Chapter 9
Dinner is wonderful and Bond asks if M agrees that he should hire Maggie back as their cook for every evening and freeing up their time to wander around and do whatever they like.
Kincade had the kitchen updated along with the baths and the furniture and electronics Bond ordered online and had delivered. Just two comfortable modern chairs and a large wrap around leather sofa for in front of the fireplace.
The flat screen was mounted above the mantel and the old picture of James' grandparents was moved to the entrance hall so that it was the first thing visitors saw upon entering.
"I think that is a wonderful idea. Q has commissioned some technicians and they will be here early in the week to build a communications tower here for our use."
"I have some banking to do in town on Monday if anyone wants to walk around?"
"Possibly but I think I had better wander around and make notes for work about things I think we will need."
"I will go with you James."
"Fantastic Judi. Ryans sorry but if your mother stays...she has to have someone with her. I showed you the gun room earlier. Do both of you know how to shoot?
"No...why, would we...we didn't know our mum was the Queen of spies." Judi says.
"All right so that is on the to do list for the next couple of days. I will get Kincade to help us and give some lessons. Now, Judi...Ryan...you promised some stories about your mother."
Judi smiles taking the her second glass of wine. "Yes I did and I have had two glasses...my lips are loose and it is time for some tales from Nigel."
"Judi...what did he tell you?" M says with a frown.
"He told me that when you lived in Hong Kong that you had an admirer. That a man would follow you home and follow the both of you whenever you went on the town. He also mentioned that he was younger and very handsome."
"Judi...that was Tiago...Silva...the one that…"
"Sorry mum...I never put two and two together I will stop with the stories now James…"
"Jude...I am surprised that dad told you and that he never told me?"
"You never asked brother...you were not as interested in why he stayed with queen bitch."
"JUDI!"
"Mum...you were...you were demanding and argumentative from the time I turned 13."
"Mum...you were not use to being questioned...sorry but you did vent all your frustrations with work on your family. Judi and I do understand that better now, but at the time we just thought you were a control freak."
"I cannot continually apologise for your youth...I am sorry but I did what I did to keep you comfortable. You went to the best schools and had vacations and everything you wanted. I spoiled you because of my absences and had your father buy things and do whatever you wanted to do when you were young. I knew I couldn't be there all the time and do it with you. Your father was your hero and he was mine also."
Bond shifted in his seat and poured another glass of wine. He cannot lie...her statement hurt. What can he say...or do that can compete in their eyes to what they already had in Nigel but he did save her...he will always save her no matter what becomes of them as a couple.
Ryan and Judi have been a tad cold towards him and Ryan...he is very angry. So much for them bonding with their mother on the drive up to Scotland.
"I am tired after the long drive. I for one am going to bed."
"You've had enough of our questions today mum?" Judi says with a sarcastic timbre to her voice.
"I don't have to answer questions my dear daughter...but you have the right to give them voice. I have permitted them today but don't think to continually question my motives or my life choices. You are both adults and I have treated you both as such since you were in your teens. I think leaving you to find your own paths is what most teens want in the long run and at least I did my utmost to leave you in the good hands of the best man I have ever known...one of the best men I have ever known."
M looks at Bond and winks. Bond smiles at her but remains silent...this is between the three of them.
M continues making her point in an eerily calm manner.
"I made sure he never left me. I forgave him the mistresses because I couldn't fathom a life without him in it. I loved him and the two of you have always assumed rather flippantly that I did not. That I was too concerned with my job, well part of that job was to make sure the three of you were always safe and comfortable. I do believe that I excelled at that. Neither of you were ever assaulted, kidnapped, tortured or ill treated ever. Any bullying stopped...Ryan did you never wonder about that...why they suddenly left you alone? The same for you Judi when some of those girls were picking on you one day...how long did that last and then finally stop?"
"Mum...I didn't know...this is all so much to absorb so quickly."
"I know Judi and I have a tough skin but do not think to make light of my feelings for your father ever...do you understand?"
"Yes."
Ryan nods at her. "Yes mother. I agree, I think it is time to go to bed. Let us just save some of the stories from our father for another evening."
Bond smirks. "Yes...don't think that I will forget that, and I do expect to learn much more about the Mansfield family."
M gathers some dishes to clear the table. "Be careful what you wish for James."
The others help clear the table before heading to bed.
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"I missed you so much….how am I going to go out into the field?"
"I don't know but the house looks wonderful James."
"You like this room...the master bedroom...I was likely conceived on that bed."
M laughs as she moves around the room looking at the furnishings and the bath.
"An ensuite in a house of this age is nice."
"Yes...my mother insisted and they had it built. Kincade had them add the shower stall this week as well as new laundry and dish washer for the kitchen. They replaced the counters and shelves very efficiently...he claimed to have hired an army. The bill is outrageous so I think you need to tell Tanner I require a bonus."
"Email Tanner the bill and I will see that MI6 covers half the cost plus whatever we need for telecommunications and security."
"What about Clare Dower?"
"I don't care about her and it will still be far less than purchasing a home such as this. You still pay for upkeep and taxes...but I will make sure the taxes are greatly reduced since it will now be a government facility. You don't mind that people will have to live here when we are not here."
"No...I am looking to convert the shed for a bunkhouse for the staff. They may use the kitchen and downstairs bath and work in the main house but some areas will be off limits."
M stops and stands in front of the window looking out at the moon. Bond's chin comes to rest on her head and his hands stroking her hips begin to roam moving up her side finding their way quickly to her breasts.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing."
"You are distracting me from staring at the moon and reminiscing."
"I am impressed at how you handled the children my dear."
"They are attacking because they loved their father a great deal and have always thought that I was the one that abused that relationship. I am sorry you had to hear that."
"What? That you loved that man enough to ignore his philandering so that he could be the sainted, stabilizing influence on the children. Yeah...why would I feel insecure because he was the love of your life and your hero."
"I could swear that you're developing sarcasm. James...you have been around my children to long."
"They do seem to excel at it when around you M."
"Are you still angry with my husband James?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean James. Ever since your comment about lifetimes. You are jealously angry that I was married and I cannot change the past. I did love him and I do love you."
I know M I am just so crazy about you...I wish that I knew him so I could reconcile these feelings but then again if he were alive then I wouldn't be allowed to do this."
Bond bends and turns her face to his and pulls her mouth to his. There tongues intertwine as M turns towards him reaching her hands around his neck.
Bond pulls away suddenly. "I missed you...only one night from your arms and I was ready to shoot something."
M laughs as he lifts her up and carries her over to the bed. His hands move quickly in their urgency, as he begins to pull her jumper off. M giggles at the urgency in his eyes.
A knock sounds at the door. "Mum...mum...James." Is heard through the large oak door.
James yells out, "not a good time Judi...go back to bed young lady."
Through the door they can hear Judi huff and then whine. "But James...there are odd sounds in my room."
"What?"
M laughs as James walks to the door and opens it revealing Judi in a blue tank top and shorts, ready for bed. There is a sudden conflicted look on Bond's face as he gives Judi the once over quickly realizing how wrong it is to be appreciating her body...so he turns quickly to M.
M begins to laugh out loud understanding exactly what has happened...an aroused James Bond is now picturing her daughter in bed, either as the younger version of M or with him and M in a menage et trois fantasy scenario.
Ryan opens his door down the hall hearing voices. "What's up?"
M is still laughing as she moves out into the hall. "Your sister is scared of something and came to get her mother."
"Well I heard a noise and I got scared." Judi pouts crossing her arms under her breasts as Bond attempts to look anywhere but down at her in his partially aroused state.
Bond rolls his eyes and heads down to the room down the hall. The other's follow. M walks in and it is like traveling back in time. This is the room she stayed in all those years ago. Charmian Bond's room.
Bond moves about the room listening and then walking to the window. Bond sees that the window is open and that behind the drapes that there is a toggle for the blinds beneath.
"Could it be this hitting the radiator Judi?" Bond make the toggle hit the metal radiator.
Judi sits on the bed. "It could be...I don't like big scary old homes in the highlands mum...I am still coming to grips with sleeping alone...and it is not like I can close my mind down after today."
"Sleeping alone?" Bond asks with a frown.
"There are some marital problems James." M whispers as she looks at him with a look that says I will tell you later.
"Mum can you sleep with me tonight?"
"Of course I can darling."
Bond's face contorts in a variety of expressions, from exasperation to interest and concern.
Ryan smirks at him. "I will say goodnight...I don't think I can go through another emotional rollercoaster again without getting into a fight with your lover mum."
Bond crosses his arms and frowns at M's son. "Why is that? Maybe we do need to get to the root of this whatever it is. What is your problem with me now Ryan?"
"Ryan...James." M says concerned at James' frustrated posture and Ryan's sudden glare...he looks so like his father did when ever he was angry. Emotions are running high and things are about to break open and M is getting tired of it all.
"I was mad Bond...mad that you hid yourself away from her when she was hurt and lonely, acting like a petulant child."
Bond stiffens in posture and M holds his arm with concern in her eye.
"James...we had many conversations and I told them the truth."
"I am sorry Ryan...but I apologised to the only one I needed to apologise to...your mother. I never thought I needed to go beyond that."
"Well, when you are part of a family...things are different."
"Family...you and your sister were barely civil to your mother for years and now your concern must be quantified and considered...I don't think so."
Ryan is getting angry and what he says next is spit out to deliberately attack James... just like he left his mother hurt and lonely.
"Yet you called to ask OUR permission and even asked uncle Marshall's permission to marry her? I think you know that she wants us in her life or you wouldn't have bloody well bothered with all this!"
Judi's eyes go wide and she stands up moving to her brother's side. "Ry...stop!"
"What is he talking about Bond?" M asks shocked.
Bond looks down and meets M's eyes...his anger evident. "I was going to ask you...later."
"Enough...I'm out of here...I don't like what you do for a living Bond, and I certainly do not like what you spend your time doing to my mother."
Ryan turns to head his room. Judi moves to follow.
"I'm sorry...I will go talk to him...mum you two need to talk."
They leave Bond and M staring at each other like she did with another Bond 40 years earlier in the same spot.
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"James...I don't mind leaving this room for your sister. Here take my bag. It is only right that she should have her own room back."
They spent part of the day in town collecting Charmian Bond from the station walking about the town and talking….so many stories...laughter and memories.
"Well you can come to mine...I promise not to bite unless you want me too. There is no more room at the inn my dolly...there are only four bedrooms and a nursery. Monique transferred Andrew's old room into a crafty place...no bed. I assure you I didn't plan this...my sister does not always conform to normal conventions such as letting one know if she is coming...not to mention I thought I could lure you into my bed sooner."
"James...I told you...I bet there is a cot in the nursery that I could sleep on."
"No...no you can have the bed and will take the floor. For now let's go downstairs and help Monique with dinner."
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"You want to marry me?"
"Yes...and I have a ring and everything once I go to the bank and collect it. I love you more than my own life." James drops to a knee and takes her hand in his."
"Bond...not here...not now...I have to go deal with my children."
M walks out of the room leaving James kneeling on the floor of his late aunt's room and towards the room that Ryan and Judi are in...James Bond's old room.
M opens the door and moves inward with a pissed off and determined look on her face.
"Ryan...you need to apologize to James."
"No...no I do not. I have not said anything that Judi and likely uncle Marshall haven't thought of, but just not said mother. In the long run a relationship with Bond will bring you nothing but heartache. You should just find someone normal...safe a professor or something."
"So...someone like your father...I see. So my feelings on the matter are wrong...disgusting to you...what about your uncle...he is not acceptable either?"
"No...not really...but then you already went there and did that, didn't you? Do you think that I expected or wanted you to replace my father at all? No... and then you got the closest thing to my father possible and took him to bed. I will have difficulty even talking to our cousins David and Isabel again, now that I know."
"Hey Ryan...I thought I was the sarcastically mean one to mum...get back in line behind me. Mum he has valid concerns...we have had time to think about this since you told us of your abduction. We know that Bond talks a good talk and he seem genuine but he is a spy...the two of you lie as a profession."
"Mum...did you see the way he watched Judi? Do you think he is going to stop…"
"Hey what do you mean by that?" Judi asks becoming insecure about what she is wearing all of a sudden.
"ENOUGH! I have had it! Only I get to decide who I love. You will both go and apologize to Bond right this instance or pack you bags and get out of his home...do you understand?"
"Yes mum. Sorry mum."
Ryan and Judi stand and go to find Bond as M sits down on the bed and waits getting lost in her memories.
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"Your sister is hilarious...my god she can twist a tale."
"Yes she has that gift...I am glad she came actually...I haven't spoken with her in so long. Charm has a way of cutting through the bullcrap of the world and tossing it back up into the air and have it land in proper order."
"She could be M." Olivia laughs.
"No...the Soviets would surrender to her and I would be out of a job...she would have done it just so her little baby brother wouldn't get hurt. She took to you right away they all did, they all love you dolly."
"Doll...dolly when will it end?"
"If the nickname fits...and you wear it well. I am loving that we get to share a room tonight doll...but I have a feeling that I hear someone else that is coming to say goodnight."
They hear the small pitter patter of feet...a giggle and a push against the door. James walks to the door.
"Well dolly...I wonder who this could be?"
He opens the door to a smiling little boy. "It's me dolly!" Jamie yells and run towards her sitting on the bed.
Olivia picks up James and hugs him. "James you should be asleep little man."
"Yes he should...I need to find my brother to come get his child out of my bed."
Little James jumps up and down on the bed and then lays down in the centre and pulls up the covers.
James looks at his nephew and rolls his eyes while wagging his finger at the toddler.
"You're pushing it young man...I am going to get Andrew."
"Oh James. It is fine let him stay here...consider it a reprieve from sleeping on the floor. He will be a shield between us."
James crosses his arms at the bottom of the bed staring down at Jamie and dolly cuddled up in his bed. Actually, it is the most alluring thing he has ever seen.
Perhaps Andrew is on to something with becoming a family man.
"James Andrew Bond...you are out of my will young man and get your hands out of my dolls hair."
Jamie giggles…"my dolly."
"Oh no she's not!" James jumps onto the bed beside them little James and Olivia pop up in the air and squeal in delight.
To be continued….