Lost Daughters, Secret Sisters and New Loves

by The Dowager Queen

Eloise/Princess Diaries movies AU. Clarisse/Joe, Nanny/Wilkes, Mia, Shades/Charlotte. Set after PD 2. Eloise characters are living in 2004 on, as well. Many characters from both movies, but with some twists.

20. Chapter 21 22 23

CHAPTER 21: TURKEY DAY (PART 1)

"How is everything going?", Mario asked his father, as he stepped

through the door on Thanksgiving Day.

"Well, Clarisse is basically freaking out. She won't let anyone, but

Charlotte, in the kitchen with her at this point. Pierre and Nick just

got here, they came together on Genovia One. Mia, Shades, Eloise, Kay

and I are hiding out in the den with them, watching the game. Come on

in"

Joe and Mario walked past the kitchen on their way to the den, where

they could hear pots moving about and Charlotte trying to sooth

Clarisse, "It's alright. We can save it. Nobody will ever know"

"Oh boy", Mario said as they proceeded past, "She didn't hire any help

for the Holiday?"

"Nope. She said she wanted to do it herself. Mia made a dessert, Nanny

and Peggy are bringing some things and Charlotte is helping her. It

will turn out fine. Just be nice, even if it's not the best thing

you've ever tasted"

"No problem Dad. Any chance I can grab a beer from the kitchen though?"

"No need. I've got the Mini fridge in the den fully stocked with every

kind of brew you could ask for", Joe said proudly.

"Good man", Mario said as he pat him on the back and entered the den

to meet the others.

"Hey Mario!", Mia said, as she waved from where she and Nick were

snuggled up together on a love seat.

"Hello", Mario said to them, before turning to Pierre and Shades,

"Hey, Pierre. Long time no see"

"Hi, Mario. How are you?"

"Fine, fine thanks", Mario said before turning to Shades, "There's

the groom. What do you guys have, less then a month now, right?"

"You got it. We're excited, but if I have to hear one more thing about

necklines or hairstyles...", Shades said laughing, but after getting a

look from Mia and Kay, he added, "Ah, all I meant by that was that..."

"Oh, it's fine. We won't tell Charlotte", Kay said waving a hand, from

her spot on the floor near Eloise.

"My dress is going to be red like everyone else's, but with a pink

sash!", Eloise said from the floor where she was drawing a picture.

"Awesome", Mario said before moving to the mini fridge to grab a beer,

"Anyone want one?"

"I think we all need another round", Kay said, "If he have to eat

Clarisse's cooking, the least Joe could do is get us drunk first"

Everyone laughed, except for Joe, who gave Kay a bit of a dirty look,

" She's working very hard. It's not easy making dinner for fourteen

people, especially when she's so... out of practice. That's a tad bit

unappreciative, don't you think?"

"Out of practice?" Pierre asked, "I don't remember her EVER cooking"

"The POINT is, she is working very hard on this and you all better be nice!"

"Sorry Joe. I'm sure it will be great", Pierre said, forgetting how

protective his step- father was of his mother.

"I guess you are right. I am sorry too Joe", Kay said, as she took her

beer from Mario.

"So you're the fiancé. Nick right?", Mario asked Nick, as he handed

him a beer as well.

"Yes, nice to meet you Mario", Nick said offering his hand.

"Likewise, and congratulations. I'm very happy for you both. Mia, I

thought you might be with your mom today"

"No, mom and Trevor went to my step-dads family's house. We were

invited, but decided to come and support Grandma with her first time

doing Thanksgiving", Mia said with a smile, before turning to the game

again.

"I'll go let Clarisse know everyone is here, except for Nanny, Wilkes

and Wilkes brother and sister-in-law", Joe said, as he moved towards

the door.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you", Charlotte said, as she came into

the den and sat on the floor next to Eloise, "She's starting to turn

on me now too. She said she just wants to finish everything alone"

"Oh dear, I hope Nanny gets here soon. She might be able to calm her.

I'll go talk to her", Joe said as he left.

"Dead man walking", Charlotte said after he was gone.

"Here Char, have a beer", Mia said as she got herself another,

"There's like ten different kinds in here. I say we all try them all.

We'll split this Blue Moon Charlotte, then we'll split a Corona, then

a Budweiser, just to keep it real"

"We'll get drunk", Charlotte said as she looked around at all the

bottles that were already empty.

"With any luck", said Shades.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Sweetheart?", Joseph asked as he entered the kitchen, "I just thought

I would let you know that... OH!"

The kitchen was a complete disaster. There were measuring cups,

cracked eggs, flour, heaps of uncleaned vegetables and pots

everywhere. Clarisse was over the sink, scraping black off the top

of... Something.

"Get out!", she said to him, as he stood there looking around in shock.

"Clarisse, this is... I think you need some help in here"

Clarisse ignored him, continuing her scraping. Joseph walked over and

looked down at what she was doing.

"What was that?", he asked innocently.

Clarisse threw down the pan and began running water over it.

"It WAS cornbread, but now it's garbage!"

"Well, how about I make some more? I know we have more mix in the pantry"

"No Joseph! I told you to get out, I'm busy in here"

"I know, but you need help my darling. How about the turkey, how's that doing?"

"Oh God! The turkey!", she said running to the oven and peering inside.

Joseph took a deep breath, "Is the turkey a goner too?"

She looked up at him and narrowed her eyes, "No. The turkey is NOT a GONER"

"I'm sorry, I just thought... Your reaction indicated..."

"I forgot to turn the oven back on"

"Ok, well then how much longer does it have to cook?"

"Three hours"

"Three hours? Clarisse, almost everyone is here. We are supposed to be

eating within the hour!"

"I am aware Joseph, thank you! You are so helpful!"

"Ok, ok. I'm sorry. We will figure this out, but please Clarisse, you

have to let me help you"

She sat on the floor in front of the oven and nodded slowly, much to his relief.

"Ok, for starters, let's get the turkey going", he said as he put the

oven back on, "If we cook it at a little higher heat, we might be able

to get it done in two hours. Then I think..."

He stopped when he saw Clarisse had her face in her hands and was crying.

"Clarisse? Oh, darling it's alright", he said as he sat beside her and

put his arm around her.

"It ... Is NOT ... alright!", she managed between sobs, "I ruined ...

It ... all"

"No. You ruined nothing. Everything is going to be great. You'll see.

Let's just finish everything together ok?"

"I'll just ... yell at you ... and scare you ... away ... like I did

Mia ... and then Charlotte"

"No, you forget I'm used to you yelling at me. I deserve it most of

the time though", he said trying to cheer her up, "Besides, nobody has

chemistry with you like I do. We'll dance around this kitchen making

dinner, the way we do on the dance floor. In perfect harmony,

Completely comfortable with each other, making it look easy"

She looked up then to meet his eyes, "Oh Joseph, why are you so good to me?"

"Well, I love you for starters, and you would do the same for me"

"I love you too", she said with a sigh, as she looked around the

kitchen, "Do you really think we can do it?"

"I'm sure of it", he said with a smile, as he stood and offered her

his hand, as the phone rang. Joe moved to answer it.

"Hello?... Oh, Hi Nan", he said as Clarisse watched him, he turned to

her so she could understand what Nanny and he were discussing, "You

are going to be forty-five minutes late because of traffic. Ok, that's

fine Nan. We are running a bit behind anyhow. We'll see you four when

you get here. What's that? Oh, well yes, I am sure that won't be a big

problem..."

"What?", Clarisse asked nervously, she didn't think she could take one

more thing going wrong.

"Hold on a second Nan", Joe said to Nanny, as he covered the phone and

said to Clarisse, "They are bringing Fred and Leota too"

"What? No! I didn't plan for that many people!"

"Apparently Nan had told Fred and Leota, when she thought we were

having Thanksgiving at her place, to stop by if their plans fell

through, which is exactly what happened. They showed up right as they

were leaving"

Clarisse rolled her eyes, as Joseph picked the phone back up, "Hello?

No, it will be fine Nan. What's that? You are bringing more food then

planned? Because you forgot about the special rolls and macaroni and

cheese that Eloise has to have on Thanksgiving, then you are still

bringing the sweet potato pie and green bean casserole as planned, and

Peggy made what? Apple pie and cranberry sauce. Plus, Leota and Fred

brought French Meat stuffing and carrots with turnips. Wow, well there

will be plenty to eat then! Alright we'll see you in a little bit.

Bye"

"She's bringing eight dishes, when I asked her to bring two, and extra

people? Honestly, how rude!", Clarisse said as she spun around to

clean up a counter.

"Well, at least we don't have to worry as much about coming through

with all this stuff"

Clarisse turned around and glared at him, "I wanted to do this,

Joseph. I wanted to prepare the meal for my family"

"Clarisse, first of all, I thought we were done with the glaring. We

are on the same side, ok? Now then, we can still make everything you

planned, more or less, but now there is less pressure. Let's be

honest, this was too much for anyone to take on, on their own, who has

never done it before. Come on, let's enjoy this Holiday with our

family"

"I just wanted to make a really good meal. I wanted to be "that"

woman, that serves the perfect turkey and everyone wonders how she did

it"

"Sweetheart, everyone wants to be "that" woman and very few are, but

you are amazing in other ways that very, very few people are. The

gifts you have aren't in the culinary department. They are much more

important and you know it. Now, I can call Nan back and tell her to

throw all that food out the window, and we can run around and make a

huge selection of barely edible food... Or... We can make a few dishes

and have enough attention and counter space to have them come out

really good, which combined with Nan's food will be a lovely meal for

everyone"

"Oh Joseph, you are right. Again. Ok, we have to get to it. What is

our game plan?"

"Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn bread, salad. Everything else is covered"

"Ok, but I want to make a pie too. It's already made. It just has to

go in the oven. I worked really hard on it, that's why some of the

other things fell apart"

"Of course baby. Where is it? We will slip it in with the Turkey.

We'll set two timers"

"Here", she said pulling it from the fridge and handing it to him.

He smelt it, "Pumpkin?"

"Yes", she said.

"It smells delicious. I'm going to have a great big piece!", he said

as he slid it in the oven.

"I love you", she said, kissing him as he was standing back up.

"I love you too", he said with a little laugh, "Now, let's clean off

these counters a bit. We'll both do the Turkey, that has a while, but

we will have to keep basting it. Then I'll do mashed potatoes and make

the gravy. Can you make a salad, dressing and some more corn bread?"

"Yes, I can do that", Clarisse said happily, to Joseph's relief and

they got to work.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Forty-five minutes later the kitchen was more or less cleaned up. The

corn bread, pumpkin pie, gravy, salad and dressing was made. The

Turkey was coming along with a little over an hour to go and Joseph

was just finishing up the mashed potatoes.

"We are really going to pull this off", Clarisse said happily to

Joseph, as she basted the turkey.

"Well, we make a great team", he said as he took off his apron and

moved behind her to take advantage of her position bent over the

turkey.

"Excuse me sir", she said with a laugh.

"Sorry", he said, with his hands still on her behind, "Just too good

an opportunity to pass up"

She laughed at this and turned as she closed the oven door, wrapping

her arms behind his neck, "Are the mashed potatoes done?", she asked,

before giving him a little kiss.

"Yep", he said, giving her one in return, "We just need get them in

the broiler to stay warm", he said, before kissing her again.

"And baste the turkey occasionally", she said, as she kissed him again as well.

"Then we are home free", he said, giving her a final kiss, one that

counted. She opened her mouth for him and soon they were engrossed in

one another.

Then, of course, the door opened and Nanny, Wilkes, Fred and Leota came in.

"Sorry we're late! We thought we'd use the kitchen door since... Oh my

lord! I'm so sorry", Nanny said looking away from their, well,

make-out session.

"It's ok Nanny. We were just... sharing a little kiss", Joseph said,

as he positioned his wife in front of him to hide his arousal.

"Really, because it looked like you had your tongue pretty far down

your wife's throat there Joe!", Fred said with a hearty laugh, before

Leota elbowed him in the ribs, "Ah, ahem, I mean. Thanks for having

us... We brought food"

"Good, good", Clarisse said, "Please come in. I'll take your coats,

while Joseph gets the food in the broiler"

"Yes", Joe concurred, "I will make room for yours as well, anything

that doesn't fit can go in the oven as the turkey is finishing up.

Just put everything on the island there"

"Brilliant!", Wilkes said as he placed two dishes he was carrying

down, "Happy Thanksgiving Clarisse", he said as he kissed her cheek.

"Oh, thank you Wilkes! Same to you. Let me take your coats. Everyone

else is down the hall watching the football game in the den and

drinking no doubt. Please join them and Joseph and I will join you in

a moment"

Fred and Leota made there way in the direction of the den, as Wilkes

looked out the window. Nanny moved over to give clarisse a kiss and

hug, as well as Joseph, wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving.

"Where are Peggy and Mouse?", Clarisse asked, noticing they hadn't come in yet.

"They are just getting their things. I don't know what's keeping

them", Wilkes said, "but here, let me take those coats Clarisse. They

must weigh a ton", he said as he took the coats and set off to find a

place for them and then a drink for himself in the den.

"Thank you for 'aving Fred and Leota. I know it was rude to ask so

late minute, but I couldn't 'ave them be all alone on the 'oliday",

Nanny said to Clarisse, a little red faced.

"Tosh, there is plenty of food. We'll just set a couple of extra places"

"I will do that right now", Nanny said making her way to the dining

room, "You stay and great Peggy. I know where everything is", she said

as Clarisse tried to object.

"I'll get you a beer sweetheart", Wilkes said, as he passed her on his

way to the den.

"Thank you love, I'll be right in"

"Hello?", a quiet voice called into the kitchen, as Clarisse turned.

"Peggy!", Clarisse said, she hadn't changed a bit, "Welcome!", she

said as she gave her a small hug before turning to the man beside her,

who looked remarkably like Wilkes, if not a bit more timid, "Hello,

you must be... Mouse?"

"Ah, ya, ya, ya yes. That I am. Thank you for having us to your home

Mrs. and Mr. Delgado", he said looking from Clarisse to Joseph, who

was making his way over.

"The pleasure is all ours", Joseph said, shaking Mouses hand.

"Clarisse, you look as breathtakingly beautiful as ever. I see Joseph

has been taking good care of you!", Peggy said.

"Oh, you are too kind. You look lovely yourself! You have not changed a bit"

"Oh, but I have always been a plain one, but you... Isn't she beautiful Mouse?"

"Oh, I, I, I think that, yes. That's right Peg, but to me you, you,

you are always the most beau... Beautiful, that is, to me"

"Well, of course, and as it should be", Joseph said with a smile,

"What about me though, isn't anyone going to say how gorgeous I look?"

"Oh you!", Clarisse said slapping his arm, as they all laughed.

"It is good to see you Joe", Peggy said sincerely, "You got your

HAPPILY EVER AFTER, I am happy to see"

"You should have been here an hour ago. When I was covered in flour,

scraping burnt food into the sink, crying my eyes out", Clarisse said

with a laugh.

"Ah, but that's what makes it real", Peggy said.

"Indeed", Joe replied, "Let us take your things. Please, go down this

hall here, all the way to the end. You'll find the others in there

having drinks and watching the game. We will join you in a moment"

"Certainly, thank you very much", Peggy said as she took Mouses hand

and they made their way to the den.

"Well, that went ok, right?", Joseph asked Clarisse.

"Very well, I think", Clarisse said with a smile, "Now, let's baste

again and go join the others"

"Yes my darling, you drop off the coats, while I baste and then we'll

take drink orders, for anyone who doesn't want beer"

"Well, I for one am on that list", she said, giving him a little kiss,

before heading out the door, calling behind her, "We do make a good

team my darling"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"You are all drunk!", Clarisse said as she stood in the den, preparing

to take drink orders.

"I'm not! I just got 'ere!", Nanny said in defense.

"No, not the group of you that just arrived, or Eloise of course, but

the rest of you are... gone! Look at all these beer bottles!"

Joseph put his hands on his hips, as the younger people giggled and

laughed, quietly making jokes to each other. He was angry, but there

was no point in showing it. That would only make things worse.

"The crackers, cheese and appetizers are set up in the dining room.

Why don't we all head in there", Joseph said, as he turned off the tv.

"Hey, I was watching...", Shades and Mario complained, but shut up

when they caught the look in Joe's eyes that was directed at them.

"There is a television over the fireplace in the dining room. We can

put on the game in there, until dinner, if that is everyone's wish",

Joe continued, as he picked up a empty box from the corner and handed

it to Mario, "Empty bottles in here. Shades will help you. Then we'll

meet you in the dining room", he said before turning to Clarisse,

"Darling, you said you wanted to change your clothes, go right ahead.

I will get our newly arrived guests drinks"

"Oh, but you have done so much already", Clarisse protested.

"Where were you anyway Joe? We thought you were a goner when you never

came back", Shades asked.

"I was just helping our gracious hostess a bit", Joe replied.

"Yeah right, they were probably doing it", Kay said quietly, but loud

enough for all to hear. Mia, Mario and Shades all laughed, but as they

looked at Joe again stopped.

"Go ahead sweetheart. Nobody has worked harder then you today", Joe

continued, "I'll make you a drink and baste the turkey. You can meet

us in the dining room, alright?"

"Well, alright", she said giving him a little kiss and whispering in

his ear, "thank you", before departing.

Joseph ushered everyone into the dining room then. He and Nanny got

drinks for anyone that needed one, as everyone was settled at the

table. Joe poured everyone else water, poured Clarisse a glass of wine

and basted the turkey, which would be ready in a half hour.

"Thirty minutes until it's turkey time, people", Joe announced, as he

took his seat at the head of the table, "Did everyone find their seat

ok? Clarisse set out place cards"

"Yes", "fine", everyone replied, before continuing their private conversations.

Clarisse entered the room then, looking lovely in a black strapless

knee length dress, with a little gold lace jacket over it. She put her

hand on Joseph's shoulder, who had his back to her.

"Beautiful", he said, as he stood and kissed her hand, before walking

to the other end of the table and pulling out her seat for her, at the

head. She kissed him on the cheek before slipping into her seat.

"Was Chardonnay ok?", he asked as he returned to his seat.

"Perfect", she said, blowing him a kiss, before asking everyone else

if they had everything, which they did.

Forty-five minutes later the turkey had been carved and all of the

food passed around. After Pierre had said a prayer, everyone started

to eat.

"Oh my, this mac and cheese is so unbelievably good!", Mia said.

"Nanny made it", Wilkes said proudly.

"So good!", Shades chimed in.

"And she made these rolls that are shaped like little turkeys,

complete with little almond beaks. Aren't they cute?", Wilkes asked,

once again proud of his fiancé.

"They are my favorite!", Eloise said.

"Charming", said Leota.

"Thank you", Nanny replied, "I'm rawther enjoying these mashed

potatoes and gravy. A true comfort food. Clarisse, made them, did

everyone try them?"

"Very good", Fred said.

"Yeah, I've got a big pile of those too", Shades added.

"Actually, Joseph made those", Clarisse pointed out, smiling at her husband.

"Yes, Clarisse was busy with the main event, the turkey", he said as

he took a bite of salad, "but she managed to make a salad and dressing

as well and some corn bread and a pumpkin pie... All while cleaning up

the kitchen and helping me as well. Honestly, I don't know how she

does it", he said winking at his wife.

"The turkey is wonderful", Wilkes said to Clarisse, as everyone agreed.

"The salad too", Kay pointed out.

"Well, the turkey was a joint effort", Clarisse said.

"You did most of it. I'm very proud of you", Joseph said seriously.

"Oh, darling. Thank you", Clarisse replied, giving him a little smile.

He was a wonderful man, so supportive. She would thank him properly

later, she thought, before turning to Peggy, "Peggy, this cranberry

sauce is the best I have ever had, much better then something out of a

can!"

"Thank you Clarisse"

"Wha, wha, wait until you try her apple pie", Mouse added, "It, it, it

is so good you will swear you are in heaven"

"Oh, Mouse. I don't know about that. Nanny made a sweet potato pie

that certainly smelt like heaven, though. I can't wait to try that",

Peggy said, smiling at Nanny, who was too busy playing footsie with

Wilkes at the moment, to notice.

"I am rather looking forward to trying Clarisse's pie", Joseph added,

"I guess we are all getting "pie faced" later"

"Sounds good to me", Fred said as he took a rather large bite of

mashed potatoes.

"All he thinks about is food", Leota said, with a slightly disgusted

look on her face.

"That's not all I think about", he said raising his eyebrows. She

rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but laugh when he tickled her under

the table.

"Fred, Leota, who made this meat stuffing? It is so good, I don't

believe I have ever had it before", Clarisse asked.

"It's my family's recipe, but Leota helped me make it", Fred replied,

"We love cooking together"

"We do", Leota added, without a hint of sarcasm.

"It is a lovely thing to dance around the kitchen with your spouse",

Clarisse said, smiling at her husband, as he made his way over to

refill her glass.

"It certainly is", he said as he filled her glass and then bent down

to give her a short, yet very lovely, slightly open mouthed kiss. Her

face glowed as he returned to his seat.

The conversation changed course then to engagements, weddings, goings

on in the school department and various Holiday plans. They all

enjoyed each others company, stories and the food. Soon everyone was

stuffed, sitting around the table, digesting their meal in preparation

for dessert later.

"Oh, you know what we have to do?", Mia asked everyone, "Go around the

table and say what we are thankful for"

... TO BE CONTINUED

CHAPTER 22: TURKEY DAY (PART 2)

Authors note: This a long chapter! (Had to post in 2 acts) Enjoy and

please, please review! Thanks for reading!

ACT 1

"Ok, I have a notebook to record what everyone says. I'm going to pass

out pencils and paper, so everyone can write down their ideas", Mia

said happily, "I'll give everyone a couple of my cookies for munching

too"

"Haven't we eaten enough?", Nick asked.

"It's just to nibble", Mia said with a wave of the hand, "Now I want

everyone to be serious about this. This is going to be a family

tradition and future generations are going to read this, so keep that

in mind"

"I think this is a wonderful idea Mia!", Charlotte said from her seat.

"Me too", Nanny added.

"Well, thank you ladies!", Mia said as she passed out cookies, pencils

and paper, "I think we should start with Grandma and move clockwise

around the table"

"Oh! I thought you would go first Mia. Since this was your idea",

Clarisse said politely, thinking it was a good idea, but not really

wanting to go first.

"But you are the head of the family! You have to go first. Please?"

"Oh, well alright darling. If that is your wish"

"Thank you grandma!", Mia said as she finished passing everything out,

"Ok, like I said we'll move clockwise", Mia said as she jotted names

down in her notebook, " So here is our line-up: Grandma, Uncle Pierre,

Shades, Charlotte, Eloise, Kay, Nick, me, Joe, Mario, Fred, Leota,

Peggy, Mouse, Wilkes and we will end with Nanny"

"Ok, shall we begin?", Joe asked.

"Yes. Grandma, you have the floor, so to speak. What are you thankful for?"

"Well, talk about pressure", she said, making everyone laugh, "I

haven't really had too much of a chance to think about it... But I

don't think I particularly need to. I am most thankful for my family,

of course! My health, my beautiful new home, I am thankful that

another Renaldi woman will soon sit on the thrown in Genovia, I am

thankful for Maurice", she said to Moe, who was eating his special

little feast and barked when he heard his name, causing everyone to

laugh, "and most of all, I am thankful for Joseph. My soul mate"

"Aww", Mia said, as she wrote furiously.

"He is the most supportive, loving man I have ever known and I

couldn't have done anything today, or really any day, without him. I

love him very much, and despite the fact that I take him for granted

at times, I am very thankful for him", Clarisse said with smile.

"I love you too baby", Joe said across the table, encouraging more "aww's".

"Was that ok?", Clarisse asked Mia, after braking her gaze with Joseph.

"Perfect", she said, as everyone clapped.

"Alright, If grandma is through, then you're up Uncle Pierre"

"Oh boy, ok. Well, I am also thankful for my mother and my family. I'm

thankful for the church and for the presence of God in my life. I'm

thankful for my friends, for my home and I am thankful for all this

wonderful food and company today!"

Everyone clapped, as Pierre indicated he was finished.

"Very nice, Uncle Pierre", Mia said, "Shades?"

"I'm thankful for Charlotte and her love. I'm thankful for my little

peanut, Eloise. I'm thankful for Joe, who has been a dad to me all

these years, even when I'm a pain in the butt", he said, pausing as

everyone giggled, "I'm thankful for our wedding, that will be taking

place next month and for all the good friends and family around this

table!"

Again everyone clapped, when Shades had finished.

"VERY nice, Scott", Nanny said.

"Yes, very nice", Charlotte said, giving him a little kiss.

"Your turn Char", Mia said, as she turned the page of her notebook.

"Ok, well of course I am thankful for my beautiful daughter and my

handsome fiancé. I'm thankful for the family that the three of us have

become. I'm thankful for my loving mother and I'm thankful that she

found Wilkes, who loves her so much! I am thankful for my fabulous

sister and for my new job, which I am loving, and for all my dear

friends and family around this table. That's it, I guess"

"Aoww, very sweet Charlotte", Nanny commented, as everyone clapped.

"Yes, I particularly like the part about me being fabulous", Kay said,

making everyone laugh.

"It is me, Eloise's turn now!", Eloise announced.

"Yes, love... It is, for sure, sure, sure", Nanny said encouragingly

to the child, as Wilkes put his hand around her waist and pulled her

slightly closer, touched a bit, as per usual, at her closeness to her

granddaughter.

"Well, I am thankful for skipperdee and Weenie and Mama Charlotte and

Mama Kay and Daddy Shades, because I'm his peanut! And for Granny, and

for Grampy Wilkes, because he is going to marry Granny, and that will

be divine, divine, divine! I am thankful for the color pink and for my

room at The Plaza Hotel and all of my very, very, very good friends

there and at school and my family... For sure, sure, sure!"

"Very nice, Peanut", Shades said, proudly.

"Divine", said Kay, "How will I follow that?", as everyone clapped.

"Good job Eloise", Mia said, "Now years from now you can look back and

see what you were thankful for this year, when you were six-years-old!

Ok. You are up Kay"

"Alright, I am thankful for Eloise, my sister, Nanny, this family,

Paris, fashion... Especially Dior, and Eric, the current man in my

life"

"Aoww, you should 'ave brought 'I'm!", Nanny said.

"It's not that serious", Kay said, with a wave of the hand.

"Alright then, thank you Kay", Mia said , as everyone applauded,

"Nick? Your turn... What are you thankful for?", Mia asked, batting

her eye lashes.

"I am thankful for... Hmmm, let's see..."

"Oh please! You had plenty of time to think about it!", Mia said, ribbing him.

"Alright, I am thankful for my fiancé and her wonderful family, my

Country, the wonderful opportunities I have had and, most of all, for

the future... With all of thee above"

"Here, here", Joe commented, as everyone applauded once again.

"Good job baby! Ok, MY turn!", Mia said excitedly, "I am thankful for

so much. Good friends, family, The Rolling Stones, Hostess Cup Cakes,

My fiancé, my baby brother,my mom ..."

"Wait... I come in behind cupcakes?", Nick asked, with a laugh.

"In no particular order...", Mia said with a smile, "I am thankful for

the future... for sure! For Genovia and for my grandma!"

"Oh, I am thankful for you as well darling", Clarisse said with a smile.

"Kiss, kiss", Mia said to Clarisse, "Ok, Joe... This should be a good

one. What are you thankful for? Other then grandma's legs?", Mia

asked, as everyone chuckled.

"Well, I am always thankful for Clarisse's legs, but in addition to

that... My family, THIS family, my son Mario, my other son, as far as

I'm concerned, Scott, Mia... forever my princess, my health, this

house, Gin and tonics... Just to through that in. I'm thankful for my

gorgeous, loving, wonderful wife... Who needless to say, is my world!

And, you know, LIFE... Jazz music, the summer air, beautiful art...

Everything!"

"Wow... Nice Joe!", Mia said, impressed.

"Lovely, darling", Clarisse said, clapping with everyone else.

"Mario?", Mia asked, indicating his turn.

"Well, my dad... and Clarisse. I started dating someone recently. Her

name is Katie, I like her a lot, so I'm thankful for her. My job,

dancing, cooking, friends, and wonderful memories of my grandparents

and my mom"

"Touche", Joe said, giving his son a pat on the back.

"Nice Mario. Ok, moving right along... Fred?", Mia asked.

"Leota", Fred said, as he looked to his wife, "Your turn"

"No, It's your turn Fred", Mia pointed out.

"I just went. I'm thankful for my wife, Leota", he said to Mia, then

looking at Leota said, "So it's your turn"

"Well, what else are you thankful for?", Leota asked.

"Nothing really"

"Fred! What about the generous people who had us here? Our good

friends? All the food you just consumed?"

"Ok, that stuff too and football"

"You're an idiot", Leota said, annoyed at his rudeness.

"Hey, the one thing I came up with was you... That's a compliment you

know! Maybe nothing else comes close, did you ever think of it that

way?"

"Well", Leota said, with a slight smile, "I suppose that is nice. Ok,

I will take my turn. I am thankful for my husband and the change he

has evoked in me, for the most part. For my daughter and grandson, our

friends, my job and for the future of my Marriage, the future of my

child and grandchild"

"Very nicely said", Fred said, as their friends clapped.

"Thank you. I'm sorry I called you an idiot", she replied with a little smile.

"Don't be sorry", he said, as he whispered in her ear, "You know I like it"

"Alright, Peggy. It is your turn. What are you thankful for?", Mia asked.

"Well, I am certainly thankful to be here today. Thank you again, for

having us Clarisse. I am thankful for my job, the family that I work

for, our dogs. We are both thankful for Wilkes and Nanny", she said

motioning to her husband.

"That's right Peg", he replied.

"And of course, my Mouse", she said with a little grin in his

direction, "You are the biggest surprise of my life and I am so very

luck, that is for sure, to have your love"

"Aww. Sweet", Mia said, as the group clapped again.

"Nice Peggy", Joe said.

"Yes, very", Clarisse added.

"I suppose it is your turn now Mouse", Peggy said turning back to her husband.

"Ya, ya, yes. I am thankful for so ma, ma, many things, I am. Peggy,

of, of course. Sha, she is my, well, my everything!", he said smiling

at her lovingly, before continuing, "Wilkes, my brother and Na, Nanny!

I love our home and our da, dogs. Peg says "every dog has his day" and

that is how I, I, I feel. Isn't that right Peg?"

"Yes, Mouse"

"I am tha, thankful for being here. It's quite nice. Tha, thank you

for having us"

"You are very welcome, both of you", Clarisse said to Mouse and Peggy,

"Wilkes' family is our family"

"For sure, sure, sure", Nanny added with a smile.

"Speaking of which, it's your turn Wilkes", said Mia.

"Yes, of course! Well...", he said taking Nanny's hand beside him and

smiling at her, "I suppose it is rather obvious that I am thankful for

Nan, who will be my wife very soon, another thing I am naturally

thankful for. I of course am thankful for this family, you have

welcomed me as one of your own over the past months. Thank you for

that. Mouse and Peggy, I have always and will always be immensely

thankful for both of you as well. I am thankful to have a sweet little

child in my life, who calls me Grampie. I am thankful for my work,

even if it drives me mad and keeps me away from Nan a bit too much. I

am also grateful for...",he said as he looked over to Nanny, "Nanny's

beautiful eyes, freckles, skin, hair, fingers, toes..."

"This seems like it might take a while", Joe said with a laugh,

everyone else following his lead.

"Her legs, neck, eye lashes, arms, back, ears and well, a lot of other

body parts which I am not going to mention"

"I think we get it. You are very attracted to Nanny", Fred said as he

rolled his eyes.

"True, very true, but that was not my point. My point was simply that

I love every inch of this woman, in every way that one can love

another, and that is a gift that I am most thankful for"

"Wilkes", Nanny whispered, touched by his words, "thank you"

He kissed her hand, as everyone clapped and "awwed".

"Alright, Wilkes get the award for most touching response", Mia said

then, "Now Nanny can wrap it up"

"Aoww, well everything everyone said was lovely. I concur with it all,

of course. I am thankful for the lovely relationship I 'ave with my

daughter and my granddaughter. I am thankful for Kay, who I think of

as a daughter, she has been a gift as well. Clarisse, my twin sister.

Everyone in this family and around this table, my health and all of

your healths, my friendships, my new employment, which I enjoy. Last,

but not least, Willy, of course. I believe thankful is a

understatement, when it comes to you. I love my family very much and

they are very good to me, but before you came along", she said as she

placed a hand on his cheek, "Something was broken in me and you fixed

it, love. I am so thankful for your love and I will never take it for

granted"

"I love you", Wilkes said in reply, as everyone clapped.

"I love you too", Nanny said, getting lost in his eyes.

"Well, that was very nice... Good job everyone. I will keep this

record of "our thanks" in a safe place and we will bring it out next

year. Now, let's eat pie!", Mia said as she got up and moved to check

out the dessert table, as everyone else followed.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

ACT 2

"Don't eat too much. We're going to play football in a little bit",

Joe pointed out.

"Even me?", Clarisse asked.

"I think you should... or you could be my cheerleader", Joe replied,

as he made his way over too her.

"Hmmm, I will think that over", she said with a wink, before turning

to Nanny and Wilkes, who were the only ones left at the table, having

still been exchanging loving smiles, "Aren't you two having dessert?"

"Oh, yes!", Wilkes replied, " You needn't get up darling. I will get

you something. What would you like?"

"Aoww, well I think I will try Clarisse's pumpkin pie"

"Me too!", Joseph said with a big smile.

Moments later everyone was back at the table eating their dessert.

"Oh my god! This is so good baby", Joseph said after taking the first

bite of her pie.

"Really?", Clarisse asked beaming, as she sampled Peggy's apple pie.

"The best pumpkin pie I have ever had. Hands down!", Joseph told her.

Truth be told, the pie wasn't that good, not that it was that bad

either. The crust was definitely off and it wasn't as sweet or as

smooth as it should be, but because she had worked so hard on it, he

had enjoyed it very much. The love she put into it was better then any

seasoning, which also seemed to be missing, and he really was enjoying

it more then any other pumpkin pie he might have eaten over the years.

"Oh, Joseph thank you!", Clarisse said, with a sigh, as if she had

been nervous about it.

"Yes, it is good!", Nanny said politely.

"Peggy, your apple pie is delicious!", Clarisse commented.

"Thank you", Peggy said to Clarisse, before turning to Mouse and

smiling at his enthusiastic sampling of her pie as well.

"So I am not sure if everyone knows, so let me just announce",

Charlotte said, grabbing everyone's attention, "that Shades and I have

decided to take Nick up on his offer for us to be married at the

palace in Genovia. We met there and so we thought it would be fitting.

I know Mom and Wilkes, Clarisse and Joe, Kay, Mia and Nick know, but I

just wanted to fill the rest of you in, especially you Pierre. We were

hoping you could help with the service?"

"I would love to", Pierre replied, "What was the date again?"

"December twenty-second", Shades answered, "You are all invited. So

mark your calendars"

"That should work out fine", Pierre told them, "I'm honored. Thank you

for asking me"

"No, thank you Pierre!", Charlotte said was a smile, before returning

to her dessert.

"Aoww, how nice to have Pierre helping with the service", Nanny said

to Wilkes, who seemed to be entranced, "Are you going to try your

dessert or sit there watching me eat all day?", Nanny asked,

teasingly, to him.

"Oh, yes!", Wilkes said, snapping out of it. He loved to watch her

eat. He found it very, well, seductive, "Well...", he said whispering

in her ear, "I thought you might feed it to me"

Nanny laughed, as her face turned to meet his and give him a little

kiss, "Perhaps I can give you the first bite", she whispered back, as

she discreetly moved her chair closer to him. She carefully forked a

bite of the dessert with one hand, as the other hand hovered

underneath to catch any that might fall.

He smiled at her as she brought it to his lips, then opened wide,

"Oh", he said, with his mouth still somewhat full, "That is indeed,

very tasty", he said, and it was in fact very good.

"Aoww, thank you, love", she said, giving him a little kiss.

"One more?", he asked quietly, making her giggle.

"Just one", she whispered back, "This is entirely too sensual, for

Lord's sake!", she said, with a mock scolding look. She gave him one

more bite, as they smiled at each other, before she went back to

eating her own dessert, Leaving her chair close to his. She knew he

was watching her again and couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, football time!", Fred yelled,"You ladies, and some of you

guys, are going to have to change your clothes"

"We are still eating dessert!", Leota pointed out.

"I'm done", he said.

"Well, of course you are!", she replied, disgustedly. He wrapped his

arms around her then, making her smile, unintentionally .

"We'll grab some sweats when we're done", Joe assured him, "What are

we thinking for teams? Ladies versus gentleman?, he asked teasingly.

"Oh, really! I think that is a bit unfair", Clarisse pointed out.

"No, no... we can take um", Mia said excitedly.

"No, we can not", Kay said.

"Yeah, you might brake a nail", Mario said as he and Shades had a good chuckle.

"Watch it", Charlotte warned them teasingly, as she wrapped her arms

around her sister.

"I for one, would like Nanny on my team", Wilkes said, smiling at his beloved.

"She is actually really good", Charlotte said.

"Aoww, I'm ok", Nanny protested.

"No, she's freakishly good at football, for a woman", Kay said.

"Well, I would like to see this freakish ability of yours", Wilkes

said with a laugh.

Soon everyone was helping to clear the dishes and changing clothes in

preparation for the football game. While Nanny was changing, Wilkes

took Kay, Charlotte, Clarisse and Mia aside.

"I have a special request of all of you. That is, a favor"

"Sure Wilkes", Mia said, "What is it?"

"Well, I had an idea. I think it is a good one, if I do say so. You

see, as a gift for Nan, for our wedding. I, well, I wanted to make her

something, but I need your help"

"How can we help?", Clarisse asked, "We will do whatever we can, but

tell us quickly if it is meant to be a surprise. She'll be back soon"

"Yes, of course. All I need is for you all to not let her buy a wedding dress"

"What?", asked Kay, "That's a pretty tall order. How do you tell a

bride that she can not buy a wedding dress?",Kay asked, "and what is

she supposed to wear down the isle?"

"Hear the man out", Charlotte said.

"Yes, well. I thought I might, that is... the surprise was... to make

her a dress"

"Yourself?", Mia asked, surprised.

"Well, I would be working with a designer to draw it up and a

dressmaker to actually make it, but I would like to choose the

materials and design it in my head, so to speak"

"Oh Wilkes, that is a wonderfully romantic idea", Clarisse said, as

Mia and Charlotte agreed.

"I think it's a terrible idea", Kay said.

"Kay!", Charlotte scolded.

"Well, I'm sorry, but I do. What if she doesn't like what you design?

What if the dressmaker fowls it up? What if it doesn't fit her?

Wilkes, you have money. Send her to Paris with a blank check if you

want her to have her dream dress"

"Oh. Well, perhaps you are right. I just thought, no, I know, that

Nanny would prefer something personal to something from a fancy

designer. I'm sorry Kay, but I DO think she will like it"

"Well, of course she will! She will love it. I do have to agree with

Kay that she must try it on before the wedding though. You don't want

to give her such a lovely thing and have her not be able to wear it",

said Clarisse.

"Yes, well I had thought of that. I already hired a designer and one

of the finest dressmakers in the city, they assured me it can be done

by Christmas. So I thought I could give it to her then and she can

have alterations, if needed, before the wedding. I want to use

materials that are meaningful to her. I... Oh, here she comes. Will

you do it? Will you let me have the dress done and not let her choose

another before Christmas?"

"Yes", they all said in unison, even Kay, although half-heartedly.

"Yes, what?", Nanny asked as she approached.

"Oh, nothing, just a little prank I want to play on Fred later", Wilkes fibbed.

"Wicked man!", she said, giving him a little kiss.

A HALF HOUR LATER

"I'll take Nick", Mario announced, as they began choosing teams.

"Ok, I'll take Charlotte", Shades said with a smile for his lady.

"Nice strategy, lover boy", Mario commented, "We've got Pierre"

"Eloise", Shades said, making the little girl jump up and down.

"And everyone better be careful with her!", Charlotte warned.

"Dad", Mario said.

"Nanny", shades picked next.

"Fred", Mario said.

"Mia", Shades countered.

"Wilkes", Mario said.

"Wait, we wanted to stay together!", Nanny said, pouting.

"It's a game, not date night. Get over it", Fred said.

"Aoww, fine", Nanny said, but ran up and gave Wilkes a little kiss

before he made his way over to the other team, "Don't tackle me, ok?"

"I don't know. The thought is rather appealing", he said grinning.

"Alright, brake it up. It's like we're at the High School", Fred commented.

"Mouse", Shades said, realizing that he was the only guy on his team.

"Ok, ah..", Mario said, as he looked over Clarisse, Kay, Peggy and Leota.

"Do we need to take any of them?", Fred asked.

"You are such an..."

"Idiot!", everyone finished for Leota, before laughing, it was

becoming her standard line for her husband.

Joe elbowed Mario then, and Mario said, "Clarisse"

"Peggy", Shades said.

"Ok, final pick..", Mario said, "Kay"

"Thank god!", Fred said, causing Leota to narrow her eyes at him.

"Then we've got Leota", Shades said.

Leota strolled over, slightly embarrassed to be the only one not "picked".

"Come on Leota. We're going to kick Nick and Fred's butts!", Mia said

welcoming her teammate.

"That would be my pleasure!", she said loudly.

So Mario, Joe, Clarisse, Nick, Pierre, Kay, Fred and Wilkes took their

places on one side of the field and discussed strategy. Fred gave

everyone assignments, except for Clarisse and Kay, whom he told to try

to help or just stay out of the way. Clarisse put her hands on her

hips and Joe advised Fred to give the ladies proper positions on the

field, and so he did. Meanwhile Shades, Charlotte, Eloise, Nanny,

Leota, Mia, Mouse and Peggy huddled on the other side of the field and

worked out their strategy.

Soon the game was well underway.

"Hike", Fred yelled, as the ball was handed off to Mario and he went

barreling down the field, where he was met by Mia and Charlotte, who

took him down.

"Yeah! Girl power!", Mia yelled, Giving Peggy and Leota high-fives.

Next Shades was handing the ball off to Nanny, who out maneuvered Joe,

Pierre and Nick. As she approached Wilkes she couldn't help but smile

though, which enabled him to catch her and pull her down as gently as

possible, along with himself. As they lay tangled on the ground

laughing, Mia came over with a scolding look.

"Come on, you had that Nanny! That should have been a touchdown!", she

exclaimed.

"What? I think I did pretty well"

"She did amazing!", Charlotte said laughing.

"I'm impressed", Joe said.

"Me too, she whizzed right by me", Pierre added.

"Nothing like being taken down by a woman in her sixties to like you

feel like a man", Nick said, making everyone laugh, as Wilkes helped

Nanny up.

On the next play Clarisse somehow ended up with the ball and stood

there, before Joe yelled, "Run baby, run!"

It took no time at all for Shades to gently take her down, but Joe

smacked her on the bum all the same, "Good effort, Mrs. Delgado", he

said.

The game ended with Mia knocking down Nick and getting a touchdown,

causing her team to win, which she planned to never let him forget.

The opposing teams shook hands, even Fred and Leota, who kissed as

well. Nanny was named the games MVP, much to Wilke's delight.

They would all remember this Thanksgiving as the one where they spent

the first Holiday in Clarisse and Joe's home, Clarisse attempted

cooking, Mia started a new tradition, Nanny turned out to be the best

football player in the bunch and three sets of fiancés graced their

table, for which they were all thankful.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Much later that night, Nanny got up, as per usual, around midnight to

use the bathroom. Being that they had insisted on Mouse and Peggy

taking the master bedroom with the in-suite bath, she had to make her

way down the hall to the other bathroom. After she was finished, she

stopped in the kitchenette, she had gotten an idea. In the past two

months that they had lived together, Nanny found that nine out of ten

times when she left bed, for water or to use the bathroom, Wilkes

would be awake when she got back, even though she was always very

quiet. He just seemed to know when she was not asleep beside him, a

fact she found incredibly sweet. She looked in the fridge and spotted

the leftover sweet potato pie, which Wilkes had seemed to enjoy so

much earlier that day. She took it out and cut a rather large slice

and then topped it with some of the cream she had made to go with it.

She then headed back to their room with Wilke's midnight snack. If he

should not be awake, she thought with a chuckle, I will just have to

eat it myself. As she passed Mouse and Peggy's room, she heard some

rather cartoonish sounding snoring, and couldn't help but laugh a

little. They were such nice people. She hoped they liked her as much

as she liked them.

She eased the door to their room open and was surprised to find

Wilkes' bedside lamp on.

"I woke you", she said quietly, as she closed the door, "I'm sorry

love, but why did you turn on the light?"

"I thought you might need the extra light in this unfamiliar room and

I told you long ago not to apologize", he said with a smile, "It is

not your fault that I can not sleep without you by my side. What is

that you have there?"

"I brought you a midnight snack", she said as she slid into bed beside

him, "Would you care for some more of my sweet potato pie?"

"Well", he said sitting up and snuggling up to her, "That sounds like

a brilliant idea. Thank you"

"Shall I... feed it to you again?", Nanny asked coyly.

"Oh", he said, sliding his hands around her waist, "I would like that

very much, but only if I am allowed to feed you some as well"

They exchanged naughty laughs as they fed each other their midnight

snack and playfully licking each others fingertips. Until the plate

was empty and Nanny said, "Well, that's the end of our fun I guess",

as she placed the dish on her night stand.

"Does it have to be?", Wilkes asked her as he leaned over her and

kissed her, at first sweetly, but very soon it became much more

intense. He began running his hands over her body and she gently

pulled away.

"Wilkes", Nanny said as she tried to catch her breath, "We can't, they

might 'ear us"

"We could be very quiet", Wilkes suggested in a whisper, his eyes

pleading slightly.

Nanny found she could not resist, or deny, the man she loved, "VERY

quiet", she said in a mock stern voice, as he smiled back at her.

ONE HOUR LATER

As Nanny lay in Wilkes' arms, both of them catching their breaths, she

ran her fingers along his collar bone, "That was...", was all she

could manage.

"Indeed", he replied, "I enjoyed it very much too"

"So I 'eard", she said teasingly.

"Me? Well, yes, I guess I did get a bit... Worked up, but you were

louder then I, my love"

"I know", Nanny said slightly guiltily, "I didn't intend to be. You

just 'ave that effect on me"

Wilkes laughed quietly, "It must have been the pie. Perhaps it's an

aphrodisiac?"

Nanny laughed her hearty, deep laugh, which caused Wilkes face to

light up whenever he heard it. He began laughing too.

"Lord, we must be quiet!", Nanny said wiping away the tears from her

laughter, "I think we both know it was not the pie. When we are...

Intimate, when 'ave I ever not been loud?"

"That is a good point", he said with a chuckle.

"You don't think they heard us, do you?"

"When? Us laughing just now? Or, you know, before?"

"Before", she whispered.

"I don't know my love, and I don't think it really matters. We are

happy and in-love. They are very happy for us, and if they did hear

anything that confirmed our love for each other, well they would

likely laugh about it and say, good for them"

Nanny smiled at this and snuggled back down into his arms, as he shut

off the light.

"Do they really like me?", Nanny asked in the darkness.

"Mouse and Peggy? Of course my love, can't you tell? They adore you!"

"I know, I just wanted to...aoww, I don't know, check I guess. I like

them so, so, so much and they are your family, your only family for

Lord's sake! I really want them to like me"

"Well then, you're in luck. They more then like you, they love you. I

can tell", he said sincerely, as he kissed her head.

"Thank you, Willy", she said as she began drifting off to sleep, but

still being half awake asked, "Love? I forgot to ask before. What

prank did you and the girls play on Fred earlier?"

"What? Oh! Oh that, it never came about...another time", he said,

remembering the fib he had to tell her earlier, to cover for his

surprise. Wanting to change the subject, he asked, "Did you have a

nice Thanksgiving?"

"Aoww, very nice. Did you?"

"Indeed. The finest I have ever had", he said kissing her forehead.

"Wilkes?"

"Hmm?"

"What you said today, about loving every inch of me, about loving me

in every way that one person can love another..."

"Yes"

"I, I will never ever forget it. That was the sweetest thing anyone

'as ever said to me, perhaps the sweetest thing I 'ave ever 'eard

anyone say to another. Thank you for saying it in front of everyone

like that, it made me feel so special"

"It is my honor and privilege to make you feel special, my love, and

you are...very, very special. Do you really feel that I fixed

something in you that was broken? I must admit that your words touched

me, as well"

"Yes, you fixed me Willy. In fact, you made me better then I ever was

before. Never 'ave I been so 'appy, so loved and cared for, or so

'appy to return that love", she said, as she brought her hand to his

cheek, which she could feel was wet from tears.

"I love you so much Nanny", he whispered to her, "Three more months"

"Three more months...", she whispered back, as she smiled, knowing he

was referring to their wedding day.

"Goodnight Mrs. Thompson", he said, kissing her ear.

"Very soon, but not yet love", she whispered back, lovingly.

"Just trying it out", he said, as they both let out tiny giggles.

"Good night, my love", she said, before closing her eyes and finally

falling asleep.

... TO BE CONTINUED

CHAPTER 23: THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

"Do I look alright?", Clarisse asked, as she and Joseph hastened into

the school district's Christmas party, which they were currently

running late for.

"You are a vision, but we are late", he said, pulling her along behind

him, as she tried to reposition her black cocktail dress.

"Joe, you made it!", a man called, as they entered.

"Allen, hello. Merry Christmas", Joe said, shaking the man's hand,

before moving his hand to the small of Clarisse's back, "This is my

wife, Clarisse"

"Clarisse, it is good to meet you", Allen said, kissing her hand, "The

pictures on Joe's desk don't do you justice"

"Allen is my second in command, so to speak. He looks over all the

matters of security for our schools as well, but he does it in person

more often then I do"

"Basically I work sixty hours a week, while this guy gets to come and

go, at about twenty hours. I'm not complaining though. Things have

been so much better since you've been heading security Joe"

"Well, thank you Allen. Is your wife here?"

"Yes, she is over talking with some of the faculty by the bar. I think

Mr. Thompson and your sister-in-law are over there as well"

"Ah, very good", Clarisse said with a smile.

As they made their way over to the bar, they stopped to wave at Fred

and Leota, who were talking in a group on the other side of the room.

"How many schools are here?", Clarisse asked Joseph.

"Well, as you know, I oversee security for one district, which is head

by Dr. Kelly. Wilkes is his boss and oversees many more schools. That

is Dr. Kelly over there", he said, pointing to a distinguished looking

man, about their age, "there are about thirty schools in our district,

five high schools, five junior highs and twenty elementary schools. I

believe they split the Christmas parties into the staff from the High

schools, junior high schools and four parties for each set of five

elementary schools"

"So all of the people here are staff from the five high schools?"

"Yes. With dates, probably about three hundred and fifty people. Then

the district staff like Charlotte, Dr. Kelly and myself are invited to

all of them, but I was smart enough to decline all the other

invitations, but this one. I knew Mia and Nanny would be here, as well

as Leota and Fred, so I figured this was a good one to make an

appearance"

"My goodness! Does Wilkes go to all of them?"

"No. He couldn't if he wanted to. He oversees other districts as well.

So, he would never be able to go to all those parties. I believe he is

only here as Nanny's date, but I wonder what all the other staff think

of having him here"

"I bet some of them are a bit nervous, especially the school principals"

"Perhaps. Now, enough about all that. Let's get a drink", he said as

he ordered them two Gin and Tonics, before making their way over to

Nanny and Wilkes, who were chatting in a group at the other side of

the bar.

"Ah, Clarisse, Joe! Merry Christmas!", Wilkes said, greeting them.

"Hello, Merry Christmas!", they said as they hugged their family.

"Have you seen Mia or Charlotte yet?", Clarisse asked Nanny.

"No, not yet", Nanny said, surprised, "But I know they are all coming together"

"Well, I am sure they'll be here soon", Clarisse said, as she looked

around the ballroom of the St. Regis, where Wilkes had arranged for

the Christmas party to be held.

It was rather upper class for a faculty party, but he was able to

arrange it, having lived at the St. Regis for so long and knowing the

manager. He had privately funded some of the party, since it went way

over budget. A fact that Dr. Kelly promised he would not let leak out

or it would seem like Wilkes was playing favorites. Which frankly, he

was. He wanted Nanny to have a nice time with her co-workers. What

Nanny didn't know, was that Wilkes had also gotten them a room

upstairs for the night. It wasn't really necessary, but he thought it

might be a nice change of scenery and it would prevent them from

having to hail a cab later, along with all the other guests, as they

had not brought their car. In addition to that, today was the six

month anniversary of their first date. He wanted to surprise her with

a lovely room full of flowers, like he had in Niagara Falls.

"Lovely, itn't it?", Nanny asked Clarisse.

"Very nice", Clarisse commented.

"Well, you can certainly tell you two are twins!", a plump woman, whom

had just approached them, pointed out.

"Diane! 'ello, Merry Christmas", Nanny greeted her.

"Nanny, Merry Christmas... This must be your twin sister"

"Indeed, and you know Wilkes?", Nanny asked, motioning to her fiancé.

Several other guests, mostly high school teachers, around them looked

up at the mention of Wilkes. It seemed most of the guests were a bit

nervous to have their bosses, bosses boss, as it were, here at the

party.

"Oh, of course. Mr. Thompson! It is so good to see you sir", Diane

said, nervously.

"Please, call me Wilkes", he said, shaking the woman's clammy hand.

Soon others were greeting Wilkes and seeking an opportunity to chat

with him. Nanny rather thought, with a chuckle, it was like being

engaged to one of the Beatles in the1960's. Wilkes seemed a bit

overwhelmed, however. Charlotte, Shades and Mia had entered the

ballroom, Nanny noticed, and she used this as an excuse to steal

Wilkes away from his admirers.

"So, I think it makes sense for the kids to form one debate team.

Don't you agree Mr. Thompson?", a man was asking Wilkes.

"Oh, ah, well..."

"I'm so sorry, I 'ate to interrupt, but my daughter, Mr. Thompson's

soon-to-be step-daughter, 'as just arrived and we should really go and

let her know we are 'ere", Nanny said to the man.

"Of course", he replied.

"If you'll excuse us", Wilkes said to the group, as he took Nanny's

hand and they moved towards the door.

"Thank you", Wilkes whispered to her, when they were out of earshot.

"For you my love, any time", she said with a laugh.

"Aunt Nan!", Mia said, as they approached, "Wow, you look smoken!

Isn't that the red dress from your first date together?"

"Yes, I noticed that myself", Wilkes replied, "I also noticed that she

looked, as you say,"smoken" in it!"

"Wilkes!", Nanny said, with a laugh, "You look very nice yourself Mia,

as do you Charlotte", she said, giving her daughter a little kiss.

"Thank you, excuse me. I am going to get a drink", Charlotte said, as

she walked to the bar.

"Is she alright?", Nanny asked Shades.

"Yeah, she's just mad at me about something stupid", Shades replied.

"I see", said Nanny.

"Well, Nick is in good company then. I am currently not speaking to

him. I think I need a drink myself", Mia said as she headed away.

"Your Grandmother and Joe are by the bar as well, if you are looking

for them", Wilkes called after her.

"Oh dear", Nanny said to him, "We've got to get these young people

back together"

"Especially Charlotte and I. We are getting married in a week!",

Shades pointed out.

"Well, perhaps we should take a seat, before they all fill up and we

can not sit together", Nanny pointed out, "There, Fred and Leota are

the only ones at that table, so there will be room for all of us"

"Yes, brilliant!", Wilkes said, as they, along with Shades made their way over.

As they sat, Nanny made a point of placing her and Leota's purses on

two of the five empty chairs, to save spots for their family. Soon all

the guests were finding seats. Clarisse and Joe made their way over

with Mia, but there was no sign of Charlotte.

"Maybe I should look for her?", Shades asked Nanny.

"She'll find us. She just needs a few minutes, love. I will put my

purse 'ere between us and save 'er this seat, ok?"

"Ok, thanks... Mom", he said a little unsure, "Is that a weird thing

to call you? Charlotte, before she was mad at me, suggested maybe it

would be a good idea?"

"Aoww, Scott. I will be proud to be your mother-in-law. You may call

me whatever you wish, but yes, Mom sounds very nice to me"

"Thanks", Shades said with a little blush.

"Just don't call me daddy", Wilkes said teasing, which made Shades laugh.

Just then, the only other seat at their table, between Wilkes and Mia,

was filled by a co-worker of Mia's. Also a sociology teacher. She was

slim, with long curly grey hair, about Leota's age, but unlike Leota,

she was something of a hippie.

"Alright if I sit?", She asked them.

"Camille, yes!", Mia said, "We're just saving that seat over there for

my cousin, Charlotte. So just this one seat is open. Do you have a

date?"

"Nope, flying solo, sweetie"

"Cool", Mia said, "Then I will be your date"

Mia introduced her to everyone she didn't know, namely everyone but

Leota, Fred, Nanny and herself. After the introductions, Charlotte had

finally arrived and taken her seat. Shades was about to talk to her,

when Dr. Kelly took to the microphone.

"Good evening. I would like to welcome you all to our district's high

school staff Christmas party. I hope everyone enjoys themselves

tonight and has some fun. I won't talk long. I just wanted to thank

everyone for coming out. As you can see, at the far corner, my second

in command, our district Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Charlotte Marsh

is also joining us this evening", Dr. Kelly paused as everyone clapped

and Charlotte smiled and gave a little wave, "Also at that table is

our new addition. Our head of all matters of security, Mr. Joseph

Delgado", he paused as their was more clapping and Joe nodded, "Now,

over at this table, you will see our head of...", Dr. Kelly continued.

"They forgot Wilkes", Clarisse pointed out, "How embarrassing for this

Dr. Kelly. You are his boss, are you not?", Clarisse asked Wilkes.

"Oh, well yes, but I am just here as Nan's guest. He wouldn't formally

introduce me", Wilkes said, as they all turned their attention back to

Dr. Kelly.

"So, that does it for our district staff. I think I speak for all of

them, when we wish you all a happy holiday and safe New Year. Now

there will be an open bar for the next hour, which was certainly not

in our budget, but an anonymous gift from someone in this room made it

possible. Please, enjoy. We will have some dancing now and right up

until dinner, after which we will do our annual awards, which will be

brief. So it should be a nice evening all the way around. Now, I know

I already did all the district introductions, but we do have another

district staff here tonight, whom I would like to acknowledge"

"Oh Boy", said Joe, as he gave Wilkes a look.

"My boss, Mr. Wilkes Thompson is here in an unofficial capacity. His

fiancé is a counselor in one of our schools and he is here tonight as

her guest. Mr. Thompson has worked wonders in our schools and I am

sure we are all honored to have him her tonight", he said as everyone

clapped loudly, and a few people even cheered, including Mia, with a

cheeky smile. Wilkes nodded politely, as Dr. Kelly wrapped things up

and the music started.

"You are quite a popular man", Nanny pointed out to Wilkes, who

nodded, "Tell me. Would you care... to dance?"

"Why, I can think of nothing I would rather do", he said, as he took

her arm to lead her onto the dance floor, where several other couples

were dancing, but few enough so that many eyes were on them.

"Now there's two people that look good dancing together", Charlotte commented.

"Yes, I have never seen them dance. They do look good", Clarisse added.

"Almost as good as us... Almost", Joseph said to her, as her cell rang.

"Oh, Mia I believe it's Nick"

"Great, I won't pick up my phone, so he moves onto yours. May I?", she

asked, taking the phone, "Hello? Why are you calling my grandmother?

Honestly, you are so immature! I... What? Oh! You are serious? Honey,

I am so sorry. I mean... I know, but still. Are you going to be

alright? I will take the first flight in the morning. No, I agree it

is the right thing to do. No, I want to be there. Yes, yes. You will

send Genovia One? Good thinking. Ok, I will be at the airport in the

morning. I love you too! Ok, goodbye. Hey, wait... Nick? I am sorry

about our silly little argument. I know... I know... Me too. I will

see you tomorrow. Bye"

"So...?", Joe asked.

"Arthur Mabrey died today. A heart attack"

"Oh my Lord!", Clarisse said.

"I can't believe it!", Charlotte said.

"Just like that? Wow", Shades said.

"Good riddance!", Joe said, as he took a sip of his drink.

"Joseph! A man has died darling. True, it was a man our family

loathed, but all the same"

"Well, I feel bad for Nick, if he is hurting in any way over this, but

that is where my feeling, on this matter, ends. I am sorry", Joe said

to Clarisse and to Mia.

"Don't be. I feel the same. I am going to go and be with Nick though.

He told me I needn't, considering my past with the man, but he did

raise Nick, even if he brain washed him most of his youth. I want to

be there for Nick"

"Well said, would you like us to come as well?", Clarisse asked.

"No. That is not necessary, but thank you. I think I need another

drink. Would you care to join me Camille?"

"Sure honey", the older woman said.

Soon after, Clarisse and Joe joined Nanny and Wilkes on the dance

floor, where many more couples were now dancing. Leota and Fred held

down the fort, so to speak, as Charlotte and Shades stepped into the

lobby for a talk.

"Do you think they will be all right?", Wilkes asked Nanny, motioning

to Shades and Charlotte as they stepped out.

"Aoww, yes! They 'ave to be. They love each other so, so, so much!"

"Yes. Do you think as much as... We love each other?", he said,

slightly teasingly.

"I'm not sure about that. They would be very lucky if that were the

case though", she said with a smile.

"Indeed", he replied, as he pulled her closer, "I have a bit of a

surprise for you my dear"

"Is that right?", Nanny asked.

"Yes. You see, I hope it is alright, I have, ah, rented us a room

here. For tonight, after the party. Our things are already up there"

"But whatever for love? We 'ave a 'ome that we share now, not two blocks away"

"Well, yes", he said, as he spun her, "I just thought it might be

convenient. Think of all these people trying to get cabs later... And

also, maybe a little bit... romantic? Our room has a whirlpool tub,

unlike at home"

"A whirlpool tub. That reminds me of..."

"Niagara Falls? Yes, me too. So was it... a good idea?", he asked sheepishly.

"A very good idea love! Very romantic", she said reassuringly.

"Ah, well I am happy that it pleases you", he said with a smile.

As the slow song they were dancing to finished, an announcement was

made that dinner was about to be served and everyone returned to their

tables. As they ate, they shared some stories. Including one from

Thanksgiving that most at the table did not know about.

It had been the case, while Nanny was changing into sweats for their

Thanksgiving football game, that Fred had accidentally stumbled upon

her partially undressed. Nanny had told Wilkes about it on

Thanksgiving, but Fred had not told Leota. It had been a bit awkward

at the time, but made for a funny story now. Funny to everyone but

Leota, who pointed out that Fred had now seen Nanny in a state of

somewhat undress twice. This naturally brought up Niagara Falls, and

the story with the ice bucket in the hallway, much to Nanny's horror.

Nanny thanked her lucky stars that, while everyone had a good laugh,

nobody dwelled on the story, but rather moved onto what happened next

that weekend... Fred and Leota's shotgun wedding.

As they continued to eat and talk, Nanny noticed that the tension

between Charlotte and Shades had diminished somewhat, to her relief.

The talk they had in the lobby earlier must have done some good. Nanny

also noticed, as did everyone else, that Mia's friend Camille had

drank several alcoholic beverages and was now subtly flirting with the

men at the table, namely Wilkes, who was sitting beside her. At first

this caused Nanny's blood to boil a bit. However, as Wilkes placed his

hand on her knee under the table and gave her a look that told her he

was uncomfortable with thee attention, she was reminded that she

needn't worry. Not with this man, not ever.

"Do you think this is too much cleavage?", Camille asked Mia, as she

pointed at her chest.

"No! Your girls look good", Mia said, having had a few drinks now herself.

"What do you think Fred?", Camille asked Fred, causing Leota to raise

her head slowly, from where she was cutting her meat, and stare at the

woman.

"No, looks fine", Fred said, unintentionally not giving the woman much

attention, to Leota's delight.

"Well, I don't have breasts like these two", Camille said, gesturing

to Nanny and Clarisse, "But I suppose mine are fine"

"I beg your pardon?", Clarisse asked, as Joseph tried to stifle his laughter.

"Oh, no disrespect honey. I would love to have those... and hers seem,

yes, even bigger! Gees, what cup size are you?", she asked Nanny, who

had turned bright red.

"Well, I..I typically do not discuss", Nanny started, but thankfully

their conversation was cut short when the awards began.

Everyone's attention was focused on Dr. Kelly, who announced various

awards for acts which were thought to be above and beyond. As the last

award was being giving out, Nanny looked back at Wilkes, expecting to

see a look of boredom on his face. Instead she was met with a look of

panic, then she caught site of what had caused his panic, as she saw

Camille's hand running up and down his knee. Nanny was about to bat

the woman's hand away, when she removed it on her own, as everyone was

clapping. Signaling the end of the awards. The music started again and

Wilkes wasted no time pulling Nanny to her feet, even though it was

not a slow song they were playing.

"Please tell me she 'ad not been doing that for long!", Nanny said to

him as they approached the dance floor.

"I, I, well, I think she had been doing it for a while", he said.

"What?", Nanny demanded, pulling him off the dance floor, "And you LET her?"

"No, no... of course not! I mean I did, but only because I assumed it

was you. She was touching my leg closest to you, and you do that so

often... I just assumed... Nanny, you KNOW I would never go looking

for, or except, that kind of attention from another woman. You know

that don't you?"

"Well, of course I do!", Nanny snapped, "but that doesn't mean I like this!"

"Of course not, but I didn't know it wasn't you. Not until you turned

and I saw both your hands", Wilkes explained desperately.

"Aoww, Wilkes. I know it is not your fault, but my Lord! The nerve of

some people! Just because she 'ad a few too many, does not give her

the right to go around groping another woman's fiancé!"

"Certainly not!", he agreed, "Why don't we just go Nan? Our room is

ready for us upstairs. We've danced and eaten and said hello to

everyone"

"No! I will not be driven away by that, that... "

"Tramp?", Leota offered from behind her.

"Well... Yes", Nanny responded, turning to Leota and Fred, who had

come to see if things were alright.

"Whatever you wish", Wilkes said, resolved to not upset her further.

"The woman is a tasteless shrew!", Leota said to Nanny, "Ignore her. I

know I am", she said as she led Fred onto the dance floor, as another

slow song had began.

"Shall we? We always move so well to this song", Wilkes asked Nanny,

as he took her hand. Nanny followed and danced somewhat happily in his

arms. The more they danced, the more she relaxed and enjoyed the closeness with him.

"I love you", she told him, feeling badly about his position in this

predicament.

"Well, I love you too... and thank you, for not blaming me"

"It wouldn't have been fair of me to 'ave blamed you Love", Nanny

said, as she looked towards their table, where she noticed Mia and

Camille had left.

Seeing the confused look on her face, Clarisse approached them,"Mia

has called it a night. There was a death in Nick's family and she is

leaving early tomorrow to be with him", she explained.

"Oh, poor Nick", Nanny said as they stopped dancing.

"It was Arthur Mabrey, so don't feel too bad", Joe said from behind

Clarisse, as he took her hand and began dancing with her. Nanny and

Wilkes began dancing again as well, although the song had changed, it

was still a nice slow dance.

"And what about Mia's friend, Camille?", Nanny asked Clarisse, who was

still close by, trying not to hiss the woman's name.

"She left after Mia. We didn't know exactly what happened, but

obviously she said something rude to you two and so we were all giving

her a bit of the cold shoulder"

"It's more what she did, then said. I will tell you another time. I

hope she didn't drive. She was rawther drunk", Nanny said as kindly as

possible.

"Shades got her a cab", Joe said.

"I see", Nanny said, relieved that the woman was gone, but dreading

having to see her around the High School after the New Year. She

wouldn't think about that now, however. Her attention went back to

Charlotte and Shades, who were now sitting alone at the table talking.

She hoped their spat would be settled soon.

"Shall we sit?", Wilkes asked her, looking a little tired.

"Could we, ah, sit at the bar for a bit? I think Shades and Charlotte

need to talk alone"

"Certainly", he said, as they moved to the bar, after letting Joe,

Clarisse, Fred and Leota know and asking them to give Charlotte and

Shades a bit of time alone as well.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

LATER THAT NIGHT

"I'm sorry again, for stressing everyone with our argument!",

Charlotte said to the group, Shade's arm around her, as they were

saying their goodbyes in the lobby.

"You needn't apologize Charlotte. It seems it was the night for

arguments. Mia and Nick had one tonight as well", Clarisse pointed

out.

"So did Nanny and Wilkes. I never thought I would see that", Leota said.

"Well, it was rather brief", Wilkes said, smiling at Nanny, "and

neither of our faults"

"And no doubt due to that awful Camille...", Leota said.

"Hey, we didn't fight tonight!", Fred pointed out, almost disappointed,

"What kind of alternate universe are we in, when Nan and Wilkes are

fighting and not us?", he asked Leota, as everyone laughed.

Leota rolled her eyes, "Come on. Let's go home and we can argue all night"

"Sounds good baby, I hope there is a hidden meaning in that", he said

slipping his hand from her lower back to her bottom.

"There isn't", she said, unable to hide a smile.

"Yeah right. She wants me so bad", he said to the others.

"Goodnight", Leota said to them all.

"Goodnight", they all said, as Fred and Leota left.

"They are too funny", Charlotte said, "Well, we will be going too"

"Do you guys want to stay with us tonight, so you don't have to drive

back to Connecticut at this hour?", Shades asked Joe and Clarisse.

"Oh, we don't want to put you out. With Eloise, and her sitter staying

the night, plus Mia... you have a full house", Clarisse said.

"Maybe we could stay at your place tonight? If that is alright", Joe

asked Nanny and Wilkes.

"Oh", Wilkes replied, "Well, yes, of course you are welcome to stay at

our place, but we, ah, won't be there"

"Wilkes got us a room 'ere for tonight", Nanny said, surprising

herself by how shy she was about it. They did live together, for

Lord's sake, "But you should stay at our place... and you will 'ave it

to yourselves"

"Are you sure?", Clarisse asked.

"Oh, yes, yes", Wilkes answered, "Make yourselves at home. You have a

key, don't you?"

"Yes, we still have a key. Well, thank you", Joe said, "We can all

share a cab then", he said to Shades and Charlotte.

"You kids have fun!", Shades said to Nanny and Wilkes, as everyone said

goodnight and the group bound for The Plaza departed.

"Just you and me", Wilkes said as they made their way to the elevator.

"Thank God! What a night", Nanny said, resting her head on his

shoulder, his arm around her waist, as they walked onto the elevator.

"At least Shades and Charlotte worked things out", Wilkes pointed out.

To which, Nanny nodded.

As they entered their room, Nanny smelt, before she saw, the flowers

in the room.

"Aoww, Wilkes! It's just like... the first time", she said with a smile.

"Yes. I thought I would try and recreate the suite we had at Niagara

Falls, as much as possible"

"That was very sweet love!", Nanny said, as she wrapped her arms

behind his neck and ran her fingers threw his hair, "I love you so,

so, so much!", she said, kissing him sweetly.

As they broke the kiss, a few moments later, Wilkes replied, "I love

YOU so, so, so much my dear!", which made her laugh a little, before

he continued, "Happy Anniversary my love"

"Happy what?", Nanny asked, pulling back.

"It's our six month Anniversary. Six months, to the day, of our first

date that is"

"Oh my Lord! Wilkes, I didn't realize. I am so sorry!"

"Oh, tosh, tosh. I didn't expect you to remember. A six month

anniversary of a first date is hardly something most would remember"

"But I would 'ave liked to", Nanny said sadly.

"Maybe you did on some level. Subconsciously, perhaps. I mean, you did

choose that dress to wear tonight"

"But I chose it because it was red and festive", she said looking down

at herself and the red silk dress which she had also worn on their first date.

"Or so you thought, but the mind works in mysterious ways"

"Per'aps", she said, still feeling badly that she hadn't remembered.

"I must admit that tonight is not going exactly as planned", he said,

with a little laugh.

"You mean you didn't picture us having to dodge 'alf the staff of this

city's 'igh schools, whom all wanted a moment of your time? You didn't

picture 'aving to play the "make-up game" with Scott and Charlotte?

I'm sure you certainly didn't picture 'aving to deal with another

woman touching you or my wrath thereafter?", she asked with a little

laugh.

"Ah, no, not what I pictured. However, I am not a fool. That is life.

Is it not? And I want to live every moment of my life with you, the

good and the bad", he said, as he took her back into his arms.

"Aoww, Willy, me too Love! Me too", she said, as she kissed him again,

"Thank you for all this and 'appy Anniversary! I promise I will

remember next year"

"Next year we will have another Anniversary to remember", he said with

a smile, "But I still say you remembered this one, knowingly or not,

you wore the dress! ...and what a dress it is", he said running his

hands over the red silk stretched over her bottom and kissing her. Soon

in, her mouth opened for him and he moaned with delight as he backed

her towards the bed. Just as he was about to gently push her down onto

it, she stopped him.

"Wilkes, wait"

"What is it? What's the matter my darling?", he asked, slightly concerned.

"Nothing is the matter. I just thought... We wanted to recreate

Niagara Falls right? Do you remember what was the first thing we did

there, after undressing each other that is?

"Well. We... oh yes, of course", he said with a smile, "I will go run the water"

"Not before you undress me", she said in a sultry voice, that drove him wild.

"Your wish, is my command", he said in a sexy voice, as he unzipped

the back of her dress, "I will never in my life forget that first site

of your nude body. Then, later, when you laid on the bedroom floor..."

"All wet and soapy?", she asked with a cheeky grin, as she slipped her

dress off.

He nodded, "I have never been so turned on in my entire life, as I was

at that moment, seeing you", he said as he undressed himself.

"Hmm, and YOU changed everything I thought an intimate encounter was

that night. When you gave me my first ever..."

"It was an honor. Your first, and it certainly was not your last", he

said, as he pulled her against his now nude body.

"Certainly not", she whispered, as he slid off and unhooked her

remaining garments.

"Magnificent", he said, as he looked at her, "You take my breath away,

every time I see you unclothed"

She smiled at his compliment and his obvious arousal, "come with me",

she said, taking him by the hand and leading him into the bathroom,

stopping to grab the champagne and flutes off the counter on the way,

"The view only gets better when you add water... or so I am told"

He laughed at her cheeky remark, "Whoever told you that was a very

smart man! I whole heartedly agree"

"Oh yes, he is incredibly intelligent", she said, stepping into the

tub and turning on the water, then placing down the champagne, before

pulling him in as well, "and very, very sexy"

"Oh, really?", he asked coyly.

"Oh, yes!", she said, before kissing him passionately.

... TO BE CONTINUED