Title: A Culmination of Some Events, That Left Others In Limbo.
Rating: M (Language & Situations)
A/N: Dick Wolf owns LOCI characters, all others are mine. NO LINKS BETWEEN REALITY AND THIS CHAPTER ARE INTENDED.
A month and a half later..
Seated in His Honor Doreen Hufman's courtroom, Tynie, Bobby, Liza, JT, Elsie, Jessie, Jeremiah and Walter are flanked by security. Across the gallery, the same's true for Jessie's parents, who look to have two sets of lawyers at their side. A bit confused, Tynie smirks, causing Her Honor Hufman to say "I'm aware most of you were awaiting separate hearings, for a disbarment; and a federal case against James and Audry Pabstan. However, the Office of Inspector General and the US District Court Attorney's Admittance's investigators, obtained evidence which made this more prudent. By that I mean, they learned the lawyers up for disbarment allowed their staff to collaborate with James and Audry, on government benefits application fraud. Since those require confidential identifier information, a signed affidavit allowing an employment background check, and one for medical: those investigators felt it was best to file for the lawyers to face nationwide bans, and conspiracy charges to all the ones James and Audry must answer. My superior judge Her Honor Tina Halvorsen agreed, which is why this hearing was called. Regrettably, His Honor Poshane recently had to take a leave of absence, to assist his family in legitimate matters, I'm not allowed to name. US District Court Judicial Administration privacy regulations forbid it, but Her Honor Halvorsen assured me, how I just explained it, doesn't violate them. If anyone tries to get me in professional trouble over it anyway, they'll answer to her, before their tactics have a chance at affecting me. Now, all that's been said, I must ask. Do any of you have questions?"
Quickly rising to her feet, Tynie implores "Your Honor, I'm Tynie Vantman, and I'd like you to call me Tynie from this point on. You see, it's one of my best ways, to make my part of this easy on you. In my book, it's a matter of fairness, because it sounds like your docket's one of many, that got doubled up, not too long ago. Even if I'm wrong, I'll show you other ways I hope to make my end of this easy on you, when the times are right. Now, I have two questions. Do those regulations allow any civilians to join Her Honor Halvorsen's efforts? If so, would you be alright with me asking security to help me get you the fastest way to reach me, so I can?" "Wait a minute. Are you the same Tynie Vantman, who saved Her Honor Halvorsen's life after a faulty car repair instigated fire?" Her Honor Hufman impedes. "Yes, Your Honor. I'm still waiting to hear if I'll have to testify in that case. Should you let me give you the fastest way to reach me, I'll include a contingency for my offer, and negotiate how I repay who I name at a later date." Tynie verifies. "Tynie, you thought of almost everything. I'm impressed, and humbled by your offer, especially in light of your prior act. However, I must warn you: those regulations require the information you're referencing get kept confidential, and only used to enforce your offer or comply with a material evidence warrant." Her Honor Hufman admonishes. "I have the same rule, Your Honor. You may not have known yet, but I'll need about ten minutes, to draw up what I promised. If you'll allow that, and let a security member bring me up to you so I can deliver it, it'd be great." Tynie surmises. "Tynie, I'll allow it, on one condition. You must understand, I'm taking that time to get an answer, for the testimony you just mentioned. Sergeant Fordham, who's standing at your left, will be your escort for the delivery, too." Her Honor Hufman impedes. "Sounds good, Your Honor." Tynie accepts.
Shortly nodding, Her Honor Hufman diverts to use her in court phone, while Tynie begins proving her word. Obeying his newest directive, Sergeant Fordham becomes one of several people, who learn Tynie's answer is no, because the guy was an illegal immigrant working under an assumed name; that ICE just deported. "Your Honor, that news, slightly changes my offer. If you'll help me find out why New York's allowing that kind of thing, and if we can do anything to change it: I'll gladly swear to anyone I must, my written offer covered it. Yeah, I know this will spike my debt to my contingency agent. It's fine, because this is the third time.. In less than six months...crimes by illegals or foreign nationals have impacted my life. I believe you got papers on the others, but if not: I'll be happy to draw up an explainer notice for them, and deliver it before you release my group." Tynie requests. "Tynie, there's another way we can settle your latest idea. All it'll take is, us making a deal so I can use your freshly-amended offer, to support getting the papers on those ordeals. I'll be in contact with you or your contingency agent, when I have that, and your next answer." Her Honor Hufman counters. "Your Honor, we have a new deal." Tynie rephrases. Noting all that, Her Honor Hufman lets Tynie rejoin her group, then reexamines the written notice. A matter of minutes later, she makes a stunning discovery, yet strives to hide the shock. Clearing her throat; as she looks out to her gallery, she inquires "Retired Judge Strickland, and by that I mean Jeremiah, I'm curious. Did you consent to Tynie making you the contingency agent?" Arising, Jeremiah answers "Yes, Your Honor. She just wasn't sure I'd let it be extended, so you call me and my wife Liza by first name, from this point forward. It's alright, because I'm aware, even taking a chance at lying on someone's name, violates Tynie's ethics code. You may not have been, but my decision's also in the name of our safety. I fear, having too many credentials like ours used during this proceeding, will be warped into reason for most of the defense wing to violently retaliate. The security detail members are excluded, since they're merely doing their jobs."
Just after he silences, Bobby gets up, to add "Your Honor, I'm Bobby Vantman, and their decision for first name basis, now covers me. They already explained why, so I hope the rest of our group follows us on it." "Alright Bobby, you two may be seated. I'll get that answer, shortly." Her Honor Hufman signifies. Obeying, Jeremiah and Bobby witness her bring this hearing, to the testimony aspect. Over the course of it, she finds out Bobby's answer is yes, and his group's statements damned the defense's case. Shortly after that, she asks "Tynie, are you aware of anyone with you, who will refuse restitution?" Hustling to her feet, again, Tynie replies "Yes, Your Honor. Here's the thing, Jeremiah's safety concern led me to believe, it's too dangerous for me to speak on who and why. So, if you'll let me reuse the deal we had for my written offer, you'll get that answer in the same amount of time." "Go ahead, Tynie." Her Honor Hufman pardons. Flipping her bangs out of her eyes, Tynie nods, and proceeds to uphold her word. Examining this evidence, Her Honor Hufman queries "Tynie, have you enjoyed making firsts for my career?" "Yeah. Your Honor, technically, I may not be done yet. I've realized, I missed a base, when I made my written offer. It's OK, because there's a fairly easy solution. All I'd need is, to find out if I can extend my offer so Sergeant Fordham and his team are covered, because of their link to this hearing. If so, and you'll forgive that rhyme, I'll be more than happy to triple my debt on the contingency angle." "Your Honor, the last part doesn't feel right to me. We can't predict how the negotiations will end, so I hope you'll advise her or Jeremiah to let it fall under her prior debt." Sgt. Fordham prays. "I planned on it, Sergeant. You didn't know yet, but I must order for your superiors to treat their contact details as I'm required to, or face prosecution. You, and everyone else connected to Tynie's most recent offer will be notified, if it comes to that." Her Honor Hufman rescinds. "Thank you, Your Honor." Tynie and Sgt. Fordham reply, in near perfect sync. Tucking her bangs out of her eyes, Her Honor Hufman nods, then allows that pair to return to their spots. As soon as Tynie sits back in hers, a two hour recess is called, so Her Honor Hufman can consider the verdict. Escorting Tynie's group from the courtroom, Sergeant Fordham's half of the security team soon follows them, in clearing a nearby courthouse exit checkpoint.
Dispersing, that entourage heads to get lunch, at different restaurants. As JT's sect orders theirs, he tells a young looking guy behind the counter to put Walter and Elsie's on his tab. Trailing his logic, Liza makes it so Tynie and Bobby don't have a bill, only to see the second man do it for Jessie. Standing by her spouse, Tynie appeals "Darek, they just gave me an idea. If you'll give me a few minutes to get in my wallet; you'll learn what it entails." "Ok." Darek gulps. Deftly turning away, long enough to pull a fifty out and resituate her purse, Tynie readjusts it's strap. "Darek, here's my idea. If it won't cost your job, for violating any anti-robbery rules: take this bill, and use it to pay the next military veteran, elder, or someone who's both's tab. If they ask, tell them it's a respect of service thing; and you didn't get a name for who did it. If it covers more than one, the same line applies." Tynie extolls. "Ma'am, our anti-robbery and anti-fraud rules forbid us from taking hundred dollar bills, or any bank or credit cards without checking a patron's ID to see if the names match. Anything else is fine, but personally, I think this is awesome of you." Darek informs. "Thanks." Tynie dubs.
Watching him take the bill, which is stashed by the register, she smiles. Gently sliding her hand into her husband's left one, Liza guides the group to the other side of the counter, to await their meals. Delayed by about half an hour, Tynie, Elsie and Jessie are served first. Accepting it with nods, they lead the men with them to a couple booths, where everyone sits to face each other. Carefully leaning forward, Jeremiah softly says "Sis, if you get me a twelve pack of Sake Kings by the end of next month: your debt will be cleared. You know what luck drove my timeframe, too." "Yep. We have a deal." Tynie mutters. Cautiously sitting back, Jeremiah notices the others waited on that, to eat. Smirking, he joins them in enjoying it all. While Bobby, JT and Jessie handle cleanup, Tynie mimics her uncle's leaned over pose, getting a wondering grin. "I know what went through your head a bit ago. You felt bad, about us not eating before you, when you shouldn't. We didn't want to be rude, especially since most of our group knows you'd never do it to us. I'm not sure about Jessie's wing of it, because this is our first time having a meal together, but still." Tynie provisions, under her breath. Gazing Jeremiah's way, Elsie uses a hushed tone, as she corrects "I have nothing but respect, for how that was addressed. We share you guys' rule, so you can relax." Exhaling a slow breath, Jeremiah nods, and trails his group as they leave the restaurant. Stealthily detouring to make restroom visits in the process, everyone with Walter soon clears courthouse entrance security without incident.
Greeting them, Sergeant Fordham reports "I just found out. The defendants in your hearing, will be finishing it through video conferencing in a segregated room, because they threatened violence against Her Honor Hufman. They're facing additional charges for it, too." "Will we have to appear for that?" Jessie asks. "I'm not sure, but I believe you can find out during your hearing." Sgt. Fordham debates. "Ok." Jessie cites. Restarting the armed escort part of his post, with several co-workers, Sergeant Fordham secretly feels guilty about his latest answer. Soon after they make it back into Her Honor Hufman's courtroom, everyone in Tynie's entourage claims the same seats they had earlier. Deftly flanking them from all sides, Sergeant Fordham's team invokes silence. Joining that respect, Tynie, Bobby, Liza, Elsie, Jessie, Walter, Jeremiah and JT all rise, as Her Honor Hufman comes up on her bench. "You all may be seated." She restates. Complying, Elsie becomes one of three women, whom tuck some of their hair away from their eyes. Gazing around her courtroom, Her Honor Hufman stipulates "Ladies and Gentlemen, as I believe most of you were told, the defendants threatened my life a bit ago. Many of you weren't on courthouse property at the time, so you won't be needed to appear at the hearing for their charges on it. Thanks to post 9/11 terrorism case regulations, that one comes with an automatic death sentence, upon conviction. If they're found not guilty, all that'll happen to them is, the bans I explained earlier. In this case, I find the defendants guilty, and order them remanded to Federal Bureau of Prisons custody, to serve a sentence of no less than three hundred months, but not to exceed natural life. As for the rest of you, you'll be able to resume your day, after you get the last orders for this case." Merely nodding, Tynie, Bobby, Liza, Elsie, Jessie, Walter, Jeremiah and JT, are left to wait roughly twenty minutes for those papers. Obtaining her purse, Tynie creates a chain reaction with Jessie, Liza and Elsie, which surrounds the forms being secured.
Crouching a bit, Sergeant Fordham inquires "You guys ready to go?" "Yeah." Tynie replies. Nodding as he stands tall, Sergeant Fordham sees that group leave their seats, and escorts them outside. Traversing the parking lot, Tynie, Bobby, Liza, Elsie, Jessie, Walter, Jeremiah and JT file into the first man's Expedition. Driving away, Tynie spends the next two hours, battling jackasses in traffic. As a dose of tragedy would have it, a funeral procession changes that, causing Elise, Jessie, and Walter to cross themselves. Barely two minutes later, Liza says "Sis, after you get Jessie, Elsie, and Walter home, head for my house. You'll learn what drove my decision, when we're inside there." "Got it." Tynie quips. Waiting half an hour for the procession to pass, she blends dealing with more traffic, with honoring most of the newest directive. Parked in Jeremiah's driveway, Tynie's escorted from her husband's car, moments ahead of Liza. Remotely locking Bobby's Expedition, she sleekly returns those keys to him, and sees them get palmed. Walking up to the door, he uses the urgent access key to this house, and retreats long enough for it's owners, JT and Tynie to enter. Dressing down, they all head into the living room, and take seats by each other. "You guys look like you could use drinks, with a code red meeting." Markus assumes. "Bad timing on the last part, brother. There were so many dickrashes on the roads, the NYPD had to box in a funeral procession, with lights and sirens on, just so it could get through!" Tynie debases. "She's serious. In fact, it's why getting us and JT home, is the only non-urgent travel I'm doing." Bobby verifies. "I'll tell you what, Markus. If you'll give me time to urgent text our family to repeat Bobby's advice, I'll help you with our drinks." JT offers. "I'd rather split all that with you guys." Tianna amends. "Ok." JT accepts. Invoking silence, Tynie, Bobby, Liza and Jeremiah witness his daughter in law's plan come true. After the drinks are finished, Tynie, Bobby, and Liza get up to handle clean up. Behind his wife's back, Jeremiah extracts the orders she'd stashed in her purse, laying them on a nearby end table. Resituating her purse, he sits back, right before she reenters the room. "Sis, I can explain. After I put your White Zin away, my text alert went off, because Frank texted me. He advised we find out if our deals with Her Honor Hufman got revoked, which ones, and why. I was just about to ask one of you to help me with that, when he got the orders from your purse. How he knew my timing is a mystery to me, though." JT indemnifies. "I guessed, not expecting to be defended on it." Jeremiah admits. "Let me get comfortable, and we can cover it." Liza stalls.
Approving that with a nod, JT sees her sit at Jeremiah's right, and retrieve the stack of orders by her. Meticulously checking them, Liza educates "The only deal Tynie was allowed to keep is, the restitution one. Her Honor Hufman will still look into Tynie's question about New York allowing illegals to slide until federal agents step in, but due to Tynie's connections to Her Honor Halvorsen and His Honor Poshane's recent leave of absence: Her Honor Hufman had to get these orders from a subordinate judge; Daniel Shumacker. He's also due to preside over the new case on the death threats, but we must arrange for updates by fax or certified mail, within two weeks." "I'm not sure certified mail is safe, this time, guys." Markus debates. "Jeremiah, I'll cut you an emergency deal. If you'll let us use your fax machine for this, and call Jessie to let her know his concern inspired it: I'll buy you a case of Sake Kings; and ask Bobby to set future meetings with her to keep them posted." Tynie proffers. "Just get me one, next time I'm at your house, sis." Jeremiah rebuts. "Ok." Tynie breathes. "Do you mind if I made both calls, brother?" Bobby asks. "It depends. Are you OK with claiming you did it, because my phone's updating? If so, do you mind using my orders from His Honor Shumacker, to get his contact information?" Jeremiah interferes. "I'm good with how you want it done, brother." Bobby attests.
Waving his left hand forward, Jeremiah's astounded, when his niece rushes up to that side. Delicately petting his brace by the scar, Tynie kneels, lowers her head, and breaks down. "Sis.." Jeremiah slurs. "I still can't believe you took this for me. One thing that makes it worse is, I have no clue what kind of tattoo to advise you get to cover the marks." Tynie weeps. "I'll ask Mack about it, after Jeremiah's out of the brace, sis. Now, I'm sending Bobby to you, so he can care for you while I make the calls." JT reassures. Hustling that way, Bobby holds his wife just as quickly, as their uncle's right hand is laid on Tynie's. Deeming it a cue, JT scurries out of the room, to retain his word. "JT's a sweetheart, and a damn gazelle." Tynie sobs. "I'm sure he'll take it as a compliment, sis. You just let this out, and leave the rest to us." Markus sates. Crying harder, she obeys, by venting a stunning confession. Essentially, how today's hearing turned out, left Tynie reeling with fears; she's not too far away from losing all her remaining loved ones in violent ways. On top of it, she still struggles with flashback and "what if" nightmares, from the scene surrounding Jeremiah's injury. "I know you didn't want to worry them, babe. They'd do it anyway, out of love for you, just like me. You'd be the same way with our entire family, if the tables were turned, with any of us. Hopefully, they won't be for quite a while. We all need a break from that kind of thing, especially you. I say so, because you just got those struggles down to a couple times a week, a few weeks ago. Believe me, if I knew how to get rid of those once and for all, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Sorry baby, but the best we can do about your fears is: love you, lead you like Tyler said after our last court date, and try to enjoy life in the process. You can blame the mix, on assholes like the ones we dealt with in court and in traffic today, too." Bobby laments. "Why did I just get a sense that's linked to the ICE angle Liza updated us on?" Tynie snivels. "That makes at least two of us, sis. I say so because, I'll bet anything the rest of our family will suspect the same thing, after they find out." Jeremiah theorizes.
A matter of seconds later, JT renounces "His Honor Shumacker sent us new orders over your fax machine, Jeremiah. By them, we're not to discuss the specificsof our hearing over the phone or online. As I understand it, his ruling was caused by a mix of a recent influx of scam related hearings on the local and federal levels, and the fact James and Audry Pabstan were found with written threats against our lives...emphasizing Tynie's... when they were searched. I printed off enough copies for everyone here to get one, but I had to install a new ink cartridge after that. We can print off more copies if they're needed as long as it's not done over a public machine, because of his orders on how this is discussed. Bobby may kick my ass for this; but now, I'm seriously tempted to have him use his copy of this new order to support having most of her powers of attorney pulled...except her medical ones." Urgently lining gazes with him, Bobby counters "I'd prefer we do it for her and Liza, because of their connections to that order. Of course, it means I need you to plant our copies in their Padareans." As soon as he realizes what wasn't said, JT hustles to grant his cousin's wish, resituate the involved purses, and distribute the remaining copies of His Honor Shumacker's orders. Seeing Markus pocket them, albeit momentarily, JT retakes his seat. Awaiting his son's return, Jeremiah's a bit stunned, when it comes with this announcement "Dad, Anita texted me. She advised we get copies of what we just got, in every family member's hands, in the coming days. In her view, it's best for us all to have that evidence on us, in case someone causes another member of our family to call him. The thing is, she's afraid having them all copied over your fax machine, will spike our risks of it fucking up. I'd prefer to avoid that, too. So, Frank, Bill, and Dean will need to use our copies to make the others." Quickly turning her head in Markus's direction, Tynie prays "Please tell me you told her Frank can use mine, and I'll buy you whatever the fuck you want, to let Bill and Dean use yours." "I kept the debt out of it, in the name of our safety, sis. She agreed, but won't let Frank do it, until you've been home for at least a couple hours." Markus conveys. "Ok." Tynie mutters. "Markus, I need you and Tianna's help, getting Sake Kings and coffees for us all. I mean, if you guys have them." JT denotes. "We do, so lead the way." Tianna simplifies.
Obliging her request, JT secretly hopes, it helps change today's tone. As they reconvene to drink together, the surrounding area goes silent, staying that way until Jeremiah, JT, and Liza clean up. At that point, Tynie's phone goes off, seemingly out of nowhere. Hustling to answer it, she finds His Honor Shumacker on the other end of the line. "Your Honor, you just helped me realize something. I completely forgot to put a consent for any judges who work with Her Honor Hufman, to call me Tynie or medically retired J.Y.D., in the second paperI drew up for her. I believe you got to see it, but if not, I'll need to find out if you can use my confession to change that. If not, I'll have to use the same area JT Strickland did to get your orders, to draw up and send over a written notice allowing it." Tynie vents. "Mrs. Vantman,just so I'm clear on your consent. Did you mean it as in, solely while we're working, or across the board?" His Honor Shumacker inquires. "Your Honor, my best answer, may offend you and Her Honor Halvorsen. After I pulled her from a burning car, I gave her a lifetime consent to call me Tynie. I didn't expect your orders, or any of the other news I got today, at the time. Otherwise, I'd have made the consent depend on where we deal with each other. Now, I hope you can help me with something else. Namely, finding out if my asking you to let her know your orders changed her lifetime consent, so I'm only called Tynie when we're in court, would get you in any professional trouble. If the answer's yes: call me back, and I'll do anything I can to help you." Tynie replies. Scribing notes the entire time, His Honor Shumacker turns her last offer down, then explains how he can work with everything else he's learned about her. "I'm good with that, Your Honor." Tynie acclaims. "Alright, Mrs. Vantman. Hopefully, you have a good night." His Honor Shumacker desires. Wishing the same for him, she hangs up, and stashes her phone. "Baby, no one here, expected that call. You still handled it beautifully, but if I can help it, that'll be the last piece of business you resolve today." Bobby pre-empts. "Not arguing." Tynie concedes.
A couple minutes after she says that, JT's phone goes off, causing him to rush finding out why. "Elsie, is everything OK?!" JT shrieks. "I'm very concerned, about some news I just got, JT. Most of my family didn't feel safe around James and Audry, so they didn't see us much. They want to change it now, but I fear, they have another plan against me. What do I do?" Elsie frets. "Bro, she needs lockboxes, all the other shit we use for blended carry permits, a damn near Fort Knox level home security system, one of us to go on call as her event witness, and another as her defender. I've done this before, but it's been quite a while, since the first on call angle was part of it." Tynie delineates. "JT, you bumped your speaker button, which is how we heard. Tynie read my mind on most of that, so if you'll let me talk to Elsie: I'll clear up the rest, and update you guys later." Markus requests. "I don't mind waiting for that, JT." Elsie elicits. Placing her on hold, JT makes it brief, then hears Markus begin living up to his most recent promise. "Markus, my grandma bumped her speaker button, too. I've heard everything, and it makes a lot more sense than what I found online for this kind of deal. The thing is, I don't know how I'm going to repay you guys, for everything you're doing for us." Jessie intrudes. "Shit. Elsie's house needs a tech overhaul, like the ones we do when we replace electronics." Tianna grumbles. "She should get an appliance one, and a major household recheck, along the same lines, too. If it means I go on call, and pay those tabs for her, so be it." Bobby adds. "Babe, we'd be safer finding a way to split it with someone else here, and refusing repayment." Tynie notions. "Tynie, you just cleared half your latest suggestion. Now, Markus can tell them, the most we'll take in repayments is: periodically having Bud Lights or Diet Cokes when we're at their house." Liza conveys. "Liza, I heard you. I'm more comfortable with us doing that, even if we don't have you over. We may have to change what we have, because of sickness, package look issues, or medical ones, though." Jessie contradicts. "It's fine, Jessie." Liza accepts.
Deeming it a cue, Markus arranges an in-person meeting to finalize this deal, and ends the call like any other family business one. "Markus, you didn't lie on my name. Hell, I'll bet the same's true with your dad, but he'd suggest we leave it there, for now. You can blame it on a mix of us not knowing if we'll get called out by anyone in our family, and not being able to predict how bad traffic will be later, too." Tynie ascertains. "She's right, son." Jeremiah verifies. "Ok." Markus cites. Cuddling up by couple, Tianna looks over to JT, whom states" I know what just crossed your mind. You feel bad about doing that, since I can't join you, when you shouldn't. I'm fine with it, because it makes becoming you guys's front lines for security, very easy. The only bad part about it is, I may have to holler for Markus or Bobby's backup." "It's fine by me, brother." Bobby sates. "Same here, especially since it'll make the insurance end of your idea, just as easy to settle. You guys will see how I can base that, if we actually have to do it, too." Markus refers. Accepting that with nods, everyone else in Liza's living room, lets it fall silent. That is, until Jeremiah groans in pain, which causes Tynie to frantically tap out of Bobby's embrace. Liberating her, he sees his wife scurry to get a dose of the pain meds and Diet Coke into Jeremiah's hands. "Sis, thanks for reminding me. We need to move my pill bottle, so my baby can access it, since we've been out of court for a while." Liza reckons. "I'm on it now, sis." Tynie elicits. Enforcing that, Tynie retreats to her spot, and gets taken into her husband's arms. Resuming her prior pose, she closes her eyes, as JT ducks out to the restroom. Unintentionally triggering a family trend by doing so, he witnesses Tynie end it, right before her husband starts a chat on how they'll wind down this meeting. After they agree on having that surround a meal, and sharing the family's usual good night messages, Liza, JT, and Jeremiah head into the kitchen. Considering it another cue, Markus and Tianna leave their seats, long enough to prep the coffee table. While they await the subs and sides, that couple splits exchanging good night texts with the rest of their family. Holstering their phones, Markus lets Tynie know, he's reinstating Bobby's decision on her working. "As long as you guys are safe about it, I won't argue." Tynie recoils. "We will be, honey." Bobby sates.
Supporting that with nods, Markus and Tianna let silence return, until they're all given meal shares. By an infusion of good luck, everyone in this house enjoys the meal, and gets through cleanup, without interruption. Convened as they were before that, Tynie kisses her husband's cheek, which spurs a new chain reaction. Deftly amending his pose, Jeremiah upgrades that trend, to one with chaste kisses. Slowly smiling, Liza, Tynie, and Tianna get the expression in kind, as JT keeps a quiet watch on the area. Blessed with even more good luck, nothing impedes on the ensuing peace, until Bobby's snarled in a new traffic battle. Even then, it's not nearly as bad as the trip away from court, which answers one of today's lingering questions. Arriving home, he's guided from his car by Tynie, who sees the vehicle get remotely secured. Storing the keys in his pocket, Bobby clasps hands with his wife, whom brings them up to their front stoop. As he reaches for his pocket, Bobby sees Frank open the house, so they can enter it. Doing so, Tynie's back is turned, when her spiritual brother locks up.
Announcing her closeness to the scene, Anita stipulates "Sis, I found out a bit ago. My honey would prefer we make the copies tomorrow, because of how your hearing went." "I was just about to ask for that, sis. You named one reason why, but the other is, we're expecting another storm. We got texted on it before we dropped JT off, and he had me advise our entire family to prep the LED lamps. Bill took it a step further, by suggesting we shut off all non-essential electronics, except the entertainment centers in our bedrooms. I can see why, since we don't know how strong the storm winds will get, or how long it'd be before Tom could help us with damage claims. You three may get mad at me, for telling Bill we all saw it that way, though." Tynie confesses. "Sis, all you did was consolidate how he got our answer. You were right to, especially since we don't know if a power failure will hit." Frank dissents. Realizing he's right, she nods, and hugs him. Alternating who trails that move, all four of them head to the back areas, Tynie and Bobby discovering the LED lamps are ready along the way. Secluding, that household follows the others in their family, in aiming to wind today down. As soon as they hear more thunder, Frank, Ted, Mack, Damian, and La'Tario detour to activate the LED lamps. Rejoining their spouses, that foursome's kissed, and given a love vow. Swearing love in return, Frank, Ted, Mack, Damian, and La'Tario join the other men in their family, in learning massages are next on today's agenda. Enjoying, and reciprocating those, Frank, Ted, Mack, Damian, and La'Tario find themselves being checked out.
Sleekly returning the gesture, they're met for fairly hungry kisses, unaware of the fact it's another family-wide mindset. Breaking those affections off, nearly everyone Tynie knows, agrees to get intimate. Predominantly enthralled in their passions before long, Tynie's family has concerns about Jessie, Elsie and Walter nag their minds. As they become satiated, and cover up, those fears are discussed. Realizing all anyone can do is wait and see, more love vows and kisses are shared, before the couples nestle up. Keeping it brief, everyone gets dressed, and takes turns deactivating LED lamps. Shortly after it's done, they recreate the prior snuggled pose, to await slumber. Eventually forfeiting to it, everyone who knows Tynie, has a new discovery cross their minds:
A day that centered on the culmination of some events, that left others in limbo, ended in relative peace.
