A Needed Getaway (open)

[Dix C. Martin]

Reclining back in her seat on the Chandler jet, Dixie was content to shut her eyes for awhile and relax. The twins were babbling away with Di, her other kids and everyone else seemed at ease. She figured it was time to follow their lead.

She hadn't planned on this trip. She'd been against it at first. But the kids and seemingly everyone in town had managed to talk her into it. They said if she kept moping around town missing her husband, they'd have to hold an intervention to snap her out of it.
And Dixie realized they were right, she was tired of feeling sad or angry or a combination of the two. She had a good job and her kids who she was downright blessed to have. And she figured appreciating that rather than focusing on what (mainly who) she'd lost would be for the best.

Before closing her eyes she looked around the jet and smiled, everyone looked happy and excited for the trip. In less than an hour they'd land in Hawaii, and Dixie was already looking forward to it. Beaches, bathing suits, umbrella drinks. It sounded more and more appealing by the second..

(OOC: Okay this threads a go everyone! Any changes you want me to make, let me know. Also I'm still doing my writing contest so if I'm not on as frequently, that's the reason.)

[Kathy Martin]

Over time Kathy had started to remember things about her life she hadn’t been able to before. Things were slowly returning for her, most of the time she went to her mom and big brother for help, once even talking to Jamie on the phone. She was quite pleased with herself and couldn’t wait to tell her dad when he got back, but for now they had to put all that on hold as most of their family and the town were going on a vacation to Hawaii.

Peering out the window as the jet took off she watched the last of Pine Valley disappear and gave it a small wave. It wasn’t long before her and A.J. were seated on the floor playing a game of snakes and ladders, and when it was all over she glanced up and noticed her mom resting. With a smile she got up and went over to her and paused, gently tugging on the sleeve of her shirt to arose her.

“Mommy? Can I sit with you?” she asked, hoping it would be alright. “A.J. doesn’t want to play snakes and ladders anymore and you look lonely by yourself.”

[Marissa Tasker]

A trip to Hawaii is exactly what everyone needed at the moment exspecially after how the ski trip went. Before leaving she had checked the weather and it was going to be absolutly beautiful in the high 80s not a cloud in site. So bikinis, shorts, tank tops, dresses and skirts with sandals and various other shoes is what she packed.

Soon enough the door to the bathroom opens up and Marissa steps out wearing a cute brown and white short sleeve low cut top with a wide black belt across her waist, and a pair of knee length capri jeans. Her long brunette hair hangs down her back in soft waves and its safe to say that Marissa is defintly ready for this vacation with JR and his family...

She soon enough takes a seat next to JR, she gives him a small smile as he instantly wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her closer next to him. She lays her head against his shoulder and breaths in his scent before she begins to speak.

"This vacation is what we all need... *smiles* And I'm glad I get to spend my first trip to hawaii with you, AJ, and the rest of your family hun..."

[Dix C. Martin]

Feeling a slight tug on the sleeve of her peasant blouse, Dixie stirred and out of the corner of her eye, saw Kathy smiling at her. Hearing her question she smiled back.
"Of course you can sit with me, baby. C'mere.", she requested, slipping an arm around her daughter once she jumped into the spot beside her.
"So who won the most rounds of snakes and ladders, huh? The last time we played that game you beat me every time. I thought you were cheating at it you won so much.", Dixie teased, curious if Kathy had beaten A.J to the point he gave up or if it was an equal matchup. She'd have to ask her grandson later on as he was sitting towards the back with J.R.
"Are the two of you ready for us to be in Hawaii yet?", she asked.
"I know I can't wait to get off this plane and go to the beach for awhile. You looking forward to that? Swimming, making sand castles, all that stuff."

Looking on curiously Dixie was hoping Kathy was going to enjoy herself. She knew her little girl had been to hell and back lately and wanted this trip to distract her from all the pain she'd been in. Though she had a feeling it would.

[JR Chandler]

A few months ago JR never would've imagined he'd be here today, taking a trip with Marissa and his family. It was exactly what he needed after all that they had been through. It was going to be a great chance to get away from the stress of everything, but JR also had a surprise planned for Marissa. He wanted everything to be perfect for her.
JR smiled as Marissa sat next to him and put his arm around her. As she rested her head on his shoulder he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"This trip really is what we need" He agreed with her. "And there's no one that I'd rather spend it with than you"

[Kathy Martin]

“I saw you were asleep and I wanted to ask before I came up,” Kathy explained quietly as her mom helped scoop her up. She got settled into her spot, eyes travelling to the faces of everyone on the jet before back to her mom when she asked a question and a grin began to grow. “I won almost every time! He tried but he couldn’t beat me.” She shook her head, long hair flowing as she did. “I wasn’t cheating, I promise.”

“Yes! We cant wait!” she exclaimed with built up excitement. “I brought my sandals, and a bucket to put seashells in. A.J. brought a bucket to help, and some shovels to help make sandcastles. I want to swim so bad. It’s going to be a fun trip.” She put her head on her moms shoulder, watching her twin brother and sister playing on the plane floor. “Does Tara know how to swim?” She had been trying to remember more and more about the twins and asking all the questions she should for being a new big sister (or so it still felt for her).

“Does Hawaii have a zoo we can go to? Cause I think we should see all the animals when we go,” she suddenly thought out loud. “Maybe they have a chicken or a panda we could see!”

[Marissa Tasker]

Marissa blushes abit when she hears JR say those words to her. She reaches up and brushes her hair from her face before she lifts her head enough to allow her eyes to meet his. She gives him a small smile and gently runs her fingers down his cheek before she begins to speak in a soft sweet voice.

"And theres no one in this world that I would rather be in hawaii with more then sharing this trip with you and AJ..."

She gives him another smile before she leans in close and the two meet in a sweet kiss... But the kiss is soon broken when a bunch of awe's is heard from the others on the plane... Marissa blushes abit and allows her eyes to meet JR's before she begins to speak in a soft voice...

"Hmmm I forgot we had a audiance...."

She giggles softly before she looks over as she feels a slight tap on her arm. She sees AJ standing there, she gives him a small smile as she begins to speak.

"Hey hun whats wrong?"

AJ gives her a smile before he begins to speak while plopping down on her lap causing her to lift her head from JR's shoulder. She wraps her arms around AJ as he begins to speak.

"Oh nothing I am just anxious for us to land I want to go swimming!"

[Dix C. Martin]

"Aw, I was just teasing you honey. You'd never cheat, I know it.", Dixie smiled, moreso as Kathy started gushing about the trip and what she planned to do.
"I'm sure it will be.", she agreed, following Kathy's eyes as she looked toward the twins.
"Actually I was hoping to teach her and Nolan to on the trip. I don't think they're ready for the ocean yet but I figured we can take them to the hotel pool and try and show them how. That sound good?"
When Kathy asked about the zoo, Dixie grinned. She'd done a bit of research about where they were staying and things to do nearby and found a wild animal park that had a section allowing you to swim with different sea creatures. She was hoping to surprise the kids with that part, but nodded yes to Kathy's question.
"All the animals, huh? Even snakes and bears and wildebeests?", Dixie chuckled, moreso at the chicken and panda comment. The island they were going to had roosters and chickens that just wandered around everywhere. It was a part of the reason Dixie was excited about the trip.
"I think we'll see plenty of chickens. And as far as the panda..I'll make sure we manage to see one. Even if one has to get flown here from China to visit us.", she winked, willing to do anything to keep that smile on her little girl's face.
"Excuse me Mrs. Martin?", a flight attendant interrupted.
"We're about to begin our descent so if you could get Nolan and Tara secured in their seats?"
"Oh, certainly. Not a problem."
Getting up she grabbed Nolan first and got him secured in his car seat, then tried to wrangle her whimpering little girl. Since Tara was more awake than Nolan it was proving to be more difficult.
"Okay c'mere Tinkerbell. Come sit with Momma.", she cooed. It was clear Tara wasn't as keen on flying as her twin and Dixie decided holding her during the landing would be for the best.
Sitting back down, she got her and Tara secured in the seat and smoothed her little girl's red curls.
"It's okay sweetie..I gotcha. Looks like you're not as okay with flying as your big sister, huh?", she smiled nodding to Kathy.

[Kathy Martin]

“Yes, that sounds good!” Kathy exclaimed with a huge grin and nod before she tilted her head curiously. “Why cant they swim in the ocean yet? Because the water is for big kids, right?” She wasn’t sure if that was really the answer or not, but it seemed logical to her, especially when they didn’t know how to swim yet.

“Nooo! Not snakes! But I like bears,” she pointed out, shaking her head and making a face at the thought of snakes. “What’s a wildebeest?” She wasn’t sure what that creature was but it didn’t sound half as friendly as the other ones on her list to see. “Really? Plenty of them? Do people have farms there that we can go and visit too? Do you think they’d really fly one in from China?! That would be great!” She was practically bouncing with excitement but went quiet as an attendant approached her mom and she listened.

Staying where she was, she watched as her mom got Nolan settled in and as Tara fussed about not wanting to sit still. As her mom brought Tara over, sitting her on her lap as the plane began to descend. For a moment Kathy looked away and out the window at the new sights that she could see. The sun was bright and she was sure it was going to be warm out there as soon as they got outside. As her mom mentioned her while speaking to Tara, Kathy turned back and grinned, nodding.

“I like flying,” she told her mom and sister. “I went to Australia with Aunt Julia and I wasn’t scared.” She wasn’t sure if it was on purpose but Tara stuck her tongue out for a moment before looking away. “Mommy are we all staying in the same room when we get there? Or do I have to stay in my own room?” She still hadn’t spent much time away from her mom in the night, not getting nightmares as frequently but still needing her mom there just in case, especially with her dad gone. “And can we go to the beach after? Please? Please, please, please?” She put her hands together and gave her mom pleading eyes before the plane gave a shake and she quickly clutched at her moms arm tightly.

[Colby Chandler]

The thought of being the only single family member here still stunned Colby a little. She listened to the conversations between my brother & Marissa and Dixie & Kathy as Colby tried to relax on the plane. But her thoughts kept drifting back to my last conversation with Jamie, the one where they ended things. He told Colby it was too hard to be away from home and that it would be better if they put things on hold for a bit. Although it still hurt, she completely understood why he had to do it. “Hey, Kathy,” she calls out softly after she opens her eyes to look over at the little girl. “Jamie said to tell you that he remembers everything you’d told me to tell him and that he misses you bunches.”

[Dix C. Martin]

"You're right honey. Big oceans are for bigger kids, but give the twins a couple years. They'll be begging for us all to go back to Hawaii to swim.", she smiled.
"A wildebeest..well it's like, um. Tell you what. When we get to the hotel I'll google it for you.", Dixie shrugged, chuckling as Kathy took her panda comment to heart, and making a mental note that she really had to watch what she said/joked about to her kid.
"I like it too.", she smiled, biting her lip at the Australia remark.
"Well I'm pretty sure you and the twins and I are in the room adjoining to Di's. Am I right?", she asked as her sister nodded from across the way. She knew that Kathy would want to double up in a room for fear of nightmares. As much as Dixie liked having her daughter close though, she was starting to worry Kathy was too attached and dependent on her. And knew sooner rather than later she'd have to figure out a way to get her sleeping in her own bed again.
"Well, since you said please.", Dixie grinned, smiling a bit at Colby when she piped up about Jamie. When the plane shook a bit, Nolan was oblivious and asleep in his car seat but Tara wailed and Kathy grabbed hold of her arm.
"Shhh, it's okay guys. It's okay. The plane's just getting ready to land, that's all.", she soothed as the plane began it's descent and eventually coasted onto the runway.
"Look guys we're here!", Dixie exclaimed, bouncing Tara a bit and watching as Kathy glanced around.

[Kathy Martin]

“And then we can came back, right?” Kathy asked with a pleading look. She hadn’t even experienced her first time in Hawaii and already she wanted a return trip. “Please?” She was so sure they were gonna have a great time she couldn’t wait for the plane to land. At the mention of a wildebeest she nodded when her mom offered to look it up when they got into the hotel.

“Oh... so we’re all going to be in the same room, with Aunt Di’s next door? YAY!” she raised her hands up in glee and then quickly went back to holding tight to her moms arm. She wasn’t sure at this point if she could handle a room alone, or even just with the twins. As she was learning she discovered her and Tara didn’t quite get along as well as her and Nolan. he second it was confirmed that they were going to the beach first her hands went up again in excitement. “We’re going to the beach!” As Colby spoke up, Kathy glanced towards her and frowned before remembering the conversation they’d had a long while ago.

“I miss him too,” she told her sadly. “I wanted him to come and I was sad when he didn’t. But we can bring him back some seashells. Maybe Jamie would like that.” Her hand was back to holding her moms tight as she tried to calm her and her sister down. When the plane had settled onto the landing strip, and all motion had stopped she let go and glanced out the window, nose pressed up against the glass. “We’re here!” Looking around at all the eager faces she quickly got up and went to get her small travelling bag of clothes and things, tugging on the handle as she waited for the others to give her instructions on what to do next.

[Marissa Tasker]

Marissa was also very eager to get off the plane and finally see what Hawaii has to offer. This was the first time she had actually taken a trip to Hawaii or anywhere for that matter. And she was glad she was taking it with the man she loved, her nephew and the rest of the family. As she stands up, she looks at JR who stands up as well. She wraps her arms around his neck and allows her fingers to drift slowly over the muscles there as she begins to speak.

"Well it looks like were here hun... I can't believe I'm actually taking my first real vacation. *smiles* And I can't wait to enjoy everything that Hawaii has to offer and everything you have to offer to..."

Marissa gives him a mischivious smile letting him know exactly what she meant. She soon raises up on her tip toes and brushes a sweet kiss over his lips. But the kiss is broken up all too soon as AJ comes over and tugs at Marissa's shirt as he begins to speak.

"Come on you two everyone is getting off the plane!! We dont want to be left behind do we!"

Marissa reluctantly lets go of JR, she gives him a small smile before they move about collecting there stuff from the over head compartments. After getting the stuff they brought on the plane, they all begin to exit the plane where they are met by some friendly hawaiian greaters as a lady places a lei around Marissas neck as she speaks.

"Aloha"

Marissa returns the aloha as she steps off the last step, the fresh floral scent of the flowers meet her nose making her smile. And she couldnt help but close her eyes and turn her face up to the sun obviously enjoying the feel of the warm sunlight caressing her cheeks. After a moment when she feels JR's arm go around her waist. She looks up at him and smiles before they head off to catch up with Dixie and the rest of the group.

[Dix C. Martin]

After exiting the plane, Di assisting her with Nolan while she held the girls, Dixie laughed when the woman approached her with a bright pink lei.
"Aloha, thank you very much!", she grinned, before the woman slipped a little one around Tara's neck.
"Pwetty!", Tara squealed, playing with the flowers. After leaving the landing strip and making their way through the rest of the airport, they got over to the cars waiting out front to take them to the resort.
"Okay c'mon kiddo.", Dixie said to Kathy. "You, me, Di and the twins are in this car here.", she said as they got into the vehicles. Knowing there'd be just about enough space for the five of them in one of the cars, and J.R, Colby, A.J and Marissa would have breathing space if they rode in a separate one.
The drive to the hotel was on the short side, to Dixie's relief. She was anxious to get cleaned up after the plane ride and get the twins down for a nap, possibly on the beach if they could arrange it.

Their car arriving first at the resort, while Di checked them in Dixie brought the twins and Kathy up to their suite. It was spacious with a small kitchen area, beachy white and wooden furniture, a TV, and their room was adjoined to Di's.
"Oooh, doesn't this look lovely!", Dixie smiled, setting the twins down. Tara began exploring immediately while Nolan was still snoozing in his carseat even after Dixie unbuckled him.
Once the twins seemed content she went over and found a giant fruit and cookie basket courtesy of the resort.
"Please enjoy your stay and enjoy some fresh fruit and snacks! Well, isn't that sweet. Anyone hungry?", Dixie asked, looking to Kathy before unwrapping the basket, and bringing a slice of pineapple over to Tara.
She grabbed it right away and started gumming at it, getting sticky juice all over herself.
"Oh you silly girl, c'mere gimme your face.", Dixie sighed, taking out a wipe to clean her up.
"So sunshine, you a fan of the room?", she asked curiously watching Kathy explore.

[JR Chandler]

"This is going to be our first vacation of many together" JR told Marissa, giving her a kiss and returning her smile as she spoke of enjoying everything he and Hawaii had to offer. "I plan to enjoy everything you have to offer as well"

JR laughed as his son anxiously wanted to get off the plane so they wouldn't be left behind. "Don't worry buddy, no one's going to leave us behind" He said grabbing their bags and heading off the plane with Marissa and AJ.

"This is going to be a great trip...and a very memorable one, I promise you" JR told Marissa, knowing he would give her the best memories he could. The had a lot of catching up to do after everything that had gone one lately.