"Frank, have you seen my big black suitcase?" Elaina called down from
upstairs.
"Check in the closet," Frank called back as he cleaned off Sarah's face that was full of spaghetti.
"It's not there!" Elaina yelled back.
"Ugh. Derek will you please go help your mother. Sabrina will be here in a few minutes," Frank said, turning to Derek as he placed Sarah's plate in the sink.
"Why should I?" Derek talked back.
"Excuse me?!" Frank was surprised at his tone.
"Why should I? You guys don't trust me with doing any thing," Derek replied.
"Derek, I'm not having this talk with you right now," Frank said as Sarah threw some spaghetti onto the floor. "Sarah!" The doorbell rang. "Then at least let Sab in," Frank ordered as he cleaned up the mess.
"Fine," Derek got out of his chair in a huff. He walked to the door and opened it.
"Hey, Derek!" Sab greeted him.
"Hey." Derek replied as he walked away from the door.
"What's the matter with you?" Sab asked walking in. "Someone not getting any attention?" Sab grabbed him in a headlock and messed up his hair.
"Hey! Not the hair!" Derek laughed as he tried to break free.
"Oh, can't mess the hair," Sab said, letting him go. "So, why you so down?"
"Parents won't let me stay home alone," Derek replied as he headed to the living room.
"Is that all?" Sab said as she followed him.
"They just don't trust me," Derek complained as he sat down on the couch.
"Oh come on, we'll have fun this week," Sab said, cheerfully.
"What are we going to do?" Derek asked.
"You're gonna help me move into my new apartment," Sab replied, sitting down in a chair across from the couch.
"Move?!" Derek repeated, in a bit of shock. "Man, I don't want to be working."
"Ok. You don't want to help me, Becky doesn't get to come over at all this week."
"What?! You can't do that," Derek protested.
"Try me. I was gonna let you have Becky over here, but I guess you don't want to see her," Sab come back with as Sarah came running in. "Sarah!"
"Sabeana, look." Sarah tried to say her name as she showed Sab her new doll.
"She's very pretty," Sab said and signed.
"I see he let you in," Frank said, walking in. "Elaina will be down in a minute and you sir, dishes. Now," Frank pointed to Derek.
"Oh, come on," Derek whined as Frank gave him a 'do it or else' look. "Fine. And it's a deal, Sab." Derek got off the couch and headed to the kitchen.
"Alright then," Sab said as she picked up Sarah.
"Deal?" Frank asked, looking at Sab.
"He's helping me move into my new apartment.," Sab replied, playing with Sarah.
"And what does he get out of the deal?"
"Sorry, that is teen and babysitter information only," Sab replied. Frank gave her the same look he gave Derek. "I'm just letting him spend time with Becky."
"Keep an eye on them," Frank said as he left the room. He walked up the stairs into his and Elaina's bedroom. Elaina was still folding and packing clothes.
"You do know we're only going for a few days, not a few weeks?" Frank joked as he leaned against the wall to watch her pack.
"I know, I just always change my mind about what I want to wear," Elaina said as she folded a sweater.
"Well whatever you wear is fine with me," Frank said, walking over to her. He put his arms around her. "Preferable nothing is alright as well."
"I bet you'd like that," Elaina said, turning around to kiss him, deeply.
"Hmmm...more of this should take place on the honeymoon," Frank said.
"I plan that and more." Elaina said seductively. "Did I hear the doorbell before you came in here?" Elaina kissed him again.
"Oh yeah! Sab is here." He kissed her on the neck.
"Then we should get downstairs." She walked away from him but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.
"Sarah is keeping her busy. I'd rather continue keeping you busy," Frank said as he went back to kissing her.
"Come on, we can do what you want to do later," Elaina said, leaving the room to walk down the stairs.
"I'll remind you of that." Frank followed her down.
"Hey Sab, I see you met her new doll," Elaina said as she came into the room seeing them together, playing with the doll.
"Yep, it was the first thing she did." They all could hear Derek throwing silverware in the sink.
"Excuse me, time for an attitude adjustment," Frank said, starting toward the kitchen.
"Frank. I'll do it. You give Sab the paperwork and tell her where we're going." Elaina walked into the kitchen as Derek threw more things in the sink. "Derek!"
"What?!" He slammed a pan in the sink.
"Stop with the tantrum! No wonder we don't treat you as an adult."
"Damn it, Mom! I don't need a babysitter, I'm 17!" Derek argued. "I can handle Sarah and the ranch on my own."
"Derek, I know you probably could, but you've been very irresponsible in the past. We're not ready to leave you two on your own at this time."
Derek plopped down in a chair. "How are you going to know if I can do it or not, if you don't let me?"
"You can prove yourself to us after we get back. We'll let you take care of Sarah and the ranch but not for a week at a time, a day or two first," Elaina replied. "Then if you're responsible enough, we'll allow you some freedom this summer being by yourself, longer."
"This summer? I have to wait that long?" Derek whined.
"Do I hear you wanting to wait until your 18th birthday?" Elaina threatened.
"No ma'am," Derek said, quietly.
"Stop with the throwing things and act like an adult." Elaina hugged him and went back in with Frank and Sab.
"Well, did he calm down any?" Sab asked.
"You don't hear him do you?" Elaina smiled.
"A mother's touch," Frank said.
"A mother's deal, which Father has to agree to. I'll explain it later," Elaina told him. "So, are we all set to leave in the morning?"
"Actually I thought we'd leave tonight," Frank said. "Reese has the plane ready and we can leave when you're ready."
"Morning is fine, you know I hate to fly at night," Elaina told him.
"Yes, but wouldn't you like to wake up in Montana to go riding out to watch the sunrise with me?"
"Not really, I hear it's below freezing up there," Elaina replied. "I can see the sunrise from here just fine." Frank was becoming frustrated. "Well, I'm leaving tonight, if you're going with me, that's when you'll leave too."
"Oh really! I think you have something else you need to tell me. Like why are you so eager to get me out of town?" Elaina asked sensing something was up.
"There's nothing else. I just thought it be romantic to start off our honeymoon watching the sunrise at the ranch," Frank replied.
"Do you know anything?" Elaina asked, turning to Sab.
"Nope. Nothing," Sab replied, innocently, turning away.
"Sab, you're hiding something," Elaina said, stepping closer to her.
"No I'm not," Sab answered, quickly. Elaina stared at her. Sab looked to Frank who was trying to get her not to say a word. "Ok, ok, ok! Frank wanted to get you out of town, to the ranch, because I wanted to spend more time with the kids. Kinda like a trail, to see if I actually want kids."
"Really?!" Elaina asked, turning to Frank.
"Ah...yeah. She was really convincing, so how could I not let her do it," Frank played along. "I figured you'd want her to as well. Like you said, we can trust her."
"I guess that's ok. But you shouldn't keep those things from me," Elaina said, a little skeptical.
"Sorry, I just didn't want everyone to know," Sab said, timidly.
"Ok. I'll go finish packing," Elaina walked up the stairs to finish packing.
"Nice save," Frank said, knowing they were alone.
"Yeah, nice for you. She just better not tell Cody," Sab replied.
"You don't want kids?" Frank asked, a little surprised.
"I'm still deciding on that. Probably will be a long time before I do," Sab answered.
******
At the airport Reese met Frank and Elaina. "Hey, Sis! I see he convinced you to leave tonight."
"I guess you could say that. I don't like it but he said he'd keep my mind off the flight."
"That's more info than I needed," Reese laughed as Elaina smacked at him.
"There's no reason for this plane to crash is there?" Elaina asked.
"No, I checked and double checked everything," Reese assured her. "No hijackers are on board, either."
"Let's get going, shall we?" Frank said, pushing her to the plane.
"Why are you in such a hurry? If you think I believed that little skit you and Sab put on think again. I just wasn't in the mood to argue." Elaina turned and stopped him from passing her. "Spill your guts, Donovan."
"I'll tell you on the plane, it's a surprise." Frank pushed past her to get on the plane.
"Frank Donovan! I hate it when you keep secrets," Elaina said, going in after him.
"Have a seat, Sis well be taking off in a couple of minutes," Reese said, shutting the door.
"Frank, I want to know and I want to know before we take off," Elaina insisted.
"No! Now sit down and fasten your seat belt. When I get ready I'll tell you," Frank sat her down in the seat next to him.
Elaina got up to take a seat across from him. "This is one hell of a way to start a honeymoon. You think I'm sleeping with you on the plane, you're crazy."
After a few minutes the plane took off. Elaina was so furious but didn't want to fight with him.
"You two can get up walk or whatever, I'll be up here the whole flight," Reese announced, over the intercom.
"Talk Frank. I want to know what you're hiding from me," Elaina demanded.
"Ok but promise you won't get too upset with me. I only kept this from you, because I love you." Frank knew the look on her face all too well and at this moment wished he had back up.
"I'll try not to take your head off your shoulders. How's that for a promise?"
"Maria broke out this morning. Allison thinks she'll come after you?" Frank blurted out.
"Figures she'd do something like that," Elaina said, calmly. "That's why Alex was at my office today. You sent her there to watch over me."
"No, she volunteered. I didn't want you to know before we left, because I knew you'd want to stay and look for her."
"Why would I want to look for someone that's out to kill me, possibly?" Elaina asked.
"Who are you and where is Elaina?" Frank was surprised by her reaction.
"Listen, it's our honeymoon, we're going home to the Double D, the most secure place in Montana. I'm not going to give my cousin the satisfaction of ruining my honeymoon." Elaina saw that he was shocked.
"I'm very surprised that you are not trying to kill me about now."
"I want a honeymoon then I'll kill you." Elaina sat on his lap and kissed him. "Besides we have to christen the bed I had put in this plane when I designed the inside of it."
"Check in the closet," Frank called back as he cleaned off Sarah's face that was full of spaghetti.
"It's not there!" Elaina yelled back.
"Ugh. Derek will you please go help your mother. Sabrina will be here in a few minutes," Frank said, turning to Derek as he placed Sarah's plate in the sink.
"Why should I?" Derek talked back.
"Excuse me?!" Frank was surprised at his tone.
"Why should I? You guys don't trust me with doing any thing," Derek replied.
"Derek, I'm not having this talk with you right now," Frank said as Sarah threw some spaghetti onto the floor. "Sarah!" The doorbell rang. "Then at least let Sab in," Frank ordered as he cleaned up the mess.
"Fine," Derek got out of his chair in a huff. He walked to the door and opened it.
"Hey, Derek!" Sab greeted him.
"Hey." Derek replied as he walked away from the door.
"What's the matter with you?" Sab asked walking in. "Someone not getting any attention?" Sab grabbed him in a headlock and messed up his hair.
"Hey! Not the hair!" Derek laughed as he tried to break free.
"Oh, can't mess the hair," Sab said, letting him go. "So, why you so down?"
"Parents won't let me stay home alone," Derek replied as he headed to the living room.
"Is that all?" Sab said as she followed him.
"They just don't trust me," Derek complained as he sat down on the couch.
"Oh come on, we'll have fun this week," Sab said, cheerfully.
"What are we going to do?" Derek asked.
"You're gonna help me move into my new apartment," Sab replied, sitting down in a chair across from the couch.
"Move?!" Derek repeated, in a bit of shock. "Man, I don't want to be working."
"Ok. You don't want to help me, Becky doesn't get to come over at all this week."
"What?! You can't do that," Derek protested.
"Try me. I was gonna let you have Becky over here, but I guess you don't want to see her," Sab come back with as Sarah came running in. "Sarah!"
"Sabeana, look." Sarah tried to say her name as she showed Sab her new doll.
"She's very pretty," Sab said and signed.
"I see he let you in," Frank said, walking in. "Elaina will be down in a minute and you sir, dishes. Now," Frank pointed to Derek.
"Oh, come on," Derek whined as Frank gave him a 'do it or else' look. "Fine. And it's a deal, Sab." Derek got off the couch and headed to the kitchen.
"Alright then," Sab said as she picked up Sarah.
"Deal?" Frank asked, looking at Sab.
"He's helping me move into my new apartment.," Sab replied, playing with Sarah.
"And what does he get out of the deal?"
"Sorry, that is teen and babysitter information only," Sab replied. Frank gave her the same look he gave Derek. "I'm just letting him spend time with Becky."
"Keep an eye on them," Frank said as he left the room. He walked up the stairs into his and Elaina's bedroom. Elaina was still folding and packing clothes.
"You do know we're only going for a few days, not a few weeks?" Frank joked as he leaned against the wall to watch her pack.
"I know, I just always change my mind about what I want to wear," Elaina said as she folded a sweater.
"Well whatever you wear is fine with me," Frank said, walking over to her. He put his arms around her. "Preferable nothing is alright as well."
"I bet you'd like that," Elaina said, turning around to kiss him, deeply.
"Hmmm...more of this should take place on the honeymoon," Frank said.
"I plan that and more." Elaina said seductively. "Did I hear the doorbell before you came in here?" Elaina kissed him again.
"Oh yeah! Sab is here." He kissed her on the neck.
"Then we should get downstairs." She walked away from him but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.
"Sarah is keeping her busy. I'd rather continue keeping you busy," Frank said as he went back to kissing her.
"Come on, we can do what you want to do later," Elaina said, leaving the room to walk down the stairs.
"I'll remind you of that." Frank followed her down.
"Hey Sab, I see you met her new doll," Elaina said as she came into the room seeing them together, playing with the doll.
"Yep, it was the first thing she did." They all could hear Derek throwing silverware in the sink.
"Excuse me, time for an attitude adjustment," Frank said, starting toward the kitchen.
"Frank. I'll do it. You give Sab the paperwork and tell her where we're going." Elaina walked into the kitchen as Derek threw more things in the sink. "Derek!"
"What?!" He slammed a pan in the sink.
"Stop with the tantrum! No wonder we don't treat you as an adult."
"Damn it, Mom! I don't need a babysitter, I'm 17!" Derek argued. "I can handle Sarah and the ranch on my own."
"Derek, I know you probably could, but you've been very irresponsible in the past. We're not ready to leave you two on your own at this time."
Derek plopped down in a chair. "How are you going to know if I can do it or not, if you don't let me?"
"You can prove yourself to us after we get back. We'll let you take care of Sarah and the ranch but not for a week at a time, a day or two first," Elaina replied. "Then if you're responsible enough, we'll allow you some freedom this summer being by yourself, longer."
"This summer? I have to wait that long?" Derek whined.
"Do I hear you wanting to wait until your 18th birthday?" Elaina threatened.
"No ma'am," Derek said, quietly.
"Stop with the throwing things and act like an adult." Elaina hugged him and went back in with Frank and Sab.
"Well, did he calm down any?" Sab asked.
"You don't hear him do you?" Elaina smiled.
"A mother's touch," Frank said.
"A mother's deal, which Father has to agree to. I'll explain it later," Elaina told him. "So, are we all set to leave in the morning?"
"Actually I thought we'd leave tonight," Frank said. "Reese has the plane ready and we can leave when you're ready."
"Morning is fine, you know I hate to fly at night," Elaina told him.
"Yes, but wouldn't you like to wake up in Montana to go riding out to watch the sunrise with me?"
"Not really, I hear it's below freezing up there," Elaina replied. "I can see the sunrise from here just fine." Frank was becoming frustrated. "Well, I'm leaving tonight, if you're going with me, that's when you'll leave too."
"Oh really! I think you have something else you need to tell me. Like why are you so eager to get me out of town?" Elaina asked sensing something was up.
"There's nothing else. I just thought it be romantic to start off our honeymoon watching the sunrise at the ranch," Frank replied.
"Do you know anything?" Elaina asked, turning to Sab.
"Nope. Nothing," Sab replied, innocently, turning away.
"Sab, you're hiding something," Elaina said, stepping closer to her.
"No I'm not," Sab answered, quickly. Elaina stared at her. Sab looked to Frank who was trying to get her not to say a word. "Ok, ok, ok! Frank wanted to get you out of town, to the ranch, because I wanted to spend more time with the kids. Kinda like a trail, to see if I actually want kids."
"Really?!" Elaina asked, turning to Frank.
"Ah...yeah. She was really convincing, so how could I not let her do it," Frank played along. "I figured you'd want her to as well. Like you said, we can trust her."
"I guess that's ok. But you shouldn't keep those things from me," Elaina said, a little skeptical.
"Sorry, I just didn't want everyone to know," Sab said, timidly.
"Ok. I'll go finish packing," Elaina walked up the stairs to finish packing.
"Nice save," Frank said, knowing they were alone.
"Yeah, nice for you. She just better not tell Cody," Sab replied.
"You don't want kids?" Frank asked, a little surprised.
"I'm still deciding on that. Probably will be a long time before I do," Sab answered.
******
At the airport Reese met Frank and Elaina. "Hey, Sis! I see he convinced you to leave tonight."
"I guess you could say that. I don't like it but he said he'd keep my mind off the flight."
"That's more info than I needed," Reese laughed as Elaina smacked at him.
"There's no reason for this plane to crash is there?" Elaina asked.
"No, I checked and double checked everything," Reese assured her. "No hijackers are on board, either."
"Let's get going, shall we?" Frank said, pushing her to the plane.
"Why are you in such a hurry? If you think I believed that little skit you and Sab put on think again. I just wasn't in the mood to argue." Elaina turned and stopped him from passing her. "Spill your guts, Donovan."
"I'll tell you on the plane, it's a surprise." Frank pushed past her to get on the plane.
"Frank Donovan! I hate it when you keep secrets," Elaina said, going in after him.
"Have a seat, Sis well be taking off in a couple of minutes," Reese said, shutting the door.
"Frank, I want to know and I want to know before we take off," Elaina insisted.
"No! Now sit down and fasten your seat belt. When I get ready I'll tell you," Frank sat her down in the seat next to him.
Elaina got up to take a seat across from him. "This is one hell of a way to start a honeymoon. You think I'm sleeping with you on the plane, you're crazy."
After a few minutes the plane took off. Elaina was so furious but didn't want to fight with him.
"You two can get up walk or whatever, I'll be up here the whole flight," Reese announced, over the intercom.
"Talk Frank. I want to know what you're hiding from me," Elaina demanded.
"Ok but promise you won't get too upset with me. I only kept this from you, because I love you." Frank knew the look on her face all too well and at this moment wished he had back up.
"I'll try not to take your head off your shoulders. How's that for a promise?"
"Maria broke out this morning. Allison thinks she'll come after you?" Frank blurted out.
"Figures she'd do something like that," Elaina said, calmly. "That's why Alex was at my office today. You sent her there to watch over me."
"No, she volunteered. I didn't want you to know before we left, because I knew you'd want to stay and look for her."
"Why would I want to look for someone that's out to kill me, possibly?" Elaina asked.
"Who are you and where is Elaina?" Frank was surprised by her reaction.
"Listen, it's our honeymoon, we're going home to the Double D, the most secure place in Montana. I'm not going to give my cousin the satisfaction of ruining my honeymoon." Elaina saw that he was shocked.
"I'm very surprised that you are not trying to kill me about now."
"I want a honeymoon then I'll kill you." Elaina sat on his lap and kissed him. "Besides we have to christen the bed I had put in this plane when I designed the inside of it."