A/N: Sorry for the day's delay. There's no way to notify readers through the website or I would have. But it's an extra-long chappie for waiting
Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 39
September 4, 2005
Wildfire Country Club
4:41 p.m.
Stepping out of their golf cart to play the balls they had hit from the sixteenth tee, Scott continued to build Greg's confidence. "I think you have an excellent shot at making par on this one, Son." As he had been doing since the first hole, Scott selected the appropriate club for Greg. "Here you go."
"Thanks." He noted his father's choice of a five iron for the shot, absorbing the knowledge for future games. "I still can't believe that last drive." It was his furthest by fifty yards. "After fifteen holes, I think I'm finally relaxing."
"Stay that way." Luckily the group behind them was a bunch of chatty silver-haired ladies and they were taking their sweet time so Greg hadn't felt pressured to rush once all afternoon. "Remember what I said about the water hazard here on sixteen."
"Got it." Smiling, Greg addressed his ball, eager to succeed.
After parking their cart, Robbie and Joyce walked over and stood next to Scott.
"He might par," Scott proudly remarked as he watched Greg readying to swing.
"I'm much more impressed with the way you two have managed to get along for fifteen holes," Robbie joked.
Upon hearing Greg hit the ball the threesome watched the powerful shot arc to the right.
"Oh, shit!" Greg recoiled in horror. "I took out a duck!" Dropping his club he ran towards the water's edge where it collapsed. "Maybe it's only stunned!"
"I know I am," Joyce remarked in amazement. "One duck in the area and he nails it."
Shaking his head Scott lamented, "Just when I thought things were going well."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
5:17 p.m.
When Nick returned from walking the puppy for the sixth time he announced to Carrie who was curled up on the couch relaxing with a sappy movie, "Unlike you, Darlin', Binda doesn't have issues peein' in the great outdoors." Bending down he clipped open her leash. "Isn't that right? Yeah…you made Daddy very proud in front of the neighbors. You're doin' great." When the hyper puppy reared up and licked his mouth, Nick laughed and gently pushed her in Carrie's direction. "Go give your mom a sloppy kiss 'cause she's still looking a little tense." He swore it looked like she had been crying while they were gone.
"Sorry," Carrie apologized for bringing him down. "You look like you don't have a care in world and I'm killing your good mood." Her eyes tracked the puppy dashing around the living room. "You were gone a while. Are you feeling okay after doing all that walking?"
"It's crazy considering the morning we had but, I feel great." After kicking off his Tevas Nick took a seat next to Carrie, and slipped his arm around her and tossed his feet on the coffee table. "Physically, I feel ten times better than yesterday. Mentally, it's like a ton has been lifted off my brain."
"I think it's because your mommy is on her way here," she teased while falling backwards until her head landed in her fiancé's lap. "You know she's going to be spoiling you rotten the rest of the week."
Tenderly stroking Carrie's hair Nick informed her, "I asked her to concentrate all her mothering on you. With my mom, Binda and me all loving you, I know you'll be back to your old self in no time."
As if on cue, Binda jumped on the couch, climbing onto Carrie's stomach where she lay down panting. "Aww…" Reaching out she scratched the puppy's head.
"Binda…" Nick copped an authoritative tone as he pointed to the floor. "No dogs on the furniture or beds."
"Since when is that a rule?" Carrie asked in surprise. "Glinda always snuggled on the couch with me and slept in my bed."
"Oh…" He stopped scowling at the puppy. "My parents never let our dogs anywhere but the floor. I just assumed we'd be doing the same."
"Uh oh…our first Stokes-Blake parenting conundrum."
"I have a feeling it won't be our last." Although they were both raised by conservative parents, they had learned during one of their marathon telephone discussions that the rules in their respective households were drastically different.
"This is good practice for when we have kids." Carrie snuggled Binda closer and gulped down her emotions. "We'll learn to compromise."
Seeing how content his burdened fiancée was while cuddling with the puppy Nick sweetly chuckled, "Yeah…there's no way in hell I'm gonna ask you to peel that pup out of your arms and stick him on the floor. And if you look this happy cradling a Labradoodle, I can only imagine how ecstatic you'll be one day holding our baby in your arms." This time he had no doubt tears were forming in her eyes. "Okay…fess up… what's going on?"
Since he had told her how physically and mentally sound he was feeling, Carrie decided she could finally dump her latest concern on Nick's shoulders. "Do you remember the day we were leaving for Flagstaff, when you were all worried about me being pregnant?"
"Yeah…uh." He gulped hard. "Are you about to tell me that test was wrong?"
"No…the test was right," she sniffled lightly while rhythmically stroking the now sleeping puppy's head. "I called my Gynecologist while you were in the burrito place that morning and made an appointment because I didn't want you keep worrying about the irregularity. I thought maybe I'd try a different pill that might help regulate my cycle better. I had the appointment Thursday while you were in the hospital. I didn't mention the appointment or the findings for obvious reasons…you were stressed enough."
Nick's heart rate lurched upward. "Are you…um…sick?" The thought of her mother dying of cancer assaulted his brain.
"No… I'm not sick." After a deep breath in, she pushed out the answer. "When the doctor did an ultrasound she confirmed that my right ovary is done…as in permanently. That's why I'm irregular, I'm not ovulating half the time. I'm not sick, I'm defective."
Breathing again, Nick said, "You had me scared to death for a minute there, Darlin'." After blowing out a deep breath he settled back against the couch. "Ovaries are like kidneys, you only need one. It's not really a problem."
"But that's what I'm worried about, Nicky. Sure, it's functioning now, but what if that one slows down or quits too? My mom had the same problem. That's why she wasn't expecting me eight years after Paul…my egg was a fluke." Seeing his pensive expression Carrie confessed, "I'm scared. Family is everything to you and to me. It's something we've discussed a million times. We both want to have four kids. Hell, we already named our first child. What if my body lets us down? I know this sounds silly but…it really hit me when we started parenting Binda today and I saw how happy it made you and how…"
"Hold up." He stopped stroking her hair. "You need to tell me ASAP that you understand whether or not we can have biological children together, has no bearing on us getting married…because if this stress is about you worrying I'd call it quits over this, I'll be very disappointed."
"It's not like that doesn't happen," she softly answered.
"Let me rephrase, Attorney Blake…would you call off the wedding if we found out I was sterile tomorrow?"
"No," she immediately answered as if the idea was insanity.
"Then how could you think I would?"
"I plead guilty to paranoia." A sigh tumbled out of her mouth. "Sorry."
"Forgiven." He resumed stroking her hair. "So, what are our options here? Anything aside from the obvious…me pulling a Sanders and getting you pregnant before the wedding?"
"You'd agree to do that?" she asked with her eyes locked on his.
"Darlin' there's very little I wouldn't do to make you happy. Of course I would, but ideally…I'd like us to be a little more stable first. I also want you to have the wedding of your dreams, so if there are alternatives, I'd like to hear them."
Nodding in agreement Carrie said, "There is an alternative…and thankfully we have the financial resources now not to worry about the price. The doctor referred me to a fertility clinic, suggesting that if I was really paranoid, I could have my eggs harvested and stored, in case we had to resort to In-Vitro Fertilization."
"Is harvesting them painful?"
"First I'd have to take hormones to produce multiple eggs…that has some physical and emotional side effects…one of which is irritability. Other than that, I'd be sedated for the procedure and uncomfortable for a day or two." Smiling Carrie said, "But I'm thinking that pain is very minor compared to actually birthing a baby so…."
Smiling, Nick said, "Don't worry about me, I put up with five sisters being simultaneously moody…I can cope with you being overly hormonal for a good cause. I promise I won't hold it against you either."
"Can I get that in writing?" she teased, feeling her load lighten now that her secret was out.
"How about you just look at the ring on your finger and know that I'm planning to say 'I do' for better or worse."
"Good enough." Moving her hand from the puppy, she placed her palm on Nick's cheek. "Thanks for being so supportive."
"Are you kidding? Thank you for wanting to be impregnated by me even after you've lived with me for a while and know my quirks."
They shared a laugh loud enough to wake the pup.
"Sorry, Binda," Carrie picked her up and placed her gently on the floor. "No dogs on the couch…when mommy wants to kiss daddy." Sitting up, she carefully straddled Nick's lap. "Am I hurting you?"
Loving her smile, Nick locked his arms around waist, pulling her closer still. "No, ma'am."
"Oh…I forgot to tell you that you'll have to be checked out too, because there's no point in me moving forward with an invasive procedure if there's something wrong with you. Once you're given the all clear from your surgeon to…M …which could be as early as your appointment on Tuesday, all you have to do is give a sample."
"Trust me, I can handle the challenge." Breaking into an easy laugh he assured, "I started M'ing at the age of twelve. The only new part will be aiming for the specimen jar."
After another round of laughter Carrie said, "I'm so glad I got all that off my chest. Carrying it around has been awful…especially last night with the Celeste and Hodges breakup over the baby issue."
"Ah ha! That's why you were so devastated. I thought it was odd that you would get that emotional over people you don't know." After stealing a kiss Nick continued, "Sweetheart, I don't care if it happens naturally, artificially or via adoption…we'll have our family. I'm not the least bit worried."
"Thank you." The last of her fear subsiding, Carrie lovingly whispered, "Now I'm not either." Their mouths slowly gravitated into a tender kiss that quickly brewed into a steamy one. "Mmm." Pulling away to catch her breath, Carrie joked, "If you weren't restricted I'd be thinking you were going for plan A…pull a Sanders and get me pregnant before the wedding."
"Mmm…no," he joked back. "I'm just having some fun…there's somethin' to be said for a good ol' fashioned make out session that leaves a guy stiff as a board with no hope of gettin' any real action. All this teasing makes me feel sixteen again. Go for it, Baby."
"Okay…but don't get carried away…doctor's orders…and I missed my last eight birth control pills."
He stopped in mid-pucker. "Why'd you do that?"
Gaping at him she groaned, "Gee…maybe because I was a little too preoccupied worrying about you dying to remember to take them last week. Then I got the ovary news from the doctor and didn't start up again, in case we decided to do the egg harvesting."
His smirk returning, Nick snickered, "Good thing we can't go all the way then, because I really would be pulling a Sanders…I didn't show up for this date with a condom."
Adjusting her position for maximum teasing Carrie upped her smooch's heat. "With the movie playing in the background it's like we're making out at the drive-in."
Loving her adorable grin Nick teased, "Exactly how many times did you make out at the drive-in, Darlin'?"
"I've never even been to one."
"That's what I thought." Lacing his fingers through Carrie's hair Nick initiated the next torturous round, this time passing first and heading boldly for second.
"Nicky…" Carrie warned when she felt his excitement building. "We need to stop."
"C'mon, Baby…just a little more. I feel fantastic." In her ear he persuasively whispered, "Besides…no one can see inside the car because the windows are steamed, and you don't have to be home for another hour."
Giggling like the school girl she now understood she was playing, Carrie replied, "Okay, Slick…but no further than second."
Ten minutes later Nick panted, "Holy hell, Blake! If you had dated guys in high school, you would have been a major tease. I would have called you Blue Balls Blake. Why are we stripped down to our underwear if we're stopping at second!"
Consumed by the need for a reality break, Carrie didn't bother answering the question and instead chose to intensify the passion building between them. "I missed you, Nicky," she murmured when the gap in his boxers brought him closer to her.
Bumping into the strip of delicate lace barely preventing a merge, Nick knew the session had to come to a close. "Carr…" But his words were cut off by her voracious kiss. "Carr, I…" he chuckled. "Seriously, this lap dance is awesome…it's worth at least a hundred bucks, but if you keep…"
"Shhh…in my club you can touch and kiss the dancer, but not talk to her," she playfully scolded before claiming his mouth again.
Grabbing her shoulders Nick half-laughed, half-gasped, "Darlin', if you keep moving like that, I won't be talking, I'll be…uh oh…" Strengthening his grip on Carrie, Nick's thoughts and words ceased.
"Oh!" she shrieked when she realized what he had been trying to tell her. "You…"
Upon recovery Nick informed his stunned fiancée, "Yeah…I pulled a Sanders and a Sean…I went further than I was supposed to and I need new underwear…so do you. Sorry about the mess, Sweetheart." Cracking up, he said, "But I tried to warn you."
"Are you okay?" Frantic, she gently pressed her palm over his scar. "Did you strain yourself?"
"There was no straining involved. It was a spontaneous eruption that required no effort on my part. After fooling around last night and this morning without payoff, he was tired of waiting…let's face it…he's not used to denial."
Overflowing with guilt Carrie chewed her bottom lip. "I'm so sorry!"
"Do I look remotely upset with you?" A grin exploded on Nick's face until he screamed and grabbed his side, "No!"
"Oh my God!" Carrie jumped off his lap running for the phone. "I'll call 911! But we have to change our underwear because knowing our luck we'll get the same cops and they'll think I'm a sick freak again if I'm covered in your…"
"Not me, the puppy!" Nick pointed to Binda. "I'm fine. She's chewing your shoe."
Clutching her head Carrie screamed, "She's chewing my Choo!"
"That's what I just said, Darlin'"
"No…my five hundred dollar Jimmy Choo black leather pump!" Carrie rushed over to rescue her kick-ass court shoe, but it was too late. "It's ruined."
"Someone's in the dog house now," Nick announced while pulling himself to standing. "Trust me, Binda…you don't ever want to mess with her shoes."
"Ugh…it's not her fault. I'm a terrible parent. Here I was fooling around when I should have been watching her." Holding up the chomped shoe she said, "What if she had been gnawing on an electrical cord? She could have died."
Grabbing the errant puppy Nick suggested, "How about we put her in her crate, grab a shower, and then puppy-proof the house? We shoulda done that first thing. After that, we'll crack open the puppy books and make sure we know everything we need to know."
"Okay." Sighing, Carrie followed Nick and the puppy into the bedroom. "There's just so much more to worry about now that I'm responsible for another life. I can't imagine how freaked Tawny will feel when she has the twins."
The Sanders Home
5:45 p.m.
Standing in front of the full length mirror in the guest room wearing one of her new maternity outfits, Tawny studied her appearance. Not having a fake belly on hand, she had stuffed a balled up towel under her sweater to duplicate the pregnancy effect. "Wow." Caught up in the excitement over her wedding dress and plans, she had forgotten all the fears she experienced at the maternity store, but now, in the quiet of the house gazing at her reflection, they were awakening once more.
Gently she stroked her popped belly, imagining the twins inside her growing bigger and healthier every minute. In the current fantasy the babies were girls. "I can't wait to hear your heartbeats at my next appointment." Closing her eyes she flashed to the future and saw a nurse handing Haleigh to Greg in the delivery room while she cradled Heidi. Both babies were contently cooing as she and Greg locked eyes, celebrating the perfect moment in silence.
"Tawny! I'm back! Where are you!"
Turning from the mirror towards the door she yelled, "I'm in the bedroom!"
When Greg rushed through the open door he rejoiced, "I had the best day!" With his foot he shut the door and then quickly lunged to lock it so his mother wouldn't interrupt. Lifting Tawny into his arms, he squeezed her. "It was great!"
"You're crushing our towel babies," she giggled as her jubilant fiancé backed her against the bedroom wall. "Wow! You missed me this much!"
"No." Then he saw her smile fade. "I mean yes, I missed you, but that's not why I'm going nuts…and by nuts I don't mean the literal way of late, I mean happy nuts. I played all eighteen holes without strangling my dad and I didn't embarrass myself that badly. Well, I did whack a duck sitting in the water on the sixteenth hole, but it didn't die!"
"Way to go!" she bubbled with delight. "I'm so happy you and your dad are working things out…and that you didn't give up on golfing…and that the duck lived."
"Me too. I feel fantastic!" Seeing the glint on Tawny's left hand matching the intensity of the one in her eyes Greg winked, "I think I have that jock post-game testosterone rush I've only heard Nick talk about." He dove for the creamy expanse of her neck. "Do you know how many stories about celebrating with babes after the big game I had to endure over the years?"
"Plenty."
Greg wiggled his brows. "So, how about it, Tawny? Will you be my post-game babe? Are you up for a romp?"
His ardor catching her off guard Tawny teased, "Go for it, Baby…just help me catch up to you first, because you're way ahead of me."
"Not a problem."
"Let me give birth first." Chuckling she yanked out the balled up towel. "That's better."
Kiss after hungry kiss stoked his passion to an extreme while he hoped his hands were doing the same for Tawny's body. "Ready?"
"More than ready," she purred as her body simmered.
Feeling incredibly confident in his prowess, Greg grinned at his fiancée. "I couldn't help but notice you're up against the wall…wearing a skirt…and thanks to my subtle handiwork, lacking panties."
"Oh! I know what you're thinking," she giggled, actually excited over the prospect of The Peg since Greg was in the right frame of mind to pull it off. "One afternoon of sports participation and you're turning into Slick. I can't imagine what you'd be like after a full sports season."
"We'll find out, because my dad is giving me his old clubs and I intend to keep playing." Lifting Tawny into his arms Greg winked. "We'll talk more later…right now though…prepare to be dazzled, Darlin'."
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Scott was excitedly relaying the details of the afternoon to his wife when suddenly he heard odd noises coming from the second floor directly above his head. "What's that?"
Bev stopped slicing onions to listen. "Oh no…I think they're having more clown sex, and apparently Tawny is really enjoying it again."
Laughing at his wife's disturbed expression Scott teased, "I think it's probably 'I shot eighteen holes at the club' victory sex." Taking the chopping knife out of his wife's hands he mischievously said, "I shot eighteen holes at the club too, Darling…I think I might enjoy a little victory romp myself."
"You want to copycat our son's sex life?" When he nodded, Bev quickly washed her hands and tossed her apron. "I can't believe we're doing this."
Sofia's Apartment Complex
6:01 p.m.
"I can't believe we're dining at Sofia's when we have the Presidential Suite at the Mandalay Bay all to ourselves," Gil lamented to Sara as he carried a brown shopping bag of Chinese food down the hall looking for Sofia's apartment number. When he lost the bet at the gym earlier, Irving told him he already had plans to grab some take out and hang out at Sofia's, so instead of taking them out to dinner, he suggested to buy the Chinese food in his place and hang out at Sofia's together. "We're not social people to begin with, but to be forced to socialize with Sofia…that's cruel and unusual punishment for a recluse. Not to mention, I have to be on guard because I don't want to piss her off in front of Irving for fear he'll torture me at my next session…not that he didn't torture me at this one."
"Isn't there some kind of rule regarding socializing with your personal trainer? Maybe we can get out of this on an ethics violation," Sara joked as she pointed. "There's the apartment." On approach she whispered, "We should have brought Sean with us to look for 'sweat' because I'm afraid to sit where Nick and Sofia have been."
"Congratulations," Gil droned. "You've successfully found a way to make this adventure in annoyance even more uncomfortable."
Smiling, Sara rapped on the door. "You're welcome."
Facing Sofia's apartment door and grumbling, Gil and Sara didn't see the nosy neighbor, Bernice Johansson peeking out her window.
Clutching her cordless phone Bernice punched in the cell phone number Tony Mantello had given her. "Mr. Mantello," she heatedly whispered into the phone. "You told me to call if I saw anything odd going on at my bitchy neighbor's apartment. Well…it looks like she's into foursomes now instead of threesomes. She's got her tattooed boyfriend in there with her already and now there's another couple at the door, and they're definitely a couple of weirdos. The guy has to be twenty years older than the girl and he looks shifty. He's carrying a plain brown shopping bag, which I'm sure is full of kinky sex toys." Proudly she nodded. "Yep…I snapped a few pictures with that special camera you gave me."
The Willows/Brown Household
6:11 p.m.
"Talk about a Kodak moment," Warrick announced as he stepped into the kitchen and saw Catherine and Lindsay making dinner together. "And either I've gone deaf, or the two of you haven't fought in over an hour."
"Don't jinx us," Catherine quipped back. "Hey, is my Martha Stewart impression getting you hot?" she asked while turning on a gas burner to boil pasta.
"Please don't answer that," Lindsay implored while finishing the garlic bread. "I've had enough trauma for one day."
"Is this for us to eat?" Warrick walked over and stirred the pot of meat sauce on the stove. "Or does your sweetheart Sean get this too?" Lindsay had scolded him earlier for snatching a brownie because they were for the neighbors.
"I'm not going anywhere near Geek Boy for a while. He already thinks I'm crushing on him." Lindsay rolled her eyes. "He wishes. That's what I get for doing a random act of kindness. Ugh."
Whispering Pines Rehab Center
6:14 p.m.
"These are really for me?" Katrina Bowers, aka Malibu Barbie, shrilled when the receptionist informed her that the large plastic vase of cheery flowers was hers.
"They're gorgeous," the receptionist remarked before returning to her stack of paperwork.
"Check it out, Tramparella!" Katrina strutted over to the waiting area where Ellie just happened to be sitting, working a word-search puzzle. "My boyfriend sent me flowers."
"What does the card say?" Ellie droned without taking her eyes off the page.
"None of your business."
Finally she glanced up. "If it's none of my business then why are you over here telling me about it?"
"Whatever."
"You probably sent those flowers to yourself!" Ellie barked as her roommate walked off.
On his way out from having dinner with the Center's Director to discuss some changes to the Equine Therapy program, Ren Clarke approached his most difficult student. "Don't you think you were being a bit harsh to Katrina? The girl's been down about her boyfriend for a week. You didn't have to rain on her parade when the guy finally came through."
Staring at the horse man Ellie snipped, "How did you go from cowboy to therapist overnight? Watching Dr. Phil?"
"You don't have to be a therapist to recognize someone being mean."
"Have you ever heard of the saying, innocent until proven guilty?"
"I was right here." Ren crossed his arms tightly over his chest. "I heard what you said."
"Then you heard her say it was none of my business what was on the card." Standing up, Ellie grabbed her puzzle book. "The card said 'Hang in there. I know you can make it. I can't wait to see you back in L.A. Charlie doesn't deserve you', and it was signed 'your secret admirer'."
"Huh?"
"Maybe I have psychic ability." Strutting over to the cowboy, Ellie leaned in close and whispered, "Or maybe I sent her the flowers because I felt sorry for her for having a loser Daddy when I have a great one...but mostly I sent them because I was sick of her moping around, bringing me down hour after hour."
Staring at the young lady Ren apologized, "Sorry…I shouldn't have…it's just…"
"What?" she postured, waiting for the ass to say something annoying.
"People rarely surprise me." Ren smiled at his worst student. "You just surprised me."
"Well, you don't know me, Cowboy Ren…" Returning his smile she winked, "I'm full of surprises." From his fingertips she removed the black cowboy hat he was clutching and placed it on her head. "See ya at the ranch tomorrow…high noon."
"Okay…yeah." Stunned by her latest move, while still shocked by her previous one, Ren waved. "See you then, Ellie."
"Yee haw!" she sang out while turning her back on him and sauntering away. "You can stop checking out my ass any time now, because lusting after a patient has to be a big time ethics violation."
He quickly averted his eyes.
Without looking back Ellie praised, "Much better."
Sofia's Apartment
6:20 p.m.
"So…" Irving slapped Gil on the back. They were shooting the breeze while Sofia and Sara were in the kitchen getting drinks for dinner. "How are you feeling after your latest torture session?"
"Great," Gil answered with no conviction. "I love it when my ass is throbbing so badly I can't sit."
"Oh…so you really are into that Dominatrix spanking stuff," Irving remarked while crossing his arms. "Yeah…Sofia said something about you going to Lady Heather's, but I thought she was joking." When he saw Gil's stunned expression Irving laughed, "That was a joke, Gil. She never said that. Hell, if there's one person I can't imagine going there, it's you."
"Dinner is served!" Sofia called out upon entering the living room. "Sorry again about eating on the floor at the coffee table. I keep meaning to buy a new dining table, but something always comes up." Tossing a look at her date she said, "And since I didn't plan on having a dinner party…I'm unprepared to entertain properly."
Watching her husband slowly work his way down to sitting, Sara tried not to laugh. "Irving…look what you did to my man."
"I'm filled with pride." Irving grabbed Gil's elbow to help ease him down. "This is the sign of a great workout. Hey, Sara…after dinner I'll show you how to properly massage his gluteus maximus. It will help with the soreness…and it's fun."
"Whose ass are you going to use for the demonstration?" Gil immediately asked. "Because you're not rubbing mine…or my wife's."
"Hmm…" Irving winked at Sofia. "Will you be my trusted assistant?"
"Absolutely," she purred.
The thought of watching Sofia get an 'ass massage' taking away his appetite, Gil changed to a more pleasant dinner topic. "The most fascinating thing happened at the body farm yesterday…"
"Stop." Sara glared at her husband. "No DB talk over dinner, remember?"
The Blakes
6:28 p.m.
Sitting at the kitchen table with his father while his mom loaded the dishwasher, Sean waxed on about his birthday trip to the body farm. "Dr. Grissom said if my teacher gives permission, maybe I could present my photos to my Bio class."
From the sink Wendy cringed. "I don't think that's such a good idea, Honey. You really don't need to be recognized as the kid who spends his weekends photographing rotting bodies."
"Why?" Sean wondered while staring blankly as his mother.
Luckily Ryan had returned in time to fill in the blank. "Because everyone already thinks you're a geek, if you start showing off your photo album of corpses, they'll think you're a freak and a geek…babes won't give you the time of day."
Paul shot his social savvy son a look. "Stick with term ladies, girls or women instead of 'babes'."
"But, Dad…" Ryan stared at him puzzled. "You just said that cheerleader on TV was a babe."
Paul quickly changed the subject. "What's that you're holding in your hand, Son?"
"I found it on Mom's desk." He held up the large brown envelope. "It's addressed to me and the corpse freak…it says 'Happy Birthday Boys' on the back."
"Is it from Grandpa?" Sean excitedly asked. "Maybe he sent us something neat from the cruise ship."
"It doesn't have a return address." Ryan handed it to his brother. "Feels like a book, doesn't it?"
"May we open it, Mom?" Sean asked since their birthday technically wasn't for another day.
"Sure." Wiping her hands on a dishrag, Wendy approached the table.
"You open it, Sean," Ryan directed. "Then I'll pull out whatever is inside." It only took a few seconds for his brother to work open the seal. "I'm goin' in…" Excited for the surprise, he inserted his hand. "It's a magazine, not a book." When he saw the cover, he gasped. "It's porn! Weird looking porn…but definitely porn because the girl is wearing a school sweater with her boobs peeking out."
"I don't think it's from Grandpa," Sean remarked while averting his eyes.
"Give me that!" Wendy snatched it from her son's hand. "Leave the envelope on the table and go outside to play with your brother." Anxiously, she flipped through the magazine.
"Why am I in trouble?" Ryan asked, while he watched the anger building in his mother's eyes. "I didn't know what…"
"You're not in trouble." Wendy pointed to the back door. "But you will be if you don't do as I ask this second! Go outside!"
Once the boys were gone Paul confronted his wife. "You can't blame them for…" Then he realized tears were ready to spill from her eyes.
"Page forty-one." She handed it over and wiped her eyes. "That bastard!"
When Paul opened to the specified page he saw a typed note on the opposite page from a girl he recognized as his wife, posing seductively wearing only a UNLV sweater wrapped around her bare waist. "This is the photo you told me about." Unnerved, he read the note.
Hey, boys – Knowledge is power. I have plenty, so I thought I'd share some with you.
I bet you didn't know your uptight church-going mommy was a whore who would take her clothes off for any guy who asked her. Well, technically she wasn't a whore, because she was doing it for free.
One day, after she had already stripped for every guy on campus, she decided she wanted even more guys to see her tits, so she posed for this sleazy picture.
Your mommy was a big-time slut. So, the next time she gives you shit…you can shove this knowledge in her face. Happy Birthday!
"Rodgers won't quit until he's dead," Wendy stated in a hollow voice.
Paul tried to be the voice of reason. "We don't know for sure it's from him."
"Who else could it be!" Wendy screamed. "He's already taunted Sara, Gil, and Nick via Carrie! It's obviously my turn now! He wants to hurt the people who put him away. He wants me to turn that magazine over to Gil and Nick so I'll be humiliated! Well the jokes on him…I'm not going to turn it over!" Shaking she confessed her biggest fear. "Paul…my gut tells me, Rodgers is just warming up." Glancing out the kitchen window she saw her boys staring in her direction. "What if he intends to do more to us? How are we going to keep our children safe?"
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
6:35 p.m.
"Let's review," Nick announced as he stood in the middle of the living room looking at Carrie cuddling Binda on the couch. "All potentially poisonous substances have been moved to top shelves. The new heavy-duty trash can you purchased can only be opened by stepping on a foot pedal so Binda won't be able to pop the lid and get into the garbage like she did on the old one. All electrical cords have been coated with that bitter-tasting puppy deterrent we bought. All floors and surfaces have been searched and any chokable objects removed. And most importantly…" He smiled brightly. "All shoes are stowed out of Binda's reach. Feeling better?"
"Much." Squeezing the pup Carrie returned her man's smile. "We're really good parents when we put our minds to it."
The Sanders Home
7:00 p.m.
"Where are my parents?" Greg wondered when he and Tawny arrived in the kitchen freshly showered and dressed for dinner, which his mom had told him would be ready at seven.
Staring at the cutting board which had half an onion and 3 whole bell peppers sitting abandoned, Tawny said, "Maybe your mom realized she forgot a key ingredient for the fajitas?" Bev wanted to make Greg's favorite meal before they returned to Vegas the following morning.
"I'll see if a car is gone."
Greg headed for the garage while Tawny picked up the knife and continued slicing onions.
"I know exactly why dinner is late," Greg chuckled when he returned to the kitchen. "My parents are getting it on."
"Eww!" Tawny covered her mouth. "I hope they didn't hear that."
"Not a chance. They have the music turned up." Greg went to the sink to wash his hands so he could help prep dinner. "That's the telltale sign. They started playing loud music when I was nine and asked them why they make jungle sounds at night. I think I thought they were rehearsing one of my mom's school production numbers or something."
"Do you think they heard us?" Tawny asked in a panic. "Oh my God! What if they heard us and that gave them the idea? Like we were their porn. Eww!"
Joining Tawny at the counter Greg laughed, "You're such a prude."
Laughing at herself she resumed cutting. "Uh…I don't think a prude would have let you drive the peg home, Baby."
"Yeah." From behind he placed his hands on her hips and whispered in her ear, "Golf balls weren't the only thing I drove well today, huh?" The experience had been just as thrilling as he had imagined. Afterwards, he quickly decided it wasn't something he'd care to do often, because it was exhausting and uncomfortable in comparison to his preferred positions…not that he'd admit it. "And you thought I didn't have the right stuff."
"For the last freakin' time! I never said that to Carrie and Sara!" Slamming down the knife she made a beeline to Scott's office.
"I was kidding!" Greg yelled as he chased after her, grateful that his future wife was the type to drop the she was holding when she was pissed off. "What are you doing!"
Plopping down in front of Scott's computer she clicked 'write' on his AOL screen, addressed the e-mail to Carrie and Sara, noted in the subject line she was Tawny using Scott's account, and then feverishly typed her message. "There!"
"What are you doing?" Greg asked a second time when he stood behind his fiancée at the computer.
"Are you happy now?" Laughing, she pointed at the screen, where she had pulled up the sent message for him to see.
I don't mean to make you jealous girls, but…
Greg just drove the peg like a pro! I've never been so satisfied in my life! I'm marrying the perfect Peg Driver! Who is the luckiest girl in the world? Me! I'm still recovering from the THRILL! When you see me back in Vegas tomorrow, I'll still be on cloud nine! Make sure you accidentally mention this to Nick and Gil!
Love,
Tawny…aka FiancéeOfPegDriver
"Did you really send that?" Greg asked as his cheeks turned red.
"Yep." Tawny stood and walked out of the room. "Later I'm going to order you a plaque to hang in the townhouse."
"Not a trophy?" Greg joked, loving his future wife's sense of humor. "Because a trophy has phallic properties."
"Speaking of phallic properties… apparently all the Sanders men are on fire tonight." Tawny covered her mouth when she saw Bev in the kitchen cooking and whistling. "Mom's looking pretty happy."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
7:12 p.m.
When Jillian Stokes saw her son open the apartment door she gasped, "You look fit as a fiddle again, Nicky." Her arms flew around him. "Seeing you looking so healthy is a nice surprise."
Enjoying the embrace he said, "Speaking of surprises…Carrie and I are making you a grandma again."
"What!" Jillian jumped back in shock. "But Carrie told me the story about her getting a pregnancy test before you went on your road trip because you were nervous. She said it was negative."
"Stop tormenting her, Tex!" Carrie scolded as she approached with Binda in her arms. "Not that kind of baby, Jillian. This kind." She waved the puppy's paw. "Nicky bought me a pooch."
Jillian scowled at her son. "You really are feeling like you old self, Son…mischievous."
"I think it's a good sign," he replied while shutting the door.
"Is she a mutt?" Jillian inquired while taking the puppy in her arms and kissing Carrie's cheek. "How are you holding up, Sugar?"
"Her name is Binda, and she's a Labradoodle…half Yellow Lab, half Poodle," Carrie replied, "and I'm doing much better." She slipped her hand into Nick's. "We're both doing great."
Nick waited for his mother's reaction to the dog breed.
"Good Lord." Jillian laughed as she scratched the dog's head. "Wait 'till Andy finds out you have a poodle."
"After everything that's happened, I don't think he'll give me too much shit…" When he caught his mother's glare Nick cleared his throat. "Pardon me, ladies...I meant, I don't think he'll give me too much of a hard time."
"How is everything going in Chicago?" Carrie asked while laughing at Nick getting busted by his mommy. "Is Cassie recovering as fast as her uncle?"
"Faster. They'll still be able to fly out here later this week. The movers are coming on Tuesday to pack and by Wednesday they'll be done and on the road." Jillian fell in love with her latest grandbaby as she spoke. "The nice surprise is…Drew and Melissa's marriage is recovering too."
Drew and Lissa's Home
7:20 p.m.
"She's finally getting some rest," Drew announced as he walked into the master bedroom to find his wife, who was sorting through her closet, pulling items to give to Goodwill. "Six stories…then I told her that if she didn't get enough rest we might not be able to move to Vegas this week and be with Uncle Nicky and Grandma." Leaning against the wall he smiled. "She snapped her eyes closed and pretended to snore. Then she fell asleep for real while pretending."
"Terrific." Smiling at her husband she said, "I'll go in to kiss her goodnight after I'm done here. You have perfect timing." She pointed to the upper shelf. "I need your extra five inches in height. I can't remember what's in half those cartons."
He hurried over to pull down the dozen containers. "Are you getting more excited about the move?"
Watching him work Melissa softly replied, "Now that I'm more excited about us, I'm more excited about the move. I'm looking forward to the fresh start, and having family around again…and no freezing cold winter."
"I'm looking forward to the warmth." Lowering the last crate he caught his wife's eyes. "Outside and inside our home."
"Me too." They hadn't shared a kiss since the dreamy one in the hospital and suddenly Melissa felt her lips craving her husband's once again.
"I'll help you go through these." He knelt down and opened the first. "Hey…did you get a chance to look at any of those house listings the relocation specialist emailed?"
"I like the third one," she answered while kneeling beside him. "It's the homiest, and I like the name of the neighborhood…Pine Grove Estates. I never would have thought there were pine trees in Vegas."
"And it's the least expensive."
"Fitting for a millionaire working for peanuts."
Chuckling he told her, "My new salary isn't even equal to my bonus last year. But my brother tells me I'll have good benefits and some nice perks…such as an opportunity to increase my good karma." Opening the second crate he gave a cat-call. "I found some very naughty lingerie in this one. Keeping or donating?"
"Donating."
The loaded question in his head, escaped from his mouth. "Because it won't be needed where we're going?"
"Because I want to buy new lingerie when we get there."
Seizing the discussion opportunity Drew gently prodded, "So, does that mean you think we'll get there again one day?"
"Yeah…I really do." Sliding closer she rested her head on her husband's shoulder, allowing him to hold her. "We'll take baby steps."
Sofia's Apartment
7:14 p.m.
Finished with dinner, the two couples moved into the living room and Irving continued to be the chatty one of the group. "So what made you decide to take the plunge into parenthood?" he asked the expectant couple. "Because some days I think I want kids in the future, and other days I feel certain I don't. I'd like to know how a person comes to the decision."
"What about you, Sofia?" Sara quickly re-directed. "I've never heard you talk about kids one way or the other."
"I really can't imagine myself as a mother."
"Neither could I," Sara blurted. "I mean… I couldn't imagine me as a mother before I got pregnant."
Raising a brow Sofia asked, "Does that mean Gil convinced you otherwise, or baby Grissom was an accident?"
"Uh…" Looking over at her husband Sara replied, "I don't really like discussing my personal life but…it was more like, I never thought I wanted to have a child until I met a man I could imagine having a child with…then something clicked and I changed my mind. And that's all I'll say about that."
"But it doesn't work that way for everyone," Gil remarked thinking back to Celeste and Hodges the previous night.
"Yeah." Sara shuddered at the memory.
"Are you talking about Hodges?" Sofia inquired.
"How do you know about what happened?" Gil stared in disbelief.
"Hodges is covering for Raul today." Sofia shook her head sighing. "He's telling everyone that his marriage ended when Carrie Blake outed him as a child-hating, Christmas-loathing Republican in front of his wife. When I called in to check on some DNA results I've been waiting for, Max told me the scoop. His exact words were…Hodges is headed for a shame spiral."
Trace Lab
7:23 p.m.
Alone in the room Hodges did his best Bridget Jones impression, Belting out All By Myself with sadness to spare. "Don't want to live…all…byyyyy…myself! An-nee-morrrrrre! " Then he improvised. "I'll be all….byyyyy….myself, forever more! Because I'm an assssssssss-hoooooooooooole extraordinaire!"
Ely State Prison
7:31 p.m.
Sitting at a desk in the library after hours, Mike did his mindless job while conversing with the librarian who worshipped him.
"Do you think you'll want children when you're free and we're married, Michael?"
"My dearly departed wife and I dreamed of having children one day." Stamping the next book he poured on the bullshit. "Just as we were about to start trying…I lost her." Dropping the book stamp on purpose Mike smiled at his slave. "Would you mind crawling under the desk and getting that for me, Honey?"
Grinning with anticipation the eager librarian dropped to her knees and did as requested and implied.
Picking up the next book Mike smirked, "And while you're down there…" Pleased that she moved quickly, he relaxed in his chair pretending to read a law book, while enjoying the physical pleasure of the moment and dreaming of the day he walked out of Ely a free man. On that day, all the pain of the last year would suddenly seem worth it.
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
8:04 p.m.
After enjoying take out from Pietro's Pizza Garden, Nick was ordered by his concerned mother to rest on the couch. "Let's not forget how you almost died, Son." Jillian fluffed the pillows and pointed for him to lie down. "You don't like to acknowledge when you're hurting."
"Yes, ma'am…but I swear, I'm fine…just a little sore." Doing as told, he reclined on the couch and seconds later Binda pounced on his thighs. "Hey, girl." When he saw his mother cock her head at the sight of a dog jumping on furniture Nick whispered so Carrie wouldn't hear from the next room, "The Blakes let their pets up on their furniture." He shrugged. "I told Carrie I didn't mind. Don't say it…I already know I'm a pushover."
"Son, mark my word…you'll be regretting that decision the first time you go to snuggle your sweetheart in bed and find your spot already taken."
"All done!" Carrie cheerily announced when she returned to the room. "I'm ready for the news."
"Have a seat next to Nicky, Sugar…and hold his hand." Walking over to the carry-on bag she had left by the door, Jillian unzipped it and removed a plain white box. "We don't have to say a word about this, if you don't want to, Nicky. You don't even have to open the box." Smiling faintly she handed it over. "It's your trophy, Honey." When she saw him tense, Jillian sat on the coffee table in front of him, placing her hand on his knee. "They processed it, but since the accused pled guilty, it was released from evidence. I had it professionally cleaned and restored in Chicago, so you don't have to worry…not even her fingerprint is on it, okay?"
"Okay." Nick glanced over at Carrie. "I wanna see it."
"Me too." Pushing out a smile she released his hand so he could open the box.
"I'll hold the pup," Jillian directed, feeling her emotions coming on strong and needing a little comfort. "I already apologized to your brother for accusing him of stealing it all those years ago, and I've instructed him not to bring it up unless you do."
"Thanks, Mama." The sight of the gold statuette took his breath away. "It's just as I remember it." With shaky fingers he lifted it from the box. "Unbelievable…it's as good as new."
When she saw the peaceful smile on her fiancé's face, Carrie pressed a tender kiss to his cheek and hugged him. "I think you're as good as new too."
Returning the hug, Nick replied, "I really believe that's true, Sweetheart."
Patting the couch cushion, Nick urged his mother. "From the looks of it, you could use a hug too."
Once in her son's arms, Jillian sniffled, "Thank you…and I promise, this is the last of my emotion. I'll be honoring your wish to move forward, business as usual…including jokes and an occasional scolding." Slipping out of the embrace a minute later, Jillian stood and wiped her last tear. "Now give me something to do to occupy my mind." She glanced around. "I could dust or…"
"Laundry!" Carrie jumped up. "We were behind before we went on vacation and it's been chaos since we got back. If you could handle that, I'll write up a shopping list with Nicky, and then head to the supermarket so we don't have to exist on take out and convenience store snacks."
"I know you're right about the laundry, I saw the hampers overflowing in the laundry room earlier." Jillian took off, happy to have a task. "Nicky, your job is to rest up."
"If you insist, Mama." He kicked his feet up on the coffee table and grabbed the remote. "Darlin'…make sure you get stuff to make protein shakes…and lots of chicken. In the hospital, I dropped the ten pounds I gained this year, but I'll gain it back and then some if I keep stuffin' my face while I can't exercise."
"Got it." She jotted the requests down on her notepad.
"Carrie…" Jillian called out from the laundry room. "How do you usually wash your lacy things? In the machine on delicate cycle, or do you hand wash them in the sink?"
Carrie frantically whispered to Nick, "Oh my god…did you put our gross underwear in there!"
"Of course! Where else would I put them besides the hamper!"
They simultaneously cringed when they saw Jillian walking out of the laundry room carrying a pair of Nick's boxers by her fingertips. "Nicky…do you have a pair of latex gloves in your CSI kit I could use?" Shaking her head she turned the shorts around to reveal a pair of Carrie's white lace panties plastered to them. "Because this looks like a bio-hazard to me."
Carrie quickly pointed to the dog. "Binda did it!"
Staring at his fiancée, Nick reminded her in a whisper, "Brainiac…Binda's a girl."
Carrie forged on with her explanation, "There was this…bottle of glue on the bathroom counter! It was there because Binda chewed one of my shoes and I was using it to repair the shoe! Yes! And Binda jumped up and knocked the glue on the floor, spilling it everywhere. I used our underwear to wipe up the massive spill." Smiling proudly, she waited for Jillian to accept the logical explanation. "That's why they're um…sticky."
"Wow…they really are scenting glue very strangely these days," Jillian deadpanned. "And you must have been frantic over that glue spill, Sugar because you went and ripped a hole in the crotch of your pretty panties." She pointed to the tear. "Never mind the gloves, Nicky. Since it's just glue, I can use my bare hands to pry your skivvies from…"
"No!" Nick and Carrie simultaneously blurted.
"Busted! Good Lord…you couldn't even wait for the sex ban to be lifted?" Rolling her eyes she dropped the shorts on the floor. "We're switching jobs, Carrie, because if this was what I found on top of the pile after Nicky just returned from the hospital, I don't even want to think about what I'd find on your vacation clothes."
"What makes you think we wore clothes on vacation, Mama?" Nick cracked up at his own joke. "Oh yeah…I'm as good as new alright."
Sofia's Apartment
9:07 p.m.
"Let me help you up, Gil." Irving stood behind him and tugged him to his feet. "You need to do twenty minutes in the hot tub when you get home."
"If you insist." Gil clutched his trainer for dear life. "How the hell am I going to work like this tomorrow?"
Sara laughed out loud. "Like anyone will notice you with all the other good gossip floating around…Greg's engagement, Hodges making an ass out of himself, Nick buying a Labradoodle. You'll fly under the radar."
"Nick bought a Labradoodle?" Sofia laughed into her beer. "I was pet sitting a friend's tea cup poodle here once and he almost crushed it in bed. Stokes hates poodles." Then she realized she said that personal tidbit in front of the wrong company.
"Back up there for a second," Irving prompted. "I didn't know you dated Nick." Thinking back to the day of their hike when Sofia received word about Nick's accident and insisted they stop at the hospital, he suddenly wondered if there wasn't still something there. "How long ago did you date Stokes?"
"I wouldn't worry, Irving." Gil released a hearty chuckle. "Dating really isn't the right term, it was more like…" Then he realized he was indeed talking out loud. "Wow…time files when you're having fun." He grabbed Sara's hand. "But it's getting late and it's time for us to go." He didn't want to witness another round of couple angst while still shuddering from watching Hodges and Celeste the previous night.
Celeste's Apartment
9:22 p.m.
Deciding that her Prince would never come, Celeste sat at her computer desk Googling for information on Artificial Insemination. I don't need a man in my life to be fulfilled, she told herself. Men are overrated…except when it comes to sex…then they're rather useful. That's it! Suddenly she decided to Google a different topic. Who needs a whole man when you can buy a battery-operated male organ!
The Willows/Brown Household
9:41 p.m.
"What are you looking for?" Warrick inquired when he saw Catherine rummaging through the kitchen drawers.
"Batteries." Catherine held up the remote. "It's dead. I remember unpacking some double A's."
He joined in the search. "I think Lindsay really enjoyed cooking with you today."
"I was thinking of signing her and I up for one of those cooking classes they offer at that Culinary Institute on Barker Street."
"I think that's a great idea." Laughing he admitted, "Because I'll reap the benefits on multiple levels…it might help the two of you get along better, and I'll be eating better." Holding up a pack of double A batteries he smiled. "Found 'em."
"Thanks." Catherine snatched them out of his hand, quickly snapping them in the remote. "Now if you'll excuse me…" She winked. "I have porn to watch."
Laughing together they walked out of the kitchen. "You feel like putting in another hour of talking?" Warrick asked, recalling how they agreed to earn their way toward affection.
"Night, Linds!" Catherine shouted from outside her daughter's door. "Warrick and I will be on the patio talking if you need us."
Standing in front of her full-length mirror trying on the new clothes her mom had purchased for her earlier that day, Lindsay replied, "I'm in for the night! That's code for feel free to be naked and run through the house." When she heard them crack up she said, "Good night…and thanks again for the clothes and the cooking lesson, Mom."
Once again she resumed modeling her newest fashions in front of the mirror. "I think this would look better with the red shirt." In one smooth move she pulled off the sweater and turned around to grab the red shirt from the bed. "Oh!" Her hands raced to conceal her bra-cover chest. "You little perve!" Through her window she had seen Sean Blake standing there holding onto the cord of his window blind with the dumbest expression on his face. In shock, she watched him yank down his bedroom window shade. "He was checking me out," she remarked in disbelief.
Lowering her hands she turned once again to her mirror. "Whoa…I'm check-outable."
The Grissoms
10:02 p.m.
As he opened the door to their home, Gil informed Sara, "I just want to check on our pets."
"Please stop calling them pets." Shaking her head Sara stepped inside, happy to be home, but sad that it wasn't permanent yet. "I'm all for our son or daughter enjoying bugs, but I don't want he or she to refer to them as pets. You know…'Hi, my name is Owen and I have six pet cockroaches.' That's not an ice breaker when you're meeting other kids…it's a deal breaker."
"Point taken." Smiling at his concerned wife, Gil replied, "I'll make sure to teach Owen or Erin to refer to bugs as friends instead of pets."
"Great, that'll help…get them an appointment with the school psychologist." Sighing she headed down the hall. "I'm going to grab a few things from my closet."
"I need five minutes," Gil remarked before heading in the opposite direction.
Walking down the hall Sara tried her husband's new suggestion on for size in a little girl's voice. "'Hi, my name is Erin and these are my cockroach friends, Larry, Curly and Mo'. Yeah…she'll never date. Unless maybe Greg and Tawny have a geek boy."
When she reached the bedroom door, Sara opened it and hurried inside.
From down the hall Gil heard his wife scream and a smile spread across his lips. Stepping into the hallway he shouted, "Does that mean you like the surprise!"
"Yes!" she cheered upon jumping into the hall. "When did you have time to pull this off?" Sara asked when she saw her grinning husband approach. He had filled the room with six vases of roses and a sign that said, 'Welcome Home!' "Does this mean their done and we can move back in?"
"Yep. I found out this morning. Went to the flower shop after my workout, and made the sign when I got here." Like the cat who ate the canary, he grinned a little wider. "You have your home back…and it has more security than ever before, and I mean that literally and figuratively, Sara. I'm hoping that this is a new start for us here…a way to put the fight behind us once and for all."
"I feel the same way." Sara's arms flew around Gil. "I love the surprise, and I love you."
Closing his eyes Gil savored the embrace. "I love you too, Honey."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
10:17 p.m.
Lying on the bed with Binda curled up next to him, Nick winked at his fiancée when she entered the room. "Don't worry, you're still my number one girl."
"I've heard the rumors…this is nostalgic for you." Pulling back the covers she quizzed, "Exactly how long has it been since you had two girls in your bed, Stokes?"
"Oh please…that's just locker room talk, Darlin'." Picking up Binda, he moved her to the foot of the bed. "Crazy college stuff." Returning to his spot Nick relaxed against the pillows, encouraging Carrie to rest her head on his shoulder. "Did you e-mail the realtor?"
"Yep." Snuggling close she smiled. "I told him we wanted to look at three of the houses, but from the pictures we loved the one in Pine Groves Estates best, because it's so homey."
"I can't wait to start the next part of our life together." Closing his eyes he imagined them moving into their new home. "Buying a house…" When he felt a tongue dart in and out of his ear Nick chuckled, "Tell me you aren't serious."
"About the house?"
"About getting frisky again…and with my mom in the next room." Opening his eyes he saw Binda moving in for another lick. "Yeah…okay, no dogs on the bed. I don't want to be naked and worrying she's gonna lick something other than my ear. I'm not into bestiality, Sweetheart. The couch is fine, the bed no way. Is that a good enough compromise?"
Laughing at him she nodded and took Binda from the bed to put in her crate.
"Thank you." Staring at Carrie as she stood against the wall smiling at him, Nick said, "You look much happier."
"I am. I feel…I don't know." A blissful smile flooded her face. "I suddenly feel different. Maybe it's all the house talk…the feeling of moving forward. I don't know. Maybe it was seeing the look on your face when you opened the trophy box? I just feel like things are changing for us…after all this drama, I sense some big-time happiness coming our way." Rolling her eyes she laughed at herself. "Maybe I should go to a psychic and have my tea leaves read just to make sure?"
"Nah." Rolling onto his side Nick patted the bed. "I trust your instincts…after all, you fell in love with me the first night you met me."
"You really are back to your old self, Stokes." When she burrowed under the covers next to Nick, Carrie brought her lips to his for a quick kiss. "It's really happening. We already have a dog."
"And we're going to have a house real soon," he excitedly whispered.
"Not long after that we'll have wedding bands on our fingers…and then hopefully a baby."
Placing his hand on Carrie's womb Nick assured her, "I know you don't want anyone to know what we're going to do but, I was thinking that we should tell my sister Barbara because she's an OB/Gyn and can give us solid advice."
"I agree now that I'm calmer…and you're so into it." Lowering her hand over Nick's, Carrie smiled. "Remember in the hospital when I moved up my timeline for having our first baby?"
"I was freaked." Gliding his palm over Carrie's womb he assured her, "Suddenly I can't wait." Laughing he admitted, "Hell, if I wasn't restricted, I think I might even try to pull a Sanders tonight."
The Sanders Home
10:36 p.m.
Sitting on the patio swing snuggling Tawny in his arms and staring at the stars Greg whispered, "Thank you for making this trip perfect."
"It really was perfect." Tawny released a contented sigh, "I've had a great time on this vacation. I don't even need a honeymoon."
"Not that trip." Greg cupped Tawny's face with his palm and smiled. "I meant falling in love and getting engaged. It was perfect, just the enough drama to make the joy spectacular."
Her heart melted from his loving gaze.
Overwhelmed by his emotions, Greg paused to steal a tender kiss. "Seriously, Tawny…here we are staying in the house where I almost died, and I feel more alive than ever. I owe it all to you. So, I repeat…Tawny Ann Cooper…thank you for making the trip perfect, and thank you once again for agreeing to be my wife. I know when you first mentioned moving up the wedding, I balked, but now that I've had a little time to think about it…the next part of our journey together can't come soon enough."
"Awww." Giddy in love Tawny batted her eyes to stave off tears of joy. "I never thought I'd feel more in love than I did when you proposed but here I am, loving you twice as much."
"I feel the same way."
Suddenly Tawny saw an opportunity. "So, there's probably nothing I could say to tick you off right now."
"Nothing other than, 'I changed my mind, I don't want to marry you'."
In a stern voice Tawny announced, 'I changed my mind, I don't want to marry you." But before Greg could panic she yelled, "Kidding!" Using Bev and Greg's proven bait and switch strategy, she informed him, "What I really need to tell you is that I accidentally told Nick you used to fall asleep sucking on Mr. Peebles's ear and now he's going to incorporate that in his best man toast." After bursting into a grin Tawny jubilated, "That's nothing compared to me saying I don't want to marry you, right!"
"Barely!"
"Maybe he'll forget."
September 5, 2005
The Blakes
12:16 a.m.
Ryan was sitting in bed reading Harry Potter when out of the corner of his eye he saw a white envelope slide under his door.
Curious, he tossed the book and crossed the room to check out the mystery.
Upon approach he saw his brother's writing in black ink on the envelope and he picked it up.
Ryan,
You were right, and I'm a man of my word.
Sean
P.S. I promise to do all your chores for a week, if you don't talk about this with me.
Grinning wildly Ryan opened the envelope and removed the ten dollar bill his brother had placed in there. "Ha!" He rushed to his desk to grab a pen.
After quickly jotting a note, he opened his door and walked down the hall, slipping the envelope under Sean's door.
Lying in bed staring at the ceiling Sean saw something fly under his door and jumped out of bed.
The red writing on the envelope immediately jumped out at him.
Congratulations! On your thirteenth birthday you took matters into your own hands and became a man. I'm so proud of you, Bro, and yes, I accept your offer to do my chores all week in return for me not 'talking' to you about this. However, you didn't say anything about not 'writing' you about it, WANKER!
Sighing, Sean lowered the envelope. "I should have seen that coming." Then he saw a folded piece of paper fly under the door and he hurried to open it.
P.S. How could I forget!
Happy Birthday, Bro!
I wonder what's coming up ahead for you, Spanky?
Snatching a black pen from his desk Sean quickly scribbled a two word answer to his brother's question…BIG things!
Author's Notes:
Thanks for reading the first book! (I decided to do books this time instead of sections like 'Second Chances' or 'Losing It' in the FS series)
Hopefully this chapter wrapped up some loose ends and gave some hints (some directly and some implied) about the future.
A big thank you to KJT for working so hard on the chapters and for being flexible!
Thanks to everyone who has sentreviews along the way!
All VERY appreciated and motivating especially at times when life gets busy over here!
The next book starts: Tuesday, December 27th!
I'll hope you'll stick around for the journey!
Thanks,
Maggs