Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 14
August 31, 2005
University Trauma Center – ICU
10:45 a.m.
As Nick lay in bed mindlessly watching The Price Is Right on TV, he noticed a red heart-shaped Mylar balloon on a white ribbon drift into the room. A few seconds later four more floated through the door. "Get in here already!" He couldn't wait to see her and know everything was okay.
When Carrie stepped inside she was holding seven more of the same balloons. "Hi."
"Hi, Honey." He could tell she was drowning in guilt and had cried off all her makeup.
After a deep breath Carrie said, "I'm so sorry for screaming at you and threatening to break our engagement when you're in intensive care recovering from massive blood loss and spleen surgery, with an arterial line, a naso tube and a catheter stuck in your body. That was…um…poor timing and harsh to say the least. I promise I've chilled out. I took a whole Valium this time instead of a half to be sure I stay calm…so if I seem a little loopy, that's why." Taking another step she extended the balloons she was holding. "I found out Mylar balloons are the only thing allowed in the ICU so…I bought twelve…because I'm really sorry."
Smiling, Nick said, "I really think I should be the one apologizing but, I'll accept yours if you accept mine. I'm sorry for losing control with my brother…and for the times before when I went a little nuts…like beating the crap out of your brother's neighbor for calling you a bitch. I swear it will change, because the last thing I ever want is to lose you, Sweetheart." Proudly, he held up his wrist and showed off the rubber band. "I'm already working on it. I'm in therapy…Brass style."
"I spoke with Jim," she softly replied. "He believes in you. I do too."
Holding out his hand he whispered, "Come here."
Releasing the balloons, Carrie rushed to his side, taking his hand. "Nicky, as soon as you're well, how about we just get the hell out of Dodge? We'll run away together…to an island! We could sell everything and live off our savings." Her tears returning she forced a smile. "And when that runs out we'll live off the land and the fish in the sea."
"Baby…you won't get to wear shoes if we live on the beach and let's be honest…you don't exactly thrive in the great outdoors." Nick brushed away her tears with his thumb as she chuckled. "Since I'm not very mobile I'll have to ask you to make the move here…kiss me, Darlin'."
Leaning over Carrie pressed her mouth to his and although his mouth was parched and his lips cracked, she drew it out, desperate for the closeness.
"I probably should have asked for some of your Chapstick first, huh?" Nick joked as the pain medication and exhaustion began catching up with him again. This was the longest he had remained awake since his stay in the ICU began.
"Mmm…not our best kiss..." Grabbing her tube she coated his lips after the fact. "…but definitely a memorable one."
"Since we're both doped up and stressed out we're going to need my mom, Kendra and Karen to be our legal team…" Grabbing the settlement paperwork he handed it over. "There's a deal on the table…a monetary settlement. No charges against Andy or me in return for dropping the charges against the goons who roughed us up and never saying a word publicly."
"What?" She quickly flipped through the pages. "How did Sam Braun's people get to you in the ICU? And giving you documents and a pen when you're drugged and weak…that's so low! Not that it surprises me coming from a guy like him."
"Catherine brought it to me actually."
When her eyes landed on the amount Carrie flipped, "Four million! If we won in court we could get a lot more than that…but we could lose. Ugh…this is really insulting because that man has some of the deepest pockets in town and a reputation as…"
"Take your lawyer hat off for a minute, Sweetheart."
"Sorry." Holding her head she admitted, "This is a little overwhelming…and I'm impaired."
Holding up the pen he said, "If the document is on the up and up and it won't impact my job…I want to take the deal and make it all disappear. I want to protect my family and…I really want to help out Cath because I owe her one. Carrie…the reality is…Sam wouldn't be making the offer if it weren't for his relationship with Catherine. Instead, he'd be looking to bring me and my family down. They'd eat my father alive in the Dallas papers if word got out his sons were busting up a hotel room after the married one of them solicited a girl for prostitution. I don't want that kind of trouble for my parents; they've worked hard all their lives to get where they are and I'll feel horrible if my stupidity and Andy's take that away from them. I also have to think about Melissa and the kids…they need to be protected," Feeling no pain, he smiled wide. "And holy shit! It's four million dollars, Baby…that's fifty-seven years worth of my salary before taxes. We'll be set for life!"
In her sedated state, Carrie wistfully ran her fingers through her hair. "Do you think that's enough to disappear and live happily ever after? Some place where I can still wear shoes?"
"I don't want to run, Darlin'…and I know you don't either because you'd miss your family, your new friends and your work." Bringing her hand to his lips he brushed a kiss over her ring. "You're just scared."
"Terrified is more like it."
"Me too…but from now on, I'm going to use that to focus myself and not let the bad guy win." He grabbed Jim's bag of rubber bands. "You wanna wear one too? Every time you panic you could snap it and remind yourself that we'll be fine."
After picking one she placed it on her wrist. "Matching rubber bands will have to do until we can get our tattoos."
"And then in five and a half months…we'll have our matching wedding bands." Pointing to the window at the front of the room he said, "Eileen's not looking. Take down the rail and sit on the bed."
"That's against the rules."
"Catherine did it." He tapped the rail. "Come on. I want to snuggle."
"That's the thing…bad girls get away with breaking the rules," she warned while trying to manipulate the stuck rail. "Good girls get busted." She tugged harder. "Come on! What is with this damn rail?" When it violently slammed down she yelled. "Oh! Oh!"
"What happened!" Nick saw her cringing.
"Your bag of urine! It was hanging on the side of the bed and it got ripped from the tube and…" Scrunching her face she squealed, "It's all over my shoes."
"Catherine was on the other side without the urine bag when she did it." His lips crested into a loving smile. "Well, at least it wasn't my stomach bile jar that spilled." The pain meds in full force he pushed the nurse's call button several times. "Houston, we have a problem. Do you copy?"
"Ms. Blake!" Eileen yelled when she arrived and saw the pool of urine surrounding the visitor's feet. "Are you causing trouble again? Out!"
Clutching the settlement papers Carrie tiptoed out of the urine puddle and then removed her shoes. "I'll bring the papers to your legal team, Honey. Then I'll get someone to drive me home for a new pair of shoes."
"Oh, Ms. Blake…" Eileen winked at Nick. "You're really lucky the bag broke away from the tube because you could have ripped the catheter out of your fiancé's penis and permanently damaged it."
Nick laughed when he saw Carrie's horrified reaction. "Hey, at least you'd be marryin' a rich guy!"
The Townhouse
11:14 a.m.
As Greg showed Ron Grissom's limo driver the row of suitcases in the hall he said, "It's a good thing we're flying because your bags never would have fit in the Z."
"Wasn't it nice of my new boss to loan us his limo to get to the airport?" Tawny jittered with a combination of excitement and nervous tension. "I love my new job and I haven't worked a minute of it yet!"
"Speaking of new jobs," Greg announced with a smile. "I cancelled my interview with the recruiter like you wanted because I'm not going to need a different job. Even though I'm still having nightmares and am tense about going back in the field…I'm going to keep my job and do it better than ever when I get back."
"Really!" Tawny threw her arms around his neck. "I'm so proud of you for not giving up!"
"Thanks, Sweetie."
"I know you're going to kick ass!"
While basking in her approval Greg explained, "When I saw you with Carrie and Sara at the hospital I couldn't imagine taking you away from your 'sisters' and after almost losing Nick, I realized how much my friends mean to me. Vegas is where we belong and I don't want to be a quitter."
"Mr. Sanders, Ms. Cooper…" The chauffeur tipped his hat. "The car is ready when you are."
"Oh my gosh!" Tawny chewed her lip. "I can't believe the moment is here."
"Princess, there's nothing to worry about."
"Actually, there's one other thing I forgot to tell you."
"Uh oh." Greg's hand raced through his hair. "Okay…break it to me."
"I've never flown before and I'm scared to death. I don't know if I can get on the plane."
"Is that all?" Taking her hand he tugged her toward the door. "We'll get you a couple of drinks at the bar before boarding and you'll be fine."
"Greg!" She pointed to her stomach. "Babies!"
"Oops…plan B…the power of positive thinking!" Guiding her out the door he assured her, "Look…flying is safer than driving. The odds of anything happening are greater than winning millions in the lottery."
University Trauma Center – Cafeteria
11:25 a.m.
"Congratulations, Carrie." Kendra Stokes-Garrison extended her hand. "You just won the Ruptured Spleen Lottery to the tune of four million dollars."
"The documents are sound?" Carrie said with surprise as she shook Nick's eldest sister's hand.
Jillian and Karen both nodded as Kendra, a Contract Law specialist, replied, "I couldn't have prepared better documents myself. But when you're a man of Sam Braun's means and shady character it makes sense to have top-notch lawyers."
Raising her mug of coffee Karen winked at Carrie. "I bet you're glad you didn't leave my brother, huh?"
Kendra elbowed her sister. "I think the wedding budget just got tossed out the window."
"Do you think he'll make her sign a pre-nup now?" Karen volleyed back. "Since he'll be receiving the cash prior to the wedding, he may want to prevent her from having any rights to it."
Kendra tapped her pen. "Hmm…I'd argue and say she's entitled to half because he wouldn't have fought Andy if it weren't for the disparaging remark against Carrie, which means hotel security wouldn't have been called and Nick's spleen never ruptured. The settlement wouldn't exist if it weren't for Carrie."
"Stop it you guys," Carrie giggled. "If I could trade the four mil for none of this happening I would, believe me. I'll be haunted the rest of my life by the feel of Nick's chilly skin and the sight of his eyes rolling back in his head while he lay on the floor of that jail cell dying in my arms. It wasn't worth it. And there's still some risks…he's susceptible to certain infections for months until his spleen is fully recovered and if he strains, the repair could rupture."
"You tell them, Sugar." Jillian nodded approvingly at her future daughter-in-law.
Stirring another packet of artificial sweetener in her coffee Kendra grinned from ear to ear. "Well, I for one can not wait for Andy to find out Nicky's a millionaire because all Mr. Drew Big Business Stokes has done for years is ride Nicky about working for peanuts and livin' in a tiny apartment."
"Me too, Sis." Karen tucked her dark brown bobbed hair behind her ears and relaxed in her chair. "I think it's a lovely dose of karma. Andy loses his house, his job and fifty-five percent of his assets at the same time Nicky gets rich and it's all because Andy needled him into a fight."
"Girls…" Jillian raised her brows and scolded her forty-five and thirty-eight year old daughters. "Let's not forget there are innocent children involved in your brother's mess of a life."
Hampton Suites Hotel
Drew Stokes Room
11:33 a.m.
When his father walked into the room looking pensive, Andy prepared for the worst. "Can I get you something to drink, Dad? I've got some cold bottles of water." He quickly grabbed one.
"No, thank you." He took a seat on the couch.
Twisting open the bottle's top Andy asked, "Are you here to ask me to leave Vegas?"
After a deep breath Bill Stokes revealed, "As unbelievable as this may seem, I'm here to apologize to you."
Andy stopped in mid sip. "Excuse me?"
"Years ago I asked you to toughen up your brother using whatever means necessary." Making eye contact with his boy, the somber man confessed, "When I had a problem with Nick's behavior it should have been me dealing with him. However, at the time I believed affairs of the state of Texas were more pressing than what was going on inside my son's head and delegated my fatherly duty to you. I made some critical errors in judgment and I'm sorry for putting you in that position. I deeply regret encouraging you to continue the practice without ever asking how you were achieving success and it's with a heavy heart that I say…we were very wrong about what your brother really needed at the time."
Stunned, Andy sat on the edge of the bed.
"I was blind to things going on under my own roof." Ashamed, Bill stared at the floor. "I was in tune with the entire state but not my own son. It's hard for me to admit but, as you know, I believe in the power of the truth."
"Yes, Sir." Andy nodded. "It is a quality I've always admired and have never been able to emulate."
"Well…" Recalling his wife's words Bill remorsefully said, "I sit before you humbled, Andrew."
"Then you're in good company because humbled is exactly what I feel after recent events." He huffed out a breath. "As far as Nicky is concerned…you may have given the order back then, but I'm the one who carried out the actions. The guilt is ours to share."
"Your brother has asked to see you." Bill glanced at his watch. "He should be moved out of the ICU and into a regular room by five o'clock this evening. We'll go together and apologize to him, then I'll leave the two of you alone to work things out as Nick has requested…brother to brother."
Desert Mountain Middle School
12:00 p.m.
"Hey, Blake!" Dan Reno, the largest eighth-grade boy in the school, called out as he crossed the cafeteria. "I haven't seen your brainiac brother, Sean yet. Did the geek freak get skipped to college?"
Sitting at a table with several friends, Ryan looked up from his tray of cafeteria spaghetti and said, "He's not coming here this year."
Dan and his pals Brian and Ike laughed. "Is your mommy home schooling him because she's afraid he'll get picked on again?"
His irritation rising, Ryan droned, "No, he's going to a different school because he's too smart to go here."
"Is it an all-girls school?" Ike asked while high-fiving his buddies. "Or is he at a boarding school for fags so he can get some action?"
Jumping to his feet Ryan shoved Ike. "Stop talkin' shit about my brother."
"Ooooh…is that supposed to scare me?" Ike shoved back harder sending Ryan crashing into the lunch table. "Maybe you should go to fag school with your brother…oh wait, you can't because you're so stupid you can't even read good."
"I can't read well, asshole!" A second later Ryan's hand was stinging from connecting with Ike's jaw. "Now maybe you'll stay out of my…" A punch to his gut left him gasping for air.
"No…maybe you'll regret getting in my face." Laughing he reared his fist again.
"Fight!" Staci Rhodes shouted as she pointed to the two boys wrestling on the cafeteria floor. "Ewww there's blood!"
McCarran Airport
12:31 p.m.
When the circulation to Greg's left hand was completely cut off from Tawny's vice grip, he knew it was time for Plan M…M for Myers. Handing his cell phone to the white-knuckle flier Greg smiled. "Here you go, Sweetie."
"Hi, Dr. Myers," she greeted in a jittery voice while watching a 757 pulling up to a gate. "I can't do it…I can't get on the plane. I keep seeing it explode into a fiery ball or…or...nosedive into a mountain or…or…"
"Take three cleansing breaths for me, Tawny."
"Okay." Clutching the phone she stepped away from the crowd.
Greg watched her inhale and exhale deeply, so deeply that her buxom breasts, which were squeezed into a pale pink chemise, raised and lowered dramatically. "Hey, Pal!" He yelled at a silver-haired senior who had been moping, but now grinned in the direction of Tawny's chest. "How about taking your eyes off her breasts and reading that magazine you're holding?" Cringing, he added, "She's twenty-two and you're like old enough to be her grandfather."
The man chuckled, "I recognize her from Tweeters…she was a dancer there and I got a lap dance from her every Thursday night. Before she worked there I used to visit her at Club Paradise. God, I've missed my Golden Bird…she stirred feelings that I hadn't experienced since my dear wife Roberta passed. She made me feel thirty again!" Getting misty, he took another long look. "How much is a private party with her setting you back, Kid?"
"I'm not partying with her!" Greg pointed at Tawny while trying to purge the visual of her sitting on the lecherous man's lap. "I'm marrying her! She's having my babies!"
The passengers in the waiting area started clapping and one guy, who had a little too much to drink in the airport bar earlier, slurred, "Dude…way to go. Think she'll want to practice breastfeeding with you?"
Tawny whirled around and saw Greg gripping his hair. "Uh…I think Greg needs you now, Doctor Myers. Thanks for your help. Here he is." She handed over the phone and then saw her old customer. "Oh my gosh…Mr. Dugan?" He was the sweetest of her old lonely man clientele at Tweeters.
"Glitter! Aren't you a sight for lonely eyes!" He pulled out his wallet. "I know we're in public, but I'll give you fifty bucks if you'll just sit next to me and put your hand on my thigh."
"Aww…sorry, Handsome." She smiled sweetly. "I'm retired now." Walking over she took a seat next to him. "But I'll sit next to you and chat for free. How's your cat? Lacey, right?"
"The poor thing…her arthritis is acting up real bad again." Sadly he admitted, "I'm afraid I'm going to lose her soon and it's hard because she was Roberta's."
Into the phone Greg heatedly whispered, "Sometimes it just freaks me out. I mean, what's going to happen when we have the babies with us and some pig recognizes her…I don't want my kids exposed to this squicky pig vibe. It's so uncomfortable because I can't help but visualize…"
"Greg…" Dr. Myers counseled. "Let's not make generalizations. Not all of her customers were pigs. A lot of them paid for a dance because they craved human touch and couldn't get it any other way. You know a little about that yourself, right? We've spoken of your trip to The Bunnyranch and how you spent a lot of money not to have raunchy sex, but to have a woman pretend to be your affectionate girlfriend and make love with her. You didn't pay for those services because you were a pig, you did it because you were craving something normal but you couldn't get it for free at the time."
Massaging his forehead he droned, "Thanks for bringing up that humiliation when I'm vulnerable."
"You know I'm making a point." The doctor advised, "When these awkward situations arise just think of the man as a lonely, desperate individual and Tawny as a humanitarian. Imagine that she was the only bright spot in his depressing life, maybe the only thing getting him through a tough night. Then remember that she's going to be your bright spot everyday for the rest of your life."
Watching Tawny converse with the old man Greg focused on Dr. Myers words. "He does look real happy talking to her."
"Because she's attentive and he's happy to have someone care…even if it's only an illusion."
"Okay…what you said to do…it's working." He released a deep breath. "I'm de-squickified."
"Excellent."
Moving his gaze to the planes outside the large window Greg asked, "Is she going to get on the plane to California?"
"I can't tell you what we discussed."
"Right." His shoulders slumped.
A few seconds later the doctor chuckled. "Hey, Greg…where's that diamond ring you're planning on giving her…the one that she's told you that she desperately wants more than anything?"
"In California." His lips spread into a smile. "So, I guess she'll be boarding the plane. Thanks, Doc."
"At some point after you propose, call me and let me know if she says yes."
"If!"
Desert Mountain Middle School
12:43 p.m.
The school principal moved his gaze from Ryan to Wendy Blake. "If he has another incident after returning from his suspension he'll be at risk for expulsion."
Devastated by her son's behavior Wendy quietly acknowledged the man. "I understand, Mr. Davis and I assure you we'll be taking this very seriously. Unfortunately, my husband is in a job interview and unreachable or he'd be here as well." Looking over at her son she prodded, "Do you have anything to say?"
"I'm really sorry I punched Dan," Ryan admitted as he struggled not to cry. "Even though he said really bad stuff about my brother and me I shouldn't have hit him because, like you taught us…violence isn't the answer, Sir. I promise when I come back I won't ever do it again."
Standing up, the principal said, "I will leave it up to Coach Gooden to decide whether or not you're still allowed to play on the football team."
The threat of being cut from the team was too much and Ryan's tears flowed. "Please Principal Davis…anything but that. I'll…I'll clean the whole school. I'm serious. I'll do anything!"
"It's not just up to the school, Ryan," Wendy snipped. "Your father and I will be discussing whether or not you should be allowed to play." Wendy took her son by the arm and tugged him to his feet. "Come on…let's get home."
Crime Lab
1:04 p.m.
Stepping into Evidence Room C, Gil tapped on his watch. "Sara…I'm off to my appointment."
Leaving Jas to finish laying out the bloody bed sheet they were processing, Sara walked over to her husband. "Call me as soon as you're done consulting with the security firm. I want to know how long it will be before we can return home."
"I will." He winked in lieu of more obvious affection before hustling down the hall.
When Sara returned to the table Jas asked, "Are you getting an alarm system installed because of the card?"
Re-gloving she sighed, "Yeah…even though I'm more convinced than ever that it's unnecessary. Rodgers is going for psychological, not physical damage. But my husband won't chill until the house rivals Fort Knox, so…"
"I think it's sweet." Inspecting a blue fiber she smiled. "He loves you so he's taking care of you…and his baby."
"Speaking of sweet." Sara elbowed her co-worker. "I couldn't help but notice the vibe between you and Pete at the morning meeting."
"I guess we haven't been very good at hiding it, huh?" Feeling her face flush she said, "I couldn't believe Sofia tossed out those sexual innuendos."
"Yeah, it must be really awkward for you to hear someone insinuate you're with a guy you haven't been with." A few seconds later she laughed. "You must stink at poker, Jas, because you look guilty as charged."
"Ugh!" Busted, she dropped her head.
"You're surrounded by intuitive and observant CSIs, there's no way you're going to hide your relationship if you don't get better at hiding your emotions."
"I can't help it. I'm so head over heels. It's so…" After glancing over her shoulder she excitedly whispered, "…awesome!" The admission opened the flood gates of school-girl worthy giddiness. "Can you keep a secret, Sara? Because I really need to talk to another woman and my conservative Hindu sisters are out. My family can't know about Pete, no way, no how. So can you help me?" She didn't wait for an answer. "See, the thing is…I didn't date much in college…okay…not at all." She covered her blush with her hands. "Pete's my first…"
"Relationship?" Sara couldn't help but get caught up in her Jas's happiness.
"No, he's my first everything…first date, first kiss, first boyfriend and um…he would be my first…um…" Lowering her voice to the faintest whisper she confessed, "…lover. I've never…I mean we've fooled around. I've even spent the night but we haven't…"
"Whoa." Sara stared at the young woman. "You're twenty-four and you lived away at college…that's an accomplishment."
"I didn't drink at college and I was a very late bloomer," she explained. "I'm the Indian version of the Greek girl in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Except my family doesn't roast lamb on the front lawn because we're vegetarians."
"So, what do you want to ask me?"
"I have most everything covered. I mean the biology of it is a no brainer for me, a science geek. I've read books…ones with pictures and I've watched lots of 'Cinemax after Dark' to get a feel for it all…" Her voice drifted. "…although some of that looked a little…well…tricky."
Sara covered her mouth to squelch her chuckle.
"My question is…do I tell Pete I've never made love or, do I try to fake it?"
Without hesitation Sara advised, "You tell him. You definitely tell him."
"Really?" Jas moved closer. "But won't he think something's wrong with me?"
"Uh, no…" She chuckled lightly. "He'll be thinking…'holy shit, I'm making love to a virgin' and be incredibly turned on! He'll think it's the hottest night of his life. So, even if you're totally nervous and the sex is blah…he won't notice and he'll be more than happy to teach you everything you need to know going forward." Leaning against the table Sara said, "If you try to fake it and you stink, he'll be thinking…'holy shit, this is worst sex I ever had. Too bad, because I was really into her.' Plus, if the two of you have fooled around and spent the night together without having sex…I'm thinking he's already assuming you're pretty inexperienced because Pete's hot and if you were sexually active, you would have been all over that opportunity."
"Sara!"
"Hey…" Placing her ruler on the bloody sheet Sara laughed, "…I'm just giving it to you straight up, girlfriend."
"Do you think he's been with a lot of women?"
Once again Sara tried not to laugh. "Hmm…my guess is that he falls somewhere in between Nick 'Five Chicks a Week' Stokes and Greg 'Five Chicks in my Lifetime' Sanders."
Southwest Airlines
Flight 2103
1:42 p.m
As Greg sat by the window, sipping from his plastic cup of Cola, he listened intently to the conversation going on between Tawny, who occupied the middle seat, and her former customer, Mr. Dugan, who was to her right in the aisle seat.
"Marriage is wonderful if done right, my Dear." Mr. Dugan lifted his plastic tumbler of wine and polished it off. "Roberta and I were married for forty four fantastic years, but it wasn't easy." Setting down the cup he informed the girl, "It takes work to make a marriage last the tests of time." Leaning over he pointed at Greg. "Did you hear that, sonny? You better do your best because Glitter…I mean Tawny…is special."
"Yes, Sir." Greg raised his glass of soda at the sixty eight year old man who used to pay topless Tawny to snuggle him and discuss his arthritic cat. To call the situation surreal he felt would be an understatement. "I intend to work very hard at it. I have good role models. My parents have been married for decades."
Tawny smiled at the remark and then informed Mr. Dugan, "Back on the farm, my Amish parents were very happily married. Marriage and family are very important to my people and even though I've left the Amish community, I still believe in many of their ways."
Mr. Dugan grinned at the effervescent girl. "Now that you've told me about growing up Amish it's so easy to picture you with your hair up in a bun and wearing one of those cute little white hats."
Excited that someone was easily buying her Amish fib, Tawny elbowed Greg.
Slipping his arm around Tawny, Greg pecked her cheek. "So, Mr. Dugan…what's the most important factor in a successful marriage?"
"Have you ever read the book Tuesdays with Morrie?" he replied. When the young people both shook their heads he continued, "It's a book highlighting the wisdom of a seventy-eight year old man dying of Lou Gehrig's Disease. In the book, Morrie is asked about marriage and he says the usual, respect, communication and compromise but, then he says something else…he says marriage is about values and having a common set of them is critical and the one value the couple must share in order to stay together is 'the belief in the importance of marriage'."
"A belief in the importance of marriage," Tawny repeated.
"That's what's wrong today." Mr. Dugan shook his head thinking of the startling divorce rate. "Too often, people see marriage as something to do and something to undo on a whim. Especially in Vegas where you can go from first date to Mr. and Mrs. Truly Unprepared to Live Together Forever in a couple of hours. In order to get through the rough times, you have to truly believe that quitting isn't the automatic option. Only then will you try to work at it."
Greg snuggled Tawny a little closer. "I believe marrying Tawny and raising our children together will be the most important thing I ever do."
"Really, Greg? But what if you do big things?" With glassy eyes she gazed into his. "Like solving the crime of the century? Or finding a new DNA technology?"
"Inconsequential in comparison to being a great husband and father." After exchanging smiles he sealed the affirmation with a tender kiss.
University Trauma Center – ICU
1:56 p.m.
"A kiss for luck!" Carrie dove in to smooch Nick's chap-sticked lips.
"Okay, Ms. Blake…" Eileen unfurled a white cotton towel. "…from what I've heard about your squeamish stomach, you don't want to be here for this because we're talking seriously slimy and highly unpleasant to watch."
"Hell, I don't want to be here for this," Nick interjected as he obsessed over the thought of Eileen slowly snaking out the naso tube full of bile from the pit of his stomach and out through his nose.
"I can make it," Carrie announced in a Valium haze. "I've decided to do a little desensitization therapy to get over my ridiculous intolerance for all things gross. Nick shouldn't have to endure this procedure without his future wife's support. I want to be here for my man, like I know he'd be here for me. Besides, now that I didn't rip off my future husband's penis while illegally lowering the bed rail…I, God willing, will have a baby in eighteen months. I need to have a much stronger stomach before I have a pooping, puking infant to nurture. So, go ahead, Nurse Eileen…let's see some slime!"
"Hold up!" Nick held his hand out blocking the nurse. "You're having a baby in eighteen months? Who with, Darlin'? Our plan was to start trying on our one year anniversary. We have five months until the wedding…five, plus twelve, plus nine…assuming it happens on the first try because I'm a stud, that's…um…" He scratched his head and tried to force his drugged addled mind to do the math. "Help me out here, Eileen."
"Twenty-six months minimum."
"Thank you." He returned to staring at Carrie. "Twenty-six months minimum."
"Oh yeah…" Carrie slapped her forehead. "I forgot to tell you…when I was scared you were dying I decided that we should really start our family a little sooner. Five months, plus four months, knowing it will happen on the first try because you reek of virility, Baby…" She winked. "…plus nine months gestation is eighteen months."
"You only want to wait four months after we get married to start trying?" He looked to Eileen. "That's too short, don't you think?"
"Can't help ya." Shrugging she answered, "I've been divorced twice and only have a cat."
"Aww…" Carrie asked the twice 'unlucky in love' nurse. "What's your cat's name?" Then she added, "I think cats are cute but I'm allergic and I couldn't handle the hair all over my…"
"Tranquilizer Girl!" Nick called out before chuckling. "Could we focus? I just found out that you radically changed our plan for the future and with all due respect to Eileen's cat…I'm a little freaked about only being married four months before getting you pregnant."
Giggling, she covered her mouth. "You sounded so studly masculine when you said 'getting you pregnant' in that husky ventilator-abraded voice of yours. Wow…" She felt her temperature rising. "I can totally visualize us in our bedroom…the candles lit…in missionary style for greatest odds...and you taking your job as The Impregnator soooo seriously because we both know you have a very strong work ethic, Nicky…and a strong…"
"Ahem." Eileen waved her hand in front of the daydreamer. "Permit me to kill the mood." Grabbing the naso tube she turned to Nick, "On the count of three…one...two…three."
When the last of the seemingly endless tubing covered in slime was out and Nick was gulping and rubbing his nose, Carrie stood frozen.
"Are you okay, Ms. Blake?" Eileen asked as she wrapped up the tubing for disposal.
"Sweetheart?" Nick prompted while celebrating his tube-free nose and the eventual resumption of natural gas elimination. "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine," she finally answered while frantically choking back the urge to purge. "I'm great."
"And now for the catheter." With a fresh pair of gloves Eileen returned to the bed and flipped back the sheet exposing Nick's naked body. "Mr. Stokes, you may feel a little something when the deflated balloon passes through. Take a deep breath in for me."
While doing as told he silently laughed at the fact he was thrilled to have a virtual stranger grabbing hold of his johnson and yanking out a foreign object.
"And push the breath out." When he did, she tugged.
"Damn!" he yelled as he gripped the railings and breathed through the moment.
Having watched it all, including the after-ooze, Carrie felt the room start to spin. "I'm fine. Yep! Fine!"
Walking around the bed with a bucket, Eileen said, "On the count of three, Ms. Blake…one…two…"
Nick smiled proudly while watching Carrie toss her cookies. "You did great, Baby. The old Carrie would have hurled at the mention of the words 'seriously slimy and highly unpleasant'. Thanks for trying, and for not leaving my side." And when Carrie was finally through purging, and Eileen left the dispose of the bucket, Nick cheerily told his drained fiancée, "Eighteen months from now will be just fine with me, Sweetheart."
The Grissoms
2:10 p.m.
"How long will it take to install what I've selected?" Gil asked the security advisor as he accompanied him to the front door.
The burly ex-bodyguard turned business man replied, "Because the house isn't pre-wired…three days."
Gil nodded. "That's better than I expected."
"We can start after the holiday weekend… eight a.m. Tuesday" He extended his hand. "Don't worry, Dr. Grissom, your wife and child will be safe here once we're through."
"Thank you." He returned the shake. "I'll see you Tuesday morning."
After shutting the door, Gil blew out a breath and walked down the hall toward the kitchen. Glancing into the empty living room he recalled the day he made Sara feel unsafe in her own home and remembered his vow to her that it would be the last time she'd experience the awful feeling.
Grabbing the house phone he punched in Sara's speed dial code.
"And we'll be living with your dad until…" she greeted.
"A week from Friday." He looked at the calendar hanging on the fridge. "So we'll be moving into the mini-mansion with him this weekend."
"We know we'll be safe there…it has a panic room. All the best ex-mobster places do."
"Except ours because it was built before the technology." He opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. "Is there anything you need from the house?"
A light giggle wafted through the phone. "Hold on while I find a secure location."
"I'm intrigued." He grabbed an apple too.
"Since it's going to be another ten nights, I need…well, I hope I do anyway…for lack of a better term…my romance supplies."
"Ah." Gil laughed into the receiver. "You expect me to have sex under my dad's roof?"
"You're forty-nine, not sixteen…and I'm pregnant and overly hormonal. Plus we've been stressed. I need to release a little tension."
"If you entice me enough I bet I'll get over my inhibition." Like Adam, he took a bite of the juicy apple and dreamed of sinning.
"Then don't forget the La Perla, Baby," she urged in her sexiest rasp. "And my tube of…"
"You need to stop talking now." With his pulse, among other things, on the rise, he took another chunk out of the Biblically forbidden fruit. "I know what to pack."
Burbank Airport
Gate 17
2:31 p.m.
"Good luck, Tawny," Mr. Dugan warmly said as he waved goodbye at the gate. "I only have my carry-on so I won't be heading to baggage claim. Nice meeting you, Greg. Take good care of her."
Feeling sorry for the sweet and lonely old man, Tawny threw her arms around him and pecked his cheek. "Have fun at your school reunion. "Maybe you'll rekindle an old flame."
Hugging her tight Mr. Dugan grinned. "I went to a private all-boys school."
"Oh." She backed away smiling. "Maybe there will be a nice waitress at the dinner then. Bye."
"Take care, Mr. Dugan." Greg nodded, amazed that he felt appreciation for the advice given to him by a man who had visited his fiancée's breasts weekly. "It was nice meeting you."
Once they were alone, Greg surprised Tawny by wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her off the ground. "Welcome to California, Princess! A place where dreams really do come true."
Giggling with delight she enjoyed the spin and then wildly kissed Greg's head, face and finally, when she was back on her feet, his lips. "I love you so much."
The next kiss quickly spun out of control. "We're in the middle of the airport, Sweetie," he whispered while glancing around.
"So…people always get carried away at the airport in movies," she sweetly replied. "Mmmm…I'm really nervous again."
"Why? You're finally in the same state as your ring," he reminded her before bursting into a smile.
Playfully shoving him she gave her answer. "Because it's still locked in your mommy's drawer that's why."
"Okay, as much as I'd like to reserve all of my plan's spontaneity…in the interest of you enjoying the trip I'll say the ring will appear no earlier than Saturday morning but no later than Monday morning."
"Ooh!" She jumped in place. "That's cruel…yet good news!"
"Come on." Taking her hand he walked her to the escalator. "My mom is meeting us since your bags won't fit in my Z. She'll drive you home and I'll meet you there. It will give you time to fill her in on your Amish heritage so she can play along."
"Fibbing to strangers is one thing, but I really think we should tell your dad the truth."
"Really?"
"Why do you look shocked? Do you think he'll look down on me?"
"Uh…" Taking both her hands when they reached the ground floor he answered honestly. "I don't think so, but I can't say for sure."
"For once I think you should give him the benefit of the doubt, Greg."
"The story really isn't that much of a leap from the truth, Tawny." Pulling her into a corner he whispered, "You're of German heritage…you grew up in a simple farm town and…your mother did shun you. The Amish thing…it's a nice twist on a sad story and it's harmless because the fib doesn't hurt anyone. I promise when I tell my dad about the babies, I'll explain what really happened and tell him why we wanted to hide the truth from nosey strangers…especially Becca." After breathing deeply he explained, "Truthfully, he'll be so pissed off at me for getting you twice pregnant, the Amish thing will seem really insignificant."
"Greg…" she scolded his negativity with her glare.
"You didn't let me finish." He glared back. "I believe my father will think my coming clean about what happened will count for something, as will as my determination to be a responsible and loving husband and father. But don't you worry…by the time I speak with him you'll have that ring on your finger and that's where it's staying no matter what he says. But, I'm really hoping my dad will work through it with me and be supportive in the end."
"Do you remember all the great lawyer-convincing stuff Jillian told you to say?"
"I took copious notes."
"Okay."
Kissing her hand he reminded her, "I'm not golfing with my dad until Sunday afternoon so we need to squeeze in all the fun we can possibly have before then." With her hand tightly in his they started walking.
"Oh!" Her grin lit up the room. "You slipped up, Mr. Genius Phi Beta Kappa."
"Huh?"
"You said I'll have already have the ring on my finger when you speak with your dad, which you're doing Sunday afternoon."
"Doh!" He realized he just cut his timeframe hint in half.
Waving her barren left hand she teased, "So now I know it's not before Saturday morning, but by Sunday afternoon."
Just then a geeky teenage boy wearing a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt darted over to Tawny. "Excuse me, may I have your autograph!" He thrust his book forward.
Greg pretended to be star struck, "Wow! Who is she, Dude?"
"I don't know but she's the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen…and she has really cool sunglasses on her head…and this is California so she must be somebody." Spitting with excitement he explained, "I have a goal…one hundred celebrity autographs because my buddy, Harley only got fifty when he vacationed here."
Taking the pen and book Tawny asked, "What's your name, Handsome?"
"Rusty."
Quickly she jotted a message then returned the items. "Have fun in California, Rusty." With her hand she blew a kiss and started walking away with Greg.
"Bye!" the boy yelled before glancing down at his first autograph.
To my good pal, Rusty…
Welcome to California!
A place where dreams really do come true.
Tawny Sanders …
Who will be starring in a major romance for the rest of her life!
Author's Notes:
I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Ryan went from fighting WITH his brother to fighting FOR his brother. An improvement but not exactly what Wendy wanted. The boys are reunited in the next chapter and you'll see Sean's reaction to the news.
Greg just can't catch a break LOL…I'm sure he'll have an easier time now that he's in California with his equally manic woman…and his parents. Too bad he couldn't stuff Dr. Myers in a suitcase. It's a necessary journey for many reasons both for Greg and the story and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I am writing it.
Carrie and Nick are both sporting rubber bands…their bond is stronger than ever…now if only Carrie's stomach were LOL. In the next chapter she'll try to help him with a new 'challenge' in the hospital. And just because they're millionaires, don't look for them to change drastically and that money won't all be spent on shoes LOL
Gil and Sara were light in this chapter but will start moving forward in 16. They have some fluff coming up starting in 16 and then they'll be working a casefile together in the near future that really gets to Sara.
Thanks for the reviews Misty J, Sara Sidle 87 and CSIfan! I'm glad you'reenjoying the story and thanks for the details.
Next chapter: Nick has several different visitors all with something important to say, Lindsay gets a reality check, Tawny is off to a stellar start in California, Gil and Sara make some plans, Ryan and Sean get some coaching… there's a little Harry Potter…a gift for a special lady…a heartfelt apology…and a little'lovin' on the sly. Posting: Sunday night.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts,
Maggs