Author's Note: In this chapter, there is a reference to Steve Winwood's hit from the 80's, Valerie. In case you haven't guessed, I was thinking of this very song when I settled on the name for the title character (when I was trying to think of a nice name for a woman who would most likely dote on a special needs child.) Just like the C.O.P.S. cartoon, I claim no ownership of this song. I'd also add lyrics to that scene, except that is against the rules on this site. Hope you're not too disappointed. Anyway, read, review and enjoy.
Chapter 17
For much of the week, up until her birthday, Valerie refused to speak with Rhonda. Rhonda called her seven times over the next few days, but she wouldn't answer the phone. She instantly deleted all the messages her sister left. Finally, on the seventh attempt, Rhonda said on the answering machine, "Valerie? Valerie, this is Rhonda! Why the hell are you not taking my calls? You do know you have a birthday coming up, right? I need to discuss more plans with you, so I can confirm them. Stop being such a bitch, little sister! Talk to me so I can make your fortieth a success! I already have the dinner planned for you, but I want to know what else you want to do." Incensed, Valerie went to her computer to e-mail her.
She clicked on the "New Message" icon before any new mail appeared in her inbox. She selected Rhonda's address from her "address book," and typed, What Happened Saturday Night in the Subject line.
Rhonda, she typed, I am still recovering from the incident that happened while Sundown was over here Saturday night. And you should consider yourself lucky that no one at my work knows about this.
During Sundown's visit, we were enjoying some beautiful post-movie sex when the door broke open, and we heard Rock Crusher's voice announce his presence. The next thing we knew, we saw Crusher, Buttons McBoomBoom, Turbo Tu-Tone and Berserko catching us in our passion, along with Mace, Barricade, Bowzer and Highway. I was never so humiliated in all my life!
But that's not the worst part. Sometime last month, Dr. Badvibes paid a surprise visit in a failed attempt to woo me. He mentioned that he got your address from Nightshade, and you gave him my home address. I had hoped that this would be kept secret from them, as I see them as mere stalkers. In case you don't know or realize, these bad people scare the crap out of Jeremy. I may now require extra protection and daily check-ups from the police because of this.
The Big Boss still has yet to show up at the front door with a bunch of ragweed, and singing a serenade out of tune (if both you and I know him.) If that happens, I may have to move to another part of the city, and be unlisted in the phone book. Maybe even move out of Empire City altogether. Rhonda, I don't see why Jeremy and I have to be subjected to this crap. She signed it and clicked on "Send."
In the middle of reading Jeremy a bedtime story, the phone rang. She said, "Hold on, Jeremy. I have to answer the phone." She went to the kitchen and saw Rhonda's name on the caller ID.
"God, I hope she got my e-mail," she muttered to herself. She saw Rhonda's image on the video screen. "Rhonda, hello?"
"Valerie?" she replied. "Valerie, I can't believe that e-mail you just sent me. So sorry if I blew your cover." Valerie looked confused, not knowing if that tone was meant to be sarcastic.
"Well," she said, "there are certain someones I'd like to keep from my life and Jeremy's. I still can't believe you gave Dr. Badvibes my address."
"Hey, I didn't want to give it to him at first, but he was so persuasive. From the way he spoke, it was as if he really cared about you."
"And you believed that?" Valerie sighed quite harshly, her frustrations escaping her. "Rhonda, you've lived here practically your whole life, so you know how the crime is here, and what Badvibes and his cohorts are like. You should've told him that I have a son to raise, and I have to set a good example for him by dating someone on the right side of the law, so would he please fuck off!"
There was a pause, then she saw her sister's face turn a heated color. "Goddamn, I am so sorry, Valerie," Rhonda said. "Oh, but he looked so nice in that tuxedo he showed up in. I thought for sure–"
"Ugh, Rhonda!" Valerie lamented. "That went out of style around forty years ago! That's not very romantic in my books."
"Is it just his criminal record, obviously nerdy looks, and gaudy fashion sense? Because he looked and sounded very intelligent. Valerie, if you don't want any of those C.O.P.S., I'm sure Badvibes will be just perfect for you."
"Rhonda! Fuck, no! God, I'd rather cut myself with razor blades!"
"I'm kidding, Valerie! Now, what would you like to do for your birthday? Of course, this is something I'll need to book at the last minute. It's in two days, you know!"
Valerie checked the entertainment section of the newspaper. There were some movies opening in theaters on her birthday. There was a new romantic film that captured her interest. "Oh, Rhonda, I really want to go see A Summer Alone. I've heard this from Cindy and Teresa, and I managed to catch the previews on TV. It looks so wonderful. It certainly looks less slutty than that Cruel Summer movie Karen bought for me, not hat I didn't enjoy it."
"You're kidding me, right?" Rhonda objected. "I just spoke with Aunt Margaret a couple of days ago. She and Cousin Graham are coming here for your birthday. He's not going to want to see a chick flick like that. And no doubt your dream men will be there. That movie would make them sick."
Valerie turned the page and found another movie that would interest her beaux especially. "How about Hearts of Blue? I know Elise wants to see this one so bad. She said she and Longarm might see this one tomorrow night, when he's got time off. Yes, it's another romance, but it deals with a group of tough-guy cops who try to find love, guided by the one of the few "softies" in the precinct who just got remarried. And look at this one particular review – 'One of the few heartwarming police dramas Hollywood has ever made.' I think this is something we can all enjoy." She picked out a show time. "How's the 9:15 show sound to you?"
"Well, Graham may be a little indifferent to this," Rhonda replied, "but I think all your cop boyfriends may take interest in this."
"If they love me as much as they say, they will," Valerie joked. Then she started to think about her Aunt Margaret again. "Uh, how did you find out that Aunt Margaret was coming?"
"Mom called a couple of nights ago to tell me. She said she wanted to keep it a surprise, but I insisted that I tell you – when you wanted to talk to me, that is."
"That's just perfect, because I have to talk to her about the family reunion next month. Karen just reminded me of that last weekend, and it turns out there's a conflict."
"What do you mean? Your trip to Los Angeles isn't until the end of this month."
"I can be there, but Jeremy will be out of town. Turns out one of the guys is taking him on an out-of-town vacation. I know Margaret won't like it, but if those Pain-In-The-Ass Mom Cousins are going to be there, then this would be the best thing."
"If you insist, but don't be surprised if she and Mom insist you cancel Jeremy's plane ticket."
"Don't worry, I'll persuade them."
Shortly afterward, they ended their conversation pleasantly. Valerie felt good having gotten her feelings out to her. When she went back to Jeremy's room, she found him already asleep. She tucked him in, put the book back in his bookcase, and turned out the light.
On July 17th, Valerie turned forty years old. So far, it wasn't so good. There wasn't a party at her work, and the only gifts she got were from Mr. Lancer, Mr. Sussex, Cindy, Elise and Matt. Everyone else either didn't know or didn't care. Probably the biggest highlight was when she had her radio on to an oldies station while she worked. She heard Barricade's voice sending out a song request, Steve Winwood's hit, Valerie.
"From myself, and four others named Mace, Sundown, Bowzer and Highway," he said, "to a woman we love, whose name is Valerie. It's her birthday today." Surprised and extremely happy to hear one of her favorite songs from childhood, she turned her radio up in time to hear the opening bars. Yet, she was also a little worried. What if other people were listening to this station, too?
She also got to leave work at three. But it didn't lessen her disappointment.
"Five birthday presents out of around eighty staff members," she mumbled, then turned sarcastic. "Fabulous. I'm looking forward to Christmas already."
On her way home, she was thinking about how it could get better. It was a special birthday, but she never expected a party. After all, it was mostly family, and nobody said anything about going out to dinner. Now she was thinking about what her mother and aunt were cooking for her birthday dinner. And where would they eat? Probably the living room; her dining table was much too small. When she got to her street, she saw Karen and Polly's cars in her driveway.
With her briefcase and two bags of gifts in her hands, Valerie walked up her walkway to see what looked like two people running around in her living room window. She said to herself, "Don't tell me they're trying to set up a party. Not here. That old place Mom lives in is bigger."
She opened the door to hear an older male voice say, "Shit, she's here," then Karen say, "Ohmigod! Oh no!" She was greeted with Karen's frustrated scream, and her lamenting, "Valerie, you spoiled our surprise!"
A tall male with dark brown hair, around late thirties, met her in the front hall. But Valerie could recognize him easily. "We were preparing a celebration for you."
"Hi, Graham!" she said, hugging him. "Well, this is all a surprise indeed. When did you get in from Washington, D.C.?"
"Two days ago," he answered. "I'm on my paid vacation, which is great timing, because I wasn't going to miss my most beautiful cousin's fortieth birthday. You look like you just had your thirtieth."
Valerie blushed. "Why, that's the sweetest thing I ever heard. I'd say thank you, but I'm too speechless."
She saw Polly coming from the kitchen with another older woman. She looked very much like her, except her hair was a lighter brown. It was Valerie's aunt, Margaret Brainerd, Polly's sister. Valerie went to hug her. "Aunt Margaret! So good to see you again," she said.
"You should've came to see me as soon as you arrived here," Margaret replied.
"Margaret, I wanted you to accompany us to the airport that day," Polly said. "You were nowhere to be found when I called, and you never returned the phone message before we had to leave."
"I was out running errands that afternoon," Margaret replied. "I had some emergency grocery shopping, then I had to go to the Laundromat because my washer and dryer was still broken down. I did call your house when I got home, but you'd already left!"
"Okay, so only you and your son are here," Valerie said to her aunt. "Where are Laura and Barbara?"
"They had to stay in their hometowns to work," Margaret told her. "You'll be seeing them next month at the family reunion, dear."
Valerie started to feel uneasy. Should she tell her now, or later when the rest of her family and friends arrive? Maybe later, then she'll let Margaret confront Sundown. She asked her mother, "Uh, where's Jeremy?"
"Downstairs with Graham's daughter," Polly answered. "Brian and Tyler are down there with them. They're perfectly fine. Don't worry."
Valerie proceeded to the dining room, where she found some boxes covered in birthday wrap on the table. She put her bags down and said happily, "Oh, thank you, everyone! All this really makes my day."
"You didn't get very many presents at work, did you?" Karen guessed.
The family gathered around Valerie, and she took all those gifts from the bags. Mr. Lancer gave her a 50-sheet set of personal stationery Mr. Sussex gave her a set of golden pens that write in black ink, with blue laser lights that shine on the bottom. Cindy gave her a twelve-piece set of wine goblets. Elise gave her a set of four ceramic picture frames that had clubs, diamonds, spades and hearts in a rainbow pattern around them, like a deck of playing cards. And Matt gave her a wall clock with birthstones for the numbers.
"Oh, these are so lovely, Valerie," Polly said. "The clock will look lovely in the kitchen, and we can use some of these goblets with dinner."
Valerie smelled an aroma from the kitchen. "Speaking of which," she said, "what smells so good?"
"In between looking after the children," Polly replied, "we slaved all day in the kitchen making all your favorites. Margaret's been cooking all day yesterday, too. Rhonda, Richard and the kids are supposed to come by later for dinner, as are Bart and the boys. So we'll be having a lot of food."
"Just enough for everyone," Margaret added.
You may not have enough for everyone, Valerie wanted to say, thinking of the very men who gave her that song request. But she wanted to keep them a surprise from Margaret until they arrived.
"Well, I don't know where you all are going to sit," she told them. "The dining table can only sit two to three people."
"The kids will probably go to the basement," Graham suggested.
Shortly after four o'clock, the doorbell rang. Valerie answered to see Bart and Drew only. They smiled and Drew said, "Happy birthday, Aunt Valerie!"
"Bart, Drew, so fabulous you could come!" she replied. "But where's Sheldon?"
"He has to work, so he'll be missing dinner," Bart said. "Hopefully, he'll be here in time for cake."
At quarter after four, the doorbell rang again. Valerie answered it to see Sarah, Nicole and Caleb, all smiling, bearing a big, wrapped box. "Happy birthday, Aunt Valerie!" they all chorused.
She took the box and hugged the three. "Sarah!" she said. "Oh, I'm so happy you guys could make it. But where are your parents?"
"Dad's working until five, and he picking Mom up from her job from there," Caleb answered. "They told us to tell you not to start dinner until they get here."
"I'll tell Grandma," Valerie said. "Why don't you three go downstairs? Jeremy and Heidi are there with his friends. I'm sure they could use more company."
They never heard the doorbell again for another half-hour. When they did, Polly said, "Is that Rhonda? What, she's done selling houses for the day?"
"Maybe Richard got off early," Bart suggested. But Valerie had a suspicion of who it was, and excused herself to answer the door.
She saw Barricade at the door, still in his police uniform. He smiled as he gave her a long rectangular box, then kissed her cheek and said, "Happy birthday, Valerie."
"Barricade! Oh, how sweet," she said. "Let me guess, Bulletproof gave you special permission to leave your shift early? Or you got up at five in the morning just for me?"
"Nah, I had my morning and afternoon shift today," he said. "I got off just in time. And I don't go back on until tomorrow afternoon, so I've got this special night with you."
Valerie took Barricade into the living room, where Polly, Karen, Bart and Graham were. "Oh, my aunt must be in the kitchen watching over the dinner," she said. She started with Graham. "Barricade, this is my cousin Graham, and that's my sister, Karen, and her husband, Bart, and my mother."
"I remember your mother was with you and Rhonda at the picnic," Barricade said.
"Yeah, but you weren't properly introduced," Valerie grinned.
Afterwards, Margaret came back to the living room to see her niece linking arms with a man she'd never met. "Valerie," she said, "who is this?"
Valerie smiled rather nervously and said, "Uh, Aunt Margaret, I'd like you to meet Barricade. He's on this special team of officers called C.O.P.S. You've probably never heard of it."
"Your mother's told me a few things about it, dear," Margaret replied. "They have reputations of being good around innocent people, trying to protect this town. I'm glad you're with one of them instead of Tom."
"I agree," Graham said. "Tom took the strict disciplinarian thing too far for too long."
"What did Laura and Barbara say about it, Aunt Margaret?" Valerie asked.
"Oh, they're very disappointed, I'm afraid," she replied. "They wouldn't say much else except they'd like to talk to you about it at the reunion."
Valerie wouldn't say anything more. She wished that Sundown would arrive soon, so she could have support when she told her aunt her news.
Close to five, the doorbell rang again. Valerie excused herself to answer it, praying to herself that it was Sundown.
When she saw him at the door, his gift for her in hand, she felt something of a breathless relief. He removed his hat, bowed to her, and said, "Happy birthday, darlin'." Valerie immediately kissed him sensually and whispered, "Thank goodness you're here. I need your help."
"What for?" Sundown asked aloud. "Is it about my–" But Valerie immediately shushed him."
"Not until I introduce you to the family," she whispered. Then lower, so nobody else could hear, "I brought this up after everyone else left, and we got dressed again. You promised you'd help me."
"Right, right." He gave her the gift, then she took him out to the living room.
Barricade immediately felt threatened by Sundown's presence. He looked around at Valerie's family, all looking interested as Valerie introduced the sheriff to them. Bart looked especially interested in Sundown's western look and lifestyle. Graham looked at his reactions and asked, "Is something wrong, Barricade?"
Barricade turned to him and said, "Oh, it's just that Valerie's family is acting quite interested in Sundown's company. Look at him and Bart, for example. They're talking about favorite old John Wayne classics, for God's sake. And Karen's showing interest in the conversation, too. It's like I'm invisible."
Graham studied his mother and aunt's reaction. Margaret looked a little more disapproving than Polly. "Well," he said, "it seems her mother is still trying to decide which one she likes better. Meantime, my mother looks a little rattled that Valerie's in love with two men at once. Tell me, Barricade, are there more of them in your group who's after her?"
"Mace, Bowzer and Highway. And I'm expecting at least one of them to join us for dinner."
"That's just terrific. Mother will love that." Graham took a sip of his coffee. "Well, I'm sure Aunt Polly will be asking about all your intentions with Valerie at dinner. She'll probably decide based on what you say."
They listened to Bart and Sundown's conversation, all the while looking at Valerie staring nervously at Margaret. Neither Graham nor Barricade could understand this, and Graham said lowly, "That's weird. Valerie never looked like that around Mother before. I wonder if it has anything to do with our family reunion next month."
When Bart and Sundown stopped talking about the Wild West, Valerie looked relieved and said, "Uh, honey, maybe it's time for us to break the news now."
"Break the news?" Polly asked. "News about what?"
Valerie took a breath and said, "Now, Mom and Aunt Margaret, promise me you won't be upset, but it's about the family reunion planned for next month. You see, there's a conflict."
She started to explain, but Sundown stopped her. He said, "Lemme take care of this, sweetness." He turned to the older women and told them, "Ladies, I'm sorry to hafta tell ya this, but I learned about this reunion last Saturday night, and I'm afraid I won't be there wit Valerie. I'll be vacationin' out of town then."
"That's quite all right," Margaret replied. "Then Barricade can come. After all, I'm sure that most of the family knows about the divorce, and they'll be thrilled that Valerie has a new love."
"There's more," he added. "Jeremy ain't gonna be there, either. He'll be comin' wit me."
Polly was disappointed, but Margaret was shocked and angry. She looked as if she had blood boiling inside her body for instant soup. Finally, she exploded into a scream loud enough to be heard from the basement. "WHAT!" She had a very loud screaming voice for an eighty-year-old woman.
Polly tried to stop her. "Margaret, don't let your blood pressure get out of control. And don't yell; you'll lose your voice."
Suddenly, they heard footsteps coming from the basement, and a young girl asking, "What's with the yelling?" They saw Jeremy, all his cousins, Brian, Tyler, and Graham's daughter, Heidi. That girl was around eight years old, her long brown hair in symmetrical ponytails on both sides of her head.
"What's wrong, Grandma?" Heidi asked. She stared at Barricade and Sundown. "And who are those two guys?"
"You mean you don't know?" Brian asked. "That's Barricade, sitting next to your dad, and that one with Mrs. Boston is Sundown."
"They work with both our dads on this special team of police officers," Tyler added. "Has Jeremy ever told you about the C.O.P.S.?"
"Uh… no," Heidi answered.
"And Jeremy's not going to tell you anything just yet," Margaret said. She addressed the rest of the children. "Why don't you all go back downstairs, while Jeremy has a talk with me and his mother?" Sarah, Nicole and Drew nodded, and they all went back down without a word.
"Jeremy," Margaret began, "I've been busy putting together a family reunion held for next month since last Thanksgiving. There's a lot of family from all over the world who'd love to see you. I think it's more important if you attend that with your mother. Understand?"
"No, ma'am," Sundown interjected, and went to Jeremy. "Son, now yer mama an' I wanted to keep this a surprise, but now that the cat's outta the bag, I think you should come wit me on my trip down south next month."
"Sundown, must you encourage him like that!" Margaret snapped. "Valerie!"
"I'm sorry, Aunt Margaret, but I'm letting him go with Sundown," Valerie replied. "I know it's his obligation to be there, but I'd rather he not see those spank-happy daughters of yours."
Margaret sighed. "I wish I could understand why you don't like Laura and Barbara. So they spanked him on the bum while he stayed with them. He was five years old, Valerie! And they told me he was writing on the living room walls repeatedly – once in permanent black ink."
"And if I remember correctly, he kept doing it up until last Thanksgiving weekend," Polly interjected. "Great Scott, Margaret, even you and I know better than to spank Jeremy. I remember that day when Valerie called to tell me about it. I've never seen her cry so hard or so much. And did you not e-mail me later on, saying that you criticized them both for it?"
"And for that reason, Valerie must keep them from him?"
The doorbell interrupted them. "Saved by the bell!" Valerie declared. "Hope that's Rhonda and Richard." But when she answered, she saw Mace, grinning, with a box wrapped in birthday wrap."
"Happy birthday, baby," he said to Valerie, then kissed.
"Thanks, Mace," she replied. She took the gift, then led him to her family. Karen immediately recognized him and said, "Mace! How nice to see you again. Here, Valerie, let me introduce him to the family."
Margaret was horrified. "Oh my GOD!" she cried. "Another boyfriend, Valerie!" She turned to her sister. "Polly, do you KNOW about this? What's the whole family going to think about this?"
"That I've bounced back in a major way since the divorce," Valerie replied. Barricade and Sundown joined her and Mace, and she kissed them all.
Margaret took Jeremy's hand. "I'm taking this one back downstairs. Maybe I'll go check on the children. I don't know how much more of this I can take!"
Before he went, Jeremy asked his mother, "Mom,… is it… okay… if… Tyler… and… Brian… stay… with… us for… dinner?"
"Jeremy, only if it's okay with their mothers," Valerie replied.
Moments later, they heard Tyler and Brian come upstairs with Margaret. Valerie watched while the boys made their calls. She was eager to show them their mothers' gifts for her if they had to leave.
Tyler looked disappointed when he hung up. "Nuts," he said. "My Grandma arrived today, surprising my Mom – she was supposed to come tomorrow – and she's brought a whole buffet of food herself. She's coming to get me soon. I'll go tell Jeremy."
"Wait!" Valerie called. She brought Tyler to the table and showed him the goblets. "Your mother gave me this at work."
"Those look very nice," he said. "I wonder where you're going to put them?"
"I haven't decided yet. Probably on the wall unit where the television is. See on top where it has a glass display? They'll look perfect there."
Meanwhile, they overheard Brian say on the phone, "Really? Thanks, Mom.… Yes, I promise I'll be polite.… Yeah, see you later tonight." He hung up and grinned. "Mom says I can stay over for dinner."
"That's great," Valerie said. She proceeded to show Brian the picture frames that his mother gave her. He replied, "That looks awesome! I've never seen a set design like that before!"
Jeremy came back upstairs then. He was about to ask when Valerie told him, "Brian can stay for dinner, but Tyler can't. I think you should stay upstairs with Tyler until he leaves, okay? His mother should be here any minute."
Minutes later, they heard the doorbell again. Margaret commented, "Please let that be Rhonda and Richard! Dinner's been in the oven long enough!" She went past Valerie. "Don't trouble yourself, dear, I'll answer this one." And when she did, "Rhonda and Richard! You're finally here! Tough day at work, I imagine? And who are you?"
Valerie overheard this and said, "Cindy? Cindy, is that you?" She took Jeremy and Tyler to the front door, where Rhonda greeted her with, "Happy birthday, sis!"
"Thanks," Valerie said, then introduced them and Margaret to Cindy.
Jeremy and Tyler said goodbye to each other, then as he went to her car, Cindy asked Valerie, "Did you show Tyler that gift I gave you?"
"Yes, and they'll be a hit with dinner tonight," Valerie answered. "I'm sure between the wine and the adults, there'll be enough for everyone."
They laughed, then Cindy said, "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to get home to Mom. The meals she brought are probably getting cold right now."
"If you want, I'll fax you some cake later on," Valerie joked.
When they were gone, Valerie saw Graham setting up another chair, and several TV trays in the living room. She heard him call, "Mom and Aunt Polly, don't take dinner out just yet. I have to bring in that card table from Mom's car!"
"Did I forget to bring that in?" Margaret asked. "Blast, well, that should been done an hour ago, Graham! Dinner's already done!"
Barricade stood up and said, "I'll fetch the table, Margaret."
Mace and Sundown immediately began to feel the competition, and said together in a louder voice, "No, I'LL do it!"
Valerie immediately went to the three officers to stop another brawl, then turned quickly to her aunt. "Aunt Margaret, make a decision, and quick!"
Margaret studied the three and said, "Barricade seems like a nice gentleman. I think he'll get the table for me. Graham, see if you can find four chairs."
Barricade and Graham set up the table a few feet from the loveseat, while Valerie called from the basement, "You guys! Dinner's ready! Come up and get your plates!" On the kitchen island, Polly and Margaret set out two sets of dinner plates, and a smaller one for Jeremy. They also brought along extra silverware, as well as plastic forks and paper plates for the cake.
"Look at all the dishes we'll have," Margaret said. "How could Rhonda sell her sister a house with no dishwasher?"
"Maybe the previous owners had no use for it," Polly suggested. "Valerie sure doesn't."
Dinner consisted of two large pots of spaghetti with homemade meat sauce, and three different lasagnas – one meat, one chicken, and one vegetable. Valerie put spaghetti on one half of her plate, and one piece of meat and chicken lasagna each. "My favorites!" she said. "And how nice to have three choices. I know Sundown will want the chicken one. I don't know why, but it just looks so Texan."
After the adults served themselves, Polly put half a serving of spaghetti and meat lasagna on Jeremy's plate. Nicole volunteered to take it downstairs for him. When the children were gone, and the adults were in the living room, Polly had all the C.O.P.S. sit on the sofa. Some had spaghetti, some had lasagna, and some had both. Red and white wine were served. Margaret sat with her on the loveseat, and she directed Valerie to her on chair and TV table.
"Now," Polly said to the C.O.P.S., "I want each of you boys to tell me what you find special about Valerie, what you'd do to make Jeremy feel loved, and basically, why you feel you deserve her hand."
Valerie looked at them, looking nervous, as if a light was shining on them from a police helicopter. She rolled her eyes and said, "Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. You did this with Tom, Bart and Richard, and all the other guys we all dated in high school."
"It's all right, Valerie," Barricade said. He went first. "Madame, when I look at your daughter, I see more than just a pretty face. I see everything that I admire in her. I have a lot of value for a woman who works as hard as she does, especially since she's a single mother. Now, my colleagues and I have never been married, and never been fathers, but I can guarantee that I know some things about treating a woman and child right.
"With Jeremy, I may not have seen any emotional signs of abuse, but I do believe Valerie when she says he needs a man who's nice and loving to be his father. You'll be proud to know that I've bonded with Jeremy the easiest. I don't know if Mace or Sundown have ever done this, but Jeremy loves the touch of my arm around his shoulder. And I'm always reminding him that he's too special and worthy to be harmed by anyone. I don't care if it's the Big Boss or Valerie's ex-husband or whoever. I show nothing but affection for him, because I've learned that's all he understands. I love Jeremy, and I will do whatever it takes to protect him. And I will do the same for Valerie. Madame, I promise."
"Ah, how sweet," Margaret cooed.
Mace and Sundown held their stomachs, hoping to keep their dinners down.
"Barricade, I love you already," Polly declared. "Now how about you, Sundown? You seem to be the affectionate type, too."
Sundown coughed and said, "Well, yes, ma'am. When I saw Valerie, I thought she was more beautiful than a fieldful of wildflowers on a Sunday in spring. Just lookin' at her shape makes me believe that she could have any other man in the world, but I guess why she would choose my colleagues an' me is because she's been desirin' both love and protection. An' who can deliver better than a policeman?"
"That's true," Graham supplied.
"Thanks, Graham," Sundown replied. He continued with his story. "Anyway, I know I can provide both because in my personal life, I bear a real romantic, lovin' soul that only the most deservin' women can have. An' I decided that Valerie is that woman. I grew up with the lesson that a woman is to be treated properly. Not to sound conceited, but I possess the looks that would make ev'ry girl in town yearn fer me. But that attitude toned down in a hurry when I met yer daughter over there." He nodded at Valerie. "I love her wit all my heart an' soul, wit ev'ry breath I take. Maybe it's just my knack of fallin' in love so easily around beauty. Or maybe it's because I think Jeremy is so special."
"How so?" Polly asked.
"Whenever I look at Jeremy, or think of him," Sundown explained, "I'm reminded of all the kids in domestic abuse cases I saw back in the trailer parks and suburbs of my native Texas. Parents who do nothin' but torture their children to the point where they don't think clearly on their own. Parents who don't care for affection, who don't wanna listen to the experts, who think screamin' and usin' whatever they can git their hands on to their lil' ones qualifies as good parentin.' This is why I despise her ex-husband so much, and won't talk about him to Valerie. I can tell just by lookin' at the boy that he don't – or won't – understand much in the discipline department. I've spent some time alone with him, but I realized it has to be more special than just a drive in the country. I've managed to bond, but I wanna go deeper. So, Margaret, that's why I'm eager to take him wit me on my trip next month, even if it means missin' yer reunion."
"Now do you understand, Aunt Margaret?" Valerie asked.
"I think I do," Margaret answered. "But the family will be so disappointed."
Mace could sense it was his turn, so he cleared his throat, and said, "There are some things I love most about Valerie. I really admire the strong way she carries herself. In all the time I've known her, I've seen what an ambitious person she is. When I first took her out, I noticed how comfortable she was talkin' about her job. I love that she's a hard-workin' woman, willin' to provide Jeremy with all things necessary without the need fer her abusive husband. That's a real fightin' woman in my books.
"I also like that she's not into material things all the time, maybe on special occasions like today. I really don't like it when women expect their men to pay so much fer a date, or expect really expensive gifts every time she's taken out fer dinner an' dancin'." He paused. "No, I take back that first 'like.' I love that she doesn't want to be spoiled. Really says somethin' about the way she is with Jeremy."
"What you do like about Jeremy, Mace?" Polly asked. "Besides the fact that he doesn't want to be spoiled?"
"When I'm with Jeremy," Mace answered, "I see a fun-loving, energetic little boy, despite his lack of mobility. When Barricade first brought him to the headquarters, I saw how smart and friendly he was. He has this desire to learn as much as he can; he just needed someone to teach it to him through patience. If Mainframe were here, she'd tell ya how good he is at computers. But when I look at him, I see a little boy who just needs love an' tenderness from a real man. Whenever I've held Jeremy, I noticed that I could make him feel comfortable with my big arms an' brawny body. You should've seen us when we were swimmin' together two weeks ago. I never did anythin' I shouldn't have, but I could tell he loved the feel of my back an' chest."
"Stop, Mace!" Barricade interrupted. "You're going too far with that!"
"Yeah, yer makin' her mama ill," Sundown agreed. He finished his spaghetti.
"It's quite all right," Polly assured. "Please go on, Mace."
Mace glared at his colleague competitors, then returned to Polly. "An' that's the feelin' I get when I'm holdin' Valerie. She don't have to say it, but I can tell she's feelin' safe an' secure for those moments. But gettin' back to the kid, if I get that chance to become his dad, I intend to work him very hard on that body of his. He may never be an athlete, but he ain't gonna be out of shape, lazy an' isolated at home. That's a promise. I will revolve as much personal time as I can around Jeremy an' Valerie. I love 'em that much."
Shortly afterwards, they could hear all of Valerie's nieces and nephews come up. Polly immediately called, "If you guys want more food, it's there for you." She looked around the room. "If anyone is finished, I'd like to offer seconds. There's lots."
"I'll have a slice of veggie lasagna this time," Valerie said. "I haven't eaten that in a long time."
"And I'll have another round of chicken lasagna," Sundown said. "Reminds me of what Mama used to make back home." Everyone else accepted seconds except for Rhonda, Richard and Margaret. While they ate, Mace, Barricade and Sundown talked about their jobs and specialties towards the C.O.P.S. team.
Polly was impressed, saying, "Wow, men of high authority, are you now? I can tell one of you will do a good job protecting my daughter and grandson. At least I won't have to worry about them so much anymore." She began to get misty-eyed, and all her daughters knew what she was going to say next. "My husband – Valerie, Rhonda and Karen's father – he died when Jeremy was in first grade. Broken heart, worrying so much about him and Valerie. He'd been trying for to get her and Jeremy out of Tom's life, but she was so afraid of making him go without a father."
"Mom!" Rhonda and Karen cried together, then wept as their husbands held them.
But Valerie never cried. She said, "Mom, it's still my birthday! Look, I know Daddy would've still been with us if I left Tom years ago, but must you make me feel guilty?"
It was a little past six by the time dinner was over. Sarah, Nicole, Caleb and Drew went around the living room collecting all the dishes. Sarah said, "Nobody get up, okay? We'll all do the dishes."
While the older children were in the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Valerie put her table out and went to the door. "That must be Sheldon!" she declared. However, when she opened the door, she saw not only Sheldon, but also Highway and Bowzer, who were bearing gifts.
"Happy birthday, Valerie!" Highway and Bowzer chorused. Sheldon just smiled. Valerie let them in, looking uneasy. If her aunt reacted harshly to three men in her love life, five would certainly shock her.
Mace, Sundown and Barricade were horrified to see the two other C.O.P.S. in the living room. They were now wondering what kind of presents they had for her. They never wondered what they bought for her before, but they were now asking each other, "What did you get for Valerie?" But neither of them would reveal.
Margaret was equally horrified. After Valerie introduced Highway and Bowzer to the whole family, she screamed, "FIVE boyfriends! Now she has FIVE! My God, it's like having Jennifer Lopez for a niece!"
"Margaret!" Polly snapped. She turned to Sheldon, Highway and Bowzer. "Would either of you like something to eat? If they're not putting the food away, there should be some spaghetti and lasagna available."
"No thanks, I just ate at work," Sheldon said.
"Us too," Highway said, nodding to Bowzer. "We just came from the headquarters, and we have to go back to work at eight. So does Mace."
"Good to know you're staying around for the cake then," Polly replied.
Suddenly, they heard Nicole call from the kitchen, "Grandma! Tell Sheldon to get his ass in here and help us!"
"I'm coming!" Sheldon called back, then hurried to the kitchen.
Almost ten minutes later, the dishes were done. Sheldon's brother and cousins were all glaring at him. Sarah and Nicole were especially not happy. Sarah said, "Do you know how many dishes we had to do in there? Thanks for not helping us, Sheldon."
"I was putting food away," Sheldon said. "When I was done, I asked if I could help dry and you said no. Besides, there were four of you."
"You could've taken a few lasagna pans and dried them anyway," Nicole said.
"Girls!" Polly said. "If you're through arguing, I'd like to see your aunt open her presents, then we can have cake." Sheldon and Drew brought all the unwrapped gifts to the coffee table as Valerie sat on the sofa.
She opened the gifts from family first, and started with her mother. She found a golden pen holder designed to hold ten large pens and twelve small ones, and a matching paperweight. "Wow!" she said. "This would be really good for my office at work. Thanks, Mom."
Next, she opened Margaret's gift. It was an electric milkshake maker. Margaret smiled at her thanks, and she told Valerie, "Now you can get off that coffee and tea. I've always been after your cousins to drink more milk at their ages. Besides, you can treat Jeremy to a milkshake every now and then."
"Can it make egg crèmes?" Valerie asked.
"I don't see why it can't," her aunt replied.
The Shewfelts and the Lorimars decided to give gifts as families. The Shewfelts had given her a travel bag for her laptop, while the Lorimars gave her a ten-inch portable DVD player and two movies, Exchanging Vows and The Interstate Home. Valerie thanked them, and Karen said, "Now you'll have something useful for your upcoming trip. You can use the player on the plane. Exchanging Vows is hilarious; I highly recommend it. Two engaged couples from different generations plan each other's weddings."
"Assuming they don't make me work on the flight there," Valerie laughed.
Jeremy just gave her a coffee mug that said, "Mom Love Forever." Valerie loved and said, "This is so sweet," but she immediately suspected that Karen bought it for him when they were at the mall the day she told her about the hypnotic broadcast.
Finally, she opened all the C.O.P.S.' gifts. She started with Barricade. In a medium-sized cube-shaped box, she found two white candles that were supposed to be peppermint-scented.
"When you light them, that's when they give off the fragrance," he said.
"How lovely!" Valerie cooed. "This will look so wonderful right here on the coffee table, and they can add to a sensual mood with the lights out. Thank you, Barricade. You're so thoughtful."
She opened Sundown's gift next. She opened another box and took out a black silk neck mannequin with a sparkling diamond necklace upon it. Valerie screamed in delightful surprise and said, "Oh my God, this is so beautiful! It must have cost so much! Sundown, tell me you didn't take out a loan for this."
"Nope," he replied. "I bought it wit the power of the MasterVisa card." He then proceeded to walk up to her, take the necklace, and fasten it on her. She said softly, "Thank you, Sundown," then kissed him.
Next, she opened Mace's gift. It was a magic 8-ball colored pink, with a big heart at the bottom.
"You don't hafta say nothin'" he said. "Just shake it an' a message will pop up in the heart-shaped window. Each message represents what I think when I ain't with you."
She shook it once and turned it upside down. The heart glowed red, and in violet lettering was the message: I love you so much. She shook it again, and another message came up: You are my jewel.
"How neat!" she said. "This'll look nice in my room. Thanks, Mace."
"Tacky and cheap is what I think it is!" Bowzer commented.
This prompted Valerie to open Bowzer's gift next. She saw a silver heart that felt like stone, with her name engraved in red lettering, and a personal love poem that went with it:
Valerie, your name means "strong"
And it describes my love for you.
You are the original Mother Earth.
You are the brightest light in my life.
What can I wish for someone
Who deserves all the success in the world?
You are my moonshine, my starship, my strength
And my world will be dark without you.
Valerie squealed and cried, "Oh, Bowzer, this is so wonderful. And a personal love poem all for me. Oh, I love this! I'll treasure it always. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She went up to him and gave a long kiss.
Bowzer smirked at his competition, saying, "See, I knew she'd like my present best!"
"Shut up, Bowzer!" Mace barked.
"Yeah, she still has to open my gift!" Highway added. "Prepare to be topped!"
Valerie opened Highway's gift to see a long rectangular box. She opened that to see a bracelet patterned with rubies, sapphires and diamonds. All the other C.O.P.S. were shocked to see it.
"I don't believe this!" she cried in both surprise and amazement. "It's so beautiful, and it'll go so well with the necklace. Highway, you spent a fortune on this, didn't you?"
Instead of answering, Highway opened his wallet and pull out a MasterVisa Silver card. Valerie noticed Sundown's angry look, glaring at his colleague.
"So that was you in that jewelry store when I was lookin' at that necklace!" he said. "You just had to upstage me even in the spendin' department, didn't ya?" Before Highway could reply, she'd walked up to him and kissed him.
It was now time for cake. Rhonda and Karen moved all of Valerie's gifts to the dining table, and Karen turned all the lights in the living room, dining room and kitchen.
To the singing of "Happy Birthday," Valerie was presented with a large chocolate cake. There were two candles on it, consisting of the numbers four and zero. When they were blown out and removed, she cut the cake into squares so they looked like brownies. She put each slice on a paper plate, added a plastic fork, served everyone.
"I hope everyone likes chocolate," Polly said. "This birthday girl loves it."
"Mom, I only have one candy bar at lunch once or twice a week," Valerie protested, laughing.
After Barricade relished a bite, he said, "Mmm, this is so delicious. Polly, you're a good cake baker."
"Actually," Jeremy said, "I… overheard… Grandma… ordering… it from… a… bakery… at some… supermarket… at… ten… this… morning… while… I… waited… for… Brian… and… Tyler. She… had… to… make… room… at the… bottom… of… the… fridge."
Polly blushed a little. "Well, it would've been to complex for me to make. I'd never be able to fit that in my oven."
As they were finishing, Highway and Bowzer noticed Polly staring at them with interest. Highway said to her, "Now, I know what you're thinking, ma'am. You want to know why I would be worthy for your daughter and grandson. Let me assure you that I can be caring, kind and loving, both on the job and off. I am the type of man who likes a quiet evening at home, as opposed to a wild night of partying. I guess Valerie never told you of any of our dates. I am a man who likes to hold a woman, whether she needs it or not. I am a sensual soul, who is a passionate lover, and I think that's what Valerie will be needing, given her past. And I can also be fun-loving, as you can by the time I spent with Jeremy last week." He proceeded to tell her about their trip to the waterslides.
"I'm glad you had such a good time," Polly replied.
Bowzer cleared his throat and said, "Ma'am, I just want to tell you that I'm sorry for what my cyborg dog, Blitz, did to Jeremy last month. I know it should've been preventable. But I love Valerie with everything I have, and I know she can adjust to my dog. I think that having a pet would be rewarding for Jeremy, even if it is a robot. I want to so desperately to take her as my wife–"
"It's all right," Polly assured him. "That's water under the bridge now. I forgive you." Bowzer nodded his thanks.
At quarter to eight, Mace, Highway and Bowzer had to leave. Highway announced, "Listen, we hate to leave, but we simply must go back on duty. Bulletproof is expecting us." He looked at Valerie and Karen. "Thanks so much for inviting us over here, and we hope you like our gifts, Valerie."
"You guys are very thoughtful," she replied. "I'll enjoy them very much." She kissed all three of their mouths.
When they were gone, she looked at Barricade and Sundown. She said, "Now that you two are still here, I was thinking maybe you'd like to accompany my family and me to the movies in about an hour. It's a cop-themed romance that I think you two will enjoy, Hearts of Blue. The show starts around quarter after nine.
"We'd love to escort you to the bijou," Sundown said.
"Maybe you can even sit between us," Barricade added.
"Caleb and I can look after Jeremy and Heidi while you're away," Nicole offered.
Valerie turned to Brian and asked, "What time does your mother expect you home?"
"She says I have to be in by nine," he answered.
"Fine, we'll swing by your parents' house on the way there," she offered. "I should have that address somewhere."
While his mother was searching through the phone book, Jeremy took Brian and Heidi downstairs and said, "Wanna… play… another…game?"
"How about Candy Land?" Heidi offered.
Finally, at quarter to nine, Valerie called from upstairs, "Brian! It's time for us to go." Jeremy followed his friend upstairs, and they said their goodbye before a crowd of adults at the front door. He looked at Nicole with wide eyes, and she said, "Yes, that is a full house going to the movies, isn't it?"
"Now, we should be home at around eleven-thirty, maybe a little after that," Valerie said. "Heidi, your father has allowed you to spend the night here, and he'll be coming back for you in the morning, okay?" The little girl nodded happily.
"You guys just have yourselves a good time," Caleb said. "We'll be fine."
Nicole, Caleb, Jeremy and Heidi all went to the window, and watched as Drew and Sheldon walked back to their house, and everyone else drove off.
Wow, such a long chapter. I'll say that was some party… LOL! Hope you enjoyed being there, too!