Chp04 shotgun, rings, family
Grace-pov
Rolling up my lane to my house. The SUV is rocking to pop and girl bands hits. I find myself de-aging to my coed years. Kind a, I never had these things in College. Always the bookworm, the super student focused on being a Doctor. Kate and Anna's karaoke the lead, while the rest of us to the chorus.
He used to be a shy boy
Until I made him my boy
I never missed a heartbeat
Just sitting in the back seat
I'm gonna give him all my love
Each and every night
One thing I know he's dreaming of
I wanna squeeze and hold him tight
(Gail, Grace, Abby sing, girls hand dance)
But don't she make you feel good Christian
And don't he make you feel good Anna
(Shoop shoop aaahh)
Don't he make you feel good every time
And don't it make you feel good, all-night long
(all night long, long All night long)
(Anna, Kate sing)
Everything we put together
Seems to last forever
He knows about a good time
Gonna make him all mine
(Gail, Grace, Abby sing, girls hand dance)
He gives you lovin like nobody else
You like the way he turns you on
You wanna keep him all to myself
when heart could beats So! Strong shy boy Songwriters: Steven Nicholas Jolley / Tony Swain
Mixing the innuendos into the lyrics. Has us laughing. We are wild women. I feel Gail hug me, we are Christian's mothers. I rock the mood, as we turn into my driveway. We older women are feeling with Traveling Wilbury
(Grace)
Been beat up and battered 'round
Been sent up, and i've been shot down
You're the best thing that i've ever found
Handle me with care
(everyone)
Reputations changeable
Situations tolerable
Baby, you're adorable
Handle me with care
(Anna)
I'm so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won't you show me that you really care?
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
(everyone)
I've been fobbed off, and i've been fooled
i've been robbed and ridiculed
In daycare centers and night schools
Handle me with care
(Gail & Abby)
Been stuck in airports, terrorized
Sent to meetings, hypnotized
Overexposed, commercialized
Handle me with care
(Kate&Anna singing and hand dancing)
I'm so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won't you show me that you really care?
Everybody's got somebody to lean on
(everyone sings and hand dances)
Put your body next to mine, and dream on
I've been uptight and made a mess
But i'll clean it up myself, I guess
Oh, the sweet smell of success
Handle me with care Handle Me with Care Songwriters: Bob Dylan / George Harrison / Jeff Lynne / Roy K Orbison / Tom Petty
We three old ladies rock the song, shocking the younger generations. We hop out of the SUV, dancing like loons. I feel young and free. This day is turning bright, my son is marrying the perfect Anna. I can't believe he fought so hard to not meet her. I laugh hard, I'm two for two matchmaking.
The door fly's open, Music blast out the door. Mia jumps out the door, spins lip syncing to the Pointer Sisters.
(Mia)
Let's get excited, we just can't hide it
I'm about to lose control and I think I like it
I'm so excited and I just can't hide it
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know I want you, I want you
(everyone) [We jump around singing. My daughter is back from Paris early.]
Oh boy, I want to love you, feel you
Wrap myself around you
I want to squeeze you, please you
I just can't get enough
And if you move real slow, i'll let it go
I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it
I'm about to lose control and I think I like it
I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know I want you
I'm so excited (look what you do to me), and I just can't hide it (He's got Anna burning up)
I'm about to lose control and I think I like it (yeah)
I'm so excited (how did you get to him?), and You can't deny, no, no, no (Your going to give it up)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)I know, I know, that I want you I'm so excited Songwriters: Alex Bontenbal / Trevor Lawrence / Anita Pointer / June Pointer / Ruth Pointer / Michiel Steenhuis
We dance into the house. Music is blasting with my close friends, gathered to celebrate with us. As we explode in girl power, "NO BOYS ALLOWED" I scream. Everyone screams "NO BOYS ALLOWED"
"TILL TOMORROW AT THE RECEPTION." Abby, Gail, and I scream. We are going to party all night.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
10pm
I see Abby on the patio. Walking out to her. I find her crying. "Abby?"
She turns to me, hugging me. I feel Gail hug us both. Abby shakes in emotions so strong I fear what they are.
"I wish my sister had lived to see this. See Anna the girl; she always knew was hidden in pain and loneliness trapped in that Fu ##Ked up family."
"Anna is a fantastic young lady; you and your sister did good."
"You don't understand, Anna in there is opposite of what she has been for years. Here let me show you." She pulls out her cellphone. She shows us a video of a Grand Ball, we see Anna walking across the floor, devoid of emotions, of light. Stiff, stoic the cold indifferent stereotypical English royal. We see her spin. An older lady screams drawing all eyes on Anna. She turns, even colder if that is possible, we can see her atrocities gown is soiled by some colored liquid. Two girls behind her, laughing with empty punch glass.
"The brown haired one is her sister Leia, that was the Queens Winter Ball."
"Why would she wear such awful dress?" Gail asks.
"The bitch troll! Her stepmother, bribes and blackmail Anna's stylist. She's gone thru a dozen in four year. See that is how she has become the whole-time, home in England"
She flips to another video of a blonde Anna sitting reading a book; A older Botox faced unstylish unnatural platinum blond bob, walks up and berates her. I want to crawl into the frame and beat her to death. How could any mother treat her daughter like that, even a step daughter? Then I realize Abby's point. Anna's face never changes, cold emotionless. I turn looking thru the French door glass.
The girls are dancing vogueing, goofing; young happy carefree. I look back at the phone.
Our Anna is younger than the one on the phone. The pain she must have endured to be that detached.
"I've never seen her like that? She is so happy and carefree here. How?" Gail asks
"When Anna came back from America the first time, when she was almost eight; Eliana berated and humiliated her at every opportunity. Helen use to have Anna do lip-sync songs skits, singing, poems, acting, dancing to help her over come her shyness. Eliana caught them one time when Anna was 8, Eliana humiliation caused Anna to not speak for two months." She takes a deep breath
"Afterwards when every Anna was performing; Eliana would run in and make fun of her. The bitch troll would bribe the staff to rat out every misdeed, every fun moment. She got worse after Helen death. Leia always joined in, playing up the good daughter. She's a shallow spoiled bitch, without morals." Abby shakes in rage.
"She seems very comfortable singing and dancing, all left feet, but she enjoys it none the less." I smile.
"She would do those performance for me and Frankie, when the staff was all gone, and the security staff was minimum and on our side." Abby wipes her eyes. "Excuse me, silly old woman"
"Abby, she's far from those people, and Christian will never let them hurt her, without suffering pain and anguish. Hell girlfriend! We will pull these bitch trolls hair out if they challenge us." Gail hugs us. We both nods, these are our kids and we are never giving them up. We see the girls sings a bawdy song, arms around each other, swaying back and forth.
"Ladies, let us get back in there and enjoy the night. This is a party." I haul the old girls inside: We are greeted with the ending of Sex Pistol's Lonely Boy changed to proper sex.
Every time I think of him
It brings back memories
I remember how it used to be
Oh baby, can't you see?
Oh baby, come back to me.
I'm a lonely girl
I'm a lonely girl
I'm a lonely girl
I'm a lonely girl
Oh my darlin' can't you see
You're the one that means so much to me
I know I need you're tender touch, (all night long)
Oh I need it oh so much (put a ring on it)
He can't wait to fill your Cun #t (All night long)
Oh what a husband he'll be
I can't wait to fill my dreams ((mouth)(ass)(pussy)) lonely boy Songwriters: Paul Thomas Cook / Stephen Philip Jones
The girls end the song grossing each other out, "Alright Enough!"
"Grace, you're a doctor? Aren't you? How exactly does the bird mate with the bees" Kate yell, to Mia seconding the dig? "Sandy, cut the strength in half, these broads are too drunk."
"I already have, they just are making it up with dancing; lack of oxygen to the brain." Sandy my friend, who's playing bartender, yells back.
"Alright Lip Sync/Dance off, kittens verse Goddesses. Ladies we are up first. I believe DJ: Tonight, Is What It Means To Be Young from Streets of Fire. We take a triangle with me as lead. Striking the classic female rocker pose from the movie. The music floods the house.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
4am. I groggily wake to Mia pushing me off the bed. That girl is going to be the death of any husband, with her taking the whole bed. I remember after a thunderstorm when she was little. She slept with Cary and me. Before Dawn, she pushed us both off the bed. Starfish Mia snoring like her brothers. My children.
I smile, my children. My sons have calmed down, settled down and made me happy. Mia is home, Christian is getting married in a few hours. I jump and bolt for the kitchen we must get going.
I rush into Gail and Abby smirks. "HAD A GOOD SLEEP!" "AAHHRG to loud, softer?" I beg. Pouring a very loud cup of coffee.
"We have to get things for the wedding?"
"Taken care of: Anna's bridal trunk is due in?" She checks her watch. "Now"
We head out to the driveway. A SUV pulls up, and a young boy hops out, smiling like a loon.
"Frankie, what are you going here?" Abby asks, more amused than irate.
"Ladies, I'm Frank Lambert the Second. Call me Frankie, I am very pleased to meet you all." He says kissing our hands. O'boy why do I fear another Elliot. That smile will break a thousand hearts.
"Frankie?" Anna ask walking up on us, very motherly. "Ferguson." She nods to a hard man, who was driving. Must be the boys CPO
"Simple, when Abby left, she took the trunk. Thus, it is logical to deduce you are following the legal advice and getting married. The rest of the family can wait, I'm no missing your wedding for anything. Besides I need to approve of the groom."
This boy talks like he's thirty, not early teens.
"This is Dr. Grace Grey, The groom's mother. This is Mrs. Gail Jones the groom's other mother and housekeeper. The Groom is meeting us at the church at 8am."
"Who's the groom?"
"What do you mean?" I ask
"I hear Elliott or Christian?"
"Frankie I'm marrying Christian. Since it has little to do with the legal stuff. I found my forever, happily ever after. How far behind are the parents?" Anna blushes.
"Well, they are kind aaaaaaa innnn Bermuda? Waiting for you to arrive on the Windjammer Sail Cruise Ship with a froggy player, gigolo Comte 'de Craon. Who dazzled you to run away with him; to shack up with, kind aaaaaa: Talked the Captain into sending information to the Firm. About your nuptial in Bermuda on Thursday" Frankie waffle on what he did. I see him looking down sweeping imaginer pebbles with his foot
"How did you do that?" Anna hands on hips, asks. Their interaction is not brother sister. It's mother son.
"He's a friend of Chuckie's brother. Royal Navy an all." Frankie try's to down play. I wonder why? Anna seem concerned about this boy Chuckie.
"How is the Lady Charlotte, still kicking your ass." Anna asks. It takes me a second to realize Chuckies not a boy.
"Kind a? She decided? Ah' she wanted to be girlie sometimes? Not always a bud (tomboy)." Frankie blushes
"Kind a what?" Anna refuses to let it go.
"She's my bird, my burd (girlfriend) OK!" He barks "god your worse than the headmaster at Eton." He mutters. Anna hugs and kisses his hair.
"So, now Charlotte is your girlfriend. I need to remind you about birds, bees, safe sex." Anna speaks. Frankie is really trying not to bolt. I take pity on the boy.
"I believe Anna? That is Abby, Gail and my line. Now the Birds preens an" Frankie bolt inside.
"NO! LA! LA! LA! LAND!" She moves back inside. We follow. Most of our friends left last night. Mostly family is about. The CPO have moved the large trunk into the great room. I find Mia, Frankie talking to my mother; when did she get here?
"MOM?"
"Grace, get us some tea or coffee. Frankie was just telling me about his sisters love of books." She says like its perfectly normal day.
"You must be Anna. My newest Granddaughter; come sit child? I can't believe you're marrying Christian I always though he batted for the home team." Everyone laughs except Anna and Frankie.
"What my Mother means Anna she though Christian was gay. Not into his?" I stutter trying to think of how no to say BDSM.
"If you mean the BDSM, we already talked; Taylor talked to me earlier before I met him official. He doesn't need it with me. I can touch him, even in the no-go areas." Anna says matter of factly. She whispers into Frankie ear; his angry face disappears hugging Anna.
"Well mom?"
"Did you think I would miss my grandson wedding."
"No, I sent a car for you this morning."
"Good thing our favorite Grandson Elliott called yesterday. Your father drove us in near midnight. We're at Escala in the condo on the fifth floor."
"Ok, what now Abby, Gail?"
"Anna's Wedding Trunk is here, everything is good. Miss Keller, Anna's LA Lawyer, has arranged flowers, and the chapel and city hall civil appointment. Andrea's setting up the reception brunch at Grey House; Roz and Gwen are paying. Christian's PR with Miss Keller and Roz Bailey will handle announcement and press. Carrick's law firm will handle 'The Lambert Commercial Bank & Associates': the 'Firm'. Mr. Taylor will handle security and the Honeymoon transportation. We are charged with getting the bride to the Chapel, dressed and ready to make an honest man out of your son. Questions Anna? Anyone?" Abby talks, like this has been planned for months."
Anna enters a combination, Frankie enters a combination. He opens the lid. We stare shocked, a wedding in a box. I watch as a wedding dress bag is removed. "Gail we may need this steamed"
Frankie removes a clear bag holding reverently, an ancient delicate white lace veil. "four-hundred-year-old Spanish lace, grandmother said it was from the Spanish Armanda, Grandpa said we stole it during Wellingtons Iberian campaign." He hands it to me. Beautiful, antique patina, fine detail an heirloom to cherish forever.
"Grandma said getting married with it guaranteed the marriage will last forever. Neither Carla or Eliana wore it." I notice he doesn't say 'his mother', by Eliana. Telling were his loyalty truly lay.
We watch as Mia is looking at the shoes, jewel embroidered silk flat ballet shoes. "Anna not very stable in heels over two millimeters" Frankie laughs. "Frankie! I can wear heel, I just want to concentrate on the groom, not on me crashing into a fishpond. O' wait that was you in your first dress shoes." Anna tease back.
Seeing this interaction makes us all happy. They are very close, very giving. It's still mother/son not brother/sister. When the chest is empty, laid out in Christian room upstairs. I sit with Abby and Gail as the girls get Anna showered, hair and nails.
"How did you put this together so fast?"
"The Chest, Helen; my sister started when Anna was four. They would spend hours arguing the wedding, reception, everything. She told us all from day one, when Anna was an infant. She would marry her soulmate or not at all. And it would happen very fast, thus the trunk."
"Your sister loved Anna a great deal."
"Yes, she did, a Frankie. She had young Anna feed him, diaper him, kiss his boo's, be their when his parents ignore him, or Leia tormented him. Just like my sister did for her. Anna is more his mother than that bitch Eliana." She deflects from her sister, I see the emotions are deep and loving.
We sip our coffee in deep thoughts; evil thoughts about Anna's father and Cruella. Frankie has gone to Escala to be part of the guys preparation.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ferguson-pov: The week before Anna's graduation:
I sit stewing in exile, in Dalwhinnie, supposedly checking security on the Distillery the Firm owns; The Earl personally moved me from Anna's CPO. I know something is up, my replacement is a moron. Sergeant-Major tells me they are frolicking, selling secrets to the tabloid. Unlucky for them the Sergeant-Major has more pull. I need to figure a way to protect my girl.
The phone rings.
"Ferguson. Yes Sergeant-Major." I listen as he outlines a plan, I'm officially on leave. Anna is planning something. I remember her using the public computers during Christmas in NY. Her and her friend the Librarian tight in secret conversations. I need to go to NY. Even though the Sergeant-Major said; Anna was planning to go to Rome and maybe a class in Milan.
Why Milan? I pull up a map. How will Anna get there, drive? No, she's will take the train, enjoy the scenery. Pulling up a rail map and time table. The Milan is a hub with a regular train to Venice. Why does Venice strike a nerve?
I call a friend who does logistics for MI-6, he tells me Venice International is a madhouse right now, the tourist season in full swing, with the Universities let out for the summer. I think, then looking out my window here at the distillery, I see a herd of sheep in the field beyond the ancient stonewall, suddenly a Border Collie's black marking pops up inside the herd. Jumping on sheep's back. YES! Moriarty has nothing on me. One more coed in the mix of tourist flying in and out; to where?
I need to go to New York, and check on the Librarian. She will know what Anna is up to. First a stop at London house, check Anna's reading nook. If she is planning something, she would have a burner phone there in the hidden compartment under the secret reading nook seat. Abby showed me.
I land at Kennedy, looking about me at the summer mad house, the tourist season is in full swing. Yes! This is where she will come in. I check the flights from Venice to here. Yes! Lots of possibilities. My girl is thinking, like the Colonel and Sergeant-Major taught her.
I survey the Librarian, during a lull, she moves to a public computer, not using her own. She is working on an internship in Seattle, finding a room. Things are going good. She is making sure they can't trace her computer search.
The next day, I follow her to the Amtrak station in Iselin in New Jersey. I flash my fake Scotland Yard's Badge; She bought a train ticket from Yonkers to Seattle Washington, one female named Leslie Sutton. I laugh, Anna is using Leia's fake ID. My girl.
I get a ticket matching hers at Newark Amtrak station. I get the berth below hers on the same car. With me leaving from Penn Station in NYC. I need to find out what is happing in Seattle.
I break into the librarian's apartment off Park Avenues. The lady is rich, I shake at the two pictures on the mantel, with black bands. An Older man, Jungle fatigues, boonie hat, next to a Firebase Thor sign. A news article glue to the back of the picture frame is about the base being wiped out, a causality list, with her last name underlined. Her late first lieutenant husband.
The Second Picture shows a young Staff Sergeant on parade ground of Ft. Bragg, Green beret. The back has a causality list for the Battle of Wanat; Her son. The lady has suffered pain. I find the two golden star banner in her bedroom. With embroider names and dates. Two Green berets lay on the dresser top, one Staff-Sergeant, the other with first Lieutenant's silver bar. Rosary beads on both. Two plaques on the wall hold their decorations.
I walk reverently out of the shrine to her loved ones. Feeling very dirty for invading her apartment. I find what I want on the kitchen table. A detailed file of internship in Seattle at something called GEH, under Anna Steele; shared Apartment with a Roommate name Kate Kavanagh. Amtrak tickets, shipping receipt for cloths, electronics, books and Knick-knacks all shipped to the apartment. I photograph everything and leave.
Wow, as I walk thru Central Park; my girl is serious. She will use her Stepfathers name, she has a passport in that name: she will use it at Venice. Disappear in NYC, arrive at Seattle under Leia's fake ID. Restart life as Anna Steele. I vaguely remember seeing a movie about this, Frankie and Chuckie dragged me to; about some wild out of control Prince escaping to college in Michigan, finds his farmer daughter princess. Strange how real-life mimics movie fantasy; except Anna is anything but wild or out of control.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
I call and arrange a car with a friend who's CPO'ing in Seattle. He insists I stay in his spare bedroom, he's just two blocks from Anna's apartment. I order some surveillance equipment. The list of Anna's electronics: smart phone, laptop, Kindle, iPad with a bunch of preloaded website access. Mostly books, Libraries, I'm not surprised. I should get a chance to plant trackers, and maybe bug her smart phone.
I must stay dark, till I get into Chicago. All my expensive are thru a shadow account in Gibraltar. The Sergeant-Major will understand my delay. I want my girl to have a chance to be free and happy. I smile out the window as the train rolls out of Penn Station. I will rest knowing she will alight at Yonkers.
She looks happy, tired. The Librarian hugs her, tears in her eyes. I understand her emotions; Anna engenders those strong feelings. It's like her uncle, how I wish he was alive, and still the Earl. Not his loser bother, Anna's dad.
I stare out onto pasting Hudson River landscape. I remember the day I became Anna's man.
Western Iraq:
The desert is floating below us as we, in three American Blackhawks; Joint team Heller-Four heads into harm's way. Lt. Millar's Ranger Team Heller-Four, 2 Iraq interpreters and us, first team of 22nd G sq. Twenty-nine hitter spread over the three birds. We have eleven in the lead helicopter. I check on (Lt. Colonel designate) Major Robert Lambert, the Earl of Gloucester, executive officer, temporary commanding officer of her majesty's vengeful sword: G Squadron of the 22nd SAS Regiment. Iraqi insurgents shot down an RAF Hercules, we are inbound to capture the leaders responsible. Its 2005 and we are primed to get the bastards.
Suddenly the engine bangs and explodes. I search the window for a smoke trail as the world tilts and barrel rolls. We are going down uncontrolled. I brace for impact. We crash into the side of a ravine, upside down. We roll down the steep slope a couple of times after impact. It's the only reason we are alive. The cargo hold is awash in injured men. I feel my arms are broken, I try to stand up.
Sergeant-Major Sharp, blood soaked, a terrible gash in face, hauling men out the rear door. I try to make my way. The Earl carried me outside. Laying me on the ground, "Colour Sergeant Ferguson stay awake". I stare in horror as fire explodes. I can hear the screams of the wounded caught inside.
I watch the Sergeant-Major and Earl brave the burning wreckage to save more of their men. I lay next to an American 2nd-Lt. Green hat, his legs are broken from the strange angle they lay about. We see the second bird landing on the ridge above us. I watch the Sergeant-Major trying to stop the Earl from going back inside. He shakes Sharp's hold. Walking back into the death trap.
He staggers out with the Copilot, just as he makes the portal. The Blackhawk explodes. Engulfing them. He pushes the Copilot to safety as he burns. Sharp's brave the fire, drag him to us. He is still alive, for how long I don't know. I count the wounded and dead outside the wreck, eight. Only six will live; six out of fifteen.
The Major tries to speak. I lean over, the pain from my arms nearly blacks me out. Sharp's flops next to him; Sharp's bleeds from his chest, face, burned smoldering uniform, his hair is burned off, blisters already bubble up.
"Anastasia, Anastasia. Tell her I loved her. Tell her please, Ed. Please tell her. Anastasia!" He died think about his niece. I remember the coltish, quiet girl at Hereford, always a book in hand. I look at Sergeant-Major Edward Thomas Sharp, the stone man is weeping uncontrollable. I realize my face is wet with tears. I touch the body. "I swear to protect her always"
I remember the Parade Grounds at Hereford when the Prince of Wales pinned my George Cross & Distinguished Conduct Medal on my chest. Shakes my hand gentle as my arms are in full arm casts. How the world has changed for you; Colour Staff Sergeant Edmund Fowler Ferguson. I'm the fourth person in my family to win a High Metal.
My maternal great-great grandfather Edmund Fowler won the Victoria Cross at Hlobane. My paternal great-great grandfather survived the Defence of Rorke's Drift earning the Distinguished Conduct Medal. My great grandmother won the George-cross in WWII as a WAAF.
I look sideways at the petite brown-haired girl, holding a folded SAS regimental flag with a Victoria Cross (2nd award), Queen's Commendation for Bravery (3rd award), Iraq medal, Order of the Bath and Distinguished Service Order (4th award). Pinned to her dress the Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll. Tear roll down her face as the once stoic girl is drowning, broken in grief.
This is her family's regiment. Her great grandfather, the fifth son of the Earl, rode with Lewes and Stirling in the first SAS action. He died August 1944 during Operation Houndsworth in what is now the Morvan Regional Natural Park of France. Her grandfather the first to rise to the Earlship, fought in Oman's Jebel Akhdar rebellion, Yemen and Oman's civil war. Commanded the regiment blades in Operation Nimrod. Cancer took him shortly after his son returned from the start of Second Gulf War. Her grandmother died last year. Her uncle started in the regiment with Mount Kent in the Falklands, wounded in Bosnia, Won his First VC in Sierra Leone's rescue Operation Barras. To die in Iraq, because a Blackhawk annular combustor in the engine malfunction, blowing the engine to pieces, separating the rotors from the body. This is her legacy. Hell, even her step-father was a Green Beret.
I can't take it, I break ranks and hold the weeping little child. A small boys charges from the stands. Her little brother; I carry them to her Governess. I hold her till tears no longer fall.
Sergeant-Major Edward Thomas Sharp hands me the Majors dress beret: the sand-colored beret, cap badge a downward pointing Excalibur, wreathed in flames (often incorrectly referred to as a winged dagger) worked into the cloth of a Crusader shield with the motto Who Dares Wins. His combat rank badge the Velcro embroidered cloth with the major crown pined next to his SAS pattern parachute wings, designed by Lieutenant Jock Lewes and based on the stylized sacred Ibis wings of Isis of Egyptian iconography depicted in the décor of Shepheard's hotel in Cairo over the cloth embroidered badge in white, light and dark blue thread on a black wool backing. (Wikipedia).
I make sure she has them in the car. The stoic girl is back, I notice her step-mother scowling at her. I stare the troll down, and the new Earl as well. He refused military service going to party heavy Manchester Metropolitan University earning a Third-class honor's business degree before joining the Firm.
I medical out the next months, the Late Earls head of security has hired me as a CPO; Sergeant-Major Sharp will take over head of the Earl's Commercial Bank (the Firm) security tomorrow.
I stare at the regimental memorial. I put a stone on the stone. I remember my fallen comrades, my fellow blades in Heaven, Valyria, or Sto'Vo'Kor. I swear to protect their memories, and the Earls niece. Anastasia Lambert is going to smile and be happy again. She deserves it, the words whispered in a desert ravine haunt me: Anastasia, Anastasia. Tell her I loved her. Tell her please, Ed. Please tell her; the major's dying wish. Our solemn mission.
I watch my reflection in the glass. She has blossomed into independent woman. Congratulatory Double First-Class Honor's in Classical Literature at Oxford, GPA 4.25. Her sister Leia is barely finishing a CIDESCO Beauty Therapy degree at London School of Beauty with a passing grade. She deserves this chance to be herself. I smile as sleep takes me. It's a good start.
Xxxxxxxx
I manage to plant the trackers and bug her cell phone at Havre MT during the forty-minute layover. I see her return with a bag from a J. M. Donoven Designs in Fine Jewelry. I suspect she has bought presents for her friends, Abby and Frankie. A food bag from PJ Bar&Grill.
Later I check on her, the remains of what looks like a Mexican platter with extra nacho. I smile at her content face engrossed in her Kindle. I return to my roomette on the bottom level. It's a good day. Tomorrow will be better.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Pulling into Seattle King station, I shadow her. She checked her carry-on, didn't pick up her checked luggage; Takes a cab. My friend is here with a car for me. I tracking Anna to a used car lot. I watch in horror as she drives an ancient VW Bug away. MY God that thing is older than my father. Ugggh I need to destroy that car before it kills her.
She returns to the Train station, to recover her luggage. I head to her apartment. She arrives. I see a blond coed come down, hug her and help carry her bags upstairs to unit 903.
I head over to my buddies, the former green beret lieutenant who survived the crash with me. To crash at his pad. He's on a high rotation, so he shouldn't be home much. I watch my computer tracking them. I enjoy the weekend, I notice at the church in Bellevue. They seem happy, making friends. Tomorrow she starts her internship, I have an over-watch place set up, with several alternates. I hope the summer will be golden.