Ben and Lisa arrived in the middle of Douglas Edwards' news report, Macy hearing them first, her barking an alert to the others. Papa was ready when a brief rap sounded at the front door and he opened it up with a grin on his face. "Who is it?" he teased, shutting the door halfway.
"It's us!" four year old Emma answered earnestly.
"Us who?"
"Granpa!"
"Oh for heavens sake Michael let them in. " Mama joyfully scolded. "Come on in, she smiled as her son came through the door holding a sleeping Maggie, Lisa right behind him with the baby.
"Oh Mom it smells good in here. " Ben kissed his mother's cheek then handed Maggie to his mother who kissed the tot's head.
"You're just in time for supper. " she assured them. "Everyone come on in."
Edie got up from the couch to welcome her brother and sister-in-law, scooping up Emma with a big hug and kiss. "You've gotten so big. " she told the little girl who giggled, then scurried down to kiss her grandfather.
"How you doing kid?" Ben pulled his sister's ponytail. "Looking pretty good for a business woman. "
"You don't look too bad yourself. " she answered punching him in the arm.
"Ow. Hit me already. Did anyone see what she did to me?"
"You'll live. "Lisa laughed, giving Edie half a hug. "Good to see you! "Leaning in closer she whispered "is that Mr. Gunn?"
Edie nodded, knowing she had the cat who ate the canary look on her face. "Pete, this is Lisa my sister-in-law; Lisa, Peter Gunn. "
"Its awfully nice to meet you finally. ' the brunette gushed.
"Its nice to meet you too" Pete shook her hand. "And this is my father Sam. "
"They shook hands as well, Edie noticing the way his eyes lit up when she let him hold the baby.
Out of the corner of her eye Edie saw Ben and Pete exchange a few brief words before her brother picked up the sleeping Maggie from Mama's rocking chair, settling down.
Edie let out a small sigh as she took her place on the couch beside Pete looking from her brother to her lover. She wanted Ben and Pete to get along so badly ànd had been very excited when Ben had come to visit a couple months back but neither she or Pete were quite sure how it had gone. "They don't have to be best buddies " she had discussed it with her best friend Sheila Bell. "I just want them to get along."
Emma climbed up on Edie's lap, Pete giving her that smile that no woman of any age could resist and she giggled. "Emmy, this is my friend Peter Gunn. " she told the little girl who held out her hand while giggling.
"Its nice to meet you Miss Hart. " he bowed his head and she giggled again. "He's nice. " she whispered in her aunt's ear.
"He is, isn't,?" Edie whispered back.
"Is he your friend?"
"He is. And this is his father Sam. "
"Hi. " she smiled at the older Gunn, who gave a smile in return. "I'm Emma Hart."
"Mike can you put the ice in the glasses?" Mama called out from the kitchen, an uneasy silence descending on the room as he left. It was baby Lauren who broke it with her cry, Lisa taking her from Sam, making a face as she did so. "She needs changed. "
"I'll do it. " Ben said exchanging Maggie for the baby. "I think its my turn anyway. "
"Getting him trained I see. " Edie teased her, making Lisa chuckle.
"He is pretty good about helping most of the time. Sometimes at night he'll try to pretend he's asleep. Annoying man!"
"Sounds typical. "
"Honey, I can't find the diaper cream. " Ben's voice came down the stairs, Lisa getting up with a sigh, sitting Maggie on Edie's lap, Emma moving down between her aunt and Peter Gunn.
The door bell rang, everyone questioning who it could be. "Max and Iris just come in. " Peg wondered from the kitchen.
"I'll see who it is. " Edie offered setting Maggie beside her sister, saying she'd be right back. Maggie was very shy but she should be all right with Emma if she happened to wake up. Ben and Lisa worried about her as the little girl was content to sit and hold her doll rather then talk or play with others like Emma.
She returned a few minutes later, carrying a package, her heart melting at the scene in front of her. Maggie was sitting on Pete's knee, her tousled curls framing her face as she laughed at something Sam was saying. She watched as Pop pulled a quarter out of the little girl's ear, the tot clapping in delight.
She climbed off her perch, clutching the quarter in her fingers as she ran over to Edie. "Mr. Sam finded money in my ear !"
"Oh my! " she bent down to Maggie's level. "How did it get there?"
"I don't know. " she shrugged, running into the kitchen. "Grampa! I gotted money. " and she held out the 25 cents.
"Lucky girl, where did you get that " he swung her up into his arms and kissed her. "Mr. Sam found it"
"He's a handy man to have around then!" Mike tickled her, the laughter bubbling out. "You'll have to show me how to do that sometime. " he said to his friend as he put Maggie down; Peg telling her and Emma it was time to wash their hands.
"Its been so long since I've done it, I'm just glad it worked. " Sam grinned. She woke up and looked a little startled seeing two strangers. "Its the first thing I thought off."
"Time for you big kids to wash up too. " he beckoned them, seeing the package in Edie's arms for the first time. "Whatcha got there Bug?"
"I don't know but its from Uncle Charlie" she gave it to her father.
"Then it could be anything. " he chuckled. "Let's eat first. "
Supper was lasagna and garlic bread with a tossed salad that seven month old Lauren kept putting her fist in, trying to cram it in her mouth. "I shouldn't laugh when she does stuff like that. " Lisa took the wet wash cloth Mama handed her, wiping salad dressing off her youngest's face. "But its so funny. "
"Ben used to try to put the food through his face like that. "Papa said, making everyone laugh. "He'd end up with more food on him, then in him. "
"That's funny Daddy. " Emma laughed. "Like a baby. "
"Stop telling her my secrets. " Ben teased his dad. "She won't be in awe of me!"
"So I know Pete's a private investigator." Lisa addressed Sam. "Is that what you did too?"
"No, I was on the police force for 30 years. I worked in counterfeiting for the last 15 years. "
"That must have been fascinating. " Ben got caught up in one of Pop's stories.
"It had its moments. I still think Pete has more fun though. "
"I got to potty. " Maggie announced in a silent moment, Mama asking when she'd gotten potty trained.
"Last week. And she's done very well. Its been nice to just have one in diapers now. Two years or less to go. " Lisa kissed her baby's head.
"They are getting so big. " Peg shook her head.
"I can't believe how fast they are growing Ben agreed. "It seems like yesterday they were born. "
"I have to go. " Maggie said again,trying to crawl out of her chair.
"Oh honey. " Lisa jumped up, picking up her daughter and the ever present doll. "I'm sorry.
"Use the one down here. " Mama told her. "Oh but it needs paper. " she gave her husband a smile.
"Which is my cue to go down to the basement and get some. " Mike grinned pulling his daughter's hair as he walked by."What's the deal with my hair she laughed"
"I see Mama operates like you d when she wants something. " Pete whispered to Edie, which got him a playful swat.
Seconds went all around; iced tea and water were poured, conversations abounded. Pete sat watching everyone,wondering if their family with those six kids would be like this someday. If so , he was looking forward to it even more. He felt Edie's hand squeeze his knee and he covered it with his own. "Are you getting plenty?" She whispered to him.
"Fine. " he smiled back.
He had noticed that Emma had been watching him most of the meal and had given him a couple shy smiles which he returned. Of all of Ben's children she looked most like her aunt. It was easy to imagine Edie as a little girl looking at her.
There was blueberry pie for dessert, then the men did the dishes while the women made coffee and got snacks ready for playing games.
Lisa had the girls say goodnight, Edie going up the stairs with her to help tuck them in.
Maggie was almost asleep when she got her hug and kiss, making sure Aunt Edie kissed her doll too. Emma was next who said she wasn't sleepy but she too was soon drifting off.
Lisa placed a freshly washed and changed Lauren in the crib, Edie stroking her soft head. "Oh Lisa she's perfect. "
She is,isn't she? Lisa smiled. "She's been such a good baby, even better than her sisters. And she's growing her own personality. I can't wait to see what she becomes. " She smoothed the blanket over the little girl, lost in a moment.
"I have to tell you, that Peter Gunn is one of the finest men I've ever seen." Lisa confided to her sister-in -law. "I just had to say it outloud!"
"He is. " Edie smiled. "And you know, he doesn't even know it. Which I think is one reason women find him so irresistible. "
"Of course it would. He seems to adore you though. Just watching him watch you at dinner was a pleasure. And I can just imagine what your babies will look like. "
They played Scrabble in teams, Max and Iris coming over to join the fun. Sam volunteered to keep score as he was the odd man out but everyone insisted he should play. Lisa said she'd keep score as she wasn't very good and he was put on a team with Ben.
Pete soon discovered that the rest of the Hart family was just as good or better than Edie, causing him to let out a series of deep sighs. Even with Papa's help, Mama and Edie beat them all by 100 points.
"You learn to live with it. " Mike told him gathering up the tiles. "It's worth it in other ways. "
"That is very true. " Pete agreed in a voice that made Edie's body tingle. "Very much so. "
After Scrabble they played a couple games of Pit, Pete and Sam remarking that at the Hart's it became a blood sport. "Ben actually sprained his wrist once playing. " Papa told them. Max, Pop and Papa decided to play gin rummy, Mama saying she was going to bed and she'd see everyone in the morning. Aunt Iris said she was going to do some prep for the next day, giving Edie a house key telling her to take Pete on over and get him settled.
She walked him over to the house, a brick detached literally across the street from the Harts.
"Who moved here first?" Pete asked as they slowly made their way up the front steps, his hand pulling her over to the porch swing.
"Max and Iris did. It was one reason Mama and Papa were looking in this neighborhood. The four of them had always gotten along well and they thought it' d be nice to live close by. He settled into the cushions on the swing, Edie taking the place beside him, her leg over his knee. "It was a great place to grow up. My cousin Bridgette lived here and the Holtons lived in the house beside ours, the one with the striped awning. And the McDonald's lived in the yellow house, over there. Robbie was a good friend. "
"Wasn't he the one your mother told me you were spending the night with?"
She nodded. "Robbie and I were never that type of friend. He's always been more of the brother type. I think you'd like him. "
"Hmm. " was his only answer as he leaned into kiss her. "I like you. " he whispered in her ear before finding that spot in the curve of her neck letting his lips glide over the soft skin.
"Watch yourself Mister. " she said just a little breathlessly. "You could get in trouble around here for public displays.
"Then let's make them inside displays. "
She couldn't help but grin as they headed to the front door, she handing him the key Aunt Iris had given her. They were greeted at the door by a fat, fluffy, white cat who eyed them suspiciously, finally deciding they were safe. Edie picked the feline up, running a hand down his back. "This is Alfredo. He's the real king of the house. "
"He certainly looks like it. " Pete let the cat sniff his finger. "I don't think I ever saw a cat that big. " Alfredo seemed to consider that , then jumped down to the floor taking off down the hall.
"The kitchen is right here. " Edie turned on the fluorescent light, Aunt Iris always keeps the fridge stocked if you need a midnight snack. And they have a lovely screened in porch over here. She took him through the rest of the downstairs then up the steps where there were two bedrooms, a bathroom and something he guessed was a sewing room.
She led him into one of the bedrooms, the light showing a large queen bed with a blue bedspread laid over it and an intricate dresser with various knick knacks on top. "Bridgette used to have the room across the hall and this was the guest room. When I spent the night Aunt Iris would let us sleep in here because the bed was bigger and we had more room to dance around. We had a lot if fun. "
Pete sat down on the bed and nodded. "It is very comfortable. " he patted the place beside him.
"Its not the same bed. " she laughed "and they will be home soon," but she sat down anyway, pulling her jacket off.
She knew her aunt was trying to give them sometime alone which was nice. She hated they would have to be separated for the weekend but they had pretty well known that would happen. They had decided not to cross Mama, even if it was miserable.
""I'm going to miss you." He said taking her hand in his.
"I'm going to miss you too. "
His lips captured hers, the kiss going deep as tongues met and bodies moved closer. Edie slipped her arms around his neck, her fingers playing with the ends of his hair. "I wish you didn't have to go. " he groaned.
"I know. " They found the kiss again, his hands moving down her shoulders, then her back, resting on her hips before slowly crawling underneath her blouse.
"Pete."
"Shh " he shook his head as his fingers found the clasp on her bra, pulling it away as it released its burden. Taking each breast in a hand he stroked her nipples until her breathing was heavy and each one was hard and pink. With shaking fingers she unbuttoned the front of the blue blouse, laying down on the bed, pulling him with her. She squirmed as his tongue latched on to one of the taut nipples sucking it deep into his mouth. She felt him solid against her and she groaned in frustration.
"We can't let it go any further." she said with a heavy sigh.
His sigh matched hers as he tried to put her hand back. "Why?"
"For one thing Max and Iris could be back at any minute and she'll be up here to make sure you have everything you need. Not to mention, your suitcase is still at my house and we don't have any condoms. "
He sat up, pulling her up with him. "I guess your right as usual. "He sighed. "And besides I'm not sure it's permissible with one of those hanging on the wall. "
"One of what?" She was confused, then she shook her head. "You can't fool around under a crucifix?"
"I never thought about it before but its kind of strange. "
"I think you're a little strange. " she teased.
They sat there for a few minutes, Pete awkwardly getting to his feet, pulling her up as well. Her blouse was still open and he couldn't help but take one breast in his hand, enjoying the fullness before closing all the buttons. Do you want me to walk you back?"
"That's okay. But I'll call you when I get there. "
He watched her walk out of the room, trying to decide what to do. Sometimes he just wasn't that fond of Mama Hart. He made sure he was decent, then used the facilities. He felt stupid being here alone. Walking back to the bed, he looked up at the crucifix and grimaced, the look turning to a mixture of terror and hilarity-Edie's bra was still laying at the bottom of the bed!
He stuffed it in his pocket, running down the stairs and almost tripping over Alfredo. Just as he reached the front door it swung open; Max and Iris coming in with his suitcase.
"Thank you. " he said as the man handed it to him. "Did uh, did you meet Edie on your way over?"
"We did. "Max nodded. She said she got you settled away. "
"Yes, yes she did. But I need to talk to her for just one minute. Excuse me. "
He ran after the blonde who was going up the walk when she heard him behind her. "Edie. " he hissed. "You forgot something. " he slipped the bra from his pocket handing it to her which brought a fit of giggles.
"I love you. " she leaned in and kissed him.
"I love you too. "
"Honey?" Max asked as he and Iris walked in the house. "Did Pete have a bra in his pants pocket as he went past us?"
"Yes he did. " she nodded.
"Well it wasn't his color. "