Chapter One

As the full moon began to rise over the trees, its light reflected upon the newly fallen snow to envelope the neighborhood in an eerie glow. 

Nearby, inside a dark car, one lone occupant continued their silent vigil; thankful the snow-covered shrubbery provided the perfect camouflage, shielding them from the house they were observing.

The occupant had been parked in the same spot for nearly two hours and had witnessed several people, very loved family members, gathering in the house for the traditional Christmas Even dinner.

The blinking of the Christmas lights drew his attention to the front window of the house where he knew the tree was located, as it had been for the past twenty years.

The noise of an approaching sports car engine made him pick up the binoculars sitting next to him. A slight smile played across his face as he recognized the blue stealth.

'Always late, aren't you kid. Glad to see some things never change."

He watched as Peter Caine climbed out of the sports car and popped open the trunk. At that moment Kelly Blaisdell came running out of the house to greet her brother. The man was grateful that he had lowered the car window so he could hear their conversation.

"It's about time you got here, Peter." She hugged her brother, who quickly tried to close the trunk lid. "Too late," Kelly laughed. "I know you got me something."

"You still can't open it until tomorrow." Peter lifted the lid. "You can help me carry this stuff in the house." He pulled out several wrapped packages as his sister retrieved the rest. After closing the trunk, he noticed Kelly was staring up at the stars. "Making a wish? I thought you outgrew that years ago."

Kelly quickly wiped her eyes.

"Kel, what's wrong?"

"I..." She paused before looking up at the moon, tears started flowing down her face. "I've been holding it in all day. I didn't want mom to get upset but I was hoping maybe tonight..." She started crying. "I miss him, Peter."

Her brother dropped the packages on the car and gathered his sister in his arms. "Kelly, he's still alive. We have to believe that. Don't give up."

"It's been eighteen months," Kelly cried. "Why haven’t we heard anything? If Dad is alive like you claim, then why has he abandoned us? Doesn't he know how much we need and miss him?"

"He knows." Peter said, barely above a whisper. The words were unconvincing, even to the eavesdropper. Peter released Kelly and wiped her tears with his gloved hand. "We better go inside or Mom will wonder what happened to us." He picked up the packages again and started walking towards the house.

"Peter,"

"What, shorty?"

"You don't have to pretend with me," Kelly kicked up the snow with her boots managing to keep pace with her brother. "I'm not a child anymore, you don't have to protect me. I know you miss Dad. I can see it in your eyes and don't think you have fooled mom with your bravery act either. She knows."

Peter shook his head. "How did you grow up without me noticing?"

"Well, you're older and you definitely haven't grown up." With those last words, Kelly rushed past her brother and into the big house.

"Sisters." Peter muttered under his breath. He glanced back at the house, and then glanced upwards, repeating the same gesture he had previously teased Kelly.  "Paul, why are you doing this?” The words were more of a plea than a question. “Don’t you know how much you’re hurting the family, especially mom? She doesn’t deserve this and neither do the girls.”

With those last words, Peter followed his sister into the house, and closed the door behind him, leaving the eavesdropper alone with his thoughts.

The man in the car blinked back his own tears before he grabbed the cellular phone and dialed a number. "No interruptions," he began after the voice on the other end answered. "I wanted to see everyone one last time. Take care of them for me, Kermit."

"Paul, don't do this." Kermit's voice screamed through the receiver. "The family needs you. We need you."

Blaisdell closed his eyes. "I'm a liability and you know it. As long as I'm alive my enemies will use those I love to get to me." He sighed deeply. "It's the only way."

"No, Paul. I..."

The former Captain of the 101st ended the conversation by closing the flip phone.  He started the car, driving down the long dark street, unaware that it had started snowing.

TBC