Chapter 44

Caine residence – Friday evening.

Horatio couldn't help but chuckle when he heard Natalia squeal "You're kidding me right!" and knew straight away that she'd hit pay dirt with Maxine. And judging by the way Natalia was now pacing up and down the hallway the information was good. Real good!

N-Horatio, you're not going to believe this

H-What?

N-It's not a birthday party we'll be attending it's a WEDDING!!!!

H-(laughing) You mean those two are.......

N-Yep. They're getting married!!!

H-I knew it! I knew they were up to something!

N-Well, just because we know what they are up to, doesn't mean we can blab it all over the lab!

H-I know sweetheart, but it does give me some time to plan something "special" for Rick.

N-(chuckling) Just don't do anything to him that will dramatically change his appearance before the wedding. Afterwards he's fair game okay?

H-(hopefully) Can't I pull just a little prank before the big day?

N-I know you Horatio! I know you've been waiting for payback on Rick, but don't do anything drastic to him okay

H-Yes ma'am. I promise that I personally won't play any major pranks on Rick until after the wedding (smiling widely)

N-Once the others find out he's history isn't he?

H-Oh yeh. Any other news?

N-Yeh, they're breaking the news to both sets of parents on Saturday night.

H-Is that going to be a problem for them?

N-The only problem Max foresees is her mother!!!!!

H-And why is that

N-Maxine's mother wants her to have a lavish white wedding. The sort of wedding she didn't get to have.

H-But that's not Max!

N- I know that, and you know that. Let's just hope that Maxine's mother realizes that before it's too late.

Valera-Stetler residence Saturday afternoon.

Maxine was in the kitchen going over the list of things that needed to be done before their parents arrived. Rick thought she was worrying over nothing, but wisely kept his mouth shut until Maxine said

M-Rick did you remember to dust the tops of all the doors?

R-For heavens sake Max we're just having our parents over for dinner! We're not expecting the damn President!!!!

M-I know who's coming darling and I'm determined that my mother will find our house in perfect condition!

R-(chuckling) What, do you think that's she's going to go on a dust bunny hunt?

M-I wouldn't put it past her to do just that!!

R-Max, you're over reacting!

M-No I'm not!! My mother just loves to find fault with everything!

R-(wrapping his arms around Max) If that's the case babe, you may as well stop what you're doing now as nothing you do will ever be enough for your mother. You can't change her attitudes.

M-I just want everything to go well this evening.

R-I know you do. I want it to go well too, but the one thing I don't want is you stressing yourself out trying to please a woman who just can't be pleased.

M-(kissing him) When did you get so wise?

R-(chuckling) Horatio's calming influence must be rubbing off on me!!!

M-(laughing) Yeh, right.

TBC