The next morning was beautiful and sunny. Just the perfect temperature not a hint of chill in the air. After everyone had fussed over the new baby and he had gotten a check up, they all headed out to the communal table.
The seven were surprised to see food set out. Their eyes looked to see a cheerful Alice walking out with a pitcher of juice. "Good morning everyone!" She greeted.
"Morning." Skipper said looking over the spread. "What's all this?"
"Oh." The Texan began. "I know Mary Ann is the one who usually handles breakfast but since she just had a baby I thought I would give her a break and make it myself. Sit down..enjoy!" She smiled.
Mary Ann grinned as she held little Jonas in her arms. "Wow this is great. Thank you Alice. I really appreciate this. It was so sweet of you."
"It was my pleasure." The older woman said. She then gently took Jonas' hand in hers. "Hey there little fellow. How are you doing this morning?"
"He's doing great." The farm girl said. "He was such a good boy when Uncle Professor gave him a check up. He's a very healthy boy. And he got his first eyeful of Aunt Ginger kissing Uncle Professor didn't he?" She grinned at her redheaded friend.
"Oh he did?" Alice laughed.
Ginger stuck her tongue out at them. "It wasn't a big deal. I was just telling my darling husband that I can't wait until we find out if I'm going to have a baby and how exciting it will be. Roy is the one who kissed me I'll have you know."
"My love." The Professor said. "I kissed you on your forehead. You are the one who yanked me by the collar and pressed your lips to mine."
Mary Ann laughed. "And then Gilligan and I walk with Jonas to witness this spectacle."
"Yeah." Gilligan chimed in. "I thought you were going for that world kissing record again. Although if you add up the amount of times you kiss in one day…it probably does come out to about 12 hours 6 minutes and 13 seconds."
"I think probably longer than that." Skipper quipped. "I surprised you even come up for air. I know the Professor used to be a scuba diver. Did you use to be one too Ginger?"
Ginger frowned. "Why are you all picking on me?" She pouted. The redhead turned to her husband. "Darling tell them to stop being mean to me."
He smiled and kissed the side of her head after gathering her in his arms. Roy knew everyone was just gently teasing the starlet but he still was obligated to defend his wife's honor. The academic addressed everyone else. "Please stop being mean to my beautiful wife."
The starlet looked up at him with a twinkle in her eyes smiling. "Thank you darling." She then turned her attention back to the others. "You heard my husband. You watch yourselves. My Roy won't stand for you being rude to me. Isn't that right darling?"
"I will always defend you my beautiful starlet." He said kissing her lips.
Mary Ann just rolled her eyes and laughed. Those two. She sat down at the table with Jonas on her lap. Gilligan could not stop grinning at his son. Still in awe that this little baby was his. A part of him. Him and Mary Ann. Wow.
Ginger took a seat at the table and her eyes went to the newborn child. She felt a twinge of jealousy. She wished it was her and not Mary Ann. She wished she was holding her and Roy's new baby in her arms and have everyone fuss over them. The actress put those thoughts out of her head. It would happen soon enough. She and the Professor would have their baby. The farm girl deserved to have this. A baby with Gilligan who she loved very much. The young couple would make excellent parents. In fact they already were. Gilligan was so fatherly earlier with his son it was so moving. The baby was apprehensive about being examined and the sailor assured his new son that it would be okay and that the Professor would not hurt him at all and neither would Ginger.
"Mary Ann." Mrs. Howell said. "He's simply a beautiful boy! Oh please…can I hold him!"
"Sure thing." The young castaway said handing him to the socialite. "Say hello to your Nana, Jonas."
Jonas smiled at Mrs. Howell who cooed over him saying he was quite a delight. Mr. Howell was over his wife's shoulder adoring the child as well. Jonas laughed as the millionaire made a funny face at him. Never did the others think they would ever see the shrewd tough Wolf of Wall Street act in such a manner. It was quite amusing to say the least.
Skipper also thought the child was a joy. He placed his captain's hat on Jonas' head saying he would make a fine sea captain someday. Just wait and see. He would teach him everything he knows!
Amongst this, Ginger excused herself and headed over to the lagoon. She sat down on a log feeling blue. She was happy for Mary Ann and Gilligan. She truly was but…seeing them with the baby. It hurt. It hurt a lot. More than she thought it would. All she could think about was her lost daughter. Tears came to her eyes and they spilled over. This was a lot tougher than she thought it would be. She believed she could handle this. That it wasn't a big deal. But it was a big deal. It was more than she could deal with. Seeing Mary Ann with her beautiful son..it was like a knife stuck in her heart. Ginger was not angry at the girl. What did she have to be angry about? She did not do anything wrong. It was just painful. Never would she hold Kimberly Rose in her arms. Yes she was trying to have another baby with her wonderful husband but it would be awhile until she knew if they did conceive. The starlet wiped the tears away but they kept coming. Her sobs came on harder and she couldn't not stop them.
"Ginger?" A gentle voice said.
She looked and saw Alice standing there. The Texan approached her. "You okay?"
The redhead was going to say yes but knew that was stupid. "No I'm not. I'm not okay. I…it hurts! I love Mary Ann. She's my sister! I am happy for her! I swear I am but it hurts! I hate seeing her with her son! I hate the fact that she has a baby and I don't! I know I'm being selfish and very childish…you don't have to.."
Alice sat down next to the movie star. "Ginger, it's okay. You don't have to be superwoman. I know it hurts you. In a way it hurts me too."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean….as much as I am too happy for Mary Ann. I adore her. She's so sweet and kind…but when I see her with Jonas, it reminds me of when I held my sons when they were babies. And it makes me miss them even more."
"At least you have children. I don't have any. My daughter passed away….I never go to meet her. I…I want a baby so much….it's killing me." She looked at the older woman. "You think I'm crazy don't you?"
"No I don't think you are crazy. Not in the slightest. It's not easy. I know it's not easy. You lost something precious to you. It's not something that you can just get over like that." She said snapping her fingers. "It's going to take time. You just hold onto how you will have that baby. You will hold a baby of your own in your arms. It will happen."
"She's right." Mrs. Howell said standing behind the two.
Ginger looked over at her as she approached the two women. "You will dear." The millionaire's wife started. " I know you will. You are still young and healthy. You will be a mother before you know it. Ginger I understand how this is difficult. Sometimes it is hard for me too. I think of my lost child everyday. And when I see a newborn baby…I don't know I feel a bit of sadness thinking about how I almost had that. It's not something you can explain to anyone. Kimberly Rose will always be with you. She will always be in your heart. I know she is in Heaven right now looking down at you. I am guessing she has your beautiful red hair and stunning green eyes. And I bet she sings and dances for Jesus and all the angels. Is the pride of Heaven!"
Ginger smiled. "You really think so?"
"Of course I do." Mrs. Howell said. "And I bet she is best friends with Helena Grace."
"Helena Grace?" Ginger asked puzzled. "Who's that?"
Mrs. Howell smiled a bit. "That was my daughter. That's what I named her."
"Such a pretty name." The actress said. "I hope Kimberly does know her. I bet Helena is as kind as her mother is."
"That's sweet of you to say dear." Mrs. Howell said gently touching her cheek. "Come on..dry your eyes…let's head back. Mary Ann needs us and we are going to be there for her."
"You're right." Ginger said wiping her tears away and composing herself. "She does. I promised her I would be there for her and I will." She then looked at both woman. "I want to thank you both for being here for me."
"We always will be." Mrs. Howell assured.
"That's right." Alice said. "Always."
The actress hugged them both before walking back to the breakfast table.
Alice sighed watching her. "You think she will be okay?"
"Ginger is tough." Mrs. Howell replied. "She will be just fine. She has the Professor who will do anything in the world for her."
Alice nodded. "He does do everything for her doesn't he?"
"Yes because it makes Ginger happy. If it makes her happy, he is more than willing to do it. There is nothing he won't do for our movie star."
"Just like Mr. Howell with you." Alice pointed out. "He adores you. I can see it. You have a terrific husband."
"Yes Thurston is marvelous." Mrs. Howell sighed. "Maybe someday you will find someone special too. Or have you already?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean Skipper." The socialite said. "Don't think I haven't noticed how close you two have become."
"Mrs. Howell…I…The Skipper is a dear man…He has become a good friend to me…"
"Yes but have you thought of him as more than that?"
"More? I…" Alice thought about that. Has she thought of Skipper as….more? And if not…does she want to?
Breakfast Table
Ginger had freshened up before rejoining everyone. She placed herself on her husband's lap as she wished to be in his arms. The sight of Mary Ann holding the new baby still stung a bit and she was determined to overcome this. The redhead was going to hold onto the hope that she would soon have the same thing. She thought of the night before and a smile came to her face. It was quite passionate to say the least. Her Roy was just….she didn't have the worlds to properly describe. The couple could not break away from one another and this morning barely could keep their hands off each other.
Ginger knew she was to blame for starting it. She hadn't meant to. Well maybe she did…the Professor looked so darn cute sleeping there and how could she resist kissing him. It started with just a quick kiss on his temple and then another kiss and then on his neck and then to his lips before he roused and pulled her into his arms.
They shared another pretty passionate encounter before the Professor moved her aside so he could shower. He somehow managed to keep the frisky starlet from joining him. It was no small feat either.
The redhead could not help herself. Being with him made her feel better. Having him show her he still loved her helped her deal with the loss of her daughter. The actress knew very well that he had not stopped loving her when their child was taken but a part of her just needed that reassurance. And she truly wanted to attempt to have another child. She longed to have a baby with that man. She loved him to pieces. From the day she met him.
The Professor looked at his wife as he held her in his arms. He knew her well enough to know that this was most certainly difficult for his lovely redhead. Roy was aware of how Ginger wished that child belonged to her. It was not something she could hide from him. However she was trying her best and the academic knew she wanted to be there for Mary Ann no matter how hard it may be. The young girl needed her and she was not going to let her down. Another reason he loved Ginger so much. She always thought of others. If anyone ever said she was selfish, they were crazy. She was the least selfish person he had known. She hated seeing anyone on this island unhappy. The Howells marriage was important to her and whenever they had a fight, it was Ginger who stepped into to get them back together. Never did she wish for that dear couple to be apart.
Mary Ann shifted Jonas on her lap and spoke to her redheaded friend. "Say Ginger, I was going to take Jonas around the island and show him the different sights. You want to join me?"
The redhead shook her head. "I don't think so. I think you and Gilligan should spend as much time with your son as possible…I don't want to get in the way.."
Mary Ann frowned. "Ginger you are not in the way. You are his aunt and I want him to know you. Please come with me…"
The Professor spoke to his wife. "Ginger my love why don't you go with Mary Ann? I have some things I need to do. You will have more fun hanging around her instead of me."
Ginger grinned at her husband. "Darling I always have fun with you." She said kissing him.
He returned her kiss. "Yes my beautiful starlet I know you enjoy distracting me while I'm trying to work. However I do need to finish that water system I started. Say Gilligan would you help me? I want to make sure the water flows to the showers correctly."
"Sure. I can do that." The sailor kissed his son's head. "I'll see you later Jonas. You have fun with your Mommy and Aunt Ginger." Gilligan then kissed his wife before heading out with the Professor to work on the water system.
Ginger smiled at the little baby. "He is cute Mary Ann."
"Of course he is. He looks like his daddy." The farm girl said kissing her son. "You are going to grow up and be brave and strong like your daddy is." She looked back at Ginger. "Come on..let's go for a walk."
The two women began their walk when Mrs. Howell rushed up to them with Alice behind her. "I have an idea! Let's have a girl's day!"
"Girl's day?"
"Well Jonas can be there of course but I thought it would be fun for us four girls to spend the day together! It will be such a delight! We can use our cabana! I'll ask Mr. Howell to fix us some special tropical drinks. Of course Mary Ann there won't be any alcohol in the drinks..but still…it will be such fun."
The two young women smiled. "Okay sure." They said. "That's a great idea."
The three women followed the socialite to the cabana and watched as she unhooked the lock on the wooden gate. They all stepped inside and sat down on the various chairs.
Mr. Howell did come out a few minutes later and presented them each with a refreshing beverage.
"Such a beautiful day isn't it?" Mrs. Howell began.
"It is." Alice agreed taking a sip of her pineapple mango drink. Her mind was on Mrs. Howell's earlier question. What did she think of the Skipper? Did she have feelings deeper than friendship? Sure he was not a bad looking man. He was there for her in her darkest hour when she was on that cliff…no one knew about it. Only him. He had not said a word about it to anyone. He promised he would not and was good on his word.
Whenever she was feeling blue, he was there for her. And she did have a nice time with him at the party that night. The Texan enjoyed his tales of the sea. She bet her sons would too. Was this more than friendship?
Mary Ann turned her head towards Ginger. "So..Miss Movie Star…I take it you were keeping a certain professor pretty busy last night. You didn't come back to see me." She grinned at her. "Neither did the Professor."
Ginger turned a shade of red. Normally she wouldn't mind spilling about a man but the Professor was different. She loved him a great deal and well to be honest their lovemaking was sacred to her. "I…well…we just…You know we are trying to have a baby."
"Yes I know." Mary Ann said still grinning. "Gilligan told me he found you two in a let's say compromising position when he was looking for you to tell you I was in labor."
"Shut up." Ginger said her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. "We were just kissing that's all. Be quiet."
Alice spoke. "I know I'm new here but I have to say I don't think I have ever seen anyone love another person like you love your husband. Have you always known he was the one for you?"
Ginger took a sip of her passion fruit drink and then spoke. "I did feel something for him when I first laid eyes upon him. I don't know what it was but I just knew that there was something about him…it told me that this man had to be meant for me."
"And you made that pretty clear." Mary Ann interjected. "I recall Ginger when we got shipwrecked here; you took me aside and informed me that the "cute science guy" was yours. You said I could have that first mate but the cute science guy belonged to you."
Alice laughed. "You said that?"
"Well I knew that she didn't really have any interest in Roy. I just had to make sure that she didn't even think about it." Ginger explained with a smile. "My Roy is special to me and I won't let anyone else get their hands on him. And while we are on the subject, Mary Ann, I seem to recall that right before you boarded the Minnow there was a blonde girl looking at Gilligan and she began to make her way up the ramp when you "accidentally" tripped her causing her to tumble backwards."
The farm girl blushed. "Well I..she…was just a cheap tart who would have hurt Gilligan. I had to spare him the horrible heartache she would have caused him. It was the least I could do."
"And." Ginger continued. "When the girl got up you stared her down and she got so frightened she scurried way pretty quick."
"She deserved it." The brunette said holding her son. "She had no business thinking she could…with Gilligan. There was no way she would have appreciated him and his sweet ways."
Mrs. Howell was amused by the younger girls and their antics. "Alice…what about you? Has there been anyone since your husband?"
"I can't say there has. I know it has been five years but I don't know…I just keep thinking I will find another Tom. I know I won't. There isn't another Tom."
Ginger smiled. "Well Skipper seems very fond of you." She said.
"He is a sweet man." The older woman said. "He has been very kind to me and always there to listen to me. I do appreciate that."
"Yes." Mary Ann said. "But I think there's more than that. I have seen the way he looks at you. He hasn't looked at anyone like that in a long time. True he had admired Ginger but that did not last long as he knew as everyone else knew from day one that she was in love with the Professor."
Alice took another sip of her drink. "You think he thinks of me as more than a friend?"
Mrs. Howell nodded. "I do. And again the question is..do you think of him as more? Would you consider being involved with him romantically?"
The Texan pondered this. Romantically involved with Skipper? She thought of the party in which she danced with him. When he was holding her as they danced to the music, it was nice. It felt nice. A part of her almost wished to…And she did have butterflies when he went to fetch her for the party. Maybe she did have feelings for him…maybe she did think there was more there….It was very possible. Clearly it was not at the level of Ginger and the Professor. But still…maybe he was the one who could at long last ease that ache in her heart that had been lingering there for the past five years. Just maybe Jonas Grumby is what she needed to heal her heart.
Ohio
Matthew Hinkley read the message his secretary left for him for the eighth time.
News about your brother Roy. May be alive. On an island. There was a number for a Chris Norbanks. The man was stunned. Completely in shock. Roy could be..alive? He could be living on some island? Was it possible? No…it was nuts….wasn't it? The search team never did find anyone's remains and there was no sign of the boat. Could they have gotten shipwrecked on island?
Matthew sat in his chair staring at the pink message slip. Roy could be alive. And they could bring him home. Wow. He thought of who else was on that ship. There was the crew. Captain Grumby…his first mate..something… Gilligan. William Gilligan.…and that girl from Kansas..what was her name….Maria? No not Maria….Mary…Mary Ann! Mary Ann Summers. And there was that rich couple….the Howells. Who else? Oh yeah..that movie star. Ginger Grant. Boy was she hot. Wow his brother could be on an island with that beauty! How lucky was he! Man Roy had all the luck! Being stranded on a deserted island with the beautiful Ginger Grant! He couldn't help but wonder if his brother had gotten the nerve to…with Miss Grant. Knowing his brother he probably didn't but maybe that Ginger wore him down.
"Okay forget that." Matthew said to himself. "First thing is first. Call and see if this is actually legit." He dialed the number and waited. He prayed this was true and his brother was out there alive and well.