Fred's Quest

Chapter Three: Meeting Mr. Blake

Part One

The sun exploded in a rainbow of colors. When it reached the bedroom window of Fred Jones, he came awake, looked over at the redhead that had shared his bed the night before. The sunlight caught her hair turning it to flame. His hand brushed a stray strand of flame from her face, trailing down her cheek to jaw. How much he loved her after yesterday would never be calculated.

The line about wanting to be his one true love had carried a deeper meaning. It had happened in his third year of high school. He had won a spot on the varsity team as quarterback. With his success on the field had come awards; off the field had come girls, following him everywhere.

There had been one girl in particular, he couldn't even remember her name now. When she came up pregnant, she had named Fred as the father. Chins began to wag, 'where there's smoke, there has to be fire'. They spread the lie throughout the city.

Even after the girl relented and said she'd lied about Fred being the father, chins continued to wag. The girl had the baby, married some guy. The baby looked nothing like Fred but a lot like the guy she married.

After that, Fred had went into hiding relationship wise. He stopped dating; staying in crowds, never alone. Even with the gang, there were always witnesses. It had been the gang that stood by him, proclaiming his innocence. Daphne had declared his innocence the loudest.

She came awake, stretching up to kiss his lips, her bare breasts grazing his chest, "Good morning, handsome."

His thoughts returned to the night before.

She broke the passionate kiss, leaning back, "I'm not sure this is a good idea."

She gasped for air, her chest heaving, "Oh, Freddie, I didn't know you were allergic to bee stings." She wrapped her arms around his neck, "I didn't know."

The movement had effectively brought her breasts into a soft parenthesis enclosing his face. The soft contours of her breasts confirmed that she wore no bra, probably from the pain of so many stings she had endured. His hands moved up to cup each breast. She moved back, resting on her heels.

"Allow me." Question or statement he would never know but she started working the snaps of her blouse. "It's funny, you asked me to teach you about love, yet here I am afraid to show you my breasts."

She removed her top, shielding her breasts with her hands. "They're ugly."

He had gazed at the many pink dabs of calamine lotion that covered each sting spot. "No, they're beautiful, you're beautiful."

He started placing chaste kisses over each and every pink blemish, moving closer to her hands.

"Do you love me?" He looked into half closed eyes, smoky with thinly disguised passion.

"Yes, you know I do."

"Show me your breasts. Do you trust me?"

"I trust you, Freddie, it's me I fear."

"Where there is love, there can be no fear." He took her wrists, slowly removing her hands from her breasts. They were covered with pink splotches. If he hadn't loved her before, he did now, the pain must have been unbearable. He continued kissing her breasts; she arched her back, presenting each breast.

"That wasn't a sting." Her voice barely above a whisper.

"Want me to stop?" He kissed the hard nipple again.

"Don't you dare stop. It feels so good."

She stood, taking his hand, leading him to the bedroom, slipping into his arms. That was when she told him of the doctor's orders to observe him. She had wiggled out of her clothes like a snake shedding its skin until only her panties were left.

"Good morning, beautiful. What shall we do today?" He kissed her lips, cupping a breast.

"Stay in bed all day?" She broke the kiss momentarily.

"Can't. I have a date to plan."

"Maybe I can give you a few hints." Her kisses trailed down over his neck, shoulders; her fingers working the buttons of his new pajamas.

It had been difficult to keep his mind on what she was saying as her fingers drifted through the hair on his chest, followed by light kisses. Her 'hints' were rather simple. First was she would go home to Blake Manor to get ready. Second, he was to give her plenty of warning so she could choose "just the right apparel". Those were easy to fulfill, it was the third 'hint' that had him shaking in his boots.

She had caught a nipple with her teeth, biting gently, then looking up into his eyes, "You can pick me up at home, you'll have to talk to my parents until I'm ready."

It had always amazed him that Daphne and Velma were always 'fashionably late' even if they had the whole day to get ready. Talking to her mother would be no problem; the problem would be her father. He was a business man first and foremost. It was difficult to tell where his business stopped and personal life began.

His main concern now was where to take her on their first date. Dinner and a movie would be okay but too ordinary. He wanted to do something different; something she would remember. He contemplated options during breakfast, rejecting each for various reasons.

Fred sat in the overstuffed chair, glancing through a scientific magazine that obviously belonged to Velma. The article caught his eye forcing him to go back to the beginning, paying attention to the details. It was just what he'd been looking for. It was different than any other 'first date', romantic if he could get the details right, and a date she wouldn't forget. He rushed off to tell Daphne his plans, or at least part of them.

-Xxx

Part Two

Fred arrived at a quarter to six to pick up Daphne at six. The door of Blake Manor was opened at his ringing the bell that echoed deep in the mansion. The butler led him to the library then departed. He carried two bouquets of flowers, "For the Lady of the Manor."

"I'll put them in water," Mrs. Blake took both bouquets, "I'll see if I can rush Daphne a bit. I'm sure you men can find something to talk about."

When she had gone Mr. Blake spoke, "Fred, you finally asked Daphne on a date?"

"Yes, but I came on a different quest. I'd like to ask for Daphne's hand in marriage. I'd like it you would give us your blessing."

"And why should I do that?" He talked like he'd just scraped something dirty off the bottom of his shoe.

"When you're lying flat of your back in hospital, staring at the ceiling, it gives a fella a chance to think, straighten out a few things. I've asked for your blessing, it's up to you if you do or not. But I will marry Daphne if she'll have me."

"And if I refuse, take Daphne away?"

"Sir, in all respect, there are several reasons why that would not be a good idea. One, I don't think having two redheads mad at you. I'm guessing your wife wouldn't stand for it and I'm sure Daphne wouldn't.

"Two, I've had the opportunity to do some traveling and I've made a lot of friends along the way. There isn't a place you could hide her that I couldn't find."

"And I guess you would ride up on your white horse in your shinny armor? She's been my princess for a long time you know."

"No horse, no armor. Just a man in love with your daughter. She may be your princess but she's my Queen and I intend to honor and serve Her Majesty as long as I live."

"Ah, our ladies have arrived. It's only five after six, a new world record."

"You said casual, Fred. I hope this will do." It certainly would! A lined silk peasant blouse with a split 'V' neckline and see-through balloon long sleeves topped tight pants.

"It's perfect, Daphne. Shall we go." They said good night, and started to leave the room.

"Mr. Jones, I'd like to speak to you more, shall we say next week?" Mr. Blake called after the retreating duo.

"At your convenience, Sir." Fred turned and nodded his head. "At your convenience,"

TBC