Chapter 12 More Wedding Warfare
Geiger drove the Admiral, Francine and Beaman back to Bucharest. The Presidential Suite at the Hilton was still at their disposal; the admiral raised his eyebrows when he heard how long the room had been booked. Geiger had just smiled and told him the Agency was taking care of it.
Admiral John Beaman watched his future daughter-in-law as the elevator rose to the suite at the Hilton. His son stood beside her, his arm around her shoulders. The elevator doors opened, Efraim lifted Francine into his arms and strode down the hallway. Geiger opened the door and Efraim headed straight to the bedroom they had used earlier in the week. He laid Francine on the bed and removed her boots, pulling the blankets over her.
"You should take a hot shower and get some rest."
Efraim turned to see his father standing in the door. He nodded and sat on the edge of the bed.
"I will Dad, but I want to make sure that Francine is resting easily first."
"Son, she's fine. Look, I'll check in on her every couple of minutes. Take care of yourself so you can take care of her. I'll make it an order if I have to," his father smiled to take the harshness from his words.
Efraim smiled weakly, tired and drained from the ride. "Yes sir," he replied with a half-hearted salute.
Standing in the shower, he let the hot water ease the aches and pains of his weary body. After nearly six days, the pounding in his head was finally receding, but he tired quickly and his strength was easily sapped by walking.
He climbed from the shower; drying his body with one of the fluffy white towels that was a luxury after the thin, threadbare towels at the hospital. He wrapped the towel around his waist and walked back into the bedroom.
"Feel better, B?"
Efraim looked over at Francine; she was lying on her side watching him. "You are supposed to be asleep."
She smiled at him. "How can I sleep when both you and your father are talking about me as if I'm not here?" She patted the place on the bed beside her, watching as he walked to the door and closed it.
He sat on the bed, easing back on his elbow. "You've been pretty sick, hon, you need to rest."
"I will when you come to bed as well. These bruises are looking better," she traced the outlines of the fading bruises along his ribs with her fingertips. She smiled at his quick intake of air. "As much as I'd like to continue this B, I am exhausted." She motioned with her fingers for him to come closer; she lifted her head to indicate she wanted him to kiss her.
His free hand laced into her hair, pulling her gently to him. He kissed her forehead, her nose and finally taking her lips. His kiss was soft and undemanding, a kiss of comfort. He felt her breath as she sighed against his cheek. "I love you, Francine. And I've been really worried about you."
"I love you too, Efraim. I've been really worried about you too."
Efraim woke up and the bed was empty. He looked at his watch; it was 3:30 in the afternoon. He climbed out of bed, threw on a pair of pants and went in search of Francine. He walked barefoot down the hall, pulling a T-shirt over his head. He could hear Francine's voice and she didn't sound happy.
Geiger was nowhere to be found, but his father was in the living room watching television and keeping an eye on Francine. She was in the conference room with the door open. She was coughing between words and from what he could hear, she was discussing wedding plans.
"Dad, how long has she been on the phone?"
The admiral turned around, surprised to find that his son had snuck up on him. "About ten minutes. She had wanted to call her mother to let her know that she was alright, and the next thing I know, she's neck deep into wedding plans and very unhappy. I took her a cup of tea, but she hasn't touched it. You may want to get in there."
"Damn it. We were better off at Poenari." Efraim muttered as he strode to the door, pushing it all the way open and leaning against it. Francine looked up and gave him a silent sigh. He could see her cheeks were flushed with anger. He walked over and took the telephone from her hand.
"Mrs. Desmond? Yes, it's Efraim . . . thank you; I'm doing better . . . that is the nature of the business we're in. I know Francine told you, but she's still recovering from bronchitis and she needs her rest . . . I understand that you want to finalize the hord'oeuvre menu. Let me help you with it, what ever you decide upon by four o'clock in Washington DC today will be fine with us. If it's not finalized by then, there will be no cocktail hour at the reception. All right? Great talking with you. Francine and I will see you in a couple of days." With that, he hung up the telephone. He looked at Francine who was looking at him as though he had grown three heads.
"Efraim! Not again! Do you know what you've done?" She asked him; her voice at a near shout. She started coughing and was unable to stop. Efraim took her in his arms and held the cup of cooling tea to her lips.
"Drink it," he told her, his tone brooking no argument from her. She sipped the tea, her coughing spasms beginning to ease. Efraim put the cup down and held her at arms length. She was crying, trying to wipe away the tears so he wouldn't see them. He pulled her to his chest. "Go ahead and cry, Francine."
"I never cry!" She tried to push him away and walk past him. "I don't want to cry! I'm sick and tired of crying! I've had enough crying," she sobbed at him. He pulled her close and kissed her hair all the while she clung to him crying.
"I'm so tired of all of it Efraim, I really am. Why does it have to be so difficult for two people to get married? I don't want our marriage to start off with the two of us happy that the wedding is over. I want to celebrate! I don't care about cocktails. I don't care about beef or chicken or salmon! What I do care about is us sharing what we've found together with our families and our friends. This has turned it into a three ring circus."
"I know," Efraim sounded forlorn, and Francine chuckled softly at the tone of his voice.
"I don't want to go back to bed. I'm sick and tired of bed," she stuck out her bottom lip to show Efraim she meant business, she wasn't about to have him pushing her around.
"Alright, you can sit on the couch with your feet up."
"You've become very bossy Efraim. I'm not sure I like you like this," Francine pouted as she walked past him into the living room.
"I've always been bossy, Francine and you know it. And you like me just fine like this."
She shot him a look of pure disgust and he laughed at her. She climbed on the couch across from her future father in law, pulling her feet up and under her while crossing her arms over her chest. The admiral looked from her to his son, wondering which one had met their match in the other, and decided it really didn't matter. They each had their hands full with the other one.
Efraim took a seat at the other end of the couch from Francine, putting his feet up on the coffee table in front of him. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared off into space. His father tried not to laugh at the picture the two of them made, hard headed and stubborn. But he understood the pressure they were under, he had witnessed it at home with the wedding day coming closer and Efraim and Francine both out of the country.
"May I make a suggestion?" The admiral asked the pair sitting across from him.
"Yes, of course," Francine said.
"I'd rather you didn't, Dad," Efraim said at the same time.
"Why don't you elope?" He was greeted with silence.
"It's two weeks to the wedding, Dad. We can't back out now. Besides, Francine's mother would kill us."
"He's right, she would kill us," Francine looked over at Efraim and gave him a faint smile. He grinned at her and moved up the couch, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close and sneaking a quick kiss.
"Then I suggest the two of you take control of your wedding and lay down some ground rules. Run this the way the two of you would run any other operation."
"God help us," Efraim mumbled, only to be elbowed by Francine.
"Where's some paper? Let's get some paper and get this worked out." The admiral suggested, getting up and looking for a tablet.
"Dad, my laptop is on the table in the dining room, let's just grab that."
"Computers . . . I don't see what the problem is with good ole paper. . . ." His father mumbled as he went in search of Efraim's laptop. Francine giggled as he left the room.
"I'm sorry, hon."
"So am I, B. I'm just so tired," she leaned her head against his shoulder, finding the comfort she desperately needed within his arms.
Efraim pulled his arm from around Francine's shoulder as his father handed him his computer. Francine peered over his shoulder and watched as he typed 'F & B's Big Adventure' on the screen. She laughed and closed her eyes, easing herself into the cushioned softness of the couch.
"Alright, what do we do next?" Efraim asked.
"Well, now that you've titled it, everything," Francine remarked sarcastically with a wave of her hand.
"The date is set. The church and hotel are booked. You have your dress, right?"
"Yes, all that is taken care of; although Efraim has not chosen a tuxedo," Francine said with a roll of her head and a look at Efraim that spoke volumes.
"No one could make up their minds what they wanted me to wear. I tried on so many I was beginning to think I should just wear my uniform."
"What's wrong with wearing your uniform, son?" His father wanted to know.
"Nothing, except I'm in the reserves, Dad."
"No, you are on active duty in the Navy at this time."
"What are you saying?"
"What time is the wedding again?"
"The ceremony is at five in the evening and the reception is at seven." Francine supplied.
"Wear your dress mess uniform."
Efraim pressed his lips together as he looked at Francine and raised an eyebrow in question. Her eyes were wide as she thought it over and then she smiled. Efraim felt a weight lift from him all because she had smiled at him. He smiled back, kissed her nose and looked at his dad, who was looking pretty smug.
"Dad, that's exactly what I'll do. Thanks!"
The admiral chuckled and rubbed his hands together. "Okay! There's nothing to this wedding stuff! What's next?"
"Menu."
"Where's the reception?"
"The National Museum of Women in the Arts on New York Avenue," Francine replied. "It's the only place that will hold the amount of people who have been invited and responded."
"That's three hundred people, Dad."
"Do they have a standard menu?"
"Yes, but that's the problem! Everyone wants something special! This one doesn't eat meat, that one doesn't eat beef, another is one type of vegetarian and then someone else is allergic to something. My mother has been crafting a menu for each person to accommodate their personal tastes. We have tried to tell her that this is a wedding reception not a restaurant!" Francine's eyes darkened and she bit her lip in anger. Efraim raised an eyebrow at his father as if to tell him, See what you've done now?
"Francine, this is your day, yours and my son's. It is not for the benefit of those people who are coming to share in your celebration. What do you want?"
"I want to elope," came her exasperated reply.
"I said that a week ago!" Efraim complained.
"Efraim, I'm . . ."
"Children, children," yelled the admiral. "Look, you can't elope at this date. Let's take control of this now."
Working together, they pulled together the pieces of their wedding, Efraim inputting the information into his laptop as Francine and his father worked the angles. With a flourish, Efraim hit the 'save' button, and leaned back into the couch. Checking the grand clock that stood in the room, he was surprised to see that little over an hour had passed since they had begun.
Francine's eyes followed Efraim's to the clock. She flashed a wide smile at her future father-in-law. "You've done this before, haven't you admiral?" Francine asked, awe and admiration in her voice.
"I haven't gotten to where I am in the Navy without learning how to compromise and work through an obstacle. And Francine, you're going to marry my son in two weeks time, do you think you could call me Dad, or John if you're not comfortable with that?"
Francine climbed off the couch and hugged her future father-in-law. "I would like that very much Dad, thank you!" She kissed him on the cheek and sat down beside him, linking her arm with his and winking at Efraim.
"I'll fax this to the museum and a send copy to both of our mothers. We still have time before we get back to the States, so hopefully they will have cooled down by the time we see them!"
"Don't count on it, son, but I'll take care of your mother for you. I'll talk to yours as well, Francine. This is a time for you to celebrate what you have found together, not find reasons to argue, especially over food."
"Thanks, Dad." Francine hugged the admiral and went to sit next to Efraim. He leaned over and kissed her.
"Now, you need to rest." He told her. "No more worries about this stuff, okay?"
"Alright B, I'll go rest. Not long though, I'm getting hungry."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, you haven't been eating. Not good for you," Efraim scolded her. She patted him on the cheek and went to their bedroom. Standing, Efraim headed for the office Francine had been using earlier. When he had finished faxing the menu to their mothers, he returned to the living room, sat on the couch, putting his hands behind his head and feet on the table. His father laughed at him and matched his position.
"Thanks, Dad. This has been driving us crazy."
His father nodded. "I'll see to it that your orders allow you your honeymoon. The Department of Defense is going to want to keep you active until they get that van out of the lake. Son, why in the world did you drive it into the lake? Do you know how deep that water is there? And what if it had blown? The dam could have gone."
Efraim sighed. "Dad, the laser was electric; there were no gases or mixtures that could have continued to react to cause an explosion. And the unit was water cooled. It was past critical, there was no way to reverse it and I was out of time. I did what I had to do to save the dam. And I'll say one thing; Quigley had the unit bolted down tight. So if nothing untoward happened on the way down, it should be intact. If not, I guess I'll be in the brig."
"You like to joke about that," his father remarked; his tone censoring.
"I'm just stating a fact, Dad. If after being nearly blown up and shot, someone can give me an alternative decision to the one I made; with thirty seconds to spare I might add, then I will certainly bow to their far superior judgment. In my opinion, there was no other option. And in my opinion, there is no one else besides Quigley who could have made the right choice besides me."
The admiral laughed outright at Efraim's arrogant statement. "You are right, you know. Safety of the community takes precedence regardless of what Foggy Bottom will say. The President made a big deal of the work the five of you did, so in spite of what the suits say, you will be taken care of."
"I just want to do my job, Dad."
"I know you do son, and you do your job very well. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Dad." Efraim sighed, his mind as weary and battle worn as his body. "I think I'm gonna shut my eyes again. This seems to have taken more out of me than I thought it would." As he rose from the couch, the phone rang. He paused, knowing it was either his mother or Francine's; all in a tizzy over the fax he had just sent.
"I'll get it," the admiral said. "It's probably your mother; I'll take care of it. We'll look on this as a bonding experience for her and Francine's mother. They'll have to commiserate with one another."
"Mom doesn't understand that overcoming obstacles concept, does she?" Efraim asked his father as he went into the study.
"Where do you think I learned it?" His father asked as he closed the door after giving his son a wink.
WIth a stop in Germany for a thorough examination by the military neurologists for Efraim and a check on Francine's recovery, they were cleared to return to the States.
Francine had watched as Efraim moved in the world of the military, surprised by the change she saw in his demeanor. He was in uniform and was treated according to his rank. He easily saluted and returned salutes as he walked through the hallways. She had always thought Efraim had an expressive face, at least she was able to read it, but in uniform it was as though a mask had slipped down over his features. Only when he looked or talked with her did she see the Efraim she knew.
She watched as Efraim and his father came down the hallway of the hospital to the waiting room where she had been sitting. She watched as the women covertly looked at Efraim in his uniform. She smiled; he certainly looked good in uniform. The two men walked up to her, their hats under their arms.
"What are you smiling at, Francine?" Efraim asked her as he held out his hand for her.
She took his hand and stood up. "You, B, just watching the women admire my fiancé."
He smiled at her and winked. "Geiger should be picking us up downstairs and taking us to the base, we have visitor's quarters for the night. We leave early tomorrow for Andrews."
They walked through the halls to the front entrance of the hospital. They signed out and went into the late afternoon sunshine. Geiger was at the curb with a military vehicle to return them to the base.
The admiral had asked to visit with some of the troops stationed at the base as well as address the NATO Conference that was headquartered at Ramstein. The admiral asked if Efraim, Francine and Geiger had wanted to accompany him. Geiger begged off, but Francine was interested as was Efraim. They enjoyed the visit with the troops that had congregated. Someone had even brought a bouquet of flowers which were presented to Francine, who was surprised and touched by the gesture.
They were scheduled to have dinner with the NATO Delegation. Francine was surprised to see Efraim reading files in the car on the way over to NATO Headquarters.
"What are you reading, Efraim?" Francine asked as she picked up one of the files beside him.
"This is information on the agenda for the discussion this evening. If Dad needs back-up, he has it here," Efraim tapped his forehead and smiled. He went back to reading the files.
"Isn't there usually an aide that does this?" Francine wanted to know.
"Yeah, but Dad traveled alone, so, I'm it tonight. I've done it before and this is my area of expertise," he answered without looking up.
Francine nodded and sat back in the seat. She looked at father and son, reading files and making notes along the edges. She took another file, the one that Efraim had just discarded and read through it. She asked several questions, bringing a grin to Efraim's face when his father stated how impressed he was with her grasp of the changing military situation.
"Why aren't you in the military Francine? I could certainly use you in my office," the admiral told her, smiling as he looked over the change in the file.
"Well Dad, in a few weeks you can have all my advice for free on the family plan," she tartly replied, earning her a bark of laughter from the admiral and a chuckle from Efraim. He had sat quietly watching her; he was filled with pride as she made the changes in the policy files. Catching her eye, he handed her the next file and raised an eyebrow at her. She took it with a big grin and delved into the papers inside.
The car pulled up in front of NATO Headquarters. The door was opened for them befitting the Admiral's status. As they headed for the door, Francine was stopped by a Marine corporal.
"Ma'am, the session tonight is off limits to civilians. I'm sorry; I cannot allow you to enter."
Francine looked at Efraim, surprised that she had been stopped. "Show them your ID, Francine. That will get you through." Efraim told her.
"I'm not a civilian, Corporal; here are my clearances and identification." She handed them to the Corporal whose eyes became as large as saucers. He handed her papers back to her and stepped aside, saluting her smartly to the amusement of Efraim and his father.
The evening had gone quickly. Francine enjoyed herself immensely; the admiral had asked her for several clarifications of terms that were being used. He had also relied on Efraim for his understanding of the changing face of Europe.
"Well, I'd say we made a damn good team in there, if you ask me!" Efraim said.
His father rubbed his hands together. "That was the most fun I've had at one of these in ages. Did you see the French delegation fall over themselves to back out of that one stipulation? The two of you were brilliant in there. It was as if you could read one another's minds!"
"We're a team Dad, that's why," Efraim hugged Francine again, who smiled and closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax in his arms. The driver all too quickly pulled up in front of the base guest quarters. The driver got out and opened the door for Francine.
The admiral climbed out with Francine and Efraim, he gave Francine a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Thanks again for all your help tonight, my dear. I'll see you in the morning. I'll have the driver take me to the guest officers quarters then come back for you, son. Goodnight Francine."
"Thanks Dad, goodnight," they both said and waved. Efraim took Francine's arm and walked her to her quarters for the night. "I'm sorry I can't stay; regulations."
"I know," Francine sighed. "It's just tonight. We'll be home tomorrow night."
Efraim opened her door and walked in, checking the rooms and turning on lights out of habit. He walked over to Francine and took her in his arms, kissing her to let her know just how much he would miss staying with her that night. They both were breathing heavily when Efraim lifted his head.
"I have to go." He kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly to him.
"Good night, B," Francine let her body mold to his and she smiled when he groaned at the contact.
"I'll get you for that, Francine," he warned her.
Francine giggled at him as she closed the door. "I'm counting on that B, I really am!"
The admiral had his limousine drop Efraim and Francine off at Efraim's apartment. Efraim pushed open his door and pulled their luggage inside. Francine had gone to the couch and kicked off her shoes and sat down, tucking her feet underneath her. Efraim came and sat beside her, putting his feet up on his coffee table then taking Francine in his arms.
"Glad to be home, Francine?"
"Yes, I didn't sleep well without you last night."
"Me either. Stay here tonight?" He asked her, nibbling her ear and kissing her throat. She sighed and turned in his arms, wrapping hers around his neck, pulling his head to hers and kissing him.
"Yes, I'm staying here, Efraim. You know, I told you when you were unconscious that I was moving in here after we were married, if you agree."
"I remember that! You told me you knew exactly where you wanted to put your grandfather's letter in my study. I thought I was dreaming. When do we start moving you in here--tonight?"
"Tonight is fine! We can start with what I have here!" She laughed, he was so eager. She loved that about him, how simple things made him happy.
"You can share my bedroom." He told her with a big silly grin on his face. "I can show you all the special things that happen inside my bedroom!"
"Oh you can, can you? Do these special things happen often?" She asked, laughing.
"Only with you, hon! Come on, let's get something to eat. I want to unplug the phone before my mother calls. I have to be at Bethesda at 0700 tomorrow."
"That's awfully early, Efraim."
"I'm in the Navy; everything is early in the Navy."
"How long will you remain active? Do you know? Did your Dad say anything to you about it?" She sounded worried, and the last thing he wanted was for her to be worried about anything else.
"Dad says they'll keep me active until they can raise the van and get the laser. I'm assigned to the Agency, so not too much will change for us at work. I will probably have to go back to Romania in the spring when recovery and salvage begins. I won't be sent on any cruises if that's what you're worried about."
"I'm not sure what I'm worried about, B. This has all happened so quickly."
"Do you want to postpone the wedding?" His voice was soft and he was watching her closely.
"No! No, Efraim. That's not what I'm saying, not at all. I want to marry you. I will marry you if I have to hunt you down and drag you to a justice of the peace." She reached over and took his hands, bringing them to her lips. "I've just realized how much I would miss you if you were to get called away. I would miss a part of myself, the best part of myself. Do you understand?"
Efraim lifted her chin so he could look into he eyes. He nodded his head so she knew he had heard her and understood what she had said to him. He leaned over and kissed her softly, inhaling the soft, sweet scent that was Francine. "Come on, let's get something to eat and take it easy tonight. Tomorrow is soon enough for everything else."
