Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 27
September 2, 2005
Wildfire Country Club
5:31 p.m.
While Greg returned to the crowd on the East patio, Tawny stepped about fifty yards away and frantically punched numbers into her cellphone. "Thank god you answered! I'm so in need of a little honest girl talk with a true friend. I've been doing nothing but fronting here. I'm exhausted from being Amish…and before you yell at me about that…that was Bev's doing…she's faced. I wasn't going to go through with it. Wow, I really need to let off some steam. Sorry…how rude…is this a good time?" She giggled, "You're not sponge bathing Slick, are you?"
"Ha! No, it's perfect timing…Nicky just fell asleep…he had an exhausting day." Sighing, Carrie assured her, "Trust me…I could use a little girl talk myself, girlfriend. I can also empathize when it comes to sparing your already stressed-out man some grief when he's mentally tapped."
"Thanks."
"So, how is the infamous Becca?"
"Ugh!" Tawny glanced over just in time to see the witch flicking her hair off her shoulder and cackling. "Bitch does not begin to describe her!"
"Speaking of descriptions…tell me about her shoes."
Appreciating the joke, Tawny laughed into the phone. "I knew you'd want to know so I asked her. They're Jimmy Choo Crystal Ring Slides."
"Ooh! I just saw those in a magazine the other day and loved them. In the country club world, they're a formidable opponent to my Manolo Embellished Metallic Slides."
"Trust me…your Manolos have been going toe to toe with Becca's Choos all afternoon." Strolling on the sidewalk along the perfectly manicured club grounds Tawny giggled, "You'll love this…I told the manipulative wench that I've retained many of my Amish sensibilities and wasn't used to dressing this sexy…that I borrowed everything from my wild friend Carrie."
"Ha!" After a good laugh she said, "If she only knew those shoes have never been out of my closet."
"Sweetie…when Slick recovers, promise me you'll have sex with your Manolos on. I guarantee you'll both get a rush."
"Oh my gosh…tell me no one heard you say that! Especially Greg!"
"No one is anywhere near me…they're all off drinking, golfing or sun worshipping…some are doing all three simultaneously. This place is unbelievable." She glanced around just to make sure no one was coming. "Speaking of sex…" Tawny giggled, "I promised Greg I'd let him drive the peg tonight when we're at this big party, because he's still bugged by what I said about Slick's skills in our girl chat! Can you believe that's still working on him!"
"Aww…poor Chuckles. Don't worry, under the safety of the sister rule, I'll say that Nicky has insecurities too."
"Yeah, well…" Glaring at Becca from afar, Tawny snipped, "…I know exactly where Greg's insecurities originated….that she-devil messed with both his heads for years!" Shaking off her animosity she sighed, "Unlike her, I'm all about making Chuckles feel better about himself so, he'll get to cross the peg off his inferiority complex list tonight."
"If only my shoes could talk," Carrie teased. "Kidding…I really don't want to eavesdrop. You know how I felt about that position...even though it was executed by a seasoned professional….blech!"
"Between you and me…I predict it will be the first time I ever fake it with Chuckles."
"Aren't you afraid he'll figure it out?" she asked in a nervous whisper. "Because if he figures out you're faking, don't you think he'll be even more insecure?"
"Are you kidding? He's not going to figure it out. The only way guys ever figure it out is if you tell them." Once again Tawny giggled, "I take it you've never had a reason to pull the wool over Slick's eyes."
"Are you kidding? Why would I fake it? I only started having them this year!"
Tawny sought clarification, "You mean during."
"I mean ever." After a giggle she whispered into the phone, "My first one was the first night I spent with Nicky. I never…you know…M'd."
"Were you raised Amish?" Stunned by the latest revelation, Tawny clutched her head. "How does that work exactly? So, there you were in bed and suddenly you're like…oh, my goodness what's happening? Seriously… my first was self-induced, so I knew it was coming."
"Ha! I see you haven't lost your sense of humor." After a laugh Carrie said, "I can't believe I'm telling you this…"
Tawny strolled further down the path, "Ooh! That means it's going to be good."
The cringe on her face came through in her voice. "No…I can't…you're going to laugh at me."
"Isn't that the point here? I need a laugh!" Watching Becca flounce in front of Greg she sighed, "Think of it as charity work. You'll be helping ease the tension of the waiting-to-get-engaged-girl, who has to hang out with the Wicked Witch of the West because Chuckles is a sweetheart who doesn't have it in him to rip her to shreds. Pleeease…a naïve Carrie story is just what I need to put a smile on my face. And I don't laugh at you…you're always laughing too so, I'm laughing with you."
"Okay…okay." After a sigh of resignation, Carrie started her tale, "While Nicky and I had spoken at length about our sexual histories prior to making love the first time, I neglected to mention that I had never…O'd. So, there we are in bed for who knows how long, when I finally figure out Nicky has been waiting for me to O…or at least give him a clue that I was on my way to O'ing."
Breathing through his latest urge to bring things to a close, Nick murmured in Carrie's ear, "I need another minute here, Darlin'."
"No problem, you can go all night if you like…mmm…you won't hear me complaining." Giddy from the loving Carrie released a blissful sigh. "I couldn't be more satisfied."
"Oh…" Smiling brightly, Nick ran his fingers through her hair and tenderly prompted his new lover, "It's our first time and we don't know each other's styles...noise is fine with me, Darlin'. You don't have to be shy next time. I'd love to hear you…"
"Oh!" Grabbing his shoulders Carrie rambled, "You've been waiting for me to…um..."
Grinning from ear to ear, Tawny took a seat on a bench. "How many times had he already slowed things down waiting for you?"
"Three."
She covered her mouth to stifle the laugh.
"You're already laughing?"
"Yeah," Tawny immediately confessed. "I can just imagine poor Slick…after all that celibacy he's trying to hold out, but you're not giving him any signs, which of course is terrorizing his ego. He probably thought it had been so long since he got a woman hot, he was rusty. What did you say next? I know it has to be good."
After chewing on her lip for a moment Carrie shyly admitted, "I didn't...but, don't wait for me…because I um... don't..."
"Darlin'…" While trailing kisses down her neck Nick sweetly yet confidently replied, "Just because you haven't during past experiences, doesn't mean you won't with me. We'll change things up a little and if that doesn't work for you, all you have to do is tell me and I'll…"
"No…no…it's not you…or something you're not doing," she corrected while covering her eyes with her palm. "I mean I've never...I don't even know how to..."
"Oh!" On the bench, Tawny sat shaking with laughter. "I bet he never saw that coming."
Jolting up Nick gasped, "When you say you've never…"
"It's okay! Really! It's not something I…I mean I'm sure it's fun but, I don't feel like I'm missing out…" Now both her hands covered her face. "I'm fine…really…I was having a great time."
"Ever?" He continued gaping. "You mean…not even alone?"
"Oh, man…" Suddenly every ounce of tension was gone from Tawny's body. "I can see his expression. Let me guess…after he heard that, he was determined to show you what you were missing. Ha! Realizing it would be a bit of a challenge to have it happen during, since you didn't even know what you were aiming for, I bet he wrapped things up quickly so he could focus on the task at hand."
"Yeah..." Carrie chuckled at the memory, "I was totally tense and didn't really want to but, he was being so sweet about it I decided to give it a try. That decision definitely has a spot on the 'Best Decisions I've Made in My Life' list."
"You're really too adorable sometimes…you're a lot like Chuckles that way." She checked the status of her man and saw he was laughing with the gang and Becca had her talons wrapped around his arm. "I'm not ready to rejoin the group yet…keep talking, Sis."
"Well…I knew I was on the brink of something great but, I was way too nervous to let loose. I kept over-thinking it. You know…being a sexually inhibited perfectionist and considering my well-versed audience, I knew he'd know if I was doing it wrong."
"Yep!" Tawny held her stomach which was sore from laughing. "I can totally see you going through that thought process."
"Apparently Nicky could too." In a whimsical voice Carrie said, "He whispered in my ear…Just relax and let it happen, Sweetheart. You can't possibly do it wrong…trust me. Seconds later I was over the edge."
"Aww." Tawny settled against the back of the bench. "Reminds me of when I wanted Chuckles to…never mind, that story will make you squirm. Let's just say I had to talk him through something once too."
"Thank you for not sharing the details, because I'm already squirming telling you this!" A hearty laugh followed. "This part's really cute…afterwards, Nicky was propped up on his elbow watching me catch my breath. He totally knew he rocked my world..."
"I hope you'll let me do that to you again sometime in the future." Gliding his palm over Carrie's still heaving torso he grinned. "But if you didn't enjoy it, and you'd rather not, I'll understand."
"Do you have any plans in say…fifteen minutes?" Laughing at herself she remarked, "Maybe ten."
"Oh…so you did enjoy it," he teased while snuggling closer. "Like I said, this is our first time and it's easy to misinterpret each other's signals…yeah…I wasn't sure what you meant by, 'Oh my god that was awesome! I think I actually blacked out there for a minute!'"
"I'll definitely miss O'ing while Nicky's out of commission."
"Just because he can't, doesn't mean you can't," Tawny snickered.
"How could he possibly help me without exciting himself? It wouldn't be fair to torture him like that."
"Aww…there you go being cute again. You don't have to include him, Sweetie."
"Tawny! Oh my god…I don't care how much you need to be entertained, we're not discussing that," Carrie laughed hard into the receiver. "I'll admit it's going to be hard going without now that I know what I'm missing."
The Willows/Brown Household
5:38 p.m.
When Catherine waltzed into the guest suite, also known as Warrick's temporary quarters, she saw him standing in front of the closet. "Uh…" Her breath caught when her gaze focused on his glistening freshly showered skin and his muscular body covered only by a towel loosely fastened around his hips…fastened so loosely, she was certain one stiff breeze would send it falling to the floor. Stop lusting! You know the rules! Why torture yourself? Look away! "Hungry?" she asked while staring at his ass. All I want is a serving of you with a side dish of….
"Hey…" Warrick turned to see his roommate.
As if to torture her further, the towel slipped lower. Talk about karmic punishment! Take your eyes off the goody trail because it leads to the land of You Can't Have It! "I was uh…going to order some take out and…"
"What are you in the mood for?" he asked in a husky voice. Damn, I need to grab a drink, my throat is dry as hell.
Yes! That's his 'I want to sex you up' voice! "I knew you'd cave," she remarked while locking the door behind her and darting across the room. In a flash her fingers were coiling around the towel. "Baby, you look…"
"Cath…" Frustrated, he peeled her off and rewrapped his towel. "I meant what kind of take out food are you in the mood for?"
"Oh." Laughing at herself she answered, "Definitely not hot dogs." When she saw him crack a smile she sighed, "This is fun…yeah…it reminds me of the years before we hooked up...spending time…sharing food…and me dying to kiss you."
Jacqueline's Patio Café - Chicago
5:40 p.m.
After polishing off the last drop of Chardonnay in her glass, Lissa commented, "Drew…if someone had said to me on Tuesday that I'd be sitting in a bar with you conversing and having a wonderful time on Friday, I would have had them committed."
"It really is amazing." Sliding closer he placed his arm on the back of her chair and spoke softly. "It's like we needed that crisis to start talking and once we did…" Locking on her eyes, Drew confessed, "After all the marathon late night phone calls and now this…it's crazy but…I haven't felt this close to you in a long time."
A nervous smile jittered across her lips. "I feel the same way."
Reaching out, Drew risked placing his hand over hers. "I swear I'm falling in love with you all over again…only this time it's even quicker and harder than the first time."
"How can that be?" Trembling from his touch, she fought the urge to retract her hand. "You told me you loved me only days after you met me in Barbados." The wine allowing her humor to slip through, she teased, "I credited my string bikini and my skill level in bed that first afternoon."
"That wasn't it." Chuckling he admitted, "Okay, I was in my twenties and those were indeed some substantial perks but, that wasn't the reason I fell in love with you…no…it was how you made me feel every time I was with you in a crowded room. You made me feel like I was the only person there even when every guy was trying to get with you and you knew you could have any one of them."
"But I only wanted you," she remarked in a distant voice.
"During my assigned reading, I figured out why that was so important to me." Speaking from the heart he shared his analysis, "After fighting for attention and having to prove myself worthy my whole life…within in my family, on every sports team, at school, and in a city where my last name always summoned my mother's or father's reputation first and foremost…I was exhausted. Then you came along and freely gave me all the attention I craved without making me prove myself every five minutes…you let me relax." Clutching her hand he relented to nervous humor, "But what about you? Did you fall for me because of how I looked in my swim trunks and my skill level in bed that first afternoon together?"
"Definitely." Covering her mouth she laughed. "I blame the heavy flow of tropical cocktails, your unmatched sexual talent…and your stamina. Remember how ticked your buddies were that they never saw you again after you met me? You missed all your tee times."
Losing himself in the happy memory, Drew asked, "Do you remember watching the sunrise together on your last day there?"
In an instant she was transported back to his bungalow with its curtains snapping in the island breeze while they held each other in bed watching the horizon. "I was desperately trying to think of a way out of my photo shoot in Denver so I could stay on with you."
"Later, I had your agent fax your contract to my sister Kendra to look for a legal loophole."
"But there wasn't one." Her smile filled the room. "So you packed up and followed me to Denver, even though it was the dead of winter and you had four more days paid to stay on a tropical island."
Grinning together their smiles gravitated toward each other and soon they were in a near-kiss.
"Lissa..." Drew placed his palm on her cheek and closed his eyes.
"I…" she breathed out as her eyes fluttered shut. " No…sorry." Lissa jerked back. "It's way too soon for that."
After clearing his throat Drew apologized, "Sorry…I didn't plan on…it just felt…"
She grabbed her water glass and gulped. "Unlike you, I haven't had affection since our last time together…I was letting my body do my thinking instead of my head."
"We should probably get going and see the kids," he suggested, trying to move beyond the awkward moment. "What time is it anyway?"
The Mandalay Bay
5:58 p.m.
"Sara!" Gil called out from his position in front of the dresser mirror. "I have to meet my dad in two minutes and I can't tie this damn bowtie!" How many college degrees do I have and I still can't figure out how to twist fabric into a bow?
"This is why you went out and got yourself a woman…for occasions such as these…and the one we just shared in bed," Sara teased while strutting out of the bathroom in her new dress. "Hopefully I still remember Catherine's instructions on how to tie one."
"Wow." His mouth fell open as she stepped closer. "Stunning."
"Thank you." Confident in her own skin, she spun around to give the full view. "I was pretty pleased with how I looked myself." Grinning, she reached around from behind and grabbed the ends of his tie. "Dare I say I'm getting used to playing dress up? I'm a nerd girl gone wild."
"I have to be honest…" With admiration, Gil watched his wife expertly maneuver the fabric into a bow. "While I think you look damn sexy in coveralls scooping decomp out of a trunk…this glamour look is quite appealing to me too."
"And even though you admit things like…you find me damn sexy scooping decomp out of a trunk…I'm still outrageously attracted to you." Finished with his tie, Sara rested her hands on his shoulders. "We definitely need a picture Mr. and Mrs. Glamorous for the scrapbook."
"We can have…" The ring of Gil's cell phone snapped him out of the amorous moment. "I'm late!"
Celine's House
6:04
When her bedroom door opened, Celine snapped, "It's about time! His mom is picking him up in an hour." She grabbed Armand by the arm and yanked him into her room. "And look at him! You'll need time."
The vivacious twenty-seven year old employee of Mr. Campbell's trendiest hotel salons shrieked, "Mitts off my shirt, girlfriend! It's Versace." He smoothed his palm over the sleeve. "Randall gave it to me for our two week anniversary yesterday."
Sean's eyes widened as he stared at the man's wild platinum blonde hair and his crazy shirt, which displayed every color of the rainbow. "Wow…do you know Greg Sanders?"
Wildfire Country Club
6:07 p.m.
When Tawny returned to the boisterous patio crowd Greg opened his arms to welcome her with an embrace. "Everything okay with Carrie and Nick?" With his eyes he also asked, and you?
"Yep." She slipped into his arms for a snuggle while Becca, The Energizer Bunny of Denial, turned a deeper shade of green. "Nick's definitely getting discharged tomorrow so, that's good news and Carrie was in high spirits…we had a really nice chat."
"Speaking of good news and high spirits!" a male voice boomed from behind Greg and Tawny. "I have some I'd like to share."
Tawny saw Becca's expression turn from pissed to enraged in seconds and whispered to Greg, "Who is the player holding two bottles of Cristal and a babe?"
"Oh god…" Greg winced, knowing a war was about to break out. "That's Peter…Becca's ex-husband."
"What are you and the big-ass slut, also known as our ex-housekeeper, doing here!" Becca raged while the regular crowd settled in to be entertained by the club's latest divorcees. "You know I have Labor Day weekend at the club!"
"About that…" Peter strolled forward while placing his arm around Teresa's bronze shoulders. "I consulted with my lawyer and the settlement stipulation is that I can't show up as a member on your days. But I'm not here as a member…" He winked. "I'm here as a guest of a member…Teresa became a member two days ago. And you better get used to seeing me around because, check it out…" He lifted Teresa's left hand and shot daggers at his ex. "We're engaged, and we can't wait to get married and start a family."
The crowd gasped and they were torn between checking out the rock on Teresa Gutierrez's hand and watching Becca's head, which they assumed would explode within the next fifteen seconds.
"Walking!" Greg announced as he grabbed Becca's arm and attempted to prevent the explosion.
Scott glanced over at Tawny and noted she was unfazed by Greg's concern over the woman who had spent the afternoon trying to piss her off and get rid of her. Thank god she's a penniless, pregnant girl and really needs to keep Greg around.
"Staying!" Becca shook loose of Greg's grip and darted for her ex. "God damn you, Peter! You staged this whole thing just to humiliate me again, and in front of…" Greg's hand over her mouth ended her tirade.
"Leaving!" Greg strong-armed her off the patio to prevent his friend from making an even bigger ass of herself than she had been all afternoon. Once they were at a safe distance, he removed his hand and said, "You're out of control!"
Pointing from whence they came Becca snarled, "He's parading around the woman I caught him screwing on my sofa! And he's doing it at my club, on my weekend! In front of people I've known since I was born!" She turned on a dime to head back. "That bastard!"
"Becca!" He grabbed her by the wrist. "You've been making an ass of yourself all day. As your friend, I'm trying to preserve the shred of self-respect you have left. Can't you see I'm doing you a favor?"
"As if you care about me! You have your perfect little Amish girl kissing your ass so…"
"Hey!" Getting in her face Greg heatedly said, "Trust me…if I didn't care about you, I would have cut you down during any one of the dozen opportunities you've given me today! You've been nothing but a bitch to Tawny all afternoon! The only reason I didn't make a fool out of you is because of our history and because Tawny isn't upset by your behavior because she believes you're pathetic…and right now, so do I."
His words cutting her deeply, Becca dropped her head in her hands. "I'm losing my mind, aren't I?"
"You're emotionally confused and acting irrationally." Calming down with a deep breath he added, "I've been there myself…it's scary. You need to pull it together and if you can't, then you need to stay away from the club this weekend because I'm not changing any of my plans and they all include Tawny…and I'll be holding her hand, and kissing her, and loving her…not to tick you off or make you jealous, but because that's what I enjoy doing."
"Okay already! That's twice this week you've screamed at me and…you were the only person who never screamed at me."
When he heard her sniffling Greg walked over. "I'm sorry for raising my voice…again."
"I never cheated on Peter," she whimpered.
"I know you didn't."
"He screwed her on my couch on purpose," she squeaked. "When he knew I'd catch them together. When he knew I still loved him."
Taking her hands Greg gave them a squeeze. "I know."
Her tears forming Becca choked on her words, "He just said they couldn't wait to start a family. But he told me he never wanted kids." Her first tear slipping down her cheek she whispered, "More bad timing? Or…he just didn't want to start a family with me…because I'm such a bitch that he didn't think I should be a mother? Not that I wanted to be a mother…you know that…you and I always had that in common…we never wanted kids because we agreed the world is too screwed up to bring a kid into it."
"Yeah…well…things can change when you fall in love with someone who wants to have kids."
"Tawny wants kids?" She saw the answer in his smile. "Hoj…you were adamant about never having kids. Oh my god…what kind of spell does that witch have on you?"
Greg couldn't contain his happiness. "The best kind…unconditional love."
Set off by his glee, she raged, "There's no such thing…you'll find that out. Everybody uses everybody and when you become useless, they abandon you."
"Yeah…" Nodding, he released her hands. "You personally taught me that lesson at least a half dozen times."
"You really despise me." Her tears flowed stronger. "I never thought that would happen."
Shaking his head Greg uttered a nostalgic line as he did his old job one last time, "Pity, party of one…is this seat taken?" He placed his arms around her and let her cry on his shoulder. "You need to forget about this Sanders guy you're pining for and do something else this weekend, Becca."
"I can't…I keep thinking he'll change his mind," she sobbed. "I really think…"
"I have insider information…I guarantee he won't." Greg smoothed his hand over her back. "And you know what your therapist would say is going on here…it's the same old Daddy issue. As soon as a guy doesn't want you, you get desperate and make a fool of yourself trying to get him to come back…just like you used to do crazy things to try and get your father to come back to you. I'm not judging you for still having the problem…trust me, I'm still dealing with my own ancient history…Monday in your poolhouse as the most recent example." An edge crept into his voice as he stepped back. "But what I'm not doing, is treating innocent people like shit because I've got issues. See the difference?"
"How would you describe your treatment of me in my poolhouse?"
"I said innocent people, Becks."
"Right." She gave a nearly imperceptible nod. "I just wished you loved me."
"I really do love you…as a friend." He brushed her tears away. "Here's something I learned from my dad recently…love isn't telling someone what they want to hear…it's telling them what they need to hear." Cupping her face he made sure he had her attention. "I'm proposing to Tawny this weekend and we'll be getting married and having kids and nothing will prevent that from happening…nothing. You've been a ruthless bitch to my future wife and if you don't stop this minute…you'll lose me as a friend forever."
"I couldn't handle that." She squeezed him tighter. "Do you know what that annoying psychiatrist I pay a fortune to said to me once? She said that the reason I never let you be my boyfriend was because I believed romantic relationships always end badly and I couldn't stand the thought of losing you."
"Becca…come on…" Holding her, he closed his eyes. "You're tough…by this time next year you can be a whole new you. Reinvent yourself. Get out of San Marino…away from Peter…away from all this bullshit…trust me, I did it, and it's freeing. You're young, rich, smart and beautiful…you can do anything you want."
"Almost anything," she sniffled.
"Seriously…for once in your life, stop living for a guy."
"Are you saying I should try being a lesbian for a while?" she joked while her heart was aching.
"You already tried that in college, remember?" He laughed at the memory of her marching into his dorm room, falling onto the bed and saying. 'I just did a girl!' "When Josh Reno stood you up and you went out with the catcher from the softball team..."
"That's right…yeah…I sucked at that too. That chick went off on me by the end of the weekend." She laughed while wiping her tears. "I'm sure she put the word out and I'm probably blacklisted."
"Probably." He smiled with her, caressing her cheek. "There's the girl I know…welcome back."
"Bad week to stop taking my meds, huh?"
"There's a twenty-four hour pharmacy down the street, and I'm willing to drive."
They shared a laugh.
"I'm really sorry, Hoj."
"I think it's Tawny who needs to hear that from you."
Over Greg's shoulder Becca saw Tawny approaching. "Unlike me…she has impeccable timing. Is she going to be pissed because you're holding me? Maybe even toss your ass to the curb?"
"Nope." Greg turned and informed Tawny, "We're doing much better now."
"I brought your purse and some ice water, Becca." Tawny extended both. "Your ex is still on the patio so I didn't think you'd want to go back there." When she saw her nemesis's reluctance to take the glass Tawny joked, "I'll take the first sip so you know it's not poison." Ugh…nice crocodile tears. Next I bet you'll utter some half-ass apology to prove to Greg that you're giving up.
In that moment Greg fell a little deeper in love with his future wife. "Thanks, Honey." Taking the glass he handed it to Becca. "Wasn't there something you were going to say…"
"I'm sorry I've been such a bitch to you, Tawny. I promise I'll stop." She laughed, "Mainly because I'm getting the hell out of here for the rest of the weekend. Better to be honest, right?" Honestly…I can't stand your saccharine smile and every minute I spend with you, Little Miss Perfect, turns my stomach just a little more. Handing back the half-empty glass she forced a smile and started walking towards the parking lot. "Enjoy the rest of your stay in California."
Greg took a deep breath and released it. "Excellent…my work here is done and now we can relax the rest of the weekend."
"You really think that's the last we'll be seeing her this weekend, Chuckles?" When he nodded Tawny shook her head. What you don't know about women could fill a library. "A month's worth of laundry says we see her again before the stroke of midnight."
The Mandalay Bay
6:15 p.m.
Approaching the mirror to check her appearance in her floor-length gown one last time, Lina confessed to Sara, "I feel like Cinderella."
"But, unlike her…" Sara handed over a beautiful bouquet of crisp white roses tied in ribbon to match the muted silver of Lina's dress. "…you won't be changing after midnight. This fantasy is here to stay."
"Good thing I wore waterproof mascara." Lina dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief she had been gripping for the last twenty minutes.
Smiling at her future mother-in-law Sara sweetly announced, "You already have something old and something new…now you need something borrowed and something blue." She held out a silver anklet decorated with blue and purple butterflies. "It's a five dollar trinket but Gil bought it for me about six weeks after we started dating, and it's very special to me."
Taking a break from plotting bullet trajectories in a strip mall parking lot, Sara took a seat on a nearby bench and sipped from her water bottle. The grueling work in the morning sun had been a welcome break from the heavy thoughts plaguing her fragile mind.
One week after her nervous breakdown at a domestic violence crime scene, and three sessions into her intensive therapy with Dr. Myers, Sara was uncertain she could handle the harsh memories of her childhood yet to be confronted. The only thing that gave her hope was that she wouldn't be doing it alone. Grissom had been there every step of the way and she knew for the first time in her life, he would always be by her side.
Staring at the scene of a bloody shootout Sara fell a little deeper into despair.
"Hello, CSI Sidle," Grissom cordially greeted while taking a seat next to his secret lover. "Hell of a crime scene, huh?"
"Yeah." His proximity brightened her mood immediately. "Where did you go on your break?"
"I went to buy some chocolate." Reaching into his pocket he produced a candy bar. "I suppose it would be rude not to share."
"Yes, it would." A smile edged over her lips. "And coincidentally, that happens to be one of my favorites."
"Really?" he remarked as Vartann walked by talking to a cop. "Then I insist you have it."
"That's very generous, thank you." When she retrieved the Kit Kat from his hand she immediately felt bumpiness under the wrapper. "Something's…"
Knowing her paranoid nature he said, "It's been tampered with but …if you check the prints, you'll know whodunit and won't worry." With that he stood and returned to his work.
Stealthily, Sara unwrapped the outer paper and peeked. The anklet of beautiful butterflies looked magical against the metallic silver wrapper glistening in the sun. From across the parking lot she saw Grissom tip his baseball cap and her heart skipped a beat.
"Oh, Sara…" Lina gazed at the sentimental piece of jewelry. "I'd be honored."
"So would I." Sara nodded. "Welcome to the family."
Drew and Lissa's House – Chicago
6:19 a.m.
When Lissa peered into the house she saw Marta had the kids sitting on the stairs as requested. "Hey, there, little ones. Guess who I found at the airport?" She swung open the door to reveal Drew was at her side.
"Daddy!" Cassie, who was dressed in one of her many fairy princess costumes, flew off the stairs with her magic wand clamped in her fist. "This is exactly what I was wishing for!" With her arms open wide and her brother on her heels she dashed to greet her father.
Drew knelt down to meet them eye to eye. "I missed you, Princess." He kissed the top of Cassie's head. "Your mother told me you rode Sunflower like a Rodeo Queen yesterday."
"Yes, Sir, I sure did. I'm ready to start jumping," she told her father, knowing he had a much harder time saying no to her than her mother. "Please…just itty bitty ones."
Drew saw Lissa shudder. "No jumping 'til you're older." Smiling at his wife he told his daughter, "Because we care too much about mommy to give her a heart attack."
Marta handed over one year old Claire to her mother. "I'll start dinner."
"Thank you," Lissa replied while whispering in her baby's ear, "Promise mommy you won't like horses or be an adrenaline junkie like your daddy and your sister."
Turning to his son, Drew eyed him from head to toe. "Look at you, little man." He gave a high five to the almost four-year old. "I think you grew three inches since I left." He pulled him in for a bear hug. "You wanna throw some ball after I change out of these fancy clothes?"
Without a word, Matthew took off running to get his football.
Standing up, Drew winked at Cassie. "Don't you worry, little lady. After dinner we'll have one last dance lesson before the party tomorrow."
Waving her magic wand at her parents Cassie grinned.
"Are you puttin' a spell on us?" Drew teased. "No doubt it's about making us say yes to you jumpin' horses."
Giggling she confessed, "I was trying to make you kiss Mommy like Prince Charming kisses Cinderella, because you never kiss Mommy anymore and I think that's why she's sad sometimes."
Drew and Lissa stood frozen in the foyer and then he said, "No…you have it all wrong. I don't want to mess up Mommy's pretty lipstick is all. I only kiss her when she doesn't have it on." Then he forced a smile, "You haven't been sneaky enough to catch us yet."
Giggling harder Cassie took off running. "I'm gonna catch you one day!"
Rhythmically patting Claire's back Lissa softly said, "Thank you for coming up with that."
"Here…you probably need a break." Drew gently removed their baby from his wife's arms. "I'll take her for a bit."
"Thanks." Choking back her tears Lissa headed for the stairs and at the landing, she looked back at her husband snuggling their child. "Drew…" When he glanced up Lissa nodded. "All of this hurts like hell but…we definitely made the right decision."
"I know we did." He kissed his daughter's cheek. "We made a promise, right Lis? For better or worse. Surely it can't get any worse than it was on Tuesday. We're on our way back up. I honestly believe that, do you?"
Swiping a tear she squeaked a reply, "I do."
The Mandalay Bay
6:28 p.m.
Standing in the wedding chapel Gil stared at his father, dressed handsomely in a tux. "It really doesn't get more surreal than this."
"How's that, Son?" Ron nervously fiddled with his jacket.
"A month ago we were estranged and now I'm the Best Man at your wedding." Gil's eyes shifted toward the entrance. "A month ago I was certain I had lost Sara forever and now she's about to walk through those doors pregnant with my child and happy to see me."
"I hear you…I was technically dead on the operating table a few years back." Ron laughed as he adjusted his bowtie. "Breathing seems like a miracle to me some times."
"Speaking of miracles." Gil pointed to the door where Sara was flashing a thumbs up that Lina was good to go. "I believe it's time to marry the miracle in your life."
Gil flagged the minister and seconds later the wedding march flowed through the chapel speakers. "Good luck, Dad." He smirked, "When the time comes, I hope she says I do."
"You get your smart-ass sense of humor from me." Ron took a deep breath and watched Sara travel down the aisle, focusing on her brilliant smile. "She's way too good for you, Son."
"I know." Gil held out his hand and greeted his wife with a peck on the cheek so he wouldn't mess her berry-colored lipstick. "Your smile lit the room," he whispered in her ear.
"Of course it did," she confidently remarked. "I was looking at you."
"Wow…" Ron's eyes clung to Lina as she seemingly floated down the aisle toward him. "I'm…"
"Speechless?" Sara filled in the blank. "And you should be…she looks phenomenal in that gown. But mostly you should be blown away because she's crazy about you."
Gil winked at his dad and tossed one last barb. "Which makes her just plain crazy."
Sara took her official position across from Gil. "Here we go."
The Minister opened his book and smiled at the bride who had just slipped her trembling hand into that of her imminent husband's. "Welcome Angelina and Ron…Gil and Sara. How happy it makes me to see your smiles filling my chapel."
While the minister continued his opening, Ron and Lina locked eyes, as did Gil and Sara.
"Love can grow from many sources…passion, friendship, frustration…"
Sara's eyes sparkled as she mouthed 'definitely frustration' to her husband.
"Love is when you look into someone's eyes and you see their soul…"
The first tear slipped down Lina's cheek.
"Love is when you cry…when you laugh…when you smile. Love is when you dream…"
Wildfire Country Club
6:43 p.m.
Walking across the parking lot holding Tawny's hand, Greg saw several men unloading equipment from a large truck and his heart leapt into his throat. In an instant he envisioned the beautifully decorated tables surrounding the constructed dance floor on the club's lawn. He saw the stage and the lights and heard the violins tuning. Then he saw Tawny in the audience…the look on her face when she realized the moment was finally happening. Standing there it was a dream. Tomorrow night it would be a reality.
"Chuckles!" Tawny tugged him hard. "Aren't you a little boy this evening…fascinated by a big a truck with shiny wheels."
He quickly glanced down at the pavement so she wouldn't see the emotion building in his eyes. "Busted."
"Are you okay?" Placing her fingertips under his chin she lifted his gaze to hers. "Oh…you're smiling."
"I'm happy…unbelievably happy." Joy danced in his glassy eyes. "Are you sure you didn't pay Becca to be extra bitchy?" he chuckled. "Because everything she did or said today only made you look even more incredible in my eyes." Bringing her hand to his lips he placed a kiss and said, "This morning you said you'd spend the day spoiling me and here it is almost seven and I've never felt more loved in my life."
University Trauma Center
6:47 p.m.
Upon seeing Carrie enter his room, Nick asked in a voice a little too needy for his comfort, "Where have you been, Sweetheart? Your note just said you'd be back around six-thirty and you left your cell behind so, I couldn't call you. Sorry…I'm not being possessive…I just…"
"Surprise!" Holding up two bags she merrily replied, "I was picking up Chinese Food and our road trip pictures." After a kiss to his cheek she set the bags on the tray table. "Sorry if I worried you. I didn't mean to leave my cell behind. I put it down so I could put a blanket over you and I forgot to pick it up before leaving."
After slowly climbing out of bed, he smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "Thanks for the blanket, the food and the pictures." After a minute he softly said, "My mom called while you were gone."
"I'm sorry I wasn't here for that, Honey." She checked his eyes. "What's the latest?"
"The arraignment is set for morning." He took a quick breath. "And uh…Mom got confirmation…my trophy is in evidence. The name plate was still on it and everything…I suppose the rush she got from seeing that was worth the risk of getting caught…I don't know. The new development is…there was a number on the bottom of it…in permanent marker."
"A number?"
"A number one." Shaking his head Nick said, "It wasn't there when I had it. She put it there…and while we don't officially know what it means…." He blew out a breath. "I'm guessin' it means I was the first."
"Oh, Nicky…"
"Carson gave her one of his swim medals."
"Did it have a number on it?"
Walking backwards, he took a seat on the edge of the bed. "Fourteen."
Taking a seat next to him she rested her head on his burdened shoulder. "So…somewhere out there are twelve more vics."
"That's what I'm thinkin'…yeah…I've been thinkin' about it since I hung up with my mom." Clutching his fiancé's hand Nick quietly asked, "Can we hold off on the food and look at the pictures first?"
"Exactly what I was hoping to do," she replied, going along with his sudden, and obviously necessary, change of subject. "Curiosity was killing me so I stole a peek when I was waiting to pay for them." Lunging across him she grabbed the bag. "You took a very nice photo of me making a fool of myself on that dinosaur slide but, I think your favorite will be me looking scared shitless on that harmless pony."
"I can't wait to see that." Pushing past his tension Nick watched Carrie flip through the photos to find it. "You do mean that scary-ass pony wearing a straw hat and pink ribbons, right?"
"Flower was her name and she felt so much bigger when I was on her," Carrie commented while her laughter engaged. "I could have sworn my feet were two meters off the ground but look…"
As soon as Nick saw the picture of Carrie with her feet an inch off the ground, clutching the saddle horn for dear life he cracked up. "Oh shoot…hand me a pillow to hold against my incision, Darlin'. I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of laughing."
Grabbing the pillow she beamed, "That's why I went to the one hour photo, Nicky." After placing the pillow over his gut she held up another picture. "Speaking of being scared shitless…look who's afraid of Bambi."
"No one sees that!" he cringe-laughed. "Especially not my brother."
Celine's House
6:56 p.m.
While his mom waited in the van with Ashley and Mckenna, Ryan hurried up to the mini-mansion to pick up his brother. Looks like Celine's last name is Warbucks, he thought while listening to the chiming doorbell.
Thirty seconds later a gray-haired woman wearing a plain beige dress answered the door. "You must be Ryan, they called from the guard gate. Your brother will be down momentarily." With that she returned to the kitchen.
Whistling, Ryan slowly paced the foyer, taking in the opulence he had only seen in movies.
"Ryan!" Sean blurted from the top of the stairs. "Check out the all new me!" He proudly twirled around. "What do you think?"
Instead of his brother, Ryan saw a beautiful girl with shiny blonde hair, gorgeous blue eyes and…perky boobs. "Hi." Raising his hand he watched the girl bound toward him smiling. Right in the middle of his unchecked lust, a flamboyant man startled him. "Ah!"
"Welcome to this week's episode of, 'Queer Eye for the Geek Teen'. What do you think of your brother's new look?" Armand demanded. "The suspense is killing us…it's making us edgy…especially me, because I forgot to pop a Xanax before coming here."
"Dude!" Ryan exclaimed when he finally noticed Sean. "What the hell did you do to your hair? You look like mini-Greg."
Armand filled in the blank. "I added layers, texturized and colored his tips…a little blowing…a little styling and he was good to go."
Celine's confidence plummeted. "You don't like it?"
"Hey…don't get me wrong," Ryan confessed to the gorgeous girl, "It's way cool…it's just not Sean."
"Cool is the new me!" Sean protested. "Tell him, Armand! I'm a brainiac with fashion sense now. Wait until you see the clothes I have in the bag."
"You tell him, Honey!" Armand clapped for his style protégé. When he saw Ryan tense up he said, "Relax…I like boys, but not little ones."
"Whatever," Ryan casually replied as he gaped at Celine.
Celine coyly posed. "Unlike your brother…you don't need a makeover at all, Ryan. I like you just the way you are."
"Really?" he answered in the voice of a giddy girl. Lowering it he took another stab at being cool. "What can I say…some people are born stylin'."
The Sanders Home
7:04 p.m.
With Tawny settled down for a nap and his mother passed out on the couch from over-zealous mid-day wine consumption, Greg snuck into the master bedroom to visit his ring. Taking the key to his mother's dresser from its secret locale behind her wedding photo, Greg unlocked the top drawer.
"Stealing?" Scott asked as he joined his only child at the dresser.
"Yep." Greg cracked open the Tiffany blue velvet box. "A peek."
"It's stunning."
"I can't wait to see it on her hand." His eyes drank in the shimmer of the stones.
"Greg…"
"Uh oh." He snapped the box shut. "I know that tone."
"Yeah…" Scott leaned against the wall watching his son lock up the dresser. "About Becca…I know you two have a lot of history but…"
"I know what you're going to say." Greg returned the key and faced his father. "I should have been harder on her…especially in front of Tawny. But Tawny doesn't care and…just because Becca can be a colossal bitch doesn't make me forget I owe her."
"Owe her for what, Son?" Scott folded his arms across his chest.
"She kept me safe at school," he admitted to his father for the first time. "My first year…she wouldn't let anyone touch me and she taught me the ropes. I was her freak project…but I didn't mind because…for the first time in my life I wasn't getting shit on at school."
Scott nodded, "I know it was rough at…"
"You have no idea how rough it was, Dad, or what Becca prevented." After gulping down the urge to spill the beans, Greg forced himself beyond the moment. "Anyway…I had a good talk with her and everything's cool."
"But she'll be at the party tonight."
"Nah…she said she was staying away the rest of the weekend."
Scott placed his hand on Greg's shoulder. "Son…I've watched her maneuver for over fifteen years. She'll be at that party. Just promise me you won't do anything…"
"Stupid, right?" He tensed. "Unbelievable. I thought we were bonding…I thought you understood how much I love Tawny. I can't believe you really think I'd…"
"Greg…" Scott chided him with his tone, "You didn't let me finish."
"Sorry." Huffing, he waited for his father to fling negativity.
"As I was saying…promise me you won't do anything to jeopardize your voice…parties are loud…people will be smoking…you talk over the din of the room and inhale fumes all night, you'll wake up strained and won't be able to belt out your tune. I know why it's important for you to go so, I won't say stay home…just don't stay too long and try to spend as much time as possible outside away from the smoke and the noise." Scott nodded. "That's all I was going to say."
"Oh." Feeling foolish, he averted his eyes. "Thanks…that's a real good point."
"Yeah." Scott turned and walked out of the room. "Thanks for having faith in me…oh wait…that didn't happen."
"Dad…" Greg followed him like a puppy at his heels. "You feel like…I don't know…uh…do you want to do something together while our women snooze? What could we do together?"
"Well…" Scott glanced at his watch. "The car lots will be open for a couple more hours. I could call my buddy Glen at the Toyota dealership and tell him we're coming…that is if you're ready to trade in the Z and take another step toward being a family man?"
Grinning, Greg headed for the door. "Let's do it."
The Willows/Brown Household
7:09 p.m.
Approaching Catherine at the kitchen sink Warrick whispered in her ear. "You up for a little action?"
Suspicious, she glanced over her shoulder. "You mean talking, don't you?"
"Yep."
The ring of the doorbell interrupted the conversation and they heard Lindsay yell, I've got it!
Without looking through the peephole like she was taught, Lindsay opened the door. A second later she gasped.
"I hope this isn't a bad time," Sean said as he held out his neighbor's homework folder. "Your mom called the front office and asked that I bring you your homework. So…uh…this is it." When she didn't take it, Sean prompted. "Oh…I get it…you're afraid of my geek cooties."
"No…I…" She pointed at his head. "I was staring at your hair." And the way he was loosely wearing his Butterfield tie…and his new cool shoes…and the fact that he looked adorable. Did I just think that Sean was adorable? Oh my god. What did Dr. Myers do to me? This isn't my brain! "I've only been out of school a day, right?"
"Why? Are you afraid there was a glitch in the space/time continuum?"
"Yeah…that." His science-speak snapped Lindsay out of her daze and she finally took the work. "Thanks."
"Anytime." He somberly nodded. "Even though you were really mean to me without reason…I don't want to see you fail out of school."
"You don't want to see me fail?" she asked in a hopeful tone. "That's really…"
"Yo! Super Stylin' Sean!" Ryan shouted from their front lawn. "Mom has dinner on the table."
"I have to go." Sean pointed towards his house. "I've been at Celine's and…"
"You were at Celine's house?" She went from perky to pissed in seconds.
"Yes," he beamed with delight. "We're friends…really good friends. We had the best time. She helped me pick out this new look."
"Thanks for homework!" Lindsay snapped before slamming the door. "Ugh!" She tossed the folder to the floor and marched to her new room to blog out her frustration on her laptop.
Walking with his brother, Ryan needled, "Lindsay thought you looked hot."
"She did not." Sean glanced over his shoulder and saw Lindsay's shadow behind her bedroom curtains.
"I think the two of you have a love-hate thing going on."
"No…she just hates me."
"I bet tonight is the night, Sean."
"For what?" he asked in a curious tone.
"The dream…the dream that will have you doing laundry in the morning."
Sean plugged his ears. "I'm not listening."
"It will be about Lindsay Willows leaning out of her bedroom window wearing only a tank top and underwear. You do realize her window is directly across from yours, right?"
"Stop it!"
Ryan cracked up. "Hey…I'll be meeting you in the laundry room because Celine is firmly planted in my subconscious."
"The only thing I'll be doing in the morning is getting excited over my trip to the body farm."
"Bro…you can change your hair and the way you wear your clothes trying to convince people you're cool…but only a geek would get excited about a trip to the body farm."
The Manadalay Bay
7:11 p.m.
Climbing into his father's limo Gil verified, "You're sure I'll be back in plenty of time for my trip to the body farm tomorrow morning, right Dad?"
Sara elbowed her husband. "Can you chill about the body farm already? Your father just got married for crying out loud. The dead aren't going anywhere. Let's party with the living tonight."
"Sorry." Gil moved his gaze from his wife to his father and then Lina. "I get a little carried away when it comes to…" As hard as he tried he couldn't let go. "If you could just confirm that we'll be back in time, I promise to drop it."
"Why fight city hall? Tell my geek what he wants to know!" Sara broke into an easy laugh. "I suppose we should be thankful that he didn't bring a racing cockroach on this trip."
"Careful…" Gil smirked, "They haven't opened their wedding gift yet."
Author's Notes:
Thanks El Gringo Loco for your feedback! Much appreciated :-)
Next chapter: Sunday morning
Thanksto everyonereading,
Maggs