Chapter Nine: The Swan
SAC Brand broke away from talking to one of the agents; walking up to Tommy and Hanna when they exited the building, his attention on Hanna, said "What exactly were you thinking?!"
"It seemed like a good idea at the time" Hanna retorted.
"I'll be talking to both of you later. Please have a better story than that." He winked and walked off.
The two men who had taken the window route for escape had found F.B.I. agents waiting. The one who had a close encounter with Hanna and her bat ended up with a headache but recovered with no ill effects.
That had happened at first light on Monday; the following days were spent giving statements or in the case of Tommy and Hanna, depositions in the hope they wouldn't be called back for the trial. Long John had arrived later that day, spending time visiting and giving moral support wherever he could, returning to Bermuda on Thursday morning.
Thursday was also the day Velma announced her surprise. "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise! I will give hints: This Saturday evening will be special. Guys, including Tommy, will need a suit. Corsages will be required and the evening will begin with dinner." That had been the extent of information from Velma to the guys. It should be noted that Daphne was told in the strictest confidence but Hanna was only told that she would be wearing her new black dress.
Thursday afternoon and Friday were spent with the guys arranging for Tommy's suit and ordering corsages. They were told what color dresses the girls were wearing Saturday but that was all. The rest was up to them. Daphne and Velma had to have their dresses altered to accommodate their new profile with their growing tummies.
It had been agreed that everyone would meet at Shaggy and Velma's. Saturday morning Shaggy was sent packing to Fred's. When Daphne arrived at Velma's it was pandemonium as the girls had to have their hair done, manicures, lunch and lastly, picking up the altered dresses. Saturday afternoon was no better as three girls, two bathrooms made for an interesting round robin of showers, makeup and getting dressed.
When the doorbell chimed at the appointed time, Velma answered to find three very handsome guys with corsages in hand.
"Okay Vel, what's the surprise…" Shaggy did a double take when he saw Velma in her pale blue dress. She had gravitated to the peaches, greens and tonight blue, disregarding her traditional oranges. "You look…stunning is all I can say."
"Thank you but not quite yet guys" she ushered them into the living room where Daphne waited for Fred, decked out in a rich purple dress.
While Fred and Shaggy pinned the corsages on their wives, Tommy fidgeted nervously on the side, not knowing quite what to say or do.
"Hanna, your date is here" Velma called out. All eyes turned to focus on the top of the stairs as Hanna prepared for her grand entrance.
She only had eyes for Tommy who watched open mouthed as she made her way down the staircase, twirling around when she reached the landing. Tommy had never seen her in so elegant a dress before. The steel gray spider web lace accented the mere glimpse of cleavage while the matching wrap framed her head and was the perfect backdrop for her raven hair.
"I…you…you're no conch…" Tommy babbled, awestruck at her beauty. "I should hope not" she said as she moved to stand in front of him. He was so flabbergasted he could only stare, holding the corsage out to her.
"Thank you, but you have to pin it on" she instructed, grinning at his discomfort.
"Oh…yeah…I forgot" he stammered, destroying the box in his attempt to extract the corsage without destroying it also. Now Tommy faced a predicament he was ill equipped to master; with pin in one hand, corsage in the other, he stepped forward…
He'd seen Hanna in shorts and T's, even two piece swimsuits when they frolicked in the surf at home; he'd even tried to steal looks at the hidden treasures promised by her swim suit top, but nothing had prepared him for the sweaty palms and beads of perspiration forming on his forehead. He wondered why Aunt Velma kept her home so warm…in summer!
When she had twirled around, the peek-a-boo back hadn't been enough to hide the fact that there was no way she could be wearing a bra! Not with that dress that hugged every curve; and the lace that only emphasized her bust line and together highlighted his embarrassment.
It would be Daphne that would come to his rescue this time. "Maybe I should do that." She tried to get control of her amusement, taking the instruments of devastation from his fingers.
For Hanna, it was completely different. The day's preparation for this moment had been as exciting as seeing Tommy in a suit for the first time. Never had she felt so feminine; Daphne had taken the time to teach her how to use makeup to make her dark eyes speak unspoken volumes. It had all been worth it, to see Tommy so flustered yet willing to face the embarrassment of pinning her corsage on.
"Now here's my surprise" she heard Velma say "We didn't get to the concert last Saturday; I found out that the theater wasn't being used and the band had an open date so I arranged an encore presentation. I want to dance and be kissed under the stars. Is everyone ready for that?" "Yes" was repeated enthusiastically five times.
"Good" Velma continued "so no one has to drive, a limousine will be picking us up in about fifteen minutes for dinner. After dinner it will take us to the theater and home after the concert."
"And Vel, just what is this costing us?" Shaggy wanted to know.
"Don't even ask, I'm not telling anyway---besides what good is a treasure if you can't spend it on your best friends?"
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In the small hour of the night, Hanna woke. No reason to be awake at this hour, but she was. She thought back over the evening and realized several things. One was when Daphne had taken the pin and flowers from Tommy; she had had a moment of disappointment. Two, she also realized that she had enjoyed the feeling of being feminine, call it sexy if you will but she had fully enjoyed the look Tommy gave her as she walked down those stairs! Third and not least, was the realization that she had changed, or was in the process of changing. She was no longer a little girl ugly duckling; she was, or was becoming, a young, vibrant young lady swan and a swan that looked forward to new adventures.
What she may not have realized in those small hours of the night was the fact that a torch had been passed…the new Iron Maiden sighed at the remembered touch of his lips on her lips and neck; their good night kiss. Kisses that still sent shivers racing along her spine. She turned over, sighed once more, whispering "Look out Tom, here comes Hanna Love!" and went back to sleep.