A/N Introducing in this chapter...Leslie and Timothy Gilligan. Enjoy!
Leslie Gilligan's heels clicked on the title floor as she walked with an air of authority down the corridor of the hospital wing wearing an expensive red dress suit that her daughter often remarked was her red power suit. She was a fairly tall woman. Her heels added to her stature. A striking woman with jet black hair and blue eyes. The same blue eyes of her son William who she was on her way to see.
Leslie was known as being at tough litigator. She could match any man or woman in the courtroom. If anyone ever actually beat her, they best savor the victory as it didn't come very often and most likely would not again.
Aside from her attorney persona, once you got to know her you could not help but love her. She had a terrific sense of humor and was rarely offended by any off color remark a person would make. And you also found out just how much Leslie loved her family.
Her husband Timothy is the love of her life. And she would do anything for her three children. Especially her favorite son who everyone just called Gilligan. It was not that she did not love her daughter Beth and her other son Steven as much. She did. It was just that she could not help but think the world of Gilligan. Her other children understood that. They did not hold an grudge against their mother. She treated them equally. No one's birthday party was ever more special then the other two's. The all got the same amount of presents at Christmas time. But for some reason she was just closer to William.
It could be that he reminded her so much of his father, Timothy. Timothy was quite a character. He loved to sail. Always taking them out on the boat during the Fourth of July to watch the fireworks. Beth always claimed she hated it but no one believed her.
Steven was usually okay with it but he stated he would rather hang with his friend.
Gilligan took to it immediately. He grew to love sailing as much as his father.
Of course there were times that Timothy drove her to want to rip her hair out when he would make some off the wall remark to a client of hers. Or the time he spilled on the carpet of her boss' new home. She knew he didn't mean to but he had a way of being accident prone. It was something her son inherited she knew. But regardless she wouldn't trade him for anything. He was a wonderful husband and terrific provider. He was the most beloved veterinarian in their town. Everyone trusted him completely with her pets and even farm animals. Timothy had a special gift with animals that Gilligan had acquired. Yes her son William was just like his father.
Right now though that was the farthest thing from her mind. All she cared about was knowing how her son was doing. She had been able to speak with Mary Ann who gave her the update about the swelling on Gilligan's brain going down. This was a big relief to her. No brain damage was a plus. A good sign he was going to be okay. That is how she looked at it. Mary Ann had also stated she had something she wanted to tell her but did not want to do it over the phone. She promised her it was nothing bad. The litigator was curious but did not press the farm girl further. She was just happy that her son's condition appeared to being improving.
Leslie found his hospital room and stepped inside. She saw her son lying unconscious on the bed with the machines beeping. Another good sign was that he was taken off the respirator and was able to breathe on his own. The attorney was taking anything she could get. Holding on to that in belief her son would make it through.
Gently she took his hand in hers. "Hello William." She smiled. "It's me, Mom. I wanted to come see you. I missed you so much when you were on that island. Not a day went by that I didn't think that maybe just maybe they would find you alive and well. I know everyone thought I was nuts and should let it go but I couldn't. Now I find out my baby is okay. I was so happy. Honey I know you are going come out of this. You will. I can't wait to meet Mary Ann. When I spoke to her on the phone she sounded like such a lovely girl. I saw her picture in the newspaper and she is very pretty. She looks like the perfect girl for you. I'm glad she was on that boat with you. She got to meet you and find out what a wonderful person you are."
Gilligan was unresponsive in his bed. Leslie gently brushed his hair with her fingers.
"Listen, when you wake up we are going to have a big celebration. You and Mary Ann. Your father and Me. We are all going to go out to dinner. Maybe I will invite Mary Ann's parents along. I'm dying to meet them and see what they are like. I'm also looking forward to meeting the other people you were on that island with. Ginger and that Professor. The Howells. I can't believe you got to meet them. My law firm has done business with Howell Industries but I was never afforded the chance to ever meet the very Mr. Howell. I also thought his wife to be charming. I have read interviews with her and admire the work she does with children's charities. Of course I already know the Skipper. I know he probably still gives you a hard time but you love him I know. He's your Big Buddy and you are his Little Buddy. I am glad he was there to look after you."
Leslie watched her son as he made no sound or response. "You just get better okay?" She said softly. "I'm looking forward to your wedding. I know you will look so handsome in you tux. I found the perfect one for you. Mary Ann is going to be so lucky to be your bride." She gently kissed his cheek. "I love you my son."
Timothy Gilligan stood in the doorway watching the scene. He had not wished to interrupt. He know how much his wife was worried about William. He was too of course but he knew that she had a bond with him and that he was her baby. Always had been.
Timothy adored all his children as well. And he was proud when his son joined the Navy. Just like he was proud that Steven decided he wanted to go into veterinary medicine too. And Beth. Beth declared long ago she wanted to be a lawyer just like her mother. Many times she watched her mother in the courtroom and was in awe. She thought her mother the most brilliant attorney in the country and she wanted to be just like her. Beth was very smart and had a very inquisitive mind. Leslie was touched her daughter wished to follow in her footsteps. Beth had excellent grades and was being accepted into Princeton and then was planning to go to Harvard Law School. Timothy thought it was just wonderful.
As proud as he was that Gilligan joined the Navy he was slightly relieved when his son took a much safer job with the Skipper taking people out on exotic tours in Hawaii.
Timothy knew that Gilligan would be happy as long as he was out in the sea. When they got the news of the shipwreck it was devastating. He felt like his heart had been ripped out. He couldn't breathe. Leslie was beside herself for weeks. Beth cried for days. Steven was somber and although he tried not to show it, he did shed a few tears. He recalled giving Gilligan his red rugby shirt. Told him that he was more than welcome to keep it as it didn't really fit him as well as Gilligan. He knew that his brother always had his eye on that shirt and was thrilled when he was told he could have it. It had become is favorite shirt.
When they received word that their son was in fact alive and well, they were so filled with joy. Leslie thanked the Lord so many times and Timothy too fell to his knees praising God for sparing his son. Finally after four agonizing years, their beloved son was brought back to them.
Now Timothy was standing there watching his son fighting for his life. It was not something he bargained for. He ran his fingers through his chestnut hair. His brown eyes filled with worry. Timothy wasn't a tall man. Gilligan always towered over him. He wore wire rim classes and a neat mustache.
Carefully he walked into the room and over to his wife. She looked up at him and offered him a smile. He returned her smile and looked down at his son.
"He's going to be okay Les." He said to her calling her by the nickname he bestowed on her. "You'll see."
"I know he will." She said. "I know he will."
Hinkley Home
Mary Ann laughed as Samantha was stubbornly trying to fit an object in a hole where it did not fit. "Honey…no…" She said taking the block. "It doesn't go there…No.." The little girl grabbed the block back and attempted again to get it to fit. The brunette shook her head. "I don't think there is any doubt she is most definitely Ginger's daughter." She remarked to the Professor.
He smiled at his little girl. "She most certainly is." He agreed.
The Professor turned his attention to his son who was putting together a wooden puzzle of Mickey Mouse. There were only six pieces but the little boy patiently examined each one to see if it would fit with the others. He felt pride that his son inherited that trait from him.
It was then that Ginger came through the front door. The Professor set his son aside and got up to greet his wife. "Hello my love." He said kissing her. "How did it go with the director?"
Ginger sighed. "Not good."
"Oh no. What happened?" He asked
"Hollywood changed that's what happened." The red head stated as she walked into the living room. She kissed her daughter and then her son. "Mary Ann can you take them upstairs for their bath? I'll be up in a minute."
"Ginger I can bathe them." The farm girl said picking up the twins. "It's no problem."
"I appreciate that." Ginger smiled. "But it's not necessary. If you could just get their bath started I would be grateful."
"You sure?"
"I am."
"Alright. Let's go you two." The farm girl said taking the twins up the stairs.
The Professor waited until she was gone. "Ginger what happened?"
Ginger went over and poured herself a drink at their little bar. She took a sip. "I told you Hollywood has changed. You know what they want me to do! They want me to….be naked!"
"What?" The Professor said with wide eyes.
"You heard me! They want me to take my clothes off on film! Can you believe that! I told David there is no way I'm doing that. I'm married with two children. The only one who is ever going to see me that way is you." She said placing a kiss on his lips.
He returned her kiss. "So what are you going to do now?"
"I'm not sure." Ginger said taking another sip. "I talked to my agent and he is going to see if there are any other roles available. I didn't want to turn this one down but I just can't…I cannot show my naked body to the world. I won't do it."
The Professor took the drink out of her hand and set it down. He pulled her close. "I'm proud of you." He said holding her tight. "It took a lot of courage to do what you did. I don't think many actress would do that but you stood up for your principles."
"I know but I'm still out of work." She sighed. "I need work. People are forgotten pretty quickly in this town."
"No one could ever forget you." He said reassuringly.
"I knew there was a reason I married you." Ginger grinned holding him close. "I love you."
The phone rang and Ginger broke away to pick it up. "Hello?"
"Ginger it's me David."
She frowned. "I told you the answer is no. I will not do that."
"I know I know." He replied. "And Ginger I still want you for this picture so…I'm going to ask that they cut out any scene like that."
"What?" Ginger said in shock.
"After you left I got on the phone with the writers and they agreed that the nude scenes really were not that important and they are willing to cut them out. The only scene that will be left in is a bathtub scene in which I assure you that you will not be exposed at all. You are free to wear a bathing suit if you wish. Ginger you are perfect for the role of Jessica Tanwood. No one could be her but you. Please…will you consider it? I promise you…no nude scenes."
"Well if you are serious….Okay…You have a deal."
"Great you won't regret it. And Ginger I am sorry that we asked this of you."
"It's alright….Okay….Yes…I'll see you then…Bye."
Ginger smiled as she hung up the phone. "Darling you won't believe this. That was David. He said they are willing to cut out the nude scenes if I will just agree to be in the movie!"
"That's fantastic!" He exclaimed.
"He said he really wants me for this part and he talked to the writers who agreed to cut the scenes out. Wow! I can't believe it!"
"Sticking to your guns worked." The Professor said proudly. "Now maybe they will think twice before asking such a thing of you."
"I hope so." Ginger stated. "I better get upstairs and give the twins their bath." She kissed the Professor again and hurried up the stairs.
A few minutes later Mary Ann came back down. She found the Professor putting the twin's toys away. "Ginger told me all about her new movie role. I think it's great she told them to back off those scenes. Don't you?"
"I do. I could not be more proud of my wife." He stated as he opened the toy bin.
"Me too." The farm girl stated. She picked up a picture from the shelf of Ginger and her two babies. "It's amazing." She began. "When we first got shipwrecked I never figured Ginger to be the motherly type but she sure proved me wrong. She is go great with Samantha and Daniel."
The Professor nodded. "She is amazing. The best mother I could ever hope to have for my children." He remarked closing the lid of the wooden bin.
"I hope I am as good as she is." Mary Ann sighed.
"I am confident you will be an excellent mother Mary Ann." He stated straightening up the living room.
"Well that day is going to come sooner than you think." She smiled. "You see I'm…"
"Roy!" Ginger called from the upstairs bathroom. "Can you come up here quick!"
"Excuse me Mary Ann." He said as he hurried up the stairs. He found Ginger trying to soothe a crying Samantha.
"Darling, she slipped in the tub. She tried to stand up and before I could do anything, she fell. Can you check her to see if she is alright."
The Professor carefully took his daughter and looked her over. "Well..there does not appear to be anything broken…she may have bump but I think she will be okay." He handed her back to Ginger. "Darling I'm so sorry….I didn't mean…"
The Professor kissed her lips. "My love it was not your fault. Things like this happen. Samantha is fine. Don't get yourself all worked up."
Mary Ann arrived and stood in the doorway. "Everything okay?" She asked.
"Just a minor slip." The Professor stated. "Everyone is fine."
Ginger wrapped her now more calm daughter in a blanket and kissed her head. "You'll be okay sweetheart." She assured.
"Of course she will." Mary Ann stated. "You are a great mother Ginger. And I was just telling the Professor…I hope that I can be as good as you."
"You are going to be a wonderful mother Mary Ann." Ginger stated standing up.
"Going to be?" The Professor said confused.
Ginger smiled. "Darling, I didn't tell you….Mary Ann is pregnant."
"Wow." He said. "That's great."
"Thank you Professor. "She beamed. "I was shocked when I found out but so happy. Gilligan was happy too when I had told him."
"I think it's great. Congratulations." Being that he was balancing his son in his one arm he gave the farm girl a half hug and she thanked him.
Mary Ann watched the two as they brought their children into the nursery.
Boy she was looking forward to bathing her own child. Children. She wanted more than one. How wonderful that would be. Mary Ann was pretty sure they would splash water about like their father but she loved the picture in her mind of her and Gilligan with their kids. All that she needed was for him to wake up. She prayed it would be soon.