The door opened and out popped the smiling face of Marianne O'Reilly. "Danny! Danny! Come in!"

"It's a date Mrs. M. I feel like I should have to pick her up like the princess she is."

Marianne smiled. "Oh Danny. You know, you don't need the costume to prove your a prince charming. April is lucky to have you."

Danny smiled back. "Thanks Mrs. M." He said calling her by the nickname he gave her.

"James!" Marianne called out to the kitchen. "JAMES! James finish that dinner and get in here and see your granddaughter off to the ball!" She gave a jolly laugh.

James O'Reilly bursts through the kitchen door to the living room. "Quit yelling why don't ya!?" He looked around her. "Well she's not even down here Marianne."

"Oh hush. She'll be here any minute. She knows Danny is here."

James shook his head. "Will you two be joining us tonight? Costumes aren't required." Danny asked.

Marianne laughed. "Good one Danny. Oh no, we're too old for that. We had our hay day. It's your time now. We'd just be sticks in the mud."

"Yeah and plus I might break a hip with the way people dance nowadays." James joked, laughing. Marianne gave him a slight shove and laughed.

Danny let out a slight laugh and looked at Marianne and James. He greatly admired them. They have been married for so long and still had the most love for each other. He hoped to grow old with someone that day. That was his dream. To be with the one he loved till they were old and gray.

"Uh-um." The voice of a throat clearing came from the stairs making all three turn their heads. There standing above them like an angel in the clouds in the most gorgeous blue Cinderella dress was his girlfriend April O'Reilly.

"Oh James! Look at your granddaughter. She really looks like a princess!" Marianne cooed.

April walked down the stairs and gave her grandmother a giant hug. "Oh I have always known she was a princess." James smiled and gave April a hug when Marianne was done.

"Oh Paw Paw. Quit it, your embarrassing me." She joked. April turned to Danny, who was lost in thought. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

"Well?" April said, smiling at Danny.

"I'm sorry. I'm at a loss for words. I, um, um, your...gorgeous." Danny finally managed to spit out.

April approached Danny closer and put her arms around him. It was almost as if they were the only two people in the room. Danny put his hands on her face and brought his face closer to hers. He kissed her, the way a princess should be kissed. April felt as if she were floating on air.

Danny broke the kiss and looked into her eyes. A real princess. He thought.

"Ok I know this might sound silly, but I have to take pictures." Marianne said getting her camera out.

"Grams!" April protested.

"It will be real quick, I swear. How can I let this moment pass by? You two look just like the cartoon, it's uncanny."

Danny looked at April and him together for a minute. Miss M was right. They looked just like Cinderella and Prince Charming. They got into position for pictures.

This is the girl I am going to marry.

Spade

"Flintstones, meet the Flintstones!" Ken Foster sang as he guided Wilma Flintstone/Kimberly Collins into the crowded nightclub. Kimberly laughed. They were dressed as Fred and Wilma Flintstone and even though she protested when Ken thought up the idea, she thought it turned out cute.

"Yabba Dabba Doo!" Kimberly shouted as they approached the DJ's booth.

"Hey now," Ken smiled. "That's my line."

Kimberly smiled. "Sorry, it must have been the champagne we had earlier." Kimberly reached up and gave Ken a long kiss.

"Yabba Dabba Doo." Ken said, in a slow, seductive tone. Kimberly laughed and kissed him again. She hadn't had this much fun in a long time.

"Excuse me. No kissing in front of the DJ booth while I am putting on a show." Parker interrupted them.

Kimberly looked at her sister. "Parker! You look great!" She said giving Parker a hug.

"Me? You two are probably the cutest thing I have ever seen." She said pointing to their outfits.

"Thanks, but I can't take the credit. It was Ken's idea." Kimberly said wrapping her arms around his back and leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Well good job Ken." Parker smiled.

Ken smiled. "Thanks Parker. I appreciate the applause."

"So," Kimberly started. "Where's this mystery man? I'm dying to meet him."

"Right behind you."

Kimberly turned to her right side and yelped. It was the Phantom of the Opera. He began to laugh as he walked over to Parker's side.

Parker laughed. "Kimberly, meet Brett Abshire AKA the Phantom of Spade nightclub."

Kimberly smiled and took out her hand. "Nice to meet you Phantom. I'm Kimberly, Parker's older and wiser sister. And this is Ken, my, um." For some reason Kimberly was at a loss for words. "My boyfriend."

Ken looked down at Kimberly and smiled. He extended his hand to shake Brett's. "Nice to meet you."

"You too."

"Well me and Brett have to be getting back to the DJ booth. I have a show to put on."

Kimberly looked at Parker and then Brett. She gave a sly smirk. "Sure ya do."

Ken laughed and Parker just looked at her sister, silently scolding her for the embarrassment. A look Kimberly was used to getting from Parker.

Parker and Brett turned around and walked back towards the DJ booth. Kimberly turned to Ken. "Hey I am gonna go to the powder room real quick. I'll meet you at the bar ok?"

Ken cupped her face in his hands and leaned in and gave her a kiss. "I'll meet you there."

The two broke apart and a smiling Kimberly turned towards the bathroom. As she was walking, she spotted a table across the room she wished she hadn't. The table contained Russ Bridges, Elise Mitchell,Courtney Harbor, and her ex-husband, Doug Hudson. Conveniently, dressed as a dog.

Spade

Doug Hudson spotted Kimberly as soon as she walked in the door. The happy couple was dressed as Fred and Wilma Flintstone. How cute was that? He thought sarcastically. He took a swig of his scotch. "What do you think Doug?"

Doug looked across the table at his date, Courtney Harbor, who he had barely been paying attention to. "Um, believe me. I know Mr. Collins. This isn't his kind of event. I seriously doubt he would come."

"So you were paying attention! Could have fooled me." Russ joked with his friend. Doug laughed and looked over at Russ and Elise. He felt really awkward at the table. Maybe they shouldn't have doubled. Everyone seemed to be having a good time so why wasn't Doug? He couldn't stop thinking about Kimberly.

"Well Elise and I are gonna run to the restroom real quick. We'll be right back." Courtney announced to the table.

Doug smiled. "Ok." Courtney and Elise grabbed their purses and walked towards the bathroom.

As soon as they left, Russ immediately jumped on Doug's back. "Man, what is wrong? Your way out of it tonight! Your not even paying attention to your date and she looks gorgeous tonight. Did ya even see the cat costume? The dog is supposed to be chasing the cat, not running away from it."

Doug shook his head. "Yeah I know. I just can't concentrate Russ. I know this sounds like old hat, but I can't get over Kimberly. Especially now that she is with that big shot Ken."

He took a sip of his scotch.

"Well Doug then you just ain't ready to date again."

Doug shook his head. He knew.

"You have a decision to make Doug." Russ said.

"Yeah I know." Doug took a deep breath and finished his scotch in one gulp. "I need to make this right."

And with that, Doug stood up and walked towards the restrooms.

The O'Reilly's

Marianne hummed to herself as she finished crocheting a row in a scarf. She loved to crochet, it helped calm her nerves and according to her granddaughter it was actually becoming very popular with the younger generation now a days. She looked over at James who was reading a book silently to himself. The two were already in bed and it was barely even ten o'clock.

Guess that's what happens when you get old. Marianne remembered April telling her that one day when she was making fun of how early her and James went to bed. Marianne looked back at James and put down her scarf. "How is the book?"

"Mmm? Oh, it's good." He said, not even looking at her.

Marianne smiled. "That's good." She stared at James for a moment, wondering what he was thinking. "Ya know," she began. "I've been thinking a lot about what Danny asked us earlier tonight. About going to the costume ball tonight. Wouldn't it be fun to go to one of those events?"

"Yeah, I guess." James muttered.

Marianne smiled and thought to herself for a moment. "Well ya know we could dress even extra old than we are and call ourselves old people. It would be really fun. Whadya say?" She said excitedly.

"Oh Marianne, I don't think so. I'm already really tired. I think I'm just gonna call it a night." He took off his reading glasses, closed his book and placed them both on the bedside table. "Goodnight dear." He turned over and gave Marianne a kiss. He turned back around, turned off the bedside light, and snuggled on his side.

Marianne nodded her head and looked back down at her unfinished scarf. She placed it on her nightside table and looked at James, who had begun to fall asleep. "Goodnight James."

She turned off her bedside light.

Spade

"So then Kip got me this really great job and here I am." Heath finished. Heath and Kip were telling April and Danny about Heath's decision to stay in Seattle and how he is staying with his brother, Doug.

"Wow, that's great." April said. "It's good that your settling here in Seattle. It's such a great city. You're going to love it."

"Oh yeah. I know I will." Heath looked over at a slim, voluptuous brunette dressed up as a playboy bunny waving a twnety dollar bill. Heath smiled. "I'm loving ever minute of it."

Kip watched as Heath sauntered over to the girl. He sighed and looked down at the ground. That was all he could do. He's been doing it all night. Kip had lost count of all the girls Heath had been flirting with and he had every right to. Though everytime he did, Kip felt a little stab in the gut.

"Hey." Danny interrupted Kip's thoughts. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Kip replied calmly, but Danny knew better.

"Kip." Joseph Lane, Kip's boss, approached him behind the bar. "The envelope with the reward money is in the office. Make sure you get it before you make the announcement."

"Sure think Joseph."

"What's that all about?" Danny asked Kip when his boss left.

"Oh there's a costume contest. First prize is five hundred dollars."

Danny looked at April and smiled. "Really? How do we enter?"

"You already have. Everyone who is in costume is entered. We have secret judges walking around judging, so good luck. You guys costumes are great, but I have to get back to work so I'll catch you guys later."

Danny reached over and gave April a big kiss.

"What was that for?" April smiled.

"Your just so beautiful. I love you April. I love you so much."

"I love you too Danny."

Danny gave April another kiss. "And don't you worry about that stupid psychic. She doesn't know anything."

April smiled. "Geez, I've forgotten completely about that silly old bat. I'm just concentrating on you and me tonight and that's all that matters to me."

Danny grabbed April's hands and squeezed them tight. "Me too baby. Me too." He gave her another kiss.

Spade

Kimberly put her lipstick in her purse, waved goodbye to Courtney and Elise, who she had bumped into.

"Kimberly!"

Kimberly turned around and stood face to face with a dog. Doug Hudson.

She rolled her eyes. "Doug, what do you want?"

"I just wanted to talk to you."

"Doug, I'm on a date. Aren't you on one too? Shouldn't you be with her now?"

"Relax Kimberly. I just want to talk for a minute. Haven't we made a truce."

Kimberly took a deep breath and exhaled. "Ok Doug. What's wrong?"

Doug looked at her nervously. "I, um, just wanted you to know that I only went out with Courtney to make you jealous, but I don't think I succeeded. I can see that your happy with Ken now and I just want to say that I am trying to get over you. I really am making an attempt I swear, it's just so hard for me because I feel so guilty for hurting you so I am asking you to please be patient with me. I know I may seem like I am butting in with your life, but please believe me when I say I am trying."

Kimberly looked at Doug. He was being sincere. For once in his life he was being completely and totally honest and she loved this side of him. She nodded her head. "Yes Doug, I will. Thank you for asking. I really appreciate the honesty."

Doug shook his head and extended his hand out to her. She took it and they shook hands.

"Is he bothering you Kimberly?"

Ken came out of nowhere and gave Doug a cold stare. Kimberly and Doug broke their handshake.

Kimberly grabbed Ken's arm. "No Ken, it's nothing really. We were just talking. We're done now. Thank you Doug, I will see you later."

"See you later Kimberly. Ken." He nodded his head.

Kimberly pulled Ken away. Ken's angry gaze never left Doug's face as he walked back to the bar with her.

Doug stared at the two as they walked away. He congratulated himself. That was very big of him to do. Now he had one more thing to do.

"Doug?"

Doug turned around to face a confused looking Courtney. "What's going on?"

"Hey Courtney. Where's Elise?"

"She went back to the table. Is everything ok?"

Doug extended his hands out and rubbed Courtney's arms. "I think we should talk."

Spade

It is unusually cold and damp in the office as the stranger enters the manager's office at Spade. The stranger decides it is best not to turn on the light. The stranger looks around the desk, quietly in the dark, with only the moonlight giving off any kind of light.

The stranger gets behind the desk and feels around the top and finds nothing. The stranger then searches the drawers and finds it. The costume contest reward money. The stranger opens the sealed envelope and spots the check for five hundred dollars, takes it out, crumples up the opened envelope, and the stranger puts it in their pocket. Then the stranger takes an envelope from the other coat pocket, opens it up, and pulls out a folded letter. The stranger unfolds the letter, places the check in the middle of the letter and folds it back up. The stranger then places the letter into his own envelope cleaverly marked "Costume Contest 1st Prize", seals it, and places it back in the drawer.

Cling Cling

There is a rattle of keys outside the office door and the stranger immediatley runs behinds the couch on the left side of the desk.

Kip Lawson comes in and turns on the light. He goes to the desk and opens a drawer. He pulls out the the reward envelope, smiles, and places it in his pocket. Kip walks out, turns out the lights, and locks the door behind him.

The stranger immediately gets up, walks towards the door, unlocks it, walks out, and locks it with the keys the stranger somehow managed to get.

What's in the envelope? What will Doug talk to Courtney about? Will Kip admit his attraction to Heath? Who are your favorite characters and stories? Talk about this episode in our forum

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