Hush a bye, don’t you cry,
go to sleepy little baby.
When you wake, you shall have, all the pretty little horses…
All the Pretty Little Horses
Chapter 6.
"Sweetness"
Carrying a few of the
bags in, Jo still had four left outside by the loft door. Abby and Stephanie
came rushing over to help and took the bags that she held. They brought them
over to the kitchen and set them down on the counter as Jo took off her coat and
placed it over a chair with her handbag on top.
"Girls? They are
four more just outside the door."
"Okay Grandma
Jo." Abby went out again directly and returned carrying two more bags as
Stephanie followed and dropped the new ones just by the sofa. She looked the
bags over and questioned Jo about them
"Grandma? Why did
you bring these here? Should we be bringing them to the house?"
Abby answered her.
"Uncle Steve told me that the surprise was here, at your place. He said he
was borrowing the loft a couple of days."
"He never said
anything to me." Stephanie mumbled.
Wiping her hand across
her forehead, Jo reaches in to the nearest bag and starts taking out some
candles and holders. She places them on the kitchen counter as she sorts
through another bag looking for the lace tablecloth.
"Your father said
to bring them here, didn't he tell you?" Nodding her head at Jo, Stephanie
looks back at her with an even more confused expression. "Well that's odd.
He said to set up things at the loft." Jo told her as she went through
another bag.
"Dad hasn't said
anything to me? Not about setting up here or borrowing my place. "
Stephanie replies and carries the groceries over to the refrigerator.
"Oh ... I'm sure
he was so busy he just forgot."
Helping to unpack the
rest of Jo's purchases, Abby pulls out the fresh greens and meats and helps
Stephanie as they place them in her refrigerator. Jo places several candles
over by coffee table and all along the window seat while Abby adds some over
the fireplace mantle. Stephanie watches as Jo opens up yet another bag full of
candles and starts to place them on the stairwell.
"Grandma Jo? Why
so many candles? It's not like there isn't electricity, you know."
"Honey, your
father said to get dozens of candles. He wants the place lit up by candlelight.
More romantic that way." Jo tells her granddaughters as she winks at them.
"Oh, I think what
Uncle Steve is doing so romantic." Abby gushes.
Stephanie beams as well
as she asked her cousin if her dad ever did anything like this. "Of course
he did."
Jo added that her boys
knew just how to surprise their girls. "Johnson men are really romantic...
if you give them the chance."
When they finished
with the candles, Jo turned to the dining table and placed the lace tablecloth
along with some fine linen napkins. Stephanie brought over the new china Kayla
bought for her and helped to set up their place settings.
"Grandma Jo? What
about the fireplace? Uncle Steve told me he wanted a fire lit."
"Um... we can do
that last. I want to get the room set up first."
Looking at the last
bag left by the sofa, Stephanie bent down to reach for it, but Jo got there
first and placed it on the chair with her coat.
"What's in that bag
Grandma? Want me to unpack it?" Stephanie asked her.
"No...no...
that's something your father wanted me to get. Don't worry about it... I'll
take care of it." The girls eye her a little strangely as she continued
setting the table."
Abby checked over her
mental list. "Let's see candles, food, wine...?"
"Oh... Steve will
bring that over when he gets here." Jo told them
"When is dad
supposed to get here anyway?"
"Pretty soon. He
mentioned an errand you girls were suppose to go on for him."
"You mean there's
more?" Stephanie balked.
"Oh come
on." Abby teased her. "It's not like we did a lot of work."
"It's not the
work... it's the... getting kicked out of my new place so dad and mom can have
a romantic evening here alone without telling me, part."
But Abby just looked
dreamily back at her. "If this was my place, and my dad wanted to borrow
it so he could be alone with my mom for a romantic evening... I'd let him
borrow it anytime he wanted."
"You say that
now... but wait until it happens to you." Looking around, Stephanie had to
admit, it's really was romantic looking with all the candles everywhere. She
could just imagine how beautiful it would look when they were all lit.
"Music!"
Abby suddenly calls out. "Uncle Steve wanted me to get specific CDs for
him. Come on Stephanie. I forgot... we have to go to the music store for
them."
"Just wait a
little longer." Jo said. "Steve should be here soon and he can give
you his other list. You can then get those along with the other errand he needs
for you to do."
Looking back towards
the kitchen, Stephanie watched as Jo took out some pots and pans and got them
ready for Steve. She already bought the supplies he asked for. He had mentioned
to her his plans to cook Kayla a gourmet meal. Stephanie always considered the
idea of her dad cooking to be so sweet. Kayla had often told her that Steve
cooked her his gourmet meals back way back when. Her mom wasn't much of a cook
before, but her dad never minded and would just whip up one of his meals for her.
So her mom was getting
a romantic evening planned for her on Valentine's Day, while she... was
dateless. Jo saw her looking a bit glum and walked over for a little chat.
"Why the sad face sweetie?"
"Well Grandma...
it's Valentine's Day... and I'm spending it setting up this... evening for my
parents... instead of having a little romance of my own. Sorry. I guess I'm
just wondering if it will ever be my turn."
"Oh honey, your
turn is just around the corner… yours too Abby. Before either of you girls know
it… you'll have men dropping at your feet left and right."
"I'd settle for
just one right now." Stephanie told her. When she looked over to Abby, she
saw her cousin staring off into the distance, smiling away at something.
"And what's that smile for." She called out to her.
"Smile? What?
Nothing... just day dreaming... that's all."
"Uh huh... and
does that day dream have a name?" Stephanie teased her.
"No. Course
not." Abby replied as she turned away and busily worked her way clearing
up the empty bags on the counter.
"Now, now...
don't go teasing your cousin." Jo told her. "Anyway, you have your racing
to concentrate on for now. Your father told me about Cologne. Oh honey! I am so
proud of you. I can't believe my granddaughter will be racing in Germany."
"I know! I'm so
excited about that grandma. But that's not all. If I can finish in the top twenty,
I automatically qualify for the race in Paris the following week."
Abby smiled back at
her, joyous at her good fortune. "That's great Stephanie! I wish I could
watch you race in Europe."
"Maybe you will.
If I can make it in the Paris races, the ones in England shouldn't be far off.
You could visit with your family and watch me race at the same time."
Stephanie already envisioned traveling through the Europe racing circuit. Just
last year, it seemed one faraway pipe dream, but now, it was hers for the taking.
"And what about
grandmas? I'm invited too aren't I?"
Facing Jo, Stephanie
told her how she expected all her family to watch her someday. "If you
aren't in the front row cheering me on grandma, I'd never forgive you!"
"You just try to
keep me away honey." Jo hugged her long and hard as Steve finally arrived.
He brought a couple bottles of wine and set them down on the table. Shrugging
off his coat, he gave his niece, mother and daughter all hugs before surveying
the work they did.
"Not bad, not bad!
You three did a great job!"
"Thanks Uncle
Steve." Abby chimed in first followed by Jo.
"Well, you asked
for romance, so we got you that with a capital R." Jo placed her arm
around Abby's shoulder as she gave her a hug.
Stephanie stood
watching her dad, a quizzical expression on her face. He glanced over at her as
she walked up to him. "You never told me you wanted to borrow the loft,
dad."
"Alright, Baby. I
must have forgot... just got a little busy planning all this."
"You know I still
haven't packed for Cologne and I leave the day after my birthday... speaking of
which, you promised me a really big celebration."
"And I'm going to
deliver baby! You'll get your big birthday party and bon voyage celebration as
I promised. But right now, you got to focus on this! This has got to be an
extra special night for your mama... and I need your help!"
"But you didn't
tell me I had to give up my place for two days!"
"Actually... it's
three days."
"Three! Dad, just
what do you need three days for?"
"That's my
business, baby! Now... are you going to stand there and argue or are you going
to help?"
"I'm helping...
I'm helping." She answered him.
"Good! Here's the
last list of the things I need you to get... and you need to get those here
before five... at the latest."
Taking the list from
him, Stephanie reads down the items written. Abby walks up to her side and
mentions the CDs they still need to get. "Sorry, Uncle Steve. I haven't
gotten the CDs you wanted yet, but we still have time if we leave now."
"Okay, baby. Just
try to get as many of them as you can."
The first couple of
items written were simply enough to find. Stephanie was sure she'd be able to
get them at the mall while Abby went to the music store. But when she reached
item three, her eyes bulged and she looked up at her father in shock.
"You've got to be
kidding Dad! Where am I suppose to get these... and you want how many?"
Abby looked down at the list and frowned too.
Steve gave them both
an exasperated look. "Girls, you've got just over five hours... so... look
around!"
"But you want so
many!" Stephanie kept protesting as Steve just told them to get their
coats
"Just go will
you... I've still got to cook your mama's dinner." Pushing them out the
door, Stephanie grumbled the whole way out. "I'm not a miracle worker you
know." She told him over her shoulder. "Geez, can you believe
this!" She told her cousin. "Where am I suppose to get all
this!"
"Maybe we can
spray paint some if there aren't enough?"
But Stephanie just
shook her head and hurried her along. "Let's just get this over with,
before he gives us something else to do."
Back in the loft,
Steve asked Jo about the special items he asked her to get. Lifting the last
bag, she showed him the contents. Smiling down at what she bought, he gave her
a kiss before going over to the kitchen to start preparing his gourmet meal. As
Jo headed for the stairs, he called out to her about Stephanie's things.
"You'll have to pack her an overnight bag. I need all of you out of here
by six."
"Don't you think
she should pack her own things?"
"No, it's better
you do it... otherwise she'd just dawdle."
Getting the last box
of candles and holders, Jo brought those along as she climbed up the stairwell
to decorate upstairs. She paused on the steps to look over at her son as he
started pulling out and preparing some of the groceries she bought earlier. Not
realizing she has stopped to watch him, she saw the wide grin on his face and
the bounce in his step as he started cooking. Breaking into a blues song, he
sang loud and strong as Jo finally left him and entered the bedroom.
**********
Rubbing the small roast with the marinade of wine, garlic, scallions, and honey, Steve seared the meat a couple of minutes on each side before placing it in the oven to continue cooking. Washing his hands in the sink, he set out next to make the wine and mushroom side dish. Brushing away at the small caps, he sliced and quickly sautéed adding butter, salt, pepper, a couple cloves of sliced garlic and a generous helping of wine. Tasting his creation, he smiles satisfactorily down at it as he lowered the temperature and let its simmer some more before completely turning the heat off.
Having already made the salad, he gathered next, the ingredients for their dessert when the phone rang, halting his work. Quickly wiping his hands on the kitchen towel, he answered expecting to hear from his daughter of her failure to get all the items he wanted. Surprisingly, it was Bo on the end of the line with more information about Lansing.
“You know I asked Sami about Elliot…since she knows him and she’s living close by.”
“And?” Steve asked.
“Well, she considered him a good friend before… but now, she’s not so sure. Something feels off… about him.”
“What’s wrong with him? Did she say anything specific?”
“No, man… just a feeling. Anyway, I did a background check on the guy, and so far, he’s seems clean. Born and raised in the U.K. in Barnstaple Devon. Father is an aristocrat, an Earl… but he was also a military officer until about five years ago. Pretty respectable and old family.”
“What about Portia?”
“The records show he married Portia DiMera in 1974, one living child born 1980.”
Steve thought about the similarity in age to Benjy. “That makes him twenty six, almost the same age as Benjy. I wonder if they attended school together. Benjy mentioned his father sending him off to England to study… he could have lived with his cousin during those years.”
“Yeah, it’s possible. But here’s the surprising part. I contacted a friend from the INS and he mentioned that Lansing’s father was here in the U.S. for two weeks from September 26th to October 6th. That’s just about the time you met Portia… isn’t it?”
“I ended up at Portia’s mansion on the 28th.” Steve informed him.
“If he was here, he could easily have visited her after you left.”
“You don’t think he killed her?”
Bo was silent a moment before answering. “No… I don’t believe he did, but I’d like to talk to him all the same, especially why he comes here now for a visit. Somehow, I just get the feeling he knows something. It’s too much of a coincidence that he was here.”
“Wait… I just remembered something. That last night with Portia… when I was trying to get her to tell me the name of the person she was protecting… she said that the person had never entered her house. She was really specific about that, saying how never he never lived in that house and that the house was built for her. Then later… when I spoke to Elliot, he told me his parents separated long ago, when he was still small. He said he visited his mother every few years, but didn’t say if she went to England to see him. All right… I could be wrong on this but… what if it’s her ex she was protecting?”
“Well, if she’s protecting the guy…than he could have had something to do with…”
“…What happened to me.” Steve finished the sentence.
“Damn, Steve! Can this get any more confusing?”
“I know. All this time I was thinking she was protecting Stefano… but maybe it was someone else all along.”
“Look, Bro, John told me about you taking a breather on this stuff for a while. I understand how you feel, but… I really think we should keep going on this.”
But Steve mentioned the doubts he had. “It just feels all wrong… I feel like we’re going off the track.”
“But what about this guy? It’s damn interesting info don’t you think! We should get in contact with him and find out some things… mainly… why did he happen to be here just around the time his wife was killed.”
“Or… we could always talk to Elliot again. If his father was here, he probably would have visited him too.” Steve suggested.
“Yeah, we could always do that… then again, he might just tell us it’s none of our business.” Bo got the feeling the guy wouldn’t be that cooperative.
“I’ve already talked this over with Kayla… and she knows I’m feeling weird about this… maybe in a couple of weeks… we can start up again.”
Resigning himself to the obvious, that Steve needed some time, Bo relented and stopped pushing. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we should just look at what we have so far and see if any of the lines match. I just hope we’re not waiting too long.”
“No. I don’t think so. By the way… you haven’t told me what her husband’s name was.”
“It’s Greyson Toller Lansing. Quite a name… don’t you think?”
“It’s very British, I’d give it that. Greyson?" Must be a family name then. Steve thought before hanging up.
Stephanie was able to bring all the items Steve wanted. She and Abby had to go to four different stores to get the full number of flowers Steve needed. Rushing through the last hour of their preparation, Stephanie and Abby arranged the one hundred, long stem, yellow roses in vases all over the loft. Some were put as a single bloom, others were placed in groups of threes. As the girls handled the roses, Jo and Steve worked on quickly lighting the candles. The girls also lent a hand, and by five o'clock, the room was fragrant with the scent of roses, as the dozens of candlelight cast soft shadows across the room. The fireplace was last on the list. Stephanie offered to light it, but was shooed out by her grandmother who handed her an overnight back and walked both girls to the door.
Returning just to get her own bag and coat, Jo told Steve that everything was set upstairs too as she gave him a quick hug and kiss then left the loft. Steve quickly checked upstairs to see for himself and came down smiling as he checked on his dinner one more time. Seeing everything was in order, he returned upstairs to change and await his wife's arrival. Thinking about what was to happen, he couldn't help but play a quick song on his harp to get him in the mood.
Across town, the messenger dropped off the note and box for Dr Johnson at the nurse’s station. Kayla received her surprise during her last break and placed the box in her office as she finished her rounds for that day. Finally regulated to a daytime shift, she checked her watched and saw she had half an hour left before her shift was over. She was tempted to look inside the box, but held her curiosity in check until she was off duty. As she finished seeing her last patient, she walked swiftly back to her office and ripped the box top off. Kayla gasped in surprised delight as she lifted the tissue paper and saw the contents beneath.
"Oh Steve!" She exclaimed as she reached in the box and held up her present.
Steve came out, buttoning his vest as he tucked in the narrow tie inside. He decided against wearing a jacket and settled for just a vest that evening. Checking his roast for the last time, he finally shut the oven off and removed the meat. Covering it with foil, he left it to rest on the kitchen counter. He turned off the light switch by the front door, he slowly walked back to the dining table. He found himself reminiscing about the night he left for the police academy way back when. Kayla had sent him a note while he was at the emergency center with Marcus. Instructing him to get a tux, she said for him to meet her on the loft roof that evening. Thinking about that night, he wished it wasn't so cold outside, so he could have had this celebration there too. But there was ample time for nights like that in the near future. Tonight, all he needed was his Sweetness with him.
He left the door unlocked and slightly ajar as he placed the food on the table and went to wait by the fireplace. Lighting the logs there, the fire caught quickly and he stood, facing the door as he heard the elevator sounds just outside. Kayla walked in timidly as the candles gently illuminated her face. Underneath her coat, she wore the present Steve picked out for her, an off the shoulder, gold and cream dress. It accentuated the creaminess of her skin and showed off the necklace she wore around her neck. It had been in her jewelry box for so many years and now she was able to wear it again.
At first glance, the glow of the dozens of candles left the room in semi darkness and Kayla did not immediately see Steve. Removing her coat and placing it by the chair near the door, she walked further in the room and finally saw him as he was watching her entrance by the fireplace. His eyes followed her every move as she walked towards him. He did not meet her half way, but let her come to him as he watched and waited. Seeing her, he found himself unable to do anything but look. She was so beautiful, the most beautiful woman he had ever known.
Stopping just in front, she smiled and he felt his breath lost inside of him. He lifted his hand and gently cupped her face as their faces leaned towards each other and their lips met in a soft kiss. He kissed her once, twice, then a third time before she stepped back and gave a smile overflowing with happiness. Taking her hand in his, he led her to the dining table and pulled her chair out.
"I'm so glad you could join me for dinner, Sweetness." His voice had suddenly become dark and husky, as the raw emotions he felt consumed and overwhelmed him.
Cocking her head to the side, she glanced back at him as she took the seat he offered her. "With an invitation like this... how could I refuse." As he pushed her seat forward, he bent down and softly brushed his lips along her shoulder. Kayla closed her eyes a moment before opening them to find Steve taking the seat across from her.
"I hope you hungry, baby... cause I've been cooking... all... day... for you." His kept her captive in his look as he lifted the bottle of wine and slowly filled her glass, then his.
"I'm starved." She answered him.
Lifting their glasses, they toasted each other before taking a drink. Over the rim of her wine glass, Kayla's eyes remained on Steve, watching his every move as she drank deeply. He placed his glass down first and mentioned the food. "It's something special. I hope you like it." He spoke the words just above a whisper.
"I'm sure I'll love it." She told him. "I've always loved your cooking... always."
"Just wait until you see dessert."
"Why? What is it?"
"You'll see." He teased her.
"Is it my favorite?"
Through a half opened eye, he narrowed his glance and gave her a slight wink before answering. "It maybe be... after tonight."
Taking a spoonful of the chocolate mousse soufflé, Kayla closed her eyes, as she swallowed and licked her lips. "It's so light, but decadent."
"I knew you'd like it, baby."
Looking at their empty plates, Kayla leaned back slightly in her chair and praised him for the incredible dinner he made for her. "You never cease to surprise me, Steve. I've never eaten anything so delicious."
"Well, you know... I don't make feasts like this for just anybody."
"No you certainly know your way around the kitchen... among other places."
Giving her a long look, Steve reaches over to take her hand in his. "If you're done, Sweetness, I'd like to switch to part two of this evenings entertainment."
"Part two? Just what have you planned over here."
"Shhhhh!" He held a finger to his lips and stood, as she followed. He led her across the room, closer to the fireplace. Passing by the stereo, he turned it on as the first notes of their song filled the air around them. Gathering her in his arms, he pulled her close to him as he asked for a dance. "Shall we?"
Nodding back at him, Kayla laid her head against his chest, as the lyrics to the Rose were sung.
Some say love it is a river, that drown the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love it is a hunger, an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower and you, it’s only seed
It’s the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance
It’s the dream afraid of waking, that never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken, who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only, for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed, that with the suns love, in the spring, becomes the rose.
Though the song had ended, they remained embraced, still dancing. His fingers caressed her hair as she lifted her eyes to him. He placed another finger under her chin and leaned in for a kiss, as her hands slowly reached up and encircled his shoulders. As the kiss deepened, only the sound of the crackling fire was heard in the room. Several candles had now burnt out and the room grew dimmer. The moonlight peeked through the windows and bathed them in its silvery beams. Running more kisses across his wife's cheeks and down on her neck, Steve whispered in her ear as he placed more kisses across her shoulder.
"Time to take this upstairs, Baby."
"Upstairs... but what about Stephanie?" She asked him, confused by his response.
"Its okay." He answered her." We've got this place for as long as we want it. Come with me. " He took her by the hand as they slowly went towards the bedroom. More candles lit the room. On the bed were the gold silk sheets that Jo got and rose petals were strewn all over. Beside the bed on the nightstand were half a dozen of Steve's harps, all ready and waiting. Kayla turned to find Steve holding a single rose. He held it to his lips a moment before giving it to her. Leading her closer to the bed, he stopped short of reaching it and took her in his arms again.
"I wanted to tell you... I wanted to explain why I chose to have our evening here, instead of the house." Taking a deep breath, he told her why he asked Stephanie to borrow the loft. "This place... these four walls, they hold so much of our past. I know, a lot of it has changed now, it doesn't seem like the same place, but it is... here… inside." Placing his hand over his heart, Kayla smiles, with tear filled eyes, back at him. "So many years ago, I planned another evening like this with you. I wanted it to be special. I wanted it to be the most incredible night of your life. I had it all planned... what I was going to say... what I was going to do...and I tell you, as nervous and scared as I was then... just looking at you, I knew... I knew... it would all turn out."
Steve stopped again as the memories of that long ago night returned, bringing with it, a little bit of the pain it brought him then. "But that night... even with my careful planning... I just couldn't foresee what would happen. I never thought... I never dreamed it would all go wrong. When Angelica called about Jack... about him being in the hospital, I knew I lost my chance and I just couldn't go through with it." Looking at her, he asked about her feelings then. "You knew… didn't you? You knew I was going to propose that night?"
Kayla looked back at him, recalling how sad and strange he had acted. "I felt something. I was hoping you would. I kept waiting for you to ask me. I thought to myself, he's going to do this... he will... he will ask me."
Smiling ruefully at his lost opportunity so long ago, Steve smiled back at her. "It was something I always regretted. I wanted to do it right. I wanted to ask you... properly... and now... almost twenty years later, I can finally do this... I can finally give you the night you deserved."
Releasing her, Steve goes down on bended knee. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a diamond ring and taking Kayla's hand in his and he finally asks her, "Kayla Caroline Brady Johnson, will you marry me."
She cried a little bit at first, Kayla just couldn't help it. Looking down at the only man she ever loved, she nodded her head. "Yes... yes, I'll marry you."
Slipping the ring on her finger, Steve stands and takes his wife back in his arms. "Thank you Mrs. Johnson! Thank you for waiting for me... and giving me the chance to get it right." Bending his head, he captures her lips in a kiss before she can answer him. But he already had the answer he wanted to have. He had his wife in his arms and he wasn't letting go for a good long while.
**********
“How about the third Saturday in April?” Kayla had her chin on Steve’s chest as she lay, draped over him in bed. The sun was already up, and from the clock on the wall, they should be more than ready for their morning breakfast. Kayla thought about getting up and preparing the meal, but she couldn’t make herself let go of Steve that morning.
“April? Why wait so long? I thought we could hop a plane to say… Vegas… Yeah! Why don’t we do a Las Vegas wedding, Sweetness?”
Kayla shook her head at him and offered a different idea. “No. I had something else in mind.”
“You want to get married on a boat again?”
“No. I want to try something we didn’t do before.”
“Well now, you’ve got my curiosity peaked.”
Smiling at him, Kayla, wets her lips as she mentions their past weddings. “We already had our dream wedding on the boat, then there was the failed second one at the house, and of course the evening ceremony in the church gardens. But this time… I was thinking we could have it in the church… you know a real, traditional type ceremony, with all our family and friends watching us.”
“A church wedding? Yeah, I suppose we could do that, but I don’t know… I was kinda hoping for something more… jumpin, like… a wedding in the Big Easy! Huh?” Steve thought about a blues band playing at their reception and possibly him joining them to serenade his wife. But seeing Kayla’s eager face, he realized it didn’t matter how or when or where they married again, just so long as he would have her as his wife. “Baby? You want a church wedding… well you got one! I just want to marry you again. You just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there!”
“And I want to plan it this time. You got to do our yacht wedding all by yourself, so this time… it’s my turn.”
“You don’t want me to help?”
“No. I’m taking care of everything.”
“Okay Baby, but why wait until April. I’d marry you next week if you can get things done by then.”
“Next week? And this from the man who likes to takes things slow?” But Steve just grinned back at her as he pulled her up for another kiss. “If we wait a little maybe Jack or Kim or Adrienne might be able to attend. Jack mentioned visiting again with Jennifer and JJ in the Spring… and Kim talked about coming to visit, this time bringing Andrew and Jeannie.”
Thinking about Adrienne, Steve mentioned how much he missed his baby sister. “I guess I could give Adrienne a call too, course she’d have to bring Daddy Dimples and the quartet, but it’s been a long time since the Johnson’s were gathered together as a family.”
“So you think it’s a good idea?”
“I love it, Sweetness, only… well what are people going to say about you and me living together.” He looked back at her seriously, as she sat up and faced him.
“What?”
“Well, Baby? I’m mean, look at me… I’m a respectable man here, how would it look…. Me... an innocent man, living with... no… in the clutches of... a married woman! Think of my reputation!”
“Your reputation? What about mine! You should see how they gossip at the hospital. I’d never be able to hold my head up if they knew Dr. Johnson was living in sin with the newest… handsomest... sexiest… most dangerously, exciting cop in the Salem PD. No Steve… if anyone was to suffer… it would be me.” She told him, accentuating each point with a kiss.
“This is a problem alright.” Thinking over the situation, Steve pondered all the various solutions to their predicament. “Well, there’s only one thing we can do.”
“So… don’t keep me in suspense.”
“We’ve got to put on an act. We’ll just make everyone think it’s a platonic relationship between the two of us, you know… act all friendly like when we in public… but come night fall… then you can have your way with me. I’ll be just a virtual prisoner in your grasp.”
“Uh huh.”
“It’s the only way baby! I’m a law enforcement officer now. People look up to me, revere me as someone trustworthy and good… it wouldn’t look right to have the public know I’m at your mercy each night.”
Nodding her head, Kayla contemplates the matter over and has to agree with his points. “I believe you’re right. I never thought about it that way before.” Lying back down next to him, Kayla started making lazy circles over his chest. “I think we better practice then.”
Raising his eyebrow at her, Steve looks back, amused. “Acting harmless?”
But Kayla shook her head at and inched herself closer. “Making you my prisoner… and… having my way with you, Mr. Johnson… night and day.”
Smiling at her, he takes hold of Kayla’s head as his lips capture hers again and again. Breaking off a moment, she asks about their time in the loft. “How long did you say we had this place?”
“Two more days.”
“And nights?”
“And nights.”
“Perfect.” She tells him as they bury themselves under the covers again.
**********
With the party in full swing, the guest of honor made her way around the room, greeting her guests, as her parents stood by and watched with pride. It wasn't what she expected, a surprise celebration at her apartment, but Stephanie had to admit, everyone was having a great time. The countless time she badgered her father to have a celebration at the local club or on a yacht seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. She was really hoping for a big bash on her twenty-first, so at first, the get together at the loft, fell low in her rating. But things started to look up when he mentioned how the rest of the evening was planned.
"You got to trust your papa... I promised you a party.. and you're getting that."
"Well dad, it's great having this... here at the loft... but... "
"You were hoping for something... out of this world?" He eyed her as she nodded back at him.
"I'm sensing doubt here... oh boy, do I feel the mistrust, Baby!" Looking at Kayla, he gave his wife a wink and a grin, but turned a hurt, sad puppy expression to his daughter.
Unable to stand the pressure, Kayla nudged at him to tell the truth. "Oh give it up Steve! Go on..." His wife ordered him. "Tell her the real surprise."
Stephanie's eyes grew large and luminous as she turned to her father, wishing beyond hope that there was something more.
"Now, now, Sweetness... I think our baby girl's gotta to learn a little patience. She's legal now, and she's gotta learn that sometimes... you have to wait for the good stuff."
"Hey Red! Congratulations on the Cologne event. It's all just falling into your lap, isn't it?" Max came up on her side, followed by Abby. He turned to Kayla and hugged his sister as Steve thanked him for coming.
"Great that you could make it, Maxwell. Bout time you left the garage and got some air."
"Yeah, I know, but someone's gotta to stay behind while others... " He said meaningfully looking at Stephanie. "... can afford to just race around the world. Just wait till I rebuild Red... just wait."
Giving him a smirk in reply, she laughed and teasingly slapped him on the back. "You know, you can still go to the race. I have a seat saved for you... in the stands."
"Ha Ha! Very Funny! But seriously... you did good. I mean I'm jealous all right, but you really were great or you wouldn't have come this far. So as much as it hurts me to say this... I'm really happy for you. You deserve it."
Reaching over, she gave him a hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. I needed that." Facing everyone again, she mentioned her flight tomorrow. "I'm so nervous about going... and I'm so excited too."
Kayla placed an arm across her shoulder and hugged her as she smiled at her daughter. "Well I'm going to miss you. You may only be gone two weeks, but it'll seem twice as long."
"Don't worry mom! Everything just feels so right with all of this. Even more so than Milan."
"Well you just keep yourself safe over there... and remember... we love you." Kayla reminded her.
"I love you too... the both of you." She added smiling up at Steve.
"You really are so lucky, Stephanie." Abby grinned. "I already wrote my dad about seeing you race." Then laughing, she told them his answer. "He told me I could, just as long as I don't follow you on the track."
"I've got to agree with Jack there a little." Steve added. "I know you're all grown up now, but... it's still my baby out there on the track. It may take me a while longer to let go."
"I don't want you to let go, Dad! I just you to sit back... relax... and enjoy the show." Giving her a smile and nod, he mouthed the words, love you, as she replied the same back to him.
Abby chimed in then bringing up Stephanie's other birthday surprise. "So, Uncle Steve, when do we head down to the pier?"
"Pier? Dad? Is that where my surprise is? Or we going on a yacht?" Stephanie practically jumped out and leaped at him, as he still remained calm and cool about the rest of the evening.
"In a little while, Baby." Steve told Abby. "We still have a couple of hours before we need to sca-daddle down there."
Stephanie looked incredulous at her cousin and father keeping the secret from her. "Wait! Abby knows and I don't!"
"I only know a little bit." Abby confesses.
"It's more than me!"
Walking over to his daughter, Steve turns her around to face the rest of her guests and holding her by the shoulder, leans over to whisper in her ear that she still has to play hostess. "This is your party, baby, so... go... circulate." Giving her a gentle push, she finally moves forward and mingles some more.
John had been watching from across the room and when Stephanie moved away, he finally went over to have a quick word with Steve. Sighing at the intrusion, Steve told Kayla he just needed to have a talk with John. "I won't be long, Sweetness."
As he walked with John towards the windows, Kayla remained standing with Max and Abby. Bo noticed and after a few seconds joined the men in their conversation. John didn't like the idea of a break, not when they seemed so close to figuring things out.
"If we take things easy, we could still work at this." He offered.
But Steve was still adamant about taking a few weeks breather. "I know it makes sense to just dive in and get to the bottom of all this, but I tell you, we're overlooking something. I just feel it. If we pushed to hard, we could end up following the wrong path... and that would just make things worse."
How do you know we've overlooked anything?" John insisted that the clue about the color green had to refer to him. "It just makes sense I was the one she meant regarding the Forest green color."
"But it's too simple and easy... and Portia was never that. Look man... I know you want to find the answers... I do to... but not right now."
Bo hated the idea of waiting too, but he was starting to feel the same as Steve, It just seemed to easy that they found the first clue so fast. "Look... John.... I've got to agree with Steve on this. I'm getting a feeling too. Maybe if we just take some time and look around some more, the clues may make better sense."
"Well it looks like I'm out numbered two to one."
"We're not against you, man." Bo told him. "We just want to be sure."
Shaking his head, John looked over a moment to watch Marlena talking with Hope, before turning back. "Okay. Fine. We'll take a short break... but I know I'm right about this."
"Hey come on!" Steve told him. "This is a party... my daughter's twenty-first... let's help her celebrate it."
Sighing once, John finally smiled back then rejoined his wife. Bo gave Steve a knowing look, before the two of them also rejoined their wives. About fifty minutes later, Steve finally called everyone's attention and mentioned the second part of that night's activities.
"Can I have your attention, everyone. Come here, baby!" He called out to Stephanie as she came to stand between her parents. "As you all know, it's my baby girl's 21st birthday today, so officially... I shouldn't really be calling her my baby anymore... even though that's how I still feel inside. She's all grown up now... a woman... and tomorrow, she's leaving for Germany to officially join the European racing circuit. And... I just wanted to say... how proud her mama and I are of her. My baby's beautiful... she's smart... she's talented... and she does her parent's proud with everything she does. So if you can all raise your glasses for a toast. To Stephanie, Happy Birthday Baby... knock em dead over there in Cologne... come back home safe... and know that we LOVE YOU, very, very much! To Stephanie!"
"To Stephanie!" Everyone toasts.
Turning to her father, Stephanie gives him a long hug as she lets the first of many tears fall that evening. While in Kayla's arms. Steve let's everyone in on to where the rest of the party will take place.
"In about an hour, we'll continue this little shin-dig down at the waterfront. My baby here asked me to give her a 21st birthday to remember, and being that I can't refuse her anything... I had to do just that. So..." Steve said while turning to face Stephanie. "...Baby, the second part of your birthday will take place on the Harbor cruiser I rented for the evening. I've got a live jazz and blues band getting ready to join us and they'll keep us entertained while we cruise around the harbor for the next few hours."
"We're going cruising!" She yelled out.
Nodding at her, he asked if she got the birthday she wanted. "So? Did your papa deliver?"
"Oh Dad!" She hugged him again. "You're the best Dad in the world!"
"Ahem!" Kayla loudly exclaimed next to them.
"You too, Mom! I can't believe you got the boat!"
"And don't forget the blues band, Baby. Your papa here might just join them before the evening's out."
"This is... without a doubt... the best party! Ever!"
"Stephanie?" Abby came rushing over. "You got a phone call."
"Okay." She left their side as she headed over to the phone on the far wall.
Steve looked down at his wife then back up, as all he could now see was the back of his daughter's head as she spoke excitedly. He gave a deep and long sigh as he watched her. Kayla gave him an understanding smile while he wrapped his arms around her as they stood off on the side watching their family and friends. After a few minutes, Steve whispered something to her as they made their way out of the room. Gathering their coats, they snuck up to the roof to have a little quiet time alone.
"We did good down there." Kayla told him. "Stephanie is so happy."
Shivering slightly, he grinned back at her. "Yeah, we really know how to throw a party."
Thinking a moment, she suggested possible joining Stephanie next week. "You know, we could always go to Cologne... if you really wanted too."
"I'll always want too, Sweetness... but this time... I think I can let her go... but only for a little while." He said and smiled back
Wrapping the coat tighter around her, Kayla grew colder by the minute. "Steve! I'm freezing up here."
"Well then get over here, Baby!" He ordered her
"Where?"
"Back in my arms where you belong. Its nice and warm here."
Kayla looked back at him in shock. "Are you telling me what to do?"
"Damn right I am!"
Unable to keep the laughter inside, she lets it out as she walked over to him. "Okay! Just checking."
"Come here, Sweetness." Putting his arms around her, they stood, spooned together, watching the stars twinkling in the night sky above. The sounds of the party drifted up and they could just barely hear the voices below them. Leaning his head down closer to her ear, Steve whispered ever so gently to his wife. "Happy, Baby?"
Kayla turned and reached inside his coat to encircle his waist as she held herself just a hairs breath away. "Very happy." She answered, before their lips met.
One week later…
“See… I told you I left my gloves here.” Kayla walked in first to pick up the pair left on the coffee table as Steve came in after her, shutting the loft door. “…Just as I said.”
“Okay, okay.” Looking around, so many memories came flooding back to him. Steve walked over to where his wife stood and took her hand. “Lot’s of happy times spent here, huh Baby?”
“Some sad ones too.” She reminded him. “But… we were always together. That’s what I love remembering the most.”
There were so many changes made, but beneath it all, the ghost of their former home still lingered. With Stephanie now in Paris, Kayla wondered how much longer her daughter would keep the loft.
“You know with Stephanie now racing in France… she might have to give up this place. It would be easier for her to just get an apartment in Paris or London if more races come her way.”
Steve sighed and agreed with her. “Well… until it comes to that, I wouldn’t worry yet. She’ll be home next week. It may be a while before she crosses the pond again.” Giving the place one last cursory look, he looked back at Kayla and took her arm. So… should we get going?”
“Not just yet.” Kayla decided as she pulled off her coat and asked Steve to do the same. “There’s a little something I want to do first.”
He lifted his brow up at her, but she shook her head laughing and went over to the stack of CDs by the stereo. Looking through the pile, she open one case and placed the chosen CD in the player.
The first notes to, Lady in Red, filled the air as she walked back to her grinning husband.
“How about a little dance first.” She suggested.
“This is becoming a habit with us, Baby.” Taking her in his arms, he suddenly dips as Kayla comes up giggling. “… But I can get use to it.”
… I have
never had such a feeling,
such a feeling of complete and utter love, as I do tonight…