to the living room.
"He's so funny," Cassidy declared. "I really like him, Mom."
"Me, too," Liz agreed.
Cadence sat down next to her sister on the couch and took a drink out of a water bottle she had retrieved from the kitchen earlier. Listening to the conversation around her made her happy. She was glad her family liked her new friends.
"Are you dating him, Cadence?" Cassidy asked innocently.
Cadence choked on the water, spitting it all over herself. "No," she said as soon as she could talk. "Why would you think that?" she asked, brushing at the water droplets on the front of her dress.
"I don't know," Cassidy replied, a bit embarrassed. "I just thought you got along so well, and he's kind of cute, in a teddy bear sort of way. I think you would be adorable together."
"I'm sorry, Cass, but no. I don't like Elliott like that. It would be like, if I asked you if you were dating Milo or Wes," Cadence said, hoping her sister would understand.
"Eww," Cass responded, clearly getting the analogy. "Sorry I asked."
"It's okay," she assured her. "I'm not dating anyone, Cass."
"What about Aaron?" her mother asked, not knowing when to keep her mouth shut.
"Aaron?" Cass asked, her eyes growing wide as saucers. "I thought he was probably married or something."
"Why?" Cadence asked, puzzled.
"Because, you'd think some lucky girl would have put a ring on that a long time ago," she replied, taking on a ghetto accent toward the end of her statement.
"Seriously?" Cadence asked, throwing a pillow at her sister. "You're so weird. No, he's not married. And, no, we're not dating. We've . . .talked. That's about it. Nothing going on there. Nothing at all."
* * *
"I got the job!" Juan Arriaga exclaimed to his mother. They had been staying with his Tia Leticia for the last few days, since they had moved from Lincoln to Kansas City. He had applied for a position at St. Luke's Hospital as a night custodian and just received word that the job was his.
"I am so proud of you!" his mother, Sofia Arriaga proclaimed. "I know that you will work so very hard." She knew she would be very proud of her son and the hard work he was sure to do.
Juan was very happy to have a new position, but he was also hesitant to take on another hospital job after the strange circumstances surrounding his work at Bryan Health in Lincoln. If he were to see anything else along the lines of fantismos or vampiros, he would have to pack up and go back to Mexico. For now, however, he was looking forward to getting some over-time pay over the holidays and buying his mother and his aunt something very special. Surely, even if there were vampires in Kansas City, he would not be so unlucky as to run into two in the same lifetime.
