CHAPTER 19: PLANS A'HATCHIN'!
Bell sat at the table with Graydon sipping the gourmet coffee that Logan had brewed. It was wonderful and the company wasn't all that bad either. Graydon had listened to her story with such attentiveness that it almost scared her. But he took in every word that she said. He questioned her now and again about certain information and she answered as accurately as she could.
Logan had heard the story before leaned against the bay window's frame sipping his coffee from a blue mug that had Grumpy on it that said "BAD MOOD DUDE. Always Grumpy: Short temper since 1937". It made Bell chuckle. As since she didn't know how old they really were or what their past was like, she probably guessed that they could have been at the original première of Disney's Snow White for all she knew. She saw him looking out the window at the view while Victor's grandkids were getting ready to go to the museum. They were really getting into it after Bell's excited tale of practically growing up at that museum because her father was on the board there. The younger ones were getting a little restless anyway and were starting to pick fights. That lasted about 15 seconds, mom gave a AHEM!. It took that and only that to set things right. Bell was impressed down to her new toes. The kids obviously loved their dad, but he was not the ruler of the roost by a long shot.
"Now, Bell, are you sure that's all you remembered about that night?" Graydon asked. Bell nodded. "Very good...I'll have someone look into it. And I'll see how he was able to freeze your assets. That is definitely abuse of governmental powers if I ever saw them. Senators are not supposed to use their offices for personal uses like that. He could very well be in lots of trouble." Graydon grinned and chuckled. "I'll see if I can get you back into your apartment as well." She smiled in gratitude.
Both Bell and Logan turned to look at the hallway; Graydon figured that their heightened senses picked up his father. He guessed correctly for his father entered the living room dressed to the nines. He was wearing dark grey dress slacks a bright white silk shirt and he had black dress boots on and he had a very expensive jacket slung over his shoulders. His hair was tired behind his back in a ponytail and his sideburns were history; and he was wearing his sunglass. Bell's mouth dropped open; she was beyond surprised, she was flabbergasted.
"HOLY SMOKES!!!" Bell exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "Okay, who are you and what did you do with Sabretooth?" Bell asked in mock anger. "You look like one of those big tall men models. Wow! You are stunning!"
"Sabretooth, who or what is a Sabretooth?" asked Steven, looking at this grandfather. "And she's right, you are rather stunning." Steven said grinning mischievously, and then snickered. The room simply burst into laughter, even Victor had to suppress a grin. Sandra's anger at her father-in-law evaporated and she laughed at him while helping one of the younger children dress.
"Sabretooth, I have you to know is my working name." Victor said to Steven.
"Working? I thought you were richer then God." Steven countered. "And you didn't have to work."
"No, only Bill Gates is richer then God." Victor said smiling. "And I get bored doing what rich people are supposed to do. We both do," Victor said nodding at Logan.
"It's the Thomas Crown Syndrome." Stated Logan, giving Steven a raised eyebrow. Steven looked perplexed.
"You know the movie with Pierce Brosnan about a rich guy that stole stuff he could probably buy anyway." One of his sisters said.
"Huh, what are you talking about, Jazz?" Steven asked.
"That's Jasmine, Steven." Corrected mom, sternly. Steven rolled his eyes. What problem his mother had with nicknames, he had no idea where she got it from or why it bothered her so much.
"Yeah, Stevie, don't call me Jazz....well, actually I kind of like that...makes me sound well, cool." Jazz smiled at her brother.
"Great, just great! See what you've started Victor!" Sandra said angrily.
"What is your problem, Sandy?" Victor said, just poking her a bit with a verbal stick. Sandra stood up and it looked like she was going to launch herself at Victor.
"Uh, Sandra honey, the van is down stairs waiting to take you and the kids to the museum." Graydon said quickly.
"Well, it will have to wait. The kids are not ready yet." Sandra said going back to the group of kids and attending to them.
"I'll help you Sandra. Just tell me what I can do." Bell said volunteering to assist.
"Thanks, Belinda. That would be very nice of you." She said gratefully and gave Victor another harsh stare. He was certain that his metal skeleton just might melt for real.
"Dad," said Graydon quietly. "Do you really have to torment my wife like that? Please don't. Pleeeease!" He begged.
"Sandra, I do apologize for giving you a hard time. It's just my nature." Victor said sincerely.
"Harrumph!" Answered Sandra, she was still in a snit. But she seemed pacified a bit from the apology.
"Thanks dad." Graydon whispered. Victor nodded. Logan merely shook his head. None of his children had the forceful mate in Sandra that Graydon had. Most of his kids were Sandra. Especially Andrea...
"Could you help me do my hair, Bell?" Sheila asked.
"Of course, Sheila sweetie; and how would you like me to do it?" Bell said taking the brush and comb from Sheila. Sheila grabbed her hair with both her hands and held them in two pigtails.
"I like 'em nice and tight and real far up. So I can..." Sheila said in a high pitch squeak.
"Swing them back and forth, right." Bell finished for her.
"How did you know?" Sheila asked surprised.
"'Cause that's the way I liked to wear them when I was a girl your age." Bell smiled. Bell sat down on the couch and pulled Sheila to her. "Now hold real still and we'll see what we can do. You have such nice hair; it's just like your mother's. You look like her too."
"Yeah, everybody says that." Sheila said holding still while Bell brushed her hair gently. Bell switched from a brush to a comb as she made a part in the back of Sheila's head. It wasn't too hard to get right; Sheila was still and didn't fidget at all. She even handed Bell the ringlets to tie her pigtails with. Finishing she turned Sheila around to look at her handiwork, Shelia gaped at her.
"What's wrong, Sheila? Do I have a bee on me?" Bell asked.
"Your eyes." Sheila said.
"What about 'em?" Bell replied.
"They're glowing red." Sheila said. "Why are they doing that?"
"They're glowing red? I haven't a clue why." Bell said confused. Victor turned to look. 'So, that's how to tell if her power is working.' He smirked, it was a good sign.
"Are you a mutant too?" Asked Sheila, cautiously.
"Yep, it would appear so."
"All right children," Said Sandra checking in turns to see if all the children were ready to go. She made sure some of them had their backpacks. She surmised that most of the kids had their snacks in them. She gathered up her youngest in her arms and herded the mob out of the door.
Sheila turned to say goodbye to her father. "Hey granddad, will you be here when we get back from the museum?" Sheila asked. The other children stopped to hear Victor's answer.
"Sorry kids, I have some important business to attend. But I will probably see you before you go back home, alright." Victor said smiling.
"Yes, we are so blessed that you will be seeing us again." Sandra said in a dry monotone.
"I'm sure that you will miss me the most, Sandra." Victor said soothingly.
"Without a doubt." She retorted in that same dull flat tone. "Graydon, have a safe trip and don't forget to call after you get there." Sandra said. It sounded more like an order to Victor and he frowned.
"That won't be a problem, dear. Have a nice day; don't let the kids wear you out." Graydon said going over and giving his wife a kiss goodbye.
There was a sudden hush as all the children left the penthouse. Three men and one woman were left in the lush penthouse by themselves. It was a welcomed relief to all with powerful senses.
"Dad, must you irritate my wife every chance you get?" Graydon asked.
"I must, I must." Victor said laughing. Graydon rolled his eyes. "I like her."
"Well, God help those who you don't like then." Graydon said. "I'm going to finish dressing and make a few calls. Then I'll be going to D.C. to speak with the President."
"Hey, while you're there if you get a chance to see your you send her my love and tell her I'll call her this evening." Logan said to Graydon.
"Sure Unk. My pleasure... it will not be a problem. She'll probably be busy though." Graydon said. He left the room and went to finish getting into his suit.
"So James, you wanted to talk to me?" Victor inquired.
"Yeah, I did. But we'll wait until Graydon leaves." Logan said.
"Not a problem for me. Do I smell coffee?" Victor asked.
"Are you a big, blonde hulking creature?" Logan teased.
"Why yes I am, runt." Victor said.
"Then there's coffee." Logan said. Bell snickered. It had been a long time since she had felt the comradely of family and she was enjoying it.
Victor got his coffee and settled down in his custom made Lazy-boy chair. Logan decided it would be best if they shared some quiet time before the storm. And it will be a storm if he knew his brother, and he did.
END PART II
PART III
Graydon had made his phone calls and was quite pleased with the results. He also gave the man on the other end of the phone the new information he had on Senator Kelly. If all goes well, he could kiss the Senator and his mutant hating cronies 'goodbye' not that he would.
"Well, dad, Unk, Bell; I am off to go to Washington D.C. to visit the President." Graydon announced getting his briefcase and pulling on a light coat.
"You most certainly are, if you're going to D.C. willingly." Bell quipped. Victor, and Logan and Graydon laughed at her witticism.
"Really Bell, you have the most interesting sense of humor." Graydon said smiling. "Pretty kinky, if you asked me."
"Did you hear that Victor? Your son thinks I'm kinky. Is that an insult or a compliment; because I'm not sure?" Bell said.
"Take it as a compliment. I would." Victor said, sipping his coffee. A phone ring came from inside Graydon's suit jacket.
"All right, I'll be there in just a few minutes." He put the phone back into his pocket. "Well, that was my driver and he says the plane's here to take me to D. C. If I don't see you later today, you can catch me on the cspan when I make my speech."
"Go sic 'em son." Victor urged enthusiastically. "Good luck."
"Thanks dad...See ya soon, right?" He asked.
"You bet. If not one way, the other then." Vic said smiling.
"Good luck!" Both Logan and Bell wished as Graydon went out the door.
"Vic, did you see that look that Graydon had in his eye." Logan asked Victor after Graydon closed the door.
"Couldn't miss it." Victor said. "I wonder what he's up too, besides the speech." Victor mused. "It looks like he has someone in his sights. That bodes no good for said victim." Victor said to his brother.
"Hope its Kelly." Bell said to no one in particular.
"One can only hope," Said Logan with feeling.