TWT Chapter - 1

Arista's eyes followed the raindrops down the window pane as she though of how it resembled the tears that were silently zig zigging down her cheeks. Still haunted by that day so very long ago she closed her eyes tightly. The creak of the door seemed to blast through the silence as someone entered the room. A woman's voice was speaking to her now, but the voice was muffled, and the words smeared together. Arista was somewhere else, somewhere long ago, and soon enough she felt the searing pain in her arm yet again, as everything faded to black...

Many years earlier...

It was a cold drizzly Wednesday, the day Lance and Mira Winterdale sped to the hospital to welcome the twins into the world. As Mr. Winterdale zoomed through the crowded streets, swerving through the rush hour traffic, Mrs. Winterdale huffed and puffed in pain. "Nearly there Mira! Just a bit longer!" Mr. Winterdale said, trying to calm her. As cyclist's darted in front of the car, slow poke's chugged at a snails pace up ahead, and street lights all seemed to turn red, Mr. Winterdale muttered angrily under his breath. Finally taking the last turn to reach the hospital they arrived. The woman at the front office greeted a panic stricken Mr. Winterdale, who helped Mrs. Winterdale as she waddled up to the desk. Lance spouted off information frantically, as the nurse came around the corner with a wheelchair for Mira. They rode the elevator up to the 4th floor, and wheeled down the hospital corridors quickly. At the end of the hall the bronze plate on the door read 17D. "Finally..." Lance whispered. Soon, they were settled in, and the doctor came to greet them. 

Nine hours passed while Mira pushed and yelled, and squeezed Mr. Winterdale's hand. The thunder crashed outside the hospital window, and the rain poured heavily as the first of the Winterdale twins were born. A silent baby girl lay on a table as the nurse cleaned her. The baby gave a shiver, and bursted into tears as the nurse swaddled her snugly and gave her to Mr. Winterdale. Her head was adorned with chestnut colored hair and her little hazel eyes blinked at him, as if they were learning his face. 

Suddenly a few of the machines began to beep rapidly, and Mrs. Winterdale gave a worried glance to the doctor. He reassured her, then began calling out medical mumbo jumbo to the nurses. They rushed around busily and tended to Mrs. Winterdale, until finally the doctor explained that the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck, and he was turned the wrong way. Working as fast as possible, finally the baby boy was born. He lie motionless, and silent while the nurse cleaned him and the doctor checked for signs of life. The baby's chest rose and fell and indicated that he was alive; a relief to all present. When the nurse began to clean his little feet, he opened his eyes and gave a pitiful cry. "A very lucky boy" the doctor said, "A few more moments, and we would have lost him." After both twins were thoroughly examined and weighed, he checked Mrs. Winterdale's vital levels and told her to get some rest before exiting the room. The nurse helped Mira feed the twins and get them changed and swaddled comfortably. "There we go. Now maybe you all can get some rest" she smiled before she was buzzed to another room. 

The storming sky cleared up, and in its place was a clear night sky full of glittering stars and a brilliant moon. Lance and Mira gazed loving at their children, who were snuggled in warm blankets fast asleep, as their parents held them. "What shall we call them?" Mr. Winterdale asked his wife. Looking out at the starry night sky, she noticed one particularly bright one and replied, "We must name this girl after that glittering star on this beautiful night. Mr. Winterdale smiled and added, "This boy we'll name after my grandfather, for his bravery!" The couple smiled at one another and agreed happily on the twins names. Mr. Winterdale made sure Mira was comfortable, then tucked the twins gently into their bassinets near the window and curled up in a nearby chair, quickly drifting off to sleep. 

That night as they slept, the moons beams shone brightly through the hospital window and onto the little baby girl sleeping soundly in her bassinet. She stirred slightly and gave a little cough, while the moon illuminated her face and her fuzzy brown hair. The fragile strands of hair on her head almost seemed to glow as her hair turned from a chestnut brown to a silvery white. She wiggled around as it tickled her and she gave a little cry. Her parents woke quickly and went over to see what the commotion was about. "My word!" Mira gasped, "Her hair, it's almost white!" Lance furrowed his brow in confusion, "Weren't her eyes a greenish color?" The two looked upon their daughter in concern and disbelief as Mrs. Winterdale replied, "They were..." The child almost gave a smile and looked up at them with almost glowing light blue eyes. Mr. Winterdale looked out the window at the brilliant night sky and added, "It must have something to do with the moon." He meant it as a statement, but it seemed to come out as more of a question. 

Mira pressed the nurses button, and after one had arrived, their baby girl was checked thoroughly for any concerning symptoms. A doctor joined them and several tests were run on the child. The baffled doctor found no concern, and assure the couple that strange as the circumstance, their baby girl was unharmed. "It appears that your daughter has experienced some allergic reaction to the moonlight. I would do my best to keep her from it, so as this allergy doesn't intensify" he explained. "Is this permanent?" Mr. Winterdale wondered aloud. "Unfortunately there is no way to tell at this point. But, I see no concern if it is" the doctor explained further. Looking over her pale iridescent skin, the couple talked with astonishment about their daughter and went over the details of these strange events with the doctor. When he had given them all the information he could about skin allergies, he left them to attend to other matters. The Winterdale's felt somewhat reassured, but naturally there was still concern. 

The baby boy had untangled himself from his blankets and lay wiggling in his bassinet. "Oh there, there" Mrs. Winterdale cooed at him as she gently swaddled his blankets around him and held him close. His small nose was completely covered in tiny little freckles, and Mira smiled down at him before kissing them. While his sister's head was already covered with hair baby boy Winterdale was very bald indeed! Even his eyebrows and eyelashes seemed non-existent. He was a frail baby with creamy pale skin that was decorated with freckled spots, and he wore a little smile that seemed as if it were permanent. He looked upon his mothers face with his large green eyes, and cooed ever so softly. 

"Looks like this little guy is gonna be up for awhile! Get some rest babe, I'll look after him" Mr. Winterdale said cheerily, as he joined his wife, and gave his son a kiss on the cheek. He brushed Mrs. Winterdale's long dark hair from her face and kissed her as well, taking the baby from her arms. "He's got your eyes, you know?" she smiled. "I'd say so! Wonder if he'll be a dark haired raven or a little carrot top like his dear ole dad?" Lance chuckled. "I'm willing to bet the latter of the two" Mrs. Winterdale guessed. She yawned and gave a slight wince of pain as she got settled back into bed, and dozed off soundly. 

When finally the family was released from the hospital, Mr. Winterdale made sure everything was thoroughly packed and everyone was comfortably secured in their car. "Goodbye St. John-Hope! You've been good to us!" Mr. Winterdale waved to the hospital from inside the car. Mira gave a little laugh and commented on Lance's goofiness. Her green eyes twinkled with excitement at the thought of going home and getting their family settled in. "Our families will be arriving soon! I can't wait for them to meet the twins!" she eagerly rambled. Mr. Winterdale grinned, started the car, and drove off toward home.

Around the winding streets, and over large hills the car sped along. As they neared their house, the large busy streets turned into smaller ones, and the bustling shops were replaced by fields of flowers and tall tree's. The twins looked very small in their car seats in the back seat, they were both slumped over as they slept soundly. They approached the base of the hill soon after, and Mr. Winterdale punched in the security code to the gate. A large iron gate with a curly 'W', swung open with a screech, and the car pulled forward. The Winterdale house sat on top of a knoll, that overlooked the fields, and far off, the ocean. It was a large old manor with dark gray bricks that covered the outside of the home and minty green shutters complimented the windows. "Ah, home again" Lance announced as the car came to a stop. "It's good to be home! I've got so much to do before this afternoon!" Mira chattered. "Well just take it easy hun. Remember that's why Jan came up to help out" Lance said with care. "Yes, yes I will!" Mrs. Winterdale laughed. 

Mira's cousin Janet bursted through the front door, and squealed with delight. "Ohhhhh my whiskers! Look at those little bundles of joy!" She often used this phrase to express her excitement or surprise, even though she obviously had no whiskers. She did however own a lot of cats, and Mira had wondered to herself a time or two, whether or not Jan actually thought of herself as a cat, goodness knows she resembled one. Janet was much older than Mira (who was only in her early 30's) and was a slightly round woman with curly matted blonde hair. "Let's get 'em inside so I can pinch those little cheeks!" she smiled as she made her way over to the car. "Don't let her pinch their cheeks" Mira whispered to Lance before her cousin was in earshot. Mr. Winterdale gave a wink and smiled, taking one of the twins into the house. "Now don't worry, I'll get the other one!" Janet called eagerly as Mira gathered some light objects from the car. "Thank you! I'd love to get started on plans for this afternoon" Mira responded closing the car door. "Yes I just got off the phone with some of the guests, they will be arriving in a bit" Janet explained.

At 1pm that afternoon the house was filled with noise as family members and friends gathered in the Winterdale's dining room. Janet had cooked a spread of delicious finger foods. Cucumber sandwiches, zesty pretzel snacks, and mixed nuts just to name a few. A large fondue pot sat at one end of the table, and was bubbling with a creamy cheese sauce. Large baguette's filled wicker baskets, and guest's poured champagne into tall flutes. As Mrs. Winterdale joined the party various guests commented on her radiant appearance. "Oh Mira, we're just dying to see the children!" Lance's mother trilled. Lance gave a laugh and the Winterdale parent's went to get the children from their beds upstairs. 

Mira carried the small boy down the stairs, and his sister followed behind them in Lance's arms. Little gasps of joy and excitement spread throughout the room as they greeted the Winterdale boy with delight! But, when baby girl Winterdale entered the room people began murmuring and raising their eyebrows at her appearance. Mrs. Winterdale frowned, "It seems you have much to say about my daughter. Do you have any questions that I may answer?" Lance shot her a look that seemed to say, "It's ok, calm down." Lance's mother said, "You have to admit her looks are quite unique." The other guests agreed, nodding their heads. "Aren't all children unique?" Mira asked rhetorically. An awkward silence filled the room, until Mr. Winterdale interjected, "It was an allergic reaction to the moon. We're not really sure why it happened, but the doctor's seem sure that she is as well as her brother." Mira glanced at him in frustration, and he gave a small shrug.

As the crowd whispered about this news, Mira quietly explained to Lance that she didn't want everyone knowing their business. "I don't want them to pity her. What business of theirs is it of her condition? She is just as beautiful as any other child!" Mira told him. "I understand your concerns babe. It's just...the silence, their confused staring, it just got to me. I'm sorry" he apologized. "It's alright. I just want them to love her for who she is. They shouldn't love her anymore or less because of this. I don't want it to define her" Mira continued. Lance nodded and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek, "Of course darling."

"Sorry we're late! Someone got lost on the way, and couldn't be bothered to stop for directions!" Mira's mother announced as she entered the room, and shot her husband a playful, but slightly irritated look. He then gave a laugh retorting, "I know my way around! I got us here didn't I?" "Momma! Daddy! Oh I'm so glad you made it!" Mira called happily greeting her parents. Victoria Caprice was a beautiful woman, though in her mid-50's she wore it very well. Her curly gray locks were chopped short, and her radiant complexion accentuated her lovely brown eyes. She swooped over to hug Mira, Lance, and the twins. "Oh my word! How precious they are!" she kissed their foreheads and began to take the baby girl from Lance's arms. "May I?" she asked eagerly. Lance and Mira smiled broadly answering together, "Absolutely!" While Mrs. Caprice fussed over the babies, Mr. Caprice greeted the couple happily. "Lance, good to see ya" he said, extending his hand to shake Lance's. "Likewise, Ian!" Lance replied shaking his hand happily. Mr. Caprice had the same slightly sunken eyes as Mira's, and was a balding man with a fuzzy gray beard. He gave her a grin and hugged her gently, so as not to squish the baby. 

"What beautiful children! Feel their soft newborn skin! Look at these tiny little fingers! Awww!" Victoria excitedly rambled as she nuzzled her cheek against the baby's. Mira giggled at her mother's excitement over the children. Other guests came over to greet the Caprice's as well, with friendly hello's and hand shakes. "Isn't she worried about her grand-daughter?" Mira heard Sloane ask another guest. Lance must have heard it too, for he gave his brother's wife an unpleasant look, and she stuck her nose in the air, wandering off to the other side of the room. 

Actually it was a surprise that Lance's brother Preston and his wife had even turned up. It was not uncommon for them to have unexpected plans, and often Lance wondered if Preston and Sloane enjoyed spending time with Mira and himself. Preston was a big time attorney in the city, his wife stayed home though they had no children. He had a sharp tongue and wore his brown hair slicked back, making his green eyed gaze like that of a hawk. Sloane had a cropped sleek hair do, with each strand of her lemon colored hair perfectly in place, she made quite the socialite in the city. She had large blue eyes, but she often wore a pinched fake smile, which hid their beauty. She looked down her nose at people who she thought were below her. To her friends, she was just another fun-lovin southern gal who loved hosting parties and accompanying her husband on out of town trips to exotic locations.

"I'm beginning to think we should have just invited my family" Mira told Lance in frustration. "Well, you know if we didn't invite my side, it would just lead to more issues..." he glumly responded. "Good thing Sida is here though" Mira smiled at the woman approaching them. Cressida was the youngest of Lance's siblings, and her auburn hair was as bright as her personality. Lance and Sida were similar in appearance and both had freckled skin. Though she was very short, she was a fireball of energy, and Mira just loved her. The two were close friends, but Cressida's work as a nurse kept her busy in a large city a few hours north. "So glad you made it!" Mira squealed as she greeted them. "So great to see you both! Are my folks here? I've gotta talk to Mom for a minute, and then I'm gonna snuggle those babies!" she smiled. "Yea, she's around here somewhere" Lance replied, and she took off to find her parents.

Lance's parent's were kind but often didn't speak their mind, resulting in annoying confusion to all involved. His father was a man of almost no words, so little in fact that it was a wonder how he ever married. When Talbot saw his grand-daughter he merely shook his bald head, and rubbed his beardless chin in confusion. He then tottered over to the sitting room, and heaved himself into an easy chair that he barely fit in. Almost instantly his head leaned over, he shut his hazel eyes, and began snoring loudly. Lance's mother Gentry was a fairly plain woman, with watery blue eyes. She wore little make up, and had flat orange-red hair that fell past her shoulders. Lance had her strong jaw and freckled skin, but their dispositions were quite different. While Mira was a very opinionated woman, Lance's mother was much different. She often said things that hinted at an undertone, however she would say it in such a way that one was never really sure where she stood on the matter. 

Needless to say Lance was the odd one out of his family. As tradition his family purchased him a house when he wed Mira, but he never really enjoyed that ritzy type of lifestyle that they did. Cressida didn't really fall into that lifestyle either but she enjoyed a fast pace, which lead her to the big city. When Lance's family asked him where he wanted his house to be, he made sure that it was situated a bit outside of the city. He preferred a quiet life, with a big family, and maybe some horses. The simple life; one that didn't draw attention, one that was 'normal'. He found that with Mira, who wanted a large family as well, a big plot of land for gardening, and maybe a duck pond. The two were meant for each other, even the day they met they knew it was something special. On their first date Lance had taken Mira to picnic by the lake one evening. It was a beautiful night, with thousands of stars in the sky and the calming sounds of the water. As they shared their first kiss the sky went completely dark and remained that way for a short time after. When finally they could see each other once more, Lance took Mira's hand and said, "This might sound crazy but I think you're the one." This would indeed sound insane to most people on a first date, but to Mira it seemed like it made perfect sense, for she felt the same way. 

Gentry sighed heavily, "I'm just worried about her fitting in, and all." "It's just...not normal though, is it? I mean the child looks like she could glow in the dark with that hair" one of Lance's aunt's whispered. "Those eyes aren't comforting either, it's quite eerie" another socialite, Susah Clarkston murmured to them just as Sida approached. "I don't see why everyone is making such a fuss about her. After all, not all children resemble their parents you know" Cressida pointed out. The group of women gave a sheepish grin, and all but Gentry wandered off elsewhere in the room. "Honestly mother I don't know how you can associate with people like that. What ugly things they have to say about your first grand-daughter" Sida frowned. Gentry blushed deeply, "They're just wives of your father's friends. Lance said he felt obligated to invite those families since we've known them forever. They mean no harm..." Gentry said quietly. Cressida still wore her frown, but decided to change the subject. "So I need to speak to you about a gift. What did you and Dad bring? I was going to make a spice cake, but honestly what kind of gift is that?" she said with a little laugh. Gentry stared at her, then said coldly, "We brought a spice cake..." Sida apologized, and an awkward silence followed, finally she excused herself to find her niece and nephew. 

As she turned to leave Mira stood by the doorway, with her daughter in her arms. "Is that what everyone thinks of her?" she sadly asked Cressida. "Oh, Mira! Don't listen to them! She's beautiful!" she comforted. She gently pulled Mira into a hug and kissed the baby girl on the forehead. The baby gave a shrieking cry and Sida exchanged looks with Mira. "Sorry, didn't mean to upset the little love!" she told her. "It's alright, I don't think it was you" Mira replied. She nonchalantly tipped her head toward Preston, and Sloane who were approaching them.  "Sister, what do you make of your niece?" Preston asked as he strode up to Mira and Cressida. "I think she's stunning, and she's a beautiful child! I'm very excited to be an aunt! Aren't you excited?" she smiled politely, ignoring Preston's obvious disapproval of the baby girl's appearance. "Quite" he replied with a painfully forced smile. "She's got quite a rare appearance. Bless her heart, she must be very allergic to the moon" Sloane jeered. "Whoever heard of such a thing anyhow?" Preston laughed. Cressida shot Preston a look and grabbed him by the arm pulling him out of the room. She no doubt had some words in mind for him. Mira frowned at Sloane in frustration, but another guest passed by, and Sloane only smiled sweetly. When the guest had moved into the other room, Sloane leaned in and whispered in Mira's ear. "Your daughter's a disgrace to our family" she leaned back and said rather loudly, "Thank you for invitin' us darlin', but we must be off. Take care now!" She then turned and proudly exited the room to find Preston. Mira could only stand in disbelief that someone could say such cruel things about an innocent child. 

Soon more guests said their goodbye's and departed, and Mrs. Caprice began tiding up with Jan. "Don't fuss over all of this! You've done so much today. I'll take care of it" Victoria told her. "You're too kind! Thank you! I really should be getting back to my cats anyhow. The poor babies will be wondering where I've been!" Janet said as she slipped her jacket on and made her way to the door. Cat fur puffed from her jacket, and floated through the air in the place where she stood. Victoria wrinkled her nose at the thought of what Janet's house must look like. Fur covered furniture and curtains, hair balls in the corners, and a smell that could only be associated with that of a cat. She shook her head and got back to cleaning up. "I suppose we should be going as well. Thank you for the invitation. I'm glad of a grandson that will carry on our family name! Get some rest now, and we'll see you in a few months for Christmas" Gentry said, and with that Lance's parents were out the door. Lance and Mira breathed a sigh of relief, as they had survived the party. 

Cressida would be staying the night and leaving first thing in the morning. Ian and Victoria planned to stay for two weeks to help out with the babies, as Lance had to continue working and wouldn't be indoors much to help out. "Farmer's don't get a lot of down time, ya know? I've gotta get back out to the fields and the animals. Don't worry babe, you've got your parents here to help. Plus your brother, and his wife will be here later tonight" he told Mira. 

At 6:30pm the Winterdale doorbell rang, and a very excited Mira gave her mother a smile. "I'll stay with the little ones, you go get the door" Victoria told her with a bit of a laugh. Denver Caprice and his wife Giana greeted them with bear hugs and smiles at the door. Giana's blue eyes sparkled happily and her silky auburn hair hung in perfect long ringlets. She was a plump woman but still taller than Mira, so when she gave her a bear hug, it was quite like hugging a little bear! Still, she was very beautiful and Mira could see why her brother chose Giana to be his wife. Giana taught second grade at the local school near their house and had a very sweet disposition. They exchanged cheery hello's before Denver playfully slugged Mira in the arm. "Little sis! Good to see ya!" he grinned as his dark blue eyes glistened and he pulled her into a hug. Mira wrapped her arms around her brother's slender waist and looked up at him. "Every time I see you, you seem taller" she joked before releasing him. Denver smiled and stood on his tip toes, slightly bumping his head on the top of the door way. True he was quite tall, but nothing like the basketball players Lance watched on tv. His shiny brown hair was looped over with the sides shaved, and Mira often kid that he looked as though a pile of melted ice cream lay atop his head. Mira gave his beard a gentle tug, "And what is this?" The corner's of his mouth turned up and he replied, "Hey now, leave the beard alone! I quite like it!" Giana laughed, "Would you two stop goofing around? We've got to get the girls inside, and bring in the luggage." 

Mira raised her eyebrows, "I think someone's beat you to it." Seven year old Brietta was standing behind her parents with a teddy bear in hand. She yawned, rubbing her eye, and then opened her brown eyes wide. "Aunt Mira!" she cheered, throwing her arms around her neck. Mira kissed her little cheek,  and smoothed her dark hair, hugging her tightly, "Ooo! How's my sweet girl?" Brietta smiled, "I'm great! W-w-we drove a looong time! And then, um, then we went t-t-to the cheeseburger store and ate! and g-g-got toys!" Mira grinned at her, "Oh my! That sounds like fun! Let's go get your sister out of the car, ok?" Brietta nodded and took Mira's hand pulling her toward the car. Denver and Giana followed to gather the luggage, and everyone peered into the car at the sleeping 4 year old. Davita, whom everyone called 'Dovie', was a spunky kid that sported her mother's auburn locks, and her father's eyes. "How peaceful she looks...what a tease!" Giana grinned. The three of them began gathering their belongings from the car and Mira unhooked her niece from the booster seat. "Oh my little Dovie-bird, it's time to wake up..." She kissed her little forehead and scooped her from the seat. 

Once they were all settled into the house, they tucked in the children and enjoyed hot cocoa while they visited. The twins slept soundly, but Denver and Giana were able to get a quick peek at them. Mira later explained about some of the party guests ugly comments, and how upset it made her. They scoffed at this and reassured Mira that both twins were adorable, and she needn't worry. This made Mira feel much better knowing that her family was so loving regardless of her daughter's condition. When their eyes grew droopy and the time was late, they all retired to their beds.

Late into the night, as the household slept, an eerie fog crawled across the fields, under a crescent moon. Stars twinkled brightly against the denim colored sky, and the moon shown like a beacon. This however, was not like the normal luminous glow it gave off. Tonight it seemed more radiant, more polished, like a white-hot surge. While the residents of the house slept soundly it forced itself through every nook and cranny it could find. Suddenly, it all seemed to collect in the nursery in a blinding ball of light. It hovered above the little girls crib before completely surrounding her; in an instant there was a burst of light even brighter. It disappeared as quickly as it came, and baby girl Winterdale was gone. 

The following years to come the Winterdale's searched far and wide to find their little girl. Mira Winterdale never stopped believing that her precious daughter was still alive somewhere, and that they would one day find her. As their son grew they told him about the tragic night his twin sister was lost, and of their love for her. The boy could feel something within his very soul telling him she was still alive. He vowed to search for her, and to find his dear sister. That was the first day of Abbott and Arista.