Gail sat in the corner of Jimmy's Bar, with Luke in his car seat beside her. An uncomfortable sensation had come over her for a few minutes, indicating her attention was required elsewhere; however, the feeling passed quickly and she continued to focus on her present company.
Rita tried to ignore the judgemental stares of the people around her and held Izzy close to her chest. She could not believe that they had ended up in a bar with their children and hated the way people were looking at her.
'It's not nice being judged by people who have no idea about you is it?' Gail asked bluntly, happy that her plan of teaching Rita a lesson had worked.
Rita could feel the eyes on her and really wanted to go. 'Fine, I get it...Can we go now please?' she snapped, wanting to be anywhere else but here.
Gail laughed and gently took Luke out of his car seat. 'You can go whenever you want, I'm waiting for my drink' she said sweetly and winked at Jimmy when he personally delivered her hot apple wine, which he had ordered in just for her at Christmas.
Selena Coombs sauntered over to the table in the corner of the bar, to see if the whispers were true. When she spotted Gail and Rita with their babies, she could not hold in her laughter. 'Wow, well this sure looks like a party' she smiled and pulled up a chair.
'I don't remember inviting you to join us' Gail stated and sat Luke on the table, to enable him to view his surroundings.
'I doubt I'm your problem in this crowded room of gossips' Selena advised and took a sip of her martini.
Gail smiled lovingly at her son, then stood up and held him high above her head. 'These fine people don't pose me any problem do you?' she asked loudly and smiled when cheers came from all around her.
'I guess you're the perfect showman' Selena shook her head at the drunken loafs around her.
Gail turned her attention to Selena and smiled. 'What can I say? I'm a natural and people love me'
'I wonder how much poor old Mayor John loved you?' Selena asked sweetly, fishing for a reaction.
Gail felt herself become tense, then forced a reassuring smile for Luke. 'I'm sure he loved me about as much as he loved you' she replied, rubbing her nose affectionately on her sons.
'You see, I just wonder why your husband felt the need to seek my help?' Selena asked curiously, knowing Gail would not want to talk about this in front of Rita.
Gail felt Rita's eyes on her and inhaled deeply, in an attempt to remain calm. Lucas had promised her that this was done, the funeral had gone without any problems and she was finally starting to put this behind her.
'I wonder who will take his place? Trinity's always had a Mayor' Rita interjected, sensing her friends irritation and attempting to assist.
'I bet the lovely Mrs Buck will find out before us unworthy people do' Selena mocked.
Gail tired quickly of Selena's company and her eyes turned cold. 'Unworthy isn't the term I'd use, damned has a better ring to it' she stated, as she stared deep into Selena's eyes.
Selena sensed Gail's turn and smiled. 'Now now Mrs Buck, this poor woman before you is undeserving of that title. I bet she hasn't stepped a foot out of line in her whole life, not like you and I'
Gail did not take her eyes off Selena's and just smiled. 'Rita's not the issue here and never will be with the choices she's made in life. How did you come around to whoring yourself out for my husband?' Gail asked sweetly, her smile growing wider when she saw the anger in Selena's eyes.
'Come on Gail, this ain't the place...' Rita started, then closed her mouth when Gail's finger came up to silence her.
Selena continued to stare at her nemesis and forced a smile. 'How do you feel about your husband exploiting woman for his personal gain? I'm sure the feminist in you has a lot to say about that?' she asked cattily.
'The feminist in me wants to know how you could let yourself be used in such a way, when your love clearly had no intention of remaining loyal?' Gail asked unfazed.
'He was very loyal until you stole him' Selena spat out venomously.
Gail could not contain her laughter at the remark and shook her head. 'I didn't steal him, he followed me around like a stray puppy begging to be let in. Clearly he had no loyalty to you at all'
Selena inhaled deeply, in an attempt to control her anger and remain calm. 'He was loyal to me just fine until you showed up'
'Is that so? I do believe you're kidding yourself Miss Coombs' Gail smiled smugly.
'Meaning what?' Selena asked, irritated.
'Meaning I happen to know you weren't the only woman he was servicing all those nights. Don't tell me you really believed that he loved you and you were the only one for him?' she asked, amused at the obvious hurt she was causing.
'That's enough' Rita ordered, not impressed at her friends cruel turn.
Selena shook her head in disgust, then got up and stormed out of the bar. Rita let out a long sigh as she watched her go and shot Gail an unimpressed look.
'What? It's not my fault she's in love with my husband' Gail stated, then took a large sip of her drink.
Rita picked up Izzy and stood up. 'Well I ain't got this whole bar on my side, so I'm just a woman in a bar drinkin' with her baby...I'm outta here Gail' Rita said and left Gail alone.
'Peace at last' Gail sighed to Luke and cradled him in her arms, then routed out her mobile telephone and called herself a lift.
Lucas sat in the reception area of the Sheriff's Station, while Ben wrote up his report with Caleb. His son had wanted to see this thing through to the end, so he had agreed to allow him some time before heading home. He had attempted to call home to inform his love of their lateness; however, she did not pick up. Lucas began to wonder about her activities of the evening and was growing impatient at the length of time the report was taking.
'Alright, so arrest made by one Caleb Temple. Pop your John Hancock there and we're good to go' Ben smiled at Caleb and handed him the report.
Caleb smiled excitedly and signed the form. 'Do we take him to the cells now?' he asked, staring at Carl's deflated body on the chair in the corner.
'Ben takes him to the cells and we go home' Lucas advised as he stood up and signalled for Caleb to follow him.
'But I did the arrest so I gotta do it!' Caleb exclaimed, not wanting to leave yet.
Lucas shot him a look of warning and stared amused when Caleb stared back at him defiantly.
'It's alright Lucas, you can wait here while I take him with Caleb' Ben shrugged and waited for his boss' approval.
Lucas really wanted to get home to Gail; however, he had allowed Caleb to be involved in this and it was unfair to pull him out of the game now. 'Fine, but don't be long or your cousin will have both our hides' he advised, then headed towards his office for some peace and quiet.
Lucas opened his office door and let out and irritated sigh when he saw Selena sat in his chair with her feet on his desk. He slammed the door closed and shot her a look of warning to get her feet down.
'Am I deserving of a punishment Sheriff?' she asked seductively.
'You ain't deservin' of my time, now get out' Lucas ordered and waited impatiently for her to get up from his chair.
Selena remained seated for a moment, then rolled her eyes and got up. 'You're no fun anymore' she pouted, as she sauntered towards him.
Lucas looked her up and down, spending a moment to admire her long legs and mini skirt, then let out a small laugh and shook his head. 'I'm plenty of fun with my wife, I don't need what you're offerin'' he advised, stepping past her and sitting down on his chair.
'What I'm offering is information on that perfect wife of yours, or would you rather not know what she's been up to this evening?' Selena asked, knowing Lucas could not resist keeping tracks on his property.
Lucas had attempted to sense Gail's location; however, she had closed herself off to him. He found himself intrigued by the offer and chose to allow Selena to stay for a moment, if only to pander to his possessiveness of his wife. 'Alright, spill Teacher. I ain't got all night'
'What's in it for me?' she asked, licking her lips expectantly.
'You get to keep breathin'' Lucas sighed, then lay back in his chair and closed his eyes in frustration.
Selena sensed his impatience and knew better that to make him wait. Seen as she had his attention, she took this moment to confront him about what Gail had told her. 'She said some things...'
'That I don't give a damn about, next' Lucas interrupted bluntly.
Selena let out a small laugh and shook her head at how easily he disregarded her feelings. 'She was drinking at Jimmy's Bar with your precious baby boy' she smiled smugly, wanting to hurt him.
Lucas sat up in his chair and narrowed his eyes at her. 'And why would she be doin' that?' he asked, not believing the information she was giving him.
'Maybe you're not satisfying her as much as you think you are and she's not cut out for motherhood' Selena stated cattily and stormed out of the office, sensing his distrust of her.
Lucas shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation. Why would she be at a bar with his son? It did not make sense. He picked up the telephone and tried calling home again; however, there was still no answer. Without any further hesitation, he walked to the cells and dragged Caleb out of the Sheriff's Station.
'Where are we goin'?' Caleb asked confused, as Lucas threw him towards the passenger side of his car.
'To find our family' Lucas snapped, then turned on the engine and headed towards Jimmy's bar.
Gail stood in the Hobby Store staring at all of the different Christmas decorations on the shelves. She had decided to get back to the task at hand and she was in desperate need of a lot more decorations; however, not being a fan of this holiday made this harder than she had thought it would be.
'Well you definitely need this' Billy said as he approached her holding Luke and a piece of mistletoe, then kissed her on the cheek when he held it above her head.
Gail stared at him blankly, then looked up at the mistletoe and let out a long sigh. 'My husband is going to love that you just did that' she advised unimpressed.
'Then he's really gonna love that I did this' he said with a cheeky grin on his face, then bent down and kissed her the lips.
Gail pulled away a moment too late after Billy's lips touched hers and closed her eyes when she heard the familiar voice behind her.
'What the hell?' Lucas asked, unable to contain his anger at seeing another man kiss his wife when he entered the Store.
Caleb sensed his Fathers rage, then went to step between him and Gail; however, his cousin shook her head and indicated for him to remain where he was.
Gail sensed Lucas' rage and could not find her voice to talk him down.. She was about to step between him and Billy, then the unexpected happened.
'Come on man it's Christmas!' Billy laughed, then held the mistletoe above Lucas' head and kissed him on the lips.
Both Caleb and Gail stared in shock at what had just happened and the surprised look on Lucas' face, then burst into laughter when Lucas smiled and shook his head in disbelief at his friends stupidity.
'You ain't gettin' enough from Selena that you gotta come lookin' for it from us?' Lucas mocked, unsure how to take what had just happened.
'Maybe I want some of that Buck love' Billy joked, then started chasing Caleb around the Store with the mistletoe while he still held Luke.
'Careful!' Gail called at Billy, then turned towards Lucas and gave him an unsure smile.
Lucas regarded her suspiciously for a moment, then smiled at her reassuringly and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. 'Do I need to be worried?' he asked, running his thumb gently over her lips.
'I think I need to be more worried about my boys' Gail stated, as she watched Billy continue to chase Caleb.
'Jimmy's bar?' he asked judgmentally.
'A robbery?' she asked knowingly and they both laughed at each others actions of the evening.
'Alright, so we're both bad parents. Why don't we go find the stock room and punish each other while the kids are busy' Lucas whispered in her ear and nipped at it teasingly.
Gail rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh. 'Because your stupid mammoth Mansion won't decorate itself sweetheart' she advised, then pulled out of his grasp and began to review the decorations again.
'Our Mansion' he corrected, then let out a long exasperated breath. The truth was that although he was willing to do anything for her, he had hoped she had sorted everything to do with this pointless holiday so he did not have to be involved.
'And I will, begrudgingly' she said, reading his mind.
Lucas sensed her irritation and thought for a moment. He smiled at his own genius and put his fingers to his mouth, then whistled loud. 'Hey Romeo' he called, then smiled as Billy stopped and turned towards him.
Gail watched curiously as Lucas threw Billy the keys to their house and began dragging her out of the Store.
'Enjoy the kids tonight, I expect them in bed at a reasonable time. Make sure you help Caleb with the decorations' he called and excited the Store quickly without waiting for a response.
Gail's mouth dropped open when she was dragged out into the cold night and she laughed when she heard Caleb's excitement at being able to put up the decorations. 'You're evil' she laughed, obediently getting into his car when he opened the door for her.
'And you're cruel' he smiled, knowing what she had said to Selena and squeezed her knee affectionately as he started up the car then drove away before Billy could catch them.
-To be continued-