Chapter Eighteen: The Reception

I hurried to my office suite in McCosh Hall. The secretarial/waiting room was a pale aqua with chairs in floral prints. Cindy, in a bright, flowing chiffon church dress, was bustling about, clucking motherly. My office was a pale green and lined with book cases. There was a smaller office the same color as the waiting area that Troy had moved into. The final room was a large, airy, conference room with two walls lined with computer carrels. The conference table was covered with an orange tablecloth, and a centerpiece of greenery was surrounded by platters of crudités and savories along with a variety of dips and chips, punch and water. The floral pattern on the chairs in the waiting area was continued on the chairs throughout the suite and in the curtains.

"Where's Troy?" I asked Cindy.

"He's in the restroom trying to tie his tie – he wants to impress you," she whispered. "I think he has a bit of a crush."

I smiled. The caterers efficiently unloaded their carts and organized the food artistically. A large ficus plant by the hallway entrance bore a 'good luck' card from Joel and Terri Jacobs. A huge schefflera in a bronze pot stood in the corner of the conference room and had a large bow of congratulations from Dr. David Mebane. An antiqued bamboo container of Tahiti sunrise combo butterfly orchids had been placed on the desk in my office with an unopened card. The blooms were gorgeous shades of orange to coral to salmon to yellow. I opened the envelope: "I know you'll be a great success! Jim." His card made me feel like a success.

"Do we have the copies of the proposed syllabi to hand out?" I asked Cindy nervously.

"Of course, Ms. Jeffrey."

Troy tripped through the doorway, almost taking out the ficus. He grinned crookedly at me. "Do I look all right, Ms. Jeffrey?"

"You look perfect, Troy. Don't worry. Just be friendly and sell the program."

"That shouldn't be difficult, Ms. Jeffrey," he shyly replied. I wondered if he really did have a crush on me.

A little before one the caterers moved to the fringes so they could refill and refresh as needed. Terri and Joel arrived first. As usual, they were noisy and boisterous, resembling a small tornado as they blew through the offices. People then began coming in waves. I shook hands with David Mebane and thanked him for the plant, but his smile lacked the flirtatious appeal it had once held. I even thought I detected some bitterness in his eyes. The rooms were filled with hungry professors of all ilks; I mingled as much as I could. After half an hour of face-numbing smiling, I heard a commotion in the hallway and looked to see my mother entering on the arm of Blue Eyes.

She was lithe and trim in her suit of navy silk, and he was handsome in an ironed, button-down shirt of pale blue with a navy college rep tie and a navy sports coat. I stood, frozen, watching them; she held her head high and surveyed the room, looking as if she were sniffing a foul odor, while he allowed her to keep her hand on the crook of his free arm as he looked downward, avoiding meeting anyone's gaze. Just behind them stood Jim, twitching nervously as he debated trying to slip around them to get into the office. I walked forward and drew my mother inside.

"Come in, Mother, Blue Eyes, Jim. I didn't expect to see all of you," I babbled. Troy was moving with me, just behind my elbow. "May I show them our facilities?" he asked me politely.

"Where's the food?" Blue Eyes asked.

Troy led Blue Eyes and Jim to the conference room while Mother stayed with me.

"Not a lot of room, here," she groused. "But I suppose one must start somewhere."

"I'm happy with it, Mother."

"Oh, there's that darling man, Joel. Let me go say hello."

I watched her as she sailed through the room and captured Joel's hand in an intimate grasp. They exchanged words, and Mother tilted her head as she laughed elegantly. I saw Joel turn and take her to introduce her to someone, and my heart kicked into overdrive. I hurried to get within hearing distance of them.

"This is Imogene Jeffrey. Her daughter is the new director of this new program," Joel said.

Mother extended her hand to the other woman, who introduced herself. "I've met Audra at these university functions before. I'm Stacy Warner."

"If you've met Audra, then you must know her fiancé, too. He's here somewhere," Mother continued in her honeyed drawl.

Stacy's perfect face showed anguish. "Audra's engaged?"

"Yes," Mother answered. "He's a doctor, and, although I don't approve, they've already had a baby together. A little girl."

"Wait," Stacy said. "Is Audra engaged to Dr. Greg House?"

Mother smiled smugly. "Yes, do you know him?"

"Very well. We used to live together," she said with perfect piousness.

"I hope this news didn't upset you, but if you know Audra you've certainly been aware of her pregnancy."

"Greg said she was pregnant because she was raped," Stacy said as my perfect heart nearly stopped.

Her facetious laughter echoed throughout the offices. "What a cad that doctor is. One can never believe a word he says. But, if you had a relationship with him, I don't suppose I have to tell you that." Mother placed her hand on Stacy's perfect forearm familiarly.

"What are they discussing?" Blue Eyes asked from behind me.

I jumped. I turned and scowled at him. "Succubus just told Mother Zelda was the product of a rape. This is all your fault."

"Actually, it's the rapist's fault," he retorted. "Let me see if I can distract Imelda Marcos."

He limped over to the two women. "Well, Imogene, I see you've met my ex." He examined Stacy's perfect form. "How are you, Stacy? And how is Mark? Is he here? I'd like to wish him a Happy New Year."

"Mark isn't here, Greg. And I understand congratulations are due you on your engagement," Stacy said in a perfectly quiet but perfectly controlled voice.

Blue Eyes grinned at Mother. "Oh, Imogene, still trying to get me to marry you. As much as I'd love to puncture that flawless façade of yours, you know I draw the line at having affairs with married women. Oh, wait, been there, done that with Stacy."

Mother had an evil smirk. Stacy's perfect face hardened. "Are you engaged to Audra, and is her baby yours?"

"Audra and I haven't discussed marriage, and my name is on the birth certificate as both attending physician and father. Now, Imogene, let's not continue spreading these little rumors, shall we?"

Mother nodded at Blue Eyes and turned on her heel. She paused beside me and whispered, "Watch that one or you'll lose your man." Then, she proceeded into the conference room where the food and beverages were.

I walked up to Blue Eyes. He inclined his head. "Tiger, show me around your place."

Blue Eyes put his hand on the small of my back as we turned to follow Mother; I couldn't resist, however, in giving Succubus a blinding, joyful smile as we left.

In the conference room we found Mother chatting amiably with Jim and Cindy. I grabbed Jim's hand eagerly.

"The orchid you sent is in my office, and it's just beautiful. However did you know I would love it?" I asked with genuine excitement.

"It just seemed to fit your personality," Jim smiled at me.

"In Alabama, I had several orchids I entered in shows. I'm excited to think of raising them again."

Blue Eyes said nothing during this exchange, but I could feel his body go rigid in jealousy mode.

Joel, who had been circulating throughout the suite, caught up with us again. He caught my hand and said, beaming to my mother and indicating Jim, "So, this must be the fiancé Imogene has been bragging about."

"Joel, this is Dr. James Wilson, a close friend of Audra's doctor." She turned and, steely-eyed, pulled Blue Eyes next to her. "Joel, this is Dr. Gregory House, Audra's fiancé."

"Fiancé?" Jim blurted

Joel narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized Blue Eyes. "I believe I've met you somewhere before, Dr. House."

"Yes," Mother said. "Dr. House was also involved with another of your instructors, Stacy Warner. But he's decided to settle down with my Audra now."

Joel, always ebullient, couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "A university wedding. How wonderful! Terri just loves planning events – I'm sure she'd be happy to lend a hand. There's a lovely chapel on campus, and Chastain House is perfect for receptions. And, of course, there are various outdoor sites that would be suitable. Oh, a spring wedding would be so exciting!"

"Joel," I began, but Blue Eyes interrupted me.

"Audra and I have no wedding plans. Imogene, though, has a vivid imagination," he explained calmly.

"Well, now you have a child together, the right thing must be done," Mother said with finality.

Joel turned diplomatically to Cindy and complimented her on the organization of the reception while Jim quietly sampled the finger foods.

Mother's plate held only a few tidbits, and she nibbled daintily. Blue Eyes leaned next to her ear and said, "It's been my experience that women who don't enjoy food also don't enjoy sex. Do you feel that's accurate, Imogene?"

I almost spit out the mouthful of punch I was trying to swallow, but Mother failed to flinch. She responded, "It's been my experience, doctor, that a woman's sexual pleasure is inversely proportionate to the ego of the man she is with, which might explain why my daughter is so adamant about not marrying you."

Blue Eyes looked quizzically at me, and I saw the questions forming in his mind. I could feel Jim next to me trying to stifle his giggles. He jerked around, however, when he heard his name called by a feminine voice.

Stacy stood in the doorway, beckoning Jim, and he hurried to her side. The two retreated into Troy's office. I glanced at Blue Eyes; he was watching them as well.

"Are you jealous?" I asked him.

He looked down at me with a serious expression. "When she came back to me the first time, her husband was ill. Disabled. She was going to leave him for me. But Mark, he came to beg for her. He got out of his wheelchair, endangering all of the physical therapy he had been doing, and pleaded for her. I realized, no matter what she and I had, I could never love her as much as he did. I was never going to be willing to sacrifice myself for her. That's why I sent her back to him."

His voice was almost a whisper, broken with the agony of confession. I placed my hand on his arm. "You gave her back to the man you knew loved her. You made a selfless sacrifice."

His tone became sarcastic. "Don't canonize me, yet, Gloria Gilbert. I let her sucker me back in during the fall."

"You couldn't resist the challenge." I thought for a moment. "Now she's afraid we're engaged and certain we have a baby together, she may feel challenged. What will you do if she decides to pursue you again?"

He looked into my eyes with clear, blue eyes of infinite depths. "I don't think I'll bite, but I can't say for sure, Gloria Gilbert."

I nodded. I knew.

Troy appeared at my elbow. "We're running low on the copies of the syllabi," he whispered.

I smiled at him. "That's a good thing unless you find them all wadded up between the chair cushions. Oh, Troy Fletcher, meet Dr. Greg House."

The two looked each other over and shook hands. I realized they both had protective feelings towards me and neither welcomed another male entering his perceived territory. I almost laughed.

"Troy," I said, "is getting his master's in composition studies, so he's perfect for my program. He's already been a huge help."

Troy's dark skin flushed. "I am fortunate to be able to work for you, Ms. Jeffrey."

Cindy called Troy to help her with a minor food situation; as soon as he left, Blue Eyes whispered, "Now you have your own flunky. How does it feel?"

"Powerful," I answered.

He chuckled.

Mother rejoined us. "I know this is neither the time nor the place," she hissed at the two of us, "but I want to know what that floozy meant about Audra having a baby because of a rape?"

My mouth made opening and closing motions, but no words would form. Finally, Blue Eyes spoke. "You can't listen to Stacy. She's jealous of my involvement with Audra and has concocted a story to try to hurt her."

Mother turned her angry eyes on him. "Don't think I'm stupid because I'm female and I act female," she began. "Her baby was born in December at twenty-eight or twenty-nine weeks, which means she got pregnant in June. She didn't move here until August. I am not a fool, Dr. House, nor am I gullible enough to swallow all of your bull."

Blue Eyes grabbed my mother's upper arm tightly and whispered into her ear, "As far as you're ever concerned, Zelda is mine. End of story. And I don't care who you are or what you mean to anyone – I won't have you f#cking with Audra and Zelda. Do you understand?" His voice gave her no options but to nod in agreement.

She rubbed her arm where he had been squeezing her. "Audra, are you still searching for a larger place?"

"Definitely. When Zelda is finally discharged, she'll need her own room."

"Well, darling, Joel knows of a professor who's in England on sabbatical and needs to lease out his townhouse. From what he says, it sounds perfect. Completely furnished and in the historic district. Three bedrooms, two baths. And they would prefer to lease it to someone working at the university."

"Oh, that sounds ideal," I enthused.

"We need to check the address. We don't want you to end up in a neighborhood like the one you were in before," Blue Eyes cautioned.

I turned, angrily, to stare at him. "You just can't let me be happy, can you?" I accused. "Are you afraid you'll lose control of me if I move out?"

"I've never had control of you, Tiger."

Mother handed me a slip of paper. "Here's the address and the number to call if you're interested." She gave Blue Eyes a haughty glare.

At the same time, Jim walked back towards us, and I saw Succubus leave the office suite. "What'd she want?" Blue Eyes automatically asked.

Jim shifted his weight from one foot to the other, shooting uncomfortable glances at me.

"Oh, f#cking he!!," I muttered and walked into the reception area, introducing myself to those I didn't know while collecting discarded napkins and cups for the garbage. Here I was, a glorified garbage collector, while the man I wanted to care about was busy getting the latest update on his old girlfriend. When Troy asked if he could assist me, I smiled prettily at him and retied his tie for the whole room to see.

Mother snuck up behind me. "Audra, dear, is Allen the father of your baby?"

I sighed heavily. "Just keep picking at the sore, Mother."

"That's not a denial, dear."

"You've seen the birth certificate. Leave it at that."

"But, Audra, if Allen is the father, he would help provide for her. And he'd want to make things possible for you to move back home."

I looked deeply into her alcoholic eyes. "I'm not moving back to Alabama, Mother."

Dr. Mebane moved, hesitantly, up to me. "Audra, I wanted to offer my congratulations."

I shifted my attention to David. "Thank you, David. I appreciate that. Dr. David Mebane, this is my mother, Imogene Jeffrey."

Mother flashed her flirtatious smile at the professor. "I'm pleased to meet you, Dr. Mebane. I've been so concerned about Audra, alone in this northern university, that it's a relief to meet some of her colleagues."

"Well, I am always available to assist Audra in any way I can," he assured my mother. I wanted to roll my eyes at the irony of his words.

"Aren't you a chivalrous gentleman," my mother complimented him.

"That he is," I said sarcastically.

Jim and Blue Eyes joined us. I made the introductions, although B.E. remembered David.

"Oh, yes," he started as I winced, "you're the guy who's supposed to have half a dozen children. I understand you overestimated."

David didn't flinch. "I have a teen-aged son in Ohio with his mother." He turned to me. "And I understand you have a daughter, Audra. How is she?"

"She's doing well."

"Joel says you may be moving into Todd Burmeister's townhouse while he's on sabbatical. It's a beautiful place. His wife has excellent taste. I'm sure you would find it very comfortable for you and your daughter."

"I'm excited to see it," I answered.

David's face brightened. "I have a spare set of keys – Todd and I live in the same subdivision – so I can give you the grand tour whenever it would suit you."

"How about tomorrow, after lunch?" Blue Eyes asked. "Since Audra and I are living together, I would naturally need to take the grand tour, too."

I could have strangled him. "That's really not necessary. I can look at the townhouse alone."

Mother interjected, "Yes, tomorrow after lunch would be a perfect time, if Dr. Mebane is agreeable. I would, also, like to see where my daughter and granddaughter will be living." She touched David's elbow with her long fingers to punctuate her words.

"If you like, we can meet for lunch in the neighborhood and then go from there. Say one o'clock at the Main Street Bistro? I'm sure Dr. House can find it."

"That sounds lovely, Dr. Mebane," Mother purred.

David grasped my hand in a hasty handshake. "I'm sorry to rush, but I have another appointment. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

As soon as David had exited the offices, I grabbed Blue Eyes by the elbow. "What the he!! was that? You have no business approving my apartment!"

"Perhaps Dr. House means to move in with you, Audra. It would make sense, in preparation of the marriage," Mother suggested in her quiet accent.

Jim shook his head and muttered, "Marriage?"

"For the last time, we're not getting married," I exclaimed a little too loudly. Several people around us ceased their conversations to stare at me. B.E. chuckled. I gave him a warning look. "Don't you even think you might be moving in with me."

"Not very gracious, are you, since I've been letting you stay with me all this time," he sniped.

"I can move back into the Radisson tonight," I threatened.

Mother put her hand on Jim's arm. "A lover's tiff. They'll be so much happier once they stop avoiding the inevitable."

Jim stared curiously at Mother. "What is the inevitable, Imogene?"

"James, surely a man of your sophistication can recognize a couple hopelessly in love with each other."

Jim stared at B.E. and me, his head cocked. "Hopeless, they are."

When the offices had finally emptied, and I had thanked and congratulated Cindy and Troy, Blue Eyes asked if I was going to the hospital to see Zelda.

"I have to. I'm so full of milk, I'm about to burst. I'm just lucky it hasn't leaked through yet."

B.E. turned to Jim. "Can you drop Imogene at the Radisson, Wilson, so I can ride to the hospital with Tiger?"

Jim smiled graciously. "I'd be delighted."

Mother was obviously pleased with that arrangement, too. "What a pleasure, James. We will have some time to chat in private. Do you have dinner plans?"

I shook my head as they walked off together.

Blue Eyes whispered in my ear, "Is Pontius Pilate ever going to leave?"

"I'm beginning to wonder."

When we reached the hospital, I discovered it was impossible to unleash a breast while keeping my other parts covered in my new dress, so Blue Eyes found me a pair of bright, orange scrubs. As I situated myself in a chair preparatory to his handing me Zelda, I told Blue Eyes, "I look like I've escaped a work release program."

"I thought you'd like them. Orange is one of your college's colors," he responded as he cautiously placed Zelda in my arms.

As usual, my milk let down in a torrent, but this time she actually closed her tiny mouth around my nipple and began, very weakly, to suck. I stared at her, transfixed, for a few seconds before I said anything.

"Blue Eyes, look. She's sucking," I whispered as if I was afraid she'd hear me and stop.

"She's not yet three weeks old. Are you sure?" he asked skeptically, leaning over my shoulder to watch.

"It hasn't happened often lately, but I do know what it feels like when my nipple is being sucked."

"Are you complaining?"

"Does this mean she'll be coming home soon?"

"She still needs to put some meat on her bones, but it's a good sign."

I hesitated, but I finally asked, "What did Jim have to tell you about Stacy?"

He sighed and sat down beside me. "She's divorcing Mark. Now he's no longer dependent on a wheelchair, and she's happier in Princeton with her work at the university, she wants to start fresh."

"With you?"

"According to Wilson, she's been trying to tell me in person, but every time she sees me my dick is tied to your waist."

I looked askance at him. "She did not say that."

"No, but I thought it would amuse you."

"When Jim told you about Stacy, was he suggesting you get back together with her?"

"He was just delivering a message." He paused before speaking again. "Tiger, when I was seeing her last fall, I never f#cked her."

"No?"

"No. Wilson told you, though, didn't he?"

I smiled. "Yes, but I didn't believe him."

"What? You didn't believe the fresh-faced, boy oncologist?"

"No one ever tells the truth. Why should Jim be any different?"

"Good point."

I finished feeding Zelda, and we reluctantly said goodnight to her. On the way back to B.E.'s apartment, we stopped and got Thai take-out. He made me sit on the sofa while he got the utensils and drinks. He brought vodka for me and scotch for him. As usual, he attacked his meal aggressively.

"You really don't need to come with me tomorrow," I said.

"I'm not letting that lecher squire you around Princeton alone," he muttered while he ate.

"I don't think he's much of a lecher where I'm concerned. Everyone now thinks we're engaged."

"Is that really such a bad thing?"

"What?" I asked in surprise. "You don't mind my mother telling everyone we're getting married?"

"Tiger, we've been sharing a one bedroom apartment. Don't you think it might have occurred to some we were more than just platonic roommates? I mean, Stacy certainly assumed the worst."

"Well, let me call her right now and disabuse her of any notion that we care about each other. I definitely don't want to be the one keeping you two lovebirds apart," I said heatedly.

"Why are you getting all hysterical? I told you I didn't f#ck her. You should be happy."

I slammed my plate on the coffee table. "But you want to. You wish you had f#cked her, and you want to f#ck her now, don't you?"

He placed his food more sedately on the coffee table. "No, I'm not, at the moment, thinking at all about f#cking Stacy."

I stood up with the intention of leaving the room, but he reached up and grabbed my hand, pulling me on top of him. I moved to get up, but his face moved towards mine, and I was kissing him before I even realized it. He shoved me backwards onto the sofa and crawled on top of me, never once breaking the kiss. We hadn't kissed in a long time, and I had forgotten the taste of his tongue, the heat of his face pressing into mine, the smell of his cologne mixed with scotch and spices and sweat. I pulled on his shirts, and he struggled out of them as quickly as he could while still maintaining some physical contact with me. He helped me get my top and my bra off; he buried his face between my sore breasts, kissing and licking and sucking them gently. At the same time, we both reached for the other's pants, fighting to make the other naked, fighting to feel our nakedness against each other. His erection pressed into my stomach; my legs encircled his waist, grabbing him. As he slid into me, I moaned, and he kissed my mouth and continued kissing my mouth as he moved inside me. He moved with a torturous leisureliness, building the tension in me. I reached for his ss and pulled him even closer to me. I could feel his chuckle even as his tongue caressed my mouth.

"Tell me," he whispered.

I kept my eyes closed and wouldn't speak.

He continued to thrust into me at the same, agonizing rate. "Tell me," he urged.

I shook my head.

"Look at me," he begged.

I looked into his eyes and fell into their all-consuming universe.

"Tell me," he said again.

"I want you," I whispered.

I felt the beginning of his orgasm as he shoved himself harder into me.

"Again," he said.

"I want you," I said again, more loudly, as I felt the first spasms of my orgasm.

"How much?" he asked, his eyes still holding mine captive.

"All I know," I said.

He groaned as his ejaculation strengthened, pushing into me with all of his effort.

"Who do you want?" he asked.

I tried to look away, but I was overcome by my own convulsions. I felt him grind against me, knowing he was emptying himself into me, and I could only answer him. "I only want you."