Laws of Motion - Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 22
September 1, 2005
University Trauma Center
5:11 p.m.
As soon as Nick saw Wendy and Carrie pop their heads into the room for a status he yelled, "You! Mrs. Blake…I'd love a private moment with you." He shooed the boys. "Gentlemen…it was lovely chatting. Now go wait out in the hall with your aunt."
Like an errant child, Wendy entered the room hanging her head. "I guess Sean told you I advised him to ask you about the…."
"Would you please shut the door?" Nick cheerily asked while readying his verbal pounce. "Thanks."
Wendy didn't wait to grovel. "I panicked. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have had him spring that on you. It's just…with Paul gone…I'm really struggling talking to the boys about sex. I never thought I'd be this way…I swore I would be a totally cool mom who could talk openly about anything but, that was before I realized they'd be staring at me thinking…Mommy, you do that! I choke every time!"
Seeing how tormented Wendy was, Nick lightened his approach, "Look…I don't have a problem pinch hitting for Paul, but a little warning would be nice. And you could at least tell him it's a sexual question, because the boy felt like a fool askin' me in front of his brother and Carrie."
"You know what I told Sean last night?" She cringed, "That I never took my clothes off with another person until I was married." When she saw him shaking his head in disapproval Wendy said, "Oh, like you would tell your thirteen year old daughter that before you were married you slept with a ton of women, and that you used to bang her Mama in closets at parties. You wait and see, Pal…you'll be saying you wore a chastity ring until you proposed."
"I'd like to hope I could find a happy medium and keep it real but, you're right, I don't know how I'll feel when the time comes. Sorry for being uppity."
After they exchanged smiles Wendy cautiously asked, "So…you explained what it was?"
"Yep, and I stressed that the information was for future knowledge, not this weekend." Nick sheepishly confessed, "Ryan helped fill in some of the blanks because I was squirmin' a little too. Only because I kept thinking…he thinks I'm doing this with Carrie." With a straight face he stated, "For the record, Carrie and I don't…."
Wendy burst out laughing. "That's funny, because she just told me a different story in the patient lounge when she asked if she could borrow an apron." When his jaw dropped Wendy continued the taunt, "I told her she could have one, but not to bother returning it after she plays Betty Crocker Licks the Spoon with you."
"Huh?"
Staving off her laughter Wendy explained, "Knowing about her severe lack of sexual experience, I couldn't resist mentioning the use of cake frosting to augment the activity. Ha! You know when something's covered in chocolate, that girl is voracious…you can thank me now if you'd like."
Gulping he replied, "You're killin' me here."
"I know!" To make it worse she said, "I told her to warm the frosting slightly, but considering her lack of cooking skills, I'd test the temperature first if I were you …you wouldn't want to show up in the ER with third degree burns on your johnson."
"I don't think I'll be able to eat another frosted cupcake from your kitchen again, Sis." Covering his face he laughed, "Sheesh….you're a real naughty soccer mom, you know that."
"Don't tell her I told you and try to act surprised."
"Oh…I'm sure that won't be a problem."
Meanwhile, in the hallway, you could cut the silence with a knife as Carrie finally realized the reason Sean and Ryan couldn't look at her had to do with their new knowledge of a certain sexual practice and them trying not to imagine her engaging in the activity with Nick.
Hoping to cut the tension, Carrie announced, "So…um…the doctor told Nick that, barring any complications, he'll be discharged Saturday at noon. I'm going to have a little welcome home/A&M season opener party for him. I hope you boys don't have plans that night."
"No," they replied while staring at the floor.
"Great!" She knew they were still thinking about the BJ talk so, she forged on hoping to get their minds off it. "Your mom said you could come early and help me blow balloons." When their eyes darted to her, Carrie flustered. "Uh…yeah, I need your help because I don't blow balloons…or anything for that matter…beach balls…inflatable tubes…bubble gum…nothing."
"Don't worry, we didn't think you did," Ryan replied while trying not to laugh.
"Yes, Aunt Carrie," Sean assured her. "During the course of the discussion, it was clear to me that Uncle Nick was referencing his experiences with the many other women with whom he engaged in sexual activity prior to loving you."
"Dude…" Cracking up, Ryan gave his brother a shove. "I'll explain why later but, trust me…you're making it worse."
Celeste's Car
5:56 p.m.
When Celeste had informed David that she'd be taking him out for a night on the town, in his wildest dreams he never imagined she'd bring him to Chuck E Cheese for her co-worker's son's sixth birthday party. Now, sitting in the passenger's seat staring at the entrance marked by a giant cartoon mouse sporting obnoxious clothing and a toothy grin, fear gripped him. "How long is this party?" he asked with trepidation while watching loud, hyper children rush the door.
"Two hours," she happily informed him while grabbing the Pokemon gift bag she had stashed in the back seat so her ruse wouldn't be blown. "The pizza is really good here. This is my third co-worker's kid's party here this year."
Dumbfounded, he inquired, "Why do your co-workers invite you to their children's birthday parties? My co-workers never even invite me to their parties, no less parties for their kids."
"They invite me because they feel sorry for me not having a social life." Smiling at her husband of five days Celeste said, "Maybe they'll stop inviting me now that I'm married."
Seeing the happiness dancing in her eyes David lightened up. "Sorry I'm being such a grouch about this. For a minute I thought you arranged this to try and get me to like kids."
"Are you kidding?" Her laughter shook the car. "This is the last place I'd bring you. I think Chuck E is Satan's minion, because by the time the party's over, even the sweetest girls have turned into demons."
Becca's House
San Marino, CA
6:11 p.m.
While her mother stood at the kitchen counter opening a bottle of Pinot Noir, Becca hit the speakerphone button on her phone and played her messages.
Hey, Becks…it's Hoj. I got your message and left you one on your cell. Since I didn't hear from you I thought I'd try you at home. After this morning, I really need to talk to you, but I don't want to say what's on my mind in a message. I hope you can call me before five because after that, I won't be reachable until at least noon tomorrow. I really don't want this to wait until I see you at the club. So, call me, okay…and this time…promise me you'll stop and listen to what I have to say.
"That Sanders boy is still chasing you?" Sandra Wrightsville, formerly Mrs.Turnbull, Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Valen, rolled her eyes. "I suppose he heard of your divorce and thinks he has a shot." Gently placing her palm on her daughter's cheek she counseled, "Don't be cruel and lead him on again, Rebecca. As soon as you see him, just tell him that he's not good enough for you."
"Nice."
Filling her glass Sandra waxed on, "Bev tries to talk up his accomplishments at the club all the time but she's not fooling anyone… he has to work for pennies around vile criminals because he's too much of a misfit to fit into a corporate position. Why you spent so much time with him when you were in school is beyond me."
"I know exactly why, Mother…" Grabbing a wine glass for herself she explained, "…since his parents didn't loathe each other, I spent time there because his house was a fun, loving place to be. And Hoj…he gave me the one thing you and dad never did and still don't…affection." After a sip she sighed, "But affection wasn't enough for the old me and I stupidly listened to you and married for money."
Raising her glass in the gourmet kitchen Sanda grinned, "And look at what it got you…a mini-mansion, Jag, jewels, and a shitload of money in the bank. Aww…you poor girl." Glancing around she cackled, "Where's my violin." She paused to down half of her glass. "Rebecca Darling…go ahead and slum it with Greg Sanders for the weekend if you must, but don't come crying to me when real men shun you afterwards because once desirable men learn you've lowered your standards…they'll steer clear."
"I think you'll be surprised when you see him," Becca informed her while grabbing the cordless to replay the message for her listening pleasure only. "He's changed quite a bit since you last saw him."
Scoffing at the notion she asked, "Is he still driving that clown car?"
"When I saw him this morning he was behind the wheel of a brand new Mercedes SLK350," Becca happily informed her cold-hearted mother who had coached her on cynicism since the cradle. She conveniently left out the part about it being a rental. "And he's hot as hell. He looked like he walked out of an Abercrombie catalog."
The last statement gave Sandra the giggles. "Okay, now I know what the problem is…you're hard up. Rebecca Dear, hop into your car, head to the nearest adult store, and once there, treat yourself to a new battery-operated sex toy."
Without acknowledging her mother's commentary Becca hurried out of the kitchen and rushed to her bedroom all the while listening to Greg's message and melting from the sexy tenor of his voice.
Once in her bedroom, she shut the door, and crashed on the bed. Closing her eyes she focused on a memory of them together…it was the summer before their freshman year at Stanford, and Darren Williams had just dumped her before heading to Boston the next day for his first term at Harvard. To cheer her up, Greg had driven her to the beach.
"Do you need more tissues, Becks?" Greg sweetly asked as he stepped out of the RX-7 his mother bought him as a graduation gift.
"Yeah," she sniffled while taking a seat on the stone wall to watch the sun fading with her latest dreams.
"Here you go," Greg whispered, while placing his sweatshirt around her shoulders and handing her the requested Kleenex. "Becca, come on…Darren Williams isn't worth one of your tears, no less three hours of them."
"That bastard promised he'd fly me out for Thanksgiving break."
"How could you trust a guy who ran over a dog with his car and didn't look back?" She had told him the disturbing story weeks earlier. "It was someone's pet and he didn't bat an eye."
"He was wasted," she reminded him. "He was afraid he'd get a DUI."
"Hello?" Standing behind her at the wall he scolded, "How can you trust a guy who risked your life by driving while obliterated? I'd never be so reckless with you." Gently placing his hands on her shoulders Greg quietly confessed, "Because you mean too much to me."
Closing her eyes Becca leaned back against him. "Hold me." Feeling vulnerable, she loved the security he provided.
In silence Greg wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Better?"
"In your arms is the only place I can ever really relax." Cuddling closer she basked in the comfort his embrace always provided. While boyfriend after boyfriend provided physical attention, Greg was the only person in her life that consistently provided affection. "I love how you hold me, Hoj."
"And I…um…love…you."
The ring of her cellphone that she had left behind in the car sent her leaping off the wall. "Oh my god! Maybe Darren had a change of heart!"
Staring at the ceiling she wished she could turn back time and not take the call. It had indeed been Darren on the phone having a change of heart and while Greg took off walking towards the ocean, she told her 'on-again' boyfriend where to pick her up. After a night of non-stop make-up sex, Darren dumped her again at sunrise and left for the airport.
Thinking back, she recalled the intense sadness in Greg's watery eyes when she tracked him down on the beach to tell him she wouldn't need a ride home. And she knew when he turned his back to watch the sunset without her, tears spilled from his eyes…hot, thick tears, just like the ones streaming down her cheeks right now as she realized she had the perfect guy all along.
Santa Barbara, CA
6:42 p.m.
"I can't believe I'm finally seeing the ocean!" Tawny exclaimed as she threw open the French doors leading to the balcony of their romantic bedroom. "Wow," she exhaled upon descending the four stairs to reach the furthest rail. Directly below the waves rolled and crashed against the rocks. "It's…
"Amazing." Greg stood off to the side watching Tawny breathe in the salty air and miraculous view. "Spectacular."
"I'll say." Filling her lungs with a sea-scented breeze she wistfully exclaimed, "I've never seen anything so beautiful."
Joining her at the rail Greg replied in an incredulous whisper, "My thoughts exactly." He couldn't take his eyes off her wondrous expression.
Forcing her gaze off the rumbling waves she demurely glanced in his direction. "You're not even looking at the water."
Removing his jacket, Greg broke into an easy smile. "You know how you've dreamed of seeing the ocean your whole life?" From behind, he gently placed his coat over her bare shoulders and then slipped his arms around her waist. "My whole life…I've dreamed of being kissed by a girl who loves me while we're watching the sunset on the water together."
"One dream down…" Leaning back against his chest she blissfully sighed, "…and I predict yours is imminent." After tracking a seagull swoop and soar along the coast Tawny said, "You know what this reminds me of…"
"Rose and Jack watching the sunset from the railing of the Titanic?"
"Yes!" She laughed at herself. "You know me so well. I love that scene."
"And I love you, Tawny." Gliding his palm over the tiny bulge hidden by her red chiffon dress his heart raced. "So much and forever," he murmured against her ear while the sun was in the final minutes of its plunge.
Melting from his loving words, Tawny turned to gaze into his eyes. "I guess California really is a place where dreams come true, Greg." Grazing her fingertips over his cheek she whispered, "Because I'm a girl who loves you with all her heart…" Teasingly, she brushed her lips over his eager mouth. "…and we're here watching the sunset on the water…" Taking his bottom lip between her parted ones, she initiated the dreamy kiss.
Although the breeze coming off the water was chilly, the kiss warmed their bodies, and soon its tenderness was replaced with an intensity that rivaled the waves crashing below.
Only seconds into the kiss Greg realized his old dream wasn't half as wonderful as the reality Tawny was bestowing upon him and when the need for a deep breath finally forced their lips to part he declared in a breathy voice, "At the risk of repeating myself, I have one word for that lip lock…amazing! So worth the wait! On a scale of one to ten it was easily a thousand. The only thing that could have enhanced that experience would have been me slipping a ring on your finger after it." Smiling sweetly he shrugged, "But proposing on our first date would have been presumptuous. Besides…" He laughed at himself before saying the words that had become a sweet joke between them. "…I have this plan."
"So I've heard," Tawny answered in her usual curious tone. "Don't worry…" She returned his toothy grin. "I know that mind-blowing mystery moment when you present the ring, which is scheduled to occur some time between Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon, will be well worth the wait too."
The Mandalay Bay
6:51 p.m.
"Have you seen my reading glasses, Lina?" Ron inquired upon walking into the living room.
Lifting her eyes from her knitting she asked, "When do you remember having them last?"
"Uh…" He scratched his head. "I think I was in the office reviewing the month end financial statements Leticia faxed over…or I was in the bathroom." When he saw her cock her head Ron announced, "How about you check my desk and I'll check the john?"
Setting down the blanket she was making for Baby Grissom, she headed down the hall for the office. Once there, she went immediately over to the desk to check for the lost item but instead of finding glasses, she happened upon a burgundy velvet box sitting on a folded note with her name scrawled across it. "Guero!" she called out while sliding the note out from under the gift. "I've been had," she teased, realizing the search was just a ruse to get her into the office.
Curiosity getting the better of her she decided to read the note before he arrived.
Dearest Lina,
I'm sorry it took me so long to arrive at such an obvious decision. My delay was fueled by many fears, including a feeling of inadequacy in the presence of someone as worthy as you. Fear of rejection didn't help matters either. Nor did my fear of failing at something I've been so awful at so many times. But my fears melted away in your arms the other night when I held your hand and you held my eyes with yours and it is with newfound courage that I'm taking this step.
I love you, Lina. I'm nothing without you.
The only reason I'm a better man today is because of your patience and skills as coach. I never would have recovered from heart surgery if it wasn't for your encouragement and the knowledge that I'd have you to come home to. I wouldn't have a relationship with my boy if it wasn't for you. I owe everything to you...my health, my happiness, my heart. So, if you're willing to take a chance with a three-time loser like me, I'd be honored if you'd agree to officially be my partner for the rest of my life. I don't know how long that will be but, the one thing I know for sure is…as long as you're by my side, I'll love every minute of life.
Will you marry me, Lina?
"No pressure," Ron assured her from the doorway. "But you should know I have a chapel booked for tomorrow at five, Sara and Gil on standby to be our best man and matron of honor, and my jet prepped to whisk the four of us to San Francisco to celebrate for the night. But like I said…no pressure."
"You didn't end up building a business empire because you were ineffective at closing a deal, Mr. Grissom." Lifting the box her lips curved into an endless smile. "Yes, I'd love to marry you."
"Really?"
"You're selling past the close, Guero," she teased while extending the ring box.
"I want you to know that I wrote it all out at Sara's suggestion because I told her I was terrified of messing it up if I tried to say what was on my mind. I hope you don't mind."
"I'll treasure that piece of paper forever," she lovingly replied.
"Thank you for understanding." Taking the box, Ron cracked it open and presented the ring.
"Dios Mio." Her hands clutched her chest. "It's exquisite."
"Exactly…it's just like you." Plucking the ring from its velvet slot, Ron held it in front of her. "Obviously I could have walked in and said I'll purchase the most expensive ring in the shop, but I didn't. I picked the one that reminded me of you…this ring is delicate yet bold…it's old fashioned but modern…it's gorgeous and complex. It's represents everything I love about you." Taking her left hand he grinned. "Thank you for saying yes."
As he placed the ring on her finger, the first tears of joy slipped from her eyes. "I'm so happy."
Chuck E Cheese
6:58 p.m.
After the first fifteen minutes, prison was the only place David imagined could be more miserable and by the close of the first hour, he had changed his mind and thought it would be a step up.
Seated at a table directly in front of the dance floor surrounded by obnoxious animatronic creatures singing horrid songs in voices that would make screeching alley cats cringe, he dug his nails into his cheap vinyl chair and fought the urge to scream.
"Time to do the birthday conga!" a man wearing a referee shirt and a ball cap announced after blowing his whistle way too many times for David's sanity. "Who wants to wear one of our funny hats?"
When Bob, the 'party ref' extended an oversized purple cowboy hat in his direction, David deadpanned, "Do you delouse those after every party?"
"I'll take that as a no, you don't want to wear it," Bob replied while moving on to someone with a personality.
"I'm back!" Celeste merrily announced. "I got some tokens and came to challenge you to a game of Whack-a-Mole."
"Uh…out there…with them?"
"You'll finally get to leave the party room and won't be forced to join the conga line."
"Let's play!" He darted out of his seat and followed her toward the games area of the massive building filled with shrieking children and screaming parents.
"I find this game really releases the tension I build up at work." She plunked two tokens in the coin slot. "Pick up your mallet and then when the moles pop out of their holes you nail 'em. And you better go for it because I'm planning on kicking your ass."
The Training Zone
7:09 p.m.
"How's your ass feeling, Gil?" Irving inquired after torturing his client with a second round of squats.
"I think…I'm done," he panted in reply as his muscles burned.
"No, I don't think that you are." Irving tapped his pencil on the clipboard. "You're the submissive in this relationship, remember? Give me another set of ten. Think of something pleasant to get you through the pain…your wife…bugs…whatever thought will put you in a happy place."
"Your demise," he quipped while bending his knees for the first of ten excruciating squats.
"Excellent! Nine more, let's go, Gil." After watching him complete the second Irving scolded, "Now that wasn't half as low as the first. It doesn't count. Nine more! Come on…let's get that ass sexy for Sara."
With the music on, neither man heard the door open or Sofia enter.
"Sorry…am I interrupting?" she asked while dropping her purse on Irving's desk.
"Hey, there," Irving greeted his date. "Sorry, we're running late because Gil spent the first fifteen minutes helping me with my school work."
Mortified by Sofia's presence when he looked so pathetic Gil announced, "That's okay, I'll let the two of you…"
"Not a chance, Gil." Irving tapped his clipboard. "Seven more good ones."
Pointing to the door Sofia announced, "I'll wait outside because Gil intensely dislikes me."
"He does?" Irving said in surprise.
"Uh…" Returning from squat seven Gil remembered his wife's wise words…I'd watch what you say about Sofia. Irving might drop a weight on your toe on purpose. They're going out again tonight and it sounds like they've really hit it off. "That's not true. I don't dislike her."
Irving nodded approvingly. "Six more! You got it in the bag, Bugman!"
Moving to her date's side Sofia grinned at Grissom. "He's only saying that because he's afraid you'll hurt him if he admits I get on his nerves."
"Hey, Gil…it's okay if you think she gets on your nerves. She's already gotten on my nerves a couple of times. She even showed up at my apartment ninety minutes early for a date to surprise me and catch the real me instead of the date me."
Rising from the fifth tortuous squat Gil panted, "That…had to be…incredibly unnerving."
"He took it in stride," Sofia chuckled as she moved to sit in Irving's chair.
"She means I passed her test."
"Grissom…" Sofia smirked, "Who knew you had such cute legs under those baggy pants you always wear? I'll have to spread that around at the lab."
Irving looked at his client. "Channeling anger is another effective method to pushing past the pain. Four more!"
Suddenly Gil had energy to burn.
"Awesome! Give me three more just like that."
"I can give you twelve," he countered while gritting his teeth.
Irving glanced over his shoulder. "Sof'…can you do me a favor and show up at the beginning of his next session?"
Loving the way he called her 'Sof' she winked. "No sweat…which is not something I can say about your client…he's drenched. Does Sara mind that you're so out of shape that you can't keep up with her?"
"Oh, yeah! Keep channeling that animosity, Gil!" Irving clapped his hands. "You've never shown this much commitment to your work out. Six more and you can go home to your hot tub and soak."
The Sanders Home
7:21 p.m.
While their son was out wooing his soon-to-be fiancée, Bev and Scott relaxed in their hot tub sipping Pinot Grigio and discussing wedding plans.
"So you're alright with upgrading the wedding package to The Dream of a Lifetime from The Millennium? It's ten grand instead of six."
"Absolutely," he cheerily replied while refilling his wife's glass. "In that package all of Tawny's salon needs are included and she won't have to take that money out of her budget. She can spend a little more on a veil and shoes that way. And they'll love having the penthouse suite."
"Listen to you." Bev laughed at her husband. "See…now that you have a little girl to spoil you're realizing it's not as easy to say no."
"We only get to do this once and I want to enjoy it." Scott clinked his glass against Bev's and asked before sipping, "Have you come to a total for the reception and extras yet?"
"The way they had it planned it was twenty, but they were scrimping on a few things so I added a bit and it's up to twenty-five now."
Relaxing in the bubbles Scott said, "Thirty-five grand for a complete wedding is quite light compared to the norm at the club. Howie's shindig is apparently hitting the hundred mark."
"Well, they only have fifty four people on their guest list, mostly work friends and their significant others. Greg assumed we'd have about fifty family friends we'd want to include. That kept it down."
"And…" Scott's thought was interrupted by the door bell chiming through the backyard speaker.
"Who could that be?" Bev curiously inquired while watching her naked husband step out of the hot tub. "Don't forget your robe, Honey," she teased.
"It's a good thing Greg is marrying an exhibitionist," he joked. "Tawny won't be uptight if we slip up and forget we can't walk around naked as usual this weekend."
"He warned her that we were uninhibited sun worshipping Californians." Laughing, Bev grabbed her wine glass. "I told him to take Tawny to one of the nude beaches tomorrow morning because he'll be the envy of every man there."
"What did he say?" Scott asked while cinching his white spa robe.
"Tawny's naked body is no longer available to the general public for viewing for free, or for twenty-five bucks and a two drink minimum."
"That's sweet…in a way I can't describe." With that, Scott padded through the house smiling. When he peeked through the peephole he was surprised to see Becca Turnbull standing on the doorstep looking like she stepped out of Vogue. "Hi, Sweetheart," he warmly greeted upon opening the door. "Don't you look gorgeous this evening? You must be on your way someplace special. What brings you here first?"
"Hello, Mr. S." She greeted him with a hug. As always, he returned it with the eagerness she wished her father would. "I'm looking for Greg actually." Becca held up her cell. "We've been playing phone tag all day and he left me a message saying he needed to speak with me by five. Unfortunately I was stuck in a hellish meeting with my firm's partners and missed his call. Now I can't reach him on his cell. I was hoping you could tell me where he is so I could track him down." With a sparkle in her eye she confessed, "I can't wait until tomorrow. I really need to see him."
"Uh…" As hard as it was for Scott to fathom, it appeared that elusive Becca was finally longing for his son. "I'm afraid I can't help you, Honey. He's out on a date and I don't know where he and the young lady have gone." It was a lie of course, but a necessary one. The last thing Greg needed was Becca showing up in Santa Barbara. The one time he had a date in high school she showed up looking for his shoulder to cry on.
"A date?" she replied in a stunned tone. "But he…"
"You know you had your chance, right? I mean, my boy worshipped the ground you walked on. Hell, he even went to Stanford just be to closer to you when he could have been at MIT or Princeton…but you knew that." Tapping her lightly on the shoulder Scott winked, "It's okay…I know you've never been romantically interested in Greg, and the way he acted a lot of the time I certainly didn't blame you. The eyeliner…oy…" He chuckled sweetly. "I was just teasing you, Sweetheart."
Still reeling from the revelation she asked, "Is it someone he met yesterday?" Greg was so nice she knew he wouldn't break a date with someone even after the connection they made that morning.
Realizing that Greg hadn't told Becca about Tawny and afraid he'd say something wrong Scott replied, "Look…I really don't feel comfortable giving you the details of my son's love life. That should be up to him, don't you think?"
"Right…right," She laughed through the awkward moment. "I guess I was back in high school for a minute. Sorry for being so nosy."
In a moment of pride for his boy, who he watched pining over the girl on his doorstep for far too many years, Scott said, "We don't expect them back at the house until tomorrow afternoon, but when I see Greg I'll tell him you were looking for him."
The fact that it was an overnight date and that Greg's parents had met the girl shocked her. "That's okay…you don't have to tell him. I've left him a message and I'm sure he'll call when he has a chance. Goodnight, Mr. S." She raised her hand to wave as she walked away.
"Night, Sweetheart." When she was safely in her car he returned inside and smirked, "Damn…I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees Tawny on Greg's arm."
La Fleur
7:27 p.m.
Clutching Greg's arm, Tawny gasped when they entered the dimly lit French restaurant. "Wow…this place is gorgeous." With only twelve well-spaced candle and flower-covered tables, intimacy and romance were clearly the establishment's priorities.
"My mom e-mailed me a few suggestions when I told her I was looking for someplace special to take you. As soon as I saw the website photos of this place, I knew this was the one." Bringing her hand to his lips he whispered, "Gold velvet chairs…fine linens…a dreamy atmosphere. It was the only one fit for a princess."
"Greg Sanders, you really know how to show a lady a good time." Giggling from the butterfly kiss, Tawny teased, "I'm starting to think you've done all this many times before and you lied about being unlucky with the ladies."
Cupping her face he said, "The only reason I'm not a bumbling idiot on this date, is because I'm not terrified of rejection. I know you'll be driving home with me and most importantly…I know you love me back."
A minute later when they were caught up in a passionate kiss, Greg and Tawny heard a man forcefully clearing his throat and quickly parted.
"Do you have a reservation?" the silver-haired Maitre D coolly inquired.
Feeling the effects of the kiss in every inch of his body, Greg's voice cracked when he answered, "Sanders, party of two. We have a seven-thirty reservation."
"Ahh…" Now that he knew who the lusty couple was, Jean-Luc changed his tone. "The best table in the house is waiting for you and your lovely date, Mr. Sanders. Right this way."
"I didn't specify a table when I called," Greg announced. "So this is a really nice surprise."
In his customer's ear Jean-Luc whispered, "Your mother paid me generously to have the whole place be at your beck and call. So don't worry about tipping…you're set."
Upon seeing the look on Greg's face Tawny chuckled, "Your mother paid him, didn't she?"
"Yep." Holding out Tawny's chair he said, "My mommy apparently really wants me to score tonight."
The Maitre D raised a brow. "Excuse the oxymoron in advance…she also pre-paid for our best bottle of non-alcoholic bubbly." He snapped his fingers toward the Sommelier to ready the bottle of swill.
"It's a special occasion because it's our first date." Tawny patted her tummy. "And I can't have the good stuff because I'm just about three months pregnant with our twins." From the look on the man's face she realized how odd that sounded. "Can we forget I said that and just pretend we're recovering alcoholics? That's much more common." When the man nodded as he walked away Tawny smiled. "Let's pretend we met in rehab and fell in love…kind of like 28 Days with Sandra Bullock. Even though she didn't hook up with the ballplayer at the end, I have a feeling they got together eventually because they had excellent chemistry…just like us."
Reaching across the table Greg took Tawny's hand. "Ahh…the dangers of Rumspringa...the naïve Amish girl became an alcoholic."
"And why were you in rehab?"
"I drank to alleviate my loneliness…and since I had an abundance of loneliness and tequila, I developed a problem."
"That's very sad." She puffed out her bottom lip. "That's why I felt really sorry for you when I met you in group."
"And your compassion, combined with your small town charm, is why I fell in love with you during equine therapy."
Grinning she continued the game. "Luckily, in rehab we got shook our addiction to alcohol by replacing it with a sexual addiction to each other."
"Ah yes…but they don't provide condoms in rehab because you're supposed to be practicing abstinence…hence the baby before our first date."
"Right! And that's why we re-checked ourselves into the center…to fight our new addiction. Alas, after a month we decided it wasn't a problem because we loved each other and would be getting married."
"Since it was a voluntary check-in, we sprung ourselves and flew to Santa Barbara to celebrate." Bursting into a smile Greg announced, "And here we are at Le Fleur ordering non-alcoholic champagne to celebrate our first date."
"That's so romantic!" she giggled, while placing her free hand over Greg's. "We're so weird sometimes."
"I really love that about us." Dropping his free hand over hers he confessed, "I feel like I finally met a woman who speaks my language."
"Yep!" She proudly admitted, "I'm fluent in English, German and Chuckles."
Chuck E Cheese
7:40 p.m.
"I need more tokens!" David yelled to Celeste. "I'm the Whack-a-Mole King!" Not a kid in the place had come close to beating him and his pride filled the room.
"Here you go, Honey." Celeste loaded two tokens in the machine.
"Who will foolishly attempt to de-throne me this time!" he challenged the crowd while holding his rubber mallet as far as the chain it was linked to would allow.
When no one came forward Celeste took the open spot. "They know they don't stand a chance."
"It's my cheetah-like reflexes," he explained. "Most people find them intimidating."
"I think it's the fact that you made a five year old cry."
"Hey!" When he looked down he saw a small girl wiping her greasy pizza hands on his khaki pants before running off into the crowd. "Do you see what that little urchin did to my new pants! Ugh! Kids should really be banned from this place."
"What!" Sensing there was no hope for her cause, Celeste funneled her disappointment and anger into whacking moles. "It's a kids place, David!" she chided while bashing the first rodent. "You're the one who doesn't fit in!"
"What do you mean!" he quizzed before smashing two moles in a row.
"I mean you're the only one in here who hates kids!" she shrieked before opening up a can of whoop ass on the plastic critters. "I can't believe I married a man who hates kids!" When the buzzer sounded indicating that Celeste won, she turned to face her kid-loathing husband. "So much for your cheetah-like reflexes!"
"Way to go, Honey!" David congratulated his spouse.
Now that she didn't have moles to whack, Celeste's frustration returned with a vengeance. With the mallet still in her hand, she used it to pound her man.
"Ow!" he yelped while backing out of her range. "What was that for? You won!"
"Are you kidding? No, I didn't!" she angrily corrected. "I lost! I'm a loser at love! First I get left at the altar, and now I marry a guy only to find out after the fact that he hates kids when I love them!"
A very nice stranger from a table nearby slipped two tokens in the Whack-a-Mole game, "There you go…you can smack the crap out of the moles again," the lady said while scooting her kids out of the booth to run for the door.
As soon as the critters started jumping Celeste began bashing them physically and herself verbally. "I'm cursed! Cursed! I find a man who is perfect for me in every way except one of the most important ones. Why do the gods smite me!" she yelled while beating a mole beyond reason. "I give to charity, help old people across the street and buy Girl Scout cookies! Fifteen freaking boxes of Thin Mints later, I have four more pounds on my hips, but not an ounce of good karma! It's…not…fair!"
"Look, Honey!" David shouted to get her attention. "I'm trying to like kids for you!"
In his arms she saw he was holding a small boy who she figured was about four years old. "Who is he?"
David shrugged. "I don't know." Bouncing the child up and down he enthusiastically said, "See…I'm loving this!"
"He's not my daddy!" the boy, who was obviously trained on what to say during an abduction, blared. "He's not my daddy! He's not my daddy!"
Moments later Chuckie Security swooped in, snatched the frantic boy and tackled the evil abductor to the ground.
"My nose!" David shouted as his face was being slammed into the sticky carpet. "It's still healing from being broken! OW!"
The Mandalay Bay
7:55 p.m.
"Easy, Sara…it hurts like hell." Wincing, Gil gripped the wall by the bathtub. He was grateful his father and Lina were nowhere to be found when he returned from his training session from hell.
"Careful," Sara warned her suffering husband as she helped him into water filled with the aroma of muscle relaxing bath crystals. "I told you not to pick on Sofia in front of Irving."
"He didn't do this to me…" With the gracefulness of an elephant he lowered himself into the sunken tub. "I did this to me…I did twenty-four more squats that he ordered just so I wouldn't look weak in front of Sofia."
Laughing at him Sara replied, "Because it's so much better to look like a fool in front of your wife?"
"Yes!" Slipping into the steaming water he explained, "I know you won't spread rumors about me around the lab. That witch is going to tell everyone I have cute legs."
"I don't have a problem with that," she teased. "No more than you would mind if everyone was told I have big breasts." When she saw him raise a brow Sara laughed, "Hey…my bra was cutting me all day. These pregnancy hormones are definitely pumping up the girls."
"I really think I should be the judge of that."
Without hesitation she tossed her top and revealed her braless chest. "Thoughts?"
"Many." Gil laughed, "And thinking is all I'm up for because I can't move a muscle."
Next Sara ditched her lounge pants and joined her husband in the water. "Remember how freaked you once were about taking a bath with me?"
"I asked Dr. Myers about that."
Sliding under the bubbles Sara sighed with delight.
"She said it was because I associated taking baths with my mother caring for me as a child and therefore had difficulty thinking of a bubble bath sexually."
"Hearing stuff like that makes me very paranoid about being a mother," she confessed. "You do too much and you're smothering your child…cough Greg cough. You do to little and you're neglecting your kid. Just about anything a mother does appears to psychologically damage them in some way. Seriously…what are the odds that our offspring won't have issues?"
"Sara…do you know anyone who doesn't have issues?"
She pondered the question for a moment then replied, "No…our friends are all screwed up in one way or another. If I had to pick the most stable of the group though…gambling problem aside, I'd put my money on Warrick."
Orion Motel
Las Vegas
8:06 p.m.
For the past two hours Warrick had lain on the lumpy mattress in his no-tell motel room off Industrial. Staring at the ugly popcorn ceiling he beat himself up over doing the one thing he swore he'd never do…walk out on a kid.
It didn't matter that she wasn't his kid.
It didn't matter that she hadn't kept her promises.
It didn't matter that he really wasn't her stepfather.
All that mattered was that he turned his back on a child who needed him…just like his father had done to him.
He knew Lindsay was home when he was yelling in the kitchen and that there was a good chance she had hear every word. After an hour of soul searching at the ugly no-tell motel, he finally admitted to himself that he wanted her to hear him…to hear the anger in his voice and realize how she hurt him. That's what tore him the most.
The guilt finally pushed him to turn on his cellphone.
Six messages.
Three from the lab, all trivial questions.
One from Nick, checking to see if he was doing okay, feeling badly about spilling the beans, and letting him know he could call his cell at any hour if he needed to talk.
One from Catherine, informing him she had an appointment with Dr. Myers at ten a.m. the next morning, promising to work on her shit, and telling him she loved him.
The final message devastated him. It was Lindsay, sobbing an apology, begging him to come back and pleading for one more chance…
I'm so sorry. I know I said I'd listen, but then I got to school and was desperate to fit in so I copped out and acted like a sheep because I was desperate to fit in with the cool kids. I promise I won't do it again. I've really learned my lesson this time. How can I prove it? Tell me how to prove it and I will! I'm returning the purse to my grandfather and won't take any more of his money. I'll come home after school every day and do chores. Just please come back. Please! Mom's starting therapy and she's sure the doctor will fix what's wrong with us. I promise I'll pay attention and do whatever the doctor says, I know Mom will too. Please, don't leave us. Give us another chance…please…I don't want to lose another dad…especially not the best dad I ever had. Please…
Mystery solved…she had heard what he said.
Closing his eyes he heard his mother's words. You don't need a daddy, Son. You're better off not having one, because they don't do anything but let you down and leave."
Punching in the numbers Warrick took a deep breath and two rings later when he heard the familiar voice on the other end of the phone he said, "I don't know what to do. I mean…I really don't know what to do." Holding his head his voice shook as he spoke. "I'm hiding in this dump of a motel staring at the ceiling and I don't have a god damn clue what to do….I don't know what's right…I don't know what's wrong. I'm lost, man…lost. You know me…I never ask anyone for help, but I don't have a choice here because…I'm losing it. Her voice in the message…she was begging me…" He gulped some air. "She was bawling her eyes out because I left."
"Hey…this relationship stuff is tough," Nick empathized. "But don't worry, Buddy…we'll talk it through and get it figured out for ya. Okay?"
"Yeah."
"And don't feel bad about asking for help…you did the right thing reaching out. Look what almost happened to me…I was minutes away from dying because I couldn't admit I was messed up."
"Good to know I did something right tonight."
La Fleur
8:30 p.m.
An hour into their dinner date Greg was relieved everything was going perfectly and Tawny was having the phenomenal time he'd hoped she would. "How's your entrée?"
"I love the Dauphinoise potatoes," Tawny announced after swallowing her first bite. They were one of the menu options at the Bellagio and she was thrilled to have an opportunity to taste them. "Now I definitely want them for the wedding."
Raising his glass of sparkling cider Greg said, "Wow…this first date must being going great if you're already talking wedding plans."
"Ooh! Speaking of plans…can we talk about the music?"
Lowering his glass Greg adamantly said, "There has to be a Prince song in honor of my dad…but nothing too dirty since the Blake kids will be there."
"What about our song?" she asked, knowing exactly what song she wanted.
"It has to be something with significance."
"Can I toss out a possibility?"
Resting his fork, Greg took her hand. "Let's hear it."
"Remember, on our other first date…"
"Refresh my memory," he joked. "Did something significant happen?"
After forking some potatoes she brought the scoop to his mouth and fed it to him. "Now you'll be quiet for at least fifteen seconds. Okay…as I was saying…on our other first date we watched Moulin Rouge in bed..."
"Uh huh," he replied after gulping some water. "Those potatoes are great by the way. I wonder how they get them so…"
"Chuckles!"
"Sorry!"
When he put his hand over his mouth Tawny grinned. "As I was saying…when we were in bed watching Moulin Rouge, I remember lying in your arms and feeling so safe…" she paused to giggle. "Which is funny since, as a result of unprotected sex, your sperm were getting me pregnant at the time, but that's my point…there we were snuggled up watching Christian sing Come What May to Satine while we had no idea our own drama was about to happen. And even though we haven't been singing the song to each other in rough times, we've basically been doing the same thing…when you're down, I reach out to you…and when I'm down, you reach out to me."
Greg's smile brightened the dimly lit room. "And come what may…we both know we'll always have the love between us to get us through."
"Yes!" she bubbled. "So does that mean you think it's a good choice?"
"I really can't imagine a song I'd prefer more."
Gazing into Greg's sparkling eyes Tawny murmured, "When we're dancing to it at our wedding will you sing it to me in my ear? I think hearing you sing that song to me would make me melt."
"Then, I'll be sure to learn the words before the wedding." Fighting the urge to scream he asked, "Would you excuse me for a minute while I um…use the…"
"Sure." Releasing his hand she lifted her fork and giggled, "The babies are hungry so they're grateful I'm shutting up to eat. I bet they like the potatoes too."
After a quick kiss to her cheek Greg raced through the dining room and out the front door of the restaurant. Once outside he released the scream trapped in his lungs and jubilated. "Yes! Yes! Yes! I picked the perfect song! She really is going to melt! Yes! Way to go Greggo! It really will be the perfect proposal!"
Author's Notes:
Next chapter: It's a new day full of new experiences, some flashbacks, a bit more knowledge for a certain boy, and a little foreshadowing…
Thanks for reading,
Maggs