And so again I come in late with the next chapter. And what a chapter! The chapter that finally brings Angelica C. Pickles-McNulty into the story. This one's short but in my opinion sweet. My friend from the EH board in his review wanted it to be Chuckie-Angelica; well, that's not going to happen but that & other alternate relationships will be explored, starting here.
As to the reviews, thank you Nightw2, and to Kimmy Larisa, and to CrazyGoingSlowlyAmI --- formerly known as Ally (well, if that's how you want it) --- and to Junior and to Starry Nights (I hope I've kept up to your expectations), and... what's this? My first negative review? Well, it's about time. Thanks for your advice, elmozwurld. Are you referring to Chapter 9 or to the one on which you reviewed, Chapter 1. I've re-read that chappie & find some validity in what you said, which I will take into consideration. Methinks the paragraphs in Chapter 1 could stand a bit of fixing. And I'm an optimist myself, so sometimes I need a dose of pessimism or at least realism. Thank you. And thank you too, lil kimi. Your estimations as to the causes for the 'rents' reactions are right on the money, particularly Didi who's always struck me as one for the apron strings. But the parents love their prospective in-laws; it's just the idea of their children getting married at all. Anyway, thanks to all the reviewers; please continue to read & review.
Rugrats is created, owned, & / or copyrighted by Klasky-Csupo & / or Nickelodeon, which in turn is owned by Viacom. Glad is copyrighted by the Glad Products Company.
At the same time, or nine hours later depending on how wish to think about it, a phone is about to ring. The scene is Paris, France. The time, 11:00 a.m. Another good day to find companies ripe for a takeover. And a certain former model turned junior executive is doing just that.
It's been a typical junket so far, expanding & consolidating European holdings of MergeCorp. For the past few days, Angelica C. Pickles-McNulty has been successfully scarfing up small companies. Right now she's taking an early lunch; she and her husband Timmy are at one of those outdoor Paris restaurants you might have heard about. They haven't ordered yet; both are too busy on their sundry electronic devices, in particular Angelica's phone:
"...and, one minute, Geoffrey; I have another call. Hello? Aunt Didi?"
Tim's head shot up. "Your aunt's calling from California?"
"Just a moment." Angelica said to her aunt, then, "I would think so, Tim; I haven't heard of them going on another big trip."
"Babe, it's 2 in the morning there!"
"I know; now if you'll let me find out..."
"Sorry, babe. Go on."
"Thank you." Then it was back to the phone. "Are you still there, Aunt Didi? -- Good. -- Yes, that was Timmy. -- Timmy, Aunt Didi says hello."
"Hello, Aunt Didi."
"He says hello, too. So what are you doing up at this time of the night? And on a school night, too! -- A holiday? Since when? -- Since now? -- Well, when did this happen, was a local ordinance passed or something? -- Or something. -- Aunt Didi, I didn't think I'd hear myself saying this about you, but you're not making sense! -- Okkay, from the top, what's going on? -- Am I sitting down? -- Aunt Didi, this is Angelica C. Pickles-McNulty you're talking to here; nothing you could say could possibly shock me that much. -- Well, let me ask you this. Is anyone dead or dying? -- Well, there you go. Next to that, nothing would be shocking. Now spill it. -- He what? -- Really? He did? -- Oh, you & Uncle Stu must be so happy for him. Poor Kimi, tho. -- I'm kidding; you know I love my cousins."
Her husband made a pretty good guess at the news, and smiled.
"So how's her brother taking it? -- Oh? What do you... -- WHAT!?? -- He didn't!"
Angelica would have had to have sat down at what she heard if she hadn't been already. Tim noticed she was looking a bit faint; he was on alert straightway. The conversation continued, Angelica looking a bit dazed.
"Oh, wow. Who'd have thought the Chuckster would have it in him? -- Huh. So how's HER brother taking it? -- Oh. My. Goodness!"
She shot bolt upright at what she was hearing now, not out of her seat, but close. Tim maintained his concerned vigil.
"No, I haven't heard anything about this! And she's supposed to be my best friend, too. -- I'm almost afraid to ask how her brother is taking this, but they're both married, one to his work. -- Well, have you started planning the weddings yet? -- Well, don't, not until I get there."
Tim's eyebrows raised at that, apparently he took it as his cue to get busy on his computer, not to mention his phone, his PDA, & whatever else came to hand.
"Now you stop that; of course I'm coming over there. -- No, I won't take 'no' for an answer. I'll be there tonight, & I'm handling the weddings. You can tell the Finsters, Devilles & Carmichaels I said so. And tell my parents too. -- The McNultys? They can wait."
"HEY!"
"See you in a few hours, Aunt Didi. Toodles." "TIMMY!" But he was more than ready for her.
"I hope you don't mind, babe, I took the liberty of cancelling your appointments for the next week, with an option on your meetings for the next several weeks. We're checked out of the hotel & our luggage is en route to Orly as we speak. Here's your ticket & this is mine for the Concorde --- first class of course --- non-stop to Los Angeles. Our rental is waiting for us at LAX & my family now knows we're coming too. Now, if you'll come with me our cab is waiting."
He had been busy; printers, faxes, the internet, the whole bit. Which left his wife not a little stunned. Which is probably a good thing, as it also rendered her mute until they were halfway to the airport. When she finally did find her voice again...
"You're amazing, McNulty."
"You're pretty amazing yourself, Pickles-McNulty."
"Why can't my secretary be as efficient as you?"
"He might be if you let him sleep with you. On second thought, no he wouldn't, because I'd kill him."
"Careful. You never know where those paparazzi are. I can see the headline. 'Young Heir Threatens Wife's Secretary Over Suspected Tryst'."
"Now see, that's why it's so good you're such a good businesswoman; you stink at writing headlines."
"Oh, I suppose you could do better?"
"I could, but we don't have that much time."
"Could we stop off for a bite?"
"Even if we could, you know your bod can't afford those French pastries I noticed you looking at."
"Oh, you're no fun."
"You're already sweet enough; I don't think I could handle it if you were any sweeter. Once we're on the plane, you can have all the airline food you can eat."
"Oh, thanks a lot."
No more was said until they were on the plane. Then, Tim broke the silence.
"So are you going to tell me what that was about?"
"Like you can't guess."
"I could."
"You always have been a good guesser, especially of me. Sometimes I get the feeling you know me better than I know myself."
"I thought it was against the law for a husband to be that psychically in tune with his wife."
"It's unheard of is what it is. But I won't tell; it's too much fun."
"Mm."
"So are you going to guess already?"
"They've finally gotten engaged, Tom & Kimi, Chuck & Lil, Phil & Suze."
"Right on the money."
"It wasn't hard to figure out; I heard your end of the conversation."
"Yeah." Angelica then lapsed into uncharacteristic silence.
"Babe?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you alright with this? You know, I mean, your feelings for him--"
"--are resolved, long ago. You know that."
"Does he know?"
"I haven't told him, I haven't been able to. He's kind of standoffish when I'm there, and for good reason. What I did to him..." By now Angelica was starting to cry, a little.
Tim came to the rescue, not for the first time & not for the last. "Hey, it's alright."
"It is not."
"It will be. It's just a matter of time until you tell him."
silence
"He has to know; you know that."
silence "I know." She then tried to change the subject. "What about her? She & you used to be kind of thick--"
"Ancient history & you know it. I made my choice long ago & I chose you."
"So you did."
"She'll be alright; she has a good head on her shoulders."
"So does he; he's a d*mn genius."
"But he doesn't know how things stand; she does."
"You sure?"
"If she didn't know before our wedding, she sure did after. I told her myself."
"You did?"
"She was maid of honor; I figured it was due that she know."
"Could you talk to him for me?"
"Sorry, Babe. I can't do everything for you."
"Could've fooled me."
The young couple lapsed back into silence, which lasted until Tim started to stand.
"Timmy?"
"I need to go to the john."
"The jane, you mean."
"I'd better not go to see another woman."
"Oh, and having you go see another man is any better?"
"Behave, babe. Would you let me pass?"
"Like gas."
"Didn't I say to behave?"
"Alright." She started to pout. "Come back quick."
He passed her toward the back of the plane. After a minute, Angelica's face acquired a mischievous look, that grin by which it would be obvious to a dullard that she had something in mind. She stood, and without another second of delay followed her husband.
It was easy enough to find the restrooms, easier still to find the one where he was as it was the one that was occupied. So she planted herself in front of it & waited.
Someone else passed her en route to another of the restrooms. Said someone gave her a funny look, which she noticed.
"What's the matter, you've never seen anyone waiting to use the restroom before?"
The someone slipped into the other restroom without another word, look, or apparently thought. Soon after, Angelica heard a flush on the other side of the door before which she was encamped. It had only taken a couple of minutes; it's a guy thing.
By the time she heard the click of the lock, she was poised to spring, which she did as soon as she saw her husband. He didn't get a chance to set foot or any other part of himself in the corridor before she'd pushed him back, locking the door behind them.
A passerby might've heard an interesting conversation behind the door:
"Babe?"
"Shh."
"I didn't know you were in such a hurry to go."
"I am, but it's not what you might think."
Then nothing but certain soft noises.
"Aw, babe, the Mile High Club again?"
"I don't know how often we're supposed to renew our membership; why take chances?"
"Get Glad."
"I'm about to get glad; now shut up and let me..."
And the plane kept flying, as did certain other things.
Folks, we'd better leave what else goes on there to discretion. We'll switch back to the kids for the time being, but the McNultys are about to join them, and then look out! Continue to review, y'all. And a question for anyone who's seen the Rugrats In Paris movie: was anything at all said about Kimi's real father? Something tells me I'd better familiarize myself with Fathers of the Bride. More later. Cy'all.
As to the reviews, thank you Nightw2, and to Kimmy Larisa, and to CrazyGoingSlowlyAmI --- formerly known as Ally (well, if that's how you want it) --- and to Junior and to Starry Nights (I hope I've kept up to your expectations), and... what's this? My first negative review? Well, it's about time. Thanks for your advice, elmozwurld. Are you referring to Chapter 9 or to the one on which you reviewed, Chapter 1. I've re-read that chappie & find some validity in what you said, which I will take into consideration. Methinks the paragraphs in Chapter 1 could stand a bit of fixing. And I'm an optimist myself, so sometimes I need a dose of pessimism or at least realism. Thank you. And thank you too, lil kimi. Your estimations as to the causes for the 'rents' reactions are right on the money, particularly Didi who's always struck me as one for the apron strings. But the parents love their prospective in-laws; it's just the idea of their children getting married at all. Anyway, thanks to all the reviewers; please continue to read & review.
Rugrats is created, owned, & / or copyrighted by Klasky-Csupo & / or Nickelodeon, which in turn is owned by Viacom. Glad is copyrighted by the Glad Products Company.
At the same time, or nine hours later depending on how wish to think about it, a phone is about to ring. The scene is Paris, France. The time, 11:00 a.m. Another good day to find companies ripe for a takeover. And a certain former model turned junior executive is doing just that.
It's been a typical junket so far, expanding & consolidating European holdings of MergeCorp. For the past few days, Angelica C. Pickles-McNulty has been successfully scarfing up small companies. Right now she's taking an early lunch; she and her husband Timmy are at one of those outdoor Paris restaurants you might have heard about. They haven't ordered yet; both are too busy on their sundry electronic devices, in particular Angelica's phone:
"...and, one minute, Geoffrey; I have another call. Hello? Aunt Didi?"
Tim's head shot up. "Your aunt's calling from California?"
"Just a moment." Angelica said to her aunt, then, "I would think so, Tim; I haven't heard of them going on another big trip."
"Babe, it's 2 in the morning there!"
"I know; now if you'll let me find out..."
"Sorry, babe. Go on."
"Thank you." Then it was back to the phone. "Are you still there, Aunt Didi? -- Good. -- Yes, that was Timmy. -- Timmy, Aunt Didi says hello."
"Hello, Aunt Didi."
"He says hello, too. So what are you doing up at this time of the night? And on a school night, too! -- A holiday? Since when? -- Since now? -- Well, when did this happen, was a local ordinance passed or something? -- Or something. -- Aunt Didi, I didn't think I'd hear myself saying this about you, but you're not making sense! -- Okkay, from the top, what's going on? -- Am I sitting down? -- Aunt Didi, this is Angelica C. Pickles-McNulty you're talking to here; nothing you could say could possibly shock me that much. -- Well, let me ask you this. Is anyone dead or dying? -- Well, there you go. Next to that, nothing would be shocking. Now spill it. -- He what? -- Really? He did? -- Oh, you & Uncle Stu must be so happy for him. Poor Kimi, tho. -- I'm kidding; you know I love my cousins."
Her husband made a pretty good guess at the news, and smiled.
"So how's her brother taking it? -- Oh? What do you... -- WHAT!?? -- He didn't!"
Angelica would have had to have sat down at what she heard if she hadn't been already. Tim noticed she was looking a bit faint; he was on alert straightway. The conversation continued, Angelica looking a bit dazed.
"Oh, wow. Who'd have thought the Chuckster would have it in him? -- Huh. So how's HER brother taking it? -- Oh. My. Goodness!"
She shot bolt upright at what she was hearing now, not out of her seat, but close. Tim maintained his concerned vigil.
"No, I haven't heard anything about this! And she's supposed to be my best friend, too. -- I'm almost afraid to ask how her brother is taking this, but they're both married, one to his work. -- Well, have you started planning the weddings yet? -- Well, don't, not until I get there."
Tim's eyebrows raised at that, apparently he took it as his cue to get busy on his computer, not to mention his phone, his PDA, & whatever else came to hand.
"Now you stop that; of course I'm coming over there. -- No, I won't take 'no' for an answer. I'll be there tonight, & I'm handling the weddings. You can tell the Finsters, Devilles & Carmichaels I said so. And tell my parents too. -- The McNultys? They can wait."
"HEY!"
"See you in a few hours, Aunt Didi. Toodles." "TIMMY!" But he was more than ready for her.
"I hope you don't mind, babe, I took the liberty of cancelling your appointments for the next week, with an option on your meetings for the next several weeks. We're checked out of the hotel & our luggage is en route to Orly as we speak. Here's your ticket & this is mine for the Concorde --- first class of course --- non-stop to Los Angeles. Our rental is waiting for us at LAX & my family now knows we're coming too. Now, if you'll come with me our cab is waiting."
He had been busy; printers, faxes, the internet, the whole bit. Which left his wife not a little stunned. Which is probably a good thing, as it also rendered her mute until they were halfway to the airport. When she finally did find her voice again...
"You're amazing, McNulty."
"You're pretty amazing yourself, Pickles-McNulty."
"Why can't my secretary be as efficient as you?"
"He might be if you let him sleep with you. On second thought, no he wouldn't, because I'd kill him."
"Careful. You never know where those paparazzi are. I can see the headline. 'Young Heir Threatens Wife's Secretary Over Suspected Tryst'."
"Now see, that's why it's so good you're such a good businesswoman; you stink at writing headlines."
"Oh, I suppose you could do better?"
"I could, but we don't have that much time."
"Could we stop off for a bite?"
"Even if we could, you know your bod can't afford those French pastries I noticed you looking at."
"Oh, you're no fun."
"You're already sweet enough; I don't think I could handle it if you were any sweeter. Once we're on the plane, you can have all the airline food you can eat."
"Oh, thanks a lot."
No more was said until they were on the plane. Then, Tim broke the silence.
"So are you going to tell me what that was about?"
"Like you can't guess."
"I could."
"You always have been a good guesser, especially of me. Sometimes I get the feeling you know me better than I know myself."
"I thought it was against the law for a husband to be that psychically in tune with his wife."
"It's unheard of is what it is. But I won't tell; it's too much fun."
"Mm."
"So are you going to guess already?"
"They've finally gotten engaged, Tom & Kimi, Chuck & Lil, Phil & Suze."
"Right on the money."
"It wasn't hard to figure out; I heard your end of the conversation."
"Yeah." Angelica then lapsed into uncharacteristic silence.
"Babe?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you alright with this? You know, I mean, your feelings for him--"
"--are resolved, long ago. You know that."
"Does he know?"
"I haven't told him, I haven't been able to. He's kind of standoffish when I'm there, and for good reason. What I did to him..." By now Angelica was starting to cry, a little.
Tim came to the rescue, not for the first time & not for the last. "Hey, it's alright."
"It is not."
"It will be. It's just a matter of time until you tell him."
silence
"He has to know; you know that."
silence "I know." She then tried to change the subject. "What about her? She & you used to be kind of thick--"
"Ancient history & you know it. I made my choice long ago & I chose you."
"So you did."
"She'll be alright; she has a good head on her shoulders."
"So does he; he's a d*mn genius."
"But he doesn't know how things stand; she does."
"You sure?"
"If she didn't know before our wedding, she sure did after. I told her myself."
"You did?"
"She was maid of honor; I figured it was due that she know."
"Could you talk to him for me?"
"Sorry, Babe. I can't do everything for you."
"Could've fooled me."
The young couple lapsed back into silence, which lasted until Tim started to stand.
"Timmy?"
"I need to go to the john."
"The jane, you mean."
"I'd better not go to see another woman."
"Oh, and having you go see another man is any better?"
"Behave, babe. Would you let me pass?"
"Like gas."
"Didn't I say to behave?"
"Alright." She started to pout. "Come back quick."
He passed her toward the back of the plane. After a minute, Angelica's face acquired a mischievous look, that grin by which it would be obvious to a dullard that she had something in mind. She stood, and without another second of delay followed her husband.
It was easy enough to find the restrooms, easier still to find the one where he was as it was the one that was occupied. So she planted herself in front of it & waited.
Someone else passed her en route to another of the restrooms. Said someone gave her a funny look, which she noticed.
"What's the matter, you've never seen anyone waiting to use the restroom before?"
The someone slipped into the other restroom without another word, look, or apparently thought. Soon after, Angelica heard a flush on the other side of the door before which she was encamped. It had only taken a couple of minutes; it's a guy thing.
By the time she heard the click of the lock, she was poised to spring, which she did as soon as she saw her husband. He didn't get a chance to set foot or any other part of himself in the corridor before she'd pushed him back, locking the door behind them.
A passerby might've heard an interesting conversation behind the door:
"Babe?"
"Shh."
"I didn't know you were in such a hurry to go."
"I am, but it's not what you might think."
Then nothing but certain soft noises.
"Aw, babe, the Mile High Club again?"
"I don't know how often we're supposed to renew our membership; why take chances?"
"Get Glad."
"I'm about to get glad; now shut up and let me..."
And the plane kept flying, as did certain other things.
Folks, we'd better leave what else goes on there to discretion. We'll switch back to the kids for the time being, but the McNultys are about to join them, and then look out! Continue to review, y'all. And a question for anyone who's seen the Rugrats In Paris movie: was anything at all said about Kimi's real father? Something tells me I'd better familiarize myself with Fathers of the Bride. More later. Cy'all.