They arrived at the outdoor entry where everything had been set up for a winter wonderland-themed fest, it was Alice in Wonderland meets the Christmas chronicles and they had taken the word 'whimsy' to a whole other level.
Candy canes the size of a large tree, snowflakes that looked like they fell straight from the sky, and a thick coat of snow where snow shouldn't be.
They realized now what part Nash played with his magic in bringing all of this to life.
"Holy cow," Melissa turned on her heel to take everything in but even then she only saw small parts. The even ground stretched for miles through the town and city hall had been transformed into an extension of the party for those who wanted a warmer place to be.
The red, green, white, and glittering gold colors were all around them swirling and twirling, bobbing and sliding in different directions and forms.
Children ran up on a makeshift hill covered in snow and rode down on the tails through a wreath-swirled tunnel.
Their laughs were heard all over town and the grownups seemed to let their inner child out to play as well.
They threw snowballs and made snowmen with noses of carrots and eyes of coal.
Ice sculptures that occasionally came to life, like a bear that growled or a wolf that howled at the sky.
If somebody asked they said it was holograms, illusions, the newest technology not yet on the market and everyone ate it up considering the Blackwood name was stamped on the contract.
When in actuality it was pure, wonderfully whimsy magic that was used to create a Christmas fest that the people of Wild Cliff wouldn't soon forget.
"There you are!" They looked at Lavina walking up in a dazzling tight red dress that sparkled more than the golden glitter on the attractions.
"Wow, you look," Melissa started off and gawked at the dress.
"Thank you," Lavina said, stroking a hand down the front of her dress.
The deep neckline bared much of her chest and the cup-formed top on the dress pushed her breast together in a jaw-dropping push-up.
"Follow me," Lavina said smilingly.
She turned and walked with high-heeled stilettos across the tile-looking rocks that had been placed out to make paths all across the festive grounds.
They walked over the bridge and onto the gazebo that had been built with makeshift snow falling from the ceiling.
Lavina grabbed Lola's arm and held her back while Melisa continued into the gazebo that had been lined with roses and soft violin music.
Lola felt unease creep up her body when she stood back and watched Melissa walk alone into the dimly lit space but then she saw why.
Ed stood in the corner, a bouquet of flowers in his hands, and his lips parted in a smile and then closed on repeat. A drop of sweat dripped down the side of his head and he licked his lips and swayed on his feet in anticipation.
"You came," Melissa gasped.
"I said I would. I never should've left like I did, I should've told you the truth. I'm sorry, Melissa, will you forgive me?" He asked with a strained stiff smile and handed her the flowers.
"Or even if you don't, at least let me have a last dance with you," he added.
She grabbed the bouquet and smiled from ear to ear. Jumping from the ground and wrapping her arms around his neck she embraced him and held on for her life.
"I forgive you," she said.
Lola winced from afar, wishing it would've taken longer than fem seconds for Melissa to decide to forgive him but she also knew that she was in no position to make those assessments.
Each time Jax reached out she gave in to him just as Melissa had with Ed.
"You helped him?" Lola asked as they watched Ed and Melissa begin to dance to the music.
"Yeah. I saw him here with those flowers and then he told me what had happened. I figured the least I could do was give them something magical to remember. Justin has turned me all mushy and sappy," she laughed.
Lola gleamed.
"Speaking of the devil, where is he?" Lola asked.
"Mine or yours?" Lavina asked with a mischievous glint.
"Both," Lola smirked.
"Justin said he had a surprise but should be here soon. Your devil is in city hall with the rest of the clan." She bowed her head after relaing the information and stepped aside, knowing what Lola was about to do.
She headed to city hall. The smell of roasted almonds and sugary treats followed her through the streets. Chocolate-covered marshmellows were being handed on barbecue sticks and everyone could personalize how they wanted them; there were nuts, strawberry glaze, melted chocolate and a row of other sugar induced delicacies.
"Getting the kids to sleep will be a ball," one mother said and laughed as her daughter stuffed her face with treats.
Lola smiled the whole way to city hall watching how families and people of all ages were having a good time. She couldn't help but feel appreciation for Lavina having put everything together on her own. Mrs. Clifton had been right, the Mayor and his wife hadn't lifted a finger, neither had the O'hares. The second they heard of the Blackwoods involvement they knew it was all set.
Lola entered city hall and was amazed by the attention to detail when it felt she stepped into the north pole.
"Does anybody know?" Mayor Clan asked in hushed tone.
"No we managed to kill the story before it reached any newspapers. The only people who know are the Cliftons from the connection at the station but it's been kept from everyone else. Not even the other founding families know of the body." Mr Blackwood explained.
"Good, let's keep it that way. The last thing we need is a city wide panic before we have all the information." Mayor Clan said.
Lola stuck her head inside, she strutted in as though she hadn't heard a thing and watched as everyone straightened up and smiled.
"Lola! How good to see you. It's a shame you weren't more involved in planning the fest but I think we can all say that Lavina did a great job." Mrs. Clan laughed.
"She sure did. Everything is beautiful. I'm sorry to see she didn't use any of your ideas Mrs. Clan, I'm sure they weren't astacky as she said they were." Lola retorted.
It was met with a distasteful glare and a not so humble gasp.
Lola turned to Jax and smiled.
"Can we talk?"
He smiled, a sense of pride swelled in his chest and he walked away from the others.
"Of course." He said and took her hand.