A/N: It gets a little steamy. But the T rating still stands.
Hey! It's a honeymoon. :D
Chapter 13
Kate and Frank were sitting in the VIP lounge of the Newark Signature Flight Services terminal when a thirty-something man approached them. "Commissioner and Mrs. Reagan," he smiled. "My name is Sean. I'm your co-pilot and ready to get you boarded for your flight. Is this your only bag?"
"Yes it is," Frank said.
Sean grabbed the handle of the bag. "Follow me please," he smiled. He led them out onto the tarmac and handed the bag off to a ground personal member who quickly loaded the bag into the luggage compartment. "Mrs. Reagan," Sean said, stopping at the steps of the Gulf Stream, "the steps are steep. I can help you."
"Thank you Sean. That's Beans' job," Kate smiled. "Just lead the way for her."
"You got it," Sean smiled, taking the first step and then the next. Beans followed, slowly taking each step for Kate to follow. Sean followed Beans' pace. Kate smiled at Frank's soft touch on her back.
"Commissioner, watch your head on the door clearance," Sean said as he led Kate and Beans into the main cabin.
"Thanks for the heads up Sean," Frank smiled, ducking his head. He looked around moving in. "This is way too good for me," he said.
"It's on my folks Frank," Kate smiled. "Enjoy it."
Sean smiled. "You two are our only passengers on this flight. I'd recommend the two top here in the middle for you two," he said, helping them out of their winter coats. Kate sat down in the seat facing backward.
"Kate?" Frank asked.
"Not my first rodeo Frank," Kate smiled. "Besides, I don't think I'm doing much sightseeing out the window."
Sean shook his head. "I love your sense of humor Mrs. Reagan," he grinned.
Kate smiled. "Thank you Sean. But it's also called honesty. And by the way, I'm Kate."
"Got it," Sean smiled. "Just to let you know. We normally do a pretty steep take-off in these birds. We're not going to for Beans. That might hurt her ears. We know how important she is to you."
"Thank you Sean," Kate and Frank said together.
"Please get buckled in and settled," Sean said. "I've got a bottle of water in the arm rests for each of you," he gestured. "We'll be rolling soon. Grant, your pilot, will be back to greet you after we've settled into our flight plan."
"And Beans?" Kate asked.
"I would recommend she curl up around your legs for take-off. After that, she's free to move about the cabin like both of you if the seatbelt sign is off."
"Thank you Sean," Frank smiled, buckling his seatbelt. Kate buckled hers and softly explored to find her water bottle.
"Come here Beans," Frank motioned. Beans settled at their feet around the table leg.
Fifteen minutes later, after the Gulf Stream taxied into position, Sean made an announcement. "We're cleared for take-off. Enjoy the ride."
A bit later, Grant came into the main cabin. "Hi you two," he smiled. "And congratulations. I'm Grant your pilot. Just to give you two an update; we've cleared all the mess of the northeast flight traffic corridor. Mainly NYC and Philly. We have about a ten-minute window before we hit the usual chop going over the northern edge of the Appalachians. After that, this flight is a no brainer for Sean and me," he smiled. "We have champagne chilled for you newlyweds," he smiled.
"One glass too many for me last night," Kate smiled.
"Me too," Frank said. "Gotta beer?"
Grant smiled. "We've got Coors Light and Coors Light."
"Works for us," Frank smiled.
Grant got them their beers, pouring a glass for each of them from the cans. He set out a bowl of mixed nuts. The plane shook a bit. "That's my cue to get back into the cockpit. Like I said, after we get through this little chop, its smooth sailing."
"Thank you Grant," Kate smiled. Grant nodded and went back up front.
"I could get really used to flying like this," Frank said.
"It is easier and more comfortable. Especially for Beans," Kate said. Beans was sprawled out on the floor, sound asleep. After the minor turbulence and finishing their beers, Kate and Frank joined Beans in naptime in their recliner seats.
Kate woke a little over two hours later to a small build-up of pressure in her ears. She put the leg rest down, unbuckled her seatbelt and stood up. She took a couple steps and shook Frank. "We're beginning our descent."
Frank rubbed his face. "Where are you going?" he yawned.
"To use the bathroom in the back," Kate answered.
"Leave the light on," Frank smiled.
"Very funny," Kate said, thumping his arm.
Kate was exiting the bathroom when Sean came into the cabin. "I was just coming back to make sure you two were up," he smiled. "We've just cleared Austin airspace. We've got about thirty more minutes before we begin our final approach."
He noticed Beans shaking her head a bit and getting a little fidgety. "Can you make her bark?" he asked, looking at Kate and Frank.
"Speak," Kate said. Beans barked and then settled.
Sean smiled. "That helps them with the pressure on her ears. Use it as often as you need." Sean shook his head. "We had a service dog on board three weeks ago that barked the whole descent," he said, rolling his eyes. He gave Beans a big rub. "You'll do better won't you girl," he smiled. Beans wagged her tail at him.
"Thank you Sean," Frank smiled, getting out of his seat.
Thirty minutes later, Grant came over the intercom. "Kate and Frank, we're beginning our final approach into San Antonio. Please make sure your seats are in their upright position and your seatbelts are fastened. Please get Beans safely settled at your feet as well. We should be landing in about ten minutes. Current temp in San Antonio is seventy-two degrees."
"Sure beats what we left," Frank smiled.
Less than a half-hour later, Kate and Frank walked into the Signature Flight Terminal in San Antonio. Mike and his wife, Molly, were waiting for them. "Hi Kate," Mike softly smiled, pulling her into a hug. "Welcome back."
"It's good to be back," Kate smiled. "Thank you for having us."
"Kate, I can't express," he whispered in her ear, "how good it is to see you smiling and happy. Jack would want that for you and you deserve it."
"I know," Kate whispered back. "Thank you Mike."
Molly smiled at Frank. "Congratulations Frank and welcome to the Hill Country. We're thrilled you two are here."
"Thank you Molly," Frank smiled, accepting her hug. "We appreciate you letting us come."
One of the tarmac workers brought in Kate and Frank's bag. "I'll take that," Mike smiled.
"Thank you," Frank smiled at the worker, handing him a five-dollar tip. Molly took their winter coats.
Mike looked at Frank, taking the bag handle. He stuck out his right hand. "Welcome Frank. I just told Kate how she deserves to be happy. Jack would want that. When we met you years ago at a cookout at Jack and Kate's, I knew you were a wonderful man. Thank you."
"Thank you Mike," Frank said, shaking his hand. "I appreciate that. And thank you for having us. We've been looking forward to this."
Molly put her left arm over Kate's shoulder as they walked out of the terminal. "It is sooo good to see you like this." She gave Kate's shoulder a nudge. "And happy."
"Thanks Molly," Kate smiled at her. "I am happy."
They got out to the vehicle. Mike put the bag in the back and took Kate and Frank's winter coats, putting them over the bag. "Kate, give me Beans," Frank said.
"Frank?"
"Kate, there's a grass strip in front of the car." Kate smiled at him, handing him Beans' leash.
"Nothing says I love more than walking your wife's guide dog," Mike snarked.
Frank looked at Kate as Beans squatted to whiz. "Kate, you're right."
"How so?" Kate answered with a smile.
"Mike's sense of humor is as bad as Jack's." Kate swished her right index finger over her tongue and then did a perpendicular swipe in the air. The two couples roared with laughter.
The drive from the airport was wonderful as Kate and Frank gave a detailed account of their wedding. Then Frank began to look around with Mike driving more into the Hill Country. "This is beautiful" he said.
Mike and Molly's hilltop retreat appeared. A large single-story home sprawled over the hilltop with another smaller home off to the left of the two-car garage. Frank and Kate got out of the car. There was a window at the front of the garage. "How's that for a view?" Kate smiled. It looked out over a valley that was covered in Texas bluebonnets.
Frank smiled at her. "You remember it?"
"Like yesterday," Kate answered.
"It's beautiful," Frank said. Mike handed the key to the condo to Molly and got out the suitcase and coats.
"Come on in you two," Molly smiled, unlocking the door.
Kate and Beans went in first with Frank following them. Frank came in and looked around. "Wow," he said, shaking his head.
Kate smiled at him. "I told you it was off the chain," she said, rubbing his side.
Frank grinned at Kate, pulling her to him and putting his arm around her shoulder. "You need to stop hanging out with our grandsons." Mike and Molly exchanged looks at the "our" terminology.
Walking in, the Reagans were greeted by the open design of the small kitchen to the right with a lunch counter for two. Beyond that was a dining room table for four. And then the beautifully open living room enclosed with ceiling to floor patio windows. "Look at the view," Frank smiled, walking in more. "Those bluebonnets are spectacular." In the middle of the condo was a huge, large rock fireplace that also opened to the bedroom on the opposite side of the living room.
"I've got the wood box filled," Mike said. "If you want to start a fire, the supplies are in the small box on the left side," he pointed. "This time of year, we don't need the AC. The furnace is set at sixty-eight. Frank, the thermostat is on the wall here," Mike nodded, rolling the suitcase towards the bedroom, "if you want to change it."
Molly put the key on the lunch counter. "We'll let you settle in. Whenever you're ready, come on over to our place. The beer is cold and I've got dinner ready for us."
Mike came back out of the bedroom. "Kate," he said, putting his hand on her arm. "You remember where the patio door is in the living room?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Let Beans out that one. It faces north. Even with the six-foot fence to keep out an occasional deer, the ground three feet beyond the fence is electrified to keep the rattlers away. It will stun them. Rabbits, foxes, etcetera get a sting in their paws. This time of year, they all are looking for warmth. That's not on the north side. Keep Beans inside the fence, she'll be safe."
"Thank you Mike," Kate smiled. He and Molly moved to leave.
"Do we need to lock the door when we come over?" Frank asked.
"No," Molly said, shaking her head with a smile. She snapped her fingers, pulling open a bi-fold closet door by the entryway. "Kate, this is where I've got Beans' water and food dishes. The bag of kibble you sent is setting on the washer." Molly grinned. "The bottle of Irish single malt whiskey is on the counter."
"Thank you Molly," Kate said. "We'll be over in about fifteen minutes."
Mike and Molly left. Frank looked at Kate. "They've got the ground electrified outside the fence?"
"Did I not tell you Mike made oodles?" Kate answered back.
Frank shook his head, pulling out his cell and taking a picture of the inside of the condo. "How do I send this to the kids?" he asked. Kate smiled, walking him through it. The texts back from their families marveled at their digs.
The two couples enjoyed beers together and Molly's wonderful meal of Texas-style beef brisket sandwiches with roasted baby red potatoes and baked beans. Kate helped Molly with the little clean up the kitchen needed. "I've got egg bake already stirred up and in the fridge for breakfast tomorrow," Molly smiled. "Your recipe that I swiped." Kate smiled. "After that, you and I can go into Center Point and get some groceries for you two. There's a great grocery store there."
"I remember it," Kate said. She smiled at Frank. "We've got a grocery list to make." They thanked Mike and Molly for dinner and headed towards the door.
Frank noticed an empty can sitting on the counter. He looked at Molly. "That going to the recycling bin?"
"Yes. It's the baked bean can," Molly answered.
"It's mine now," Frank smiled. Mike and Molly looked at him. "I like to have a couple puffs of a cigar while I'm enjoying my Irish whiskey." Mike and Molly smiled. "Outside on the patio of course," Frank smiled at them.
"The cover for the can is in the bottom Frank," Molly said. "Dump it in the recycling bin. And the can will need to be rinsed out."
"If you two are going out on the patio tonight, there's a heater out there by the patio chairs and hot tub. It still cools down around here at night," Mike said. "I've got the propane tank turned on. Just turn the knob near the top Frank to 'ignite' and hold down the ignite button above that to get it fired up."
"Got it Mike," Frank smiled. "Thank you."
"Good night you two," Kate smiled, hugging Molly. "See you in the morning."
"Kate, a pad of paper and a pen are in the drawer at the far end of the lunch counter on the chair side."
"Thank you," Kate smiled as she and Frank left.
After they finished the grocery list, Frank looked at Kate. "Now what?"
Kate smiled at him. "Get that heater going."
Frank grinned. "Am I getting you naked tonight?"
"No Frank," Kate said. "I'm getting myself naked and then into the hot tub. What you do is up to you," she grinned.
Frank came in off the patio after getting the heater going to Kate walking out of the bathroom in a white terry cloth bathrobe, opened, showing her naked body. "I'll pour us a glass of whiskey," Kate smiled. "Meet you outside," she seductively said.
Frank came out onto the patio five minutes later in his bathrobe. He set the empty bean can, along with his silver cigar holder on the patio table next to the two glasses of whiskey Kate had put there. Kate had a towel over the glasses. "Why the towel?"
"Because of the flies," Kate said. "Jack and I learned the hard way." Frank smiled and walked to the hot tub and noticed Kate's robe lying on the patio above the steps. Frank dropped his and stepped in to join her.
"So how do we do this?" Frank smiled.
"Just like the last time," Kate grinned, holding out her hand. Frank took it and pulled her up off the hot tub seat. Kate wrapped her arms around Frank's neck and seductively kissed him. She then jumped, wrapping her long legs around Frank's hips. "You got the rest?"
Frank smiled, turning around to sit down in the hot tub. "I got this," he said, deeply kissing Kate.
Later they were wrapped up in their warm bathrobes, sitting together on the patio couch with their feet up on the patio table. The heater was going. Kate and Frank were enjoying their whiskey with a dash of cigar. Kate giggled.
:Frank smiled. "Why do I not like the sound of that?"
"You know what you should do?" Kate said.
"What?"
Kate giggled again. "Take a picture of the hot tub."
"And?"
Kate laughed. "Send it to Danny while he's in Mass tomorrow."
Frank roared with laughter. "Damn you Protestants are vindictive."
Kate laughed more. "I just like messing with him. He's an easy target."
-0000-
Molly's breakfast was wonderful and she and Kate enjoyed their grocery run working together. Frank and Kate spent an hour in the pool that afternoon working on his PT exercises. He was even able to get his left arm above his head to swim a couple laps. "That's a big step," Kate smiled at him, swimming by his side.
Kate and Frank settled into a routine. Breakfast together and then a long walk through the gated community where Mike and Molly lived. Beans made friends with everyone she encountered. They spent their afternoons in the pool and enjoying the western sun on their side of the patio.
After dinner, they played Euchre with Mike and Molly, using a Braille deck that Kate could read. Frank tossed his last card on the table after Kate and Molly had beat his card call for the hand. He looked at Mike. "She's blind and still lucky as hell at cards," he growled.
"She's been like that for years," Mike complained. "Trust me."
Frank shook his head. "She and Mary used to kick Jack's and my asses all the time. I hear you."
Friday, their final night in Texas, Kate and Frank had made an early reservation at the highly recommended restaurant at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort for the two couples. After they were seated, with Beans under the table between Kate and Frank's feet, their server appeared.
"Hello, I'm Becky. I'm your server this evening," she smiled. She put her hand on Kate's shoulder. "Ma'am, I don't know how to do this…"
Kate smiled. "Hi Becky. I'm Kate. And blind. Don't be shy. I don't offend easily."
Becky grinned. "Would you like a menu Kate?" Becky asked.
Kate smiled, gesturing at Frank. "I married my menu reader a week ago tonight."
"Congratulations," Becky smiled, handing out the menus to the other three. "Would you like drinks to start?" After taking their drink orders, Becky looked at them. "We have two specials this evening. The first is a hand-cut by our chef, ten-ounce Ribeye, grilled to order with two choices of sides. The second is an eight-ounce trout fillet, pan seared to perfection, with a side of white and wild rice blend and your choice of soup or salad."
Kate smiled at Frank at he shut the menu. "We good?" he smiled at Kate.
"We're good," Kate smiled back, pushing her chair back.
"Kate?" Molly asked.
"The water I drink during the day? Plus the two beers at the house? And then the thirty minute ride here? I need to use a bathroom." She smiled at Molly and Mike. "Why Beans is along. I can do it on my own, if you'll excuse us." Mike and Molly smiled.
After she left the table, Franks looked at the couple. "Beans is her independence. That brought Kate back into my life."
"But why didn't she bring Beans to the grocery store?" Molly asked.
"There was a grocery cart she could hang on to and you were there," Frank smiled. "Same thing."
Becky was removing the salad plates from the first course. "Another round of drinks?"
Mike looked her. "Becky, the alcohol bill is on me. And I'll take a glass of the Mondovi Private Reserve Cabernet with my steak."
"Times two," Frank smiled.
"Ladies?" Becky grinned.
"Kate," Molly said, "they serve a Mondovi Reserve Chardonnay here."
"Times two?" Kate smiled at Molly. Molly nodded at Becky with a smile.
"Becky," Kate said.
Becky rubbed Kate's shoulder. "Got you covered Kate. Your wine glass will not have a stem." The two couples enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Frank slipping a couple bites of his steak to Beans with Mike's and Molly's approval.
Kate raised an eyebrow at Frank. "You think I don't know?" Molly and Mike laughed more as the two couples enjoyed a special last time together with Peanut Butter Cup martinis to top off their dinners.
Later that night, the hot tub on the Reagan side of the home got a "workout" again, with a twist. The drinks and cigar were enjoyed in the hot tub. Kate, stilled naked, slid back onto Frank, with her back lying against his chest. "So Commish," she smiled. "How many weeks of vacation do you get?"
"Five," Frank said, enjoying the cigar. He took a sip of his generous glass of Irish whiskey.
"So a week for family vacation with each of them," Kate said.
"We do Montauk," Frank said.
"We do Lake George," Kate answered. "But follow along Frank."
"Keep talking," he smiled.
"Week three is for the Christmas holidays."
"Agreed," Frank smiled.
"That leaves us," Kate said, "with two. Promise me one thing," Kate said, holding out her hand, spreading out her fingers. Frank met them with his opposite hand and softly squeezed her fingers.
"Talk to me," Frank softly said.
"We take our two weeks and do this. We find a quiet corner of this country. We've both done Europe, Asia and Australia."
"I'm in on one week being here," Frank said.
"Me too," Kate smiled. "Just promise me Frank it's quiet. Just us."
"So we can grow old together," Frank smiled, kissing Kate's cheek, pulling her tighter to him. "I love you. I'm in."
"I love you," Kate smiled back.
XXX
A/N: Yes, a Peanut Butter Cup Martini after dinner drink is real. I had one visiting my friends out east in January. Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. Bailey's Irish Cream and three drops of Hershey's chocolate syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake to mix. Strain the shaker (no ice in the glass) into a chilled martini glass. It's the bomb.
For you Blue Bloods readers that don't know me, I'm a former bartender of over thirty years. I highly approve of this drink.