Part 6
And so they arrive at the Best home, surprising Fidel mightily and Juliet not at all. As Fidel shows Richard all the paraphernalia necessary to watch a baby sleep for 3 hours, Juliet pulls Camille into the kitchen where a hushed rapid-fire conversation punctuated with suppressed squeals takes place.
As they wave goodbye to the couple, Richard whispers, "And what was all that about?
Waving and nodding, Camille whispers back, "All what?"
Turning to look at her, he smiles, "All THAT back there in the kitchen."
"Oh. Juliet is most pleased. She gave me a bottle of wine to celebrate."
"You TOLD her? Camille, how could you betray my trust in such an egregious manner? Tsk."
As they watch the car diminish in the distance, Camille says, "I imagine she's telling him right about… now." The car swerves slightly then disappears around the corner.
Heaving a huge sigh, he takes her hand and leads her back into the house, "Oh, good. That's all settled then. Our rapprochement will be all over the island by morning. So happy to oblige everyone's salacious imaginations. My reputation is tarnished forever. Super."
Rounding on him in the living room, she puts her arms around his waist, smiles up into his laughing eyes, "I didn't tell her. She saw it soon as I walked in. Sorry. She said I was glowing."
He looks her over, making her blush, and nods, "Mmmm, suits you."
"Oh, you!" She swats him.
Together they check on the sleeping Rosie. He stammers, "Er…"
She smiles up at him, "At least four."
He blushes but nods after a moment. Another baby step.
They sit on the sofa, the baby monitor hums quietly. "How about that wine?" she asks him.
"All right… but one glass only. We DO have the welfare of an innocent child on our shoulders." She smiles, pours the wine, and they toast each other.
"Here's to rapprochement," she says.
He lowers his glass, "Um, about that. I know you expect me to 'do my duty' but…"
She puts her glass down and faces him, "I do NOT want to rush things. We went through a lot tonight. Hell, we've been through a lot for over a year now. We need to be sure we can work this out, not on a personal level because I have no doubts on that front, but professionally."
He nods, "And to think I ever doubted you..."
She leans over and murmurs into his temple, "And as for your tarnished reputation…"
He leans into her touch, nuzzling back, "Yes?"
"Don't you worry about THAT! I will take it out every day and polish it until it gleams."
"Oh, good. We must keep up our standards, don't you know?"
And as the night fell, they DID make plans.
When Fidel and Juliet return, they find a couple comfortable and at ease with each other. It is subtle but very evident.
Juliet hugs Richard for the first time and winks at Camille.
Fidel shakes Richard's hand and winks at Camille.
As they leave, Camille muses, "Why are you getting all the pats and congratulations and all I get are winks?"
"Because, my dear, everyone is relieved that I survived the encounter intact."
END