October 1988 – 11 months old
"it's the fourth time in the last six months that a custom piece has been commissioned, only for us to discover the gems required are suddenly unable to be accounted for," the potential new client explained. "This last week it was four, flawless pieces of alexandrite." Remington sat forward in his seat, his attention now riveted on the client seated before him.
"Alexandrite, you say?" he asked with interest.
"Flawless, alexandrite," the man confirmed, "All four stones perfectly matched. Our client contracted for a necklace, pair of earrings and ring, for which we collected a substantial deposit."
"Alexandrite?" Laura cut in.
"One of the rarest gems in the world," Remington supplied. "It was first found in the 1830's in the Ural Mountains of Russia and named, as it was, in honor of Alexander II. A stunning gem, appearing blue-green or magenta, depending upon the light. A flawless piece would fetch, oh, twelve-thousand a carat, or so. Four, perfectly matched, flawless pieces? Now we're speaking upwards of thirty-thousand a carat."
"How many carats are we speaking of in this case, Mr. Zuehlsdorff?" Laura inquired.
"Thirty-eight," he answered succinctly. "Eight meant for the ring, six each the earrings, and eighteen for the necklace."
"Forgive me, Mr. Zuehlsdorff, but pieces like these would not be easily rehomed. One can't just pop around to the local fence," Remington pointed out.
"You're quite right, Mr. Steele. Which is why—"
All three heads turned towards the phone when the intercom buzzed.
"I'm so sorry," Laura apologized, brows furrowing, as she reached to answer it. "Bernice, I thought we made it clear we're not to be interrupted… Did he say why?..." She blew out a short, irritated breath. "Alright, we'll be right there." Hanging up the phone, she sidled down off the corner of Remington's desk. "Mr. Zuehlsdorff, I'm sorry for the interruption, but a member of our staff has an emergent situation. I can assure you we won't be gone more than a couple of minutes."
"By all means," the client acquiesced, as Remington stood.
"What's this all about?" Remington asked, as soon as the door to his office closed behind them.
"I have no idea. Bernice just said Marvin needed to see us in my office right away," she answered, as they crossed their private breakroom and he swung open her office door.
"I didn't think you'd want to miss this," Marvin offered, by way of apology, from where he was kneeling on the floor, each of Olivia's small hands clasped in one of his own. "Alright, Livvie, let's see what you've got… if you don't want to see me fired, that is."
Olivia's face lit up in a smile when she saw her parents across the room, and she clapped her hands in delight. Both her parents watched in awe as she took five, unsteady steps towards them, before plunking down on her diapered bottom. Swallowing hard, Remington dropped down on his knees, to pick up their baby girl and give her a hug before setting her down on her feet again.
"Can you walk to Mommy, Livvie?" Following her husband's lead, Laura stooped down and held out her arms.
"Come here, Livvie. Come to, Mommy," she encouraged, holding out her arms. With a wide smile, Olivia took a half dozen steps, before she wobbled and she found herself in her mother's arms.
Two minutes turned into five, then ten, before Remington and Laura reluctantly turned Olivia back over to Marvin's care, so they could return to the waiting client.
Grabbing Laura's hand as he closed the door behind them, Remington gathered her into his arms, resting his chin atop her head, needing a moment to collect himself.
"Our child's first steps, Laura," he murmured. She nodded her head against his chest, then shifted in his arms, to press her lips against his neck, allowing them to linger there when his arms tightened further around her. Leaning her head back, she lifted her brows at him, and gave him a dimpled smile.
"And she didn't even need to be under video surveillance for you to see them."