BABY ENVY
Hurrying around the home Clarice was obviously a woman with a mission. Her husband trusted her to handle the initial contact and specific contractual negotiations with the production company and discerned he was right in doing so. Hannibal watched with love and admiration as she spent her morning fielding phone calls and working at the computer in his, no, their study
Hannibal had long known his wife was as brilliant as she was tenacious making him well aware she would excel at this task. This wasn't her first rodeo; she had extensive experience with the media during her storied tenure with the FBI. As such, she was far better suited to handle this than he. Not having any need for external reinforcement to secure his manhood, Hannibal was nothing if not practical. If his wife's gifts surpassed his in any area he deferred to her talents without considering it an affront to his masculinity. In fact he felt more a man each time she asserted her perceptual and contextual intelligence that he had been able to attract a woman of such power and intellect. She was amazing, his Clarice.
In this, Hannibal recognized her experience exceeded his thus he happily deferred to her without envy or reproach. In fact, his chest swelled with pride when he happened to pass the door to the study in time to overhear her pursuing a specific contractual point without giving quarter. This situation was shaping up to be the perfect proving ground for her unique combination of aggression and acumen not to mention an outlet for her exceptionally competitive nature.
My warrior. My Clarice.
"They have no idea what they're in for, do they, my Love?" Hannibal spoke confidently as he gathered his wife to him, swaying her in his arms.
Clarice reached around him and settled her hands on his backside, pulling his body even closer. Their intimacy now so natural there wasn't a thought involved; they touched whenever they passed one another.
"They haven't a clue, H. You don't have to worry. I've got this."
Hannibal spoke as he sought her throat and nibbled tenderly, kissing her neck and nuzzling his nose, drawing it along her flesh, inhaling her scent to mark the changes as her hormones fluxed.
"I wish I could be here to watch you work your magic, Clarice, but I think things would go much smoother if I'm able to draw a few of our guests away from the home. I signed and initialed each of your copies. If I've missed anything, I'll attend to it upon my return."
"Thanks for taking one for the team, H."
"Not at all, Clarice. I am more than willing to run the gauntlet to open a few parking spots for your friends."
Gripping his bottom and gently rocking her body with his, she began to place tiny staccato kisses on his lips as she spoke, "Still…it means…a lot…it…really…does."
The sexual tension between the pair seemed to increase incrementally with the time spent only partially consummating their union.
They kissed for several moments, searching each other's mouths, tasting one another and whispering their love between each tender caress. Hannibal noted the passage of time first and drew back for a moment, biting the muscles of her neck and shoulder as he spoke.
"Rest assured later this evening, I am certain I can find some way for you to express your appreciation, my Love."
Clarice, feeling the power she held over him, grasped his buttocks and grinded playfully against his body. "Hey, anytime…anywhere, Stud."
Sensing his response to her body against his, Hannibal pulled slightly away.
"Not, I think, right now, Clarice. If I remain in your arms much longer, the production staff will be forced to change the rating on their documentary."
Clarice handed Hannibal the large carrier that served the double purpose of their child's car seat. Clarice had taken a teddy bear, dressed it in one of their son's outfits, swaddled it in a blanket and secured it in the car seat. She tugged the visor low so the teddy could not be identified as such.
"Here you go. Fake baby reporting for duty, Dad."
Dad…I'm Dad…
"Thank you, Clarice. The Devyni doppelganger will provide quite the distraction."
"Yeah, well, you be careful, H. I don't trust any of those mother…"
"Clarice!" Hannibal interrupted as he playfully covered the teddy bear's ears protecting him from the potentially offensive language.
He chided, "My Love, this isn't the Bureau and your family are not participants in a jump-out squad. You really must make a concerted effort to get a handle on your prolific use of profanity."
"What? You're worrying about me cursing in front of a fake baby!"
"The fake baby is meant to represent our own child, Clarice and while our son is far too young for the language to affect him immediately, your habit must be modified as he will eventually absorb your vernacular. I don't think either of us wants to hear at our first parent/teacher conference that our son refers to his teacher as a motherfucker."
"Okay, H, you can uncover Teddy's ears. I'll behave myself."
Hannibal removed his hands from the bear and placed one palm over his heart as he facetiously released an exaggerated exhalation of relief.
"Thank you, Clarice. Your effort on our child's behalf will not go unnoticed."
He lifted the carrier and kissed her goodbye to conquer his task.
"Keep the baby safe, H!" Clarice teased light-heartedly.
Hannibal bowed at the waist as he affirmed, "I will be ever vigilant, my Love."
Hannibal exited the home carrying the baby's car seat, knowing the base was already attached to the back seat of the Bentley.
The moment he exited the home, he was surrounded. He clutched the carrier tucking it defensively to his chest guarding it much like a running back might protect a football.
Arms reached for him attempting to turn his body but his forward movement could not be stopped. He blasted through the crowd as if bursting through a defensive line.
He opened the car door and placed the seat, complete with stuffed teddy strapped within, onto the base locking it in place. He was very careful to keep the visor pulled all the way down to shield the identity of the occupant.
Clarice laughed as she watched her husband, carrying the seat with his pretend-child strapped safely within.
Immediately surrounded by both amateur and professional photographers, Hannibal spun quickly toward the onslaught, glaring for a moment, causing those originally brave enough to approach, to jump back, terrified.
Have you never felt a sudden rush of panic?
"Doctor Lecter! Doctor Lecter! Can you raise the visor and show us your son?"
Hannibal flashed a charming smile, tipped his hat and replied, "Not likely, my friends."
"When was he born?"
"My son was born April 26th. If you'll excuse me, my wife requires rest and my son is in need of fresh air."
An older man eyeing an opportunity requested, "Where are you taking him?"
Hannibal pretended to ponder the question as he responded, "I have a stroller in the trunk of the car so, perhaps, a walk in the park."
The moment Hannibal suggested there might be an additional photo opportunity the treasure seekers scrambled. Smiling as their avarice produced the expected results, the good doctor checked the security of the car seat, locked the car door, and moved to his side of the vehicle. He opened his door and quickly entered. Satisfied that his ingenuity produced the desired results, Hannibal drove off appearing to be the lead car in a seemingly endless caravan of vehicles.
Clarice, watching from the security monitors began to laugh, "Leading the lemmings to the edge of the cliff, H? My brilliant, brilliant man!"
Moving to the study, Clarice sat at Hannibal's desk and sorted through each of the contracts she prepared earlier that morning. She checked to see Hannibal's immaculate copperplate inscribed on each signature page. Admiring her husband's perfect penmanship she slowly emblazoned her own elegant signature.
Clarice M. Lecter… I love writing it…
The production staff initially thought, because they met her when she was not fully herself, pregnant, her husband in custody, that she could be 'handled' easily. They soon found out, as Hannibal already knew, in this power couple she wielded not only the power, but the weaponry as well. Her weapon was a well-organized mind and a nature that, after dealing with the dregs of society for the majority of her career, had been forged with strength of character, intestinal fortitude and with a healthy distrust of most members of the human race, the production staff included.
When making the arrangements for the shoot Clarice was certain to be exceedingly clear with the production crew. They would have access to any room at any time with the exception of the bathrooms. The baby would remain in his parent's room at night. Cameras would be allowed unless the door was locked. No one would be allowed to touch the baby under any circumstance. The cameras would be allowed in the home for one weekend. Friday morning to Sunday night, that was it. If they didn't get the footage they wanted by that point, they wouldn't get the footage they wanted; it was as simple as that.
Clarice arranged for an equitable split of the profits and had them designated to the Lutheran Home in Bozeman. Among the list of demands, no release of the unused footage, no personal appearances connected to the release of the material, still images captured would be approved with direct signature by Clarice, and the most significant demand insisted upon was final approval of any and all stills, and footage to be released along with the confirmed destruction of any and all remaining material.
Clarice was well aware that her husband didn't appreciate the scrutiny but would allow total access nonetheless. The couple rightly believed that if people had a clear vision of their lives together and a good look at the baby, they would be less curious. They wouldn't be haunted. They might be left in peace.
Regardless, Clarice clearly outlined exactly who would be allowed in her home. The production could film 24 hours a day using two twelve-hour shifts. Once the Lecter's retired to bed for the evening the cameras would withdraw unless the baby woke for his feeding. When the baby fell asleep again, the cameras would withdraw. No more than two camera operators, two boom operators, two producers and one director would be allowed in the home for each shift. All involved had to be fully bonded and must have been a participant of the previous project. No curious onlookers and no thrill seekers. Professionals only. The home's security system would be engaged at all times so that no one could be let in or out without their knowledge.
All had been agreed to so when the doorbell rang, Clarice welcomed the crew and directed them into the home as the baby slept.
"You can set all of your equipment in the formal living room and use that as your staging area. There are two spare bedrooms if anyone would like to utilize them you are welcome to do so. Hannibal has set up a buffet in the kitchen. He'll likely do that for each meal. The refrigerator is filled with drinks, so, help yourselves."
The friends arrived a scant ten minutes after the cameras were set up and the last of the cables were run. Barney held the door.
"Thanks Barnstormer!" Logan excited, "A new baby…it's awesome…Awesome."
Barney cringed at the nickname and grabbed Logan's arm as he passed through the door, abruptly interrupting his progress.
"Logan?"
"Yeah, Barnstormer?"
"None of that Barnstormer crap in front of the cameras, okay? And let's keep the Dude business to a minimum. Hannibal's an intelligent, dignified man and it wouldn't be seemly to have us all traipsing through his home like it's a frat house, got it?"
Barney, though almost as tall as Logan, was nowhere near as large. Still, loyal to Hannibal he wouldn't allow his friend to be embarrassed. He loomed as large as he was able, pressing his point.
Ardelia, seeing Barney had her man cornered, smiled as she stood beside Logan, now pressed in the corner of the doorway.
Panicked, Logan requested she intercede, "Hey, Dee, can I get a little help here?"
Ardelia laughed as she left him twisting in the proverbial wind.
"You're on your own, Logan. It's probably a good idea if Barney talks a bit of sense into you. You really shouldn't be acting a fool in front of the cameras anyway."
Logan squirmed like a puppy trying to squeeze past Barney but the older man boxed him out and held his ground.
Logan complained to Ardelia, "Well, you've got just as much chance of acting a fool as I have!"
Ardelia slapped Logan's bottom as she passed him to enter the home, "No, I've got the sense the good Lord gave me and some solid home training from my parents. You grew up with a surfboard under you arm and sand in your shorts." She turned to Barney, "Put the fear of God in him, B."
"Hell, Barney's a big dude, but I think Hannibal is scarier." Logan remarked.
Ardelia stood in the doorway, "If you really knew her, you'd realize Clarice is much scarier than Hannibal. Even Hannibal knows that."
Barney laughed, "Yeah, I suppose that's true unless Hannibal's defending Clarice and has a hankering for kidneys, then, all bets are off. I've pulled him off people. He doesn't look like much, but I had to break his arm to stop him. I just couldn't shake him free."
Barney slapped Logan on the back in a friendly manner with just a bit more pressure than was the social norm. He added with sarcastic encouragement, "I think he's got the point by now, don't you, Logan?"
Logan stumbled forward from the impact of the fraternal slap as he agreed overawed, "Yeah, I've got it, Barney; don't get your knickers in a twist. I'll be on my best behavior."
Barney allowed Logan to pass, amused that he had in anyway intimidated the much larger man.
Clarice waited on the inside, welcoming her friends with a wide smile on her face, leading them to the kitchen for the prepared repast. To the delight of the guests there was a festive buffet set up in the kitchen. Clarice, beaming with pride, guided them to the food.
"Grab a plate, fill it up and find your normal seats in the dining room. There's wine and drinks already there, so help yourselves and I'll be back with the guest of honor in a few minutes."
"Where's my Buddy?" Logan asked, looking around for Hannibal.
"Don't worry Logan, he'll be back in a few minutes. He wanted to make sure you all got in safely. He's out with the baby."
Clarice smiled at the reference as the cameraperson picked up on the conversation.
"What?"
"He decided it would be best to take a decoy in a car seat out for a ride. You should have seen all the photographers scrambling to take a picture of the teddy bear you gave him, Dee. It was hysterical."
Barney shook his head and laughed, "That's priceless…genius, pure genius."
Suddenly the door opened and Hannibal stepped into the foyer. He placed the car seat in the front closet and moved to the dining room to welcome Clarice's friends.
The cameras moved in to capture the moment.
Logan sprang from his seat, "Hey, Hannibal…good to see you, my friend!"
Hannibal extended his hand and shook Logan's warmly.
"Hello, Logan. Thank you so much for coming to visit."
Logan slapped Hannibal on the back in a friendly way, "Heard about that business with the fake baby! Pretty ingenious my friend!"
"I wouldn't want your lovely lady to be forced to walk half a mile just to visit."
Hannibal walked over to Ardelia and offered a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Ardelia was obviously pleased, her tone friendly, "Hey, Doc…good to see you again. Congratulations on your son. We can't wait to see him."
As if the baby could hear Ardelia's words, a soft cry came over the intercom.
Clarice stood, "Sounds like someone's hungry!"
Hannibal waved Clarice away.
"You rest, my Love. I'll fetch Devyni."
Hannibal excused himself to retrieve the baby.
Barney spoke first, though the question was on everyone's mind.
"Did he call the baby Devyni?"
Clarice smiled, "Yeah, that's actually my fault. When we found out the baby was a boy, I insisted we name him after Hannibal."
Ardelia was confused, "What's that got to do with Devyni?"
"Hannibal is Hannibal Lecter VIII, so I started calling the baby Nine. Hannibal said if I wanted the baby to have a numerical designation, to call him Devyni. It's the number nine in Lithuanian."
Hannibal arrived with the baby in his arms and a camera in close pursuit. He carried the baby to Clarice and bending low, very carefully transferred the child from his embrace to hers.
Clarice cuddled the baby, angling him to give her friends a better view.
Ardelia squealed and extended her arms excitedly, "Oh my God…I have to hold him!"
Barney stood up and walked over to Hannibal, leaning to peek at the baby as Ardelia swept him from Clarice's arms.
"He's a fine looking boy, Hannibal." He commented as he extended his hand.
Hannibal took his hand and shook it warmly, "Thank you, Barney. We are very happy."
"Delivered himself, did you?"
"Yes. It was quite an experience and one I hope to repeat soon."
Ardelia lifted her face from the baby she was snuggling and questioned, clearly surprised, "You two are talking about another baby already?"
Clarice nodded, "Well, if we want Little H to have a brother or sister we would have to get on it fairly quickly. Neither H or I are getting any younger."
Hannibal flashed a playful smile, "I don't know about you, my Love, but I've never felt better."
Ardelia beamed as she cuddled with the baby. "He looks like you, Hannibal, but he has his mother's eyes."
As Ardelia snuggled her face close to the baby, she cooed, "Look, Logan…isn't he gorgeous! Don't you just love babies?"
Hannibal and Barney both smiled, though Barney spoke the thought.
"Hey Logan?"
Logan was absolutely oblivious to that which Hannibal and Barney immediately discerned, "Your lady has a baby in her arms, Logan."
"Yeah, so?"
Hannibal joined in, "She looks very natural. Motherhood would suit her, wouldn't you agree, Barney?"
Barney was laughing out loud, "Absolutely!"
Ardelia offered excitedly, "Logan? Do you want to hold the baby?"
Hannibal smiled as Barney mocked, "You do want to hold the baby, don't you, Logan?"
Logan held up his hands in surrender and scrambled quickly to his feet, "Hell, no! No babies…I'm not holding any babies anytime soon!"
Ardelia marched over to Logan and plopped the baby in his arms.
Hannibal and Barney stood shoulder to shoulder watching Logan hold the baby in his large hands awkwardly away from his body. He was looking around the room for anyone to help extricate him from the situation.
Hannibal finally bailed him out, "I've got him, Logan. Thank you."
As Hannibal leaned to lift his baby from the panicked man's hands, Barney leaned over and whispered to Logan, "Hey Buddy?"
Logan turned, "Yeah, B?"
"Dude, you're totally screwed!"
Logan, eyes wide, looked to Hannibal for support.
Hannibal smiled a mischievous smile and added with his best Logan impersonation just two words.
"Dude…Totally."
Until the next chapter, my friends!
LH